In recognition of the momentous event that took place yesterday, February 17, 2009, with the signing into law of the completely bipartisan (did I say that? I meant grossly partisan) Government Stimulus, oh, pardon me, the Economic Stimulus Package, I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to simply say--welcome to the New America! FDR had his New Deal, now Obama has his New America. An America where capitalism is reigned in, not set free; an America where the people are rewarded based on need and not merit, an America where the desire to succeed must now be tempered with a recognition that the greater you succeed, the more intimate will become your financial relationship with the government. Make more, keep less--get used to it. Our own Vice-President has proudly proclaimed that it is our patriotic duty to pay taxes. Be a patriot, give the government your money! Help them save irresponsible business while indirectly punishing the responbile ones! Our government is now bigger, badder, and bolder than ever before. The latest word is, this is just the beginning. More steps may be necessary...but what's another 400 billion next month when we spent twice that this month? Axelrod, Geitner, and others are certainly speaking that way as of late. I believe what we need now is what Reagan sought to achieve--and accomplished--in the early 80's: "What we're trying to do is alter the economic situation (one much worse than today's) by changing one simple two-letter word, economic control by government to economic control on government." A last thought from the man who embodies the America that I believe in, what I can now only hold onto in spirit, idealism, and hope due to its death in political reality: "We always must ask: Is government working to liberate and empower the individual? Is it creating incentives for people to produce, save, invest, and profit from legitimate risks and honest toil? Is it encouraging all of us to reach for the stars? Or does it seek to compel, command, and coerce people into submission and dependence? Ask these questions, because no matter where you look today, you will see that development depends on economic freedom." -- Ronald Reagan, October 15, 1981.
"They have kind of a layaway plan for your lives which never changes. It's called, 'Americans make, government takes.'" - Remarks at the National Conference of the National Federation of Independent Business, June 22, 1983.
