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.
4 comments:
I agree that this stimulus package is overboard and that it establishes some poor priorities. I also agree that I spend more than enough in taxes. I do not like "redistribution of wealth" and feel that what we are really doing is implementing the foundations of a socialist society.
Even so, I do believe in paying a reasonable amount of taxes. Governments need to provide some basic necessities. I believe in the need for a strong military, having policemen and firemen and people to build and maintain roads, and more that I won't go into here.
But the mess we have today includes a lot more than those essential services. The sad news is that there is no turning back. As we have evolved closer to a pure democracy we find that the majority of people love the idea of getting more and letting those who make more than they do pay for it.
Jeff - I wanted to point this out to you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BuyWarBonds.jpg
I completely agree that all this stuff that's going on is absolutely disastrous. IT's maddening that we are empowering the whiners, the irresponsible ones, and punishing those of us who tried to do things right. What are they going to do in a few years when they see that no one wants to go into the healthcare field b/c it's not worth all the debt they'll accrue going to school, when they won't make jack when they get out? Scary.
There is just too much government. It is no longer a government for the people, it's a government for the proliferation of more government (or is that redundant?). There is so much that needs to be eliminated in government and so much that needs to be completely revamped. Unfortunately, the clown in the white house isn't going to do anything intelligent.
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