Thoughts

I just looked and it has been over a month since I posted. How time flies when you are living a life!

I have a LOT to comment on and talk about, but I am not sure I can make a cogent argument this morning. I just don't feel it.

I am continually amazed at the ignorance of what appears to be the average American. I do not understand how people can be so uninformed. I am dumbfounded by the apparent lack of concern for the health and welfare of the nation. The "as long as I get mine" or "as long as we get ours" school of thought is ridiculous, and very dangerous. (a good time for a reminder of the "great lesson" - there is no government money - no federal dollars, state dollars, government grants, etc. - it is all OUR money) Winston Churchill said it well -"The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with an average voter."

We are now approaching a time where over 50% of the people are getting some type of assistance "from the government" (re-read the above if you wonder why that is in quotes). I have written numerous posts about this subject, so do some research if you want details, at least as I see them. Thomas Jefferson said "“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." The "tax the rich" answer is untenable at best. First, who decides at what level "rich" starts. If you are unemployed, living in a cardboard box, on the street; the guy living in his car with a job cleaning toilets appears rich. If you are making $100,000 a year, are you rich? If you live in South Carolina - maybe by some measures. If you live in Manhattan, probably not. Second, at some point "the rich" cease to be so or just leave. Great Britain has had a flight of wealth that has crippled the economy there over the past thirty years or so. As they became more socialist/liberal and government programs increased, the burden on those with money became too onerous. The answer - leave. Some of that is happening at the state level in the U.S. now. California's fiscal problems should be a warning to us all. If the tax burden becomes too large, people will move to avoid it. That applies to businesses and people. (another reminder lesson - businesses don't pay taxes - their customers and/or shareholders do. You cannot "tax" a business - just people.)

In my opinion, backed by many, many others; the American voters really blew it November of 2008. There is a chance for some measure of redemption this coming November. We need to get it right. Most incumbents (of both parties) need to go. The president of the U.S. does not spend money, nor levy taxes - the Congress does. As long as we have fat cats in Washington that are doing nothing but protecting their interests, we will continue in decline. There are a few that are worth preserving. I will let you decide who that is. Most of the folks up there need to go. The 2008 elections were about "hope and change". If you really want change, get Congress rolled over. Then in two years we can roll some more.