Faithful Democrats
Once again, Texas has made the news for producing stupid statements. And, once again, these moronic statements come from its governor. Recently, across our Union, a few thousand people gathered to throw "tea parties" and complain about the government stimulus, taxes, and whatever else burdens them. I, for one, am all for citizens voicing their opinion – that is until the opinion verges on violence or secession from the Union, which is exactly what Texas Governor Rick Perry partially advocated at one of three anti-tax tea parties across Texas on April 15th.
Governor Perry, like many Republicans and Libertarians, are worried about the size and scope of the government and have used the financial crisis, TARP, stimulus, and bailout to voice their opposition to the President and the financial rescue package.
Fine.
I appreciate opposition and coherent voices that present vigorous debate and new ideas to solve our countries problems (its what normally separates real democracies from banana republics and dictatorships). But, the idea that the federal government is somehow becoming overly oppressive by forcing states to take the stimulus with restrictions or strings attached is ridiculous. Any state can turn down the federal money at any time. It’s just that the governors of those states will most likely face high unemployment and an abundance of jobs to rebuild our nation’s crumbling infrastructure and no money to fix problems or unemployment or infrastructure. The governors want federal money but they do not want to be told how to spend it. Ridiculous. Now, why would the federal government ever want to give money – with no strings attached – to be spent at the whim of state governments? Never – I hope.
What in God’s Holy name are you thinking Rick Perry. In the realm of stupid and irresponsible statements you can possibly make – I believe you are king. Even our former President… God knows even he admitted trouble with the English language and thought… never, ever, would have advocated or partially advocated or approved of secession from the United States. Given the financial challenges facing Uncle Sam and as Governor of the second largest state in the Union can you somehow dig up a better plan for your people other than leaving the United States. Oh, that’s right… Texas did secede from the Union with the rest of the Confederacy and that worked out swimmingly didn’t it.
What disturbs me the most about insane talk, like the half hearted indications coming from Governor Perry, is the more serious issue of a drought in ideas. I wish the political opposition would find an economist who is not Rick Santinelli to propose a relevant economic proposal. The reason why is because most economist actually approve of the measures taken by both President’s Obama and Bush to avert a total financial meltdown. President Obama is actually implementing and finishing some of the same economic stimulus ideas that President Bush began. The reason is that most economic wizards believed that the free market was in or on the verge of collapse and needed federal capital – fast. TARP was Secretary Paulson’s idea… clearing the toxic debt in the banks was clearly begun in the Bush administration as well as injecting huge amounts of capital into the system to unlock the credit markets. President Obama has continued in this direction – rightly so – in my opinion – to stabilize the free market and evade the complete collapse and destruction of free market capitalism. The extra stimulus money is to help produce jobs, re-enforce national infrastructure, and assist the states in riding out the tough times. President Obama is also looking to shore up programs that have been around for three quarters of a century like social security, Medicaid, and Medicare. This same model was used once before and it was called the New Deal. Most historians would agree that it was hugely successful.
Now there are some different ideas on how to use the stimulus or what kind of stimulus the nation should implement. Some of these ideas are based on free market and political principles, which is to be admired and taken into consideration. One idea is to give a modest tax break to small business owners (not major corporations), there is another idea to have a six month moratorium on income tax – which would let the average citizen use the money to stimulate the economy. These are ideas that deserve recognition and honest debate but secession from our Union is one of the dumbest propositions anyone of any political persuasion could possibly voice.
On another note – referring to the realm of ridiculous statements and lack of coherent ideas or problem solving – what is the problem with paying taxes to support the stability of the United States government? It is not like Americans are being taxed so overwhelming that they cannot survive. Most Americans pay less than 30% in federal income tax, which is lower than almost any country in the entire world and supports the worlds largest (and greatest) military, social security, Medicaid, Medicare, and numerous other government officials, and projects. I also have news for those who want to limit or decrease the size of the federal government – it will never happen. The nation is at 300 million people and growing by the second. The bulk of the management and work force are baby boomers who will retire in the next eight to twelve years and will probably live long enough to suck all the social security and Medicare from our national budget – the federal government will never decrease in size… it can only be contained to some extent. So, who wants to get rid of government programs now when you will absolutely need the government to survive in the future?
Let’s face it. Governor Perry and those who advocate rejecting the federal government stimulus like Governor Jindal of Louisiana and Palin of Alaska have safe political careers and can afford to make claims without offering solutions. Their constituents are also probably a little more self-sufficient than the metropolitan citizens found in larger cities or more populous, smaller states. In my completely correct opinion – they all need a check up from the neck up. The federal government is not oppressing people with their incredible 30% tax rate nor is the stimulus going to bankrupt the nation (we have been in debt in this country several time over before)… the U.S. government and the state of our Union is strong – its fundamentals were strong in and through the Great Depression, World War, Watergate, Jimmy Carter and Dubya’s administrations. The United States will stay strong, will survive, and will lead the world into a new and glorious future. Remember, as the destiny of the U.S. goes… so does the rest of the world.
And, one more thought… one hundred and fifty years ago this nation fought its bloodiest war to keep this Union whole… anyone who advocates – even partially or half heartedly – secession… dishonors all of those who have ever served to keep our Union whole and they do not deserve our low tax rate, freedom of speech, religion, awesome military, technology, or freedoms. Go to Somolia – I hear they have pirates and an incredibly low tax code, as well as amazing ethics, and sharia law. It’s a paradise waiting for Rick Perry.
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