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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Capitalism is NOT a dirty word!

This great country was founded on Capitalism where people have the right, and the privilege, to create wealth for themselves and others through creative enterprise. It is the antithesis of socialism where government controls and stifles economic growth through unwieldy legislation and taxes.

We are the envy of the world because we have those freedoms engendered by Capitalism. Our Constitution was written by patriots who had the courage and foresight to see a great opportunity for a free and open society. They stood up against tyranny and control by a monarchy which would deny us those freedoms. We should not forget that many lives were lost in support of those freedoms for ourselves and other people around the globe.

Now we are returning to tyranny by a government bent on greater taxation, spending, and socialist policies. Do we need to again fight for our freedom? The early founders of our government anticipated that those in power would forget the principles laid out in our Constitution and even suggested that revolution would be necessary from time to time. Freedom of speech and public demonstration hopefully preclude the need for physical confrontation and bloodshed. But corruption and greed is still rampant in government at all levels and cannot be tolerated! We must continue to fight for our freedoms with each election and weed out those who ignore the will of the people. READ OUR LIPS ... NO NEW TAXES! Government spending must be reduced by getting rid of special interests, pork, and corruption.

Capitalism grows our economy, and wealth is not evil. Wealth acquired through hard work and entrepreneurship is what built this country. To destroy incentives of entrepreneurship by excessive taxation and our growing dependency of foreign money leads to increased welfare and the weakening of our economy.

The basic principles of good government are: Fiscal responsibility, free markets through Capitalism, and much less dependency on welfare. We are nearing the precipice of fiscal collapse. Government needs to understand that they are here primarily for the national defense, and to support the economy by ensuring fiscal responsibility. They are not here for the purpose of legislating morality, nor to pad their pockets with legislation to ensure their comfortable retirement and special privileges. Unions and government employees are citizens as well and must abide by the same laws and forgo special treatment.

The voters are angry, and will be watching as we approach the 2012 elections.

Fiscal Responsibility

Fiscal Responsibility -- What part of that statement is unclear to our governments - Federal, State, and Local?

Why are in this position to begin with? Where was Congress the last several years? This crisis has not just suddenly appeared and could not have been anticipated long ago. Congress, regardless of which party had control, continued to tax and spend for their favorite "pork" projects to help ensure their reelection and used taxpayer money at will for their special interests and perks, and to pad their retirement.

Yes, there are wars, and there were debts incurred, and there were "bailouts" (a whole 'nuther topic on stupidity). So let's blame the "other guy" whether a prior President, prior Congress, or the "other party"). Pogo said in one of the comic strips, "We have met the enemy, and it is us!" How true! WE are the cause of our failures, either through neglect, inattention, or just disregard for the rising problems.

Now we have reached a debt crisis point at ALL levels of government. Now, suddenly, as if there was no prior awareness, we (the unwary citizens) are being told that unless we allow the Federal government to raise the "debt ceiling", that we will be punished (my word) by higher taxes, stopping or limiting Social Security and Medicare payments (let's scare the elderly and disabled), face a financial crisis and economic recession with rising mortgage rates, higher food costs, more job loss (scare the rest of the public), and having our country's credit status downgraded.

The people of the United States, at each election, hope for the best. We put our faith and trust in those we elect to look out for us, and to vote for what is best for the people and NOT what is best for the party or self interest. I am sure that I express the feelings of the majority of intelligent voters, that our governments, at all levels, have let us down. It is up to Congress and the President to fix this problem with minimal impact to the citizens of this country, and to place fiscal responsibility as one of the primary goals of government in the future. That is why we elected you, so get on with it!