Why Big Government Is Back in Fashion

sucking the life out of us

or perhaps taking all the fun out of doing the right thing ? we have gone around the world doing the right thing , freeing those poor Iraqis- who wouldn't stand up for themselves , rebuilding their infrastructure, some we damaged , as we spent tax dollars one third was used for security , one third stolen ,one third went to actually building something that they wont take responsibility to run , speaking of running isn't it time to do some and refocus our efforts at home so our way of life can be resumed before lost forever . this was bin laden stated goal at the beginning of his attacks, well he invested wisely , plane tickets- box cutters and a little brain washing . Saddam on the other didn't attack us directly , for sure he was a menace and invade others seeking more power and needed to be addressed. why then aren't those who were attacked paying the tab ? after we leave what is going to happen , look at history and it seems clear they will start over , fighting for there own factions unable to compromise . Iran ane the Saudis mix in the Turks and things get real interesting real fast ! now look towards Afghanistan and Pakistan , might as well include India as they will need to be wary of that situation . did i forget to mention Israel and of course some African nations ? sure hope we get some help from our allies if any of them can afford to help. whatever happened to the golden rule , most no longer it do you ?

I think the government has been largest since the war on terrorism was initiated

Haven't you noticed since 9-11 we now have largest law enforcement, secret service and military personnel ever in our history? Big government was not just created in this new administration. The overblown government was created, marketed and sold to the American people as War on Terrorism.

Response to "what's going on?"

Dear Kenny (age 9...YA...riiiight),

All of the "robbing" you listed, our last idiot president bush did all that. I agree with all of your complaints though - the government put more into war than into anything needed in our own country. And it's funny you mention bridges - you couldn't be more right...I'm a civil engineer (structural) and I design bridges for a living for New York State, and since I've started 7 years ago (and even before that as I was told), the federal government never gave us enough funds to rehabilitate or replace all of the deficient bridges in NY - and there are A LOT! It's public info - you can look up the percentage of deficient bridges. I know it's high, but I forgot.

Anyhow, I also hope that Obama's plan will help this country. It stinks that Bush left him with such a mess, but I do believe that Obama is a brilliant man and can really accomplish things. In my opinion, he seems so down to earth - I would say the most "American" president we've had (well that I've been alive for and my parents also).

whats going on?

Dear America,

Thanks for robbing us all with taxes we are forced to pay, and wasting all our money on worthless junk like NOT FIXING bridges that collapse in Minneapolis during our commutes, and instead giving it to wars in other countries that now have new schools, roads, hospitals, and plenty of new jobs. Now we are broke, and can't go shopping, so all of our favorite stores are closing. Now our favorite American product manufacturers, retailers, and service providers are sad that they aren't making money, so they fired us all. The best part is, you want to rob us even more (even though we don't have jobs) to make sure our favorite brand names don't fail, and lay off more. Unfortunatley while you were robbing us all, we didn't spend any more money buying from those companies you helped. Hopefully all of OUR MONEY you spent helps, because if it doesn't, you are going to be in big trouble mister. Maybe one of these days, the 300+ million of us that live here will get tired of being robbed all the time, and maybe we will do somthing about it.

With love always,

Kenny

age 9

Stimulus package

When the 800 billion stimulus dries up (remember we have to borrow this money, we don't have it) all those who have been feeding at the government tit will be starving. Given that nearly 56% of the voting populace pays no taxes (strange? that's roughly the same percentage that voted for the Messiah), that's over half our country who have no vested interest in anything other than their next freebie. Lock and load and barracade your family, the world as we know it is about to turn upside down.

Big/Small Government is Bad: A Moderate Government is what we need

I found this article through PosiPeople. I have to admit that big government is just as bad as no government. I think that a recent Newsweek article by Fareed Zakaria, summarizes the challenge that the world faces well. The quote below explains.

"It's a fundamental American belief that competition is good—in business, athletics and life. Checks and balances are James Madison's crucial mechanisms, exposing and countering abuse and arrogance and forcing discipline on people. This discipline will be painful for a country that has gotten used to having it all. But it will make us much stronger in the long run. If we can learn the right lessons from this crisis, the United States will once more be playing by its own rules. And that cannot be bad for us."

This is a tough time, but America should emerge stronger by getting its financial house in order.

Fact vs feelings

Which do you think helps the economy more... Giving someone a tax break where the extra money goes to pay off old debt and maybe a little in a bank that is only allowed to use a portion of it for investment... or, the government having it and spending it on infrastructure, fuel efficient cars, scientific research, support for colleges and incentives for businesses? Should we invest in our future or pay off old debts. Going more in debt to invest in the future may sound like a bad idea but it is the only one we have that gives us a real chance to get out of this mess. Taking out a loan to increase your future earning potential works. Ask any college student!

Living on the edge

A few years back, I was struggling to feed a growing family and we were on the edge of food stamp eligibility. My wife and I bought generic, used coupons and did without a lot of simple pleasures. All the people at the checkout had two orders, the items that were food stamp eligible and the cigarettes, liquor and other non-food stamp items. Somehow we managed to have three times or more the amount of groceries for a significantly lower cost. Now we're comfortable, have college educated and moderately successful children. I guess we screwed up by not abusing the government handout system.

Viva La Reagan

And a Rasmussen Reports survey released yesterday found that "For the first time, a plurality of voters nationwide OPPOSE the $800-billion-plus plan... 37% favor the legislation, 43% are opposed, and 20% are not sure." (my caps)

Just wait a couple years from now when inflation hits and numerous reports surface about all scandals and pure waste that has resulted from this spending scheme.

Then we'll see how correct Dallek is.

astonishing and alarming

I'd say that covers my opinion. I'm watching the PBS documentary "Commanding Heights" this week. The net result of that series was the conclusion that Hayek was right. We are heading in exactly the wrong direction on this.