I hate it when politicians, who make a nice amount of change no matter what ridiculous thing they do, make statements reminding the American public how sheep-like we are.
Friday, February 13, 2009
"And let me say this, to all of the chattering class, that so much focuses on those little, tiny — yes, porky — amendments: The American people really don’t care." - Sen. CHARLES SCHUMER - IS HE CORRECT? ARE WE ON THE "EDGE OF A DEPRESSION?" Are we just going "Baaaaaaa?"
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4 comments:
Unfortunately, I think he's right about us (for the most part). Democracy only works well if you have an intelligent, educated and informed voting population. I don't think we're there yet.
Are we on the brink of a depression? Well, if we're not on the brink, we can certainly see it from here.
We've been spending beyond our means for years now, stealing from our children, our grandchildren and Americans for generations to come. Deficit spending is okay if it builds infrastructure and provides sustainable economic growth and prosperity for the future. Do you think our deficit spending is accomplishing that?
We can't continue to afford to be the world's policeman. Just as the U.K. passed the baton some years ago, it's time for us to find a way to do the same.
China and Japan have enormous reserves. How much are they contributing to the war in Iraq or Afghanistan? Japan was right there in third place in exports to/revenue from Saudi Arabia when we lived there about twelve years ago. Have they paid their fair share to "ensure stability" in the Middle East?
Let's look closer to home and see where we're spending our money. A friend called the other day to tell me that the Moraga Fire Chief retired at the age of 51 and is now collecting a guaranteed retirement income of 90% of his previous $200,000 a year salary. (And, Moraga supposedly hired him back as a consultant).
Mister Writer and others out there in the blogosphere. How much do you think any of us would have to contribute or our employers would have to contribute to our retirement to guarantee 90% of our annual salary for life if we were to retire at age 51?
This is unheard of in the private sector (except maybe for a few of those notorious CEOs with their golden parachutes and maybe a few represented employee groups with really great retirement benefits). But, our public employees are guaranteed a decent retirement at taxpayer expense come hell or high water.
If the stock market crashes and we lose 40% of our 401k plans, who's going to guaranty our retirement income? Nobody, that's who. But, we will continue to pay whatever taxes we must to guaranty our "public service" employees' retirement plans.
So many of our government agencies and programs need a complete overhaul. Some should be scrapped altogether. Our legislators are aware of these problems. When will they face them head on with fundamental reform? A stimulus package is a temporary fix (much like a shot of radiation to a body ridden with cancer). It's time we confront the disease.
We may be sheep and we may be putting blind faith in our elected leaders. But, shame on them if they are betraying that trust and have led and continue to lead us in the wrong direction.
"We poor little lambs have lost our way. Baaaa, Baaaa, Baaaa....."
And, while I'm on my soap box. Why did Clinton pardon Rich after he ran off to Switzerland owing the IRS $50 million or more in taxes, interest and penalties? Did Rich ever pay back the $50 million he owed?
Have we asked our allies to boycott Switzerland until they agree to report all those hidden Swiss-bank accounts? What about all those other offshore accounts?
Instead of raising our taxes, why don't we collect a fair tax from these renegades and come down harder on the white-collar criminals like Madoff? I'll bet he's got a Swiss bank account or two and maybe some in Barbados or the Netherland Antilles as well.
I fear that the federal stimulus package is so unfocused that it will not provide the creation of jobs that our country so desperately needs. I don't need a tax cut. I need the federal government to invest in infrustructure that will actually return the investment. I don't need a $13/week tax reduction, I need my home value to stop declining by $130,000 per year.
There are common sense solutions to the complex problems that our country faces and I doubt that they will be found in the $800 billion stimulus bill that was just passed without even being read by our lawmakers. The bill was over 1000 pages and was not even available for 24 hours before it was voted on.
What is going on is insane and it will continue. Hopefully the economy will right itself. If it does, I doubt that the stimulus package will have been the deciding factor.
Mister Writer, Dorothy & Gary,
You are such great writers and thinkers. I sure hope your efforts are heard and people step up to the challenge!
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