Barack Obama gave another flowery speech, this time on patriotism. As usual, I had to read the transcript, because A) I have a job and B) his speeches really annoy me.
He starts out by reminding us that a revolution was fought against the tyranny of an Empire for the sake of liberty. It's too bad he doesn't really understand the definition of liberty. I doubt the founders of our great nation were fighting to create a government to be the great Robin Hood of the world. He said we need to think about our commitments not just to our nation, but to each other. Hmm....can you say "collectivist" anyone?
He asks how in this global economy we will ensure "the winners maintain allegiance to the less fortunate". I'd like to know his definition of "winner". Are "winners" the people who work hard, pay their bills and save for their retirement? Who is the "less fortunate". The person who doesn't hold a steady job, buys a home he cannot afford, runs up his credit cards and skips out on his kids? Whose job is it to define "winner" and "less fortunate". Will he set up a committee?
Obama then reminisces about the culture wars of the 1960's and the "so-called counter-culture" who were "burning flags" and "blaming America for all that was wrong with the world". Who is he talking about? His good buddies William Ayers and Bernadette Dohrn? He left out the part about bombing American institutions.
Of course he had to include "America's imperfections". Has he given a speech where he doesn't bring up our "imperfections?" He said we have an obligation to help our fellow citizens pursue their dreams. His choice of words is notable - rather than allowing our fellow citizens to pursue their dreams, he believes we must help them pursue their dreams.
As usual, he denigrated the Iraqis and bashed rich people. I agree with him on one point, that our government has put off much needed changes to our energy policy. He just seems to forget that it is his party keeping us from realizing energy independence.
Showing posts with label socialism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label socialism. Show all posts
June 30, 2008
June 27, 2008
Collectivists vs. the Individual
Collectivists have been around since Carl Marx and they never seem to give up. Upon defeat they simply try a new argument, a new tactic and are back in business.
The economic policies of the Soviet Union were an utter disaster. The tactics employed to enforce those policies were barbaric. Individuals do not wish to labor for the benefit of the collective. Individuals labor for their own benefit, that's natural law. Do tigers kill their prey to feed the entire animal kingdom? Of course not. Why would they? They do so to feed themselves. That's their nature. To require a person to work against his own nature requires force, either at the end of a gun or by threat of penalties and imprisonment.
The collectivists didn't learn from the example of the Soviet Union. They choose to forget it, they don't want it taught. They don't want to hear that Hitler came to power through a populist, collective message, as all fascists do.
The Great Depression was a great time for the collectivists. The ills of the world were blamed on capitalism and greed. Through FDR many of their dreams became reality, with enormouse expansion of the federal government and government control over the lives of American citizens. They were able to sell it to the people because times were tough. Americans would have survived the Depression and gone on to flourish without all of FDR's programs. Those programs may have actually prolonged the depression, but the feel good message of "hope and change" was too much for many Americans to resist.
Then came the "war on poverty". More money taken from the pockets of hard working Americans to create a new class of citizens, those dependent on their fellow Americans. Billions of tax payer dollars have gone into the "war on poverty" yet they tell us it hasn't been enough. Billions of dollars go into failing schools, yet they don't want us to be able to choose which schools to send our children. Rather than teach the virtues of self reliance, hard work and determination, a message is sent to the poor that nothing they can do will make a difference, that they are helpless and hopeless without the government's help.
When is the last time you turned on the news to hear about hard working Americans who simply raise their families, pay their bills on time and plan for the future? Isn't that what millions of Americans do? Why aren't those people celebrated? Because, the collectivists don't want to send messages of individual achievement. They want those of us that work hard to see pictures of the poor, of suffering and illness. They want people who achieved success through hard work to feel guilty. As if someone cannot achieve success without causing misery to another.
A fairly recent tactic they're using is global warming. They scare people. They predict terrible things. They convince people to stop thinking about what is in their own, individual interests in favor of what is best for the world. Lawmakers enact legislation producing unintended consequences such as global starvation, sky rocketing gas prices, economic slow down and job losses. Then they blame it on capitalists.
The collectivists will never go away. They have gotten their way slowly through the years. They hope people won't notice as their rights and freedoms are eroded. They try to silence those who understand their goals and tactics. There will come a day when they have gone too far.
The economic policies of the Soviet Union were an utter disaster. The tactics employed to enforce those policies were barbaric. Individuals do not wish to labor for the benefit of the collective. Individuals labor for their own benefit, that's natural law. Do tigers kill their prey to feed the entire animal kingdom? Of course not. Why would they? They do so to feed themselves. That's their nature. To require a person to work against his own nature requires force, either at the end of a gun or by threat of penalties and imprisonment.
The collectivists didn't learn from the example of the Soviet Union. They choose to forget it, they don't want it taught. They don't want to hear that Hitler came to power through a populist, collective message, as all fascists do.
The Great Depression was a great time for the collectivists. The ills of the world were blamed on capitalism and greed. Through FDR many of their dreams became reality, with enormouse expansion of the federal government and government control over the lives of American citizens. They were able to sell it to the people because times were tough. Americans would have survived the Depression and gone on to flourish without all of FDR's programs. Those programs may have actually prolonged the depression, but the feel good message of "hope and change" was too much for many Americans to resist.
Then came the "war on poverty". More money taken from the pockets of hard working Americans to create a new class of citizens, those dependent on their fellow Americans. Billions of tax payer dollars have gone into the "war on poverty" yet they tell us it hasn't been enough. Billions of dollars go into failing schools, yet they don't want us to be able to choose which schools to send our children. Rather than teach the virtues of self reliance, hard work and determination, a message is sent to the poor that nothing they can do will make a difference, that they are helpless and hopeless without the government's help.
When is the last time you turned on the news to hear about hard working Americans who simply raise their families, pay their bills on time and plan for the future? Isn't that what millions of Americans do? Why aren't those people celebrated? Because, the collectivists don't want to send messages of individual achievement. They want those of us that work hard to see pictures of the poor, of suffering and illness. They want people who achieved success through hard work to feel guilty. As if someone cannot achieve success without causing misery to another.
A fairly recent tactic they're using is global warming. They scare people. They predict terrible things. They convince people to stop thinking about what is in their own, individual interests in favor of what is best for the world. Lawmakers enact legislation producing unintended consequences such as global starvation, sky rocketing gas prices, economic slow down and job losses. Then they blame it on capitalists.
The collectivists will never go away. They have gotten their way slowly through the years. They hope people won't notice as their rights and freedoms are eroded. They try to silence those who understand their goals and tactics. There will come a day when they have gone too far.
June 19, 2008
Atlas Shrugged
Atlas Shrugged is an absolute must read! Although it was written over half a century ago, it couldn't be more applicable if it were written yesterday. We have elected officials actually calling for government take over of the oil industry. Our rights are trampled on continuously in the name of environmentalism. The socialist presidential candidate is leading in the polls.
Atlas Shrugs paints a picture of what happens to society and the human psyche when socialists take control of a nation. It's a warning of the dangers of out of control government and what happens when the socialists take things too far. When society punishes the productive, the productive will stop producing.
You can buy the book today by clicking on the link to your left. You'll be amazed at the parallels between then and now.
Atlas Shrugs paints a picture of what happens to society and the human psyche when socialists take control of a nation. It's a warning of the dangers of out of control government and what happens when the socialists take things too far. When society punishes the productive, the productive will stop producing.
You can buy the book today by clicking on the link to your left. You'll be amazed at the parallels between then and now.
June 11, 2008
The Economy According to Barack Obama
The Pope of Hope's been out on the stump touting his plans to save the US economy. His speech on Monday to many Americans probably sounds pretty good. Class Warfare is the new Democratic board game. Oil companies are bad for making a profit while working Americans can't afford to pay for gas. Oh, those big, bad oil companies. He'll show them, he'll decide how much profit they are allowed to keep and take the rest away to distribute to the needy Americans who can't take care of themselves. Heck, he won't let them use their profits to get the oil out of the ground beneath our feet, so why not? Gas lines can be fun!
He talks about the "inequality" of the economic system. Why should some people get to be rich while other people are poor? That's so unfair. We shouldn't "spend" money giving tax breaks to wealthy people. We can all look forward to retiring on Social Security because it allows people to live in dignity in their old age. So what if he doesn't actually know anyone living on Social Security. He's heard it's great. He promises never allow to allow privatization of Social Security. The American people don't need a better return on their money than the government gives them. We certainly can't have prosperous retirees (unless they are union members on the taxpayers dole), the young workers could be envious.
The Messiah then called for another, immediate, economic stimulus package to the tune of $50 Billion. He's so charitable, he must have been donating 60% of his income over the years to help the needy. On the same theme of his generosity with our, I mean, government money, he'll create a $10 billion "Foreclosure Prevention Fund". Those of us who pay our bills will have the privelege of paying for those who don't. Won't that be fun? You can get by on a smaller paycheck! Remember, ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for the schmuck who took out a mortgage he couldn't afford.
Lot's of Americans have credit card debt so he's going to put (other people's) money into their pockets. So, your check will shrink a little more paying for your neighbor's iPod. Maybe they'll invite you over to listen to the music they just downloaded.
Of course he understands how hard it is for college graduates to pay off their loans because he and his wife had to pay a lot of money for their Ivy League educations. He'll take more of your, I mean, rich folks' money to give every student $4000 a year to attend college. It's really nice the way he spends our, I mean, government money to help people out.
But don't worry. He knows this all sounds expensive but he believes in "pay as you go". Unfortunately, that's code for "tax the crap out of working Americans as you spend".
I must have been brought up wrong. My parents taught me that taking someone else's money was stealing. They're just so out of it. If Obama is elected there will be no inequality. We'll all be schmucks!
He talks about the "inequality" of the economic system. Why should some people get to be rich while other people are poor? That's so unfair. We shouldn't "spend" money giving tax breaks to wealthy people. We can all look forward to retiring on Social Security because it allows people to live in dignity in their old age. So what if he doesn't actually know anyone living on Social Security. He's heard it's great. He promises never allow to allow privatization of Social Security. The American people don't need a better return on their money than the government gives them. We certainly can't have prosperous retirees (unless they are union members on the taxpayers dole), the young workers could be envious.
The Messiah then called for another, immediate, economic stimulus package to the tune of $50 Billion. He's so charitable, he must have been donating 60% of his income over the years to help the needy. On the same theme of his generosity with our, I mean, government money, he'll create a $10 billion "Foreclosure Prevention Fund". Those of us who pay our bills will have the privelege of paying for those who don't. Won't that be fun? You can get by on a smaller paycheck! Remember, ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for the schmuck who took out a mortgage he couldn't afford.
Lot's of Americans have credit card debt so he's going to put (other people's) money into their pockets. So, your check will shrink a little more paying for your neighbor's iPod. Maybe they'll invite you over to listen to the music they just downloaded.
Of course he understands how hard it is for college graduates to pay off their loans because he and his wife had to pay a lot of money for their Ivy League educations. He'll take more of your, I mean, rich folks' money to give every student $4000 a year to attend college. It's really nice the way he spends our, I mean, government money to help people out.
But don't worry. He knows this all sounds expensive but he believes in "pay as you go". Unfortunately, that's code for "tax the crap out of working Americans as you spend".
I must have been brought up wrong. My parents taught me that taking someone else's money was stealing. They're just so out of it. If Obama is elected there will be no inequality. We'll all be schmucks!
May 27, 2008
Obama the Collectivist
Barack Obama gave the commencement speech at Wesleyan University. He was calling on the graduates to serve their country and to help those less fortunate than themselves.
He did not speak of strengthening our military or winning in Iraq but he did comment on foreign policy.
He must think he is running for President of the World. About education here at home:
Since when does the President pay teachers? Taxpayers pay teachers. He doesn't call on any of these young people to serve their country by serving in the military.
He even found a way to explain away all of the failed liberal policies and programs, and to convince these young people to go on welfare.
In a nutshell, he believes we should not work for our own living, but for the lives of others. Individuals are nothing, it's the "collective" that's important. Don't support yourself, the government will support you. Don't join the military, in Obama's utopia we won't need one. There are lots of unintended consequences of liberal, socialist policies, but don't worry about that.
Anyone who says Obama is not a socialist is a liar.
Not because you have an obligation to those who are less fortunate, although I believe you do have that obligation. Not because you have a debt to all those who helped you get to where you are today, although I do believe you have that debt to pay.
It's because you have an obligation to yourself. Because our individual salvation depends on collective salvation. Because thinking only about yourself, fulfilling your immediate wants and needs, betrays a poverty of ambition. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential and discover the role that you'll play in writing the next great chapter in the American story.
He did not speak of strengthening our military or winning in Iraq but he did comment on foreign policy.
As President, I intend to grow the Foreign Service, double the Peace Corps over the next few years, and engage young people of other nations in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all of humanity.
He must think he is running for President of the World. About education here at home:
I will pay our educators what they deserve, and give them more support, but I will also ask more of them to be mentors to other teachers, and serve in high-need schools and high-need subject areas like math and science. We will need you.
Since when does the President pay teachers? Taxpayers pay teachers. He doesn't call on any of these young people to serve their country by serving in the military.
At a time of war, we need you to work for peace. At a time of inequality, we need you to work for opportunity.
He even found a way to explain away all of the failed liberal policies and programs, and to convince these young people to go on welfare.
And so, understand that, should you take the path of service, should you choose to take up one of these causes as your own, know that you'll experience the occasional frustrations and the occasional failures. Even your successes will be marked by imperfections and unintended consequences. I guarantee you, there will be times when friends or family urge you to pursue more sensible endeavors with more tangible rewards. And there will be times where you will be tempted to take their advice.
In a nutshell, he believes we should not work for our own living, but for the lives of others. Individuals are nothing, it's the "collective" that's important. Don't support yourself, the government will support you. Don't join the military, in Obama's utopia we won't need one. There are lots of unintended consequences of liberal, socialist policies, but don't worry about that.
Anyone who says Obama is not a socialist is a liar.
May 20, 2008
Utopia?
Some recent stories on Venezuela haven't gotten a whole lot of media attention. Staples such as milk, eggs and sugar have been scarce. On May 2 Reuters reported that Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez "bought" one of Venezuela's largest dairy companies and a refrigeration chain to try to alleviate the food crisis. Reuters ran a similar story on April 29, but again, I don't remember a whole lot of media attention.
I do recall Chavez making headlines a while back when he said he would provide cheap oil to poor Americans. I don't hear much about my neighborhood Citgo station's gas prices being higher than it's nearby competitors, but that's another story. The media only wants to hype stories that make President Bush and the US look bad. They don't want us to hear about the utter failure of socialist governments to "take care of the people".
Chavez, a socialist, has been in power in Venezuela for 10 years. There are government price controls, government planning of milk companies, and rules against free trade. Venezuela's large oil industry is state run. So after 10 years in power and all of that oil money and government planning why are Venezuelans running out of food? Why are there any poor people left in Venezuela? Why can't the people find car parts and paper?
If this is what you want for the United States, by all means, vote for the socialist, I mean Democratic, candidate this fall.
I do recall Chavez making headlines a while back when he said he would provide cheap oil to poor Americans. I don't hear much about my neighborhood Citgo station's gas prices being higher than it's nearby competitors, but that's another story. The media only wants to hype stories that make President Bush and the US look bad. They don't want us to hear about the utter failure of socialist governments to "take care of the people".
Chavez, a socialist, has been in power in Venezuela for 10 years. There are government price controls, government planning of milk companies, and rules against free trade. Venezuela's large oil industry is state run. So after 10 years in power and all of that oil money and government planning why are Venezuelans running out of food? Why are there any poor people left in Venezuela? Why can't the people find car parts and paper?
If this is what you want for the United States, by all means, vote for the socialist, I mean Democratic, candidate this fall.
National Health Care Question
I keep waiting for someone to do a poll asking the following:
Do you work because your job provides health insurance?
If so, will you quit, retire or scale back your hours if the US government provided you with health insurance?
Think about how many people put off retirement until Medicare kicks in because they don't have enough money saved to pay for health insurance. How many families with both parents working have one of those parents working to provide health insurance for their family?
I don't know if anyone has asked what will happen if wage earners stop earning wages if they no longer need health insurance. Those wage earners will either stop paying income tax, or pay less in taxes. If they are replaced by their employers, chances are if they were long-term employees they will be replaced with people earning less money, thereby reducing the tax base.
Will we need permission to stop working, retire or cut back to part time work?
Do you work because your job provides health insurance?
If so, will you quit, retire or scale back your hours if the US government provided you with health insurance?
Think about how many people put off retirement until Medicare kicks in because they don't have enough money saved to pay for health insurance. How many families with both parents working have one of those parents working to provide health insurance for their family?
I don't know if anyone has asked what will happen if wage earners stop earning wages if they no longer need health insurance. Those wage earners will either stop paying income tax, or pay less in taxes. If they are replaced by their employers, chances are if they were long-term employees they will be replaced with people earning less money, thereby reducing the tax base.
Will we need permission to stop working, retire or cut back to part time work?
May 16, 2008
Who are the Communists Supporting?
The Communist Party USA can't officially endorse a candidate, knowing full well if they do it would be like committing political homicide. But I was wondering which candidate they like so I thought I'd check out their web site. Their electoral policy page let's people know where they stand on the election.
While not specifically endorsing any candidate, about Obama they say "Barack Obama’s campaign has so far generated the most excitement, attracted the most votes, most volunteers and the most money. We think the basic reason for this is that his campaign has the clearest message of unity and progressive change, while having a real possibility for victory in November." That sounds like an endorsement to me.
They proudly state their slogan "People before profits" and their goal of a "Bill of Rights Socialism" say it all. Yes, that tells me all I need to know.
While not specifically endorsing any candidate, about Obama they say "Barack Obama’s campaign has so far generated the most excitement, attracted the most votes, most volunteers and the most money. We think the basic reason for this is that his campaign has the clearest message of unity and progressive change, while having a real possibility for victory in November." That sounds like an endorsement to me.
They proudly state their slogan "People before profits" and their goal of a "Bill of Rights Socialism" say it all. Yes, that tells me all I need to know.
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