WHERE WAS THE DEBATE

The year 2010 was the year of “Pass the Legislation”. The Congress and Senate were guided around like sheep. Where was the debate, the questions: WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHEN, HOW and WHO? No time? The leaders didn’t know what they were voting for. “We’ll worry about it later.” My advice this holiday season is that all elected officials watch, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Maybe Jimmy Stewart will give them some inspiration. In their Christmas stocking, I would hope that Santa leaves them some wisdom, sense of duty and a copy of the Constitution.

COMING TO AMERICA?

Recent events in England and Greece should be of concern to all Americans. It’s a signal of what can happen when government gets too big and people become dependent on entitlements. There comes a time when everyone must face reality. The question becomes where does all that money come from? Someone has to pay. It’s definitely not governments’ money; it’s taxpayer money paying for those entitlements. Something has to give. Government has to cut costs, unions have to stop demanding and instigating, and everyone has to make sacrifices. There is no free ride. When you’re in a hole you dig yourself out. It is a time that will determine what type of country you will live in.

There are many lessons coming out of Europe. Unfortunately our government believes this is the path to follow, I call it the path to Socialism. It’s big government’s wish to redistribute wealth so everyone can be equal. We saw what happened when Freddie and Fannie provided everyone with the opportunity to own a home. The housing market collapsed, leading to high unemployment and huge deficits. This was the initiative that created the problems we are in today. This was government’s approach to change and equality. We were not to be treated as individuals but as collectives.

We must learn from what’s happening in Europe and get back on track. Government must cut back, Union member must regain control of their unions, creativity and ingenuity must be promoted. Dependence on entitlements leads to control of the individual. You lose your identify and become a pawn of the state. If we don’t wake up and pay attention, it may be too late. Europe is not a model to follow, we must return to basic free market principles and individualism. The best model and hope for freedom is and will always be the Constitution of the United States of America.