January 3, 2010
This past fall, the “government experts” declared that hard times are ending. Economic numbers showed growth at 3.5% and unemployment dropped 0.2%. (Temporary hiring for the Christmas shopping season). But as talk shows debated the numbers, Ame
rica was not celebrating. Public confidence in these experts waned.
Media sensationalism and political pundits have us caught up in endless debate with parroted arguments that the biggest threats to America include: spending; deficits; Chinese ownership of our debt; world terrorism; mid-east war; H1N1 pandemics; healthcare; and climate change. Government experts up to the President each drive the crisis in our country. What is the root cause? This threat is the American people’s disheartening attitude towards government leadership. It is growing and deepening, and soon will hit a tipping point.
I’m old enough to remember the recession of the 1970s and 1980s. Interest rates of 20%; unemployment above 10%; stagflation; gas lines; President Carter’s “Misery Index”. By any economic measure, that period was more severe than now. But back then, there was a sense of hope. We believed our leaders would come together and show us a way through. We knew we’d get out of it and we did. Today, people don’t see it that way. Have you heard someone say “hang in there…Obama and the Democrats will make it better”? Or, “just follow the Republicans, they know the way out of this”? Americans are beginning to think the problems won’t be solved.
The problems are overwhelming. And our government leadership proves every day an inability or incompetence to make things better. Where are the new solutions? Tax then spend more; regulate more; borrow more money for a bigger government, have historically proven not to work. Even
William Bradford, the first leader of the Pilgrim settlement, early on learned that these methods result in failure, and quickly moved away from them. The American people know they are not the solution.
Borrowing, spending and saddling the engines of the economy via regulatory fiat, are an odd way to lead us out of debt and a slow economy. When your household debt grows beyond your ability to pay, you cut back expenses. To do otherwise worsens the problem. Do our leaders not have a conscious or understanding of the impact of these decisions? Do they believe America is strong enough to handle such abuse?
Did growing up in the post war expansion, roaring 80s and a country of unprecedented wealth and strength spoil our leaders? They’ve grown up with the sayings: “Strongest nation”; “Worlds only superpower”; “Highest standard of living.” Are our leaders that irresponsible to put these phrases and all that they stand for at risk? Or do they believe they could never erode the fundamentals that built the nation? Do the children of abundance believe the party can or should go on no matter what? Maybe being laid off, living paycheck to paycheck, or experiencing a foreclosure should be a requirement for governmental leadership. Maybe then they will not be so callous, and notice when the American people no longer believe in them.
Publius
rica was not celebrating. Public confidence in these experts waned.Media sensationalism and political pundits have us caught up in endless debate with parroted arguments that the biggest threats to America include: spending; deficits; Chinese ownership of our debt; world terrorism; mid-east war; H1N1 pandemics; healthcare; and climate change. Government experts up to the President each drive the crisis in our country. What is the root cause? This threat is the American people’s disheartening attitude towards government leadership. It is growing and deepening, and soon will hit a tipping point.
I’m old enough to remember the recession of the 1970s and 1980s. Interest rates of 20%; unemployment above 10%; stagflation; gas lines; President Carter’s “Misery Index”. By any economic measure, that period was more severe than now. But back then, there was a sense of hope. We believed our leaders would come together and show us a way through. We knew we’d get out of it and we did. Today, people don’t see it that way. Have you heard someone say “hang in there…Obama and the Democrats will make it better”? Or, “just follow the Republicans, they know the way out of this”? Americans are beginning to think the problems won’t be solved.
The problems are overwhelming. And our government leadership proves every day an inability or incompetence to make things better. Where are the new solutions? Tax then spend more; regulate more; borrow more money for a bigger government, have historically proven not to work. Even
William Bradford, the first leader of the Pilgrim settlement, early on learned that these methods result in failure, and quickly moved away from them. The American people know they are not the solution.Borrowing, spending and saddling the engines of the economy via regulatory fiat, are an odd way to lead us out of debt and a slow economy. When your household debt grows beyond your ability to pay, you cut back expenses. To do otherwise worsens the problem. Do our leaders not have a conscious or understanding of the impact of these decisions? Do they believe America is strong enough to handle such abuse?
Did growing up in the post war expansion, roaring 80s and a country of unprecedented wealth and strength spoil our leaders? They’ve grown up with the sayings: “Strongest nation”; “Worlds only superpower”; “Highest standard of living.” Are our leaders that irresponsible to put these phrases and all that they stand for at risk? Or do they believe they could never erode the fundamentals that built the nation? Do the children of abundance believe the party can or should go on no matter what? Maybe being laid off, living paycheck to paycheck, or experiencing a foreclosure should be a requirement for governmental leadership. Maybe then they will not be so callous, and notice when the American people no longer believe in them.
Publius
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