I can’t believe the Lobo lets such rubbish as Jason Stafford’s “‘Murican’ policies prop up the rich,” in Monday’s issue, defile its pages. It’s a hateful piece of conjecture which, as usual, quotes no facts and has no redeemable value.
Stafford repeatedly disparages the rich and successful, claiming they would “burn the average person like cordwood to keep [their] show ponies warm,” rather than welcoming a rising entrepreneur into their “vacation spots” or “soirees.” I think his entire article is hateful, ignorant, inspires the disdain that creates jealousy and envy among our citizens.
He repeatedly tells us that no average American can ever get rich and the only purpose in doing so to “feel above those who cannot attain them (riches).” To use the same asinine, unfair argument in reverse would be to imply that all poor people are cheap, lazy, conniving bums who only want to steal and squander wealth they never earned and live off the public dole.
That’s not true.
Let’s first deal with his criticism of Mitt Romney. I’m not a fan of Romney but he gave over 29% of his income to charity in 2011, donating over $4 million. He also paid $1.9 million in taxes.
Before you start to cry that most of his giving went to his church, remember that most of the charities in the U.S. are traditionally religious. Just go to Downtown Albuquerque and look around. The Rescue Mission, Good Shepherd, Joy Junction, and Noon Day ministries are all religious organizations feeding and caring for the poor. Also, overseas most of the organizations that help the poor are religious. I’ve spent time in Africa and Brazil working with such organizations.
Also, consider Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, both self-made billionaires, who gave large portions of their time and money to philanthropy. I would love to tell you what millionaires Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid gave to charity but each refuse to release their tax returns.
Secondly, let’s look at our government’s track record. In 1967, the House Ways and Means Committee estimated that by 1990, Medicare would cost the U.S. $12 billion. Its actual cost by that date was $98 billion. Medicaid was estimated to cost $1 billion by 1992, but actually cost $17 billion. I wish I had their calculator when I was balancing my checkbook. We bailed out GM for $50 billion and they paid back about half. Now, we’re going to have to sell the remaining stock that the Feds own at half the original value, losing taxpayers an estimated $12 billion… Yea, socialism!
And as for Obamacare? CNN’s senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen, hasn’t been able to log on to the exchanges for two weeks, during which she’s tried countless times, even staying up till 3 in the morning, hoping to avoid the traffic.
Also, don’t forget Solyndra, the ”Big Dig” in Boston, Fisker Auto, A123 Systems, SpectraWatt, the Capital Hill Visitor’s Center and the war in Iraq, all which either cost 10 times original estimates or are no longer in business even though we loaned them millions, never being paid back. Government is awful at budget estimates and at picking winners and losers.
Third, people hate socialism because of history. Socialism means that government controls the means of production. “From each according to their ability, to each according to their need.” I know you think that socialism and communism are different, but I beg to differ. Socialism is an economic theory, and communism a political theory, but the end is the same — government control.
And before you begin to spout the benefits of socialism, might I remind you of the USSR, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or the Nazis, the National Socialist German Workers’ Party. I know you’re referring to the novel “social democracy” which is a redistribution of wealth philosophy which uses taxation and regulation to create “equality.” What they mean is government coercion. Take from the producers and give to those who don’t.
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Contrary to popular opinion, the pie isn’t only so big.
Capitalists believe in making more pies.
Finally, I grew up in a poor neighborhood, the South Valley, with a single mother, and never have asked for someone else’s wealth.
I’ve seen the lazy, lying, welfare folks who milk the system with no intention to contribute, and the others folks who really need a hand up. I’ve known millionaires and hard-working folks who were more than happy to help me with my investments, or educate me on the market.
Instead of complaining and crying that the system is unfair, get off your rear end and produce something. The reason we still believe in the American Dream is because maybe we know someone who made it through hard work and diligence or we ourselves are on our way. Envy and bitterness just creates warring factions of citizens.
