Now that we are past the CHRISTMAS season of buying stuff for people that did not need more stuff, all in a misguided effort to keep China's exporters busy, it is time to get back to work. I apologize for being politically incorrect. Suppose I should have used the term holiday season.
I have stated in these pages many times that the Federal Government has become a danger to the people, and that the government would, in the end, destroy the people in an effort to save itself. While the upcoming November 2012 elections are still couched in terms of Republicans versus Democrats, some insightful political analysts are sizing up the battlefield differently, instead painting a picture of "the people versus the government". I think that they are right. The emergence of the Tea Party, the appeal of Ron Paul accross political lines, and the OccupyWallStreet crowd all suggest growing dissaffection with large institutions and the powerful elites controlling such institutions.
This has to be a concern of the elites. After all, who wants to have their heads separated from their bodies? The history of governments being created wtih some noble purpose, only to be destroyed by the little folks when necessary to create a better government and society is thick with examples. And history is repeatable. We are on this path.
In the past week, President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 that gives the federal government the authority to arrest and indefinitely detain U.S. citizens without being charged with any crimes. So now, any citizen who is viewed with suspicion as a terrorist can be summarily arrested and thown into the can, forever. Members of our own military, active and retired, are horrified by this legislation.
Meanwhile, our U.S. Representatives and Senators are considering legislation that would allow the government, through some mickey-mouse rationale centered on piracy, to instantly shut down internet sites, permanently. The real objective of the government is the legal authority to shut down the internet in its entirety on national security grounds. The elites fear the communication enabled by the internet and the power that it creates among the people. The internet provides millions of involved citizens the means to communicate enmasse and share concerns and ideas. It also allows for instantaneous distribution of visual media produced by the people in a manner not controllable by institutionalized big media. The minute a YouTube video of U.S. military personnel shooting a protesting U.S. citizen goes viral, the game is on. Americans will rally and take on the government, and the elites know it. Just look at recent record gun sales.
Meanwhile, we continue down the path of debt serfdom. Federal government debt approached $15,100,000,000,000 in December - on its journey to $16,300,000,000,000 by the end of 2012. With nary of squawk from Congress, as the 2011 Budget Control Act provided for this increase. And we all know how successful the Super Select Committe was in producing a plan to reduce spending by a measly $1.2 trillion over ten years.
And in a desperate attempt to stimulate consumer spending, Congressional Democrats have thrown Social Security under the bus, claiming that a two point reduction in FICA payroll tax is necessary to improve the economy. I would argue that if two points is good, then the entire 12.4 points would be even better. It is astounding that the payroll tax is being reduced in the absence of an adult discussion of what to do with social security. The Republicans are agreeable to the payroll tax reduction but the sticking point is how to pay for the tax revenue loss with spending cuts elsewhere in the budget. As a result of the payroll tax cut, the social security program will increase its reliance on general fund revenues and borrowing, in essence making social security more of a welfare program. A big fight is coming one of these days. The Democrats will want to make it a full-on welfare program for low income people, whereas the Republicans will want to transform social security into a legitimate retirement program through private accounts. At present, there is no benefit for our younger workers to be involved in this program. Opting out should be a consideration for younger workers.
We need more responsible government. The election of November 2010 was just the start to putting more responsible people into government. We must send in reinforcements this November.
November 2012 is coming soon. Get involved now.
- thepeoplesvoice's blog
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