Fairness or freedom. President Obama says that government regulation is needed to guarantee equal opportunity. But who decides what is fair? For most of history, warlords, czars and kings were sovereign over the land and the people who farmed it. In recent centuries, revolutions have been fought to wrestle ownership from kings and to give power to the people. But, in fact, it is the politicians who control the government decide what is fair. Yet, in America, the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution recognized that "We the People" have a God-given right to decide what we do with our property.
In the last hundred years, liberal politicians have used health, safety - and now - fairness, as excuses to take decision-making from individual persons. In the name of fairness, government has come to control 90 percent of all home, farm, factory, business and student loans - and with passage of health, financial and food safety legislation, now controls health insurance, financial institution and food production. The next four years, Barack Obama would have everyone paying for, or dependent on, government. Mitt Romney accepts the rationale for control and wants to manage government better. But just changing politicians and policies is not enough; the politics and philosophy of governing has to change. Newt Gingrich reformed welfare, cut capital gains taxes and balanced the budget - and he would transform government if he had the help of a conservative Congress and a vigilant citizenry.
Michael McCarthy
Hayward, Calif.
Rich posted at 1:33 pm on Sat, Dec 17, 2011.
You go on a Libertarian rant, and then endorse Gingrich? Are you sure you're paying attention?
truth posted at 2:33 pm on Sat, Dec 17, 2011.
You talk about history it sounds like you should read a history book before making a statement like this.
Dale Whiting posted at 11:29 pm on Sat, Dec 17, 2011.
Rich, truth,
You've got to try harder to understand Michael. Remember California is the land of fruits and nuts![wink]
And Michael, "We the People" did decide! In 2008 we voted for Barack!
chatmandu002 posted at 10:14 am on Sun, Dec 18, 2011.
Yeah Dale, You got what you voted for. No hope, No change, No transparency and No leadership.
Dale Whiting posted at 9:49 am on Tue, Dec 20, 2011.
chatmandu002,
Let's see? What I voted for. I have opposed waging war on "terrorism" from before we envaded Afghanistan and begged "W" not to go into Iraq. What did I just get for Christmas this year? Total and complete withdrawal of troops from Iraq, and hope that I shall see the same soon from Afghanistan. But for Ron Paul, none of the group of Republican Candidates would have withdrawn from Iraq and most would strengthen troop forces in Afghanistan and would "Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran!"
If ever there was a single issue motivating me, it's our propensity to mess up our foreign policy by turning away from diplomacy and towards imposing our military might on others. True conservatives would run, not walk away from such rhetoric! It just is not conservatism. It's diplomatic and military hegemony. And we Americans excell at hegemony, both Democrats and Republicans. All of us are as guilty as sin! But Obama lead us out, so I am greatful for that!
I am also greatful for the small, even incremental movement forward in healthcare reform. We either need to do more or we need to retreat to a time before any government sponsored healthcare.
And I am greatful for repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. That policy was an insult to our intelligence and human nature. I have yet to have met a Gay or Lesbian who choose to be same sex attracted. And absent choice, condemnation is inhumane! Understanding is called for.
On these three issues, Barack Obama has lead the way. There is further to go. But none of the Republican Candidates can lead that way. The Neo-cons [faux conservatives if ever there were faux conservatives] and the Tea Partiers are all misdirected. Ron Paul is as close as any get.
Read my January 2011 piece on what it means to be conservative and just maybe you'll begin to understand. Barack Obama is a conservative. He understands and supports what is best in society, and is not affraid to address incremental improvements in what can and ought to be changed. That is Bill Buckley conservatism.
xyno posted at 10:04 am on Wed, Nov 7, 2012.
4 more years [smile]
Leon Ceniceros posted at 8:30 am on Fri, Nov 9, 2012.
Dear Letter Writer,
Just as in the Good Book, you are ..."casting pearls unto swine".
53% of America feed at the ...."Government Trough". Just like swine, enough is never enough, they will always want more, more, more....until, like pigs, they cannabalize themselves.
Just look at the Election Map. The Republican States are the one's where there are Abortion Laws, strict Laws on Welfare and Food Stamps. Most are "right to work", anti-Union States and States where the Citizens are still Patriotic, still Love America, still Salute it's Flag.
Then look at the Democrat States or should we just flat out call them the "Socialist States of America".
Obama has no "Mandate"....just look at the Voter percentages. The only "Mandate" he received was from the Blacks (90%), the Hispanics (110% = 100% of Legal Hispanic Voters and 10% extra were the Illegal Aliens who manage to use fraudulent or stolen ID's to vote), the teachers and college/university professors (100%), the LGBT etc's (100%) , the Women (67% = and 100% of the ones who have had 1 or more Abortions), the Unions (100%), the Welfare Recipients (100%), the chronically and permanently Un-Employed, the college/university Students (100% = gotta keep those Pell Grants and Obama promised to "forgive" the Trillion Dollars in Unpaid Student Loans don't forget) and the Tokers, and other assorted Druggies (350% = their excuse was they were "stoned" and just kept going to polling place after polling place after polling place) and throw in you every-day Democrat, Socialist Wanna-be, Environmentalists, Vegans and Green Earth-er's (you know the Eco's that are always whinning about Global Warming = WELCOME TO THE NEW AMERICAN MAJORITY, FOLKS.