Dear Barack,
I got up earlier than usual yesterday to meet at a friends house to watch your inauguration. The party looked great. Your family was beautiful. I’m convinced it was Roberts’ fault for messing up the oath, but that’s quickly forgotten.
It was a pretty big day for you, and an even bigger day for the country. It’s great to see an African-American elected President when so many people thought it impossible.
Everyone seems to be pretty excited for your Presidency. It’s nice to see people so happy and optimistic… but I really feel left out.
I try not to let it show too much. I don’t want to be a downer at someone else’s party…
But seriously… what’s going to change? Aren’t you promising to take away more freedoms? Despite what you said in the inauguration, aren’t you trying to move us further and further away from our founding documents?
I love the United States of America. But it hurts to watch the country go down this path. It really feels like watching a loved one celebrate a drug addiction that’s killing them.
Many of your supporters tell me Bush was the worst President ever and you’ll bring change. But I’m having a hard time spotting the difference…
The Iraq war is coming to a close without you. And you plan to intensify the war in Afghanistan. That’s the direction Bush was moving in as well.
Are you going to bring troops home from any of the other 130+ countries where they’re currently stationed? Are you going to continue the big government foreign policy dreamed up by the Democrats and now embraced by the Republicans? It looks like it. That’s not change.
You don’t like Bush’s tax cuts. But what’s a 4% tax cut when you’re talking about confiscating 40% of a person’s income? Sure, it may be billions of dollars but I don’t think it’s enough to declare “change.”
And why do you want to take a cut out of someone’s paycheck anyway? I know pimps do that. So does the mob. I guess the IRS thinks it’s OK to join them.
(Question, do you think the income tax is hurting the economy? It seems like when you want to stimulate the economy, you give us money back. I don’t understand why you don’t just stop taking the money in the first place.)
Speaking of the economy, President Bush has proven he’s willing to do “anything necessary” to save the economy. That has resulted in great interventions in the market. You plan to do the same thing. What’s the difference?
You’re still trying to do something that’s not possible: fix a problem of overspending and over-borrowing with more overspending and over-borrowing. Most reasonable people, with their own budgets, usually try to spend less and save more. Shouldn’t that be obvious?
It’s like we’re watching an Alchemist try to turn mercury in to gold. It’s never happened before and it never will.
Didn’t you learn anything from the mistakes of Hoover and FDR? I guess it’s no surprise you wouldn’t. FDR presided over the worst economy we’ve ever seen for more than 10 years… and somehow history has decided that was a good thing.
Hmm…
Back to your inauguration. I wanted to give you the heads up on two factual errors you made in the second paragraph of your speech.
You said 44 Americans have now taken the Presidential oath. I know it’s not that big of deal compared to the issues we’re facing, but actually only 43 Americans have taken the oath. Grover Cleveland is counted twice, as he was our 22nd and 24th President.
I hesitate to even bring it up… but I thought you might be able to learn something from Grover Cleveland. He used his veto power A LOT. Specifically vetoing unconstitutional bills that reached his desk. Since you just took an oath to uphold the constitution, I’d appreciate if you followed his lead.
But that brings me to the second factual error in the second paragraph of your speech. You said that we have remained true to our founding documents.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Declaration said we all have an inalienable right to life and liberty. That meant people should be free to live their lives as they see fit, as long as they don’t step on the rights of others.
But that’s not the type of government we have. And it’s not the kind of government you support.
Do you realize that you force me to pay in to the worst retirement plan imaginable, social security? You know, that system where I pay you 12% of my income for as long as I work… and you decide if I ever get any of it back? If I die without dependents, you get to keep my retirement money?
Surely few people with liberty would ever choose to be part of such a system. Maybe that’s why you don’t give people a choice to opt-out of this system.
There are nearly as many violations of liberty as there are laws that come from the Capital. I can’t possibly list them all.
Of course, that’s just one founding document and the government is not actually bound to it. The Federal government is supposed to be bound to the constitution, however.
What’s up with that?
Maybe it’s my mistake and I didn’t realize that the 10th amendment of the constitution had been removed.
Hmm… I just checked, it is still there. It reads…
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
That means the federal government only has the power to do what the constitution says it can do.
But you want national healthcare? That’s not delegated to the federal government in the constitution.
In fact, most of your ideas seem unconstitutional if the 10th amendment is, indeed, still a part of the constitution.
It seems that the federal government has completely ignored our founding documents.
They call Ron Paul “Dr. No” because he votes down so many bills in congress. But he’s simply living up to his oath of office, upholding the constitution.
Why does he get a special nickname for carrying out his oath of office?
So in the end, Barack, I’m not too excited about your presidency because you’re not bringing change… you’re not planning on obeying your oath of office… and you’re not going to respect our founding documents or even our inalienable rights to life and liberty.
But really, Barack, I don’t give a damn. The only other candidate who got close to your office was McCain and he seemed to hold very similar positions to you.
My only hope is that one day the nation will wake up from this drug-like addiction to big government.
Big government is the enemy of freedom and the cause of our problems. It’s why our schools can’t teach. It’s why our health care is too expensive. And it’s why our economy is falling apart.
If we can wake up from this addiction to big government, and maybe support Ron Paul for President or someone like him, then I’ll join the party and celebrate.
Until then, I’m just a disappointed observer.
Sincerely,
Stephen Dean
January 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Good article, Stephen. I mostly agree with you, and I’m impressed by how knowledgeable you are on these issues.
One point of clarification: Although it seems we are still governed by the Constitution, we are not. It was suspended in 1933 by FDR and it was never reinstated.
Here’s an excerpt from an article published by Stephen Jones:
The Babylonians laid siege to Jerusalem in 588 and destroyed the city and temple in the third year–586 B.C. In our own history, 2,520 years later, we see the events of 1933-1935. In 1933 President Roosevelt was elected to office, and almost immediately, Congress passed a bill giving the President “emergency powers.” This suspended the Constitution (1933) until such time as the President would rescind this emergency measure. Of course, he never did, nor did any of his successors. That was technically the death of the Republic and the birth of American secular democracy which, in my view, is political Babylon. (Economic Babylon was instituted in 1914.)
******
Really, we have the illusion of a Constitution. And that’s part of the problem.
From the same article:
In 1973, after 40 years, Congressman Ron Paul introduced a bill asking the President to re-instate the Constitution, but it did not pass.
******
Anyway, food for thought.
Ryan
Ryan Healy’s last blog post..Why I Think of Ben Settle Every Time I Take a Shower
January 21st, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Just saying… Don’t want to argue coz you won’t listen. Give up the 8 year mess you love so much. Other people don’t like it.
January 21st, 2009 at 10:32 pm
“Really, we have the illusion of a Constitution. And that’s part of the problem.”
I remember back when all the high falutin’ Bush people were drafting a constitution for Iraq Jay Leno made a good point:
“Why not just give [Iraq] our constitution? It worked pretty well for 200 years and we’re not using it anymore…”
Ben
Ben Settle’s last blog post..Obnoxious Copywriting Book Details
January 21st, 2009 at 11:02 pm
@ Ryan, thanks man, you gave me something to investigate. I appreciate it.
@ Dude Your Stupid.
Hmm, maybe at least read the article before you comment. It was kind of long I guess…
@ Ben. LOL, I saw that Leno joke too. Funny but true.
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:49 am
Very well researched and written post Stephen. Nicely done sir.
@Ryan: Wow, didn’t know that factoid. That is a very scary thing and it explains a whole lot about the last admin. Things have definitely gotten worse over the years.
@Stupid Dude. You ARE stupid. Learn to read and then do it.
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:34 am
Under the last democratic administration, our economy boomed and the government created a huge surplus.
(Of course it was all because of Reagan’s trickle-down economics some 20 years earlier hahahah)
How can you deny the factual truth that the Bush administration ran the economy into the ground, made the dollar worthless, and created the largest deficit in U.S. history?
The Republicans may SAY they want smaller government and less taxes, go back to the founding father’s values rah rah rah.
But they’re feeding you lies. That’s why I’m embarrassed about you spouting their party line. You can think for yourself.
The republicans do the opposite of what they preach:
1) They INCREASE government size: They run up a deficit with war games and corporate welfare that our grandchildren will have to pay off ( with compound interest) unless a new Admnistration runs a tighter ship!!! Is that what our founding fathers had in mind?
2) They INCREASE taxes: On paper they may advocate lower tax rates and send a $600 stimulus check now and then… but any freshman economy major sees the hidden tax they impose on the country, which you apparently fail to see:
(a) HIDDEN TAX #1: Borrowing trillions like crazy which needs to be paid back with compound interest by future generations
(b) HIDDEN TAX #2: printing money like crazy. If you circulate double the money, it automatically means every dollar in your pocket is worth only 50%.
These hidden taxes are WAY more deceiving and dangerous than any increase of the openly published tax rates. In fact, Bush’s uncontrolled spending spree is what’s truly unamerican and against the spirit of the founding fathers (not presuming that I know what their spirit was, I wasn’t there, neither were you).
At least you can work with your accountant to reduce your official tax liability. There are many creative and legal ways; I’m sure you know all of them (so quit yer whining!)
But there’s absolutely nothing that anyone was able do about Bush’s Big Government HIDDEN taxes. It’s the HIDDEN taxes from Bush’s spending spree that are truly obscene, not the tax rates on the books.
I didn’t see you march up to Washington when your dollar lost all its worth in the world. I didn’t see you raise your voice when they continued their personal vendetta against Saddam Hussein with your money and that of your grandchildren.
So don’t start now. Stick to giving business advice.
One more thing: These people (republicans) are NOT your friends, despite all Joe the Plumber lipservice. They don’t care about small operators like us.
They care about greasing the hands of their old boy network… the big contractors, some publicly traded corporations.
You’re not even on their radar, man, except when they trot out a caricature of you, Joe the Plumber (you should be insulted by that).
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:37 am
A beautifully written post - it was interesting and I’m going to pass it to friends. Zazz
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:33 am
I’m not sure why two people have come to the conclusion that I support the Bush administration from reading this article. I clearly didn’t say anything good about them. My criticisms of Obama all apply to Bush, and I made the point that the two presidents are very similar.
Either you didn’t read my post or you “are out of your element.”
I am a Ron Paul Republican. All of your criticisms of Republicans, don’t apply to me or Ron Paul. But I’d say many of them do apply to the Democrats as well as the Republicans. Barack has promised a huge stimulus, you don’t think that’s devaluing the dollar?
By the way, Clinton left office as the economy was headed in to a recession. From memory, I believe it started in March of ‘01. Fact check it if you’d like. We’re now dealing with the effects of Bush putting off that recession (so he could post impressive economic numbers, which he did).
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:51 am
Thanks for your comments Harun and Zazz.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:41 am
WOW! that’s an impressive argument!
As a brit I can only observe the American passion for politics with interest.
I tried getting excited about british politics but it’s just so dull.
I realise politics shape our liberties and whatnot, but your comment on the pensions, taxation and healthcare is the same here in the UK, except the tax on your paycheck is something like 22.5% here. It’s something like 40 or 50% if you make over a certain amount.
As I mentioned semewhere else, I was disappointed by Obama’s speech, but simply because it highlighted our lack of a real leader here. Our fella crept in overnight.
A motivational speech along the lines of Obama’s would do the UK good right now.
Perhaps when Obama comes to the UK for the eco summit he could step up and give us a few words. Maybe we could borrow him for a bit? Regardless of your views on his proposals, it can’t be worse than it is here now!
All the best,
Tony.
tony’s last blog post..2009 Social Media Predictions
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:36 pm
@Tony - Economically, the UK is as bad as the US, and maybe worse. Ambrose Evans-Pritchard says the UK now stands on the precipice and may drag the world into recession.
“Britain cannot follow suit. The debts are too big. If London takes such disastrous action it will set off global panic and lead to an asset death spiral, drawing the entire world into deep depression.”
Source: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/ambrose_evans-pritchard/blog/2009/01/20/seriously_alarmed
Ryan Healy’s last blog post..Why I Think of Ben Settle Every Time I Take a Shower
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Good article and great about Ron Paul. However if you watch Zeitgeist - The Addendum see http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/ then the real issue seems to be about money. There is so much deception going on that even the deceivers are getting deceived. And the real culprit is language. Also check out General Semantics on the web. As long as people do not question they will never be free. But asking questions can lead to some really scary places and will always challenge the status quo so will always be resisted in the class room, in the home, and most people cannot stand the insecurity. As someone once advised me “Question to understand, not to destroy”. Great bit of advice. Anyway, let’s hope Obama starts encouraging development of renewables and we might leave a habitable planet for our descendants.
Cheers
Michael UK
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Nice article…
As far as “Stick to Business Advice” goes the economic boom from the Clinton years was a result of the dot com industry and Y2K spending spree that should have melted down into a recession when that artificial bubble popped but was subsequently replaced by the housing industry boom fueled in part by the Federal Reserves wreckless monetary policy.
Inflation is a hidden tax, but how can you claim its a hidden Republican agenda when Obama and the Democratic run congress promises more “economic stimulus” plans spending billions if not trillions of dollars furthering the national debt when its said and done. The government has no money of its own so any money spent by the government for economic stimulus is going to be printed as well, so your argument is rather hypocritical at best.
Furthermore get off your soap box making it sound as if the Democratic party is for the people, each party has its own agenda and has formed a government that has strayed a long ways away the constitutional rights granted to it.
Jim’s last blog post..The Sinking Economy
January 24th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Hi Stephen,
An impressive article and well argued piece regardless of whether you agree with it or not.
Personally I subscribe to the view that in essence, Politics and politicians in the governmental and celebrity sense are all basically the same; they have their own motivations for achieving the position that they have achieved and their own aims and goals, regardless of what the general populous would want them to do.
However, the one thing that can be taken from this leadership change is that people, in general, are more positive about the future. A positive outlook combined with some decisive action by the people themselves (which gets back to the matter of personal responsibility) can achieve an awful lot regardless of the actions of the politicians.
I totally agree with @Tony above - the UK needs some positivity and regardless of the facts of the matter, an improved self esteem across a large proportion of the population is something to be grateful for.
I’ll look forward to more posts.
All the best
Kirsty
There’s more about me in my blog: http://www.blog.write-works.com
January 24th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Tony, no need to borrow, you can have him!
Spot on, Jim.
Thanks Michael, I have seen that movie. Interesting stuff and well made.
Kirsty, thanks for commenting, and I agree with you about politicians… except for Ron Paul. He probably has the purest voting record, on record, and has served 10 terms. Libertarians, in general, don’t use politics for personal gain.
It is nice to have this optimism in the air. But really, I think that could end up being a dangerous thing as well…