Daily Rant – January 26, 2010
January 26, 2010
It’s About Character… Not Being A Character!
This post is in response to the Scott Brown YouTube video which is going around the Internet regarding his backtracking on the health care issue. So far, I think we are safe in that neither the House nor Senate bill are anything close to what he describes in this press conference. There are rumors this is being sent viral by the ACORN types out there trying to confuse and divide conservatives. Don’t fall for it!
I may have written either here or on my other blog, about the difference between having character and being a character. The latter can be bought; like the right car, piercing, tattoos, expensive clothes, haircuts, gold front teeth, designer nails, Hollywood fame or whatever. These do not represent having character, though in our culture of celebrity, it seems to have gotten confused.
For example, in Los Angeles, if the stars had character they would have foregone the expensive dresses and tuxedos and the two awards shows which aired last week and gone to Haiti to help out. They would not be content to just wearing colored ribbons to “raise awareness”. I think we are all aware there was an earthquake in Haiti. In their defense, maybe they had to stay and work to pay the taxes which will be siphoned off to send for relief efforts. However, I hear their industry already gets hefty tax breaks from the government.
Back to Scott Brown. He gathered campaign donations based on his opposition to the health care plan that congress was considering, plain and simple. Those donations came from all over the country, so regardless of what he says about representing his state first, he owes all of us for helping him win over Coakley. Now he says, everyone is “entitled” to health insurance? How so? I agree if we are expecting them to pay for it. This makes it a privilege not a “right” as it has been presented to us by politicians.
I do think we have the “right” to buy any insurance plan we want, even if it is being offered by a company in another state. This competition will go far to help lower the costs. I also recommend employers start giving their employees the value of health insurance in dollars along with their salary to let them choose their own health insurance. That way employees can see how much everything really costs. Finally, we need tort reform with a cap on what can be paid out for lawsuits. This responsibility will build character.
In my opinion, politicians are lacking in this commodity. The fact that they can be “bribed” to vote for legislation with which they disagree confirms they have no character. If a bill is wrong, it’s wrong, no matter how much money one gets for changing sides. I know this is a pretty strong accusation, but I stand by my claim. In fact, listen to any politician and you hear about the need to “reach across the aisle” to write legislation. BULL. If it’s a bad law, there is no amount of crossing over that will make it better. And why is it Republicans are expected to cross over, while Democrats are not?
I originally had intended to write today about Obama’s society as he envisions it. This also ties into character. He and Democrats have, for the longest time, tried to set it up so there is no chance to fail. Examples like bailing out Wall Street entities on the verge of collapse or car companies about to implode are just the latest tip of the iceberg.
Look at past social programs like section 8 housing. I have tenants who are on subsidies and if they try and get off or make too much money, they lose their benefits. How is this helping lift them from poverty? The answer is, it isn’t. And by giving up the chance to fail, by default, they are also giving up the chance to succeed. That is not what the United States is all about; I think it’s our saving grace. The majority of people still think this is the greatest country on Earth and that the opportunities are limitless if you work hard and want it enough.
After all, how many of you would go to a movie where, instead of vanquishing evil or succeeding over huge obstacles, the hero or heroine settle for mediocre? And how many best selling books are there called, “How to Be Average”. Maybe in Europe, but not in the United States.
Most of us do not want a job with the government or a union where people are judged, not by how well something gets done but by how long they have been doing it. The same is true for education. Besides, as I have pointed out before; if there is no private sector pumping money into the government through taxes to pay for jobs in the bureaucracies, there would be no funds at all unless they were borrowed or printed. And then how would we ever expect to pay back those obligations if nobody was out there to tax? You can bet that is what China is asking itself right now.
Mr. Obama and his Democrat pals have now taken over all student loans. Did you know that if you go to school and then end up in the public sector your debt will be forgiven after a certain number of years? This has been around since 1958 for teachers and other low income borrowers. But if you are the least bit successful, you will have to repay the debt in total. How is that government’s incentive to succeed? How does that speak to character? In fact, I submit if you become successful, it would make more sense if the debt was forgiven sooner because you would be making up for it by being in a higher tax bracket and by contributing positively to our economy!
I, for one, think all these debt forgiveness programs being advertised on the radio are dishonest. When I make an agreement, even if it is a bad one, I do my best to honor it. I understand every situation is different, but after declaring bankruptcy over 30 years ago, I felt horrible about it. My credit was ruined for 10 years. I vowed I would never do it again. What did I learn after the bankruptcy fell off my credit report? Nothing! I went out and was in debt again after only a few months. Fortunately, I hooked up with some good influences and was able to turn it around in time. This is why I am so big on financial education for the masses. I believe the public would then demand politicians balance the budget.
This all comes back to the subject of character. Today, my word means something. I say what I mean and I mean what I say. For years Washington has been full of Congressmen and Senators who tell the truth only when it’s convenient or… when they are caught! And sometimes, as with Nancy Pelosi, even then they stick with the lie like she did about the CIA enhanced interrogation techniques. That is also not true of most of our politicians which is why I believe we need new leaders. And 2010 is the perfect time to do it.
- FedUpEditor
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