Jim Judd for Congress – California 6th District
March 5, 2010
Thoughts on Big Government:
Most people don’t realize the extent to which big government negatively affects us as individuals and as a country. Many of the programs created by our legislators seem compassionate on the surface. But when we look deeper, we see that all these well-meaning entitlements have actually hurt the United States and our economy, not just today, but well into the future. As an example of the “Too Big to Fail” mentality, we see “Big Government’s” continued debt doubling down by propping up private businesses, something our government should not be doing.
Here’s my point. In the 80s, American businesses were getting their butts kicked by Japan in all areas of the private sector; most notably manufacturing and specifically in the automobile industry. Japan was the leader in quality improvements, efficiency, and increased productivity. What happened was a change in corporate attitude by U.S. businesses that led to one of our biggest booms in the 90s, where we set the pace in the free market and broke the back of the Soviet Union as well. Remember that one? To accomplish this boom, government stepped back, allowing business the opportunity to succeed in creating an environment based on confidence. Consumers felt confident, as did investors. And who won?…Americans. Jobs where plentiful and, oh boy, we sure could use those jobs today!
Here’s the other side of the coin. Today we are embroiled in three issues that do not speak to the competitive advantage discussed above, but instead continue down the path to becoming more regulated by government. These sectors are energy, health care and education. All three are resistant to the culture of free market competition and have become heavily regulated by “Big Government”. Take a look at the Energy Department with a budget of $24.7 billion. Are we more reliant on foreign oil or less? Are we any closer to innovative alternative fuels without them being taxpayer subsidized? And what about Government Health Care? What will happen when we see one sixth of our economy in the hands of “Big Government,” running it like Amtrak or the USPS? We have the Department of Education with a $63.5 billion budget. How’s that working for us, or should I say, for our children? These questions beg the obvious. “Big Government” needs to get out of the way and let the free market work in new and innovative ways. Not to do so will never allow Americans to feel the confidence we need (remember I said it earlier) to invest in America and in our future. “Big Government” and big entitlement programs will only lead to a nation of dependence and a culture of government elitism.
It would seem that the business of our government is to create more government. In fact, the only sector that has grown during this recession was the Public Sector, i.e., government jobs. And a USA Today report shows that in one year, six-figure government salaries fast became the norm under this current administration. Remember, government jobs put back into the economy only what is left from the taxes it first has taken out of the economy. Government does not create wealth; the Private Sector is where wealth is truly created. Individuals and businesses, big and small, are pulling the cart. Now, while many of us are figuring out ways to cut back and do with less, our government is riding high and giving itself raises like there is no tomorrow.
People are finally starting to realize that the system is broken, and it is time for someone to fix it before it is too late. We have relied on countless numbers of career politicians to solve these problems, and we still are waiting. Instead of listening to their constituents, they seem to think their jobs are about getting re-elected.
Now is the time to put people in office with real life experience, ones who REALLY know how to create jobs. It is time we stood together and put our trust in some new faces. When I am elected, my pledge is to represent YOU. Partisan politics will be a thing of the past. I will consider each bill on its merit and how it will best benefit the people in my district. I promise to work hard, speak up and change the way things get done in Washington. You have my word.
- Jim Judd
www.JimJuddForCongress.com
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