Is a Federal Balanced Budget Amendment Necessary?

G’Day!

The following article was posted on August 6, 2011. With exception of some calendar specific details (especially the subsequent increase in national debt), the article is still accurate & necessary.

Yes, a Constitutional Amendment is necessary given the dysfunctional behavior of our government, and No, it is not necessary (even undesirable) in economic theory because it limits the flexibility of our government. So what should we do??

Given the past and current inability of our Congresses and Presidents, both Democrats and Republicans, to act responsibly regarding fiscal budgets and debt policy for our nation, a “Balanced Budget Amendment” to the Constitution appears to be necessary. This amendment should mandate a federally balanced budget including a federal spending “Cap” of no more than 20% of GDP (preferably less), and with “Safety Valve” exceptions granted only for “War” or “National Emergency”. These exceptions should require a “Supermajority Vote” in Congress to authorize and the signature of the President to enact. Unfortunately, short-term personal political motivations appear to be stronger than the long-term fiscal responsibilities to our national economic needs. Therefore, we do need a “Balanced Budget Amendment” to protect the American People from continued irresponsible and dysfunctional fiscal and debt behavior by our federal legislators and Presidents. If we needed any additional indication of the necessity to curb government spending, the recent federal debt downgrade from AAA to AA+ by Standard & Poor’s should suffice.

Forty-nine States have some version of a balanced budget requirement (only Vermont does not). Interestingly, Germany and Switzerland, both strong financial nations, also have a balanced budget requirement. This forces their legislators to behave in a responsible manner that protects the national fiscal and long-term debt interests of the people they were elected to serve. Without such a constitutionally protected provision, including the “Cap” on federal spending above, lawmakers are prone to ignore the long-term fiscal consequences of the laws they pass and focus on their own short-term reelections. The relentless historical increase in our national debt and especially the current deficit and debt crises are clear evidence of irresponsible short-term decisions by our Federal Government.

Prior to the passage of 16th Amendment in 1913, which permits federal income taxes directly on the people, we had governments that were forced to limit their size and spending to a level reasonably consistent with federal revenues. The funds available required adherence to the provisions for limited federal government defined in our Constitution and required the establishment of appropriate priorities for federal programs and services. In other words, our government was reasonably forced to live within its means. What a revolutionary concept!! After the 16th Amendment, our government could (and did) simply increase income taxes or borrow to meet whatever programs or bureaucracy they deemed desirable, not necessarily important or essential. In 1913 federal spending was less than 3% of GDP. In 2008, President Bush’s last year, federal spending was approximately 20% of GDP and this year under Obama, the federal spending is estimated to be 25% of GDP. This is madness and does not serve the American people.

As mentioned above, since 1913 our elected officials have relied on increasing income taxes on the American people or debt to pay the increased costs of the programs and bureaucracy they desired, regardless of the cost, need, or even importance of these programs to the American people. It is easier for politicians to identify a socially “desirable” program than to identify and justify its costs and priority to the taxpaying public and its overall benefits to society. Our government has merely increased taxes to pay for these new or expanded social entitlement programs or added to our National Debt by borrowing the missing funds (increasingly from foreign sources, like China). In 2008 our National Debt was $10.0 trillion, a $4 trillion increase in eight years under President Bush. Currently, under President Obama in only two and one-half years, our National Debt has increased another $4 trillion (a 40% increase) to $14.3 trillion and, even after this week’s debt agreement, is projected to grow another $8 trillion to approximately $22 trillion over the next 10 years. This is more than 100% of projected GDP, is not sustainable, and must be corrected.

In economic theory (especially Keynesian), a balanced budget amendment would limit our government’s flexibility. It would restrict government fiscal actions to correct imbalances in our economy, such as running “deficits” to stimulate the economy during recessions and the use of “surpluses” to retard excessive and unsustainable growth. In theory, this should smooth economic growth by limiting the magnitude of peaks and valleys in the business cycle. This in turn would restrain “booms”, minimize “busts”, stabilize economic growth to reasonably sustainable levels, and avoid excessive fluctuations in job markets. Nearly all economists believe that prudent use of this power is good but excessive use is bad. All good stuff in theory! Unfortunately, the behavior of our governments and the actual results have not followed the theory. “Excessive use” has repeatedly hurt our economy and job growth starting with FDR in the “Great Depression” and currently with the Obama Administration’s “Stimulus”, expansion of government size, and spending to support his big government agenda. Also, when federal surpluses were possible, as with the Kennedy, Reagan, and Bush tax rate reductions (all of which increased economic growth and tax revenues), Congress quickly initiated new spending programs to use the money (Johnson’s “Great Society”, Bush’s wars, and the Democrat Congress’ Prescription Drug Program in Bush’s second term). As I have repeatedly said, socialism and long-term economic growth are not compatible. Most other nations, including many in Europe, and especially Russia, India, and China, have learned this and are increasingly relying on free market economies and prudent fiscal and monetary policies.

Since the founding of our nation, balanced budget legislation has been discussed. Thomas Jefferson was the first President to think seriously about requiring balanced budget legislation to maintain fiscal discipline and he actually wanted to ban federal borrowing power to limit the potential size of federal government. Ultimately, he concluded this would be too restrictive in times of emergencies, especially wars. For over 200 years our nation has relied on the wisdom and responsibility of our elected officials to act appropriately on behalf of the American people. The introduction of the federal income tax amendment above combined with the evolution of our short-term political reelection process has unfortunately undermined the ability of our legislators to perform their fiscal duties to serve the long-term interests of the American people. It is time to renew the effort to force our federal government to behave responsibly. Clearly, history, since 1913 has shown that they cannot be trusted to do it on their own.

So “Yes”, we do need a Constitutional “Balanced Budget Amendment” with federal spending “Caps” and a “Safety valve” for national emergencies to rein in the reckless fiscal behavior of our elected officials. Our governments are increasingly turning our nation into a centrally controlled socialist debtor nation. These policies are not the foundation of freedoms upon which our country was created and which made America great. It’s time to return our country to the individual liberties, free markets, sound fiscal and monetary policy, economic growth, and limited government upon which it was founded.

The Old Guy PhD🇺🇸

Is America Losing Its Way?

G’Day!

As a nation, have we gone crazy? Have we forgotten our history, our fundamental principles and why we created this wonderful country? Is our country losing its way?

Our great country was founded on principles of equality, individual freedoms, capitalism, rule of law and democratically elected government. Until now, our Declaration of Independence and Constitution with Amendments have guided and supported these fundamental goals. Our historical success as a nation in pursuing and defending these principles are the reasons for approximately 250 years of progress and why other races, ethnicities, nationalities, and religions have legally immigrated to our great country to pursue the opportunities and freedoms America offers.

Are the principles of equality, individual freedoms, rule of law and democratically elected government just interesting concepts? Apparently, the ANTIFA, Black Lives Matter (BLM), Socialist Democrats and the left wing media think so. The anarchists and BLM supporters have torn down monuments, renamed streets and continue rioting, looting, destroying commercial neighborhoods, intimidating & harassing ordinary citizens, attacking police and killing innocent people. They even tried to establish a separate country in Seattle, Washington, and have persisted in daily anarchy & destruction in Portland, Oregon, for months. This is madness and must be stopped.

Virtually all these activities are illegal and the perpetrators have suffered few adverse consequences. In the relatively few instances where arrests have been made, most of the individuals who committed the alleged crimes have have been quickly released back into society, thanks to left wing local District Attorneys and socialist organizations such as “The Bail Project”. In fact, the police, the victims and the defenders against these crimes are suffering far more than the individuals committing these despicable acts. Strangely, these criminal actions have been ignored or are receiving support from Socialist Democrats in local and state governments and the left wing media! Our system of law & order and the ethical principles that have guided America for over two centuries appear to be upside down in these Democrat-controlled locations.

What’s next? Destruction of historic statues and monuments will not change history but the actual destruction of our country’s culture, facilities and infrastructure will and has destroyed lives, local economies and law & order. Already crime and murders in these communities has increased dramatically. If not halted, these illegal activities will seriously undermine our future as a free nation.

Our country, our culture, our fundamental principles, law & order and our entire way of life are under attack & we must resist these attempts to destroy them.

Vote accordingly in November!

The Old Guy PhD 🇺🇸

Are Democrats Thinking Clearly?

G’Day!

Apparently the answer is, No. Perhaps Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) and refusal to accept the Constitutional outcome of his election has fueled their hated of Trump and caused a collective loss of rational thought for nearly four years. Across the country Local, State and National Socialist Democrats appear to have lost their ability to think clearly regarding the welfare of America. Their sole objective seems to be to eliminate President Trump by any means, even if our great country is harmed in the process.

Four years ago Donald J. Trump was elected President of the United States. Subsequently, he stood up to China and Iran, implemented tax cuts, fought for the working class, brought investment & manufacturing back to our country, created millions of jobs, generated higher economic growth, raised wages, made America energy independent, significantly reduced oppressive government regulations, handled the Chinese Coronavirus and achieved the historic “Abraham Accords Peace Agreement” between Israel, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. These are amazing accomplishments in a single Presidential Term.

During this same period, Democrats have actively opposed virtually every Trump program and spent most of the four years on endless unsuccessful impeachment proceedings and equally unsuccessful investigations of his administration. The Democrats are even blaming Trump for the Chinese Coronavirus and the anarchy in Democrat-controlled cities. This is ridiculous! Even today, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives is blocking any progress on a second Stimulus Package needed to counteract the negative economic effects of the Chinese Coronavirus. None of these Democrat activities has improved our country or benefited the American people.

In the Democrat-controlled cities of New York, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles and Portland plus other smaller cities, anarchy reigns. The rioting, looting, burning, destruction, attacks on police, harassment of innocent citizens and killings are not being suppressed, are increasing and are even supported by these Local and State governments. Crime, intimidation and chaos is currently the norm in these major metropolitan areas and is spreading. A recent report found that there have been approximately 570 violent riots in nearly 220 locations spread across the U.S. this year. In Rochester, NY, and Saint Petersburg, FL, innocent citizens having dinner at an outdoor restaurant were harassed & attacked by so-called “Peaceful Protesters”. In a single day this week in Louisville, KY, 16 separate acts of looting occurred, over 100 people were arrested and 2 Police Officers were shot. In Los Angeles, CA, 2 police officers were shot while sitting in their car. Most of these same cities and states have rejected or protested against President Trump’s offers of Federal support to quell the violence. Is America better off as a result of these actions by Democrats?

It seems evident that these riots are organized and not spontaneous. Who is funding them? Who arranged the advance delivery of bricks in NYC or the signs and riot equipment from the U-Haul in Louisville? Why are riots happening virtually simultaneously across the country? These acts are not “Peaceful Protests” and the perpetrators violating the law should be arrested and punished to the full extent of our laws. Anarchy and attacks on police, innocent people and local economies must be condemned by ALL political parties, ALL media, ALL American citizens and immediately stopped.

Not surprisingly, Democrats are also blaming President Trump and the police for the riots, while actually ignoring or supporting the attacks by the rioters on law enforcement and innocent citizens. The problem is not Trump or the police, who are trying to maintain law & order. The problem in these communities and States is the Democrat Administrators, who refuse to enforce our laws. Apparently, TDS has resulted in a loss of their ability to put law & order and the welfare of the American citizens ahead of their obsession to eliminate President Trump.

Vote accordingly in November!

The Old Guy PhD 🇺🇸

Equality in America?

G’Day!

Equality applies to all people of all races, religions, nationalities, genders and sexual orientations. It is not solely an issue for the black race as Black Lives Matter (BLM) contends. Real equality demands that All Lives Matter (ALM).

Let’s start at America’s true beginning. Our great country was founded with the fundamental principles of equality for all citizens, individual freedoms, impartial law & order and democratically elected government. These principles are embodied in our Declaration of Independence in 1776, The Constitution in 1789, The Bill of Rights in 1791 and subsequent Amendments. America was NOT created in 1619 as Black Lives Matter and the New York Times 1619 Project would like you to believe.

The second paragraph in our Declaration of Independence begins with this statement, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. The opening sentence in our Constitution is, “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Since its founding over 200 years ago, America has been moving forward to accomplish these essential principles.

America is not yet “a perfect union” but we have been steadily improving. America currently has more equality, freedoms, opportunities, and rule of law than most other countries and a democratically elected government. With the Civil War, in which approximately 600,000 predominantly white American men died, and the 13th Amendment to The Constitution, we abolished slavery throughout American and kept our country united. Following the Civil War, in the last 150+ years, major progress in cultural and more specific legal equality for all Americans has been achieved.

In my lifetime, I have personally observed substantial improvements in equality, especially in the workplace, government, entertainment, education and athletics. After World War II cultural and local legal biases against blacks in America still existed, particularly in some Southern States. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement culminated with the Civil Rights Act (CRA) of 1964, which outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and subsequently sexual orientation in America. The CRA of 1964 established legal equality for virtually all citizens of the United States.

Since the CRA of 1964, significant cultural progress in America has been made & is continuing to improve. Women, blacks and other ethnicities and beliefs have achieved major successes in virtually all aspects in American society. In politics, many women, blacks and other ethnicities and beliefs have been elected to Local, State and National positions including Mayors, Representatives, Senators & Governors. We elected a black President twice in this century and currently have a black woman as the Democrat’s candidate for Vice President. This is clearly major progress in equality and should be recognized and applauded, not condemned.

The claim of “racial injustice” and “Black Lives Matter” is itself racially biased against all nonblack Americans and is a politically motivated false narrative. The black communities are not currently victims of systemic racism and the vast majority of nonblack Americans are not perpetrators of systemic racism. The black communities, in general, have not pursued the significant progress and opportunities that our great country has provided for them. The current issues in the black communities are the result of their culture of victimization and dependency on government, especially as it relates to family values, education, work ethic, and law & order. America provides every opportunity for them to accomplish their goals. It is up to the black leaders of the black communities to achieve this.

The BLM riots, anarchy, property destruction, and general attacks on the public and police are not acceptable in a civil society and do not contribute to equality for any Americans. However, they do destroy jobs, lives, local economies and further divide us. If not stopped, these acts of anarchy could destroy our great country. Unfortunately, the Democrats, leftwing media and several major corporations are either ignoring or actively supporting these deplorable activities. These unlawful acts of violence must cease and law & order in our great country restored.

America “owes” us nothing but offers everything for those willing to work for it. It is the blacks’ culture that needs alteration, not our country.

The Old Guy PhD

American Patriots – Get Out and Vote!

G’Day!

Yes, if we are to halt the creeping “Obammunism” that is destroying our great country, those of us who believe in and support America must “Get Out and Vote” in November 2014 and 2016. We must elect candidates that support The Constitution, individual freedom, free markets, sound fiscal & monetary policy, economic growth, and limited government. A failure to vote is a conceded vote for a liberal democrat and potential further deterioration of our country. Our goal should be 100% turnout of Republican and Independent voters.

In my previous article in August, I summarized the most significant of the many failures of the Obama Administration and Democrats over the last six years. Other than promoting himself and “Change,” what are Obama’s real objectives? Is he capable of making any important decisions or taking any responsibility for the results of his failed policies? Is he actually serious about confronting the Islamic terrorist threat? Does he care about the stagnant economic growth fostered by excessive government regulations and high taxes? Does he want America to fail? I don’t know the answers to these questions but am very worried that, if we do not elect appropriate candidates in the next elections, America’s decline economically, culturally, politically, and internationally will continue. In the face of multiple global crises, the world needs a strong economy and strong leadership from the United States.

However, complaining about the failures of Obama and the Democrats in Congress will not correct our problems. It is up to us to correct our recent mistakes and vote in candidates who truly care about our country. Do we really want two more years of Harry Reid as Senate Majority Leader blocking virtually all bills passed by the House or proposed by Republican Senators? We now have the opportunity to correct the errors of the previous elections, take back the Senate in 2014, and elect a President who truly supports America in 2016. It is up to us to “Get Out and Vote” in huge numbers to counter the Democrats voting machine.

Our task will not be easy. The Democrats will definitely get out their socialist vote. They will knock on doors, arrange transportation to the polling stations, provide absentee ballots, and organize any and all support for their liberal base. They will leave no stone unturned in their attempts to retain power in the Senate and elect another Democrat President in 2016. They will mislead, distort the facts, and attempt to deceive the American people in every possible way in the period leading up to the elections in 2014 and 2016. It is vitally important that all patriots, conservatives, and freedom-loving Americans get out and vote – and encourage all of their family and colleagues to do likewise. Do not let the liberal Democrats take the election again.

Our great nation was founded on constitutionally protected principles of individual freedoms, free markets, and limited government. Let’s stop the rot, get back to our roots, and reverse the trend as soon as possible. Get out and vote in 2014 and 2016! The future of our exceptional country depends on you!

The Old Guy PhD

Save America – Vote Intelligently in November!

G’Day!

First, please accept personal thanks for the 350,000 visits to my website. Hopefully, most of you support my Republican conservative philosophy and want to get America back on the path the Founding Fathers intended when they formed our country and established The Constitution. I urge all you to get out and vote in the November elections in 2014 and 2016. Please encourage your relatives and friends to do likewise. I believe a big Republican voter turnout is crucial to the future of our exceptional country.

In previous articles I have supported Republican policies and criticized the socialist (liberal) policies of President Obama and the majority of Congressional Democrats. Fortunately, even some Democrats are beginning to realize the fallacies of those policies supported by Obama and the Democrat’s leadership. If we want to stop the cultural, economic, political, national defense, and international foreign policy decline in America, we must vote intelligently in November of 2014 and 2016. This is the only practical way to correct the disastrous policies of Obama, his Administration, and his liberal colleagues. We must retain a majority in the House and capture the Senate in 2014 and, equally importantly, retain these majorities AND elect a Republican President in 2016.

My 50 previous articles have described my reasons for this in detail and do not need to be repeated here. However, a brief review of the current governments’ major failures may be helpful. First, I genuinely believe that Obama has been the worst President in my lifetime. Obama was ill equipped and inexperienced when he was elected in 2008 and appears to have learned little during his presidency. In my opinion, the results of his lack of leadership and ability have been staggering, are detrimental to our nation, and endanger our future. He shows no signs of improvement. With the support of Democrats in Congress, especially the Senate, he has:

  • Divided our country racially and economically.
  • Fostered a massive increase in welfare dependency.
  • Increased our National Debt from $10 trillion to $17 trillion.
  • Undermined our influence with both friendly and hostile countries abroad and contributed to the current unrest in the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Ukraine.
  • Been the most anti-business President in the last century – perhaps ever.
  • Shut down the NASA space shuttle program making us dependent on Russia for access to the International Space Station and creating the loss of approximately 20,000 direct and indirect jobs in Florida.
  • Continued to reduce the size of our military defenses at a time when significant conflicts throughout the world and threats to American security are increasing.
  • Supervised the least transparent Administration since WWII.
  • Refused to seriously consider the single biggest hope for the economic and fiscal future of our country by ignoring the tax and federal budget reform recommendations of the Bowles-Simpson Report.
  • Fostered an administration that avoids critical decisions and refuses to exercise leadership or take responsibility regarding major crises, many created by his own Administration (Fast & Furious, IRS abuse, Benghazi attack, Keystone Oil Pipeline, Veterans Administration, etc.). His usual pattern is to express outrage, promise to deal with the issue, and then ignore or block any progress towards resolution.
  • Significantly increased government regulations (Dodd-Frank, Obamacare, and the EPA),
  • Overseen the weakest economic recovery in over 50 years.
  • Undermined the best healthcare system in the world, which successfully covered approximately 85% of the people, and is replacing it with the more complicated, more expensive Obamacare with less coverage and limited availability to doctors and hospitals.
  • Failed to protect our border with Mexico or work with Congress to resolve the problem of illegal immigration.
  • Been an “absentee” President when domestic or international problems occur and leadership is essential. His priorities seem to be vacations, golf, and speaking at fundraisers.

The recent polls in early August show the following opinions of the American people:

  • 71% believe America is on the wrong track, 22% believe American is on the right track.
  • 54% Disapprove of Obama’s performance, 40% Approve.
  • 60% Disapprove of Obama’s Foreign Policy, 38% Approve.
  • 53% Disapprove of Obamacare, 37% Approve.

Electing Obama once, let only twice, may turn out to be the worst election result in American history. Fortunately, he cannot constitutionally serve beyond 2016. If we want to save our country and foster economic growth and prosperity for our children, we must elect representatives who support and believe in our Constitution, individual freedoms, free markets, sound fiscal and monetary policy, economic growth, and limited government. It is time for we, the American people, to stand up and vote for representatives who care more about our country than they do about themselves.

Get out and vote in 2014 and 2016! The future of our country depends on you!

The Old Guy PhD

Republicans ARE the Party of “YES!”

G’Day!

Wake up American—regarding the future of our great country, Republicans ARE the real party of “YES!”

While not an official spokesperson for the Republican Party, I am a total supporter of the United States of America and know the difference between good and bad governmental policies. In my opinion, the principles below are good and are those for which the Republicans stand.

  • Yes, Republicans believe America is the most exceptional and unselfish nation on earth.
  • Yes, Republicans love our country, want to preserve our Constitution, and retain the balance of powers between the Administrative, Congressional, Judicial branches of government and the States.
  • Yes, Republicans believe in a constitutionally limited-power federal government providing national security, protection of our freedoms, an impartial legal system, and only essential and affordable government services for those citizens that are truly in need and unable to provide for themselves.
  • Yes, Republicans believe in a strong military to protect our country and preserve our freedoms.
  • Yes, Republicans believe in free and honest elections with proof of citizenship required at the voting stations.
  • Yes, Republicans believe in individual freedoms, especially freedom of choice, unrestricted by unnecessary government regulations and controls.
  • Yes, Republicans believe in sound fiscal and monetary policies to promote a solid financial foundation for growth and job creation in our economy.
  • Yes, Republicans believe the efficiency and effectiveness of free market capitalism and private property ownership produce superior economic growth and wealth for a nation. Government should get out of the way and let capitalism and entrepreneurship work.
  • Yes, Republicans believe our government has become too large, too expensive, and our unsustainable government spending supported by unrestricted debt will ultimately lead to a financial and economic crisis for our country.
  • Yes, Republicans believe in the dignity of all people, human rights, and freedom of choice and have repeatedly shown a willingness to unselfishly fight for these principles on behalf of other countries when these principles have been challenged by dictators and corrupt leaders.
  • Yes, Republicans believe in and want to preserve a financially sustainable Social Security System.
  • Yes, Republicans want to preserve America’s quality healthcare system that allows freedom of choice for all Americans at affordable costs.
  • Yes, Republicans believe in solving our illegal immigration problem through proper legislation without granting unilateral amnesty.
  • Yes, Republicans believe our federal tax system is broken, unnecessarily complicated, and needs major revision and simplification.
  • Yes, Republicans believe taking wealth from those who have achieved it and redistributing it to those who have not is a historically failed socialist policy that leads to economic and moral decline.
  • Yes, Republicans believe in equal rights and equal opportunities for all citizens, not just those selected by our government.
  • Yes, Republicans believe Presidents and their Administrations, especially the current Departments of Justice, Health & Human Services, Labor, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the IRS, should impartially administer the law and not arbitrarily pick and choose who wins and who loses in our society.
  • Yes, Republicans believe Presidents and their Administrations should be honest and transparent with American citizens, especially on major issues and crises effecting our country.
  • Yes, Republicans believe Presidents should put the needs of the American people above party politics.
  • Yes, Republicans believe our Presidents should uphold the oath they take at inauguration:  “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

I believe our votes in the next two elections will be vitally important to the future of our country. If you want to preserve our Constitution, our personal freedoms, our economy, and maintain the balance of powers between the three branches of government, the time to act is now.

Republicans ARE the Party of “YES” and are dedicated to protecting and improving our great nation. It is up to us, the citizens of America, to recognize the current dangers and elect Republicans to the House and Senate in 2014 and 2016 and replace Obama with a Republican President in 2016. Let’s save our country from “Obammunism” before it is too late.

The Old Guy PhD

America, We have a Problem!

G’Day!

Yes, if we can still call it our country, America has a problem and it is Obama’s continuing push for “Big Government.” The results of his socialist policies are increasing dependency on government, more central control over our lives, slow economic growth, higher taxes, and unsupportable debt financing for the increased spending and expansion of government. Obama, Congressional Democrats, and the liberal media are promoting this unnecessary federal enlargement primarily for political purposes. Simultaneously, they are trashing the Republican Party for trying to do the right thing for our country by offering intelligent fiscal policies to correct the liberals’ addiction to spending and debt. All of these left-wing groups are ignoring the results of their policies and believe they know more about what is best for us than we know for ourselves. These liberals are very wrong and are hurting our country. Obama and his supporters are transforming America from a nation of “makers” into a nation of “takers.”

Our great country was created by people who came here desiring religious and individual freedom, economic opportunities, limited government, a fair legal system to protect their rights, and a democratic process that prevents development of the autocracies from which they fled. They left everything behind in the hope of a better life for their families and themselves. Our Founding Fathers and the American patriots risked their wealth and their lives to establish our independence from tyranny and create the freedoms our ancestors wanted and which we have enjoyed for over 200 years. Liberal and especially Obama’s socialist policies are undermining the country our Founding Fathers created. America’s historic virtues are being replaced with left-wing policies that are slowing job & economic growth, are rapidly expanding a dependency class that relies on wealth-transfer from the success of others, and exploding and unsupportable debt. Currently, there is no end in sight to this potential result. Is this the future you want for yourself and your children?

For the last century starting with Woodrow Wilson, these so-called “progressive” policies have been systematically undermining our individual freedoms, our Constitution, our capitalist economy, and the very fundamentals upon which our country was founded. FDR, Lyndon Johnson, and now Barack Obama have expanded these economically destructive policies in major ways. Perhaps more importantly, these policies have accelerated with Obama and are increasing the probability of our financial failure as a country. America cannot continue to support our current entitlement programs and government, let alone their enlargement. Throughout history socialism has not succeeded and, over time, nearly always results in oppressive central government, a debt crisis, and economic collapse. Under Obama in only five years our National Debt has increased by 70% from $10.0 trillion to $17.2 trillion. Make no mistake; these liberal groups really do want to control every aspect of our lives from cradle to grave and are apparently willing to risk bankrupting our country to accomplish this. If we do not stop them, the America in which you and I grew up and loved will likely be lost for our children and ourselves.

It is totally beyond my comprehension how we twice elected an inexperienced, unqualified, aloof, and imperial-minded President with few, if any, managerial skills to lead the greatest nation on earth. Obama’s singular skill is to be an impressive “talking head” by reading from a teleprompter. He has shown little interest or ability in effective leadership. The list of Obama’s economic failures and his foreign & domestic policy disasters is extensive; of which Obamacare is just the most recent. History will be the ultimate judge of Obama’s two terms in office and it is not likely to be favorable.

One of the few things Obama got right was when he said in a recent speech, “Republicans need to win an Election!” Absolutely true! The only way America can change Obama’s failing liberal policies that are continuing to damage our country, is to vote out the “tax, spend, and borrow” Congressional Democrats in the 2014 election and in 2016 elect an unbiased and qualified President who understands economics, foreign policy, supports our Constitution & individual freedoms, and truly believes in American exceptionalism. Obama has not been that leader.

Yes, America, we have a big problem and the problem is Obama and his left-wing supporters of “Big Government.” As noted above, on one thing Obama is right, if we want to correct the problem, “Republicans need to win an election.” Are you ready to do your part?

The Old Guy PhD

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas #2

G’Day!

Time for some humor–again with apologies to Clement Moore & Democrats.

 

 ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas!

1    ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ my house,

2   Not a creature was resting, not even a mouse;

3   The Stockings were hung by the Chimney with hope,

4   That in 2014, we’d be able to cope;

5   Sebelius was panicked, and feared for her job,

6   While Obamacare problems, stirred up the mob,

7   With no health insurance, or work through the land,

8   We added our assets, to see how much on hand.

9   When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

10   I sprang from depression to see what was the matter.

11  Away to the window I flew like a flash,

12  Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.

13  The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,

14  Gave the lustre of mid-day to deficits below;

15  When, what to my desperate eyes should appear,

16  But a government golf cart, and eight progressive Reindeer,

17  With the President driving, so lively and quick,

18  I knew in a moment it must be a trick.

19  More rapid than eagles his supporters they came,

20 And he whistled, and shouted, and call’d them by name:

21    “Now Media! Now Wall Street! now Unions! and Wa’ Post!

22   “On Holder! on Carney! on Jarrett! and ‘Spend Most’!

23   “To the top of the Debt! To the top of the wall!

24   “Now Tax it all! Tax it all! Tax away all!”

25    As vague promises before the wild subsidies fly,

26    When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;

27    So up to the heavens, the deficits they flew,

28    With the cart full of Regulations – and Executive Orders too:

29    And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

30   The laughing and gnashing of each little tooth.

31    As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

32   Down came Obama with a bag and a bound:

33   He was dress’d all in debts, from his head to his foot,

34   And his promises were stained with ‘misstatements’ and soot;

35    A bundle of taxes were hung on his back,

36    And he look’d like a peddler just opening his pack:

37    His promises – how many! His failures – how crippling,

38    His cheeks were like roses, his fingers were gripling;

39    His droll mouth was drawn up in a grin,

40    As he planned to build, bigger government again;

41     The bill for Obamacare he held tight in his teeth,

42    And joy encircled his head like a wreath.

43    He had a big smile, and blamed everyone else,

44    For all his disasters, all but himself:

45    He was happy and laughing, a right socialist old elf,

46    And I cringed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

47    A smile on his lips, and a twist of his ear,

48    Soon gave me to know, I had something to fear.

49    He spoke not a word, for him a big task,

50    And took all of value; then took off his mask,

51    And laying his golf club aside of his nose,

52    And taking my assets, up the chimney he rose.

53    He sprang to his golf cart, to his team gave a toot,

54    And away they all flew, after taking the loot:

55    And I heard him proclaim, as he drove by my eye;

56    Thanks for your help, kiss your healthcare and free markets goodbye!

 

Seriously, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to everyone! Hopefully, 2014 will be better!

The Old Guy PhD

Abraham Lincoln – The Gettysburg Address!

G’Day!

150 years ago on November 19, 1863 Abraham Lincoln delivered perhaps the most significant speech about the origins, philosophy, and aspirations for democracy, freedom, and equality for our great country. It lasted for less than three minutes but conveyed the hopes and aspirations that have bound our country together since its founding.

We are now in a controversial period, in which our country is politically divided, our individual freedoms are being attacked, our Constitution is being challenged, our free market economy is being eroded by excessive government and administrative policies, and the very future of our democracy is in question. I recommend that all citizens of the United States of America would benefit from re-reading the words expressed by Abraham Lincoln in Pennsylvania 150 years ago. The Gettysburg Address is quoted below:

 

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work, which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Abraham Lincoln

November 19, 1863”

 

I have no confidence in the socialist policies of our current President and even less in his Administration. I believe that America is currently on an unfavorable and unsustainable regulatory, fiscal, and monetary path, which must be changed or we face extremely serious consequences for our economy, our personal freedoms, and especially for our children’s future.

Abraham Lincoln closed his above speech with the following words: “…this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Lincoln was right. It is time for us to take back our country.

The Old Guy PhD