At the risk of being called “greedy, heartless and cruel” by another dewy-eyed liberal like recent letter-writer Linda Andersson, I think it’s relevant to point out a few salient facts.
No country in the history of the world has ever taxed itself into prosperity. Most of the alphabet programs of Franklin Roosevelt did nothing to lift the U.S from the Great Depression. It was the war time economy of WWII that pulled us out.
Social Security as originally constituted was a great idea. The fund was set up as independent and to be paid into by the participants. Lyndon Johnson didn’t see it that way.
In presiding over the divisive Vietnam War and promulgating his “Great Society” he needed money, lots of money. So like Kreskin he simply moved the Social Security fund into the General Fund so he could spend it. And spend it. Thereby putting later generations at risk of default … like now.
Jimmy Carter (my least favorite president of all time) put the capper on it by allowing all immigrants to draw from the fund without contributing one dime to it.
Yes, I’ve seen first-hand the tragedy of job loss, home loss and esteem loss. Government tax and spend is not the answer. Neither is the government going into private business the answer … can you say Solyndra?
For openers we should make the Chinese quit keeping the yen artificially low, thereby stealing millions of U.S. jobs. Then get rid of some of the business regulations. Then get rid of the regulators.
I don’t hate President Obama. In fact, I’m heartened at the way he handles terrorists. Eric Holder notwithstanding.
I do disagree with his handling of the economy. He, like Ms. Andersson, has no comprehension of history. Obama has now spent more than every administration from Washington through Bush I combined. And he keeps on keeping on.
Do we really want to hold Europe up as a shining example of great government? Look at what’s happening in Greece, and Portugal and Ireland. That whole house of cards could come crashing down on U.S. shores.
Keep those rose-colored glasses perched firmly on your nose though Ms. Andersson and keep drinking that Obama Kool-Aid. Hopefully the taste of bitter almonds won’t be following soon after.
Denny Andrews, Bellevue
