The New Era of Statism

I have a question that I believe is on the minds of a lot of people. Since when did statism become so attractive? I bring this up in light of of the recent economic policy of the Obama administration. The bailouts under the Bush administration were folly. The extended bailouts with pet projects that are entirely unrelated to boosting growth and employment signed into law by the Obama administration were folly. The mortgage plan to cover the collective buttocks of millions of Americans who can't afford their mortgages rewards bad behavior. The continued bailout mentality for the financial, auto, and mortgage industries is not just misplaced, but incredibly counter-productive and yes, statist. The government is very good at creating new dependents, and that is exactly what it is doing with the bailouts, attaching the money it lends to preferred stocks and huge chunks of the company. That kind of behavior frightens current stock holders and future investors. With the flight of new and old investment those companies continue to hemorrhage, forcing the government to bailout their bailouts. And, in the big picture, government becomes the de facto controller of a massive part of the private sector (ie: the banks).

Here is the definition of statism as defined by oh so reliable wikipedia (I corrected some spelling mistakes):

Statism (or Etatism) is a term that may refer to any of the following:

1. Government having a major role in the the direction of the economy, both through state-owned enterprises and indirectly through the central planning of overall economy.

2. The "concentration of economic controls and planning in the hands of a highly centralized government."

3. The Fascist concept of statism which holds that "basic concept that sovereignty is vested not in the people but in the national state, and that all individuals and associations exist only to enhance the power, the prestige, and the well-being of the state. The fascist concept of statism repudiates individualism and exalts the nation as an organic body headed by the Supreme Leader and nurtured by unity, force, and discipline."
However, if all of the statist-leaning policies were not enough for you, charitable tax deductions will be significantly reduced or disallowed and the President and his administration aim to raise taxes during a recession, creating more unbalance by putting the most burden on the wealthy. You might think, "Well that doesn't affect me." Yes it does. First off, the tax increases on the wealthy are not going to cover the administration's new drive to overhaul the entire healthcare system and foster green energy with a cap and trade systems, so you can count on tax hikes hitting people who make anywhere upwards of $75,000 a year. In fact, there will be tax hikes all around, but Geithner and the Obama administration seem to think that the economy will be out of its "funk" by the time they actually take effect, which will be 2010 and 2011. However, they seem to forget that people react to these events prior to them happening. So, the announcement alone of tax hikes during this economic malaise is only exacerbating the crisis, as is evidenced by the continued downturn of all markets. Oh, and lest I forget, we will soon enter an age where more people do not pay taxes than those who do. That means that more people will feel entitled to government services without paying a single dime. Under the current Obama tax plan, there are a lot of breaks and rebates for people who do not pay taxes, and the lower income tax brackets will become smaller.

Just had to get that off my chest. Some of Obama's projects might even be good, or at the very least well-intentioned, but he needs to wake up and realize that now is not the time to overhaul the health care system or put a cap and trade policy into effect. Just like any family or individual, the government should not spend money it does not have. We got into this economic predicament by spending more than was in our means and taking on bigger loans than we should have. Explain to me Tim Geithner, Ben Bernanke, and President Obama how we are going to get out of this problem by doing the same thing that got us into it. All of these trillion dollar pump-priming initiatives and this $3.6 trillion budget are going to do is increase debt and the size of government, cause rampant inflation, and prolong the recession, perhaps turning it into a depression. It is also important to remember that the money that is being spent now does not yet exist. The government is spending money on expected revenue. But, how is it going to have this money to spend if it negates the incentives to earn it with higher taxes and cutting deductions? If you have a problem with it, raise your hand.

But this stupidity really is not surprising. I mean, since when did the government do a good job of managing anything? Why do we seem to think that having the government take over the financial sector and the health care system is going to make things better? Just look at the SEC, FDA, SSA, TSA and the Department of Homeland Security. Are those good examples of administration? Do we truly want the government to take over our lives even more, with it's track record? I think not.

Drum beats

I dance to the beat of my own drum. If the beat of my drum happens to be American Indian tribal dance, Zulu wedding dance, Depeche mode, Led Zeppelin, or Berlin night club...that is what I will dance. Just as I dance to the beat of my own drum, so does McCain (however, I don't think he is quite so literal).

I am not a devout McCain supporter. Let me start with that. He has a habit of frustrating me. He doesn't dance to his own drum beat. He marches forward with it. He has a history of reaching across the aisle to get reform done. He works with democrats, independents, and republicans. That is something that cannot be denied. He is nobody's b*tch. And, although it can be frustrating to a lot of people, it is a good sign. It means he puts his own judgment and America above that of partisan politics. Aside from drawing in independent and democratic voters, there is a bit in the maverick image that attracts even conservatives (some would argue that what really attracts them is Palin, and that's true too - she's hot), but knowing that he is not anyone's puppet is comforting (I know Bush has been everyone's puppet at one time or other). And, as much as I like puppet shows, I don't want to see that happen again.

McCain's speech last night was a responsible one. It pointed blame where it needed to, - he accepted that his party became corrupt with power in Washington - and he called for unity (and given his habit of bipartisan reform, he can really claim that call more than Obama, who has no such record), he called for energy independence, he called for transparency and accountability, and he called out for controls on government spending and excess taxation. 

On the topic of energy independence his approach is all-encompassing. The energy question does not need to be mutually exclusive, and he proved that. It's not fossil fuels versus green energy. A responsible plan uses both. He called for clean coal technology, natural gas, nuclear power, wind and solar power, electric and flex cars, and drilling. There is a responsible way to do all that. There is a sustainable way to drill, to use coal, and other fossil fuels (and if we don't use them, we are wasting our own potential and shooting ourselves in the collective foot). And, while we use the more economically feasible and well-studied techniques involving fossil fuels, we can concurrently develop more sustainable green energy so there is a smooth transition. 

But the big issue my friends is medical care. McCain said Obama's plan puts a bureaucrat in between me and my doctor. That's true with universal healthcare. Why do people seem to think the government will do a better job with our medical system than competitive, hard-working, private individuals? It boggles my mind. On that point alone I see it imperative to vote for McCain, who claims to have a much more useful reform in mind.

PS - I will continue to dance to the beat of my own drum, right now it's t.A.T.u. - for McCain it's whatever is in the best interest of America, and it will take him to the Oval office. Do the research people! Just because Obama is good-looking and speaks well, doesn't mean he should take the reins over the most powerful nation on the planet.

Universal Garbage

I've been getting so used to not writing, that I was almost reluctant to do so today. I hear laziness is, however, somewhat unbecoming. So I'm writing. Clearly. But, of course, by the time you see this post I will have already written it. With that said let's jump into the ridiculousness of the Democratic National Convention in Denver. 

The press is billing the event like its the Super Bowl. And, to make things right, it's happening in a football stadium (so at least they got the location right). The event however, is not nearly as thrilling or as captivating. Obama's wife has spoken, Hillary has spoken, and even the brain tumor-plagued Ted Kennedy has spoken.

Initially Kennedy's speech was interesting and even a little inspiring, but then he got on his soap box about universal health care. I left the room disgusted.

Universal healthcare is a bad idea. What it means is that the government once again takes over an industry, taking it out of the hands of competent, well-trained, well-paid professionals, and puts it in the hands of the giant federal bureaucracy. Yay! TSA is a joke. Homeland security is not that great. The FCC is a joke. And so is the FAA. Friends, putting the government in charge of our hospitals and medical care will only exacerbate our problems here. 

Now, I would like to clarify that doctors will still have jobs, and will not be replaced by US Postal workers, but because all of our medical bills will be subsidized by the government, the doctors will receive less for their services, we pay more in taxes, and we get to wait in line more as doctors are mandated by the government to see the most inane cases. 

In the UK, with their 'amazingly good system' as it is touted by Michael Moore, people wait for months or even years for cancer treatments and important urgent care because the system is inefficient. The doctors working there are expected to treat any and all people on a 'first come, first served' basis, and do it for almost nothing. Not a good deal for them, and not a good deal for their patients.

It is true that our system could use an overhaul. Our system is inefficient in the US. But, when it comes to getting urgent care, it is more likely to happen here than in a socialized system. When Michael Moore showed in his documentary how easy it was for firefighters from 9/11 to get treatment in Cuba, and how hard it was in America he forgot to include the fact that he went to one of the nicest hospitals in Cuba, and he went with his documentary crew, and he and those with him were not impoverished Cubans, but rather well-to-do North Americans. In most hospitals in Cuba, the government provides the bare minimum in care. For instance, if you need a kidney removed, they'll take it out, but you will be left on a gurney with an ice pack in a dirty room, and if your family doesn't come to bring you towels, blankets, food, water, soap, or anything else you might just die right there due to neglect and infection. So perhaps that's the kind of efficiency we need in this country. Bare minimum get 'r' done mentality.

That is my piece on universal healthcare. If that were the only issue, it would be easy to see why I do not favor Obama, but there are many others that irk me just as much. I'm not going to say I like McCain, but I at least believe our government's size and scope would be kept in a more real check with him in the Oval Office.

Gladiator!!!

Tonight at 10:30pm my brother and I are holding gladiatorial games at our house. I have thus far put 2 benches, 4 chairs, and a tent on the roof for viewing of the 'arena.' It should be a very exciting and abusive event. We will have 2 on 2 battles, the individual tournament and chariot races. And, as my brother is going back to Mexico and Haiti to make more documentaries for humanitarian projects, people are asked to bring a little contribution if possible to help the people of those regions. Proceeds will go to covering some of my brothers limited expenses and anything beyond that feeds the hungry.

But, I want to point something out for a moment. Gladiatorial games originally were dreadfully horrid affairs with carnage, death, and debauchery. They were something the Romans did to entertain their citizens so the government could sway public opinion in their favor and get people to look away from their frequent ineptitude. However, as we have our event this evening, we do it for a charitable cause. To elucidate the plight of the voiceless. To feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and bring peace to the war-ravaged nations and peoples of the earth. So while the event is violent, competitive, and even fun, the effect is peace, unity, and love. Just an interesting juxtaposition.

The Good Things of Ohio

Some of you may remember, with some bitterness and dismay, the post I wrote a while back about the good state of Ohio. To understand my rationale for bludgeoning the good name of the state, I must just say my Celtics were not doing so hot in a seven game series against Cleveland. However, I foolishly did not remember all of the good people I care for and appreciate that have lived there or call Ohio home.


There are many good things to come from Ohio. One of which is a man named Ross Mangum. Ross was born in the Ohio cradle of love, not far from the garden of Eden. He was nurtured by Cyclops wet maids who rode unicorns (and his loving family, who may or may not have known about the cyclops). Ross grew up near Ohio State University, and has close ties with it. His father is a professor there, and that in turn with his proximity to the school created an unwavering devotion to the school, and consequently its football and other sports programs. He is currently studying neuroscience at Brigham Young University, and heads the BYU chapter of the Alliance of Students Against Poverty (ASAP). He is an extremely bright fellow, with a knack for soccer, and a love for Brazil, having served a two-year mission for the LDS church there. Currently he is a research assistant in Scotland, solving all the mysteries of the human genome and probably cloning lots of sheep. Ross is one good reason to like Ohio, but there are many others.

Let me list them:

Bryant Angelos
Soon to be Mary Angelos
The Bergins
Sea World
Sandusky
High Speed Tech Corridor
Jack Nicklaus
Neil Armstrong
The Wright Brothers
The Cardinal (State bird)
Columbus
Beaver Wars
Cleveland
Cinncinati
Toledo
Akron
Dayton
Automobile plants: Jeep, Honda, Ford, GM
Rubber
Steel
Wright-Patterson Airforce Base
NASA
Cornbelt
Healthcare

There are obviously many other things that I could list, but those should be good enough. The two Angelos family members and the Bergin family should be enough, but you don't necessarily know them. So take your pick (flight, steel, rubber, cars, Beaver Wars), they're all good options. I don't think anyone could still exist without Ohio's contribution to our country and lives. And by exist, I mean live in any meaningful way. Oh, and if you don't know anything about what I listed, look it up on wikipedia, because I don't have the time or patience to write it all out, and I want you to have the wonderful discovery experience I just had with Ohio.