Back to Basics

Corruption in government – it starts with the election process.  Special interest groups, labor unions, big pharma, all making campaign contributions supporting the candidate that is going to give them the back room deals they are after.  Why do you think this country is in this much trouble!  They have all basically bought and paid for the candidate of choice, the one who is looking out for their special interests instead of the interests of the American people.  The corruption needs to stop now, and reform needs to start with the funding of political campaigns.

The democrats seem to want to make everything equal – take from the rich and give to the poor.  So let’s start with campaign funding.  Let’s implement this equal for all system for the politicians, right from the start of the campaign process.  It’s time for a radical campaign funding change.

Instead of companies and individuals supporting one candidate over another, campaign contributions would be made to a government fund for each elected position.  There would be one fund for the president, one for each state senator race, one for each representative of the house race.  All campaign monies would go into this fund and NO OTHER funding for campaigns would be permitted.  The money from these funds would then be divided equally to all candidates running for that position, whether it be two or more.  Everyone would have an equal opportunity in campaigning for the desired position.

How the campaign spends this money would be up to them, but they would have to limit spending to only the money received from the fund.  It would be restricted, of course, to legal activities only.  At the end of the campaign a full disclosure of the money would be required within a specific timeframe and an audit would be completed on the final campaign funds.  Any money remaining from the election would be returned to the fund for the next elections.  There could be no “outstanding balance due” at the end of the campaign.

A radical move, but the problems we see in the government today are because every special interest group and every company has their own agenda and they have all made deals with the politicians to get what they want.  They donate and expect to receive benefits in return – and they don’t just mean a thank you letter.  The government is no longer run by the people, for the people.  It is being run by special interests and big business.  This has got to stop!  Start the reform where the corruption begins – the campaign funding.  Equal opportunity for everyone.

It is quite obvious we have two completely different views on the role of government, as well as health care, in the United States.  We have those on the far left that believe everything belongs to them and everyone should work for the government so they can all receive their handouts.  We have those on the right that believe the government should be limited in power and that those who work should be able to keep what they earn.  Those that earn have paid taxes so those that want to receive have been able to do so.  But the balance is slipping and those who earn can no longer afford to pay for those who don’t.  Thus the battle.  Unfortunately, the left is pulling the race card at every opportunity, even when it doesn’t exist.  You’d think we were back in the 1960’s!  I’ve read comments that include all the racial innuendos, foul language and demands that the right get out of the country.  If the right left where would you get your handouts?

So I put forth a totally radical option to be considered.  Create a uniform income tax for everyone (yes, I know the left is screaming already that this isn’t fair – get over it).  Say this tax, as an example, is 25% no matter what your income.  This money is put into the actual government operations given in the powers of the constitution.  Those that have paid into the Social Security system and Medicare will also continue receiving benefits from those programs as it was long ago promised to them.  They’ve paid their dues, they deserve their benefits.  As for the other “social” programs, each individual may opt in or out of the program by a simple check of a box on their tax returns and W-4 filing status.  If you choose to opt in to the social programs, then you will pay an additional 25% of your income to taxes to help pay for these programs.  Monies collected from the additional tax must be put into a fund and held specifically to cover the costs of these programs.  If you choose to opt out of the social programs then you will not pay any additional tax to cover these programs but you will also not be eligible to participate in any of these programs.  No money in, no money out.

These social programs would have to be self-funded.  Only monies collected from the additional taxes can be used, no other federal monies could be diverted to cover these programs.  If the programs ran out of funds then they would be out of funds until the next tax season.  People could also voluntarily donate to these social programs if they choose, whether they wanted to participate or not.

Those on the left get all the social programs they want.  They can determine how many and what types of social programs they want and their elected officials can determine the budgets and monies available based on the taxes collected for these programs.  Those on the right get what they want – limited government into their daily lives.  If you want the social programs then put your money where your mouth is!  Start paying into the programs you want to collect from.  Your free ride is over!

Freedom of speech and freedom of the press is one of the rights we must hang on to.  Without those basic freedoms the country is in grave trouble.  You may not like or agree with someone, but that does not give you the right to take away their freedom to speak.

Millions of people watch Glenn Beck.  You may agree with him today and disagree with him tomorrow.  You may watch his show and think he is great – or you may think he is some kind of nut.  Either way, he has a right to speak his mind and you have a right to agree or disagree.

Although I do not watch the Glenn Beck show as I do not have cable TV, I watched a clip of the video that is raising such a controversy.  Glenn was stating his opinion of the president and how he handled the situation involving a friend of his and the police department.  His statements only reflected what many people have been thinking and they came to those conclusions by actions and statements made by the president himself!  Glenn’s statements made on that show were less offensive than Nancy Pelosi calling all republicans who oppose the health care bill Nazis!  But because Glenn is white and his comments are against an African-American, making these comments it is not acceptable.  After all, how can a black man be racist!

The group putting pressure on removing the advertising is totally a racist group.  They represent only the African-American population.  Yet companies cower to their Chicago style tactics.  How stupid can these companies get?  The show is one of the top rated TV shows and because some racist organization coerced them they are removing advertising from the Glenn Beck show.

Where does this stop?  Any company that pulled their advertising from the Glenn Beck show is not supporting our 1^st amendment rights.  Maybe we should ban them and any station or television show that supports their disrespect for our constitution!

No one forces you to watch television and you have the choice which shows you choose to watch.  Starting censorship in television is a very dangerous road to travel.  No organization should be allowed to have the power to encourage censorship.  No company should allow these same organizations to dictate where to advertise.  One day they may all find themselves on the wrong side of a censorship issue.

Anyone with any brains knows that the ads shown during a television show do not necessarily represent the views of those companies whose products are being advertised.  Do we need to have a disclaimer run with every ad making that obvious statement?  Is it wrong for them to want to get their advertising message out to as many people as possible?

Your support of the ban is an indication to the American people that you are involved in special interest groups.  If you don’t have the balls to stand up to them, then maybe the product you are toting or the company you represent isn’t one the people should be supporting.  Maybe it’s a good thing you removed your advertising so we aren’t exposed to it.  If we don’t see it, we won’t buy it!  Maybe you actually did us a favor.  For every person that may object to the show, there are just as many, if not more, that support it.  Start standing up for our 1^st amendment rights – otherwise you may find your company’s advertising being censored one day from some other special interest group.

When did the values of Americans change?  When did we become a society of people who believe in entitlement rather than one of responsibility?  When did the government and the people decide it was time to send this country into a spiral that is destined to end the freedom once cherished?

This country once had the belief that through hard work and dedication one could obtain the American dream.  They believed throughout the ages, that no one should be denied the opportunity to try.  When a neighbor was in need, it didn’t take a law to provide them assistance, but the values from the community that would come forward to help them.  We still see it today when there is a disaster that affects people.  How many people come out to donate time, money, blood and other resources to help those in needs?  It didn’t take a law demanding their help.  They do it because each one believes in one another.  How many people contribute to the local food banks, or to the school community to provide for children at the beginning of each school year or for gifts for Christmas?  We do it naturally because we believe in it.

So in the charity so many are willing to give, unfortunately there are those who believe they not only have a right to this charity but they demand it.  We owe it to them.  We owe you nothing.  We do it because we want to, not because we owe you.

Society today has become one of people believing we owe them.  They no longer believe they have to work to obtain what they need to survive, but feel it is their right to have these things and more.  Many make a career out of taking from the hardworking citizens.

My daughter is a high school teacher and, as she vents her frustrations to me on a weekly basis, I hear about the vast change in values of our youth.  A number of students still work hard to earn their grades.  But a good many of them feel they should be given a grade or pass the class because of their ultimate goals.  They don’t want to put in the work to honesty earn these grade, but instead feel they are entitled to them.  They are not willing to take responsibility for their own actions or lack of them.  Parents and/or students complain because their son or daughter can’t participate in sports because a certain teacher “gave them a failing grade.”  Did that son or daughter not earn that failing grade?  Parents complain to the administration when their son or daughter can’t get in to a certain college because they did not receive grades allowing them entrance to that college.  Instead of the student taking responsibility for their actions they blame the teacher and demand the grade be changed.  Teachers who don’t respond to these threats by giving in are often criticized by the administration for not being responsive to their students and parents.

This only sets up the precedent for future actions of these youth.  When they obtain a job they feel they are entitled to a paycheck and keep the job even though they show up for work late, call off often, and don’t do the job required of them.  No one should criticize this behavior because we owe them.

The programs the government offers are there to help people in time of need.  Many people make a career out of it.  The larger the family, the more they get, so they continue having children even though they cannot afford to support those they already have.  They take no responsibility.  We owe them.

Now we are faced with 12 million illegals in this country, demanding services, because we owe them.  The Mexican government is pushing for the US to pass amnesty for these illegals because we owe them.  We owe them nothing!  They not only demand free services but expect us to change to accommodate them.  They expect us to learn their language, but do nothing to learn ours.  We did not force you into this country, you came here illegally.  So if you do not like what this country has to offer, then GO HOME!  But don’t expect us to change to suit your needs.  We do not owe you.

Health care reform demonstrates yet another entitlement program.  Nowhere in the constitution does it say that one is entitled to health care.  As responsible and compassionate citizens we feel no one should be denied medical care for life saving efforts.  Programs today exist to allow you the opportunity to obtain that care.  However, the abuse of these programs has lead to higher medical costs for everyone.  So now when those who have been responsible, have obtained health care insurance and pay more than their share in taxes, are speaking out against a major reform that not only gives you more health care but takes away from ours, we are accused of being right-wing radicals and un-American.  BUT WE OWE YOU NOTHING!

As I was talking to my daughter this past weekend about the bill, I pointed out some of the provisions to her.  She kept saying “but they [government] can’t do that.”  I kept repeating “it’s in the bill.”  People in the past have had faith in our government to uphold our basic constitutional rights – even though we may and do disagree with many of their actions.  As long as our basic rights remained there was always hope.  The faith in our government is being crushed by the actions of our president and the people elected to represent us in Congress.  Actions taken in the last few months question their commitment, not only to the citizens, but to the country.

Obama and his supporters are out there again trying every tactic they know to get H.R. 3200 passed NO MATTER WHAT the American people want.  They are going to start strong-arm tactics to get Congress, especially those in their own party opposing it, to force them into support of a bill they don’t believe is right for America.  They’ve pressured the two critically ill senators into CHANGING STATE LAWS so they can get two more votes.  If that fails, they will then use “reconciliation” to get the bill through the Senate with only a majority vote.  Do you not understand the word NO?

The people are speaking out against this legislation and the president and Democratic Party are going to do anything and everything they want to pass this bill.  This blatantly shows the president and democrats who support the bill and are willing to go to such lengths are not representing the people they have been elected to represent but their own political and personal agendas.  What are they getting, and from whom, to be so arrogant that they will dismiss the will of the people?

The people of the United States are not insensitive to the needs of their fellow citizens.  However, while the democrats and president are telling us we must have health care reform, the fact still remains that 80-85% of Americans are happy with the current coverage they already have.  Why do they insist on passing drastic reform measures that will negatively affect those that are already covered?  What’s in it for them?

The president is claiming misinformation is being spread about the bill.  Maybe he should take a look at his own statements.  Millions of Americans are uninsured – and this number I’ve seen range now from 40-50 million.  If you take a look at the breakdown of these numbers it does not present a crisis in any form.

According to the Census Bureau, of the 46 million Americans who are uninsured:

- 10.1 million are individuals who have income of $66,000 for a family of four, but who elect to remain uninsured.
- 9.3 million are non-citizens who generally do not pay tax.
- 6.4 million are enrolled in Medicaid or S-CHIP but reported to the Census taker that they were not.  (This phenomenon is known among statisticians as the Medicaid undercount.)
- 4.3 million are eligible for Medicaid or S-CHIP but have not enrolled.
- 5 million are childless adults, mainly healthy, young adults who simply do not wish to pay for insurance.

In short:  Most uninsured Americans are uninsured by choice, not by circumstance.  Myths such as these confuse and frustrate Americans who simply want the best for their country.