Happy New Year 2011.... Isn't It Time To Look Beyond the Platitudes
by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Birthplace of Independent Conservatism
Now that the New Year's Eve Celebrations, and subsequent hangovers are done, it's time to return to reality. Things will no doubt look pretty much the same as they did on the final day of the proceeding year.
The deficit is still real and the national debt continues to accrue interest at a phenomenal rate. The government in its attempt to police, and control the world through diplomatic and military influence will continue to pass on a staggering bill to the American taxpayer.
Given our governments altruistic socialist desire to provide universal health care, as well as every other possible program that will insure an individuals dependence on the nanny state, our financial and fiscal problems will likely only worsen. As if this is not enough in and of itself our nation, because of its misguided altruistic Kantian philosophy, feels responsible to take care of the rest of the world as well.
There is something definitely wrong with this picture.
Further, we continue to ship jobs overseas to insure corporate profits while at the same time allowing foreign competitors to sell goods in America at a distinct advantage to their nation rather than to our national advantage. All in the name of "free and open trade." As this is happening the once vast and prosperous American middle class continues to shrink.
Our Founding Fathers warned against foreign entanglements as well as the dangers of increasing the national debt. There are some very fundamental principals that are as true today as they were at the time of our founding, irrespective of what progressives and Keynesian's would have you believe. Having said this I must add in all fairness that much of what is passed off as "conservatism" today is just as, if not more so, responsible for much of our current state of fiscal disarray.
I refer you to Ayn Rand, her philosophy of Objectivism, and encourage all to undertake a serious look at her philosophy and objective view of reality. The left who ought to love her despises her, and the right who for the most part doesn't understand her ought to be her philosophies greatest nemesis. Yet they embrace her views. No doubt the result of a few sound bites or catch phrases they have identified that plays well to their base and limited agenda.
The reality is we have serious problems that threaten our nation's structural foundation. Resolving these issues are key to our national survival. If we fail as a people to resolve our problems and continue to push them off to future generations our house, ever more built on a foundation of sand, will collapse and the human misery left in the wake will make the Great Depression appear tame by comparison.
No one person has the answer. However, putting this nation on a sustained course to achieving a balanced budget and reducing the national debt would seem to be an obvious and objective start. That and perhaps creating a trade policy that would result in a favorable export to import ratio.
Today begins a new year, and with it the opportunity for positive change. Our nation's founders, facing great differences were able to craft a remarkable and timeless document, The Constitution of the United States, and in the process forge the beginnings of what became the greatest and freest nation on earth. Is this generation capable of insuring it survives for ensuing generations? There are times I wonder.
Cross posted to the Left Coast Rebel.
Rational Nation USA
Birthplace of Independent Conservatism
Now that the New Year's Eve Celebrations, and subsequent hangovers are done, it's time to return to reality. Things will no doubt look pretty much the same as they did on the final day of the proceeding year.
The deficit is still real and the national debt continues to accrue interest at a phenomenal rate. The government in its attempt to police, and control the world through diplomatic and military influence will continue to pass on a staggering bill to the American taxpayer.
Given our governments altruistic socialist desire to provide universal health care, as well as every other possible program that will insure an individuals dependence on the nanny state, our financial and fiscal problems will likely only worsen. As if this is not enough in and of itself our nation, because of its misguided altruistic Kantian philosophy, feels responsible to take care of the rest of the world as well.
There is something definitely wrong with this picture.
Further, we continue to ship jobs overseas to insure corporate profits while at the same time allowing foreign competitors to sell goods in America at a distinct advantage to their nation rather than to our national advantage. All in the name of "free and open trade." As this is happening the once vast and prosperous American middle class continues to shrink.
Our Founding Fathers warned against foreign entanglements as well as the dangers of increasing the national debt. There are some very fundamental principals that are as true today as they were at the time of our founding, irrespective of what progressives and Keynesian's would have you believe. Having said this I must add in all fairness that much of what is passed off as "conservatism" today is just as, if not more so, responsible for much of our current state of fiscal disarray.
I refer you to Ayn Rand, her philosophy of Objectivism, and encourage all to undertake a serious look at her philosophy and objective view of reality. The left who ought to love her despises her, and the right who for the most part doesn't understand her ought to be her philosophies greatest nemesis. Yet they embrace her views. No doubt the result of a few sound bites or catch phrases they have identified that plays well to their base and limited agenda.
The reality is we have serious problems that threaten our nation's structural foundation. Resolving these issues are key to our national survival. If we fail as a people to resolve our problems and continue to push them off to future generations our house, ever more built on a foundation of sand, will collapse and the human misery left in the wake will make the Great Depression appear tame by comparison.
Today begins a new year, and with it the opportunity for positive change. Our nation's founders, facing great differences were able to craft a remarkable and timeless document, The Constitution of the United States, and in the process forge the beginnings of what became the greatest and freest nation on earth. Is this generation capable of insuring it survives for ensuing generations? There are times I wonder.
Cross posted to the Left Coast Rebel.
Well said. The New Year does not ignore the economic realities built up in the past.
ReplyDeleteWho says the hangovers are done??? ;)
ReplyDeleteThe terms Liberal and Conservative have indeed become muddled.
As you mentioned, we also as a nation find it almost impossible to shake the deontological urge to take care of the world.
Lastly, on the exporting jobs issue, if we merely lowered the corporate tax rate and slashed the wasteful regulation (not all of it, lefties! Just the burdensome stuff and the special favors that add no value and stifle competition). If we just lowered the high cost of doing business in the US, the jobs would come home.
But the left are so blinded in their rage against corporations they cannot support anything like this. *sigh*
Silverfiddle - You said....
ReplyDelete"Lastly, on the exporting jobs issue, if we merely lowered the corporate tax rate and slashed the wasteful regulation (not all of it, lefties! Just the burdensome stuff and the special favors that add no value and stifle competition). If we just lowered the high cost of doing business in the US, the jobs would come home."
I agree, however it goes deeper than just this. I complete revision of the tax code is required. A flat tax without any loopholes for individuals or corporations. Corporation should pay a flat tax on all net-revenue ie: all income after accepted accounting principals are applied to gross revenue to arrive at net revenue.
That and end the reign of special interests and pull peddlers. But I guess the above statements say that. Just reiterating.