Broken Capitalism is Superior to Socialism

We keep getting reminded that the economy is broken and it needs to be fixed. Mr. Obama ran on such a message and felt he was given a mandate by the American people to to do just that. Now and again he reminds us just how broken the economy is. To many, the economy translates into capitalism. Capitalism is broken and the only way to fix it is the have the government take charge of the economy... and when the government takes over an economy, you no longer have capitalism. That is what we call socialism.

Now, I'm just a basic guy, but it seems to me that the economy has always been broken. Use the other word if you like: capitalism has always been broken. At least to one degree or another. Why is it, or always has been, broken? None other than John Adams has given a hint as to why. He said:

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

Just as our Constitution works best with a moral people, the same goes with our economy. Capitalism works best in the hands of a moral people. We have had plenty of evidence of this principle over the last decade as we have watched the parade of financial scandals that have rocked this nation.

Some believe that the answer lies in a heavy handed government. So, let me get this straight. We should take our economy out of the hands of a scandalous private sector and put it into the hands of a scandalous public sector... the government in Washington. That makes sense. Take it out of the hands of thousands in the private sector and entrust it in the hands of hundreds in government (or in our case... one). I'm sorry, but that makes no sense at all. Socialism is entrusted the world we have known into fewer hands. And what if those hands have an even more insidious agenda? America would be in serious trouble.

This is what I think. Capitalism has been the engine that has built the greatest nation in history. It has produced the greatest wealth and inspired ingenuity and unmatched philanthropy. No country that has languished under the cloud of socialism has achieved so much. I know capitalism has its problems and sometimes severe weakness. But even with all of that, broken capitalism is a far better friend to and answer for America that any form of a government run economy.

That said, the best thing for us is to inspire to superior morals in this country. From father to son, mother to daughter, teacher to student, banker to customer, Wall Street to Main Street, preacher to congregation, let's do ourselves a favor and inspire to be a moral people. Let's not allow John Adam's words to haunt us, but to inspire us. We need to reclaim the American dream.

President or Community Organizer?

Is any one else as confused as I am? I've been watching with interest the first few months of Mr. Obama's presidency. I have to tell you that I'm confused. What do I mean? Well, let me make it as simple as I can. When Mr. Obama was voted into office, did we get a president of the United States and servant of the people or a community organizer. It's kind of hard to tell.

When you see this president establish a large staff of Czars who are independent from the cabinet and the congress, you realize that this is not business as usual. In fact, as you consult the Constitution, you begin to wonder just what country Mr. Obama thinks he's in. The only one I can think of is Chicago.

Then this latest episode. It's one thing to want to inspire America's youth to greater educational heights, but quite another to slyly organize them into some nation-wide community youth group. Are America's children in school to serve the president? I imagine if you were to ask most any parent, you'd find that they don't think so.

So, I ask again, what is it that Mr. Obama wants to be, the president or some national or global community organizer? I think the jury is out on this one. As for me, I have been suspicious of this man from the beginning. Since taking office, he has done nothing but to add to the confusion and mystery. At this point, my vote would be, Mr. Obama, go back to Chicago and organize some community there. America and the Executive Branch need to be returned their foundation, the Constitution and free enterprise.

"Things are not Always what they Seem"

The media has indicated that Mr. Obama is in "campaign" mode as he tries to convince America that his healthcare plan is the panacea for all that ails us. Campaign mode indeed. Note this post from a woman in Bozemen, Montana who showed up at Mr. Obama's town hall meeting in her state:

"Hello All,

"By now you have probably heard that President Obama came to Montana last Friday. However, there are many things that the major news has not covered. I feel that since Joe and I live here and we were at the airport on Friday I should share some facts with you. Whatever you decide to do with the information is up to you. If you chose to share this email with others I do ask that you DELETE my email address before you forward this on.

"On Wednesday, August 5th it was announced locally that the President would be coming here. There are many groups here that are against his healthcare and huge spending so those groups began talking and deciding on what they were going to do. The White House would not release ANY details other than the date.

"On about Tuesday Joe found out that they would be holding the “Town Hall” at the airport (this is only because Joe knows EVERYONE at the airport). Our airport is actually located outside of Belgrade (tiny town) in a very remote location. Nothing is around there. They chose to use a hangar that is the most remotely located hangar. You could not pick a more remote location, and you can not get to it easily. It is totally secluded from the public.

"FYI: We have many areas in Belgrade and Bozeman which could have held a large amount of folks with sufficient parking. (gymnasiums/auditoriums). All of which have chairs and tables, and would not have to be SHIPPED IN!! $$$$$

"During the week, cargo by the TONS was being shipped in constantly. Airport employees could not believe how it just kept coming. Though it was our President coming several expressed how excessive it was, especially during a recession. $$$$$

"Late Tuesday/early Wednesday the 12th, they said that tickets would be handed out on Thursday 9am at two locations and the president would be arriving around 12:30 Friday. Thursday morning about 600 tickets were passed out. However, 1500 were printed at a Local printing shop per White House request. Hmmmm… 900 tickets just DISAPPEARED.

"This same morning someone called into the radio from the local UPS branch and said that THOUSANDS of Dollars of Lobster were shipped in for Obama. Montana has some of the best beef in the nation!!! And it would have been really wonderful to help out the local economy. Anyone heard of the Recession?? Just think…with all of the traveling the White House is doing. $$$$$ One can only imagine what else we are paying for.

"On Friday Joe and I got out to the airport about 10:45am. The groups that wanted to protest Obama’s spending and healthcare had gotten a permit to protest and that area was roped off. But that was not to be. A large bus carrying SEIU (Service Employees International Union) members drove up onto the area (illegal) and unloaded right there. It was quite a commotion and there were specifically 2 SEIU men trying to make trouble and start a fight. Police did get involved and arrested the one man but they said they did not have the manpower to remove the SEIU crowd.

"The SEIU crowd was very organized and young. About 99% were under the age of 30 and they were not locals! They had bullhorns and PROFESSIONALLY made signs. Some even wore preprinted T-shirts. Oh, and Planned Parenthood folks were with them… professing abortion rights with their T-shirts and preprinted signs. (BTW, all these folks did have a permit to protest in ANOTHER area).

"Those against healthcare/spending moved away from the SEIU crowd to avoid confrontation. They were orderly and respectful. Even though SEIU kept coming over and walking through, continuing to be very intimidating and aggressive at the direction of the one SEIU man.

"So we had Montana folks from ALL OVER the state with their homemade signs and their DOGS with homemade signs. We had cowboys, nurses, doctors you name it. There was even a guy from Texas who had been driving through. He found out about the occasion, went to the store, made a sign, and came to protest.

"If you are wondering about the press…..Well, all of the major networks were over by that remote hangar I mentioned. They were conveniently parked on the other side of the buildings FAR away. None of these crowds were even visible to them. I have my doubts that they knew anything about the crowds.

"We did have some local news media around us from this state and Idaho. Speaking of the local media…they were invited. However, all questions were to be turned into the White House in advance of the event. Wouldn’t want anyone to have to think off the top of their head.

"It was very obvious that it was meant to be totally controlled by the White House. Everything was orchestrated down to the last detail to make it appear that Montana is just crazy for Obama and government healthcare. Even those people that talked about their insurance woes……..the White House called our local HRDC (Human Resource and Development Committee) and asked for names. Then the White House asked those folks to come. Smoke and mirrors…EVERYTHING was staged!!!!!!!!!!!

"I am very dismayed about what I learned about our current White House. The amount of control and manipulation was unbelievable. I felt I was not living in the United States of America, more like the USSR!! I was physically nauseous. Joe and I have been around when Presidents or Heads of State visit. It has NEVER been like this. I am truly very frightened for our country. America needs your prayers and your voices. If you care about our country please get involved. Know the issues. And let Congress hear your voices again and again!! If they are willing to put forth so much effort to BULLY a small town one can only imagine what is going on in Washington DC. Scary!!"

Sue
Bozeman, Montana

No Sue, this isn't the USSR... it's just Chicago... a Chicago style campaign that Mr. Obama employed on his race to the top. His strong arm tactics are the only way he can get his way because his ideas have nothing to do with traditional American thought. Stick to your guns. The Constitution and other founding documents were inspired, and are inspiring. How could they not be? Look what they have produced. As a basic guy, I love America as it is... not the America Mr. Obama is desperately trying to spawn.

"Surrendering the Field"

Years ago while in college I took a military history class. It was a very interesting look at war throughout history. It heralded the great strategic minds that have succeeded over ages past. Some particular battles were turning points. For example, a battle at Canne, France, led to the end of the knight as a war machine and the rise of the long-bowman as an effective warrior.

There was one term that has stuck with me over the years. It is a term I have tried to apply in my personal circumstances. You never "surrender the field" unless it is to continue the fight later on your own terms. Of course, some armies had to "surrender the field" or be annihilated. As some have supposed, its better to be a loser than dead. But these are extreme cases.

While watching a few moments of Good Morning America this morning, I was a little taken back as I watched anchor, Robyn Roberts, "surrender the field." Unfortunately in this case, it had nothing to do with putting herself in a position to continue the fight later on her own terms.

Robyn was reporting on President Obama's staged New Hampshire town hall meeting regarding health care reform from the day before. As she introduced the story, she referred to Mr. Obama as "Fact Checker-in-Chief." Now, I know I'm just a basic guy, but that sounds a lot like "surrendering the field" to me. By relegating to the president the responsibility of "fact checking," she surrendered one of the Press's most lethal weapons. So, the question remains: why isn't the Press fact checking the concerns of the American people? Instead all we hear is that the Americans who are acting all angry and obstinate at this August's rounds of town hall meetings have been whipped into a frenzy by talk radio or been bought off and planted by worried insurance executives.

Well, I say fact check it. Let's have a wary Press fact checking all the claims on both sides of the isle. I'd like to see them quote the health care bill that is being debated. Why haven't we seen such a thing? Instead all we get is Mr. Obama's denials (even though he has admitted having not read the bill himself). One Congresswoman in Missouri asked her constituency, "Don't you trust me?" It was a resounding "no!" Americans are worried about the runaway government all while the Press lays down its weapons.

If the Press refuses to do its duty to protect the American people from an unwieldy government, and instead drops their weapons and runs with the enemy, what else can a people do but put up their own fight the only way they can. Americans have been talking and writing and pressing their opinions to the deaf ears in Washington. So when a chance comes to express their opinion, they speak loudly during town hall meetings.

Call it what you will: unruly or uncivil. These boisterous Americans may not look flattering on camera, but how else can they be heard? How do you talk to the deaf? Congress continues to ram expensive programs down the throats of their constituency, even though the obvious majority doesn't support them. Well, all I can say to my fellow Americans: don't follow in the footsteps of the traitorous Press... do not "surrender the field." If we do, we all lose the battle... not only for ourselves, but our children... their children... and their children's children. Once this battle is lost, there's no turning back.

Public Good or Private Gain

At the risk of being accused of overly pounding the same topic over and over again, I have just one more thing to say concerning the "Political Aristocracy" that I wrote about in my last post. Why? Because I came across a statement that confirms my thoughts.

John Tanner, the academic vice president at Brigham Young University, recently wrote about the "founding generation" and offered George Washington as a supreme example of ideal "citizen leadership" (see "More Than Self," BYU Magazine, Summer 2009, 3). He indicated that General Washington "won the war by the art of strategic retreats" and "secured lasting liberty by the art of strategic resignations."

Washington was a public servant, not a public snob. He carefully showed "how citizen leaders should wield power and yield power." He also pursued "the public good rather than private gain."

Now, how many of today's politicians could be so characterized? By my count... just... none. I'm thinking of Arlen Specter. So, why did he jump from the Republican to the Democratic Party? I think it had something to do with realizing he would have lost the republican nomination (most likely because of his vote on the stimulus package). Does that sound like he's pursuing the public good? Or is it private gain? I have my suspicions.

So, are there any public servants left in America? If so, who are they? I certainly hope some can be found... because if not, there's little hope for a free America.

Political Aristocracy

Well, it seems like it's been forever since I last blogged...I guess that's because it has been forever. However, since it's the 4th, I just couldn't keep from saying something, considering what usually gets said on this most illustrious day. I fear we get so caught up in things that lead us to "forget" why we celebrate this day as opposed to those things that cause us to "remember" why we celebrate it.

As I watch the unfolding events and follow the trends going on in America, I see cause for serious concern. I'm amazed at the audacity of some politicians (way too many) who vote for bills that their constituency oppose or at least plead for more discussion. The Democratic majority ram bills through congress, often without having read the details. Exhaustive bills of a thousand pages or more are introduced and the party leadership forces early votes.

Where is the debate? Why are we not doing the research and considering what is best for the American people? Why are bills introduced by the opposing party buried in committees and never allowed to be heard on the floor? You know, there is a reason why the Founding Father's built in a system of checks and balances. That same wise idea should be employed in congress. We need healthy debate so the best possible options can be vetted for the people of this great land.

I've thought about this for some time now. I've wondered why Democratic leadership is taking such a risk. Are they not worried about backlash from their constituency? Do they think they'll safely ride on Obama's coattails? Do they feel like America gave them some mandate to press forward every liberal thought that ever crossed a liberal mind? The answer is probably yes to all of these questions. However, I think there might be one more... and it is very disconcerting to me.

One of the reasons our Founders issued the Declaration of Independence 233 years ago was their objection to British prideful aristocracy. British royalty felt like they were God's gift to mankind and owned the colonies. Colonist needed the intelligence and wealth of the royals to survive. Colonist also existed for the realm, not the realm for the colonist. No wonder early American colonist rallied around this revolutionary thought:

"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."

It appears to me that a new aristocracy is developing in America... a Political Aristocracy. Many of our politicians seem to believe that they are God's gift to mankind. They pass laws like they "own" the American people. They vote as if only they have the necessary intelligence to take care of the less intelligently endowed normal folk who possess the land. Only the wealth of this new aristocratic government can provide what is necessary for their needs. Finally, these political aristocrats act like lowly Americans exist for them, not them for the American people. This thought is confirmed every time I hear names like Pelosi, Reid, and Obama.

You know, I feel pretty certain that this is not the kind of change that most Americans were hoping for. I hope that Americans will soon wake up to this growing threat to peace and prosperity. Maybe we need to resolve, as the Founders did, "that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it."

Maybe it's time to throw out those who believe they are the political elite... a new aristocracy that is as dangerous as any that once wielded power in Britain. We need to either vote them out of office or reduce their salaries... take away their special retirement plan that will bankrupt this country as quickly as the unions imposed retirements destroyed GM. If nothing else, we all need to pay better attention to what the "royals" are doing in Washington and let them know of our growing concerns.

I have little respect for royalty... especially political royalty. There is only one royal that gets my vote... and that is the King of kings... all else are simply men and women given the privilege to serve the greatest nation on earth... even the United States of America.

"Something Significant"

What a great week... for those who believe in dreams anyway. For those who read my previous blog, I wish I could say that "something significant" made itself evident this week. Well, something significant did happen, but not for me.

You'd have to have spent the week in a cave if you do not recognize the name: Susan Boyle. This middle-aged woman has gone from Scottish nobody to YouTube sensation. Once Ms Boyle went viral, she appeared on US morning shows and was reported on by Charles Gibson on World News Tonight. Why? Because this nobody can sing.

And that brings me to the reason for this post. You see, as I said in my last blog, not all dreams are dashed upon the rocks of reality. When Susan Boyle stepped onto the stage of Britain's Got Talent, the immediate response, from everyone, was one of mocking and laughter. If I had been in her shoes (certainly not her dress), I would have been tempted to exit stage left. But Ms Boyle knew something that nobody else did... she had a dream and she knew it was in reach, because she could sing. The first few notes from her mouth silenced the crowd and made immediate believers out of everyone in the hall.

There are two important things to note about this very intriguing event. First, everyone there, both judges and audience, judged Ms Boyle by her looks. She looked very average at best and admittedly was from rural Scotland. What stellar performer could possibly come from such a plain background? Second, the song Ms Boyle chose to sing was: "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. Such irony there. Ms Boyle lives her dream by singing a song about a woman, Fantine, whose own dreams had died: "life killed the dream [she] dreamed."

"Something significant"? Yes, for Susan Boyle... and I applaud her for it. I hope it leads her to humble fame and fortune. Why? Because if "something significant" can happen to the Susan Boyles of the world, it can happen to anyone... including some Basicguy.