What We Fear Now
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In January 1933, in his first inaugural address, President Roosevelt said, “Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Those words regarding the economic conditions in what came to be called “The Great Depression” were meant to encourage a troubled nation and raised FDR to iconic proportions.
In July 2011, we find ourselves in similar conditions. The two responsible branches of our government are involved in negotiations for what appears to be yet another in a seemingly unending series of increases in the legal limit to our national debt.
One party seeks to treat the symptoms by again increasing the debt limit and also trying to raise taxes to increase revenue. The other seeks to attack the underlying problem, which is ongoing profligate spending of money we do not have.
President Obama is pretending to look like a leader in the negotiation.
Recently he said, “I cannot guarantee that those [Social Security] checks go out on August 3 if we haven’t resolved this issue, because there may simply not be the money in the coffers to do it.”
This demonstrates that today we have nothing to fear but the president of the United States.
Our president seems unable to rise above Chicago neighborhood organizer.
This blatant threat to Social Security payments is illustrative. It is my understanding that the Supreme Court has held that Social Security is not considered debt as covered by the limit laws.
I also understand that Social Security receipts still exceed payments, so funding exists. If the president chooses to withhold, then we the people should respond with all legal redress possible against him.
Philip B. Starr
Whispering Pines
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Comments
dustyrhoades 1 year, 10 months ago
It's always about the fear with you people.
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
DR - "It's always about the fear with you people." You people??
dustyrhoades 1 year, 10 months ago
Did I stutter?
TreadLightly 1 year, 10 months ago
If you looked into the history of the Roosevelt "business cycle adjustment," and see Obama doing the same Keynesian solutions, you see our debt explode AND YOU ARE NOT SCARED, then I am fearful of either your cognitive capacity or your intentions for America.
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
DR - I just wanted to know which people you were referring to - not stuttering, just unclear.
dustyrhoades 1 year, 10 months ago
You're a bright fellow, figure it out.
Aberdeeniac 1 year, 10 months ago
You know that's pretty darn funny, the term "You People" is ok when comes from a left trial lawyer but let a republican utter those words and all @@## breaks loose. The government should run their financial business like most families do....... If I were a trial lawyer I pander to left myself, "Yes sir we do have a case against that weed whacker company, they should have told you can not use that device to remove a birds nest off your roof". Some people from the left get grumpy when they have to throw out their signed cardboard cutout of John Edwards, and take it out on the rest of us fine Americans. I wonder what the left will say when Herman Cain and Col. West are in the White House.......................
JER 1 year, 10 months ago
Try to elect them and let's find out.
dustyrhoades 1 year, 10 months ago
*You know that's pretty darn funny, the term "You People" is ok when comes from a left trial lawyer but let a republican utter those words and all @@## breaks loose. *
Actually, all @@## breaks loose when "you people" is used to refer condescendingly to one race. I know it really bugs the wingnuts when they can't engage in casual racism, but you're just going to have to put on your big boy pants and get over it.
And if you think Cain and West have a chance at the WH. you're totally delusional. West apparently thinks losing his temper and challenging a woman to a fight makes him look tough, and Cain keeps revealing his ignorance of the Constitution every time he opens his mouth. That sort of thing plays well to the mouth-breathers, wannabe bullies, and those for whom ignorance is a virtue, but fortunately that group is still not a majority. They're obnoxious and noisy, and they get a lot of attention for it, which makes them think they're a factor. But once the light shines on them their cult leaders du jour are revealed for the featherweights they are.
Aberdeeniac 1 year, 10 months ago
First, you're going have to explain what casual racism is? Herman Cain and Colonel West can hold their own without resorting to "Ya I'm wrong but you're a racist for pointing that out cuz I'm black" You know for a fact several people here have called republicans or conservatives racist because they simply did not agree with current president. So I' waiting to see if these some individuals pop in and call you a racist for giving you're opinion on Cain and West..... My guess it won't happen... Hypocrites! I don't blame you, but your profession has to be tied to the left, a trial lawyer and liberals are both looking for someone with the deepest pockets to get them by. Big boy pants? LOL...... Ya I'll put them on but I bet you're looking at those big boy pockets......
Yukonjohn 1 year, 10 months ago
DR, we agree alot, but on this issue, we are oceans apart!! For one, I am an American, as are many of the libs on here. I am fiscally conservative, and as such, think the President is misguided on this issue. I want to see the spending stopped, and stopped now. I think we should raise the debt limit, so as not to default, then have MASSIVE cuts in govt. Maybe it will mean my job, but so be it if it does. This spending has to stop somewhere. I think people should fear the spending we are currently doing and have recently done.
JER 1 year, 10 months ago
So to be clear, if we stop the spending, throw people currently with jobs out of their job, this will create jobs that will get the country back on it's feet?
dustyrhoades 1 year, 10 months ago
Amazing, isn't it?
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
You people - SMH
sgmartin 1 year, 10 months ago
The two responsible branches of our government??? Where is the evidence for that? They have been abysmal failures in these "negotiations" .
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
Somehow our two responsible branches have forgotten, "We the People (or "You People") of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity", the oath they took upon entering office. In fact, they've done just the opposite - they've formed an imperfect Union, abandoned Justice, made a mockery of Welfare, shackled us with silly laws and nearly Bankrupted us.
dustyrhoades 1 year, 10 months ago
That's the preamble to the Constitution, not the oath of office. I bet you were also one of those people claiming that George W. Bush had the right to do anything he wanted because he "took an oath to defend the country."
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
I believe they all swore to uphold the Constitution. I wasn't singling out any one party, but referring to all 3/4 Party representatives. I may also include the 3rd branch in this.
moonchild7 1 year, 10 months ago
Sounds like it's time for a REVOLUTION....but the TEAPOTS are not invited.
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
The Teapots are the only ones that would have the guts or strength start one. The liberals wouldn't because that would be another illegal war & it would cost too much.
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
JB - Then who do you think would start one?
dustyrhoades 1 year, 10 months ago
Not a bunch of old people wearing funny hats and waving badly spelled signs while riding Medicare-provided scooters as they rail against government-run health care, that's for sure.
TOYTIME 1 year, 10 months ago
I think I disagree with you on most everything Dusty! But that's just dang funny!
Courseaire 1 year, 10 months ago
DR - Not nice, but funny. I can just see them riding up Pa Ave, charging the WH.
dustyrhoades 1 year, 10 months ago
Verrrry Slowwwllly....
carlj1161 1 year, 10 months ago
Well I have to agree on one point, the "Teapots" are the only ones, right now, that have the guts to start a revolution. I think the Tea party is dying and some of the poll numbers seem to support this. But if the Republicans keep doing the slash and burn of the middle and lower income people, there may be a rise up. The Democrats had their chance a couple of years ago, bud didn't have the guts to do it, even with a significant majority.
TOYTIME 1 year, 10 months ago
"Well I have to agree on one point, the "Teapots" are the only ones, right now, that have the guts to start a revolution."...carlj1161
not to mention, conservatives are the only ones (other than criminals) that have guns. Before everyones head explodes that's a joke! I've always heard if you have to tell someone it's a joke, then it wasn't funny. Sorry.