Obama's War on Individual Liberty

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Roger Simon, chief political columnist for Politico, once called President Obama "the greatest orator of modern times." And a week ago last Friday, speaking to supporters in Roanoke, Va., our president proved his ability to communicate to me beyond even Mr. Simon's expectation.

The president spoke sincerely as he stated, "Look, if you've been successful, you didn't get there on your own." He went on to say, "If you've got a business - you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen."

Those words were so powerful that they encouraged me to go straight to my father's grave and ask who besides my mother and him worked 60 hours per week at a store called Southern Pines Fabrics so that I could go to college and law school.

I remember their original store on Pennsylvania Avenue across from The Pilot. I remember when my mother would give me a nickel for a Coke from the machine in the newspaper's office. I never knew that someone other than my parents earned that nickel.

When I met Don Denoff (yes, he was the brother of Sam Denoff who wrote "The Dick Van Dyke Show") and saw him work day and night to develop the Country Club section of Southern Pines, I never knew that someone else was responsible. Perhaps we ought to name the streets of Whispering Pines for someone other than Artis B. Hardee, its founder and developer.

Most important, I needed to tell my father at his graveside that when times got tough and Mr. Hardee became late on his payment for draperies made in my father's store, someone else should have paid him.

When I heard what Obama said, I understood what this election is all about. Actually, it is not about health care. Neither is it about jobs. These are just the back stories. This election is about a way of life that my father taught me and which I taught my children, a way of life about which I am afraid my grandchildren will never learn.

I told my children that if they work hard and study hard, choosing a life guided by their faith, then happiness will likely be the result of their pursuit. This, I told them, was their American heritage. President Obama spoke to the contrary.

According to the president, the "all-nighters" I pulled typing emergency court briefs for clients without enough money to buy me lunch the next day were someone else's work. I just wish the back pain I received while crammed into a coach cabin commuting from my paradise in Pinehurst to my Los Angeles law practice could be given to someone else. Perhaps Joe Biden could work on that.

My philosophy was always closer to that spoken by James Stewart in "Shenandoah." As the family gathered at the beginning of the film, Stewart's character offered an irreverent and perhaps sacrilegious prayer.

He reminded God that with respect to the food they were about to eat, the family worked hard to plant it, harvest it and cook it, all by themselves. With that in mind, he also thanked God for it. In a country torn by civil war, Stewart then spent the rest of the movie rescuing his children from governments both North and South.

At one point, he reminded another character that it was not the government that brought forth that part of a woman's anatomy necessary for his babies to suckle.

The philosophy of President Obama is that the individualism pronounced in Stewart's prayer ought to be replaced by the collective. It is nothing less than the replacement of the Protestant work ethic with the philosophy of an African village taken from Hillary Clinton's book, "It Takes a Village."

Clearly, I am neither Protestant nor African, so I hope I can be fair. As such, I reject the collective. I applaud the individual. I do not want a country where my successes, few as they might be, are attributed to someone else and my failures, as many as my children claim, are blamed on the success of others.

The price of personal liberty is the acceptance of personal responsibility. Ceding those rights to the Welfare State is like giving the Creator's endowment back to the king. It is the conviction I must take to the ballot this November.

Robert M. Levy is chairman of the Moore County Republican party. Contact him at Law52@prodigy.net.

More like this story

OldPilot 10 months ago

The Presidents comments were made with respect to and in the context of discussing infrastructure: highways, airports and so on. Builders of any successful business didn't build the infrastructure upon which the success of almost every business depends in part or in whole.

fugitiveguy 10 months ago

"Builders of any successful business didn't build the infrastructure upon which the success of almost every business depends in part or in whole."

Just one of a steady stream of trite, meaningless ideas to justify BHO and the gov thieving more of what belongs to others to flush down the toilet. Of course to the drones, its a stroke of genius.

geoffcutler 10 months ago

Well done, Bob!

bigD 10 months ago

Spot on!

djcalaska 10 months ago

I think it was very clear what obama was talking about..I also noticed he was looking around to see who was listening to him... This is characteristic of people with ego problems..

The_AnonymusProfit 10 months ago

Bob great article.

postofficebx 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Little fatherless punk BHO's message unrelenting message "If you are failure it's not your fault. If you're a success it's not your success.". Barry Hates America.

lakeview 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Hate him back. As for me, I have tolerated him for 3.5 years so I can endure 6 for months...I hope.

honesty2 9 months, 4 weeks ago

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatreds. You cannot establish security on borrowed money. You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves. William J. H. Boetcker, 1916

Thatcher 9 months, 4 weeks ago

oldpilot-- I respect your views, and your posts here, but I believe you are simply incorrect. First, the "roads and airports" to which you refer were paid for by taxpayers, and we all know who pays federal income taxes, and who does not. http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/story/2011-10-06/income-tax-nonpayment/50676912/1. http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/incometaxandtheirs/a/whopaysmost.htm. To suggest that these business owners paid nothing and are simply taking advantage of others, is folly. Second, there are roads and airports in Cuba, and in Greece, and in Italy, etc. (pick your favorite failing country). Having a road in front of your business does not of itself result in a profitable business. And I suspect I need not mention internet businesses to further make my point. To me, Obama's argument (which he adopted from Elizabeth Warren), is intended to stoke class warfare, i.e., telling poor folks that they (the poor folks) really paid for the roads and now the "rich" are taking advantage of it. This argument has no basis in reality, and from an economic standpoint, makes even less sense. Cheers!

clarabelle 9 months, 4 weeks ago

can ya feel the hate .........

Thatcher 9 months, 4 weeks ago

No, clarabelle, we can't. But we can feel the mindless, empty slogans. However, you are making progress...you refrained from calling folks here stupid, dumb, and ignorant. This is a marked improvement. Every journey starts with a first step. Cheers!

JimRussell44 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Do we really want to take all discussions and pick words and phrases out of context in an attempt to make the speaker say what we want to hear? What is wrong with "you people"!!

skylinefirepest 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Having heard the comments I agree with the majority...and I'm appalled that SOMEONE didn't remind Barry that the roads were here prior to the invention of the Model T and GOVERNMENT DIDN'T BUILD THEM!!! Whatever we need in this country will happen regardless of government. Don't believe that? Somebody said the other day that if private citizens built the roads then they would be toll roads...they aren't now? Don't you pay the "toll" every time you put gas in your car?? I ran my business for thirty three years without any help from the government...in fact by their regulations and taxes they actually hurt me!

skylinefirepest 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Before I forget, Mr. Levy, your parents were friends and customers of mine for many years. I had a great deal of respect and fondness for them and will tell you they were good people.

Pappy 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Mr Levy.....very well done !!

Bentpan 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Mr Levy a compelling column, But you could not have done it on your own, Our Dear President has provided you the ideal topic, that of those who strive, fail and try yet again are not worthy of the fruits of their labors, that their endless hours, sacrifices and risks where in fact shared by all. That those who went home at 5pm, took a constant paycheck with a pension and relaxed on weekends while we toiled are entitled to all we stole from them while they relaxed. Apparently our many failures are ours alone but our success belongs to all. But only a far right nutter would consider President Obama and his flock socialists or even worse communists.

slimchance 9 months, 4 weeks ago

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/179132_10151039977511575_2112823652_n.jpg

WFB 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"To suggest that these business owners paid nothing and are simply taking advantage of others, is folly."

Nobody here suggested that, though. All that was suggested was that government, or broadly speaking, society, plays a role in the success of its constituents.

Of course, a lot of things determine an individuals success. Skill, luck, and perseverance are all big contributors. But the support one receives from their friends, family, church, mentors and, yes, even the government also contributes to their success. Contrary to what Maggie supposed back in the 1980's, there is such a thing as society. Personally I think it's important we try not to value society over the individual, and vice versa.

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Shame on you Bob! You are too smart not to understand what the President was saying, therefore I can only conclude you saw the opportunity to rile up the usual suspects and lead them down the path for you and your party's gain. Shame on you haters for being suckers and either gladly taking the words (and meaning) out of context to justify your biased views or just being too lazy to read the entire speech and putting it into perspective. It is exactly this type of silliness that is keeping out country from moving forward. Can't there be intelligent discussions regarding a world where both individualism and contributing to society as a whole are both valued? It is crazy that in a country were values have shifted greatly toward selfishness that the person who raises their hand to point out the detrimental change (and it's subsequent ramifications) gets villainized? Of course we need smart, hard working individuals, just not going at it alone! The countries that are kicking our butt are doing it collectively.

AnimalLover 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Well said, Jason!

AFCHIEF 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Jason, did you watch this story on TV when Obama was spouting off at the mouth. Obama was ACTUALLY LAUGHING and getting the crowd riled up as he was saying businessman didn't build their own companies. VERY CONDENSENDING tone from Obama towards the small businessman.

OldSpook 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Spot on Mr. Levy.

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

I agree that the president's presentation was "clumsy" but that is no excuse for the distortion and feeding frenzy on the right. http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2012/07/political-economy-0

clarabelle 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Thatcher - If you really want mindless, empty slogans please re read YOUR posts. Trust me - they fulfill every requirement to an extreme. Have a great day :)

AFCHIEF 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Jason, clumsy, REALLY. Obama always has a condesending attitude. Lets go all the way back to the Cambridge cop incident where he stuck his nose where it didn't belong by saying the cop acted stupidly. Now he wants to stand in front of all of his entitlement people and laugh at the hard working businessman.

madstork 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Obama’s comment in context.....

“If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn’t get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.”

Those who argue he is referring to bridges and roads when he states ..."you didn't build that" should note bridges and roads are a “those”. For the world’s most articulate speaker, a curious grammatical error? I don’t think so. His campaign is clearly one of divide the country…just like he promised in 2008 right? Those who have chosen the occupation of public handouts will flock to the polls. Thank you master.

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

I heard the President's comment regarding the professor's arrest and he prefaced his comments with, and I paraphrase- I donot have all the information and shouldn't really comment... Yes, he should have stopped right there, but he didn't. It was a mistake and I'm sure it was a learning experience. On the other hand, if you weren't leaning towards hating the guy for everything you would have gotten the gist of what he said which ultimately was it was stupid for the cops to arrest a guy in his own home. In reality, I think the prof was a jerk and probably didn't perform his best under the circumstances but who are we to judge considering we have not walked in his shoes and have observed actual police harassment of blacks. An unfortunate historical reality.

BTW, this concept the president referred to is a bit of a co-op if you ask me. Elizabeth Warren's Youtube video of the same point went viral months earlier. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htX2us...

MikeNC 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Jason, It would be good for you to learn the lesson Obama learned. "if you weren't leaning towards hating the guy for everything...." Many of us Hate Obama's policies, NOT the guy. I hate Obama's socialistic ideology. I hate his ideology of Big government control. I hate Obama's ideology of demonizing capitalism and I hate the "fair share syndrome", that is doing much harm to this country's unity. Diane

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Diane- You just made my point. You are repeating the imaginary. Obama is not a Socialist, he believes in a role for government participation, not control, and it's the Republican's who restate and spin his comments to demonize. Post crash, "Corporate America" and the stock market have done very well during this administration's time in office. Believing the spin generated by YOUR own guys, that is what is dividing the country. http://deanwalker.wordpress.com/2011/12/10/frank-luntz-republican-spin-doctor-part-i/

teufelhunden 9 months, 4 weeks ago

The government has numerous programs designed to end poverty, yet poverty is on the rise at epidemic proportions. More people are on Food Stamps and disability than ever. Too many takers and the makers are getting punished for trying to achieve something. Sickening and it's just going to get worse.

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Also, I think there is confusion here between capitalism and free enterprise systems. Do a quick Google/Yahoo search. It may make sense to you. Here is a sample of what you might find- http://oliverdemille.com/2011/10/capitalism-free-enterprise/

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"That leaves the economic downturn that began in 2007 — and the agonizingly slow recovery that followed — as the principal factors making more Americans eligible for food stamps." http://www.factcheck.org/2012/01/newts-faulty-food-stamp-claim/

teufelhunden 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Yeah so what's wrong with people making money in the stock market? I know people who live off the interest of their investments & live well. They worked their entire lives and saved and made sound investments and choices. The wealthy are demonized by YOUR guys for being successful and enjoying the fruits of their labor. Obama and his peeps are total hypocrites (actually most politicians are-BOTH "sides"). He's just as in bed with big money and power as anyone ever has been and yet he comes out and points fingers like he's Robin Hood. This happens every time yet the American people never catch on...amazing to me. If it comes down to who is more qualified and has the most knowledge of economics and finance-and I'm not talking about all of their advisors-I'm talking head to head-then Romney has the ability hands down.

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

I am positively certain that I never said that there is anything wrong with "people making money in the stock market" or elsewhere! BTW, I am not sure being an expert in economics and finance is on my Top 50 list of qualifications for the highest office in the land. FYI, do some research on Marketing. The goal is to find the open space and own it. That is exactly what happens in politics. All candidates pander to winnable constituencies as both are currently doing. And lastly, both these guys will "govern" very differently from the literal election rhetoric.

teufelhunden 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Exactly-Obama has governed very differently from what he originally promised-wait-what the heck did he promise? Hope and change-two very tangible things-very safe ;).

Oh I didn't address you in that first sentence-that was to all the Occupiers who have such disdain for wealthy folks but fail to remember that those people create jobs and pay taxes to help drive the economy.Frankly, I wasn't asking you about your "top 50" either.

The Obama dems are perpetuating what I call a gross disservice to their followers-keeping them down and out and dependent-feeding that victim mentality-wow they are pandering all right.

nothingspecial 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Can someone tell me, if our President is not a Socialist, who then, what set of beliefs/behaviors would you look for to indicate someone is a bone fide socialist? Is there an item of apparel he is missing that is the key?

Jason, great move adding that hyperlink of the "Indian's" similar comment. Kind of kills the argument that our President was just incorrectly taken out of context. Oops

teufelhunden 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Suffice it to say we do not agree. And in the words of Thatcher---cheers!

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

The Job Creator myth continues... http://www.pissedonpolitics.com/?p=4372

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"It makes absolutely no sense," said Greg Pason, national secretary of the Socialist Party USA. Obama's health care overhaul "is anything but socialist. It's bailing out for-profit companies."

http://www.cnbc.com/id/47678760/Is_Obama_a_Socialist

Nezumi 9 months, 4 weeks ago

To further Jason's point - I found an interesting list of the basic tenets of socialism - Wikianswers is not my usual basis for research, but this list is pretty accurate: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_basic_tenets_of_the_socialist_party

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

teufelhunden- Actually, the point is that his governing has been politically right of his election rhetoric. He is a moderate who panders to the left and Romney is a moderate who panders to the right. It is how the game is played. BTW, the government isn't keeping the people down and out, it is the lack of $50 to $60K per year jobs. And, you folks don't believe it is the role of government to create jobs, right?

nothingspecial- Apparently the big picture is going over your head. Sorry about that. Blame it on a publicly funded education.

honesty2 9 months, 4 weeks ago

I believe Obama would qualify as a collectivist, or central planner (all on the socialism/totalitarian spectrum in my opinion). He (and other progressives) feel they know what is best for the rest of us- in direct opposition to individualism and individual freedoms- and the sooner the better in their eyes. I also see him as a statist/globalist. Recently finished Hayek's "The Road to Serfdom". Highly recommend it. We need to learn from history.

teufelhunden 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Well put honesty2

The_AnonymusProfit 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Jason 5 hours, 43 minutes ago I agree that the president's presentation was "clumsy" but that is no excuse for the distortion and feeding frenzy on the right.

This comment in it self is ridiculous, this is what political parties do, they distort comments for gain. Jason you can not comdem this on the right while applauding it on the left.

Side note I just got done rewatching the first season of West Wing. My only question is where is the current Josiah Bartlet of the Democrat party? Cause that would be someone who republicans might actually vote for. A democrat who understands constitutional principle...man o man.

MikeNC 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Jason: What are you, in a state of denial? Diane

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Diane- Do you have a point you can substantiate. From what I've seen reading your postings from the sidelines, you don't often base your beliefs on facts. Instead of gathering data to draw a conclusion, you have a preconceived conviction and then you pick and choose sound bites that match up for you. That methodology is a formula for being wrong a lot.

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

TAP- Help me understand this better so we can discuss further. Where did I applaud distortion on the left? (I am not being sassy.)

Thatcher 9 months, 4 weeks ago

WFB (16 hours, 40 min. ago)-- "'To suggest that these business owners paid nothing and are simply taking advantage of others, is folly.' Nobody here suggested that, though.'" Incorrect. As I said in my original post, Obama was simply following what Elizabeth Warren and other leftists have said. Unbeknownst (apparently) to Jason, he posted Warren's comment (via link), which proves my point. (And kudos to nothingspecial for immediately seeing the connection!). Here's Warren's link again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOyDR2.... And Warren is simply one of many leftists (including Obama) who holds this view. Hope that helps. Cheers!

JimHeim 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Simply amazing. You take the president's quote out of context and build a fantasy world around it. How lame is that? Let's ask Mitt Romney when he ran the Salt lake Olympics. Here's what he told the athletes assembled there:

ROMNEY: You Olympians, however, know you didn’t get here solely on your own power. For most of you, loving parents, sisters or brothers, encouraged your hopes, coaches guided, communities built venues in order to organize competitions. All Olympians stand on the shoulders of those who lifted them. We’ve already cheered the Olympians, let’s also cheer the parents, coaches, and communities.

Even Mitt knows that we don't accomplish anything significant without the help of people past and present.

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

I knew what I was doing with the link, but apparently I mistakenly thought you could comprehend the macro point. There is this amazing literal translation going on here. It's not about the roads! It's about the the fact that none of us is alone. America is not about someone living alone, surviving in some remote, isolated location, living off the land. We are all interconnected. The states are interconnected. The UNITED States of America. It is not promoting central planning, state-ownership, Socialism. It is merely pointing out that individualism is important, but let's not ignore our obligation to the pack because the pack is enabling individuals to succeed. Why is this so hard to comprehend? Why is this so threatening? I have a successful business. I love free enterprise, but I never take for granted the systems in place that allow my talent and hard work to flourish. I recognize that our economic system is imperfect. Our government is imperfect. Our people are imperfect. So I work every day to make life better for my family, my friends, my colleagues, my customers, strangers I meet on the street, and my country. I do not enjoy my life solely on my efforts alone. Why is this concept so complicated? Who doesn't want to work with the proverbial team-player? Interpreting Obama and Warren any other way is a mistake.

MikeNC 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Jason: Stand back for a second and think about all the WASTED money due to Obama's "government participation". Cash for clunkers, which resulted in brief bump in car sales, That, Also resulted in many good used cars being wrecked and drove the price of used cars, that many middle class and lower class families buy, go up. Think about Cash for Caulking, Cash for Green Appliances, CASH for all that great infracstructure and roads that barely took place.All these targeted "government participated" ideas, only helped these targeted areas for a few months, at best. Now Obamacare and "government participation" in everyone's health. President Obama is a man with very strong ideology tied to Socialism. President Obama's ideology is not free enterprise nor capitalism friendly. I can remember his first week in office, the stock market is tanking, wondering and waiting for Direction and Course from the White House. Obama is asked his thoughts on the stock market and he (to paraphrase) "didn't concern himself with the gyrations of the stock market." Thousands of peoples retirement money at stake, not to mention businesses capital at stake and there's his answer to America. Diane

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Diane- You make me sad, you are lost in the minutia. :(

Thatcher 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Jason-- Trust me. I comprehended your "macro point." And Warren's "macro point," as well as Obama's. And those "points" have nothing to do with respecting "individualism," as you suggest. "(T)he pack is enabling individuals to succeed." Really? Please define this "pack" and tell us (a) how they helped us to succeed, and (b) how much we owe them. Cheers!

Thatcher 9 months, 4 weeks ago

And why can't this "pack" succeed, too?

MikeNC 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Jason: I find disappointment, that you won't respond. Are you taking the Liberal way of abandoning ship? Diane

mcgal 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Some folks the pack includes: your parents, your teachers, the bankers that fund your start-up or expansion, the people that provide the materials you use, the people you employ, the customers that buy your product, the people that build and operate the planes, trains, trucks, airports, rails, and roads that move your product. Hard to do it all by yourself.

Thatcher 9 months, 4 weeks ago

mcgal-- That's quite a definition! Please allow me to address it. My parents. They taught me everything and I owe them (according to them) nothing other than teaching my kids what my parents have taught me about hard work and being responsible. Done (as well as other things that I will not mention here). Teachers. K-12, undergrad, and grad school...amazing folks, who taught me alot and were paid for doing so. Bankers. Paid them back long ago, with interest. People I employ. They are paid well, are great at what they do, and are my friends. Customers. They buy what I sell, and are great folks. People that build airports, rails, and roads. I pay for that with my taxes. People who operate planes and trains. I pay them when needed. Hope that helps. Cheers!

MikeNC 9 months, 4 weeks ago

McGal: What about the guy who "puts up all his capitol to pursue his dream"? What about the guy, who puts in the 80 hour weeks, because he can't afford to hire help, just yet? How about the guy, who tried, failed and has the guts, to TRY it again? You know Mcgal, the TEACHERS, the BANKERs, and the ROADS, TRAINS, and AIRPLANES were THERE for all of us. It was OUR choice to figure out how to utilitize it.The more I think about Obama's STUPID remark, the more insane it becomes. All those things are in place for ALL of us, not just a chosen few. Some who darned to dreamed, are now being damned for doing so, by the rest, who now want "their fair share". because they lacked "guts" to obtain it on their own. Diane

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Thatcher- (FYI, I like you too.) The point is for the pack to succeed and right now a too narrow segment of the pack is gaining ground. Meritocracy is fading away, not because of entitlements but because a large segment of the population can no longer compete. Is it socialism for soldiers to help their buddies? The unit succeeds together. Do they abandon the weakest soldier or make sure he or she is safe and a contributing member of the squad. We are all part of the "pack." What good is it live in Forest Creek and be afraid to leave the fence? I need society to be a success so I can enjoy the fruits of my labor. I don't believe government is the answer for everything but they have a role to play. Being biased and thinking all things government are evil reduces the tools in my tool box. I am open to solutions from all sorts of contributors. Government can and needs to be a valuable contributor to the pack. Instead of hating all things government, lets work towards making it's efforts more productive. If that means voting all of them out and starting again then let's do that. If it means a one time 6-year presidential term, let's do that. If it helps the pack to make people clean the streets for their welfare check, let's do that. But for goodness sake let's stop pretending that what is good for the top 0.1% is good for everyone else!

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Diane- Challenging me and invoking the dreaded L-word is not going to help your cause. You have proven in your posts that you lack... the ability to elevate your game. I just don't see the point of going back and forth with you when I am talking about the macro and you're responding with the micro. I wish you all the luck and happiness.

Thatcher 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Jason-- I don't live in Forest Creek, and I suspect there may be a few soldiers here who may take offense at your comments. And I don't think all things government are evil. But I do believe in a limited federal government. And I do know what happens to governments that promise too much, spend too much, and borrow too much. They fail. Every time. Cheers!

Thatcher 9 months, 4 weeks ago

And for what it is worth, I commend Jason for his comments here. He sticks to substance, and refrains from calling people names or using foul language. I hope more folks on the left follow his example. And I hope more folks on the right do so, too. Cheers!

AFCHIEF 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Jason, and your fellow libs. Please watch this video at the bottom of this link and please tell me that Obamallnation was not condesending towards business people who are the job creators. Obama does not have a clue on how to run a business. Community organizer and dope smoker are not qualifications.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/07/did-obama-say-if-youve-got-a-business-you-didnt-build-that/

JimRussell44 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Just curious, Thatcher. What part of Jason's comment would upset members of the military?

MikeNC 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Jason: I'm Challenging you and invoking the dreaded L word? That's your response to the Government participation program, known as the Stimulus Package. I do notice that at times your responses are sooo very much aligned with the type of responses Dusty uses from time to time. Different lingo, same format. Diane

Nezumi 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Ugh, here we go again...

smoochielarue 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Jason.... well thought out posts.

skylinefirepest 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Jim Heim, of course it is a positive thing that we have the help of friends and family and others who wish us the best of success. Most successful people have a network as such. It is quite another to think that the government helps ANYBODY. The government had nothing to do with the success of my business and I find it amusing that you Liberals can't get that through your head. Government does next to nothing successfully and is the heighth of inefficiency. The war on poverty is a great example of that. The war changed from trying to help the few to now trying to add to the rolls. Gone is the idea that we are responsible for our own well being. Yesterday's news stated that the poverty line is now over FIFTEEN PERCENT of Americans. Why is that Jimmy?? In this land of untold opportunity?? Welcome to the government plantation you bunch of slaves!!!

WFB 9 months, 4 weeks ago

"Others do not value life and therefore will kill innocent men, women and children. The sad part of that is that their government or leaders tell them to do just that. That is socialism."

You clearly have no idea what socialism is. Everyone can safely ignore this person's opinions on socialism or what he perceives as socialism.

Now, let's look at Federal government spending growth under Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II, and Obama. Note: This is not a defense of Obama, but rather a criticism.

Annualized growth of Federal government spending under...

Reagan's first term: 8.7%

Reagan's second term: 4.9%

Bush I first term: 5.4%

Clinton first term: 3.2%

Clinton second term: 3.9%

Bush II first term: 7.3%

Bush II second term: 8.1%

Obama, first term: 1.4%

Source: http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2012/07/us-federal-spending-by-president.html

Jeez, Obama's run away socialist spending sure is bankrupting America!

Err, actually. The Obama administration's apparent inability to grow federal spending to stabilize the economy is actually putting a drag on the economy. Who would have thought that? Oh yeah, any reasonable individual.

JD 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Welcome to the corporate plantation you bunch of slaves!!

Fixed it for you. The new debt system is serfdom.

The government had nothing to do with the success of my business

What about the fire dept. you volunteer/work for? Any government involvement in that?

Courseaire 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Who really helped start your business? Here is an example of 2 hard working Americans that did not need Uncle Sam to help them start or run their business: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/24/fox-and-friends-lemonade-stand_n_1697665.html

madstork 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Sound familiar?

The strategy of forcing political change through orchestrated crisis. The "Cloward-Piven Strategy" seeks to hasten the fall of capitalism by overloading the government bureaucracy with a flood of impossible demands, thus pushing society into crisis and economic collapse.

Implementation of this strategy follows three common features:

•The offensive organizes previously unorganized groups eligible for government benefits but not currently receiving all they can. •The offensive seeks to identify new beneficiaries and/or create new benefits. •The overarching aim is always to impose new stresses on target systems, with the ultimate goal of forcing their collapse.

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and smells like a duck...it must be a duck.

WFB 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Madstork. That does not sound familiar. Nobody is currently implementing, or trying to implement, that strategy. And it's not a duck.

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Diane- I have never met Mr. Rhoades, but clearly if his thoughts mimic mine he must be a logical, bright guy! :) Sorry Dusty for putting myself in your league. WRT the stimulus, I am not an expert but would say that based on the size of our economy, it was probably too small to have a significant impact. Although, since those dollars are drying up, total government spending has decreased to the greatest one year drop since the Korean war. We are a consumer spending economy. Consumers don't have jobs or disposable income-- they don't spend and companies don't hire. We can wait a decade for families to pay off their debt or we can stimulate the economy and grow out of the unemployment numbers and debt. Austerity ain't going to work. Heck, even Mitt agrees!

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Courseaire - Too literal! The government isn't hold all our hands and does not need too. I have never however hired anyone who didn't have a public school education paid for by the pack. Got my SBA loan supported by the pack. Have traveled safely around my country unarmed for 50+ years thanks to the contributions of our pack. Track incoming storms on my cell phone thanks to GPS technology paid for by the pack. On and on and on it goes.

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

What is totally amazing to me is that Obama is against renewing the Bush tax cuts (accept for folks below $250K) and gets painted by the opposition as starting class warfare. Really? Other than adding to the national debt what has this tax break done, it has not created jobs? The only portion of the population over the last 40 years to enjoy real income growth and the guy raising his hand to say the emperor isn't wearing any clothes is creating class warfare? The "I got mine and I want more" folks must really be brilliant because they convinced the rest of you that the playing field is level.

Courseaire 9 months, 4 weeks ago

The people making more than $250K object to a tax increase that will only be spent & will not reduce the debt. Whatever additional revenue that will come in will be piddled away by the current administration not making one bit of difference.

Jason 9 months, 4 weeks ago

Enjoy- http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/jul/21/offshore-wealth-global-economy-tax-havens?fb=native&CMP=FBCNETTXT9038

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Obama's War on Individual Liberty

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