By Tina Grazier
During his weekly radio address President Obama said the GOP’s Pledge to America “promotes the very same policies that led to the economic crisis in the first place. It is grounded in the same worn-out philosophy: cut taxes for millionaires and billionaires; cut the rules for Wall Street and the special interests; and cut the middle class loose to fend for itself.”
Why does our President lie to the American people? Why does he invoke class envy and promote division? Are we not all Americans? And has the president given any thought to the fact that wealthy people are responsible for funding, promoting and growing the businesses that employ so many in the middle class as well as the poor? We depend on those wealthier than we are for the jobs we hold and the loans we acquire for our homes, boats, cars and small businesses.
I know, I know…our president has not had much experience in these matters. He was groomed and well funded by others for the position he holds. His education and life’s work prior to entering politics was dependent on government grants. The home he and Michelle acquired in Chicago was subsidized and made possible through Chicago style deal making. The President has relied on the wealth of Wall Street and the cumulative wealth of special interest groups in his political career but has never worked in the private sector. He lacks public sector experience. He’s old enough to begin to ask, however, so he is either terribly naive or he is wiling to lie for the survival of his ideology.
How does he think the money, the wealth, that supports the middle class, the poor, and government is generated? Surely he doesn’t believe the White House has a grove of money trees that will provide an endless supply of cash that he can shower on the people. Mr. President, wealth isn’t created by government. Government generates only spending and debt. The wealthy among us create growth, opportunity, and prosperity. So it is not the wealthy that “cut the middle class loose to fend for themselves,” Mr. President, that has been YOUR doing.
Here’s another news flash. It is true that the wealthy “don’t need” the money that you and your Democrat pals would take from them through punishing tax policy, but, the American people do need it. We need that money working in the private sector to create jobs.
Mr. President, with all due respect, your attitude and your thinking are all screwed up and you are killing America. We know that “Wall Street” didn’t create the conditions under which the lending meltdown and this endless slogging recession happened….WE KLNOW THAT FAILED DEMOCRAT “EQUAL JUSTICE” and “SREAD THE WEALTH” POLICIES DID…THERE IS YOUR “WORN OUT” POLICY.
Quit lying to us, Mr. President. You have two more years to clean up the mess you have made and right the great ship of American prosperity. Cut the lines that tether that ship on bondage to government and set the people, including the wealthy, free!
Depending on how the nuts are cracked come November, I do not see Obama in office for two more years. I see Obama cutting and running with as much money as he can funnel into his pockets while doing as much damage as he can to the American way of life. Do you really think his administration or his actions can hold up under a serious investigation? He will be the richest guy in whatever 3rd world sh*thole Country he came from.
Toby I’m with you. I’m sure that Obama will have the same opportunities that ol Bill has had to make mega bucks on the talk circuit after he leaves office. There are plenty of socialists out there that still want to hear what he has to say and will pay to hear it.
I tend to agree with you about one term. His showing has been less than expected by his loyal base and it’s a whole lot less than stellar in terms of presidential performance…we on the right predicted as much. He is too inexperienced to run this great country.
On this point he is absolutely wrong and he is lying.
“We depend on those wealthier than we are for the jobs we hold and the loans we acquire for our homes, boats, cars and small businesses.”
No I don’t. I belong to a credit union. We loan ourselves money.
Why do you adore the rich so much? I bet you watch Life Styles of the Rich and Famous and get all jealous and stuff.
Not everyone does, you know.
Mark: “No I don’t. I belong to a credit union. We loan ourselves money.”
Around 90 Million Americans belong to Credit Unions so you and they are all set, right? But wait. Where does the money come from for you to deposit into the credit union? Where does the wealth that flows into your hands and the hands of 90 Million other Americans come from? I would bet many of those who invest and borrow in a credit union are paid government employees. They are oaid by tax payers and a lot of that money comnes from the wealthiest among us. Others are private sector union workers. Most of the money that flows into their hands is generated by wealthy people with excess cash to invest in the businesses that sell products and services. One way or another the machine is fed by the wealth invested in business!
Mark you, and our President, think you have the answer because you do not get how wealth is generated, and that includes the wealth that flows into your own hands! You invest and borrow from a credit union and you have the silly impression that it is a closed system.
“Why do you adore the rich so much?”
I don’t adore the rich. People are people, some good some bad. I’ve come to have a deep respect for the contributions most wealthy people have made to our society. These are the risk takers, the people who work long, hard hours and often sacrifice things like having a long summer vacation. Even the scrooges can’t hide their wealth in the mattress and keep it for themselves. It is also the wealthy that build universities, libraries, hospitals, museums….
But it’s really the system I like. Though not perfect, it is responsible for great numbers of ordinary people achieving a greater standard of living than any other system the world has ever known. In our free capitalist system anyone has the opportunity to earn as much, or as little, as he likes; to live in a mansion or a tee pee, by his own choice. But because there are people who enjoy creating wealth we are all made richer by the re-investment of most of that capital.
“I bet you watch Life Styles of the Rich and Famous and get all jealous and stuff. …”
Now you’re really scraping rock bottom in the insult bucket. I actually detested that show and I’m pretty certain it was created by Reagan hating leftists in NY or Hollywood to incite class envy.
I think it’s gross when people flaunt their wealth. Conspicuous consumption I find equally gross. On the other hand those who quietly enjoy their good fortune don’t bother me a bit. I also think that people of all classes enjoy their exravagances. What is the difference really? People make their lives exactly as they want them. So no, I did not (is it still on?) watch it and I am not jealous of the wealthy.
“Not everyone does, you know.”
Glad to hear it. Don’t go thinking that makes you better than anybody else, stinkin’ pride isn’t any more attractive than class envy, covetousness, or pure hatred and bigotry 😉
“the people who work long, hard hours and often sacrifice things like having a long summer vacation.”
That sounds like my mother, and she was far from wealthy.
I tweak you about your obsession with wealthy business people because you seem to ascribe the virtue of hard work to them exclusively.
You seem to have a very narrow view of wealth as money, cash, dinero. In that warped view, I create no wealth. The University of California creates no wealth.
Just where do you think Mr. Moneybags gets his educated workforce?
I take it from your comments that you do not own the business you work for. So you create no wealth?
So, no, I do not rely on the generosity of the wealthy to make my way in the world.
I pull my own weight.
Mark: “That sounds like my mother, and she was far from wealthy… you seem to ascribe the virtue of hard work to them exclusively.”
I did not mean to infer that other people don’t work hard. Geez, Mark, if you could just set aside your obvious prejudice (hatred) for what, wealthy people, capitalism, money in general, you might be able to get the point.
Your mother worked hard (I’m sure she’s a wonderful woman)…but did she set out to build wealth or run a business or was she happy (content) to have and provide a simple decent living? Not all of us have the same ambitions, desires, and abilities. That is a good thing…a blessing from God IMHO. Our differences are what makes life interesting and workable, frankly.
I defend the wealthy and the contributions they make because there has been an assault waged against them since the eighties (actually forever but for our purposes the eighties will suffice). It is at the heart a battle to destroy capitalism and replace it with a socialist government model of redistributed wealth. This “old” tired model” has been shown to fail all over the world wherever it is tried. People end up being miserable and unproductive. The aging Castro even blew it recently and admitted what a failed system it has been for Cuba. Formerly socialist countries around the world are moving toward capitalism, some very reluctantly, even as they try to hold on to their old ways.
“You seem to have a very narrow view of wealth as money, cash, dinero. In that warped view, I create no wealth. The University of California creates no wealth.”
I submit that you have a great deal of “stuff” about money. Money bugs you. It bugs you so much that it runs you and your perceptions. Creatinmg wealth and EARNING a living are two seperate things. Also contributions are not all measured in terms of money. The contributions a professor or teacher make can be measured by the successes of their students and the satisafaction they derive from their work….but the work does not create wealth. I admire and appreciate the contributions to society that you make as a teacher. I think all work is admirable.
What I am asking is that you, and the rest of our citizens, become educated about the way that private investment and business makes it possible for all of us to enjoy our work. Capitlaism is dynamic and worth celebrating. I’d like for people to begin to have an appreciation for this system, our free society, and the opportunity they provides for all of us.
“Just where do you think Mr. Moneybags gets his educated workforce?”
See answer above…and try to let go of the resentment it’s clouding your perceptions. You contribute to those who build wealth and the dynamics of the system not only by educating tomorrows creative educated work force but also by spending what you earn and saving. But the job you have is not a wealth producing job specifically. Your “profit” is limited to your paycheck which goes toward your expenses…just like mine. As an investor you are a wealth builder which is why capital gains and interest should not be heavily taxed.
“I take it from your comments that you do not own the business you work for. So you create no wealth?”
If I worked for someone else yes, I would not be a wealth creator. My value would be measured solely by my paycheck (profit) and my ability to spend and invest it wisely.
However, I do own the business I work for and I also own the tremendous responsibility for the people who depend on me and my husband to put food on their tables.
We buy parts from several suppliers and we take those parts and put them together to build a new product. We sell that product for more than the cost of building it…in doing so we have create wealth. The pie is made bigger by our efforts. We then invest that money in next years inventory, savings and other investments and those investments, each in their own way, cause that profit to grow even more…wealth has been created. Over a number of years wealth can be accumulated but the key thing is that it will always be working in one way or another to build more wealth, create more opportunity and support other work, like service industry and education.
One of my employees is a new dad…another is upside down in his house and worried about losing it. Both are praying that we can stay in business at least until the job situation improves…we’re all holding on by our fingernails!
I’m hoping to get enough work through the door to give them substantial bonuses this year to help them out. I have invested time, money, stress, and tears in this 26 year old business. I’m about to take the first vacation (3 days) I’ve had in 8 years. You want to accuse me of some other vile thing now?
Mark until I went into business I had no idea what it took to make money grow other than savings. I was aware of investment but that was for people with more money than I had. I had no idea what it took to meet payroll week after week or to make enough profit nto keep the doors open. Having this business has changed my perseptions dramatically. I too once had very little appreciation for the contribution that wealth building businesses (and the wealthy people who help to create them) make. How could I…I had no experience.
People could choose to live off the land. They can hunt and gather berries nuts and seeds and plant a garden to feed the family. There isn’t a darn thing wrong with that choice but it wouldn’t create opportunity for others. I’m just asking for you to see and acknowledge the difference and the value of wealth creators. Is that so hard?
I hope this helps you to see my position, and maybe even me, in a better light. If not…bless your heart…we will probably go at it again at some point.
MarkI just ran across this story. It represents what I want Americans to experience in terms of capitalism and opportunity. This man grew up in Watts. He is where he is today because of his own efforts, and a smart dad to be sure, but also because capitalism and freedom made it possible for him to pursue his dreams. I hope you will read it:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-himi-clarence-otis-20100926,0,6826160.story
Wouldnt it be a shame to kill the American dream with class envy, misplaced resentment, and wrongheaded political moves?
Tina, I thought about writing this very same topic just this morning. I’m glad you took it on…very interesting. Let’s hope it gets voters thinking. Nov. is coming up fast! So is 2012!