Time to Apply the Brakes

By Tina Grazier

You probably heard that Warren Buffet, once again, called on government to “Stop Coddling the Super-Rich.” In so doing Mr. Buffet made a show of support for the Obama administrations grand idea to tax the rich to pay for the mess he’s made. Raising taxes on the biggest investors in America won’t do the trick and it certainly won’t create jobs so why are they talking about this? Wouldn’t it make more sense to talk about making significant cuts in government?

Buffet’s position is a little cheeky…more on that later…and is roundly dismissed as a very stupid idea by one of the left’s favorite rich men to hate, Charles Koch:

“Much of what the government spends money on does more harm than good; this is particularly true over the past several years with the massive uncontrolled increase in government spending. I believe my business and non-profit investments are much more beneficial to societal well-being than sending more money to Washington. — Charles G. Koch, Chairman and CEO, Koch Industries, Inc. – HT: The Corner, National Revue

Thank you Mr. Koch, well said!

It disgusts me that our government would compel any American citizen to send even a single dime more to this broken and bleeding government. Our government has failed “we the people” miserably. In fact our government has been a train traveling on a fast and fatal track for many years and the wreck ahead could be fatal if we don’t apply the brakes now..

In 2008 America elected a man who promised hope and change. What we got instead was an administration that chose redistributive, wasteful, inflationary policies. We got a president that believed pumping money into a few select (mostly green) industries would inspire adequate job creation. We got an administration, complete with a super majority congress, that was so driven to a government health care law that it created a monster that only served to make business nervous. While Americans suffered they ignored their very real problems and huddled in secret to construct this badly received bill. This administration chose to help unions, a few select businesses, banks and Wall Street but failed to create real growth or jobs that would benefit average Americans. Our problems have been made much worse…and in a most spectacular fashion. When confronted with these realities this administration doubled down and went into defense mode attacking and blaming anyone and everyone but themselves.

It’s time Americans of all classes and incomes applied the brakes…to the DC train. It’s time to just say no to more government. It’s time to stand our ground and demand that common sense be applied in each and every department, office, program and committee of the federal government. I’m talking austerity…stripped to the bone budgeting and cuts, cuts, cuts! And I’m talking about sacrifice at the highest bureaucratic levels first. Obama should take the lead and curtail all of the perks. Let him eat peanut butter and be in bed by 9:00 PM until our unemployment number is back to normal! It’s also time to put a halt to new regulations…and it’s time to undo the healthcare anchor that is keeping businesses dead in the water.

Back to Buffet. I am disgusted by this sensationally underhanded move by the very highly respected Warren Buffet. Birkshire Hathaway doesn’t pay dividends. BH stock is a tax safe haven that many of the rich will flock to if Obama manages to raise tax rates on high income earners. Mr. Buffet’s seemingly generous and thoughtful position is really just a self-serving cheat. He knows the tax code allows this safe haven, this doorway to defer taxes and I would bet he’s been promised that it’s one loop hole that won’t be touched. He also knows the government will not get much by raising taxes on the rich. And he knows that his words will help shore up Obama’s base…they will be fooled into thinking Obama has really stuck it to the rich.

The entire scheme and Mr Buffets disingenuous support are filled with dishonesty! I’m pretty sure that’s why he looked like a naughty child when he was asked why he didn’t just give more of his money to the government and he replied with that mischievous smirk, “because that’s not the way the system works”.

I know how the system works and I’m not buying it Buffet. Here’s what I think you should do. Wipe the smirk off your face and send out some invitations. Have a big high tone liberal party, call it a government revenue enhancement party. Invite all your progressive thinking, tax loving, rich friends and associates and ask for their most generous contributions…checks to be made to the U.S. Treasury. A fund raising party would at least be a little more honest.

In the meantime, you could offer some real support to the American people. Mr. Buffet, please, advise the President to slow this fast moving out of control government train. Tell him, and members of Congress, to apply the brakes.