All the plans proposed by the presidential candidates and Congress this year are anything but capitalistic, which is what kind of nation we are supposed to be.
Obama's health care plan? He wants the corporations to pay for health care for all U.S. citizens, regardless of whether they work for any of these companies or even work at all.
McCain's gas tax holiday? He wants to give remove the federal taxes from gasoline sales for about 2 months and let the savings be passed to the people, even though those taxes pay for the upkeep of highways and other road-related expenses.
Why is Congress pushing for just hydrogen fuel cells, or just corn ethanol, or just offshore drilling? Let the free market decide which method works best, whether it be wind power (c/o T. Boone Pickens et al), increased drilling, or--God forbid--nuclear power.
The government can still impose its safety laws on all of these potential energy sources, but it doesn't make any sense for them to decide which is the best for America. Here's what's best for America: OUR IMAGE.
Since the weight of U.S. currency is based off the faith in the U.S. government and nation in general, it is important we show to the world that we are still the leaders in western capitalism and democracy. Even the Chinese, perhaps the world's most Communist country now, are buying up huge amounts of American companies, and have loaned the U.S. government billions of dollars. It could be because they want a large slice of the pie when our country reaches its inevitable self-destruction. More likely is that they realize the U.S. is the home of the best market, because it is still capitalist.
People, ignore what your parents tried to instill in you growing up: Image is everything.
1 comment:
I'm 100% behind you. The government does a reasonable job defining problems but has a terrible track record in solving problems. What Americans are becoming used to is centrally planned economy. That didn't work so well for USSR.
Since greater amounts of government involvement results in greater market distortions and inefficiencies, the most effective, the most American way to solve these problems is to get government out of the solution. It can help define the problem. It can help define rational limits, i.e. safety regulations, environmental laws, etc. It can even help create market forces that spur solutions, e.g. reducing capital gains taxes and add even more taxes to gas.
Where I differ from you is I think Obama seems to be a socialist and McCain seems to be a fascist. Neither seems American. I would also add that the president is but one force in our government. Congress has proven to be a disappointment. Generally speaking (with few exceptions), I say vote out the incumbent and vote 3rd party. Both demos and repubs need a wake up call.
BTW – I almost hope NASA doesn’t exist in 20 years. What ever replaces it has to be more effective/efficient.
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