What did we get from 2009?
As 2010 draws near it becomes hard to reflect, so much of what is 2009 will be left behind in a forgotten tomb. Our accomplishments… the first black president is inaugurated. The sour taste in our mouths…. every piece of legislation this first black president jammed down our throats. Oh wait a minute, it was so fast I did not get a chance to taste it, but we all know what it feels like when it comes out.
My overall distaste? The disrespect for the taxpayer by both the administration and the state run media. In a total of 18 months the taxpayers own A.I.G., G.M., and Chrysler, and untold amount of small to large banks many of which were forced to take bailout money. Whatever happened to private property rights, free markets, and entrepreneurial spirit. When a company fails it should do just that… fail. Using tax payer money to prop up failing businesses not only sets a bad president but also puts that tax payer at risk.
What do I think of as I leave 2009 behind. Terrorists are still trying to bomb our planes as we experienced on Christmas day, Tiger Woods is a liar and a cheat. Celebrities are dropping like flies. Politicians have a blatant disregard for both tax payers and tax dollars while promoting the welfare state in the name of healthcare. We have a timetable to leave Afghanistan. Water boarding is torture. Bill Clinton can still get more done in one day in North Korea than Obama could get done with over 1000 appearances on our TV’s. And with so much put into stature of The United States around the world every single one of those other countries still hate us and capitalism.
Good bye 2009, Thank you for all the fond memories!
Maybe we should bury 2009 in San Joaquin Valley piss all over it and save both the Long Fin Smelt and the California Farm Industry!
During the depression the federal goverment borrowed money from bankers, I think either Carnegy or Rockerfeller or both they helped save the banking system, this time we are selling bonds to who ever will buy them, not much different just more money, one of the purposes of the goverment is to give businessmen a conscience, because they have none, when we gave the bailout money all repubs were saying that we should not tell the free enterprise banks how to use the money, after, they are saying we should have , so they would not give ,the big bonuses, you cannot have it both ways, I think we should have put rules on them, and now that we have they are giving back the money because they do no like them, not so bad . Again business has no conscience.
Health care reform-wrong name- all we started to do was cut the cost of healthcare, but it looks like we did not do too much in that department, states are out of money for charity care-hospitals have to take care of anyone who needs it, someone has to pay, it is you and me- or decide if we should not have good health for everyone, I do not think anyone agrees with that, the great debate in the summer was that people were satisfied with their healthcare because they had it, they also do not want services cut, so we have to figure a way to pay- only one way- tax hikes on something
I understand your philosophy on the subject of bailouts. The problem is it did not work in 1931 and it is not working now. You are right business men need a conscience. When a business man is on the brink of bankruptcy they gain this attribute. That is the lesson to be learned. If you run your company into the ground there will be no company left to run. The government has taken this fear away. The bailouts give security to those who are on the brink of collapse… those too big to fail companies. What does that really do for the psyche of the business world? Other strong companies and banks are unable to buy up the pieces and up and commers see the door slam shut because a behemouth was alound to live on tax payer money.
On to you claims about health care. It does not matter if the government use tax dollars to pay for health care or not we all pay for it anyway in increased premiums. The problem with this debate is there are two schools of thought. Some believe health care is a right and otheres who don’t. I have to ask you where in the constitution does it say the government is responsible for the health care of the people. Don’t give me the general wellfare clause. The Bill of Rights explicitly details the rights given to the citizen and outlines with great detail the powers the central government has to abide by. What ever is not outlined in the constitution is ordained by the states. If the state of New Jersey wanted to implement a healthcare plan the state has a right to do so.
Some say this is a selfish outlook, but let me tell you! I can barely afford my own healthcare. Why should I or anyone else pay for someone when we clearly cannot afford it. If I became really sick are you gonna open up your wallet and pay for every last medical bill to my end? I do not think so. Why should I expect everyone else to do the same? Its not fair to not have health insurance or care but it is also not fair to mandate to the poeple to pay for everyone elses healthcare too.
We need more compition in the market place. IT is rediculous that one from California cannot purchase an insurance plan from South Dakota. Start changimg things to make healthcare cheaper for all and everyone may be able to obtain care at cheaper prices amking charity care a much better option the government panels.
Don Silvernail
Spot on Don, spot on. The business world should not be interfered with but rather have its roots in Darwinism supported by the government and public. Survival of the fittest is what has gotten us to where we are today- there is no reason to change it. The problem lies in the correlation impact to the market of these businesses collapsing. Short trading and credit default swaps have sunk more companies then anything. The thing is, its a free market and to regulate it goes against the fibers of our constitution. The crazy part about the bailout, the absolute craziest part is that a bunch of those companies didn’t even want the money. The government forced them to take it. It was handled poorly by both administrations and continues to be handled poorly. Citi just fucked over all their shareholders by diluting the shit out of their shares just to pay back the bailout money. Its a joke, it really is.