Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Socialist or Vote Buyer: Does it Really Matter

You know sometimes I look for an excuse to quote my favorite quote of all time and this is one of those time, (from my hero Ronald Reagan)
"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are "I'm from the government and I'm here to help'"

What do you all think are the chances that Hillary Clinton subscribes to this philosophy? In fact, if we tried to make that quote apply to Hillary, it would go something like this,
"this six most terrifying words in the English language are 'this time the government can't help'"


There is no personal problem that Hillary doesn't think the government can't solve. If you are about to get foreclosed on don't worry the government will save you. If college is too expensive the government will help you out there too. Of course, if health insurance is too expensive, the government will help you out as well. Hillary even believes that we need to bring in an entire village to help raise your child. Yes, there is just no problem that Hillary thinks the government can't solve. She even wants to help you save for retirement (above and beyond what Social Security was supposed to have already done I assume). In Hillary's world, the government will even help start everyone on their very own 401k plan.

Every citizen could get a 401(k) retirement account and up to $1,000 in annual matching funds from the government under a plan offered Tuesday by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton.

At a cost of $20 billion-$25 billion a year, the plan is Clinton’s largest domestic proposal other than her plan for universal health insurance. The New York senator said it would be paid for by taxing estates worth more than $7 million per couple and would help narrow the gap between the rich and those who don’t have enough savings for retirement.

There is a term for someone that believes that every whim and and individual need should be taken care of by the government, from cradle to grave, a socialist. On the other hand, maybe it is something more than that.

My friend Russell Gottesman ran for sixth grade class President a long time ago. His campaign slogan was "Hustle your Bustle and vote for Russell". Now, one would think that it wouldn't take that much to win the Presidency of your sixth grade class, and with such a catchy slogan, he was a shoe in. Not so. He actually lost to his girlfriend. I asked him how he lost, and he said she promised everyone a free trip to Great America. She won though the class never actually did get that free trip. I guess in the face of a free trip to Great America, "Hustle your Bustle and Vote for Russell" isn't so catchy. Of course, that sixth grade class got their first introduction to broken campaign promises.

It's funny how much a politician will promise to do for you during a campaign in order to get your vote. Let's face it most people are too dumb to realize that anyone that promises you everything probably can't really deliver on anything. Vote buying is a time tested and successful manner in which to win elections, just ask my buddy Russ Gottesman.

So, maybe Hillary really believes what she is selling and thus she is a Socialist, or maybe she doesn't and she just believes YOU will buy it. Does it really matter? I think we can do better!!!!!

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