The reliance on big, costly government intruding in this way into private lives is perhaps best exemplified in California, and Tuesday's election only emboldened that attitude.
California may be in the forefront of government dependency, but the nation is following the same trajectory. The conservative Heritage Foundation says 70.5 percent of federal spending goes to dependency-creating programs for housing, food, income, student aid and other assistance, "once considered to be the responsibility of individuals, families, neighborhoods, churches and other civil society institutions."
Critics of the Obama administration sometimes accuse the president of transforming America into something like the social democracies of Europe, where Big Government's guiding hand meddles intrusively in private industries, and where the social safety net is laced with luxuriant entitlements that, incidentally, carry bankrupting price tags.
But actually, the Obama administration is transforming the nation into California, where regulations of the private sector choke economic growth, tax burdens stifle job creation, and entitlements rival anything Europe has to offer.
A Reuters news agency headline last week announced: "Victory Puts Obama In Position To Expand Government's Reach." If Obama needs advice, he might ask California Gov. Jerry Brown. After all, Obama couldn't get a Democratic-controlled Congress to adopt a costly, economy-stifling carbon cap-and-trade regimen, but Brown's got one up and running.
Greece created a welfare state that similarly suffocates the free market, and now faces grave consequences. European governments and the European Central Bank are arguing about whether to forgive some of what Greece owes, or to give more bailout loans. Will European bankers bail out California? The United States?
The nation's route to Greece through California may be avoidable, but not as long as those steering the ship of state continue missing the point: government's proper role is not to provide things, but to protect rights.
Originally Posted by Whirlaway
FUCK YOU COF. You stupid old prick.
What do I disagree with? All that I quoted above.
Government intruding??? You mean like with abortion laws that were proposed by the right? How is the so called "welfare state" government intrusion? Regulations protect people from industries going bananas and taking advantage of everyone. So I disagree Cowardly Old Fag.
Tax burdens and entitlements rival anything Europe has to offer? Bullshit.
Obama is going to go to Brown for advice???? Really??? You believe this you stupid old fuck? I don't agree. Has Obama acted like a man that goes to Mr. Brown for advice???
European bankers bail out California and the US???? You let me know as soon as this happens COF.
The government's role is to BOTH provide things AND protect rights. There are some things that ONLY the government can provide. Or do you drive on roads created by the private sector? If I looked thru your life COF, we'd find PLENTY of things that you take advantage of that the GOVERNMENT provides.
So please, stop trying to make yourself feel better about your election loss by taking swipes at us and shut the fuck up.
Originally Posted by CuteOldGuy
