Posted by
bob's my uncle on Monday, March 09, 2009 6:39:13 PM
On February 7, this year, Newsweek Magazine, on it's front cover, declared:
We Are All Socialists Now
"In many ways our economy already resembles a European one. As boomers age and spending grows, we will become even more French."
The article begins with a quote of Indiana Congressman Mike Pence on Fox News appearing with Sean Hannity and talking about Obama's "nearly $1 trillion stimulus bill." Pence was complaining about the pork in the bill, specifically calling out $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts and $20 million for "fish passage barriers". Hannity ended the segment, calling the bill, "the European Socialist Act of 2009"
The article's authors went on to describe how "The U.S. government has already—under a conservative Republican administration—effectively nationalized the banking and mortgage industries. That seems a stronger sign of socialism than $50 million for art. Whether we want to admit it or not—and many, especially Congressman Pence and Hannity, do not—the America of 2009 is moving toward a modern European state."
While I agree with the first part of the above statement excepting the word "conservative", "a ... Republican administration - effectively nationalized the banking and mortgage industries", The second part, is patently false. Sean Hannity opposed the Bush-Paulson-Bernanke "Bailout Bill" last year, and Mike Pence voted "nay" to the $750 billion TWICE! What Newsweek fails to realize is that conservative oppostion to this type of massive government spending is based on principle, not political expediency. We did not support George Bush's bailout, only to oppose Barack Obama's. We opposed both - ON PRINCIPLE!
Recently, a reporter asked Mr. Obama, "Are you a Socialist?" This article in the UK Telegraph states his answer: "He's absolutely definitely not a socialist, the President insisted. But, he suggested, his predecessor George W. Bush was:"
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/toby_harnden/blog/2009/03/08/barack_obama_george_w_bush_is_a_socialist.
Now, I don't believe George Bush is an ideological socialist. He is a Bush, however, and Bushes tend to be non-ideological. George Bush is even
somewhat conservative, but again, not ideological. That is why he could not recognize the Henry Paulson bailout plan as ideologically socialist. That is why he could say, "Well, I obviously have made a decision to make sure the economy doesn't
collapse. I've abandoned free market principles to save the free market
system." In effect, George Bush, in the last month of his presidency has served one up, right across the plate, belt high, for Barack Obama to "go yard" with it. BHO is swinging for the fences as I write.
As the Obama presidency rolls along, and his Socialist, big-government agendas are revealed in ever greater fashion, Bob's my uncle has once again been proven to be more prescient than Newsweek Magazine. I wrote a letter to my own Texas Republican Senators and Congressman shortly after the bailout vote was taken, approving that monstrosity. I did not blog it at the time because it seemed surreal to me that I would even write a letter like this. I am including it here:
October, 2008
Dear Komrade,
Since your recent vote to affirm the Socialist State in Amerika, I have been trying to determine how I should personally react to and handle the situation. The government has taken ownership positions in many of the largest banks and financial institutions, thereby exercising some degree of control over them. This will facilitate the central planning of the economy that has long been desired by the political far left. At the same time, the largesse of the Federal Government has been bestowed upon the very rich on Wall Street, while, here I am in middle Amerika, with nothing more to show for it, than a diminished investment portfolio. Now, komrade, I don't want you to misunderstand me. I have long held to kapitalist principles, yet I am not a rich man. I have always paid my taxes as required by law. I have saved and invested as prescribed by kapitalist principles, and hoped to someday retire comfortably and enjoy my latter years until my death. Now, that dream is in doubt.
Is it time, now, for me to subscribe to the socialist agenda? Depending on where you draw the line, I am probably very close to the level of poverty which would allow me to receive money from the government for college tuition, food stamps, housing assistance, etc., yet, up to now, I have preferred to work and earn my own way. Now, with the impending election of the Socialist Barack Obama, and with Sen. Reid in the Senate, and Pelosi in the House, I see an all-out Socialist future in Amerika. It would not be hard for me to cut back on my work and salary enough to "qualify" for many of the government programs that are now available. I could certainly use the break, because I've been working very hard for many years now, and if I play it right, I could possibly make out like . . . um . . . uh . . a good Socialist. If the economy takes the expected deep downturn following an Obama election, I may have no choice.
Your komrade,
(Bob's my uncle)
This letter actually prompted a phone call from the office of my Representative Pete Sessions. His chief of staff called me directly and we spoke for about 20 minutes. While I appreciated the attention from my Congressman's office, I did not appreciate the fact that he voted for giving away the taxpayer's money to Wall Street and the banks, all to no avail. None of this has worked, nor will it work. John McCain now agrees with me, calling the stimulus bill "generational theft". We are spending money that exists nowhere.
After my conversation with the chief of staff, I wrote a followup letter:
Dear Congressman Sessions,
I sent you an email, yesterday, decrying the Socialism that is now being foisted upon the government and the people. As is my manner, I couched the communication in satire. However, in my view, it was more poignant than satire, because it is my vision of the future under an Obama presidency with socialist Democrat control of the Congress.
Here is the point I want to make about the bailout. I don't understand the connections between $750 billion dollars in a bailout scheme for very rich individuals and companies, and I don't trust the President, Mr. Hanky Paulson, the Congress, or anyone who is involved in promoting it and implementing it. I only realize that somehow, I'm on the hook for about $10,000, individually. (My share of approximately $1.5 trillion recently allocated for such bailouts.) Meanwhile, the criminals have been identified, but their prosecution seems to be far off if ever. In short, I'm screwed two ways. The economy is in the toilet, and I'm helping to bail out some rich guys with tax money I haven't even earned yet. The American People instinctively understood this a couple of weeks ago. That is why Congress was flooded with calls, emails, and faxes to not do this thing. IT IS A QUESTION OF TRUST! There is none.
I spoke with your chief of staff, Mr. Harrison, yesterday. He was kind enough to call me back in response to my email. I am afraid that I do not have the confidence that he expressed to me that everything will be alright. Actually, he never said that, but he did try to put a bold, positive face on our present situation. While I appreciate the call and the effort, in my opinion, we face a very bleak, perhaps violent, and depressing future.
I told Mr. Harrison, that I blog on Townhall. If I can help in this way, please let me know. Politics is about communication, so let us communicate. You have my email address.
Here is the link to my blog if your are interested:
http://backyardgrillblog.blogtownhall.com/
Sincerely,
(Bob's my uncle)
Needless to say, I have not heard back from the good Congressman.