Are Americans being politically “McDonalded” with sweet talk?
Where is our country headed under new leaders? I haven’t the faintest notion how it will finally play out, but more disturbingly, I don’t think those in charge have any idea where all of this “change” is going to terminate.
But, perhaps, they do and therein resides the horrible truth.
There are many in our society, especially in the 18 to 29-year-old age bracket, who often think that America has been on the wrong track for our entire history and in spite of our unprecedented success, we need to change course and make our Free Enterprise system more like the European way of life. Ironic isn’t it. Most of our forefathers came to this great land because they wanted to get away from the frailties of the European structure. And, our predecessors were quite successful in creating and building a country that became the envy of folks all over the world — separate and apart from the European ideals from which they fled. Our forefathers were so successful that, today, we have untold millions who seek residence here – legally or illegally. Puzzling, then, that so many Americans want abstract “change.”
Thus far, the only real change is the creation of enormous federal control over our lives at tremendous cost. In just a few short months, the new administration has placed our lives under enormous federal management. The government now controls the actions of most major banks and the banking system. It is seizing control of the automotive industry and dictating who will serve as corporate officers, etc. We are less safe because we cannot interrogate prisoners of war harshly. Instead of firm, solid diplomacy, we are trying to charm terrorists and hostile, unprincipled governments with “can’t-we-just-all-get-along” overtures.
Furthermore, government is dictating the kinds of automobiles we will be able to drive in the future. Available forms of energy are being scrapped while we hope for the ultimate development of something better in the far, far future. It doesn’t stop here. More and more government controls exist as gleams in the eyes of power-hungry politicians.
How is all of this being accomplished? Fear of a financial collapse was used to convince congress to provide billions in bail-out dollars for failing financial institutions and to shore up the economy with so-called “stimulus” funds. Most of our elected representatives didn’t even read the bill before voting for it! The supposed doomsday crisis was sold as something that must be done in just a few days, however, months later no more than eight percent of the funds have been infused into the economy, yet, an economic recovery is underway that would have happened anyway.
The financial crisis was created in large measure by government. First, there was the housing bubble implemented by the “progressive” point of view that everyone should own a home – regardless of whether they could afford it for not. So, folks in Congress like Barney Frank and Chris Dodd prompted the lending agencies to lower borrowing standards for folks under arrangements that they could not possibly meet. When that bubble burst, these folks wanted to blame it all on the banking system and Wall Street. There was enough blame to go around and the present administration in the name of “change” is making matters worse by failing to realize that too much regulation in a Free Enterprise system is terminally damaging.
There is a legend that the famous McDonald golden arches have a psychological appeal. You will have to admit that two great arches that can be seen for miles is a rather bizarre icon. Some folks claim that the arches were chosen because they represented the mounds of your mother’s bosom. And, that whenever you saw the arches you might subconsciously feel the tug of comfort, safety and warmth of your Mama’s embrace, therefore, sparking a primeval urge to pull into the restaurant. Is this true? I haven’t the faintest idea but if there is any validity, whatsoever, then I fear that Americans are being politically “MacDonalded” in like manner with soothing promises of a heaven on earth where everything will be OK and everyone is “above average.” Just like Mom, let government kiss it and make it well. The term “mother country” takes on new meaning.
We are falling for the sweet comfort of saccharine words that elicit the warmth of Mama’s embrace even though we don’t know what the words really mean. Words like “change we can believe in,” etc.
Was some change called for? Of course, there are always oversights that must be appropriated, but should government take over whole industries? I think not. If you think “change” is over, guess again. The federal government stands ready to regulate almost every facet of your life. This has been the goal of “progressives” for several generations. The difference is that, now, under the guise of “change,” they are actually doing it at breakneck speed! This can be evidenced by the over-the-top regulations and measures being put in place and waiting in the wings. Can you say “Socialized Medicine?”
As I mentioned, there will always be a need for oversight in rare instances to prevent the crooks and the greedy from fleecing the public. But it is an improper oversight when the overseer is guilty of the same thing they are trying to prevent. The Ponzi scheme dealers should be punished but these folks had a good teacher – the federal government. If the Social Security System and Medicare are not Ponzi endeavors, I don’t know what is. Almost since its inception, the federal government has used the proceeds from current workers to pay off promises made to older participants. Like all Ponzi schemes, we finally reach a point of collapse.
The same is true of excessive borrowing of money by the government. You finally reach the point where your assets can’t ensure your indebtedness. We are headed toward that end. And, you can only print more money for so long before inflation devours a nation’s entire economy.
I simply cannot believe what we are doing to the futures of our children and grandchildren. Do you approve? Or, are you being “McDonalded” by the warm and fuzzy promises of “change we can believe in?”
All of you, who are outraged at my words, are invited to meet me at McDonalds.