The Digging of the Grave

Let the Democrats dig their graves. Our government is an absolute disgrace. We are supposed to be the example of democracy for all those other countries struggling (Iraq) to free themselves from tyranny to be able to control their own destinies. Today, the disconnect between elected officials and the public, plus the inefficiency of government and its gargantuan debt, means America is closer to a Banana Republic than that bright shining beacon upon a hill.

It is unfathomable today how America can call itself a democracy when our President and Congress do not respect the will of the people. The majority of America did not want the healthcare bill passed into law. Poll after poll after poll confirmed this. What Americans wanted in fact was for the Democrats to focus on the economy and get us out of this awful recession. Pelosi said that passing healthcare was the will of the people. No, Nancy, it was not. You are sounding like Castro who disregards the will of Cuban people.  Hopefully next year you will be "the people."

Broken promises and backroom deals are classic operating procedures for today's elected officials. Transparency? Never happened. Was the bill posted online as was promised by President Obama for five days? No, it wasn't. It's all moot now anyway. Besides, no one can read a 2000 page PhD level dissertation, digest it, and understand it in a few days. We have enough problems understanding the credit card disclaimer pamphlet.  Why is there muted revolt with the Louisiana Purchase, Cornhusker Kickback, Executive Orders and other underhanded tactics? 

Inviting Republicans for an all day soiree on live television was nothing but a joke. The Democrats said they wanted to take into consideration their opinions.  This is akin to due process in China, Iran or North Korea, where the other side is allowed to speak but will not be listened to by the judges.  It makes for excellent theatre.  The Republicans allowed themselves to be played for fools.

The impact of this health care law on our economy is completely unknown. It is frightening to all except the ones who cannot think logically for themselves and blindly follow what the Democrats say.  What will the impact be on corporations?  Caterpillar was the first one to give us a glimpse into the future.  If a company has to cut benefits, fire OR not hire people, it will not matter as the enlarged government net will take care of those that could otherwise be employed.  When more people rely on government, the more votes the Democrats will get.  

How will health care be paid for? Well, politician math is always wrong. Is there any government run entity that is actually efficient and works within budget? None. Do we want healthcare to follow in the footsteps of the IRS, Postal Service, Amtrak, Medicare, GM and Fannie Mae? 

How will the quality of healthcare be impacted? The reality is no one knows. We do have the highest quality healthcare in the world, period. We have the best trained doctors, the most advanced technology, with the least wait period for specialists. Some things work. Of course, some others could be improved. The Democrats simply threw the baby out with the bathwater on this one.

When government is over budget it borrows or raises taxes. Inevitably, taxes must go up to deal with healthcare, the debt and entitlements. What will this additional burden be on companies and taxpayers? When taxes are high, people don't save, spend and nor do companies. When less money is spent, fewer things are purchased and less taxes are collected. The welfare wheels will just go round and round, round and round, all day long. From 1998-2008, the federal debt as a percentage of GDP went from 58%-70% a high number from all angles. Or, it grew about 1% per year. In 2009, the federal debt went from 70%-86%, a 20% jump in one year. America cannot continue growing government and adding to the debt. Healthcare is the linchpin in this grenade.

There are too many questions and no answers from the Democrats. Political speak means nothing. But, by the time we do get our answers, it will be too late. Yet, we have only ourselves to blame.  America's knee-jerk reaction vote in 2008 brought us this shift toward Chicago style politics and socialism.  America was forewarned.  But, we did not listen, we made our bed and have to sleep in it until hopefully only 2011.

What Now?

Today marks the beginning of the end for America, as it is the day where lies, corruption, deception and ignorance have become our new Constitution.

In the march toward healthcare reform, Washington has trampled on the values that made this country the greatest example of Democracy.  Every single poll showed the majority of Americans against passage of this bill.  Also, no poll showed passing healthcare a priority over improving the economy.  So, what happened to representative government and the will of the people? We can only guess and leave it to historians to debate this in the future.

Americans have been powerless to stop Washington's infatuation with socialized healthcare and the trampling of the Constitution.  This feeling of powerlessness is reflected in America's approval ratings for Congress. It is astounding that while Congress has a 15% approval rating and the majority of Americans did not want to pass this healthcare bill, it was voted into law anyway. What a way to snub your nose at the citizens. What does that say about how Washington views the rest of the country?

Over a year ago, we were told about transparency.  It never occurred.  Washington has openly paid Senators hundreds of millions of dollars for their votes for healthcare.  In other countries that would be called a bribe.  Here it is even flaunted.  This is corruption in its purest form.  It is the antithesis of what our founding father's bequeathed us in the Constitution.     

Are we wrong in feeling so much gloom?  Washington does not listen to America, so we are right in feeling powerless.  We told our elected representatives in Washington to fix the economy first.  Yet, they hung on to the healthcare bone like a famished bulldog and didn’t obey the master’s will.  They hunger for the history books but not for doing right by the citizens.  We should fear for our future.

The news all around us is negative. Being a Generation X-er, I have never seen unemployment at 10%. Yet here it is and experts say, “get used to it.” Debt. I can’t even comprehend how much money America owes. All I know is that if my personal expenses and debt were as bad as my country’s, I’d be bankrupt, without credit and unable to get loans. People are losing their homes across the nation. This feeling of despair has not translated into action by our government. It’s priorities are skewed. They are drunk on power and relentless to go into history as the ones that finally got healthcare passed.

It is good that four years from now an adult will not be denied healthcare coverage for a pre-existing condition.  What is cataclismic is that today's government will go down in history as the one that developed a parallel constitution, ignored the people and dumped America into chaos.