The Real Issue With "Cash For Clunkers"

Every retailer has promotions to increase sales; even those that go to market with an every day low price approach. Typically though, these retailers utilize their own funds, or promotional funds provided by their suppliers to pay for their markdowns. Most Sunday newspapers are full of ads designed to generate foot traffic and sales. But at what point did it become fashionable for the U.S. Government to use my tax dollars and yours as promotional funds to stimulate one segment of our economy? Especially when one considers that the Government owns two thirds of the segment they chose to stimulate?

Just another example of a government out of control. One has to wonder if GM and Chrysler will be able to operate under the same profitability program as Am Track and the Post Office? Will they be allowed to continue to operate at a cash flow deficit funded by tax payer dollars? Will the Car Czar continue to create promotions for the auto industry funded by tax payer dollars? Will the next promotion be limited to GM and Chrysler products?

The American people should demand that our Government exit all industry in which they have involvement at once, beginning with Chrysler and GM. Directly followed by the banking industry, followed by AM Track, followed by any involvement in the mortgage lending business, and never be allowed to have involvement in health care.

Proud To Be An American

Events of the last few weeks have reinforced my belief that the United States Of America is the most spectacular country ever to grace our planet. I've long held that at some point the American people would rise up and have their voices heard, that the people of this country would reach a tipping point where their emotions would bubble over to a level that would force the attention of the main stream media and elitist politicians.

It has taken some doing but the idiocy of Obama Care has brought a new life to town hall meetings across the country. The American People are not only speaking their minds on Obama Care, but against the lunacy of our politicians out of control spending. I'm proud to live in a country where the people can speak up to have their voices heard to the highest level in government. I don't know that the liberal left politicians are listening, but there is no doubt they hear us.

What Democrat loons in Congress fail to appreciate is how informed the American People are. More informed in fact than the politicians themselves trying to shove socialism down our collective throats; one individual at a time.

I believe this is what most Americans are wondering:

1. What Constitutional authority does the Federal Government have to impose government run health care on the citizens of this country?
2. Why should the Federal Government have anything at all to do with an individuals health insurance or health care decisions?
   
3. At what point did Democrats determine that the Federal Government could run health insurance for every American better than they run the Post Office, Am Track, Social Security, Medi Care, General Motors, Chrysler, Fanny Mae, Freddy Mac, or a simple cash for clunkers program?
   
4. At what point did Democrats determine a single payer "option" run by the government would actually increase competition between the government an private industry thereby forcing costs down? Hello, if you don't have to make a profit to stay afloat, why is there reason to reduce costs or increase efficiencies? And oh by the way, since when was it possible for a for profit private or public business to compete with a government business that can stay in business with a horrible balance sheet and negative cash flow and expect to stay in business!
   
5. At what point the Democrats determine that a stimulus package that puts no money in the hands of working Americans, but rather to those that don't work, or to special interests would actually stimulate the economy?
   

I could go on, but there is no reason as Democrats in Congress don't understand or rather don't believe in the principles of competition, individual liberties, and small government that built the foundation of our magnificent Republic. No, Democrats believe in a nanny state where the people are beholden to the government, where the people look to the government for everyday needs like health insurance, wale-fare checks, housing, education, establishing pay rates, food stamps, and cash for clunkers.

I'm often amazed at how conservatives are painted by the left as greedy penny pinching misers bent on keeping the little guy down and paying homage to big business and the rich bringing home fat paychecks. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is the liberals that look to keep the little guy down by bringing everyone down. It is the Liberal that wants to control the individual and treat him or her like a pet that can't think for itself, while the Conservative looks to liberate the individual. It is the Liberal that wants the state to control every aspect of every individuals life and force them into groups, while the Conservative looks to smaller government to let individuals make their own decisions through their own intellect and initiative. It is the Liberal that is Close Minded while the Conservative is Open Minded.

Now is not the time to let up pressure on Congress. Now is the time to keep the pressure on!

What Senate Republicans Need To Do NOW!

Last week I received a survey from the National Republican Senatorial Committee asking my opinion on several issues our country faces today. Not only did they want me to return the survey, (with a small donation to help offset the cost of the survey) the letter indicated that I was chosen to represent the opinion of Republicans in my voting area; yeah, right.

What struck me about the survey is that very much like the surveys and letters I continually receive from the Republican National Committee, it is obvious that Republicans in Congress know all the buzz words an phrases like Socialism, Islamic Fascism, Government takeover of health care, strong borders, etc. What is not evident is what the heck they plan to do about the issues they raise. I mean, where is the Republican plan designed to reduce health care and insurance costs through encouraging competition and appropriate deregulation? A plan that embraces the individual and capitalism, not collectivism and and socialism.

I gladly filled out the survey and attached a few documents for the National Republican Senatorial Committee to think through. I also sent same to my Senators; Shelby and Sessions. If you like what you read, I encourage you to do the same. Here is a copy of the letter I sent along with my survey:

First, let me say that I appreciate your survey, however; I do have some comments to add to your questions.

1. I have to say that in my opinion, the Senate has a far larger percent of center to left leaning Republicans than does the House of Representatives. Just see our last Republican nominee for President.
2. Talk show hosts such as Rush Limbaugh do a much better job of articulating the conservative point of view than the vast majority of our so called conservative Senators. Why is that?
3. Republicans in the Senate must stop trying to compromise with liberal democrats on issues like socialized health care.
4. Republicans in the Senate must stand fast to protect our culture and not give in to buying votes from illegal aliens.
5. The Republican Party leadership in the Senate must offer fresh, bold ideas to get our country back on track; ideas that adhere to the principles that made our country the strongest, most efficient country on the Planet.
6. Ideas that support and celebrate the individual rather than the Federal Government.
7. Ideas that draw a sharp contrast to the Obama administration and liberal Democrats move to Socialism.
8. Ideas that Conservatives and Moderate Democrats embrace as true to our countries heritage.
9. Now is the time for Republicans to be the Party Of Contrast.
10. Perhaps I’m too simple here, but a comprehensive plan that first includes the FAIR TAX to rescue the economy, through putting more money and power in the hands of Americans and less in the hands of special interests and politicians is indeed a bold fresh idea.
11. Such a step would demonstrate Republicans willingness to take the big stick away from politicians and place it firmly in the hands of the people.
12. It would also make the United States the most tax friendly country on the planet for Corporations and individuals alike.
13. However, the fact that the Republican Party, Senate Republicans, and House Republicans are not currently rallying around and promoting the Fair Tax is an indicator that they do not want to give power back to the people, obviously they would rather use the tax code to curry favor with special interests and maintain the upper hand through the tax code.
14. The Second Bold Step should be a Comprehensive Plan For Health Care Insurance predicated on Capitalism, not Socialism.
15. A plan that asks: Why should the government have any involvement at any level with an individual’s health care or health care insurance? Why does the federal government restrict competition between Doctors and and competition between Insurance companies? Why does the state dictate the coverage in my policy? Why does my health insurance policy need to be tied to my employer? Why can’t I shop insurance health insurance in states other than the one I live in? Why can’t I create a co-op of people that live in my neighborhood for insurance? Why can’t I make my health insurance portable? Fix these issues and you just might have an alternative to government take over of health insurance.
    

Finally, I have to say that I get a lot of email and letters from the RNC and such yapping all the time with surveys just like the one I received from your group. Unfortunately that seems to be as far as it goes. No doubt the Republicans in Congress know all the buzz words, like lower taxes, strong borders, Islamic fascism, and the such, but where are the ideas?

I’m also including in my response a letter I received via email written my an anonymous individual, I only wish I could articulate my thoughts as well as this person has.

Ray England

The letter is rather long, but I will post it to this Blog. I don't know who wrote it, but it is a fabulous letter that really articulates the where Americans are today with their Federal Government.

If you are of the same mind as I, please feel free to send these points along to your friends, and if you like, go ahead and send a copy to your Congressman and Senator. It's high time that we insist they work for the people and act like the leaders they are supposed to be. If there ever was a time for true conservative ideas that made our country the greatest place on the planet to take the forefront; it is now.

Ray England.