Spiritual/Political/Philosophical Blog on the Nature of Truth and Falsehood and Heaven
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| Sunny Days in Heaven Spiritual/Political/Philosophical Blog on the Nature of Truth and Falsehood and Heaven |
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Thursday, September 30, 2004 The Demos One of the greatest worries of our Founding Fathers was that the people would realize that as a democracy they could vote themselves other people's money. They put safeguards in the Constitution on voting so that might not easily occur. We've altered that in expanding the franchise to all over eighteen years old. Even in how we choose Senators, the intent that they would truly represent the interests of States rather than " the people" was ruined. So now we have a Roman model where politicians must always promise the plebians more and more benefits. Benefits that come from more productive people. Thus we have Bush with pharmacy programs, steel tariffs, or anything that will insure votes for his party, while the Democrats promise universal health care, always open borders, more money for education, and endlessly profitable litigation for trial lawyers (who have replaced unions as the source of campaign contributions in the main). Each candidate for president must now promise benefits -- other people's money -- to large groups. The question for conservatives has become, who promises the least and will maintain our defense? This is the inherent weakness of democracy (call it republic if you like) that it all comes down to vote buying after awhile. How often have we heard that tax cuts are going to "cost" the government? People actually believe that. That the "cost" or loss of revenue is unfair. Millions forget that the money is theirs, and the cost of government is what we the people determine, not bureaucrats. I will grant that the socialistic programs inaugerated by FDR ("We'll tax, tax, tax, spend, spend, spend, and elect, elect, elect," Harry Hopkins) have to run their course for awhile for prudence and pragmatism's sake, but is anyone really tired of the idea of government managing life? A few, but not enough. I will vote for Bush, of course, since I have more confidence that he will defend the lives of those I love, and this country, but I know that he will hardly halt the slide overall of the foundations of our sovereignty which depends on self-reliance. But, you never know. Bush's RNC nomination speech did illustrate a new reality regarding retirement and health care. Maybe the people will insist on more autonomy in their fiscal lives. There is a battle about it, no doubt. I believe that Bush will win. Four years from now, the election might become even more interesting in determining whether government will be reduced in fact, and rights returned to the peopleor whether the slide into dependence continues. posted by Mark Butterworth | 1:01 AM | |
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