Up early. Too much coffee. Let me speak to this as well. Tom's last line is the window to the future and key to what changes are coming. Most here believe that money is the usual motive for major initiatives, by individual or government. I think that is the case here also. There is a publishes presentation by David M. Walker called America's Fiscal Future. A call for Citizen Involvement that convinces me of the direction of any political party that gains the power of the Presidency AND Congress. The U.S. is backed way out on a monetary plank and we are sawing it off behind us as fast as we can.
Simply put, we have spent non-existent capital in failed attempts to provide all the government services WANTED, not needed, by the clamoring masses. Politicians promise it and their election requires it. Problem is, we can't afford it. Health care, Social Security, Postal Service, railroads, cost of government operations, war, nation building, extraordinary corporate corruption requiring government bailouts, have broken the bank. There is a big, brick economic wall coming and we are in need of speed brakes right now. Mr. Walker explains that it is still fixable,but there needs to be changes in how the regular citizen views his role in society.
From what I've read of the forum members, you are pretty much self-made individualists, fiercely self reliant, honorable, resourceful and reliable citizens who have paid our dues to enjoy what you have earned. Clearly, people of that mindset have become a dwindling minority since WWII. You pull the wagon, load and unload it, and provide the bounty it carries. You have also borne the weight of those fellow citizens (and anyone inside the border) who are permitted to simply ride in the wagon. Everyone in a position to do something about it realizes this must stop. The suggested fix will not sit well with either the riders OR the pullers of the wagon. The Walker article points to the fantastic success of fiscal reforms in other countries as a beacon of hope to steer toward. He offers up the examples of Australia and New Zealand as guideposts.
The military is an armed force, sort of like the armed citizen militia, except that the military is no democracy. The Uniform Code of Military Justice insures that order will be maintained by those selected to lead. The U.S. citizen cannot be so compelled to comply with orders given by those selected to lead. We have the Constitution-and guns! As Mr. Walker's report foreshadows, the government, in an attempt to save the economy from collapse, will have to be in a position to issue orders, like a military general, to be followed without question, in order to reshape the economic landscape. People will need to assume a predetermined role in society to provide government with human resources where and in what numbers they determine necessary. Call it Public Service, sounds good. There can be no argument, and no explanation is necessary. Want to be an artist? Nope, don't need'em. You will be an auto mechanic. Doctor? Fine, you will practice internal medicine and your license will be issued in New Jersey. Period. You wouldn't understand the big picture anyway.
So, how does government position itself where it can issue orders, effecting the lives and individual futures of every citizen, in a Democratic Republic? First, they must eliminate the tools of effective dissent. Then, they may direct your actions and choices with relative impunity. Sure, you may attempt to sue on Constitutional grounds, but in the mean time, get back to your assigned duties. By the way, your withholding needs to go up some more. Australia? New Zealand? Great examples indeed.
I'm not suggesting that spending can continue as in the past, but you have heard the campaign promises. Universal health care, lower taxes, world peace,more, more, more... So, how's that going to work? It will be converted from the fruits of YOUR labor, for the benefit of ALL, disproportionately and involuntarily in some cases.
It is a solution, and it would work, but at what cost to people like those here this morning? That, Tom, is what I think they have in mind.
Mac.