Bonsai from the Right: America becoming Socialist

Showing posts with label America becoming Socialist. Show all posts

Friday, March 12, 2010

Is American History Repeating?

Watch Glenn Beck weekdays at 5p & 2a ET on Fox News Channel

People are waking up, but still, not enough are aware of what America (as we know it) is up against. And there just aren't enough in Congress and the Senate able or willing to fight it: For every Michele Bachmann there are 10 big government progressives.
It's up to you and you've already done so much! Do you know that Friday is the anniversary of the 9/12 Project? You are the only thing stopping health care from destroying America. But there is more work to do.
Progressives aren't quitting. Look, I know you are busy. I know you have a life to live. I know the last thing you want to do after you clean up the dishes, put the kids to bed, clean the house is sit down and read a book on Woodrow Wilson or FDR.
But you are going to be the difference. So you must know history. We need to look back and learn because we are repeating the same mistakes from that past:
• Back in 1933, the American economy was in crisis: Unemployment peaked at 24.9 percent. Unemployment today is 9.7 percent
• Back then Europe and the global economy were completely unstable and so were the citizens. Sound familiar?
• The president declares that government is the only one who could save it:

FORMER PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT: In our efforts for recovery we have avoided on the one hand the theory that business should and must be taken over into an all-embracing Government. We have avoided on the other hand the equally untenable theory that it is an interference with liberty to offer reasonable help when private enterprise is in need of help.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Only government can break the cycles that are crippling the economy.

• Both in the 1930s and now, national debt was being piled on in unprecedented levels: in 1933, national debt hit $22 billion — an historic level. Today, $12.5 trillion
• Big government entitlement programs are jammed through
Do you see how history repeats itself?
We are repeating the same experiences and mistakes that allowed a depression to turn into the Great Depression. And the economic misery that's coming our way is only half of the danger because, while most people dread economic recessions and depressions there are others who are more opportunistic. They view this as their big chance, their window of opportunity.
During normal times the extremes — the radical ends of the political spectrum on the left and the right — are brushed aside. But as history has shown us time and time again, add fear and hunger to the mix and people will listen to anyone who says "I have the answer."
Take Jesus and Adolf Hitler: One's good, one's evil. They had one thing in common: When there was fear and hunger, they said I'll save you, follow me. When you are hungry and afraid it's not always easy to see the difference between good and evil.
In the 1930s and today, two people said they have an answer: FDR and Barack Obama. One said happy days are here again and one said the worst is behind us.
When FDR took office, do you know how many entitlement programs there were? Zero. In 1940, government payments to individuals were $1.6 billion. Last year, we paid our more than $2 trillion in government assistance. With so many Americans unwilling or able to stand on their own two feet, when a crisis comes how will they stand up and say no to anyone who says "I have the answer"?
Remember the bald communist, Jed ? We laugh at him and dismiss him as a kook, but I believe it is a terrible mistake to do that.
Look. I hope and pray that I am wrong about the economy. I really do. It'd be wonderful if printing more money and then spending it on turtle tunnels will kick start the economy. But somehow I don't have confidence that will work. The president is wrong: The worst is not behind us. There are tough times ahead. History has shown us you cannot spend your way to prosperity, it just doesn't work. And that's what we are pinning our hopes on — that and green jobs, which Spain and others are finding out the hard way doesn't work either.
America will be presented with a choice. We have to get off this track. You simply cannot give government more power because hunger and fear are powerful ingredients. People will listen to anyone.
Ten years ago it was ridiculous to talk about stuff like this and I'm sure critics everywhere will call me all sorts of names. And that's fine. But this isn't the first time in history we were on the edge of making the same mistakes Europe was making. Only because of our reliance on God and the Constitution did we survive last time. But oh, how close we came.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Enjoy The FIST Socialist Movement And The SEIU

In Detroit, a chap representing the Che Guevara-loving, Mumia Abu-Jamal-supporting “FIST Youth” educated a crowd of about two dozen about the virtues of socialism. He also lectured on the Soviet Union, its roots and the glory days when the “people’s council” made all of the important decisions.

Strangely, that’s not the Soviet Union I learned about in public school. I was taught about a ruthless nation that annihilated the United States. I learned about a Soviet Union that starved its people and constructed drab buildings while its leaders lived the high life. I learned about the Russia that got stronger and better with capitalism. At least Jay-Ney admits she is a socialist. The left wing try to hide the fact that they are socialists. But that’s enough of my take on the socialist rally in Detroit. You can enjoy the history lesson for yourself. If there are any left wingers out there that disagree with him please tell us what you disagree with. Because from the left wing on this blog I can say that they have more in common with this FIST Youth then conservatives.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

First Time America Isn't Ranket #1 In Economic Freedom This Year The Democrats Took Us Down To #8

World Rank: 8 Regional Rank: 2 of 3

Ten Economic Freedoms of United States

91.3	Business Freedom	Avg 64.6	75.0	Investment Freedom	Avg 49.0
86.9	Trade Freedom	Avg. 74.2	70.0	Financial Freedom	Avg 48.5
67.5	Fiscal Freedom	Avg. 75.4	85.0	Property Rights	Avg 43.8
58.0	Government Spending	Avg. 65.0	73.0	Fdm. from Corruption	Avg 40.5
78.1	Monetary Freedom	Avg. 70.6	94.8	Labor Freedom	Avg 62.1

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Quick Facts

Population:

304.1 million

GDP (PPP):

$14.2 trillion
1.1% growth
2.2% 5-year compound annual growth
$46,716 per capita

Unemployment:

9.4%

Inflation (CPI):

3.8%

FDI Inflow:

$316.1 billion

The United States’ economic freedom score is 78.0, making its economy the 8th freest in the 2010 Index. Its score is 2.7 points lower than last year, reflecting notable decreases in financial freedom, monetary freedom, and property rights. The United States has fallen to 2nd place out of three countries in the North America region.
The U.S. government’s interventionist responses to the financial and economic crisis that began in 2008 have significantly undermined economic freedom and long-term prospects for economic growth. Economic freedom has declined in seven of the 10 categories measured in the Index.
Uncertainties caused by ongoing regulatory changes and politically influenced stimulus spending have discouraged entrepreneurship and job creation, slowing recovery. Leadership in free trade has been undercut by “Buy American” provisions in stimulus legislation and failure to pursue previously agreed free trade agreements with Panama, Colombia, and South Korea. Tax rates are increasingly uncompetitive, and massive stimulus spending is creating unprecedented deficits. Bailouts of financial and automotive firms have generated concerns about property rights.

Background Back to the top

The U.S. economy is the world’s largest. Services account for more than 70 percent of economic activity, but the U.S. is also the world’s largest producer of manufactured goods and fourth-largest producer of agricultural products. A federal form of government that reserves significant powers to states and localities has encouraged diverse economic policies and strategies. The national government’s role in the economy, already expanding under President George W. Bush, has grown sharply under the Administration of President Barack Obama, who took office in January 2009. Economic growth, which collapsed in 2008, had resumed by the second half of 2009, but legislative proposals for large and expensive new government programs on health care and energy use (climate change) have increased prospects for significant economic disruptions and raised concerns about the long-term health of the economy.

Business Freedom91.3 Back to the top

The overall freedom to start, operate, and close a business, regulated primarily at the state level, is still strongly protected. Starting a business takes six days, compared to the world average of 35 days. Obtaining a business license takes less than the world average of 218 days. Bankruptcy proceedings are very easy and straightforward.

Trade Freedom86.9 Back to the top

The weighted average U.S. tariff rate was 1.5 percent in 2008. Anti-dumping and countervailing duties, domestic preferences in government procurement, high out-of-quota tariffs, services market access restrictions, import licensing, restrictive labeling and standards, and export-promotion programs and subsidies add to the cost of trade. Ten points were deducted from the U.S. trade freedom score to account for non-tariff barriers.

Fiscal Freedom67.5 Back to the top

U.S. tax rates are burdensome. The top income and corporate tax rates are 35 percent. Other taxes include an estate tax and excise taxes. Additional income, sales, and property taxes are assessed at the state and local levels. In the most recent year, overall tax revenue as a percentage of GDP was 28.3 percent.

Government Spending58.0 Back to the top

Total government expenditures, including consumption and transfer payments, are relatively high and rising rapidly. In the most recent year, government spending equaled 37.4 percent of GDP. Spending increases totaled well over $1 trillion in 2009 alone, an increase of more than 20 percent over 2008. Stimulus spending set for the next three years is estimated to equal 5 percent of 2009 GDP.

Monetary Freedom78.1 Back to the top

Inflation has been relatively low, averaging 3.5 percent between 2006 and 2008. The Federal Reserve cut the interest rate on federal funds to near zero in December 2008, with low rates persisting through 2009. Price controls apply to some regulated monopolies; certain states and localities control residential rents; and the government influences prices through subsidies, particularly for the agricultural sector, dairy products, and some forms of transportation. Government interventions in housing, automotive, and financial markets have substantially increased price distortions. Ten points were deducted from the U.S. monetary freedom score to account for policies that distort domestic prices.

Investment Freedom75.0 Back to the top

Foreign and domestic enterprises are legally equal, and foreign investments face federal screening only if perceived as a potential threat to national security. Foreign investment in banking, mining, defense contracting, certain energy-related industries, fishing, shipping, communications, and aviation is restricted. Regulations are generally transparent; individual states may impose additional restrictions. There are few controls on currency transfers, access to foreign exchange, or repatriation of profits. Foreign investors may own most land, subject to some restrictions.

Financial Freedom70.0 Back to the top

The U.S. financial sector has undergone drastic changes since the sub-prime mortgage crisis began in mid-2007, substantially reducing economic freedom. Mortgage guarantors Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed in conservatorship. A number of prominent financial firms or banks have failed; government bailouts have kept others afloat; and the government has intruded on firms’ management in unprecedented ways (for example, by setting caps on executive compensation). Despite the turmoil, the U.S. still has one of the world’s most dynamic and developed financial markets. Foreign financial institutions and domestic banks are subject to the same restrictions. Foreign participation in equities and insurance is substantial. Concerns continue over the intrusive nature and cost of the 2002 Sarbanes–Oxley Act, which increased disclosure and internal control requirements to the detriment particularly of small firms.

Property Rights85.0 Back to the top

Property rights are guaranteed. Contracts are secure, and the judiciary is independent and of high quality. A well-developed licensing system protects patents, trademarks, and copyrights, and laws protecting intellectual property rights are strictly enforced. Government interventions in financial markets and the automotive sector have raised concerns about expropriation and violation of the contractual rights of shareholders and bondholders.

Freedom From Corruption73.0 Back to the top

Corruption is perceived as minimal. The U.S. ranks 18th out of 179 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2008. The absence of transparency and accountability in the operations of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and in other “bailout” programs managed by the Treasury and the Federal Reserve has increased concerns about the potential for government corruption.

Labor Freedom94.8 Back to the top

The United States’ labor regulations are highly flexible. The non-salary cost of employing a worker is low, and dismissing an employee is not burdensome.

Economic Freedom Score

Country’s Score Over Time

Bar Graph of United States Economic Freedom Scores Over a Time Period

Economic Freedom vs. World Avg

Bar Graph of United States Economic Freedom Scores