MONEY FOR NOTHING

Political blogs are so boring. Some right or left wing nutcase rants about an issue for a few hundred words making absolutely no difference in the course of events. Sometimes the writer makes sense, sometimes not. So I don’t want you to look at this as a political article. I want you to look at this as a little examination of your common sense. It’s not right wing. It’s not left wing. It’s common freaking sense.

“Cash for Clunkers”. That sounds like a noble and catchy idea. The new administration, backed by the Congress, decided that it would be a good idea to get some “bad” cars off the road and at the same time stimulate the auto industry. Bring your old, low miles per gallon car into a participating dealership. Get $3500 to $4500 dollars in free cash money from the government. The car dealer gets a sale thus helping the auto industry. The customer gets a new “greener” car thus helping the environment. The banks get an opportunity for a car loan with a little bit of equity in the vehicle. So the catchy noble idea is funded with a billion dollars of taxpayer money and a handy little bureaucracy is set up to administer the program creating a few new jobs. The funding should have lasted, based on highly educated guesses, about three months.

After less than one week the program is so successful that it is out of money. Imagine that. Free money was offered and people swarmed the dealerships to get it. Who would have thought that would happen? So Congress is going to add a couple billion more to the program and increase the size of the bureaucracy to cut down on the waiting time for this wonderful boon to mankind. How can any person with a lick of common sense think that this is a good idea?

I could understand a credit against my income taxes for buying a more fuel efficient car. At least that is a more equitable way of rewarding a person and also stimulating the economy. In that way I keep my own money and still buy a new car. But to take huge amounts of taxpayer money and give it to only the people who are driving outdated gas guzzlers is the worst kind of income redistribution. It seems so inherently wrong that I can’t even believe that there are so called intelligent people in favor of the idea. The whole concept seems somehow crooked.

It gives me a stomach-ache. I suppose by electing this current administration and gang of thieves that populate the Congress we are giving our approval for this nonsense. We are daily observing the proposal and enactment of laws creating massive spending programs. The projected tax increases are going to financially cripple small businesses and private individuals. Anyone questioning or opposing these programs is considered a right wing radical who doesn’t have compassion or common sense. And I stand so accused.

The concept of redistribution of wealth is certainly not new. It is after all the basis of our system of taxation. But there has never been in our history, not in the era of FDR or the time of LBJ, such a concerted effort to push this socialist agenda. My liberal friends claim that I am exaggerating. This is not socialism but a new way of looking at democracy, they say. Okay, let’s concede on their definition of what this movement is being called. The ideology behind it is that government, bigger and more complex, is the best way to improve social conditions in our country. Government, run by caring and compassionate people, will do what is best for everyone. Government, in the right hands, can be the nurturing, supportive entity that will take care of health, wealth, comfort and safety of all citizens. And this “Cars for Clunkers” program is just one perfect example of that ideal world.

Look carefully at the new “Czars” appointed by the administration. Look carefully at the new bureaucracies being set up every single day. Look carefully at who is supporting all of this and how the money is being shifted around. To me it’s more than a little scary. To my liberal friends it’s just the way it should be. In a way I hope my paranoia is unfounded. But I’m not seeing any good signs on the horizon.

Have a fine day.