Europe has shown us our future
To the editor:
The presidential election and the hoopla of winning has deteriorated into the expectation of payback. Leaders in Detroit want their share of the spoils (federal funds). This was made clear by a city official who boldly made the announcement that they want their money. They helped elect President Obama, so they want something in return.
The transition of the country into socialism will continue for four more years. The redistribution of wealth via taxation will make things more equitable. We will follow the European model to ensure dependency upon the federal government by the new middle class. Slowly and with stealth, the president and his White House staff will implement the “transformation of America” that was promised. And along the way, we’ll all see progressive loss of individual liberty. Should Congress refuse to pass new liberal legislation, the president will enact law by edict (executive order). We should not be surprised to see far-reaching changes affecting our freedoms.
The Democratic Party has been taken hostage by the far left. We have re-elected a president whose interest is not to encourage the economy to grow but to arrange for the federal government and its many agencies to dominate the people. Look for another “stimulus;” it will fail to lower unemployment but will add another huge chunk to the national debt and further erode the dollar. And the promised cuts in federal social programs will never materialize.
The economy is reportedly creating new jobs, but the majority of them are in government, not in the private sector. Andrew Malcolm reported in Investor’s Business Daily that Obama has hired 101 new federal employees every day since taking office.
Why half of the electorate cannot see where this is leading us is unbelievable. Europe has already shown us.
Ned A. Garrett
Hagerstown
Campaign for Liberty looking to make a difference
To the editor:
Have you had it yet with the tax-and-spend policies of our representatives in Washington? I sure have. If you’re like many Americans, the recent “fiscal cliff” legislation might well have put you over the edge. Consider this: Even if you consider yourself part of the “middle class,” the federal government will be taking even more of your money this year, and has yet to reduce any spending. Yes, that’s right, despite the promises made by both parties during the election season that they would not raise taxes on 98 percent of us, most of us will be hit with a 2 percent increase in the payroll tax — which totals $100 per month or $1,200 per year — for those making $50,000. Many of us will thus be forced to cut even more from our already-tight budgets because — unlike our federal representatives — we cannot print money or vote ourselves raises to make up the shortfall.
What are the consequences for our economy as a whole? More economic decline and — dare I say — potentially devastating losses, particularly if you own a small business dependent upon discretionary spending. There are more than 115 million households in the United States, but for ease of math, let’s round down and say 100 million households cut their spending by just $1,000 this year. That works out to a $100 billion loss to the economy in 2013. With many businesses already teetering on the brink of financial ruin, this could easily push them over the edge, causing additional losses of jobs, GDP, and tax revenues — and, of course, ultimately resulting in even more added to the national debt that now tops $16 trillion.
So are you fed up yet? If so, I invite you to join the West Virginia chapter of the Campaign for Liberty. We are working to build a team of liberty-loving, fiscally responsible, politically educated citizens, activists and statesmen in the Mountain State. Visit www.wvC4L.org or call 304-876-9166 to learn more about us and how you can help us make a real difference.
Gina Anders
Shepherdstown, W.Va.
I fear what is in store for future generations
To the editor:
The purpose of my letter is to voice my concern over what I see as ineptness in our federal government. First, let me quote the dictionary definition of the word inept: “not suitable to the purpose; unfit; wrong in a foolish and awkward way; clumsy or bungling; inefficient.”
I first started voting in the early 1970s and it seems to me this ineptness has increased with each passing election. Right now, it is worse than I can ever remember. Our nation is trillions of dollars in debt, millions of Americans are out of work, illegal immigration is out of control, and crime and violence is unprecedented. Yet our elected officials continue to argue and point fingers while nothing meaningful is being done to address these issues.
Democrats blame Republicans, Republicans blame Democrats, and what’s best for the country takes a backseat to partisan politics. I’ve often wondered if we should do away with the two-party system and have everyone run as an independent. I also think that members of Congress should serve four years with a two-term limit like the president. Maybe this would eliminate the mind-set of “the party first, then the country.” Then again, who knows?
I fear that we are no longer the greatest nation on earth. Don’t get me wrong, I love my country, but I have lost faith in the government that runs it. Statistically, we don’t rank No. 1 in many things that determine the greatness or strength of a country. Rest assured, I haven’t given up hope completely, but I fear our country is headed in the wrong direction on many issues.
I am 65 and on my way out. My biggest fear is for those who are on their way in. What’s in store for their future? Only God knows, and we seem to have turned our backs on Him.
Michael Karn
Hagerstown
To the editor:
The presidential election and the hoopla of winning has deteriorated into the expectation of payback. Leaders in Detroit want their share of the spoils (federal funds). This was made clear by a city official who boldly made the announcement that they want their money. They helped elect President Obama, so they want something in return.
The transition of the country into socialism will continue for four more years. The redistribution of wealth via taxation will make things more equitable. We will follow the European model to ensure dependency upon the federal government by the new middle class. Slowly and with stealth, the president and his White House staff will implement the “transformation of America” that was promised. And along the way, we’ll all see progressive loss of individual liberty. Should Congress refuse to pass new liberal legislation, the president will enact law by edict (executive order). We should not be surprised to see far-reaching changes affecting our freedoms.
The Democratic Party has been taken hostage by the far left. We have re-elected a president whose interest is not to encourage the economy to grow but to arrange for the federal government and its many agencies to dominate the people. Look for another “stimulus;” it will fail to lower unemployment but will add another huge chunk to the national debt and further erode the dollar. And the promised cuts in federal social programs will never materialize.
The economy is reportedly creating new jobs, but the majority of them are in government, not in the private sector. Andrew Malcolm reported in Investor’s Business Daily that Obama has hired 101 new federal employees every day since taking office.
Why half of the electorate cannot see where this is leading us is unbelievable. Europe has already shown us.
Ned A. Garrett
Hagerstown
Campaign for Liberty looking to make a difference
To the editor:
Have you had it yet with the tax-and-spend policies of our representatives in Washington? I sure have. If you’re like many Americans, the recent “fiscal cliff” legislation might well have put you over the edge. Consider this: Even if you consider yourself part of the “middle class,” the federal government will be taking even more of your money this year, and has yet to reduce any spending. Yes, that’s right, despite the promises made by both parties during the election season that they would not raise taxes on 98 percent of us, most of us will be hit with a 2 percent increase in the payroll tax — which totals $100 per month or $1,200 per year — for those making $50,000. Many of us will thus be forced to cut even more from our already-tight budgets because — unlike our federal representatives — we cannot print money or vote ourselves raises to make up the shortfall.
What are the consequences for our economy as a whole? More economic decline and — dare I say — potentially devastating losses, particularly if you own a small business dependent upon discretionary spending. There are more than 115 million households in the United States, but for ease of math, let’s round down and say 100 million households cut their spending by just $1,000 this year. That works out to a $100 billion loss to the economy in 2013. With many businesses already teetering on the brink of financial ruin, this could easily push them over the edge, causing additional losses of jobs, GDP, and tax revenues — and, of course, ultimately resulting in even more added to the national debt that now tops $16 trillion.
So are you fed up yet? If so, I invite you to join the West Virginia chapter of the Campaign for Liberty. We are working to build a team of liberty-loving, fiscally responsible, politically educated citizens, activists and statesmen in the Mountain State. Visit www.wvC4L.org or call 304-876-9166 to learn more about us and how you can help us make a real difference.
Gina Anders
Shepherdstown, W.Va.
I fear what is in store for future generations
To the editor:
The purpose of my letter is to voice my concern over what I see as ineptness in our federal government. First, let me quote the dictionary definition of the word inept: “not suitable to the purpose; unfit; wrong in a foolish and awkward way; clumsy or bungling; inefficient.”
I first started voting in the early 1970s and it seems to me this ineptness has increased with each passing election. Right now, it is worse than I can ever remember. Our nation is trillions of dollars in debt, millions of Americans are out of work, illegal immigration is out of control, and crime and violence is unprecedented. Yet our elected officials continue to argue and point fingers while nothing meaningful is being done to address these issues.
Democrats blame Republicans, Republicans blame Democrats, and what’s best for the country takes a backseat to partisan politics. I’ve often wondered if we should do away with the two-party system and have everyone run as an independent. I also think that members of Congress should serve four years with a two-term limit like the president. Maybe this would eliminate the mind-set of “the party first, then the country.” Then again, who knows?
I fear that we are no longer the greatest nation on earth. Don’t get me wrong, I love my country, but I have lost faith in the government that runs it. Statistically, we don’t rank No. 1 in many things that determine the greatness or strength of a country. Rest assured, I haven’t given up hope completely, but I fear our country is headed in the wrong direction on many issues.
I am 65 and on my way out. My biggest fear is for those who are on their way in. What’s in store for their future? Only God knows, and we seem to have turned our backs on Him.
Michael Karn
Hagerstown
