Dear Mr. Pot:
Forgive my delay in responding to our very first point/counterpoint, but as a practicing capitalist, and unlike many of my liberal friends, I must pursue activities to support my family, pay my creditors, and stimulate the sluggish Obama-created economy.
That being said, there are a number instances where the Federal government has forced labor without direct compensation to the laborers. The most glaring example lies near the Potomac in our nation's capitol....the White House. According to White House historian William Bushong, and verified by CBS News, slave labor was utilized during the construction of the First Family's edifice. In the interest of accuracy, however, it must be said that the masters of the slaves in question were handsomely compensated for their slaves' efforts but the slaves themselves saw nary a contribution to their meager change purses.
I too am amused by understated verbiage you employ to describe the current economic strife prevalent in all aspects of the economy (except perhaps in the coffers of those who have unbridled access to the doors of the Oval Office). Unemployment consistently remains at historically high levels, our national debt is measured in trillions (the debt service alone is
$18 billion monthly), and congressional representatives are displaying an impotency that even a tractor trailer load of Viagra couldn't help. Yet, Mr. Pot, being the Pollyanna type personality we have all come to love, euphemistically refers to this catastrophe as “uncertain times and uncharted waters”. I know several ostriches that would be proud of you, Mr. Pot.
Whether history tends to repeat itself or not, the repercussions remain. Our elected officials seem to have little regard for whether or not they are repeating the mistakes of the past. I am afraid, my redoubtable Mr. Pot, that the “Honorables” in our nation's capitol care far less about the intricacies of economic theory and much, much more about the power of party politics and their own individual aggrandizement.
As for your “neo european” faith in the economic models they employ across the pond, there are numerous examples why such socialistic practices would create havoc and ultimately a bleak, grey colored culture in the U.S. that would make inner city Detroit look like Disneyland. Most European nations do not have to act as the moral and militaristic captains of the world. Many have no mega-million dollar expenditures for self defense and practically all receive some type of foreign aid from Uncle Sam. Many of their health care delivery systems, especially in the UK, are collapsing through underfunding, mismanagement, and patient dissatisfaction. While the tide in Europe is definitely changing, traditionally, European governments have not had to deal with the cultural diversity, crime, and world wide responsibilities of the United States.
As for the tragic consequences of “essential” Federal employees being paid, or given IOU's or being subjected to creative accounting procedures, I challenge you demonstrate any instance where Federal bureaucracy has ever been “shafted”, especially in those areas which are controlled by organized labor. The one notable exception would be the dismissal of the PATCO union members by then President Ronald Reagan. (The topic of whether critical public safety personnel should be allowed to strike is another issue for another point/counterpoint).
I find it difficult to acknowledge any “debt” beyond back wages to furloughed employees. But then again I find it difficult to envision my tax dollars paying the salaries of a great deal of the Washington bureaucracy. The entire Departments of Education and Energy immediately come to mind. As for your “first to sacrifice”, I suggest Mr. Pot visit any Washington government office at 3 p.m. on a Friday afternoon. And forget about Congress, they generally don't have a workday on Monday or Friday.
As for the desperate attempt by our veterans in the Anacosta Flats shantytown, the whole incident demonstrates the folly of government intervention, regardless of how well intentioned it might have been. The Federal government does very little effectively or efficiently. Prim a-facie evidence is undoubtedly reflected in the disastrous and criminally wasteful attempt by the 60's liberals to declare a war on poverty. More than a half century later, and after literally hundreds of billions of tax dollars “invested”, we have more people dependent on government largesse than ever before. Within the guidelines for poverty status, the roles continue to grow, especially under the questionable leadership now being shown.
I, too, find myself deprived of continued ranting due to our agreed upon word count. In conclusion, I would like to remind Mr. Pot of a thought popularized by a former Hollywood actor who happened to run for President of the United States and win: “Government is not the solution to our nation's problems; government IS the problem”.
Respectfully,
Mr. Kettle
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