02-30-2009
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Brad Harrington
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Subject: The Hugest Heist in History
Bradley Harrington writes another excellent open letter regarding the
problems that we face in light of the Obama administration's spending
over just one short year.
THE HUGEST HEIST IN HISTORY
By Bradley Harrington
"What is prudence in the conduct of every private family,
can scarce be folly in that of a great kingdom." —
Adam Smith, "The Wealth Of Nations," 1776–
In a commentary I wrote shortly after the 2008 presidential
election, in discussing the upcoming fiscal policies of the
soon-to-be Obama administration, I said: "You are about
to witness a government spending spree that is going to make
the meddling of FDR's 'New Deal' or LBJ's 'Great Society'
look like penny-ante poker in comparison."
I was chastised, at that time, by many for my "alarmist"
prediction. Now, over a year later, let's look at the facts:
(1) Previous spending: in our rear-view mirror, we see nothing
but bailouts—AIG, GM, Chrysler, "stimulus" spending, etc.
Price tag: well over $1 trillion.
(2) Current/projected spending: "jobs" bill just passed by
House; price tag of $154 billion; "omnibus" spending bill just
signed into law by President Obama; price tag of $447 billion;
health care "reform" proposals; price tag of $1 trillion.
"'The New Deal by today's standards involved a miniscule
amount of spending,' said Allan J. Lichtman, a professor
of political history at American University." ("Analysis:
Obama plans eclipsing New Deal spending," Tom Raum, Associated
Press, Feb. 20.)
And more:
(3) Federal budget: fiscal year ending in 2009, $3.1 trillion;
fiscal year 2010, $3.55 trillion, an increase of nearly half a
trillion.
(4) Federal budget deficits: fiscal year 2009, $1.42 trillion;
projected federal budget deficit for fiscal year 2010, $1.2
trillion. Projected federal budget deficits over the next
decade, $9.1 trillion.
(5) National debt: this stood at $9.9 trillion in 2008, and was
lifted to $12.1 trillion in February of this year. And, in
just the last few days, Congress and President Obama lifted
that ceiling again by another $290 billion (barely enough to
fund the federal government's ocean of red ink for another
piddling two months), and both intend to raise that ceiling
again come February, when it is expected to be boosted to
$14 trillion. In fiscal year 2010, this will equal 98.1% of
our GDP.
Translation: Our national debt will soon equal the entire
amount of production of the entire United States for an
entire year.
So, who pays for it all? Who provides the blank check? The
producers, who else? Money does not grow on trees, despite
what our "leaders" seem to think—if they think at all.
And don't kid yourself about how it's only the "rich" who
will pay for this: there simply aren't enough "rich" people
in this country to fund a $14 trillion bill. With a current
population of 308 million, the national debt now exceeds
$40,000 per capita; when the debt ceiling gets raised again
in the next couple of months, that figure will jump to
over $45,000 for every man, woman and child in America.
This, I submit, is an absolute looting spree, happening right
before our eyes, and, as such, constitutes the hugest heist in
all of human history. It is nothing less than an irrational,
amoral, legalized, politically-promoted plundering of the
productive assets of the United States, with no thought or
reason given to the consequences, of which there can only be
one: total, terminal economic dissolution and disintegration.
And what can we expect from such a collapse? Social
catastrophe, martial law and the final destruction of the
American Republic. What did Rome get when she fell, devastated
by taxes and control? The barbarians and the Dark Ages. What
did Germany's Weimar Republic get when she was shattered by
hyperinflation? Adolph Hitler and the Nazis.
That is the future that awaits us, should we continue our
present course: and not in some far-off, distant time, but in
the next few years. Is that the "American Dream" you'd like to
experience for yourself and your children?
And, if not, what do you intend to do about it? Sitting on
your butt, collecting a "welfare" check and voting for more
of the same is no longer an acceptable answer.
If you think it is, you might choose to ponder the words of
one of America's Founding Fathers who had a much better grasp
of the issue: "If ye love wealth better than
liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest
of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or
arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your
chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you
were our countrymen!" (Samuel Adams, Philadelphia State
House Speech, 1776.)
As for the rest of us, isn't it about time we rolled up our
sleeves?
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Bradley Harrington is a former United States Marine and a
free-lance writer who lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
As Brad asks, "what do you intend to do about it?"
In addition to the usual actions of writing and speaking out against
the policies that are leading to the decline and fall of America, here
are some activist-oriented organizations to investigate. If you find
one that meets your requirement, join in and add your efforts to the
cause of restoring liberty to America.
- Tea Party Organizations
- Other Activist Organizations
- Petitions
- Direct Actions You Can Take
If you know of other good activist organizations or actions that
you would like to recommend, please sent them to me and I will include
them on this list.
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