The Government's Track Record: Let's Take a Look
If It's Broke, Stop It.
The Post Office.
The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775. So they've had 234 years to get it right. It is broke, and even though heavily subsidized, it can't compete with private sector Federal Express and UPS services.
Social Security.
Social Security was established in 1935. So that's 74 years they've had to get it right. It's broke.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Fannie Mae was established in 1938. They've had 71 years to get it right. It is broke. Freddie Mac was established in 1970. They've had 39 years to get it right; it is broke. Together Fannie and Freddie have now led the entire world into the worst economic collapse in 80 years.
The War on Poverty.
The War on Poverty was started in 1964. As Ronald Reagan said, "Poverty won." They've had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our hard earned money is transferred to "the poor" annually. How has that been working out?
Medicare and Medicaid.
Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965. They've had 44 years to get it right. They are both broke. Those are the big items on the government's health care resume, along with the VA. So the government does have a lot of health care experience. Make you feel better?
AMTRAK.
AMTRAK was established in 1970. They've had 39 years to get it right; last year they bailed it out, and it continues to run at a loss. Are we sure they're on the right track?
Stimulus Bill.
This year, a trillion dollars was committed in the massive political payoff called the Stimulus Bill of 2009. Most of the money has not been spent, so why not use it to fix something that's broken? (See above list. ) Or give it back. It really hasn't shown much effectiveness. It has increased the size of governments across America , and raised government salaries while the rest of us suffer from economic hardships. It has yet to create a single new private sector job. Our national debt projections have increased 400% in the last six months. Stimulated now?
Cash for Clunkers.
"Cash for Clunkers" was established in 2009 and went broke in 2009 - - after 80% of the cars purchased turned out to be produced by foreign companies, and dealers nationwide were buried under bureaucratic government paperwork. Still, the dealers are gradually being reimbursed, and sales were good during clunker season. They have been dismal since, but let's wait till the end of the year to see if this was a big clunker.
The government has a perfect record on these particular programs. They're all broke. Not an impressive resume. Are you sure you want to hire them to run America's health care system?
Aren't our grandchildren going to look at this brilliant record and then look at us and say "what part of "broke" didn't you understand?"
Postscript:
I love this country. It's one of the places on this pretty blue planet where you're allowed to question and confront the government without fear of reprisal. Let's keep it that way. God bless America!
Published by Linda Louise Johnson
Linda Louise Johnson is an animal lover, crafter and hobbyist, graphic art afficionado and veteran writer. Her work has been featured on Associated Content, Yahoo! News, and eHow as well as in Poetry Garden,... View profile
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45 Comments
Post a CommentThe IRS??!! Linda, were you being facetious? (in one of your responses to a comment). My brother actually had the enlightening misfortune to work for this infernal organization. His conscience made him resign on ethical grounds after he saw so many cruel, unjust & unnecessary bottom-line calls made. When he worked out a difficult plan w/ a desperate family so they could make payments & keep their home, his boss tossed the paperwork in the trash & told him "Take the house. If you can't handle that, you don't belong here." He didn't belong. Just one of many horror stories he saw unfold. Our own mother dealt w/ the IRS for a decade over a debt her dead ex never owed to begin with. Long story. But the IRS garnisheed her pitiful wages for yrs. My brother compares IRS to the Mafia. As for the P.O. the internet has a LOT to do w/ the current $ loss. These are valid issues, LL, but seen through tunnel vision. I like your formatting & style, though!
This is right on target.
At least your last lines saved me from being completely bummed. But seriously, let me defend the post office. They bring my mail to the end of my driveway six days a week, deliver my packages anywhere in the United States within a few days and elsewhere in the world in not much longer (except for Canada, and that's Canada's damn fault), and it's still less expensive than UPS and FedEx. It is my understanding that they do not receive federal funding anymore but are self-sufficient, which is most likely the problem--they are asked to do SO much, and they, uh, deliver. You also didn't mention our incredibly expensive military--the best in the world.
Nice list Linda. Like I heard said by Newt last night on O'Reilly, "wanna do a lot to fix health care woes? Make it so insurance can be sold nationwide and that no one can be denied due to current health conditions." Seems like suddenly the problem would lessen by about what, 90%? Naw, instead let's do the most expensive and potentially most disastrous thing possible. They aren't about fixing anything - if they were Newt's suggestion would clearly be the way to go. Let's start a coalition and make the Lefties listen and DO THIS FIRST before they bankrupt us!
Linda, a lot of the things you claim to be "broke" provide useful services to millions of Americans, if not the entire population. To take the most extreme example, we lost a ton of money fighting World War II. Does that mean we were unwise to fight it? If government seems to be reaching too far into the private sector today, it is because the ethics of the private sector, once acceptable, have gone to Hell in a handcart. The price of less government intervention is more corporate responsibility. You know it as well as I.
It's always tough to look at the facts, but how can anyone deny this track record? Great job and interesting vantage point, Linda.
Well stated, LLJ
Good job! You're great at presenting facts persuasively.
I like the way you think!
Love your take on this, awesome job!