Dear Editor,
President Obama is asking for another term to complete what he has started. Let's look at what he has achieved so far:
The biggest increase in the debt in history, now over $16 trillion.
42 straight months of unemployment above 8%.
23 million unemployed/underemployed.
35 million people on food stamps.
GDP and job growth that is a fraction of what is needed for a recovery.
Even after a massive stimulus, auto bail out, cash for clunkers and green initiatives, this administration has turned "the worst economy since the great depression" into the worst recovery in history. After almost a full term in office it isn't Bush's fault anymore.
There is little doubt that Obama believes that big government has all the answers and should be in charge of everything. I think Maxine Waters accidentally told the truth when in 2008, she was lecturing oil company executives at a congressional hearing when she said: "Guess what -- this liberal would be all about? This liberal would be about socializing -- About, basically, taking over and the government running all of your companies."
From his Joe the Plumber "spread the wealth" (redistributive change) comment to his "Life of Julia" campaign slide show that demonstrated how Julia was dependant on the government for everything, to his "you didn't build that" speech it is clear that the president doesn't think that we can take care of ourselves without government help.
The Republican convention was a celebration of personal achievement while the Democratic convention was a celebration of the collective (big government). The problem is that, besides stifling the private sector and individual achievement, big government costs big money.
As Margaret Thatcher once said "... eventually you run out of other people's money."
In November we will be presented with two very different visions for the future of America. The success of the Democrat version will be measured by how much more the government does for people. The success of the Republican vision will be measured by how many people no longer need that help.
I prefer the Republican vision.
Les Lagerquist, Oakhurst
