Do you think America needs a vibrant economy with a private sector that can compete in today’s global economy or a bigger government that has to take more from citizens to feed its expanding entitlements? Do you want to earn your own American Dream or do you want to be dependent upon government giving you the same dream as everyone else? Do you want a job or endless government handouts? It’s time for choices, because America’s wakeup call is just beginning.
The lead statements from one day’s newspaper headlines speak to the depth of the problems America faces: “Austerity ahead…more economic pain…gripped by uncertainty…brace for a year of stubbornly high unemployment…inevitable layoffs…foreclosures on the rise…high debt…a sputtering housing market.” Have you had enough?
Robert Arnott, Research Affiliates chief, said for Fortune: “Fiscal discipline has been largely lacking at all levels, creating a debt burden far beyond historical precedent. If you factor in Social Security, Medicare, state and local debt, and what Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac owe, our total public debt is now at 141% of GDP. Add in household and corporate debt, and the unfunded portion of entitlement programs, and it’s 840% of GDP.”
Future demographic changes just make matters worse! Arnott warns, “In 2002, the U.S. was adding 10 new working-age people for every senior citizen. By 2023, that flips to 10 new retiree wannabes for each new working-age person.”
President Obama’s excuse: “The road to recovery is never straight.” Predictably, he suggests more tax credits to create 17,000 “green” jobs. He’s fiddling with government stimulus funds while America’s economy continues to flounder. By not even trying to be bipartisan, for failing to honor his promise of transparency and for over-speaking to the point of irritation, President Obama is more a liability than a leader. Instead of recognizing the “Dead End” warnings and changing course, Democrats are picking up speed toward the cliff ahead! In the words of former Laker announcer Chick Hearn, “The mustard is coming off the hot dog.”
Terry Paulson
Terry Paulson, PhD is a psychologist, award-winning professional speaker, author of
The Optimism Advantage: 50 Simple Truths to Transform Your Attitudes and Actions into Results, and long-time columnist for the Ventura County Star.
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