Inglorious Avoidance

 Democracy and Power:  104 Debt Burden

A government debt is a government claim against personal income and private property – an unpaid tax bill. – Hans F. Sennholz,

 All democracies institute programs for current voters and shift the debt to future workers, even the unborn.  Social Security, Medicare, prescriptions drug benefits for seniors are prime examples in America.

 Inglorious Avoidance

Robert Samuelson in Real Clear Politics condemns the politicians’ refusal to address and resolve our enormous government debt:

America’s budget problem boils down to a simple question: How much will we let programs for the elderly displace other government functions — national defense, education, transportation and many others — and raise taxes to levels that would, almost certainly, reduce economic growth?

 Samuelson indicts Republicans and Democrats and all presidents since Carter and is most critical that President Obama continues this inglorious avoidance.

 Samuelson correctly condemns all politicians.  Unfortunately, the politicians’ creation of public debt is an inherent flaw with all modern democracies.  Politicians please present-day voters at the expense of future generations…even the unborn. 

Politicians buy votes.  Seniors are the most frequent voters and they receive the most benefits, i.e., Social Security, Medicare and prescription drugs.  The debt problems of Ireland, California, Greece, New York, and America are all caused by the politician’s lust to be elected, which is secured by immediately pleasing the voters.  Tragically, a politician is not concerned about debt until it becomes a crisis. 

Every politician in American knew we had a debt problem but did nothing.  Appalled by the inglorious avoidance, Americans spontaneously objected to their dastardly behavior and, thus, the Tea Party crusade began.  Because of the voters’ angst and serious financial instability, politicians will finally address and attempt to resolve America’s debt problem.  Finally!

It is crucial for all Americans to understand the legislative proposals and communicate with their elected representatives.  Major decisions will be made in the next few years that will chart America’s future.

Additionally, America must debate and develop solutions to restore personal freedom and democracy.  The Contract From America asserts the essence of our Constitution:

The purpose of our government is to exercise only those limited powers that have been relinquished to it by the people, chief among these being the protection of our liberties by administering justice and ensuring our safety from threats arising inside or outside our country’s sovereign borders. 

Just as the politicians recklessly created debt, the force of government has relentlessly disregarded the Constitution.  The coercive power of government must be restricted for democracy and personal freedom to prevail and thrive. “We the People” must find additional methods to restrict government to the enumerated powers of the American Constitution.