Economic
Independence
Charlie Earl
There seems
to be a tipping point when economic conditions become difficult that determines
whether the people are restless and disgruntled or whether they become passive
and resigned to their fates. When that critical position is reached, many
people cease their struggling and concentrate on coping with the burden. In a
sense I suspect that we may be nearing that point. Although I detect a lot of
anger and dismay among many of the voters I know, I do not perceive a burning
passion surrounding many of them. It’s almost as if they are preparing
themselves for disappointment.
The two
major-party candidates are polar opposites in their approaches to the private
sector/public sector rhetoric. Governor Romney pledges to unshackle the
regulatory bindings that are restraining economic growth, and President Obama promises
to pursue the socialist pipe dream of fairness. I believe, in this regard, that
both of them are sincere, thus suggesting stark differences in their methods
for governing. It seems, therefore, that if Romney were to emerge victorious,
his policies would result in a burst of economic activity that could quell the
ambivalence and malaise that appears to surround many of our productive
sectors. That is a good thing. Economic freedom and opportunity are vital
components for liberty. On the other hand…
Just like
the prisoner that escapes from confinement there may be an immediate sense of
freedom until the sheriff’s posse hunts him down and drags his sorry butt back
to reality. President Obama has radically expanded federal and administration
power through Executive Orders and the extra-constitutional appointment of
multiple “czars.” Historically, the federal government’s reach and power
continues to grow under both of the old parties. The Democrats ratchet it
radically larger and the Republicans tweak and expand the government monster.
Each party has a different approach for expanding their power, but the bottom
lines are eerily similar. The GOP pays homage to private-sector business and
economic activity while advancing the elements of crony capitalism and
restrictive personal liberties. The Democrats kneel at the altar of the “disadvantaged”
while advancing the elements of crony capitalism and restrictive personal
liberties.
Neither of
the parties honors, follows or obeys the
Constitution of the United States of America. Indeed….their respective
approaches to unconstitutional governance have insured that as time goes on,
inherent class and economic differences among us will be expanded and lead to
more divisiveness in our nation. I fear that our battles on the economic front
will distract us from the real battle: growing government’s continued
usurpation of individual liberty. Both parties embrace the growth of government
and the use of government power to force compliance with their world views. The
capacity for government’s abuse of power grows daily, and neither party is
inclined to reverse the trend.
While I
personally yearn for an economic turnaround, I fear that robust economic
activity will mask the continual growth of government power because our eyes
will be diverted toward opportunity and away from government abuse. We may be
so relieved to have an open business and employment environment that we will
not see the growing shadow of an increasingly oppressive government. The promise
of prosperity may become a fatal distraction.
Charlie Earl
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