As I was browsing the news in the past few days, it seems there is a prevailing theme. President Obama has released his budget, which seems to be focused on more spending. That should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed his presidency, even if only in passing. His favorite thing to do is spend our money, even if he has to borrow to do it. Even before the budget was released, the Republicans were out in full force, declaring that fact. Paul Ryan was very quick to point out that as soon as the Congressional Budget Office had given them a baseline from which to work, the GOP would have their own budget to present. I am sure the differences between the two budgets will be easy to see, as Ryan as consistently made the case that any budget presented by the GOP would be focused on cutting spending, rather than increasing it. That much, I am glad to hear, but this bit of political volleyball is getting a bit old. I don’t blame Congressman Ryan for this, as much as I hold both the GOP leadership and the President responsible.
What we have is simple. On one hand, the President obviously thinks we need to keep spending money we do not have, as can be seen by his budget. In spite of the recommendations put forth by his much-heralded deficit commission, entitlement spending is not addressed by the budget. Even though a full consensus was not reached by the aforementioned commission, it is a given fact that entitlement spending is what is driving our debt and our deficit. If it is not addressed, the debt and the deficit will suffer accordingly. Politically speaking, the President 
probably made a smart move. In not addressing entitlement spending, he is punting the ball to the GOP and giving them plenty of rope to hang themselves with. It remains to be seen if they will use the rope, as doing so will put them in a precarious position with the voters. Even though Congressman Ryan and others, including Senator Tom Coburn, have tried to bring entitlement spending to the forefront of the debate, the GOP leadership evidently wants nothing to do with this political hot potato. Whoever brings this first to the table of budgetary negotiations is sure to reap a political windfall of negative reaction. In other words, their goose would be cooked and they can’t have that, not with the 2012 elections fast approaching.
We can blame the Democrats and the Republicans all we want, and they do rightfully share said blame, but there is someone else who shares even more of the blame than either political party. Who is this hapless entity who is abdicating their responsibility of governing? That would be the American people. For decades, we have failed to fulfill our responsibility at the polls and instead of voting for responsible leaders, we have voted for the pie in the sky. That pie is nigh to being completely spoiled and when that happens, it will boil over and spill on every one of us. When that happens, it will not be a pretty sight. So, as an American citizen and hopefully, an American voter, will you fulfill your responsibility to govern our nation through the voting booth or will you once again abdicate that responsibility and vote for the person who promises you the most for your vote? Instead of punishing the first political leader who dares suggest that entitlement spending needs to be addressed, we should be applauding them and holding them up as an example of a leader who is willing to tackle the difficult job of fixing the very real problem we have with the federal debt. It really is that simple and it really is up to us to hold our political leaders responsible. If we do not, we can expect more of the same kind of governance and nothing positive will be accomplished.
American voters have been voting their own entitlements for decades. When I tried to explain this concept to my American Government class yesterday, I explained entitlements as “goodies.” Yeah, the students, young and inexperienced as they are, understood what I was saying. The context of this discussion was the 2012 Federal Budget — stories about which were splashed across the covers of all the newspapers here in the D.C. area.
Unfortunately, I think you are right. So many people understand the concept of “goodies” that they receive from the government, but they have no inkling of where those “goodies” actually come from.
Agree totally… I have voted faithfully my whole life.. but how do we get decent candidates? I was elected to a very minor office, and it was hell. There was zero respect, and if the electorate doesn’t get what it wants, they turn on you on a dime. Snow season is often the final straw. It was for me.!~
I believe that is an important point to consider. We do need better candidates, but I’ll be honest. I have no clue how to go about recruiting those candidates. I can only imagine the nonsense you had to go through. For the most part, voters are a fickle lot and the brunt of that fickleness is usually the candidates.
You make a very important point, Larry. For a very long time the attitude of the voters is “what have you done for me lately” instead of what is good for the long term health of the Nation. The Tea Parties are the first sign that some voters are waking-up to reality. The Tea Parties and the rest of the conservative movement are going to have to wake-up a lot more voters to this reality. It is possible but I’m afraid I am losing my faith in the American people. The majority want gratification now at the expense of their children’s future.
I will go so far as to say that most American voters do not grasp the severity of the situation our country is now in. Most of them seem to be interested only in what the politicians can do for them, regardless if it is good for the country or not. In that very manner, they are guilty of abdicating their responsibility as Americans.
Nice article, LD! I have never missed my chance to vote in 37 years.
Bunkerville, I hear you on the lack of quality candidates. What I have seen in California’s state politics is gerrymandering that ensures safe ground for one party or group. The result of that is that candiddates within one party have to out do the other with their promises of goodies and to special interests. We end up with the most radical elected officials who refuse to work with the other side in Sacramento. More and more I see this Washington DC as well. The middle is not represented well and less and less gets done and the atmosphere is angry.
Thanks, KP. We need politicians who are willing to stick their necks out and do what is right for the country, even if it costs them an election. The trouble is, when that happens, then the bad behavior of candidates is reinforced, ie. they start promising the moon, if only they are elected. It seems like a never ending saga.
So true, so true. We might have avoided this loathsome, leeching attitude had we been talking about the Constitution all these years.
Constitution? We don’t need no stinkin’ constitution!
Huh? How dare you suggest such a radical idea.
Neither party is offering anything significant in terms of spending cuts. Both are intent on destroying us all. In the end, I blame us too. We’ve played partisan politics for so long, we’ll vote in any old big spender, provided it means “beating the Democrats.” We’re suckers.
I honestly wish I could find grounds on which to disagree with you, Michael. Sadly, I can not.
CL: You explained clearly why I am a grassroots Libertarian trying to build a new party from the ground up. It’s a formidable task, but what choice do we have?
Yeah, I gave up the whole partisan thing. You can’t be honest if you’re partisan. People get made when I say that, but it’s true. In my 42 years, the Republican Party has never done a thing about Constitutionally-limited government. Republican politicians lie every bit as much as the Democrats. 2 peas in a pod. “Holding your nose” and voting for the “lesser evil” has brought America to her financial knees.
I beg of everyone, don’t consent! Hold Republican feet to the fire the same way you do Democrats. No carrots. Beat ‘em with a stick! If they run another RINO, don’t vote. Let ‘em lose in a landslide! Make sure they fully understand that you don’t want them around.
Actually, I think there are some honest politicians, probably some on both sides of the aisle. The trouble is, those politicians are usually down several rungs from the top of the leadership ladder and because the leadership is so focused on retaining power, the “good ones” will probably never get close to a position of real power.
The first paragraph is brilliant. We have been doing the whole, “hold your nose” thing for far too long. We can simply no longer afford to do so. Though I would find a third party candidate to vote for, rather than stay at home. I’d rather cast my vote on a hopeless cause than stay at home. That would show the RINO Republicans that we will go with ideology over party. They either need to get with the program, or they will go politically extinct.
the CL, Michael, classic post!
Both parties and the Prez are playing mind games. I understand as long as it ends. Neither party wants to be hung out to dry. But it is also why I want to see the President lead. That is his job. Leadership from the executive branch would promote action in congress. It would also bolster Obma’s standing with independants — perhaps an unwanted by product of courageous governing.
Right now I am dieing for more people like Chris Christie and Bob MacDonnell to do something on a national scale to help my country before helping themselves get re-elected. Ironically, doing the right thing will probably get you re-elected and help America!
You made two great points Larry! The first being about the president not addressing entitlements even though his committee stated this must be done. He is challenging the Republicans to make the first move on this so that he can then turn around and use it against them. He has set a trap on this issue and I for one hope that the Republicans do try to do something about this.
Second, it is we the voters who are the most reponsible for the situation in Washington because we are the ones who keep sending the same people back there even though they are the ones screwing it up. The old saying goes something like this: you get the government you deserve, and that is exactly what we have. It is time for the American people to start taking back this country by electing responsible politicians and not letting them buy our votes through entitlements!
I agree, Steve. I hope in the next few election cycles, we can see things change for the better. Preferably starting with the 2012 elections. It is time the American voter started taking their responsibility seriously.
Great post Larry. Entitlements have to be addressed. They are simply too huge to ignore, and will be exploding due to demographics.
Neither party will commit suicide. Someone has to make a play — that someone is the President. Can he be a leader. Will he be a leader. Does he care enough. Does he evn understand. Crap, I am hoping yes. But I am not holding my breath. I have an oxygen tank!
At the end of the day, people like their pork but not paying for somebody else’s.
I just got done dismantling a few possible presidential candidates. In the end, we can blame all our problems on the American people. We hold the cards. We always have.
“So, as an American citizen and hopefully, an American voter, will you fulfill your responsibility to govern our nation through the voting booth or will you once again abdicate that responsibility and vote for the person who promises you the most for your vote?”
A spot-on identification of the main problem, and the reason why socialism is taking root here.
Thanks, Karen. Unless we get past the idea that the role of government is to provide all things to all people, we are fighting a losing battle.
This is exactly what happened to the Roman Republic before its fall. Instead of supporting good leaders that would continue to steer the republic towards prosperity Roman citizens threw their support behind the leaders that promised them the most. When the treasury finally went bankrupt and corruption was running wild the people blamed the system and once again failed to take responsibility for their own actions. They looked to a popular general to reform the system and bring back what they lost, never realizing they had the power to do this the whole time. The rest as you know is history. The Republic ended and an empire was established. The citizens traded their freedom for tyranny. This is the place we are at today. When you look at the past election year you can see this play out in the California elections when the people decided that those who promised them more deserved to be reelected. The people of California abdicated their responsibilities as defenders of liberty and freedom and punted in favor of gifts and goodies. This story plays out all over the nation Larry and I’m not sure we’re going to turn this around soon. We need to keep spreading the conservative message like there is no tomorrow, because at the rate we’re going there just not be on for us. We need this sense of urgency.
I think it is very important that we continue spreading the word. As it stands right now, I am still afraid the American people will not live up to their responsibility to elect responsible leaders. In fact, I am afraid that if the GOP does follow through with their promise to cut spending and those cuts include entitlements, they will be punished by an electorate that does not understand the severity of the situation.
Exactly …
John, very well articulated. As a Cali voter who is shaking his head at (#1) the low percentage of us that actually do voted and (#2) what they voted for, I value your views. Keep sending the message. Voter turnout is so low, especially locally and in state, that motivation through education carries the day.