Something Doesn’t Smell Right…

February 4, 2009 – Whew!  We almost got two more tax crooks in the Obama cabinet.  But we were saved, if you can believe it, by the New York Times (NYT) Op-ed page.  I don’t know who wrote about it because I don’t read that slanted rag.  Can’t believe anyone does but it appears that Tom Daschle does.  He credited a NYT writer with his decision to withdraw his name from consideration according to Fox News yesterday.  He goes down with Nancy Killefer who owes Washington, DC, nanny taxes (less than $1,000 in her defense) and was going to be “Chief Performance Officer” for Obama.  Representative Eric Cantor, Republican from Virginia, is quoted in the Wall Street Journal as saying “it is easy for the other side to advocate for higher taxes because – you know what? – they don’t pay them”.  Like I wasn’t thinking that, but hey if I can quote somebody maybe it’s more creditable.  So the smell from the new administration is really only a bad scent with Geithner appointed – you know the guy who runs the IRS and hadn’t paid all his taxes.

This is a good time to mention that the greatest economic stimulus would be for Washington to adopt the Fair Tax.  Obama wouldn’t be having these problems now if we had that.  If you haven’t heard about it, go to www.fairtax.org and/or get Neal Boortz’s books on the subject.  What a tank of oxygen that would be for all of us.  Picture yourself NEVER having to file Federal income tax returns again.  If you are skeptical and don’t want to do the research, just take my word for it.  It will work but the screaming of all those who get benefits from the current tax code will be like none you’ve ever heard.  The politicians will die before letting it happen.

Today, I want to address one of the issues where the majority of you and I agree.  That is we don’t want the government to take over our economy.  I believe that this is one of the Democrat Party’s agenda items.  For those of you who believe that government can do it better or are trying to decide, I have one question for you.  What government program can you point to where the government delivers service economically and effectively?  I don’t know of one.  Show me a program that exists and I can show you waste, fraud and abuse – yes all three.  For those of you who point to the Defense Department with examples, I can assure you from personal experience; whatever you point to is not NEARLY AS BAD as other cabinet departments.  None of them have the oversight that DoD has and you can be sure that all the others are just spreading our tax dollars around at the will of legislators.  In DoD, what appears to be waste, is usually some of the defense appropriation being earmarked for some legislator.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are two quasi-government slush funds for Barney Frank and Chris Dodd.  Read up on the history time line in just the last four years and listen to Barney Frank as late as last year saying there was nothing wrong at Fan and Fred.  That is what CAUSED this recession.  Okay if you don’t believe it, point to another cause and don’t say THEY meaning Wall Street or any other vague group.  Name names.  I did.

So the question is often asked:  Do you want Obama to succeed?  If taking over our economy his a goal, then the answer is NO!

-Bill Bramer

Retired Naval Officer

St. Aug News Contributor