As the government takeover rolls on, I'm trying to convince myself that it's a "good thing". Perhaps, in fact, it is the responsibility of the federal government to make everything "fair", to make us all "equal", and to punitively take from those who have accomplished more to give to those who just don't feel like putting out that much effort. After all, they're "victims" and all that..
It's not as if I have much choice, y'know? And the Republicans can't whine - they brought this on themselves, and have no one to blame but themselves.
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So now I find myself hoping that one Democrat will be honest about their real motivations, their real intentions. Maybe someone can slip a little truth serum into their organic carrot juice for me. Or, perhaps further Democrat victories and increased majorities in the 2010 elections will embolden one of them to let the proverbial cat out of the bag.
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If this were to happen, I believe we would hear something like this:
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"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm in the mood to spill the beans, so here we go: The Democrat party and its constituency feel it's time to bring America down a few notches, and that's exactly what we're going to do.
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"To be honest, we feel guilty about the prosperity, power and influence that America has achieved during its relatively short life. Simply put, we have too much. Our Constitution was so brilliantly conceived and executed that we have vaulted far ahead of every other country on the planet in only 230-some-odd years.
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"We have so much more than most other countries that it's embarrassing, and we're tired of hurting their feelings.
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"So, we have two choices: We can either inspire and motivate the rest of world to rise up and achieve more, or we can just bring America down.
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"It's a tough choice at first glance, but look, you have to remember that we don't really believe in the individual. We believe in government and bureaucracy. So the choice really isn't that difficult. So here's the plan: We're going to lower America's standard of living, effective immediately.
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"First we are going to raise taxes and regulations on those we deem to be rich. Then we are going to drastically increase the scope, influence and authority of the federal bureaucracy. Only two measures, but highly effective in decreasing our standard of living. This will accomplish several things at once.
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"First, higher taxes will de-incentivize people and companies to compete and innovate. Second, increased taxes and regulations will motivate companies to downsize, move overseas, or both. Third, redistribution of wealth to the lower earners will make them more and more dependent on the federal bureaucracy and lock in their votes for generations. The whole thing will feed on itself, as the federal bureaucracy grows more and more in influence.
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"This is how we will create a lower standard of living. For example, more people will have health coverage, but the standard rationing of care and the death of competition and innovation will decrease the overall quality of care. Higher and higher taxes - not just income, but across the board - will mean the average American will have less available money to purchase things that hurt the feelings of people in other countries. New big screen, new car, that kind of thing. And tougher and tougher regulations and taxes on businesses will lead to higher consumer prices and further decreases in our standard of living.
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"Then, finally, America will be brought down to where it needs to be. Other countries won't be jealous of our prosperity, power and influence. No one's feelings will be hurt. And Democrats won't feel so guilty.
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"Look, I can understand that this may be a bit of a shock. But trust your government, we'll take care of you. And if you're concerned about the Constitution, we have that covered too. We've convinced many that it's a living, breathing document. Plus, whenever we're backed into the corner about the size and scope of government, we can just point to that Promote The General Welfare line and we're good to go.
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"Now, sit back, and enjoy.
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"Can I have a bit more organic carrot juice?"
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