Nero Fiddles as Our Country Slips Away

We are witnessing the disintegration of the great idea espoused by our Founding Fathers and, they hoped, protected for all time by the structure and limitations set out in our Constitution. They pledged and risked "their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor" to achieve this country and this Constitution.

Those statesmen were well aware of the failings of democracy – and of the short-lived nature of the ones that had risen and fallen throughout history. They were determined that this would not happen to the United States of America, a place where personal freedoms and private property would be protected by limitations on government, and where every man would have the opportunity to succeed or fail on his own merits and the vicissitudes of Lady Luck.

But it is happening; we are going the way of all the others, and the main reason we are is that so many people decided that they were smarter and knew better than the men we call the Founding Fathers.

The downhill slide probably began when the smart people decided we should tax away the fruits of men’s labors and redistribute that wealth among those who failed or who refused to engage in an honest occupation. Without these revenues, there would be no welfare for able-bodied people and no monster government. There is no point in advocating an anti-income tax crusade, but a simple flat tax combined with greatly reduced government and reduced government spending would go far in getting us back to our roots and regain that which made us great.

The ridiculous idea of a “Super Committee” and its predictable failure shows all who care to see that most of our legislators and others in government service are more committed to keeping their jobs and keeping their benefits and their opportunities to profit at our expense – than in serving the public. I have long opposed term limits, but the corruption and utter failure of our government has changed my mind.

Super Committee Proves Point for Term Limits

By Bill Tatro 11/23/2011 Townhall

If there was ever a case for term limits, the actions of this past week have certainly demonstrated that now is the time.

Twelve Senators and Congressmen were asked to not make budget cuts, but to simply slow down the growth rate of government.

The greatest con is that a budget increase of 10% reduced to 7% is considered a 30% reduction in growth.

The growth, however, is still 7%.

The attitude exemplified by all these politicians of both parties is one of entitlement, which explains why nobody wants to do anything that will rock their boat. Just imagine if you were an elected official.

You would be entitled to pension and healthcare benefits that are far superior to the benefits available to the very same citizens that you govern. You would be able to access inside information and buy stock based upon that information, thereby dramatically increasing your net worth.

You can buy a useless piece of land, and based upon your decision and your special committee, create actions that will make that land worth a fortune.

You can buy IPOs related to companies whose future is predicated upon your public statements and influence.

All of these things would send anyone else to jail.

As Steve Kroft on 60 Minutes said, “It not illegal, but it certainly isn’t right.”

When presented with all the benefits of nationally elected officials, why would anyone want to leave public office?

Thus, in my opinion, any decision by the twelve super committee members was not done for the benefit of this country, but simply for the twelve’s own self interests.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Any twelve people who did not have a personal vested interest would have been able to accomplish the assigned task.

Most likely, here’s what they would have done. On the revenue side, institute the jobs repatriation act which states that all corporations pay a flat 20% tax. No loopholes. There, revenue is done.

On the spending side, all increases to the federal budget frozen for the next three years, with a 3% increase to offset inflation.

There, spending is done.

The combined total of these measures would far exceed the $1.2 trillion which was sought after.

Why was this so easy?

Because the twelve members in my committee weren’t running for re-election; instead they just proposed the right thing.

Term limits, the time has come.