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Greece today

America tomorrow?

August 29, 2012

Many in our nation are just “Bide’n” time, awaiting November’s election. Far to the left, they’re still giving away nets full of fish — someone else’s catch. Wouldn’t we rather teach others how to fish? On the right, they’re accused of greasing granny’s wheelchair, then sending it over a cliff! 


By the numbers, including inflation, my own 1960s family, like many others in post-war recovery, would have qualified for every morsel of LBJ’s Great Society, had it passed in time to “benefit” us. Yet, 50 years ago, woe be to anyone who might have come to our home offering the fruits of your labor to my WWII-era father. Hard-working, tough and proud throughout his 92 years, he’d have abruptly shown them the door!


Why wasn’t Margaret Thatcher born a half-century ago? Would her quote about “soon running out of other people’s money” have enlightened President Johnson? Doubtful!


Recently, my day subbing gave me pause when a student left his economics book behind. Upon locating the chapter on borrowing and spending, an idea struck me. Let’s invest some private sector cash to buy econ books for members of Congress — Republicans and Democrats alike. They might then understand that a net full of fish — bought for a dollar a pound and given away on a borrowed buck 40 — your buck 40, cannot bring prosperity. That’s today’s STIM-U-LESS formula.

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Just run the numbers. Both parties have been at the glutinous trough for decades. Now in financial straits, one side wants to spend even more. And our new trillions in debt certainly aren’t pocket change. The other party would plug the tap. Assuredly, it’s time for a change. 


America cannot survive in its current debt-ridden state. None in the world ever have! Greece was the first nation in history to implement world trade, right down to its responsible “Lloyd’s of London” type insurance on ships and precious cargo. Somehow though, they’ve lost their way. 


Eventually, Greece swallowed the borrow and spend bait. Caught on a well-honed fishhook, just look at them now! Without change, we could be next.


Tom V. Ellis
Danville

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