Experience Teaches Us…

          One thing we all have in common: sooner or later experience teaches us to be wary of “leaders” who have all the answers. When we are children, we need parents on whom we can rely for worldly knowledge and guidance. When we become adults, it’s on us. WE have to be the ones who evaluate what we believe, guide our actions, and sort through the hype for truth. It isn’t easy. Truth and fairness are never as alluring as the grand promises of demagogues.

           For example, a ‘flat tax that treats everyone the same’ sounds great, but would be disastrous for people without the money to influence Congress (meaning YOU). That hideous ‘Death Tax’ that’s so unfair? It only affects individuals with more than five million dollars, and couples with more than ten million to bequeath. And only the amounts in excess of those limits. Eliminating it creates a huge windfall for people who already have more money than you will earn in your entire lifetime. If ever there were a victimless tax, it is the estate tax.

           Slashing government, and government services, killing off help for people in need, tearing away the things the Great Depression proved were necessary—these are all examples of throwing away what experience has taught America in the past.

           Around here, we think ordinary folks need to sort through the scat, identify the demagogues and go-along goofs in Congress, and deliver a little worldly guidance in the voting booth, because…the NEXT Great Depression isn’t going to be as pretty as the last one.