I know it is usually TEOTWAWKI (The end of the world as we know it). But in this case it is TEOTUSAAWKI (The end of the USA as we know it).
Yes, I’m going to go there. I told myself to stop writing about depressing topics here, but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.
So here are my disjointed thoughts…
First of all, I’m going to take back something I’m sure I have said here. If I ever said that there is basically no difference between the Republicans and Democrats, I completely take it back. I voted for McCain (reluctantly), but I’m quite sure we would not have seen this complete in your face, screw you American citizens display that we have seen over the past few days if he had won. Sorry to use that kind of language, but what else can you say? It was such a blatant display of disrespect and disregard for the wishes of the country that the only other way to describe it would be to use profanity.
I keep thinking about all the young people and others who voted for Obama thinking they were getting something pure and great and above the political fray. A uniter who would do great things and move America forward. Who offered a transparent government. Who would let people examine laws before they were signed. Who would broadcast the discussions. What percentage of them are disillusioned? What percentage feel completely hoodwinked? What percentage are angry? I can’t imagine many of them are very happy. They did not get what they thought they were electing.
What do all the government teachers tell their students today about a representative republic and the process of making laws? But I guess we shouldn’t be surprised. Our country is run on almost every level by people who do whatever it takes to do what they want. Government, banks, etc. Why should we be surprised if the federal government just chooses to ignore the Constitution?
If that doesn’t concern and scare you, you aren’t paying attention.
And then we get people like this who are excited about their free healthcare:
“It’s just going to be like Christmas,” said DeCarlo Flythe, who lost health coverage for his family when he was laid off almost three years ago. “It’s going to be great. You know, no worries (about) the bills. We are going to go ahead and pay our co-pay and be alright.”
Norman Rucker said he hasn’t had health insurance in almost 10 years because his employers haven’t offered it.
“I’m not a person who gets sick a lot, so I didn’t think I’d need any medicine” said Rucker, who racked up about $100,000 in hospital bills over that period by going to the emergency room whenever he needed care. “I’m trying to pay them off. Collection agencies call me all the time.”
Rucker’s wife has insurance, but the couple couldn’t afford to put him on the policy. Now, he’s excited he may also have coverage because of health care reform.
“It’ll make the world better. It’ll make us all better, actually,” he said.
EXCEPT WHO IS GOING TO BE PAYING FOR ALL THE BILLS YOU RUN UP!??!?!?!??!?!
Yes, I am shouting. This stuff just drives me nuts. It is like the money is just going to appear from nowhere and pay all those bills that they run up in the future.
You know, I got into a lot of trouble by writing about my frustration with coupons and such to get grocery deals. I was trying to make people see that someone somewhere is paying for those great loss leaders and megadeals at CVS or Walgreens. I lost readers over that post. People deleted me from their sidebar and people who had been online friends have not spoken to me since. But I stand by my main point.
NOTHING IS FREE. SOMEONE SOMEWHERE IS PAYING FOR IT.
The same thing with healthcare. Why do all these people think they are going to get something for nothing?
I can tell you who won’t be paying for it. It won’t be me. And I suspect there are many others who will adopt the same strategy. What strategy is that? Opting out.
Why would David and I work harder to just get taxed more? Why would we ever try to expand our business to add more employees? It isn’t worth it.
We’ve been looking at houses and wanting to move into something bigger. But I have to say that lately we’ve actually talked about staying here or even downsizing. There is no way in the world I am going to slave away all day to send more and more money to the government. I will simply opt out of the system as much as possible. Yes, we’ll pay our bills and taxes. But we certainly won’t do anything that will contribute any more than absolutely necessary. And as more and more people lose faith in the system, I suspect that they will make similar choices.
It really may be the beginning of TEOTUSAAWKI. It may take decades, but this country has changed. I agreed with Rush that I hoped Obama would fail to accomplish what he was going to try to do. (I lost readers over that comment too.) And I also agree with Rush that the country is hanging by a thread.
Thank God this is not our ultimate home and we have something better to look forward to!
Anyone else want to vent?