Are We Moving Toward a Socialist Nation?

Now that we have survived the Presidential election, and we have come to accept the fact that the next President of the United States is of African heritage, it is now time to clear up misinformation that has swirled around this great man during the campaign. During the campaign, President-elect Barack Obama has been called “everything except a child of God.” Ironically, the mud-slinging came from those who claim to be “Christians,” but that is not the issue of this writing. President-elect Obama has been constantly referred to as a “socialist.” Many believe that because of his “liberal” views our future President will turn our “budding” capitalist system into one of socialism. Well, for those who believe that we are headed towards a socialist system, let me put your fears to rest.

It is important for the citizens of America to know and understand our history as a nation. That being said, we have been practicing socialism since former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt developed and implemented the “New Deal.” Roosevelt decided that government intervention was needed to bring the country out of The Great Depression. As a result, Roosevelt initiated various social programs, in addition to industry regulations, to aid suffering Americans. Roosevelt developed Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) in 1935 to assist children in families with low or no income. Another program established under the New Deal was Social Security. Even those who have yet to reach retirement age benefit from Social Security programs today.

In 1965, Medicaid, which provides medical assistance to low or no income families with children and Medicare, which provides medical assistance to those 65 years-of-age and older reared their socialists’ heads, taking hard earned monies from the gainfully employed to assist children and the elderly.

Consequently, socialism has been alive and kicking in these United States for several decades. However, I agree with those who believe we are headed toward a socialist government, only difference is I have been aware of our socialist tendencies for quite some time. Thus, I propose a solution to ease our woes of becoming socialist and return America to its capitalist roots, which we love and miss.

Those of us who believe it is time to stop the move toward a socialist government should take to the streets, write our Congresspersons, and demand an end to the madness. We should demand a move toward a solidified capitalist system. To that end, the following programs must cease immediately after the inauguration on January 20, 2009:

Public assistance: why should hardworking, patriotic Americans contribute the wellbeing of the lazy and unfortunate who have nothing better to do than "be fruitful and multiply?" They had the same opportunities as any other citizen in America, to include birth control and/or abstinence, and should be left to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps instead of leaning on the middleclass for survival.

Medicaid/Medicare: why should those hardworking, patriotic Americans concern ourselves with the health of children of low or no income families? They only our future, but isn't it best to live in the present? Why should be burden ourselves with the health care of the elderly? They have lived their lives, and many of them have lived unhealthy lives. Why must the middleclass be forced to care for individuals who are on their way out of existence due to their inability to abstain from indulging in a poor eating fare, overeating, drinking, smoking, and other equally as harmful practices in their lifetimes? It is ludicrous to say the least. They are the past, and it's time for us to move forward.

Social Security: why should hardworking, patriotic Americans worry with retired workers who failed to plan better for their retirement. Should we be made to supplement the income of the disabled? Aren’t there jobs available for those who suffer myriad maladies? Doesn’t the government give tax breaks to those who employ the handicapped? Lately, there has been a trend towards hiring seniors because of their great work ethics; let's put them back to work. Disabled individuals should get in where they fit in; they should take advantage of the opportunity to work in industries that hire them, opposed to taxing those of us who are already taxed beyond belief.

Unemployment Insurance: why should hardworking, patriotic Americans concern themselves with those who have lost their jobs? Of course, they have paid into the program, and that being said, they should only be allowed to take from the program what they have contributed. People should learn to budget better; saving for a rainy day is something that should be taught in every school and church across America. I can’t think of a damper situation than the loss of income. If people learned to save instead of attempting to keep up with the Joneses, they would find a nice nest egg readily available in case they lose their jobs. Let's bring back the adage of Benjamin Franklin: a penny saved, is a penny earned.

These are just a few of the programs that should come under the axe in our attempts to restore America to its capitalist roots. By alleviating such programs, hardworking, patriotic American's can better enjoy the fruits of their labor. Those of us who work without health care can better afford the health care we need because our income will be void of taxes that support the above socialist programs. Those of us who work can better save for our futures because we would be able to put monies taken out of our checks for Social Security to better use in an individual retirement account.

For sure, alleviating such programs will cause other problems: the homeless rate will rise; children of low or no income families will take to the streets in search of food; they may even resort to robbing, pick-pocketing, and stealing; the crime rate will surely increase, but that's why be built prisons; we must continue to lock criminals up for breaking the laws of this great nation.

I implore those who are against our country moving toward socialism to stand up and demand that such programs end as of January 21, 2009. Our future President has promised that he will listen to the people. It's time for the people to speak up.

Eight-year-old Arrested in the Shooting of his Father and another Man!

While reading the account of the eight-year-old boy in Arizona charged with killing his father and another man, I could not help but think about five-year-old Tre Merrit from Arkansas who killed a 445 lb. Black Bear last December. For sure, some will argue that five-year-old Merrit was merely hunting with his grandfather while the eight-year-old committed premeditated murder. According to news accounts, the town of St. John’s, Arizona is “stunned,” “shocked” by the actions of the eight-year-old. St. John’s Police Chief asked, “Who would think an 8-year-old kid could kill two adults?" I would, and I am neither stunned nor shocked.

Unfortunately, society sends mixed messages when applauding the actions of one child who kills and prosecuting the actions of another. Though we may want to argue that Merrit was hunting, the act was no less premeditated since Merrit and his grandfather sat in a stand and waited for their prey to appear. When the bear was spotted, the grandfather directed the five-year-old to “shoot.” The five-year-old did as directed and was proud of his “accomplishments,” as was his family and the media.

As a result, Merrit and his family made the morning news circuit. During interviews, Merrit’s grandfather bragged about teaching the boy to shoot at the tender age of two. The boy’s father reportedly stated that tears ran down his cheeks when he learned of his son’s accomplishments. He continued by telling of another defenseless animal that his son had killed the year before: three deer. Merrit’s father continued to list the helpless animals his son plans to kill in the future: a turkey and an elk.

Nevertheless, for a child to shoot and kill a bear that was merely passing by in the woods and not attacking him or his loved ones is just as heinous a crime as the crime committed by the eight-year-old in Arkansas. There is no difference unless one considers the differences in the treatment received and the way their behaviors are viewed.

The irony here is thick, and I am stunned and shocked that no one sees the connection between the two acts or a problem with the actions of Merrit. Merrit was paraded by the news media and praised for his fearless killing of a harmless bear. The eight-year-old will be paraded before the courts to explain his actions in the killings of his father and the other man.

According to Psychologists, children who kill animals tend to grow up and commit myriad crimes, to include spousal abuse. Again, some will argue that Merrit was hunting with his grandfather. Maybe the eight-year-old was hunting his father. The bottom line is children should not be allowed to handle firearms at any age.

For a child to shoot and kill a bear that was merely passing by in the woods and not attacking him or his loved ones is just as heinous as the crime committed by the eight-year-old in Arkansas. There is no difference. However, there are exceptions to the treatment each has received and the way their actions are viewed. (Let us pray that Merrit's Turkey is not of Turkish decent and the Elk is not a member of the Elk’s Club).