Hope is not a hand-out

Land of opportunity or something for nothing.  Masters of our destiny, or victims of government.  The choice could not be clearer.    Do we want to adopt the no growth, high tax, government managed economic systems of a declining Europe or rededicate ourselves to individual freedom and responsibility?

Declaring we need to “spread the wealth” and “paying higher taxes is patriotic”, Democrats led by Obama want an American welfare state.  After blowing over a trillion dollars on mortgage welfare, Obama is pushing for $3.4 trillion in new welfare spending over the next decade, including annual transfer payments of $170 billion increasing the number of households on the government dole to 48%.

The Fannie and Freddie financial fiasco confirm the failure of government welfare programs.  Bailing out the sub prime, nothing down, no interest for five year, mortgage mess has cost over a trillion dollars. The only people who got rich on this welfare program are former Fannie and Freddie leaders like Barack Obama advisor Franklin Raines – $90 million; politicians like Chris Dodd and Obama – hundreds of thousands in campaign contributions and below market mortgages; and bankers who played by Freddie and Fannie rules.  In 2005, after financial shenanigans under Raines sent up red flags, John McCain and Chris Shays tried to reign in these institutions, only to be blocked by Democrats who stuck their heads in the sand and hands in our pockets.

Obama’s reaction to this problem belies his class warfare mentality and inability to challenge corruption within his party.  He simplistically shouts, “Wall Street Bad” implying “Government Good.”  While Chris Shays demands an investigation into Congress’s failures to manage Fannie and Freddie, Obama turns the other way giving a pass to Dodd and Barnie Frank who supported this failed social experiment.  Amazingly Di Master’s who is running to be our State Representative accepted an endorsement from Dodd who helped create the mortgage mess.  One party rule of the Executive and Legislative branch will eliminate the checks and balances so key to ensuring that we are protected.

Obama’s welfare state is paid for by increased debt or taxes on corporations, investment income, and 5% of tax payers.  Many of the 5% are small business owners.  The US already has the second highest corporate tax rate and the gap is growing.  Between 2000 and 2007 US corporate tax rates were 39.3% (almost 40% in Connecticut).  Ireland has 12.5%.  Increasing taxes will be paid for through higher prices, and jobs moved to lower tax countries. This is an investment deterrent.

Europe’s slow growth, low income, and high unemployment are linked to extensive welfare programs.  Half of Europe’s economy is government controlled compared to 37% in the US.  Europe’s growth rates are one third slower, per capita income is 30% lower, and chronic unemployment (more than 12 months) is four times greater than the US.  In Europe, the addition of more programs has led to reductions in services.  Similarly, Obama’s proposals jeopardize maintaining our existing Social Security and Medicare programs.

John Frey and Toni Boucher have fought against Connecticut’s urban Democrats who control Hartford, and whose objective is to transfer money from Ridgefield to their constituents.  Hartford forecasts a $300 million deficit for 2008-09 followed by a $2 billion deficit for 2009-10.  We already pay the highest state and local taxes in the country.  Those who can, leave.  We cannot afford more new social programs and taxes.

Beyond the economy, McCain-Palin, Shays, Frey, Boucher and Wise are better for Ridgefield, Connecticut, and America.  They want us to remain strong and respected. John McCain, Chris Shays and Alaska Governor Palin have been to Iraq more than Obama.  Joe Biden just admitted Obama’s election would precipitate an international crisis and that Obama would need help because it may not be apparent that his response is correct.  Obama’s desire to negotiate with Akmadenijad who claims Israel is a stinking corpse that should be removed from the planet without preconditions is as John McCain has said naïve and dangerous.  Obama will as Biden said bring us to the brink of a nuclear crisis like Kennedy.  Only Obama never served on a ship like Kennedy and McCain.

Republicans stand for opportunity not handouts, independence not dependence.  This is the only path to global success.  Ignore the polls, pundits and press, and for a better America vote McCain-Palin, Shays, Frey, Boucher, and Wise.  It’s your right and your future.

Jim Carroll
Chairman, Ridgefield Republican Town Committee