FDR, to Congress, January 11, 1944:
We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.
Among these are:
The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;
The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
The right of every family to a decent home;
The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
The right to a good education.
All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.
None of these things are “rights”. They are things can aspire to as they pursue happiness, but a government that steals from one class of persons to steals stakes from one class of persons to give to another is not practicing “charity” but brigandage. Anyone who does not see and acknowledge that is a moral wasteland in and of themselves.
You’re indicting every Democrat and at least half of the Republican party in one fell swoop. To that I can only say “good job!” Altogether too many people “revere” Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He’s the man that Democrats aspire to be compared to – when it’s not JFK. Even Republicans seem to accept that he’s a “great” man.
True conservatives that honestly believe in a limited federal government, in individual responsibility, and in the future know and despise his twisting of the words of our founders. He wasn’t the first, he won’t be the last, but he was definitely among the worst. Right up there with Woodrow Wilson and the “O” in their dreams of government coddling the worthless.
When will people see the difference between our “rights”, which carry with them responsibility, and the entitlements that politicians are asserting for them as “rights”, which only carry enslavement?
“When will people see the difference between our ‘rights’, which carry with them responsibility, and the entitlements that politicians are asserting for them as ‘rights’, which only carry enslavement?”
Well, some people will definitely see the difference somewhere about the 12th of Never, which is why we need to find ways to exclude the willfully stupid, the uninformed and those with a direct stake in expanding government from voting. Govt bureaucraps and civil “service” employees? [BTW, these two classes frequently meet the “willfully stupid and uninformed” criteria as well :-)] Ought to be barred from all political activities and unionizing (a la the Hatch Act, which has been eviscerated)–and even from voting at all, IMO. Those receiving “welfare” assistance? Well, until charity can be returned to private hands (and State and local polities, where such public assistance is allowed by State constitutions), we need to find ways to remove the franchise from such persons as well. What to do about politicians *spit*? Well, the single most important step would be to remove much of the power of direct taxation from their hands via the FairTax. It’d at least be a good first step in removing social engineering and special interest influence from “feddle gummint” taxes. Let the taxes paid by the People be at least a little more voluntary.
That street rod you want to build? The used components would be tax free (federally, at least) under the FairTax plan, and with NO other “feddle gummint” taxation levied on you directly (or indirectly via embedded taxes placed on all the businesses in the supply chain down to you), you’d likely have more $$ in your pocket to spend on YOUR “pursuit of happiness”.
I’ve got some D friends who would say, “Yer goin’ straight to Ha-ell”, making that last word more countrified.
Your category of No More Bullshit reminds me that an old friend, Ed Kugler had a website of the same name. Ed is fighting cancer and could use your prayers. He’s a No Bullshit kind of guy.
WILCO, TF.