Opinion - Tip of the Iceberg

Tip of the iceberg

That’s My Opinion

By Bob Robinson

Sept. 10, 2010

I find it interesting that few locals spoke out against the unprecedented attacks against former president G. W. Bush or the continued attacks against him by the current administration. Yet, in the midst of similar attacks against the policies of this administration, there are voices in the wilderness saying we are “bullies” and resorting to “trashtalk” in expressing our opinions.

A good friend says it’s time to lay off Obama. I welcome his opinion, but I heartily disagree.

The political system has, unfortunately, been delegated to bullies. Both sides participate with unbridled enthusiasm. As long as we have this system, there will be bullying.

The voting public has the responsibility to be familiar with both sides of any issue and decide for themselves. However, we don’t do that, so the vast majority of opinions are formed from sound bites and 30-second television and radio spots.

That’s “bullying” in its purest form.

Those who choose to be detailed in their analysis, support and/or criticisms, reach a smaller but more vocal audience. And are often criticized for it. To me, the dialog is worthwhile and part of our Constitutional right of free speech. It needs to be increased, not squelched.

Another good friend of mine sent me a blistering commentary by a left-wing columnist… kind of reminded me of the good old days when Republicans were poisoning water, starving children and throwing old people out in the streets. Both sides engage in “trashtalk,” and both sides have equal access to the Internet, including my blog.

I was told it was unfair to criticize our president for being upbeat about our economy. What is there to be upbeat about? Our economy is a disaster, and frankly, I’m tired of our president blaming his failed policies on his predecessor.

He needs to own up to his mistakes and start listening to other options in the bipartisan manner he promised when he was campaigning.

Finally, I was challenged to tell what policies the Republicans could come up with that would be different than the eight years under Bush. First of all, the Bush years were doing quite well economically following the recovery from a devastating attack on Sept. 11. It didn’t start to fail until the Dems were put in charge of the institution that spends the money… the House of Representatives.

I’m talking about the Bush years, not the Taft years in Ohio. Two different animals.

I can’t tell you what Republicans will do if and when they are once again in charge. I can only tell you what I would do.

Keep the tax structure as it is for the moment and take a scalpel to spending. Primary targets would be foreign aid, corporate welfare, frivolous and dead-end spending and earmarks. NO new government spending. It’s history!

Maybe an ax would be better.

I’d pressure Congress to pass a sensible line-item veto bill. Spending that does not benefit the nation as a whole or fall into one of the legitimate responsibilities of the federal government must be dumped!

Financial support for the United Nations will be the first to go. This ludicrous organization can start paying rent… and foreign diplomats can start paying their parking tickets.

Then I’d go after the bureaucratic snafus our elected officials have placed on a market economy that is 75 to 80 percent small business. The agencies that are supposed to protect us against the machinations of big business will be strengthened and told to perform or be replaced.

I’d build a plan to decrease the tax rate – especially for those businesses that drive our economy – and streamline the taxation process. Deductions not available to all businesses and individuals, regardless of size or income, would be eliminated. Some of our richest entities can access loopholes that reduce their tax liabilities to zero. U.S. based companies with operations in other countries will have the same tax liabilities as all other U.S. companies.

I’d allow health insurance companies to operate across state lines to increase competition, then require a plan to include pre-existing conditions in much the same way that auto insurance companies have to offer assigned-risk plans.

We have to balance our trade deficit. Products that don’t meet our health and safety requirements are banned. Nations wishing to trade in U.S. markets must be similarly open to U.S. products in their markets.

I’d work to get the federal government the hell out of the business of providing services. This includes Fanny and Freddie, Social Security, Medicare and a host of others. Big Brother should be protecting our rights, not taking care of us.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, folks. It’s short range and incomplete… I’d have to write a book to really unravel this mess. It’s going to take generations to fix it.

Think I should run for president again? You’ll have to give me a Congress that will work with me.

That’s my opinion. What’s yours?

Bob Robinson is the retired editor of The Daily Advocate, Greenville, Ohio. If you wish to receive a daily notification of his comments, opinions and reports, send your email address to: opinionsbybob@gmail.com. Feel free to express your views.