Never has so much been taken from so many by so few. I have to channel Winston Churchill to describe the historic gutting of social programs that we are all about to witness due to the Great Recession. Those of a certain age will remember a time when teachers used to say, “I Got Mine” and that you have to get yours. It was a way of admonishing students, that they have to get their education in order to progress in life. In most cases, after this reprimand, the class would calm down.
Today, “I Got Mines” can be put in a completely different context. Instead of the cautionary words of a concerned educator, this sentence is the battle cry of the wealthy who will not relent in the advocacy of their own interests. And replacing the idea of “getting yours” is the constant push to “take yours” In other words, you are told that you have to give up the little bit that you do have so the country can “move forward” Sounds like hyperbole, doesn’t it? Not when you consider the now infamous words of Mr. Orrin Hatch.
The plan is to ensure that the have nots have even less. In reality, it represents a form of theft. If some are uncomfortable with the notion of these “reforms” along with others as a kind of theivery, then this is the kind of language needed to bring the concept home. Too many people think the concept of stealing only applies to people who have not stealing from those with more. All of these debt deals, commissions, and push for fiscal responsibility is little more than organized looting. No windows are being busted, and no one went upside your head, but that doesn’t mean you have not been got.
One has to wonder where all of these “savings” on entitlement programs will go. We already have an inkling of an answer. Incoming Defense Secretary and former Director of the CIA Leon Panetta says that Medicare should be cut to pay for defense. President Obama agrees. Joe Lieberman wants to cut Social Security to ensure that there is enough money for the war on terror and more predator drones Such foresight! Such wonderful leadership we have, and so selfless. They want to cut the fat to make sure we are protected. How noble.
The U.S. credit rating has been downgraded, and it seems the next in line is our collective standard of living. It may get to the point that in 20-30 years, there wont be a social safety net to speak of. We will have gone from the Great Society to the Austere Society. All in the name of national progress. Whether it be pension “reform” heartless budget cuts, or the notion that working people aren’t contributing/sacrificing enough in these hard times, the push for attacking the social safety net plays itself out in numerous ways. Bright future huh?
-Marc W. Polite