Not that I really want the U. S. federal government to actually take an ownership stake in me – I think I am already patriotic enough with all the taxes I pay. Oh wait… I’m one of those lucky students who has a great job, with great benefits, who gets away with paying maybe 1% in income taxes. But I say this just for those of you out there who might care, or who might search to see what The Miami Progressive really is…
The point I wish to make this morning is this: We Americans have been, since before the start of the United States of America, a bunch that is accustomed to going it alone. As I was discussing with Mrs. Miami Progressive this past weekend, the Republicans have typically been the party that represents this quintessentially American ideal – namely that we innovate so that we can exist. And by “we,” I mean each of us, individually, is generally encouraged to support ourselves, do the best we can, and make it in this world.
I like this ideal… and in the early days of the founding of our country, and in the subsequent days of the westward expansion, this ideal fit. To travel out west, individuals and families had to have, at the very least, a modicum of ability to support themselves. Otherwise the harrowing travels that awaited would, more likely than not, lead to one’s death.
This ideal still fits today – in the entrepreneurial spirit that we find amongst so many, especially new immigrants to this country who want to make it their home.
Where the Republicans have gone wrong, recently (and perhaps not so recently – looking back to the Regan years), is that with all the deregulation the Republican administrations have been able to accomplish (some of it with the help of Democrats – namely Carter and Clinton), we have created an environment where big business (not the mom-and-pop, entrepreneurs, but huge business – especially the financial services industry) routinely takes advantage of the individual. I’m sure I’m not the only one out there who has been relieved of some of his hard-earned money for “overdrafts” that have occurred on an account because withdrawals have been subtracted before deposits have been added.
It’s time that we in the middle class get a leg up from Washington. I don’t expect this to come from Obama, mind you, putting him and Biden in office is just the start… but I do believe that it is a better start than we’ll get from McCain/Palin.
I do believe, as Obama stated in the last debate, that basic health care is a right that should be accorded all Americans. Why? Because as a country, we can obviously afford it – if we can afford to socialize our entire financial system. And think of the productivty gains that could be realized, if everyone was healthy and happy? Right… I’m not a total believer in that – but I do think that we need to focus on the people, rather than big business.
I’ll get off my soapbox now.
Do me a favor – tell your friends to get out and vote. Even if they do vote for McCain, at least they will have voiced their opinon.
