Re: [AMC-list] cash for clunkers

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

The government doesn't manage war well -- Vietnam and the current mess in Iraq come to mind. Military trained and experienced men *usually* do -- the first Gulf War, for example. Bush Sr. told the military what he wanted, then stayed out of the way. His son was an idiot in several ways, but all presidents have their good and bad sides...

I've been told that part of the current Democrat philosophy is to get everyone beholden to the government in some way. Not overtly, and that might be a "slight twisting of what the real intent is, but a population that depends entirely on the government for basic necessities is more controllable by that government. In theory I agree with a government sponsored basic health care, but really think it should be something taxed at a low level, and only for those who don't have their own insurance. In other words, government sponsored (and probably subsidized), but also with the benefactor making at least a token payment. I mean heck, you're paying for those without insurance now, in one way or another, so why not? Mandatory payroll premiums, based on a percentage of pay to make it somewhat fair, with the government making up the rest. Like I said, taxes pay for those without insurance anyway, that would at least pay for a portion of it. 

The "cash for clunkers" idea has some merits, but the main problem is that money is coming from the government. Obama has spent way too much money on way to many things, some totally stupid, some couldn't be helped. GM and Chrysler should have been under bankruptcy protection before the government stepped in to keep them from folding. Negate those "golden parachute" contracts and axe half the execs! But no, they fired the head guy before bankruptcy so he got his 20 mill (or whatever) parachute filled -- you and I (everyone on the list!) paid it. Manufacturing jobs are still moving out of the country, part of that is our own fault for continually demanding more while doing less. It's a vicious cycle -- factories give in to employee union demands, then try to do more with less, which puts more pressure on employees, who demand more, etc. It goes on. We've got into that cycle and can't get off easily! 

Okay, that's my political tirade for the next few months! 

The list has been slow, so I'm not going to say anything for the rest of the week about off-topic things like this. "Cash for clunkers" does affect the auto hobby a bit, but I took it a bit further off topic. Sorry, just got me going! By the end of the week if this line hasn't played out I will close the topic, so get it out of your systems over the next few days... please! 

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Date: Mon, 6 Jul 2009 13:16:58 -0700
From: "Thomas Garner" <Tgarner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

I don't care for the law, but I have different reasons. BESIDES the fact that it gave me more work(I'm lazy.), I disagree with Government getting involved with much of anything. Seriously, now what DOES the government manage well besides war?? lol

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)


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