A Government of Special Interests, by Special Interests, and for Special Interests
"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
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On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln spoke on of the most recognizable speeches in American history, the Gettysburg Address, ending with one of the most recognizable quotes in history written above. Latest Rasmussen polling indicates an America quite different than Abraham Lincoln described above.
Distrust Abounds
Polling released today indicates that only 17% of Americans believe that the government represents them and their interests. 68% believe that the government does not represent their interests.
Additionally 67% of Americans believe that the federal government is just another special interest group looking after their own self interests. Only 15% of those polled disagreed with this statement. The results were found to be relatively consistent amongst all demographics.
Out of Touch: Capital Gain Tax and the Boxer-Warner-Lieberman Climate Security Act
To say that this is new news is not surprising. Barak Obama supports raising the capital gains tax despite 65% opposition from Americans polled. Only 16% of Americans polled favored increasing capital gains taxes. Capital gains tax is a tax on investment profits and savings, currently at 15% but Barak Obama supports and increase to 28% which would have adverse effects on peoples ability to save for retirement (if you do not have a retirement account), education, or just a rainy day.
Additionally, take a look at the Boxer-Warner-Lieberman bill which is set to increase the price of fuel by $.41 to $1.00 a gallon. Output of fuel will decrease by 9.5% and energy prices will increase because of this bill, which will put trillions of dollars into lobbyists pockets taking money from Americans in the form of job loss (300,000 short term, 4,000,000 longer term), increased taxes ($1 trillion in the next 10 years), increased heating and cooling costs, higher prices at the pump, and increased energy costs. This new climate tax will result in the largest tax increase in American history
The new climate tax would a regressive form of taxation. If you remember from my FairTax discussions a regressive tax places a higher burden of taxation on lower income families as a percentage of their income. These are the families that can ill afford to pay a tax for a bill that the Environmental Protection Agency has come out and said will have a negligible effect on CO2 atmospheric concentrations. More pain with no gain. This is a vivid illustration of the special interest group that the federal government has become.
Why are politicians supporting this bill then? The answer is quite simple. This is an effort to soothe the emotions (they can say they did their part to save the planet) and buy-off the global warming alarmists (Al Gore) who are using soft science and propaganda in an effort to gain power and transform America into socialist society.
These two examples and their are many more are a vivid example of why most Americans believe that the federal government does not uphold their interests. Just more evidence that the federal government has become too bloated and needs to be dramatically reduced within Constitutional limitations.
The government is no longer a "government of the people, by the people, and for the people" as Abraham Lincoln described. More appropriately, the federal government is a "government of special interests, by special interests, and for special interests."
Take Action: Make Your Declaration Now
As many of you know I have joined a group of 26 other bloggers from across the country to garner support for AmericanSolutions.com Drill Here, Drill, Now, Pay Less petition to stop this devestating piece of legislation, Liberman-Warner, that will result in an expansion of the federal government not seen since FDR's New Deal.
Over 315,000 other Americans have already made their declaration so take a moment and make your declaration today that this is not something the American people support.
Sources
(1) "We Don't Need a Climate Tax on the Poor" by James Inhofe, 3 June 2008, Wall Street Journal
(2) "Just 17% Say Federal Government Represents Will of the People," 3 June 2008, Rasmussen Reports
(3) "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less," AmericanSolutions.com
(4) "65% Oppose Increase in Capital Gains Tax," 25 April 2008, Rasmussen Reports
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