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Tuesday, April 08, 2014

DENNIS M. PATRICK: LOOKING OUT FOR THE LITTLE GUY – THE MYTH

Democrats consistently say they are for the poor, the downtrodden, the weak, the “little guy.” Democrats talk the talk and have certainly convinced Americans that they are the party of the “little guy.” This reflects less fact and more fiction.

The Democrat myth took root during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency. Coupling the term “forgotten man” or “little guy” with the term “liberal” (which FDR inverted to mean the opposite of “classical liberalism”) FDR spun a web of deceit. His authoritarian policies were sold as benefitting the “forgotten man.”Democrat policies focus on creating class dependency by generating the illusion that Democrats “care about the little guy.” The more people who buy into the illusion, and the Democrat “little guy” myth, the greater the assurance the Democrat political class will be elected and re-elected and re-elected. It’s a brilliant strategy, but it diverges from reality. In fact, the Democrat Party is the home for contemporary liberals of all stripes.

Considering this backdrop, finding unintended consequences stemming from good intentions is easy. The unintended consequences, and sometimes premeditated consequences, repeatedly show that the “little guy” gets hurt every time liberal policies are tried. Caring about the “little guy” was never the objective. The objective was to expand government control.

In the push to “save the planet” from mankind, Democrats lead the way in curbing environmental “destruction.” Who gave us the “curly fry” light bulb -- with mercury -- to replace the good old incandescent bulb? At ten times the cost of Edison’s light bulb, how does that help the poor? Hybrid electric cars are meant to offset the ever increasing CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) standards. Who among the “little guys” can afford hybrids? And, what produces cheap, affordable electricity? The wind? The sun?

Democrats support higher gas prices to force reduced use of the combustion engine. Next time you fill up with gas, look at the gas tax sticker on the pump. Who is gouging the “little guy?” The Democrat solution to the high cost of gas is to shut down offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and the Keystone pipeline. Meanwhile, oil rigs move overseas to produce more foreign oil and Canada prepares to sell oil to China. How does this help the “little guy”?

Liberals and Democrats support the alternative fuel, ethanol. Not only does it need a federal subsidy, it also places a high demand on corn thereby driving up the price of food. Overlooked is the harmful effect on engines. Everyone, including the “little guy,” pays the price.

Liberals and Democrats ensure that teachers, regardless of effectiveness and education quality of graduates, get paid more each year. Democrat-dominated teachers unions ensure many students of the “little guy” will never enjoy a better education through the benefits of a voucher program.

Democrats and liberal Republicans support a very high minimum wage; the higher the better. Please explain to the out-of-work “little guy” how this will help land a job when fewer employers are willing to pay high mandated wages, especially for students and other unskilled workers.

Democrats and liberal Republicans support illegal alien legislation. They believe illegal aliens are entitled to free education, free medical care and Social Security benefits. During the recent forty-year Democrat reign in congress, the Social Security “lock box” has been raided over and over to pay for programs to buy the “little guy” vote. There is nothing left in the so-called “trust fund” for the “little guy,” or anybody else for that matter.

Obamacare, hurts the “little guy” the most. The legislation was ramrodded through the Democrat-controlled Senate on Christmas Eve 2009 without senators reading the bill. Only Democrats voted for Obamacare. Since then, health insurance premiums have gone up. Seventy percent of businesses are force to change plans requiring millions of Americans to change or lose coverage and doctors. Many businesses can no longer afford child-only plans. At least one million children will be affected. Small businesses have cut back on hiring and expansion because they fear uncertainties of new health care burdens. More doctors refuse Medicare patients. Sixteen million “little guys” are forced into the poorly performing and bankrupt Medicaid program.

Here is the great hypocrisy. Exalted leaders in Washington, the most expensive place to live, claim to do everything for the “little guy.” They claim to stand up for him and defend him. Believing this, the “little guy” continues to support liberal politicians because he believes they are looking out for him. Meanwhile, the political class of our nation surround themselves with unbelievable luxury. Beginning with the president, they have hijacked the wealth of the nation; given it to themselves, their friends and their families; and live and vacation in ways the “little guy” could never dream of. The esteemed political leadership has robbed America blind.

The myth of liberals and Democrats standing with the “little guy” is embarrassing. It’s time to retire the myth that Democrats are the party of the “little guy.”

 

Dennis M. Patrick can be contacted at P. O. Box 337, Stanley, ND 58784 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Click here to email your elected representatives.

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