Dakota Beacon

Democrats, liberals and progressives consistently claim they are for the poor, the downtrodden, the weak, and the “little guy.” They talk the talk and have certainly convinced Americans that they are the party of the “little guy” -- also known as the middleclass.

The Democrat myth took root during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency. Coupling the term “forgotten man” or “little guy” with the term “progressive” and “liberal” FDR spun a web of deceit. His authoritarian policies were sold as benefiting the “little guy.” Today this includes the middleclass.

The Democrat Party is home for contemporary progressives and liberals of all stripes and depends for its continued existence upon a permanent underclass of “little guys.” Democrat policies focus on creating class dependency by generating the illusion that Democrats “care about the “little guy.” The more people buy into the illusion of the Democrat “little guy” myth the greater the assurance Democrats will be elected and re-elected and re-elected. It’s a brilliant scheme for buying voters. Unfortunately, the “little guy” underclass is never lifted up.

Keep in mind that Democrats controlled congress while growing government for most of the decades following FDR’s tenure. Democrats have also ruled our major cities since the 1960s. They own the decay and rot and racial divide of the inner cities. But, they still promote the “little guy” myth.

Considering this backdrop, finding unintended consequences stemming from good intentions is easy. The unintended consequences, and often-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 with support from the “little guy.”

In the push to “save the planet” from mankind, Democrats lead the way in curbing environmental “destruction.” Who gave us the expensive “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 and sun? Not true. They are expensive and taxpayer subsidized.

Democrats support higher gas prices to force reduced use of the combustion engine. Look at the tax sticker on the gas 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. How does this help the “little guy”?

Progressives, liberals and Democrats support 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, especially the “little guy,” pays the price.

Progressives, liberals and Democrats ensure that teachers, regardless of effectiveness and educational quality of graduates, get paid more each year. Democrat-dominated teachers unions ensure many middleclass students will never enjoy a quality education through the benefits of voucher programs and private schools.

Democrats and liberal Republicans support a high minimum wage. Explain to the out-of-work middleclass “little guy” how this helps land a job when employers are reluctant to hire workers at higher mandated minimum wages, especially unskilled workers and students. Vote buying!

Democrats and liberal Republicans support legislation granting amnesty to illegal aliens. They believe illegal aliens are entitled to free education, free medical care and Social Security benefits despite breaking the law for their personal gain. During the recent Democrat forty-year congressional reign, 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 went up 23% even with subsidies. Seventy percent of businesses were forced 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. “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 vote for 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 that liberals and Democrats stand with the middleclass and “little guy” is embarrassing. It’s time to defeat the myth.

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