I was strongly opposed to the first financial bailout, the auto industry bailout and today's announcement of the new budget plan has left me feeling very discouraged about where this country is headed. The administration has said that they will not nationalize our banking system. Yet the new budget has $750 billion allocated to the Treasury to purchase financial assets of troubled banks. This is in addition to the billions that have already been given to these institutions. There is $634 billion as a "down payment" for a univeral health care system, which I think is a monumental mistake. Does this mean, in addition to the money that I pay for my private healthcare through my employer, that my tax dollars will also pay for the healthcare of others? If I'm allowed to keep my private care, as I understand Obama's vision includes the option to keep what you already have, why should I be responsible for funding a national healthcare program? Taxes will increase from 15% to 20% for those making over $250K per year, which in theory I don't completely disagree with, but I find it hard to believe that these tax hikes are not going to make there way to the "middle class."
Our country has made it this far on a belief in free-market capitalism, small goverment and the notion that hard work results in personal gain. If the government continues to intervene and come to the rescue through purchasing bank assets, bailing out corporations and a national health care plan, isn't the end result going to mean a socialistic nation?
I, like anyone who is reading this, has worked hard to get where I am in life. I am a contributing member of society, gainfully employed, donate to charities of my choice, pay my bills and try to have some fun with the little money left over each month. I will admit there have been times that I have relied on the government for assistance. In 2002, I was laid off and collected unemployment funds until I found another job. My higher education was funded by the government loans that I will be paying back for the next 20 years. I'm grateful for the assistance but it was not something to which I felt entitled. My own hard work is what I've relied on and hoped would provide for my quality of life. Whether I succeed or fail should be my responsibility and not that of my fellow citizens.
Like all Americans, I want to see a positive end to the mess our nation is in and I believe we will eventually recover. I just hope we emerge with a renewed faith in personal responsibility, limited government and the American Dream.
