Individual Liberty — Individual Responsibility 

It still makes sense today

Today's Monday Brief from the Patriot Post has a wonderful quotation. Would that our representatives heeded these words of wisdom.

“You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot lift the wage-earner by pulling down the wage-payer. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot establish security on borrowed money. You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.”
— Presbyterian minister William J.H. Boetcker (1873-1962)

You bring about prosperity by encouraging thrift, diligence and hard work. It doesn't hurt to help people to recognize opportunity either.

You help small men by giving them a hand up and encouraging them to work for themselves. Encouraging them to seek opportunity rather than hand-outs while accepting help where it's offered helps them grow.

You strengthen the weak by assisting them through their troubles and encouraging them to stand on their own. Tear down the strong and there's no defense left for anyone.

You lift the wage-earner by reducing the burden of the wage-payer so that the wage-payer has more with which to pay wages. I've never know a poor man to provide jobs for anyone.

You help the poor man by teaching him how to save and how to better himself. A bit of charity may be needed to get the process moving. “Give a man a fish and he has a meal for the. Teach him to fish and he can eat for life.”

If you don't spend more than you earn, the creditors will never come calling. There won't be any dunning notices or annoying phone calls from the collection agencies either.

Recognizing how we are alike does more to bring about unity and harmony than emphasizing how we are different. In any case, none of us are quite the same, so if we emphasize our differences we'll all hate each other.

Borrowing money may be necessary for some things, but it doesn't bring about security. If you borrow based on your income and lose your income, you'll lose the things you purchased with those borrowed funds.

Character and courage are developed by taking risks and assuming the responsibility for them. Take away the people's independence and initiative and no one will take risks or assume personal responsibility. Give people the freedom to take risks and encourage them to strike out on their own and you give them the opportunity to grow.

Nothing we (or government) can do will eliminate all risk. Nor can government afford to do all things for all people. Somebody has to pay for everything that government does. If we're all dependent on government, then there's nobody to cover the government's costs. Nobody that is, except those outside our borders. And remember, you cannot establish security on borrowed money. Foreign States will demand concessions if we can't pay.

Isn't it time we re-learned some common sense in government? Just say no to more big-government style Keynesian economics. NO MORE BAILOUTS OR “STIMULI.”

Isn't that card getting a little dog-eared?

Do you remember this?

A 71-year-old former Illinois attorney general, Burris was greeted at the Senate doors by Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) as well as the Illinois House delegation, including Democratic Reps. Bobby Rush and Jesse Jackson Jr.

Jackson had publicly expressed interest in the seat, while Rush had infuriated Senate Democratic leaders by charging their initial resistance to Burris was grounded in racism.

Durbin said he told Burris on the Senate floor, “It’s been a long, rocky road but you’re here and you’re going to be a great senator.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) welcomed Burris “as a colleague and a friend.”

“There are many paths to the United States Senate. It is fair to say that the path that brought our new colleague from Illinois to us was unique,” Reid said. “Whatever complications surrounded his appointment, we made it clear from the beginning — both publicly and privately — that our concern was never with him.”

That's right, “resistance to Burris was grounded in racism.”

So, what does this say about our White House?

WASHINGTON--White House Secretary Robert Gibbs said Friday President Obama is supportive of an investigation of embattled Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.) and signaled that Burris only has a small time left to save his seat.

I'm just asking. You see, I'm really getting a bit tired of watching people play the race card every time a black person is involved in politics. You know what I mean. Regardless of your real reasons, such as Obama's Marxism or the possibility of corruption with Roland Burris, “If you oppose him, you're racist!”

Isn't that card getting a little dog-eared by now?