| Strictly Business Magazine |
 |
 |
 |
| Strictly Business Magazine Copyright 1990-2003 A division of S&S Enterprises, a Floyd Snyder Production. Santa Maria, California. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Saying It Like It Is by Jack Pellerin -December 1996 In recent years we have become accustomed to hearing unfactual rhetoric, distortions, falsifications, exaggerations, misrepresentations, negative ads, etc. from most politicians, political parties and foes and supporters of ballot measures. We also have witnessed illegal contributions (both domestic and foreign), media liberal bias, improper voter registrations, improper citizenship, union organizations taking unprecedented multi millions of dollars from their members’ dues (without their permission) to spread half truths and lies about political parameters under the guise of education. While no side is guilt-free, some are much more guilty than others. It is also true that we have the government we deserve. It is alrming that to a multitude of voters in our most recent elections, the most important considerations for selecting a candidate are: 1. Is the person good looking? How does the person handle himself? Do they show compassion? Do they say what I want to hear? How well does the person speak? Is the person charming and have charisma? All these items are fine, but reveal nothing about the person’s intellect, knowledge, experience, past record, honesty, integrity, character, or their real plan of action. The last presidential election confirms my suspicions. In 1992, many things were said or promised that compare poorly with actual results. For instance, we were promised a cabinet that would look like America; yet we received 14 lawyers and 10 millionaires. Tax breaks for the middle class did not happen, but we did get the largest tax increase in history, a 4 cents per gallon gas tax was added, the highest rate ever, and 5 ½ million retirees must now pay taxes on their social security benefits. One hundred thousand police officers that were promised to be on the streets amount to less than 44,000. We have many new “Gates” generated in the last few years, such as: Airport Haircut-Gate; Healthcare Reform-Gate; FBI File-Gate; Travel-Gate; Didn’t Inhale-Gate; Whitewater-Gate; Foster Suicide-Gate; Two Sexual Harassment-Gates; Huang-Gate; and Dick Morris Family Value-Gate. A man is know by the company he keeps. Whitewater-Gate has already resulted in 33 convictions, including the Arkansas governor. Hillary Clinton’s secretive force to reform healthcare could have cost over $70 billion and created a myriad of new bureaucracies. Thank God it failed. Also, missing subpoenaed pay records suddenly appear in the White House living quarters. In spite of our many national problems, gays in the military was the first order of business in 1992. The last quarter of President Bush’s term showed a growth rate over 5% and we were told that it was unacceptable. But now we are at a meager 2.2% rate and are told the economy is good. It’s so good that bankruptcies are 25% higher than last year. Drug use is also on the increase because the administration ignored it. It’s also amazing how so many administration personnel have convenient losses of memory during testimonies regarding our administration’s scandal-ridden record. Finally, Arkansas troopers have stated that they had to lie, cheat and cover up for then-Governor Clinton. It’s true that no one can bring disrespect to the presidency other than the office-holder we elect. Richard Nixon is one example of a person who let our country down, but based on the above observations, “Misery Loves Company” and Clinton has “Out-Gated” Nixon. The real victims are those who really need help even after 40 years of unchecked liberalism. Another matter for which we should be proud and show respect is that “most” upper-income people earn more because they work harder and longer. They have maximized their educational opportunities and have established good work ethics. Many of these quality people have become highly successful entrepreneurs. This group continually pays the highest portion of income taxes and we others should be grateful. This group of people is the primary source of new job opportunities as well. While not in that group, I admire these people without envy or jealousy. In spite of the election results, I continue to respect the office of the presidency, but I continue to find it difficult to respect the officeholder and his wife. I also totally support our electoral system. You win a few and lose a few. Our country has survived the assassinations of President Kennedy, his brother Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King; we also have survived the Nixon years and the “economic destruction” of the Carter years…so there is a reasonable possibility that we will also survive the Clinton years. For many years, I have said “to do what is right for this country to make us more fiscally sound would be a political suicide.” The treatment of Newt Gingrich demonstrates this axiom. Newt is one of the most intelligent, concerned, far-sighted politicians we could ever want. He has tried to do what really is right for us, and yet he has been misquoted, treated unfairly and held by many in low regard. Based on the number of voters who voted against Dole, Seastrand, and Chamberlin, my remarks may be objectionable to the majority of readers, but I just had to get this off my chest and say it like it is. I also stand up for what I believe. In summation, please, please “Wake Up America.” We must get our house in order. |