One year ago, March 2020, the coronavirus from Wuhan, China, had exploded around the world (thanks to the Chinese Communist leaders and the W.H.O.) and President Trump shut down most of the country.
You may remember that Trump and his medical advisers were generally optimistic. He even said he hoped we could be back in church for Easter.
Trump, with support from Congress, acted to accelerate development of a vaccine and have millions of doses available by November. Critics made fun of such a ridiculous plan, saying it takes at least 5 years to develop a vaccine. In fact, vaccines were developed, tested, and proved safe by October. By the time he left office, a million doses were being delivered every day.
I mention this as background for President Biden’s short speech on Thursday, because he ignored it. He was empathetic toward families that have suffered (including 530,000 deaths). He promised that if everyone wears masks, gets vaccinated by May 1, and follows CDC guidelines, we might be able to celebrate July 4th with a tiny number of family and friends, outside. Apparently, no one told him that half the country will likely be holding similar gatherings by St. Patrick’s Day.
A Biden quote that I read in a news report caught my eye, “Government can deliver prosperity, security and opportunity for the people in this country.”
Well, government cannot deliver prosperity. Yes, by borrowing $1,900,000,000,000 it can make people believe they are prosperous by sending them a check for $1400. Eighty million people voted for Biden, several because he promised them $2000. Oddly, President Trump made a similar promise. But Speaker Pelosi openly opposed it before the election. After the election, she’s all for it, plus an extra Trillion.
And security? Ask Americans along the Rio Grande if they feel secure. Ask residents and small business owners in Portland, Chicago, Minneapolis and other cities if they feel secure. Ask workers in the oil and gas business if they feel secure. Ask Congress if they feel secure. Oh, wait. Of course, they feel secure; they’re behind a wall protected by thousands of National Guard troops.
Opportunity? Yes, this is the “land of opportunity.” But we also have the “opportunity” to pay off the national debt, which is about $29,000,000,000,000. That’s around $80,000 for every one of us. (I wonder if those immigrants flocking across our Southern border realize they are co-signing this loan.) Hardly anyone believes he or she will have to repay that debt. We have been told over and over that the 500 richest families can easily cover our debt if we’ll only pass a law to confiscate most of their accumulated wealth, and tax their annual income at around 80 percent.
Can you believe our national debt was only $6 Trillion in 2008? It has accelerated under both Democrat and Republican Presidents regardless of which party controlled Congress. This is a result of a combination of economic emergencies and failure to rein in the routine spending. Even after our tax rates were cut, the taxes collected keep increasing. But spending goes up faster.
Historic quotes by Will Rogers:
“If Socialists worked as much as they talked, they would be the most prosperous style of Government in the World.” Chapter 5 in his book, “There’s Not a Bathing Suit in Russia,” 1927
“The Budget is a mythical beanbag. Congress votes mythical beans into it and then tries to reach in and pull real beans out.” DT #2047, Feb. 24, 1933