The Democrat's Shell Game

Is it just me or has our entire nation gone bonkers? Our federal government has set up a bait and tackle shop, the lame-stream media is marketing the hell out of it, and citizens are biting hook, line, and sinker. This administration and congress are expanding governments hand in every aspect of our lives and playing us all like the sheep that we are. How mad are you that AIG paid bonuses to their executives? If you answered yes, why are you mad? Is it because you don't feel that any person should receive such a windfall? Are you angry that some of that money may be yours, in the form of taxpayer money? When you put your anger aside and wrap your brain around the situation, you may reconsider your position. You should redirect your anger at the very people responsible for this situation, and I'll give you a hint, it's not AIG.

It is true that AIG received approximately $180 billion (with a B) in TARP money and over the weekend they paid out $165 million (with a M) in bonuses to executives. That's less than one tenth of one percent paid out from what they received from taxpayer money and yet that's all the media and the administration can focus on. Both have chastised AIG and have worked every American into a tizzy regarding this matter. Is this really news? Is this the real story? Or are they hiding something; playing a shell game on all of us? Not to mention that AIG was obligated to pay these bonuses for contracts that they entered into prior to receiving any government money. If the bonuses weren't paid by March 15th, the people entitled to their money could have sued for twice the amount, plus attorney fees, based on the State of Connecticut's 'wage act'. H/T to Neal Boortz.

If you have read any of my previous posts or check in on any of the sites listed to the right, then you know that everyone should be skeptical about the motives of government officials. The politicians are currently distracting us with wealth-envy so that they can push their anti-capitalistic agenda and it is unfortunate that in order to get the real story, we have to search through multiple websites and blogs. The integrity of official journalism has been compromised, but that is a topic for a later time. What is not being reported in the lame-stream media is the mortgage-backed securities boondoggle, pork-laden omnibus bill, or the phony cap-and-trade policy. Instead, the administration is delighted that pitchforks and torches are being mounted against the private sector. A couple of weeks ago, I created a post that basically outlined the reasons that I believe caused the meltdown. To this point, government has not admitted any culpability in this mess.

Given that the Democrats control congress and the administration, don't hold your breath waiting for an apology or reform. So since the Dems do not want to lose face by confronting the real reasons behind the mess, they focus every one's attention on those greedy, heartless, capitalistic entities. Doing this, allows them to champion their cause of growing government control and increasing their constituency. They can parade countless capitalist executives through Congress, publicly humiliate them, and falsely show the American people that they are doing everything in their power to 'level' the playing field. I would love to be one of those executives on Capitol Hill. I would give the inquisitors a hearty F-you. It's none of our business what private companies spend on salaries, bonuses, private jets, or marketing events. The free-market system is self-correcting, as long as government doesn't prop up businesses meant to fail (emphasis added). But the reason guys like the Big 3 auto CEO's or AIG executives don't stand up to the incompetent panel of judges is that they have a vested interest in the legislation that is being passed. Do some digging and find out how much money these companies you see in the news everyday give to politicians. Take a closer look at the special interest groups and lobbyists that really pull the strings of Congress.

You see, the vast majority of America has been dumbed down. They could care less about the inner workings of Washington. They care more about octomom, Dancing with the Stars, and American Idol than worrying about the bureaucrats that are leading us down a path to prolonged recession, inflation, and useless spending. When we collectively ignore the ineptitude of the people we elect to office we can only blame ourselves when the inmates run the asylum.