Stealing

Webster defines stealing as, "to get, take, or give slyly, surreptitiously, or without permission." Sounds like the Progressive plans for redistributing wealth, except they aren't being sly about it. Does that disqualify it as stealing? I'm sure Bill Clinton would do a fine job parsing it that way.

Isn't conspiracy to commit a crime also a crime? Why aren't Obama, Pelosi, and Reid in leg irons? I heard Obama's campaign interview with Bill O'Reilly in 2008.When asked about his plan to redistribute wealth, Obama leaned closer to O"Reilly, smiled, and said something like, "C'mon, Bill, you and I have more than enough. What's wrong with spreading some of that around?"

That question contains the mind-blowing assumption that my wealth is Obama's to distribute. Want to spread some around, Barack? You have a checkbook, open it. Maybe get Biden to cough over more than 1% of his earnings for a change.

I don't question the noble intentions of Progressives. I share their aspirations for our citizenry, but I see individual success arising naturally from hard work, thrift, and discipline. They see it as a series of transfer payments from those who have worked hard, saved, and exercised discipline. In the end (and doesn't the end justify the means?) so what, right? Wow. There isn't enough room in cyberspace to list all the downsides, but the biggest is this: after government confiscates the wealth, who gets it and why? Those of us who watched in horror as the health care bill made its way through the congressional chow line understand exactly how the loot will be divided - politically. Democrats will identify purchasable voting blocks and create rules that stick the funnel down the right throats. The nation's vitality and swagger will sag a bit more, but they'll be more entrenched than ever, and that's the real goal.

Of all the things on this earth to fear, keep government high on the list. Your vote is the most powerful weapon against them. Find candidates who want to drive government back into its cage. Put these people in office and keep them there. If they ever succumb to the drug of power, throw them out and find a new bunch. The fight never ends. Stay tough.