Tax Increases? More Spending? More Debt?

"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical." - Thomas Jefferson


http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/171743-obama-public-sold-on-tax-increases-in-debt-ceiling-deal?


I just read this article concerning the deal to raise the debt ceiling. Obama claims that the American Public is SOLD on the deal and the raising of taxes. I am not sure who he is polling on this issue, but I am quite certain that 80% of Americans have NOT and will NEVER agree with raising taxes and on most occasions its the people who aren't paying the taxes that are fine with them being raised. However, with this being said I am not surprised by this move considering everything about the "spreading of wealth"talk during the last election cycle. However, with that said the worst part of this is how loose the Government has been spending the money and now they are requiring a raise in taxes and an increase in the debt ceiling to bail us out? It cannot find myself to support tax increases or bailouts of any kind and it doesn't matter who is in office Republican or Democrat.


With all of this being said I will now provide some interesting quotations and info revolving around the deal


"The American people are sold," Obama said. "The problem is members of Congress are dug in ideologically."


Rep. Jackson Lee(D-Texas)   is playing the race card on this issue about how he isn't being treated with "respect" or "why everyone is trying to bring him down". She was obviously mentally absent during all of the incendiary speech against President Bush...


“Whoever the Republican nominee is,” he declared, “ we’re going to have a big serious debate about what we believe is the right way to guide American forward and to win the future.”
“And I’m confident that I will win that debate because ... we’ve got the better approach,” he added. 
--->Thanks for the increase in spending, incredible amount of debt and expansion of Government....I know you think more Government control is what's going to "win the future" but i'm not sure that makes it right...


This probably just all seems like a rant and it probably is, but I cannot come to terms with increased spending, debt ceiling and taxes after how ridiculous and out of control spending has gotten in this country... especially when President Obama claims he speaks for "80% of the Country" He didn't win 80% of the Country over during his "glory days" and I sure don't know how he can think he has won MORE people over with what he has done in office...


Ben

American Political Beliefs

Politics being one of my interests I can't help but include one more (I promise this will be the last and I won't be as lazy from here out) political column from Georgia College's newspaper The Colonnade (gcsunade.com)


The idea behind this is political beliefs and their importance. I guess this was an expression of how I feel from time to time when people take a political side without being informed or know what they believe. I think one of the best aspects of America is our freedom to hold any belief.


Americans reach conclusions on political beliefs from various outlets of influence. Whether it’s political pundits, a rhetoric-laden speech, persuasive newspaper article or Hollywood rant, political ideology should match one’s belief system.

We must choose wisely how we are influenced politically. Pundits have their own, biased agendas. Hollywood plays a role to entertain, NOT to influence or dictate our political beliefs. When they condescend to the public and try to educate our political belief, it’s laughable and should be enough to dissuade Americans.

Americans must determine their political beliefs from an educated perspective. An educated perspective encompasses history, issue research, a consideration of what’s best for America and one’s belief system. One cannot afford to be persuaded to what feels good at the time. When it comes to political issues, one must be constantly informed not merely on a set agenda. Knowledge of the issue and making an educated assumption is critical. It’s easy to react the way we are persuaded by the media or politicians, but we must remember these individuals are following a biased agenda.

Americans must make an effort to vote according to what they believe rather than what they feel at the time. When electing our officials it must be because we feel they are the most qualified for the position. Candidates will tell the public what they want to hear and make superfluous campaign promises, that they do not intend to keep. The true character of the candidate and how they view this country should be the most important qualifications. We cannot afford to take these decisions lightly because ultimately the people we elect make the decisions that affect our lives. We cannot fall into a trap because of a whim of feelings, media popularity tactics or other variety of excuses.

The political spectrum is far too broad for our political beliefs to boil down to party line decision-making ability. It’s far too easy and convenient to choose a political party to make our decisions for us. It’s no doubt that the core values we maintain might align ourselves toward the left, center or right but we cannot afford to become subjective. Our political motivations must match our motivations of this country’s direction and also our belief system. There also must be some form of mutual respect between our political beliefs and those of informed individuals holding contrasting ideologies. Just because someone holds a political view contrary to ours doesn’t mean they are wrong or ignorant.

This country’s Constitution protects the freedom to hold individual political beliefs and free and fair elections. We cannot take this for granted. As Americans we must vote in our elections and be educated on the issues and the candidates. Our political ideology is a reflection of how we view our country and a culmination of our belief system. Americans cannot afford to sell out our political beliefs for idealistic or uninformed reasons.

While I do not think that ONE political party has all the answers, because America is made up of diverse people with different opinions and beliefs. However,  I do personally feel there are certain issues (taxes, spending, national security, government size, government control, etc.) that should be examined very closely and carefully. Sometimes one might confuse idealism toward these issues and what is truly necessary. I feel that idealism can lead to people straying away from very important principles of America and onto what people "wish" was present in America. I feel this is a dangerous view, because America is already great and the Constitution provides our greatest principle, freedom. 

Ben

Entitlement in America

Todays blog contains a political article I wrote for my college newspaper The Colonnade. I felt the need to include it because its such a major issue in the country.

When I think of the role Americans play in this country I come back to a famous quote from the former president, JFK, during his inaugural address in 1961. "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country"
    I feel this notion is lacking in certain contemporary political beliefs. This country need's direction and it's critical for THIS generation to rise to the occasion and use our potential. However, today, many Americans rely heavily on the government all the while maintaining a critical view of how the government operates. This false sense of entitlement is a dangerous approach to political beliefs and the future of our country. Instead of thankfulness for America's enduring promise of an abundance of freedom, opportunity and potential, Americans become bogged down with what MORE the government can be doing for "us." Simply stated, sometimes Americans confuse what we are truly entitled to with the rights bestowed from the Constitution. We take full advantage of the system and core American values but expect to reap the benefits from the government.
     As college students, we have the freedom to make our own choices for our lives and make our own decisions. We are quite blessed in the way we live retaining many modern conveniences and luxuries. However, some feel the government's role in our lives extends from constitutional rights into howe we run our private lives. Certain idealistic views are naive toward how American actually works. The lives or to take care of all our needs. We have much to be thankful for and our country provides us with an abundance of freedoms. However, many times the youth of America feel this country "owes" us something. Like JFK said in his speech, we should consider what we could for FOR this great country rather than what we can take from it or what we feel America owes us.
     This begs the question -- as Americans what are we truly owed as U.S. citizens? America is not a country of handouts or free money; it is also not a country that should restrain success. It's not the government's job to take care of everyone. It's the governments job to provide the nation with protection and its citizens with infrastructure(police, firemen, road,etc.). Americans are given freedoms and opportunities to reach success without regulation or permission from the government.
     This generation must look beyond how we can benefit form the government but how we can use our innovation, potential and talents for the greater good of our nation. We are the future of this country and we must act accordingly. We have inherited legitimate issues and this generation must be mindful of this. America needs a future generation of leaders willing to do what's necessary to get our country back on track.

Ben

What is the Spiral of Silence?

This is my first blog post and I figured the best way to start was to explain my purpose and what the Spiral of Silence is.

While sports are one of my biggest passions I also find time to research and ponder other aspects of science, politics, Christian Faith and media theory

As a graduate in Broadcast and Electronic Media I find myself interested in the media theory, current affairs and the scope of politics. The Spiral of Silence is a political and communication theory. This theory states that individuals are less likely to outwardly convey an opinion or belief if they feel that opinion isn't held by the majority. I feel that the media can present an issue as something held by the majority in efforts to silence critics or spin issues to support one side.

Ben