Monday, March 14, 2011

"A 2nd Civil War?"

Hello World,

Though I can't say for certain, I'd be willing to bet that, perhaps 20 years prior to our nation's Civil War, some predicted it.  History shows that, as early as the 1830's, the argument over slavery was heating up.  As more states entered the Union the argument got more intense.  We know that as early as a decade earlier, the "great compromiser" Speaker of the House, Henry Clay, engineered "The Great Compromise", trying to head off a civil war between the north and the south.

Today; we have the potential for a second Civil War, with its seeds not planted in the frustration of race relations, but with the current struggle between the "producers" and the "takers". 

Since the end of WWII the growth of wealth in America has been unprecedented.  While it is true that much of our economic success was "macro-oriented".  America was able to assume a dominant position in the post-war world through several means.  Our massive war production had set off an explosion in growth and innovative technology.  Factories, previously geared toward making weapons and war planes and war materials, were ready, post-war to translate that massive manufacturing capacity to peace time needs.  Accordingly, we established near monopolies in passenger plane and automobile production.  Factories making G.I. sleeping bags and uniforms converted to making clothing for the world.  America's farms, that fed the world's military forces, geared up to feed a broken world's people.

Spurred by this massive economic growth, the demand for leaders of industry expanded and these positions were quickly filled by the millions of G.I.'s who, with character forged in combat, and educated by the G.I. bill, assumed the reins of leadership.  Thus was born the American middle class, the first significant coming of a class of folks who could, through discipline learned from the great depression, and responsibility learned from defending our country, roll up their sleeves and carve out a piece of the American pie.

While earlier America consisted of the rich and the working poor, this new middle class would lead America to a level of wealth and luxury unheard of in world history.  This newly expanded personal wealth led to an explosion of economic activity; Televisions and modern appliances and new cars and family vacations quickly became the level of standards for the middle class. 

However, in less than two decades the government, that ever-present quotient in societal design, decided that the associated increase in tax revenues needed to be allocated to a vast array of social programs, some of them needed, most of them not.  There is much talk today of "unintended consequences".  That would certainly apply to President Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society Program" of the mid-sixties.  Presumably, Johnson, bearing massive guilt for instigating a war in Vietnam that was poorly planned and poorly executed, decided that his legacy must be The Great Society.  It has bankrupted America.

No one knows exactly how much The Great Society Programs have cost us.  The New York Times on April 16th, 1985, reported a study that estimated the costs into the tens of trillions of dollars.  This figure is too vague.  In looking at current federal liabilities in total (social security, medicare, etc) America has a total of $78 trillion dollars in unfunded liabilities.  But this does not include all of the annual outlays expended for these programs over the 45 years of program existence.   The level of orgasmic spending to "buy the vote" of America's "takers" is beyond calculation and the level of fraud and abuse in these programs will never be known.   We do know that throughout the years there has been massive fraud and abuse and government at all levels has been negligent in reforming the system.

For example, food stamps became a currency of trade in New York, Chicago, Detroit and Los Angeles.  Thousands of newspaper reports of food stamps for drugs have documented the abuse.  In the 60's Johnson built thousands of public housing projects that today sit in ruin or serve as graffiti-worn headquarters for urban gangs and were previously dubbed as war-zones during the racial riots of the 60's and 70's. 

The Great Society Programs have since produced three generations of perennial "victims"; those who refuse to work, and believe government (read the taxpayer) owes them a living.  As the GS program evolved it became increasingly known among welfare recipients that having more kids produced a bigger welfare and WIC check, and Medicaid paid for both medical and dental bills so nary a "taker" has been concerned about co-pays, the staggering costs of drug use, poor dietary habits, because someone else is footing the bill..  More recently, the government has made it less "embarrassing" to be on the government take by issuing debit cards for the chronic welfare recipient. (At this moment that state of California is trying to deal with welfare recipients using their debit cards in gaming casinos)

The IRS, through Congressional tax legislation, has also become an avenue of largess for the unproductive.  Large family child exemptions and child tax credits have made it possible for more than half of our citizens to pay no income tax whatsoever.  Even illegal aliens, by filing a W7, INIT, receive child tax credits from the federal treasury.  Having "no skin in the game"  the "taking half" of America no longer cares how federal money is spent or how big the deficit has become.  In fact, it is this group of people who represent the largest voting block for big-spending politicians.  It is also why the Democrats refuse to do anything about illegal immigration; they know this huge group of people represent a significant vote block who would support Democratic candidates. 

Alas, the shrinking middle class is no longer able to fund all of these generous benefits.  The exporting of American jobs has diminished the middle class to a level insufficient to support the unproductive.  Many workers who previously tried to make a living honestly have fled to the "takers" and hopped on the government gravy train.

And now, after three decades of big-spending government, the bill has become due and there's no money in the till.  Politicians, desperate to retain the seats of power, continue to pay the "benefit ransom" to retain political support.  To do so, our federal government has resorted to borrowing from Japan and China and to print money to support the "addict class".

So now, squeezed from the top by the ultra rich and squeezed from the bottom by over 150 million "takers", the middle class has begun to revolt.  The birth of the Tea Party is the first manifestation of that revolt.  It's almost funny that the politicians look warily at those militia boys up in Idaho when they should be looking at Joe The Plumber.  As working Americans struggle just to survive we are now paying closer attention to those employment racial and education quotas that are long ago obsolete.  As the hard workers shop generic in the grocery store, and seeing WIC and Welfare recipients living it up on their dime, there is resentment.  As public and private unions, supported by Democrats, score ever larger packages of pay and benefits, on the taxpayer dime, frustration is mounting.  As working Americans pay huge health care premiums and see welfare recipients paying nothing for their medical bills there is frustration.  The abuse is widespread and American workers have said "enough"

Will Americans take to the streets as in the Middle East and storm the seats of government?  Will Americans vote with their wallet and stage a massive refusal to pay their taxes some April?  Will the inequity between the "takers" and the "givers" finally result in violence?  Well, it does sound bizarre doesn't it?  Stranger things have happened folks. 

I don't have a crystal ball and can't predict what is going to happen.  I only know that, when the Republicans propose a $61 billion deficit reduction package and the Democrats propose a $4 billion dollar reduction..against a massive $3.75 TRILLION dollar federal budget, that games are being played folks.  The CBO is estimating that interest on the national debt will constitute 43 percent of our total tax revenue by 2015, necessitating massive printing of greenbacks, coupled with massive borrowing from China, to finance all the gravy programs.

Maybe there will be a second Civil War and maybe not, but there's a growing sense of anger from those who are paying the bills.  God willing, we'll settle it at the ballot box, but even that's in doubt.  The "taker" side, public and private unions, illegals, welfare recipients and university elites form a very large coalition with alot to lose.   The only way the taxpayer could succeed would be to form a coalition much larger than the current Tea Party and run the liberals, and even the "good ole boy" school of Republicans who haven't gotten the message, out of town. 

But then again, maybe China will just call their notes and demand repayment on their loans to us and we'll all be finished.  That would be the ultimate "foreclosure".

Sad.

27 comments:

PinkPuppyPoliticalWatchDog said...

"It is also why the Democrats refuse to do anything about illegal immigration; they know this huge group of people represent a signficant vote block who would support Democratic candidates." Illegal immigrants cannot vote...they are not allowed to vote. Your rant gives into the Corporatist plague and Corporate Welfare checks we issue for the military industrial complex, 85% of our national budget. Why should my tax dollars go to subsidize and increase the billions in profits that go to the oil companies everytime I put gas in my tank? Because the GOP/Tea Party continue to write the subsidy "corporate welfare check". You need to know the enemy...you will never take your country back from the "takers" as they don't have it. Look to the Corporations to take it back from, as they paid to put the GOP/Tea Party newbies into office. Your blog leaves much to be desired in the reality of the situtation...

A Modest Scribler said...

Thank you for your comments. I disagree with everything you just said. I'll trust the free market every time over government control. As to illegals not being able to vote and support Democrats, well...I guess you just haven't been reading the paper for the last six years as the Dems have been trying to legalize these folks, grant amnesty and citizenship and rake in a whole new voting block of takers to support their power structure. You might also want to google "illegal amnesty". We've granted it twice in the past, only to be saddled with two new generations of "takers".

Anonymous said...

Producers are those who actually work for a living. Takers are those who who steal billions from them and are enabled by the Republican Party. The middle class and the working poor are no more. Today we are all just poor. Your analysis is totally off the mark.

A Modest Scribler said...

earthmannc: Thanks for your comments. However you do nothing to refute anything I said. Simply repeating the liberal mantra will not do. And believeing that anyone with money is a villain is also just a product of the liberal "conspiracy theory" mantra. Sad that half of America is now on the take and just tools for the liberals.

PinkPuppyPoliticalWatchDog said...

Boy, I never have seen such an un-American blog in my life. You are so much a corporatist. For your information, I have owned corporations and know what I am talking about. Have a good day with your fascist rant. P.S. Ronal Reagan...that granted amnesty was a Republican.

Anonymous said...

Pink Puppy, your numbers are flagrantly incorrect. The CBO shows Defense Discretionary Spending at only 20%, with Mandatory Spending at 55%. The bottom line is that our country was NEVER intended to be, or become, a welfare state. If so, the Founders would have written it into the Constitution. It is now fact that the Liberal method has miserably failed, and must be defeated at the ballot box. The election in Nov '10 was the first step. Barry and the rest of his gangster government are next to be voted out. May the Creator save the Republic.

Anonymous said...

"But then again, maybe China will just call their notes and demand repayment on their loans to us and we'll all be finished. That would be the ultimate "foreclosure"."

You, like so many other commentators, refuse to consider the unthinkable, a word that is not a synonym for "impossible". The U.S., like other nations before it, may someday simply default. A homeowner who is foreclosed on faces the threat of eviction by the sheriff. There ain't no world sheriff to police defaulting countries.

A Modest Scribler said...

Ah, but you're wrong..there is indeed a "world sheriff"; he is called the world exchange. The first step of "foreclosure" would be Japan and China doing two things: cease buying U.S. government bonds and then the cashing in of bonds already owned. The first step alone, according to The Economist magazine would cause an immediate devaluing of the dollar by 20 percent and an accompanying 20 percent increase in inflation. With respect to your reference to a U.S. "default", that never happens; instead the "defaulting" country simply prints more of a devalued currency. Read up on the pre-WWII Germany (Weimar Republic) currency crisis where you required thousands of German deutchmarks, and a wheelbarrow to carry it in, to buy a single loaf of bread. The currency was so worthless it was used as wallpaper. Read this excellent article which details dozens of instances of country "foreclosures".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperinflation

A Modest Scribler said...

Forgive me PinkPuppy but I don't believe you have owned a single thing, much less "several corporations". My best guess is you have a problem just meeting the trailer rent and, if pressed, you'd have a hard time coming up with enough cash for a Big Mac combo meal. If you have anything other than empty liberal platitudes to offer please do so. Your "wealth conspiracy" grows tiring.

PinkPuppyPoliticalWatchDog said...

Ha, ha, ha! Actually, I own my own home paid for with cash...my own rental property, paid for with cash...attend church on Sunday and believe in God, the Heavenly Father, Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior and the power of the Holy Spirit. Sorry you choose to attack like that. Otherwise, you might just be considered having some wisdom...God Bless you and have a nice day with your misinformation. By the way at the numbers being wrong...10% off on military spending is not much off from memory. I too, get the CBO links.

Anonymous said...

Pink Puppy, you said military spending was 85% of the budget. If you did look at the CBO's numbers, you would not have lied about it just to fester your argument. Now, no one will believe anything you say...even about your claimed financial status. Have a wonderful day.

Anonymous said...

The "world sheriff" you elude to is called the world bank, and doesn't operate by your implication. The scenario you describe is but on of many economic model possibilities.

Additionally, it's considered plagiarism to copy/use previously published works without proper references.

A Modest Scribler said...

anon: regarding "copying previously published works", forgive me but you are truly "butt ignorant". I cited a reference from Wikipedia. Perfectly legal to cite a reference. Every respectable journal in print or online does it every single day. Can you not see the link? Sad fella, really sad.

Anonymous said...

Name calling? I believe you just identified yourself, it's three names isn't it? Actually, I was referring to your blog. I know that's not all your work. Your parts are to easy to distinguish from reputable literary work.

A Modest Scribler said...

Wasn't exactly name calling; more of a characterization. As to my work, it's all mine, warts and all; I copy no one. Actually, you paid me a back-handed complement. I do apologize for calling you butt-ignorant. Wasn't nice...but then neither is being accused of plagiarism. When I use someone else's words I attribute the quote to them.

Anonymous said...

You're kind of "beating a dead horse" You add nothing new to the argument that hasn't already been said. However, "your" continuation reflects obvious considerations shared by all tax payers, not just the minority "super" right. We didn't get this way overnight and "your people" tend to ignore that fact. No one, other than the freeloaders themselves, wants this to continue, but that's just part of the problem. Sure, we need a new way of thinking, in government as well our society. I see that as the very real problem; fixing others, and fixing yourself.

A Modest Scribler said...

If my efforts to wake folks up and rouse them in to some state of active citizenship is "beating a dead horse", I'll accept that. Speaking of "meaningless" that platitude is deader than a doornail. And, I add something new to the argument every time I get up in the morning and voice my concerns and opinions; do it every damn day. (Where's your blog?) As to "your people" I don't own any people. That was outlawed 150 years ago. Re your "new way of thinking"; yep, we certainly do...that's why I write this blog. Re: "we didn't get this way overnight", perhaps if you had read more than one of my blogs you could refrain from assuming..for example "George Bush, The Democrat's Best Friend". Finally, I'm an Independent and give praise and criticism to both sides when they are right (a la "Obama gets an "A" and a "B".
Thanks for your comments.

Anonymous said...

Independent? Your correct, I've not read any of your other blogs, but from what I've witnessed, it probably would be a re-wording of the same. I understand you view yourself as middle of the road, and perhaps I jump to conclusion, though I doubt it very much; evident by the above post. Actually, I find you rather defensive, as if somehow annoyed that anyone should question your interpretation of the world around us. It is, after all, conceivable that you are as much the problem as you believe the solution.

Anonymous said...

Per your recommendation, I read your piece on Bush, dated Feb 2011.

Hate to inform you, you ain't no independent!! I'm laughin my ass off. You're about as close to independent, as I am to being a Texan! As they say, "no f**ing way"

A Modest Scribler said...

Thank you for taking the time to leave your opinion.

Condor said...

I've seen people like you who divide up America and Americans into "producers and takers" or something like that.
Look, we're all Americans, those that can do things and those that, for whatever reasons, can't, some temporarily and some permenately. I can't do much nowadays for example because at age 74 I'm pretty tired.
I put in 7 years in the Marine Corps when I was young so you could spout off about how you and other "producers" are so put upon. Some, like myself, worked for 54 years before retiring or other Americans who were born with medical problems or those who now find themselves laid off because your "producers" wanted to make a bigger profit (nothing wrong with making a profit, but the "how big" gets to be a question.) Lots of people are "takers" who were, like me, "producers." Although, to me, we're all Americans and we are all in this experiment in democracy called America.
Maybe you can convince your "producer" friends who have been blessed or lucky or ... worked harder than others...that I doubt...but...maybe.
Ah, you've got your mind made up and I'm sure not going to give you a heart all of a sudden.
Sooooooo, I kind of agree with you about the civil war, but it'll be between the "takers"...you people who suck the lifeblood out of America and the ordinary American who just struggle to stay alive while you "producers" wallow in wealth and look with disdain at us who don't have the "midas" touch...and remember what happened to King Midas.

So, so long..

Oh, before I go, BTW, you seriously don't think there was a middle class before WW2? Study up on your history, brother, there was a large middle class in America. True, it was not as wealthy as the middle class under democratic party rule from 1933 to 1968 (Ike by today's Tparty standards is a liberal!) And beginning in 1980 when Reagan got into office the decline of America was begun. Look it up! Maybe Obama can fix it but I doubt it without at least some help from the rightwing.

Tata, JustcommonSense...You need intelligence in there someplace and some good old fashioned Americanism.

A Modest Scribler said...

If you think I'm rich, you need to read more of my blog entries, and if you think there is no waste in government benefits nothing I could write here would do you any good. Thanks for your comments.

Anonymous said...

JCS, I love your blog. Anyway, a Civil War is what the power structure wants. They want a revolt, they want a breakdown. It's the excuse they need. All that's really left is for them to complete the dismantling and the subversion of our military. It's happening.

The ultimate foreclosure, as you call it, is a likely scenario if the US has made secret agreements to collateralize borrowing with access to our national resources. It could be that China owns our oil now. That would explain the lack of drilling.

Anonymous said...

BTW, Condor,

I hear you spouting off ridicule about the concept of "producers". Well, laugh if you want, but if you worked 54 years and didn't plan for your retirement needs, you are a moron. I don't care how many years you served in the military.

So, go ask somebody in Cuba how that socialism is working out for them, Mr. American My Shit Don't Stink because I work cammies for 7 years. I wore them for 15, and i think you are a fool.

grenadavet said...

Good blog. The only thing I have a problem with is the use of the term "civil" war. Technically, a civil war consists of two or more indigenous national groups fighting for control of the nation-state. Even "The" Civil War wasn't; it is more correctly the War Between the States. Not to belabor your point!! I absolutly agree with you, however it will be a revolution. And this time,as in the first, the patriot will be the rebel.

grenadavet said...

BTW, it seems that not many people read or understand Machiavelli. People think that our form of government isn't susceptible to the foilables of any political power base. How sad!! What sheeple.

A Modest Scribler said...

Thanks for your comments grenadavet; I agree. The rebels will indeed be the patriots. The Tea Pary is often laughed out and ridiculed, yet they are really the first line of an army that is growing by the day.