Wednesday, October 11, 2000

I'm amazed that Al Gore is so close in the polls. Depending on which pole you look at, Gore is ahead. In one recent poll, he is behind by one point. I do not understand how he can be so close when he admits to wanting to spend our money.

Last year his boss, when asked what he would do with the budget surplus, said that he would not give a tax break because the American people may not spend the money correctly. The audacity of Clinton to say that. Where is the outrage? The American people just don't seem to care. Now Al Gore is saying the same thing.

You (the American people) have overpaid the government, but instead of getting your money back, Clinton, and now Al Gore, wants to spend your money. Imagine going to Kroger. You buy $7 worth of groceries; you give the cashier a $10 bill. She does not return your money, saying that you might not spend it properly. You would certainly be outraged, and demand your money back. The same thing is happening in the government. Al Gore thinks he can spend your money better than you.

I obviously do not support Gore, but I am somewhat upset with Mr. Bush as well. Trying to convey his compassionate conservatism, he has given in and plans to spend a portion of the budget surplus on social programs.

We should get all of our money back. You're still buying $7 in groceries, but instead of giving $3 back, cashier Bush is only going to give you $1.50 back, and spend the other $1.50 better than you can yourself.

We need some tough love conservatism. The government gets enough of our money already. Over $2 trillion a year. Two trillion dollars. Why in the world do they need more? I have a novel idea. Why don't people take the money they earn from their job, and pay for their own insurance and prescriptions instead of expecting the government to do it? Why don't people save money every week from their paycheck and place it into a retirement account, instead of expecting the government to do it?

We seem to be turning into a socialist nation. "From those who are able, to those who need" That statement encompasses the philosophy of socialism. You could also say, "Take from those who have, and give to those who have not."

The big problem with democracy is when people realize that they can vote themselves money. Middle- and low-end middle class make up the greatest percentage of the population, and when a candidate starts promising to give them money, they go out and vote for them. We Americans seem to take pride in that we stand up for minority rights. Well, one of the most discriminated against minorities would be the wealthy.

The wealthiest 5 percent of the nation pay 50 percent of the taxes. Why should this group be discriminated against? Why should they be punished for their achievement and success? So I am not part of the minority I am trying to defend in this message. I just do not believe that this group should be forced against their will to give up a larger percentage of their money than anyone else. Where is the voice from the wilderness crying out against the injustice of this country's tax code, and expecting people to take care of themselves?

I am not a great supporter of Jesse Ventura; however, I was pleased to hear his comment while addressing a crowd in Minnesota. A young lady asked what he was going to do for single mothers. His reply, Why did you decide to become a single mother? That young lady decided to play; now she must pay.

That's right, she must pay, although she would like Ventura, government, and you to pay for the decisions she has made.

I am frightened to think that Gore may become president. Ultimately, the country will survive. We even survived a president like Bill Clinton who has done very little, but has taken credit for just about everything good that has happened.

I hope we can get a Washington that is willing to allow personal freedom and liberty reign. A Washington that will not forcibly take your wages, redistribute them as they see fit since you are unable to spend your own money properly. I hope that $7 grocery order will go down to $5, and if I give the cashier a ten I hope to get a five back in change.

Carl A. Thompson

Peachtree City

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