In 1887, Congress wanted to spend. And what better excuse can you think of than farmers who were suffering a catastrophic drought, right? I mean, personally I'm very sympathetic to farmers. I fully appreciate that bumper-sticker; "NO FARMS -- NO FOOD." I get it.
So naturally when farmers are suffering, I'd want the government to step in and give them tax-funded assistance...right?
WRONG. But that's because I'm a bit too circumspect to be so foolishly hasty. Thankfully Grover Cleveland thought like me when he said to Congress:
"I feel obliged to withhold my approval of the plan, as proposed by this bill, to indulge a benevolent and charitable sentiment through the appropriation of funds for that purpose. I can find no warrant for such an appropriation in the Constitution, [anyone remember the Constitution-?] and I do not believe that the power and duty of the General Government ought to be exended to the relief of individual suffering which is in no manner properly related to the public service or benefit. A prevalent tendency to disregard the limited mission of this power and duty should, I think, be steadfastly resisted, to the end that the lesson should be constantly enforced that though the people support the Government the Government should not support the people."
Amen! Just look at the mess we're in because for so many years the people (most notably as of late) have used the government as their own personal ATM! Ultimately, the reinforcement of the 'government saftey-net' has led to our decay, particularly in the area of morals...which leads me to the rest of Grover Cleveland's brilliant response:
"The friendliness and charity of our countrymen can always be relied upon to relieve their fellow citizens in misfortune. [At least it could be back before people expected the government to take care of everything...but I digress...] "This has been repeatedly and quite lately demonstrated. Federal aid in such cases encourages the expectation of paternal care on the part of the Government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character, while it prevents the indulgence among our people of that kindly sentiment and conduct which strengthens the bonds of a common brotherhood."
Ol' 'GC' was proved correct when those 'fellow citizens' (in whom he confidently bestowed his utmost trust) put their money where his mouth was by donating ten times the amount Congress had appropriated.
Grover Cleveland had it right. When WE THE PEOPLE help each other out, the result is a total win-win. We become better neighbors because we're helping each other instead of depending on a bipartisan government as our go-between -- which only leads to bitter disagreement, division and strife. It has lead to out-of-control spending, corruption, and neighbors who often speak unctuously to each other just in case they are political polar opposites.
The "United States of America" has become the divided States of America especially since the government has exploited the ignorance of the masses and pitted us against each other while they've enjoyed the power and the spoils. It is a foolish game which began especially with progressives like FDR.
Historically, FDR's "New Deal" is viewed as the action which "saved America." Poppycock, I say. It was little more than a wolf in sheep's clothing. It set us up for a fall. We became dependent on the government...the "expectation of paternal care" as Grover Cleveland so eloquently called it.
Today we have a president doing exactly the same thing, but to an unprecedented degree. Barack Obama is only dividing this country more than it's ever been divided. Does anyone remember what happens to a house divided? Yeah. And I'm afraid to tell you that we are sure to fall. You'd better get to know the Lord your God if you are thus far unfamiliar. The only parachute for us at this point is the one freely given through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
So naturally when farmers are suffering, I'd want the government to step in and give them tax-funded assistance...right?
WRONG. But that's because I'm a bit too circumspect to be so foolishly hasty. Thankfully Grover Cleveland thought like me when he said to Congress:
"I feel obliged to withhold my approval of the plan, as proposed by this bill, to indulge a benevolent and charitable sentiment through the appropriation of funds for that purpose. I can find no warrant for such an appropriation in the Constitution, [anyone remember the Constitution-?] and I do not believe that the power and duty of the General Government ought to be exended to the relief of individual suffering which is in no manner properly related to the public service or benefit. A prevalent tendency to disregard the limited mission of this power and duty should, I think, be steadfastly resisted, to the end that the lesson should be constantly enforced that though the people support the Government the Government should not support the people."
Amen! Just look at the mess we're in because for so many years the people (most notably as of late) have used the government as their own personal ATM! Ultimately, the reinforcement of the 'government saftey-net' has led to our decay, particularly in the area of morals...which leads me to the rest of Grover Cleveland's brilliant response:
"The friendliness and charity of our countrymen can always be relied upon to relieve their fellow citizens in misfortune. [At least it could be back before people expected the government to take care of everything...but I digress...] "This has been repeatedly and quite lately demonstrated. Federal aid in such cases encourages the expectation of paternal care on the part of the Government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character, while it prevents the indulgence among our people of that kindly sentiment and conduct which strengthens the bonds of a common brotherhood."
Ol' 'GC' was proved correct when those 'fellow citizens' (in whom he confidently bestowed his utmost trust) put their money where his mouth was by donating ten times the amount Congress had appropriated.
Grover Cleveland had it right. When WE THE PEOPLE help each other out, the result is a total win-win. We become better neighbors because we're helping each other instead of depending on a bipartisan government as our go-between -- which only leads to bitter disagreement, division and strife. It has lead to out-of-control spending, corruption, and neighbors who often speak unctuously to each other just in case they are political polar opposites.
The "United States of America" has become the divided States of America especially since the government has exploited the ignorance of the masses and pitted us against each other while they've enjoyed the power and the spoils. It is a foolish game which began especially with progressives like FDR.
Historically, FDR's "New Deal" is viewed as the action which "saved America." Poppycock, I say. It was little more than a wolf in sheep's clothing. It set us up for a fall. We became dependent on the government...the "expectation of paternal care" as Grover Cleveland so eloquently called it.
Today we have a president doing exactly the same thing, but to an unprecedented degree. Barack Obama is only dividing this country more than it's ever been divided. Does anyone remember what happens to a house divided? Yeah. And I'm afraid to tell you that we are sure to fall. You'd better get to know the Lord your God if you are thus far unfamiliar. The only parachute for us at this point is the one freely given through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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