copyright © 2008 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org In the tradition of the Grand Old Party, this election year Republicans had hoped they had nominated a fiscal Conservative. In March 2008, Columnist Bonnie Erbe mused; John McCain might return the messianic rule Republicans think "Right." The Journalist scribed. Is McCain the Return of the Fiscal Conservative? The Senator from Arizona and Presidential aspirant has often spoken of the need to be economically accountable. Financial folly is conduct John McCain does not favor. John McCain rejects earmarks. He wants no Senator to spend dollars on local projects. He is proud of his rigid record; he has not supplied his home State with money for roads or bridges to nowhere. As President of the United States, the "maverick" Republican, will not reward capriciousness. Yet, perhaps he has and will when in the White House. |
| Betsy L. Angert :: Fiscal Conservatives |
| Irresponsibility is a term not easily defined. American history illustrates, the interpretation varies dependent on how the arrears accrue and for whom. John the Caterer, Pam the Antique Shop owner, Tito the Truck Driver, or possibly, Jane the Dressmaker believe a responsible person takes care of them self first. Money in my pocket matters more than dollars for those on government programs. Uncaring or less than conscious of consequences; you dear reader decide. These small business entrepreneurs work hard for the cash they earn. In these tough times, John, Pam, Tito, and Jane cannot afford to contribute to the goodwill of others in their communities. They are strapped. In McCain Palin commercial after commercial, proprietors proclaim as the candidate they support does, it would be fiscally irresponsible to spread the wealth or to have tax dollars pay for plans that might buy more body armor, build more roads, better hospitals and schools, or stimulate a green economy. Each of these mini-tycoons, along with the now third person on the Republican ticket, Joe the Plumber, tells the American people of personal concerns; the trials and tribulations of taxes. These citizens crave policies that typify the Republican tradition of economic restraint. McCain Palin supporters, common folks such as Carole the Cook and Charles the Contractor muse; it is reckless to grow debt. American workers, businessmen, and women think it is prudent to hold on to every hard earned dollar. They too have no love for an economic adventurous policymaker. That has been the mantra for many American's for decades. "We want a fiscal Conservative in the White House!" However, frequently, the fine people of this country elect other than a President who is cautious with American dollars. United States citizens intend to cast ballots for those who practice economic restraint. Yet, annals reveal, too often they do not. Responsible, reckless; you dear reader decide. (Please review the chart) Recent Republican Administrations exemplify the dichotomy between monetary judiciousness and those who adopt the title, fiscal Conservative. Past Presidents Ronald Reagan, George Herbert Walker Bush, and the current Chief Executive, George W. Bush brought this country to its economic knees. While the latter may be a bit bruised, it seems his supporters are happy to follow in a Republican tradition. They will vote for the John McCain, the candidate who now represents the Republican Party. Fortunately, for the Arizona Senator, past Grand Old Party fiscal follies does not tarnish the reputation of the "Right." Republicans and Independents, who think taxes are irresponsible, endorse the Bush protégé, John McCain in the current 2008 Presidential campaign. Although Republican Administrations accrued billions in national debt, these former Commanders-In-Chief personally prospered. They, did as John the Caterer, Pam the Antique Shop owner, Tito the Truck Driver, and of course, the now famous Joe the Plumber hope to do, held their dollars closely and benefit at the expense of others. The third person on the Republican Presidential stump, Joe the Plumber has already accomplished as his political leaders did. Samuel J. Wurzelbacher's debt resulted in liens. However, he also garnered greater monetary wealth. Irresponsible, accountable; only you the American taxpayer can decide for yourself. It appears there is a perceptible pattern. People who prosper from the hardship of others leave enormous sums unpaid. Former Presidents and the few big or small business owners thrive, while the average American, lives on meager wages, or salaries that do not allow much money to be saved. Responsible behavior, or the ruinous result of regressive taxes; individual readers will choose what they wish to trust as truth. However, no one will negate, common people find themselves in a financial crisis, that for him or her, perhaps feels more dire than the national or global catastrophe. Circumstances, may force the poor and Middle Class to be more fiscally Conservative. As the economy tightens, remunerations are reduced. Expenses expand. People who work hard may have little to show for the blood, sweat, and tears of toil. The Center for American Progress reports, in recent years, as another a Republican ruled the White House, America's Middle Class has fallen deeper into a financial abyss. Income growth slows, and costs climb for the average person in the United States. For the common folks, financial solvency is on a downward descent; fiscal liability ascends. A typical middle income family earning around $45,000 a year saw its debt burden grow by 33.1% between 2001 and 2004, even after adjusting for inflation. Debt relative to income rose even more, to 33.9%, during this period for middle-income families. Personal bankruptcies among these households are rising steeply. As the ordinary American grapples with the newer reality of reduced revenue, under the auspices of a Grand Old Party Administration, the affluent enjoy greater gains than ever before. The Middle Class who lack funds are forced to be money-wise, not pound-foolish. Wealthier Republicans, such as John McCain, who wail of personal responsibility, take no note of what occurs to others less fortunate or financially not fluid. Indeed, when President, John McCain intends to make the tax cuts established in the current Administration permanent. The Presidential aspirant disregards the damage done. Perchance, a desire to discount the cause and effect of an economic crisis could be considered fiscally imprudent Republican President George W. Bush does not worry of what his irrational policies produced He offers with emotional detachment, "The fact is that income inequality is real -- it's been rising for more than 25 years," For Mister Bush and Senator McCain that truth is just the way it is, and perchance, they think the disproportionate distribution is the way it should be. This is known as a redistribution of wealth . . . upwards. The moneyed move millions, billions into preferred pocketbooks. The super-rich, and those who represent them in the Oval Office, do this through duties that divide the population. The regressive tax system subtlety imposed upon the nation by recent Republican Administrations helped supplement substantial income and capital gains. Might this tax practice be rash or rational? Today [in 2003 and since], with state taxes becoming more regressive - and the two Bush tax cuts providing large tax savings for the rich - the tax system is moving in the direction of a flat tax, but doing so out of the spotlight. For example, despite sharp debate about the administration's tax cuts on the campaign trail, talk about whether taxes are regressive or progressive is hardly material for the stump speeches of presidential candidates . . . Then, in 2003, and now, a levy structure put in place by the Grand Old Party benefits the moneyed, and punishes those with less dollars. Under the auspices of Republican rule, the average American has and will realize greater debt. So too will the country. Self-invested proprietors, a collective of self-interested persons, or Republican Administrations that do not require people of means to contribute to the greater good soon realize they have created an economic calamity. These persons who prefer a Conservative in the White House, have opted for deregulation of banks and brokers. Depositories built on free and open markets, without restraints, have done as individuals, Presidents, and property owners have. They sought to endow self and sacrifice service to the community. Are they prudent, practical, fiscally Conservative, or just careless . . .? America, under the direction of the last three Republican Presidents, fiscal Conservatives who were not prudent with cash, encouraged the electorate to charge it. Now, Joe the Plumber, John the Caterer, and Betty the Baker who [kneads] needs more dough before she can purchase a storefront understands why everyday people borrow from banks. The regressive Republican tax structure has made it hard for these individuals to manage on the money they have set aside. Those who advocate for less taxes and look out for their personal gains, as the mammoth monetary monuments crumbled do well when the consumer wants more. However, as history shows us, amongst Grand Old Party Presidents and the more prosperous, too much is never enough for people with plenty. When faced with a monetary meltdown after years of irrational, irresponsible, exuberance, self-proclaimed fiscal conservations like John McCain morphed. The love of money does that to people, even if they wish to think themselves traditionalist. The Bush Administration proposed a government bailout of big businesses who behaved irresponsibly. The newer Grand Old Party, leader, and Presidential aspirant, understood that he was expected to be standard-bearer for self-sufficiency. However, if he stood that ground, those he helped to thrive through deregulation would go down. Thus, as a faithful Republican soldier, John invoked the plea that would point out that he is perchance, not a fiscal Conservative. In September 2008, Senator McCain offered an early election year surprise. The once traditional Republican requested, Please,"Let the government bailout business." As a fiscal Conservative, John McCain said, "Let my corporate cohorts eat cake." Americans may ask as Journalist Bonnie Erbe did months earlier; Is McCain the Return of the Fiscal Conservative? References for Republican Resources . . .
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