Does America's Future Look Like Greece?

The average federal government employee makes over $70,000 per year without benefits.
State and local pensions throughout the USA are underfunded. Social Security is broke. Medicare is broke. Medicaid is broke. The Federal Government just rammed Health Care down our throats to the tune of 3 trillion dollars. A colossal Cap and Trade legislative proposal is on the horizon and immigration reform is guaranteed to send the entitlement system into orbit. Welcome to America 2010!

How will this all end?

Let's jump across the pond and take a look at the most recent economic disaster, Greece.

In exchange for 110 Billion Euros, from the EU and IMF, Greece has agreed to massive cuts in the countries budget. MASSIVE! Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou recently told his people to prepare for 'great sacrifices' after violent clashes between police and protesters opposing the cuts took place this weekend.

The cuts, albeit harsh, are absolutely necessary to correct the out of control, irresponsible spending of the Greek government. The "great sacrifices" that Papandreou speaks of will no doubt cause further violence, rioting and hardship to the citizens of the welfare state. Some of the "sacrifices" are sure to be met with huge opposition, but the only way to settle the problem is to do what is right, something that should have been done a long time ago. Hint (are you watching Washington?)

Here is a small list of some of the major changes that will take place in Greece.

˜An increase in the retirement age from an average age of 53 to 67

˜Government workers to lose annual bonuses worth an extra two months' pay;

˜Ten per cent tax rise on alcohol, cigarettes and gasoline;

˜Three-year wage freeze in the public sector;

˜Early retirement will be limited or abolished altogether;

˜VAT (value added tax) increase from 21 per cent to 23 per cent.

The tax increases and austerity measures could total 30 billion dollars by the time everything is fully implemented.

There are a couple of interesting side notes that everyone in America should be aware of regarding the crisis in Greece. The nation, due to it's socialist status, has overspent, over promised and recklessly created entitlement programs for it's citizens for years. The extreme costs of operating a nanny state is one of the reasons that the country is now faced with a collapsing economy. The other note of interest is the fact that as staggering as the 147 billion dollar bailout is, the U.S. congress recently gave more money to bailout AIG. This alone should testify to the immensity of our nations economic situation.

Finally, will the U.S. learn something from the situation in Greece? Probably not, it just doesn't seem to fit into our fabric. The politicians in Washington are dead set on spending us into oblivion, corporate cronyism and the fact that a huge contingency of citizens are already dependent on Big Brother suggests that we too are headed toward some type of economic judgement day.

The real question, however, is will the U.S. accept salvation in the form of "bigger government" or will we do what is right and suffer now so that our children will not have to later? Both answers require sacrifice, if we choose the wrong one, there will be no turning back!

Equal Justice or Social Justice

In Arizona the people have had enough! With an overwhelming majority of support, 70%, the Arizona Legislature and current Governor Jan Brewer have made a very bold statement regarding illegal immigration. Beginning this week illegal immigrants will be arrested and deported back to their homeland, failure to prove American citizenship will result in a "free" trip home for thousands.

Some are trying to play the race card, totally ignoring the fact that this has nothing to do with race and everything to do with the enforcement of law. A law that the Federal government is supposed to be enforcing, I might add.

What has led the state of Arizona to this point? The simple fact that the Federal Government has abdicated it's duty to protect and defend the borders of the state from invasion as well as failure to enforce immigration laws, has left the state with no other choice.

The situation in Arizona has turned into a crisis and due to the failures of Washington, someone had to step up to the plate and address the issue head on, enter current Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Amidst, threats of boycotts from San Francisco and some organizational groups, the Governor has stood firm in her decision to attack the problem at the state and local level. In addition to the threats of boycotts, Al Sharpton has vowed to march in protest of the heinous actions. The President is likewise playing the race card and recently sent out a call to his coalition of "young people, African-Americans, Latinos, and women who powered our victory in 2008 [to] stand together once again." It appears that the President is always willing to take advantage of a crisis, interestingly enough, his rally cry left out several other demographics of society, but I am sure that he just "mis"spoke.

In all actuality what is happening here is nothing more than pandering on the part of the President. He is siding with law breakers, plain and simple, in an attempt to gain their political support. Because, if his amnesty reform passes congress, these folks will be voting in 2012. Furthermore, it is the solemn duty of the President of the United States to enforce the law of the land, not make exceptions when the law is broken.

As far as Al Sharpton goes, who the heck cares what Al Sharpton thinks? Sharpton will be isolating his base if he "marches on Phoenix." Think about it, how many African Americans are without jobs because of illegal immigrants? The number of estimated jobs held by illegal immigrants are 8 million, how many African Americans are adversely affected by these numbers?

Finally, there is a lesson that all Americans can learn from what is happening in Arizona. The difference between social justice and equal justice. Two things that every American should pay close attention to.

Our President is practicing "Social Justice," arguing that the law doesn't apply due to the special circumstances of those involved, this is the fundamentally flawed error of Social Justice, no respect for the law. This is the approach that Marx would have taken.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on the other hand is practicing "Equal Justice," she is applying the law and enforcing the law, remembering all the while that Justice is blind to the circumstances. This is the approach that our founding fathers would have endorsed.