For those of you who voted for Obama’s hope and change a few years back, there is a rather alarming article on Investors.com. Dependence on the federal government has increased 23 percent in the first two years of his leadership. It states that 67 million Americans now rely on some federal program. This is based on a study by the Heritage Foundation. The study tracks money spent on housing, health, welfare, education subsidies and other federal programs that used to be provided to the needy by local organizations.
This rise in the dependency index has been driven mainly by increases in housing subsidies, expanding Medicaid and changes to the welfare system, along with a sharp rise in food stamps. This report also found that spending on “dependency programs” accounts for more that 70 percent of the federal budget. That’s up from 48.5 percent in 1990 and just over 25 percent in 1962. Additionally, 49.5 percent of Americans don’t pay income taxes compared to 12 percent back in the ’60s.
This Obama march toward a larger role of the federal government in our lives has given us the biggest two-year jump in government dependency since the Jimmy Carter era. Some of you remember those times when things were so bad they published a misery index. The one thing different today is that we don’t have the run-away inflation we had with our Georgia Boy Jimmy. The one similarity between Obama and Carter is the total incompetency of their administrations.
So, for all you hard-working, tax-paying Americans who aren’t looking for a government handout, remember this when you go to vote in November.
— Bob Schrameyer
Goshen
Letters to the Editor
Obama increasing dependence on federal government
- Letters to the Editor
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Goshen sidewalk crowding is the new cruising
I’m writing in response to the article in The Goshen News (May 16), entitled “Way Paved for Sidewalk Ordinance.” To recap quickly: The older people (business owners, the Establishment, “The Man”, the 1 percent) in Goshen don’t like the younger people crowding the sidewalk during First Fridays.
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A 'compassionate conservative?'
You’ve all heard the term “compassionate conservative” used by liberals. They called George W. Bush a compassionate conservative, among other things. Have you ever noticed how liberals love to label people?
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Partisanship OK in Congress, but not in other elected offices
During the primary election season there was much discussion regarding whether bipartisanship is a positive or negative attribute as it relates to the work of the United States Congress. When I speak to students, I often mention the vital role of partisanship within the legislative branch of government.
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Elkhart County community's help appreciated
On behalf of the Child And Parent Services Board of Directors, staff and the families we serve, our heartfelt thanks go out to the generous people of Elkhart County.
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Why not just close Main Street?
I thought Goshen spent millions of dollars just a few years ago to widen and increase Third Street to two-way traffic and make Fifth Street a two-way street so that traffic flow on Main Street would be greatly reduced. So, why can’t the Goshen City Council address the problem of the number of people at First Fridays by closing the downtown section of Main Street for one afternoon/evening per month and allowing people to congregate on the street?
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Sponsors help First Fridays thrive
Last month, more than 150 volunteers, 30 city staff members, and 16 sponsors donated time, talent and treasure to make the event a success. First Fridays simply would not exist without the good will and hard work of many individuals coming together.
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Proving Rush Limbaugh wrong?
We can confirm that President Obama has officially broken Rush Limbaugh’s heart by achieving the success that Rush wished against. Remember after the 2008 election when Rush famously hoped our new president would not be successful? Well the evidence is insurmountable that Mr. Obama has gotten the best of Rush.
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Shelters should neuter animals
This letter is on the subject of neutering animals, especially cats.
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Mourdock is bought and paid for
It is sad to watch, but once again the Tea Party has been duped by big business and banks into supporting causes and people who will do harm to the rank and file in the Tea Party.
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America cannot afford another Republican president
Remember 2001 and how President George W. Bush inherited the biggest federal surplus in postwar history? The Congressional Budget Office even projected the federal government would be debt-free by 2009. The country was in terrific fiscal shape to deal with any crises or emergencies in the future, even ready to handle the retirement of the Baby Boom generation.
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