George Rebane
A fundamental tenet on RR has been that as government grows in size and scope, it also grows in becoming intrinsically evil through the conduct of its mega-monied politicians and recourse proof bureaucrats. Here are some current observations that bolster that argument.
Charities have become fiefs of big government. How? First, they take the money from those who would give more to charities, then they invite the charities to beg for the same funds. But first the charities have to satisfy certain government agendas, and not the requirements of the people who would freely give. Almost every charity of any size now expects to receive a sizeable portion of its funding from the state after submitting appropriate proposals and bona fides attesting to their politically correct disbursal of funds received. In the 18jul13 WSJ James Pierson makes the case that “Much of the not-for-profit sector has become a junior partner in administering the welfare state.” (more here) And that’s the point of it all, is it not? – all benefices will henceforth flow from government to which all homage and glory belong.
Eritrea and the United States are unique in that they shamefully share what here is called the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). This piece of obamunism became law in 2010, and as most of this grandiose socialist’s other ideas, it has turned into a monster. First, it has made living abroad for Americans an expensive accounting hell, and then it piles on by creating bad will between countries that asymmetrically enforce FATCA-type policies on their expatriates. Professor Colleen Gaffy (Pepperdine University) demonstrates that “the core injustice in America’s tax policy is that it is based on citizenship rather than residence. You ask what could possibly be wrong to pay taxes in two nations concurrently. The answer (here) will surprise you. But ultimately FATCA is a sure sign that we are now acting like a descending autocracy desperately attempting to control and milk our citizens wherever they may be found.
Agenda21 marches on. The latest involves the “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal to declare two million acres in the Sierra Nevada Mountains as “critical habitat” for the Sierra Nevada Yellow Legged Frog and the Yosemite Toad under the Endangered Species Act.” And the consequence will be another constraint added to the long list that already prohibits Americans the use of their public lands. And the telling part is that these critters aren’t even being endangered by humans, but other critters. But that don’t make no never mind when Americans need to be herded and corralled into their sustainable smart growth stack&pack future. Congressman Tom McClintock recently summarized an excellent appeal to sanity on the floor of the House in a short speech titled ‘The Real Endangered Species: The Sierra Nevada Hard Working Family’.
And, of course, the sorry trail of socialism in America continues to be littered with destitution, bankruptcy, and dependency. Breaking news yesterday was that Detroit has filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy – the biggest municipality in the country to do so. And the horrifics of Obamacare are sweeping the land as the Pelosi Principle continues to reveal the contents of that monstrosity. Unions large and small, all dedicated disciples of the messiah, are now screaming bloody murder and are demanding to be protected from the law’s job killing, wallet busting mandates. (Latest from Teamsters’ Hoffa is that Obamacare is a “perverse” law that is creating “perverse scenarios”, as was reported on RR since day one.) The remaining supporters of the nationalizing healthcare law will be able to hold their next convention in something we used to call a phone booth.
[update] Obama gag orders Benghazi survivors. Did you hear that the WH has ordered all Benghazi survivors to sign non-disclosure agreements? According to Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) that is the apparent reason why Congress can’t get any of these people to come and tell the real story at a public hearing. I recall the continuing drone of local liberals here telling one and all that Benghazi was a non-event of no enduring consequence. Now why doesn’t Obama want the story to get out?
The only prominent benefit of Obamacare is from some of the levity that it has generated in the Saturday night shows and emails. Here’s a typical offering –
Top Ten Indicators That Your Employer Has Changed To The
Obamacare Health Care Plan.
(10) Your annual breast exam is done at Hooters.
(9) Directions to your doctor’s office include “Take a left when you enter
the trailer park.”
(8) The tongue depressors taste faintly of Fudgesicles.
(7) The proctologist in the plan is “Gus” from Roto-Rooter.
(6) The only item listed under Preventative Care Coverage is “an apple a
day.”
(5) Your primary care physician is wearing the pants you gave to Goodwill last
month.
(4) “The patient is responsible for 200% of out-of-network charges,”
is not a typographical error.
(3) The only expense covered 100% is…”Embalming.”
(2) Your Prozac comes in different colors with little M’s on them.
(1) You ask for Viagra and they give you one of their tongue depressors and
duct tape.
rebanesruminations.com 
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