Christians are being murdered, persecuted and chased out of Muslim lands. If the roles were reversed, Christians attacking Muslims, the world would rightly be crying ethnic cleansing.
Here's what a "moderate" Pakistani imam had to say about the cold-blooded murder of a politician by his bodyguard. The politician has defended a Christian woman against accusations of blasphemy:
They even went so far as to warn government officials and journalists that the “supporter is as equally guilty as one who committed blasphemy,” and so therefore they should all take “a lesson from the exemplary death” of Salman Taseer. (NY Post)Are we able to take a lesson?
Pension and benefit packages threaten to collapse entire cities and states
Benefits packages for government workers are unsustainable, and we need to have a responsible discussion focused on the financial facts. The purported cupidity or sanctity of the pensioners has nothing to do with the facts on the ground. If someone opened the door to paradise, who among us would not walk in? So it's not about the people, it's about the fiscal mess we are now in.
We set up a system where people could grab with both hands while being completely insulated from the consequences.
What's the Answer?
Privatize it. City workers, teachers, auditors, logistics. This is not a knock against public servants. The good ones will get hired by the private sector and the bad ones will no longer be able to scam the system. End all government pensions and drive everyone to a 401K-type retirement plan. End all government health insurance plans and drive everyone to private insurance. End government disability programs; anyone who wants such protection can buy it in the public insurance market. These actions would put our federal, state and local governments on a pay as we go basis, reducing future unfunded liabilities.
Sound draconian? The private sector has already done it.
Further Reading:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-03/snowplow-slowdowns-might-become-american-way-commentary-by-kevin-hassett.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/04/us/politics/04fiscal.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper
http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/raging-against-them/?singlepage=true
http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2010/12/where_i_differ.html
Nugent Schools Rosanne Barr
Go here and watch Ted Nugent school Rosanne Barr
Notice how every time he shuts her down she moves on to another issue?
My favorite line was when the host said Obama had accomplishments before becoming president; he helped the people of Chicago, to which Uncle Ted replied: "The people of Chicago don't look very helped to me"
Have a happy weekend!
