Socialism Repackaged?

To the Editor:

Does Obama offer real change or socialism repackaged? Would his ideas produce prosperity or sink our economy further?

Maybe Germany’s history offers a clue. After World War II, Germany became an “emerging market.” It rebuilt rapidly with help from the US and The Marshall Plan, producing impressive growth. In 1975, just one of Germany’s steel mills produced more steel than China’s steel industry. However, today China is the new Germany.

In the 1990s, German workers voted for more “socialism,” 35-hour work weeks, longer paid vacations, and higher taxes. The Chinese, in contrast, worked all day in their factories as they started to embrace “Capitalism” and lower taxes.

In 2000, the Chinese bought Germany’s largest steel company, Thyssen Group, closed and dismantled the mill, and reassembled it in China. Because of Germany’s policies, the town of Dortmund where the Krup mill was located is now a dying city. China, though, is becoming an industrial Super Power.

Now consider our economic policy, for all of its faults — our health care system is the best in the world. Free trade agreements created by Clinton as well as President Bush have resulted in goods being more affordable to even people of modest income. Americans have more goods and services available than anyone imagined a generation ago.

Look at Obama’s slogan of change without specifics. His answers, from the energy shortage, to fixing Medicare, to prescription drugs, all seem the same — to raise taxes. With the economy as it is, Americans are already struggling to pay their expenses. Will this change to raise taxes, at a time like this, produce more energy, make us a better competitor, or just sink our economy like Germany’s?

Now Obama is flip-flopping and promising everyone earning under $200,000 income a tax cut. That is more than 90 percent of the country. Where is he going to get the money to do that plus provide “Universal Health Care,” which would even include illegal immigrants?

Clinton got people off welfare rolls. Obama’s massive tax credit proposal is welfare disguised because it gives away the hard earned tax dollars. Thus, if the tax credit was for $1,000, but the taxpayer owed only $200 in taxes, the government would send that person the balance of $800. And if the person owed no taxes, Obama’s plan would still pay them the whole $1,000, no-work needed and no-needs test. Does that encourage the work ethic and responsibility that built our country? Will this too apply to illegal immigrants?

With the required takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac, Obama now states that he might have to delay letting the Bush tax cuts expire. What is with these “maybe if” statements? Is it a real change of mind or just more flip-flopping?

Also consider Obama’s longtime association with a member of organized crime from Illinois, as well as his association with Bill Ayers, who bombed the Pentagon in the 1960s. Does this inspire confidence or show corruption?

Overall, does this show a person worthy of being President?

Natasha Kormanik

85 Great Ring Rd., Sandy Hook                          September 13, 2008