Leading America down wrong path By Arlene Carroll

Source: http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/365/2009/february/10/leading-america-down-wrong-path.html

February 10, 2009

Burlington County Times

It makes one wonder how our politicians justify their statements and actions. To get elected, they tell America what they think it wants to hear. Now they are backing off everything and telling us that what they said is not going to work. They are really out of touch with the average American, as they vote down party lines whether it is good or bad for America.

We now have a treasury secretary who didn't pay his income taxes until he was offered the job. He has now paid them, but guess what - no penalties. Now we have Tom Daschle withdrawn from a cabinet job [because he] also did not pay some income taxes until it was made public. No penalties either. Could the average American get away with this? Is this a double standard? Their fellow Democrats say these are honest mistakes - what a joke. On May 7, 1998, Daschle said anyone who cheats on his income tax should be prosecuted fully. Should we believe these are the best and only men for these jobs?

We are being told only doom and gloom and tough choices have to be made. Yet, we can spend $160 million or more on an inauguration and many other parties. Many politicians lecture us about putting a freeze on our salaries. Congress didn't freeze its sala-ries, they took a pay raise (no news editorials about this). Is this another double standard? Congress is not afraid of losing its salaries, pensions or medical coverage since members contribute nothing towards them. The American taxpayer gives it to them. Are they better than any other American? When they retire they get the same salary, plus their spouses collect too. The answer to this is, they should pay the same as everyone else. Is this another double standard? They talk about the perks of the CEO's, what about them? They sure take care of themselves.

Where can an American apply as [someone seeking asylum]? A single pensioner, after 40-50 years of contributions, gets a monthly allowance of $1,012. A single [asylum seeker] gets a monthly allowance of $1,890, plus an additional social assistance of $580, for a total of $2,470 a month. Who thought of this idea? Now they want to spend billions more on programs that won't stimulate the economy. Do these people know what they are doing to our country? They are out of touch with the average American and leading America down the wrong path.

Arlene Carroll
Vincentown