To Whom Shall We Listen?
by Marilyn Mackenzie
President Obama didn't scare me in the campaign period, but as soon as he hit office and started changing things he did. If I had known that his meaning of "change" was to take our country from one of free markets, from being a republic/democracy to a socialist nation, I would have fought harder to get ANYONE in besides him. But who knew that he planned on taking over banks and businesses? Who knew that he planned on setting salaries, even in businesses that never took any money from the government?
I have stood proudly with fellow opposers of Obama and his policies and spending. I have sung and waved my flag. I have marched upon to our City Hall along with the rest asking them to refuse money for a stupid (pork) project. I will be among the many throughout the country protesting at ABC affiliates because they have chosen to allow an infomercial about Obamacare, without any mention of what other plans are being suggested.
I believe in fiscal conservatism, in limited federal government, and in free markets. We have enough (too much, actually) socialism in this country already, with public schools and our police and fire departments (the ones that are paid, not volunteers). We have way too much federal government intervention in our lives now, and yet many wish to have the federal government decide their health care as well. Not me!
As I pondered this one day, I went searching for the poem attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller. (You can look him up on Wikipedia, if you want to learn about him.)
Here is the translation of his poem:
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
Then they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
I did not protest;
I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
I did not speak out;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out for me.
The other day, one of my Gather connections asked how my life is, in any way, threatened by our President. My response? If Obama can decide to shut down companies that he deems are not doing business properly, if he can take over businesses and banks, if he can decide salaries at companies that have not taken any government money, what can he do to you?
As Thomas Jefferson said, A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
During our first Tea Party rally in Cincinnati, a man who once lived in East Germany spoke to us. I wished that someone in the crowd had taped his message, because it was a good one. This man knows what it's like to live under oppression. And he warned us of the signs he sees that America is heading down that same path.
Zieger spoke again at the combined Cincinnati Tea Party/Glenn Beck 9/12 group rally on Flag Day, but my husband and I were not able to attend. I wrote and inquired about whether or not someone might have captured his speech and put it on YouTube. Then, while I waited for an answer, I decided to check YouTube myself. There I found some videos of Zieger of the speech he made at a Dayton, Ohio Tea Party rally. His words there were similar to the ones he used in Cincinnati, but he did add some things because of events that had taken place in between the speeches.
Turn up the volume, because it's a bit hard to hear him in some places.
I was also reminded of the words by Russian Prime Minister, Vladamir Putin. Putin said that the United States should take a lesson from the pages of Russian history and not exercise "excessive intervention in economic activity and blind faith in the state's omnipotence."
Continuing:
"In the 20th century, the Soviet Union made the state's role absolute," Putin said during a speech at the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "In the long run, this made the Soviet economy totally uncompetitive. This lesson cost us dearly. I am sure nobody wants to see it repeated."
Sounding more like Barry Goldwater than the former head of the KGB, Putin said, "Nor should we turn a blind eye to the fact that the spirit of free enterprise, including the principle of personal responsibility of businesspeople, investors, and shareholders for their decisions, is being eroded in the last few months. There is no reason to believe that we can achieve better results by shifting responsibility onto the state."
Putin also echoed the words of conservative maverick Ron Paul when he said, "we must assess the real situation and write off all hopeless debts and 'bad' assets. True, this will be an extremely painful and unpleasant process. Far from everyone can accept such measures, fearing for their capitalization, bonuses, or reputation. However, we would 'conserve' and prolong the crisis, unless we clean up our balance sheets."
From American Thinker Blog: Putin Warns US to Eschew Socialism
If there are regular every day folks who have lived under socialism and communism and fascism warning us about the path our country is taking, and if there are world leaders who are warning us about the same thing, should we listen to them?
Or should we listen to a President whose integrity has been reduced by each untruth uncovered in his administration (like not hiring lobbyists, hiring people who cheated on their taxes and defending them, like there being no transparancy at all...)?
Or should we listen to a totally biased media, where commentators admit to having "leg tingles" at the mere mention of his name or the sound of his voice? And where TV stations allow the President to do infomercials, without allowing any opposition to the President's programs?
Does that sound like the America we have known and loved? Does that sound like the America our forefathers designed for us?
To whom shall we listen?
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Comments: 48
As Thomas Jefferson said, A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
It bears repeating.
It surely does. We need to keep reminding ourselves of that.
I'm proud to stand with you against this president and his policies!! Thanks for the video and excellent post!!
Thanks, Janie. We have to hope and pray that someone can defeat him in 2012. In the meantime, we have to keep calling attention to everything that is wrong. :)
I agree with you, totally!!
I'll stand by you too Marilyn!!! It is fascinating to hear the rest of the world warning us the dangers of continuing down the path of socialism, yet there are those individuals who think they know what is best for us and fail to heed those warnings/messages. People need to look around at what is going on in the rest of the country and tell us if this is what they want for our great country, because this is where we are headed if we don't change course. What is happening in our country now is something to be scared of. How much government is too much government?? Should the government be in control of banks and businesses, dictate which one should fail or succeed and decide companies' salaries??? Something to consider.
Agreed, Diana. Sadly, most people are thinking of their particular situation and not considering the entire country or even their own children's and grandchildren's futures.
President Obama is not only on ABC, he'll be all over the airwaves in the coming days and weeks. So in all fairness to them all you should protest them equally. He'll be on NPR also, not to mention Twitter, Facebook and You Tube where he has his own channel. Like it or not the guy is media smart and being media smart is important. Understanding the new media is becoming more important everyday. This is a major factor in being able to promote his agenda. Like I say "rumble young man, rumble!"
Brian, what's wrong is that ABC is not allowing ANY opposition to Obama's plan. They won't let any group in opposition buy time before, during (commercials) or after. Or...do you think maybe it's the President saying that they can't? Either way, it's not right.
And the question remains...do you believe ones who have lived in socialst & communist countries when they see what's happening here heading down those roads?
I wonder what right-wing site provided you with those helpful quotes? If you had actually ever read Thomas Jefferson or Pastor Niemoller, you might understand how severely out of context you've taken their words. You'd be much more believable quoting the likes of Bill O'Reilly and Sarah Palin, whose words are thoughtfully limited to a number of syllables with which you'd be more comfortable.
I've read about both men quite a bit, actually.
The quotes stand. The big issue is, do you believe people who have lived in socialist/communist countries who say we're heading towards what they lived? Or do you believe...lamestream media and liberal politicians?
Well said Marilyn. Im with you, we are already socialist, and Thomas Jefferson would not favor what is taking place. He was for state rights, and opposed a human king and a world empire.
If you really hate America so much then why not just move to your heaven on earth Iraq?
Who said I hate America? I love America - the America our forefathers designed, not the one Obama is redesigning. If I wanted to live in a socialist or communist country, I would move. I want our country to have the limited federal government it was designed to have. I want fiscal conservatism. Everyone - individuals, businesses and government - need to live below their means!!! And I want free markets. Obama has no right to take over banks and businesses. Let them fail. Let people fail. That's how they learn and it's much safer for the country than what Obama has done.
I also want a president who doesn't apologize to the world or act like he's campaigning to be king of the world.
When Obama said "change," he meant that's all you'd have left in your pocket when he was done.
Indeed, AC. Of course, he says he's not really raising taxes - just creating new ones. :)
Don, you hit the nail right on the head, those bitter Americans that hate America today should remember that we had an election and a winner was declared in a solid victory especially in the electoral college. The winner didn't come from a Supreme Court ruling, it was a clear win for Barack Obama.
Those feeling that communism or socialism was voted in and that they were somehow wronged in the election process maybe they should move from the USA and try their luck elsewhere like North Korea, China or Cuba see what real communism is and find a fairer election process over there.
Brian, do you really think our president has the right to take over businesses and to decide salaries of ALL companies at his whim? And you think that's not leading to something dangerous? Are you really that naive?
Do you really not get it? This is not about politics. It's about what is right for the entire country, not just Democrats or Republicans. You should care about that.
Hopefully, you listened to the video of the man from East Germany and noted the quotation by Putin.
I for one am planning to live in Costa Rica after we retire.
You really don't get it, bitter people that feel they were robbed during the election process should try their luck in Cuba or North Korea and see real communism. In those countries you'll get to vote (maybe) and have a choice between the Commie party and the Commie party.
I'm not bitter. I am in disagreement with Obama and almost everything he does and says, totally without reservation. But not bitter.
That stuff about being bitter ... that was the lie Obama told about me and about some people in Pennsylvania. But that's not me. That's Obama's perception of me; he is wrong and so are you.
Also just because I agree with Marilyn totally does not mean I feel robbed. I don't feel as if I was robbed in the previous election. I am being wronged. There is a difference between being robbed and wronged.
Mmm.. although ... come to think of it I am currently also being robbed by the same man who is in the process of doing me and the U.S. wrong.
Brian T. Jun 23, 2009, 9:29pm EDT
You really don't get it, bitter people that feel they were robbed during the election process should try their luck in Cuba or North Korea and see real communism. In those countries you'll get to vote (maybe) and have a choice between the Commie party and the Commie party.
I'm not bitter either. I'm amazed that people are standing around watching Obama take over businesses and banks and that they think that's okay. I'm amazed that people think it's okay for the President to go on an apology tour. I'm amazed that people cannot see that our President is constantly campaigning. (I think he wants to be king of the world.) I worry about our safety. There's another book about Reagan out and the writer said that "his conviction was that peace could be achieved in only two ways: by strength great enough to prevent agression...or by surrender."
An article I saw today called Reagan the "Decider in Chief". Another article I read talked about the fact that Obama has no experience in running or managing anything, but that he does have experience running FOR positions, so his actions are always those of someone pitching something. And he's smooth at that. But if you listen carefully, he doesn't really say much. He talks about goals, but doesn't give any details about how to reach those goals. Then, POOF!, he fires a company executive. He has no business taking over a company, when no one on his staff has any business experience, or taking over banks. He knows how to spend, spend, spend money we don't have.
I disagree with almost everything the man has done since he came to office. But I'm not bitter. I worry about the country I love. I want it back. And I'm thankful that SOME Obama fans are coming to their senses as his popularity ratings come down. I'm glad SOME people are waking up to how dangerous this man is. But bitter, no.
People's own personal hatred and misguided disgust toward George Bush is causing them to fall right into Obama's web of socialism. In fact, Obama himself is using their hated to make everything he does or decides to do seem positive and redeeming.
It is the very negativity that people feel toward the previous president that makes this one seem so much "better"........Think about it.
You're right, Berf. The devil himself could have been elected because people hated Bush. And as long as whoever is doing the opposite of what Bush might have done, they think it's fine and dandy. (Although it never occurs to them that what is being done would not have been done by any other Democrat. Well, unless Pelosi or Reed were President.)
You blog in a way that's like being a journalist, in commie North Korea journalists get 12 years hard labor in a prison camp. I take it that you still have the freedom to write, come and go as you please or haven't got a knock on the door at 2:30 am and saw the secret police standing there or am I wrong about this?
Brian, actually, did you read that Obama put an Internet Czar into place. Obama already hates anyone who disagrees with him. During the election, he called people bitter and said they leaned on God. Remember? Now that he's in, he just calls anyone who disagrees a terrorist. He also refuses to go on Fox because they disagree with him on so many things.
I think the day will come under this President when we will have to worry about the words we share. I hope and pray I'm wrong. But if you listen to the people who have lived in that kind of world, they believe I'm right.
Brian T, and Don (bush/ cheney prison 2009)
Your statements implying one should leave this country because they are displeased with the actions of a president or politician or policies is appalling. I would like to remind you Americans do not have to give blind support to anyone, 'just cause,' or leave this country to see what another country has to offer.
It is our job as good Americans to watch everything the president does, closely, voice our opinions, and our educated ideas of where this will lead, and our dissension or approval of his policies.
I have the right, if I see Obama, to walk up to him and say straight in the face 'I think YOU are ruining this country. I think that your policies are bad. I think that you should be impeached.' That is what I believe and no one has the right to invite me to leave this country because of it. And no, they cannot throw me in prison. They can only escort me from the premises.
We understand and evaluate a president, a government, by watching what they are doing, having an awareness of the repercussions of those actions, and VOICING OUR OPINIONS. When we feel a president is attempting to lead us right down the path to socialism, we SHOULD express our concerns about that, and on the job they're doing. We should not treat our elected officials as anything more than what they are - - - people who work for us. People who we put in that office, and people we can take out. They are not more.
It is our right and responsibility to make sure that our representatives are truly doing their job ... which is To Represent US. My right. Your right. Our responsibility. I do that by voicing my opinion. Whether it's for, or against. Why? Because it is my JOB. MY job. When we speak out against an action or policy, we are doing so to protect our rights, as we perceive them. It has been said that dissent is the greatest form of patriotism.
I believe it is un-American to invite anyone to leave this country by saying, "Love it or leave it," or variants thereof. That implies you do not know the real beauty and freedoms this country offers.
Thanks, Willa. You said that quite well. :)
That's my point people hate what America has become and are bitter about it, we had an election with a declared winner, freedom of speech and a chance to vote, those are precious freedoms you don't get many places around the world and people going around mouthing off about communism should try it for REAL in North Korea or Cuba. Those people over there will take life over here in the USA any day of the week. It could be those running around talking about communism don't remember the USSR, Cuba, or North Korea too well- real communism and got a few facts confused. Trying real communism like working for little or nothing in a sugar cane field from sun up to sun down may help clear things up.
Brian, seriously, we should listen to those who lived under oppression and try to see what they see in our situation. If not, we'll be just as surprised as they were when there are no more freedoms left.
The "People's Republic Of China" ... "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics" ... look at the name of many countries, and countries in the past, and they often say they are something they are not.
In the US we were lucky enough to conceive and build our country based on the principles of democracy, but in many countries some group takes over based on promises or ideas that us to get popular support, and then they disregard these promises and ideas.
That is what happened with communism and socialism in many cases. The repressive countries you people mention are not socialist or communist, they are dictatorships based on a tyrannical violent power elite, like we see in North Korea or Iran today.
To describe socialism or communism as what happens in these countries in ignorant and wrong. You might better use Sweden, Britain, France or many or even most of the most advanced countries in the world - including the US - and call that socialism.
It is propaganda and intellectually dishonest to associate socialism with tyranny, and it is in fact done to promote the factions in the US that support tyranny and oppression of our people. This should be a cause of major concern that the US is for example the one biggest holdout in the world of the developed countries in universal health care.
That means something, calling something socialist or communist or whatever means nothing.
Very true, Bruce.
But, we have yet to see a Communist-style government actually succeed as promoted, so there are only bad examples to look at.
And when we have a President who creates dozens of czar positions, reporting to only him and not responsible to any other part of the government, doesn't that sound like the early stages of a dictatorship to you?
I'm all for listening in matter of fact I've spent 6 yrs in the US Army dealing with commies and during that time gained a pretty good working knowledge of communism and know what it isn't.
BTW- working in a hot sugar cane field from sun up to sun down with little or any pay or locking up a reporter 12 yrs in a work camp is real communism.
Indeed. But how does it start?
I was scared of Obama BEFORE he was elected!!
SO WAS I.
I actually liked him at first. Then, as we approached the Primary Election, something about him just didn't seem right. He seemed to be standing up for the wrong values and was too easily dissuaded from being firm on other values that should be protected and upheld. And, he was too elusive regarding just what change he was proposing.
I read the other day that he's an organizer. He knows how to set goals. If you listen to his speeches and the words of his mouthpieces, they're always talking about what they're going to do, what goals they have. Sadly for all of us, they then let Pelosi and Reed come up with plans.
Bailing out a company and mandating that they NOT spend money so freely is hardly communism. Congress, your ELECTED LEADERS, was behind this plan.
Does he have actual control of banks, auto industry etc. You have manufactured your excuse to whine. If not this you'd find something else.
Somehow spinning a tyrannical society in a democracy only ruins your credibility.
Oh please. Thankfully, for the most part, people who I would have voted for were not for this insanity. If Obama doesn't have total control how could he fire a company exec? And haven't you been listening to anything on the news? He also claims the ability to do that to ANY company whether or not they have taken government funds. And you think there is something RIGHT with that? How would you feel if it was your company????
When other presidents set up their own czars not a peep from the right, now it's a crisis?
Actually, I did have something to say about czars in the past. I don't like the idea one bit, because they are not held accountable by anyone other than the President. But this President thinks he has to have a czar for EVERYTHING. Our tax money has to pay for that. And...that makes their activities totally out of our control. Again, you think that's right? Not me.
To whom shall we listen?
Well try to block all opposing posts, oh, you already did. Limpaugh could not have done better.
It's funny that you don't ever have a real opposition to anything like this except to repeat the same things over and over, which mean nothing. Do you not have words of your own? Is there some liberal web site somewhere that gives you a list of insults to use when you have nothing else to contribute?