What the Ryan pick might mean: A move toward a less prosperous America (WI lefty shrink's screed)

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel ^ | August 18, 2012 | Dr. Jan Van Schaik

[2ndDivisionVet]

Mitt Romney has chosen as his running mate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, the author of an ill-conceived budget plan that he ambitiously named "The Path to Prosperity."

In fact, Ryan's budget plan aims to put more money in taxpayers' pockets through massive cuts to many programs that have a direct impact on the quality of life in the United States.

There is more to "prosperity" than money in our pockets. Financial prosperity does no one any good if there is not concomitant happiness or, at least, contentment. The ability to lead a happy and satisfying life is the best measure of true prosperity. A happy life is made up of basic American values: access to health care, access to a good education, security, access to sustenance.

Given this, the happiness of our citizenry does not seem to figure into the GOP's notion of prosperity. Our nation's founders were wise to emphasize the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The GOP seems to have lost sight of the pursuit of happiness.

True happiness is difficult to define. It is not just short-term pleasure or immediate gratification. It transcends money. We are all familiar with the phrase "money doesn't buy happiness." Research shows that real happiness involves a sense of well-being, a deep connection to others, the freedom to autonomously pursue one's interests and the ability to find personal meaning in one's life.

Just how happy are we Americans?

Combined data from the Gallup Poll; the Heritage Foundation, the quintessential conservative think tank; the World Economic Forum and - surprisingly - the CIA, from more than 100,000 people show that the U.S. doesn't fare well...

[MNJohnnie]

No, the O regime accomplished that. The 1st modern President who will leave the country poorer when he leaves office then when he entered office.

[bammynomore]

If this were a GOP candidate as in President Bush and his sealed records, the libs in academia would already have leaked them. Same for the birth/adoption/country of nationality claimed by the young Barry Soetoro.

The Connecticut social security number, the Bill Ayers real connection and what else. Maybe the 0bumbles themselves will cash in as they reveal the journey and message of Barry Fartbongo?

[bammynomore]

You work hard, they don’t.

You struggle, they don’t.

Be proud of yourself. Take a little time off for FR and relax.

[loveliberty2]

You have stated what many hundreds of thousands of American citizens know from their own experience, but cannot articulate in the clearly-stated way you have done it.

May I suggest you submit your thoughts directly to one of the national conservative publications for consideration?

"Shared sacrifice," "shared prosperity," and "redistribution" are "just words" (remember that?) and phrases being chosen by Obama and his re-election team--all carefully designed semantic tools for "transforming" America from its solid foundations in individual freedom and limited government into just another place where some folks in positions of power in government plan, control, and serve as "masters" of the lives of everyone else, from birth to death--all under the guise of "helping" them (example: "Julia").