[G.Mason]

And the giving away of the peoples money continues and will continue.

It is, afterall, about feeling good, and to alleviate the guilt that comes from becoming comparatively wealthy and stable in a world of poverty and chaos.

[Graybeard58]

This was presented in a thread yesterday about charity extended by the U.S. to those countries affected by the tsunami.

Col. Crockett was correct in his conversion to the idea that congress shouldn't be giving away the peoples money in that they have no constitutional authority to do so.

On the other hand it is a long standing practice that will not be changed even though in many instances it has gotten completely out of hand.

[libertyman]

It's more than that, I'm afraid: I'd say it also comes from a deep-seated anger, hatred, bitterness, or jealousy that comes from those who want America's succes but refuse to work for it. By & large, the American people have a giving spirit & WANT to help others...but the Marxists around the world (& here at home, too) who despise our form of government, way of life, religious values, & good intentions will NEVER be satisfied, regardless of what we do. Their plans of changing every aspect of our lives may be subtle & utopian sounding, but sinister nonetheless.

[Recon Dad]

I have friends who are politicians in Kentucky and I plan on sending this piece to them.
As I recall from my history Davy Crockett's days in congress were short and not very sweet. You can see with an attitude like exhibited in this piece he would not be one of the popular boys who bleed constantly with the peoples money.
Look how far we have come in our countries history where our leaders think nothing of giving away $350M. I believe that if the government taxed and spent our money as intended that the American public on its own would have given twice as much.
Today if W had stood up and made a speech like Davy Crockett he might have been crucified on the spot. The only way to change the thinking in Washington is term limits. A representative not worrying about reelection might vote differently.