Posted on 01/16/2008 12:58:29 PM PST by jdm
LAURENS - Republican White House hopeful Fred Thompson said Wednesday that the United State's spending on programs like Medicare and welfare puts the country on a course for the same financial oblivion that brought down the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
"We're doing it in a different way," Thompson said during a radio interview in response to a question about President Ronald Reagan's strategy of outspending the Soviet Union and whether the U.S. was now on the same course. "The bottom line could be the same."
Recurring spending demands for programs that pay for health care, welfare and social security will take up the entire budget within 30 years, Thompson said.
"We're spending ourselves into oblivion," he said. "It cannot be sustained."
The pressure is on for the former Tennessee senator to do well in the first Southern contest for Republicans.
"Different people are winning these different major contests and I think a different person will win Saturday in South Carolina," said Thompson, who fizzled in earlier states. "No one has settled in on anyone."
Thompson's first question from a crowd of about 200 at a breakfast and burger restaurant came from a man who claimed the federal judicial system was corrupt, particularly because 40 cases he has filed have not been heard.
"I think you need a better lawyer," Thompson joked. The man told Thompson he couldn't afford one.
Thompson said he would get tough on illegal immigration by tightening the border and eliminating incentives for people who enter the nation unauthorized. His remarks were a swipe at Mike Huckabee who, as Arkansas governor, attempted to make children of illegal immigrants eligible for scholarships and in-state college tuition.
Meanwhile Romney is promising 20 billion a year to the auto industry in Michigan and help for the textile industry in S.Carolina (buying into the northern stereotype of a bunch of southern hicks making their living sewing farm clothes together). S(*& Mitt.
If I ran my own finances like the Federal Government does, I’d be living in a cardboard box down by the railroad tracks.
As usual, Fred is correct.
“”We’re spending ourselves into oblivion,” he said. “It cannot be sustained.”:
Spot on Fred. For the life of me i can’t figure out whey he’s not gaining traction. It really bums me out....
Wait for it...
I can hear the buzzing....
Because people want politicians who will pander to them.
Are you sure you could afford the box?
“If I ran my own finances like the Federal Government does, I’d be living in a cardboard box down by the railroad tracks.”
Yeah, but the voters would love you.
My dad takes 12 different pills a day because the doctors tell him to, and they’re not helping him much, but he’s happy as can be having the gubmint pay for it. And these drugs would cost him thousands, if he had to cover the cost.
Fred astounds me with his honesty.
So refreshing.
Americans who love their country will vote for Fred Thompson.
“Because people want politicians who will pander to them.”
Yes, you’re right. Unfortunately. Socialism, here we come.
My sliding left wife ( I am saddened ) and some friends/coworkers who claim we cannot cut back on Medicaid, SS, and Medicare just do not get it when I say if we are broke ( not like now, really broke and taxed out the wazoo ) as a country or embroiled in major conflicts and actually have to fight on our own soil their welfare programs are moot points.
They just blankly look back and say something to the effect that we are just evil then and deserve what we get ( not my wife she is still clinging to the good side and is just sad ).
Although the drug benefit increased the demands on Medicare, the basic Medicare program is a boondoggle. The boondoggle is big socialism. Medicare has provided this generation of seniors with reasonable medical care but at the expense of huge taxation. Medicare is not built on savings, just a generational Ponzi scheme. Providing the same level of health care for future retirees will require huge tax increases or deficits. The drug benefit increases the demands but it does not change the generational Ponzi scheme nature of the program.
In the 2000 Presidential election, a majority of those Americans who could be bothered to stir their stumps, voted to elect a communist for President.
A lot of people will not care if you tell them current policies will bankrupt this country in 30 to 40 years because they figure they’ll be dead by then.
Just tell them that the wellfare state has been tried in many european countries and his a complete failure.
Weak economies,high unemployment,loss of independency with Russia China Middle East to get contracts,big government,high taxes,no free speech....slavery,slow death
Curiously Eastern european countries which have known socialo-communism want free-trade...
People just need to be awaken and not to trust the liberal-socialist old fairy songs for babies
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