Editor's note: The following letter to the editor was submitted to The Sentinel prior to the Oct. 23 deadline for election-related letters.
To the editor:
The first presidential debate clarified the stark choice facing Americans on Nov. 6. On the one hand, we heard President Obama endorse big government, group rights, redistributionist economic policies and a socialistic philosophy that expects government to take care of nearly everything. On the other hand, we heard Gov. Romney endorse limited government, individual rights and freedom, free market economic policies and the personal self-reliance and autonomy that our Constitution was created to protect.
During the Obama administration we have seen gas prices more than double, three million more Americans out of work, food stamp recipients doubled, two reductions in our country's credit rating, an unsustainable debt increase, continued blame on the prior administration, a weakened dollar and record rhetoric.
We have seen czars, failure
to pass a budget in
3 3/4 years, executive orders of an imperial presidency, expansion of spending and entitlements, lack of transparency and a concerted effort to break free from what the President terms a "flawed" Constitution.
In a Romney presidency, we would see a more-limited federal government, less socialistic redistribution, reduced spending, opposition to cap and trade, a solid energy plan using America's natural resources, reduction in taxes and a reduction in governmental regulations. Romney says he will repeal Obamacare, oppose same-sex marriage, support the Keystone pipeline, scale back government's role in controlling the internet and telecommunications, support right to work and reduce our national debt.
We are a country at a crossroad in history. Hope is not a strategy and we have seen what change has meant to most Americans in the last 4 years. The rhetoric is astounding. The mainstream media are not journalists, but are opinion providers and in Obama's pocket of full support. It almost seems like we have a divider-in-chief instead of a commander-in-chief.
I believe the choice is clear. We need to do away with big government, redistribution, extravagant giveaways, czars, stimulus packages and the lack of transparency. We need limited government, a conservative philosophy, less regulation and a rekindling of the American dream.
Someone once said that a government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul. We have too many "Pauls" who depend upon government for cash, food, cell phones and medical treatment.
We need to reduce our culture of dependency promoted by the Obama administration. Our president cannot blame Bush for everything. We need to hold Obama to his record in the last 4 years. We are $16 trillion in debt. We simply cannot afford all this spending. The looming financial crisis is daunting and truly threatens our future. Our president ignores the rule of law with his "We Can't Wait" policy. My concern for our country has turned into fear for our future.
The difference in the two political philosophies is crystal clear in most areas. Power resides with the people that government is supposed to serve, not the other way around. Truth isn't mean, it's just the truth.
Dave Molek
Yeagertown
