Opinion : To the Editor: Change must be made in November

To the Editor,

“Survival in the market often requires recognizing mistakes and changing course. Survival in politics requires denying mistakes, continuing the current policies, adding new ones to correct the old ones, and then blaming the bad consequences on others.”

“Whatever its shortcomings economically, what government job creation programs can do politically is create a large classes of people beholden to the government and likely to vote for those who gave them jobs in hard times. The political success of the New Deal is beyond dispute. That FDR could be re-elected in a landslide in 1936 and re-elected again for a third term in 1940, despite never having gotten unemployment below single digits during his first two terms, is a sign that President Obama may also be able to succeed politically, even if his policies turn out to be an economic disaster for the country as a whole.”

“…….is it likely that the national politicians of our own times, who for years made “home ownership” the touchstone of housing policy, will acknowledge any responsibility for the financial disasters and widespread unemployment today? What this means is that the voting public must at a minimum be skeptical of political spin, no matter how often it is echoed in the media.”

“Social crusaders are not forced to confront the consequences of their choices, even in their own minds or consciences much less pay a tangible price for the havoc they leave in their wake while feeling noble.” These are selected quotes of Economist Thomas Sowell – The Housing Boom and Bust.

British historian, Paul Johnson: --- “The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false.” If we do not learn from history – we will repeat it!

It is so important that we as voters educate ourselves so that we are not fooled by the rhetoric of the glib, and that we recognize the wedge issues and ignore them for the benefit of us all. Progressive policies are what got our economy in the fix we see today. There is improvement to be sure, but at a slower rate than freer market forces would allow. I believe a change must be made this election. That means that Senate Leader Harry Reid must be fired. It is unconscionable that over 300 bills passed by the House of Representatives Lay dormant in Mr. Reid’s desk. Joni Ernst (Senate), Rod Blum (Representative 1st District), and Sam Clovis (State Treasurer) are that change that is needed. Social Security and Medicare will not be changed for those already receiving benefits. However, reform is needed so that our younger workers will be able to receive benefits when they retire. Demagoguery by the left prohibits any meaningful discussion of these issues, or any other for that matter. I urge your vote for those individuals mentioned above.

I have been looking for winners, but see losers in domestic as well as Foreign Policy. Two weeks ago Bob Brinker's program on WHO noted that 70 M people are working part time. Some wish part time other wish full time, but employers are reluctant to hire full time because of ACA (Affordable Care Act) requirements. I am looking for good news, but none is there -- now we have Ebola in our country. Good Grief!!

Regards,

John Stiegelmeyer

Vinton