“We have abandoned the principles which made America exceptional, which wasn’t the government. It was the people. It was us relying on ourselves, not saying I can take a pass and depend on the government.”
Good speech, but either Sen. Coburn had a mouse in is pocket or meant the “Royal We” as in “We are not amused”. I haven’t abandoned the principles he mentioned, so perhaps Sen. Coburn was speaking of the company he was in – Congress. I doubt that because no one can claim that Congress hasn’t demanded enough sacrifice (from others, not themselves.)
Another correction: ‘Republics’ don’t always fail, ‘Democracies’ do.
“A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy…”
–Alexander Fraser Tytler, Scottish lawyer and writer, 1770
…and sorry Sen. Coburn but this is flat wrong: The heritage of America is most definitely NOT “sacrifice”. As Ayn Rand wrote, “Sacrifice is the looter’s bell of an approaching looter.”
It’s just so sad when an otherwise intelligent and well meaning senator and medical doctor doesn’t have a clue where his ‘call to sacrifice’ leads.
Sorry, Curt, if this wasn’t the reaction you expected, but Coburn’s speech basically sucked, philosophically speaking.
tarpon
14 years ago
Sounds like Beck giving a speech.
just me 95
14 years ago
John, I was thinking the same.
Apparently Sen Coburn can’t tell the difference between a republic and a democracy.
“Shared sacrifice’ should only mean the fed govt must sacrifice. I do not understand the mentality that says The People are the ones who must do the sacrificing.
If that committee had been serious about finding a solution, the following cuts would have been included:
EPA
FCC
DOE
ED
DOT
DOC
HHS
HUD
DOL
DHS
TSA
UN
Czars
(so I don’t have to repeat myself Federal employees included those elected)
All Federal employees must purchase their own insurance plans.
When a Federal employee no longer works for the Federal govt, s/he takes whatever pension s/he has accumulated and that’s it.
That will be a real good start. And I’m sure others could add to that list.
Good speech, but either Sen. Coburn had a mouse in is pocket or meant the “Royal We” as in “We are not amused”. I haven’t abandoned the principles he mentioned, so perhaps Sen. Coburn was speaking of the company he was in – Congress. I doubt that because no one can claim that Congress hasn’t demanded enough sacrifice (from others, not themselves.)
Another correction: ‘Republics’ don’t always fail, ‘Democracies’ do.
…and sorry Sen. Coburn but this is flat wrong: The heritage of America is most definitely NOT “sacrifice”. As Ayn Rand wrote, “Sacrifice is the looter’s bell of an approaching looter.”
It’s just so sad when an otherwise intelligent and well meaning senator and medical doctor doesn’t have a clue where his ‘call to sacrifice’ leads.
Sorry, Curt, if this wasn’t the reaction you expected, but Coburn’s speech basically sucked, philosophically speaking.
Sounds like Beck giving a speech.
John, I was thinking the same.
Apparently Sen Coburn can’t tell the difference between a republic and a democracy.
“Shared sacrifice’ should only mean the fed govt must sacrifice. I do not understand the mentality that says The People are the ones who must do the sacrificing.
If that committee had been serious about finding a solution, the following cuts would have been included:
EPA
FCC
DOE
ED
DOT
DOC
HHS
HUD
DOL
DHS
TSA
UN
Czars
(so I don’t have to repeat myself Federal employees included those elected)
All Federal employees must purchase their own insurance plans.
When a Federal employee no longer works for the Federal govt, s/he takes whatever pension s/he has accumulated and that’s it.
That will be a real good start. And I’m sure others could add to that list.