Down With Entitlements

2 of 3 Parts 

What’s with these politicians signing pledges not to raise taxes? And why do some want to get rid of Big Bird? If we have to sacrifice someone, why not  the lobbyists?

But nobody wants to touch the lobbyists. Why is entitlement for lobbyists good, but entitlement for seniors bad? Why doesn’t the Tea Party speak up? Why do they tolerate the lobbyists? The democratic process is being ruined because of the lobbyists. These guys are the one’s really  writing the country’s legislation (not our elected politicians) so they can have laws tilted to their advantage. Where is the government “of the people, by the people, for the people?”  So, if politicians want to sign pledges let them sign a pledge to have nothing to do with the lobbyists.  This would be a good start.  Then maybe the lawmakers can really become lawmakers. But until  then the Tea Party folks or the Occupy folks are just blowing smoke.

And while they’re at it, the politicians  could also sign a pledge not to participate in insider trading.  On Wall Street, insider trading could get you a jail sentence or at least a stiff fine. But not the politicians. Talk about entitlement!!! They can, and do, take advantage of the information that they are privy to in their committee meetings and as they cast influential legislation.  Are they entitled to  think about making extra money for themselves while they’re supposed to be working for us? What would your boss do if he/she caught you working for yourself while you’re on the job?

And the medical plans for politicians? Why should they be entitled to special plans for the rest of their lives even if they only serve on the Hill for five years? And people go along with that, but then turn around and reject the Affordable Health Care Act (AKA  Obamacare).  When’s the last time you held on to you’re medical plan after you left your job?  Let’s get a comprehensive medical plan for everybody – or for nobody – including the politicians.  Unresolved or ambiguous medical situations take an invisible  toll on the country. Telling people to go to the ER is not a solution.  All of us pay for it in one way or another. And even if you are covered, insurance companies often squirm their way out of paying. If you wind up with serious medical problems, you might still wind up paying big bucks.

Down with entitlements for politicians. Don’t let politicians 1) be controlled by or morph into lobbyists 2) don’t let them make extra money for themselves while they’re working for us 3) don’t let then walk away with medical plans after they leave the job.  

Government can work. If politicians had to scramble like many folks,  I think they would start working together and finding  solutions pretty quickly.