I believe.

I’m an unashamed capitalist and a 10th amendment libertarian. This means that Republicans and Democrats both hate me…and both love me…depending on the issues at hand.

I believe that Capitalism is imperfect.
I believe that any other financial system is worse.
I believe that “taking from those who have and giving it to those who do not,” demotivates everyone from working harder. If 10% of my wealth is going to be “redistributed” then I’ll just work 10% less and keep what I have.
I believe this sentiment is shared by people who make $10,000 a year or $10,000,000 a year. This is why over-taxing the rich backfires EVERY time, REGARDLESS of what *seems* fair.
I believe that rich corporations will find ways to stay rich. If over-taxed, or fined, or EPA’ed to death, the corporations will cut costs to maintain profits. Those cost-cuts are typically either the loss of American jobs or increased prices…both scenarios hit the poor and the middle-class the hardest.
I believe in the concept of equilibrium. There is a teeter-totter that would find its own balance if the federal government would allow it to reach an equilibrium on its own.
I believe that it is NOT the government’s job to create jobs or take care of people. It is the job of the government to maintain a climate that promotes growth and prosperity…the best way to do this is for the government to butt-out. The most destructive force to the common man is a power-hungry politician…far more dangerous than a rich mogul. The rich man is smart enough to know that his continued profits rest on the prosperity of his business.
I believe that Bill Clinton signing NAFTA into law caused at least 40% of the current economic breakdown.
I believe that Jimmy Carter signing the Community Reinvestment Act of 1976 caused another 40%. Just as Herbert Hoover was blamed for the great depression, G. W. Bush took the helm of the Titanic just before the iceberg was sighted. NOT that he did much to steer it to safety….
I believe that Bill Clinton was probably more fiscally conservative than G. W. Bush. The difference was the advisors that they surrounded themselves with.
I believe that entitlements don’t help people move on; they cause people to become more dependent. Entitlement breeds more entitlement.
I believe that no one simply “deserves” something for nothing. If people are in need, put them to work…don’t just hand them a link card, a medical card, and a rent voucher.
I believe that people receiving aid should have to pee in a cup. I have to be drug-free in order to work, why in HELL should they NOT have to be in order to keep NOT working???
I believe that our court system is overcrowded due to stupid laws and loopholes. Raise fines, and disbar sleazy lawyers…use the prisons for the people are a menace to society, not the people who jay-walk too often.
I believe that prison is NOT just for rehabilitation. As it turns out, it *IS* a punishment too. Cut the cable cord, conjugal visits, and the gyms. Re-introduce hard labor and chain-gangs. Let’s make prison a bad place to be.
I believe that legalizing conceal-and-carry laws would eventually reduce crime…since currently the only people who conceal-and-carry are criminals, what could it hurt? I can’t speak for criminals, but I’d think twice about mugging someone if there was a 50/50 chance that they had a .357 under their jacket.
I believe that Immigrants should have to conform to the ways, customs, and laws of America…NOT the other way around. If you don’t like our ways, go home.
I believe that trying to apologize and/or make retribution for the past is stupid. I can’t change the fact that my great great-grandfather wronged your great great-grandfather. Your OWN choices in your OWN life brought you to where you are today, not some story to a distant past. Accept responsibility for your actions and let’s go have a beer.
I believe that politics has become an exercise in futility. Political positioning and party-loyalty has taken away all responsibility and common sense. It’s been replaced with radicals being elected, in an attempt to *undo* what the LAST radical did….
I believe that this polarization would cause a civil war if we weren’t such a lazy nation.
I believe I’m sufficiently depressed now.