Posted by awoodwor on 03/22/09 9:41 PM [Newer: Check out this filmstrip on inflation from 1969. It's a classic] [Older: LETTER: Bailouts: The end of the American way?]

From Archie Woodworth
Hutchinson
OK. I know I’m not the brightest bulb in the crayon box, so can someone help me out here?

Where’s the change? President Obama campaigned on the promises of “hope and change.” I’m starting to think those slogans went out the door just like Bush 41’s no-new-taxes promise.

I’m trying to keep an open mind, but so far all I’m seeing is an administration made up of the same old Washington insiders, Clinton era retreads and now, as we’re finding out, tax cheats who get special treatment from the IRS with no penalties or interest. So tell me if the “best and brightest” of Washington can’t even figure out how to pay their taxes, how are we mere mortals supposed to get it right?

And what about the “new deal”? To me it’s looking more and more like a “raw deal” (at least for those of us who actually pay taxes) and nothing more than a continuation of the Bush administration’s out of control spending and failed economic policies. Honestly, does any one other than the people in Washington really believe the fairy tale that we can actually spend our way both into oblivion and out of an economic crisis at the same time?

I don’t know what kind of Kool-Aid they’re on, but I’d sure like some. Because unlike our exalted leaders, I honestly don’t believe the economy, the country, or even “We the People,” will be able to withstand another four years of trazillion dollar deficit spending. I say trazillion because I can’t even begin to comprehend how much a trillion dollars actually is, not even after I Googled it. Yet our politicians throw that number around like it was toilet paper.

Yup, I can’t believe I’d ever hear myself say this, but I’m actually starting to look back fondly upon the Clinton era as the good old days. You know, the last great golden age of fiscal responsibility. Does anyone in Washington even know what that means anymore?

While former President Clinton may have had problems with his personal life, at least he managed to reign in government spending and he did a pretty good job of staying out of the way of the economy. Well, OK, maybe his reign wasn’t all that great, but compared to the out-of-control spending we’ve seen since then with the Bush and Obama administrations, maybe it actually was.