A bit over 100 years ago, the "Income Tax Amendment" to our Constitution was implemented, although not legally ratified by the correct number of states. I have several books about that subject, and there is no Constitutional doubt, but that the Amendment was never legally ratified. Various courts, including the Supreme, have said it is the law. If they had ruled otherwise, America would be bankrupt even further than it is now. I have just read a novel, which is unusual for me, but it was loaned to me by a friend, and I will return it to her. It's a pretty good spy story, and the lack of ratification of the 16th is a major part of the story. Titled "The Patriot Threat," by Steve Berry, it's a pretty good read. But it is also a very illuminating history lesson in many places. So much so, that I am going to quote a few places from it, and they are accurate and truthful, especially about my idea of America's worst president, FDR, who began the welfare system. The absolute worst president could be FDR, LBJ, or Obama. Take your choice!
From page five, as a quote from Andrew Mellon to FDR. "All you've done is create a blizzard of new boards and agencies, most overlapping already existing departments. They do nothing other than bloat the budget and increase taxes. The end result will be disastrous. More is never better, especially when it comes to government. God help this country when you're done with it. Thankfully, I won't be here to see those wretched results." Andrew Mellon, was extremely rich, a true conservative, and like my Dad, hated FDR. I still remember my Dad calling FDR's wife, Eleanor, 'Old Horseface.'
From page 151, also about FDR. (from one of the characters in the novel to another): "That damn FDR. He was the luckiest bastard in the world. He was crippled, which didn't stop him. His greatest successes came after the polio. Before that, he was just another spoiled rich kid, an only child, a mama's boy. All he ever did his whole life was exactly what he wanted. He didn't know the meaning of the word "no." His father died when he was eighteen, and his mother had indeed become an overriding influence. As a young man, he was attractive, clever and ambitious, using family money and connections, to steadily climb the political ladder. Teachers did not speak highly of him. He knew little to nothing about either money or economics. Why would he? His family on both sides was rich. Everything was always provided for him. His first two terms as president were a failure. Unemployment in 1939, after six years of Roosevelt, was worse than in 1931, before he was ever elected. Stock values had also plummeted to new lows, and the national debt? That's his greatest gift. It grew more in the 1930's than in the previous 150 years. All he did was print money, spend it, then print more. If it hadn't been for World War Two he would have been a two-timer, gone and forgotten."
From page 252, about Andrew Mellon. (From one character to another): "He was not a proponent of big government. To him, less was more. He never felt government should be taking care of people. He believed people should take care of themselves. And that wasn't a cruel attitude. He just cherished personal independence. The "New Deal" to him, infringed on that freedom, with government mandating everything for you. Social Security, unemployment insurance, a minimum wage. Those he opposed. Prior to FDR, ideas of wealth redistribution and social welfare were not popular."
From page 275, about George Mason (from one character to another) "George Mason was one of the unsung Founding Fathers. The Virginian had believed in a weak federal government and strong states' rights. And though he helped mold its language, he refused to sign the Constitution, arguing that it did not adequately protect the individual. His arguments eventually led to the Bill of Rights. And when James Madison drafted those proposed Amendments, he drew heavily on an earlier document, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, adopted in 1776, written by George Mason. The similarities between the two were remarkable. Both in nearly identical language, confirmed the freedom of press and religion, the right to confront an accuser, the ability to call witnesses and have a speedy trial before a jury. Cruel and unusual punishment were forbidden, as were baseless searches, seizures and the deprivation of due process. Even the Second Amendment's right to keep and bear arms found its roots in the Virginia Declaration. Jefferson too, had drawn on them when crafting the Declaration of Independence."
Isn't it pretty obvious, to me anyway, the difference between a true patriot and conservative, and a typical Democrat, then and now, and unfortunately a RINO (Republican in name only), in 2016? RINOS and of course Democrats have consistently voted for more spending, more government, more taxes, foreign wars, more bureaucracy, and less freedom. Donald Trump, thankfully a non-politician, sees America as it should be. Unfortunately, FDR's welfare state has America well overpopulated with worthless, useless, welfare recipients, who get section eight handouts, food stamps, and hundreds of unearned checks and supports from that bastion of inefficiency and gross irresponsibility, Washington D.C. America has forgotten how to care for itself, and is now burdened with Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and other commitments binding us down for many decades and a couple hundred trillion dollars which can only be repaid with Monopoly money, a device initiated by FDR. Can we survive, even as a semi-free nation, which has forgotten about its roots? If there is any remote possibility, it is with a Donald Trump in the White House and a Republican controlled House and Senate.
Want to send Trump some money? Send it to him at 725 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022. I just sent him $100. Comments on my columns are welcome. Call me at 1-888-786-8822