Political Quotes

“Mr. President, President Obama has ignited a national debate about the meaning of fairness and American values. In his campaign narrative, ``fairness'' means greater redistribution of income by the Federal Government, and expanding government control over the economy represents what he calls a ``renewal of American values.'' He argues that income inequality is the ``defining issue of our time''--his words--and that it prevents many Americans from enjoying their right to pursue happiness. While the President cloaks his rhetoric in the language of liberty-- and often misconstrues quotations from Presidents Lincoln and Reagan in the process--his interpretations of key American concepts and values are shallow, materialistic, and distortive of the true American dream. We don't need more government interventionist and redistributionist policies, which reduce freedom, in order to achieve greater measures of fairness and to pursue happiness. Having the government arbitrarily decide how much money should be taken from person A and given to person B is not fair in any sense of the word, nor does it make Americans happier. Indeed, even though America has become a much wealthier country during the last few decades and average income is higher, studies show that happiness levels have remained unchanged. In 1972, for example, 30 percent of Americans described themselves as happy. In 2004, 31 percent of Americans described themselves that way.…”