Ask not what you can do for your country, demand that your country provide you with a free lunch
By Tom Quiner
President John Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address is considered to be a classic speech. In it, he invoked his famous line, “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
In the 52 years since his violent death, let us reflect upon what he did as president.
In his presidency, Mr. Kennedy cut taxes.
In his presidency, Mr. Kennedy used NASA to put a man on the moon.
In his presidency, Mr. Kennedy faced down evil during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
How times change.
President Obama believes Americans are under-taxed.
President Obama believes that NASA is an instrument of social justice to improve relations with Muslims.
President Obama bows to our enemies.
Most of all, President Obama rejects Kennedy’s philosophy of “ask not what your country can do for you …” Our current President even thinks government (taxpayers) should pay for your abortions. His brigade of “snowflakes” on college campuses scream for free college tuition, mandated wages, and guaranteed jobs, while simultaneously labeling any ‘hostile speech’ (ideas with which they disagree) as hate speech.
If John Kennedy were alive today, would he still be a Democrat?
Seems like a coagulation of complaints. I’m not familiar with college campuses demanding guaranteed jobs (source?) – but proudly support a hike in the minimum wage (due to its severe decrease in actual buying power – due to inflation). I think we’re focusing on the wrong issue if we’re interested in making the country stronger and securing a prosperous future: Does it not concern you that billions of taxpayers money is subsidizing wealthy banks and giant pharmaceutical companies, despite proclaiming supporting free-market principles? Or political campaigns being heavily funded by corporate or special interests (Dems and Reps. equally guilty)? Our country is being destroyed from the inside out, by avarice of those in power.
What does it mean to you that the minimum wage hasn’t risen with inflation, like prices we pay for products have? Denouncing the entire movement as college students (most fast-food workers asking for a wage hike aren’t college students, btw) demanding “free lunch” ignores history, statistical information, and delegitimizes a desperate people (living in cyclical poverty, low education, low skills).
I agree with you on subsidies. The government should get out of the business of subsidizing the private sector, especially green energy companies that keep going bankrupt after spending taxpayer money on their lavish salaries. Regarding the minimum wage, I oppose it at the federal level, since the cost of living varies dramatically state-to-state. It is illogical to think that the same MW would work in Washington and Alabama. At the state level, I oppose it because it so heartless towards people who desperately need entry level jobs; specifically, African-American teenage boys. Their unemployment rate hovers around 40%. If we increase the cost to employers of hiring these kids, the UR will only go up. A liberal might even call such an outcome racist.
Only around 4% of workers make the minimum wage. Over half are under 24 years of age and are part time workers. Over half are in the food service industry. These are not jobs people usually stay in for long periods of time. If you raise the MW significantly those jobs will start disappearing. We’ve already seen it happen in some situations, counter people replace by “ordering kiosks” or the “self-serve” aisle in wal-mart and in grocery stores.
Good data. Thanks for sharing it, Shawn.
Tom – Check this out. Cruz is the man we need, I think.
http://m.christianpost.com/news/ted-cruz-slouch-gomorrah-march-to-socialism-150918/?m=1
So chilling.