Take take take (Handouts everywhere -- America has turned into a nation of moochers)

New York Post ^ | 01/23/2012 | Kyle Smith

[SeekAndFind]

It was in 1850 that a French economist, Frédéric Bastiat, warned that “under pretense of organization, regulation, protection or encouragement, the law may take from one party in order to give to another, help itself to the wealth acquired by all the classes that it may increase that of one class, whether that of the agriculturists, the manufacturers, the ship owners, or artists and comedians.”

He said of this “lawful plunder” that the people may end it “or they may desire to take part in it. Woe to the nation where this latter thought prevails amongst the masses.”

Woe, in other words, to the United States in 2012, an orgy of corporate welfare, cronyism, subsidies, handouts and bailouts. Economists call those who game the system for income they haven’t earned “rent seekers.” “Moochers” is the refreshing term preferred by Charles J. Sykes, a Milwaukee talk-radio host and a senior fellow at the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute. In his new book, “A Nation of Moochers: America’s Addiction to Getting Something for Nothing” (St. Martin’s Press), he calls out the myriad breeds of Americans — from the Goldman Sachs C-suite down to able-bodied welfare recipients who feel neither shame nor obligation — who have won a place at the bottomless national trough.

BAILOUTS AND HANDOUTS

The mulligan given to both sides in the mortgage debacle — bailed-out banks and homeowners — that inspired Tea Party fury isn’t even the most disturbing case of American mooching. Bailouts are (supposedly) temporary and sometimes get paid back. The bank portion of the $432 billion TARP bailout actually has earned the federal government a profit, though because of losses in the auto bailout and elsewhere, the program will cost us $19 billion.

[aldabra]

When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.

Alexis de Tocqueville

The people obviously including international corporations.

[Iron Munro]

Peggy The Moocher - Poster Girl For The Obama Error

[headstamp 2]

This is a symptom of the increasing moral bankruptcy of our society and a government all too willing to take advantage of that bankruptcy by permeating every aspect of our lives.

We get the government we deserve.

[eyeamok]

“The Law” was one of my favorite books to read 25 years ago, Funny how the stuff we learned as kids in the sixties, was abandoned in the seventies and eighties , and is now making a come back in the 2000’s. Should be required reading again for all Students nationwide.

[Gaffer]

I was paying beaucoup dollars in Federal and State taxes for decades. I cashed out in December and retired. Paid off every bill, credit card (own the home), car note, etc. and cut my income significantly. There is nothing left to get any more. I’m done supporting losers.

[BillT]

Liberalism works great until liberals run out of other peoples money! (Thacher)

[Paladin2]

Hunh...you may not be the only one going Virtual Galt.