To the Editor:
During this 2008 presidential campaign, it has been, and still is, difficult to determine just who is telling the truth about anything. So, it is toward that end that I offer voters here in Maine two internet web sites dedicated to checking the accuracy of both Republican and Democratic contenders for president and VP. Try: www.FactCheck.org and www.PolitiFact.com. Both organizations are non- partisan and will inform voters what’s believable and what is inaccurate.
On another note, there has been a lot of political finger pointing regarding the Wall Street collapse, AIG, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, etc. when the foxes are guarding the hen houses, self-regulation becomes questionable. Gamblers always think they are going to beat the odds, so they ignore whatever regulations are in place. Stockholders demand profits or the CEO gets fired.
Philosophically, the conservative mantra has always been lower taxes, diminished government interference and less regulation of the markets. This is the so-called free market economy.
It is also factual that since 1981, the White House has been occupied by conservative presidents for 20 of the last 28 years, or 71.4 percent of the time. Clinton’s eight years represents 28.6 percent of liberal philosophy. We all love the freedom that we are allowed to have in this country, and conversely, we do not like being told what to do (especially by government). So, it is not necessarily the de-regulation part that has gotten us into a financial quagmire, but rather the lack of oversight.
Who is responsible for allowing the CEO foxes to raid the investor’s hen house? Unfortunately, it is the person who occupies the Oval Office, George W. Bush, our Republican president! It does not matter if numero uno actually was the one who screwed up. That’s the down-side of being the chief, aka president. Think about it. If you’re the boss and financial experts are sounding alarms, wouldn’t you send your best financial ‘brainiacs’ out to investigate possible problems? Ignoring the problem is like a leaky roof not fixed. It only gets worse.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden will bring back responsible government! The time for change is now. The pendulum swings again.
David Kolodin
Pemaquid Harbor
