Friday, August 23, 2019

Flashback Friday: Never Has So Little Been Promised For So Much

Does anyone remember Everett Dirksen?

Image result for everett dirksen

Aside from Margaret Thatcher’s comment regarding socialism’s biggest flaw, Senator Dirksen is attributed with  the world’s most famous quote with respect to government spending:

“A million here, a million there, pretty soon, you're talking real money.” 

Subsequently the phrase was upgraded to “a billion here, a billion there” due to inflation. Now, in one grand gesture aimed at saving the planet, Bernie Sanders has managed to raise the expression to 21st century levels of profligate spending: Sanders releases $16 trillion ‘Green New Deal’ plan, promises it will ‘pay for itself’ – like all such programs do.

“Democratic 2020 hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders on Thursday released his plan for a Green New Deal – promising that the multitrillion-dollar plan to radically overhaul the economy and combat climate change will “pay for itself” over the next 15 years.”

It kind of reminds me of the Democrats’ last great spending program to cure a societal ill: LBJ’s War on Poverty.** Hey California, how’s that “war on poverty” working out for you?

Image result for homeless camps in los angelesLA

Image result for san francisco homeless campsOakland

Image result for san francisco homeless campsSan Francisco

A woman who was camping in downtown San Diego sorts through her belongings on...San Diego

Seattle? How you doing?

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Not since the Democrat’s “War on Poverty” was launched over 50 years ago has a government program promised so little for so much.

**According to the Cato Institute, since the Johnson Administration almost $15 trillion has been spent on welfare, with poverty rates being about the same as during the Johnson Administration.