Evidence of Systemic Failure
July 8, 2012 in Finance, Opinion, United States
One of my sources, whose identity I may not reveal, was formerly involved in state government at the highest judicial level and in federal government at the congressional level. I can always expect to hear from him after something momentous happens in our world.
My source always takes the time to think through the situation before contacting me. This determined approach often brings an unexpected perspective.
True to form, I received a unique perspective recently when I heard from my source regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Health Care Act (Obamacare)
He started by observing that this is an ongoing battle between whether Federal or State laws rule the day. We have often discussed these viewpoints. The disagreement represented by Alexander Hamilton (Federal) and Thomas Jefferson (State) in the 1700s and the North and the South a hundred years later is still being debated today.
He had been working on a civil rights issue for a relative and was frustrated that fundamental constitution rights had been denied his family member in the name of state and local laws.
This framed his thoughts about the court’s decision.
My source thinks the Obamacare ruling was a political decision regarding who has ultimate authority: Federal Government or State. He was disappointed the courts moved from interpreting law to being influenced by politics on such an important issue.
However, the larger part of my source’s information had more to do with what Obamacare says about the United States’ economy.
He believes the necessity of Obamacare is an indication that the social experiment of free-market capitalism has failed. In addition, he thinks, “Obamacare is the pinnacle of Welfare State – which was an overlay policy-pattern of the 1930s to stem the results of the economic collapse (the last time) of the American financial system.”
He admits this could just be a “cyclical thing, providing additional band aids to the people during periods of severe economic wounding.”
If you look closely as his remarks, you can see he believes the Welfare State will fail just as capitalism has failed. Things go downhill after they reach a pinnacle.
Furthermore, the questionable laws within Obamacare aren’t the issue. The fact that our economy is in such disarray to need Obamacare is the real reason for concern.
Even though my source lives and stays well below the radar, he still is alert to what is going on around him.
Here is a partial list of what he has seen lately.
- I spoke to a welfare gate-keeper who qualifies individuals to receive dental benefits on a sliding scale under a federal grant. She whispered (although no one was around), “They don’t get it.” meaning the national politicians are ignorant of the desperate level of local poverty she encounters.
- I watched a local mayor lead a round of applause at the Economic Development luncheon last week for the perseverance of a floundering new business owner who had just stood and said she had not made a profit and was hanging on by her fingernails, hoping, after investing everything, in a new and fragile business.
- I heard from reliable sources that a certain local billionaire ranch owner whose name is on a couple of cable networks is down to his last billion.
- A reliable contact told me the local economic development agency, supposedly funded by the federal government, received only half its funds. It is looking to struggling local businesses for donations.
- This same contact said local big businesses such as the copper mine and the spaceport haven’t delivered the promised jobs for residents.
My source reminded me that, “Historically, war has been a good economic tool for U.S. Presidents, but we’re already at war, so that’s not a good stimulation tool for recovery this time.”
His conclusion is that the economy is very sick. It is only a matter of time before it dies.
My source said locals in his area are relying on the citizens’ strength, which is found in individual and family preparation. Therefore, they are well stocked and well armed.
In addition, they know the systems will not be able to help them.
In fact, they are only making things worse.
This brings me full circle to my source’s legal efforts on behalf of his family member. This relative is a veteran who was involved in covert operations that almost destroyed him psychologically. When he, against orders and in an effort to receive healing, began to talk about his experiences, he suddenly found himself arrested on trumped up charges.
Attempts to receive a hearing have been unsuccessful and he remains incarcerated.
By the time I had processed all of the information from my source, I realized he had documented failures of the legal, financial, medical, and government systems.
I also realized that personal responsibility, demonstrated by personal preparedness remains the peaceful response.
To be continued…
