Toeing the party line, whether Democrat or Republican, is no longer a good option for people who believe in individual freedom. Citizens who believe in freedom of speech, gun ownership, and taxation with representation have come under attack while Congress is passing legislation with restrictions upon individual freedom.

In 2009, we saw the housing industry, big corporations, and two auto industries effectively taken over by the US government. Today we see government regulating the pay of those who took bail out money reinforcing the notion that "If your government is big enough to give you everything you want, it is big enough to take away from you everything you have.

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Current estimates by some politicians and pundits opine that one third of our industries are nationalized. When the partisan health care "reform" bill is passed through Congress, it will increase significantly. This is not the "change" most mainstream Americans hoped for when it voted in the present administration.

A number of polls tell us that less than 50 percent of the nation wants the current health care proposal in its present form that is being worked on by Congress. This poll has been consistent throughout several months, but entitlement has replaced our individual rights and we are losing the battle. The once strong work ethic of the American people has been replaced by, "what's in it for me?"

Political division:

Each election year we see a map covered with red and blue states as the results are posted on our television screens and Internet sites. The truth about division in US politics is more complex since there is rarely a time that voters agree one hundred percent with the candidate chosen to lead the party. The government and "the People" have disconnected on the issue of individual freedom and that cuts across party lines and includes Independents, Democrats and Republicans who want fiscal responsibility.

Going back to the election maps of recent elections, we see a trend that has been in play for several decades with a few exceptions. The heavily industrialized states are typically shown as blue states. These states include heavily unionized states like California, Michigan, Illinois, and New York with a few other states making up the remainder of blue states. Unions are big money contributors to liberal causes and make up big voter blocks in elections.

In contrast, in states where Right to Work laws are in play, the states are more likely red states indicating fewer unions. Ironically, Right to Work states have shown more growth than union states, but unions are gaining. Current legislation such as Card Check will make it easier for union organizers to infiltrate Right to Work states and unionize.

Taxation:

Congress will pay for the upcoming health care reform by cutting Medicare benefits at a time when millions of baby boomers are coming to retirement age. How can less money, provide more quality service? The answer is simple; it can't. Medicare is already on a collision course and the health care proposals will exacerbate the problem with fewer wage earners in the work force.

Massive spending is unsustainable and it is almost inevitable that a VAT (value added) tax will be levied.

How does VAT work? Value added tax starts at the raw material stage (adding tax), then to the manufacturer adding another VAT, to the wholesaler adding VAT and finally to the retailer adding the final VAT. What it will accomplish is to line the coffers for the government so it can continue to expand its nationalization of industries in the US.

Who will get the brunt end of the VAT? Currently, reports say there are about 15 million unemployed US citizens. More tax and unemployment do not make for a positive future for the US. Reports from October 15, 2009, tell us the government has saved or created only 30,000 jobs from the stimulus bill passed in February of 2009.

The government has more plans for your taxes. Warren Buffett says The Cap and Trade bill is a tax and should be called a tax. If passed, it can handcuff US citizens with high-energy costs and higher taxes. It will feed money to promote more special interest groups and remove more individual freedoms from the people of the US.

What do the American people think about the "change" that is transforming our nation?

Rasmussen Reports states: "Despite the recession, by about 50 to 40 percent Americans continue to prefer smaller government with fewer services to larger government with more services (June ABC/Washington Post and CBS/New York Times polls). Some 80 percent want the government to sell its interest in General Motors (July Rasmussen poll).

Many US citizens want less government and more freedom. That is the foundation of our nation and free markets have made us great, but we're witnessing a transformation. This transformation is going to cost the taxpayer as health and energy costs are passed down to us. The changes are not going to give us more liberty and individual freedom. More likely, we'll become a compliant money source to serve and support the government agenda.

The current level of spending can't be sustained and every average citizen will feel the brunt of this runaway spending train. The economy will run our lives.

Learn more about this author, Mona Gallagher.
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