by Elizabeth A. Marion

Created on: January 20, 2010

If America continues to go down the path it is on, it will not be a democracy in fifty years. In fact, it will probably not be a democracy in as little as ten years. Many could easily make the argument that it is not a democracy now. The federal government is rapidly increasing in size and taking on the role of babysitter, forgetting that they are supposed to answer to us.

President Bush expanded government to a size far bigger than I, and many other Americans, believe it was ever meant to be. Bush started the bailouts and was responsible for a ridiculous stimulus that did not work, which was quite predictable. He pushed the government into the free market where it was never meant to be and started picking winners and losers. He spent taxpayer dollars to save people from their mistakes instead of allowing them to face the consequences of their own actions. He made the owners of big banks and big businesses feel comfortable in their own irresponsibility and recklessness.

Then the torch was passed on to Barack Obama, and it continued going downhill from there. Barack Obama continued the bailouts, failed stimulus bills, and has increased the size of government in a way that made Bush's increase look like child's play. What's worse is that he blamed his predecessor for so many of his problems. He made the problems worse, then acted as if everything, from the economy to the bailouts to the rising deficit, was all Bush's fault and acted as if he had done nothing to contribute to it. He has contributed to the deficit. He has spent millions on bailouts and failed stimulus bills. All this has led to huge government and less freedom.

What most of the politicians don't seem to understand is that freedom is about more than having the right to vote and being able to speak your mind. It's also the ability to take advantage of opportunities and face the consequences of your own actions. This administration expects everyone to run to the government for help. Being dependent on the government is not independence and it is not what democracy is about. The democracy can only be saved if the government stops interfering in the free market. People need the freedom to fail on their own and learn from their mistakes. Making them more dependent on the government does not make anything better. It only makes it more difficult for Americans to be self sufficient.

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