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Letters, 12/3: What will we learn?

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Wednesday, Dec 03, 2008 - 12:48:59 am CST

When the dust settles from the current government-created emergency, what will be the lessons voters learn? Will it be that free markets are evil? That socialism works? Or will we begin to believe that government isn’t the answer?

Will we realize that big government only protects those things like itself (anything large, inefficient and corrupt)? As our future and that of our children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren gets sold down the river, will we put blame where it belongs?

Our federal government set the stage for this crisis through interference in the home mortgage markets when it created the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac enterprises.  They were created to provide every American with the American dream: a house of their own. It worked like a charm, and those who traditionally wouldn’t have been able to obtain a mortgage did so with ease.

Now, as taxpayers, we pay the price. Oh, and while we’re at it, how about bailing out the banks, insurance companies, automakers and their bloated union, the credit card companies … the list is endless. The price tag? A possible $7.76 trillion. That’s about $24,000 for every American, and that’s on top of the already impossibly large federal debt (more than $10 trillion).

Will we ever say no? I don’t think it matters much anymore if we do; the consequences of allowing big government to go this far will make the hard choices for us … but what will we learn?

Dave Kendle, Lincoln

AG contradictory

With regard to the Nov. 24 story, “AG asks for tougher penalties”: I was in the courtroom when Tom Wiese, who sold ethanol-blended gas as regular gas, appeared. Attorney General Jon Bruning’s assistant asked the court not to impose a jail sentence.

If Bruning’s office does not request jail for the misdemeanor offenses the defendant committed, there is no point in changing the crime to a felony. Jail is the deterrent.

Stuart Mills, Pender

Other parks need fixing

I think it’s great Lincoln supports Union Plaza (LJS, Dec. 1). It’ll be a great park, but I believe Lincoln residents aren’t aware of existing parks in desperate need of renovating.

Sherman Field is one of a few fields in Lincoln that supports at least seven local schools in their baseball programs (spring and summer seasons, plus the University of Nebraska-Lincoln occasionally), and the park structures are in some of the worst conditions I’ve  seen.

The field is always in great condition, which is truly applause for the crew that maintains a field that probably endures about 200 games a year. Sherman’s ticket stand, concession stand and especially the restrooms and maintenance shed are in horrible condition and are a dreadful representation of Lincoln.

I’ve been to many baseball parks, and Lincoln by far has one of the worst facilities.

Some great players have played baseball at this legendary landmark: Bob Cerv, Alex Gordon, Joba Chamberlain.

Lincoln seems to care about parks; why not Sherman? If we don’t fix Sherman, not only is a historical park within Lincoln going to disappear, but the youth programs also will suffer more than they already do!

To the people who work to maintain Sherman, run the concession stands, sell tickets, my hat goes off to you. You all haven’t received the recognition you deserve!

M. Raye Miller, Lincoln


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Hank wrote on December 3, 2008 8:06 am:
" I really get tired of people referring to the bailout of private banks and firms as "socialism." I think "theft" and "corruption" are more appropriate words. Socialism means that the government runs the firms. Here in the U.S. of A., the companies run the government! "

 stignob wrote on December 3, 2008 8:24 am:
" Good points Mr. Kendle. The democrats have their eyes on where the money is, our 401K's are next. "

 exactly right wrote on December 3, 2008 8:37 am:
" Sherman baseball field, aside from haymarket park, is probably one of the nicest fields in the state! With no thanks to the city. In my opinion, i believe that's why it is so nice, the city hasn't gotten thier hands on it to ruin it and put a damn soccer field in the outfield! They take the time out of thier day and spend the entire spring and summer making sure the high schools have a top-notch facility to play on. Imagine what the field would look like if they had the budget of the parks dept?!? The people taking care of sherman field certainly deserve it more than the parks dept! "

 fearless wrote on December 3, 2008 8:55 am:
" Well, once a gain we get a dose of the "talk show terrorists" spin from Dave. Rush Limbaugh and his ilk remind me of the McCarthy period and Ann Coulter reminds me of "Tokoyo Rose" spouting her venom on our troops and filling the airways with doubt and fear through lies. When will the American public awaken to this nonsense that government has no role to play in protecting citizens from the purverors of greed and slander that feed the minds and hearts of those in a position to exploit policy and take advantage of the weakest among us? When will we awaken to the balance needed to protect the vulnerable while encouraging the inovation and industry that produces a genuine economic and political system that addresses the fact that life is not a level playing field? We do have a social contract to care about and for each other within the bounds of a democratic process that reflects a spirit of compassion and the "golden rule." That is not "Socialism" it is simple decency! "

 Vote for Freedom wrote on December 3, 2008 9:17 am:
" Economics is the study of the use of scarce resources which have alternative uses. With that said, what is the most efficient and effective way for a society to allocate these scarce resources for uses that provides the most benefit for it people? History has proven time and time again that central planning fails every time. How in the world can a select few bureaucrats sitting behind desks possibly know the most efficient way to allocate resources to all the needs of the people? Government choosing winner and losers (via bailouts, subsidies, mandates, etc.) does not do this efficiently or effectively. So, what is the alternative? Freedom! Freedom of choice by the people through the market system is hands down the most efficient and effective way to allocate resources to where these resources are needed the most. Individuals’ exercising their freedom of choice is what drives scarce resources to be used in the most efficient and effective manner. In this way, winners and losers are determined by the actual needs of the people – not by some central planners determining what they think is best for its citizens.

And yet this economic fundamental which our great country was founded upon (freedom of choice) seems to be demonized by the media, politicians, and not taught academia.

Dave, hopefully the lesson voters learn is: Vote for freedom! "

 MarkyMark wrote on December 3, 2008 10:39 am:
" No bailouts. I'm sick of these people and corportations flaunting their riches while everything is good....then WE bail them out?

And why are the Republicans seeming to want to "out-socialize the Democrats? "

 Tim wrote on December 3, 2008 11:54 am:
" Dave, we will learn nothing. We have forgot the lessons that were learned during the depression. FDR and the democrats drug out the depression with the government meddling with the economy with free money and give aways. It took America manufacturing and selling stuff again to get us out of a depression (recession) ie. World War 11. Trouble is most of our manufacturing for 25 years has went to China. My guess is China will get out of the recession first.

As for fearless - When you take from one to give to another it is "Socialism/Communism".
When people freely give on their own to another it is compassion.
Someone telling me how much to give is "Socialism/Communism".
Freely giving to ones ability and caring heart and soul is compassion. "

 Ned wrote on December 3, 2008 12:04 pm:
" Hell yes, Dave. Lets just let our economy go over a cliff depression era style. Why do folks like you think it will not affect you?? No bail out and let people lose their house and pretty soon the domino effect of the economy puts you out of a job and out of your house and no food. You can raise your clinched fist out of the ditch you are in and cheer for "no government." That may help your hunger pangs a bit. "

 Sean1 wrote on December 3, 2008 12:11 pm:
" M. Raye Miller: Two words will give you an idea about how "Lincoln takes care of parks" It's a long standing public affront that has yet to be dealt with. Those words are: Centennial Park. "

 Lessons Learned wrote on December 3, 2008 12:22 pm:
" I hope we have learned to vote more carefully, considering that most of the American public have themselves to blame for the current situation. Most of the public(not all) have been living with there head in the sand for so long that now, coming up for air, they look around and go what happened?!!!
We can play the blame game for as long as we like but it still comes back to John and Mary Q Public. No matter how you try to twist this with words, we are responsible for this mess. We the public voted in incompetence, greed, corruption. In the last 30 years, we have been very complacent, we voted people into offices on nonsense issues( Abortion and Gay Marriage don't matter very much when your government is going down the toilet). We failed to insist that infrastructure, balanced budgets and accountability be upheld.
We the public can do better, we have to make our leaders accountable to us or we will keep repeating this constant pattern. "

 Not New wrote on December 3, 2008 12:50 pm:
" Bailouts aren't new. Remember the 80s and when banks and S&Ls got them, as did Chrylser, airlines and the railroads too. Let them fail. 2001 Enron failed and its ok. By the way, no way to pin Enron on the dems so you don't hear much about that. Reading Snowball (Warren Buffet autobiography) seems this hugh financial disaster could have occurred when Salomon Brothers failed in 1991. Wish it had and the mess cleaned up before now. Just know greed has no party affiliation. "

 Farmers daughter wrote on December 3, 2008 1:12 pm:
" My parents lived in the depression and from talking with them learned how to be resourceful. I've applied their wisdom to my life, so maybe I might lose my job, but I will NOT lose my house OR starve. Mom and dad always said city people need to start taking care of themselves, because when the government fails, they don't know how to do it. "

 Pete Allen wrote on December 3, 2008 2:20 pm:
" Neither Democracy or free markets are inherently evil, although either can be made to appear evil. Socialism, the control of the means of production and distribution by the state, is inherently evil and cannot be made less so.

As Alexis DeTocqueville observed: "Democracy extends the sphere of individual freedom, socialism restricts it. Democracy attaches all possible value to each man; socialism makes each man a mere agent, a mere number. Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word: equality."

"But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty,
socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude."

Democracy and a free market give every worker a chance to excel. Socialism enslaves everyone not a member of the ruling elite.

Pete Allen "

 RJ wrote on December 3, 2008 3:14 pm:
" Dave your talking about bloated unions, now come on Sir. How about the bloated CEO's? It never ceases to amaze me how the blue collar yell about
the Unions, yet say nothing about the over paid CEO's & their buddy, buddy
board of Directors.

As for Rush Limbaugh, Ann Culter, until NE people wake up that, the Republican right wing will keep them in there to brain wash the people & to hate. They are doing a good job of it, too. Seeing how the NE people voted last time. "

 Cole wrote on December 3, 2008 6:30 pm:
" Stuart - Great point!

Bruning's request makes sense, but it's hypocritical to talk tough and issue press releases citing the very cases your office is quietly pleading out.

Why ask for a change in the rules when you won't use the rules you have? It wastes tax dollars and the legislature's time - something a true Republican shouldn't do.

We all know why. The same reason we see Shane Osborn's name in the paper all the time. They're just laying a foundation to seek higher office - something else a true Republican shouldn't do. "

 davidb wrote on December 3, 2008 9:22 pm:
" I can actually relate with the conservative/liberal (it's both) outcry on home loans. I was offered a home loan that I was intelligent enough to know that I could not "comfortably" afford. I didn't take it. I don't condemn those who were in my position who took the offer, but I realize that I should not have been offered the loan I was offered (I actually was aiming for a lower loan that I wasn't comfortable with). I realized this years ago when I had co-workers with less income than myself (with more dependents and expenses) being offered loans at the same level to higher than myself. The loans should never have been accepted and they should have never been offered. I know I would have been ok now if I took the loan at the price I set, but they wanted me to be loaned up to 50% more where I KNOW I would not have been able to afford the property. "

 Dave Kendle wrote on December 3, 2008 9:58 pm:
" I am neither a Republican nor Democrat, I've been a Libertarian for over 30 years. I directed my comments at neither of the in-power parties, but simply asked what we would learn from the developing debacle. I don't listen to the radio either as I don't have the time or inclination, so I don't understand the talk show comment. It's interesting to read the different take people have on the letter.

I do believe strongly in free markets, and agree that socialism is just another name for slavery.

$18 trillion and counting. It's hard for me to believe that anyone thinks we can borrow our way to prosperity in this way, or tax our way to freedom for that matter. "

 Dear Pete wrote on December 4, 2008 12:30 pm:
" It's socialist to build a road and a public school. We are enslaved that way. What's the work-around? Know any big corporations ready to build roads and somehow pass the cost on to the drivers over it? Me neither. "

 MarkyMark wrote on December 4, 2008 2:38 pm:
" Anyone who has been paying attention will have noticed that a good Democracy or Republic is ALWAYS a delicate balance between Capitalism and Socialism. Pure Capitalism would be just as big of a disaster as pure Socialism "

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