February 2, 2009

The Senate is now pondering the so-called stimulus bill and will probably add enough pork that the cost will reach $900 billion. Even the New York Times editorial page acknowledges that the bill contains, among other things, provisions that put us on the path to socialized medicine. But, the Times says, that’s an argument for another day. No it isn’t. It is an argument for right now.

Evidence no longer matters in these arguments; only feelings and intentions. It is a fact that when government exceeds 25 percent of gross domestic product in its spending, the economy slows. This bill exceeds that number by far. But politicians, mostly Democrats, care nothing about tomorrow. They only care about their careers and getting through the next election.

America defeated socialism and its political component, communism, in the Soviet Union. But we are rapidly becoming like they were and might be again. Who will stand against this, other than talk radio which preaches mostly to the converted? It ought to be an outrage, but it isn’t.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.