The short article below, not including the parenthetical insertions, was published June 1, 2006  on the Voices page of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. A 250 word limit for letters to that newspaper prevented including that which is in the parenthesis.

Before long a spate of letters from liberals will appear decrying the tax cut extensions recently signed into law. The usual diatribes of tax cuts for the rich will be spouted and spewed. Instead of trying to refute the nonsense with facts, a 10 question quiz is offered so whiners can justify their beliefs.

One, define rich (and when you do, what gives you the expertise to determine who is rich and who isn’t. For that matter who appointed you the examiner to decide these matters?)

Two, explain where the section can be found in the Constitution that gives the government the power to take from one and give to another. (Don’t cite the 16^th Amendment because it doesn’t address the issue and neither does the common welfare clause of Article I, Section 8.)

Three, explain why those who make more should be saddled with most of the government expense. (Explain why the foregoing isn’t a violation of the 14^th Amendment providing for equal application of the law. Are the “rich” less equal than others?)

Four, why should some not pay taxes which creates a free ride at the expense of others? (Explain how the forcing of those who make more should pay more and thus giving a free ride to many is any different than the Communist line of Marx, “From those with the most ability, to those with the greatest need.” Who determines those with the most ability and the ones who have the greatest need? Oh, excuse me; I forgot for a moment that it is the liberals with all the expertise on such matters who will do the determinations.)

Five, explain how those who prosper through the free enterprise and market system deprives those who aren’t as industrious or prosperous (as a result of not using God given abilities and sitting around whining about the “rich” and the government not giving the poor enough, and giving tax breaks to the rich.)

Six, explain why it is fair, for you who so believe, that the government should forcibly take the property of others for distribution. (This answer should be most revealing about the inroads socialism/communism has made into the minds of the nation.)

Seven, define excess profits. (This one is similar to the definition of rich. Why do you liberals think you should be the arbiters of who makes how much profit? Where did you receive your training to have such expertise? The answer should be a loo loo.)

Eight, how does increasing taxes on businesses lower prices in the market place? (Use your liberal expertise for explaining this one and thereby reveal how little you know.)  

Nine, if alternative fuels are developed, what means and manner will be used to dispose of the unused gasoline which is a product of the crude cracking process? (And what will be used for lubrication when all the crude is gone as you keep insisting is happening. Of course I don’t have all the expertise in these matters that liberals claim to possess, so who am I to question such paragons of knowledge?)

And ten, explain your knowledge of economics, free enterprise, a market economy, and the purpose of profit.

Answer the foregoing and thereby convince us doubters that you have knowledge about the mentioned topics. I won’t hold my breath waiting for replies. A purple face isn’t too becoming (but the sputtering and fuming of liberals is fun to watch.)

In Sorting It Out, it would serve liberals and the rest of us better if liberals learned the economic facts of life. Knowledge might change them into those terrible and much hated conservatives. We would welcome them with open arms.

© 06-02-2006 DEC