Yogi Berra said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” That line brings laughs, but the fork in the road the United States faces isn’t funny. Which fork will the nation take? Will it be the one that brings back a limit on the federal government’s usurpation of power or will it be the headlong plunge into full blown socialism, fascism, and tyranny? What are the sign posts for the left fork instead of the right?

For one, the liberals refuse to make tax cuts permanent, calling them welfare for the rich, in spite of the fact that the tax cuts have increased the take by government, but more importantly has lifted the economy out of its doldrums. It isn’t high taxes, government spending or an economic stimulus that improves a nation, it is private enterprise creating opportunities for those who will go to work each day and better themselves.

Two, Hillary Clinton tried to nationalize health care with her scheme with the dubious name of Hillary Care. Does anyone with an ounce of sense really believe she cares for anyone but herself and the power she can wield over all those she considers her lessers? As if Medicare and its various ill advised offspring of benefits, Blanche Lincoln said that she thinks all citizens should be required to have health insurance. Notice the word required. She said other ways need to be explored before a mandatory program is created. If you think Medicare has problems, wait until Senator Lincoln’s required insurance becomes operative and the bills become due and payable. Can you say Canada and Universal Health Care? Universal meaning all universally miserable because the care is next to nonexistent.

Now three, Congress continues to erode the Constitution with runaway spending due to creating more benefits for more people who don’t pay taxes and therefore who don’t contribute to the welfare of the nation. We are approaching the point where less than 50% of the people will be paying more than 90% of the taxes. As Rush Limbaugh pointed out, once there are more than 50% not paying taxes, tax reform is dead and so are individual initiative, hard work, and all the other attributes that give the incentive to do better.  

The fourth item has come about because of the notion the government should care for people and the lack of understanding (call it ignorance) of the system of government we have. The people have been trained, yes trained, to think and believe that FDR type social welfare programs are the responsibility of those who can pay more taxes. When election time rolls around they vote for Democrats because that is who will give them freebies. Can you say dependence on the government and dislike of the “rich?” Remember, the much hated “rich” is a government designation.

Lastly, fidelity to the nation and the belief that our form of government is the best is in danger. A U.S. representative from Vermont, Bernie Sanders, is an avowed socialist. He spouts the socialist, if not Marxist line, and votes for all the social schemes that the House can conjure up. How can a man who spouts socialism be loyal to Constitutional government?

All the foregoing is the left fork and the nation is fast approaching a point of no return. Which fork will become the permanent one at our national table? In Sorting It Out, suffice it to say that all the foregoing is indeed The Road to Oblivion for our way of life, and the right fork, if not taken, will do nothing to stop the ruin to our freedoms and liberties.

© 03-10-2006 DEC