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More on Sending Checks to Mailboxes

By Philip Klein on 2.9.09 @ 3:30PM

I mentioned this earlier, but I went back and transcribed the entire question asked by one man in Barack Obama's Elkhart, Indiana town hall meeting. I did so because I think it's representative of the entitlement mentality that has spread as a result of decades of liberalism, and reflective of the type of sentiment that will make it particularly difficult for conservatives to fight the growth of government during economic crisis:

"I also just want to be very thrilled to be in the presence of you, because we've been looking for a change. We are truly tired of the economics that we have been getting, that has gotten us into the position that we're in. That theory has been a trickle down, we need to trickle up. So I would hope, in your philosophy, of trying to kick-start the economy, that the money is directly to the people that have homes that have foreclosed, the people that have lost jobs. To try to give it to a bank, and give a low interest rate, and the person whose home is being foreclosed don't have a job, don't help anybody. It's a sale that nobody can take advantage of because they ain't got no money. So, I would hope, and I pray, that you would support the people that got you into the office, we the people, not the fat cat. We the people, whereas the money is directly in the hands of the people who are hurting. Whereas we don't have to worry about going to the state, going to the federal government, standing in line somewhere. Send that check to our mailbox."

It's scary, but I heard this sort of thing in town hall meetings all across the country last year.

View all comments (4) | Leave a comment

BJC| 2.9.09 @ 3:57PM

Only momentarily do I hesitate in saying this provides a "golden" opportunity for reconnecting U.S. voters to the way the world works.... The key answer would be pointing out to the questioning fellow that the only way to get that money directly into the hands of those who really need the cash infusion is to never send the money to the government in the first place.

Pkane| 2.9.09 @ 4:40PM

That is truly frightening. So now it's not even enough that the government give you free sh*t - now it has to be delivered directly into your hands, without the slightest effort on your part.

At least in the past technology served as a check on govt hand outs.

But now? When I was laid off a few years ago I at first dismissed applying for unemployment - I though the opportunity cost of paperwork, long lines, bureaucracy etc. would detract from my efforts to just go find a new job.

However, I started to get reminders in the mail reminding me that I was eligible and that it was so easy to sign up! No need to even go to an office, just fill out a short form online in 5 minutes and 3 weeks later I'd start getting my checks.

Now we have this for every program. Twice a month a get a reminder to apply for the low income subsidy on my electric bills.

Even on parking tickets there's no longer a need to write a letter to challenge the charge. Instead you have a handy checklist on the back with several potential reasons for why the ticket might be invalid.

Its good to know that government is efficient where it counts!

tnxplant| 2.9.09 @ 5:30PM

But the "you" he's "in the presence of" IS a fat cat!

For goodness sake, in 1975 my job was eliminated, cutting our family income by 65%. We survived and became better people because of it.

My husband kept working, and I babysat my neighbor's kids. We no longer bought a soda or went out for dinner. We had collision only coverage on our car and no life insurance. We grew a garden. We had no home air conditioning in the Deep South.

Back then lenders would only consider 1/2 the spouse's income for a home mortgage loan, so we were able to keep making our payments (at 12.5 % interest).

We've worked hard for 30 years, continue to live modestly, and have no debt. We're about to be punished for it (not to mention the price our kids & grandkids will pay).

I am having a hard time being sympathetic.

ruth| 2.10.09 @ 1:44AM

'Trickle up', sure there's just so much money from the lower economic rungs to jumpstart the economy. How many people does the average poor guy employ? The idiocy is breath-taking. It took 50 years, but the publik skool system has finally done us in.