We Need Economic Rehab

We hear many stories in the news of famous people going in for rehab due to an addiction to some substance such as drugs or alcohol. The cycle of addiction usually begins with the person experimenting or trying something new to feel good or hide their pain. They do feel good at first but as soon as the drug or alcohol is out of their system, they feel bad again and experience withdrawal. The easiest way to overcome the pain of withdrawal is to take another pill or have another drink and the cycle of addiction has begun.

Of course, the best way to kick the cycle is never begin in the first place. However, for those already caught up in the cycle, rehab is perhaps the only answer. The purpose of rehab is to break this vicious cycle. First, the individual comes to some remote place far from their normal surroundings, friends, and family. They are also separated from their addictive behavior immediately. I have heard from some who have gone through the process that the first few days are rough as withdrawal is allowed to run its full course. However, after the withdrawal is over, things begin to smooth out and the individual begins to find the real reason for their feeling bad in the first place. Once they can successfully face this reality and deal with it without the use of drugs or alcohol, the healing process can begin.

Ever since the initial $700 billion bailout in the fall, it seems our economy has begun a cycle of addiction to government bailout money. Ever since that time, we have witnessed one company and government agency after another appearing before Congress seeking bailout money. It seems that once the economy experimented with bailout money they have to continually return for another fix. Unfortunately, the government is all too happy to supply the fix. If we are ever to break this cycle, we need a rehab program.

First, we must separate the economy from the drug. In other words, the bailouts and promises of bailouts must stop. I urge the Congress and President to begin saying no and turning these people away.

Second, the economy must also separate itself from the socialists and Marxists with which it associates. These socialists and Marxists are only interested in one thing, keeping the economy addicted to the bailout drug. We need to educate the voters so they understand that government is not the solution but the problem as said by President Ronald Reagan. The only way government has money to give is by confiscating it from someone else through taxes or making it out of thin air. We may be the beneficiary of some government bailout but we will end up paying it back through higher taxes or inflation brought on by the influx of new money into the economy.

There will be a period of withdrawal in this rehab. It will be painful and very uncomfortable but if the withdrawal is allowed to run its full course, things will begin to smooth out. The economy can then do some soul searching and face the true cause of its addiction. I believe this because is that we no longer reward achievement but instead penalize it with higher taxes and more regulation.

Companies that have their profits confiscated through higher taxes or regulation soon run out of money. What choice do these companies have but to turn to the socialist and Marxist drug dealers of bailout to find a solution to their woes. The only way out is for our economy to replace its addiction to bailout with a love for profit and achievement. It is only then that we can truly say no to bailout and experience a long and lasting recovery.

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