Where's the Cream Filling?

In his latest commentary in "Easy Reader" What Bob Pinzler calls "The Solid Middle" is really the "Cream Filling" of government largesse, kickbacks, and pork-barrel spending, along with the enhanced entitlements, which are bankrupting this country. The twinkie of sweet deals at collective cost to the entire country has created a country obese on handouts, and legislators in obeisance to the mad demands of grabby hands instead of good statesmanship.

Since the Great Society of Lyndon Johnson, the American People have been caught in culture war schizophrenia. People want less government, but less of someone else's. My handouts, my entitlements, my Congressional District's military bases, etc. must remain untouched. Everybody loves a little love from their legislator in Washington. Every legislator wants to be loved in turn, seeking reelection by any means, especially with favors, procurements, or padded largesse littered on glittering Christmas Tree bills.

Even Santa Claus has only so many days, so many elves, so much of anything. The state cannot no longer be the cookie jar for crooks and kooks local, city, and statewide across the country. Starting with the Tea Party Revolution of 2009 to today, a dedicated and growing section of the country is demanding that something be done about the deficits and debts that our devouring our country. Ann Coulter, an unexpected yet exceptional voice of strident reason on last week's episode of "This Week", exclaimed that this country must cut spending. Must. No more easy money, no more honey for the sacrifice. This land needs to start flowing in austerity. "Moderate" politicians would cut a little of the top, but still push for massive stimulus packages. The two U.S. Senators from Maine (one of whom is retiring), and Arlen Specter (forced to resign by election), would excise a small bit to appear moderate, but still plumped up every bill, nonetheless. One party rule, Democrat or Republican, allowed such opportunism to go unchecked. However, the growing, grave consequences of a little for everyone, even a moderate portion, has deprived the nation in the subtle but no longer secret long-term. There is nothing left to hand out, and a "solid moderate" response is not acceptable to shore up the shocking losses.

There is no more cream filling left for our federal leaders to dole out to the states. There are fewer jobs now then were in full force four years ago, both in the public and private sectors. The federal government has already teetered on the brink of default, with a number of states begging for a bailout. If even Rhode Island, one of the most leftist of states, can cut pension obligations. If New Jersey officials can tout "The Answer is No" to favors and private request from the dwindling public coffers, then the rest of us can do without the cream filling. "No" is solid, not "moderate", yet necessary if this country will survive the latest market correction of debt, deficits, and portentous financial demise.