Talk of ‘government takeovers’ just a lie

Vernos Branco, Las Vegas

Friday, May 28, 2010 | 2:01 a.m.

Every day I hear the same tiresome talking points by the right wing of a “government takeover.” The “government takeover” of health insurance, auto manufacturers, the oil industry, banking and Wall Street is nonsense, the same old chatter meant to make Americans afraid. When did a privately run organization become part of the government?

People who believe these talking points are either uneducated about what the government has taken over or are so biased they would believe almost anything. If these same folks believe regulations and restrictions shouldn’t be placed on these corporations, they are fools.

Take a look at what’s happened over the past 20 years or so with these companies running unabated. It peaked with consumers having credit card rates hit the ceiling, Wall Street gambling away people’s 401(k) plans, gasoline prices soaring, the Gulf of Mexico being poisoned, health insurance doubling, the economy tanking — all in the name of profits for the wealthiest.

We common folk have not seen a dime of those record-setting profits. We have unemployment instead, while the fat cats get fatter.

It isn’t very hard to check a candidate’s voting record in the House or Senate. Voters need to seek that information so they know who it is they are putting in office. Our politicians in general have sold out to special interests, forsaking us, the common people. Wake up, America. Know your candidates, not talking points and lies.