It's not so hard to understand

I grew up in the late 60's, 70's, and came of age in the 80's. I didn't think about taxes or healthcare or corporate takeovers or bailouts. I was as liberal as any teen can be, even felt sad about not having a cause to be passionate about like when we were still in Vietnam. I wanted to be a hippie. And then I grew up.

I think about why this country was founded, people were fleeing to a new place where they could have freedom of their own making. When England became too over-bearing - we broke away. Americans are tough people who fight for their own and take care of themselves. At least we used to be.

Now, the simple fact that Barack Obama was elected on a platform of hope and change and a don't worry I'll take care of everything attitude amazes me. Since when did Americans sit back and expect a handout? And since when did our government want to grow so large to the point that it will control some of the most important and intimate aspects of our lives? And why are so many people willing to give away that power?

These are the same people who cried foul when they thought George Bush was going to bug their phones under the patriot act. Apparently they want to protect their phone conversations more than their health and personal decisions.

Americans take care of themselves. We are a hard working people and we earn what we get. If we are disabled or something of the sort - that's different. But I don't want to pay for the gang member who chooses that way to make a living and gets himself shot. With the public plan - I would be paying for that. I don't want to. I also don't want the government to own car companies or run banks ... the very definition of socialism is what we are headed toward. It's frightening.