…Jimmy Carter, that is. Sure, my left-leaning and progressive friends might see this as just another rant against big government and the agenda being promoted by the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barney Frank, and Barack Obama, but truth is, the modern-day Democratic Party (and, I might add, a majority of the Republicans in Washington as well) at their very core have no respect for either the American capitalist system or the basic intelligence, creativity, and independent spirit of the American people.

Don’t believe me?

You would think people would pay attention to the lessons history has taught us: the more regulation government attempts to institute, the more people will find a way to get around them, with inintended consequences. Raise taxes on goods and services and businesses? You’ll either get the following: 1) emerging underground economies that actually reduce incoming tax revenue, 2) raised costs passed along to consumers (oftentimes impacting the most those who can afford it the least), and/or 3) increased unemployment as a result of layoffs.

Here are three examples:

1. Take the idea of raising “sin taxes” on goods like alcohol and tobacco. If you don’t think this isn’t going to result in a greater distribution of these kinds of goods through other than traditional means, you’re dreaming. The result: less income from taxes on these goods.

2. Take states wanting to impose higher taxes on rich people. Don’t you think these people – the most mobile and flexible in the population – hello!) aren’t going to find another state where taxes impact them the least? The result: “Rich flight” to states with lower taxes on income, goods, and services. Michigan, Ohio, and Massachusetts are poster children for this sort of thing.

3. Take the minimum wage. Liberal and progressives love to harp on the idea of forcing employers to provide a so-called “living wage”. OK, raise it, and what do you think might happen as a result: a) employers will gladly reduce their profit margin and go along with the increase for their entire employee base, or b) reduce the number of employees to keep their costs in line? I’ll take “b” for $100, Alex. Whoops, I forgot – there’s also a “c”: you can always take a portion of your business underground.

Look, I don’t doubt for a moment that liberal Democrats and progressives are well-intentioned. But thinking things through from concept to reality is not something these people do well. That’s not me ranting, that’s a fact of life – after all, human beings are the most predictable of all the species on the planet. The more government tries to impose its will on the people, the more people will react in ways the government never intended. Remember that most of our politicians – and I put “The Messiah” at the top of the list here – have never so much run a lemonade stand in their lives. They can sure talk pretty and read words off a TelePrompTer well, but they’re really not interested in helping people as much as they are in increasing and consolidating their own power.

Anyone who thinks President Obama is any different is deluding themselves.

That’s why you’ll never hear a liberal Democrat be able to tell you anything President Obama has ever accomplished in his life. All they’ll do is whine back at you with “Bush”, “Bush”, “Bush”. Fine, I get it. But replacing an incompetent with someone who is truly a threat to the American form of government because he’s a wonderful orator who makes you feel good about yourself when he talks about his “vision” for America isn’t good enough for me.

Look, I’m well aware of the increasing disparity between the “haves” and the “have nots” in America today. Does some of it have to do with the lack of government regulation over the past, say, fifteen years or so? Perhaps. But I would also argue that the Republicans first, and now the Democrats have allowed, and are allowing, a lot of crap to be swept under the rug in return for increased power and influence. Sure the AIG thing is pathetic in any number of ways, but let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater simply because some people (emphasis on “some”) jury-rigged the system for their own benefit. Hell, politicians do the same thing.

One final note: the fact remains (and even Barack Obama won’t be able to change this) that if you’re willing to work hard, be savvy / creative / smart, and make certain sacrifices you too can be among the “haves” living the American dream. The people I’ve known who have come here from other countries know this well – our landscaper Carmelo and Marcos, my restauranteur friend in Louisville, are just two examples of people living that dream right now. Compare them to any number of ridiculously young panhandlers (to put it kindly) you’ll find on a stroll through Harvard Square or any American downtown who have made their own choice to be a “have not”, then ask yourself who should be rewarded by the policies and systems put into place by Washington.

But of course, that’s not what President Obama wants. He knows by pitting Americans against each other and creating class wars, race wars, and gender wars he can institute the kinds of laws and programs that enable greater government power and regulation over people under the guise of “fairness”. Gag me with a spoon!

My only question is, will Americans be stupid enough to let this happen?