Betty Hazlett – 1/23/05

This page was last updated on January 25, 2005.

Bad time for throwing a bash; Betty Hazlett; Beaver County Times; January 23, 2005.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“The presidential inauguration was a spectacular gala that cost taxpayers $30-40 million.

“According to the information I have, about 30 percent of this money comes from private contributions. The rest is being robbed out of our pockets so our government can party in style.”

[RWC] I wonder where Ms. Hazlett got her information. Beyond the inaugural ceremony itself, the parade, and the security for these two events, private donations – not taxpayers – funded all celebrations. That was also true for former President Clinton’s inaugural celebrations.

“I realize that a lot of money will be generated in Washington by people patronizing the businesses, but as far as the inauguration itself, I think it is absurd to throw a party that costs this much when we are at war and our deficit is in the trillions.”

[RWC] The national debt is in the trillions, but the annual deficit is “only” in the hundreds of billions, though it is decreasing. Again, the money for the celebrations came from private donations, not the federal budget.

“Our troops are dying in Iraq because they don’t have properly armored equipment. Americans continue losing good-paying jobs while our president insists thousands of jobs are being created.”

[RWC] I thought troops were dying because terrorists were attacking them. Apparently Ms. Hazlett hasn’t been paying attention. The military has been “up armoring” vehicles as fast as they could since late 2003.

“From what I can see, the jobs he is referring to don’t pay much, and have little or no benefits, minimum wage positions that usually do not give you 40 hours/week.”

[RWC] Again I have to wonder about Ms. Hazlett’s sources because she doesn’t identify them. This sounds like a talking point from a liberal web site.

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan doesn’t buy the claim that new jobs are of lesser quality than lost jobs. Testifying before Congress, Greenspan said, “We’ve not been able to find a significantly meaningful change in the quality of the jobs being produced relative to the quality of jobs being lost for the nation as a whole over the last year.” Is that true for Pennsylvania? I don’t know.

The real disposable income of American workers has increased every month since at least January 2003 with the exception of September 2003. Home ownership is at its highest point in history and climbing. These facts don’t support Ms. Hazlett’s claim.

“Benefits - if employers offer medical benefits, even at a group rate - can cost several hundred dollars a month for coverage, so these workers are usually working to pay for their health care, and a large number of Americans have no health-care insurance at all.”

[RWC] What’s wrong with working to pay for your healthcare expenses? Shouldn’t everyone pay their own way?

“Social Security is also getting ready to be gutted. How many people are still affected by the flooding from September, some of whom had businesses that were wiped out and they cannot afford to take these low interest loans to restart?”

[RWC] More liberal talking points. There are no proposals to gut Socialist Security. Consider the following principles outlined by President Bush for any Socialist Security reforms.²

· Modernization must not change Social Security benefits for retirees or near-retirees.

· The entire Social Security surplus must be dedicated to Social Security only.

· Social Security payroll taxes must not be increased.

· Government must not invest Social Security funds in the stock market.

· Modernization must preserve Social Security’s disability and survivors components.

· Modernization must include individually controlled, voluntary personal retirement accounts, which will augment the Social Security safety net.

Does that sound like gutting Socialist Security?

Regarding the flood victims, why should taxpayers pay for people who chose not to buy flood insurance? What do you expect when you live or operate a business in a flood plain? It’s one thing if you were flooded in Monaca Heights. You were asking for it if you located your business in the Green Garden Plaza area. Don’t get me wrong; I sympathize with those people who experienced loss as a result of the flooding. I just don’t believe it’s the taxpayer’s responsibility to get these folks back on their feet. That’s the responsibility of private charities.

“I think this $30-40 million could have been better spent. My message to the president is this: Stop bending us over!”

[RWC] The President didn’t spend this money, private contributors did. As noted above, tax dollars paid only for the inaugural ceremony itself, the parade, and the security for these two events.

Does anyone want to bet we wouldn’t have seen this letter if Kerry had won and spent more?

1. Inaugural price tag in line with history; Joseph Curl; The Washington Times; January 20, 2005.

2. Strengthening Social Security and Creating Personal Wealth for All Americans; President’s Commission to Strengthen Social Security; December 21, 2001.