For a huge bloc of the voting public, it wasn't about the debt, deficits and the continuing devaluation of the dollar. It wasn't about runaway spending by the government. It wasn't about the expansion of unconstitutional government. It wasn't even about the anemic economy or weak job market.
It was about money from other people's pockets. It was about large corporations who supported the candidate who delivered bailout money (from the pockets of other people).
It trickled down to those who wanted the candidate who promised to provide them with food stamps, free health care, housing subsidies and a phone, among a laundry list of other things (paid for by people taxed enough already).
It continued with those in government-run education and their unions who threw their support behind the candidate who could get them more stuff (from the pockets of other people). Then it filtered to the students who thought that they should get a greater piece of the taxpayer pie to pay for their education. A majority of them voted for the candidate who promised them a greater amount of cash (from the pockets of other people). Never mind the ballooning debt hanging over them; they wanted their money now (from the pockets of other people).
A major factor in the election of a certain candidate had to do with taking money (from the pockets of people) for other people who wanted it.
This shrewd candidate knew how to take advantage. He didn't underestimate the power of the voting bloc and moved craftily to exploit it. Looking cool and caring, he fashioned himself as the ideal candidate to those demanding more money (from the pockets of other people) by making pick-pocketing look compassionate. And when they get what they want, it still won't be enough. They'll demand more (from the pockets of other people).
The transformation he promised four years ago has come. He "successfully" flipped the words of JFK. "Ask not what you can do for your country, but ask what your country can do for you." Years ago Americans rallied with Patrick Henry saying, "Give me liberty or give me death." Years later, many simply said, "Give me liberty." In this century, numerous Americans just say, "Give me."
Their presence was felt on Nov. 6. Like someone bluntly but aptly quipped, "When half the country votes like children, how can you beat Santa Claus?"
The Rev. Mel McGinnis is a Frewsburg resident.
