Tim from Colorado e-mails to offer a few observations on television and politics:
Have you seen this ad for Carhartt?
I would like to think this is a shot at President Obama's and his remarks about how Americans have lost their drive and innovation. The first time I saw this ad was shortly after President Obama's speech in California when he lamented that Americans no longer have the ability to take on projects like the Golden Gate Bridge. Granted, some of Carhartt's products are made outside the US, but that only strengthens the argument that tax reform is needed to help bring manufacturing jobs back to the US.
And along the lines of Obama's perception that Americans have lost their innovative ability and drive, the reality show "Gold Rush" on the History Channel is a perfect example of American drive, enterpreneurial spirit, and self-reliance. I was puttering around the garage last night and was thinking how this show is a reflection of current events. Last season, the miners worked to get to where they thought the significant gold deposits were. They were able to recover some gold but not enough to cover their expenses. Disappointed with their production, the claim-owner sent a colleague, "Dakota Fred", up to observe their operation. Just as the team was finally onto the gold, winter hit Alaska and they had to shut down. When they returned for the second season, Dakota Fred informed the team that he bought the claim and would be mining the gold with his own team (they should've known anybody from North Dakota is not to be trusted). This has left the original miners high and dry without a claim to work.
This show is one of the History Channel's most popular shows, because it is about typical Americans risking everything they have for the chance to hit it big, and most viewers want to see these guys become successful. The efforts of the miners are a direct reflection of many Americans who take risks, working long hours at their businesses for a chance at success, and Dakota Fred is a direct reflection of how our government, the EPA, and a multitude of environmental groups erect roadblocks in the way of American spirit, ingenuity, and self-reliance.
I just finished reading Glenn Beck's "Original Argument" and I remain in awe at how much foresight the framers of the Constitution possessed when they drafted that document. I'm also amazed today how much truer Ronald Reagan's line about the nine most terrifying words in the English language are: "I'm from the government and I'm here to help".
