Albert Einstein once said, The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."" The recent vote on the bailout is proof that we cannot depend on government to fix the recent economic crisis we are in.
Think about it: Congress caused this problem by lowering the bar regarding mortgages so that individuals who were unable to pay them back could borrow money. This resulted in failed mortgages and an economic disaster.
Now we have Congress trying to solve the problem they caused by doing the very same thing - loaning money to institutions that cannot afford to pay them back.
Einstein defined this as insanity - wouldn't you agree?
The solution to our economic crisis lies in the hands of the American people. It is time we take the initiative and bail out America. Obviously we cannot depend on the present Congress to do the job. They seem to only be making it worse. I would never have voted for this bailout, and I am ashamed of those congressmen who did.
It's time we all unite and work together to lift up our nation to insulate our community, our state and our nation from the potential damage of this global financial crisis. It is time we stand united to protect our own. Innovations such as the ""buy local, buy fresh"" movement in central Wisconsin, which calls for the consumption and production of primarily local foods presents a feasible way to protect Wisconsin's economy. Given our current economic situation, we need to expand that concept to other areas, and we need to create a sustainable nation.
As a sustainable produce and berry farmer and a local business owner for over 30 years, I firmly believe that we, the people, will be the ones to turn this economy around.
Every dollar spent should better America by making sure it stays in our community where possible, stays in our state when able, and certainly stays within our nation's borders.
We cannot afford to watch our wealth exported. If business, industry and tourism must suffer, let's do our part to make sure it doesn't suffer here. Employees should do their absolute best to increase profitability. Employers should support American suppliers of their goods and services.
We must make sure that government spends our tax dollars on American made goods and services as well. This will help to increase jobs and prosperity at home. When I see government contracts going to foreign companies and not our own, I am appalled. For them to put restrictions and demands on our industry and business, and then buy goods from foreign competitors that are not held to the same standards, is an offense against the United States and its workforce. Democrats and Republicans in Washington need to get their priorities straight and return to a position of service to the American people.
Years ago, a group of organic farmers and I founded The Midwest Organic Services Association, an organic certifying agency, which presently certifies over 1,000 farmers and processors throughout the Midwest and Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, an educational outreach organization, which hosts one of the largest annual organic and sustainable farming conferences in the United States. These groups symbolize a major step in the right direction toward our current economic woes.
The organic industry did not happen at the hands of government, it happened in spite of government interference. People, united, working for the good of all, have proven to be the answer every time.
The American people built this nation and it will take the American people, not the American government, to gain victory over this economic crisis.
For government to work it must learn to listen to the people and serve those people, instead of trying to control them.
God bless America.
Daniel Mielke is the Republican candidate for the 7th congressional district in Wisconsin. We welcome your feedback. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
