Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The Forgotten Man

The state cannot get a cent for any man without taking it from some other man, and this latter must be a man who has produced and saved it. This latter is the Forgotten Man. -- William Graham Sumner

Dear Fellow American,

Almost 100 years ago, economist William Graham Sumner aptly described the way a big government philosophy the same philosophy Barack Obama espouses today - treats the productive American worker, calling him the Forgotten Man.

Well, last week Americans learned about one of those Forgotten Men: Joe the Plumber. And Joe the Plumber helped us all see what an Obama White House will mean for working Americans.

When Joe confronted Senator Obama on the campaign trail with the question of what would happen to his taxes under an Obama Administration should he realize his dream of owning his own business, Joe cast the decision that faces us in this election in stark relief. Which is better for our economy: Politicians redistributing our wealth or growing more wealth?

And Senator Obama gave us an equally stark answer: Under his leadership, America will focus on spreading around the Forgotten Mans wealth, not encouraging him to create more of it.

So while Obama claims he will cut taxes for 95% of working families, what he really plans is to take more money from the Americans who already pay the great majority of income taxes and spread the wealth to many who don't even pay taxes to begin with in the form of a government check.

The Barack Obama Democrats may think its their right to redistribute wealth, but it surely isnt the view of the average American worker, and its clearly wrong.

We know that government should focus on creating the economic conditions that will allow all Americans to prosper, not to try and redistribute wealth more evenly among Americans. We also know that the way for America to prosper is to leave Americans with more of their income, allowing them to do what they do best -- create the businesses, jobs, and opportunities that drive our vast economy.

Joe the Plumber has struck a chord because he reminds us (and should remind politicians in Washington) that government, no matter how well intentioned, has to be paid for, and that money comes from guys like Joe. Politicians can either bleed him dry to fund their programs, or they can encourage Americans to create more jobs and more wealth and keep government limited and effective.

That's the choice we face in this election.

If you agree with me that we cannot afford a Barack Obama White House -- sharing complete Democrat control of our government with the Nancy Pelosi-Harry Reid Congress too -- then I'm asking for your help today.

Barack Obama wants to drastically raise taxes on Americans who earn more than $250,000 a year. He wants to help Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid spread the wealth around to their allies and pay for more of their big government programs. But you have an opportunity now to support our campaign for Republican victory and lower taxes before he gets the chance.

Please give whatever you can afford today.

Your friend,

Newt Gingrich

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