The other day I was listening to a local SLC talk show host that was talking about Tim Bridgewater on his show. Yes, I know I am for Tim Bridgewater, I have endorsed Tim Bridgewater and I feel he is the best candidate for the Senate seat. But, when we use our arguments to take down a candidate and the argument we are using is blatantly hypocritical, we are wrong.
Tim has been accused of gaining largess off the federal feeding trough. Some of his companies have been getting grants, funding, loans etc. from the federal government for funding of projects they are building or developing for thermal energy production around the world. Because of this, he is being accused of being the wrong candidate for the senate seat and should be defeated in the primary.
Let's get down to a real discussion. How many of us have never ever received any money from a government entity for something? That means local, county, state, or federal? Think hard before you answer. Let's go through a general list of what could be included:
Loans
Grants
Loan Guarantees
Scholarships
Unemployment
Welfare
Food Stamps
Aid to Dependent Children
Child College Tuition Credits and Deductions
Cash for Clunkers
Energy and Insulation Credits
Energy Savings Rebates
SBA Loans
Sales Tax Credits for Business Growth
Investment Tax Credits
New Job Tax Credits
Social Security
Medicaid
Medicare
Okay, I think that is probably long enough to trigger a "yes" from almost everyone. We have all stood at the feeding trough and partaken of what was offered at some point to some extent. We are not worthy of running for office then either? Think about this. Did Tim Bridgewater make or setup the programs that he was applying to for funding, grants, loans etc? No. He stood in line and took advantage of what was being offered to anyone that qualified. Just like you and I have done.
If he had not done this, would his companies have been as competitive in their projects and programs if they had not and their competitors had taken them? Are we going to sit in judgment against someone for using what is there available? Or should we look at it and realize that Tim has taken full advantage of all resources available to further the success of his companies?
Tim has even said that these programs are part of what is wrong with our government today. He has committed to us the voters that this is what needs to stop along with a whole lot of other things that are wrong. I have talked with him and discussed these items with him and his people. He gets it! We get it! Now don't forget that we have all taken it also!
To the talk show host, I ask that you reconsider your negative comments and make sure that you are the one without sin before you throw the first stone. Make sure that yours was not a hypocritical stand that you took. To the rest of us, think about this also. Did he do anything other than what we would have done or have already done?
This is about who will be able to take the battle to the Senate and reinstate common sense, smart business practices, intelligent analysis, wise consideration and as Glenn Beck says, Hope, Faith and Charity. I still remember HIT also. (Honesty, Integrity and Trust.)
Now each of us need to do the most important thing, make sure we are registered to vote, study the candidates, make an informed choice and then VOTE! Get your family members, friends, neighbors and business associates to do so also.
We got to where we are today, because not enough good intentioned, patriotic and honest people went to vote.
Remember, when good men sit idle, evil men will rule.
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The majority of the people who are complaining about this with Bridgewater generally wholly support Jason Chaffetz. I do too.
ReplyDeleteJason has a person employed FULL TIME to help constituents, be they corporate citizens, local government or average citizens find access to existing programs. His argument for doing so is the same as Bridgewaters- no, we SHOULDN'T be taxed for these programs and we SHOULD seek to eliminate them BUT as long as his constituents are being taxed to pay for them, they should be able to benefit. I believe Chaffetz is working to reform the system. In the mean time, he's not willing to completely screw over his constituency. He's right on with that.
No government program will EVER be as beneficial to any company as not having (and being taxed) for the thing in the first place.
Since Tim has a more detailed knowledge of the way things currently ARE, he's in the best position to change them. He's also prepared to hit the ground running as a Senator.
Mr. Bridgewater is a successful businessman. He used ALL avenues available to ANYONE to create profitable ventures. Short of amazing due to all the stumbling blocks that big government has thrown in front of small businesses. His critics surely need to re-examine their own histories to see where they have partaken from the government trough. I'd bet ALL have!
ReplyDeleteUtah and her people are proud to have Mr. Bridgewater as our next Senator! He personifies the American dream.
Your rationale seems to be flawed. Didn't your mother teach you about following the crowd. Your saying its OK for Tim to get billions in government funding and be able to make the rules because everyone gets money from the government? You don't see this as a conflict of interest? Tim's company advises other companies how to get government funding for their personal gain. How could an honest person not see this as a huge conflict of interest. I went online and checked out his company, then I asked him face to face what he would do with his job if elected. He said he would put his company into a blind trust. Does that mean he will sell his shares? Who will run his company in his absence? Family and friends. He will still have ties to his company that benefits from billions of dollars of government funding. Oh well we are used to politicians who line their pockets with favorable legislation. Some people want politics as usual. I am tired of it. I want change. Mike Lee is a safer choice. No conflict of interest for Mike, just a good man who wants to uphold the integrity of the constitution.
ReplyDelete"This is about who will be able to take the battle to the Senate and reinstate common sense, smart business practices, intelligent analysis, wise consideration and as Glenn Beck says, Hope, Faith and Charity. I still remember HIT also. (Honesty, Integrity and Trust.)" Smart business practices? In the government? What? Our government is a business? Should it stay that way?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, aside from that phrase, I think this applies to Mike. I'm voting for Mike before Tim on these very grounds. I trust him, and I think he's the one that won't go to DC and use back-room deals and whatnot. He's been by far the most open and honest about himself.
I also see your reasoning as flawed. Americans are fed up with our over-sized government. You can't convince me that it makes any sense to support someone who makes it their business practice to use government programs that I think should be done away with. I believe that most Utahn's avoid using any of the assistance you refer to. And receiving an energy rebate or seeking to obtain millions of dollars to fund a business in Indonesia are flat out not comparable. I have met and questioned both Tim and Mike Lee. Mike Lee is hands down the most qualified man for our Senate seat.
ReplyDeleteThere is a big difference between using welfare programs or small tax deductions; and making a living using millions of tax payers dollars so your business can exist. You have to live the principle that you preach when you are expecting to take on the responsibilities of a Senator. I don't think your comparison is relative.
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