I am sure you have heard the radio ads explaining the wonderful benefits of the government’s new credit card bailout program. The announcer advises listeners to charge $10,000.00 or more so you qualify for a reduction of that debt and easy, affordable, monthly payments. Wow, doesn’t that sound wonderful…and exceptionally easy to do. This is a creative ad by a debt consolidation company taking advantage of the segment of society who believes in the free-money fairy.

In the 2009 Montana legislative session we heard HB318 regulating debt consolidation companies. The bill had loud, unified support from the progressive wing of the political spectrum all claiming debt settlement corporations were taking advantage of poorly educated citizens seeking something for nothing. I banged my head on the table and thought, “Imagine someone taking advantage of the populace by promising free goodies. Is that not the mainstay of the progressive movement?” Against my wishes, and those of only 15 other House members, HB318 passed.

Last week the exact something-for-nothing con was played, but this time by the federal government. Apparently HB318 only regulates private industry and government can still work the con. General Motors, which is owned by US taxpayers, proudly announced they had paid off their $8.1 billion bailout loans five years in advance. They actually spent advertising dollars promoting what Vice President Biden labeled a “huge accomplishment.” Then the other shoe dropped. GM used other bailout dollars tucked away in a reserve account, to pay off the bailout loans in question. This is exactly like rolling your credit card balances over to a new credit card and then calling Dave Ramsey and screaming, “We’re debt free!!!” This is insane.

What has happened to our country? Politicians have a reputation of being bottom feeding scum suckers because they are. Most will lie, cheat, and steal to advance their agenda, and do you know why? It works. An entire political movement survives by denying knowledge to the general public. “You are entitled to free healthcare,” progressives boast as they implement a massive program that will control every aspect of your life…their true agenda. “The recession was caused by Wall Street greed. We need greater regulation,” they scream hoping you forget it was their Community Reinvestment Act which forced bankers to gift mortgages to the perpetually unemployed, thereby creating the housing bubble that burst in 2007. Again they have a hidden agenda; gain control of the entire banking system.

I gag every time I hear my name and the term politician used in the same sentence. For over four years I have taken the unorthodox approach of placing my core beliefs in this weekly column. Whether you agree or disagree, you know I am a Christian, conservative demanding the government abide by the Constitution. If you check my voting record you will find it matches the principles about which I write. Don’t expect me to pour water down your back and tell you it is raining. I’ll leave those antics to the progressives.