Here are three quotes from my favorite politician, President Ronald
W. Reagan: “Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a
big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the
other.” The most terrifying words in the English language are, “I’m
from the government and I’m here to help.”  The government’s view of
the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: "If it moves,
tax it.  If it keeps moving, regulate it.  And if it stops moving,
subsidize it."

Boy, the above quotes sure make sense when applied to our recent 
economic, natural disasters, and energy problems our Nation has 
recently faced.

I’ll never forget when Fort Worth taxpayers were sold a bill of goods 
when our local politicians put into effect the Sales Tax initiative 
in the early 1960s.  The Sales Tax rate back then I think was 2 
percent.  Today, it is 6.25 percent. I remember politicians telling 
Fort Worth taxpayers, “The Sale Tax is the tax that will end all 
taxes!”  Boy, weren’t we suckered into believing our untruthful 
politicians that we wouldn’t be taxed anymore if voters approved the 
Sales Tax.

I recall Governor Mark White, a Democrat (1983-1987) in a debate with 
ex-Governor Bill Clements (his Republican challenger) stating that he 
didn’t raise taxes during his term.  Ex Governor Bill Clements shot 
back, that even though he didn’t raised taxes, he increased the price 
of fishing and hunting licenses, car tags, property tax values and 
Lord knows what other taxes that burdened Texas workers and 
homeowners.  Governor White had easily defeated Governor Clements 
(first Texas Republican governor since Reconstruction) in 1983, but 
in 1987, Governor Clements soundly beat his Democrat opponent.   
Political insiders blamed Governor White’s “No pass, no play,” 
legislation seal his defeat.  However, I contend that his raising 
taxes in the form of state fees brought him down.  I’ll never forget 
my Uncle Pete, a Yellow Dog Democrat, fisherman and hunter telling 
me,  “James, I’m going to do something I’ve never done before.   
“What’s that?  Uncle Pete,” I asked.  “James, I’m voting for Bill 
Clements.  I can’t stomach that lying skunk Gov. White!”  I guess 
that when Gov. White hit Uncle Pete’s hip pocket in the form of 
higher fees, it didn’t sit well with him.

In 1979 my wife pleaded with me to buy a bigger house to adequately 
house our growing family.  I explained to her that mortgage interest 
rates were too high (13.5 to 15 percent) but if Gov. Reagan would 
beat President Carter in the 1980 Presidential Election he might 
lower the mortgage rates.  Though it took a while, mortgage interest 
rates finally came down during President Reagan’s second term.   
However, this was after the Savings and Loan melt down and house 
buyers had a difficult time qualifying for a home loan.  After 
finding a house that fitted our family needs, my real estate broker 
referred me to a mortgage loan company.  I informed the loan officer 
that I wanted a loan with the least years.  She responded, “James, in 
order to quality for a 15 year loan, you must have an impeccable 
credit rating and give a sizeable down payment.”  I told her to check 
my credit and if $15,000 was enough to qualify for a 15 year loan.   
Telling me that $15,000 was enough to qualify for a 15-year loan; she 
then proceeded to investigate my credit.  After a week I was shocked 
when the loan officer called to tell me that they found a flaw in my 
credit.  “James, 3 years ago you were late in making a $15 payment to 
Zales Jewelry Store.  You need to explain why you were late in making 
your monthly payment.”  Folks, I was surprised.  However I remembered 
that during that time my wife and I vacationed in Mexico for a 
month.  Luckily, I still had my tourist visas.  After making copies 
of the visas, I mailed them along with my reasons of why I was late 
in making my payment to Zales.

Today, I’m well aware of why we’re in this huge mess that is plaguing 
our financial institutions.  Folks, the answer is simple, politicians 
(mostly Democrats) pressured loan establishments to relax the 
stringent methods that I underwent to purchase my house.  After some 
tight controls to loan money to homebuyers, mortgage companies 
relaxed their lending practices and began to loan money to people who 
had no business purchasing a home.  Most loans were issued with a 
little to no down payment and a variable interest rate.  Many at risk 
homebuyers soon found themselves in a heap of trouble with a large 
interest rate and monthly payment that they had anticipated.  Soon, 
many foreclosed their homes.  Now we’re told that the government is 
bailing out loan companies.  Wrong!  We, the taxpayers, are the ones 
who are doing it.

Finally, I want to tip my hat to my fellow Texans and Governor Rick 
Perry for a marvelous job in preparing for Ike, the hurricane that 
devastated our Gulf Coast.  We Texans didn’t blame President Bush or 
FEMA.  Once we were told we were in Ike’s path, we got out of Dodge.   
I also noticed that within two days after the hurricane, Houston was 
already cleaning their streets, and a couple of weeks later, many 
schools in Houston are now open.  Proudly, I don’t recall seeing 
Texans looting stores as we saw in New Orleans.  Most shelter houses 
here in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex are now shutting down.   
Meaning that Texans are going back to their cities to roll up their 
sleeves to clean up the mess left by Ike.  Also, many companies like 
AT&T are helping Texans by offering free phones to keep in touch with 
their loves ones. We Texans don’t depend on the Federal Government to 
fix all of our problems.  In many cases, government is the problem!

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