Dear Editor,

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the people discover they can vote themselves largess out of the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority votes for the candidate promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that democracy always collapses over a loose fiscal policy; to be followed by a dictatorship.”

— Alexander Tyler Fraser

Politicians are judged based on their ability to sell lunacy as public policy. Therefore, aspiring politicians must master the art of marketing, like the astute Barack Obama. Even if one does not revere Mr Obama, we must admire his skills has a marketer. Obama has managed to garner public support for the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare), which is, in essence, a bad policy. And, instead of engaging in a serious debate with his opposition colleagues about the implications of Obamacare, he is trying to score political points by lambasting them and, unfortunately, most people are succumbing to his antics.

It is not surprising that Republicans are being blamed for the government shutdown, although Obama refused to compromise. House Republicans voted to fund the entire government except Obamacare, and the president refused to budge, citing the need to protect a programme that will redound to the benefit of all Americans. But, contrary to the views of the mainstream media and Democrats, Obamacare may be a disaster. Obamacare will require firms with over 50 full-time employees to provide health coverage or pay a fine of $2,000-$3,000 per full-time worker. This has already created jitters in the private sector.

In a recent CNBC survey, 42 per cent of small businesses indicated that they have frozen hiring because of Obamacare; while 38 per cent have scaled down expansion plans, and 18 per cent have reduced working hours. Based on the Central Budget Office’s research, the Affordable Health Care Act will result in 800,000 fewer full-time jobs. In addition, the myriad taxes and regulations introduced by this new policy will serve as a disincentive to the private sector.

Like most salesmen, Mr Obama has the potential to sell sloppy products like the Affordable Care Act, hence voters should become more discerning in order to avoid future disasters

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com