The pie-eaters greatly outnumber the pie-makers.

The danger point comes when the majority vote for big government as a matter of self-interest, not just principle.  --Paul Sheehan writing in the Sydney Morning Herald on Australian politics and Saturday's upcoming elections. (hat tip MK)

While the above article is about Australia, the same concept relates to the United States.  When half the voters are eating at the government trough, or in Mr. Sheehan's words when half of the voters are pie-eaters, rather than pie-makers, it is obvious who they will vote for when election time comes.  The big spenders in government will continue to get the pie-eater votes.

But let's look at this as a one-pie government, there is only so much to go around.  The way the Obama administration has been spending, there is NO MORE PIE.  The plate is empty, not even any crumbs left.  We are borrowing money from other nations in order to feed the pie-eaters and to pay for the over-bloated government, government employees, and unions.

More from Mr. Sheehan:

Finally, we get to the most structural and disturbing aspect of the election, the growing primacy of the pie-eaters. As the recent British election showed, when sections of a country become addicted to government spending (Scotland and Wales), the electorate will vote out of self-interest and vote for the party of big government. That is, vote Labor, no matter how bad the record.

Voters are expecting more from government on healthcare, education and social security and expectancy creates dependency. One in four Australians now depends on the government for the bulk of their income. Another one in four Australians depends on government spending, directly or indirectly, for their jobs. That’s half the electorate depending on tax transfers.

The pie-eaters greatly outnumber the pie-makers.

Washington, we've got a problem.  We need a return to small government and Constitutional limits on government:

• Cutting taxes and government spending in order to halt the encroachment of government in the economic lives of citizens by fighting proposed tax increases and pointing out evidence of waste, fraud, and abuse.
• Tax and Expenditure Limitations to promote fiscal responsibility.
• Removing unnecessary barriers to entrepreneurship and opportunity by sparking citizen involvement in the regulatory process early on in order to reduce red tape.
• Restoring fairness to our judicial system.

Government spending has not worked.  Stimulus has not worked.  And the few of us left working, paying our bills, not depending on the government, are over-taxed, and tired of trying to keep the trough full.

Comments

[EKS]

Bulls eye! This article is right on target. Question is, what to do about it. If neither Democrats nor Republicans support greater spending and higher taxes, why do we have greater spending and higher taxes?

[williebill]

Much to my surprize, I found an old family secret for pies! I would be happy to make one for the pie eaters, but they have consumed all the ingredents, and tore down the oven. Guess we are going to turn the dogs loose. Have a good weekend.
WB