“All Governments Are Bad, Some Are Just Worse Than Others”

I challenge to you prove me wrong: “the government of the United States is the most dysfunctional and corrupt in the world.”

I offer you two reasons which prove my allegation, although there are dozens more which confirm what I have learned over the last 13 years.

Let’s take a look at the only perfect law passed by our government in its history: the Social Security Act, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 14, 1935.

It was simple and it worked. Every American would have a retirement program. It was funded by employers and employees without additional funds from the national treasury. The amount received was based on the average income over the working life of each individual. I know of no one who received the total of their contributions prior to his or her death. Why do Republicans call it an “entitlement” and seek the end of the program? The more important question is “why is the fund in the red.”

Of course, you know the answer. Our incompetent government added other programs to Social Security instead of creating a separate entity to oversee programs including Medicare and Medicaid. In other words, they are stealing money you and your employers put into an account to be returned to you when you reached retirement age. Crime is rampant in Washington. This is proven by the fact that after two terms in the Senate, 98 of them are now millionaires, although their base salary is $174,000 per year. Out of this, most maintain two residences: one in their home state, and one near to Washington D.C.

The second reason our government is the worst in the world is a simple fact.

Politicians constantly claim that “America is the greatest country in the world,” and “America is the richest country in the world.”

If both of these are true, why is the United States the only nation in the world which does not have universal healthcare for all, at little or no cost?

Fact: Healthcare in America in its current form is the most expensive and most ineffective in the world. Why?

The answer is simple and disgusting. Right-wing politicians are owned by 756 men and women: America’s oligarchs/billionaires. Insurance companies don’t want to lose their ability to charge unreasonable rates and then refuse to pay claims. Did I say “corruption?” Most doctors are unwilling to receive fair pay for their services and honor their Hippocratic Oath.

Once again, I say: All three branches of our government are public servants who are required to serve all 340 million people. On this date, February 1, 2025, none of the three have any concerns for the quality of life for all of our nation’s people. Trust no one in power.

Finally, look at yourselves, and how you vote. I could list at least 50 members of our legislative branch who will be remembered as the worst Senators and members of the House of Representatives in history. The only reason they have their positions is because you voted for them.

And it begins at the top. You voted for Trump based on his promise to end inflation. Surprise! That was just another of his many lies. He is too busy implementing his Project 2025, which is nothing less than his personal fascist manifesto.

You bought it, and you will pay for it.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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