BULLSHIT DETECTOR: DEMOCRATS EMBRACE ORWELL'S NEWSPEAK
Kamala Harris and her cadre of communist fellow travelers have frequently used the term “return on investment” in their discussions about public policy, particularly regarding their progressive communist democrat agenda.
Harris continues to emphasize that voters should ignore reality and common sense when evaluating public policies, especially those involving tax credits and social programs, explaining that such government-originated programs should be evaluated based on their return on investment (ROI).
In her own words…
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QUESTION: Can you explain how you’re going to pay for those? And can you give us a sense of what other policies you want to unveil going forward? THE VICE PRESIDENT: Sure. Well, I mean, you just look at it in terms of what we are talking about, for example, around children and the Child Tax Credit and extending the EITC that — it’s — at $6,000 for the first year of a — a child’s life. The return on that investment in terms of what that will do and what it will pay for will be tremendous. [OCS: Another example of Kamala-speak, a meaningless word salad.] We’ve seen it when we did it in the first year of our administration: reduced — we reduced child poverty by over 50 percent. So, that’s a lot of the work. [OCS: The idea of “child poverty” is nonsensical because it is the impoverishment of their parents and guardians that is the issue. And it is the policies of the progressive communist democrats, like open borders, confiscatory taxes, and overbroad market-crippling regulations, that are impoverishing parents. Explain how the impoverishment of those in the inner cities and Appalachia continues to exist while billions of dollars flow through the hands of Democrats. This is the old Democrat "it's for the Children" pitch.] And then what we’re doing in terms of the tax credits — we know that there’s a great return on that investment. When we increase homeownership in America, what that means in terms of increasing the tax base — not to mention property tax base — what that does to fund schools. Again, return on investment. [OCS: The Democrats have exacerbated profligate government spending, with Kamala Harris casting the deciding vote under the guise of “reducing inflation.” Inflation has severely impacted the real estate market, where home ownership is declining as houses and rentals are priced beyond ordinary Americans’ reach.] I think it’s a mistake for any person who talks about public policy to not critically evaluate how you measure the return on the investment. When you are strengthening neighborhoods, communities, and, in particular, the economy of those communities and investing in a broad-based economy, everybody benefits, and it pays for itself. <Source> [OCS: Programs like the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit do not have a conventional ROI and cannot reduce child poverty, increase homeownership, and strengthen communities, all of which Harris claims will ultimately “pay for themselves” by boosting the economy and tax revenues. It is a fact that there is no free lunch--borrowed money is always repaid, either by the borrower or the lender. And since the government has no money of its own, the taxpayers pick up the entire tab.] |
Political ROI: A Different Kind of Investment.
When considering “return on investment” (ROI), the concept typically conjures images of balance sheets, profit margins, and financial gain. In business, ROI is a straightforward calculation: how much money is earned relative to how much is spent. It’s a measure of efficiency, of making the most of every dollar invested. And there is nothing efficient about outcomes created by government policy.
But in the political arena, ROI takes on a different meaning—Here, ROI isn’t measured in dollars but in votes. It’s not about earning money; it’s about securing power.
Votes Over Dollars: A New Currency.
In politics, the ROI often refers to the number of votes “purchased” by spending taxpayers’ money on special interest groups. These groups can range from businesses seeking tax subsidies, grants, and contracts to organizations lobbying for grants or policy changes. The investment is the allocation of public funds or favorable legislation; the return is the support of these groups through votes, campaign donations, and political endorsements.
This political ROI is less about financial returns than building and maintaining influence. It’s about ensuring that certain groups, often with significant sway, remain loyal to a particular politician or party. In this context, taxpayer money becomes a tool for solidifying power.
The Mechanics of Political ROI.
Consider how subsidies are doled out to businesses or how grants are awarded to organizations. These funds may also be investments in the economy or society, but they are primarily investments in political capital. When a politician supports a tax break for a major industry, they’re stimulating economic growth and securing the backing of that industry, which may translate into votes, campaign contributions, or other forms of support.
Similarly, when organizations receive grants, the expectation is often unspoken but clear: these organizations will support the politician who helped them. This support might come in the form of advocacy, mobilizing voters, or simply endorsing the politician during elections.
Moreover, this dynamic can lead to a vicious cycle where only those with the means to lobby effectively—often well-funded businesses and organizations—receive the lion’s share of public funds. This can exacerbate inequality and create an uneven playing field where those with deeper pockets drown out the voices of ordinary citizens.
Bottom line…
Understanding the political meaning of ROI is crucial for anyone interested in the mechanics of power and influence. While the concept may differ from its business counterpart, its impact is just as significant. As voters and taxpayers, it is essential to scrutinize how public funds are being used and to question whether these investments truly serve the public good or simply the interests of a select few politicians.
In the end, the political ROI reminds us that the currency of politics is not always money—it’s votes. And in the pursuit of those votes, the corrupt, self-serving, progressive communist democrats are ruthless, saying or doing anything to gain or maintain power.
We are so screwed.
-- Steve
“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words
“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw
“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”
“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell “Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar “Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS