Last year, Vishal Mangalwadi, an Indian scholar and outstanding speaker and writer, made some compelling remarks regarding the future of America. Here is an excerpt from an interview dated last summer: (the full interview can be found on examiner.com)

"How can you be so sure that America will turn into a third world country?"

Let me tell you this, how I can be so sure. Right now the FBI is investigating 52,000 wealthy Americans who are hiding 15 billion dollars in secret, safe accounts. America is a very rich country with lots of millionaires, and altogether they have 15 billion dollars in tax-evaded secret, safe accounts.

India is a poor country. How much money do you think Indians have in secret safe accounts? It’s 1500 billion, 1.5 trillion dollars that Indians have in secret accounts. We’re number one. Russia is number two; Russians have 350 billion.

Now, what does that tell you about America? It tells you that Americans pay taxes. Very few people cheat. They hire tax consultants; they save as much tax as they can legally. Very few of them take illegal means to save taxes.

Why do Americans pay taxes? Is there any reason for you to pay your tax if the government is going to take that money and give it to corrupt corporations that have made a mess of your economy by billions of dollars…trillions of dollars? 

While you are making money, they are messing up money. Why should you pay taxes to bail them out? The reason we pay taxes, is because the Bible said that you shouldn’t steal --that you should pay your taxes.  

- Vishal Mangalwadi 

I’m mad. At President Obama. Surprised? Don’t worry, the bumper stickers are still on the CRV and the Outback. Not going to scrape them off, either. In fact, when the time comes, I’m just going to paste big fat “12s” on both bumpers and be all set for the next run. Anyway, I’m still ticked off. It’s time to quit swatting at flies and time to take a stand on Iran.

A couple of weeks ago, President Obama stood in the “timeless city of Cairo” and gave a remarkable speech. I actually teared up as I watched it, deeply proud of a new President who is so different from the old. He honored the Islamic faithful by acknowledging their contributions to the world and the need for Americans to engage, not enrage. It was quite a moment.

Towards the end of the speech, President Obama, in his professorial outline, hit his fourth point: democracy. As he reflected on the role of America supporting democracy in the Arab world, he acknowledged the missteps of the last administration (anyone else want free elections in Palestine?). Then he said, “But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideals, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere.”