Race for the free stuff

The first debate between U.S. Sen. Dean Heller and his opponent Rep. Shelley Berkley perfectly illustrates one of my laments of modern-day politics. Gone missing from political rhetoric these days is any recognition of American attributes such as self-reliance, hard work, sacrifice and thinking first of others less fortunate.

Instead we get a sort of race for the free stuff. Who can establish themselves as the candidate who will make sure the government gives people more and more.

This is not to say that both Heller and Berkley don't treasure American attributes. I think they do. In fact, they would not be where they were today if they didn't exhibit these traits themselves. It just doesn't make it into their rhetoric.

Anyway, I'm going to write more on this in my Sunday column, which you can find here. Join me for the discussion.