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Name:
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MartiniMan
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Subject:
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Question for you Hound
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Date:
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11/11/2011 12:40:37 PM
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Hound, some good ideas but many of them have little or nothing to do with improving the economy. You seem to be working around the edges just like you criticized the GOP candidates for doing. Put your ideas in quotes with some comments.
"For one thing, I think there needs to be a balance in cuts and increases in revenue." We don't have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem. We also know from experience that revenues do not increase with tax rate increases. Just the opposite happens. But if you mean broadening the tax base by bringing the 50% that pay no federal income taxes I would be open minded about this change.
"I believe that SS and Medicare needs to be restructured in some serious way. If it is the desire of the people of this country to use SS as a "retirement" program, then it needs to be rethought and changed to that end. As it stands it makes no sense. Social Security disability needs to be restructured and the eligibility narrowed." I agree and over the years a number of GOP politicians have suggested so and have been demonized by Dems. Never happen until the politics change and Dems stop demonizing. But how does this improve the economy unless you are suggesting a reduction in payroll taxes.
"Obama care should be repealed and replaced by some kind of universal health care benefit that people can subscribe to with several different levels of coverage, and on a sliding scale for payment." Repealing Obamacare is your best idea to help the economy. However, universal healthcare is absolutely crazy. I could go into a lot of detail but the only way universal care makes even the slightest sense is to make it mandatory for all citizens. If it is voluntary it will quickly devolve into adverse selection and people will only sign up when they are sick. Who do you think will pay for this? American businesses that will cut costs to pay for it which means fewer jobs. And as we have seen in every single country with universal health care it will result in rationing of services, reduced R&D for new and better drugs and a reduced quality of care. Just go to Canada or the UK and try to get an MRI. Universal health care guarantees 10% unemployment, and this in countries who rely on the U.S. for the national defense. economic suicide, pure and simple.
"The current welfare system should be discontinued and restructured with a program with limitations as to the length of time one can be eligible, and $$ benefits tied to previous earnings. Food stamps should be available only for the most basic of food items, no convenience foods." Agree but how does this improve the economy unless they cut taxes?
"The whole tax code needs to be simplified. People should not have to have a degree in accounting or tax law to understand it.
Any legislation that is passed must state how it will be paid for. For major expenditures, like wars, health care systems, education benefits, there should be special referendums for people to vote -- not relying on the political interests of their representatives." I agree that the tax code needs to be scrapped in favor of something simpler and fairer. But your idea about referendums on major expenditures is unconstitutional and would not work. And besides, how does this help the economy? The only way it will work is if the job creaters are left with more money to invest in new jobs.
"*Term limits* Members of Congress and their staffs should be prohibited from working for lobbyists, PACs or other special interest groups for 10 years." I have commented on this before because on the surface it has appeal but it won't work. All that will happen is that the special interests will turn their attention to next batch to run. And also all the power and knowledge will end up in the lap of the staff because we will constantly have new members. And besides, the only way this helps the economy is if they don't create new laws and regulations that harm businesses. Fat chance that would the outcome.
"A national immigration law should be a top priority. Let U.S citizens vote on several proposals." We don't need a new law. We need to enforce existing laws and modify them to make more sense out who we want to let in legally. But until we enforce the current laws we will still have illegals. That would help the economy.
"Reexamine all of our commitments for special funding to foreign governments to see if they still support US National Security goals. IF not, they should be discontinued. All $$ spent should directly support US National Security. No tickee, no shirtee." Agreed but again how does this help the economy unless you mean it translates into lower taxes?
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