Sorry for the delay in getting a post out. My bout of the illness that has been going around is in full swing, and I'm enjoying a lot of napping when I'm not at work. Thank you for your patience... now on to the post.
Does anyone find it odd that the government proposes stimulating the economy by handing out tax rebate checks? Somehow putting $600 (or some other like amount) into the hands of nearly everyone is somehow going to change the national mindset about a looming recession? That's just crazy.
And why are so many people pumped-up about the government writing them a check for some of their own money? Won't this just add to the deficit that already exists between revenue and spending? Are people really silly enough to think this is a good thing?
Wouldn't it make sense if the government controlled its spending, and by doing so, found a way to lower taxes over time. By giving us a tax rebate, aren't they just ratcheting up the taxes that will eventually need to be collected to cover this new debt? And who do they expect to pay those future taxes? I can only assume that it's me, and you and everyone who pays taxes.
The projected surplus that was talked about 7 years ago is a thing of the past. Bigger government and wars in the post 9/11 world have ensured that we won't be seeing any surplus in the near future. Why do we keep thinking that we can spend today and pay tomorrow? Is it the same thinking that has caused the financial problems of such a large part of our citizenry? I suspect so.
In this election year, I think that these questions are especially important. Will we continue to elect people whose ideas are rooted in this same "well take care of everything for you" philosophy, or is the problem that we don't know who we are as a country? Are we the independent individualists we think of ourselves as, or have we become something else? Who does this government serve? I suggest that the answer is no one...
- ND
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7 comments:
I concur good sir, that the fast cash placed into your awaiting mitts will do little to curb the fear.
But I did detect a bit, a twinge, a smidgen, ...of debt fear; something I can assure you should generate few concerns on your behalf. Just like running a business, prudent investments are crucial to growth and well being. Or like living as a family, the housing and vehicle debt may never be over - but its a good investment. And better yet - the debt is rolling debt - it is likely never going to be paid off - or necessarily should be.
Now, spending money on foolish things is still foolish, and running up debt that we can no longer bear the burden of is still dangerous. But we ain't even close to in trouble right now.
Oh - and its likely that without some rat bastard's silly foray into Iraq - we may have had that balanced budget already. Again, not that it *should* be balanced.
But you know this, I'm sure. Just wanted to stand tall in the face of any 'debt clock' fear peddlers.
I don't think we are any different now than the days of good ole' merry England and Prince Hal. We are a nation of Falstaffs, and like the royalty of that time our government officials squabble over and squander the limited resources of our country. Is there a political party without a greed-pocked agenda that can help save this gluttonous group of citizens? no.
I hate to find myself agreeing with you, but on most of your points relating to the rebates, I must.
However, Our tax policy is way out of whack. Our economy has been sheparded by cool-aide drinkers who believe that every problem can be solved by less goverment and lower taxes. They fundamentally believe that the market will solve all of the nation's (nay world's) problems. However, when the cliff comes into view (recession, housing crisis, budgetary sanity) they are comfortable using the instrument they distain (goverment) to provide solutions.
If you want to know why government doesn't work anymore -- look at the regulatory system for example -- then you must look at who we've placed at the helm. You can't expect individuals (or a political group) with an anti-goverment agenda to manage goverment well. Add to that cronyism, and the fact that they are willing to sell goverment to the highest bidder, and you have a recipe for disaster.
I'm not suggesting that you begin to love government. I know that won't happen anytime soon.
What you should remember though, is that many of the collective endeavors our nation has undertaken with government in the lead have been successes rather than failures.
Interstate highways, social safety nets, national defense, basic research in the sciences, primary through graduate education, etc.
Politicians want to do something to help as we enter this recession, not to fix it, but to show that they didn't do nothing.
Yes, it's pandering. But don't hold us "big-spending, liberal Democrats" accountable for this one.
The far right got us here. Ask yourself: is this the solution that they are credible to offer?
It's too late to blame the left.
Bro. Dave.
Before you start throwing food, I don't believe this is a right-left thing. Both Democrats and Republicans have demonstrated proficiency in a lack of fiscal discipline. It is a party problem. I'm at that current conclusion from having attended my first caucus last week. When the time came for electing delegates, we had to stand and say who we supported for president. Most people were happy to remain non-committal: "we'll support whomever the party nominates." It was scary to me to think that maybe these people didn't have their own beliefs, convictions or principals. They just want to win. Or maybe their have beliefs and principals but standing for what is important to you is no longer important or worth the effort. I'm so glad that Mr Fawkes is a regular reader because maybe he can offer some advice on how to stage and win a political revolution.
That's right. Gunpowder.
Anon.
Well, sure - gunpowder was the implement of choice at the time. These days you'd likely use the likes of C4. But I'm not advocating such (unless you place it in the Spears' compound and blow those fools to purgatory). If you recall, my efforts failed. It was a noble quest to be sure, but I was narc'd out by some nambie pambie skiddish idiot that didn't like things that go 'boom'.
Anywho, you do need to be taken seriously in your efforts. In those days it was by the sword, but these days it seems votes can do the trick with less mess. If I'm incorrect, well, get out your guns lads - we'll go to war.
And its sad to hear that people with enough political interest to show up for a caucus cannot even bring themselves to voice an opinion. Afraid they may support the minority position or something. Freaking louses!
You must voice your opinions, share them, debate them, and improve them as a result. But you really need to get those votes. And here's my take on that...
If I hear one more self-righteous idiot tell anyone that they 'wasted their vote' by not voting for one of the major parties - I'm getting the fucking gunpowder out of the cellar, stuffing it up their bums, and lighting the fuse! Same for accusations of candidates splitting the vote - if Nader had something people wanted and you didn't, you didn't earn the vote did you. Shut up.
If there is an alternative party that more closely matches your views - vote for them. And don't go nitpicking - its highly unlikely that any one party matches your views completely, even the major ones. So - Green, Libertarian, Reform, whatever - lend them your support. It is the only way to get the major parties to move - they will notice a large portion of voters support what an alternative party has to offer, they will find out what that is, and they may well modify their platform to get those votes. If you never vote anything but red or blue, they are never going to freaking change.
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Nabor Dan's Place: Where words go to die.
Anon.
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