Its amazing how many of you are "trapped" by right wing talking points... Cutting taxes, cutting spending, smaller goverment, blah blah blah....
For the last 31 years since Ronald Reagan (the first to exceed the trillion dollar level, and in fact left 3.7 trillion in debt when he left office) this country has LOST revenue each year despite the claims by the republicans.
We wouldnt be in this mess if we as a nation hadnt shipped 15.5 million jobs out of this country. For every job that leaves this country, valuable dollars in taxes go along with it.
Reagan cut taxes for the top 1% of earners 25% and ran a deficit every year he was in office. Reagan took unemployment to 10.7% by the end of his second year. Reagan spent 3 dollars for every 1 dollar taken in by the federal goverment. Corporations began their exodus from this country during this 8 year period. Reagan RAISED taxes on the middle class in 7 areas in the last 4 years of his term to try and curb his running deficits.
Bush 1 insisted "no new taxes on the rich" and added another 2 trillion to Reagans mess. Bush 1 was FORCED to raise taxes in order to keep the goverment from going broke. When he left after 4 years and running the country into the ground, he left almost 5 trillion in debt for Clinton.
Clinton came in and RAISED taxes on the top 1%, created jobs here in the states, took unemployment down, balanced the budget with deep cuts, and put this country on solid footing for 8 years.
Bush2 comes into the white house and CUTS taxes on the top 1% of earners 25% again, takes unemployment to 7%, leaves a 10.7 trillion dollar debt, leaves 2 wars ongoing and unpaid, passes a drug prescription bill costing a half trillion that went unpaid, corporations leave the united states at a rate higher than at any time in history, creates a housing crisis, creates a financial crisis and places the USA in the biggest recession since the great depression along with the cooperation of the republican held congress and senate and destroys 8 years of good times.
TOS,
I agree with many of your cuts. For example ,how is it possible that a politician can do their Senate or House job and spend 100% of their time running for a different office ? Because in reality the huge staffs that we are paying for do all the work.
In the area of foreign aid our dollars should be spent here at home until we are out of this mess. NO money to ANY country !!!
Bring all the troops home from every where around the world. Have our military work on natural disater relief at home and help to rebuild bridges,roads and infrastucture.
The only money that should be spent on "Defense" should be in fact defense --missle defense system and closing our borders.
All tax deductions for all levels should be eliminated, no foundations etc,etc.
The money collected from elimination of tax deductions MUST go only to paying down the debt.
Corporations that use workers overseas should have the highest tax rates--Corporations growing domestic jobs should pay the minimun.
All welfare programs should have job training and a time limit . No generational welfare. Also every welfare or if you desire "entitlement" program must have a very small "co-pay" nothing is FREE.
The government should coordinate with the Private sector on unemployment. Look at and match up the work classified ads to the unemployed. I know plenty of recent College graduates who did not like working, left their jobs, liberal boards granted unemployment ,they have moved back with Mom and Dad, Obama put them on Free healthcare that we pay for with higher premiums until they are 26 and they are living the "Party life" collecting unemployment for drinking money.
If our dopey politicians cannot compromise on tax increases and entitlement reforms the country is doomed.
As far as Retired or senior people -the greatest danger is the Super threat to the value of the dollar --not a modification of the entitlements !!
TOS -on some points we agree again --why can't our so called LEADERS do the same. I am tired of Obama's smooth talking points and re-election campaign as the country is dying --The PRESIDENT should STAND up and LEAD.
