Posted on 02/11/2006 9:03:09 AM PST by Eaglewatcher
Pork Barrel spending and political corruption are suddenly top topics of the day in Washington power circles and the national media. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert recently defended pork spending saying “Who knows best where to put a bridge or a highway or a red light in their district”. He makes a very good point. It is intuitive that people in local districts know best where to spend their tax dollars, which raises an obvious question. Why is the United States Senate and House of Representatives involved in deciding these questions at all? Our real problem is that too few people are deciding what to do with too much money.
Why and how money corrupts politics are not particularly daunting questions. George Will nailed it in a recent editorial column. He says, “People serious about reducing the role of money in politics should be serious about reducing the role of politics in distributing money.”
In the present political reality our government, regardless of which party is in power, does not focus on what is right for the people but rather on what is right for the political class and their symbiotic partners the K Street lobbyists. Our money has made them all exceedingly powerful.
Two simple steps would solve this problem. First eliminate the system of seniority in Congress and the Senate. The operating rules of both legislative bodies allow some Senators and Congressmen to have inordinate power and influence over their colleagues. The result, we are no longer governed by good ideas and convincing arguments. We no longer have equal representation in our federal government.
When did you last hear media referring to a Junior Senator or Senior Congressmen? What does it mean to be a senior member of this committee or that? Our elected representatives should be co-equals. There should be no subordinates, no juniors or seniors among them. Their power should be determined by the quality of their arguments and their influence determined by the strength of their ideas. Secondly, and more importantly throw out the current federal tax code and start over with the Fair Tax.
Our federal tax code is a monstrous abomination used by the political class to manipulate and control every facet of our lives. It is the source of the power that corrupts. Everyone, including the poor, the rich, the middle class, corporations, unions, farmers and small businesses owners say the tax code is unfair to them. Unfortunately they are all correct. It is unfair to everyone except the political class.
Neal Boortz, co-author of “The Fair Tax Book” recently said “Passage of the FairTax would constitute the greatest transfer of power from government to the people since the Revolutionary War.” Legislation is pending in both houses of congress to make the Fair Tax the law of the land. Support for this idea comes from both political parties, from the liberal left and from the conservative right. Redistributionist social engineers and laissez faire capitalists have both found comfort in it. Virtually everyone who has taken the time to truly understand The Fair Tax supports it. It is a bold proposal which could succeed in solving our most daunting social, political and economic concerns. Unquestionably the biggest winners with the Fair Tax will be individual Americans, regardless of their socio-economic station, re-empowered to control their own lives.
Perhaps we the people still wield the power. Let’s see! Vote, speak out, contact your representatives and let our elected officials know the status quo is not good enough. Tell them we are ready for revolutionary change one way or the other.
You mean we don't have room for both?
"fuss???" No fuss at all, Looey - except from your and your IRS-loving troll friends. Not so long as the rest of us have the FairTax ... you're welcome to continue paying the income tax.
that qualifies as the understatement of the year (if not the century) if you've "known" Looey for very many threads.
If you're a friend of Looey, you're indeed in deep doo-doo.
I don't like the IRS anymore than anyone else ... BUT I also find NOTHING fair about the fair tax. As far as "Lew" ... it's the first time I have seen him
The name "FairTax" is one that polled focus groups the AFFT organization used (before the name "FairTax") voted to CALL the tax after its detail were presented to them. It was not suggested by the AFFT group (which then changed the name to AFFT matching the chosen name).
I think it is fair in the sense that all taxpayers pay the tax at the same rate - that's decidedly faireer than what we now have. Over and above the name, though, the FairTax has many evonomic benefits for the country's economy and its taxpayers.
You might find it helpful to read the bill and spend some time on the AFFT website seeing what it's all about. Or buy (or get from a library) The FairTax Book.
With respect to Lewis, there are none so blind as those who refuse to see.......
The problem is the need to raise $2.77 trillion/year, and fund 60 trillion dollars of unfunded liability.
The attempt to reduce spending by cutting taxes, which was a good idea in 1978, is a failure, and a corrupt failure at that.
If the People won't cut spending, and cut it by a lot, massive tax increases are inevitable.
Lewis,
Your post suggested that if we don't tax corps, we'll inflict a huge burden on individuals. NONSENSE. BUNCOMBE. CODSWALLOP.
Individuals currently bear the full burden, it is simply hidden from view. Removing the burden from corporations will not result in an increased burden on individuals, but it will result in greater economic opportunity for all.
Removing the burden from corporations will not result in an increased burden on individuals, but it will result in greater economic opportunity for all.Gee I didn't know the corporate taxes for Microsoft and Toyota along with the taxes for the baker were included in the price of bread now like there would be with your phoney sales tax.
but it will result in greater economic opportunity for all.How does increasing the price of everything I purchase to pay for more money in government handouts create greater opportunity for me again?
The only folk claiming "... increasing the price of everything ..." are those unalterably opposed to the FairTax because they have their own little bene package all carved out under the present system and are afraid it will go bye-bye.
Lewis,
The FairTax levels the international playing field. A fully border-adjustable tax such as the FairTax will increase the return on investment for capital employed on our shores, thereby providing tremendous incentive to invest and employ here. Moreover, provisions in the FairTax make it advantageous to reverse previous corporate inversions.
For a discussion of border-adjustability and the "pernicious fiction" used to deny the US CNI border-adjustability, please see "End This Damaging Tax and Trade Charade" found here: http://www.iie.com/publications/opeds/oped.cfm?ResearchID=197
Concur. Accordingly, CWII ping!
I thought we all agreed on gallows?!
Variety is the spice of life. Note, however, that the bayonetting of enemy prisoners who have committed atrocities may be a helpful preventative measure, and constitutes good training for those rookies who have previously had little bloodletting experience.
This is one reason why domestic traitors fear rifles with bayonet lugs in the hands of the populace.
Abolish the IRS and send all of the IRS employees to work securing the border and hunting for OBL. Anyone remember that guy? I thought someone was looking for him....but I must be wrong.
Tell 'em about Hellroarin' Jake Smith.
Nothing like giving treasonous scum the sharp end of some cold steel. Speaking of which, I love my Cold Steel tantos. Indestructible and oh so sharp. Handles as if they have a life of their own.
Looks as though Looey's off his meds again.
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