[ancient_geezer]

Why is it so hard for the government to come to grasp with the notion that the solution to budget problems IS TO SPEND LESS

Spending less doesn't buy votes. Especially votes from the ones not participating in paying the bills.

 

The Honorable James DeMint (R-SC)
United States House of Representatives
APRIL 5, 2001

• "There has been a shift in the relationship between individuals and government, he argues, such that fewer and fewer are paying taxes at the same time that more and more are receiving increasingly generous benefits. If it becomes the case that most voters do not bear a financial burden for this largess, then there will be little to restrain--and significant political incentives to encourage--the continued growth of government.

Bush touts relief as tax day looms

Another 3.9 million Americans will have their income tax liability completely eliminated, officials said.

That's 3.9 million Americans more added to the spending constituency of 70% of the public clamoring for more from government, figuring someone else foots the bill.

It's like me in the restaurant: What do I care about extravagance if you're footing the bill?
--- Walter Williams.

[groanup]

There are studies that show a retail consumption tax would jump start the economy adding an additional 10 to 15% growth very quickly. Economic growth like that would go a long way toward stabilizing the dollar and paying off these horrendous contingent liabilities. In addition, under a National Retail Sales Tax companies would repatriate the estimated trillion plus of dollars sitting offshore because of confiscatory tax rules.