I am against any plan that would increase the tax rate without cutting spending.
I am against any plan that cuts spending in a manner that is indiscriminate or that would hurt the most needy in our country.
I am for drilling in new places, offshore enough that it will not hurt tourism and the natural beauty of the immediate environment (I am thinking Florida and Virginia). Still, the drilling must be performed under stict guidelines that protect the health of the workers and the environment. Common sense, right?
The profits of these companies should be exempt from state taxes-- just because they are drilling off the shoreline of Virginia doesn't mean they should be taxed by Virginia.
I am against any more drilling in Alaska. There is enough evidence to establish that whatever is happening to the environment, it is already affecting that fragile ecosystem. To me, it's a no-brainer to not increase drilling in Alaska, especially since there are so many other places within our borders where we can drill without such an immediate threat to the environment.
The elimination of whole departments within the Federal and State government is not really the answer. Better management of the entire government, with careful scrutiny given to our contractors will save billions. Remember OIF spending estimates and the lack of accountability? I am sure that kind of lack of accountability is rampant throughout the Federal and State governments around the country.
There isn't a reason to be cavalier about simply "eliminating" people's jobs, not when we could just become more efficient in our record keeping.
I think a Federal, State, and local government promotion and hiring freeze for all entities within government (except for the critical areas) makes much more sense and will go a LONG way to correcting the situation.
The USPS should be privatized immediately-- with Federal guidelines initially established to insure that the consumers are not bilked exorbitantly just because they can be. Without government oversight, I can see Fed Ex charging me $5.00 per Christmas card now! There will ALWAYS be a reason to charge $5.00 per Christmas card, from the point of view of the business profiting from such nonsense.
State governments should be given a deadline of two years from date to show a MARKED INCREASE in jobs in their states, preferrably in the areas where their highest population and highest unemployment rates coincide. They should not be given two years to come up with a plan-- two years to show net growth or risk losing key Federal funding (education, housing, etc).
JOB GROWTH IS NOT THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT! States have a bigger role in their own unemployment numbers than the Feds do-- but the Feds are the easier target.
One key area where states can save money is in their law enforcement and prison systems. Remove any room for flexibility on simple traffic, construction code, etc violation fines. Repeal any laws that make jail time mandatory for marijuana. Shorten actual incarceration time for ALL non-violent law breakers. Reduce amenities given to prisoners and place more emphasis on their mental development and physical development (less tv, more books, tutors and gym equipment). Use prisoners to do more of the highway and road maintenance and other hard labor-related jobs that the State and local governments spend tax-payer dollars on. Decrease the amount of time of convicted felons on death row. Given today's technology, it is rare that it's necessary to keep someone on death row for 10 years or more.
States could also freeze promotions for their employees, coupled with hiring only for what is absolutely necessary (I am not advocating a maschete for the education systems because of the possible immediate, localized side effects.)
We want to emphasize States' rights, but not States' responsibilities.
Louisiana could have done more for her residents, but the Feds took the brunt of the blame. The same is happening today all around the country. I am CONVINCED that the much of what can be done to fix the NATIONAL economy can and should be addressed at the State level.
The rate of Federal government spending MUST be reigned in. There is much to discuss within the topic of Federal government spending that has not been discussed, but needs to be. DOD, Dept of State, Dept of Interior-- there is money to be saved without making a bad situation worst by simply eliminating jobs.
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All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. ~Tolkien
Remove SS and Medicare and thousands, perhaps millions will die in weeks
What an over exaggeration!
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When a newspaper posed the question, "What's Wrong with the World?" G. K. Chesterton reputedly wrote a brief letter in response: "Dear Sirs: I am. Sincerely Yours, G. K. Chesterton." That is the attitude of someone who has grasped the message of Jesus.
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When a newspaper posed the question, "What's Wrong with the World?" G. K. Chesterton reputedly wrote a brief letter in response: "Dear Sirs: I am. Sincerely Yours, G. K. Chesterton." That is the attitude of someone who has grasped the message of Jesus.
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