Now about McCain . . . SADLY, I think in terms of realpolitik he's the only solid enough choice in the middle to 'placate' both libs and conservatives . . .
If the libs and cons only need placating, then we have degenerated back to the Roman Colosseum, throwing a thumbs down on each and every gladiator that displeases us. Have we fallen so far?
Look at McCain's Issue pages. The very first one is about our economic situation, and his first proposal is to cut corporate taxes. Who do you really think he is placating? Nearly all of his proposals result in the reduction of tax revenue during times when we are going Trillions of dollars in debt and spending Billions more off-budget in Iraq and elsewhere in this insane foreign policy debacle. I also notice that most of his ideas are coming from places like The Tax Foundation, the American Enterprise Institute, and panels and reports coming out of the current administration. Is McCain going to be yet another puppet presidency?
His tax plan continues with claims of being able to cut middle class taxes, which is a false claim. He might be able to force cuts in the Federal taxes, but then state and local taxes will rise to fill the gap and we'll be worse off then ever. Taxes are the dues that we pay to be part of a civil society. If we don't want to pay our dues, we shouldn't be living in this country. It's insulting, and destructive, to the American Dream to claim that money is the be all and end all of what the US Government can offer our people. I'm completely sick of it.
His economic plan also calls for lowering "barriers to trade", making it even easier for capital to control our lives by shipping jobs out of the country. He says he wants to end "pork barrel spending". Not counting the bridge to nowhere in Alaska, most of that pork is supplementing revenue on a state and local level that states and local jurisdictions can no longer afford because the Federal Government lowered taxes so far under Reagan that it can no longer step up to the table and help. "Pork" is one of the main reasons why we elect people to congress, so they can bring help for local communities back from Washington DC. If that ends, what's the damned point!?
We need investment in infrastructure. We need our roads repaved, our transit systems funded, our water and sewer systems rebuilt, our electrical power systems enhanced to meet the demands of the 21st century. How the hell are we going to do all of that if the Feds decide that it's not their responsibility? Can St. Pete, Florida afford to tax its own people, at least the rich ones living in those condos, enough to help feed all of the people in that homeless park? If they do, those rich people will most likely leave for better areas that don't "tax them so damned much", leaving the homeless population to drown with no tax base to support them.
I could go on and on. If McCain gets the Republican nomination, I'm sure I will go on and on trying to convince people one at a time that 28 years of Reaganism is pushing this country over a cliff, and the entire world will follow. If you think oil wars are bad, wait until you see the water wars.
Chad
3 comments:
Chad,
I happen to agree with 99% of what you have written!
I do like McCain, but mostly due to his 'in-house' critique of Military Abuse (i.e. opposition to the 2006 Military Commissions Act that made habeas corpus impossible for U.C.M.J. in regard to trying 'terrorists' who could actually, according to our 'new law,' be executed based upon CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE!!!).
BUT yes, having lived in the DESERT of Arizona, such free market principles that McCain would ALSO lift up with him are DISASTOUS at the "macro" level.
I think McCain would be STRONG in cleaning up military abuse issues, but yes, ANY REPUBLICAN is weak on the economy.
Blessings & love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King (CHRISTIAN, Democrat . . .)
"Pork" is one of the main reasons why we elect people to congress, so they can bring help for local communities back from Washington DC. If that ends, what's the damned point!?
What the heck are you talking about? Have you read the Constitution? Where in the Constitution is it the role of the federal government to bring "pork" back to local areas? The answer: nowhere.
And if your job is lost because somebody in India can do a better job than you for a given price, what does that say about your skills (or the lack thereof)?
Please sign in and take responsibility for your comments.
Of course I have read the Constitution.
Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States;...
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
People go to Washington DC to help define, build, and maintain the infrastructure of our society. That infrastructure is legal, financial/economic, social and physical. In order to provide legal infrastructure, courts must be established, and courthouses built. In order to provide economic infrastructure, businesses must be encouraged through grants and contracts, and schools must be built. In order to provide social infrastructure, we need parks and recreation to protect and provide stewardship of the land and resources. In order to provide physical infrastructure like roads, water systems, power distribution systems and sewer systems, financial capital must be provided by some level of government in order to fund them. If states cannot get enough revenue, the Federal Government must try and help. Otherwise our economy suffers. Look at your newspaper headlines.
If someone in India is willing to work as hard as I do for 10 cents on the dollar, it doesn't matter how much harder I'm willing to work. Part of the economic foundation of our country is ensuring that our own citizens have employment that pays them a living wage so we can support ourselves and our families. Our government has a role in the economy to use regulation to ensure that our people have a strong foundation. Otherwise our country becomes the weakest in the world, not the strongest.
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