Solutions!

[UGA12]

I think most people with half a brain understand that at least short term tax increases will be required to eventually right the ship. No, spending cuts in the next fiscal year will obviously not solve the entire problem, but the expansion of spending in the past is why we are here. Where the disconnect seems to be between at least me and some/most is that while I am willing to take the undeserving hit in my pocket for the long term betterment of the nation, it doesn?t seem the "we need higher taxes" crowd wants that sacrifice to trickle down or to give up any social beliefs in return for their economic ones. You want to raise my taxes to make America a better place for my kids, fine by me. In return however let?s find some ways to assure that more of my money stays where it belongs in the future. Feel free to implement/enforce the laws below in return for raising my taxes and we got a deal:0074 By no means are these the only ways to save money and I am fully aware of that, but you don?t get to have your tax hikes and decide where we save money in the future. Compromise is about neither being very happy about what they gave up, and I can assure you, little frustrates me more than giving more of my money to my inept government.

1) Immediately deport illegals found in this Country
2) Require all welfare recipients to perform a minimum of 1 hour of community service for every $10 they receive monthly.
3) Decrease the welfare benefits with the addition of each child.
4) End the IRS and income taxes and implement a national 30% sales tax on all non-necessities.
5) Just fuking legalize pot already.
6) Create term limits of no more than 4 years for congressmen.

 

[Trampled Underfoot]

I think most people with half a brain understand that at least short term tax increases will be required to eventually right the ship. No, spending cuts in the next fiscal year will obviously not solve the entire problem, but the expansion of spending in the past is why we are here. Where the disconnect seems to be between at least me and some/most is that while I am willing to take the undeserving hit in my pocket for the long term betterment of the nation, it doesn?t seem the "we need higher taxes" crowd wants that sacrifice to trickle down or to give up any social beliefs in return for their economic ones. You want to raise my taxes to make America a better place for my kids, fine by me. In return however let?s find some ways to assure that more of my money stays where it belongs in the future. Feel free to implement/enforce the laws below in return for raising my taxes and we got a deal:0074 By no means are these the only ways to save money and I am fully aware of that, but you don?t get to have your tax hikes and decide where we save money in the future. Compromise is about neither being very happy about what they gave up, and I can assure you, little frustrates me more than giving more of my money to my inept government.

1) Immediately deport illegals found in this Country
2) Require all welfare recipients to perform a minimum of 1 hour of community service for every $10 they receive monthly.
3) Decrease the welfare benefits with the addition of each child.
4) End the IRS and income taxes and implement a national 30% sales tax on all non-necessities.
5) Just fuking legalize pot already.
6) Create term limits of no more than 4 years for congressmen.

I agree with 1,2, and 5.

Maybe you should decrease welfare after a few kids but I kind of agree with that idea. I don't agree with the flat tax. I actually think if you limit the terms we will get more corruption. They will have a shorter amount of time to get their illegal payoffs.

 

[UGA12]

I agree with 1,2, and 5.

Maybe you should decrease welfare after a few kids but I kind of agree with that idea. I don't agree with the flat tax. I actually think if you limit the terms we will get more corruption. They will have a shorter amount of time to get their illegal payoffs.

National sales tax assures that the "rich" pay their share and all those err "non-rich" need not pay any taxes if they don?t spend money on non-necessities. I know this won?t go over very well with a lot of people because that means they would actually have to pay taxes of some sort "rich or "poor".

Politics has become a career profession for those looking to get involved. Many that enter politics because of this today simply wouldn?t waste their time and or give up lucrative careers to only get 4 years. Not saying it would end corruption but knowing you only have four years and have no need to worry about getting re-elected would certainly allow/make individuals govern more by conscience and beliefs.

 

[Cie]

most people with half a brain understand that at least short term tax increases will be required to eventually right the ship. No, spending cuts in the next fiscal year will obviously not solve the entire problem.


Sadly, it isnt true. 90% are toeing the party line. Makes me want to throw up.

 

[ssd]

Flat tax with a national sales tax. That way, everyone has skin in the game yet the richer pay more because of consumption.

1% cut on federal spending every year for 10 years from a 2008 or 2006 baseline.

Increase the salary cap on SS contribution.

If Iraq wants us to keep 10,000 troops there for added security, make them pay us for it.

 

[UGA12]

:0074

Flat tax with a national sales tax. That way, everyone has skin in the game yet the richer pay more because of consumption.

Have you seen the things the "poor" purchase? They would have skin in the game with just a sales tax. If they truely do not want to purchase any non-necessities I have no problem with them keeping what they earn. I do see what you are saying though and I could live with that.
1% cut on federal spending every year for 10 years from a 2008 or 2006 baseline.

I would even like more specifics in some areas. Defense spending can not exceed 7%(average from WWII till now) of previous years GDP and Entitlements can not exceed 4%(steadily grown from 2% of the 60's) of previous years GDP. You know what you have to work with so use it as you see fit, but you aint getting a dime more.

Increase the salary cap on SS contribution.


If Iraq wants us to keep 10,000 troops there for added security, make them pay us for it.

Sounds great, cash or oil will work just fine!

 

[Duff Miver]

1% cut on federal spending every year for 10 years from a 2008 or 2006 baseline.
.

That's another one of those simplistic answers which, if you think about it, is absurd.

Inflation averages about 4%, so a 1% cut from baseline is really 5%.

Do you really think it's possible to cut 25% in 5 years, 50% in ten years?

I'd like to see how you think that could be done.

Start by showing how to cut payments on the debt by 25%, then you can move on to the easy stuff - cut congressional salaries and expenses by 25%, cut the military by 25%, cut SS 25%. :mj07:

 

[UGA12]

That's another one of those simplistic answers which, if you think about it, is absurd.

Inflation averages about 4%, so a 1% cut from baseline is really 5%.

Do you really think it's possible to cut 25% in 5 years, 50% in ten years?

I'd like to see how you think that could be done.

Start by showing how to cut payments on the debt by 25%, then you can move on to the easy stuff - cut congressional salaries and expenses by 25%, cut the military by 25%, cut SS 25%. :mj07:

Better yet, you throw some spending cuts out there that you would be willing to compromise on in order to get your tax hikes.

 

[Cie]

Better yet, you throw some spending cuts out there that you would be willing to compromise on in order to get your tax hikes.

Cuts:

Systematic withdrawal from our overseas military positions.
Reduction in foreign aid.
Immediate deportation of illegals.
Entitlement reform including forced community service, random drug testing with a strictly enforced zero tolerance policy, and reduction in benefits for giving birth while on federal aid.

Additional revenue:

Legalize and regulate (tax) marijuana and gambling
Increase income tax revenue in a reponsible manner

 

[Duff Miver]

Cuts:

Systematic withdrawal from our overseas military positions.
Reduction in foreign aid.
Immediate deportation of illegals.
Entitlement reform including forced community service, random drug testing with a strictly enforced zero tolerance policy, and reduction in benefits for giving birth while on federal aid.

Additional revenue:

Legalize and regulate (tax) marijuana and gambling
Increase income tax revenue in a reponsible manner

Those seem like good ideas.

 

[Trampled Underfoot]

Cuts:

Systematic withdrawal from our overseas military positions.
Reduction in foreign aid.
Immediate deportation of illegals.
Entitlement reform including forced community service, random drug testing with a strictly enforced zero tolerance policy, and reduction in benefits for giving birth while on federal aid.

Additional revenue:

Legalize and regulate (tax) marijuana and gambling
Increase income tax revenue in a reponsible manner

I like all of those. I especially love the reduction in military spending overseas. We have no fucking choice at this point. If we actually want to balance the budget, we have no choice but to cut back on maintaining our empire. Plus it might even cut back on terrorism. Sounds like a great deal to me.

 

[Trench]

I would even like more specifics in some areas. Defense spending can not exceed 7%(average from WWII till now) of previous years GDP and Entitlements can not exceed 4%(steadily grown from 2% of the 60's) of previous years GDP. You know what you have to work with so use it as you see fit, but you aint getting a dime more.

As a member of Congress, I could not agree to any bill that would guarantee the Pentagon 7% of GDP. 7% of the current GDP is $1 Trillion.

I'm curious what your reasoning is for tying defense, entitlement or any other kind of spending to GDP?

Spending has to be tied directly to revenue.

More GDP does not guarantee more revenue if taxes are cut.

Good discussion.

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Like both Cies and UGA's suggestions.

--would add I'd like them to define entitlements into 2 catagories.

Those to people have paid into and are entitled to--

--and those to people have never contributed to but think they are entitled to.

Ironically both sides are discussing cuts on Medicare and Social Security--but Medicade and welfare are off limits--go figure.

I think tax structure has to be redone. I don't see how you can have over half paying nothing and the other half footing the bill. Will lead to chaos/class warfare. Business will continue to leave- tax payers will look for ways to avoid taxes.

Sales tax may be answer and fairest way and hardest to avoid --while being equal it would still be progessive tax on bottom line--Big ticket buyers have big ticket taxes.

--the foreign aid certainly is a no brainer--especially to countries that vote against us nearly 100% of time.

 

[UGA12]

As a member of Congress, I could not agree to any bill that would guarantee the Pentagon 7% of GDP. 7% of the current GDP is $1 Trillion.

I'm curious what your reasoning is for tying defense, entitlement or any other kind of spending to GDP?

Spending has to be tied directly to revenue.

More GDP does not guarantee more revenue if taxes are cut.

Good discussion.

The only reason I used GDP instead of revenue is that is the numbers I had in front of me. For close to 60 years the U.S. spent an average of 7% on Defense as it relates to GDP and 2% on entitlements to the 60's that has since gone to 4-5% of GDP. I have zero problem tying it to revenue, I simply didnt have those numbers in front of me. Essentially what I am saying is the days of expansion are over. Live with X amount because you are getting nothing further. If you(not you) want to give a higher percentage of the pie to those putting nothing into the system then fine by me, but you will be the one explaining it to those that do contribute because ther is only so much of the pie.

I have no problem separating the two types Wayne, I think anyone that equates a student loan to a "welfare" check is being naive at best and downright ignorant at worst. There was a time when people drove a town over to avoid others seeing them using food stamps. Now we have special cards so they dont stick out, or god forbid feel bad about receiving aid. People can act as though it is not a big deal financially in the big scheme of things, but it goes to an attitude that is at the root of this entire issue. It is no different for business or the wealthy either. Responsibility has been shunned by both rich and poor for to long and it is about more than money.