In the wake of the election the dialogue between Dems and Reps really did not wane. We went straight into the fiscal cliff debate and choosing our sides of the arguments. Because the arguments are being framed for us by the politicians and media outlets it makes me want to take a step back and close the window on all of the noise just long enough to think about what it is we really want.
What is it that we as citizens want? What do we want to see government accomplish? Are we really torn philosophically or is it just the white noise of the arena that has us lost in translation? And, perhaps, the largest question of all, why did we turn around and send six of seven incumbents right back to the House of Representatives when they have a six percent approval rating and are steering our Ship of State off of a “cliff”?
I know I cannot speak for everyone but if you are one of those people who are sincerely concerned about the direction of our country, would like nothing more than for the senseless radicals who have commandeered both parties to stand down, and for compromise to be the driving factor in our course correction, we may share perspective.
I am not sure if it is a popular perspective but in relation to the Budget Reconciliation Act I say, “Bring it on.” Yes it will hurt! Yes it may cause hiccups in the economy and even some recession qualities. However, it is mathematically impossible that we are going to balance a budget, or cut the deficit without dramatic cuts from the Federal Government’s general operating fund, not the programs.
Secondly taxes will have to go up to a rate that can adequately cover the education, public water, sewer, energy, infrastructure, which we all use on a daily basis. The wealthy alone will not provide a broad enough tax base to meet our balanced budget goals. I think that a combination of increased rates for the wealthy and a temporary one year expiration of the Bush tax cuts for everyone else is reasonable.
As Congressman Hoyer is fond of saying, “We should not purchase something unless we have the money to pay for it.” “Pay go” policy should be a hallmark of a Republican led House yet it is not. Anything written into law but unfunded should be deferred or expire. Finally the taxes related to the new healthcare plan should phase in incrementally by percentage over “ten years” as the politicians are so fond of telling us. Why can’t the healthcare plan phase in over a longer period of time? Wouldn’t this also provide more structure and viability to the plan itself as well if experts have more time to phase in certain pieces of the plan and the funding for those pieces?
The government itself cannot solve the economic crisis. Capitalism needs to be able to work in the way that it is designed and the free market if given the simple confidence of knowing that Washington will at least do its job enough to ensure that our Country is not in limb
