🚀 go-pugleaf

fafuria@der.Princeton.EDU (Frederick Arthur Furia) writes:
>          ....                   I am a moderate Republican myself, but
>I am convinced that both parties have a fairly intelligent, large core
>surrounded by a layer of jerks (like the professors you mention below...)
>

Good point.  I hear a lot of "people have to wake up to what's happening
in this country" from the liberal side, and "wait until they get older and
have to pay taxes" from the conservative side.  It is tough to balance a
moral obligation to society with a fiscal obligation to family.  But maybe
it is not so cut and dried as my simple mind sees it?

What we know is that wealth is not equal.  There are, and will be, rich
and poor.  What we feel is that there should be a floor below which
no American citizen should fall.  What we argue is whether or not there
should be a ceiling, above which we are penalized for rising, and where
the floor should be built; Federal, State, Local governments, or private
charities or organizations.

There is a great mix of intelligent conservatism and liberalism here.
Let me throw out a point which I would love to hear discussed.  (If you
want me to shut up, just ignore this post.  8-)   )

1.  For every dollar which the government takes in, it spends $1.80.
    (I offer no sources, I think I heard this once!)  We just had
    that huge "read-my-lips" tax increase and the deficit got bigger.
    Reaganism increased revenue to the government many times over.
    The deficit mushroomed.  It seems to me that to reduce the deficit,
    the WORST thing that could be done is to increase taxes.  To
    increase taxes is to throw wood on a raging fire.

Okay.  I see one flaw.  Reagan increased revenue to the government by
decreasing taxes which stimulated the economy.  So we are destined to
larger deficits by tax cuts AND by tax increases.  How about keeping
taxes right where they are?  Might work if spending is kept at current
levels (no "cost of living" increases).  Wow.  That sounds painless!

(Simple ideas from a simple mind!  8-)  )

-Rick.
-- 
Rick Morris                            Email:  rick@sadtler.com
Sadtler Research Labs, Philadelphia   -But I speak for myself
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