I’m not one to go wading into political debates, but apparently the Republicans are revealing their plan for America. Highlights include:
Jobs:
Stop job-killing tax hikes
Allow small businesses to take a tax deduction equal to 20 percent of their income
Require congressional approval for any new federal regulation that would add to the deficit
Repeal small business mandates in the new health care law.
Cutting Spending:
Repeal and Replace health care
Roll back non-discretionary spending to 2008 levels before TARP and stimulus (will save $100 billion in first year alone)
Establish strict budget caps to limit federal spending going forward
Cancel all future TARP payments and reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Reforming Congress:
Will require that every bill have a citation of constitutional authority
Give members at least 3 days to read bills before a vote
Defense:
Provide resources to troops
Fund missile defense
Enforce sanctions in Iran
With the fall elections approaching, this might be interesting . The elections are this year right? I thought this would provide for a lively and entertaining discussion. The full plan is 21 pages of reading, which is quite a lot!
much agreed, it feels like 1994 all over again. Of course, then Clinton went more moderate and was re-elected in 96. If Obama does the same, he might actually get re-elected in 2012.
How would a 90% tax to the top 10% help the economy? That’s what ancient Rome did, and look at it today…
We’re losing jobs mainly because of taxes which send manufacturing and production to China. Keep raising taxes and the only jobs we’ll have in this country is retail work to sell chinese garbage. That’s not the “American dream” for those who want to work hard, and make as much wealth as they can.
Punishing people’s success isn’t the answer…
Obama will not get re-elected. We’ve been punished enough I think.
I don’t want to sound like a stereotypical loon spouting off but there’s a saying that greatly relates to the topic of president’s being or not being reelected regardless of their good or bad performance, “If voting could ever *really *change anything it would be illegal.”
If every single vote counted, things would be different. Why does every individual state allow all citizens to vote but once a certain amount has been acquired resulting in the electoral college vote (if that’s right) then what about the rest of the votes? They become useless? If our system relied on every person who chooses to vote without this system then presidents wold find themselves working a lot harder to convince the common person and not big business because let’s face it, the people with power and wealth hold a measurable influence over this country, just the way its been and unfortunately will be until someone steps up and really changes things (being black won’t cut it). Maybe a revolution to reform things? We’re about due for one.
The problem I have with this - is all of you factors are not the same as they were then. For instance, COLI, minimum wage, inflation, etc.
As much as I’m in favor of no-deficit - I’d need to see numbers to sign off on something like what you are suggesting. If you can account for that, and it still work - then I’ll bite. BUT, I suspect that the numbers won’t work out mostly do to the transition to a service economy from a manufacturing based economy.
good points all around for the most part. I want to see lower taxes for all. Even the wealthy. They own the small businesses and large businesses too. They provide jobs, and they buy lots of stuff, which in turn help out other businesses, that in turn hire more workers. I don’t think it’s right to punish someone who is successful. I think extending the tax cuts and removing the health plan which is a burden on business, would go a long way towards helping the economy.
If I were a business owner, I’d feel more comfortable in hiring more people knowing the Bush tax cuts were extended, and the costs for health care were eliminated. This economic uncertainty plays an enormous role in our current unemployment figures.
And the problem is, too many people are only thinking about “What can the government give me?” instead of thinking collectively as a national economy.
What bugs me is, they think its unfair for someone in a high position, in a large company, to make a few million a year. But they are completely ok with a NFL or NBA player making more than a few million doing something most people do for free… No one talks about higher taxes for pro sports players..
I’ll go on record saying I think athletes are horridly overpaid- particularly MLB & NBA players.
This initiative seems to want to maintain & add more military spending to our budget while somehow cutting taxes… looks like health care and education are going to get robbed. Great.
If the Repulicans do get a majority good luck to them with this plan. They’ll be on the other side of it with Dems blocking their every move while the public wonders why nothing gets done even though they voted the “correct” people into office.
Way to just invent an issue. Since when has the majority of the public not thought sports figures and actors are way overpaid, and how exactly is it they are exempt from a rise in taxes?
I think his point was maybe higher taxes for athletes since what they do doesn’t contribute to society as much as someone in a profession…like teachers and others…that’s how I read it.
How do you justify the billions of dollars in bonuses given out each each, and the spending of lots of the bail out money on bonuses? There is an uneven balance of wealth. Why should they be able to get larger tax breaks because they have more money?
AJ, I hope you’re not expecting someone who manages the cash flow in the billions of dollars, to get paid $10.50 an hour..
If you bring a butt load of money to your company, you’ll get paid for it. If you lose money, you get the boot.
Its just like a part time McDonalds, except with lots more zeros involved.
A bonus is not the bad guy here. And “bailouts” weren’t needed. That’s why bankruptcy laws exist. Obama just likes to shop alot.
But the government, and the media, want you to think that way. In fact, the media tells you exactly what the government wants you to know, and covers everything they don’t want you to know.
I hate that aspect of it, the exorbitant bonuses etc etc. However, my philosophy is --keep the government out of the way as much as possible for the economy to grow. As far as how the bail out money is spent, maybe the rules should have been written stronger as to how and where the money is spent. I was never a fan of all the bailouts. Unforeseen consequences.
haha, you know I was trying to think of a worthwhile profession. I know 1 really great teacher.
I know a few teachers, I am all for supporting teachers, and I’m pretty sure 100% of the teachers out there wish they made enough money to be effected by the tax break expiration for the wealthy. I’m sure 98% of America wishes they made enough to put them in that higher tax bracket.
