As the debate about the debt-ceiling, deficit, and new government budget rages on, we at The Ranter's Row decided it was time to throw our own opinions into the cyclone.
We find the stalemate as ridiculous as most of the rest of the country does, and we don't understand why the various sides are entrenched against modifying the tax codes and entitlement programs, or increasing taxes. We're generally against cutting funds, but we're also aware that some spending does need to be cut in order to have the balanced approach President Obama keeps pushing, so we'll leave those out of this post.
Let's address each of the other points, however.
REFORMING THE TAX CODE
If you do your own taxes, you know that the United States has one of the most complex and complicated tax systems in the world. There are so many seemingly conflicting rules and loopholes that it's no wonder that most people who are not CPAs dread when April 15th comes around each year. It has little to do with how much in taxes we may actually owe. So, tell us, who wouldn't welcome a revision of that archaic system?
Will it hurt to lose deductions for mortgage interest and the ability to have our medical premiums deducted from our income pre-taxes? Absolutely. But, if that's what it takes to close other loopholes that benefit corporations that rake in billions in profits and only the highest of earners, then so be it. We're willing to take some pain on ourselves to spread the pain equally amongst all.
Please don't give us the argument that closing loopholes that benefit corporations keeps them from increasing their work forces. Do you honestly think that taxes are what drives hiring and firing? Corporations drive their hiring practices based on their profit margins, which are driven by how many people are buying their products and services far more than what they pay out in taxes each year. The equation is simple: the less people working, the lower the profit margin for corporations. Increases in their hiring increases the number of people working, which increases how many people buy their products and services. Notice how taxes are not part of this equation at all. Corporations don't hire because the consumer demand isn't high enough. That's all there is to it.
CHANGES TO ENTITLEMENTS
In the interest of full disclosure, none of us are old enough or close to old enough to collect Social Security or utilize Medicare. However, some of us have parents or relatives that can or do, or are close to being able to.
That said, we feel that it's time to give some ground on the idea of reforming entitlement programs. Social Security and Medicare need no longer be seen as more than a safety net for seniors and the disabled. People need to learn to take care of themselves to some degree. None of the entitlement programs were intended to be the sole income or health plan for the retired and disabled. They were intended to bridge the gap between retirement savings and personal healthcare plans. They have become relied upon as the only source by those unwilling or unable to better plan for the eventuality of old age or the misfortune of disability.
Simply put, some reductions and modifications need to be made, but not eradication. We're not at all suggesting that seniors or the disabled be kicked out into the cold without any aid whatsoever. That would be taking our more or less enlightened society and punching it down several notches. However, with the growing number of adults able to collect on these programs and a drecreasing number of people able to pay into them, changes need to be made.
Changes to entitlements do not ultimately hurt seniors, no matter what the Democrats tell you (and Republicans, when it suits their politcal needs). What hurts them is the insolvency of the programs. If the programs continue as they are now and become bankrupt, as they inevitably will without changes, that will definitely hurt seniors and the disabled. So, course corrections need to be made to these programs prior to reaching the dead end.
RAISING TAXES
None of us at The Ranter's Row are rich and powerful, or poor and voiceless. We're mainly middle-of-the-road earners. We still see the value of increased taxes. No one likes to lose more out of their paycheck each month when food costs are high and energy costs continue to rise. But, without revenue, the federal government and state governments cannot function. They cannot fund defense programs. They cannot fund education. They cannot fund the entitlement programs so many hold dear.
We're sick and tired of the "not in my back yard" attitude that so many seem to carry when it comes to taxes. Grow up. Adults pay taxes.
It is preferable to us that those who earn more should pay more. After all, isn't it some pretty simple math that as your earnings increase, so should your tax rate? It is dispicable politics that the Republicans should try to shield such a small percentage of their constituents at the expense of everyone else. However, if it must be that all tax levels feel some of the burn in order to make the tax system more fair across the board, then so be it.
Our country is called the United States. Not the States of Me and Not You. We must be united in our willingness to all pitch in to pull our country out of the mess that a minority have steered us into. And, for anyone not willing to stand up for the financial solvency and stability of our states and country, they are welcome to leave.
-- Statler, Conrad, and the rest of the Row
No comments:
Post a Comment