Simple Isn't Easy - But It Works

Fiscal Cliff! More Taxes to the Rich! Cut Entitlements! Ask people who make over $400,000 a year to pay more vs. deny medication to the seniors who helped build a country where you can make $400,000 a year.

Just this version of the age-old argument of how the government spends our money. Which, in reality, is just our Congressional representatives arguing about taxes and entitlements for their individual self survival. Each has to make sure that the people most likely to reelect them get a 'happy' amount of our tax dollars. Indeed, it is the fact that this argument goes back ages that is the thorniest part of the problem.

Some random facts. The current tax rates are low, when considered historically. One of the reasons we have problems funding the 'entitlement' programs is that Congress repeatedly invaded the funds set aside to sustain them. The 'Entitlement' programs were not founded as entitlements. Special interests and lobbyists have been finding justifications to word press releases explaining this kind of Congressional larceny of our tax dollars for hundreds of years.

The problem is really a three-headed monster. The greed that members of Congress apply to funding their own individual retention of position and power. The greed of some people who want their own full share of government services but not pay their fair share. And the greed of others who don't contribute anything yet still demand an 'entitled' share.

How do we fix this?

1. No riders on Congressional bills. If a Congressman wants $2 million for his friend who manufactures fishing tackle boxes (this actually happened) then that should have to be debated and voted on in the light of day and not hidden in the back of an important bill.

2. A flat tax rate. Everybody pays the same 10% of income. All income. No deductions. No write-offs. Jut 10%. Congress will then have to make this amount pay for the programs. Plus, the elderly do not pay taxes. They've built the world we live in and have earned this.

3. No entitlements. The services to those between jobs must be worked for. If you receive public assistance then working for the public in the community would be required.

I understand that my broad brush approach seems to simple, but simple works. Alas, simple is not easy. Let's start the work though. Any step toward a fix for this malaise is a step in an Excellent direction.