How to Reduce the Size of Government

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Thursday June 29, 2006 · 10:09 AM PDT

2006/06/29 · 10:09

Government spending is out of control. On the Federal level, it's easy to just borrow more money (thanks China). But states have a tougher time; they can't just keeping the mint working overtime. And so the total tax burden continues to be near all-time highs for the average working family.

I have identified the reason behind this problem: Too many politicians.

All those governors, Speakers of the House, State Senators and Representatives, elbowing each other for position and voter attention. And they all feel the need to "do something" for their constituents, which almost always translates into "take money out of my wallet for something I don't need." Not to mention 50 state Attorney Generals, Secretary of States, Treasurers, etc. etc. etc. All full-time jobs, with their own staffs, security details, offices, lights, phones, computers...waste, waste, waste, I say.
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Democrats and the Symbols of Patriotism

kmiddle

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Wednesday June 28, 2006 · 11:17 AM PDT

2006/06/28 · 11:17

I admit that I'm a sucker for the cheap emotionalism of the symbols of patriotism. I choke up when a Cub Scout Den or the old guys from the VFW carry the colors in a 4th of July parade. I hold my hand over my heart when the National Anthem is sung at ball games. I swell with pride when the performing group I'm part of sings "America the Beautiful."

And I'm mad as hell that the Republicans have hijacked symbols of Democratic values to make cheap appeals to voters at the expense of those of us who actually believe in the ideals espoused by those symbols. Read More

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