One thing is for sure, a lot of folks are angry right now. It's not just the democrats and republicans battling it out, it's the overall situation that we find ourselves in relation to our government, wall street, education, employment, equal rights, wars, taxes, health care, and the litany of many other issues that plague our national interest, both short term and long term.
It's not, I believe, this single fight over taxes that will make or break us, it's the whole structure that is corrupt and broken. If we were to change a few things, not to be overly simplistic, but just a few things, the disgust with our current state and political leadership would shift. Here are a few of my thoughts...
I have conservative friends, liberal friends, centrist friends, and all in essence are angry about one thing or another, but funny enough, these friends and myself can agree on some very basic notions and changes that need to happen to promote balance and fair representation of power and parity.
- Revise the tax code completely to a flat, consumption tax. Get rid of all the hocus pocus write-offs, loop holes and collect taxes based on what folks buy. Simply put, the more money you make, the more you spend on consumables. Allowances for tax relief would be made to those who fall into the poverty levels for basic staples.
- Not going to happen under the current system of law-making in Congress, but...place term limits on Congress. Period, done. Senate: 2 term limit, House: 4 term limit. No more career politicians who are hogtied to special interest, lobby money, and earmark campaigning. Amazing that our first President got this basic principle, but somehow the congress did not impose it on themselves. How could we get this to happen in today's Congress? Demand a public vote on the law in a national election. As with many "Proposition" items that are found on state's ballots, this would be a "National Proposition". This, I believe, is the only way to have this become law, as we all know that the individuals in Congress will not vote themselves out of office.
- Much to the chagrin of many Republicans I know, they are very upset with Boehner for selecting Rep. Hal Rogers of Kentucky as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, as Rogers is an earmark-happy cheerleader. This doesn't look like these folks want to do away with earmarks any time soon. This crap should stop now, everyone agrees. Done.
- Reinstate Glass-Steagall Act. Sounds simple, huh.
Like I wrote above, very simple suggestions in a very complicated situation. Sometimes the old saying is true, "Keep is simple stupid".