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Name:   lotowner - Email Member
Subject:   Fresh Meat for the Talk Shows
Date:   11/10/2010 6:25:20 AM


I was watching a rerun of Parker and Spitzer on CNN (I never watch CNN) and their guest was  the Senator elect from Ky., Dr. Paul. All "newly born" politicians are throwing themselves to the wolves when they appear with professionals skilled in debating and can only make generalized statements. If Paul is going to talk about balancing the budget of which he only has one vote, he needs to be able to supply specific details. Spitzer set him up on a question about Medicare cuts for Doctors. Paul is an experienced Dr. but he is a "babe in thee woods" outside the medical field. Liberal networks love to get these guys out of their comfort zone so they can slice them and everyone can see the blood flow. Fair and Balanced is not part of CNN's charter.

The same thing with Palin. She is very smart and getting thicker skin every day. If Sarah Palin could raise someone from the dead, I fear that her acceptance for the number 1 office would never be achieved. But, she can be a force for change. Every one can't be a General but they can throw grenades with the best.

The bottom line - Stay off the talk shows if you are not prepared. Demand to know the material to be discussed. Misspell potato one time and you are cooked. Putting on a lab coat does not make you a chemist or a stethoscope make you a Dr. It's OK to say I have not totally formulated my plan or I'm consulting with other experts in this field.. 



Name:   4691 - Email Member
Subject:   Republicans need a specific, detailed plan
Date:   11/10/2010 7:49:32 AM

I too would like for the Republicans to publish a specific, detailed plan about balancing the budget.  Maybe it is out there and I've not looked in the right place.  The Pledge to America is too vague.  The detailed proposal for 2010 was not fiscally conservative except when compared to the Democrat plan.  Letting the debt rise to 75% GDP is not acceptable.  We need a balanced budget NOW with excess to begin the process of eliminating national debt.  If anyone is aware of a link to a recent detailed Republican plan, please post the link.


 





Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   Republicans need a specific, detailed plan
Date:   11/10/2010 8:11:02 AM


Now that the election is over, it's time to put up or shut up.  Rhetoric only gets you so far. 

And you are right -- if you are going to put yourself in the public arena, you better have your facts; and be able to articulate.



Name:   MAJ USA RET - Email Member
Subject:   Republicans need a specific, detailed plan
Date:   11/10/2010 9:38:33 AM

1.   IMMEDIATELY set all budget/funding at FY2008 levels and let the agencies figure it out for themselves. 

2.   Dissolve the Departments of Energy and Education.  Neither has created anything beneficial to the American people.  Neither has come even close to acccomplishing their oiginal mission.  BOTH have created regulatory morasses.  Both have created unfunded mandates in violation of the 10th Amendment.  Both are VERY expensive day-care for adults.

3.   Reign in the EPA.  No further regulations without Congressional approval.  Pass a moratorium on ALL EPA promulgations since FY2008 and subject such to Congressional and peer review.

4.   Repeal the 17th Amendment.  The Senate has proven that it cannot abide by the 10th Amendment.

5.   Suspend funding/enactment/emplacement of the HealthCare Bill until it can be read and has survived Constitutional review and litigation. Prepare a plainly written REPLACEMENT HealthCare REFORM bill and send it to the States for referendum during the 2012 elections.

6.   Return all non-dispersed TARP funds to the taxpayers.  Sell off all government holdings in GM and Chrysler.

7.   Privatize Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac.

8.   Prepare a plainly written Social Security REFORM bill and send it to the States for referendum during the 2012 elections.

9.   Pass the Fair Tax (based on the FY2008 budget).  Tax consumption – not income.  Make it impossible to raise taxes with the taxpayers noticing.





Name:   MAJ USA RET - Email Member
Subject:   Alernatively
Date:   11/10/2010 9:45:36 AM


Require two years of Chinese language in High School.

 

Require one semester of 21st Century Greek history





Name:   MartiniMan - Email Member
Subject:   There is a plan
Date:   11/10/2010 9:58:36 AM

Please read Paul Ryan's Roadmap.  It is detailed and specific, something you will see even if you don't agree with his ideas.  As of right now it has not been embraced by enough members of the GOP out of abject fear.  Maybe if both parties would eschew the ridiculous "they just want Grandma to starve" every time cuts are proposed we would get somewhere.  But the political reality is there is risk for either side to make the first move and the practical reality is you can't enact your agenda if you get booted out of office because the other party distorts what you say in order to sway the ignorant masses.

I would argue that providing specifics on this show that is only watched by about 30 people, most of whom hate your guts simply because you are a Republican, is exactly the wrong thing to do.  That is neither the place nor the time nor the forum for those kinds of proposals.  Y'all act as if the world of politics has suddenly vanished with this election.  All these shows tend to do is provide quotes and snippets for campaign commercials by your opponents.  I wish that weren't the case but it is a reality and hoping it was different is not a strategy.

Rand Paul has grand ideas about what can be accomplished and I hope he is right but I doubt it.  He will be a freshman Senator with the Minority party in the most deliberative legislative body known to man.  I wish him good luck and God speed on his quest to instill some fiscal and constitutional sanity to that body but I also have very low expectations about what can really be accomplished, particularly in the next two years.  What needs to happen is the GOP actually remains true to fiscal conservative principals over the next two years and then in 2012 holds onto the House, picks up several more seats in the Senate and replaces Obama.  Only then can anything substantive be accomplished.  To expect otherwise as a result of this first step is to only invite disappointment based on unrealistic expectations.  I would love to be proven wrong because I am as anxious as you but I refuse to grasp defeat from the jaws of victory by expecting a miracle.



Name:   MAJ USA RET - Email Member
Subject:   There is a plan
Date:   11/10/2010 10:29:53 AM

You are correct.  Congress in general, and its imbedded lawyers specifically, do not have the cajones to enact the painful measures necessary to eliminate the debt.  There will be both risk and pain.

* * * * *

 

As to the canned response, “they just want Grandma to starve", it used to be, in our great nation that we took care of our elderly out of respect and obligation.  Now it’s an imposition.  Most young “adults” cringe at having to care for the doddering old coots.  They, our elders (my father is 88 years old – his wife, 92) scrimp in self-imposed social isolation so that they won’t compel us and they can leave an (undeserved) inheritance.

 

I chuckle at the unintended consequence that modern medicine (longevity) has had on the inheritances of middle income America.


 





Name:   MartiniMan - Email Member
Subject:   There is a plan
Date:   11/10/2010 12:04:57 PM

So true.  One of the unfortunate unintended consequences of the safety net for all Americans (besides the cost) has been the deterioration of that social contract.  The only way we can restore that is by our own example.  As for me, my Mother lives with us strictly for financial reasons.  She has for going on ten years.  We do it because it is our obligation and someday I have to face my maker and He will ask what I did to help my Mom.  I thank him every day for the ability to do that and for my incredible wife who has likewise taken on that obligation.  I know it can't and won't work in many cases but it can and would work in many more than are occurring. 

Of course, as I like to say it, "My wife's mother-in-law lives with us".  Usually takes a few seconds for folks to figure it out.  It has been a great blessing for her and for my kids and she is just part of the family.  Now her dog on the other hand I could do without but once again I am overruled by my daughters........some things never change.



Name:   water_watcher - Email Member
Subject:   Republicans need a specific, detailed plan
Date:   11/10/2010 12:47:48 PM

you touched on the Fair Tax ... work should be done immediately on this and stop all this class warfare. The feds will increase tax revenue and will be fair and equitable. It reduces costs ... eliminate the IRS or most of it. Additionally eliminate whole departments like the dept of agriculture and dept of education. Picking indivudual programs takes too long to have an impact and too much arguing. Cut whole departments. the problem with the Fed is they don't eliminate, they only add. The fed needs to get out of the way of the private sector to create jobs .... regulation is fine, but much of the oversight is way beyond what is needed and creates useless paperwork that no one looks at, uses or does anything with to become a better stronger society.



Name:   4691 - Email Member
Subject:   Republicans need a specific, detailed plan
Date:   11/10/2010 2:02:51 PM


MAJ USA RET - I agree on all points, except No. 9.  I think implementation of the Fair Tax would require some of the same magic fairy dust that the progressives depend on to make their plan work.  Our economy is ~70% consumption.  Purchasing is based as much on perception as reality, probably more so.  I seen esitmates of 34% federal sales tax to match current revenue.  That assumed constant consumption rate.   I would defer the purchase of my next new car at least a few more years to avoid a $20K tax.  It would take a long time for most everyone to adjust.  In the interim what happens to businesses dependent on current sales?   I'm more for keeping the progressive income tax, but without any deductions or credits [NONE] and only a few tax rates,  Almost everyone must contribute something and no one gets more back then they pay in.  To me, that would be a fair (enough) tax system. 



Name:   Barneget - Email Member
Subject:   34%
Date:   11/10/2010 9:14:49 PM

If 34% is the magic number needed, based on consumption, what is the current source of the difference? Could it be tariffs, fees, fines or duties? Business taxes perhaps? For example, taxes paid by Wal-Mart, Exxon Mobil, Proctor and Gamble, General Electric, Southern Company, Ford, and others? Could that be why their releases, and financials state pre tax earnings/profit? Maybe some small privately held businesses are the source of the difference. In any event, business, regardless of the organization and size, are the primary source of the difference between personal income tax revenue and total federal revenue. Little secret here -- businesses, to stay in business, must provide a fair return on investment, and businesses, regardless of the size and organization type, pass through most every tax to the purchaser of their goods and/or services. Businesses also pass through expense associated with additional regulation. And, most always, the consumer is happy because someone else is taking the hit, most always FAILING to recognize their own increased out of pocket expense. Business taxes are the tried and true political 3 card monty......



Name:   DirtDiva - Email Member
Subject:   MAJ USA RET
Date:   11/10/2010 10:33:12 PM

FOR PRESIDENT!

2012



Name:   4691 - Email Member
Subject:   34%
Date:   11/10/2010 11:13:47 PM

The revenue generated from the current personal income tax accounts for approximately one-half of the total federal revenue collected from all sources.  The Fair Tax on personal consumption must collect enough to equal the total federal revenue as essentially all other taxes are eliminated.  Fair Tax proponents believe a Federal Sales Tax of about 23% would replace this revenue and opponents and others claim that the rate could be more like 34%.   It sounds simple, but the more I read about it's implementation causes me concern.  Just my opinion.  I'm skeptical by nature. 



Name:   MAJ USA RET - Email Member
Subject:   MAJ USA RET
Date:   11/11/2010 11:59:56 AM

Thank you.  But, the only course to the presidency... for me... is that of Andrew Jackson.

I can assure you that politics is NOT in my skill set.







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