After the Earthquake that was the Massachusetts election that put Scott Brown in office we hear that the Democratic Congress and President Obama are going to focus on Creating Jobs.
President Obama continues to think that spending your tax dollars and mine on silly stimulus programs will create jobs. Let's all say this really loud: The Federal Government Does Not Create Jobs; The Private Sector Does! President Obama, get a hint here:
Private businesses create jobs, especially small businesses.
Private businesses flourish when government intervention is lessened, not increased.
Private businesses fuel the economy when they are taxed less, not when they are taxed more.
Private businesses create jobs when their customer base is broad and deep.
Customer bases are increased when consumers of goods created by private businesses have cash in their pockets. Usually from higher pay, less taxes, and employment by a business that can afford to pay them.
Customer bases that are broad and deep create cash flow for business when those customers have an ongoing supply of cash to spend, not from some one time stimulus that is here today and gone tomorrow.
JOBS are created when all the above are satisfied.
President Obama, Cutting Taxes on business and individuals alike is GOOD! Raising Taxes on businesses and individuals regardless of income is BAD!
This is really pretty simple stuff. One would think that an individual that is smart enough to dupe close to half of the electorate in a presidential race would be smart enough to understand what really fuels an economy; DEMAND FROM PEOPLE WITH A CONSTANT INFLOW OF CASH! It's called disposable income. When the government plans to tax disposable income and then some, demand for goods stalls, jobs are lost, and the economy suffers.
So President Obama, what is so hard about that? Here is what you need to do and its pretty simple stuff; at least it would be for one with a Reagan Republican View of the Economy.
Reinvest the balance of the first TARP into immediate payroll tax cuts. In other words, give it back to the tax payers.
Initiate The Fair Tax for 2011 launch.
Walk away from Cap and Trade, Socialized Medicine, and all other Socialist items on your agenda.
Problem is that President Obama is such a left wing ideologue that he won't do these things. I guess twenty years of listing to Reverend Jeremiah Wright, cavorting with William Ayers, working with ACORN, the the SEIU, and studying the works of Saul Alinsky is a bit much to overcome.
I received a "Republican Senate Leadership Survey" today in the mail urging me to fill out the questions in a timely manner and return the information ASAP. Oh yeah, there was also the usual request for a donation. I filled it out, but I also added "additional comments" that you will see below. Towards the end I thought that there is a great opportunity here for a great press conference for conservative Republicans to take the lead in the true issues that face our country today. Here is my commentary:
I can’t speak for every conservative, but I know what I see, and I know what I feel. Our country is at a crossroads. We can either be lead down the path to some Marxist/Fascist type of government, or we can stand and fight. I choose to fight. We are not Guatemala, Venezuela, Iran, Iraq, or Afghanistan. Our ancestors fought for a liberty and freedom that we as American’s hold dear. We believe in individual liberty, not a collective authority overriding our individual rights. Government will impose its will on us only so far.
We were all born of liberty; it is who and what we are. I believe the people of our nation will do whatever is necessary to keep it.
Our government is not supposed to own banks, insurance companies, or auto makers. Our government is not supposed to manage our health insurance or health care, and our government should not be populated with corrupt officials working to curry favor with whoever is able to help keep them in power. Our government is supposed to be “Of The People And By The People”.
I expect our government to preserve and protect the constitution of the United States. Not treat is as some aged document that does not speak to the complex world we live in today. I would say that we live in a world not so much different than that of 1776, a world with tyrannical leaders, a world with governments that would impose its will and authority on its people without fair representation. What is so different in that world from the world we live in today? Perhaps it is the character and intellect of our founding fathers; men who lived under tyranny and were willing to do what was necessary to end it, and create a model government for the entire world to see. Men who knew once established how fragile such a government would be.
I would argue that over the last 50 years our country has known one great leader, a leader that understood the role of government as defined by the constitution, and more to the point the foundation of rules our founding fathers put in place to keep the American Idea strong. That leader was Ronald Reagan. You ask in your survey if I believe voters have turned away from the principles and ideals of the “Reagan Revolution”. I say no, it’s not the voters that have turned away from those ideals it is our Republican leadership in Congress!
The blueprint is right there in front of you. You don’t need surveys and you don’t need to continue to ask for my money to develop some type of strategy to regain the majority in the Senate and House of Representatives. All you need do is listen to Ronald Reagan and follow his lead. If you follow that lead, support will take care of itself.
I ask where is the Republican united front in Congress against a government takeover of the health care system in the United States? Where is the united front in calling such a grab by the government what it is; Socialism? Where is the united front against government take over of private business? Where is the united front against a tax system that is unfair and unjust? Where is the united front against weak boarders? Where is the united front against a weak foreign policy? Where is the united front against such fallacies as Global Warming used to fuel more government power and increased energy costs? Where is the united stand against our government creating crises in order to gain more power over the people? Where is the outrage? Where is the united front in the Republican Party?
If our Republican Party will just do what is necessary to take care of today in accordance with the ideas that built our country, tomorrow’s support will take care of itself.
Let’s take this a step further and consider if you will this conservatives fantasy press conference.
Imagine if you will, a majority of Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives coming together as one to declare the following:
“We gather here today to declare that Health Care Coverage, Global Warming, Bailing out companies so called too large to fail or any other manufactured crises do not define the true dangers or “crisis’s” our Republic faces today. Rather, the crisis we must stand together and fight is a Federal Government spiraling out of control, a Federal Government marching away from our Republics foundation of individual liberty and freedom towards some form of government of collectivism where the people become dependent on the government for everyday needs.
Today we stand together to say no! Today we say no to any legislation designed to transfer power from the people to the government. Today we say no to the premise that government knows best how to manage ones health care. Today we say no to the faulty ideal that the government creates jobs. Today we say no to any government initiative that undermines who we are as Americans, or the truths we hold dear that make the American Dream a reality.
Today we say that the government can not solve any shortcomings in our health care system, only the private sector can when given the opportunity to do so. Today we say that the federal government can not create jobs; green or any other color, only the private sector can when given the opportunity to do so. Today we say that the federal government can not create demand for any certain type of vehicle, or product, that demand comes from the people when the private sector creates goods that the people desire regardless of what the government thinks. Today we say that increasing taxes will not increase revenue, only lower taxes and increased productivity generated by the private sector will increase revenue when allowed to do so. Today, we say that the government can not solve our energy crisis, only the private sector can when given the opportunity to do so. Today we say that Ronald Reagan was right when he said that “Government Can Not Solve Our Problems, Government Is The Problem””
With this introduction the group would introduce the following:
A “Health care Cost Solution Bill” of about FIVE pages outlining Five simple steps to curb health care costs. Simple steps that allow the private sector to work.
Portability of Insurance
Tort Reform
Expansion of HSA accounts
Ability to buy insurance across state lines.
Tax reform to allow individuals to deduct insurance premiums from taxes.
An “Energy Independence Bill” of no more than TEN Pages.
Tax deductions for corporations investing in new exploration
Repeal of restrictions as to allow for the exploration of oil on the continental shelf and shale wherever found in the U.S. along with tax breaks for solutions to extracting shale oil in an efficient manner.
Opening up Anwr
Repeal of restrictions and creation of incentives to build more refineries in the U.S.
An announcement repealing or at least relaxing the latest C.A.F.E. standards.
Announcing United Support of the Fair Tax
Proposal of a Simple “Immigration Bill” that requires:
Establishing a worker permit program where such permits are dispensed only in the individual’s country of origin after a background search. Such a card would act as a biometric identity card that serves to collect taxes/process support fees, and trace to the whereabouts of alien workers.
Establishes a fixed time period of use, and a finite number of renewals.
Explicitly defines no child born of alien workers in the United States is a U.S. Citizen and there is no fast track process for U.S. Citizenship with the alien worker card.
At the end of the alien workers renewals, the individual must have completed the process to become a U.S. Citizen or loose worker rights.
Pretty simple stuff, but what a great press conference that would be!
This Past Sunday Morning we had a missions day at church where representatives of various missions our church is involved with discussed their needs and purpose.
The first group we listened to represented a group with missions in Guatamamla. The young man leading the discussion had grown up as a missionary's son and had taken on his fathers charge. He said that one of the major obstacles in bringing the Lords word to Guatamala was the fact that a communist dictator had taken over the country and this change was making their work much more difficult that in past years.
Someone from the group asked what aspect of the imposition of communism had made their mission more difficult. His answer was like a revelation and in so many ways brought clarity to what is happening in our country today. He said that with communism the government worked to keep the people down that the government did not want their people to have access to anything that gave them power, that the governments goal was to create an environment where the people of the country would be dependent on the government for everything.
Everyone in the room had the same reaction as I, you could see it, feel it, and sense it, eyes raised, with expressions of wait a minute, that's what is going on right here in our own country! One guy even mumbled under his breath: "you mean like Obama". That really stuck with me. We all sense what is happening to our country, you just have to hope that the people of this great country will not be led easily down such a path.
While taking my daily walk listening to Rush Limbaugh I found myself wanting to cheer on a caller who was extraordinary in her ability to express the outrage everyday ordinary Americans are feeling towards the dunderheads in Congress. As a mother of seven she articulated with great passion her desire to get our country back in order to save it for her kids. As a father myself, I understand exactly how she feels. She was almost begging for direction, searching for the appropriate steps to take to be heard.
Somewhere in the conversation between Rush and this caller the point was made that there is an army of like minded people ready and willing to take the fight to those who would tear down this Republic, who would shred the Constitution to gain power, we just need leaders in the Republican party to get a hint and stand up and join in the outrage. How blind must the Republican leadership in Congress be to simply overlook the opportunity at hand?
Just yesterday I watched coverage of the Senate committee vote on a public option to health care and was amazed at how politically correct and measured every utterance is from Republicans concerning this debate. When will Republican leadership stand up and say what needs to be said? Charles Grassley rebuked the public option amendment by saying something to effect that it was a path to government take over of health care. Really? What a shock.
When will Republican leadership in Congress stand up and ask their Democratic counterparts these very simple questions:
At what point did the Democratic majority determine the American People should trade Capitalism for Socialism.
At what point did the Democrati majority determine the American people should trade away our individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution for some Marxist, Fascist collectivism.
At what point did the Democratic majority determine the American People should trade away our common sense for some far left belief that a government run institution of any type not reliant on profits to flourish, rather subsidies from tax payers will bring competition and "fairness: to the health care industry much less any other industry. I mean, do they really think we are stupid? Will some Republican leader please stand up and ask that one simple question?
Beyond these questions, when will Republicans insist on free market remedies to health care costs? When will Republicans insist taxes be lowered, when will Republicans insist that all bills are read before being voted on, when will Republicans insist all bills pass muster with the Constitution before being voted on, and when will Republicans in Congress stand as one with the majority of the American People and say NO MORE!
Here is a perfect example of why we need the Fair Tax and how politicians use their power over your tax dollars to reward one group of tax payers at the expense of another. This specific example has to do with the Health Care Bill. Wake Up People! Personally, I don't care if the politician is Democrat, Republican, Or Independent; using the tax code or earmarks to curry favor is the basis of all CORRUPTION in our government today that must stop! Check out this article by of all news papers the New York Times.
Whomever the Politicians are, no matter the party, if they take part in these type of actions, their constituents must take the appropriate action and vote new blood into office.
You don't have to wait for the next election to take action. Contact your Congressman and Senators today about the Fair Tax. If they are not currently a co-sponsor of the Fair Tax, ask them why. Is it because they want to keep their power over you and your tax dollars, or are they just ignorant when it comes to the Fair Tax and the positive impact it will have on our economy, or both?
Republicans that value and demonstrate conservative ideals stand before a huge opportunity to gain control of Congress in 2010. All they have to do is get back to their conservative roots, challenge the status-quo, and support reform targeted to end corruption in Washington D.C.
I know that is a tall order, but one that is more than past due. The more the American people are exposed to ACORN, the SEIU, the Apollo Alliance, Health Care Reform, Cap and Trade, the unsustainable spending going on in our Capitol, how they may all be tied together, the corruption, and potential corruption within each, the more their eyes are opened. What better time than now to support a bold idea that will cut the heart from the rot that infests Washington today. The Fair Tax is such a Bold Idea.
I felt this would be a good place to insert a quote on corruption by by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, or Benjamin Franklin, but then I came across The following quote by John F. Kennedy:
"Communism has never come to power in a country that was not disrupted by war or corruption, or both".
How prophetic is that? So there you go, a fair and balanced approach through using the quote of a Democrat. But back to the point; ending corruption, or at least cutting off the life blood that feeds corruption. First, one has to ask what feeds corruption in Washington? Power? Money? Both? My answer would be Power over Money.
Today our government has the power to tax one individual at the expense of another or to relieve the tax burden of one group at the expense of another. Our government should not possess such power over the people. Is it not the responsibility of government to treat all citizens the same? How is it that the government can wield such power? I would suggest that it is through the Federal Tax Code. The Federal Income Tax Code gives our government power over the people it should not possess.
I am not advocating that the people of our country pay no taxes, only that we all pay our fair share through the Fair Tax. I hear talk all the time of a Flat Tax, but that simply will not do. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 was in essence an attempt to consolidate some 15 levels of tax into 4, or a Flat-er Tax. However, the Tax Reform Act of 1986 has been amended literally thousands of times. Why you might ask? Because special interest groups influence politicians to reward their groups through the Tax Code. Not all of these changes are malicious, but they can all lead to corruption. It is a simple fact that each and every one enable politicians to curry favor through the expense of tax payers like you and I.
A Flat Tax keeps politicians in charge of the tax code and therefore your income. The Fair Tax puts peoplein charge by eliminating special interest groups influence on politicians and politicians ability to change the tax code.
I have written about the Fair Tax many times, so check out what I've already written. I encourage everyone to go to www.fairtax.org read about the Fair Tax and educate yourself on how the Fair Tax works. Simply said, through eliminating the 16th amendment, the Fair Tax does away with all Federal income withholding taxes. (Social Security Withholding, Medicare, And Federal Withholding). For individuals and Corporations alike and replaces those taxes with a 23% national sales tax on all new products.
Let's see, I didn't take notes and I'm sure that I blacked out at some point during anointed one's speech, but I do recall a few points.
Mr. Obama believes that one of the reasons health insurance premiums are so high is because of excessive overhead and PROFITS generated by those insidious insurance companies. What is Mr. Obama's fix for that? Well by gosh, they should compete with a government run NOT FOR PROFIT health insurance provider. You betcha, that will teach those evil insurance companies how to be efficient. Give me a break.
Mr. Obama believes in competition. He said so. He points out that in far too many states there are too few insurance companies to provide real competition. He believes the way to fix that is to install a a single government run health insurance provider to allow choice. But Mr. Obama is not for allowing the American people to buy health insurance across state lines! No way sir, he will not do that because it would instill real competition to bring down costs without increasing the reach of the Federal Government. Give Me a Break.
Mr. Obama believes the Federal Government which means you and I, your wife, your brothers andsisters, uncles, aunts, kids, and grand-kids can pay for insuring some 30 million people through eliminating waste in medicare and medicade. He actually believes that this can be done without increasing the debt. What? How? Like instilling the efficiency of the Post Office, or Am Track, or GM, or Chrysler, or Freddie and Fannie into his new health care take over government agency? Give me a break.
Mr. Obama really believes that WE THE PEOPLE are stupid. Well I have news for Mr. Obama; Stupid resides on the other side of the teleprompter.
Personally I would prefer reform of our current system to allow true competition between both insurance companies and doctors. In other words let's put the free market to work along with tort reform to bring down costs for health care and health care insurance. We do not need to allow the big finger of government to impact the cost of health care anymore than it does today.
Because of current Government intervention we should all ask ourselves along with our Senators and Congressmen these simple questions:
Why is it that I can only buy insurance from companies operating in the state I live in?
Why don't doctors post their basic costs for basic services like a physical exam, or blood test, or to sew up a cut that requires 10 stitches or so?
Why can't one have a health savings account that grows like an IRA for medical needs in later years of life in addition to regular insurance if one so chooses?
These are thee very simple questions, but questions that must be answered. Do you really think that insurance companies choose not to sell their products outside the states they operate in, or do you believe there must be some federal or state regulation that keeps them from doing so? Have you ever looked at your insurance summary after a doctor visit where the doctor may charge $200.00 for a procedure but the insurance company only covered $105.00 plus your co-pay and wondered what that procedure is really worth? Do you believe that because insurance companies operate only in the states they are based in that they can dictate what they pay doctors? Do you believe that if we operated a true free market system with health care providers that they would not advertise or promote costs for basic straight forward procedures?
In most every case here, some form of government regulation has impeded the free market system and the rule of unintended (well, perhaps they are unintended) consequences comes into play. We do not need more government intervention, we need less!
All this talk of a single payer system is quite frankly; Stupid. In my opinion, anyone that thinks a single payer (the government public option) will bring down costs by forcing private companies to abide by the same rules and the government option is either naive, completely uneducated in economics, a fascist, or all of the above.
Let me ask this simple question: Has anyone out there ever made a choice to shop at Wal Mart before Wal Mart became a convenience? Probably so, and probably because they offered lower prices than their competitors. Pretty good reason. What if Wal Mart was never allowed to operate beyond the state lines of Arkansas, would they ever have had the same impact on the marketplace as today? Or think about this.; if Wal Mart had no competitors, in other words, there was only one option for your shopping pleasure; would their prices be as low as they are today? Would they respond to any of your product requests? Would their check out service be worse or better than it is today? Do you think they would worry about keeping the shelves stocked, or the floors clean?
What about suppliers? Would there be any incentive to come up with as many new items if they could sell to only one distribution channel and that channel could dictate how much they would pay? Would there be an incentive to improve on the items produced today? What if the only option available to sell goods to could dictate what the profit structure of the supplier should be? What would that picture look like? Well, if you have not figure it out, I will tell you. It would look just like our health care system with a government take over.
Look, Wal Mart has achieved what it has because of our free market system; more power to them. But consumers can also thank our free market system for our shopping OPTIONS. We can still choose to shop at Whole Foods, Publix, Harris Teeter, Kroger, or any number of other supermarkets because we do have a choice, we have OPTIONS. And its because of our Free Market System that we have those choices, not in spite of it. Not only that, our free market system keeps each of those competitors on their toes!
We do not need a government take over of our health care. We need government to allow the free market to work in our heath care industry just like it does in retail or any other segment of our economy.
Thank Goodness for Conservative Talk Show hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glen Beck, and Neil Boortz among others. One has to wonder what has happened to our country when those that are the most articulate in defining conservative values are not our elected officials, but Radio and Television Talk Show Hosts.
Even with their voices shouting in unison as to what lay in wait if Mr. Obama were to be elected as President of our United States; the majority of the electorate chose not to listen to the warnings. Now we find ourselves in the fight of our lives to preserve and protect a way of life that our Founding Fathers fought for and thought they had guaranteed through the Constitution of The United States. We the people must make our voices heard, we must stand against tyranny and any move to turn our country into a Socialist State.
Over the last few weeks, Glen Beck has exposed Van Jones, Mr. Obama's Green Jobs adviser, as an avowed Communist, and Mr. William Lloyd, Mr. Obama's Chief Diversity Officer for the FCC as a sympathizer to Chavez and his takeover of privately held radio stations. These are people that advise the President. What does that say about Mr. Obama's intentions? Beyond that, why is it only talk show hosts like Glen Beck and Sean Hannity exposing these people for what and who they are? Where is the rest of the press? Where are your elected officials? Why aren't they speaking out?
You will find below communications that I recently sent to Senator's Shelby and Sessions, and Congressman Bachus, plus an email I just sent to the Minority Leader of the House asking him to take action with regard to Mr. Jones, and Mr. Lloyd. I urge you to do the same.
Letter to my Senators and Congressman:
Sir, I would like to bring to your attention if you are not already aware of two of President Obama’s Radical Advisers/Czars and then, ask what your office plans to do to expose these individuals for what they are.
First:
Mark Lloyd, Mr. Obama’s Chief Diversity Officer for the FCC. I actually saw a video of this person praising Caesar Chavez’s take over of the private radio industry in Venezuela! I then heard his plan to utilize localism, diversity, and some crazy scheme to tax private companies 100% of their operating costs and fork those taxes over to the FCC to support Public radio. If you are not aware of this individual and his radical agenda, you should do what you need to educate yourself and make a public statement as to what you plan to do to expose the impact such a person may have on our freedom of speech.
Second: Van Jones, Mr. Obama’s Green Jobs Advisor. This man is a self expressed radical Communist internal government community organizer. What is this man doing advising the President of The United States?
I urge you to do find out for yourself the radical nature of these two individuals and make public your plans to expose these people for who they are. I would think the people of Alabama, should expect no less. I would think that after your office does its job, there should be public questions to the President as to if he agrees with the views of his advisers, and if not why he appointed them.
Finally I would ask that your response to my inquiry be specific and not the typical political non answer.This Country needs our representatives in congress to start standing up and protecting our Constitutional rights!
Here is the letter just recently sent to Congressman Boehner:
I regularly receive your GOP Leader Alerts and they are great. However; along with the threats to our way of life that the Democrats proposed government takeover of our health care would impose are the political views of key Obama advisers like Van Jones, MR. Obama's Green Jobs Adviser, and William Lloyd, The Chief Diversity Officer for the FCC. Mr Jones is an avowed Communist and regularly voices his views, while Mr. Lloyd praises the Chavez takeover of private radio in Venezuela. I've written both of my Senators, Sessions and Shelby, along with my Congressman Spencer Bachus urging them to take their oath to protect the Constitution seriously and speak up on this matter. I urge you to do the same and protect Conservative Republican Values with the same passion the Progressive, Socialist, Communist, and Marxists in Mr. Obama's administration are pursuing their "change". We the people need you to use you Bully Pulpit to speak up and challenge the direction Mr. Obama and his ilk are trying to take this nation!
Every retailer has promotions to increase sales; even those that go to market with an every day low price approach. Typically though, these retailers utilize their own funds, or promotional funds provided by their suppliers to pay for their markdowns. Most Sunday newspapers are full of ads designed to generate foot traffic and sales. But at what point did it become fashionable for the U.S. Government to use my tax dollars and yours as promotional funds to stimulate one segment of our economy? Especially when one considers that the Government owns two thirds of the segment they chose to stimulate?
Just another example of a government out of control. One has to wonder if GM and Chrysler will be able to operate under the same profitability program as Am Track and the Post Office? Will they be allowed to continue to operate at a cash flow deficit funded by tax payer dollars? Will the Car Czar continue to create promotions for the auto industry funded by tax payer dollars? Will the next promotion be limited to GM and Chrysler products?
The American people should demand that our Government exit all industry in which they have involvement at once, beginning with Chrysler and GM. Directly followed by the banking industry, followed by AM Track, followed by any involvement in the mortgage lending business, and never be allowed to have involvement in health care.
Events of the last few weeks have reinforced my belief that the United States Of America is the most spectacular country ever to grace our planet. I've long held that at some point the American people would rise up and have their voices heard, that the people of this country would reach a tipping point where their emotions would bubble over to a level that would force the attention of the main stream media and elitist politicians.
It has taken some doing but the idiocy of Obama Care has brought a new life to town hall meetings across the country. The American People are not only speaking their minds on Obama Care, but against the lunacy of our politicians out of control spending. I'm proud to live in a country where the people can speak up to have their voices heard to the highest level in government. I don't know that the liberal left politicians are listening, but there is no doubt they hear us.
What Democrat loons in Congress fail to appreciate is how informed the American People are. More informed in fact than the politicians themselves trying to shove socialism down our collective throats; one individual at a time.
I believe this is what most Americans are wondering:
What Constitutional authority does the Federal Government have to impose government run health care on the citizens of this country?
Why should the Federal Government have anything at all to do with an individuals health insurance or health care decisions?
At what point did Democrats determine that the Federal Government could run health insurance for every American better than they run the Post Office, Am Track, Social Security, Medi Care, General Motors, Chrysler, Fanny Mae, Freddy Mac, or a simple cash for clunkers program?
At what point did Democrats determine a single payer "option" run by the government would actually increase competition between the government an private industry thereby forcing costs down? Hello, if you don't have to make a profit to stay afloat, why is there reason to reduce costs or increase efficiencies? And oh by the way, since when was it possible for a for profit private or public business to compete with a government business that can stay in business with a horrible balance sheet and negative cash flow and expect to stay in business!
At what point the Democrats determine that a stimulus package that puts no money in the hands of working Americans, but rather to those that don't work, or to special interests would actually stimulate the economy?
I could go on, but there is no reason as Democrats in Congress don't understand or rather don't believe in the principles of competition, individual liberties, and small government that built the foundation of our magnificent Republic. No, Democrats believe in a nanny state where the people are beholden to the government, where the people look to the government for everyday needs like health insurance, wale-fare checks, housing, education, establishing pay rates, food stamps, and cash for clunkers.
I'm often amazed at how conservatives are painted by the left as greedy penny pinching misers bent on keeping the little guy down and paying homage to big business and the rich bringing home fat paychecks. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is the liberals that look to keep the little guy down by bringing everyone down. It is the Liberal that wants to control the individual and treat him or her like a pet that can't think for itself, while the Conservative looks to liberate the individual. It is the Liberal that wants the state to control every aspect of every individuals life and force them into groups, while the Conservative looks to smaller government to let individuals make their own decisions through their own intellect and initiative. It is the Liberal that is Close Minded while the Conservative is Open Minded.
Now is not the time to let up pressure on Congress. Now is the time to keep the pressure on!
Last week I received a survey from the National Republican Senatorial Committee asking my opinion on several issues our country faces today. Not only did they want me to return the survey, (with a small donation to help offset the cost of the survey) the letter indicated that I was chosen to represent the opinion of Republicans in my voting area; yeah, right.
What struck me about the survey is that very much like the surveys and letters I continually receive from the Republican National Committee, it is obvious that Republicans in Congress know all the buzz words an phrases like Socialism, Islamic Fascism, Government takeover of health care, strong borders, etc. What is not evident is what the heck they plan to do about the issues they raise. I mean, where is the Republican plan designed to reduce health care and insurance costs through encouraging competition and appropriate deregulation? A plan that embraces the individual and capitalism, not collectivism and and socialism. I gladly filled out the survey and attached a few documents for the National Republican Senatorial Committee to think through. I also sent same to my Senators; Shelby and Sessions. If you like what you read, I encourage you to do the same. Here is a copy of the letter I sent along with my survey:
First, let me say that I appreciate your survey, however; I do have some comments to add to your questions.
I have to say that in my opinion, the Senate has a far larger percent of center to left leaning Republicans than does the House of Representatives. Just see our last Republican nominee for President.
Talk show hosts such as Rush Limbaugh do a much better job of articulating the conservative point of view than the vast majority of our so called conservative Senators. Why is that?
Republicans in the Senate must stop trying to compromise with liberal democrats on issues like socialized health care.
Republicans in the Senate must stand fast to protect our culture and not give in to buying votes from illegal aliens.
The Republican Party leadership in the Senate must offer fresh, bold ideas to get our country back on track; ideas that adhere to the principles that made our country the strongest, most efficient country on the Planet.
Ideas that support and celebrate the individual rather than the Federal Government.
Ideas that draw a sharp contrast to the Obama administration and liberal Democrats move to Socialism.
Ideas that Conservatives and Moderate Democrats embrace as true to our countries heritage.
Now is the time for Republicans to be the Party Of Contrast.
Perhaps I’m too simple here, but a comprehensive plan that first includes the FAIR TAX to rescue the economy, through putting more money and power in the hands of Americans and less in the hands of special interests and politicians is indeed a bold fresh idea.
Such a step would demonstrate Republicans willingness to take the big stick away from politicians and place it firmly in the hands of the people.
It would also make the United States the most tax friendly country on the planet for Corporations and individuals alike.
However, the fact that the Republican Party, Senate Republicans, and House Republicans are not currently rallying around and promoting the Fair Tax is an indicator that they do not want to give power back to the people, obviously they would rather use the tax code to curry favor with special interests and maintain the upper hand through the tax code.
The Second Bold Step should be a Comprehensive Plan For Health Care Insurance predicated on Capitalism, not Socialism.
A plan that asks: Why should the government have any involvement at any level with an individual’s health care or health care insurance? Why does the federal government restrict competition between Doctors and and competition between Insurance companies? Why does the state dictate the coverage in my policy? Why does my health insurance policy need to be tied to my employer? Why can’t I shop insurance health insurance in states other than the one I live in? Why can’t I create a co-op of people that live in my neighborhood for insurance? Why can’t I make my health insurance portable? Fix these issues and you just might have an alternative to government take over of health insurance.
Finally, I have to say that I get a lot of email and letters from the RNC and such yapping all the time with surveys just like the one I received from your group. Unfortunately that seems to be as far as it goes. No doubt the Republicans in Congress know all the buzz words, like lower taxes, strong borders, Islamic fascism, and the such, but where are the ideas?
I’m also including in my response a letter I received via email written my an anonymous individual, I only wish I could articulate my thoughts as well as this person has.
Ray England
The letter is rather long, but I will post it to this Blog. I don't know who wrote it, but it is a fabulous letter that really articulates the where Americans are today with their Federal Government.
If you are of the same mind as I, please feel free to send these points along to your friends, and if you like, go ahead and send a copy to your Congressman and Senator. It's high time that we insist they work for the people and act like the leaders they are supposed to be. If there ever was a time for true conservative ideas that made our country the greatest place on the planet to take the forefront; it is now.
I actually wrote this post some time ago on another blog, but as I read it there is no doubt that the content is more than appropriate for our countries current state of affairs. In as much, here is a reprint if you will of a blog written over two years ago:
"I thought I would talk about something a bit different today than the usual rantings of retail dysfunction. Something that I believe will have huge impact on all types of retail,every tax payer, and that would be the The FAIR TAX.
If you are not familiar with the Fair Tax, let me take this opportunity to tell you a bit about the Fair Tax, along with the why and how I think it will impact all things retail. Not to mention your pocketbook.
First let's look at the overall premise of the Fair Tax, which is in essence a proposal to replace all federal withholding taxes on income with a national 23% sales tax. No more social security, medi-care,or INCOME TAXES are taken out of your paycheck. The federal government collects taxes with a national 23% sales tax. Not only for individuals, but for corporations as well. Now before you go and say that there is just no way I can afford to pay a 23% sales tax on top of what I pay today, just take a breath and let me explain a bit further. And remember with the Fair Tax, you bring home all of your paycheck.
Before we get into the meat and potatoes of the actual workings of the Fair Tax and what its passage means for you and me you have to stop and think about how the current tax system impacts the retail selling price of every single item or service that you purchase today. Understanding that the current tax system has a direct impact on every purchase you make is the key to understanding the beauty of the Fair Tax.
The reason that the current income tax system impacts your every purchase is because each and every for profit company in existence passes their tax bill directly to you. That's right,every company out there that performs a service, manufactures a product, grows and apple, or sells you a TV passes every single penny of taxes they pay directly to you through the selling price of their goods or services. Why? Because their tax burden is part of their overhead expense and the profit margin they sell their goods for is developed to not only cover their overhead, but return profit. A dollar spent on taxes is no different than a dollar spent on labor, or raw materials. If companies want to stay in business, they have to pass on the taxes they pay directly to whomever buys their products or uses their services. If you have ever worked in the corporate world, you know this is true.
Now that you see how all corporate taxes are passed on to each consumer through current retails, what do you think would happen if all of those taxes went away? Well, the best way to think about this is that every link in the distribution chain, from the original producer, to transportation, to packaging, to distribution, to retailing the final product realizes an overhead savings that will be passed on through the distribution chain directly to you, the final consumer! That is where the 23% figure for the sales tax comes in. All of the research done by the Fair Tax Group has shown that on average 23% of the selling price of most goods and services reflect the tax burden associated with getting that item, or service to you, the final consumer. Now what this means to you is that an item that retails for about a buck today would retail for about the same after the Fair Tax is instituted.
Let's say you spend $50.00 on a new shirt today. According to the Fair Tax group, 23% or $11.50 of that retail price is caused by all of the tax burden from all of the companies that had anything to do with getting that shirt to retail. So the actual retail selling price of that shirt after the Fair Tax should be around $38.55 and when you add the $11.50 in taxes back to the new retail you have a shirt that is still costs you around $50.00 to purchase after all your federal taxes are paid. I suggest you go to www.faritax.org and read all the research that proves these tax implications.
I know what you must be thinking; retailers will just keep the extra profit for themselves and I'll be paying $61.50 for that shirt! Well, give me a break. The beauty of our economic system of capitalism is that it thrives of competition. I can name five companies that will reduce retails appropriately for every one that someone thinks will keep retails high. Retailers will be forced by competition to lower retails.
A huge key to the Fair Tax is that every service and new retail item is taxed exactly the same rate of 23%. No exemptions. EVERYONE IS TREATED THE SAME. Say good by to the power of tax lobbyists and tax special interests. Not only that but the IRS will go away as well.
Key Points To The Fair Tax:
Pre-Bates. To help offset the impact of the necessities of life such as food, clothing, shelter, and medical care costs the Fair Tax includes something called a PRE-BATE. The pre-bate is paid to each and every family regardless of income. Its calculation if based on the number of people in a household and the official poverty rate. I believe that for a family of three, the pre-bate is in the neighborhood of around $400.oo per month. So if you are family of three the pre-pate is like a TEN PERCENT raise on top of fact you bring home your entire paycheck less any state taxes.
Only new items are taxed at the 23% rate. All used or pre-owned items are exempt. Those taxes have already been paid; right?
The Fair Tax is progressive: Today many of the super rich do not pay income taxes. They live on accumulated or inherited wealth. Meaning that at the most they pay 15% on capital gains, but they don't pay income taxes like you and I. What will the Fair Tax change about that? Well let's say that Paris Hilton wants to go out and buy a brand new Bentley for $150,000. When she does she just paid $34,500 in TAXES. Every new pair of $500.00 shoes is another $115.00 in taxes! That $1,000.00 dress, that's right $230.00 in taxes.
The Fair Tax Taps The Underground Economy: Think about this. There are upwards of 20,000,000 illegal aliens in our country. How many of them do you think pay income taxes? Well each and everyone of them will with the Fair Tax. Every time they buy food at the grocery store they will pay taxes just like you and I. What about drug dealers, or any other type of criminal that lives on unreported income. Every time they spend a dollar on a new car, clothes, a huge mansion, or food, they pay their taxes.
The Fair Tax Will Boost Our Economy: If you owned a corporation, where would you headquarter it? Where the tax laws are simple, or complex? If you had 15%, 20%, or 35% more money in your pocket to spend, would you? What do you think that would do to our economy? If you invest in a 401k, can you day DOW 20,000?
Gripes About The Fair Tax That Hold No Water:
If new items have the sales tax and pre-owned don't, what will that do the sales of newitems like new homes? NOTHING. You have to remember that a new home will cost about the same after the Fair Tax and it did before the Fair Tax and there is no tax on pre-owned homes. It's just a fact so sorry Mr. Romney, your objection to the Fair Tax holds no water.
What about exemptions, or managing the collection of the sales tax? How will that get done? First there are no exemptions, and sales taxes are collected and paid every day today. So sorry Mr. Giuliani, your objections to the Fair Tax hold no water either.
The Fair Tax is Unfair to the Poor! Give me a break, everyone gets the Fair Tax pre-bate, you take home your entire paycheck, the rich pay taxes they never paid before, and retails don't go up with the Fair Tax. Come again on how this is unfair to the poor?
How is the government going to manage all these pre-bates? They manage sending out social security and other entitlement checks on a monthly basis.
I hope you take the time to research the Fair Tax at www.fairtax.org, and read the Fair Tax Book by Neal Boortz and John Linder. After you have seen the light, I urge you to call your Congressman, and Senator to find out where they stand on the Fair Tax. This could very well be one of the greatest changes our country experiences."
If we get behind the Fair Tax today, we just may be able to resurrect our economy in time for the 2010 elections!
In 1776 our Founding Fathers took a bold stand against taxation without representation, a tyrannical ruling class, and a monarchy that was neither for the people, by the people, or of the people. This stand took life in a single document: The Declaration of Independence.
This declaration was a message to the King of England that the new nation had had enough and their message was very clear; It says in part:"That all men are created equal, that they are they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.- That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
If you take the time to read the Declaration, to really think about it's meaning; not only will you be struck by the power of the words within it, you will understand that some two hundred thirty two years later, we as a nation are at a cross roads. Just as in 1776, we find our government working against the governed and outside the limits imposed by the Constitution. As noted in our Declaration: "He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance."
At what point do we stand up and say that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! At what point do we stand up and tell Congress that they are elected by and work for the people, that government is to be limited in scope, not all powerful, at what point do we stand up for state rights, at what point do we insistthatour elected officials embrace the constitution, not desecrate it!
Since when is it the work of the government to run public companies like GM, or Chrysler? Since when is it within the purview of the government to manage the banking industry, set workers salaries? When did we authorize the government to manage the housing industry, or our health care? At what point did we determine that the government should tax us on our so called carbon footprint? Who are they to tell us what temperature our homes should be, or to inspect our homes before sale to determine if they are up to some made up code for energy efficiency?
These are only a few of the transgressions our government is guilty of. We must make the right choices, we must elect officials that will embrace our way of life, our culture, and constitution! If not we are doomed. I do have faith though. I have faith that as a country we respect individual freedom and know when it is being threatened. All of us, our parents, and parents before them have lived in the most wonderful country on the face of the earth. It's time to wake up people! We simply can not let a few Socialists ruin our country. Call your congressman, call your senator and tell them to stop the spending, stop the taxing, stop the madness!
