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Today's Poll: Is it possible to reduce the U.S. federal deficit?

By Howard B. Owens
Bob Harker

Not until "We the People" take back control of the ever expanding monster we call the government.

I don't know exactly what it will take to do this, but know in my heart and soul that we are losing our freedoms, rights, and nation - step by step every day. From little things (I live in a very rural setting and am not supposed to have burn pile) to the huge (prayer and the Pledge in schools). We've gone from an economic powerhouse to a relatively poor credit risk. Just the INTEREST we pay to China is enough to pay for their entire military machine, all the while borrowing more to support ours! Are we nuts?!

We are no longer a beacon to those seeking true freedom. We have lost our moral and political compass. (WOW! "moral" and "political" in the same sentence!)

I don't believe younger folks can see it. They weren't exposed to what we used to have, and it certainly is not being taught in public schools. That's scary.

I think all of us that were alive in the 50's and 60's owe an apology to our kids, their kids, and theirs. We let get to this point, and are to lazy or afraid to do anything about it.

Nov 12, 2010, 9:56am Permalink
Dennis Jay

Bill Clinton eliminated the deficit in the 1990s and starting pay down the debt, and our economy was on a roll.

Deficits are reduced by growing the economy. Had it not been for the housing bubble, deep tax cuts and unproductive spending, the economy most likely would still be growing and we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Nov 12, 2010, 11:34am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

Dennis, I'll never believe that tax cuts contribute to the deficit. The deficit is caused by over spending, period.

I now pay out over half of my income to taxes and I'm not a high income earner. Between income taxes (illegal), gas/diesel taxes, land taxes, federal and state sales taxes, fees and tariffs, I feel as though I'm being robbed at gunpoint.

The money you receive for working isn't income, it's compensation. You gave up a certain number of hours of work in "trade" for a universal trade medium called money. You haven't gained anything by getting a paycheck. It's an even trade..no gain involved. INCOME is what you EARN from investing your work and making it grow. THAT's what is taxable, legally. The gov is getting away with taxing your compensation. It's illegal and I really hope that everyone can understand that logic.

The tax system as it is needs to be trashed and we need to go to a spend tax. Just because someone makes more money doesn't mean they should pay more in taxes. That's absurd.

I'm a responsible person who believes that I should be saving for my future, as should everyone else. 18% of my gross income goes towards my own retirement so on top of losing half of the remainder to taxes, whatever is left is what I live off of. It's what I use to pay my bills, mortgage, clothes, food and then try to have something left over to have fun with. The fun part remaining sure isn't what it used to be.

I've worked my butt off for decades and learned a trade to make all that happen. The government takes and takes and takes and in the end they'll give me grief and say they're too broke to give me my due social security benefits. They spent your money and my money by pilfering the social security funds and leaving behind IOU's which WE can never pay back. Not when the government continues to spend money like WE have an endless supply of it.

Feed a fat kid a candy bar and they just want more. Put them on a proper eating schedule and they become healthy. Yeah, just what we need is to pay more taxes! You can't be serious!

Here's a lesson for your kids if you want them to understand the tax system. At Halloween, Tell your kids that their candy is going to be taxed. Tell them what is taken away from them is going to be given to other kids too lazy to put on a costume and go door to door yelling trick or treat. If the kids get 1 lb of candy they'll only be taxed 20%. If they bring home 2 lbs they'll be taxed 35%. If the one who went to more doors, covered more ground, yelled trick or treat many more times and spent more hours gathering candy brings home 5 lbs, they're going to be taxed the heaviest at 50%. Tell them that, that is how the government works. Work harder, bring home more money, but pay the heaviest taxes. I hope you like making your kids cry because you're going to get a lot of it.

Nov 12, 2010, 12:44pm Permalink
John Roach

Dennis,

Fact: Each time the tax rate was cut, more money came to the treasury.

Fact: Both parties still spent much more than was coming in.

Fact: Bill Clinton didn't "balance" the budget. Congress did when Clinton lost control to he other party. They compromised with Clinton to "balance" it, but what they also did is move a lot of spending off the books. Neither party really balanced anything.

Nov 12, 2010, 1:22pm Permalink
George Richardson

William, that is Ms Pillousy and Mr. Harry Reek to you sir. They are Ms Pillowsme and Hairy Reach to me. Different strokes for different folks, 'cause we both love the 'Tavia.

Nov 12, 2010, 6:02pm Permalink

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