Is it just me, or has our government been repeating the same ideas around with different terminology?? In my honest opinion, people become indifferent and unconcerned with politics because it is so often the same ideas being said and same results (or lack of results) taking place. People never want to partake in something with little to no effective and substantial results. So before I go on with what I feel are just a very few fresh ideas that could serve as effective programs or legislation, I'd like to state that they are in fact, just IDEAS. I haven't done much research to know the specific details on things like costs and political maneuvering. Remember Folks, Mere Ideas; but it is ideas themselves that make innovation and renewal possible.
Universal Secondary Education/Vocation Fund
- We're no longer the only superpower nation with a strong and healthy economy.. We need to invest not just in the sustainability of our economy, but in the future and careers of our citizens right here at home. I don't believe in any more involuntary taxes for small businesses, corporations or the private American taxpayer. However, why not make a program where the taxpayer chooses by their own free will to allocate a small portion of their income towards college funds for their children? In addition to the money that's being saved, why not let the govt set up a program that gives an accrual of interest to encourage the parents to set up the college funds in the first place?
Further incentives for teachers and skilled workers to work in U.S.
- We just don't have enough teachers, engineers, nurses, mathematicians and other skilled workers. The reason for this is because gradually over time, it's become more and more difficult to sustain a family and comfortable lifestyle in the United States; on top of my advocating for more tax breaks, why don't we give further incentives for students in our universities who agree to stay in the United States to practice their careers?
Constitutional Amendment to keep balanced budget
- A trillion dollars, Obama? Really? Time to keep our presidents and congresses in check.
Increasing Dropout age to 18
- You can't buy over the counter drugs or get a tattoo unless you're 18; but you can drop out of high school at 16?? Think about that, folks.
Funding Adult Stem Cell Research
- Apparently this field has promises for the future in biotechnology so in order to avoid controversy from both sides, let's go with what's far less intrusive; adult stem cell research where adults donate their stem cells without the controversial usage of conception.
Legalize Marijuana
- Decriminalize it. Legalize it. Regulate it. Tax it.
Get rid of the IRS
- We did fine without it in the past; we'll be fine without it now. Hundreds of billions of dollars of waste.
Let Congress take responsibility of coin minting
- Take that privilege from the Federal Reserve and give congress back it's responsibility to mint our currency themselves and not to a conglomerate private central bank.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
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David,
ReplyDeleteSince you are in favor of eliminating the IRS and removing the power to coin money from the Federal Reserve, are you in favor of abolishing the Federal Reserve System, the 16th Amendment—and thereby the income tax—altogether?
Regarding the marijuana and dropout issues: are you proposing this legislation be enacted at the local, state, or federal level? If at the state or federal levels, can you cite where these levels of government derive their authority to regulate on such matters?
Thanks,
~CC
CC, I am in favor of abolishing the federal reserve system; especially at it's form today because unfortunately, the federal reserve system we have in place doesn't adequately provide for a healthy economy. Unlike other departments and entitlement programs, the federal reserve is not audited by federal regulators and its operations are not transparent and clear to the public. I am in favor of abolishing the 16th amendment because correct me if I'm wrong, it was never ratified by 3/4th of the states; If it has been, I haven't seen or read anything that said it has. I have no confidence in the effectiveness of the IRS in terms of what it's intended and designed to do.Granted, it collects taxes but at the expense of billions of taxpayer dollars. Now as far as the income tax, I'm not sure we need an income tax to fund our country's programs and needs but in contrast, we do need taxes for adequate funding. Last thing our citizens need is to have to worry about more taxes being taken out of their paychecks. We're in bad shape and more expenses aren't going to solve the problem. So am I in favor of abolishing the income tax; Yes, but to be quite honest, I don't know the numbers associated with it towards the budget.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of marijuana legalization, state governments are already taking steps forward towards decriminalization; a step in the right direction. I think the level of state governments can serve much better for their individual states than a federal government. Although congress can take actions, realistically I see the marijuana debates happening in the state capitols more so than in D.C. So can the federal government intervene through legislation in congress; yes. Can state supreme courts or the U.S. supreme court take a case that upholds an individual's right to smoke marijuana so long as they don't harm others in the process; unlikely but they have that power; albeit a very small chance of that happening. Again, I see the marijuana debate more appropriate for the state setting.
Just a simple minded perspective- I hope this doesn't offend you or that you don't take it as a challenge or form of insult to your intelligence. First and foremost, thank you for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your Universal Secondary Education/Vocation Fund I agree that we need to focus on the sustainability of our economy, but that is exactly why the forced taxes which allocate parents' money to a child college fund are a great investment. Education is the key to success and ultimately revenue-right- so why not require instead of strongly encouraging parent's to do the responsible thing by putting aside money for their child’s education. The fact of the matter is while individuals deserve the right to choose how they spend their money, history shows time and time again, how we as citizens fail to understand the importance of those very civil liberties- perfect example- look at voting, our government doesn't force people to vote and give an opinion, and as a result, no one votes! You can't hold individuals responsible for choosing to save money- because they won't! Our economy is in the devastated state it's in because people clearly can't make responsible financial decisions for themselves. Therefore, I kind of feel that we can't leave such an important responsibility rest on the shoulders of a careless and disillusioned people.
As for further incentives for teachers and skilled workers to work in U.S.I agree we don’t have enough workers and many are forced to go overseas or abroad to maintain a more lavish lifestyle- but isn’t that just it… people are really too obsessed with the monetary acquisitions when choosing a profession which is why they so readily abandon the country that equips the worker with all the necessary tools for success. Why not think about giving back. I understand, you have a family to provide for, but also a community to repay, if everyone has the mentality to abandon the country that has reared them in whatever fashion- that country will never advance. People should consider not focusing so much on the money- but rather should seek the integrity and satisfaction of working to better the reputation of an occupation in one of the world’s leading countries.
As for Constitutional Amendment to keep balanced budget Ok, so what’s your plan. It’s easy to criticize, but what is your “new” and “innovative” idea?
Increasing Dropout age to 18 I do think something needs to be said about allowing our children to give up on education at such a young age- but pragmatically speaking- what differences does 2 years make? I mean in 2 years the life circumstance of these teens probably won’t change, if they’re not motivated at 16 they’re probably not going to be motivated at 18. This is interesting coming from a conservative to increase the dropout rates- wouldn’t you favor saving the governments money on children who are willing and want to learn as opposed to wasting it on students who don’t care. I don’t know about you but I can’t even afford to pay for school as it is. Any extra money the government can save and redistribute to those in need and those who want to learn- by all means… do it.
Funding Adult Stem Cell Research its like abortion just because they donate the stem cells (or just because someone has the right chooses to rid themselves of the child) doesn’t mean its right. Those stem cells yes are important to research and scientific advancement, but by gone it those can be potential lives. I don’t know I guess I’m torn on the issue people can be helped but at the expense of a life. Either way- someone looses, someone really needing the cell or another who lost a chance at life. In the end God is the author and Creator and if He intended the egg or life to result in life or at the stem of some research project then that’s the way he intended it. Je ne Sais pas.
Legalize Marijuana I conquer.
All the other issues- I a) know nothing of, and b) don’t’ really care.
Christie J, thank you for your comments and feedback. Now, the reason I would want to make a program which creates an incentive for parents to save money in a distinct secondary education fund and not require them to is because 1. We would want to make sure their input into the fund is proportionate and specific to their children
ReplyDelete2. The government is not in a position to determine what citizens do; the constitution makes it so that each American can determine for themselves their pursuit of happiness. Frankly, college and/or vocational school may not be that path.
You mentioned voting being one of the liberties we don't use as a people and I agree; more people should come out and vote. There are many reasons why many citizens don't want to vote and I feel the reasons for this are typically understandable. Maybe we should focus though, on giving them enough confidence in our system to come to the voting booths themselves as opposed to coercing them to. It just reminds me of the saying that you can bring the horse to the waterhole but you can't force them to drink. Call me overly optimistic, but I can't agree with you on the belief that our country is a careless and disillusioned one; it's just that our priorities within the government system are out of wack and the people have become indifferent to policymaking out of lack of confidence.
In regards to the amendment for a balanced budget, my idea is just that; a constitutional amendment that requires congress to maintain a balanced budget every fiscal year and does not allow them to spend money our economy does not have. Nothing too complicated with that idea, I don't think.
In terms of raising the age to 18, I do believe it would make all the difference for many students. At 16, most students are in 9th or 10th grade; 2 or 3 years from graduating. Had the age been 18, this would give the student much less leeway in dropping out.
Lastly, adult stem research does not require creating life to end life; it is found in our bodies already and can take the shape of many forms of cells; according to research.
You realize that by making the parent’s input to their child’s educational fund something that is not required does make the fund proportionate to what they can handle and what is feasible for them, however, nevertheless there maintains a disproportionate number of families who still can’t afford to save enough money for their children’s educational pursuits. If my parents have a choice whether to save for me or not, saving money depends on their current financial situation or predicament, when things get tough, the last thing they’ll remember to do is to voluntarily put money aside for Christie’s future, it’s not pressing and not urgent enough therefore it’ll be overlooked. And honestly, it’s not that they don’t value it or don’t care as much as the next parent- they simply have more pressing concerns to worry about like a mortgage. That’s reality-for a lot of American families, especially the ones who live paycheck to paycheck. Ideally yes everyone wants to be able to have the option of putting money aside, but pragmatically, especially under current financial difficulties, who has the luxury of actually being able to do that?? In the end, Julia’s family saved more than mine was able to therefore Julia has a better shot at an education than Christie does. Do you see the way the cycle continues? Now, by having a base rate or amount at which every family saves, at least we know that Julia and Christie both had X amount of money at their disposal to begin with and whatever happens happens- it makes the pursuit of education something that’s a little more fair and a system that doesn’t favor the privileged and silver-spooned. I mean you have a good idea, but in practice, I believe it defeats the purpose in making education more attainable for the majority (if that was even your purpose to begin with) because the way I see it, even with your new system in place, only a small minority can really afford the pricey and rising cost of education.
ReplyDelete“The government is NOT in a position to determine what citizens do; the constitution DOES makes it so that each American can determine for themselves their pursuit of happiness” you’re right, and maybe college isn’t the path for everyone, but shouldn’t they be able to even get a chance to attain it? The government doesn’t force people to have health, dental, and car insurance either. But when things hit the fan, who looses more, the government or the citizens? Doesn’t this seem like a sort of coercion to buy health insurance or car insurance, because we know once something happens, we may not be able to afford the costs of an emergency. By not requiring us to save for college, already a certain amount of kids miss out on the chance to better themselves and work their way up in society- and call me crazy but that sounds like people being stripped of the opportunity of the “pursuit of..well anything” really!
“People have become indifferent to policymaking out of lack of confidence” sounds like a very disillusioned statement to me. People have lost faith in the system, so they don’t go out and vote, people are losing faith in the system of higher learning, hence their support or efforts towards education will dwindle as well… The moment people lose faith, that’s the moment they become careless, because without a faith or a hope, who will put in the effort to care and work towards a solution. Maybe we define the words care and disillusion differently, but I’m sticking by the idea that American people have lost faith and they just don’t care. If we did care, we would have long since cracked down on drugs, crime, and the social problems that are befuddling our nation. Look at the last election, Obama won on a one word slogan HOPE, he as well as the American people who chose him are searching for that hope that will mobilize a care, a care that will create a stimulate plans to revamp our failing nation.
ReplyDeleteON the economy, when levies break and cities go up in flames due to forest fires, or other unpredictable things happens, where the government needs to come in and bail people out- what happens? When big businesses screw over the general population again, what happens- when wall street comes crashing down what next? The point is we have crises everyday, that require money, and yes we spend what we don’t have, but can we really help it. Show me a plan where we get rid of unnecessary costs we don’t need, then I’ll hop on your bandwagon with the budget stuff, I think our economy is in shambles and any plan anything that keeps us afloat is something to consider- which is why I said before bashing someone’s idea without a realistic one yourself is unproductive, Criticism is only constructive when it comes with recommendation, not what people want and think they should see. I just can’t see your idea materializing.
Being close to graduating is what you think will motivate students to stay in school? You’re like an idealist. The world doesn’t think like that David! Especially not 16 years olds who want to get out of school and do nothing with their lives. Ok say they graduate, then do what?? Go to college? Really! Yeah you know since mom and dad (that even if they have stable families-which we both know these kids probably do not) have been saving money for school, let’s go off to school! It doesn’t work that way. These students have economical, social, and even intellectual obstacles causing them to not and not want to graduate. Most come from impoverished families, and crap education systems which would make getting into school another nightmare that honestly they rather not deal with- so why graduate high school? What’s their motive? What are their incentives and their drives? If these student’s feel their gonna end up in the same dead end job or life or whatever they thought, 2 years does not make a difference. :/
Christie J, Your post was incredibly long, so I'll do my best to crunch my response in a decent sized post.
ReplyDelete1. We as Americans, cannot afford anymore government-mandated taxes and fees; enough of us are filing for bankruptcy and foreclosure as it is. The reason why I would support a government-sponsored program that matches a college fund savings is because it sends the message that our government will not do what we are to do for ourselves while at the same time, encourage a college savings fund. I would even go so far as to support a loan system that guarantees all high school graduates subsidized loans upon being accepted to their secondary education.
Now in terms of what you said about unfounded criticism, I offered different Ideas; that's what my whole post was about. Maybe they weren't ideas you wanted to hear, but they're there.
I don't know about you, but I was a much different person when I was 16 than I was when I was 18; priorities and values change dramatically among ourselves in that time period. So you might ask what the two year extension would do. I'd say that it would make ALL the difference due to 1, different mindsets concerning their own futures and 2, if they're forced to stay an extra 2 years, they'd more than likely want to just finish it off. In conclusion, at 16, you can't buy cigarettes, get a tattoo/piercing, drive without an adult, take out a loan or many many many other things in our society.. but you can drop out of your educational career??? You can be the most pessimistic person in the world, but there's no denying that our values concerning education are out of wack.
P.S.
LOL at "hope".
I'll try to be brief next time.
ReplyDelete