I just read two articles, back to back, ironically enough. First the tax one: http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes/article/109012/us-sales-tax-rates-hit-record-high
This article, if you don't care to read it, is discussing communities where the local taxes are 12% REALLY? 12%...add that to your current federal taxes, and you could be pushing 45% or more! Not including property tax, of course.
I came away thinking that the government is really sucking away our livelihood as quickly as it can. Seemingly dissatisfied with the vacuum it is currently using, it is looking for a larger shop-vac variety that can suck just about any kind of monetary gain from your grasp, regardless of how tightly you hold.
I sat here thinking that there was no end in sight, as the federal government seems keen to spend not only our current money, but the money of our children, and perhaps their children as well. Is this REALLY their idea of a stimulus? I don't think i would even have batted an eye, except the government hasn't been able to keep itself within any kind of budget for 30 years now. Ironic that American populous are broke as well due to over spending.
The fact is, NO ENTITLEMENT program will ever ensure the welfare of the nation as a whole. People need to understand that it is their own responsibility to take care of themselves...it is not the government's responsibility. They don't know who I am...or what I need. What I need is for government to keep to themselves..provide me with basic protection, roads, and a clean environment.
I then read this article: http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes/article/108963/bring-back-the-robber-barons
This one talks about government trying to make sure everyone is the same. Same richness etc. That the government can run job growth and innovation is a folly. What we need is government to stand back and let people do what they do best..make money.
It irritates me that government feels that they need 40% or more of the average American's wages. Doesn't it irritate you? We're taxed on EVERYTHING...we have property tax, sales tax, income tax, Social security tax, medicare/cade tax, county taxes. Our businesses are taxed, and by simply hiring additional employees incurs additional taxes for them making their products more expensive to us...and less competitive in the marketplace.
Here's an idea...if you reduce corporate/business taxes by 50%, maybe they'll be able to hire new people and sell products abroad (see my rant on China). Of course, in order to reduce taxes...they'll need to do what? REDUCE SPENDING.
While many don't think so, i think such science institutions like NASA are necessary. Not just for the knowledge that space exploration brings, but for giving a reason to young people to aspire to become scientists. While these young people may not work in the space industry, the motivation that brought them to the science degree will find its way into other industries.
I'm not saying we need to get rid of government (the guys in black suburbans and suits may show up...) I'm saying that maybe we're not children and just maybe we can take care of ourselves if the government lets us do so.
The idea that social security is there to take care of people is the very reason that people aren't saving for retirement. While I personally have no hope for such a fall back to be in effect when I retire, many people do..and as such don't put aside any money for that day. If everyone knew that they were on their own...i'll bet a lot more people would be more inclined to save for that fateful day.
Besides, why force them? If they want to neglect saving for their future, it is their decision, not the governments. Human civilization has been around for many years now. Only recently has the idea of social programs like Social Security and the Medi's been around. While some may say that is progress, is it really? People have survived a very long time (as a culture) without these programs. Are we doing the right thing by forcing them on people?
If you give people a reason NOT to work, they won't. Just like any thing else. If you find a lion and decide it's working too hard for its food and you decide to feed it, it will certainly take the free meal. If you do that for a couple of years, the lion becomes dependent on you, and can no longer go get its own food. It has become fat, lazy and forgotten how to work. People are no different.
It's time government let us be. I'm not against paying my fair share of taxes. I'm a part of society, and i'm happy to do my part. What i'm not happy about is the immense waste that government is so good at. They toss around 100 billion like it is chump change. When they stop caring about how they spend their money, maybe it's a signal that they have too much, or they are burdening themselves with too much responsibility that should rest with the citizens themselves.
Are we children? Have we gotten to that point where we stand with our hands stretched out holding our tin bowl for the government to fill?
That disgusting bowl of gruel that we get from the government will cost as much to provide as a lavish feast that you would get if you didn't rely on a wasteful government to provide. The government does nothing on the cheap. They don't have the time or resources to check on prices, but YOU DO.
This is the reason government can't provide anything on the cheap. People talk with their wallets (in regards to what they buy), government buys whatever was lobbied for regardless of costs. They don't care, it isn't their money. When you have a rental car, do you treat it with the utmost in respect...moreso than you would your own car? Or do you have some fun with it...open it up a bit to see what it can do? Put your drink on the hood while looking for your keys. It isn't your car...so you just don't care. Same with government.
These people don't know whats best for you or I, and they certainly don't know the most cost-effective way to provide it. Why is it that we Americans are standing there with our tin bowls held out for the government to fill? We know that we have to pay for them. We know that socialism doesn't work, why is it that we're so intent on moving in that direction?
People, we need to take responsibility for ourselves. We're not children. We can handle that.
Disclaimer: This is just my rant. A moment of fuming over inefficiencies and waste. Being treated as though I can't care for myself. It is nothing deeper.
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