The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Cut, Cap, And Balance

Posted on | June 21, 2011 | 7 Comments

by Smitty

My own thoughts on fixing the fiscal mess are probably too radical for reality. The Cut, Cap, and Balance pledge looks like a place to begin.
Also important: trust building activities. Given that the government, as a whole, has completely expended all confidence in its veracity, the idea of a “Balanced Budget Amendment” sounds like YAFE: Yet Another Futile Exercise. Real control will be exerted by voters at the ballot box, eliminating incumbents until some notion of the seriousness of the electorate sinks into these creeps. The years it would take to ratify such a swell-sounding figleaf of an Amendment would be plenty of time for new feats of verbal gymnastics. The BBA would join Amendment X in the ‘honored in the breach’ club.
A more serious overture by the Government would be load-shedding useless Excecutive departments/agencies, e.g. Labor and HUD, for two examples among many. Also worth considering: paring back both the scope and the ability to tax of the Federal government.
Struggle on, ye patriots.

Update: government goober Geithner goes gaga over ‘responsibility’. Recommendation: first, acquire credibility. In Turbo Tax Timmy’s case, the first step would involve resignation. Step two would be an extended, sincere public apology. Then, a few years of silence. After that, some notion of responsibility may have come to him.

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Comments

  • Anonymous

    Smitty cutting is the only option,.

  • Joe

    Cutting is the only option and it has to start with entitlements.  Medicare and social security need a major overhaul.  The Bush prescription drug plan should be eliminated.  Obamacare has to completely go. 

    Then move on to cutting federal departments.  Keep the essentials needed for national security.  Cut the remaining federal workforce by 10-15% (at least).  That could be done easily.  National Parks should move toward a self sustaining model, with fees appropriately geared to cover costs.  Coast guard should be partially funded through boating licenses, etc.  I like NASA and the space program, but fund it in a manner that it is more partnered with private money and efforts.  Frankly that would make it more efficient than it currently is. 

    Defense could be cut.  I do not want to see it radically guted, but I think we should address it being more efficient. 

  • Buford

    We have built a disposable country. Our homes are cheaply built, our infrastructure is falling apart, our airports and railways are garbage. We need to drain the rich of most of their money and reinvest it. Who cares if they move? They’re not doing a damn bit of good for anybody anymore. The only jobs they make are for Chinese people. Is that radical enough?

  • Tennwriter

    I saw the trust-building exercises phrase and I think you’re exactly right.  We have to do something so that the American people have some justified faith that the R party is honorable, instead of desirous of no action, but plenty of talk.

    Starting with Planned Parenthood was good. Unfortunately, then we see the ‘leadership’ cave on this.

  • Anonymous

    Well, just maybe if we get the government out of the way they’ll have a reason to invest here. Not to mention some business certainty without having to worry about clueless bureaucrats screwing them over.

  • Anonymous

    Well, just maybe if we get the government out of the way they’ll have a reason to invest here. Not to mention some business certainty without having to worry about clueless bureaucrats screwing them over.

  • Anonymous

    The way or parts there of is being shown in the states such as Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin and here in NC.

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