I agree with you that our national debt is out of control and that action needs to be taken very quickly. Since Reagan’s presidency the nation’s debt has been skyrocketing. The upward trend slowed some due to the Clinton Administration but has increased at an alarming rate since Bush came into office. The money the government spends comes from our taxes and when that’s not enough they borrow money from the people through savings bonds and such, praying that everyone doesn’t decide to cash in at once. Americans are in debt, mostly, to the government and the American government is in debt, mostly, to Americans. Can anyone say nightmare?
I agree that the government should stop spending (wasting) so much money on nationwide programs but I disagree on the tax cut issue. Our taxes are outrageous, period. When taxes get to be so high it discourages Americans from working hard because they don’t get to keep any of their money. Poor people already don’t contribute that much to the economy, and when middle class Americans are being taxed anywhere from a fourth to a third of their income, they don’t contribute much to the economy either. Lowering taxes makes people work harder and produce more EVERY time. The government would actually be getting the same amount of money. Lets say John Smith makes $100,000 a year and is in the 28% tax bracket. If his taxes were lowered to 25% he would work harder knowing he’ll get to keep 3% more of his money and may make $112,000 the next year. The government still gets $28,000 and John Smith keeps more of his hard earned money. He has an extra $12,000 in his budget to promote the American economy! Magical, I know.
As for national government programs, that’s not what the government is for. The government’s purpose is to protect, and defend its people, to regulate commerce, and to secure individual rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution. I think that specific programs should be made and funded by the state and local governments, to personalize them. The national government should especially steer clear of education and health programs. Its not that their help isn’t appreciated, its that it shouldn’t be their responsibility. They need to let the people take care of themselves to create a nation with strength not a bunch of dependent, lethargic citizens.
Our debt can be corrected, but it has to start with Americans realizing that deficit spending is STUPID. We’ve been made to think its ok to the point where we are completely desensitized to the damage that credit cards, and loans, and advances on paychecks create. Yes these things are certainly necessary at times and very convenient but in small amounts, please. To be in debt is to lose one’s freedom!
