The Deficit Wipe Out!

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The above headline might be enough to turn off any ViewPoint reader - and that is understandable. But before you go, consider this. The topic selected today is probably the most important government action affecting citizens of this great country in many decades. So, stay with us for five minutes, read it carefully, and we promise that you will agree that ViewPoint has the audacity to present a plan for monetary solvency never even whispered by our leaders in the Congress.

Start with a premise that is too obvious to discuss. Government depends on a single source of funds to exist. That source is the taxes you pay. Chances are you do not even fully understand how and why the brackets were established, or, how much is collected from individuals, corporations, small businesses, and a variety of fees applied to so many activities that eat away at your income.

Now, as we write this blog, the battle is on in Congress and at the White House, and the media attempts to interpret and explain the pros and cons of the debate, instead provides the widest yawn possible by the citizens who are affected. So, we have the premise that government must tax the people and businesses and the inevitable result is a general distaste for taxes, any taxes, always too much goes to government - Federal, State, and Local.

Next comes the Budget. With cries of anguish, a sense of agreement is creeping into the reality of the problem. We can no longer live on a third premise that we can spend more than we take in! Amazing conclusion. Let's begin to cut - cut programs - cancel planned forays into new directions, like high speed rail lines, revamped infra structure, return of manufacturing to the USA, etc., etc.

And, finally there's the Deficit! How in the world can we reduce, then eliminate the Deficit? And, patient readers, the answer is right here, so obvious it boggles the mind that Congress fails to see it!

RAISE TAXES! Increditable. A sure way to bring the House down, and the Senate! Every seat in both houses will be up ​for grabs the next election.

It has been the mantra of our leaders for every election: "No new taxes!" A sop to the voting citizenry. And when the election circus has died down, the Bugeteers begin to draft one more massive document that predicts a balanced budget. Even though, without new revenues, it is patently not going to work - and the Deficit shall grow! 

It is time to face the elementary facts of fiscal life. We must balance the Buget. We must reduce the Deficit. We can, must raise taxes - across the board! The White House espouses a belief that we are all in this together and it behooves all to pitch in with support of the coming cuts! HA! If that were true, we could raise taxes more readily and actually begin to see the Deficit melt away! 

Granted, it would take an act of political courage not seen since WWII to even open a debate on a tax increase. But is it political suicide? Was the "Tea Party" a logical and doable use of political power to effect changes in Washington? Can our leaders get on board and 'sell' the country on the tremendous future for all when we are paying our way into prosperity? 

ViewPoint says it can be done. Just as we see the unbelievable changes taking place in Africa - political power taking to the streets, old fashioned dictators fleeing, backs to the wall, young citizens with new ideas and the guts to demand change - all unheard of just months ago!

If Facebook can dazzle the communications world with one young team of activists, and Twitter can follow suit for no good reason at all, let the citizens of this America rise and promote the concept that a prosperous and healthy America can withstand a contribution in the form of a tax inrease that will drive unemployment down, bring new ventures into being, opening a brave new world, once again making this country the 21st Century leader.

Talk it up. Discuss it. Ask your Washington representatives if they would open their eyes and minds to a solution to fiscal solvency. Make it clear - TAXES is not a dirty word!

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Richard Carlton

​March 3, 2011

Issue No. 5

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