A Personal Blog

Forewarning: be prepared for political rant

How did the US government get into its current fiscal crisis? It seems simple to me. The US government is, and has been generally, run as a two party system. Though political goals and monetary policy are a complex process beyond the average citizen’s concern (and mine), the basic financial policy of these two parties has been consistent since the 1930s.

Democrats want generally to spend more, particularly on social services such as public services, social security, and medicare. This money is the basis of the public sector of the economy, which employs more than 10% of the US. They are comfortable with taxation of the populace, especially including bracketed taxation with higher taxes to the rich, to support these programs.

Republicans want generally want to limit spending, and support tax policies that allow more economic activity to happen in the private sector. Spurring the private economic activity is a policy of reduction of taxes to businesses and individuals, giving them more money to spend on business, resulting in a stronger and more competitive economy.

Neither of these policies are inherently wrong. They both support money changing hands and history shows both can support and drive a strong economy. Neither of these political groups want to bankrupt the country or limit fundamental American freedoms (well, other than Democrats wanting to limit gun ownership, and Republicans wanting to limit a women’s right to choose, of which I support neither policy).

The Problem is that in recent memory the compromise has generally been, the Democrats get to spend, and the Republicans have kept Taxes low. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that all spending and no revenue leads to a negative balance. Businesses are not allowed to be run this way, and both small businesses owners and large corporation leaders are liable for keeping a viable business if they want to continue running them. Our government should realize they are all a part of a board running one business, and they are just as liable. If they do not, then the business (US government) will face the consequences.

Compromise requires both groups to regress on their policies. To return our government budget to the black should require both sides to make changes to their respective policies. Democrats should make adjustments to their spending policies. The economy cannot depend solely on public spending, and current spending should be reduced, NOW. Figure it out, get rid of the services that are no longer essential, we as citizens will learn to live without. This very well includes figuring out how to reduce spending on medicare or social security, despite the outcries from the people receiving that money, which I have no doubt will include both Republican and Democrat constituents. Just as importantly, Republicans must absolutely accept tax increases that will help balance the budget. You do us no good by borrowing today what the american populace will have to pay double tomorrow. As Americans, we must realize that every dollar spent is a dollar that will be taken from our paycheck, whether its one dollar today, or two tomorrow.

Personally, i doubt that our government will be able to work together in a manner to do this, and it is likely the artificial limit of the debt limit will be increased. In my opinion this is unacceptable. As citizens, all I can do is ask you to track who your leaders are today, ask why they didn’t do more towards solving this problem, and get every one of them out of office until we have a government that is willing to work together, that will pursue responsible monetary policy, and maybe even lead this government in an honest and open manner. Probably too much to ask…

Too long; didn’t read? -Democrats spend and tax, Republicans want no spend, no tax. For many years compromise has been to spend and not tax. To balance the budget, a new compromise must consist of not spending, and increased taxing. This will be essential if our government wants to continue to be viable. So get your shit together Washington.

My analysis and understanding too simple? outright wrong? feel free to tell me