Dear Charlotte,
Today I voted for you. I voted to make it easier to recall corrupt officials. I voted for politicians that will do their best to ensure the world you grow up in is safe and secure. That our spending habits aren't burdened on you as a generation of debt. I voted for those who are honest about our situation and are up front about the need to raise taxes and reform public pensions. I hope you know I did it all for you and that others do the same.
Love,
Dad
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Dear Government
Dear Leaders of our country,
I know that most of you are busy during this election period but I would like to point out a few things and hear your feedback. Now I know that you won't actually respond, or most likely even read this, but it helps me vent some frustrations.
Our country is in a load of hurt right now and neither of your parties are to blame, or rather we are all to blame. We can not continue spending more than taxes allow us to take in; any accounting student can tell you this. For the past several decades deficit spending has sky-rocketed out of control. We're selling debt at an alarming rate to supplement the lifestyles that we have all become accustomed to. More to the point we're selling more debt then can be domestically purchased, which plainly states that we are asking other countries and individuals to pay for the programs and spending that you are putting into place. How long can we expect our world neighbors to continue this financing?
To start with you need to amend the tax laws. I am a strong proponent of globalization, in the long run the trend benefits all of us. With that said a corporate tax structure more akin to that of Germany, whereby corporations are taxed on a 2 tier basis depending if the profits are made on exported products versus domestic profits. It's really rather ingenious, this way a domestic company that produces overseas and sells domestically pays a higher rate than if the same good was made stateside. Conversely sales of goods abroad are taxed at a lower rate. This not only encourages domestic production but also spurs the desire to export products (helping the balance of payments).
Social programs are a benefit to the entire society, not just those on the receiving end. But these programs must have definitive goals set in place. We can not continue supplementing without and end in site. Fund unemployment and subsidized housing but build into it an agenda to make to help us self-sufficient. To this end get the charity organizations involved. Often they can do as good a job, if not better, at much lower rates since their members believe in the work they are doing.
Run government more like a business. End the idea that a government job is a job for life, elicit work reviews and promote/ reward those that do well and release those that don't. It would be a ludicrous proposal for a company to decide that every employee gets to stay on regardless of their efficiency at their position.
Entice the public to donate to these causes. Currently such contributions are tax deductible, I would suggest rewarding large amounts of giving (as a percentage of your income) with an extra deduction. I.E. if one donates $1000 that they get to write off $1100, this 10% is an arbitrary number that I use for the example but the idea is sound. Doing so could relieve the strain from the Federal Government while allowing those with strong convictions to fund the social programs they champion.
Encourage immigration. Immigrants built this country and to many around the world we are still a beacon of hope for a better life. Let them come and have a chance. Place limitations on the exportation of wages if need be, but by preventing these workers we only place ourselves at a greater disadvantage. The current H1-B visa lottery system results in a brain drain from domestic companies. Failure to spur the innovation that comes along with these new residents results in the loss of our superiority in many high-tech fields.
Stop the pork barrel spending and special projects. Remember while you do represent your constituency you also represent every American citizen. A project tailored to garner you votes back home could severely hurt the rest of the country.
In short start making difficult decisions, the unpopular choices that the majority of us won't agree with. You weren't elected to be yes men to us. You're there to lead, inspire, and guide us. This will be your true legacies, not how many terms of office you served.
I know that most of you are busy during this election period but I would like to point out a few things and hear your feedback. Now I know that you won't actually respond, or most likely even read this, but it helps me vent some frustrations.
Our country is in a load of hurt right now and neither of your parties are to blame, or rather we are all to blame. We can not continue spending more than taxes allow us to take in; any accounting student can tell you this. For the past several decades deficit spending has sky-rocketed out of control. We're selling debt at an alarming rate to supplement the lifestyles that we have all become accustomed to. More to the point we're selling more debt then can be domestically purchased, which plainly states that we are asking other countries and individuals to pay for the programs and spending that you are putting into place. How long can we expect our world neighbors to continue this financing?
To start with you need to amend the tax laws. I am a strong proponent of globalization, in the long run the trend benefits all of us. With that said a corporate tax structure more akin to that of Germany, whereby corporations are taxed on a 2 tier basis depending if the profits are made on exported products versus domestic profits. It's really rather ingenious, this way a domestic company that produces overseas and sells domestically pays a higher rate than if the same good was made stateside. Conversely sales of goods abroad are taxed at a lower rate. This not only encourages domestic production but also spurs the desire to export products (helping the balance of payments).
Social programs are a benefit to the entire society, not just those on the receiving end. But these programs must have definitive goals set in place. We can not continue supplementing without and end in site. Fund unemployment and subsidized housing but build into it an agenda to make to help us self-sufficient. To this end get the charity organizations involved. Often they can do as good a job, if not better, at much lower rates since their members believe in the work they are doing.
Run government more like a business. End the idea that a government job is a job for life, elicit work reviews and promote/ reward those that do well and release those that don't. It would be a ludicrous proposal for a company to decide that every employee gets to stay on regardless of their efficiency at their position.
Entice the public to donate to these causes. Currently such contributions are tax deductible, I would suggest rewarding large amounts of giving (as a percentage of your income) with an extra deduction. I.E. if one donates $1000 that they get to write off $1100, this 10% is an arbitrary number that I use for the example but the idea is sound. Doing so could relieve the strain from the Federal Government while allowing those with strong convictions to fund the social programs they champion.
Encourage immigration. Immigrants built this country and to many around the world we are still a beacon of hope for a better life. Let them come and have a chance. Place limitations on the exportation of wages if need be, but by preventing these workers we only place ourselves at a greater disadvantage. The current H1-B visa lottery system results in a brain drain from domestic companies. Failure to spur the innovation that comes along with these new residents results in the loss of our superiority in many high-tech fields.
Stop the pork barrel spending and special projects. Remember while you do represent your constituency you also represent every American citizen. A project tailored to garner you votes back home could severely hurt the rest of the country.
In short start making difficult decisions, the unpopular choices that the majority of us won't agree with. You weren't elected to be yes men to us. You're there to lead, inspire, and guide us. This will be your true legacies, not how many terms of office you served.
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