The economy is in the tolet at the moment but it dosen't need to stay there. Common sence solutions discussed here! by Stephen Aiken
(libertarian)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Are we headed for a depression? Are we in a resections? I'm not an economist but I do know that the local economy isn't doing so well. Gasoline prices are going up, right now they are over $3.50 per gallon and dose not appear to be going down in price any time soon, according to AAA (as of May 24 2008) the average price of regular unleaded is currently $3.91 per gallon a year ago it was $ 3.16. Construction is also down, Real Estate market is down, in short the economy isn't very healthy at the moment, but it can be helped.
But how can the government help improve the local economy? Should the government create more welfare programs and put more money into the ones that they already have? Well, no because all this would do is cause higher taxes, more inflation and worsen the problem
Well the simplastic answer is to cut taxes and eliminate programs. But what taxes do you cut and what programs eliminate with out hurting essential programs? What are essential programs? As far as I'm concerned essential programs are those that protect life and property, and to educate the children example are; law enforcement department, fire department, schools, and welfare( provided on a short term emergency bases only), ok I know that other people think that parks and recreation and libraries are essential I disagree but for now lets leave that alone and focus on cutting idem's that won't negatively impact the service that most of us see and use on a daily bases. One area is that could be cut is the Sarasota Counties Grants-in-Aid program for FY 2008 total is $8,504,299 and in particular Planned Parenthood received $25,000.Sarasota Counties Grants-in-Aid for FY 2008 total is $8,504,299 and For example, for FY 2008, Planned Parenthood's agency operating budget is $7,239,694. The county funding of $25,000 equates to .35% of the budget. So it's quite obviously
that the county can elimite all of the funding for the Grants-in-Aid program and have ample money for the sheriff, schools and more.
But instead of of cutting the Grants-in Aid program the county commissioners cut the sheriffs budget and the schools budget. Ok, Grants-in-Aid is only one example of one of the more useless programs that can be elimite with doing harm to the essentials.
But what taxes and fees could they cut with out harming the essentials? Well let's start with impact fees and building permits. Did you know that if you wanted to build a 700 square foot house in Sarasota county you would pay about 7,400 in impact fees, $5,000 to hook up to water and sewer, and 1,200 in permits for a total of $13,600, and this before you even brake ground. Is it any wonder why the cost of housing in Sarasota County is so expensive? And of course, if you're going to pay over $13,000 more to buy the house that means that you will have to have a larger, and therefore a more expensive mortgage. And generally this leads to a higher degree of homelessness and poverty.
There are a lot more examples of what the local government could do to improve the economy if they truly wanted to.
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do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
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