Nearly 80 percent of Americans say they can't trust Washington and they have little faith that the massive federal bureaucracy can solve the nation's ills. This anti-government feeling has driven the tea party movement. A smaller government will not solve our problems. Nothing will change until we change the way government works. by John Kozy
(liberal)
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Hens that lay cracked eggs can't fix them.
Adam Smith in Book V, Chapter II, Part II of the Wealth of Nations has an interesting discussion on taxation in which he traces money back to its original sources to show who really pays. He shows that the real payer and the nominal payer are often not the same. The interesting thing about these passages is that the method can be used in all sorts of ways that have nothing to do with taxation.
For instance, consider what you really pay for when you purchase something. You pay for the product, of course, but you also pay for a lot more. You are led to believe, for example, that there is something called "free" television, television whose programming is paid for by advertisers. But where do the advertisers get the money they spend on advertising? It comes from the people who buy their products. Consumers are the ones who really pay for this "free" television, not the companies doing the advertising. The viewers of "free" television who buy the products advertised are paying for the programming, and the programming is not free. What's worse, even if you don't want to watch the ads you've paid for, you have to.
But advertising is not the worst example. The buyers of products also pay for the political ads companies run in support of candidates. Those buyers may not want to support those candidates, and the candidates supported by companies may not even have the interests of consumers at heart.
Companies also "donate" funds to candidates and spend huge amounts lobbying elected officials for favorable legislation. These companies get the money they spend on these activities from the people who buy their products too. So consumers, even when they don't support these politicians, end up paying for their campaigns. And when companies spend money lobbying the Congress to keep it from enacting effective consumer protective and other worthwhile legislation, consumers are paying for the lobbying that is not in their interest. Many believe that corporate America has corrupted the electoral process by buying politicians in these ways. If that's true, corporate America is using your money to do the corrupting. People, you're paying for your own nooses.
Nearly 80 percent of Americans say they can't trust Washington and they have little faith that the massive federal bureaucracy can solve the nation's ills. "This anti-government feeling has driven the tea party movement. . . . 'The government's been lying to people for years. Politicians make promises to get elected, and when they get elected, they don't follow through. . . . It was a problem before Obama, but he's certainly not helping fix it.'"
Many say they want a smaller government. But why does anyone believe a smaller government will help? Suppose you knew someone who fancied her/himself to be an excellent pizza chef but made pizzas that were so bad, people gagged when trying to eat them. Would the pizzas be any better if the chef made them smaller?
When the big government you disapprove of starts cutting programs, it may not cut the ones you want cut. If government can't be trusted now, why would you trust it to make the right cuts? What you might end up with could be worse than what you have. The point is that bad government can't be fixed by making it smaller. The only real fix is making government good, by making it a government of the people, by the people, and FOR the people.
So here's some advice for the Tea Party: One, stop complaining about the taxes you pay and start complaining—no, raise hell!—about the taxes the rich don't pay. Two, stop complaining about high prices and start complaining about corporate America's spending the money gotten by those prices to influence government. Three, stop complaining about politicians who lie and can't be trusted and start voting them out of office—Republican, Democratic, whatever. Start a campaign to oust all incumbents whether you like the one who represents you or not. The Congress won't pay any attention until the people demonstrate who the Congress really works for, and there's no way to do that without sweeping the whole house clean. When politicians attend your rallies and tell you how much they agree with you, remember that politicians lie to get elected. Show your representatives that the money that's yours that corporations spend to influence congressmen and get them elected won't do them any good. And finally, stop bringing up old, trite, and tiresome claims that have been heard for a least a century. They didn't work then and they won't work now. Try something new like, "Vote the rascals out—every last one!" That will get their attention. Nothing will change until WE the people change the way government works.
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Posted By: Ross Williams
Date: 2010-04-27 09:49:57
One, stop complaining about the taxes you pay and start complaining—no, raise hell!—about the taxes the rich don't pay.
?? Which are the taxes the rich don't pay? I can name you several the poor don't pay, but I can't name one that the poor pay that the rich don't - and with only one exception, in fa-a-ar greater abundance.
That one? FICA. It's the definition of a regressive tax disproportionately affecting the bottom end of the income scale. So take off the income cap.
Please clarify what you mean "taxes the rich don't pay". I personally believe you mean "taxes the rich don't pay more of", but that's my cynicism coming out.
Two, stop complaining about high prices and start complaining about corporate America's spending the money gotten by those prices to influence government.
...by ... purchasing political ads? and making compaign contributions?
As a consumer sick to death of them, I'd agree. But then I'd want the same applied to their political equal-n-opposite - unions and the like. Both are repulsive. Level playing field.
As a libertarian though, the playing field has to not only be level, but also consistent with the wording of the Constitution. There's nothing in the Constitution which specifically says that collective entities don't get to exercise Free Speech®, and until there is both idiot unions and one-issue wonders like "truth.org" and big business both get to buy political ad time and donate to candidates.
Three, stop complaining about politicians who lie and can't be trusted and start voting them out of office
I believe you're going to find a bunch of incumbents cleaning out their offices this fall. Mostly Ds, because health "care" "reform" was done despite the will of the voters. Rs are going to replace them. Yes, it's a frying-pan/fire situation, but until libertarians get off their ideological navel-gazing bent, that's what we're going to have.
"Many say they want a smaller government. But why does anyone believe a smaller government will help? Suppose you knew someone who fancied her/himself to be an excellent pizza chef but made pizzas that were so bad, people gagged when trying to eat them. Would the pizzas be any better if the chef made them smaller?"
You analogy is inconclusive and makes absolutely no sense.
For those of us who want smaller government we want to be able to keep our individualism without government intrusion. We want minimal spending as stated in our Constitution, and we want our government to be accountable to the citizens of the United States. More government in your life equates to less liberty to the citizens of this country.
I believe most Americans are fully aware how money is recycled, but the impression I get from your thoughts is that big businesses is bad business. I'm not an economist, but it doesn't take a common sense person to realize that in order for businesses to be successful, it takes profitable money, equating to jobs for those of us who believe in the American dream. The government does not produce for profit, but consumes . I believe they are the only entity, including at the state and local level, that spends other people money without a concious effort. Unfortunately, without due diligence and due care. I, working as a contractor for our government have seen the waste that goes around and without any care. It's amazing how many jobs they are creating and for what?
Finally, the Tea Party goers have a right to be upset when you see the unsustainable debt that our country is carrying. Who do you think is going to pay for that? Are you willing to give up 40-50% of your paycheck for the government in paying for other entitlements that really doesn't affect you? Don't miscontrue about my righteous feelings, I'm not against in helping those in most need - but time and time again there are many non profit groups/organization out there that do an excellent job to help those in most need. Guess what, where do you think they get the money from, businesses!
It's my impression that most Liberals are envious of those who make it, but some don't have any qualms within their own who makes so much money. It's amazing when you see the famous figures who speak so against businesses, but have their pockets lined with their money.
Posted By: Benjamin David Steele
Date: 2010-11-08 21:52:39
"The point is that bad government can't be fixed by making it smaller. The only real fix is making government good, by making it a government of the people, by the people, and FOR the people."
That is so very true. A small government can be a fascist state, a feudal city-state, a theocracy, a dictatorships, a monarchy. Et Cetera. There is nothing inherently good about small. Would a person feel better if their town was run by small mafias and gangs or by a cabal of local businessmen instead of a large federal government? If so, such countries exist where one can move to.
The real problem is twofold. If there is a culture of corruption and concentrated power and wealth, then any political system will become corrupted by concentrated power and wealth. If the political system isn't democratic, then a healthy culture will continually be undermined. So, there needs to be both a culture and a political system that combined create a healthy society.
