Mark,

This is one of the MOST AWESOME pieces on taxation, debt, borrowing, economic systems, etc that I have ever read.

I fail to understand why it is not so obvious to everyone that the socialist big government model is wholly unsustainable. Then again, liberals think with the emotional side of their brain, not the side that analyzes problems holistically and logically.

Thanks! Keep up the fight!

Actually, taxes DO create jobs...but only for "Tax Agency" fat-cat bureaucrats.

Obama and his band of crooks should be tried for treason. He has made it a point to go against everything the constitution stands for. Of course that waw his agenda from the start yet America still hasn't woke up yet.

Excellent article. It certainly stamps this corrupt and illegal regime for what it is - socialist fascists bent on detroying America. Obama belongs in jail. Pray that this happens quickly.

Jim H.

Your ignorance is on full display with your Bush hating comments. I won't deny that hedge fund managers don't contribute much, if anything to the real economy. However, that is hardly evidence that trickle down economics is not sound theory.

What would you prefer? The current course charted by the liberals has everyone working for the government in the not so distant future. Where will people's salaries come from then? You cannot just print money to pay the workers and pretend that you have a vibrant economy and sound fiscal policy. What will we have for a standard of living then? Slavery, anyone?

We should only tax at the Federal level to have a military to support and defend this country. Taxes for other items should be at the state level and controlled there.

As Jefferson put it, "Excessive taxation ... will carry reason and reflection to every man's door, and particularly in the hour of election.

This is only true if everyone has some skin in the game. With almost 50% of the people paying nothing, or getting refunds with no payment of taxes, it has less and less effect. These people are looters, period. Who is John Gault?

The only way to create a fair tax system is for ALL citizens to pay the exact same tax rate and remove all tax exempt opportunities (flat tax). If we made it 10%, then a person who earns $1,000,000 would pay $100,000 in taxes whereas a person who earns $50,000 would pay $5,000. All citizens should pay taxes or not vote - if those who don't pay taxes are allowed to determine how to spend money they didn't contribute, well, that's where we are at now, isn't it?

A note on government entitlements (obligatory charity). These are not only un-Constitutional, but immorale. Americans, as a people, are the most charitable on the Earth and I give as much as I can for those less fortunate. However, what if I desire not to be charitable? There is nothing wrong with that. To tax me and use those funds for charity means that if I desire not to be charitable, then I go to jail. That is not charity, but rather tyranny. Our forefathers would not believe we are free in our current situation and I am glad they aren't alive to have their hearts broken.

If the stimulus actually worked why is unemployment up to 99 weeks, 5 weeks short of 2 years?

Jim H. You are obviously under the mistaken idea that once people hit a certain income level they no longer earn thier income. Yet it is OK for the government to loot these people paychecks to redistribute to those who have not prepared themselve to earn this kind on income. It is the peoples money, not the government, if you feel so strongly, might I suggest that you give away 60%-75% of your income and leave the rest of us alone!

Regarding Jim H.

There's two sides to every story, isn't there? I know the truth lies somewhere in between, but I'm not sure where. I do know this, if we could focus on morals, choosing between right and wrong, and being thankful to our Creator for bestowing this freedom and liberty upon us, we would solve all our problems. Corruption is evil in all of its forms.

Typically, this is how I see American politics:

Rich (Big Corporate America) = Republican

Poor ("workers") = Democrat

When big corporations get greedy and power hungry (Henry Ford), they control, abuse, hoard, cheat, and exploit their workers. Then, the "workers" unite to fight this "corruption", and you get the unions (UAW). Then, the unions get greedy and power hungry, and they control, abuse, hoard, cheat, and exploit their employers. The solution lies somewhere between these two wrongs.

This is the same way our government works. Both sides are corrupt. Both sides are greedy and power hungry. They intend to control, abuse, hoard, cheat and exploit. The only question is, who they are doing it to. The Repubs, the poor. The dems, the rich. Whoever has the money and/or power seems to use it and abuse it.

The $1 million question, what is the solution. I wish we could ask our Founding Fathers this question. What would they think and do? Why do we not possess their wisdom? Where is our backbone, the one that made America? We're on a bad decline, and I don't like it. We need someone with vision, wisdom and integrity. George W. sqandered a prime opportunity to put America on the right path after 9/11. BO hasn't a clue. Our Founding Fathers must be livid.

Mark, your words truly scare me because I know they're all too true.

My question is, can we survive 'several election cycles' in order to get our country back or will he bleed us dry before we can recover?

We all talk, talk, talk and he doesn't listen. In fact, I've never seen a president so blatantly ignore the voice of the American people.

It's hard to find words to describe how deeply I loathe this man and his gang of thieves and liars.

May God help us all.

Jim H

Very well said. Clinton raised taxes at the top level-massive job creation.

Bush lowered taxes at the top level-worst recession; did not create jobs with the additional capital, just lined their own pockets.

Writing something that sounds good is different than showing the actual facts. I also love the fact that when the last administration added to the deficit it was no big deal. What did the Reagan vs Clinton deficit look like again? What did the Clinton vs Bush job creation look like again?

Good article, but Mark is absolutely wrong in his statement below.

"The other was the cascading crisis of confidence which began with central government meddling in the housing markets and ended in a near collapse of our economy."

Senator Phil Gramm (R) got it started when he had a bill passed that recinded almost all the controls put on banking and investment established after the great depression. His wife was a board member of Enron ahd he had a great financial stake in the bill.

Second, if you check, almost all of the mortgages of Freddie & Fannie that were foreclosed, were those of wealthy people.

Bravo!! Excellent article.

The slogan of the Obama regime should be

YOU WORK, WE'LL DECIDE

As you say, "Obama's plan, if unaltered, will break the back of free enterprise and the consequence will, most assuredly, be "wretchedness and oppression"." That's their goal plain as day. You think this can be stopped by some ballots?

I am close to retirement, and I also am scared to death about how I can afford the future. This regime has to go. period. And I hope the Repubs learn lessons from all of this.

For those of those that commented against this that is your option, But consider this;

It does not matter "who or what did what to who" or "who to what," what is in need of thought is this,

What do you want to pass on to future generations of Americans?

I vote for the opportunity of all men to be free from tyranny (the corrupt)and oppression (taxation) in any form, how about you that write against these facts. What will you stand for??? "Anything????"

A young man who isn't a socialist

hasn't got a heart, an old man who

is a socialist hasn't got a head.

-----David Lloyd George (1863-1945)

our troubles began in 2007 after the Dems took over. why don't the Republicans point this out and defend Pres. Bush?

Alexander notes, correctly:

Back when taxation and the scope of government were still subject to constitutional constraints, Jefferson declared, "Excessive taxation ... will carry reason and reflection to every man's door, and particularly in the hour of election." Unfortunately, under the current tax code, a majority of the electorate pay little or no taxes, and in some cases, even get "refunds," which is to say, after the most rudimentary "reason and reflection," they will continue to elect Socialists. As George Bernard Shaw wrote, "A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul."

So, how exactly is this to be resolved with a ballot box rather than a bullet box?

I have been reading your site since I found out about it. I also receive quite a few from other organizations.Question is when are we going to stop talking and start doing something. Remember, Action speaks louder than words, it is time to take back our country...................

Bill Pakinkis

Military Veteran & American Patriot

The first step to improving the tax situation is to remove automatic deductions. The day people have to physically write a check to the government is the day they'll truly realize how much our government steals from its people. The next step would be to move election day to April 16.

Great article. We need to lower taxes to encourage growth. However I am concerned about how the non-discretionary spending by altering the terms of social programs would be achieved. I have Cerebral Palsy and I rely on Medicaid/Medicare for a portion of my medical expenses. Great care must be taken to protect the most vulnerable citizens of our country. There needs to be a balance. It won’t be easy but we must try. I hope the mid term elections will be a source of trouble for Obama. Pray for God’s will for our nation to prevail.

Received the card and booklet. Thank you very much! Booklet is especially appreciated and will be used often. Your organization points out how far we have allowed our government to deviate from a Republic toward a Democracy with Socialist leanings. Perhaps your message will awaken thoughtful citizens to the danger this socialist drift is becomeing.

The recovery act is a payback scheme for the unions in America for the vote they pledged to Obama. We just had a crew tearing up sewer lines in front of our home for the past month that were working just fine. The mess, the stink and all was unbelievable. We called the black pipes sticking out of the ground and running for miles around Tempe AZ "Obama Snakes," the "Snake is in the Grass" when it comes to his Chicago Style politics. Why dare we ask why? It is a joke how the Unions work, worse than the County workers by far instead of on guy with a shovel and four watching we had 10 guys driving around in brand new heavy duty trucks looking at the pipes all day long. It took them months to replace the pipe and they did most of the actual work in one or two days. I've got picture to prove it sitting for hours on their cell phones and playing games. Disgusting what a disgrace and to top it off most of the "workers" were of mexican decent. Not to be a bigot but the "stole our jobs." It is what it is and the revolution will not be televised as we were told long ago.

“job creation occurs when the private sector is able to compete in a free market unfettered by excessive government interference (taxation and regulation)”

Don’t have an MBA, and never was a threat to Einstein in the IQ department, but that seems pretty simple even to me, and I suspect that even a cursory historical review of properous era statistics vs economic downturns could prove its validity. Does not the term “supply side economics” and the honored name of President Reagan come to mind?

Roger, the Repubs are usually more professional and mature than the Dems and dont resort to finger pointing as often.

As for taxes, imagine if income tax was capped at 7% as it were in 1913. Of course the federal government would have to act within its Constitutional bounds. I dont think thats possible.

"One might only hope a majority of the electorate has the capacity for such reason and reflection." Based on the results of the 2008 election, this can only happen if sufficient numbers of Patriots first register to vote, and then vote. Aside from making me sick, I desperately fear for my country after seeing so many people fall for "The One's" message. I do not understand how that many people could be duped so completely. I know first-hand that many of them are otherwise intelligent, hard-working and well-meaning. The only way to defeat these misguided souls is to turn out in sufficient numbers to send the Socialist Squad packing. To reiterate, Patriots must do three things:

(1) Register to vote

(2) Vote

(3) Encourage, cajole, do whatever you have to do to get likeminded Patriots to register and vote.

God bless (and help) the United States of America.

Alexander for President! Perhaps you do not want to serve, but neither did Washington. His country called him to service. We call you. Lead on!

Dave: in your comment as a response to Jim H you say, "When big corporations get greedy and power hungry (Henry Ford), they control, abuse, hoard, cheat, and exploit their workers."

I would advise you, sir, to study Henry Ford's life and works. He not only perfected the assembly line, he also introduced the 40-hour week, the 8-hour day, lunch breaks, coffee breaks and vacations. He not only treated his employees better than any other employer of his time, he (not the government) created jobs for thousands of people, and at the same time built a car that most people of the time could afford. He, more than any other person, is responsible for putting America on wheels. We sorely need more people like Henry Ford.

Be assured that your readers have followed the press "corpse" from the Obama election to the the present. Keep up the good work. Gary

When Jesse James robbed banks and stage coaches, he was honest enough not to wear a mask. He pointed his revolver directly into his victim's faces and told them that "This is a holdup." I much prefer his approach to Obama's and the Democrats'.

In 2005, after I lost my wife to a heart attack, i went to our local Social Security office. I was told that I would receive a $255 "death benefit." When I asked what happened to the tens of thousands of dollars over her working life that my wife was FORCED TO "CONTRIBUTE," the office manager looked me straight in the face and said, "There are people out there who need it worse than you do." What we're facing as a nation isn't an economic or political issue. It's philosophical, based on the assumption that NEED trumps PRODUCTIVITY and OWNERSHIP. It is an assumption which has been gaining strength and acceptance since Woodrow Wilson and FDR. The Constitution was written to protect "life, liberty and private property." (John Locke, "Two Treatises of Government) To own private property was to guarantee the other two. To lose private property was to lose the rest.

I wish you would quit being so "SOFT" on the "socialist in chief", and stop calling his schemes by the term "wealth redistribution". Please start calling his schemes what they really are.... "WEALTH CONFISCATION". The term "redistribution" implies that the wealth seized by our corrupt government officials is actually "redistributed" among everyone...when in fact it is not.

Referring to our government's corrupt tax policies as "wealth re-distribution" is as much a perversion of logic, as it is to call America's model of living as "home ownership". Private property "ownership" in America is as much of a proposterous myth, as is the idea that government confiscated tax revenues are actually used for public services and the public good.

http://dailycaller.com/2010/07/14/signs-of-the-stimulus/

On the road leading to Dulles Airport outside Washington, DC there’s a 10′ x 11′ road sign touting a runway improvement project funded by the federal stimulus. The project cost nearly $15 million and has created 17 jobs, according to recovery.gov.

However, there’s another number that caught the eye of ABC News: $10,000. That’s how much money the Washington Airports Authority tells ABC News they spent to put make and install the sign – a single sign – announcing that the project is “Funded by The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act” and is “Putting America Back to Work.” The money for the sign was taken out of the budget for the runway improvement project.

Meanwhile, a US Senator (Kerry) accepts delivery of a multi million dollar 'yacht", tries to hide it from the tax bite, is caught, again lies his way out of it, and promises to pay the 500,000 a year?! Hello? This is honesty in government?

One thing talked about often within the Constitution is the idea of checks and balances within the federal government. This surely is a powerful concept, but what happens when the branches of the federal government are working together and ignoring the Constitution? The 10th Ammendment ensures only certain powers are given by the people to the government and all others are retained by either the people or the states. What we are missing today is the balance of power between the federal government and the states. While it is a wonderful concept of checks and balances within the federal government, we must ensure that our states exercise their powers of checks and balances ON the federal government. Mark, I would love to see an analysis by you on this Constitutional subject. Semper Fi! Mike

Theodore.wells: Interesting comment. About the same as "Senator Barack Obama got a bill through that endowed a particular non proift organization in Chicago. Shortly after that, Michell Obama's salary was raisd from about 150 thou a year to over 300 thou a year." There are many more such comments, I have yet to see any reasonable demonstration of research and, therefore, proof. Hello? How about a multi million dollar "yacht" in Rhode Island?

Oh yeah, all the federal "stimulus" I see the signs on the roadside (I used to bid jobs like that before I was laid off...those signs cost about $500 each!)

The kicker is is cities and counties are sucking up this "stimulus" money for road building and the only ones benefiting are the union-based construction companies that already HAVE a paving machine, or the means to call up the union hall and request more workers. This is a bone thrown to the unions, nothing more.

Private Joe contractor is out of luck unless he is either a veteran or a minority, which gives him a 5% bidding advantage. (10% if they are both!!)

In my home town, perfectly good roads are being torn up and "upgraded" while residential city streets crack and develop potholes the size of Florida sinkholes. This "Stimulus package" is all smoke and mirrors!

To the liberals(progressives) that post here: YOU HAVE TO CUT SPENDING AND CUT TAXES. There, that's what I have to say, but he who criticizes to cut somebody down(liberal, progressives) to make you feel superior, loses every argument.

I totally agree with your position on the Recovdery and Reinvestment Act, but I question the 3% unemployment rate you quoted for Washington, DC. My research comes up with 10% in June 2010. Not that this error(?)invalidates anything you wrote, but those opposing your views can sure jump on it and use it to discredit the whole article.

Is there any one book that has all the Jefferson quotes that are used so much here??

Respectfully,

Doug Johnston

Doug Johnston, try the quote database:

http://patriotpost.us/historic/quotes/

--cheers

I read these comments daily, and cannot believe there are still so many people out there in favor of the lying socialist in the White House and his illegal and corrupt band of evil helpers!

I pray everyone with a working brain, which leaves out these O'Bummer lovers, will fight for our freedom, our rights and support the efforts of the Tea Party Patriots and others all over the country, and vote to show them we are willing to take back our country in November! If we let apathy rule our actions, we will lose our great country, and that is a fact! Pray, get involved, and please, please, Remember in November! God Bless America!

Another wonderful essay and I have one comment on page 2 the question of When was the last time you were hired by a poor person? Very good point in the real world but the political liberal and even some moderate elected officials are "hired" by the poor because they promise to pay them from my pocket and yours. They are technically hired by those whom wait each month by the mail box to receive their check. I am not talking about Social Security but those who receive AIDC, EBT etc. and will do anything not to look fro employment.

All I can say is, Obama must be a fan of John Wayne. "Once you have them by the b*lls, their hearts and minds will follow."

Unlike the current first wife at 1600 Pennsylvania, I can remember the first time I was ashamed of my country: Obama was elected based upon a platform of wishful thinking and ignorance of the populace combined with the failure of the media to properly 'vet' his candidacy. He was confirmed in a closed session and to this day refuses to prove his citizenship, if he is legal for the job then what is there to hide?

As I watch the current administration administer their disease ridden domestic policy to our nation I speak my mind and encourage others to think through their decisions. I try to not be offended by the ignorance displayed by many of Obama's supporters but I do respect their decisions; as I enjoy listening to them complain about our country's direction with increasing volume- it provides the wedge of doubt needed to crack open their minds to thinking for themselves.

First question anyone should ask someone complaining about politics: did you vote in the last election? If they answer 'no' then do not discount their objections; use them to encourage them to vote in the next election.

For my part I cannot see how an informed individual can willingly vote for the very policies that destroy their country around them. Isn't there a psychological condition for that?

TREVOR; the condition is called "brain washing" as was noted by a DR. during BO's campaign.

If the Gov't. keeps talking about "transparcy" you will need to show them in Nov. what it really means. I bet they won't get it then either, after they are gone.

Every email I get from the Patriot Post with the new Active Hotmail has at the top of it: MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews . . . (UTUBE) . . . ?????? Each day it is a new interview from MSNBC - forced on me

The Alexander Stimulus Plan is fine as far as it goes; however, it has about as much political traction as most other Republican plans/messages - little or none. Laudable and necessary as they are, it is not enough to talk about cutting taxes and spending. The average American agrees, but taxes are kind of vague or hidden to anyone who is not in business and the average citizen has real trouble when the specifics of spending cuts become clear because they are not vague and they often involve him or her.

The genius of the Obama campaign was to hang all its rhetoric on two concepts on which almost everyone agrees. Hope - who doesn't think hope is a good thing regardless of how nebulous it can be? Change - everyone regards it as inevitable so being against it seems kind of intransigent or reactionary.

Tax cuts and cutting spending simply don't rise to the level of rhetorical splendor that hope and change do. They also sound too "rich folks/wall street/wealthy businessmen" focused to resonate among those who work for someone else despite the fact that the biggest beneficiaries of both are, as your article so accurately put it, "employees of small businesses -- those who like to be employed, those who employ others to provide services and produce equipment for small businesses, those who maintain the physical plants of small businesses, etc." Furthermore, they do not address the considerable array of issues (war on terror, immigration, etc.) that are one or two steps away from taxes and spending. Simply put, taxes and spending do not rise to the level of rhetorical attraction and excellence necessary to energize and inspire the electorate. This is not to imply that the citizenry is either stupid or ignorant. It does say that the average citizen is too busy trying to get on with his life to be able to expend much time or energy on seemingly mundane subjects.

The Republicans need a theme - something that all their plans, policies, and procedures can hang on. The Republicans need something positive on which to hang their opposition to Obama progressivism, redistribution, and socialism - something that rises to the lofty heights of the "shining city on a hill" and can be agreed upon by the disparate elements that make up the potential majority: tea partiers, libertarians, employers and employees of all kinds.

I suggest it is staring us in the face. "It" is the Constitution of the United States. Virtually everything you have articulated in this article and in every article you have ever written can be supported by an appeal to the Constitution as its authors originally intended. Virtually every citizen, whether he or she knows anything about it, is convinced the Constitution is a "good thing". Not since the progressive era of Woodrow Wilson has anyone in public life dared to disparage it in any public forum. It has all the mystical power of holy writ. It is broad and flexible, yet simple. It provides support for both positive and negative actions. It inherently limits the scope of the national government and its power over its citizens. The positive theme of reinvigorating the Constitution is a politically reliable way to dual against the intrusion of the federal government into the lives of all of us. Successful capture of that theme can allow the "party of no" to be viewed as the agent of positive change and can gain the support of the wide range of groups that broadly agree that Obama progressivism is wrongheaded and dangerous.

I get dozens of mailings, dozens of phone calls, and dozens of emails weekly from Republican, conservative, libertarian, and other sources. Most of them are good causes, candidates, and the like. They are almost all on essentially the same side. I support some of them and I could easily use my entire income just sending nominal amounts to each of them. What they all lack is a coherent message. Right to Life? Wrap it in the Constitution. Right to Work? Wrap it in the Constitution. RNC? Wrap it in the Constitution. NRSC? Wrap it in the Constitution. NRCC? Wrap it in the Constitution. Conservative Caucus? Wrap it in the Constitution. Students for Life? Wrap it in the Constitution. Help for the Homeless? Wrap it in the Constitution.

And, oh by the way, there will certainly be issues where the consensus best (not necessarily only) solution, even among conservatives, will be a federal government action or program. It is essential to be intellectually honest about the theme. Sometimes choices have to be made among (per James Burnham) liberty, freedom, justice, and peace. Sometimes we will have to advocate constitutional solutions that, on their face, do not look like the quickest, most efficient, or even most effective solution. But we need to advocate a solution and wrap it in the Constitution. Besides, while in the short term there are potential pitfalls, in the long run the effects will be positive.

The New Deal, New Frontier, Shining City on a Hill, Hope and Change - each captured the imagination of the electorate. The loose consensus that has developed that Obama isn't actually "the one" is a huge opportunity to gather a majority around a lofty vision and focus on real hope and change; to change the terms of the discussion from a hundred years of progressivism as the working philosophy of the nation's government to one of constitutionalism based on the intent of the founders.

Read the words of the founders (largely the authors of the US Constitution) in the paragraph that follows this email section on your website. Those words are not about taxes and spending although I am sure those issues were the fodder for almost all of their everyday deliberations. Those words are about the big themes of liberty, freedom, justice, and peace. They convey a vision that is practically irrefutable and was the foundation for a political consensus that endured.

Defeating the progressive/socialist/community organizer agenda is important. Even more important is setting the nation on a path of limited government and constitutional integrity. The Democrat Party has opened the door for that by trying to push through their big-government agenda in the face of the vague opposition of the people. Republicans, tea partiers, conservatives, and other factions need to adopt a theme that can focus that opposition and encompass their distinctive visions in order to overwhelm the collectivist vision of the other side.

James Helberg

Midlothian, VA

Remember the old law, "Thous shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods." Just like the new law, "Love my neighbor as thyself" taking by force the means of sustinence (fruits of one's labor and property) from one who earned them for him and his family to give to another does not fit into any definition of "love" I can think of. We are told that we cannot truly know what is in one's heart and should not judge. Our forefathers believed it was not the place of government to dictate the path we should follow other than when it violated the right of someone to follow their path by stealing, killing, cheating etc.

No where in the Scripture does it say we can substitute the government for our own heart and our duty to our fellow man.

Those "rich" like Carnegie, Rockefeller, Gates along with millions of others are also the source of much benevolence. But even the "poor" gain in a free system as Adam Smith clearly observed. My father who didn't graduate high school built a life from us six kids. So we could acheive whatever we desired. His property and help made it possible. How many other families gain through generational transfers of wealth so that their progeny can become doctors, researchers, inventors, benefactors of colleges, schools, community centers and foundations, churches and other charities.

Love means that we must respect our selves and our partners to follow use the talents we have been given to follow the path laid for us as best we can determine. Sure, we will fall and make mistakes. But any artifical interference violates one of the most important tenants of love, helping your partner follow thier path.

Jerry Artman

Mike Dean - Since many laws, regulations, policies that the gov't institutes can take a few years to actually show results, how do you know that it was not actually the Republican policies that were showing results after a Democrat was elected (so they get credit, i.e. Bill Clinton), and the stifling Democratic policies and messes started to take effect after they were voted out (i.e. Jimmy Carter) that Republicans had to clean up?

Mr. Dean: your source of that information would be a nice bibliography...but let us assume that it is true...

EXCEPT FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION!

Alexander makes a very important point that was nicely expounded upon by Mike L. A fairer tax system would be a flat tax, a use tax, a "sin" tax or something like that.

I recall seeing a billboard from a major tax preparation company a few years ago. It read something like: "We find deductions others miss." When tax professionals can't even agree on how much tax an individual owes, what chance do I have of making sure I'm paying the right amount? Our tax code must be simplified.

A truly fair tax would be to divide the total cost of government every year by the number of citizens and levy a "flat" tax consisting of an equal sum on every person who benefits from the services of government. Can you imagine the outcry? It wouldn't take long for every citizen to take a keen interest in cutting government spending to only those functions authorized by the Constitution!