After the recent crisis's with regard to the finances of our nation, dare I say world, who among us would not welcome someone with foresight. Only those existing on the "services" provided by others would not welcome responsible change. We had better make the changes responsibly, and do it now before the irresponsible out number the responsible. We are very close.

Suggest to Rep. Ryan, that Social Security be made VOLUNTARY

1. Everyone gets a "Cash Settlement with interest" or they can " volunteer to save with the government"

2. Those who have already been "FORCED" to pay Social Security can have a CHOICE - "Cash settlement with interest" or "Stay on the check a month that they were "FORCED" to pay for."

This will "HONORABLY" settle this "FORCED" Social Security. And set Americans FREE from this "FORCED" system. They need to be "PAID BACK with INTEREST" This "VOLUNTARY PLAN" will be very popular, if that's what motivates politicians, but Best of all, it is RIGHT and HONORABLE, which appeals to the common, God-fearing Americans who were "FORCED".

For God & Country

The American

If some Republicans wince, so what? There is a path to be taken to remove the people from decades of liberal resditribution of wealth. It all starts with everybody paying a flat tax on their earnings. All other dominoes would soon fall in line.

'lowering the rates on the wealthy' This is an issue that Republicans need to embrace head-on instead of avoiding eye contact with the class warfare Medusa that currently exists. With real unemployment well over 10% It's a simple story; If you are looking for a job, don't you hope that the rich guy has more money so that he can hire you to help him make even more money!

Paul Ryan's Roadmap website wore me out. I looked and read for about an hour, and have only the vaguest idea what we should do. We need a short, sweet list of topics and cuts. And a few principles.

1. No subsidies for anybody or any company.

2. Social security is a means-tested welfare program for poor people only. At least half of SS must go into private accounts for every worker under 50. Reduce benefits enough to fund private accounts, if necessary. Private accounts come first.

3. Wipe out at least half the federal departments. Agriculture, Education, Energy, EPA, Commerce, HUD, Labor to name some biggies. Data and reporting functions consolidated into an accounting department.

4. Flat tax on incomes. No tax on companies.

5. Sell half of federal land, only in the west - 2.5% per year. Sell enough of Alaska to make it 80% private.

6. Constitutional amendment to limit federal govt. to 15% of GDP. No borrowing except for declared war cost. Reduce size by additional 1% per decade to 10% by 2060.

7. Pay off existing debt minimum of 1% per year, or $100 billion, whichever is more.

8. Federal pay scales and benefits cannot exceed private sector national averages.

9. Break up federal departments and send them out into the states. Remove 80% of government functions from DC.

10. All pensions are set up as defined contribution private accounts.

That's a good start.

A contract with America that takes us back to sound constitutional principles shouldn't scare Republicans. Tell them to get out of Washington for the whole month of August, don't surround themselves with aides and other Pols and find out what their constituents really think is important.

We need to get the Dems out to stop the bleeding. The Republicans win by default, but they are not much better, and many are on the Big Govt bandwagon also they are politicians.

Reality is here, there is no more denying it. The NYT considers Obama's Presidency a success because of the Big Brother bills he has pushed through and the path to Marxism that has been laid out. No concern for the country economy, or the people, just political agendas and radical causes at any cost.

That's the reality, and the Republicans need to get on board and stop being so weaselly, if they get control of the House and the Senate, start ramming !

On February 3, 1913 the 16th Amendment to our Constitution was ratified ("The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration".) This was the BIRTH of our federal income taxation system...and the IRS.

In 1913 the individual income tax rate was set at 1% on incomes OVER $3,000 (or $66,115 today) and 6% on incomes OVER $500,000 ($11 million today).

In 2009 a person (married filing jointly, 2 kids, standard deductions) making $66,000 paid about $5,165 in taxes, or about 8% of their income. If they were making $11 million, they'd paid about $3.8 million in taxes, or about 35%.

Imagine that first person paying no taxes today and that second person paying only $110,000 in taxes. That's the way it would be if the law had never changed.

Do you think Americans in 1913 would have voted to approve the 16th Amendment if they were going to be taxed the way we are today? They never would have...but they let the camel get its nose under the tent. Isn't that how it always works with our government?

Ryan's plan, although imperfect, is a world away from the current morass in which we have placed ourselves. Part of the solution: term limits - on all members of congress and the senate. Five terms for house members, two terms for senators, no serial service between houses.

As for this election; look closely at your congressman/woman and senators. Party affiliation doesn't seem to differentiate them for the most part. As for me - I'm throwing all the bastards out. If there is an incumbent label behind the candidate's name they are gone. If they were any good they may bet back in. My best sense is that most will stay gone and good riddance. Call it simple minded, call it what you will. Overall we have not been well served and it's time for a change.