It's amazing what can really be achieved through human agreement. And as their poll numbers have reached frosty new lows, President Bush and Congress suddenly pulled together a new law -- to return hard-earned money to taxpayers. If that's all that it did, it would be cause to celebrate. But when it comes to government action, it sure pays to be skeptical.
First of all, what do you think of when you hear the word "stimulus"? From a physiological perspective, let's compare it to a laxative. You might take one of those on an occasional basis, but it really won't help your digestive problems. Instead, your body will just come to crave it, expecting it again and again. So you may indeed develop a dependence.
In the same spirit, Americans have become addicted to so many of the aspects of a dysfunctionally-run economy -- mindless spending, mounting debt, and legally-counterfeited money. The proposed "tax rebates" actually just amount to higher government spending -- paid for by printing and borrowing money (often from China). If you spend the money (which is likely) it may go right back to China in exchange for some of their goods. Plus our federal debt will continue to rise -- just like the cracks in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's "Cheshire Cat" grin.
On the bright side, any tax cut (the other "adjustments") is a good thing -- returning rightful money to creative people who work, earn, save and invest. But we've been doing this kind of tax code tinkering for so long. It's really like asking honest Americans to jump through a series of hoops -- or to continue the metaphor, a procession of toilet seats! It would be far more effective (for government and economy) to simply exempt a greater share of your income from ALL federal taxes, and institute this on an immediate per-paycheck basis. This would get money into the hands of the people as soon as they earn it.
Fortunately, in the wake of his articulate performance at the Florida GOP debate, Ron Paul has a GENUINE economic revitalization plan (plus a great new book on the same subject, 'Pillars of Prosperity'). So instead of subjecting Americans to endless social engineering hurdles, your money would be yours to keep. After all, what right does government have to a fixed percentage of what you create through honest effort?
This whole episode speaks volumes about what fictional economic illusions are routinely propagated by government and media. Everything is seen in terms of short-term gain, and Ludwig von Mises's rightful assessment of Keynesian economics as "the Santa Claus myth" comes into play.
Modern corporate fascism is another catalyst -- the idea that "as long as I'm getting more money it's ok" gets ironed into our minds, while we toil away in overtaxed and underpaid jobs.
So let's shatter the illusions -- government has no money other than what it prints, borrows, or takes from us by force. Tax "rebates" are spending that will be provided by one of those methods. Santa Claus is best seen as the jolly spirit of giving -- not a thug with a thieving gun or printing press. Laxatives should be foregone in favor of taking probiotics and maybe a little night-time magnesium. Mainstream media mesmerization can easily be neutralized by unplugging the offending devices, and for best overall economic results, call Dr. Paul!!
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Comments: 18
This is one more purposful devaluing of the Dollar. It will continue to decrease according to plan until we as a peple Demand the Amero just as Rockefeller said. Just as the SPP has planed and it will happen by their schedule when they finalize the North American Union (NAU) in 2010
Elect anybody but Ron Paul and it WILL happen.
The indoctrination in the USA is world-class. It starts early, and never lets up. By the time we're adults, 99% of us go about our lives paying homage and tribute to an organized mob of pick-pockets and leg-breakers (nod to William N. Grigg) as if we owed them our lives.
People never think about these things, but we all need to start. Government does not have the moral or constitutional authority to claim a percentage of the fruits of our labor. Not even one percent -- let alone half.
People need to realize that inflation is nothing but a regressive wealth-redistribution scam. The rent-seeker-owned media tries to perpetuate the fraudulent myth that inflation is somehow a necessary and natural by-product of economic growth, and that we absolutely must be continually managing some delicate balance between inflation and unemployment. These are deceptive myths.
Artificial expansion of the money supply confers no sustainable benefits on society. If printing more money actually created more capital, then the government should be able to enrich us all simply by running the printing press. Think about that for a little while, and the fraudulent nature of the central bank/fiat money system ought to come into focus.
Most importantly people need to realize that property rights are the heart and soul of a free society. right now, there is no such thing as privately-owned property in this country.
If anyone thinks otherwise, try not paying your property taxes for a while, and you'll see who really owns it.
A great line, VB. My first thought, after reading that, was what about all those people that come on here and scream about the rich paying thier FAIR share. As you mentioned, this illustrates the conditioning so many of us have fallen prey to in our youth. It's an ingrained obligation that says you should be glad to pay the government for maintaining an environment that allows a person to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. Many of us understand governments need revenue to exist but what I think alot of people miss is the excess of government that creates that giant sucking sound that never abates. People are so used to it, they don't even hear it anymore and, oddly enough, any mention of turning down the sound, so to speak, creates panic among those who've known nothing else. The tax the rich mantra is the answer while the government assumes more and more responsibility for the lives of citizens. The question is, who do you tax when the rich don't have anything left?
With the current feeling of antagonism towards the government and the Republican forces within, a Democrat will surley get the most votes. I will vote for the best candidate of the two we are allowed to choose from. Too bad it won't be Ron Paul.
Anyone that believes in the NAU as a "real problem" that is about to happen next week is a LUNATIC, and that includes ronnie paul.
By the way, the fair tax is a stupid idea, but it does in fact require the irs to be abolished. Some of you people really need to get some FACTS before you make your conclusions.