Archive for October, 2010

20 by ’20: A Limit on Federal Spending

By Dennis Canfield.     “…  It's time to try something new.” - President Barack Obama, introducing his $3.8 trillion budget for 2011---which proposes that our federal government spend 25 cents of every dollar earned by every American, rich and poor alike.  This is new.  Before World War II, our government typically spent 10% less...
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Let’s have a real fight about deficits if it leads to real answers

by Michael Smith. In a letter to the Washington Post this week, I pointed out that the national debt has been a bipartisan project. The only real disagreement between the parties has centered on how to spend borrowed money. The taming of the debt—assuming our politicians don’t wait for a global economic...
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Send In Your Vote for a Balanced-Budget Amendment to the Constitution!

It’s Free!  Just send a text message** to (“phone number”) 47647 with the message BBA Yes! Your message will be recorded as a “vote” for a balanced-budget amendment, as long as it starts with “BBA”.  Only one vote will be registered from each caller, so don’t try to call twice. We’ve only paid for the...
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Postponing the Pain

Economist Charles Wheelan writes occasionally for Yahoo Finance, and he's always terrific.  In a recent article he suggests that the President extend the current graduated tax structure, with a plan to balance the budget in 3 or 4 years (when the economy is stronger) by cutting spending and adding consumption taxes...
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Letter To A Congressman

By John Lumbard.   Dear Congressman; In high school we all learned that our Congress has the power of the purse.  Our legislators have other powers and responsibilities, but their most basic duty is to ably manage the monies that they extract from reluctant and disillusioned taxpayers and voters.  They have failed...
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The only thing we have to fear is…insufficient fear?

by Michael Smith. There’s not much to like about the federal government’s runaway spending and mounting debt, but there is a bright spot in the picture: public awareness. Thanks to bank bailouts, stimulus packages and other forms of conspicuous consumption practiced by Washington since the 2008 financial meltdown, Americans no longer...
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An American Promise

Charles Peter Carruthers, a native of Dumfries, Scotland, launched and managed the San Francisco office of Price Waterhouse almost a century ago.  He left to his heirs the following "10 Points" of good government and fiscal responsibility:  1. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. 2. You cannot strengthen the weak by...
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