They Want To Raise The National Debt "Ceiling"

Our leaders, the first being President Obama, want to raise the national debt "ceiling."  At stake is the credibility of the United States, financially speaking, meaning that other nations will no longer regard the United States as a safe investment if the US government should fail to meet obligations such as debt interest payments.  By the way, President Obama did not initiate the national debt; in fairness to him, he has only raised the national debt by about three trillion dollars in his first term.  And part of that was not really his fault.  The War on "Terror" was initiated by his predecessor. 

Actually there is something so very much more important at stake.  If the debt ceiling is raised again, we (the people of the United States) will no longer have even a chance to rein in the national debt.  I believe the financial stability of this nation is much more important in the long run than is our "good credit" in the short run.

My stance on bringing the national debt under control will not be acceptable to many people, probably not to the majority, in fact.  My stance is simple.  The only way to bring the national debt under control is not to spend more than we (as a nation) bring in as revenue.  We (the people of the United States) are NOT UNDER TAXED.  No, we the people are paying taxes at the highest rate in United States history.  Granted, the tax system is unfair, and granted, there are some individuals and corporations are not paying their fair share of taxes.  Nonetheless, clearly MORE and HIGHER taxes are not the answer.  How do we know this, class?  It is because the tax rate has grown but the national debt has climbed steadily anyway.

So does the complainer have a solution?  Yes, but like I said, my solution will be much more practical than popular.  First, though, let us forget Democrat and Republican.  Both parties are to blame, and I guess in a sense we, the voters, are to blame for not demanding a balanced budget.  And that is my solution.  We must have the character and the fortitude to balance the budget.  That means, class, we can only spend that sum of money that we actually have (i.e. - one year's worth of income tax revenue).  You do not have to be brilliant to see that this solution will not be popular.

First, I suggest that each and every single program operated by the United States government needs to be cut by fifty percent across the board.  Tonight! Right now!

Second, since I am now the most unpopular person in the United States, I submit that each and every program operated by the United States government be objectively examined and those not absolutely necessary be thrown out.

Third, all federal politicians and bureaucrats, from the President to the White House lawn manager must take an immediate fifty percent wage cut.   Many federal employees are unionized.  Too bad.  ALL federal officials and employees must be included.

Fourth, the military must be reined in.  All of our nation-building and our occupations of foreign countries must be halted immediately.  Only those essential foreign-located military bases and forces should be maintained.  In Europe, NATO is fully capable (without US assistance) of handling that continent. 

Fourth (A) the "War on Terror" must be stopped now.  It has gone on since 9/11 and there is still terror, still world-wide violence. 

Fourth (B) the pay for active duty military personnel must be raised to actual living wages, and all promised benefits must be granted without question.  Wounded veterans must receive all aid promised them without fail.  They were willing to give their lives for us, we owe them no less than fair treatment.

Fifth, foreign aid must go (save disaster aid) until we are once again a solvent nation.  Infrastructure building for other nations must wait.  Our own infrastructure is failing at an alarming rate.  Why are we building roads in Central and South America when our own highways are crumbling.

Sixth, agricultural subsidies must go.  If these giant corporate farms can't make it, they will be replaced by smaller, sustainable operations. 

There really is no need to go further.  I would never get elected with these kinds of solutions as my platform.  No matter what program, what budget item, what agency, is reviewed and slated for elimination, there will be a loud outcry from either those effected by the programs or those profiting from the programs.  If social programs are cut, of course there is outcry from the various segments of society and the various organizations that support those segments of society. 

The point is that balancing the budget will be a very painful operation.  Social security (which is insolvent), Medicare (insolvent), if cut, would place people in the position of having to make hard decisions, food over medicine, one medicine instead of fifteen, etc.  Just think, if the government were not in the position to care for us, we would have to care for ourselves, and help care for our aging parents or our extended family.  Maybe even help out our friends every now and then. 

Only if we, whether Democrat, Republican, Independent, Tea Party, Communist, whatever, can bring ourselves to take drastic, painful, and to some, inhumane action, can we bring the national debt under control.  The only way is to hold politicians accountable, and to demand that the budget be balanced. I don't believe that it is a stretch to say that, if this runaway national debt is not controlled, we will go the way of the former Soviet Union.  There may always be a United States, but will it be the "Land of the Free?" 


EPILOGUE

Don't worry, I'm okay.  I woke up from my dream of a balanced budget. But like the Beach Boys once sang, "Wouldn't it be nice...?"