Monday, July 30, 2007

Big Government, Samuelson and the 75% Solution

When Silence Isn't Golden

Aug. 6, 2007 issue - If you haven't noticed, the major presidential
candidates—Republican and Democratic—are dodging one of the thorniest problems they'd face if elected: the huge budget costs of aging baby boomers.


...

By 2030, their share could hit 75 percent of the present budget,
projects the Congressional Budget Office. The result: a political
impasse.


...

As an antidote to this timidity, I propose that some public-spirited
sugar daddy (the MacArthur Foundation? Warren Buffett?) sponsor a short book. A
possible title: "Facing Up to an Aging America." Six leading think tanks would
be invited to participate: three liberal—the Brookings Institution, the Center
on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Urban Institute—and three
conservative—the American Enterprise Institute, the Cato Institute and the
Heritage Foundation.


...

This approach would force think tanks to compete.

Samuelson must have gotten lost or was looking elsewhere when he stumbled on the truth.

Competition.

If the government would allow citizens, taxpayers and business' to compete in a free market without too much taxation, too much regulations and a federal government that has over-reached in every aspect of business and life then we will have all the tools necessary to survive.

Defend us, secure our borders, deliver the mail and follow the Constitution. Oh, and get the hell out of our way. You're too big, too fat and too stupid to keep up with us.

For anyone to believe that the government can support, through handouts, so many people, to the tune of 75% of our nation's budget, shows these people are too ignorant to pontificate.