Econ/Tax/Spend/Big Govt

Those of us who suffer from triskaidekaphobia, the fear of the number “13,” have nearly a trillion reasons to be afraid, very afraid in the next few days. During this period, the debt of the United States will exceed $13 trillion dollars for the first time in the nation’s history.

Here is how the press release from the American Legislative Exchange Council begins: Washington, D.C. – As states face their toughest budgetary climates in a generation, the authors of a new report by the…

Ha ha ha ha. It’s especially funny for all those who have lost jobs, lost businesses, seen property taxes increase and the burden of government grow.

The following excellent compilation was put together by the Republican National Committee: “As Unemployment Rises, White House Waves White Flag On Creating Jobs While Pushing Job-Killing, European-Style Agenda.”

The Cato Institute in Washington, D.C. has a website “Downsizing Government,” billed as “A department-by-department guide to cutting the federal government’s budget.” For supporters of limited government, it’s obviously a fun website to visit.

“A cultural battle is under way in America, a battle between, in columnist Michael Barone’s, words, ‘the culture of dependence and the culture of independence.'”

The Democratic Party’s nominee – Illinois Governor Pat Quinn – wants to raise your taxes. A lot of state employees also want your taxes raised. A bunch of them gathered in Springfield last week to chant – I didn’t see any of the video but I’m assuming it was like a real life Saturday Night Live skit. The Chicago-based news satire website The Onion made fun of them.

Last month talk about the enactment of a VAT (Value Added Tax) began – it’s called “a favorite of socialist governments everywhere.” Anyone paying attention knows the accelerated speed at which the federal government is growing – and a VAT might well be in our future.

“Most state and local governments have balanced budget requirements. For decades elected officials have used accounting shenanigans to claim that they have met this requirement. As a result most state and local governments are millions, if not billions of dollars in debt, including enormous retirement promises.”

Two newspapers in the past week editorialized on state budgets – the Chicago Tribune about Illinois’ and the Wall Street Journal about two states that are setting the standard for how to solve a budgetary problem.

The Chicago Tribune’s was a wordy work that would have been a lot more enjoyable to read had that paper not helped to bring us President Barack Obama. If you’re going to be credible on budgetary matters it’s probably not a good thing to have cheered on the career of the most fiscally irresponsible president in history.

Are the candidates you’re supporting on February 2nd in agreement with our Founding Fathers when it comes to the subject of too much government debt and irresponsible spending?

Thanks to www.patriotpost.us and their email “Founders Quote Daily” for most of the following warnings that too many Republicans still ignore.

“If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.” Of course these lyrics are about New York City, but no matter. If a serious blueprint for budget reform can be written there, it can be written here too.

The Empire Center’s E.J. McMahon and Josh Barro have put together a report titled “Blueprint for a Better Budget: A Plan of Action for New York State.” It’s worth perusing by good government starved Illinoisans.