Name what you would do to turn the economy around

[Danzig]

i'm reading book two in the oxford american history series. covers from 1789-1815. something jumped out at me-the feeling by most in the early days of forming our federal govt that citizens could rule themselves without much govt interference, without the govt 'knowing what's best' or 'what's good for us'-since many only knew about their own region, and not the larger country. i think we've really gotten away from that line of thinking. too many now believe the opposite, that the elite have our best interests at heart, and will take care of us.

those who ignore history.....

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i'm reading book two in the oxford american history series. covers from 1789-1815. something jumped out at me-the feeling by most in the early days of forming our federal govt that citizens could rule themselves without much govt interference, without the govt 'knowing what's best' or 'what's good for us'-since many only knew about their own region, and not the larger country. i think we've really gotten away from that line of thinking. too many now believe the opposite, that the elite have our best interests at heart, and will take care of us.

those who ignore history.....

exactly. we depend way too much on the government now. It's like we cant think for ourselves.

[clyde]

Does anyone have their own thoughts anymore?

All I see are someone elses words and time worn bromides.




If you must suck..do it on NA.

"The Simpsons did it"

[somerfrost]

Not being an expert in economic matters, I can only list measures I'd like to see, cannot say their effect on economy.
1. Restructure tax system eliminating all loop holes, folks making $30,000 a year or less would pay no tax, families with $50,000 or less likewise, all others would be taxed at 25% up to income of $200,000, 35% for rest.
2. Institute a 2 year service requirement for all folks to be served immediately upon completion of high school or 18th birthday if not in school. No exclusions unless person is deemed physically or mentally unable to care for self.
3. Mandatory reduction of salaries/bonuses/benefits for CEO's, other upper management folks, professional sports figures...nobody makes more than a million a year.
4. Legalize marijuana, to be sold in government "stores" and grown on government farms, sold at price much lower than street cost.
5. Raise salaries of folks providing health care, especially nurses, techs, and those providing direct care to those folks who are disabled, sick or elderly. Universal health care for all citizens.
6. Term limits for all political offices (except Supreme Court)...Senators...2 terms, Reps...5 terms.

[clyde]

Boy, this is getting shallow.

[joeydb]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

Not being an expert in economic matters, I can only list measures I'd like to see, cannot say their effect on economy.
1. Restructure tax system eliminating all loop holes, folks making $30,000 a year or less would pay no tax, families with $50,000 or less likewise, all others would be taxed at 25% up to income of $200,000, 35% for rest.
2. Institute a 2 year service requirement for all folks to be served immediately upon completion of high school or 18th birthday if not in school. No exclusions unless person is deemed physically or mentally unable to care for self.
3. Mandatory reduction of salaries/bonuses/benefits for CEO's, other upper management folks, professional sports figures...nobody makes more than a million a year.
4. Legalize marijuana, to be sold in government "stores" and grown on government farms, sold at price much lower than street cost.
5. Raise salaries of folks providing health care, especially nurses, techs, and those providing direct care to those folks who are disabled, sick or elderly. Universal health care for all citizens.
6. Term limits for all political offices (except Supreme Court)...Senators...2 terms, Reps...5 terms.

1: Why 2 rates instead of one? One rate - total proportionality. No problem with the first $30,000 exempted for everybody though.

2: The service requirement would violate the 13th amendment, which banned slavery. Slavery can be defined, at a minimum, as mandatory labor without compensation, among many other bad things to go with it.

3: It is no concern of the government what individuals make in their own private enterprise. There is no maximum salary and never will be.

4: What would be the disincentive to abusing the drug? That crap is illegal for a reason. I don't want stoned airline pilots, surgeons, or accountants for that matter handling any aspect of my life. No thanks.

5: Get rid of ObamaCare and maybe the salary structure WOULD resemble more of a free market.

6: Like the term limit idea - but make both houses equal: 2 terms for senators, 6 terms for reps, so both are 12 years. 24 years total in Congress for the career politician. And those experienced people would make good presidential candidates.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by joeydb

4: What would be the disincentive to abusing the drug? That crap is illegal for a reason. I don't want stoned airline pilots, surgeons, or accountants for that matter handling any aspect of my life. No thanks.
.

more like No thanks to your not well informed opinion. Is it legal for an airline pilot to fly while drunk? is alcohol legal? legalizing pot DEFINATELY does not mean it will be legal for your pilot to fly stoned, use some common sense.

what is not right is you having an opinion on a naturally grown plant and wanted your opinion enforced on everyone else.

and the reasons it's illegal are probably not anywhere close to the reasons YOU THINK it's illegal.

[joeydb]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

more like No thanks to your not well informed opinion. Is it legal for an airline pilot to fly while drunk? is alcohol legal? legalizing pot DEFINATELY does not mean it will be legal for your pilot to fly stoned, use some common sense.

what is not right is you having an opinion on a naturally grown plant and wanted your opinion enforced on everyone else.

and the reasons it's illegal are probably not anywhere close to the reasons YOU THINK it's illegal.

Not well informed? Tell me - what was the reason that marijuana was outlawed in the first place?

You're correct in it being a naturally occurring crop, so it must have been legal at one time. What was discovered about the side effects or the behavior brought about that made the government outlaw it, instead of just taxing the hell out of it like tobacco?

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by joeydb

Not well informed? Tell me - what was the reason that marijuana was outlawed in the first place?
You're correct in it being a naturally occurring crop, so it must have been legal at one time. What was discovered about the side effects or the behavior brought about that made the government outlaw it, instead of just taxing the hell out of it like tobacco?

propaganda.

you should look into, Emporer wears no clothes, by Jack Herer.

and the tobacco industry is a big reason the drug is still illegal.

[Antitrust32]

and as a conservative, dont you think people should make their own choices, instead of the government making it for them?

I could understand if the arguement was against crack cociane, but alcohol and tobacco are much more harmful for people than pot, and those things are legal and regulated.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

more like No thanks to your not well informed opinion. Is it legal for an airline pilot to fly while drunk? is alcohol legal? legalizing pot DEFINATELY does not mean it will be legal for your pilot to fly stoned, use some common sense.

what is not right is you having an opinion on a naturally grown plant and wanted your opinion enforced on everyone else.

and the reasons it's illegal are probably not anywhere close to the reasons YOU THINK it's illegal.

OOOOOOOOOO

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

4. Legalize marijuana, to be sold in government "stores" and grown on government farms, sold at price much lower than street cost.
.

really?? The goverment has to grow and sell it? the only thing the goverment should do is tax it.. not grow and sell it. Though G13 is quite nice.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

3. Mandatory reduction of salaries/bonuses/benefits for CEO's, other upper management folks, professional sports figures...nobody makes more than a million a year.
.

how extremely un-American. there are other countries you can live in if you really think this is a good idea.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

how extremely un-American. there are other countries you can live in if you really think this is a good idea.

No, I love this country and will remain here, thank you! As I said, don't know the effect on economy but think it's a good idea. There would be exceptions of course for income derived for innovations, sale of businesses etc. But I strongly believe no person deserves a yearly income of over a million for running big businesses or playing sports.

[somerfrost]

RE: two years of mandatory service constituting slavery....don't see that argument as I (and my father before me) was drafted into the military. Folks would be paid good salaries and would be assigned to a litany of occupations based solely on skills. The key is that EVERYONE would serve, not just the poor and others lacking the means of securing an exception (other than I noted).

[wiphan]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

No, I love this country and will remain here, thank you! As I said, don't know the effect on economy but think it's a good idea. There would be exceptions of course for income derived for innovations, sale of businesses etc. But I strongly believe no person deserves a yearly income of over a million for running big businesses or playing sports.

If you love this country and what it stands for you would not make a statement like you do above. Stating that no one should make over $1 million a year is absolutely ridiculous. If you truly believe this you should probably move

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by wiphan

If you love this country and what it stands for you would not make a statement like you do above. Stating that no one should make over $1 million a year is absolutely ridiculous. If you truly believe this you should probably move

So, anyone who disagrees with your political views should leave the US? Interesting! As I've stated before, nobody receiving a salary should make over a million, if you want more...start your own business, be creative and innovative and you can earn as much as you make...the American dream is related to being creative, creating jobs, new products and services...our economy is driven by such bold, creative folks, not those who are selected to be CEO's and other upper management folks or sports stars. This country stands for individual freedoms and fairness not getting rich sitting behind a desk reducing everything to dollars and cents or playing games.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

So, anyone who disagrees with your political views should leave the US? Interesting!

LOL - did you see what my completely moronic Senator Rand Paul just said? According to Paul, if you are listening to speeches about violent overthrow of the goverment, you should be arrested.

What a complete jackass.

Google: rand paul speeches overthrow

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

So, anyone who disagrees with your political views should leave the US? Interesting! As I've stated before, nobody receiving a salary should make over a million, if you want more...start your own business, be creative and innovative and you can earn as much as you make...the American dream is related to being creative, creating jobs, new products and services...our economy is driven by such bold, creative folks, not those who are selected to be CEO's and other upper management folks or sports stars. This country stands for individual freedoms and fairness not getting rich sitting behind a desk reducing everything to dollars and cents or playing games.

So if I start my own business you are going to limit what I can pay my employees?

The idea that CEO's simply fall into the positions that they are in is ludicrous.
The idea that all upper management people are over paid buffoons is silly
The idea that sports stars salaries matter to the economy is idiotic. As a matter of fact based on 98% of athletes spending habits they are the ultimate in economic stimulator's.
Fairness can come into play when people start getting off their asses, taking responsibility for their own situations and stop worrying about what someone else is making.

Charlie Finley lives...