13 steps toward independence
With a $17+ trillion debt constantly growing, why do the “leaders” of this country only discuss reducing the current rate of borrowing done by the federal government? What future statesmen and patriots should discuss are the following 13 suggestions to save the U.S.A.:
1. Reduce the size of the federal government by two thirds.
2. Balance the federal budget each year.
3. Gradually eliminate the U.S. Army. Invading and occupying other countries is no longer feasible.
4. Become energy independent.
5. Stop all foreign aid now. Let those countries, organizations and individuals that can afford it help the needy outside the U.S.
6. Repatriate all illegal immigrants currently in the U.S., or see to it they become citizens.
7. End foreign wars, close many U.S. bases around the world, and use some of those troops to confront illegal immigrants.
8. For the time being, do not restart the manned space program, and do not send any space probe beyond the moon.
9. Phase out our welfare system, which is wasteful and inefficient. Enable private charitable organizations to do the job.
10. See to it that no hired leader or worker of a business makes more than 100 times their lowest-paid worker.
11. Simplify citizens’ federal tax liability by having no exemptions and a graduated tax rate based on percentages from 0.1 percent to 50 percent of all income.
12. Allow those at the high end of the graduated tax rate to reduce their federal tax burden by giving to private charitable organizations (see No. 9).
13. Radically change Social Security by gradually increasing early retirement and Medicare eligibility to ages 70 and 75 respectively, while making available reasonably priced medical insurance and care for all citizens.
RAY BISHOP Fort Wayne
Bauer’s assertion nonsensical
I don’t understand the logic of Indiana House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer. Regarding the recent successful vote on right to work, Bauer commented that Republicans “shoved this down the employees of the state’s throats.” What was shoved down their throats? The right to choose what they’ve always been forced to accept or the right to choose something that they believe is better for themselves and their families?
JOHN DIDIER Fort Wayne
Stutzman should aim higher
Thank goodness Rep. Marlin Stutzman is going after overpaid volunteers at organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs, RSVP and a host of non-profits that may benefit from the Corporation for National Community Service.
He is sponsoring a bill to eliminate funding for this national effort which was – way back in 1993 – a huge bipartisan desire to promote national service. In 2009 the legislation was reauthorized as the Edward M. Kennedy Service Act. I can understand Stutzman’s clamoring for an end to such blatant bipartisan efforts. He has stayed true to the right and, I guess, that is what people in northeast Indiana want.
As a long-time volunteer, I will go out on a limb and say that I believe people volunteer because they really want to give back.
I’d like to see Stutzman go after a lot bigger fish than non-profits across America and especially in our own Fort Wayne backyard.
BRUCE LEHMAN Fort Wayne
Logic lacking in ‘socialism’ claim
Ruby McBride (“Democrats’ socialism is nation’s undoing,” Jan. 23) believes that social programs are destroying this country. Not one to argue semantics or the origin of the problem, let us say that her idea is true. Social programs would in their very nature cause people to be lazy. The number of people in these social programs has increased. As more and more people became lazy, there are fewer people working. As fewer people seek employment, wages should increase. If her idea is correct, then there should be many good-paying jobs with fewer workers. Therefore, we should remove the social programs and the people will have to work.
But the jobs are not there. Wages have been stagnant for 30 years. And the tax rate on the rich has been going down the past 50 years. Socialism taken to the extreme would be bad, but it has only been used as a safety net in this country.
If socialism is not the problem, then what is? I don’t think you will like my answer.
ROGER D. COOK Uniondale
