[detbuch]

Originally Posted by spence

I'm not sure...if anyone wishes to present a rational case that McCain could have seen a dramatically smaller 2009 deficit I'd love to see it.

You'd think Scott could google something up?

Many rational cases can be CONJECTURED. What is EVIDENT is the current deficit.

I think if anything the last two wars have demonstrated that sophisticated technology has it's limits...and the billions that go into programs that never even see the battlefield is astounding.

Maintaining military superiority can still be a priority, but the idea of a strong military has almost been seen as an entitlement by Congress and a free pass to spend without fear of repercussion.

A strong military is not only an entitlement of the Federal Government, it is one of the few responsibilities granted by the Constitution, as opposed to the many unconstitutional responsibilities it has usurped from the states and the people and which are the major, if not sole, reason for the massive national debt.

Government regulation has certainly pushed a lot of industries out of the US, but much of this is due to environmental and other negative impacts on the voters. Industry has shown time and time again that when left alone it will pollute, exploit and take unnecessary risks all in the name of shareholder value.

This is a matter that, constitutionally should be left to the States to criminalize and prosecute.

This doesn't mean that business is evil, but a balance is probably in the best interest of everyone.

The US is a desirable place to do business with a history of innovation, free thinking and strong legal protection of intellectual property.

The protection of the individual right to his property was a main reason for the revolution and the Constitution

We can justify higher corporate taxes, although I'd note that many multi-nationals seem to have found a way to evade a lot of their own tax burden. The effective tax rate doesn't seem to be nearly the second largest often cited.

Unequal and confiscatory style taxes without the consent of the taxed is a consfiscation of property and an abrogation of the property rights intended and garanteed by the Constitution. This can be applied to groups, corporations, or individual citizens. Which is why it is so pathetic, unprincipled, and uncostitutional to tax "the rich" at a higher rate than others under the guise of being "fair." To say they should pay a higher rate because they can afford it is to deny equal protection of the law, and if it is by fiat, without their consent, it is absolute confiscation of property.

Complaining about taxes and regulation isn't going to help us when nations like Germany and China are using their governments to position their private industries on a better footing through education and incentives.

You do realize those socialists in Germany with all their high taxes and oppressive regulation export more than the USA even though their GDP is 4 times smaller?

-spence

Taxes and regualtion nor complaining about them won't "help" us. Only maintaing or reviving our freedom to strive and to gain from profit motives and motives to acquire and keep property will help all in a world market place