It seems the world economics forum has dropped the U.S. to fifth place in over all competitiveness world wide. In 2008 we were first on the list and only three years later we are dropped to fifth. The reasons given were the amount of debt and the lack of confidence our government is receiving in the belief it can correct this debt. So now Switzerland, Sweden, Singapore and Finland are ahead of us in the rating.
How long will it take us to figure out we cant keep doing the same thing and hope things get better? We keep electing the same people to office and then act surprised that things don't get better. Even when we actually do elect someone new they wind up doing the same thing the previous office holder did and nothing gets better. If the U.S. were a company it would have to declare bankruptcy to avoid a total collapse.
It's high time we as the voting public decide to try something different. I mean REALLY different. On that note I have some ideas.
1. Term limits on every Federally elected official. Thats right no more career politicians. politicians should get elected, do their jobs then go home. I think a two term limit would be just fine, It's good enough for the President it should be good enough for members of Congress.
2. Completely overhaul our Tax system. It's too complicated and too easy for people and companies to get around. I personally would like to see a flat tax. Everybody pays the same rate no matter what. Do away with all the exemptions and loopholes. Each taxpayer files for themselves no joint filing and each taxpayer gets one personal exemption of 30,000 dollars. The first 30,000 you earn has no federal taxes after that you pay a percentage of what you earn. No loopholes after 30K it's all taxable no arguments period.
3. Social Security becomes optional. If you want to have Social Security when you retire you opt in and make payments. If you dont want to pay you dont have to but you wont get anything at retirement, nothing, no medicare, no social security payments, nothing.
4. Change Corporate tax structure. Drop the percentage to 25% and remove any deferments and tax breaks. Every corporation based in U.S. would pay 25% of their yearly profits, thats it no deals, no options, if you make a profit you pay taxes.
5. Bring our troops back from all the overseas bases and wars and put them to work securing our borders. Thats the primary job of our military to keep the U.S. secure so let them do it.
6. Change immigration rules. If you can show you have a place to go and the likely hood of getting work we will give you a 6 month temporary visa. Once you get to the city you applied to go to when you entered you will have to go to an INS office and report and once you get a job you can apply for an extension of your visa. If you go 2 years without getting arrested, keep working and can speak and read english you can apply for permanent alien residence. If after five years of permanent alien status you want to apply for citizenship you can go through the process and apply.
There are several more that I can think of but I am just not going to put them down now. I expect if we did these six things we would see a big change in how our country was doing. I dont think any of these will ever actually get done, but it was a fun idea to think about anyway. I'm outta here for now talk to you all later.
No comments:
Post a Comment