Guest post by Michael Bechler:
In the short term, enact a deficit reduction plan that obliterates Grover Norquist’s line in the sand. New taxes on high income individuals must share the field in equal measure with entitlement reduction. Americans will not support a plan that does not share the pain.
In the medium term, end the trade deficit. Pass a law mandating that it go down 20% per year / per country until it is near 0, and include automatic tariffs if it does not. A trade war is better than penury and bankruptcy.
In the long term, quit trying to apply a fiscal solution to a demographic problem. Lower the cost of medicine and other age-related expenses, or they will bankrupt us. No amount of money will feed that beast unless we tame it or abandon the seniors.
But none of this will happen unless we reduce the influence of money on elections, and here’s one way to start. We get millions of voters to make a commitment; whenever they’re unsure of what to vote for, always vote for the one who spent less. Let them compete for the uncommitted vote by spending less.
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Michael Bechler is a technical writer in Silicon Valley.
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This guest post was submitted in response to my query about how the best way to deal with the current economic situation. This post does not necessarily reflect my thoughts and feelings.
Your comments and reactions are, of course, appreciated. Just play nice. I have standards. And I don’t want to have to delete you.
