Over the past year we have watched economic woes incite protests across Europe, testing the European Union and the countries belonging to it. For those living in the United States hearing of countries defaulting or potentially defaulting on their debt, we have said, "The United States will never default on its own debt." Well, in a few weeks, if our boneheaded politicians in Washington can't figure out how to work together to come up with a solution to raising the debt ceiling with a balanced budget package, then it looks like we will default on our debt. So what would it mean if the United States defaulted on its debt? I don't even know the full ramifications of a default, but from what I can garner from the news, our economy would be even more screwed that it already is. It would mean that the United States, which loves to borrow money to pay for all its programs, wouldn't be able to borrow anything, and all the countries that support our $14 trillion dollar debt would come knocking asking for their money. Essentially, it is mind boggling as the United States currently has the world's largest economy. Every American would be effected in some way and it would send shock waves across all economies. So why can't our thick headed politicians move past their own party's views to work together in concert? Why can't they look at the big picture and take into consideration the lives of Americans who will be impacted by any decision or indecision emanating from their chambers? It seems that one side wants more spending cuts, the other wants more taxation. I have news for them, it can't simply be one way, it needs to be a combination of the two to effectively move our country forward. Or better yet, how about a new system to raise money.
It has been proposed before and I am in full support of this new system (even though it is highly unlikely ever to become a reality). It is a flat tax across the board with no loopholes or deductions. If the government taxed everyone, corporations and individuals at the same rate, lets say 10% with no deductions, it would make the whole tax system easier to understand and able to generate more revenue to pay for our enormous debt. Currently, we have large corporations with revenue in the hundreds of millions that essentially pay no taxes, GE for one, Boeing is up there, and how about the oil giants that pay little to no taxes. How is that fair to the average American who has to pay taxes? Its not. If we had a flat tax across the board with no loopholes, money would flow right into the government's coffers. Whether a person made a 100 dollars a day or 1 million a day, both would pay 10%, no ifs, ands, or buts. If a corporation had 500K in revenue or 500 million in revenue, both would pay 10%, no ifs, ands or buts. It is a much simpler system that everyone can understand and the government could actually make money on. I don't know if 10% would be the right number, but it would definitely be a good starting point. Yet the bickering in Washington goes on, "I want it my way, not yours." Screw them all. I say that if they can't reach a compromise and we do end up defaulting, that we get rid of every single politician and start from scratch with a new election. Its time to put our foot down and demand that they actually do some work down in Washington to keep our country running.
This problem should have been figured out months ago, yet with two weeks to go, there is still no solution. Part of the problem is that most of the American public doesn't even care about what is going on in Washington and simply wishes for things to be resolved. If we maintain that attitude without demanding that our elected officials actually accomplish something, then they will continue to bicker in their nice little rooms down in Washington. It seems that people are more interested in the Casey Anthony trial than what could potentially drain their pockets. People are concerned with finding jobs. If our country defaults on its debt, do they think that finding a job will be easier? It is time for people to look past the petty shit that is going on in their lives and in the life of Casey Anthony and take a serious look at the issue that could screw this whole country. But alas, I feel like a speak to a wall. No matter how much I say things or how much others plead for the American public to take some interest in their government, people will just go along watching their reality TV and hope for the best. The only time they will take a vested interest is if our country does actually default. At that point, people will come knocking saying, "How did this happen?" By that point it will be too late. Let us today and over the next two weeks, hope that our elected officials put aside their party interests and work together to solve this problem. If they don't, I am moving to Antarctica and building myself a little igloo.
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