Opinion : Possible solutions to the Debt Ceiling Crises

To The Editor:

It is difficult if not impossible to get through the “fog” that has enveloped the Debt Ceiling Crises. Our politicians are telling us on one hand that taxes must be increased and the debt ceiling increased or the Nation will be in default. On the other we are being told that spending must be curtailed and in fact drastically reduced and that taxes must not be increased during this recession. One side blames the other; pointing fingers is easy, but what is the real truth? I’m just going to shut out the rhetoric – there is only one reason for the demagoguery (especially by the President), that is --- there is an election coming; The idea that one Political Party is going to shove Grandma off a cliff or starve children is balderdash.

I am going to stick my neck out here and offer solutions. One – we can stop federal funding to: Planned Parenthood, AARP, NPR, ACORN(or whatever they called themselves now) all partisan groups such as Move On Dot Org, Salon Dot Com, Media Matters, or any other organization that is given tax free status that is decidedly political. Secondly: Revise the tax code! If Pres Obama wishes to penalize Big Oil and those Corporations who have flight departments --- O.K. then get rid of all the breaks for Agriculture, ethanol, Solar power, Wind power, All the loopholes that allow a company like G.E. to make huge profits with no tax liability. Level the playing field for everyone, rescind the present tax code with all its favors, repeal the XVI Amendment to the Constitution and institute a flat tax or a “Fair Tax”. Thirdly: If an agreement cannot be reached by the Aug. 2 deadline, shut down non essential government bureaus and departments found within The Department of Agriculture, The Department of Energy, The Department of Labor, The Department of Housing and Urban Development, and The Department of Education. Send them on an unpaid vacation. Chances are we will not know they are gone proving Government is too big and too costly! There will be plenty of money to pay interest on our debt and essential services mandated by the Constitution. There now, wasn’t that easy?

Regards,

John Stiegelmeyer