Financial Freedumb and Brownie

Our country was just downgraded.  The impact of this is yet to be determined, and may not be known for sometime, as the effects will ripple through our country slowly.

I do believe this is the time, we as a country, need to discuss how and what needs to be changed in order for our country to head in the right direction.  Here are the things I would put into effect immediately if I could:

1. Eliminate all private funding for elected officials.  No more lobbying.  No more private donations.  All elected officials can only run on public funds.  The amount they receive to run for a specific office is determined by the type and size of the office they are running for.
   REASON:  This will eliminate any outside influences, especially those of the corporate nature.  Candidates will run on the platform and principles they believe in.  Their only worry?  The public–the people they represent.
2. Institute a balance budget amendment over a course of 10 years.
   REASON:  Our country should operate just like any other person.  Borrowing is still an option, but only if the revenues would allow.  Expenses should never be greater than income.
3. Everyone should be paying some taxes – business, citizens, and even illegal immigrants – even if that means the lowest tax bracket is 1%.  This is related to point #4.
   REASON:  Freedom is not free.  Our country protects everyone in this country regardless of whether you are here legally or illegally.  We all work to make this country what it is, and everyone should do a little to contribute.
4. Revamp our tax system to make it simple and efficient.
   REASON:  This will eliminate the enormous amount of waste our government spends on tracking and collecting taxes.  We also need to eliminate/minimize the possibility of fraud and collect on earnings made by non-citizens (aka illegal immigrants).

 
Even if we just implemented point #1, I think we would see some dramatic and immediate changes to our government.  I don’t see why anyone would argue against making our elected officials run on a fair, even playing field.  Point #2 is also very important.  If the US implemented points #1 & #2, our country would be headed in the right direction.  Points #3 & #4 are also important, but I think first we need to clean up our government and put rules into place that will help us achieve a more responsible government.

Then we, Americans, are trapped in this house.  Now is the time for action.  I ask you to weigh your principles and prioritize them.  Save the house or save the people?

I believe in principle, and I agree we need to get our country’s debt in order.  However, don’t principles have priorities?  This world is NOT black and white, despite what some would like to believe.  These choices have serious consequences.  In my life, I have made many personal choices based on principle, but it’s always about weighing the priorities and then making a decision.

I ask our elected officials to remember that this isn’t a game.  If you miss a payment, is that not against principle?  Grow up.  It’s clear everyone will not agree on everything.  Does America’s reputation and credit worthiness not count for anything in this debate?

Have you weighed your principles recently?  What’s the most important, IMMEDIATE priority here?

And I quote Speaker Boehner on his interview just now when asked the question, 400$ billion is not that much in looking at the big picture of a 3.7$ trillion dollar package, why did that cause the breakdown?

He said basically that the reason it caused the breakdown is because it comes from the very people that will invest in our economy.  Well, I say then, so be it.

Dear Speaker Boehner:

I’m an average American, working for a large company.  I understand that there are two ways to make up for this budget crisis facing our country:  new revenues/taxes OR spending cuts.

I would like to see a mix of both.

I understand that almost half the citizens in this country pay no taxes.  I also understand that the tax cuts created during the Bush years have not been reverted.  I also understand that government spends too much.

I’m not talking just tax the rich, because corporations are raking in profits while paying less taxes then they should, some people don’t pay taxes at all!  All I’m asking is that you, and every elected official be reasonable and fair.

Regards,

Financial Freedumb & Brownie

I’ve been an on and off subscriber since the early days of Netflix.  When I have time to watch DVD’s that’s the first service I turn to.  I don’t know what made them increases prices in the manner they did, but it’s probably one of the worst price increase roll outs I have seen.

I plan to cancel my subscription once my current billing period is over.  I haven’t been using Netflix, both DVD and streaming, as much as I’d like.  Maybe I’ll sign up again when I have time, but with DVD options like Redbox and streaming options like Hulu, what’s the point?

Thanks Netflix for the many years of service and for pioneering a new industry.  Hopefully these increases end up producing real results in the form of current streaming content, which might make me come back.