The deficit - our wedge issue

We are completely out of power now.  However, a coalition with moderate Republicans could give us some legislative muscle.  Moderate Republicans are quite concerned about the deficit, as they should be.

We won't gain any momentum on stem cell research, the war in Iraq or gay marriage.  But a war on the deficit is the fight we can fight, a fight that we may win, although winning is not as important as the fight.

Will the Democrats in Congress have the guts to declare a war on pork as well?  Doubtful.  Our 'leaders' are gutless and rudderless.  But ideas are like viruses - let's get infected with action-oriented ideas.

Specific suggestions are here:
http://vodp.blogspot.com/

Things must get much worse before they get better

Let's encourage the Republicans to be as extreme as they want to be.

The first step is to push hard for a balanced budget. Scream it from the hilltops. Align with moderate Republicans who agree that W's spending is out of control. Then Norquist the government to balance the budget. Things must get much worse before they get better.

Let's encourage privatizing Social Security. This can't be done without cutting seniors' benefits. Sorry, but they voted for Bush (60 and older, 53%/46% for Bush). You can no longer rob Peter to pay Paul (balanced budgets and all). Therefore, first cut COLAs entirely. Then we'll see how much more we need to cut to offset the private savings accounts. Remember, the young voted for Kerry (18-29 year olds, 54%/44% Kerry). Why should they support the old fogies who voted for Bush? Now, I know that you'll say, "They worked for it, they earned", but it's not like they weren't warned (what do you think 'private savings accounts' means?). A few years eating dog food might make them reconsider 'Moral values' as their top issue. Sorry, but things must get much worse before they get better.

Medicare? You get a set amount of cash. Once you exhaust that, f***ing die already.

Welfare (AFDC)? Medicaid? On the chopping block. Transfer a small amount to faith-based programs. This will hurt our core Democratic voters a lot, but again, 36% of those making under $15,000 a year voted for Bush.

Overtime pay? Unions? You should be grateful to have a job (38% of union members voted for Bush).

Bankruptcy? Not on your life. Unlike the federal government, you have to pay your debts.

Dept. of Education? Eliminate it. Education is a local issue.

NASA? Gone. NASA doesn't in any way bring us closer to Jesus Christ.

Etc.

Let the people see what small government looks like. Things must get much worse before they get better.

•  My plan to bring them down

  I call my tactic "tank the economy."  I don't plan to purchase anything unless it is absolutely necessary.  Nothing else.  US Retail sales is the engine that drives our economy.  When that engine slows down, so does everything else in the supply chain.  Taxes go down and the deficit soars, and the administration, including the House and Senate majority gets the blame.  Sorry if the effect could hurt some people, but maybe it would be a wake up call.  Anybody else on board?

  by fingerhead on Thu Nov 04, 2004 at 04:30:48 AM PDT

  •  Correction

    I mean't taxes received by the govt. to use for services go down.  Not the tax rate.  It'll need to rise to make up the shortfall.

    by fingerhead on Thu Nov 04, 2004 at 04:32:42 AM PDT

•  Made in Blue America

  Related issue. I plan to be alot more aware in my purchasing. Is there anywhere that I can find out if an item is made in Blue versus Red America?  At this point I would rather buy something made in China than Alabama but I would really prefer to buy made in Blue America. It doesn't need to be actually made enitrely here but if the balance of benefit goes to Blue America I want to know. For instance Motorola is based in Illinois but over the last several years it has closed its plants in Illinois and moved the jobs to Texas. My brother-in-law had to move down there. Should I shun Motorola products? I know that if I purchase any insulation for my house it won't be from that EnviroMate company in Alabama that fired a Kerry voter.  It probably isn't a long list but any bit can help.  Somebody should set up a "Made Blue" site listing acceptable companies and their products. This site should be educational about the welfare status of red America and how they are bleeding Blue America dry.  When I shop at Home Depot or -ugh!- Walmart at least I can limit the damage.

  I realize this has an ugly 'us-versus-them' attitude but I think they have been waging cultural war on us for at least a generation.

  by ineedalife on Thu Nov 04, 2004 at 05:02:48 AM PDT

  •  Boycotting the red states

    I have been thinking about this for the past day or two, and am still not sure what I think about either the practicality or the morality of it.  (The fact that I live in a red state certainly affects the issue.)

    But I do believe in using your money in line with your beliefs (which is why I try never to buy anything from Israel), and I saw an entry on KOS a night or two ago suggesting not buying any orange juice in the winter, as this all (?) comes from Florida.  

    Another idea I've had myself is that this might be a time to go off red meat entirely.  Not only does most of the domestic red meat we eat come from red states, but the whole question of contamination by   mad cow disease, the various antibiotics and hormones they put into the animals, etc., suggests this might be a good idea from the health standpoint as well.

    I'd be interested to see what others have to say about the idea of boycotting the red states, whether in general or on a selective basis.  As I recall, various organizations did this years ago by boycotting states that hadn't passed the Equal Rights Amendment for women; I don't know what effect it had, but again, at least it gives us a way to spend our money in line with our own "moral values".  

    by daristani on Thu Nov 04, 2004 at 05:44:33 AM PDT