kvkkc1...suprise...
I don't have a problem with eliminating Social Security and Medicare except for those truly in need, as they were originally intended.
AGREE. Social Security was intended as insurance for
those that needed it. SS is not an annuity or an entitlement. I pay home, car and health insurance, and
hopefully don't need to use it. SS should be the same.
Means test and possibly raise the retirement age.
The fraud that is prevalent in Gov't contracting should be exposed.
AGREE. Especially regarding companies
that have committed fraud and continue to get
contracts.
Farm and corporate subsidies can go.
AGREE especially those farm subsidies that go to
large corporations. Also add mining companies, and
insurance from the government to rebuild in flood
plains and other areas of repeated natural destruction.
The war on drugs is a failure
AGREE, but doubt that we agree on the solution.
I'm with George Will, William Buckley, Kurt Scmote (sp?)
and others who believe you got to remove the profit
incentive.
This drug war is partly what has put a burden
on the judicial system. Do you know what the case
loads of Assistant DA's are, as well as the
case loads of Public Defenders? Resources are squandered.
Defense spending needs to be refocused.
AGREE. Not an expert on this, so hope I don't
sound too naive, but some of the inefficiencies
seem to come from the competition between the
different services for procurements. ALways seems strange
to me when Congress authorizes money for weapon systems
that the Pentagon doesn't want. Plus in reference
to your question about some questionable programs-
the B-1 quickly became obsolete, and the Osprey helicopter
keeps crashing. Have read about a number of other
defiencies like wiring in jets, but would have to
do a little research and recall.
HUD should be privatized.
AGREE in principle. Housing recipients could receive
vouchers like food stamps which they use to pay
private landlords. Though such a system could be construed
as welfare, it would put the government out
of the housing business all together.
Note, regarding previous comments concerning privatization
of services, when a city or municipality uses
a private company rather than employees on the
payroll, the local government becomes the contractor
rather than the employer. Tax dollars are still
needed though to fulfill those contracts, but the
private contractors are much better (typically)
and efficient than the city workers, since that is
their only business that they have to compete
to get and fulfill contracts.
(Using trash collection as just one example,
if every one hired their own trash collectors and
government wasn't the slightest bit involved, then
what would happen to rates and what would happen
if your neighbors who you don't know were negligent?
Sounds inefficient and messy to me).
Note though that whenever the government is in position
as contractor, campaign finance reform is even more
necessary since procurement should be based on
the best services provided at the best prices rather than
"pay to play", that is Mr K gave money to your campaign
thus now Mr K expects to get city contracts for his company
(this is how its works in Philadelphia).
You also raised the bigger issue of what should be provided
at the Federal, State, and Local levels, and who
should have jurisdiction over raising and spending dollars
on what . Part of this argument should go back and look at
the reason for Federalism as a means to make up for the economic disparities betw. States. Part of this
argument should also deal with the State
subsidies given to private corporations because of
states competing for "jobs"...
Anyway, completely off topic...and I hope people don't
take offense, but both Bush and Gore have daughters who
are some serious babes. Keep them away from
the slickster. LOL
z
btw. During the Reagan administration, the Senate
was in Republican Control from the beginning
of 1981 to the end of 1986.
senate.gov
Howard Baker and Bob Dole were Majority Leaders
during these 97th, 98th and 99th Congresses...
so lets properly recount the history..
senate.gov
Interesting site by the way:
senate.gov |
