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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: lurqer who wrote (39211)	3/10/2004 2:27:44 PM
From: NOW	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 89467

MAJOR story breaks salon.com

To: lurqer who wrote (39211)	3/10/2004 4:07:05 PM
From: jlallen	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 89467

www2.ocregister.com. Much-hyped Kerry has little to offer voters By CHRISTIAN P. MILORD Fullerton writer and educator Contrary to the positive coverage generated by his Super Tuesday victories ["For Kerry, real test is ahead," News, March 3], Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has little to offer the voters apart from an anti-Bush message and his stale vision of a gargantuan nanny state. Kerry has been assailing President Bush on deficit spending, national security and tax cuts. While I'm no fan of Bush's education policy, I think he's right on target in national security policy and with his push for permanent tax cuts. One of the brighter aspects of Bush's domestic policies is the use of tax cuts to stimulate the economy. Just as Presidents Reagan and Kennedy before him understood the effectiveness of tax cuts for igniting the economic engine, so too Bush "gets it." Kerry believes that long-term tax reductions will generate further deficit spending and criticizes Bush for running up deficits. However, he fails to look at the overall context of deficits and what caused them. Has Kerry forgotten that the president inherited an economic downturn from his predecessor and that 9/11 had a devastating impact on business expansion and employment? That recession and fallout from 9/11 partially created the deficit problem. The healthy way to reduce deficits is to limit spending - not to hike taxes. In a Register guest column ["Help some, punish many," Feb. 15, Commentary], UC Irvine professor Richard McKenzie also falls into the trap of faulty reasoning regarding tax reductions. He thinks that ongoing tax cuts will merely fuel the deficit and minimally foster business growth, employment and financial prosperity. Both he and Kerry misunderstand basic economics and human nature. First, they don't connect disciplined government spending and streamlined programs with greater public confidence. Next, they don't take into account the common sense behind individuals' decisions about money. If you reduce taxes over the long haul, people can keep a larger share of their hard-earned dollars to invest, save or spend as they see fit. Investing and spending creates more productivity and a dynamic exchange of goods and services. Washington Post columnist Robert J. Samuelson understands that presidents don't create employment ["The myth of presidents creating jobs," Feb. 29, Commentary]. Occupations in government are funded by taxpayer dollars. Wealthy investors and the middle class in the private sectors build businesses and encourage economic growth. However, the government can positively influence the economic climate through fair regulations and a tax system that rewards hard work. On national security, Kerry misses the boat regarding the war on terrorism. He thinks that investigative intelligence, selective force and arresting suspects will keep the world safe. While that is certainly part of the equation, it falls short of a coherent plan to prevent terrorist strikes. While criminals fear being caught or injured, terrorists are another breed. Many are eager to snuff out their own lives as they take out buildings and innocent civilians. So in order to prevent terrorism and win the war, government agencies need to utilize force, a variety of intelligence applications and psychological warfare. Terrorists spread fear through disinformation and actual attacks; coalitions can use similar tactics to defeat terror. A comprehensive strategy includes intense economic, legal and military pressures on terrorist groups and states that support them, coupled with the encouragement of responsible liberty in developing states. In summary, Kerry's economic policy of class warfare would hinder individual enterprise. Furthermore, his muddled perspective on national security issues would make the United States vulnerable and the world a more dangerous place.