"Freedom" thread or something

 

I would actually disagree with DTs quote about liberalism being trust in the people.  For me, that is far from the truth.  I do not trust people to act in the best interests of everyone.  And while government is made up of people, those people, in our case anyway, do have some limitations on their actions.  Private citizens (without government intervention) have no such limitations. 

 

But let's talk about competition and government regulations for a bit and how more of the first and less of the latter provides more choice for consumers.  I'm going to hit on a topic here which is something I'm very familiar with.  Landlord/tenant laws are very lax here in Texas and pretty much a landlord can put in a contract whatever he feels like putting in it.  The only real regulations have to do somewhat with health and safety and the eviction process.  Everything else is up to the landlord and haha the tenant to "negotiate".  There are lots of different landlords.  In fact, the landlords here in Texas have their own private group, which pretty much sets industry-wide standards by which landlords do business.  It basically comes down to being a cartel which while there may be multiple sellers of the good, they all sell the good under the exact same terms.  Not much choice for the consumer here in spite of a lack of government regulation.  How do you keep such cartels from forming?  New entrants?  Laws are not the only entry barrier to competitors.  Cost and economics is also a huge entry barrier into a lot of industries, and once a cartel forms they can throw up their own entry barriers.  They don't need no stinking government to do it for them.   

 

EDIT:  As to your questions about the progressive tax system, I will think about that one over lunch and answer shortly.

 

Let's see as for the tax system, let's deal with social security first.  I agree with the flat rate; however, I think the first 30,000 someone makes should be completely tax free (including payroll taxes).  On the other hand, the cap on Social Security should be eliminated.  Heck, most people think of SS as an entitlement anyway.  Might as well make it one. 

 

Capital gains should be taxed at the same marginal rates as regular income.  Why should people get a break for making money by not working? 

 

I would eliminate all deductions save a 30K standard deduction which everyone gets (this would also do away with the AMT which conservatives hate).  I would probably make an allowance for catastrophic events which could be deducted, e.g. hospital bill paid from uninsured cancer treatment.  I would say the 70's would provide a good source of tax rates with a top marginal rate of about 70%. 

 

I would also impose a wealth tax.  Not on mom and dad's retirement savings or anything up to a few million dollars.  But when people start hoarding wealth and cash, they need to be smacked for it.  Not sure about minimum's or rates though, as I haven't thought that one completely through.

 

All foreign income would be taxed at the following rate (Calculated US marginal income tax - actual income taxes paid to a foreign state).  Actually, this is pretty close to the law now for individuals, the same would be applied to companies. 

 

A universal health care tax of whatever percentage is necessary (keeping in mind the 30K deduction) and no cap on earnings.

 

Now on the spending side, universal health care for all, social security obviously, a strong social safety net which would include extended unemployment, and welfare and disability payments for those who needed them. 

 

I would eliminate foreign aid, with the exception of humanitarian aid.  I have no problem giving other countries food and medicine.  I do have a problem with arming them and helping them kill each other.

 

I think this is one we can probably all agree on: stop the whole US as world police thing.  We can't afford it and it just serves to piss off other countries. 

 

Oh, no sales tax.  At all, at any level.  They are regressive and reduce consumption which is necessary for a vibrant economy.  I do not believe in property taxes either for a primary residence within a certain price range.  Business property and second homes, etc. could still be taxed.  Also, the 100-room mansion could be taxed even if a primary residence.  Whew!

So, if you compare the economy to the human body, you realize that we NEED antibodies, and one of the functions of antibodies is to make sure cells don't start consuming more than their fair share of resources. Because what do you call it when a group of cells starts doing that? Cancer. Our economy has cancer, and some people are saying we need the cancer, while others are saying it would be unjust for the antibodies to do anything about it. But if the body dies, that is a far greater injustice than this fantasy based injustice, and what's more the cancer cells will die too.

 

[/QUOTE]

 

All I can say to that is .