I know there are many factors and angles to the IRS scandal. Yet, as more facts and attitudes surface I feel the people of IRS, that committed the wrongs, could have easily felt philosophically secure. Among our many competing diversities is the ever growing government component in the economy. The IRS, is very much a part of the government component.
The populists movements, of all sorts, are generally opponents to the government component. Even if they don’t win elections, they will educate and ultimately they will make an intellectual threat to the status quo. All this, in time, could reap a harvest; a harvest of fundamental restoration of a more diverse Federalism. This is not good news for those who believe in an all-encompassing central government. The intellectual war is underway. The Tea Party, for one, has rightly recognized that the advocates for this powerful central government come from the corporate world, the academic, as well as the halls of Congress. The IRS employee attitudes might be more common than many might think or want to admit. The IRS employees, top to bottom, certainly discern a threat ! That does not have to come through a chain of command. That may explain, partly, why the Senator became irate, by the “lying by omission” charge against the former head of the agency.
0 Comments
When General Motors was going down the tube in 2009, the American taxpayers provided a 50 billion bail-out. The decision was not universally popular, as much of GM’s problems were self-imposed. This is the same GM of “see the USA in your Chevrolet”. President Obama and Vice-President Biden bragged big-time about this “successful bail-out” in the 2012 campaign.
Now we learn that GM is spending 11 billion on new production facilities in China by 2016. They will be creating 6,000 new jobs in China. Yet, they have only invested 8.5 billion in U.S. operations since the bankruptcy. This week a professional athlete announced that he was a homosexual. It received nation-wide news coverage. Incredible ! Or, should I say, incredible just a few years ago. It was not so much that he claimed homosexuality, but that he was treated as a hero. He received a personal phone call from the President.
A few days ago the President went to a meeting of the abortion organization, Planned Parenthood, and inferred that 42 states that have various regulations and restrictions on abortions, where somewhat out of tune with the times. Also, only a few days ago there was a laugh-party In Washington called Correspondences Dinner. But, the dinner was heavily attended by individuals in the entertainment business. The attendees caused some fuss. It was encouraging to see some correspondences boycotted the party. I guess, for them, it was just not a fit place to be. A few weeks ago a media news person announced she was pregnant and planning a family with her female pardner. She was cheered by her colleagues. So, what an inside out, bottom over top, perverted society some would have us be. The abnormal would be normal; the unnatural natural; good is evil and vice verso; the strange would be the standard. Much of this outlandishness is defended as a “rights” crusade. The somber truth remains that every persons most fundamental civil rights is very secure. Most liberties; likewise. But, you haven’t heard a peep from your Congressman or Senator. When have they been at the well of the Senate or the House denouncing all the frolicking and nonsense that goes on in high places. The politicians know that the elite are not comfortable with alluding to ethics, morals, family values, etc. because it has religious overtones. Of course, most people in government know that religion is a big taboo. We must understand that politicians don’t lead anymore - they are led. Sometimes they are led by the most degenerate elements is society A sensitive ideology has come after a couple of economists, named Reinhart and Rogoff, for concluding, in an academic study, that large government debt ratios impedes growth. Why would we have to confirm this proposition by facts and figures; would not common sense direct us to this result? Maybe I forgot common sense is not so common anymore.
The study called, “Growth in a Time of Debt”, did establish perimeters on debt and growth. The study claims that gross public debt equaling 90% or more of the nations annual output was associated with lower rates of growth. Of course, this whole dispute is more relevant to Europe and the course of austerity being administered to several countries is the European Union. Germany, whose debt ratio falls under the 90% is an advocate for austerity. Then, others says it is cruel to impose bread and butter cuts at a time of recession, which Europe continues to suffer through. They say the time for austerity plans and structural changes would be when the economy starts to heal. The problem with that thinking is at a time of economic growth restoration, there appears little incentive to cut waste of repair structure. Politicians are especially lazy in the stable times and avoid any “unnecessary trouble.” Our Congress abhors preventive maintenance. We like to operate by deadline and sequester. When we take any austerity action, we do so with a very gentle touch. So gentle in fact, it is hardly noticeable, such as the proposed entitlement adjustments. We prefer just piling on the debt ! Our debt to GDP is 106% and no doubt still growing as I write this post. Some people think we will end up like the countries of southern Europe or worse. I guess I am puzzled by all the fuss about the impact of debt. Of course, debt , at high levels restrain growth and mobility. It is no different for governments than private business or even households for that matter. If the head of a family owes money on the house, automobile, furniture, and boat; all this debt should indicate he might hold back before going in debt for the Winnebago. |
AuthorBill Bays Archives
April 2016
Categories |