Balancing The Equation: The Hypocrisy Variable

Government exists in part to provide certain basic services to the public at large. For example, basic infrastructure like roads, a military to defend ourselves from foreign threats, etc. To provide services, governments have to spend money. And to spend money, they have to make money. There are two ways that Governments can acquire funds, namely taxing citizens (real income) and borrowing money (which only provide a near-term influx of cash that ultimately needs to be repaid).

The problem we are facing today with the Republican party is that there is a fundamental disconnect. On the one hand, the American public wants to pay less in taxes. I mean who would argue with that? On the other hand, we haven't seen any meaningful suggestions for how to cut spending.

So, to keep the equation balanced, the only thing we can do is effectively take on more debt. Somehow this aspect of the equation is never brought up by the Republican party. They American people expect that the equation will balance itself magically. That somehow the Government will be able to acquire less real income and still be able to spend as much (or maybe it will spend a little less, but not nearly enough to offset what it is making).

Under George W. Bush, Federal spending increased by 54%! And taxes decreased! He took a budget surplus and turned it into a substantial deficit! This is the party that talks about efficient Government? That's simply nonsense. The Republican party has put forth an agenda saying that there should be no cuts in Medicare, Social Security or the military. However, more than 60% (and growing) of the Federal Budget is used to support these causes.

Where are we going to cut? Education? That's great. How we are going to compete in a global economy without preparing our children is a mystery to me.

President Obama refers to Republican policies as bankrupt policies. That makes sense - if we keep this up, we will eventually be bankrupt.

The more fundamental danger with Republican policies is that they appeal to our lower sensibilities. They are like that extra gin and tonic that seems enticing now, but will give you a hangover later. The math isn't complicated, but people just don't want to take the necessary steps to do something about it. No one wants to admit that we need to make difficult decisions to get there. Or perhaps (as I would expect) the politicians understand the dilemma. They are just choosing to ignore it since they are getting more than their fair share now while leaving a wasteland for our children.

I came across a must-read article from Time Magazine that discusses this issue as well:
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,2029356,00.html

Comments, Criticisms, Flames, Words of Encouragement, etc., always Welcome!