I think we ALL agree that we need to get government spending and waste (at the federal and state level) under control.
Please post your DETAILED and NON-POLITICAL SNARK suggestions for how to do so - both revenue producing and expenditure reducing - and list what you think the pros and cons of this action are, as well as the amount you think it is worth.
Please critique other's suggestions ONLY based on their fiscal merit, possible consequences, or hidden costs. There are 467 other threads full of partisan bickering and vague philosophical agendas.
Critiques of numbers/sources should have a contradicting link to refute them - MERELY QUESTIONING SOMEONE'S SOURCE IS NOT OKAY, YOU NEED TO HAVE CONTRADICTORY NUMBERS.
CampCreekLou posted this earlier and I thought it could be a starting point for the discussion/give people ideas. http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/10/How-to-Cut-343-Billion-from-the-Federal-Budget
Here are my suggestions:
1) Tax campaign contributions - 10% across the board for all races and PACs with the proceeds going to balance the budget in each given municipality. All money left in the "war chest" after the election is donated as well. Money collected for candidates who drop out of the race or choose not to run is also forfeit.
Pros: This does not raise taxes for anyone and generates revenue. Opens up campaign finances to more scrutiny from the IRS. Everyone is treated equally.
Cons: Politicians won't vote for it.
2) All federal employees must fly coach on domestic flights to be reimbursed. This will save approximately $70 million a year.
Pros: Easy savings, applies to everyone equally.
Cons: None I can think of. The option is still open for them to upgrade on their dime/use miles.
3) Plastic bag fee - all stores & vendors must charge 10 cents for every plastic bag. The collected fee goes to recycling programs.
Pros: This is a proven way to make people immediately aware of their consumption, reduce waste and our consumption of fossil fuels. This applies to everyone equally.
Cons: The plastics industry lobbyists have our politicians' ears and in some areas have made laws to prevent this from happening.
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Beach Fanatic
If an activity is illegal, the government is already into it. They can throw you in jail. I guess you'd rather keep certain vices illegal in order to avoid taxes. I'd rather be taxed than imprisoned myself.I am not talking about illegal/ legal. I am talking about regulation and the cost to government to regulate. There also would be a cost to do business above paying a tax on it. Think about it, Walton County has no business license, so the prostitute would be unregulated as to her/ his business. Suppose they are running their business out of the house/ condo next to yours. Plus this particular business would seem to be a primarily cash business, which may lead to tax evasion and more government scrutinity.
Edited
SWGB
I am not talking about illegal/ legal. I am talking about regulation and the cost to government to regulate. There also would be a cost to do business above paying a tax on it. Think about it, Walton County has no business license, so the prostitute would be unregulated as to her/ his business. Suppose they are running their business out of the house/ condo next to yours. Plus this particular business would seem to be a primarily cash business, which may lead to tax evasion and more government scrutinity.
Actually it would violate the adult businesses ordinance the county has, so the county could act to shut them down.
Banned
I am not talking about illegal/ legal. I am talking about regulation and the cost to government to regulate. There also would be a cost to do business above paying a tax on it. Think about it, Walton County has no business license, so the prostitute would be unregulated as to her/ his business. Suppose they are running their business out of the house/ condo next to yours. Plus this particular business would seem to be a primarily cash business, which may lead to tax evasion and more government scrutinity.
So you don't think there would be a net gain in tax revenue from these activities in the grand scheme of things? Well I guess you're entitled to your opinion.
Beach Fanatic
There is a lot of that "you're entitled to your opinion" running around these days.
Banned
There is a lot of that "you're entitled to your opinion" running around these days.
Your point being???
Beach Fanatic
It was said in good humor. I guess I should have used a smiley so all would understand.😀
Banned
It was said in good humor. I guess I should have used a smiley so all would understand.😀
That's cool. I just wasn't sure what you meant.
Beach Fanatic
So you don't think there would be a net gain in tax revenue from these activities in the grand scheme of things? Well I guess you're entitled to your opinion.Not in certain businesses, I don't think there would be a net gain.
For canabis to to become a taxable commodity big business would have to be involved so as to track it and then they would have to make it addictive enough ala tobacco. As for prostitutes it would not work IMO, as they have a cash business and then how would you suggest we track it? Obviously if there was a solution then there would be a possibility, but I find it difficult to find a solution. Oh and thank you😀
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Not in certain businesses, I don't think there would be a net gain.
For canabis to to become a taxable commodity big business would have to be involved so as to track it and then they would have to make it addictive enough ala tobacco. As for prostitutes it would not work IMO, as they have a cash business and then how would you suggest we track it? Obviously if there was a solution then there would be a possibility, but I find it difficult to find a solution. Oh and thank you😀
I actually believe that big business is involved in the canabis trade right now. Its just not big business that files tax returns and follows any laws.
The savings from legalizing canabis would come from more than tax revenues. It would allow law enforcement resources to be redirected towards other crimes, would reduce some prison overcrowding issues and would take some of the wind out of the sails of drug cartels. It should also reduce some of the illegal traffic through our porous borders.
I expect that a major amount of the funding behind anti-legalization efforts comes from the illegal drug trade. They're investing in it so that they don't suffer the drop in revenues that would come from legalization.
Beach Fanatic
We should just abolish Social Security. It will be pointless when inflation kicks in anyways.
SoWal ExpertAuthor
Social Security was so old people didn't end up dying in alleys or poorhouses. End of story.
Anyone who is depending in Social Security as their sole retirement income is just aspiring to a step above that.
And while abolishing it seems like a good idea, we'll just end up paying to help them anyway.
Anyone who is depending in Social Security as their sole retirement income is just aspiring to a step above that.
And while abolishing it seems like a good idea, we'll just end up paying to help them anyway.
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