The other day, in response to my post of April 22, my
friend L.B.C. responded with the following (edited) commentary/questions:
Ha, ha, Bill; that was great! I read and enjoyed your new
entry.
Two thoughts: 1) In a letter to James Madison in 1789
Jefferson suggests his idea that the Constitution be rewritten every generation
(19 years according to French mortality charts at the time). He felt that the
earth belongs to the living at that each generation should make its own rules.
(Also, each generation should also clear its debts so as
not to encumber the next.)
What are your thoughts?
2) I'm not quite sure what you meant by
"redistribution of wealth;" are we talking Wall Street here or social
programs aimed at helping the poor? Please clarify.
Otherwise, with the exception of the belief that we need
be the strongest military power on earth, I basically agree with you.
Have a great day!
* * * * * *
So... allow me to respond!
First... allow me to address your last point - military
strength.
Of course I want America to be the strongest military
power on Earth - who would you rather take up the mantle... China? Russia?
(*RUEFUL SMILE*)
Does this mean I desire a militarized America? Certainly
not! Just the opposite! Frankly, I believe far too much is spent on
"defense" (actually "offense" nowadays) and that President
Eisenhower was right to warn us of an entrenched military-industry complex.
I believe America has far too many treaty commitments...
Believing America should be able to respond anywhere at
any time doesn't equate to believing America should be everywhere at all times.
We have far too many troops, bases, and resources abroad. It's long past time
that we unhooked our "trip wire" presence in South Korea. As to
Europe... we should have largely removed our forces following the collapse of
the Soviet Union.
But all this noted... my initial comment remains my
position: America should remain the strongest military power on earth. Peace
through strength!
(Note... "Peace through strength," not
"Our way or else." Not "Might makes right.")
Next... the Jefferson quotes:
No. I certainly don't believe the Constitution should be
rewritten every 19 years.
(*GRIN*)
(*CHUCKLE*)
As previously noted, the Founders gave us an Amendment
process.
I believe that while not perfect, our Founding document
was... is... close enough. Coupled and bonded to the Declaration of
Independence... yep... close enough.
Perhaps down the road I'll post my thoughts on how - if
I were so empowered - I'd change the Constitution... add to it... subtract from
it... but for now - for the sake of brevity and clarity - I'll simply stick to
my guns...
(Get it? Guns! A little Second Amendment humor...)
...and rest my case upon the existence of the Amendment
process.
As to debt encumbrance... hmm... very, very interesting!
I've actually put a great deal of thought into this topic!
I'm on the same wavelength with Jefferson! The question is... how do we reconcile
pragmatism with responsibility in a democratic Republic where absolute freedom
of movement is not simply a Right but a cultural and societal reality?
All I can come up with is restricting bonding. Perhaps
requiring super-majority votes... repayment mandated over a short period of
time so that those elected officials who supported the bonding mechanism as a
means of increasing spending would be tied to the pain of repayment...
(*PAUSE*)
We definitely need reform. Bottom line, government
finances must... must... be brought in line more closely with how responsible
individuals, families, and businesses budget and oversee their financial
affairs.
Finally... you asked me to clarify my thoughts on
"redistribution of wealth."
Is taxation redistribution of wealth? No. Not in the
sense I use the term. For me taxation is a necessary evil so as to finance
necessary government expenditures for the common good. (And I'm using
"common good" as the Founders did - not as "progressives"
do.)
I don't want government to get one cent more than it
absolutely needs...
(*PAUSE*)
Yes. I understand that "need" is in the eye of
the beholder. This is a blog post, though, not a tome, a treatise, or even a
thesis. Therefore... I'll trust readers to pick up on what I mean by "absolutely
needs."
Sticking with taxes...
I believe first we need to re-evaluate where our taxes go
and in what degree. If we are truly a Republic and beyond that we believe a
bottom up (rather than top down) governance is best, shouldn't our local government...
village... town... county... state... be where the majority of our tax dollars
go? Don't local authorities - "We the People" at the most basic level
- know best what's "absolutely necessary?" Shouldn't federal taxes be
a minor part of our yearly tax payments?
Next...
What's a reasonable "floor?" The least any of
us should be asked to pay? One percent? I'd go with that. Just as a concept.
Simply to buttress the point "we're all in this together." On the
flip side, what should be the "ceiling?" Certainly not above 49.999%!
Certainly each of us is entitled to keep at the very least half of what our
labor returns to us - and yes, a smidgen more!
I believe that when government... governments plural, the
composite parts of our federal union... demand more than half of an American's
income... we have a major problem on our hands.
Welfare? Social "redistribution of wealth" is
out of control. Are there people in need? Yes. Should those needs be addressed
partially by government? Yes. (But mainly they should be addressed by
individuals and organizations... private charities...) But as for government's
role... that should be exercised at the lowest level... the village level...
town and county... citizens boards similar to draft boards where cases are
examined, decided, and overseen by those in the best position to do so.
I could go on and on... (Heck... I have gone on and on
via previous blog postings. Search the archives!) I could address tax policy
further... share my views on various types of taxation... get into inheritance
taxes... address middle-class entitlements... get into Social Security,
Medicare, Medicaid, even unemployment!
I won't though. Not here. Not this second. (But ask me
specific questions and I'll answer them! Leave your questions in the comment
section of this post and I'll answer them!)
So... how'd I do? Did I do a credible job in tackling the
comments and questions posed?
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