An Open Challenge to Advocates of Tax Cuts

Ranting about the unfairness of taxes has become a national sport. Yet, tax cuts (without commensurate reductions in spending) are a prime contributor to the more than $12 trillion U.S. public debt that has been accumulated largely since 1981.

I challenge you to state how the U.S. federal government should generate an additional $1.5 trillion (give or take a few hundred billion) every year. Please be specific. Who should pay more in taxes? Who, if anyone, should pay less? It would be even better if you could find a politician who would make such a statement on the record.

It is easy to rant about the unfairness of ANY tax. Anti-tax advocates are making U.S. fiscal problems worse, not better. They add to a culture of fiscal irresponsibility in which we demand government services, but are unwilling to pay for them. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not opposed to the reduction or elimination of ANY government programs. But until such a time as politicians are willing to upset the portions of the electorate that benefit from government largesse by reducing their benefits, the responsible behavior is to pay for current government services rather than passing trillions of dollars of debt to our children, grandchildren, and future generations.

Keep ranting if it makes you feel better. But unless you support HIGHER taxes (on someone) or reduced government spending (on things YOU benefit from), then you are part of the problem, not the solution.

I await your plans for increasing federal government revenues or specific recommendations for $1.5 trillion (or more) in cuts to government services.

Best wishes ...