America...something to be proud of

Why are so many American political leaders so quick to reach for the
time-worn phrase..."to show the world"whenever our nations motives
are questioned.

Hasn't our nation done enough?

We have our military stationed around the world, providing international
stability and defense of our Allies. Yet, we are called 'imperialists'.

We are the first responder no matter the emergency, natural or aggression.

When earthquakes hit, we are there.
When Kuwait was attacked we were there.
When we were instrumental in creating the United Nations.
Or creating NATO to defend Europe from Soviet Union in advancing further than Eastern Block.
Or our ensuring the balance of power in the Middle East was maintained.

Republicans

Most Republicans and many conservatives are pleased with the projections for the upcoming mid-term elections as it appears the GOP will re-take the majority in both Houses. But concerns
remain as the unknown of what the new majority will do is subject to speculation.  xxx

We have heard GOP party leaders tell us some of what they hope to achieve; continue the Bush tax cuts,
restrict or repeal the health care bill; cut the excessive spending of the past two years, streamlining
of the legislative process and put some other curbs of  what Democrats and the president advanced.
But, is this enough? 

What we are hearing is good news, but the fundamentals of good governance need to be addressed
as well.

And, it starts with addressing the problem of a powerful central government which runs roughshod
over the states and the American people, no matter which party is in the majority. The "Imperial Congress"needs to be replaced.

For too long Congress has determined their self-governing rules, insulated itself from the laws all citizens
must abide by, ensured they have a competitive advantage when running for election including district boundaries and funding.

Unless a serious INDEPENDENT body, beyond the influence of the political class, is created to develop
and oversee the rules which govern Congress the public will continue to see abuses followed by light
penalties in the form of  meaningless and toothless "censures".

If the GOP has the courage to promote such a change the public will see true leadership in Congress
rather than the arrogance which has become all too familiar in recent years.

Anthony Bruno
Cary, NC

Southern Exposure

The history of the South is rich, but this matters little to those who are
quick to pick at the scab of slavery, eager to disparage an entire region
of our nation which only wants the deep cost they paid to be remembered
and  respected, no less than all Americans receive for their sacrifices.

Slavery may have been the issue that drove Southern states to form the
Confederacy, but the true cause was state rights.

Even today, neither the Congress or Federal agencies seems to know
the limits of their intrusion in matters best handled by the states.

Suppose the dozen or so states now filing law suits challenging the
constitutionality of the recently passed health care bill chose a different
course of action, establishing their own confederacy. What would be
said of these states?

At what point can the states say "No" to the dictates and demands of
a Federal government which produces nothing yet has  license to take
an unlimited amount of individual wealth, using the laws legislated by
the very people elected to represent the states?

The American people have no idea where the "border" exists that the
Federal government cannot legally cross, as it is constantly moved
deeper and deeper into areas not previously under the purview of a
national governing body.

The South will continued to be the "whipping boy" whenever critics of
our nation want to advance their own initiatives. It too bad many of
them are American citizens.

Taxes

The Purpose of Taxation........is to provide the necessary funds for government to function.

Questions which need to be answered.

1. What should government do?

2. How much money is needed?

3. What is the most efficient and least expensive way to bring in this money?

National government should be limited; only providing the services which states

cannot do.  Much of what the Federal government does rightly should be the 

responsibility of states with minimal involvement from Washington.

The states should decide which services it will provide, which will lead us to the amount

the Federal government will require to support whatever states do not provide.

There are two choices, continue to use the current system, or use one of several alternatives.

Problems with the current system:

a. Too complicated  (2000 tax forms, 175 instruction booklet, 66,000 page tax code)

b. Too costly to comply (Almost $400 billion per year)

c. Too expensive to administer. (Over 100,000 IRS employees)

d. Too intrusive on individuals and businesses  decisions (use of credits and exemptions to modify behavior) 

The current system is complicated and requires more than a third of the taxes collected to get

businesses and individuals to comply.


The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

On July 12, 1909, the resolution proposing the Sixteenth Amendment was passed by the Sixty-first Congress and submitted to the state legislatures. Support for the income tax was strongest in the western states and opposition was strongest in the northeastern states.^[20] New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes, who a few years later became a Supreme Court justice, opposed the income tax amendment. He believed "from whatever source derived" implied that the federal government would then have the power to tax state and municipal bonds, thus excessively centralize government power, and "would make it impossible for the state to keep any property".^[21]

WYDEN: The big challenge is getting the leadership in both parties willing to take on the interest groups. I think we have a good chance, for example, with the deficit commission this summer. Senator Gregg is a member of it and I'm on the budget committee.

When they look at the options this summer given the fact that right now the spending far exceeds revenue, Senator Gregg and I can say there aren't many appealing alternatives out there. This is one you ought to like.

GREGG: Two things are going to give this a lift. Number one it makes sense. This is taking the tax laws, making them simpler, fairer, and much more pro growth so are we are more competitive in the world, so companies will expand here rather than go some place like Ireland where they get a tax break. This is a jobs' bill, that's the first thing.

Tax Year 2009 Tax Forms (Start Jan. 1 - End Dec. 31, 2010)

• Form 433-D - Installment Agreement
• Form 433-F - Collection Information Statement
• Form 656 - Offer in Compromise
• Form 656-B - Offer in Compromise Booklet
• Form 656-L - Offer in Compromise (Doubt as to Liability)
• Form 709 - United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return
• Form 886-H-FTHBC - First-Time Homebuyer Credit Supporting Documents
• Form 945 - Annual Return of Withheld Federal Income Tax
• Form 1040 - Standard Individual Income Tax Return
• Form 1040-A - Individual Income Tax Return
• Form 1040 (Schedule A) - Itemized Deductions
• Form 1040 (Schedule B) - Interest and Ordinary Dividends
• Form 1040 (Schedule C) - Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship)
• Form 1040 (Schedule C-EZ) - Net Profit from Business (Sole Proprietorship)
• Form 1040 (Schedule D) - Capital Gains and Losses
• Form 1040 (Schedule D-1) - Continuation Sheet for Schedule D
• Form 1040 (Schedule E) - Supplemental Income and Loss
• Form 1040 (Schedule EIC) - Earned Income Credit
• Form 1040 (Schedule H) - Household Employment Taxes
• Form 1040 (Schedule J) - Income Averaging for Farmers and Fishermen
• Form 1040 (Schedule L) - Standard Deduction for Certain Filers
• Form 1040 (Schedule M) - Making Work Pay and Government Retiree Credits
• Form 1040 (Schedule R) - Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled
• Form 1040 (Schedule SE) - Self-Employment Tax
• Form 1040-EZ - Income Tax Return for Single and Joint Filers with No Dependents
• Form 1040-NR - US Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return
• Form 1040-NR-EZ - U.S. Income Tax Return for Certain Nonresident Aliens With No Dependents
• Form 1040-V - Payment Voucher
• Form 1040-X - Amended US Individual Income Tax Return
• Form 1042 - Annual Withholding Tax Return for U.S. Source Income of Foreign Persons
• Form 1116 - Foreign Tax Credit 
• Form 2106 - Employee Business Expenses
• Form 2106-EZ - Unreimbursed Employee Business Expenses
• Form 2159 - Payroll Deduction Agreement
• Form 2350 - Application for Extension of Time to File US Income Tax Return
• Form 2441 - Child and Dependent Care Expenses
• Form 2555 - Foreign Earned Income 
• Form 2555-EZ - Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
• Form 3468 - Investment Credit 
• Form 3800 - General Business Credit
• Form 3903 - Moving Expenses
• Form 4506 - Request for Copy of Tax Return
• Form 4506-T - Request for Transcript of Tax Return
• Form 4506-T-EZ - Short Form Request for Individual Tax Return Transcript
• Form 4562 - Depreciation and Amortization
• Form 4684 - Casualties and Thefts
• Form 4868 - Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File 
• Form 4970 - Tax on Accumulation Distribution of Trusts
• Form 5405 - First-Time Homebuyer Credit and Repayment of the Credit
• Form 5695 - Residential Energy Credits
• Form 6251 - Alternative Minimum Tax 
• Form 6252 - Installment Sale Income
• Form 8396 - Mortgage Interest Credit
• Form 8453 - US Individual Income Tax Transmittal for an IRS e-file Return
• Form 8606 - Nondeductible IRAs
• Form 8801 - Credit for Prior Year Minimum Tax 
• Form 8802 - Application for United States Residency Certification
• Form 8812 - Additional Child Tax Credit
• Form 8814 - Parents' Election To Report Child's Interest and Dividends
• Form 8822 - Change of Address
• Form 8829 - Expenses for Business Use of Your Home
• Form 8834 - Qualified Electric and Plug-In Electric Vehicle Credit
• Form 8839 - Qualified Adoption Expenses
• Form 8859 - District of Columbia First-Time Homebuyer Credit
• Form 8862 - Information to Claim Earned Income Credit After Disallowance
• Form 8863 - Education Credits (American Opportunity, Hope, and Lifetime Learning Credits)
• Form 8865 - Return of U.S. Persons with Respect to Certain Foreign Partnerships
• Form 8879 - IRS e-file Signature Authorization
• Form 8880 - Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions
• Form 8885 - Health Coverage Tax Credit
• Form 8888 - Direct Deposit of Refund to More Than One Account
• Form 8889 - Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) 
• Form 8903 - Domestic Production Activities Deduction
• Form 8908 - Energy Efficient Home Credit
• Form 8909 - Energy Efficient Appliance Credit
• Form 8910 - Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit
• Form 8911 - Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit
• Form 8915 - Qualified Hurricane Retirement Plan Distributions and Repayments
• Form 8917 - Tuition and Fees Deduction 
• Form 8930 - Disaster Recovery Assistance Retirement Plan Distributions and Repayments
• Form 8936 - Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit
• Form 9423 - Collection Appeal Request
• Form 9465 - Installment Agreement Request
• Form 12203 - Request for Appeals Review
• Form 14309 - Identity Theft Affidavit
• Form W-2 - Documenting Employed Income
• Form W-2G - Certain Gambling Winnings
• Form W-4 - Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate
• Form W-7 - Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
• Form W-10 - Dependent Care Provider's Identification and Certification

Tax collection statistics

Summary of Collections before Refunds by Type of Return, Fiscal Year 2007^[15]

Type of Return	Number of Returns	Gross Collections to the nearest million US$
Individual Income Tax	138,893,908	1,366,241,000,000
Employment Taxes	30,740,592	849,733,000,000
Corporate Income Tax	2,507,728	395,536,000,000
Excise Taxes	989,165	53,050,000,000
Estate Tax	55,924	24,558,000,000
Gift Tax	286,522	2,420,000,000
Total	173,351,839	2,691,538,000,000

During Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, the IRS collected more than $2.2 trillion in tax net of refunds, about 44 percent of which was attributable to the individual income tax. This is partially due to the nature of the individual income tax category, containing taxes collected from working class, small business, self employed, and capital gains. Of the Individual Income Tax, the top 5% of income earners pay 60% of this amount.^[16][17]

Recently, the IRS has altered its policies. The current Service plus Enforcement equals Compliance motto mirrors its recent increase in investigations of abusive tax schemes.

As of 2007, the agency estimates it is owed $354 billion more than it collects.^[18]

This proposal would achieve several worthwhile goals; simplify the tax code, stimulate the economy

by lowering business and government administrative costs and provide immediate tax relief to the people who needs it most, low and middle income workers and retirees.

Shifting the funding of Social Security and Medicare to the existing tax rate schedule will provide the 

fuel to energize our economy, keep more money in the pockets of all American workers, reduce the 

cost to businesses and eliminate the advantage of hiring undocumented workers.

The  $700 billion (2008) these two taxes provide would be generated with a slight increase in income

tax rates that would be at a minimum "revenue neutral", much less then the combined tax rate of 7.5%

(Note: The amount received could be much higher...see below.....undocumented workers)

Additionally, with the elimination of  the payroll tax, the Earned Income Credit,  created to offset this tax on low income wage earners, and cost  $40 billion (2004) could be reduced  or even eliminated. 

I also suggest the elimination of all income taxes on Social Security benefits which equaled approx. $20 billion (2007). As a "trade off" seniors will no longer receive the extra exemptions but would still be a net gain for them (cannot find the cost for this exemption)

These simple changes would be well-received by all citizens and businesses and show the American the "bait and switch" tax policies of credits and exemptions, based on behavior is one step closer to

being a thing of the past and on there way out.

The party and all of Congress should embrace these suggestions of this type, as the tax code should stop being a partisan issue, not used to drive the American people's behavior based on the desires of those elected to represent them.

Proposed list of tax code changes:

Eliminate Payroll (FICA), 6% and Medicare, 1.5%, taxes on individual income and businesses.

Increase tax rate code by 1% or amount which would bring in needed revenue to pay benefits.  

 

Health care

Judy,
Pass this along.....
While everyone in the GOP is telling our leadership what to say and do if/when the agree to meet with the
president I've yet to hear what needs to be promoted, a simple four element plan with the cost and benefit.

a. uninsured.....allow them to purchase under existing Federal plan, low income get govt assist.  My son is in Missouri, didn't have health insurance for new job, needed it for the kids, was able to get it for $127 mo. - employers should not be allowed 6 months before employees are covered
b. insurance co. will be allow to sell across state lines.  Absolutely!
c. pre-existing conditions will not cause refusal.  Yes, except in cases of drug addiction.  If they can buy drugs, they can pay for medical care
d. fired employees will continue to have health care for six months, paid by employer. I would word it "laid off" not fired because fired could be for good cause - such as theft, sleeping on the job, not showing up for work, etc.  If you say fired it could be manipulated.
e, Tort reform  Absolutely
f. Govt would place cap on Cobra after co. paid insurance runs out, if needed.  If company has to cover for 6 months, they can into plan through unemployment insurance.  Bag Cobra - it costs too much and we are now subsidizing it 65%.
g. Allow 100% deduction for all medical costs, as is allowed for property taxes and mortgage interest.  Outside of the standard deduction not as part of itemized deductions.

All this will be implmented once signed into law....

Wish they asked me to speak with the president....he wouldn't listen - he has his own agenda to make socialized medicine and that's that.  No matter what he says, I don't believe he wants to work with anybody.  His idea of working with people is to have them get on board for his ideas.  That's been obvious to me since the campaign.

- Show quoted text -

Congressional responsibility

This morning the President signed an executive order creating the National Commission
on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, something most Americans will be pleased to learn.

But, I'm in the minority, for I ask the question, "Why does govt always opt for the creation
of another, toothless body?"

Matters of fiscal responsibility falls squarely on Congress, and " recommendations"  made
the purpose of creating yet another commission to
address a problem that should be addressed by the body solely responsible for our tax
dollars, the Congress.

 The American people elect their representatives to do this work.

consistently create a commission  to
confront any problem, especially one involving spending, which is solely the responsibility of Congress.

Time and again, both branches, the Legislative and Executive, time and again refuse to do the job we elect them to do.

What energy policy

Unintended Consequences......

Most often there are unintended consequences to what we do. The folllowing is a summary of what these will be if the nations of the world continue to go forward with their efforts to curb what is commonly known as Global Warming.

First, lets review some of beliefs shared by many:

1. We are running out of the two, most valuable natural resources which drives worldwide economies, oil and coal.

2. There are alternatives to both oil and coal "just around the corner".

3. Nuclear power should not be part of any effort to meet our future energy needs

4. Human activity causes global warming and must be addressed.

These beliefs are enough to begin with, and all can be challenged.

Are we running out of oil and coal? If we go back no further than three decades there were claims we would run out of oil by the year 2000. Yet, today we have projections greater then we had at that time.

And, most recently Shell Oil raised its projection of oil in the Gulf of Mexico by 50%. So many of these last projections are proved wrong, yet it doesn't stop the continued understating of the amount of natural resources the planet holds or the advances in technology which allow for the discovery of oil in areas once thought to be dry, or the processes which allow for the extraction of oil from shale.

Are there alternatives "just around the corner"? Not hardly, and perhaps not even in the distant future. First, the internal combustion engine has been with us for over one hundred years, and despite the efforts to come up with a better alternative we are still dependent on it, and the oil which keeps it running.

Consider this. Since Henry Ford produced his first car, the Wright brothers took flight at Kitty Hawk, Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic, radar and television were invented, planes traveled faster than the sound barrier, development of the atomic bomb, large computers, launched a satellite to let us "see" the world, landed man on the moon, launched a space shuttle, created the personal computer, created entire cities in areas where no life could previously survive, allow instant access to a world of knowledge with the development of the Internet, and finally, provided billions of people wireless communication with cell phones.

All the above was accomplished in the same century we have been unable to find an efficient and affordable replacement for the gasoline engine.

Why the aversion to nuclear power? This has puzzled me considering the advances in safety and the forty year record of success, especially in Europe. Even the debate over how to handle nuclear waste can be tossed aside as France and Germany have demonstrated with their ability to recycle it .

Additionally, with such a clamor to reduce coal emissions, which incidentally is the primary source of electric power, nuclear power is the perfect, better and cleaner alternative. So I remain puzzled, but lean towards blaming the adamant objections of environmentalists who resist going nuclear.

Do humans really contribute to global warming? First, we need to know for certain, is there global warming, or is it global cooling, take your pick. But, if we are smart we'd pick BOTH! Because there is climate change!

How can there not be? Look at all the elements which effect our climate. The Earth traveling at a speed of 180,000 miles per hour, a moon traveling around the Earth causing tides in the oceans. A Sun, providing varying temperatures, depending on the proximity to the Earth. These factors alone have caused dramatic changes during the four and half billion years the Earth has been alive; a "life" which until recently
(10,000 years) had not had human inhabitants.

But, to say there is now global warming, and WE are responsible, and only we can make a measurable and significant difference is fantasy.

Now, lets turn to the subject, "unintended consequences"

As the world is poised to go forward in the battle against global warming perhaps its time to envision the "tomorrow" billions of people will have to live due to the decisions being made today.

Where to begin? Well how about the dismissal of the natural resources we are so anxious to not look towards to meet our future energy needs. The longer we resist the exploration and recovery, the greater the cost, with no equivalent alternative to replace them.

Additionally, most of the under developed nations of world will pay the highest price, they will continue to be found wanting for the energy sources the West has enjoyied for decades. How much longer must they wait?

Or the accelerating demands of both China and India with the two largest populations. There growth will not subside, continuing to stretch the current existing natural resources. And neither country will have an interest in "going green", and will meet their demand with out-dated technologies.

And let's imagine a world no longer dependent on foreign oil. As much as we complain how the Arab states have a stranglehold on us, what would happen in these countries if their single-product economy died? What of the nearly one billion people in the Middle East and elsewhere, how would they make their living? Would these nations fall into anarchy, overthrowing their governments, perhaps increasingly blaming the West for the state of their nations, even to the point producing a new wave of terrorist attacks?

And of less concern, but important none the less would be the millions of workers currently employed in the oil and coal industries, and the suppliers dependent upon them. Have they been considered in the calculation. Would there be enough clean energy jobs for them?

And, what of the revenue received in taxes on gasoline? Where will the lose of this revenue come from? Although some states are already beginning to tax people who purchased more efficient cars, cutting the amount of gas will now be required to pay a "mileage tax" if they drive more miles than govt sets.
I'm sure others can add to this list of what could occur as we proceed to address our energy needs with an honest, comprehensive effort, not merely one embraced by 'poltical warming', rather than global.

Political words

The political season never ends, does it? We can't avoid it, even when we tune out;
what is done in the political arena affects us, our pocketbooks, our choices, and
our restrictions.

The words thrown around, liberal, conservative, Democrat, Republican, etc are
meaningless.

We are told one party is better than the other, one promises more government,
the other says there is too much government, but again, this is meaningless.

For whichever party drives the politics of our country, only the manner it which
we are governed will change, not dramatically improved as the times demand.

Both parties offer appealing arguments of how they can best serve our nation.
But, for decades we have allowed them, using the power of a central government,
to get more involved in every aspect of our lives. 

The American people for the most part have been led to believe government can
make better decisions than we can, about our well-being, educating our children,
and most decisions we previously made for ourselves.

One party may lean one way, and the other will lean in the opposite direction, but
the American people are still being driven, rather than driving themselves as they
should be!

Oh, about the missing word....sovereignty!  More accurately, state sovereignty which
you  will not  hear mentioned, not even by the most "limited government" candidate
you eagerly support. 

The sovereignty of the states was so crucial at our founding that not having it  almost
kept our country from being formed.

But, two-hundred-plus years later not even the states seem to care the Federal government,
thanks to the efforts of the men and women we elect to represent us, seem to care what
is being driven down from Washington.

What is state sovereignty?

State sovereignty is the foundation of our nation. This is what sets our form
of government from all others.

State sovereignty means each state determined how its citizens are governed
with only minimal, limited empowerment deferred to the Federal government.

If you cannot recognize a nation like this, that is because you do not live in one,
you reside in the United States of America.

No matter which party is in power, or which person we elect to represent us,
NOTHING is more important to the success of our nation than defusing the
power of Washington and returning it to the states and its citizens.

American Platform

Developing a platform to serve the American people is easy...IF...one is based on the protection of individual rights as were written into in the US Constitution.

The Founders believed our country should be supported by three strong and enduring "beams", the individual, sovereign states and a national government with limited powers. The individual would have guaranteed rights, each state would have its sovereignty, and the national government would have limited powers, restricted by the Constitution.

Recognize this governing structure? It is hard to imagine our nation governed in this fashion looking at it today. I'm sure our Founders would not.

Unfortunately, two hundred-plus years later the power of the Federal government far outreaches anything our Founders could have imagined or desired.  And, worse, too many Americans do not seem to care. Most seem to believe the more government does, the less personal responsibility they must bare, which is fine with them.

But, we can no longer proceed as we have, the cost and burden on us and future generations will be immeasurable. We must stop the continuing growth and overreaching authority of the Federal government, the reduction of individual rights, and the weakening of state sovereignty. For this reason I am offering a platform to redirect the course of our nation to one which will may nation stronger and sage, our governing more accountable and efficient and our citizens more
self-reliant and responsible.

The platform would limit the power of the Federal government; repeal laws and regulations which are better suited to be the responsibility of the states.

This first step would be to convene a "National States Conference" composed of each governor, state legislative leaders and Congressional representatives who will be in attendance as a courtesy, as members of Congress need to be reminded they are in the employ of the citizens of each state, NOT the Federal government. 

(Note: This is an important point which will be reference later on)

At the conference all services and responsibilities (S&R) performed by the Federal government will be reviewed and  the states will determine whether or not to take them over or continue to rely on the Federal government. This will be decided by the states, not Congress!

The first step at the conference would be to review all S&R that both the states and the Federal government are doing. If the states determine this should fall under the state, than the Federal responsibility will be ended.

Each state should take responsibility for services that are logically better controlled locally rather than in Washington. Education and infrastructure would be two to be considered, as local officials are the best judges for the needs of their citizens.

Many services should remain under Federal control; interstate commerce, foreign trade laws, aviation control, national power grids, national security, financial institution oversight, are but a few.

Just as easily many responsibilities currently overseen by the Federal government would fall under the state. National parks might be better run if the states were responsible for the upkeep.  All highway maintenance, environmental guidelines, welfare and labor standards

 

Give the states the responsibility of determining how their Congressional representatives serve their constituents. This would include creating districts, pay and expenses, term limits, if any, campaign funding, state and local involvement as a start.

Public education (greatly reduce power of Dept of Education)

Road, Bridge, Tunnel repair and maintenance (shrink some of Dept. of Transportation which oversees this funding and eliminate Federal gas tax)

Eliminate Corporate Income Tax (Retain business taxes for Federal oversight)

This second step would address national security and the role of our military, restore the sovereignty of the states, something that has been  eroded as the Federal government has grown.

Some responsibilities to be returned to the states:

Give the states the responsibility of determining how their Congressional representatives serve their constituents. This would include creating districts, pay and expenses, term limits, if any, campaign funding, state and local involvement as a start.

Public education (greatly reduce power of Dept of Education)

Road, Bridge, Tunnel repair and maintenance (shrink some of Dept. of Transportation which oversees this funding and eliminate Federal gas tax)

Eliminate Corporate Income Tax (Retain business taxes for Federal oversight)

Election Primer

April 8, 2010

The upcoming mid-term election will be anything but the typical yawner most previous ones have

been. This one, in all probability (and hopefully), will flip the majority in both the House and Senate.

Most of the media foresee what is about to transpire; a knock-down and drag out battle between

the Democratic majority, supported by organized labor and minority groups versus a grass roots

"insurgency", not politically partisan, determined to elect candidates who will reverse the path our 

country has been on for a century. 

Stakes have rarely been higher, as the outcome will determine whether the majority of American 

people want to determine their own fate, or prefer to continue on the road towards full servitude, 

captive and dependent on the Federal government.

But, aside from reversing much of the legislation of this Congress and Executive Orders of the Obama

Administration, those who want to "throw the bums out" need to demand more from the candidates 

they support.

First, Congress and many of the Federal agencies must be weakened, for this is where the Federal 

government acquires its power to influence much of the American people's lives.

A candidate saying he is for "limited government" is not enough. Words do matter, but only when 

followed up with concrete legislation which fulfills campaign promises.

As much as the Obama Administration and Congress has been bold advancing legislation and 

regulations which they believe benefits the American people, any new majority most be equally 

forceful in fulfilling the desires of those who supported their candidacy.

If the next Congress doesn't defuse the power of Federal agencies, departments such as Energy, 

Interior, Education and Transportation will continue to keep all states under the "thumb" of centralized 

authority rather than the sovereignty each was given at our founding.

What should the American people demand?

These are the important issues which must be addressed:

1. Sovereign States

Goal: To restore the sovereignty of independent states

a. State land cannot be acquired by the Federal govt without legislation being passed by its state legislatures.

b. States need to be compensated for any land the the Federal government acquires.

b. Public education will be determined by each state without interference by the Dept. of Education.

c. States will determine how their land will be developed.

d. Each state will determine all speed limits and other related transportation issues.

e. No monies can be withheld by the Federal govt from any state without legal cause.

2. Individual rights and freedoms.

Goal:  To protect the rights of the individual from government intrusion

a. Citizens are not required to adhere to any laws not explicitly defined in the Constitution.

b. Members of Congress are not exempt of any laws it enacts.

3. Congress.

Goal:  Weaken Congress' power over the election process and the rights of the American people

a. Political campaign contributions will be limited to individuals who are citizens of the candidate's state.

b. Contributions can only be spent by candidate, and not transferred to other campaigns. 

c. Unspent funds will be turned over to Federal Election Commission to covers its expenses.

d. Congressional districts will be drawn on a geographic and population formula, without partisan gerrymandering.

e. Each state will determine the number of terms their representatives will serve.

f.  Compensation will be determined by each state.

g. Majority party will not dictate chairmanships or committee assignments, which will be drawn by lot.

h. Repeal the 17th Amendment, election of senators, return to appointment by state of originally set.

3. Legislation

Goal: Ensure legislation is written and enacted for the benefit of the American people

a. All legislation must be authored by members of Congress and their staffs.

b. Each bill must have the names of all representatives and staffs responsible

c. Legislation must be simple, easy to understand and not bundled with other unconnected items.

d. All legislation cannot be voted on until the public is notified and the content is aired three weeks prior.

e. Legislation would not allow departments and agencies the latitude to interpret, only abide by the law. 

3. Limiting the power of Federal departments and agencies

Goal:  To reduce the expanse of the Federal government on states and its  citizens

a. All department are empowered to be in the employ of the states and its citizens, restricted from governing.

b. The states will determine the extend in which Federal government will involve itself in state matters.

c. 

3. Income Tax System overhaul

Goal:  To return the income into a revenue generator, not a behavior modifier.

a. The Federal income tax will be simplified with the elimination of tax credits.

b. All tax benefits received by businesses will also be received by individuals.

c. Elimination of Earned Income Credit for individuals who do not pay taxes.

d. Eliminate reduction in medical deduction by 7.5% of adjusted gross income.

This is a start, not too difficult to gain the public's support, but equally not very palatable to those eager 

to serve in Congress.

NOTE:

I didn't forget or avoid our current tax system, as it is the instrument which molds individual and businesses

behavior. This too must be defused with a simpler,less restrictive means of generating revenue without 

penalizing growth.

April 8, 2010

The upcoming mid-term election will be anything but the typical yawner most previous ones have been. 

This one, in all probability (and hopefully), will flip the majorities in both the House and the Senate.

Most of the media foresee what is about to transpire; a knock-down and drag out battle between the 

Democratic majority, supported by organized labor and minority groups versus a grass roots "insurgency", 

not politically partisan, who are determined to elect candidates who will reverse the path our country has 

been on for a century. 

Stakes have rarely been higher, as the outcome will determine whether the majority of American people 

want to determine their own fate, or prefer to continue on the road towards full servitude, captive and 

dependent on the Federal government.

But, aside from reversing much of the legislation of this Congress and Executive Orders of the president, 

those who want to "throw the bums out" need to demand more from the candidates they support.

First, Congress and many of the Federal agencies must be weakened, for this is where the Federal 

government acquires its power to influence the lives of the American people.

A candidate saying he is for "limited government" is not enough. Words do matter, but only when 

followed with concrete legislation which fulfills campaign promises.

As the Obama Administration and Congress have been bold advancing legislation and regulations a new 

majority must be equally forceful in fulfilling the desires of those who supported their candidacy.

If the next Congress doesn't defuse the power of Federal agencies, departments such as Energy, Interior, 

Education and Transportation will continue to keep all states under the "thumb" of centralized authority 

rather than the sovereignty each was given at our founding.

What should the American people demand?

Here are the important issues I believe MUST be addressed:

1. Strengthen state sovereignty to weaken Federal departments agencies

a. The Federal govt cannot acquire land without legislation being passed by the state.

b. All state land deeded to the Federal govt. must be paid for in an amount set by the state.

c. States will determine how their land will be developed, without Federal interference.

d. Public education will be determined by each state without interference by the Dept. of Education.

e. States will not be required to adhere to Federal laws on internal matters, such as speed limits, commerce and energy.

f.  No monies can be withheld by the Federal govt from any state without legal cause.

NOTE: The National Governors Association's must lead in this effort.

2. Defusing the unchecked power of Congress.

a. Political campaign contributions will be limited to individuals who are citizens of the candidate's state.

b. Campaign funds cannot be transferred to other candidates. 

c. Congressional districts will be drawn based on geographic factors, without gerrymandering of any type.

c. Term limits will be determined by the each state, not by Congress.

d. Compensation will be determined by each state, and paid by the state, not the Federal govt.

e. Repeal the 17th Amendment, the election of senators, return to appointment by state.

f. All legislation will be written by members of Congress and staffs, all identified

g Congress is 

3. All Federal judges, including the Supreme Court will be appointed for a single term as determined by 

    Congress.

4. Simplified and less intrusive Income Tax Code 

a. Reduce the 66,000 page tax code by 10% per year, based on following recommendations.

b. Eliminate all tax credits and business write downs

c. Eliminate payroll and Medicare tax.

d. Create new 5% bracket for low income earners currently not paying income tax

e. Eliminate EIC (Earned Income Credit)

f.  Continue to simplify the tax code until we can eventually replace income tax with a single national tax.

These recommendations  will gain the public's support for they provide the first reversal of Federal govt.

involvement in the lives and the activities of the American people

, but will not be palatable to members of the political

class who may not understandthose eager 

to serve in Congress.

POlitics as usual

I recently received an email from the GOP National Committee stating the importance of the upcoming mid-term election and the need for contributions to support its candidates.

The email said taxpayers must demand an accounting by the Obama Administration; it went on to remind us of the abusive and corrupt policies of confiscation, spreading our wealth to favored constituencies such as Big Labor allies and "grievance" constituencies, who I conclude on citizens  who are solely dependent on government and the American taxpayer.

The GOP stated we need to "fire" Reid and Pelosi, put the Democrats "on notice", and to "cut"  Obama's  term in half with the election of a GOP majority.

I could not agree more that our Founders never intended government to be an industry, or a monopoly which drives private enterprise into the ground and plunders the wealth of its citizens  The email rightly stated government exists to protect our freedoms, not make us servants for governing masters. 

BOTH parties divert our attention by offering up straw dogs such as "earmarks" and "lobbyists" to bolster our support they are working on our behalf. But, both are part of the process, when not used to corrupt it, are in the public's best interest. Earmarks are additions to legislation our Representatives want return funds to our communities. And, lobbyists too, work for the interests of hundreds of constituency groups, such as industries, universities, states, localities, faiths, and on and on. So don't let these diversions take your attention at the true problems our nation faces. 

But, the GOP failed to convey what it would do. There was no mention of stopping the intrusiveness
of Federal government, and the taking away state and individual rights by the departments of Education (mandates), Energy (restricting resource development) or Interior (land grabs) to name a few.

Nor, did the GOP mention what it would do to eliminate the corrupt (yet legal) manner in which legislation
is crafted, often by faceless, unaccountable lobbyists and bureaucrats. 

The GOP also failed to mention what it would do to eliminate the incumbent-friendly campaign funding rules making it near impossible for a challenger to be competitive or the practice of gerrymandering
that only strengthens an incumbents hold on a district.

What is going on from coast to coast should not be viewed as a fund raising opportunity. And, unless
the GOP fully embraces the limited government and less intrusive mantra of the non-partisan citizens who created the Tea Party movement it will not matter which party is in the majority, as our governance
will continue to fail the American people, and our "representatives" will remain embolden and committed
to do the bidding of a political class, special interest and Federal agencies via legislation.

Regards,
Anthony Bruno
Cary, NC

Socialist Nation

If you polled the American people the answer to the subject question would be NO!
But, if you asked the people what they expect from government, you would find most
would like to receive the trappings of a socialist state.

WHY are so many people anxious to give up their individual  freedom and the
responsibilities that come along with it in favor of government providing education,
health care, protections from whatever govt. deems its responsibility, and much more.

As you look over the American landscape, reflect on our history and the meteoric rise
to become the greatest country in world history, do you wonder what has shifted the thinking
of the American people from that of the Founders who resisted such socialist efforts when
we were only colonies, not yet an independent nation.

What I see on this landscape is the cause of the move, those who themselves are the beneficiaries
of this shift, the professional educator, who work in an  education system which has molded the
thinking of generations of school age children to the benefits of government, in sharp contrast to
the warning of government so important, that it was the reason of the Bill of Rights by the first
ten Amendments of the Constitution.

So, why do the most highly education people, the ones charged with teaching our children
continue to support this shift towards a socialist nation?

The common denominator that I found was the socialist environment the education community
resides in.

In the public sector educators are paid from teaching our children. Their salaries are not structured
by the success of the children they teach. Nor, are their salaries  dependent on the parents ability to
pay.


Stay well,
Tony

Steate soverignty

Sirs,
I believe one of the best way to strengthen our nation is to have each state be
responsible for matters best handled at the state level with minimal intrusion
by Federal authorities.

Making such changes is a monumental task, one that requires a strong concerted
effort to overcome the great resistance by the Federal government.

But the time may be right as over twenty states are challenging the new health care
legislation passed by Congress, something I do not believed ever occurred at this
level.

I believe only with the unified effort of the National Governor's Association (NGA)
and a strong grassroots demand such important changes can occur.

These are a few of the changes I think will reduce the power of the Federal government
and strengthen the authority of the states

First, the Federal government should not be able to withhold Federal money designated
for the states based on criteria established by agencies. Each state should determine
standards for education, transportation, energy or other areas best managed at the state
level..


Second, Federal lands within states, except for national parks and military installations will be deeded to the states.
The states MUST stop the Federal govt from taking state land to "protect" the environment or for whatever other
reason is presented.

Third, some of the self-governing power Congress has, such as term limits, compensation, district boundaries should
also be determined by the states.

States should no longer have to be dependent on the Federal govt for sources of funds...as it is the citizens and
business in the states that provide them.

I hope the NGA places a priority on reversing the encroaching intrusion on state sovereignty and individual rights.

Regards,
Anthony Bruno
Cary, NC

Improving Education...

The time may be right for tenure to be terminated in the public school system......

Tenure originated at universities to protect senior professors' academic freedom:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenure

The protection tenure provided  trickled down to elementary and secondary public schools
but not for the same noble reason established  for higher education.  It was solely for job
security and became a costly and time consuming burden for school administrators who
determined poor performing teachers needed to be fired.
Many school administrators found it easier to simply "move" teachers elsewhere rather
than attempt to "remove" them from the profession.

Schools throughout the country need to ask should tenure remain part of the benefit from
working in public education.

Its time to rethink the value of tenure in the public school systems vs. the cost; having
children  attend classes taught by teachers not equal to the demand of the job, and the
expense of keeping them on school payrolls.


An unintended consequence of the tenure system will the difficult task of  firing a  poor
performing teacher, s become more serious when a system of tenure
provides protection from losing their jobs without an expensive and time consuming
exercise by school administrators.

But, this cannot happen without parents demanding tenure be eliminated. If the teachers
unions balk...there are plenty of college educated unemployed individual who would gladly
take teaching positions..tenure or not.

.



With the poor performance of so many children in our public schools attention is being paid to
the many teachers who don't measure up. This  leads to the question of  WHY....why after their
formal education is completed,  certification and  post-school training do some teacher fail to
perform?
 



Perhaps its time to rethink WHY teachers should receive such a valued employment
asset the most workers do not receive.


Respected recipients,
After watching a 'Meet the Press' panel discussion on public education I came away disappointed. Nothing I heard gave me
confidence improvements will materialize without a total rethinking of structural changes.

There is widespread agreement our children are not learning enough to meet the demands of an ever changing and competitive society. They will not be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead, having gone through twelve years of schooling with little to show for the time they attended. This poor performance is occurring at a time we are spending more on education than we ever have.

So, what could be the cause(s)? Let's examine the major change which has affected public education for three decades, the creation of the Dept. of Education (DOE) in 1980.

The DOE introduced centralization of oversight and standards, formerly the responsibility of the states. With this shift came
the allure of  Federal funds if criteria was met. This incentive could be the reason so many children are getting promoted but not prepared for their next grade.  Many of our schools have been transformed into warehouses and our children human inventory with an expiration date of twelve years.

The DOE involved itself in matters beyond education. It became an arm of the Justice Dept. measuring racial makeup in schools, and moving children between schools to ensure diversity objectives were achieved as well as "padding" stats to falsely portray schools were achieving performance goals to receive funds.

With this centralization came the influence of special interests; children "rights" groups, and racial diversity interests. Also,
classroom size limits, narrow minded & single-thinking curriculum, political correctness and partisanship played a role.

We also saw a growth of the influence of teacher's union at the national level coinciding with the establishment of the DOE. Its lobby found a willing ally in Congress and used campaign contribution to promote favorable legislation, favorable for teachers.

Are the problems of poor performance, drop outs and discipline greater today than they were prior to the creation of the DOE and the strengthening of union influence? If so, than we cannot dismiss the creation of the DOE as the cause, at least partially.
Its time the states regain the responsibility for public education they had prior to the creation of the DOE, and rely on their own legislatures to set the educational standards...It worked for our 100 years and it can work again.

Without a discussion of what role the DOE has played in the failures in our pubic schools we may never resolve the problems.      
Regards,
Anthony Bruno     

Selected audience,
To no ones surprise  public education is receiving failing grades and is once again in the cross hairs  of government, the media and the public, all interested in addressing the problems which have led to the poor performance of so many children.

Blame needs to be shared by the poor performing students themselves, their parents &  teachers , the teacher's unions, school administers
and government...including the Dept. of Education.

Right now teacher's unions are receiving much of the attention, in no small measure due to the salaries and  benefits including tenure 
unique to teaching profession and found no where in the private sector.

This may not seem fair to single out teachers and their  unions but when ten percent of Americans are unemployed, most states and
local government are deeply in debt, and the Federal government continuing to borrow, it is easy to understand why.

So, fair or not, the focus is on teachers, what the earn, the influence of their unions and the impact on the education of children.

Most Americans will have little sympathy for teachers considering on average they receive salaries, benefits  and guaranteed positions
thanks to tenure.

Now seems to be the appropriate time local and state governments revisit the contract arrangements  with teachers. Citizens can no longer afford to pay teachers or any public employee a wage/benefit package out of kilter of what the private sector pays.

There is much more to be done, but this would be huge first step...
Regards,
Anthony Bruno


Members of the board,
Ever since the establishment of the Dept. of Education (DOE) Administrations have prided themselves on educational
programs, many with catchy names . The latest is "Race to the Top", a Federal program which provides funds to states
meeting goals of the program.

On the surface this appears to be a positive program, encouraging schools to improve the performance of their students.
But a down side to the involvement of the DOE is the intrusion on the role of the states, which have primary responsibility
for public education. Yet we rarely hear this as a cause of concern as the lure of Federal funds to cash-strapped states
leave them little choice but adhere to Federal dictates.

We have even seen inducements lead some schools to take extraordinary steps to raise average scores to qualify, while
masking the poor performance of the weakest students who do not improve.

Going further, why do we presume the people at the DOE are better qualified to develop initiatives than educators at the
state and local  levels. It may be more than a coincidence that since its inception in 1980 drop out rates  have gone up
and  student performance down.

Its time for the states to partition Congress to limit the authority of the DOE to one of a supportive body, rather than one
which doles out  money for compliance to federally created standards.

Your thoughts....

"Poverty's place in the school debate"

In their commentary Robert Korstad of Duke, and James Leloudis of UNC stated that by moving students between schools children formally in poor performing schools would receive a better education. They also state the "socioeconomic diversity" previously gained has now been lost.

Their commentary is more about the overall problems faced by the poor, such as 'economic justice', than the education their children receive. I believe our public schools have enough on their plate just providing quality education.

The professors state the new board "turned their backs" on social justice and democracy. But, is that the role of a school board?                       

     If so, no need for courts.

I disagree with their conclusion the "problems of poverty and inequality" are at the heart of the controversy. This is the leap they make,          without taking measure of the effectiveness of the schools where children are performing poorly.
As a parent and grandparent I believe schools should teach and children should learn....period. And if either of these two objectives                    are not met, direct, corrective measures need to be taken.
If it is proven the quality of the instruction falls short, strengthen the teaching, and if children are falling behind,  modify the curriculum                     to ensure students learn before being 'promoted' to next grade.
And, if it is demonstrated that poor performing schools are not receiving the same amount of funding (which I have not seen) than the                  board should rectify this.
The professors went on to state poor people "lack the political power"! Really?  The largest, galvanized voting block is made up of minority organizations, invaluably serving tens of millions of Americans. So they are represented, as evidenced by the varied organizations who     attended the recent board meeting, many from outside the county.

We even have Congressional districts deliberately gerrymandered to ensure minorities are the majority. In fact, the average longest terms
in Congress are held by minority members!

The professors are correct, many poor families cannot afford some school programs or extra-curricular activities, but this is not something     public schools need to provide, especially with budget constraints.  At some point, the responsibility falls on the parents. The public can not         and should not be asked (even demanded) to pay for anything most citizens pay for themselves.

While the professors, as well as the News and Observer editorial staff, criticize the board for fulfilling their commitment to the                          people who elected them, I've yet to see any serious changes being proposed to improve poor performing schools, only move them elsewhere.

So, here is a suggestion...Stop looking children's skin color, their parents income and the communities they live in.  Focus on
what schools can do, not where students attend their classes.

Once this is done, attention can then be paid to the issue that the board has honed in on, ensuring each student gets educated.

It took seven months for the N&O to have even a tepid admission that diversity was "fraying around the edges" 
To many, diversity is a useful diversion promoted to fix a problem through the shifting of children rather than providing quality education.

Its a solution by people whose only expertise is shaking govt "money tree" as hard and often as they can to get as much in funding
to spend as they see fit.

Decades of failure mean little to these people, as long as they shout how much they "care" whatever they say indisputable, as they reach into the wallet if taxpayers.
At one time I wondered how a a newspaper with little if any competition would not grow as the the area it serves has grown.

But, I think I figured it out...the same folks writing the editorials also make the business decisions...guess they are hoping
for govt funds too.