We still paid taxes before 1913
But not federal the killer of killers.
We had a shit Army and Navy...Maybe 20th in the world
Horrible infrastructure, minimal electrical power, water systems, sewer systems
Our country became a major power after we passed income tax and federal reserve
We had a shit Army and Navy...Maybe 20th in the world
I thought that's what you guys want and strive for?
You bring up an interesting point
Our water system is at least 100 years old, bridges falling down etc..so where does all the money go?
We have cut way back on our tax structure and politicians want to brag about the new bridge they sponsored not the 100 year old water pipes they replaced
That's two things that piss me off, are water system and electrical grid totally sucks.
Its like they forgot about the water mains being blowing up a few years ago, flint being the tip of the ice burg
With the electrical grid it's not being protected from a huge solar flare or a EMP
I don't know off hand, what threat an EMP or solar flare is, or the cost/benefit analysis is on putting up enough shielding to protect from what kind of damage. Thus I'm not in a position to argue either way.
Nor do I know what kind of water infrastructure upgrades are required where.
But the problem we on the right-wing tend to have with this argument is this....
In 2008, the Democrats had 100% control over the house, 100% control over the senate with a filibuster proof majority, and of course control over the executive.
The left-wing had the entire US government in their pocket.
Not only this, but they also passed several large government policies, including a massive 'stimulus' package.
Yet directly after the Stimulus package, and up until the present day, we've heard how we need to do these other projects.
So why were they not done?
And when you ask such questions, the left-wing automatically defaults to a lack of tax revenue, which is exactly what you saw in this thread. The moment you ask why something wasn't do, idiot-winger instantly defaulted to "wah, tax revenue". Which is a joke.
First, Obama spent $1 Trillion dollar deficits for four years straight. Lack of revenue has never stopped the mindless irresponsible left from spending.
Second: "We have cut way back on our tax structure" Total BS. Just absolutely wrong. As he ALWAYS is.
Tax revenue as of 2015, was 18% of GDP. The last time the amount of tax revenue was significantly higher than 18%, was in 1945, at the end of WW2, when it reached 20% of GDP.
The amount of money the US government is collecting relative to GDP is higher today than it was in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s, about on par with the 1990s... and contrary to the moronic belief about the massive Bush tax cuts... in 2007 before the economy tanked, the Federal government collected 17.7% of GDP. Only 0.3% difference between what it is now, and not much different than the amount collected as a % of GDP, since the 1940s.
The entire claim that tax revenue is horribly low, is completely and total cow poop.
But back to the main point.
I look at many times where the government could have done anything it wanted, without restraint of any kind, and they never do these projects that I'm told over and over, are so vital. I'm constantly bombarded with eminent doom from these catastrophic events that are going to wipe out the water supply, or electrical grid, or bridges and highways, and yet over and over the government does not do them.
I look at the $20 Billion spent on green energy grants, and guaranteed loans. I look $20 Billion on the train unions, AmTrak, and so on. I look at $70 Billion on unemployment comp extensions, welfare, and food stamps.
And yet, they don't replace the water mains, and electrical grid.
That leads me to two conclusions.
One: If we allow the rabid left, to jack up taxes and drastically increase tax revenue.... how do we know they will do these programs you think are vital, when they clearly didn't with the money they already spent?
Two: If no one over the past 20 years has done any of these projects, then how do you know they are so vital? Perhaps they reason they are not done, is because they are not as important as we assume?
I have to say that the more cynical side of me, thinks it is entirely possible some of these projects are intentionally not done, because if they were done, then how would the left-wing justify non-stop tax hikes? See I think they know these projects are not as dire as some suggest. So they keep trying to raise taxes, but intentionally not doing these projects, because it's more useful to them to keep these projects unfinished to use as justification to raise taxes.
My answer to these kinds of questions, remains generally the same as always.... let the states handle it. Let the cities handle it.
Let the people who need such things, pay for their things. Do you really think that someone is going to set off an EMP in Iowa, and wipe out power to.... corn and hog farmers? You really think they are going to attack the power grid in Wisconsin and shut down a few paper mills?
On the other hand, a bunch of banks in New York city? Sure. So why not let the people of New York city, pay to have their power grids beefed up? If that's a real concern, let the people pay for it.
Same with water. How about California charge a higher price for water, instead of subsidizing it, if they need to replace their water mains? Why should I be forced to pay for California's water problems?
This is the big issue for me. When you force other people, to pay for the irresponsibility of others, that encourages irresponsibility. Many of the areas facing water problems, are areas that have government regulated water utilities subsidizing cheap water to residents. Then they want tax payers all over the country to bail out their stupidity. Well if we do that, what are they going to do? Keep being stupid.
So, no, I'm not for that.
