[Vision2020] Liberal or Communist

Wed, 28 May 2003 10:49:15 -0700

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Cjsnightclub@aol.com wrote:

> ... Here are some simple facts. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE IN THIS 
> TOWN TO SUPPORT WHAT THE LIBERALS WANT. Look at Russia. It could not 
> do it either....

Dear Vision 2020:

The USSR could not afford their MILITARY.

This should be a significant lesson to us as we in this country spend a 
larger share of our taxes on military, police and prisons.

The federal government has significantly reduced spending on social 
programs. States have been forced to handle these programs. In turn, 
increased state support for social programs has forced states to 
decrease spending on education, especially higher education. One result 
is that state universities and colleges, which once were free to 
students, are now almost as costly as private institutions. A related 
result is that students are amassing large debt before they have any 
income to repay it. As these students enter the job market, they will 
have less money to be taxed. With the Baby Boomers starting to collect 
social security, the result will be the substantial reduction or 
collapse of our social programs.

In addition, as the Bush administration increases military spending and 
reduces taxes, one effect will be to create a large federal deficit, 
which will lead to depreciation of the dollar, higher interest rates and 
a trade deficit. Another effect will be to shift the tax burden for 
education and social programs to the states. This will affect us all, 
but smaller states, such as Idaho, will be hardest hit, because the 
share of federal taxes distributed to the states will be reduced (Idaho 
gets more federal money back than it pays out). Large states, such as 
California, will be less affected (it pays out more federal taxes than 
it gets back).

In other Vision 2020 messages, I see a debate over government support 
for the Alturas "Technology" Park. It is interesting that all sides seem 
to agree that this GOVERNMENT project succeeded in attracting and 
retaining some high tech businesses with good paying jobs, which 
resulted in prosperity for us here, in Moscow. This type of project will 
not be possible if taxes are limited to essential services.

I close by expressing support for the "liberal" projects ridiculed in 
the original post. I enjoy the pool, skate park, ice-skating rink, 
community center, and fireworks. I am glad my taxes support these 
projects. I also support a strong U.S. military with an active 
international role, although I want to see us work with the United 
Nations rather than against it. But, I disagree with the short-sighted 
policies of the Bush administration designed to benefit only the rich 
and corporate interests.

Duncan Palmatier

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<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:Cjsnightclub@aol.com">Cjsnightclub@aol.com</a> wrote: 
<blockquote type="cite" cite="mid20.121d2e63.2c0578ce@aol.com">... Here are some simple facts. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE IN
THIS TOWN TO SUPPORT WHAT THE LIBERALS WANT. Look at Russia. It could not
do it either....</blockquote>
Dear Vision 2020: 
 
The USSR could not afford their MILITARY. 
 
This should be a significant lesson to us as we in this country spend a larger
share of our taxes on military, police and prisons. 
 
The federal government has significantly reduced spending on social programs.
States have been forced to handle these programs. In turn, increased state
support for social programs has forced states to decrease spending on education,
especially higher education. One result is that state universities and colleges,
which once were free to students, are now almost as costly as private institutions.
A related result is that students are amassing large debt before they have
any income to repay it. As these students enter the job market, they will
have less money to be taxed. With the Baby Boomers starting to collect social
security, the result will be the substantial reduction or collapse of our
social programs. 
 
In addition, as the Bush administration increases military spending and reduces
taxes, one effect will be to create a large federal deficit, which will lead
to depreciation of the dollar, higher interest rates and a trade deficit.
Another effect will be to shift the tax burden for education and social programs
to the states. This will affect us all, but smaller states, such as Idaho,
will be hardest hit, because the share of federal taxes distributed to the
states will be reduced (Idaho gets more federal money back than it pays out).
Large states, such as California, will be less affected (it pays out more
federal taxes than it gets back). 
 
In other Vision 2020 messages, I see a debate over government support for
the Alturas "Technology" Park. It is interesting that all sides seem to agree
that this GOVERNMENT project succeeded in attracting and retaining some high
tech businesses with good paying jobs, which resulted in prosperity for us
here, in Moscow. This type of project will not be possible if taxes are limited
to essential services. 
 
I close by expressing support for the "liberal" projects ridiculed in the
original post. I enjoy the pool, skate park, ice-skating rink, community
center, and fireworks. I am glad my taxes support these projects. I also
support a strong U.S. military with an active international role, although
I want to see us work with the United Nations rather than against it. But,
I disagree with the short-sighted policies of the Bush administration designed
to benefit only the rich and corporate interests. 
 
Duncan Palmatier 
 
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