Left v. Right

As we near November the volume from both sides of the aisle is going to go through the roof.  (It’s times like this that I’m so grateful we don’t have TV in the house.)  I can’t stand political ads b/c I don’t believe them.  There’s always another side to the horrible picture the opposition paints.  The media tends to demonize people on the opposite side of political belief instead of allowing thoughtful debate.  Of course the media (from MSNBC to Fox) feed the hate and fear fanning on both sides b/c the perpetual state of outrage or panic or fear feeds ratings.

Indirectly related to this is a work by a self-described ‘information designer’ named David Mclandess.  What I like about it is the straightforward comparison to the common values, motives, practices of both the left and the right.  Check it out … Did he get it right?  Are you 100% on one side?  Or do you see things on the other side that identifies you too?

Left v. Right

For more of his info visualizations, check him out here: http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/

JFK said what?

When I speak with my father in law about politics, he often jabs me with something along the lines of, ‘you know the whole country thinks California’s a joke, right?’  Or, ‘you know the country is laughing at California government and how broken your state is, right?’  I don’t think his ill feelings toward me for stealing his daughter away to the other side of the country are talking.  I believe he’s right.  California has become a joke.  But, it’s a dark comedy.  Serious people are starting to call the golden state a ‘failed state.’

Why?  What’s happened?  Who’s responsible?  The state legislature has been in Democratic Party control since 1970.  As is stereotypical, the ‘progressive’ democratic-led state government has sought to redistribute the wealth within California by setting the highest state income tax rates in the country.

When a state tries to redistribute the wealth (Click for WSJ article)

CA voters have made matters worse by not being able to say no to just about any ballot initiative that increases borrowing or taxing to fund hundreds of programs that 1) simply don’t exist in other states or 2) are managed way more efficiently in other states.

So, what should a state do to avoid or get itself out of this self-destructive cycle?  Reduce government and cut taxes.  The other day I posted a past prominent conservative’s perspective on the role of government, Ezra Taft Benson.  Today, I share some thoughts on taxes and the economy from one of America’s and the Progressive’s most iconic spokesmen, John F. Kennedy:

JFK: Author of Conservative Reaganomics?

“It is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high and tax revenues are too low and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the rates now … Cutting taxes now is not to incur a budget deficit, but to achieve the more prosperous, expanding economy which can bring a budget surplus.”
– John F. Kennedy, Nov. 20, 1962, president’s news conference

“Lower rates of taxation will stimulate economic activity and so raise the levels of personal and corporate income as to yield within a few years an increased – not a reduced – flow of revenues to the federal government.”
– John F. Kennedy, Jan. 17, 1963, annual budget message to the Congress, fiscal year 1964

“In today’s economy, fiscal prudence and responsibility call for tax reduction even if it temporarily enlarges the federal deficit – why reducing taxes is the best way open to us to increase revenues.”
– John F. Kennedy, Jan. 21, 1963, annual message to the Congress: “The Economic Report Of The President”

“It is no contradiction – the most important single thing we can do to stimulate investment in today’s economy is to raise consumption by major reduction of individual income tax rates.”
– John F. Kennedy, Jan. 21, 1963, annual message to the Congress: “The Economic Report Of The President”

Our tax system still siphons out of the private economy too large a share of personal and business purchasing power and reduces the incentive for risk, investment and effort – thereby aborting our recoveries and stifling our national growth rate.”
– John F. Kennedy, Jan. 24, 1963, message to Congress on tax reduction and reform, House Doc. 43, 88th Congress, 1st Session.

“A tax cut means higher family income and higher business profits and a balanced federal budget. Every taxpayer and his family will have more money left over after taxes for a new car, a new home, new conveniences, education and investment. Every businessman can keep a higher percentage of his profits in his cash register or put it to work expanding or improving his business, and as the national income grows, the federal government will ultimately end up with more revenues.”
– John F. Kennedy, Sept. 18, 1963, radio and television address to the nation on tax-reduction bill

“This administration pledged itself last summer to an across-the-board, top-to-bottom cut in personal and corporate income taxes … Next year’s tax bill should reduce personal as well as corporate income taxes, for those in the lower brackets, who are certain to spend their additional take-home pay, and for those in the middle and upper brackets, who can thereby be encouraged to undertake additional efforts and enabled to invest more capital … I am confident that the enactment of the right bill next year will in due course increase our gross national product by several times the amount of taxes actually cut.”
– John F. Kennedy, Nov. 20, 1962, news conference

What would happen to California’s economy if we followed JFK’s message here?  What would happen to the country if Obama spoke these words at his state of the union?

The Role Of Government …

… according to Ezra Taft Benson.

I stumbled upon this speech given by Ezra T. Benson in 1968, titled ‘The Proper Role of Government.’  It’s long, but it’s worth it.  It should be required reading for every American before they vote.  Whether you agree or disagree with his view, you can’t ignore it.  I find his arguments compelling, to say the least.

Eisenhower appointed Benson as Secretary of Agriculture

Ezra T. Benson

You can READ it below.
But, it’s MUCH BETTER to listen to his voice HERE.

The Proper Role of Government
Former Secretary of Agriculture [The Eisenhower Administration - ed.] Published in 1968

Men in the public spotlight constantly are asked to express an opinion on a myriad of government proposals and projects. “What do you think of TVA?” “What is your opinion of Medicare?” How do you feel about Urban Renewal?” The list is endless. All too often, answers to these questions seem to be based, not upon any solid principle, but upon the popularity of the specific government program in question. Seldom are men willing to oppose a popular program if they, themselves, wish to be popular – especially if they seek public office.

Government Should Be Based Upon Sound Principles

Such an approach to vital political questions of the day can only lead to publistions of the day can only lead to public confusion and legislative chaos. Decisions of this nature should be based upon and measured against certain basic principles regarding the proper role of government. If principles are correct, then they can be applied to any specific proposal with confidence.

“Are there not, in reality, underlying, universal principles with reference to which all issues must be resolved whether the society be simple or complex in its mechanical organization? It seems to me we could relieve ourselves of most of the bewilderment which so unsettles and distracts us by subjecting each situation to the simple test of right and wrong. Right and wrong as moral principles do not change. They are applicable and reliable determinants whether the situations with which we deal are simple or complicated. There is always a right and wrong to every question which requires our solution.” (Albert E. Bowen, Prophets, Principles and National Survival, P. 21-22)

Unlike the political opportunist, the true statesman values principle above popularity, and works to create popularity for those political principles which are wise and just.