Economics 101

[ccr1138]

Government very rarely contributes to the creation of wealth. Almost all wealth (except infrastructure) is created by the private sector. You can't have growth in wealth by moving little green pieces of paper around; you have to create something new, using resources and labor, that adds to the general pool of "stuff" on the earth

Comments

[hippie_mamabear]

The problem is that in the past, the wealthy got huge tax cuts on the assumption that they'd invest their money, start new businesses, and employ more people. Instead, most of them saved their money, moved manufacturing overseas, and stopped hiring expensive American workers. More money needs to go to small business owners, regardless of income (as this can vary greatly depending on industry and if they're having a good year or not, invested in new equipment or not, etc.), because these are the people that tend to hire and operate locally.

[ccr1138]

I agree small businesses could use some attention. But I disagree that tax cuts for the wealthy did no good. For one, I believe people deserve to keep most of the money they earn, and not be punished for success. But the jobs being shipped overseas does irk me. Seems to me we could tax the hell out of companies that do this, to make it less attractive.

[ccr1138]

I'd like to see small business helped, and companies given BIG disincentives to ship jobs overseas. My parents ran a small machine shop for many years making surgical instruments, and they had a terrible time competing with places like Pakistan, who pay their people pennies a day and don't have regulators like EPA, OSHA etc. ensuring things are done properly.

During the first gulf war, the government came to my dad as one of only two machinists in the country with the skills to do a certain job they needed. He said no way, because 1) it's a hassle to jump through the government's hoops anyway, and 2) he said perhaps they needed to rethink their trade policies if they'd got themselves into such a jam. Turns out the other machinist said no, too, for the same reason.

"Made in America" has implications far beyond jobs. It has to do with national security as well.

Oh, and I agree the conservatives should get better representatives. Most true conservatives deplored Bush's spending sprees.

[blue_lory]

I've got this idea.... instead of raising taxes on the rich etc... why doesn't the Federal Government ask for direct donations and offer tax cuts based on the size of your donation! ;)