Tag Archives: Boston Guy

Talk to a Republican and you are likely to hear them talk about the virtues of Reagan and Trickle-down economics.

In a nutshell, this theory says the wealth of the richest Americans and businesses  “trickles-down” to the middle and lower class, creating a rising tide. So in theory, to ensure the trickle keeps dripping, one should decrease tax rates on those most able to afford to pay them.  It’s an interesting concept and some money or wealth does indeed get spread through out the economy, but there is a reason it is called “trickle-down” and not “fair flow”… The amount of money that comes back into the economy is so finite that it only trickles; never flows.

if Reagan was so great; lets return to his income tax rates

The wealthiest individuals and corporations spending habits are now global.  Tax shelters and shadow corporations set up outside the US ensure the trickle will never flow or be fair.  I can appreciate and understand why people are skeptical of paying more in taxes to the US Government. I can also understand why people don’t want to pay more. While I’m hardly part of the 1%, I do have a good job and make a decent living but I don’t want to have to pay more in taxes either.

It is precisely because of my experience that I believe if the wealthiest do not pay more in taxes then there is little hope for decreasing our national debt. If I make a decent salary and I find it hard to save for my retirement how can I expect people who make far less than me to save? Do we think that the Baby Boomers in the US will not need medical care or attention? Do we think the world is going to become a safer place devoid of warfare and terrorism? Do we think that we do not have an obligation to care for our poor and less fortunate? These are not the American values I remember being taught, and I believe there is a price to be paid for being lucky enough to live in the United States and have a good job that pays a good wage.

I’ve been mulling over Secretary Rice’s comments from her speech at the Republican National Convention (RNC) earlier this week.  Of all the prime time presenters, it was Condoleezza “Condi” Rice our former Secretary of State under President Bush, whom I was most interested in hearing.  I view her as an intelligent, thoughtful and moderate Republican so I was surprised when she criticized President Obama’s foreign policy. I fully expected criticism on the economy and how that compromises our strength in negotiations with countries like China but her rhetoric was more strident and had less to do with economics.

“…But we can only know that there is no choice, because one of two things will happen if we don’t lead. Either no one will lead and there will be chaos, or someone will fill the vacuum who does not share our values.  My fellow Americans, we do not have a choice.  We cannot be reluctant to lead and you cannot lead from behind.”

Obama’s foreign policy record looks pretty damn good to me

Four years ago the US was embroiled in two land wars in the Middle East and Asia, we were the subject of scorn and the butt of many jokes around the world.  Fast forward to today – both wars are either over or ending, America is well respected by its allies and men like Osama Bin Laden and Muammar Gaddafi are dead. More over, Egypt (the Middle East’s most populous nation) had their first democratic election last year and the days are numbered for Assad (leader of Syria).  Assad’s imminent removal of power could be potentially catastrophic for Iran who will lose their longest standing and best ally in the region.

If there has been a bright spot in the past 4 years for Obama, it has been his foreign policy accomplishments.  In 2008 nobody expected Osama Bin Laden and Muammar Gaddafi would be neutralized under Obama’s watch. Moreover, Obama with the help of Hillary Clinton has deftly repaired our relationship with key trade partners like Brazil, a country that plays an increasingly important role in this hemisphere as a rising economic power and geopolitical ally we can leverage against Chavez.