If we are to eliminate the debt, which threatens the dollar’s value and will inevitably lead to a dangerously higher level of inflation and the stunting of economic growth and consumer spending, we must purge wasteful government spending and needless programs, thereby giving taxpayers a greater bang for their buck, and stop borrowing trillions of dollars from China and other nations at high interest rates that are suffocating us.
The most productive way to give taxpayers their rightful bang for their buck is to spend their money wisely. That entails following the same principle that responsible American families practice every day: make thoughtful spending decisions based solely – barring expenditures for an emergency – on cash availability for present and future necessities while resisting the temptation to lavishly spend money that is simply not there.
It is time for government to finally act like its citizens by balancing its checkbook. After all, does anyone think it’s fair that the federal government has the legal right to print more money – and thus permit inflation to rear its ugly head so it can bail itself out – while no individual American can lawfully do the same?
It is time for government to clean up the fiscal mess it has irresponsibly created, and not leave that unenviable task to the innocents of future generations.
And it is high time for the lending nations I just spoke about, led by China, to stop being America’s bankers. Once that happens we can formulate and implement more objective trade, foreign policy and human rights policies toward those countries. The days of being willing hostages to other countries’ agendas – agendas that are often at odds with our own nation’s agenda – must end.
If I am scorned for proposing to cut taxes for hardworking taxpayers, middle class and wealthy alike, so that consumers have the ability to spend more of their money and thus help eliminate the growing debt through the intake of more sales taxes on products created by millions of newly employed American workers, I will gladly accept that derision.
The opportunity for consumers to keep and thus spend more of their money will also be enhanced by the elimination of smothering government regulations on businesses. The fair treatment of American consumers is paramount – but not at the expense of unnecessary government intrusion into the marketplace.
Couple my tax-cutting plans for individual taxpayers with tax reduction for American businesses of all sizes, and the incentive will be at their doorsteps to hire those workers to make those products. As President Ronald Reagan said in his 1983 State of the Union address: “No dramatic challenge is more crucial than providing stable, permanent jobs for all Americans who want to work.”
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The zeal I will exert to better the lives of my countrymen at home will extend to protecting our interests abroad.
I will increase spending, and use that money wisely, to further our intelligence capabilities in order to thwart planned terrorist attacks against Americans or our allies, whether the targets are civilians, diplomats or military personnel.
I will lean on friends when necessary – without making them feel abandoned – if the chance for a durable peace in a world trouble spot is attainable.
And I will squeeze opponents of the fundamental American values of coexistence and tolerance, preferably through economic pressure but with force if necessary, until they change their reckless behavior.
In my determination to promote democracy worldwide, I will be as tough as realistically possible in my diplomatic dealings with murderous dictators.
But I will not accept the kind of statement recently bandied about by some in government, regarding Syrian President Assad’s brutal crackdown on his country’s pro-democracy forces, that Assad had lost his “legitimacy” to govern. That’s because I’ll never accept the notion that anyone ruling by force or as a result of family inheritance ever had “legitimacy” to govern in the first place.
And when winding down American military involvement I will not supply a departure date to our enemies, for that will only embolden them to strategize on how to harm our allies and interests once we leave.
No, I do not play poker with my cards face up.
