Fiscal fantasy--something to keep in mind on Tuesday

[jpgray]

Kerry and Edwards both plan to repeal the tax cut for the rich to pay for their new social programs.

Have we forgotten something here? Or is it another reminder that political campaigns ignore the unpleasant realities at all costs?

We have a social program that is teetering on the edge of disaster right now. How are Edwards and Kerry going to shore up Social Security when they are taking what money they gain from repealing portions of the tax cut and funnelling it into new and expensive programs? Guess what, they aren't about to tell you. They're both good men, but they are political strategists to the core--if you can ignore the big ugly elephant sleeping in the room, IGNORE IT.

This nation is becoming a macrocosm for the aforementioned boomers--about to retire, but with massive debt instead of massive savings. With a half trillion dollar deficit, how are our candidates going to keep Social Security alive when what new money they bring in is used to fund their expensive campaign promises?

They can either raise taxes substantially, cut defense spending, or cut social spending. Neither Edwards nor Kerry is willing to face the political trouble that any of those options will bring--therefore they ignore the issue. But we have a candidate who trusts us to deal with it.

Kucinich has a plan. Kucinich alone has the sense to cut the defense budget.

We have a defense budget that dwarfs that of most major competitors combined. As we have seen close up these past months, there is a level of graft and cronyism that could shame even the most craven domestic corporation. The 'war on terror' is not a war of tanks, planes and bullets, it is a policy war. As Israel has found, rockets and advanced equipment doesn't provide security or defeat terror. As we have found, there are no lines on a map that describe 'terror'. On the contrary there are only individuals, as diverse as the races of the world, and spread out among dozens of countries. Do we invade each one? When will our equipment and soliders, our blood and treasure, finally fail us? Will it have been worth it?

As long as US policy creates enormous numbers of terrorists who are bent on fighting the United States and its interests, we are losing this war. Bloated military spending does not translate to winning the 'war on terror'--policy change DOES.

Kucinich therefore has a plan to pay for Social Security, by cutting the budget for military adventures and investing in peace instead. He is doing what he has always done--telling the truth and doing what is right, not only when it is merely inconvenient, but when it is considered politically fatal to do so. He did it in Cleveland, much to the benefit of that city's inhabitants, and he is doing it now. This is a quality that is the rarest and most valuable in a politician. The other candidates don't trust you with the issue, and tomorrow before you vote, you might want to ask yourself why you trust them with your vote.

Many people refuse to vote for Kucinich because they don't think he has a chance. Well I say you should vote FOR him, because a system where someone like Kucinich doesn't have a chance is a sorry system indeed, and we're the ones who have to change it. The primaries are our chance. Let's do it.

[jmaier]

1. I'm fully in favor of reducing the defense budget

but even if you cut it by $50b that's a drop in the bucket compared the the annual expenditures in SS, Medicare, etc. This is a big quagmire and I don't think anyone has the answer -- or is willing to talk about it.