BLOGS ARE MEATY
By this, we mean that weekly BLOGS in s-a-f-e-.org by our President, Bill Whipple, have real substance. They are a part of SAFE’s contribution to the future of Americans.
We recommend you check out the latest weekly BLOG. Reading time is about 5 minutes. When something intrigues you, further information is available via embedded links.
Here are some items from the BLOGS:
At the Concord Coalition Baltimore fiscal Wake Up Tour, the well-informed speakers pulled no punches. A SAFE group from Delaware went by van. Speakers stressed the urgency of starting a solution; stressed that raising taxes won’t be enough, and framed the problem as a moral issue. We agree, but regret they could not be specific enough about solutions. That said, SAFE strongly supports the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour and we encourage all members to attend when feasible.
SAFE members are visionaries who see the fiscal problems ahead, and offer ideas to make things better. More and more people are becoming aware of the problems. The National debt plus unfunded liabilities amount to $175,000 per American!
As more taxpayers have to pay the alternative minimum tax, proposed tax relief would make the income tax even more complicated. It is time to replace the federal income tax with a flat tax, the Fair Tax (sales tax replacing present federal taxes with a rebate to all families equal to tax paid when spending at the poverty level) or a simple graduated income tax such as 2% for the first 10K, 5% for 10-25K, 10% for 25-50K and 20% for 50K up.
The U.S. has excellent medical care, but the problem is the cumbersome gold-plated system that provides it. Suggested solutions:
(1) Eliminate Medicare for workers under 50, refund their payroll taxes paid for coverage, and encourage them to make their own healthcare insurance arrangements.
(2) Convert federal participation in Medicaid to block grants and allow states to decide how much money to provide and what services to cover.
(3) Cap punitive damage awards in medical malpractice litigation.
(4) Limit FDA review of pharmaceuticals to safety so that new drugs can come to market faster and cheaper.
The above ideas are partly ours and partly from Dr. David Gratzer, “The Cure: How Capitalism Can Save American Health Care”, Encounter Books (2006)
A main reason for failed government programs is a lack of accountability. A good reference is Cato Institutes book “The Best Laid Plans” by Randall O’Toole (2007).
The baby boomer problem which is our main concern is not at the top of the issue list for presidential candidates. Among Democrats, Joe Biden (now withdrawn) proposed a pay-as-you-go budget. The others do not list “fiscal responsibility” as an issue. Each Republican candidate for president at least gives lip service to cutting wasteful spending.
We believe the country needs “a little less talk” about fiscal responsibility, “and a lot more action”. If you agree, pass it on!”
We must go beyond fighting bad ideas. We must (1) faster awareness, (2) offer solutions and (3) get results.
Fortunately, last year’s attempt to increase the size of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) did not succeed. We support the Cato Institute proposal to repeal the program and allow freedom to purchase health insurance from any state.
We support the Concord Coalition “Wake Up Tour” featuring Comptroller General David Walker, but are concerned that the suggested bi-partisan commission might recommend increased taxes as a major part of a proposed solution to the baby boomer problem. Cut spending. Cut spending. Cut spending.
“Earmarks” which are added onto congressional bills without discussion totaled $29 billion for fiscal year 2006.
Because of the baby boomer problem, the danger to the long term economy overshadows short range concerns. Consequently, we should avoid spending programs or interest rate cuts as short range fixes at the expense of the long range effects.
SIGN UP FOR A NEW SAFE SERVICE,
E-MAIL ALERTS
This newsletter continues to be the best way that we have to communicate with many SAFE members, although with things moving as fast as they do these days it is hard to keep you fully current through the newsletter alone.
A blog was started on the SAFE Website (s-a-f-e.org) in June 2007, and is being updated weekly (usually on Mondays). We hope many members are finding the blog helpful, and would greatly appreciate your feedback. It’s also a resource that you can use to select and forward information about the government’s horrendous fiscal problems to family, friends, and people you hope to influence.
Now we would like to launch a third communication link by sending periodic e-mail alerts to SAFE members only. These messages would not be sent incessantly. We’re thinking of perhaps one a month (on average). Ideally, they would be short, to the point, and focused on things you can do to make a difference. The thrust would not be soliciting donations, and there would be an “unsubscribe” box in case the alerts did not meet your expectations.
To sign up, e-mail Bill Whipple at ww3@atlanticbb.net and he will put you on the list. Please advise of issues or information that you would particularly like to have covered in the alerts, as this will help us respond to your interests.
OUR NEW DIRECTOR LOOKS DIFFERENT
We elected Daniel Kerrick as 2008-2010 Director of SAFE’s annual meeting in November. Dan, born in Wilmington, DE, received his law degree in 2004 and works for the Ciconte-Wasserman law firm in Wilmington. He enjoys participating in outdoor sports as time permits.
He learned about SAFE from our President, Bill Whipple, and joined because he shares our interests and goals. We look forward to benefiting from his different knowledge and perspective.
Dan does look different, because he is decades younger than most Directors.
CONCORD COALITION WAKE-UP TOUR
We recommend the Wake-Up Tour for you and those you know who live near the following locations for upcoming Wake-Up Tour presentations:
Madison, WI 2/27 Wednesday
Berkeley, CA 3/05 Wednesday
Fresno, CA 3/06 Thursday
Pittsburgh, PA 3/25 Tuesday
St. Louis, MO 4/28 Monday
U.S. Comptroller General David Walker and other speakers will provide information and convey a sense of urgency about the failure of the federal government to prepare for the retirement of the baby boomers.
As the date approaches, go to links on the SAFE website, and click on “Corcord Coalition”, then on “Wake-Up Tour”, for the specific location and exact time.
CUT SPENDING ---- PLUS
- Bill Morris
The greatest thing the federal government can do for us is to cut spending. One of my great hopes is that, during my lifetime, they will spend less money one year than the year before. Not an expectation, but a hope. By cutting spending and paying off debt, the solution to the baby boomer problem can be made less traumatic.
Even if the budget is balanced, a huge debt is owed to people all over the world, and they are losing faith on our ability to pay. The falling value of the dollar is a symptom of decreasing faith in responsible behavior within the U.S. federal government.
Members of Congress must learn how to say “no”. They should take a lesson from Congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul.
What about the “plus”? I favor three ways to help the future economy by making it easier to cut spending. The three ways are adoption of term limits, enactment of the Fair Tax, and avoidance of a fruitless attempt to prevent global warming.
Term limits would gradually replace career politicians with citizen legislators who would find it easier to do the right thing. Career politicians must consider their re-election which requires a lot of money. Doing favors for lobbyists in return for campaign contributions is a way of life. This increases government spending.
It is widely agreed that the income tax is deeply flawed. The cost of compliance approaches $300 billion per year. A simpler, fairer tax will make it easier for Americans to handle whatever tax burden is imposed as part of the solution to the baby boomer problem. Some favor a flat income tax, but I prefer the Fair Tax. The Fair Tax is a sales tax with a rebate to all families equal to the sales tax on spending at the poverty level. For anyone interested, I would be happy to send more details.
As for global warming, it is claimed that human-caused carbon dioxide emissions is the main cause and that catastrophic climate effects might result. This is propaganda and not science. Warming is correlated with the output of the sun, but not with carbon dioxide emissions or use of fossil fuels. The planet Mars is also warming without people. The problem is not that following the Kyoto Protocol will cost about $165 billion per year, but that continuing on the same path can cost trillions. This would make it impossible to handle the baby boomer problem; it would severely decrease our standard of living, and do even worse for those already struggling to survive.
For those interested in more information, feel free to contact me. I am at (302) 475-7060. I recommend “Unstoppable Global Warming”, by Singer & Avery (2007) and “Environmental Effects of Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide” – Available free in PDF & html formats at www.heartland.org .
I think we’d be better off with term limits and the Fair Tax and without fruitless carbon dioxide limitation. However, the best thing of all would be a decrease in the size of the federal government. Best for us and for coming generations.
Get your e-mail SAFE service usually no more often than once a month, and you can unsubscribe any time) by e-mailing ww3@atlanticbb.net
Average poor Americans have more living space than average citizens of Paris, London, or Vienna. And 75% of America’s poor own at least one car and 31% own two or more. 97% own at least one color TV. 50% own two or more and 62% have cable or satellite TV.
FROM DAVID WALKER, U.S. COMPTROLLER GENERAL:
“POLITICALLY, AT BOTH ENDS OF PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE AND ON BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL AISLE, WE HAVE YET TO SEE ENOUGH RESOLVE TO FACE THE FACTS, SPEAK THE TRUTH, WORK TOGETHER, AND MAKE TOUGH CHOICES THAT ARE IN OUR COLLECTIVE, LONG-TERM INTERESTS.”
HOSPITAL WAITING LISTS IN CANADA
17th Annual Report - Fraser Institute
Time between seeing a GP then seeing a relevant specialist increased from 8.8 weeks a year ago to 9.2 weeks now. Time from referral by specialist to receiving a hospital procedure 17.8 weeks increased from a year ago to 18.3 weeks now.
SAFE OFFICERS
President
Bill Whipple, Middletown, DE
(302) 464-2688
Treasurer
Ed Fasig, Wilmington, DE
(302) 999-0611
Director, 2008-2010
John Boughton, Wilmington, DE
(302) 475-6718
Ed Fasig, Wilmington, DE
(302) 999-0611
Dan Kerrick, Wilmington, DE
(302) 658-7101
Director, 2008-2009
Steve McClain, Wilmington, DE
(302) 998-3210
Bill Morris, Wilmington, DE
(302) 475-7060
Director 2008
Barry Dorsch, Wilmington, DE
(302) 378-0676
Jerry Martin, Wilmington, DE
(302) 478-5064