Democratic Party v/s Republican Party: At A Glance

Foundation for Better Governme

March 5, 2012.

Democratic Party v/s Republican Party: At A Glance.

By T.S. Khanna, March 5, 2012.

1. Democrat Party (D) supports entitlement programs financed by higher taxes; Republican Party (R) thinks such programs, without limits, serve as incentives to increase poverty;
2. D believes that people should be able to depend on government; R believes that government cannot be financially sustainable if increasing number of people continue to depend on government;
3. D sees government as the provider to the poor; R sees government as facilitator for economic activities, allowing reward according to the individual’s struggle;
4. D believes that government should be enlarged as a solution to the public problems; R believes that government should be kept small to keep it from becoming the public problem;
5. D believes that additional funds by higher taxes would allow government to provide additional public services; R believes additional funds with government only create more wealth consuming bureaucrats while additional funds in public sector create more wealth producing jobs;
   
6. D promotes government’s social responsibilities; R promotes citizen’s individual responsibilities and independence;
7. D emphasizes equitable distribution of the existing wealth; R emphasizes creation of more wealth by facilitating wealth producing incentives;
8. D believes capitalism makes people unequally rich; R believes socialism would make people equally poor;
9. D thinks political problems must be viewed with a heart (feelings); R believes that they can be solved only with a mind (rational plans);
10. D supports arms control; R supports citizens’ right to bear arms;
11. D promotes stronger federal government; R promotes greater independence of the states ;
12. D sees the political struggle between the corporations and the working classes; R sees the struggle between the working classes and the dependent classes. It believes that the poor are poor because they do not struggle to avail of the great opportunities offered in the country;
13. D is strict in protecting the environment; R is willing to compromises to create jobs;
14. D supports political solutions to economic problems; R promotes economic solutions to political problems;
15. D supports labor unions; R considers them responsible for outsourced jobs, bankruptcies in some local governments and budget deficits;
16. D places equality above morality and classic cultural values, especially in the domain of sexual behavior, e.g., same sex marriage; R strongly opposes that position;
17. D promotes the woman’s right to abortion; R strongly opposes it;
18. Both parties support elimination of budget deficit, D by raising taxes and R by cutting government expenses. Both parties did not accept the recommendations of Simpson-Bowels Commission supporting the national interest;
19. Both parties condemn illegal immigration, but neither party is prepared to take effective action for the fear of losing certain votes critical to staying in power. For each party, staying in power has higher priority than serving the national interest.

Economic Recovery

August 20, 2011.

Economic Recovery

By T.S.Khanna, August 20, 2011.

Some quick steps for economic recovery are suggested:

• Bring back the outsourced jobs by competitive wages and taxes;

• Eliminate all tax loopholes and adopt a 20% flat rate federal tax and 5% state tax for all income groups

Those who pursue wealth within the legal and moral framework create more wealth than they consume, making the society wealthier. Higher tax rate for higher income is a disincentive. Flat rate tax will be fairer, simpler and increase the revenue.

• Allow tax free income of fifty thousand dollars for everyone (husband-wife $ 100,000) for greater expendable income for shopping and household expenses;

• Disallow voting right to non-taxpayers. 47% of Americans are not paying any tax, due to the loopholes or low income. Free loaders must not be allowed to steer the economy. Only the citizens in good standing who have paid taxes for at least five consecutive years may have the right to vote. This would be constitutional, except for Amendment 24.
  

• Adopt a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution;
  

• Suspend property tax and mortgage deduction from income tax, for personal homes;

• Provide free education only up to primary school. Thereafter, only for those who are scholarship good at studies. Those who do not wish to pursue studies may be picked up for employment training by corporations. The current system of public education is a huge waste of taxpayers' money.
  

• Reduce the salaries and perks of all elected officials by 50% , until the economy recovers. They should be more connected with the people and take a voluntary cut in their compensation and perks.