By Dr. Harold Pease
Most agree that the national debt is out of control. So how do we fix this problem in order to prevent it from becoming our children’s’ problem? We have waited so long avoiding all warning signs, some very dyer, that radical solutions may be our only real answer. What follows are six of those solutions.
Immediately cease the printing of 600 billion dollars that the Federal Reserve, under the leadership of Ben Bernanke, has authorized to be infused into the existing currency by mid-summer. This reduces the value of all existing money and the value of all saving, is potentially drastically compromised. Prices of new commodities and services could skyrocket. Wages would not rise to an equal level thus potentially impoverishing the middle and lower classes. Life pensions will be compromised. This does not liquidate the National Debt but does refuse to add to it.
Immediately end all foreign aid except for natural disasters. Countries taught by us to be dependent upon us through our ravishment of money upon them must now learn to be self-reliant. Before potentially destroying the value of our money we should cease giving it away. The savings would be in the billions.
Within six months relocate all American troops to Afghanistan from the 32 countries where they are now deployed. Have Congress define an acceptable, definable end to this war. If the enemy does not accept such in a reasonable amount of time (say 45 days) return to the Bush strategy of “shock and awe” warfare that brought down Iraq but continue it until unconditional surrender is accomplished. No halfway measures. End all semi-secret Rules of Engagement that limit our ability to destroy the enemy, or actually lose the war for us as in Vietnam. When the enemy is destroyed, as in Japan after World War II, establish a new government under the U.S. Constitution keeping a minimal force there until firmly established. Afghanistan is an endless and extreme financial liability for us. Ending it much faster would potentially save trillions.
When unconditional surrender has been achieved in Afghanistan, return 90% of all troops worldwide to end the invasion on our southern border for the duration of their enrollment in the service. New enlistees would serve their first year of service on the border. History has shown that a country that refuses to protect its border ceases to remain a country. Redeploying troops who are already under salary in the military should not cost us more than we already expend, plus it would reduce the expenses of “rounding up” illegals and the costs of crime and housing them in prisons at our expense, potentially saving billions. Moreover, their medical and educational expenses would be reduced drastically, potentially saving billions more.
Within six months cease funding all new federal programs created the last five years. The Constitution requires that all bills raising revenue must originate in the House of Representatives. The new Tea Party members of the House could block budget items funding such programs if they vote as a block. There are no existing estimates on the cost savings here, but enacting the new healthcare program with its list of 159 new federal departments to govern or enforce the new bill will cost billions.
Freeze all federal taxes with the goal of reducing them first to the 2000-year level then perhaps even the 1980 level. The idea that the government can spend your money better than you has proven flawed time and again. When you spend, you buy things that have to be made by someone other than you. In doing so, sustainable jobs are created and the tax-paying portion of the population is increased as is the revenue going to the government because of the enlarged tax base. Simple.
Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitution. He has dedicated his career to studying the writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events. He has taught history and political science from this perspective for over 25 years at Taft College. To read more of his articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org.