I believe there is light at the end of this bleak economic tunnel. Americans need not wake up each day with feelings of despair. To that end I would like to propose solutions to jump-start the economy.

It should be crystal clear by now that tax breaks for businesses and individuals have failed – and will continue to fail – because businesses and consumers can’t spend tax breaks. And that is the key to reducing unemployment: consumer spending. According to many economists, some 70% of economic activity in the United States is generated by consumer spending. Consumers and businesses need cold hard cash in their bank accounts.

So my proposal is simple: the federal government should give money to where it will do the most good: directly to consumers. Each taxpaying family earning under $200,000 annually should be given a minimum of $25,000 to spend as they please. When consumers spend, jobs are created. Do families deserve this federal bailout? I firmly believe that they do; it was taxpayers who bailed out the banks and car companies. It is high time for the federal government to show its gratitude to taxpayers by bailing them out. My proposal would result in a short-term decrease of federal government revenue, but the decrease would eventually be offset by tax revenue generated by working people.
A stiff tariff should be imposed on goods imported from countries which have an adverse military, political and/or economic relationship with the United States. For example, China has for many years blocked American imports, dramatically increased its exports to the United States, failed to let its currency float, abused human rights, and created an adversarial political, economic and military relationship. It is morally reprehensible for manufacturers to do business in China or with any other country which does not share our economic, military and/or political values. The tariff would not only send a political message to these countries but would bring back jobs to America.
The income tax system should be scrapped entirely and replaced by a consumer-oriented tax. A 6% tax on all goods and services, including food and medicine, should be levied by the federal government. States and local governments can add another 2, 3 or 4 cents. There would be more than enough money to finance federal, state and local governments.
The United States should vacate Iraq and Afghanistan immediately, not in one, two or three years. While the kids in those countries are receiving a high-quality education at American taxpayer expense (and part of the curriculum focuses on how to hate Americans and other infidels), the infrastructure of many schools in the United States is crumbling, and layoffs of thousands of teachers and other support personnel continue unabated. The U.S. simply can’t afford to educate the kids in three countries. Our own kids should take priority.

Your comments are welcomed and encouraged.

Respectfully submitted,

Steven Morgan, North Hollywood, CA