Dear Ms. Lipscomb,

I enjoyed your site and most of what you say I can agree with. Our differences are minimal and not worth mentioning. (I am not a Republican - I like people who sometimes disagree with me - if they do it well.)

To further your site I am offering my ten points for Americans to consider. I never did much with it but create it. Perhaps you can agree with some of these and post it.

Best,

Bob

Interesting ideas sent in by Bob:

Equality Justice Freedom

Ten Ideas for Saving the American Dream

1. Eliminate the cap on Social Security taxes.

Did you know that once you make enough money, you no longer are obligated to contribute a portion of your income to the Social Security System? At present this figure is at $80,000 or so. How many of you make this much? Why should those who have been given the most, not have to continue their contributions? An argument could be made that those who contribute the maximum will never realize their investment. But, this argument is flawed by its premise. No one ever said that Social Security was an investment. It is simply a tax to make sure that older people will not have to beg in the streets or at the houses of their children. However, if you accept the argument, then everyone who dies before drawing out their “investment” should be reimbursed. Eliminate the caps: it is merely justice.

2. Limit the mortgage deduction to the amount of money necessary to purchase the average American home. (Or $200,000)

Tax law is full of little loopholes that can accrue great amounts for their beneficiaries. While mortgage deductions are a reasonable idea, limitless mortgage deductions are a shame. Why should someone building a million dollar mansion have the government subsidize their ostentation? No reason that I can think of: limit the mortgage deduction to a reasonable amount.

3. Increase the estate tax to tax all estates over $500,000 on a progressive scale

All that we are: all that we have been, is contained in our estates. Certainly when we die, we want our children to be the beneficiaries of our fortunes. But, what is wrong with making a contribution to the society that allowed a person to accumulate so much? If a person works hard, they should keep what they make. But, if a person does not earn what they are given, then isn’t it just to ask them to contribute to the health of our society? Make all estates over $500,000 pay a tax on the amount over the maximum. We are Americans. In theory, we are all equal and are entitled to the benefits of living in this great country — a simple change would enable this belief to become a reality.

4. Eliminate all tax deductions that are not available to the average working family.

You see them everywhere. Expensive sport utility vehicles with a small logo of a business plastered in the rear quarter panel window. The reason for these discreet logos that the driver of the vehicle can only see from the outside, is that the owner of the vehicle is then allowed to deduct the vehicle’s expense from their taxes. There are many other examples — the ubiquitous cell phone charged to a business — the deductible vacations — the endless stream of “business” lunches that you subsidize: eliminate these deductions or change the tax code to allow everyone the same opportunities.

5 . Make all expenses for college tax deductible up to $20,000 per year.

We all want the best for our children. We all have a desire to see them succeed. As a society it is necessary that the next generation is able to use the technologies available instead of being abused by the same technologies. Isn’t it reasonable to allow parents who are making contributions to their children’s education to deduct the amount they are contributing?

6. Eliminate privately funded auto insurance and replace it with state-funded auto insurance paid for by a tax on fuel.

This idea is so simple and so fair that only the vested interests have kept it from being reality. Auto insurance is necessary. But, driving becomes a dangerous game if the other person is not insured. Why not simply establish a good insurance policy at the state level paid for by a tax on fuel? If you drive a large gas-guzzler — you will pay more. If you drive endless miles — you will pay more. If you drive little and efficiently — you will pay less. This is simply justice.

7. Require that all politicians completely divest themselves of investments other than government bonds when elected.

If we, as a society, believe it is necessary to have representatives make laws governing our society, isn’t it also reasonable to prohibit these same politicians from benefitting personally from their positions? Make them completely divest themselves of anything that could cloud their judgement. No blind trusts — simply make them adhere to this tenet.

8. Prohibit banks and other lending institutions from charging late fees on any debt until the debt is in arrears for 45 days. Then the late fee will be a percentage of the outstanding debt.

If there is one change that has been wrought by the advent of the new millennium, it is the fact that lending institutions have taken it upon themselves (with governmental assistance) to establish punitive measures against small lenders. Make reasonable rules to govern this behavior. Establish an extended two week grace period and then regulate the late fees so they are not cross the line into usury.

9 Simplify the voting procedures to the point where they can be done by telephone or computer.

If we truly want people to vote, then why not take measures to make it easier to vote? Telephone voting, computerized voting at our places of employment, a window for voting could help with this. Instead of voting all on one day, why not make a ten day time period to vote. This would enhance each person’s vote to the point where the population will feel they have a contribution.

10. Find a reasonable way to make necessary drugs available to our citizens.

People are being forced to pay exorbitant amounts of money for prescriptions. As a society, isn’t it in our interest to keep people healthy? Why should the mother with a sick child have to choose between paying the bills and buying the necessary medications for her child? Why should senior citizens — on fixed incomes — have to pay such a large percentage of their incomes for the drugs necessary for their health? Why should someone have to choose between eating and dying? This is not just or fair!

Please duplicate and distribute this document. 
Send it to your representatives, and watch them get nervous! Make copies and leave them around for people to see. Add it to your church’s bulletins. Place it on your home page. Have some fun!