Laura’s Ten Dumb Ideas (Well, Nine)

Over at a charming blog, called “Liberal Pinheads” (which means people that don’t agree) listed Laura Ingraham’s top ten ways to “fix the US.” Despite not having any commentary from the blog author (yay for just spreading talking points) I found most of the ideas pretty, well, vapid.

1. Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights (TABOR). Limit federal spending growth to the percentage in population growth plus the rate of inflation; provide taxpayers the option of filing a post-card sized return using a low, flat tax rate of 25%

So in other words, let’s cripple the government so that we can drown it in a bathtub. This is the thinking that Reagan seems to have brought forth and it’s clung to as one might cling to religious dogma. This would basically make the government unable to respond to problems that may arise.

I am not sure what to make about the second part. The option of filing a flat tax return instead of filing a normal tax return form? Is it me, or does this seem to be something that would directly be best for the top income earners in the country? The only people who would benefit are those that pay more than 25% as is, who else would agree to pay more?

2. End Tax-funded abortions. Stop federal payments to Planned Parenthood and prohibit any taxpayer-subsidized health insurance plan from covering abortion

Newsflash: Abortions are legal in the US. Stopping any tax-payer subsidization for it just because you disagree is not an option. Perhaps we should stop tax-payer subsidized vaccinations because a segment of the population believe they contain mind-control nanites. Or was it mercury? I forget.

How does this “fix America” anyway? Sounds like moral grandstanding to me.

3. Defend American Borders. Complete America’s border-protection initiatives using remaining funds from the so-called stimulus bill

Instead of stimulating the economy, let’s make ourselves isolationist. Not much on details, but somehow I imagine this includes guns and a big fence.

4. King Dollar. Preserve a strong dollar so that Americans’ savings aren’t wiped out by inflation and the U.S. dollar remains the world’s reserve currency

Inflation is not an issue. Leading economists say that inflation will probably not be an issue in the future. In any case, I would love to see a fully detailed about why we should be the world’s reserve currency. Is it because it benefits us? Isn’t that a bit egocentric?

5.  Empower American Business. Immediately slash corporate tax rates to 15% and scrap the corporate capital-gains tax altogether

Or, how to make America a place where the rich can prosper and where the poor can be trampled and cut off from all welfare systems. I can’t imagine the untold damage such a policy would do to the US. It would drain the middle class, that’s for sure. It’ll put strain on working Americans and those that can’t recover from personal disaster. Lost your job and find yourself about to get kicked out of your home?

Fuck you, should have saved your money and prepared for 8 months out of a job. You shouldn’t rely on the government at all. Any government help is forced altruism.

I can’t think of being any more morally bankrupt. These people seriously believe that ever man is an island and only accountable to himself. This is the kind of thinking that seems to sprout from the same idiots who believe you can increase tax revenue by cutting taxes.

6. Defend America. Strengthen America to defend our homeland and fully fund an operational, layered missile-defense system

Didn’t the Cold War end? Not to conservatives. Apparently our enemies are still the ones that can lob missiles onto US soil. Who exactly? Well, er, nobody right now. Maybe Iran might give us dirty looks. Or Russia may risk stability to try and get back at us for winning the Cold War.

Honestly, such thinking seems to stem from believing we are in some alternative universe where any country would lob random missiles at us. It’s ridiculous. If anything, such a system would only serve to antagonize and isolate us. We need less of this.

7.  Statism Exit Plan. De-fund czars; immediately cease bailout payments to failed companies; ban future bailouts

This point is like talking to a schizophrenic lady tell you what she had for breakfast. De-fund czars? You mean make the executive branch unable to hire people to help them lead? If anything, I support Czars. We should, by all accounts, be putting people who know about specific areas to help direct policy and action in those areas. We have, for example, a Cyber-Security Czar who works in the Department of Homeland Security that overseas, well, cyber-security. Do we really expect the Director of Homeland Security to be fully knowledgeable in cyber-security, domestic terrorism, scanning crates in US ports, and other areas of security? No, that’s why you delegate tasks to specific experts.

The whole Czar thing is totally overblown anyway. Bush had more Czar positions than Obama yet I don’t recall ever hearing any crying about it then. That’s because nobody cared. Just more ginned up faux-rage. Did Liberals attack Czars at all? I don’t recall.

On the subject of bailouts, they averted financial catastrophe. Basically this is completely irresponsible and ignoring the hard facts. The fact is that more major bank failings would have completely punted us into a full-blown recession. The fact is that the bailouts averted that path. We have things much better because of those bailouts.

The bailouts were, I would agree, poorly managed. They lacked oversight. Blame Bush and Wolfson for that mess, because they pushed for it.

Banning future bailouts is nonsensical. You are taking away a tool that can be used to stabilize the economy if things get out of hand again. Here’s a better, more constructive solution: regulation.

But no, in Conservative-land limiting government is the solution, not limiting private enterprises playing games with American money and economic stability.

8 .  End Generational Theft. As few believe America’s entitlement programs will be able to pay benefits to future generations, provide younger workers the choice of diverting payroll/Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts

So since Social Security is in some sort of trouble we should cripple it and make things worse for everyone overall? Make no mistake, such ideas only serve one purpose: to kill Social Security. Allow people to opt out, and you make the problem worse. How is this a solution at all?

Again, this is a “solution” that only benefits the richest people. The people who can afford to put money into personal retirement accounts tend to be those that can afford to do it anyway. The whole reason Social Security was made was because people couldn’t save money on their own in the first place thus making them a burden on society in the long run.

Social Security is good societal policy.

9.  Restore America’s System of Justice. Introduce British-style penalties for frivolous lawsuits, where those who launch unsuccessful lawsuits are liable for the defendants’ legal bills

I agree with this. in fact it’s the only damned thing that makes sense on the entire list. Not sure how this can “fix America,” but whatever.

10. American Energy Independence. All-of-the-Above strategy that embraces alternatives, expands and accelerates exploration and production of oil and natural gas, and jumpstarts dramatic increases in nuclear power

I don’t get the Conservative fascination with oil and natural gas. They pollute, they pollute, they reduce the quality of life of those around them, they pollute, they are prone to environmental disaster scenarios, and did I mention they pollute? The whole point of moving away from these forms of energy is to improve quality of life, energy diversity, and sustainable energy sources for the long term.

I agree that nuclear power should be explored. In fact I think the whole Liberal debauchery of the advancement of Nuclear power was totally irresponsible and arrogant. We still need to move forward in this area.

What we need to do, also, is move aggressively ahead in areas of solar and wind and connect these forms to a smart grid. Also, the Department of Transportation is looking into roads made out of durable solar panels that you can drive on. Instant large grid and multiple use. No need to clear away large expanses of land. Awesome idea. I hope we see more innovative ideas like that.

Overall, these points are a bit silly. They are not real solutions to real problems. They are ideological solutions to perceived problems. Most of them do nothing to “fix America.” How is America broken anyway? Last I checked, aside from the recession, we were generally steadily improving (well, the Bush years sucked in numerous ways, but that’s another post).

When did conservatives become the “Hate America First” crowd? Man, is my world turning upside down.