One man's solution to the debt ceiling

I know all of you have been waiting impatiently for this blog, so here it comes. I have a possible solution and parts of it may surprise you. In basic terms, I believe we need an all of the above approach. Here is the plan with the explanation of each below:
1) Raise the debt ceiling
2) Cut ALL spending
3) Pass a balanced budget amendment
4) Make it more difficult to raise the debt ceiling in the future
5) Get rid of all subsidies
6) Flat tax

Yes, I actually say we need to raise the debt ceiling. However, I want this to be the last time it is done. This country should never be this far in debt. It is too late in the game to not raise the debt ceiling. It will help to keep things in order to raise it this time, then work on making the debt clock start rolling backwards.

Yep, cut all spending. Everything needs to be rolled back. Spending has skyrocketed over the last few decades in every single way. Defense, social security, Medicare, Medicaid, and on down the line. It's not like they can't afford it. No business could have survived this long running on the model of our government.

Passing a balanced budget amendment has a real chance in the current conditions of our country. People are waking up to realize that having all of this debt is a terrible thing for our country and our security.

Amend the current law so that raising the debt ceiling in the future requires a 2/3rds majority in both chambers of Congress. This will change their approach to the debt ceiling. Until now, it has always been easily assumed that Congress will raise the debt limit without much of a fight. Some politicians will vote against it just to be against the sitting President, or even on principle. But, if they can no longer assume it will be raised, they will have to change their attitudes about spending. That's never a bad thing when someone else is spending your money.

Get rid of all subsidies means exactly what it says. Democrats don't want their pet projects cut and Republicans don't want their pet projects cut. Why don't we just make them all mad and cut all federal money to businesses? With subsidies, the government picks the winners and losers. If your company has the right lobbyist(s) and can get in good with enough members of Congress, then you can get the government to help you do anything you want to do and it lessens your risk as a company or individual. However, it puts the government in control of too many things. They decide what farmers can and can't grow or if they can even grow crops each year. They decide what medicines will be further researched and developed and which one go by the wayside, and not due to bad ideas, but lack of lobbying power. If you think subsidies are a good idea, then remember that they will cost you even more in the end. First, they are taking your money and giving it to someone or something else that may or may not benefit you. Second, they don't always study or understand or believe the secondary benefits of the subsidies. My prime example is ethanol. Are you paying more for food right now? You can thank ethanol. Ethanol is a losing deal unless the government subsidizes the project. However, that has raised the price of corn which is used in numerous applications. So, everything that has to do with corn has gotten more expensive. Yet, the government is okay with you paying more for hundreds of products so they can keep one industry and their lobbyists happy. I don't think that's a good deal for us, the American taxpayer.

Why would anyone be against a flat tax? I can't figure it out unless you are an accountant or an attorney. Flat tax means just that: you pay a straight percentage of whatever money you make. Everyone pays the same amount. No write-offs. No loopholes. No special treatment. If you make minimum wage, you pay the minimum taxes. If you make millions, you pay a lot. You would be shocked at the increase in revenue the government would see coming into its accounts.

This is a time in our history to turn the tide on our debt. The people are awake and aware. Hopefully, they are getting themselves educated. Let's get headed the right way. This is as good a time as any. Don't put it off on the next group because of worries of getting re-elected. Do it now!