Thanks to My Readers
I sincerely appreciate all of the feedback and encouragement that I have received from my loyal readers over the past year.
A Surprise Budget Deal – a Good Start and the Need to Do More
posted in: Deficit Reduction, Economic, Entitlement Spending, Fiscal Policy, Medicare, Social Security |
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I applaud the budget deal reached in Congress this past week. Not because it’s a good bill that addresses the long-term financial problems of the U.S., but because it spares the country another government shutdown.
Fiscal Policy and Growing the Economy
Here’s a short list of three things that Congress could do that would help boost economic growth without adding to the deficit: Fully fund the Highway Trust Fund; restore the Export-Import Bank; and tax reform.
Comprehensive Fiscal Policy and Reducing the National Debt
I believe the biggest long-term threat to the economy is our colossal national debt. In the years 2001-2015, we more than tripled the national debt. Starting 2001 it was $5.7 Trillion; it is now about $18.2 T and still growing.
Needed Tax Reform
The Tax Reform Act of 1986 is recognized as the model for tax reform, and it should be. It was a substantial and truly bi-partisan achievement between President Reagan and a Democratic Congress.
More Ideas for Reducing Healthcare Spending
I believe the ideas that I have outlined in this blog and last week’s blog are good next steps in the process of improving the healthcare payment and delivery systems.
Controlling Healthcare Spending
In this blog, I’m going to present some ideas to reduce government spending on healthcare. There is no pain-free, silver bullet solution that will fix this problem quickly – it will take a number of steps, over time, to slowly bring costs down.
The Political Challenges of Controlling Federal Healthcare Spending
The most difficult political challenge for healthcare spending reform that will continue is big money from special interest groups. Politicians in both parties have come to rely on the healthcare sector to be among the largest contributors to their campaigns.
We’re Spending Too Much on Healthcare
Ultimately, there will need to be changes made. We have the most expensive and complicated health insurance system in the world, much of it paid for by taxpayers, and millions of people still without coverage. We cannot continue to spend so much on healthcare, especially in the federal budget.
More on Medicaid and Obamacare
All of the bickering over Obamacare misses the larger point, namely, we spend too much on healthcare – both the federal government, and as individuals.
Medicaid and Obamacare
Significant concerns over the ACA and Medicaid expansion remain. Opponents warn that demographic trends will cause Medicaid expenditures to grow rapidly.
Options for Fixing Medicare Spending
Medicare spending is projected to increase from $600 Billion in 2014 to $1 trillion by 2022. It’s important that we come up with some solutions to begin reducing Medicare spending as a percentage of the federal budget.
Medicare turns 50 – will it survive another 50 years?
Without changes to entitlement programs, mandatory spending is projected to exceed 100% of all government revenues sometime in the 2030s. It’s important that we come up with some solutions sooner than later or Medicare as we know it won’t be around another 50 years.
Possible Solutions for Fixing Social Security
There are a number of ways to correct the projected shortages, but all are unpopular. In this blog, I will touch on five of the most talked about solutions.
A Fiscal Straightjacket
We must restore fiscal responsibility. The enormous national debt threatens our security and greatly reduces our flexibility to address current and future needs.
Building a Strong Economy
This type of fiscal policy would demonstrate to bond markets that the dollar on solid footing, and reassure and bolster stock markets.
What America Should Learn From Greece’s Troubles
While what has happened in Greece this past week doesn’t compare to the financial situation faced by the U.S., there are some similarities – too much debt and spending, insufficient revenue, and it can’t pay its bills without borrowing.
A Coming New Order in Global Financial Systems?
There’s still time to protect our interests, but we shouldn’t dilly-dally. Some economists believe that Chinese economic dominance is more imminent and broad based than is currently acknowledged.
China – Why Deficits and the U.S. National Debt Matter
There are many reasons why deficits matter and why we should be alarmed by our growing national debt. But first and foremost, it should be considered a national security threat.
The Federal Budget – We’re Getting Boxed In
There’s a colossal struggle taking place between both parties in Congress – a war over how to tax and spend.
Growing the Economy – the Road Ahead
This week, we learned that the U.S. had negative economic growth for the first quarter of 2015. The economy just can’t seem to get over the hump.
Oil Train Safety – Other Needed Solutions
There is an under appreciation of risk regarding explosive oil train derailments. Spokane’s Fire Department estimates that up to 20,000 people could be in danger in an oil train derailment downtown. Last month, Spokane Mayor Condon admitted that city emergency responders weren’t prepared for an oil train crisis.
New Rules for Oil Trains – Too Little, Too Late
My primary concern with oil trains is public safety – Spokane has several oil trains a day running through the heart of downtown. Most of the oil on these trains is from the Bakken fields in North Dakota, and is especially volatile.
Restoring Trust in Government
Faith and trust in the federal government is at an all-time low. Our national debt has tripled in the past 15 years, and we have little to show for it. Congress is gridlocked, accomplishes little, and shows no regard for accountability. Too many of its members act entitled, and treat each other with disrespect.
A Corrupt System
Federal politics has become a corrupt system. A system fueled by big money, controlled by radicals, and populated by self-serving members.
Striking a Balance
It’s time to reform our increasingly dysfunctional regulatory system. We cannot continue on the path of overly-prescriptive laws and regulations, inconsistent oversight, underfunding, and a reluctance to hold bad actors accountable.
Leadership, not Misleadership
What we really need in Congress is leadership. Genuine legislative leaders know that the only way to pass meaningful fiscal policy requires bi-partisanship.
Oil Trains – A Picture Emerges
As explosive oil train derailments increase, concerns and questions are growing. People want to know what can be done to prevent a potential tragedy in a high-population area.
Oil Trains – a Real Concern
The oil trains that go through Spokane and several other large American cities each day are a real concern to me. Since July 2013, there have been over a dozen major derailments of oil trains in North America resulting in catastrophic explosions and fires, five of those in the past two months.
The Need for a Strong America
It’s imperative that we are able to conduct foreign policy from a position of strength. America has, and must have, the strongest military.
James Madison – The Indispensable Man
It had been an extraordinary time for Madison. Starting with the proposal of the Philadelphia Convention, then drafting and guiding the writing of the Constitution at the Convention, to shepherding it through ratification in Virginia, Madison was the indispensable man. Without him, there is a strong likelihood there would have been no Constitution and dire consequences for the country.
James Madison and the Constitution
Madison’s plan was a new constitution, and to discard the Articles of Confederation. There were several delegates who only wanted to amend the Articles, however, after initial discussions it was agreed that a new constitution would be best. The delegates also agreed with Madison that a new constitution should give the federal government added powers over the states.
Immigration – Realistic Ideas for Reform
If we want to fix the illegal immigration problem, it can’t be done piecemeal; we need to have a comprehensive solution.
A Political Football
This legislative tactic to shutdown most of DHS is not only irresponsible, it’s dangerous. At a time with so many threats to national security from abroad, and significant concerns about domestic terrorism – like what happened in Paris and Copenhagen, the threat of another shutdown is inexcusable.
Lincoln – the Reluctant Emancipator
Lincoln made a number of deliberate and calculated moves to help him reach his objectives. Although ending slavery was not yet one of Lincoln’s goals, he wanted to keep political pressure on slaveholders in the South, while maintaining and building public support in the North.
Lincoln – Our Greatest President
Abraham Lincoln was born 206 years ago this week on February 12, 1809. He served as our 16th President from 1861-1865, during the Civil War and the darkest days of our history. Lincoln led the country to victory in the war, which saved the Union and ended slavery. For these momentous accomplishments, we are forever indebted to him.
Throwing Out the Playbook
In the first 100 days of his presidency, Roosevelt got large-scale and sweeping legislation enacted. It was an economic plan of Relief, Recovery and Reform – he called it the New Deal.
Can the Gordian Knot Be Untied?
The colossal size of our federal government has lead to a bloated bureaucracy, over-regulation, and wasteful spending on overlapping and ineffective programs. Trying to overhaul such a complex system is akin to untying the Gordian knot.
A Tangled Web
The federal government is too big. It’s bureaucratic, inefficient, and sometimes inept. One recent study showed that about 75 percent of federal programs intended to help people have little or no effect.
Smart, Vital, and Transparent Legislation
There are several other significant benefits to this legislation: First, improved safety. Another substantial dividend is the creation of hundreds-of-thousands of jobs.
Climate Change – Real or Hoax?
A precautionary climate change plan is the conservative thing to do. This should be a conservative issue.
Remembering a Great American and a Model for Foreign Policy
The Marshall Plan is the personification of American exceptionalism. The funds allocated for the plan were largely grants, not loans to repay. It was diplomatic generosity on a scale never seen before, and it created substantial goodwill and admiration for the U.S. worldwide.
Good Will Toward Men?
How much good will toward men is fair to provide equal opportunity? An argument can be made from either a societal or economic position.
Passing the Buck (really big bucks)
John Adams, once said, “There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation. One is by sword. The other is by debt.”
Wanted: Courage in the Congress
We desperately need a hand full of courageous leaders in Congress who put the good of the country ahead of their party, and their own political careers.
The Root Problem in Politics and Government
People lose confidence in our system when they see a too cozy relationship between government officials and big money.
Spokesman-Review article by Shawn Vestal
Spokesman-Review article by Shawn Vestal on Dave Wilson’s campaign in Primary Election as an Independent candidate – click here.
Spokesman-Review Op-Ed article by Dave Wilson
Spokesman-Review Op-Ed article by Dave Wilson: Radicals Have Too Much Congressional Influence – click here.