David Stockman, Ronald Reagan's budget director

[Guest]

Ronald Reagan's budget director, David Stockman, was on NPR along with a few others and the discussion was about how to balance the budget. Stockman said that we need long term reform rather than attempts at quick fixes. He said payroll taxes should go back up and we should also raise income taxes. He said Reagan raised taxes in the beginning of his first term, during a recession, to deal with the deficit.

He also said that we need to make big spending cuts. However, none of the guests on the show aknowledged the following problem (typical of NPR). Income tax increases are always scheduled to come first and spending cuts are always scheduled for much (years?) later. So taxes get increased right away and the spending cuts never happen. We've been sucker punched many times before, have we learned our lesson yet? I hope so.

:)

[Guest]

Until republicans grow the cahones to buck grover norquist and raise taxes on the wealthy we will not get out of the deficit delemma. Spending cuts also need to be enacted, but many of those are already scheduled, not to mention the huge savings from the scaledowns in Iraq and Afghanastan, while more need to come. Ronnie and his boys were smart enough to recognize a problem and fix it. Neither the republicans or the democrats are going to give in until they see give from the other side and ole grover has the right by the balls.

[Guest]

How about firm, irrevocable and meaningful budget cuts first. Let them work for a year, and then cut some more. Then if those cuts are beginning to make a real difference in the debt we'll begin to talk about taxes.

Liberals always want tax increases first with promised spending cuts down the road. The cuts never happen. Let reverse the process this time.

[Guest]

as long as spending cutting remains a voluntary activity it will NEVER HAPPEN!!!

There are NO volunteers when it comes to reduced spending.

In corporate America it was only accomplished with very specific, direct edicts from the LEADER of the organization. And then more creativity than ever would come out of the woodwork to justify why the edicts did not apply to this or that. The LEADER then would send them back to do what he EDICTED...or he would find some one who could get the job done.

Like all before him Obama is not taking the lead on what has to be done to accomplish a balanced budget. And he is worse since he is the architect of so much additional spending with EDICTING how it will be paid for.

Modern (for those who dwell on the past go back as far as you like...try going beyond Bush!) politicians have absolutely no concept of what leadership is because they are beholding and want to be liked or popular or what ever....leaders have to make tough choices....most of which are unpopular when it comes to spending reductions.

And oh by the way with a real leader, making the cuts happen, short or long term, works. I particularly live by the motto in business of "no struggle, no progress".

Leadership and struggling to make something happen....total and complete foreign concepts in Washington DC....hence....no surprise>>>no progress.

btk

[Guest]

How about firm, irrevocable and meaningful budget cuts first. Let them work for a year, and then cut some more. Then if those cuts are beginning to make a real difference in the debt we'll begin to talk about taxes.

Liberals always want tax increases first with promised spending cuts down the road. The cuts never happen. Let reverse the process this time.

Depending on what cuts are made, I would be okay with that, not that it matters what I'm okay with. The problem is the "talk about taxes" will never come to anything as long as norquist has our legislators in his pocket.

[Guest]

Corporate America? are you kidding me? Lets see. Many pay no taxes,some even get subsidies,if their blackmailing of cities and states does not work they send the jobs to Africa,China. When all else fails blame the unions and lay off the workers. I have never heard of any corporation starting from the top. That's why if you look at any large corporation the number of VP's and the like in mind boggling. Corporate America is part of the problem not the solution.

[Guest]

Depending on what cuts are made, I would be okay with that, not that it matters what I'm okay with. The problem is the "talk about taxes" will never come to anything as long as norquist has our legislators in his pocket.

If I was in the room there would be absolutely no discussion of tax increases before solid and defined and assured cuts were in place and rolling.

I'm not opposed to the Norquist Tax Pledge. I don't see him as the devil that you do, but as more of a patriot.

http://www.atr.org/taxpayer-protection-pledge

http://www.atr.org/

[Guest]

About 80%, the bulk of the U.S. budget consists of 4 items. Those are social security, medicare, medicaid and defense. Those of you calling for budget cuts, which of these are you willing to see cut?

[Guest]

as long as spending cutting remains a voluntary activity it will NEVER HAPPEN!!!

There are NO volunteers when it comes to reduced spending.

In corporate America it was only accomplished with very specific, direct edicts from the LEADER of the organization. And then more creativity than ever would come out of the woodwork to justify why the edicts did not apply to this or that. The LEADER then would send them back to do what he EDICTED...or he would find some one who could get the job done.

Like all before him Obama is not taking the lead on what has to be done to accomplish a balanced budget. And he is worse since he is the architect of so much additional spending with EDICTING how it will be paid for.

Modern (for those who dwell on the past go back as far as you like...try going beyond Bush!) politicians have absolutely no concept of what leadership is because they are beholding and want to be liked or popular or what ever....leaders have to make tough choices....most of which are unpopular when it comes to spending reductions.

And oh by the way with a real leader, making the cuts happen, short or long term, works. I particularly live by the motto in business of "no struggle, no progress".

Leadership and struggling to make something happen....total and complete foreign concepts in Washington DC....hence....no surprise>>>no progress.

btk

Yep! No Pain=No Gain!
Leaders lead by example...Politicians make rules for others to follow. and I still think someone in Washington owes Martha Stewart an apology!