Fwd: Re: [at-l] Is anybody out there

[bullard@northnet.org (James Bullard)]

>Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2001 20:39:24 -0500
>To: tjfort@netdoor.com, hopefl@juno.com
>From: James Bullard <bullard@northnet.org>
>Subject: Re: [at-l] Is anybody out there
>Cc: at-l@backcountry.net
>
>At 05:49 PM 3/6/01 -0600, t. wrote:
>>hopefl@juno.com wrote:
>> >
>> > Please allow me to rant and let off a little steam. I sent a letter to my
>> > elected reps in Washington asking that "tax cut" legislation be tied to
>> > actually economic performance, year by year.
>>
>>please be careful here.  3 things.
>>
>>it is believed by some that economic expansion is caused by tax cuts.
>>the people who pay the majority of taxes invest that money in ways to
>>which create jobs and increase the tax base.
>
>This is referred to as the "trickle down theory" of economics. My only 
>comment will be to observer that there is a reason it's called "trickle 
>down" and not "flow down".
>
>
>>It is believed by some that the gov't is already TOO BIG !!!
>
>It's interesting that the US citizen pays the lowest taxes in the 
>industrialized world and it's still too much. At the same time these same 
>citizens demand the best government services (defense, highways, schools, 
>public transit, etc., etc.) in the industrialized world. Hmmmm... what 
>does that tell you?
>
>>...clip... (2) this money is YOUR money.
>
>Okay, this is going to sound entirely too Biblical but here goes...
>Take out a coin or bill from your pocket and look closely at it. Whose 
>name is on it, your name or the "The United States of America"? Do I 
>really need to go into a lengthy explanation of how the monetary system 
>works? Give unto Caesar, etc. and stop focusing on money as the most 
>important thing in life. It's a medium of exchange and it belongs to the 
>government who issues it to facilitate the flow of commerce for the good 
>of society. You are part of both the society and the government but it is 
>not "your money" any more than the land you hold a deed to is entirely 
>yours (if you don't believe me on that, try not paying your property tax). 
>You don't own your spouse or your children either. These are all 
>cooperative arrangements for the good of society (meaning everyone not 
>just you).
>
>Saunterer