With so many moving parts, is America governable?

This is Part Two of a critical review of The National Journal’s Debate on “Our Fiscal Future” between John Podesta and Douglas Holtz-Eakin with Jim Tankersley moderating, at The George Washington University’s Jack Morton Auditorium. This part provides more observations and evaluation on some of the propositions offered by Holtz-Eakin and Podesta.

How to help Oregonians get the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act (OCTA) on the ballot in November. Petition & volunteer information for Oregonians & friends of Oregon alike.

Progressives want a lot done. Some things, like accountability for torture and violations of constitutional rights, and for criminal activity undermining the financial system, won’t cost much to accomplish. But other things, like full employment job programs, Medicare for All, reconstruction of the educational system, modernization of infrastructure, transformation of the energy foundations of the economy, environmental sustainability, halting climate change, the creation of new industries, will all require Government spending. And in each area, deficit terrorists and many well-meaning people who believe in prudence and not living beyond one’s means will meet progressive legislative proposals with the statement, “that’s all very well but . . . , followed by the question “How Are We Going To Pay For It?”

The Tax Cannibis 2010 proposition may legalize marijuana, but is another power grab for the government. I do not support legalizing it for the sake of control, I support legalizing it to let people decide their own fate.

Some personal tax breaks I’m enjoying this year. Like Where’s Waldo, I might ask, where’s the social benefit of giving me money?

Tax cuts are basically redistribution of wealth. If some is good, is more better?

Today David Cay Johnston reports that a 1986 Tax law mentioned by the software engineer who piloted his plane into the IRS office was one of the reasons why he did it. Turns out that the day before he flew the plane into the building, the Obama administration asked for a crackdown on this law.

So, uh, what happened to make us embrace that idea that was so radical before the 2008 elections? If radical is now okay, let’s do a truly radical rewrite of the tax code.

Putting the healthcare ‘excise’ tax in context.