Andrew Sullivan makes an observation about the Tea Party that translates in some ways to the Republican primary in Congressional District 8, where Jonathan Paton, Jesse Kelly, Brian Miller and Andy Goss are competing to take on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords:
So they are truly not serious in policy terms, and it behooves the small government right to grapple with this honestly. They both support lower taxation and yet bemoan the fact that so many Americans do not pay any income tax. They want to cut spending on trivial matters while enabling the entitlement and defense behemoths to go on gobbling up Americans’ wealth. And that lack of seriousness is complemented by a near-fanatical cultural alienation from the modern world.
I will add that Kelly and Miller have offered up blunt reforms of Social Security and Medicare: They want to basically scrap both programs, although they say that people who now receive or will soon receive benefits should continue to do so because they have paid into the system. Both believe that a private insurance market will provide affordable insurance to the aged and infirm, and both believe that Americans will do a better job of saving for their retirement years if they know they cannot depend on Social Security.
This article appears in Apr 15-21, 2010.
And to that, I might add: “flat tax” revenue reforms won’t have much effect on the ability of those in the highest income brackets to afford health care, but the combination of diminishing social security and medicare while increasing the tax burden on those who depend most on these services would likely create costly new public health crises at the state level. Imagine adding that to Arizona’s troubles.
Well, Jim Nintzel, have we thought to ask Brian and Alyson Miller their thoughts and position on cutting, no, make that eliminating all Federal benefits paid to USA military retirees and those who have otherwise chosen to separate for whatever reason from USA war machine? In for a penny, in for pound, Brian and Alyson? Jim Nintzel?
Let’s face facts … The general population believes that the Tax System is inherently unfair, the Social Security System is going to go bankrupt, our Federal Government has intruded into our lives way too much, and etc … I could go on and on, but “We the People” are in general, are displeased with the President, the Congress and Government at almost every level. And, once more we have that right to be! We the People want accountability, we want to be able to trust those we elect to office to uphold their oaths of office. Certainly, we want less lies … So, I say throw all the bums out of office. Who is to blame … all parties are to blame!
We have wars going on that have not been declared in accordance with our US Constitution, we have an administration that has gone power crazy, and we have a Congress who in general doesn’t know what the hell they are doing. So, I say throw them all out. We know we need to get back to basics … adherence to the US Constitution. We also know that we need to clarify the interpretation of those provisions of the US Constitution to keep our government under control. I think that all of us agree that our Republic is proceeding along a path of destruction. Is it irreversible by no means; however, we need to get back on the right path.
I believe to get us back on the right path we need to throw them all out and start
looking very closely at the people we put into office. You mention two Candidates in Arizona’s Congressional District #8 … well both are good men; however, upon much closer scrutiny Jesse Kelly just doesn’t pass the muster. Therefore, he should be mustered out! Brian Miller is a very good Candidate in comparison, well educated, knows what the US Constitution says and means, knows what duty is, knows what leadership is, has a sound grassroots base; and, more importantly good morals and ethics. All in all a very good Candidate worthy of support! Therefore, I encourage you all to check him out closer at http://www.brianmillerforcongress.com