Bis, you and I are obviously on opposite ends, but kudos for at least acknowledging the opposing view.
I'm willing to admit I was harsh there, but I still disagree with most supply side philosophies to the extent I believe arguing from the supply side is akin to arguing that gravity isn't what makes things fall to earth.
Still, I understand there are those (including you) who buy into it, so I shouldn't disrespect you for that as I don't want others to disrespect me for my views (as they tend to do sometimes, including on these boards).
The United States are a union of states. They have rights. Why not do away with counties? How about cities? Leave everything up to the federal government.
There are certain functions which work better in the hands of various levels of government. However, the federal government should assume control when differences at the state level which create situations where it is necessary, such as differing tax codes causing businesses to move, a problem federal regulation of those taxes could easily prevent.
The more power is ceded to the feds, the more we would resemble a tyranny. Probably a socialist tyranny, but a tyranny nonetheless.
The question of states rights versus federal government has been going on since before the U.S. was formed. However, I believe to say more federal power would result in "tyranny" is a gross exaggeration of the situation.
As I said, I think there are functions best set for state and local governments, but when there is a problem, the federal government should be able to step in and at least attempt to solve it.
BTW bis, what problem do you have with wealth? Your contempt for "the wealthy" drips from your posts. I'm not weatlhy, but I certainly would want freedom to pursue it if that was the purpose I chose.
I have a problem with the way many wealthy people make decisions and have agendas that harm the rest of society, but they get away with it because they have the money to avoid negative consequences or influence government policy makers. I believe no one should make any attempts to use wealth to get out of things or buy policy, and I certainly don't do it myself.
My main belief on the matter is this: We are ALL EQUAL, no matter our background, race, beliefs, or income and wealth. Anything that violates that is wrong as far as I'm concerned. Having wealth isn't the problem - it's decision making, and most wealthy people in my observation make decisions that help them and at the same time harm a great deal of society, which doesn't set well with me.
It confuses me when I hear people, both liberals and conservatives suggest that the economy benefits when people on the bottom spend what little wealth they have, giving it right back to rich folks.
It's not "people on the bottom" who generate most consumer spending, as they don't have much to spend. It's the middle class, who are great in numbers and have enough total aggregate disposable income to shift the economy when they do spend it.
Also, not all of it goes back to "rich folks". A lot of consumer spending does occur at both smaller businesses which aren't owned by the incredibly wealthy and at local establishments which provide jobs to other middle class consumers, which boosts the economy overall.
That's a very simple assessment, but I don't have the time or the desire to give a full economic lesson on Keyensian economics (and I won't bother with supply side because I think most of it is wrong). The bottom line is that consumer spending causes money to flow and makes the economy function.
It's funny, virtually all of the political and economic beliefs Bistiza embraces are the ones proven least effective and correct by practical application...
Any economic system can fail when implemented and operated in an incorrect manner. Giving examples of how that has happened in the past with some of the ideas I suggest does not mean it would always end up that way. That's a logical fallacy.
Also, keep in mind the current system does not function anywhere near optimum (and if it was anywhere close, no one would be worried about the state of the economy). Those of you who love your capitalism so much probably didn't lose a great job because of it or lose a home because of it. I know people who have done both.