Saturday, July 26, 2014
I need it all
I've been up for 21 hours, running on 3 hours of sleep. I can't seem to take my eyes away from my computer screen. Times like this, I feel like if I go to sleep I will miss something or not experience something. The fact is, if I don't go to sleep I will miss out on the full potential of tomorrow. But I have a hunger to see everything, I want to ability to watch, read, and experience everything this world has to offer. Maybe this state of mind could be interpreted as a need to experience the world (at least the digital world) so that I can fully understand the human condition.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Suicide Horn
I found the reference picture for this on reddit. The thoughts it provoked told me that I had to paint it.
The rams horn, constantly growing, pushed straight into the skull, killing the ram. It's rather poeticreallyI, a metaphor of how aspects of one's character can go unchecked until the damage is irreversible.
Tax Reform: Reduce and share the burden
For the final week of my economics course we were asked to examine tax reform:
In 2012, The governor of New Mexico, Garry Johnson made run for the presidency as a third party candidate from the Libertarian Party. This political party stands firmly behind the idea of a consumption tax. It their belief that such a tax system would create a more equal tax burden across the board; everyone would pay a flat sales tax close to 23% rather than have 23% of their income with held. A consumption tax ("Fair Tax" as they say) would remove all corporate corruption and lobbyist efforts, as corporations would no longer be able to battle for tax cuts and benefits. Now it could be argued that such a tax system would reduce revenue for the federal government. One of the externalities of taxing consumption is the Internal Revenue Service would become obsolete, reducing federal spending. Others would try to argue that taxing consumption would only further harm the lower class and those below the poverty line. Mr. Johnson suggested that a "probate" would be implemented to make those living in poverty exempt from having to pay a certain allowance of taxes. This article asked Mr. Johnson how a "fair tax" would impact social security. Simply put individuals would only be able to get back in social security what they paid into the system, there would be no account for inflation. Ultimately, the Libertarian party would fully support the abolishment of social security as they believe it is the responsibility of the individual to plan for their future, rather than rely on the government to save you money and provide for you.
The second article I found, addressed the recent topic of raising minimum wage and how this would not solve income inequality within this country. Glenn Hubbard, former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors to President George W. Bush, believes that raising the minimum wage ignores two critical steps; economic inclusion and the ability to work and earn. Tax reform focused on dynamism (opportunity for commercially viable innovation) and inclusion (mass prosperity) would better address this social issue. The current tax code does not promote the growth in human capital within our economy and raising the minimum wage out right ignores this option. Mr. Hubbard suggests that the government should provide education vouchers for low income families, including their children. He also believes that the Earned-Income Tax Credit should be altered such that families without children should be getting back just as much as those with children. This credit is meant to reward families for their hard work to provide for themselves, and short changing families without children does not promote growth.
Both stances provide some solid options for improving the issue of income inequality. A consumption tax is such a drastic change that I believe it could cause a chaotic shock to the economy of the United states. Such a program could not smoothly begin operating out of nowhere. A gradual transition of sorts would need to be implemented in order for this new tax system to be effective. I believe such a system would be best started at the state level. Once states remove their income tax programs and begin charging higher sales taxes, a federal transition could begin (add sales tax a little each year and reduce the income tax each year until the income tax is no more). As far as Mr. Hubbard's plan is concerned, I see two flaws. the first is that creating new programs such as education vouchers simply creates more paper work, more bureaucracy. Secondly, he states that "Greater support for inclusion through training and worker or employment subsidies must be financed, of course." Of course, such programs would require research and more federal spending, which only creates a further tax burden. His ideas only create further government involvement within the lives of US citizens, not something many of us would want. I believe that through continued debate and diligence, a solution to the troubled tax system of this great nation will be found. Ultimately I am in support of a consumption tax and reduced government spending. Such a system would hold individuals and corporations accountable for their share of the tax burden. The reduction of the IRS and reduced federal spending would reduce the tax burden for each individual.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/08/29/5-questions-for-libertarian-presidential-candidate-gary-johnson-on-tax-and-entitlement-reform/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/tax-reform-is-the-best-way-to-tackle-income-inequality/2014/01/10/112710ea-68ca-11e3-a0b9-249bbb34602c_story.html
In 2012, The governor of New Mexico, Garry Johnson made run for the presidency as a third party candidate from the Libertarian Party. This political party stands firmly behind the idea of a consumption tax. It their belief that such a tax system would create a more equal tax burden across the board; everyone would pay a flat sales tax close to 23% rather than have 23% of their income with held. A consumption tax ("Fair Tax" as they say) would remove all corporate corruption and lobbyist efforts, as corporations would no longer be able to battle for tax cuts and benefits. Now it could be argued that such a tax system would reduce revenue for the federal government. One of the externalities of taxing consumption is the Internal Revenue Service would become obsolete, reducing federal spending. Others would try to argue that taxing consumption would only further harm the lower class and those below the poverty line. Mr. Johnson suggested that a "probate" would be implemented to make those living in poverty exempt from having to pay a certain allowance of taxes. This article asked Mr. Johnson how a "fair tax" would impact social security. Simply put individuals would only be able to get back in social security what they paid into the system, there would be no account for inflation. Ultimately, the Libertarian party would fully support the abolishment of social security as they believe it is the responsibility of the individual to plan for their future, rather than rely on the government to save you money and provide for you.
The second article I found, addressed the recent topic of raising minimum wage and how this would not solve income inequality within this country. Glenn Hubbard, former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors to President George W. Bush, believes that raising the minimum wage ignores two critical steps; economic inclusion and the ability to work and earn. Tax reform focused on dynamism (opportunity for commercially viable innovation) and inclusion (mass prosperity) would better address this social issue. The current tax code does not promote the growth in human capital within our economy and raising the minimum wage out right ignores this option. Mr. Hubbard suggests that the government should provide education vouchers for low income families, including their children. He also believes that the Earned-Income Tax Credit should be altered such that families without children should be getting back just as much as those with children. This credit is meant to reward families for their hard work to provide for themselves, and short changing families without children does not promote growth.
Both stances provide some solid options for improving the issue of income inequality. A consumption tax is such a drastic change that I believe it could cause a chaotic shock to the economy of the United states. Such a program could not smoothly begin operating out of nowhere. A gradual transition of sorts would need to be implemented in order for this new tax system to be effective. I believe such a system would be best started at the state level. Once states remove their income tax programs and begin charging higher sales taxes, a federal transition could begin (add sales tax a little each year and reduce the income tax each year until the income tax is no more). As far as Mr. Hubbard's plan is concerned, I see two flaws. the first is that creating new programs such as education vouchers simply creates more paper work, more bureaucracy. Secondly, he states that "Greater support for inclusion through training and worker or employment subsidies must be financed, of course." Of course, such programs would require research and more federal spending, which only creates a further tax burden. His ideas only create further government involvement within the lives of US citizens, not something many of us would want. I believe that through continued debate and diligence, a solution to the troubled tax system of this great nation will be found. Ultimately I am in support of a consumption tax and reduced government spending. Such a system would hold individuals and corporations accountable for their share of the tax burden. The reduction of the IRS and reduced federal spending would reduce the tax burden for each individual.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/08/29/5-questions-for-libertarian-presidential-candidate-gary-johnson-on-tax-and-entitlement-reform/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/tax-reform-is-the-best-way-to-tackle-income-inequality/2014/01/10/112710ea-68ca-11e3-a0b9-249bbb34602c_story.html
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