According to a Rueters News report, President Obama expects to raise nearly sixty billion over 10 years by by tightening rules related to the estate tax and close unspecified tax loopholes.

While I freely admit to being an Obama supporter I don’t think the move to tighten the estate tax code is either needed or will be effective.  While there is a consensus that closing tax loopholes would be a good first step in fixing a broken tax system; how to fix the current tax code is not the problem, the problem is the current tax code.

We need to find new ways of looking at the problem. Mike Huckabee proposed a national sales tax much like the one supported by The Fair Tax Organization. I like the idea but the Fair Tax has generated it’s share of opponents. Which is not surprising.

The current tax system in the United States is a political tool. Every politician promises to cut taxes while blustering about how unfair taxes are to every group they are wishing to court. A scarier aspect is the IRS seems to have become the strong arm of the government.

I believe it is time to change, I don’t have all the answers but I’m willing to get involved in the debate.

Recently I was talking to a friend about how little good Bush’s bailout and Obama’s economic stimulus bill were doing. My suggestion was to give everyone over 60 two million dollars. I was only half joking. Then my brother in law sent me this via email:

Dear Mr. President:

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America ‘s economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan.

You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan:

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings – Unemployment fixed.
2) They MUST buy a new American CAR. Forty million cars ordered – Auto Industry fixed.
3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage – Housing Crisis fixed.

It can’t get any easier than that! If more money is needed, have all members of Congress and their constituents pay their taxes…

Now in principal I heartily agree but unless my math is wrong forty million times one million is forty trillion. I don’t think even the government would spend that much money.  Of course my idea of giving everyone over sixty $2,000,000 isn’t going to work either.

When I came across this little tidbit I was both amused and frightened. Without further ado I give you the eight signs of terrorism (according to our government) and my comments.
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Terrorist operations usually begin with extensive planning. You can help prevent and detect terrorism — and other types of crime — by watching out for suspicious activities and reporting them to the proper authorities. Be alert for the eight signs of terrorism!

1. Surveillance- Someone recording or monitoring activities. This may include the use of cameras, note taking, drawing diagrams, annotating on maps, or using binoculars or other vision-enhancing devices.
So the next time you go on vacation don’t look too long at any national monument and for God’s sake leave your camera at home.

2. Elicitation- People or organizations attempting to gain information about military operations, capabilities, or people. Elicitation attempts may be made by mail, email, telephone, or in person. This could also include eavesdropping or friendly conversation.
Elicitation, now that’s a real nice big word, I’ll bet George Bush was never able to pronounce it. If I’m reading this correctly – and I probably am – anytime someone talks to you or someone else it could be a terrorist action. And if you happen to overhear them talking then you could be a terrorist. Turn yourself in now. They saved the best for last – now I should also be suspicious of friendly conversation. I don’t want to be a hermit but I guess I’ll have to otherwise the terrorists win.

Ordinary people (like you and me) do not want a bail out for the rich and are tired of paying for the fraud and waste heaped upon us by an uncaring government. Here’s a letter from one angry citizen:

Dear Representlive xxxxxx,

I beg you and all of the members of the House of Representatives to NOT PASS this so called “bailout” or “rescue” bill. It only lays an even greater burden on the struggling American citizens of this country.

It does nothing to regulate credit card companies from their predatory interest rate and and default practices. This bill does nothing to help regulate or decrease mortgage interest rates for people who are struggling to make their payments because of job losses and lowered incomes.

If you think that this bill will make it easier for Americans to get a loan for a home, college, healthcare,or a car; let me tell you this–these things are only in our dreams as putting food on the table and buying enough gas to get to work if one is lucky enough to even have a job–this is our reality.

Shame on all the members of Congress for making this bill an even greater tax burden to the citizens of this country by buying “yes” votes (adding earmarks) to pass this bill.

We as American citizens are left to figure out how to get ourselves out of debt with little or no help from our government. Yet the government wants to “bailout” Wallstreet whose greed and predatory practices against the American citizens have caused this financial crisis.