Life could be a lot simpler

LARRY ANDERSON
Larry Anderson

I believe in a simple life.

My motto is, “If you have a problem, solve it.”

Then it isn’t a problem, and one is better prepared for what‘s next.

Two of my complaints about government are it tends to make life more complicated than it needs to be, and it doesn’t do a very good job of understanding why citizens feel disconnected.

Instead, political combat often displaces action.

For instance, we have an unnecessarily complicated tax system that is an endless source of frustration and scorn. I propose a simplified tax strategy that would make life easier for working people.

Here it is:

For individuals, no income tax on the first $25,000 of income (minimum); double the amount for couples, as similarly proposed by Donald Trump. After that, a flat rate, say 12 percent, on all income. Add a $2,500 per child; two kids would bump the figure up $30,000 before taxes kick in.

No deductions or exemptions beyond that.

In exchange for a permanent end to capital gains and estate taxes, tax interest and dividend distributions that are not reinvested as ordinary income. This would encourage saving and investing by not taxing assets reinvested, even if they aren’t in an Individual Retirement Account.

Because everyone would be taxed the same, there would be fairness; the middle class and the evil wealthy would pay the same rate.

Isn’t fairness what liberals say they want?

Liberals could fallaciously argue there wouldn’t be enough revenue generated to pay for all the government we now support so…

We constantly hear how Social Security is in financial trouble and will be bankrupt by such and such date and the elderly will soon be starving on the streets.

Do this because it is easy:

Instead of doing one large, unpopular and harmful raise in FICA, index it two ways.

First, raise the tax ¼ of one per cent, for example, annually for 12 years. The end result is a three per cent increase in what is now a comparatively low rate, but the raise is so small on an annual basis that its impact on the taxpayer would be minor.

Second, for the same 12-year period, increase the age for Social Security eligibility by one month. By the end of the 12 years, the age for benefits will have increased by one year, but the period for adapting to the change is considerable. Plus, by the end of that period, there would be one more year of paying into the system and one year less for extracting funds.

The additional cash flow would take care of Social Security for years, thereby eliminating the anxiety felt by many seniors concerned about the financial future of a trusted system. It would also ease the need to borrow, government’s favorite recreation. Simple.

Let’s lower the corporate tax rate from its current 35 percent to 20 percent, or less, in exchange for the closing of targeted loopholes and exemptions. Watch the job market explode. See companies come home.

Let’s not waste energy on trying to rescind ObamaCare. Liberals would rather perish than consent to the repeal of their leaky dreamboat.

Instead, keep the few parts that work and reform or eliminate the many parts that don’t.

My experience with ObamaCare has been limited, thankfully, but I can tell you that it has been confusing, bureaucratic, and expensive. By the by, the full impact of ObamaCare hasn’t hit yet; that occurs in 2016 when it jumps on small and medium businesses.

Let’s simplify our lives by imposing restraint on government.

It is time for term limits on the House and Senate. Six two-year terms for House members; two six-year terms for Senators.

Result? Less concentration of power based on seniority and shoving, more emphasis on service. End the professional political class as modeled by Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and too many others.

While we’re at it, let’s have some election reform.

How about no campaigning or fund raising allowed before January 1 of the election year.

No debates until six months before the election.

How about an agreed upon and signed bipartisan code of ethics and behavior during campaigns.

Wouldn’t we all feel better if these things were in place, and wouldn’t it be nice if there were politicians who could actually get them done for the sake of our collective sanity?

A fella can dream, can’t he?