The Path to Prosperity: America's two futures

[Maggie]

The Path to Prosperity: America's two futures, visualized

[Maggie]

Ryan's Budget Solution

He is making the moral argument as well as the fiscal - smart man.

[SubGod22]

Ryan is a smart man. The more he talks the more I like him.

[Maggie]

You put Ryan in a debate with our current President on domestic policy – the result would be similar to Washington State against Wichita State – but a bigger beat down. Ryan has proven that already.

The country faces serious and daunting challenges in the coming months and years. We need serious political leaders who are ready and capable of rising to the challenge. No one has demonstrated that capacity more than Paul Ryan. :good:

[SubGod22]

From Cato Paul Ryan's Fiscal Framework

That reform would allow Congress to directly limit taxpayer costs, while encouraging providers and patients to reduce inefficiencies in the system. It would also improve the quality of care through more competition. Without such reforms, rising costs will likely compel Congress to start rationing care to seniors and making other cuts that would seriously distort the health-care system.

For Medicaid, food stamps, and other federal-state aid programs, the Ryan plan embraces block grants. The states would receive a fixed pot of money, but be given more flexibility on program design. That would end incentives for states to over-expand their programs with "free" federal dollars. Block granting was the successful approach of welfare reform in 1996, and it should be warmly received by today's large group of conservative governors.

Over the first decade, Ryan's reforms would reduce federal spending from 25 percent of gross domestic product to about 20 percent, although that level would still be higher than it was as recently as 2007. The big savings would come over the longer term. By 2040, the size of the federal government under Ryan's plan would be half the size under a "do nothing" plan — roughly 20 percent of GDP vs. 40 percent. For young Americans, the resulting differences in tax burdens and prosperity between those alternative fiscal futures would be massive.

On taxes, Ryan would reduce rates and simplify the system. His previous plan collapsed individual income taxes to a simple structure of 10 and 25 percent, while ending most deductions and other special breaks. His new plan drops the top rate to 25 percent, but leaves most of the simplification details to the House tax-writing committee.

I'm no expert, and I know some would have to adjust, but something like this has to happen for this country to get back on track.

[Maggie]

It has been a while, but, I agree with every word, David Brooks:

Moment of Truth

[SubGod22]

It has been a while, but, I agree with every word, David Brooks:

Moment of Truth

That was a nice piece.