Paying down the debt. The, Repukes got in an decided to give the wealthy a tax cut and start unnecessary war in Iraq, there's goes the surplus, and balanced budget. He was also restored Social Security on sound footing. What does Paul Ryan and Repukes want to do? Cut benefits by calling it an entitlement. It is not an entitlement when people put money into it and Repukes kept stealing from SS.
"The federal government collected a record amount of taxes in fiscal year 2014, topping $3 trillion in revenue."
"First Time Ever: Federal Tax Revenues Top $1 Trillion Thru January; Gov't Still Runs $194B Deficit"
We do not have a revenue problem.
We Have a spending problem.
And the Dim solution......TAX more!
is like giving a bottle of vodka and car keys to a 16 year old alcoholic. And while I mostly blame Democrats for spending other people's money to buy votes, too many Republicans act like low caloriel Democrats. They like their version of big government. Instead of cutting or consolidating ineffective or redundant programs, they will try to reform them.
"First Time Ever: Federal Tax Revenues Top $1 Trillion Thru January; Gov't Still Runs $194B Deficit"
We do not have a revenue problem.
We Have a spending problem.
And the Dim solution......TAX more!
...too many Republicans act like low calorie Democrats. They like their version of big government. Instead of cutting or consolidating ineffective or redundant programs, they will try to... refunnel the money to *their* constituents.
The OP makes the point in his post that tax revenues are at a record high and we still have a budget deficit. Implied in his "Subject" he is making the point that some still blame the prior administration for the deficits.
While I think the "we do not have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem" conclusion is a bit too simplistic the first two replies do not in any way respond to that.
All they can do in whine about how the OP did not criticize the prior administration over any policy 7 years into their term.
How many left leaning folks are criticizing the current administration these days?
To put it as broadly and simplistically as you, more people = more taxpayers = more services required (well, obligated). Care to share your solution?
maybe policies that result in JOBS?
Lower taxes (history says it usually result in more tax revenue collected).
Leadership...something we haven't had in over 6 years.
(time to agree the Dims haven't given USA anything good for the economy)
Letting the border disintegrate and welcoming all illegals has many problems we'll have to deal with for years......(why are illegals allowed to pay in-state tuition when LEGAL out of state kids cannot?) Dims like to scream 'fairness..fairness"..what's fair about that policy?)
"Lower taxes (history says it usually result in more tax revenue collected)." - this is wrong as a generalization; it's not a straight line. There's a tipping point at which people devote more effort to avoiding taxes rather than paying them. Historically, it's when tax rates are well above 50%, like the 70-80% top rates we had back in the 50s/60s. In general, people avoid paying more than they're lawfully obligated. There's no evidence I've seen that correlates the lowering of tax rates with people willingly giving more or giving up their tax breaks.
"Leadership...something we haven't had in over 6 years." - pure inane rhetoric; what's your argument? Obama (and what/who Obama represents) has enacted a long list of legislation he set out to accomplish (with plenty of casualties). That's leadership.
"Letting the border disintegrate and welcoming all illegals has many problems we'll have to deal with for years......(why are illegals allowed to pay in-state tuition when LEGAL out of state kids cannot?) Dims like to scream 'fairness..fairness"..what's fair about that policy?)" - Border security is at the tightest it has ever been. Period. That's not to say that it's not ridiculous at how porous the border has been in the past, and arguably is today, but I also don't think that reasonable Americans want to live within an impenetrable bubble. Regarding tuition, it's a pragmatic attempt to integrate these kids as productive members of society rather than leave them with no career options outside of crime. There are good schools in every state - either citizens can reap the benefits of in-state tuition, or you can advocate for federal intervention to eliminate different rates for in-state/out-of-state. Pick your poison.