National Center for Policy Analysis is Idea Central
One of my favorite organizations for years has been the National Center for Policy Analysis. I often find myself too busy to spend time reading their articles or visiting their website, but every time I do they never disappoint. It seems everything I read of theirs provides a "eureka" moment and my understanding of the subject I am studying increases dramatically.
Recently I spent some time on their site and read an insightful article by the organization's Chairman, former Governor Pete du Pont (R-DE). du Pont (photo) was my choice for President in 1988 as the brilliant leader told people the truth about the problems the nation faced and the necessary policies to change the status quo. He told farmers in Iowa that subsidies was actually hurting agriculture both in the US and around the world and he told seniors that Social Security needed to be reformed in order for future generations to be able to benefit. He always told the hard truths, which may be why his candidacy didn't catch on. Even to this day I would gladly get on a Pete du Pont bandwagon.
In his recent article in Opinion Journal (from the Wall Street Journal), the former Governor pointed out that, if they thought things were bad under the Republicans in Congress, wait until the Democrats pursue their policy objectives. The following is a quick summary of two of their goals:
* Social Security. In ten years, Social Security will be paying out more than it is brining in, which will find the system in a crisis beyond rhetoric. We should obviously do something about it today. The Republicans wanted to look at options that empowered individuals to become investors in the economy by being able to have their "contributions" turn into real investments through private initiatives; resulting in an expanding economy, serious return on the money put into the system, and numerous other positive effectives. The Democrats are talking tax increases which will hurt job development when businesses are forced to match Social Secutiry tax and raising the age, which will discriminate against minorities who already suffer from the current system. The Democrats, in essence, desire more of the same policies that have failed for years.
* Tax Increases. The Republicans are opposed to such and point to long term economic expansion and low unemployment as examples of how the recent tax cuts have worked. Not only have they contributed to economic growth, they have led to revenue increases by spurring on taxable economic activity. While the Democrats want to exact huge largesse from every small economic action through excessive taxation, Republicans take a Wal-Mart approach, by making a little off of so much more activity. If the Democrats really want to reduce the deficit, they would never touch the tax cuts. They declare that taxes must go up, no matter how much harm they do. It isn't because of efficiency, but envy; because the Democrats simply seem to despise econonomic freedom.
The former Governor goes on to examine spending increases, protectionism, and more showing a clear difference between the two parties. Because of the President's veto pen and their slim majority in Congress, it is unlikely that the Democrats will be successful in their policy objectives (except for the possibility of reversing the tax cuts and minimum wage increases), but what they will provide through their policy initiatives is a great road map of what the future will be if the Democrats ever win a governing majority and a sobering warning to everyone who would consider such an option.
The National Center is one of the greatest resources of ideas in the public policy market today and I'm glad that it is out there helping to successfully wage a war of ideas.
Recently I spent some time on their site and read an insightful article by the organization's Chairman, former Governor Pete du Pont (R-DE). du Pont (photo) was my choice for President in 1988 as the brilliant leader told people the truth about the problems the nation faced and the necessary policies to change the status quo. He told farmers in Iowa that subsidies was actually hurting agriculture both in the US and around the world and he told seniors that Social Security needed to be reformed in order for future generations to be able to benefit. He always told the hard truths, which may be why his candidacy didn't catch on. Even to this day I would gladly get on a Pete du Pont bandwagon.
In his recent article in Opinion Journal (from the Wall Street Journal), the former Governor pointed out that, if they thought things were bad under the Republicans in Congress, wait until the Democrats pursue their policy objectives. The following is a quick summary of two of their goals:
* Social Security. In ten years, Social Security will be paying out more than it is brining in, which will find the system in a crisis beyond rhetoric. We should obviously do something about it today. The Republicans wanted to look at options that empowered individuals to become investors in the economy by being able to have their "contributions" turn into real investments through private initiatives; resulting in an expanding economy, serious return on the money put into the system, and numerous other positive effectives. The Democrats are talking tax increases which will hurt job development when businesses are forced to match Social Secutiry tax and raising the age, which will discriminate against minorities who already suffer from the current system. The Democrats, in essence, desire more of the same policies that have failed for years.
* Tax Increases. The Republicans are opposed to such and point to long term economic expansion and low unemployment as examples of how the recent tax cuts have worked. Not only have they contributed to economic growth, they have led to revenue increases by spurring on taxable economic activity. While the Democrats want to exact huge largesse from every small economic action through excessive taxation, Republicans take a Wal-Mart approach, by making a little off of so much more activity. If the Democrats really want to reduce the deficit, they would never touch the tax cuts. They declare that taxes must go up, no matter how much harm they do. It isn't because of efficiency, but envy; because the Democrats simply seem to despise econonomic freedom.
The former Governor goes on to examine spending increases, protectionism, and more showing a clear difference between the two parties. Because of the President's veto pen and their slim majority in Congress, it is unlikely that the Democrats will be successful in their policy objectives (except for the possibility of reversing the tax cuts and minimum wage increases), but what they will provide through their policy initiatives is a great road map of what the future will be if the Democrats ever win a governing majority and a sobering warning to everyone who would consider such an option.
The National Center is one of the greatest resources of ideas in the public policy market today and I'm glad that it is out there helping to successfully wage a war of ideas.
Labels: Democrats, National Center for Policy Analysis, Opinion Journal, Pete du Pont, Social Security, tax increases, Wall Street Journal
posted by Kevin Price at 8:49 PM
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