The less cynical, and more analytic critique of the tax code that I posit is this: we have a very unequal distribution of wealth these days, so why not have a very UNEQUAL tax code? Why not let the tax code reflect the society’s extreme inequality, and use it as an engine to fix it? Why do we stop creating tiers at a measly 350 Grand mark, and extend it up to 1, 5, or even 100 million in income?  The income tax has been MUCH higher in the past, around 90%!  That is unimaginable today, only because we are forced to believe this will dampen economic growth.  That is nonsense, and borderline propaganda.  It is time to tap one of America’s greatest Natural Resources:  Millionaires.

The current tax system greatly favors the Rich and lets the ever-shrinking Middle gnaw on what’s left.  It is unfair and crippling our economy and polity.   Higher tax rates for the rich does not constitute socialism.  Quite the contrary, it’s a return to our American roots and history.  It is time for a more sane tax regime, that reflect reality, not the interests of the Rich.

troops to Afghanistan to save it from becoming a “failed state.” But, can the U.S. Military really

nation build? It seems like occupying countries only help to radicalize new populations of

people…growing the number of potential terrorists. The United States’ military is an enormous,

powerful organization that is failing to defeat small, poorly funded terrorist cells. This somewhat

clumsy giant accidentally kills civilians and occupies territory that only help make locals very

angry. Wars bring destruction of economies and social networks that make people feel like they have

nothing left to lose: low hanging fruit for terrorist cell recruiting.

The U.S. military is

not, and cannot, be equipped with the tools necessary to defeat International Terrorism. The US is

trying to get rid of an ideology, not another army. We are fighting a nebulous enemy that is not

even internally cohesive (think cells in Somalia). I think social workers would be more effective in

Iraq and Afghanistan than soldiers. The billions spent on these wars could have been allocated to

expand (or create) intelligence units with an international scope.

In many (ten? twenty?)

years, when US forces are finally gone, cells will continue to operate in Iraq, Afghanistan, and

Pakistan. We are fighting an ideology, not a people. Defeating an ideology is a sophisticated task.

Essentially, the US has to win the hearts and minds of future recruits so these groups’ memberships

dry up.