Common Sense Leadership Requires A Simple Tax System

I would like to continue to outline some of the steps we can take to restore Common Sense Leadership to our nation.  Common sense and simplicity in our tax system is one of those steps that we must demand from our elected representatives.  Not even the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can uniformly provide information or interpretation of the tax code.  Taxing a nation is not a complex problem requiring a huge amount of effort to manage, it is just a simple issue that requires the knowledge of 4th grade math.

The personal income tax of the United States of America, has been one of the areas of government most victimized by career politicians.  They have used the tax code as a source of political favors to bestow boons to their most ardent supporters.  This situation has been taken advantage of by members of both parties; so there is plenty of blame to spread around.  But, I do not want to fix blame; I just want the problem fixed. 

So here is my solution to the personal income tax.  Each person will have a personal deduction of $12,000 ($1,000/month).  This deduction will be subtracted from total income (earned and unearned); and the remainder will be taxed at fifteen percent (15%).  If your total income is less than the personal deduction; you will be taxed at the minimum tax rate of five percent (5%) of your total income.  The only other deduction is for charitable/religious contributions.  This deduction is simple to apply.  Contributions are subtracted from the total income after the personal deduction is applied.  However, it cannot be used to reduce your tax burden below the minimum tax rate.  Now, was that so hard; this tax system would allow everyone to file their own taxes, the form would be about the size of a half sheet of paper including instructions, and a huge amount of lost productivity will be returned to the American People.

My version of the personal income tax would be very easy to administer and enforce.  No massive tax code to navigate or fear, no tax shelters available only for a select group; only a system where everyone shares the burden of supporting the system our founding fathers envisioned.  Just imagine a country where a tax evasion case goes something like this:  How much money did you make?  How many persons in the household?  Any donations to church or charity?  Take that amount and multiply times the tax rate.  How much is that?  Did you pay less than that amount?  Pay what you owe.  Case dismissed.

The corporate tax is just as simple to fix.  The standard corporate tax rate shall be ten percent (10%).
The only deduction will be for reinvestment (research, equipment, etc.), this shall not exceed one half of taxes, ie. five percent (5%).  If you dont reinvest in your business, you pay 10%; if you reinvest in your business, you pay at least 5%.  Everyone pays, no loopholes, no incentives, no zero tax bills for companies that enjoy the benefits of our society.

Will you help me share this simple plan?  Share this blog, comment, and most of all contact your elected representatives and tell them to solve our tax problems.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Term Limits for the Federal Judiciary Means Common Sense Leadership

Let us take another small step toward Common Sense Leadership in our Federal Government.  Term limits for all members of the Federal Judiciary, including the Supreme Court is necessary to rebalance the three branches of our republic.  For far too long, we have had judges in our courts; legislating from the the bench.  Most of the provisions of our constitution and its amendments have been misinterpreted or mutated to serve liberal, politically correct, or personal agendas.  The original Contitutional Convention only intended for the judiciary to clarify and insure compliance with the U.S. Constitution and Federal Law. 

With lifetime appointments, have come arrogance and ego; and possibly some senility.  There is no reason in this day and age, when life expectancy has grown so remarkably over the past two hundred (200) plus years; to retain judges for life.  Our nation's citizens deserve the best legal system we can provide; which means judges in the prime of their physical and mental acuity, supported by competent experience in our justice system.

I propose an eighteen (18) year term limit for all Federal Appellate Court Judges.  For the Supreme Court there should be Nine (9) rotating eighteen (18) year terms, with a term expiring every two (2)years.  In the event of a vacancy, the appointment shall only be for the remainder of the term vacated.  The most senior justice will hold the title of Chief Justice.  No appellate judge shall be appointed if they have served more than nine (9) years in the Federal Courts; at the time of appointment.

Please join me, in calling on our elected leaders to reign in renegade judges in our justice system.

Term Limits Equals Common Sense Leadership

As I mentioned yesterday, I believe the first step to a common sense government is to enact a constitutional amendment for term limits for Congress.  The founding fathers of this nation never in their wildest nightmares imagined a government that would create a creature as dangerous as a career politician.  It does not matter which party they have come from; way too many men and women have went to Washington in search of power instead of civil service.

It is my opinion, that most of our nations ills; from out of control spending to abusive regulation to our economic woes are well rooted in the fact that most of the Congressional Leadership is based on seniority not on skills or knowledge.  It is well past the time to limit the time spent in Congress; just as Congress limited the time that can be served by the President.

I propose a lifetime six (6) term limit for the House of Representatives, or a total of twelve (12) years; whichever is less, including appointments.  And, a lifetime two (2) term limit for the Senate, or a total of twelve (12) years; whichever is less, including appointments.  This would allow a person to serve his or her nation in the Legislative Branch for a maximum of twenty-four (24) years.  This is more than enough time for a real leader to have a positive effect on our country. 

Please demand a common sense government from our nation's leaders.  Ask your Member of the House and your Senators to restore the greatness of our system of government by creating term limits on themselves.

First Steps for a Common Sense Government

On this last Monday of 2011, I want to share a list of what I believe are the first steps we must demand of our national leadership.  I hope you will comment, share, discuss, or otherwise broaden the reach of these ideas.  Please remember this list is not exclusive, just a starting point for a better government based on Common Sense Leadership.

• Term Limits for Congress (6 terms for the House, 2 terms for the Senate)
• Term Limits for Supreme Court (9 revolving 18 year terms; new term every 2 years)
• Common Sense Tax Reform (Income and Corporate)
• Reevaluate the Existence of Every Federal Department or Agency
• Secure the Border of the United States of America
• Reduce Annual Federal Spending
• Balance the Federal Budget
• Reduce and Eliminate the Federal Deficit
• Eliminate All Unnecessary Federal Regulations
• Eliminate Redundancy in the Federal Government
• Call a Constitutional Convention (Eliminate Ambiguity From Constitution)
• Rewrite all Federal Laws, Regulations and Rules in Common Use English

I have started a short list; one that will grow with future posts, and one that I hope you can agree with and help me promote.

I believe in Common Sense Leadership

Welcome to Common Sense Leadership.  I hope this blog will become a call to action for all Americans to demand common sense solutions to our nation's problems from our elected leaders.  I believe the United States of America is the greatest nation on the face of the earth, however; it is not as great as it once was.  This status can be quickly and easily reversed with a return to common sense answers to the issues that face our nation.  Abraham Lincoln famously decried that our government should be one "Of The People, By The People and For The People", it is past time that we fulfill that declaration. 

In future posts, I will outline some possible common sense solutions to the ills of this country.  I know these ideas will not be perfect, and I hope you will help me improve upon them.  I look forward to beginning this discussion at the dawn of one of the most significant years in U.S. history.