RYAN: A modest proposal

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September 7, 2010

By SUSAN RYAN newsroom@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Tue Sep 07, 2010, 08:13 PM EDT

> SOUTHERN INDIANA — When I was in college there was a popular poster that I appreciated. Its message was: “A modest proposal — that the Christians of the world quit killing each other.” It was a powerful invitation to consider hate and war from a different perspective.

As we enter this electoral season, I have been reflecting on the simplicity of that message. If I were a poster maker, I believe that today I would make one that said, “Don’t Label,” because the minute we label things, we create a sense of otherness that undermines any meaningful dialogue.

Two of the more prominent examples in our current politic are “Obamacare” and “The Bush Tax Cuts.” The truth is that it took more than one party to pass these two pieces of legislation.

These decisions are a reflection of the congressional makeup at their time of passage. Neither is purely Democratic or Republican. And neither of these pieces of legislation belong to the presidents in office at the time of their passage. Presidents do not pass bills, they sign legislation. I propose that we take away the labels and debate the actual legislation, without the creation of an immediately negative terminology.

We currently have new healthcare legislation — quit calling it Obamacare. The debate should be about the principles and practice of that legislation. Does it get us where we need to be as a nation? Does it reflect our national principles? Do we need to make some changes to either strengthen it or eliminate portions of it?

Unlike the changes in the tax code, we have not had any significant time to truly evaluate the impact of the new healthcare law. However, given the current move toward repeal, candidates may want to talk to constituents about their recent experiences with the portions of the new law that are now in effect. For example, do parents, who now have been able to put their children back on their healthcare plan, want them to give up health care coverage? Do those citizens who were unable to purchase health care coverage, because of pre-existing medical conditions, now, want to give up healthcare coverage? Do seniors feel that the donut hole should be brought back? Do we believe that access to health care should be a right in a democracy, or should it be a privilege for those who can afford it?

We have had a number of years to evaluate the changes made to the national tax code — quit calling it the Bush Tax Cuts. Given the current financial situation of the country, the size of the debt, and the burdens that wars have placed upon our budget; it is time to review the efficacy of the changes that were made in the tax law.

Originally, wealthier Americans (multi-millionaires and billionaires) were given significant tax breaks with the idea that they would then invest and reinvigorate the economy. Has that happened? Can we really afford to continue our current path without increasing income to the federal budget? If we need to increase income, who should have their taxes increased? Is it fair for someone who gets a large inheritance of money which he or she has never worked for or paid any payroll taxes on to get a free ride and not pay any tax on the windfall? Can we sustain a democracy marked by wealth extremes?

The French Revolution was fought on issues of taxation and lack of representation. The nobility paid almost no tax and had disproportionate voice in the governance of the country. The peasants were taxed to the point of near starvation and had almost no voice in government. Could we be moving to a similar position?

Billionaire Warren Buffett reports that his secretary pays more in taxes than he does. While our governmental representation is not passed on through inheritance, it now takes millions of dollars to run for office. Is there a place in the body politic for the common man or woman?

We are getting lost in a forest of sound bites, jibes, misrepresentation, and labeling. The issues before us are huge.

What we need is a debate about the very nature of democracy. What rights and protections are fundamental to maintaining a strong democracy?

I think we need to see more serious discussion of vision. What are politician’s core values? What do they believe America should look like?

We must begin talking about issues and vision.

Susan Ryan is a Floyds Knobs resident

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