Ideas, Opinions, Genealogy, and Book Reviews
I’ve been writing lately about an unjust increase in Medicare Part B premiums for a subset of those over 65.
I was glad to see that this was addressed in the 2 year budget deal recently worked out by Congress and the administration.
This is not what I considered the ideal solution but it is a reasonable compromise. Continue reading “Reasonable compromise on budget deal”
I wrote about this a few months back but wanted to repeat that Jon Huntsman would be a good choice for Treasury Secretary . Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has announced his intention to leave. Now that we have settled the fiscal cliff issues in part (but also put off parts for a few months), President Obama must work with the Republicans in Congress to continue the recovery and improve upon the economy of the United States.
Both sides have very different ideas about what we should do and there is a lack of trust. Trust would certainly improve the chances of finding some middle ground that both sides can agree on. Perhaps one way to improve that trust is by naming a new Treasury Secretary that both sides can trust. Continue reading “Jon Huntsman would be a good choice for Treasury Secretary”
It seems we are in the market for a new Treasury Secretary. It is a very important position in the cabinet. President Obama must work with the Republicans in Congress to continue the recovery and improve upon the economy of the United States.
The problem is that both sides have very different ideas about what we should do and there is a lack of trust. Trust would certainly improve the chances of finding some middle ground that both sides can agree on. Perhaps one way to improve that trust is by naming a new Treasury Secretary that both sides can trust.
Jon Huntsman ran in the Republican presidential primary and was a successful governor of a conservative state. He was also President Obama’s ambassador to China. Both sides have reason to trust him.
In addition, Jon Huntsman has made serious proposals about economic regulation and job growth and is a good choice as Treasury Secretary.
I’ve writtten many times deficit and the debt ceiling. I think law makers on both sides of the aisle should “do the right thing” and compromise now. Some feel compelled to stick to a position because of a previous pledge or stance. I have previously written about The “no taxes” pledge or a higher duty. But the same applies to both sides. To members of Congress are concerned that the deficit ceiling or budget negiotiations may cause them to violate their previous pledges or stances, but need to remember that you took a more important oath when they were sworn in to offfice.
But if both sides are stubborn, everyone loses. Think about it. If we default or even come close, the markets are likely to reward us with a higher interest rate on our debt. Even a small increase on a mutli-trillion dollar debt is a lot of money. We could also stubbornly refuse to reform pet programs and find those programs can not last in the long-term.
Do the right thing, compromise now.