What is the measure of what government should do with our money?

[Alendar]

I'm curious what people think. The Constitution had some clear ideas about it, all based on common sense requirements. The need to raise an army, deliver the mail. I would say that the whole document reeks of common sense.

But there really aren't any good "except" clauses. Like, "except when to do so would bankrupt the citizenry". There's no real limitations put in place on spending, only that laws must be made to levy new taxes. Much of law is tax law. New taxes, new levies make up our history. We are taxed with representation now.

The problem seems to be nearing a crisis point recently. Socialized medicine in principle is a good idea, so is no-interest bank. Everybody should own a house so they don’t have to rent unless they really want to. Food should be affordable and safe. Farmers should be subsidized if they have to compete globally and that’s all they know how to do. Grants should be practically forced on people who may not be aware of their existence, thereby enabling them to get a college education. Businesses should be bailed out if they employ people, since people need jobs. Weak avenues of research should be heavily funded if they might lead to carbon reduction, which might lead to a cooler climate, which might be necessary. Support should be given to anyone who has suffered an unfortunate accident of fate, like losing their spouse’s income, or losing a job. Since we can’t assess

I have sleep apnea. I have the right to a good night’s sleep, don’t I? Shouldn’t the government fund the search for a cure? I have diabetes, I expect a cure. I expect funds to be spent to properly label all hidden sugars, or be compensated for each lost minute of life or inch of limb.

A plane crashed accidentally, a huge news blitz erupted, massive layoffs were enacted, new funds appropriated to make sure all pilots are triply trained so as to reduce the likelihood of that particular error by 1 percent.

We base so many decisions now on the statistical outliers, because no child should die of disease, no one should get less than 100 good years, no one should be without a home, no person should live without “adequate” health care.

Think of all the reasonable and appropriate things that government should be doing. Make a list, and if its less than infinite, go back and check your research. Get creative. What if we find a gene that causes homicidal mania, but do not check every baby born, and that child grows up and kills someone really nice? Shouldn’t their family be entitled to just compensation? Add that to the list.

Now add up the total GDP and see if it would be enough to pay for all these legitimate expenses. But, as long as it’s the right thing to do.

[no1toolmkr]

actually it was passed during an Christmas break when most of the self respecting legislators were home with their families Christmas 1914.
This video does a pretty good job explaining how it became the problem...

[Alendar]

It probably seemed like a good idea at the time. The road to bankruptcy is paved with good intentions.

[no1toolmkr]

our most serious mistake was in 1914 when we empowered the federal reserve to print money. before that only congress could do so. by doing that we enabled the bankers to loan our government money.
This was our most tragic nmistake. because if we didn't do that our government could loan us money that our government printed and regualted the value of. virtually all of our income tax's pays interest to bankers.
ALL OF IT!!!!!!
this is very unconstitutional, and is the seed that started all of our problems that are with us today....