No golden retirement for elected officials. They get what they invest and limited SS like the rest of us, insurance through the market place, like those people they are supposed to represent.
9 Likes
Proposal: Implementing Tariffs as a Carbon Tax to Promote Domestic Production and Reduce CO2 Emissions
Introduction
The United States faces a critical opportunity to address climate change while bolstering its economy. By implementing tariffs as a carbon tax on imported goods, we can significantly reduce CO2 emissions associated with international shipping and encourage domestic production. This proposal outlines the environmental and economic benefits of this approach, highlighting the substantial impact on reducing our carbon footprint.
The Environmental Impact of Imports
Currently, the U.S. imports goods worth over $3 trillion annually. The carbon footprint of these imports is significant, with estimates suggesting that imported goods contribute around 603 million metric tons of CO2 annually. This includes emissions from both the production and transportation of goods to the U.S.
Shipping goods from overseas, particularly from countries like China, involves substantial CO2 emissions. For instance, maritime shipping emits about 10-40 grams of CO2 per ton-mile. Given the volume of goods transported, these emissions add up quickly, contributing to global warming and air pollution.
Benefits of Domestic Production
By shifting production to the United States, we can achieve several key benefits:
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Reduced Transportation Emissions: Eliminating the need for long-distance shipping can significantly cut CO2 emissions. For example, producing pharmaceuticals domestically instead of importing them from China could reduce the carbon footprint of the pharmaceutical supply chain by up to 45%.
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Cleaner Production Methods: Domestic production facilities can leverage cleaner energy sources and more efficient technologies, further reducing the overall carbon footprint.
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Economic Growth and Job Creation: Encouraging domestic production can stimulate economic growth and create jobs, enhancing the resilience of our supply chains and reducing dependency on foreign imports.
Implementing Tariffs as a Carbon Tax
To achieve these benefits, we propose implementing tariffs on imported goods based on their carbon footprint. This approach aligns with the principles of carbon taxation, which are widely supported for their effectiveness in reducing emissions. The revenue generated from these tariffs can be reinvested in renewable energy projects, energy-efficient technologies, and other initiatives to further combat climate change.
Conclusion
Implementing tariffs as a carbon tax is a strategic move that addresses both environmental and economic challenges. By reducing CO2 emissions from international shipping and promoting domestic production, we can make significant strides towards a sustainable future. This proposal not only aligns with the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also supports economic growth and job creation within the United States.
Let’s take this bold step towards a cleaner, more resilient future.
1 Like
The obvious one immediately and all foreign aid all foreign aid! I don’t care if it does get funneled back to the politicians pockets eliminate it
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1 years worth of cuts to a surplus
- Eliminate Foreign Aid and Contributions to International Organizations
Foreign Aid: $70 billion annually
Contributions to International Organizations (e.g., WHO, NATO): $10 billion annually
Total Savings: $80 billion - Increase Tariffs
Current Revenue from Tariffs: $80 billion annually1
Proposed Increase: 500% to 2000%
Estimated Revenue: $400 billion to $1.6 trillion annually2 - Rent Out Federal Buildings
Potential Revenue: $5 billion annually3 - Government Efficiency and Waste Reduction
Estimated Savings: $200 billion annually4
Total Annual Savings and Revenue Increases
Eliminate Foreign Aid and Contributions: $80 billion
Increase Tariffs: $400 billion to $1.6 trillion
Rent Out Federal Buildings: $5 billion
Government Efficiency: $200 billion
Total: $685 billion to $1.885 trillion
Adjusted Federal Budget (FY 2024)
Total Federal Spending: $6.3 trillion - $80 billion (foreign aid and contributions) = $6.22 trillion
Total Federal Revenue: $4.8 trillion + $685 billion to $1.885 trillion = $5.485 trillion to $6.685 trillion
Deficit/Surplus: $6.22 trillion - $5.485 trillion to $6.685 trillion = $735 billion deficit to $465 billion surplus
Conclusion
Without increasing taxes:
Best Case Scenario: A surplus of $465 billion
5 Likes
end “use it or lose it” budget policies that encourage wasteful purchases at the end of the year.
8 Likes
Makes one wonder, tempting as it is, that we make it manditory for EVERY government Department and Agency, to revise their own budgets for 90% reduction in income, place the heavy-lifting on them to get it done…and ONLY THEN, after all of the layoffs, downsizes, and project closures, DOGE (Elon and Vivek) step in and clean house on what remains. Afterall, these Depts and Agencies know where the fat could use trimming. Make them trim themselves down to the bone – they already work for the American People anyway – so lets REALLY put 'em to work (on themselves), before we finally purge their projects and positions. What think ye?
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Excellent.
You should reward agencies that function under budget not the other way around. If you use the mentality to use it or loose it most departments will over spend. We want to discourage over spending ing
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Eliminate any department that was involved in censorship of the American People or in collusion with Big Tech to censor the American People.
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Make lobbying illegal. Our representatives are basically being bribed to pass bills that add unnecessary tax costs. And somehow make it so there’s only a maximum amount of issues in one 1000 page vote by representatives. It’s ridiculous that no one even reads them to find out what they’re actually voting on so things just keep getting hidden in them.
I’d also like my representatives to do some actual Work! The first few times I watched congressional hearings I thought,“Yes! Their (whomever) finally going to pay for what they’ve done.” They don’t though. It’s like they filibuster their whole work day away and never get anything done.
Thank you for having this platform!
6 Likes
How do we make drastic cuts that will encourage the people to continue wanting cuts in four years? and how do we make it permanent, so we don’t have this problem again regardless of how much time has passed or who’s in office?
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There was a time where bids for any government contracts were made specifically military, to insure the people were getting the best price for service. Now, it’s simply who donated the most towards a political campaign. This leads to only those with deep pockets winning those bids i.e. Boeing, Lockheed, Gen. Dynamics, Newport News, etc. This than leads to the Government paying $10’s of thousands for a hammer or toilet on an Aircraft Carrier. Time to bring back accountability. Time to hold these contractors to a price, and time frame. If unable to complete than penalties and loss of future contracts is the ramification. Losers will allow winners to emerge!
3 Likes
At the very least, any aid money sent anywhere should be subject to referendum.
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The number one way to start this would be to start with single issue bills that way nothing could be hidden.
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Replace higher education spending with free online higher education open to everyone. And then the only universities intelligence to get Federal money from there will be ones that have to teach labs and practicals and a high need exist for such as doctors nurses medics, engineers. They’ll only receive funding for those students who have already finished all their core classes required classes on the online site and in order for them to get that money they would need to accept all of the classes from the online education.
Just FYI there is a severe discrepancy between higher education spending and k through 12 education.
K through 12 public school gets 79 billion in government funds. Higher education gets 174.9 billion. Something’s wrong with this we have 49.6 million k through 12 students and they only get 79 billion, there is 12.8 billion college students and they’re getting $174.9 billion dollars in funding, for grants research and development and for their universities in colleges. Time to cut that number
I say to have a 5-7% income tax across the board. This would eliminate the IRS. No more filing!
2 Likes
Eliminate all Federal Agencies and rescind Federal Laws that are outside the enumerated powers allocated to the Federal Government in the Constitution. Pass legislation to prohibit courts from using expansive “implied powers” such as “Necessary and Proper” or “General Welfare”. The founders gave us the means to control unrestrained government growth, but all three branches of government have ignored the Constitution for over 100 years.
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All of this can go!
Members of Congress receive a variety of benefits, including:
Pension
Members of Congress can receive a pension through the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) or the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). To be eligible for a pension, members must have served in Congress for at least five years and be at least 62 years old. The amount of the pension is based on the member’s average salary over their highest three years and the length of their service. The starting amount of a member’s pension cannot be more than 80% of their final salary.
Death gratuity
Members of Congress who die while in office receive a death gratuity payment equal to their yearly salary.
Mail component
Representatives receive a mail component that can be used to pay for official expenses, such as travel, personnel, or supplies.
Privileges
Members of Congress are privileged from arrest while attending sessions of their respective houses, and while traveling to and from those sessions. They are also not subject to questioning in other places for any speech or debate in either house.
Other benefits that may be available to members of Congress include:
COLAs
Salary adjustments
Bonuses
Student loan repayment
Transportation benefits
Leave benefits
Flexible working benefits
Professional development
Performance management
3 Likes
Eliminate any federal agency or program that does not meet the following criteria:
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Is the agency or program fulfilling a clear responsibility or power assigned to the federal government enumerated in the Constitution?
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Does the agency or program address responsibilities or powers that cross state lines or extend beyond our national border?
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Every federal regulation must have a foundation in laws passed by Congress that provide clear direction and intent. If clear direction and intent are not provided, then that law becomes void and therefore any related regulations are also void.
If the answer to 1) or 2) is no, then that responsibility and power is returned to the states;
If the answer to 1) or 2) is not explicitly Yes, then that responsibility and power is returned to the states,
If the answer to 1) or 2) is Yes due to vague or unclear language in the Constitution, then that responsibility and power remains with the states unless an amendment to the Constitution is established to delegate it to the federal government. For example, “the general welfare” or similar language will not be used to expand power or responsibilities for the federal government.
START THERE AND YOU CAN’T GO WRONG!
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Stop funding the WEF, WHO, UN, GAVI, NATO, DOD DARPA and any other organization that is anti-human. Stop funding anti-human NGOs. Do away with the USDA and Board of Education. Food, Education, and Health is reserved for the state. The Federal Government has no business inserting itself into Food, Education or Health.
2 Likes