Posted on 04/12/2007 12:48:48 AM PDT by FairOpinion
Washington needs a hefty dose of fiscal discipline. To restore accountable and effective leadership to America, government needs to run more like a business.
That is what I did in New York. My administration inherited a $2.3 billion deficit. We responded by imposing fiscal discipline. We cut programs. We cut taxes. And we got results. We turned the deficit into a multibillion-dollar surplus. We cut bureaucracy by 20,000 workers - while increasing cops on the street and teachers in the classroom. And we cut taxes 23 times, all while working with a Democrat-dominated city council. Every year - in good times or bad - I required city commissioners to propose cuts in their own budgets. I wanted to keep my managers focused on saving taxpayers' money, while spending it more effectively. We put management back into the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Fiscally conservative governance was at the foundation of New York City's resurgence. Now we need to do the same thing in Washington, building a more accountable government on what I call "the four pillars of prosperity" for sustained economic growth.
1. Reduced spending growth. Fiscal conservatives understand the value of controlling the size and cost of -government. Controlling spending makes -government more efficient and more effective in achieving its core responsibilities. But the performance of the government's fundamental functions must also be improved.
America will need to invest in a stronger military to win the war on terror or, as I call it, "the terrorists' war on us". Homeland security must be improved to ensure that there is never another Hurricane Katrina-like disaster response from the government. And we will need to increase our investment to move more aggressively towards energy independence. Clear priorities must be set to meet the challenges of our times. We must govern better while spending less. One way to reduce the size and cost of government is by waging a war of attrition.
During the next two presidential terms, 42 per cent of the federal civilian workforce is due to retire. This is a chance to revitalise government by making it smaller and smarter. Consider the cost-saving opportunities: permanently retiring just half of the potential retirees, while upgrading services with technology, would mean about 300,000 fewer salaries at an average of $70,000 each. This amounts to $21bn in taxpayer savings every year.
2. Lower Tax Rates. Americans face a monster tax increase because of "bracket creep", the alternative minimum tax and the expiry of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. This means cutting taxes just to keep even. Taxpayers deserve the lowest possible tax rates, simplification and certainty about what those rates are likely to be - not the gimmicks and tricks Congress imposes.
One dangerous gimmick is the one-third increase in the long-term capital gains tax rate due to explode on investors and the economy early in the next presidency. I am committed to keeping the rate low. But the strangest trick is that under current law, the "death tax" will disappear for a year, in 2010, and then roar back to oppressive levels. This is unfair. Only Washington could create a tax incentive for death. If you have worked hard and played by the rules, your children should not have to sell the family farm or small business just to pay another round of punitive taxes. That is why the death tax should get the death penalty.
3. Regulatory Reform. The US currently has a regulatory black eye. We are being hurt by heavy-handed regulators, laws such as Sarbanes-Oxley and an environment of hyper-litigation and shareholder lawsuits that can be poisonous to the private sector. When companies such as Enron and WorldCom cheated shareholders, they were rightly punished to the limit of the law. But after a scandal, Washington often overreacts and over-regulates. We now need to reform the unwise excesses of the initial reforms. When regulation becomes too burdensome, it weighs on us like a tax. It hurts the competitiveness of American businesses. That is why regulatory reform must be a priority for the next president.
4. Sound monetary policy. A strong economy and a sound monetary policy are intertwined. The Federal Reserve Board is the ultimate, independent arbiter of monetary policy. It is essential that its appointees are highly qualified individuals who understand that stable, low inflation is an input - not an impediment - to durable economic expansion and stronger economic growth. The Fed should function more like a compass than a weather vane, setting direction rather than shifting with the wind.
When economic policies are built on the four pillars of prosperity, economic growth, upward mobility and more efficient government are the result. That is our goal. Good business leaders always look for ways to cut costs and improve the delivery of services. Government should apply the same principles by measuring the real value of our investments. To do that, the next president needs to put the "M" back in the OMB. Fiscally conservative leadership will help restore the confidence of our shareholders: the American people.
Rudy Giuliani is the former Mayor of New York City, and currently a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of United States. Learn more at www.joinrudy2008.com.
Duncan Hunter, likewise, wants to move to energy independence via offshore drilling, ANWR drilling, and nuclear power.
Don’t be so picky, MaDeuce, Rooty is going to bring in 20-30 million Mexican immigrants to make up for the loss due to abortions.
Just disgraceful. I'm really running out of patience with the Free Republic I used to know and love.
I am sure not for Rudy, but the statement another FReeper made about hoping his cancer flared was totally uncalled for, and downright nasty.
What the?
Leg 1. “I’ll grant amnesty to all illegals
Leg 2. “I’ll give them welfare for 20 years.
Leg 3. “I’ll remove all borders between the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Then I will turn the stool upside down, because that way the the seat AKA the American tax payer will support you, better than they support you now.
I like those four pillars.
Rudy - Fiscal Conservative
THAT doesn't sound like a Democrat to me. He's more fiscally conservative than the other candidates running.
Until he does, all his "fiscal conservatism" talk is just jibber-jabber.
Once again, Rudy’s clarity on big issues is brilliant.
Entitlement programs will negate any spending cuts, which Rudy fails to mention. No specifics on cutting government bureaucracies and departments
2. Lower Tax Rates
Means more tinkering with the tax code, more bread crumb tax cuts. Rudy won't reform the tax system
3. Regulatory Reform
The guy that wanted the government to regulate the firearm and tobacco industries is now calling for regulatory reform?
4. Sound monetary policy
Please repeat: Social Security. Medicare. Medicaid. Rudy fails to mention these killers. Rudy fails to mention our trade deficit with China.
Please. They're just your typical election-year talking points. There's no specifics or mentioning of eliminating whole departments or programs. No reining in entitlements.
Besides, Rudy has no credibility anyway.
At least, he was at first.
Rudy will be an even more liberal extension of the (failed regarding immigration) Bush presidency.
- Rudy launched a work requirement program for the remaining welfare recipients. the NY Times called it slavery.
Mayor Giuliani Delivers Eighth And Final State Of The City Address
NY Times
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's Fiscal Record: 1993-2001 Deroy Murdock National Review
- Rudy constantly spoke out against illegitimacy and fatherless families. One of many things that Rudy said on the subject was the following: " If you wanted a social program that would really save these kids, . I guess the social program would be called fatherhood.
" Rudy Giuliani State of the City Address
Mayor Giuliani Delivers Eighth And Final State Of The City Address
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's Fiscal Record: 1993-2001 Deroy Murdock National Review
- Rudy objected to affirmative action. Rudy ended the cities set-aside program for minority contractors.
CA Political News
- Rudy rejected the idea of lowering the job requirement standards for minorities and woman. - Rudy said. "it was unfair to expect middle-class kids to work their way through college by holding down jobs and going to classes while exempting students on welfare from working.
" CA Political News
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's Fiscal Record: 1993-2001 Deroy Murdock National Review
- Rudy reformed the public school system and forced out liberal chancellors who wouldn't install his reforms.
A Plan to Reform our Public Schools-and the Commitment to Go Further
- Rudy tried to privatize 5 of the cities worst public schools.
Heartland
A Plan to Reform our Public Schools-and the Commitment to Go Further
- Rudy was for school vouchers Rudy said, "The whole notion of choice is really about more freedom for people, rather than being subjugated by a government system that says you have no choice about the education of your child,".
A Plan to Reform our Public Schools-and the Commitment to Go Further
- Rudy cut or killed 23 levies and taxes, saving taxpayers $9.8 billion during his terms.
Manhattan Institute
GoVote.com
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's Fiscal Record: 1993-2001 Deroy Murdock National Review
- Rudy cut NYC's top income-tax rate by 20.6%.
A Budget for a Strong and Stable Economic Future
GoVote.com
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's Fiscal Record: 1993-2001 Deroy Murdock National Review
- Local NYC taxes on a family of four dropped 23.7% during Rudy's term.
Manhattan Institute
GoVote.com
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's Fiscal Record: 1993-2001 Deroy Murdock National Review
- Rudy cut the commercial-rent tax.
Columbia.edu
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's Fiscal Record: 1993-2001 Deroy Murdock National Review
- Rudy cut sales taxes, including taxes on clothing.
A Budget for a Strong and Stable Economic Future
GoVote.com
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's Fiscal Record: 1993-2001 Deroy Murdock National Review
- Rudy cut the marriage penalty on taxpaying couples.
GoVote.com
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's Fiscal Record: 1993-2001 Deroy Murdock National Review>
- Rudy cut taxes on commercial rents everywhere outside of Manhattans major business districts, and various taxes on small businesses and self-employed New Yorkers.
Mayor Giuliani Delivers Eighth And Final State Of The City Address
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's Fiscal Record: 1993-2001 Deroy Murdock National Review
- Rudy's expenditure growth averaged 2.9% annually, while local inflation between January 1994 and December 2001 averaged 3.6%.
Urban Futures
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's Fiscal Record: 1993-2001 Deroy Murdock National Review
“OLD NEWS! SPAM! CAN’T YOU FIND ANYTHING NEWER? I’M MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT HE HAS TO SAY NOW!”
;-)
That was a bit weird. There’s a whole pillar in the middle of the “cut spending” that isn’t about cutting spending and should have been it’s own pillar, the part that discussed strengthening the military, investing in energy independence, and stopping another Hurricane Katrina Response.
Because it’s not one of the pillars, it’s easy to miss.
And I would strongly argue that the American Prosperity depends on a strong military and a reliable source of energy.
Lies. Come on, stick to the facts or clearly indicate your opinions as opinions notwithstanding the facts.
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