No sir, I am not clueless. As a matter of fact, your links prove my point, whether you realize it or not. (the 2nd link didn't work for me though - the forbes one).

Here is my point: The fed gov't. is bankrupt. States are bankrupt, cities are bankrupt..........and what happens? The fed. gov't. keeps tossing money around, making the situation worse long term.

Set aside your previous thoughts of me for a minute, okay?

I, nor most others I know, wouldn't have a problem paying more in taxes - IF the fed, state, and local gov't.s would enact SERIOUS spending decreases. If they were serious about not only balancing the budgets, but balancing the budgets and seriously reducing the debts - not deficits - the debts.

But you see, that doesn't happen. If/when they cut taxes, they raise spending. If/when they increase taxes, they increase spending even more.

See, spending increases every year. What I am saying is that can't happen any longer. What is happening at local and state levels has already happened at the fed. level - but the fed. just keeps digging instead of dealing with the problem - spending.

We cannot simply "tax" our way out of it. What the fed. gov't. is doing for states is what china and other countries are doing for the u.s. - floating us money - helps in the short term - but it kills in the long term.

This is not a republican or democrat or independent thing - WHEN the u.s. fails - it is the U.S. - the whole country.

Check out what will happen when the dollar is devalued to the point other countries don't/won't want it. Inflation? How about hyper inflation.

Check out some of the european countries and what they are going through right now.

You see, I am not clueless. I am not blaming democrats - I am blaming gov't. If you set aside your pre-conceived thoughts about me, perhaps you'll understand my point a bit. You may not agree with me - but you'll see I am not clueless.