Surplus

 A few days back I wrote about the nations purse. The title of that blog posting was Brass tacks. I was talking about how congress is supposed to decide how to spend our money. Yes, it is "our" money, the government itself has none. Every American citizen that pays taxes contributes to that bank account. That's how it works. Some revenue is collected through fees and interest but by far the majority of the money comes from the average joe taxpayer. It's "our" money. That's the reason Congress is in control of the purse strings. The executive and judicial branch do not control that. It's in the constitution, read it. 

 Congress has had their way with that for far too long without being held accountable. What I mean is this, congress should have control of the purse strings, I agree with that wholeheartedly, but "we" haven't been holding them accountable for their failure to manage that money. In response to that I believe we should convene a convention of the states! On the top of the list should be a balanced budget amendment. If the budget isn't balanced, salaries are cut, beginning with that congress! Poor fiscal management could also lead to dismissal, just like it does for the average Joe that doesn't do their job. 

 Following that I would also say that Americans are at the head of the line. That is to say, American needs must be met before any "aid" is given to any other nation. It's ridiculous that Americans go without while we send billions of dollars to other nations around the globe. That is what charities are all about! The government of the United States is not a charitable institution! Nearly 47 billion dollars every year is being sent in aid. That while we are borrowing money to pay our own debts! That has to stop! Want "free" healthcare? Guess what, you have to pay for that, maybe use that 47 billion given away every year for that purpose. But, that's just a thought, a suggestion from someone that doesn't understand world politics or affairs. I still believe God helps those who help themselves. Yes, I know that isn't a biblical passage, I know that isn't what the Bible actually says, I know it is an old adage. But that doesn't mean it isn't true. Only what you believe God to be is different. For me that advice means to mind your own business first, do what is right, and you will be rewarded. The help you will receive is inner strength, call it faith, belief, or whatever, but it is the phycological strength to persevere. It isn't a lack of empathy it is the realization of a reality.

 If, we the people, are paying so much in taxes that we can just give money away I'd say we are paying too much in taxes. Yes, we should have a savings account. Do we? As far as I know we do not. Oh, you can buy savings bonds, a way to lend money to the government, the government can confiscate your money/assets if you fail to pay them, but is there an account that is a savings account? I couldn't find one mentioned anywhere on Google but maybe I wasn't asking the right question. The Social Security fund was supposed to be a sort of savings account. You pay into the system and later you can draw from that account, you know, from your savings. But in 1981 Congress decided to pass legislation to borrow money from that fund. So far, 2.9 trillion dollars has been "borrowed" from that fund. Now when borrowing money, it is implied that you will pay it back. Just how was congress going to pay back that money? Congress has no money beyond "your" money, the money they just borrowed! The money isn't borrowed, it is spent! The money borrowed from the social security trust fund is used to finance deficit spending! The explanation from Congress, those politicians making the decisions, is that they are only borrowing "surplus" funds in the account and always pay that back. In fact, according to their accounting methods they are making money by spending money. My question is, how much money do you have in surplus in your savings account? If you have more money in savings that your yearly expenditures is that all excess? Should you just lend that out to others or give it away. It's surplus. Too much money in the savings account? That's what Congress says.