Debt, the I.R.S., the U.S. Military and why the U.S. is 'up for grabs'

Currently the U.S. debt stands (apparently) at some $10 trillion.

In steps Ron Paul, who wants to abolish the I.R.S., the only fair and economically-sensitive type of taxation (i.e. 'flat-taxes' favor the wealthy because food, utilities, etc. comprise a much higher % of income for lower wage earners . . .).

If Ron Paul were elected President, we would have a fiscal nightmare just waiting to happen. Already our debt is ballooning out of control, and now someone like Ron Paul wants to shrink, rather than expand the tax base!

If a Republican gets elected, we should also expect more of the same. Wars that are thrown upon the 20 and 30 year olds of the U.S. Debt increasing due to our retirees. I.R.S. not having enough money coming in due to Neoconservative "Bush-style" tax cuts that seem appealing at first (every child wants instant gratification!), but when applied at the macro level prove disastrous for the running of a free society.

But, if the wrong Democrat gets elected (Hillary, Barack or even John Edwards), we should expect a down-sizing of military forces that looks 'good on paper' (base closings, etc.), but would compromise national security.

My own 'Plan for Renewal' (neither liberal nor conservative, but a Tony Campolo-style Jesus Ethic of Progressive Christianity) would be:

* down-sizing of U.S. military force in Iraq to 10% of current troop levels while consolidating the remaining troops safely inside of the Green Zone only. The Iraqi government would self-govern (and be forced to avoid sectarian violence in a 'sink or swim' model . . .).

* maintaining current U.S. Troop levels in Afghanistan in order to counter Radical Islam.

* Peace talks immediately to be held with all Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish leaders inside of the Green Zone with top level security (including screening of all personnel with electronic bomb and metal detection devices).

* Safe-guarding of American interests by down-sizing only what is in physical danger (troops in remote areas), while increasing use of Air Power.

Sadly, however, from the 'crazy' Ron Paul who wants to abolish the I.R.S. to the somewhat gestapo-like Giuliani to Barack, Hillary and Edwards who would 'gut' our military of needed finance, we are left with little option.

I am a Democrat. I am a Just-War Thinker (wars of defense only in accord with historic Christian Teaching as contained in the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas). I am fiscally aware.

VOTE Rob King '08 (undeclared, but testing the waters . . .)