Dear Republican Candidates

Republican politicians need to step up and admit that there is a need for government. After all, government is what provides them with jobs, pays their salaries, gives them healthcare, and funds their retirement. Government pays their staff and office expenses and probably provides a number of benefits that are not listed. They need to quit bad-mouthing government since they are the ones that make the laws and enact the policies that direct the actions of government. Finally, they need to admit that government has a cost and that all citizens should contribute to paying those costs in the form of taxes. When Republican politicians are willing to admit this, the country will be in far better shape than it is in today. Speaking of costs of government and of taxes, Republican politicians need to also admit that government revenues from taxes are at historic lows while government deficits are at all time highs. These politicians also need to acknowledge while it is necessary to cut spending it is also necessary to raise revenues. It would lend credence to their argument about spending cuts if they were willing to cut things that benefited them and their constituents. It is one thing to cut spending for those people...you know, them...in other words, those who are not like us. But where are the cuts that benefited those who contributed to our campaigns? Where are the cuts that would be felt by those who elected us and sent us to our government jobs? Where are the cuts that might impact Republican politicians personally, like salaries or the size of staff, or expenses for offices? Now, back to revenue. Admittedly, revenue comes from taxes and it is an oversimplification, but taxes comes from wages and salaries. With a large number unemployed there will be a smaller amount of wages and consequently less taxes. Republican politicians postulated that cutting taxes and reducing regulations would result in more revenue and higher employment. The past ten years has demonstrated that Republicans were wrong. In spite of tax cuts government revenue did not increase and in spite of deregulation unemployment is too high. Doing everything possible to try to ensure Obama is not elected to a second term has not been successful in either raising revenue or reducing unemployment. So, Republican politicians, why not try something more like ly to work. (Remember, the definition of insanity is repeating the same actions with the expectation of different results.) There are roads that need repair, bridges that need fixing, schools that need work, other government structures that require attention. Hire people to do these things. There are shortages of teachers, police, firemen, and other people whose job it is to help people, prevent crime, save lives, and do other admirable things...hire them. Finally reform the tax code so all income is treated equally with no preference for things like capital gains or inheritances. (If this had taken place in 2000 there would be no deficit today!) Quit badmouthing government. You are hired to be legislators. Legislate rather than postulate. Do the job for which you were hired and for which you get paid!