Osler's Razor

Susan's post should be copied onto a prized sheet of stationary, gently folded and carefully placed in our nightstand - for when read, and re-read, we can feel God's embrace holding us close while we acknowledge and accept our 'faith journey' was simoly that, 'ours' and all was necessary - bringing us to this moment - this moment in communion with 'our' God.
 

After the President's press conference, please a financial lesson. . .

The Fiscal Cliff
A view from a CAD screen
An architectural reflection through a woman’s eyes

Neighborhood groups, planning commissions, city councils, state and local codes and ordinances to satisfy; yikes! The best option – a good (design) concept and the occasional ‘variance’ (trade-off) proposal. . .

Go big. Not 4-trillion in debt reduction; propose 6! Not 3.2-trillion in spending cuts (3.2T cuts + 0.8T revenue as in last year’s ‘grand bargain’ proposal) identify 4.4-trillion in spending cuts (an additional 33%+) that would require all to have skin in the game. Conservatives would receive their spending cuts before the ‘starting gun’ goes off signaling the beginning of the next mid-term election season.

Request 1.6-trillion in increased revenue (twice the amount requested from 2011). Do it all through increased tax rates – instant revenue for debt reduction, infra-structure, education and energy investments, etc. . . As history has shown, tax policy restructuring will require most of two years (mid-term elections in 2014). The increased tax revenues mostly from the top 2% and the remaining spread proportionally (and gently) across the remaining 98% would provide progressives with their symbolic milestone.

Then, the ‘Grand Bargain’ to restructure the tax code by the fall of 2014 (or sooner). Closing tax loop-holes to recapture as much of the 1.6-trillion in tax increases as possible (in reality is 900B to 1T possible?) and sun-setting a corresponding amount from the recent 2012 tax rate increases – The math, increased revenue generated through the restructuring of the tax code equating to the roll-back, a portion equal, from the 2012 increased tax rates – all to be in place by the fall of 2014 – a much more realistic incentive for both sides?. . . Though, a ‘poison pill’ need be required. . .

I’m out on a limb here Razorites – ‘structural shear forces’ working mightily to ‘fell’ my cantilevered designed concept (limb). From the financial ‘wonks’ among you, policy (design) critique please. . .
 

NC, this is not far off from what the Waco Farmer has proposed, as well... it seems to be where sensible minds are meeting.
 

New Christine, I love the idea of going big in a grand bargain. I just don't see how it works politically. To get the kind of savings you're talking about, you have to make deep cuts to Medicare, Social Security, and Defense. To get the kind of revenues you're talking about, you have to do away with the mortgage interest deduction, employer health insurance deductions, and writeoffs for charitable giving. Any politician who owns all of these things is virtually guaranteed a tough reelection. And if there's anything politicians fear more than the national debt, it's electoral defeat.
 

Thanks Professor and Texpat - In architectural the sooner we identify the design criterial that precludes us 'going big' - the better. We need to step back and revise concept and costs.

Although many of the new jobs created offer lower wages and benefits than past years (and recoveries) hopefully renewed strength in the housing sector may help the middle class gain strength in a sector that can provide good family incomes.

A commitment to a 'realistic' grand bargain that has more of our citizenry invested combined with strength in energy, construction and infra-structure may allow us to begin knitting together traditional jobs and education / training that will provide a workforce for more cutting-edge jobs - We could all use a 'nudge'. . .