Michael Torbic – 4/14/06

This page was last updated on April 14, 2006.

A way to solve two problems; Michael Torbic; Beaver County Times; April 14, 2006.

I’m becoming a broken record pointing out Mr. Torbic is a broken record. Most of what’s in this letter was in six previous letters beginning in October 2004. See “Use entertainment for funding,” “Expand entitlements’ tax base,” “Use lottery for Social Security,” “Hands off, Mr. Fix-It,” and “Nation must plan to compete” as examples.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“There are two important problems that must be solved to make this nation’s health strong in competition and to compete with the other nations - the high cost of health care and funding of the federal pension plan.

“Solving them would end the outsourcing of jobs and help keep businesses from going into bankruptcy with the resulting loss of jobs.”

[RWC] Perhaps Mr. Torbic should spend some time on current events. Based on the March 2006 employment report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 7 million jobs have been created since 2003 and the unemployment rate is only 4.7%. Historically, 5% unemployment was considered “full” employment.

“These issues could be solved by every person who earns $25,000 a year to pay a very small tax of 0.5 percent from their earnings, no exemptions (including local, state and federal employers).

“The same would apply for all money won on all forms of legalized gambling (lotteries, bingo and sport), all winnings over $500; all vehicles bought and sold, plus a one cent charge per gallon for gasoline sold at the gas pumps.

“Rescind the tax break given to the 1 percent richest; charge 10 cents per every admission ticket sold to attend professional sports events.

“These funds will be the responsibility of the federal Treasury Department to distribute where the needs are. This program will make the nation stronger, meet the needs of the people, make us more competitive with our trading partners and help the poor and needy by securing Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.”

[RWC] Repeating what I wrote in the previous critique, “Yeah, right, increasing taxes will make us more competitive. If that’s the case, why is Pennsylvania not an economic dynamo?”