Below is the 10-point plan outlined by Larry Elder, author of "The Ten Things You Can't Say in America."
1) Abolish the IRS
Pass a National Sales Tax--Also known as the "Let's Make Tax Lawyers and
Lobbyists an Endangered Species Act." A simplified tax code gives lobbyists
little to lobby about. A low tax rate spurs people to work harder without
resorting to schemes to "shelter" income. At the turn of the century,
government took 10 percent of the national income. Now it takes nearly 40
percent. Low taxes means higher productivity and greater job creation. Let's
welcome any move to reduce our tax burden, whatever form it takes.
2) Reduce Government by 80 percent
Less than 2 percent of Americans are farmers, yet the Department of
Agriculture adds still more bureaucrats. And what exactly does the
Department of Commerce do? Do we need the Small Business Administration?
Amtrak? The Tennessee Valley Authority? Department of Education? Before
1950, the government largely stayed out of the housing business. Now we have
housing projects in all of our major cities. They have become sewers of
crime and drugs. The government, an absentee landlord, couldn't care less.
The private sector can build housing more cheaply, with an incentive to
maintain the property and screen tenants.
3) End Welfare, Entitlements and Special Privileges
Welfare for the poor works out to a national average of $12,000 to $13,000 a
year (cash and non-cash) per recipient. Why work at minimum wage? Why worry
about impregnating someone when the government shields you from financial
responsibility? But welfare for the non-poor, or entitlements, are five
times as bad. This includes Social Security (the average recipient has put
in fifteen cents for every dollar he or she takes out), Medicare, tuition
tax credits, farm and dairy subsidies, tobacco subsidies, as well as
government ownership or control of airports and utilities.
4) Abolish the Minimum Wage
A low-paying job remains the entry point for those with few marketable
skills. The minimum wage hurts the so-called hard-core unemployable by
forcing an employer to pay more than the fair value of labor. Every time the
government raises the minimum wage, thousands of entry-level jobs get
destroyed.
5) Legalize Drugs
Legalization does not mean approval. America spends at least $20 billion a
year to fight a losing battle against drugs. (Research by William F. Buckley
places America's direct and indirect costs of this "war" at more than $200
billion a year.) Experts say that worldwide, the annual drug trade may be as
high as $500 billion! "Just say no" ain't gonna stop that. The drug trade
provides an economic incentive for children and teens to drop out of school
and earn fast money. It accounts for 50 percent of all street crimes and
perhaps 30 percent of the prison population. Tax drugs, and use the money
for drug treatment and additional police protection. Drug legalization would
free up prison spaces, vacancies that could be used to lock up violent
criminals. What about the harm to society? Drug abuse would have to increase
well over fivefold to match the deaths caused by cigarette smoking
(allegedly 400,000 a year).
6) Take Government Out of Education
Before the mid 1800s, elementary and secondary education (except for slaves)
was largely parent financed. Today, taxpayers spend more than $6,000 a year
per student, more than virtually any other country, including Japan. With
what result? Poor test scores, high dropout rate, kids incapable of filling
out employment applications. Why can't the private sector assume this
responsibility? Let's cheer anything, including vouchers, that takes us in
this direction
7) Drop the Davis-Bacon Act
This little-known act compels contractors bidding on government jobs to pay
union wages. This cuts out competent, non-union workers willing to work for
less. This hurts minorities, many of whom were for years discriminated
against by unions.
8) Eliminate Corporate Taxes
The government taxes corporate profits and re-taxes the dividends, taking
money otherwise used to reduce prices, pay higher dividends, pay higher
salaries, or invest in research and development. More corporate investment
means more jobs.
9) Charity from People Not Government
During the 1980s, the "decade of greed," charitable contributions by
corporations and private citizens increased by at least 30 percent! Why?
People had more disposable income, paid fewer taxes, and therefore gave more
away. Americans are among the most generous people on Earth. But people want
their money to go to people and organizations that they choose and trust.
10) End Protectionism
How many people know that Japanese trucks and minivans cost $2,000 more due
to import tariffs? Government-mandated "price supports" force consumers to
pay more for milk. Government goodies for the tobacco and sugar industries
stiff consumers. Congress imposes a mind-boggling array of rules and
regulations to protect declining, inefficient businesses, while taking money
away from new ones.