The key words from Ms. Speier were 'we need to impose', indicating more government rules on what our health care providers can charge for their services. We are already facing a doctor shortage, and more and more refusal to serve Medicare patients. Just what do they expect from more 'imposed' restrictions? The cost of health care won't come down until there is true competition among providers. There can be no competition when there is a 3rd party (insurance) between the patient and the provider. Insurance should be limited to catastrophic need, and eliminated for 'routine' health care. Exactly the opposite of the government mandated insurance plan.

I'm puzzle why there are so few advocating zero taxes on corporate earnings. The cost of corporate taxes is born by the consumer thus inflating prices. Many corporations use the tax code (government cronyism) to avoid paying taxes which makes them more competitive on the world stage, but limits competition and thus innovation. I'm also puzzle why there is so much insistence on eliminating capital gains or other investment income. This is perceived by the great bulk of people as 'catering to the wealthy' and thus becomes a rallying point. If there were no taxes on corporate earnings. I don't see how a standard tax rate on investment income would be detrimental to economic growth.

Thanks for the link to Neb Williams ideas on taxes. I'm sorry to see so few viewers.

Agree with Rick676. Can't imagine why this doesn't get 100% support from the other senators. To me it shows how political (as opposed to functional) the Democrat controlled senate has become. This is even more obvious than the future bankruptcy of entitlements, which those same Democrats refuse to acknowledge.

Mike, This may have been written with tongue largely in cheek, but I find it extremely reasonable and relevant. You had me hooked with #2 (Fair Tax) and I was actually drooling by #12! I am a little disappointed that you don't advocate for greater privatization of Social Security (Chilean model) more on Medicare reform (eliminating Obama Care is just not enough to save us from a health cost Armageddon). We need to get the federal bureaucracy out of medicine!

Agree with Rachel98 on removal of roadblocks, but we also need to reduce or eliminate agencies. Why continue the Department of Education? As long as EPA has the ability to define their role (fox guarding the hen house) they will always be a 'fear factor' to economic development. And the duplication/overlap between agencies must be eliminated. Don't believe Defense should be exempted from 10% reduction. Does anyone believe there is no waste or fraud in defense? Waste and fraud is inherent in any government program, i.e. privatize (much less waste and fraud) social security and medicare.

Wisconsin Wins! Wisconsin taxpayers are the big winners. Excellent teachers can now be rewarded and education will improve in Wisconsin. Now that the turmoil is over (I hope) we should see some significant job gains.

You're both right! Consumers pay the tax for corporations (simply built into product cost) and we should not be taxing the things we want to encourage, i.e. savings and investment. A consumption tax (Fair Tax) would eliminate the tax on corporations (should lower product costs) and encourage savings and investment. I can't think of anything that would be more effective at job creation. Of course we also need to reform regulations. Tax policy is only one factor discouraging job creation!

Agreed! No other plan offers as much incentive to job creation as the Fair Tax. Paul Ryan is obviously struggling in an attempt to create something that will appeal to both parties, unfortunately neither party seems really concerned with real reform! The Democrats are intent on pursuing their attack on success, whether individual or corporate, and that approach seems to be politically successful. At the same time it is an approach that will destroy the economy of this country.