Payroll tax revenues were never sequestered from other tax revenues. The change under LBJ was an accounting detail change only. SS has always been a pay-as-you-go system. Shortcomings of our retirement system were recognized even before we sent out the first benefit checks. We refused to acknowledge these problems.

We exported finished fuel products, like gasoline. We still imported the lion's share of our crude oil needs. Recovering more of our oil and natural gas resources would mean jobs for Americans and more tax revenue for the government while making us less reliant on middle east dictators. Sounds like a win-win-win to me.

Just how did the wealthy become job destroyers? Government is the most effective job destroyer through increased taxation and regulation. Seems that your general plan is to increase taxes and govt spending when the economy is struggling, and then decrease taxes and spending when the economy is booming. Two problems: the economy will never strengthen while burdened by taxes and regulation, and politicians cannot resist spending more money when times are good. Further, government can only "create" money by devaluing our currency. You are correct that money (wealth) is destroyed through taxation. Your statement about taxes combating inflation and strengthening currency is a complete puzzle to me. Like to see some examples of that.