Perry's Flat Tax, Third Parties and Stink Bugs

Dear Mark: Your homeboy Rick Perry presented his 20 percent flat tax plan as some kind of serious economic proposal. Experts have examined this garbage and concluded that his plan will overwhelmingly benefit the rich — imagine that. In fact, it won't even meet the budgetary needs of our country. Why don't your guys come up with something realistic? — San Diego Dem

Dear Dem: A flat tax is a legitimate alternative to the beast we slave under today. The advantage of a flat tax isn't just about revenue but also about transparency. A flat tax would severely diminish the influence of lobbyists as well as take away Congress' power to manipulate societal behavior through tax law.

As to your talking points concerning the rich, when only 53 percent of households are paying federal income taxes, of course they will be the ones to benefit from any plan that lowers tax rates. That's simple arithmetic, if you care to try.

Dear Mark: The media need to focus on the good about this country. We need to get behind those candidates who are truly interested in smaller government. We have been told so many lies that you can't trust the Republicans or Democrats because they fight like dogs. This upcoming election is unpredictable; don't you think we need a third party to level the playing field? — The Matt Man

Dear Matt Man: I understand your frustration with the current situation in our government, but a third party may not be the short-term answer we need. A legitimate third party would take several election cycles to fully develop much less win a national election. The ridiculous regulations, policies and spending coming out of Washington has put our economy on the precipice of disaster, and we just don't have the time to wait.

A third party candidate in 2012 would also muddy the waters enough to give us four more years of Barack Obama and his far-left ideology.

Obama obviously did not respond to the "smaller government" message delivered to him by the tea party during the 2010 elections, and there's not much chance he would listen to a third party candidate's ideas if he's re-elected.

A better strategy would be to straighten out the Republican Party and persuade them to take fiscally bold action instead of the usual half measures designed to get them through the next election. The tea party is doing a great job of holding the Republicans' feet to the fire, and as a result, the conversation in Washington has changed dramatically.

Because of the tea party, today's battle is not whether or not to cut taxes, but by how much. Also thanks to the tea party, no matter who the Republicans nominate for president, it looks like their platform will contain planks pertaining to simplifying the tax code, cutting the budget and eliminating cumbersome regulations. Keep your chin up — the tea party's influence has become the de facto third party in today's politics.

Dear Mark: I just read where a University of Georgia researcher is warning about stink bugs invading our homes this winter. According to the story, these disgusting bugs can cause millions of dollars in damage. Sounds like another negative effect of global warming. Shouldn't we do something? — Stink Free Home in Houma

Dear Stink: I don't know if this is related to global warming or not. Sounds more like the House and Senate are headed home for their fall recess.

Dear Mark is a public platform for your enrichment and entertainment. E-mail your questions to marklevy92@aol.com. To find out more about Mark Levy, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2011 CREATORS.COM