Now is the time to act :: The beginning of Debate.

While America sighs a breath of relief and slumbers peacefully, the reality will soon be revealed. The Tea Party Conservatives have just brought their checkers to a chess game. I know, your saying 'whttevrr, you're just mixing metaphors'. And I say 'Shut up and listen'.

The committee that is to be assembled will have the responsibility for the future of our country squarely on their backs. Also, they will not be constrained by the whims of the Speaker of The House. Because the proposals they make are fast tracked for a vote. No one can filibuster the recommendations. They don't need a quorum. They just get voted on. In other words: They will not have to kowtow to the extreme right. The Tea Party can be ignored. Completely. They can find common ground.

Think about it, no one can threaten to cut our baby in half. This is now a debate of common sense. And I know, common sense is not always so common, but in this particular situation: Common Sense Can Prevail.

One nice thing that is apparent is the fact that The Bush Tax Cuts will expire in 2013. And, this committee can retain the lower tax rates for lower income people by raising the Standard Deduction. Talking heads say the lower brackets will rise by 5%. We can raise that up just a little in a common sense approach.

Let's face it, no one is living 'high on the hog' while making minimum wage. $7.25 X 40 = $290.00, Now don't think for a minute that minimum wage earners are taking two week vacations so: $290.00 X 52 = $15,080.00. That, should be the new Standard Deduction. So no one making under $15,080.00 should pay any taxes what so ever. And if the number of people who are in this group are in a 50% range then so be it.

Because it is the right thing to do.

So, basically what we've got is the opportunity to remove the revenue sapping Bush tax cuts and raise the Standard deduction. Then we can attack Fraud, Pork, and Million Dollar Missiles. That last one is more metaphor than literal. But do we really need so many Million Dollar Cruise Missiles?

Also, a reasonable Social Security reform could start of with the removal of the contribution limit which is currently at $106,800.00. Look, I get it, no one wants to pay more in taxes. But some times we need to help our brethren, because it is the right thing to do. So yeah, the debate begins, but let's not lose sight of the goal.

A Stronger America, because it is the right thing to do.

What do you think?