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אף פוליטיקאי לא נבחר מחדש בזכות הצלחתו לצמצם את הגרעון

איך לחלק “עודפי גביית מיסים”? אבל אין עודף בתקציב המדינה – יש גירעון!

בתקשורת מתווכחים איך לבזבז את “עודפי הגבייה” של מיסים. העובדה המדהימה היא שאין עודף, יש גירעון של מיליארדים בתקציב המדינה!

זה התחיל בפרסומים, לא רשמיים, שמקורם במשרד האוצר: שנת 2017 תסתיים “באופן מפתיע” בגביית-יתר של מיסים – עודף של כ-4 מיליארד שקלים. שבועות חלפו וההערכות צמחו ל”עודף” של כ-17 מיליארד שקלים.

הידיעות בהחלט משמחות. הפוליטיקאים מצליחים לחלוב מיסים כבדים מאותו חלק קטן של הציבור הישראלי שמייצר עושר עבור כולם, ולמרות עניבת החנק – הנישום הישראלי מצליח לנשום ואפילו לצמוח. נותר לנו רק לדמיין לאיזה שיאי עושר עולמיים יכולה להתפתח מדינת ישראל, אם תוסר אותה לפיתת חנק של הממסד המדינתי.

התקשורת הכלכלית דנה בצפיפות-יתר ב”עודפי הגבייה”, דיון פוליטי סוער בשאלה מה לעשות עם הכסף שהתגלה לקראת סוף השנה. בגדול, כאשר פוליטיקאי מריח כסף הוא רואה בו פוטנציאל לביצור מעמדו הפוליטי. “הבאג הדמוקרטי” יוצר תמריץ, שקשה לעמוד בפניו, לחלק הטבות וכסף של ממש לציבור הבוחרים הפוטנציאלי שלו על חשבון יתר הקבוצות באוכלוסייה. הממסד הפוליטי מקבל רוח גבית מקבוצות ה”מגיע לי” הרגילות: השוטרים, הנכים, סגל האוניברסיטאות, מערכת הביטחון וכמובן – “השירותים החברתיים” – תמיד צריך עוד כסף. עובדי החשמל והנמל מקבלים באופן קבוע ללא קשר ל”עודפי תקציב”.

האם בכלל יש עודף כסף בתקציב המדינה?

העובדה המדהימה היא שאין עודף, ממש אין עודף בהכנסות המדינה על פני הוצאותיה. אין. יש גירעון של מיליארדים בתקציב המדינה! חגיגת העודפים דומה לחולה שמרותק למיטתו, חום גופו ירד ברבע מעלה ומציעים לו לצאת למסיבה. אף אחד לא כותב שהאיש עדיין חולה. קשה למצוא דיווח בתקשורת שמציין כי תקציב המדינה אינו בעודף!

תקציב המדינה חולה במחלה כרונית של גירעונות תמידיים. ההוצאות גבוהות מההכנסות ואת הפער משלימים בהלוואות – המדינה לוקחת הלוואות בחו”ל ובישראל באמצעות הנפקת אגרות חוב (אג”ח).

הנה קצת מספרים (מעוגלים) מתקציב 2017:

סך ההוצאה הממשלתית: 447 מיליארד ₪.
מסכום זה מורידים את הסכום המיועד לפירעון חובות (למעט חובות המדינה לביטוח הלאומי), כי חייבים לפרוע חובות שיצרו פוליטיקאים בשנים קודמות.

כך מקבלים את תקציב ההוצאה “הרגיל” שעומד על 360 מיליארד ₪. זה הסכום אליו מתייחסים כאשר מחשבים גרעון או עודף בתקציב המדינה. את הסכום הזה צריכה הממשלה לגייס באמצעות הכנסות.

אבל ההכנסות ממיסים (כל המיסים יחד) מגיעות רק ל- 295 מיליארד ₪. אז מאיפה יגיע יתר הכסף? טוב, לממשלה יש גם הכנסות אחרות כמו רווחים (אם יש) מחברות ממשלתיות, מכירת קרקעות מדינה, תמלוגים מרשות שדות התעופה וגם הלוואות שהמדינה לוקחת מהכסף שהביטוח הלאומי גובה מאתנו. כך נוצרות “הכנסות אחרות” של 28 מיליארד ₪.

עדיין חסרים 37 מיליארד ₪ לכיסוי ההוצאות בתקציב המדינה. מה עושים? ובכן, לא עושים! לסכום זה קוראים “הגירעון בתקציב המדינה”. בכל דור ודור יושבים בכירי הפוליטיקאים באותו רגע מול המיליארדים של הגרעון הצפוי וממלמלים את מה ששר האוצר לשעבר יאיר לפיד העז לומר בפה מלא: “אף פוליטיקאי לא נבחר מחדש בזכות הצלחתו לצמצם את הגרעון” (ציטוט מהזיכרון).

“ההכנסות הנוספות” שגילו באוצר בסך 17 מיליארד שקל אפילו לא מכסות את מחצית הגרעון. האיש עדיין חולה והגרעון יעמוד על 20 מיליארד שקלים גם אחרי “עודפי הגביה”. אבל פוליטיקאים מעדיפים לקבל את מחצית הכוס הריקה כעובדת יסוד מוגמרת, לקחת את היקף ההלוואות כפי שתוכנן וכבר אושר מראש – לא לצמצם את החוב, אלא להגדיל אותו כרגיל. הם כולם “יאיר לפיד” – בזבוז כספי ציבור יניב אולי רווח פוליטי, אז למה לא לנסות?

פוליטיקאים (ברוב מדינות העולם) מתייחסים לגרעון כמצב נורמאלי. טוב שתקציב המדינה יהיה בגרעון, תקציב מאוזן – OUT. את הגרעון מכסים בהלוואות. הגרעון בתקציב המדינה מתוכנן השנה לעמוד על 2.9 אחוזי תוצר. זה “המצב הנורמלי”.

משפחה לעומת מדינה

כמעט ואין משפחה שמקיימת גרעון שהולך וגדל באופן קבוע מידי חודש… כי זה ייגמר “על הקרשים”. יש הרבה משפחות עם “אוברדראפט” מטריד שגם מדיר שינה, אבל הוא אינו יכול לצמוח בקביעות מידי חודש. לא כך המדינה.

קיים הבדל גדול בין הגרעין המשפחתי לבין המדינה: במשפחה יודעים שבעתיד הם עצמם יהיו חייבים לפרוע את החוב; “מדינה”, לעומת זאת, היא גוף ערטילאי – פוליטיקאים שבשלטון היום, לא יהיו מחר – אלה שהיום חותמים על הלוואה, בטוחים שלא הם יצטרכו לפרוע את החוב בעתיד. כחלון ונתניהו יכולים להגדיל את החוב ולקחת עוד הלוואות – הם בטוחים שפשיטת רגל של המדינה, כמו במקרה של יוון, לא תיפול בקדנציה שלהם. מסתבר שמדינות מחזיקות מעמד בדרך כלל (למרות החוב) – הרבה מעבר לתחזיות אפוקליפטיות של כלכלנים.

המשך לקרוא…

מתוך אתר קו ישר, כאן.

How to Handle Insults With Emunah

Insult: It’s All for the Very Best

November 11, 2017

One of the foundation principles of emuna is that Hashem does everything for the very best. There are no exceptions to this rule, whether or not we understand how a given tribulation or difficulty can possibly be for the best or not. As hard as we try, we can’t understand what and why Hashem is doing. But, when the brain kicks out, emuna kicks in.

Minor tribulations frequently spare us from major suffering. Take for example humiliation in public: someone mops the floor with us in such a way that we’re humiliated in front of hundreds of people, like in synagogue on a major holiday. Such an ordeal is more than enough to save a person from a head-on collision, a heart attack, a stroke, or a direct hit from a Katyusha rocket; that is, if we accept the ordeal with emuna. Sure our face is flush with embarrassment, yet we react with emuna and not with rage and clenched fists. A bit of insult is a gift from Hashem, a purification and correction of our souls, and an atonement that eradicates stern judgments. It’s a priceless tribulation that keeps our health and income intact.

We don’t look for insults and humiliation, but once we get them, we should thank Hashem profusely.

True strength is when we have the strength to react forcefully, but we don’t.

We don’t ask Hashem to punish whoever it is that’s tormenting us. Yet, don’t envy such a person; they have chosen the path of negative deeds and that’s why they are negative messengers. Yet, they will have to pay the price of their actions.

In light of the above, don’t envy a journalist who deliberately slanders an entire group of people with the express purpose of perpetrating hatred for his own popularity or monetary gain.

Just remember, the negative messenger is only a stick in Hashem’s hands. But, even if we get hit with the stick, it’s all for the very best. Thank You, Hashem!

From Lazer Beams. [missing]

Minimum Wage Laws – The Conversation

The Unstated Logic of Every Minimum Wage Law

Gary North – November 09, 2017

A deputy sheriff pays a visit to a small business. He confronts the owner.

DS: I see you got a “help wanted” sign in your window.

Owner: That is correct.

DS: How much is the starting wage?

Owner: The federal minimum wage.

DS: We got a local minimum wage of $15 an hour.

Owner: I cannot afford that much.

DS: That don’t cut it with me, boy. The city government says you got to pay a living wage.

Owner: I already do. All of my employees are alive.

DS: You trying to make me look stupid, boy?

Owner: You don’t need any help from me.

DS: I see. A smart ass. Well, we got ways of dealing with smart asses. I’m writing you up. You’re going to pay a $10,000 fine, I expect.

Owner: That’s outrageous.

DS: No, it ain’t. $334,000 is outrageous. That’s what Seattle collects. We’re real lenient around here.

Owner: But I cannot afford to pay $15/hour.

DS: Well, then, you need to go into another line of work.

Owner: But I have invested everything I own in this business. I took out a large loan.

DS: Then you better have gotten someone to co-sign the note.

Owner: I will have to fire all my employees.

DS: Then they will get jobs that pay a living wage.

Owner: But they can’t get jobs that pay more than I do. That’s why they took my offer. I’m the best deal they have.

DS: You’re one of them exploiters. You take advantage of poor people. That’s not going to be allowed.

Owner: You’re going to kill small businesses all over town.

DS: Serves them right.

Owner: But how will they support their families?

DS: Not my problem.

Owner: Would you call no wage a living wage?

DS: Look, smart ass, I don’t want none of your sass. I got this badge. I got this gun. You got no say in the matter.

Owner: This law is going to backfire. Unemployment will go up.

DS: Maybe. But the voters won’t put two and two together. They’ll blame Trump. They’ll elect Democrats.

Owner: Who will then vote to raise the minimum wage nationally?

DS: That’s the plan.

Owner: Then unemployment will rise nationally.

DS: The Democrats will get to blame Trump for three years. I have seen this before. That’s what Obama did with Bush. He got re-elected.

Owner: Are you a Democrat?

DS: Yes. The sheriff is a Republican. I’m gonna run against him next time. I’ll beat him, too. I plan to campaign on this platform: “Trump did it to you. Get even. Vote for me.” I’ll win in a landslide. Unemployed workers will vote for me.

Owner: But the minimum wage law is why they will be out of work.

DS: That’s the whole idea. They’ll be my constituents in the next election.

Owner: But the government can’t create jobs.

DS: What politician ever won with this slogan? “The government can’t create jobs.” Nobody. Voters think governments create jobs.

Owner: Businesses create jobs.

DS: Rotten jobs that don’t pay a living wage.

Owner: I might as well contact a bankruptcy lawyer.

DS: You might as well. But he’s gonna ask for payment in advance. You got the money? Plus $10,000 for the fine?

Owner: No.

DS: Then you are in a bad way. But that’s not my problem, either.

From Gary North, here.

Shmuel Sackett: The West Is Dead – Return to Israel!

The Wet Head is Dead: By Shmuel Sackett

Nov-06-2017

Back in the 60’s, the popular look for men was to have a greased head of hair. They used Vitalis or Lucky Tiger to keep their hair slicked back and looking good. In the early 70’s, Gillette changed all that with a product called “The Dry Look”. It was a hairspray for men that promised a cool, yet totally dry look. The advertising campaign they ran was tremendously successful and their slogan was quite catchy; “The Wet Head is Dead”. The tv ad was very direct; “You don’t have to use oil, creams or even water on your head… the wet head is dead! Long live the dry look!”

Why do I mention this, all of a sudden? Because 40 years later, I have come to the conclusion that the wet head is alive and well. I discovered this because I am presently in New York where, unlike Israel, men work on Friday. Since Shabbat starts very early these days, I noticed that many men come to shul Friday night with a “wet head”. I don’t blame these men who are forced to work Friday afternoon and race home on the last train before Shabbat. I used to be one of them. I remember the days of running full speed, straight into the shower on Erev Shabbat, then continuing my race to shul with a head still dripping. (I never minded the wet head but feared that I left some shampoo behind…) As I looked around the shul these last two weeks, I noticed many of these “wet heads” and I felt bad.

I felt bad because I know now, what I didn’t know back then, when I too was a “wet head”. I know now that it doesn’t have to be this way. The fighting with the boss to leave early Friday afternoon, the working on Chol Ha’Moed, the davening shacharit in the pitch dark just to make it to work on time, the uncomfortable feelings of eating an “airline kosher meal” at the annual convention, the search for a heter to shave during sefira and the nine days, the internal battle of wearing vs not wearing a kippa at work… All of these struggles – and I sympathize with everyone because they are indeed struggles – can be completely avoided. How? By living in a country where Jews are not the minority.

America is a wonderful country and we need to thank Hashem for the fantastic blessings we have had here but let’s be totally honest; it’s not where we belong. As wonderful as things are, this is a non Jewish country and we will always be foreigners in this land. Yes, we have built Yeshivot here and Jewish communities have thrived but we are – and always will be – the guests and never the hosts. This is why Fiday afternoons in the winter become very uncomfortable for Jewish professionals. It is the same reason why the most religious man feels he must shave during the nine days – or during the “shloshim” for a parent… because a guest must follow the rules.

Things in Israel are much different. As I have written many times, there are many areas that we still need to improve on, but for the Jewish professional working man and woman, you simply cannot beat working in Israel. All major companies work Sunday-Thursday, which means no work on Friday so, like Gillette said; “The Wet Head is Dead!” You come to shul Friday night with a nice, dry head of hair. But there’s more… much more. Most companies are closed the entire Sukkot and Pesach so you can enjoy the holiday the way it was designed to be (and not have the days deducted from your vacation time!). All hotels are kosher so the annual convention, even if held in Eilat, is no problem at all. You can sit and enjoy the food together with your co-workers and not feel isolated. Men will never have a problem with a kippa nor will women have problems with head coverings. There is never any work on Erev Yom Tov and you can take off work on Purim and  Tisha b’Av. Nobody will question your “sefira beard” and by law, should you need to sit shiva, you will be given 7 days off – once again, not deducted from your vacation time.

This is what it means to live in a Jewish state. Is everybody frum all around us? No. But that’s not what I am referring to. My focus here is on a Jewish culture vs a non-Jewish culture. Like it or not, in the coming days, no matter where you are in America, you will hear Christmas songs. There’s no way around it. The newspapers will be filled with Christmas sales, you will see your neighbor’s house light up and you will probably bump into 5-6 Santa Clauses each day as you walk in Manhattan. That’s what happens when you live in New York.

In Israel, even in a secular city like Tel Aviv, you will not see any Santas. Rather, you will trip over stores selling jelly donuts (some may even have some jelly!!) and you will see store after store selling gifts for… Chanukah! Almost every store lights a menorah each night of Chanukah and every person you meet – even the ones most removed from Jewish observance – will wish you a “Chag Sameyach”!

Let’s stop living as guests in someone else’s home. Yes, the host has been very kind to us but we have overstayed our welcome. The time has come to thank the host and move out to our own place, with our own culture and traditions. No more being the weird guy who leaves early on Friday, doesn’t show up for work in September and eats airline food instead of rib steak. And no more coming to shul with hair that’s dripping wet. The wet head is dead! Long live Erev Shabbat in Israel! Come home now.

From Zehut, here.

Ron Paul on Trump’s Inflation Tax Increase

GOP Tax Plan Increases the Most Insidious Tax

By 

Ron Paul Institute

November 7, 2017

Last Thursday, congressional Republicans unveiled their tax reform legislation. On the same day, President Trump nominated current Federal Reserve Board Governor Jerome Powell to succeed Janet Yellen as Federal Reserve chair. While the tax plan dominated the headlines, the Powell appointment will have much greater long-term impact. Federal Reserve policies affect every aspect of the economy, including whether the Republican tax plan will produce long-term economic growth.

President Obama made history by appointing the first female Fed chair. President Trump is also making history: If confirmed, Powell would be the first former investment banker to serve as chairman of the Federal Reserve. Powell’s background suggests he will continue Janet Yellen’s Wall Street-friendly low interest rates and easy money policies.

Powell is an outspoken opponent of the Audit the Fed legislation. In 2015, Powell delivered an address at Catholic University devoted to attacking Audit the Fed. Like most Fed apologists, Powell claims the audit would compromise the Fed’s independence and allow Congress to control monetary policy. However, like all who make this claim, Powell cannot point to anything in the text of the audit bill giving Congress any power over the Federal Reserve. Powell’s concerns about protecting the Fed’s independence are misplaced, as the Fed has never been free of political influence. The Fed has a long history of bowing to presidential pressure to tailor monetary policy to help advance the president’s political and policy agenda.

The Republican tax cut plan has some positive elements, such as increasing the standard deduction, creating a new family tax credit, eliminating the death tax, reducing the corporate tax rate, and lowering taxes on small businesses. It also has some flaws, such as the “millionaire surcharge” imposed on upper-income taxpayers. This provision reflects a belief that upper-income taxpayers only “deserve” a tax break if reducing their taxes serves the interest of government by increasing economic growth.

The worst part of the tax plan is that it adopts the chained consumer price index (chained CPI). Chained CPI is a way of measuring CPI that understates inflation’s effects on our standard of living. It does this by assuming inflation has not reduced Americans’ standard of living if, for example, people can buy hamburgers when they can no longer afford steak. This so-called full substitution ignores the fact that if individuals viewed hamburgers as a full substitute for steak they would have bought hamburgers before Fed-created inflation made steak unaffordable.

Chained CPI increases the inflation tax. The inflation tax may be the worst of all taxes because it is hidden and regressive. The inflation tax is not even a tax on real wages. Instead, it is a tax on the illusionary gains in income caused by inflation. The use of chained CPI to adjust tax brackets pushes individuals into higher tax brackets over time.

Politicians love the inflation tax because it allows them to increase taxes without having to vote for higher rates. Instead, the Fed does the dirty work. Since their creation in 1913, the Federal Reserve and the income tax have both enabled the growth of the welfare-warfare state and the erosion of our freedom and economic well-being. The key to restoring our liberty and prosperity, as well as avoiding a major economic crisis, is reversing the great mistakes of 1913 by repealing the 16th Amendment and auditing and ending the Federal Reserve.

From Lewrockwell.com, here.