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Last night Mitt Romney said that talk of abolishing all taxes (he was aiming this at Ron Paul) is foolish. "We need taxes to support the military and people who can't take care of themselves," he acknowledged.
This is how batshit crazy today's Republican Party is - they debate whether there is any need for taxes and any role for government at all.
Below the fold, some reminders of what the responsibilities of the federal government include. It isn't all-inclusive, it's just some of the first things that occurred to this voter. If you're asking us to make you President, you might want to know this stuff.
Enforcing federal laws and catching crooks who cross state boundaries: the FBI, not the local cops, caught Capone and McVeigh.
More specifically, enforcing federal laws and federally-guaranteed rights when states defy them. (We had a Civil War about this - you could look it up.)
Regulating interstate commerce. New Hampshire doesn't check to see if Southwest or Delta jets flying in and out of Manchester are actually maintained and safe. We expect the feds to do that.
Building highways and airports and other infrastructure that helps us all, but doesn't help any individual town or state (or business for that matter) enough to make them willing to pay for it.
Regulating foreign commerce. The Constitution doesn't allow New Hampshire to set standards for how China manufactures the toys and food it sends us. It relies on the federal government to do that - even when venture investors like Bain Capital would rather not have anyone looking.
Funding medical research. The private market spends billions on new cold medicines and erectile dysfunction drugs - they see big, lucrative markets there. They don't prioritize research into rarer conditions - or research that could make big expensive maintenance drugs obsolete.
Provide a court system to give everyone, regardless of his or her beliefs, protection from crooks outside and inside government.
Acquiring and maintaining national parks. Republican Teddy Roosevelt started that, but some libertarians may object that it is a reach. If you want to sell of the White Mountains, tell us now.
Promoting the general welfare. Not just for people who can't take care of themselves - for all of us.
