[natedogg]

BTW, I'm not necessarily opposed to redistribution either, as a hard and fast principle.

In fact, the compromise solution that I advocate actually solves both the problems you listed.

We utterly eliminate the government's ability to *spend* money. The only thing the government can do with its revenues is redistribute them equally amongst all citizens. Everyone gets a check for the same amount.

This solves the #1 complaint of socialists about the right wing, namely that the poor need financial help from the rich. Unless you are an elitist paternalist who fears that the poor are too stupid and irresponsible to use the money you give them to buy the things you know they need, then there really can't be an objection to a cash handout.

Secondly, Congress's shenanigans get nearly eliminated since no special interests can benefit. The only question to congress is how much will you redistribute? There is a balance here as even the rich generally favor some kind of welfare and public schooling, so you can expect the redistribution to be on the order of about 15k is my guess.

natedogg