britincali wrote:How would you reduce the debt?
While I am no where near an expert, I would  do it exactly the same way that you would  minus a tax increase, since that has been consistantly shown  to reduce tax revenue.
Ireland was a huge  welfare  state, were amongst the top in corporate tax rates in the world (48% I believe), and  had one of  the  highest unemployment rates, which resulted in a huge welfare problem.  This went on until the govt decide to cut  corporate  taxes to 14% (I think).  The result was  huge economic  succes.  Corporations moved in, provided jobs (so the people actually paid taxes), and drastically reduced unemployment, removing people from entitlements, (saving the govt. money) thereby increasing tax revenue in two  ways.
I simply don't believe in class warfare as the answer.  How do you increase taxes on corporations and  small businesses without eliminating jobs and  thereby recieving less tax revenue.  Corporations historically have never absorbed these tax increases as losses in thier profit,  they simply save money by laying people off and making due with less overhead, and/or pass  that increase on to  consumers who are the very ones that can't afford to pay it.
Truthfully, I could care less  how rich Bill Gates gets as long as his wealth raises the standard of living  for  everyone else.