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Tax cuts shift

burden and raise

national debt

As a young high school American government teacher, I compared our system to an automobile that was useful if it could start, speed up, slow down and stop. When the people thought government needed to be more active, they elected liberal Democrats to press down on the accelerator. When people thought government’s role was getting too large and expensive, they elected Republicans to apply the brakes and slow things down.

Our national debt is now $20 trillion and rising. That amounts to about $155,000 in tax liability for the average family of four, and to about $320,000 for each individual American under the age of 18, and not old enough to vote. They are the folks who will have to make good on the hot checks cashed by those of us who are old enough to protect ourselves, and pass on the pain to them.

The monstrous debt is clearly no priority to either of today’s political parties. We now have two accelerator parties, and each is so committed to its base of supporters that neither will work with the other on a strategy for the essential public purpose of slowing down the debt.

In defiance of demographics, the Democrats still want to expand the reach of social programs, appearing unable to deal with the ever-increasing costs. In defiance of history, the Republicans want to speed up the economy so corporate businesses will create more jobs, thus “trickling down” prosperity, and limiting the need for the social safety net.

By this argument the Republicans claim their proposal benefits all the people. But it’s unquestionably clear that the people who are corporations will benefit far more than those who are mere human organisms. Corporations are currently fat with cash -- an estimated $2. 3 trillion -- which could be invested in job expansion now, without the government assistance the “Tax Cut and Jobs Act” provides them with $1.5 trillion in borrowed money. Why gamble their gains making capitol investments in an unstable world made more unpredictable by racing trends in technology?

So, increasingly prosperous corporations probably won’t invest much in creating jobs. They will continue to invest in their stockholders. The stock market bubble, accelerated by a new infusion from public debt, will continue its abnormal rise. Common folks who are not investors will see only a minimal and temporary benefit in their taxes. They will be hurt the most, however, when the market “correction” inevitably comes.

A not well publicized aspect of the tax bill is its shifting of costs to the states. On the heels of a budget cutting special legislative session, Montana Department of Revenue analysts have so far identified provisions within the 1100 page bill that they estimate will result in a net loss of revenue to the state of about $122 million.

The economy likely won’t get much better, but count on the debt to get bigger as a result of the “Tax Cut and Jobs Act.” Beyond impacts on states, other unforeseen consequences of the massive tax bill are yet to be discovered. Proceeding more slowly and cooperatively, Congress could have produced positive tax reform. Now, undoing the damage done will require more than a brake pedal. —Bob Brown, Whitefish

Parents need

to know: Teens

need more sleep

Why is your teen such a pain in the neck? One answer is they are sleep deprived. Teens must have eight to 10 hours of sleep, and if they don’t get it we all suffer.

Puberty, early morning classes, school activities, homework, social demands, computers, electronic gadgets and part-time work are all a part of out teens’ lives. Teen bodies are making as dramatic as growth as any in their lives, including infant development. A baby’s growth and needs for sleep are a piece of cake compared to a teen’s.

Sleep deprivation may seem like no big deal but it can have serious consequences, A tired teen may be depressed, can’t concentrate or learn, may suffer mood swings and behavioral problems, or even suffer death if they drive drowsy and have a serious car accident.

It’s a delight to live with a happy teen and that is a realistic goal.

Help yourself and your teen: Educate yourself. A fine place to start is the Mayo Clinic web site on Teen Sleep. Help your teen enjoy the productive and satisfying life they deserve.

Help them; don’t yell at them. —Marion Gerrish, Kalispell

Montana has

changed, and

not for the better

Listening to the radio, I heard a story about a young girl in California returning to her home that was destroyed by wildfires. Amongst the scorched debris stood a Christmas tree. The girl remarked that though the structure of her house was gone, she could still see the outline, it was still there. I can only begin to imagine the emotions this girl experienced, yet upon my own return I find myself in a similar position: Stuck between the reality of the present and hope for the future.

After graduating from Flathead, it was time to see the world. I booked a flight to Mexico, spent a year traveling, and snuck into Cuba. After my time south of the border I headed north to Canada. I live in a small town called Squamish — not too dissimilar from Kalispell. Since moving to Canada I have worked hard to find a balance between studying and adventure. I traveled to China and spent a summer hitchhiking through Southeast Asia. Similar to how one will take a break when editing a paper as to “return to it with fresh eyes,” my time away has granted me a new perspective.

I am not implying that I returned to destruction, but instead to a dismantled and disjointed atmosphere. When did we as Montanans start allowing others to tell us what to do, and what to think. When did we forget our long traditions of true libertarianism, community, and conservation? I walk Main and overhear conversations, people placing faith in Washington and in an administration that is led by a man more invested in his Twitter feed than in bettering the lives of ordinary Americans, ordinary Montanans…

And yet the outline is there, and thus so is hope. The future is ours to shape for the better. —Eli Cornell, Squamish, British Columbia