Tom Luxsox Coins

Sikh Coin

Senator Obama,

With your theme of "Change," it's time to get a good look our nation's fiscal debate. "How do we pay for it?" When introducing new policy proposals, candidates for federal office have learned to anticipate that inevitable question. But oftentimes, after being provided with some basic explanation, the reporters chasing after the candidates don't have the information at hand to take the exchange to the next level. And, it's not about airing your tires to the proper pressure!

More recently, as the economy has worsened, the quality of the discussion between Senator McCain, you and the press over economic policy has improved somewhat. The media now weights candidates' plans in terms of whether they will increase or ease the pressure on us and on our government.

The nonpaartisan Peter G. Peterson Foundation, however, says that this level of discourse still falls short. Given our current and projected financial condition, the nation's fiscal debate must be entirely reframed. It is no longer enough for a candidate to simply offer a proposal and discuss how he or she plans to pay for it.

The official national debt is approaching $10 trillion. But what the Foundation calls the real national debt, including current explicit liabilities and unfunded promises for entitlement programs, is $53 trillion. That's $175,000 for each and every one of us. Social Security and Medicare alone account for $41 trillion of this staggering total and, thanks to compounding, their share grows by $2 trillion to $3 trillion per year on autopilot. Rising health care costs are outpacing overall economic and income growth and, absent dramatic and fundamental reforms, eventually could bankrupt the country. Based on our current entitlement and other spending, taxes would have to more than double over the next few decades in order for the government to pay its bills and deliver on its promises.

Given these conditions, Senator Obama, can you answer the following questions:

Do you believe that the nation will be able to grow its way out of the economic challenges it faces, without requiring additional spending cuts or tax increases beyond those you're already proposing? If not, what is your proposed approach for addressing the federal government's $53 trillion financial hole?

Has the time come for a base-like review of all major spending programs and tax preferences, and if not, why not?

Would you support the creation of an independent, bipartisan commission to review the nation's fiscal future and make recommendations to your administration and the next Congress about a range of reforms (e.g., budget controls, Social Security, health care, taxes)?

By answering these questions, maybe we can finally start getting to the root of the country's long-term economic challenges.

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Sikh $10 Sikh

Sikh Black $6 Sikh Black

Sikh Sign $6 Sikh Sign

Sikh Doorman $79.99 Sikh Doorman - Premium Photographic Print

The Sikh Diaspora $59.95 Explores the relationship between home and host states and between migrant and indigenous Sikh communities, considering the implications of the history and politics of the Sikh diaspora for nationality, citizenship and sovereignity.

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India: The Sikh Wars $49.99 C.l. Doughty India: The Sikh Wars - Giclee Print

International Bibliography of Sikh Studies $249.95 Lists more than 10,000 English-language publications, including books, composite works, journal articles, conference proceedings, theses, dissertations, project reports, and electronic resources produced in the field of Sikh Studies. This work contains sections on subjects such as Sikh gurus, Sikh philosophy, Sikh politics and Sikh religion.

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The Feminine Principle in the Sikh Vision of the Transcendent $55 A critical interpretation of Sikh literature from a feminist perspective.

Sikh and Hindu Refugees in Western Punjab $24.99 Sikh and Hindu Refugees in Western Punjab - Photographic Print

Sikh Family Fleeing to East Punjab $24.99 Sikh Family Fleeing to East Punjab - Photographic Print

Caravan of Sikh Refugees - India 1947 $24.99 Caravan of Sikh Refugees - India 1947 - Photographic Print

British Soldiers During the Sikh Wars $34.99 British Soldiers During the Sikh Wars - Giclee Print

Sikh Rebel Dewan Moolraj in Custody after the Defeat of Sikh Forces in Mooltan $34.99 Sikh Rebel "Dewan Moolraj" in Custody after the Defeat of Sikh Forces in Mooltan - Giclee Print

Sikh Priest and Holy Book at Sikh Wedding, London, England, United Kingdom $29.99 Charles Bowman Sikh Priest and Holy Book at Sikh Wedding, London, England, United Kingdom - Photographic Print

Sikh Nationalism and Identity in a Global Age $44.95 Sikh Nationalism and Identity in a Global Age examines the construction of a Sikh national identity in post-colonial India and the diaspora and explores the reasons for the failure of the movement for an independent Sikh state: Khalistan .  

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