From: daniels@ih-nxt07.cso.uiuc.edu (Daniel Ray Sawyer)
Subject: Re: Lawnmover Strategy
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Distribution: usa
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 23:37:40 GMT

In article <9211222154.AA02016@inet-gw-1.pa.dec.com>  
GCTHORNE@idbsu.idbsu.edu ("Broward " Crabgrass " Horne") writes:
> 
>                Avoiding the Federal Lawnmower
>                ------------------------------
> 
>                A personal philosophy - by Me.
> 
> 
>    Okay.  By now, it should be absolutely CLEAR to most everyone that
> 
>    i)    The Federal Lawnmower is being gassed up.
>    ii)   New taxes are coming for dinner.
>    iii)  Your Congress is out to lunch.
>    iv)   Your standard of living is on the menu.
> 
>    I.   The Federal Lawnmower
> 
>       Over the past 4 years, I have developed the "Lawnmower strategy".
> 
>       If, by some means, I can be a SHORTER blade of grass, then, when
>       Mr. Lawnmower comes calling, he will happily pluck everyone around
>       me and go on his way.
> 
> 
>     II.   Why be a Shorter Blade? ( or a Deeper Shade of Soul )
> 
>       Once it becomes apparent to bond buyers that the Federal Debt is
>       out of control, the Federal Government will start mowing.   
BIG-TIME.
>       What will they mow?
> 
>       Inelastic goods.  Things that YOU can't do without, in the short  
run.
> 
>          Gasoline for sure.
>          Tax exemptions for homeowners.
>          Medical benefits.
>          Food.
> 
>       Unlike the Federal Government, *I* am sure you can figure out the
>       susceptible areas in your own life.
> 
> 
>     III.  Steps towards becoming a Shorter Blade
> 
>        i)   If you're looking at a new car soon, make gas mileage a
>             high priority.
> 
>        ii)  Move closer to work.
> 
>        iii) Work closer to home.
> 
>        iv)  If you're in a city in excess of 1-2 million -
> 
>                  a)  Get the hell out now.
>                  b)  Trade your current home equity/debt into a paid-for
>                      home in a smaller city.
>                  c)  Try to garner enough land to grow some of your own
>                      vegetables.
> 
>        v)  If you're in an export related job, get a new job.
> 
>        vi) If you're working for an oligopic, monolithic, fortress
>            America company, consider your path carefully.  Personally, I
>            would be completely unwilling to take on any debt while
>            working for a company like IBM, ATT, Litton ( been there,
>            done that ), etc.  Unless you are high up in the heirarchy,
>            consider bailing.  And take your pension fund with you.
>            While you can.
> 
> 
[cut stuff on Personal Experience]
> 
>        As the squeeze gets put on, I believe we'll see a greater  
migration
>        from high-tax, welfare-bound big cities to mid-size cities, both  
by
>        *working* people, and by companies.
> 
>        Me, I'm *already* a Short Blade.  The government can hardly do
>        anything to me, without decimating 70% of the rest of the
>        population.
> 
>        I figure y'all have somewhere in the area of TWO to SIX years
>        before the Lawnmower is going full-bore.  In fact, I fully
>        expect ANOTHER " 1990 Budget Agreement " in 1994, right after
>        the elections.  You've been warned.
> 
>   Conclusion:
> 
>        For a rough estimate of what the U.S. as a whole is looking at,
>        look at California.  I consider California a reliable model of
>        what is coming.  Examine the tax increases.  Thrill to the *loss*
>        of revenues.  Examine the 64 day bugdet crisis.  Ponder a
>        Federal equivalent.  Look to the estimated shortfall NEXT year.
>        Be chilled by the real loss in income and home equity.

Undoubtedly cities are on the decline and suburbs(IMHO) are not much
better.  Moving to a mid-size city 100-200 thousand persons, is the
best.  Taxes WILL go up.  Regardless of what anyone says, taxes are
going to go up on everyone.  Sales taxes, property taxes, "user fees",
"sin taxes" and yes, even income taxes.  Why?  Because of the damned
liberal programs and the welfare state attitude in which government,
not people are responsible for their well-being.

Daniel at University of Illinois