It would appear our leaders over the past three or so decades at all levels of government have begun to see the fruits of their labor. Those fruits are sour and rotten, to be sure.

Through mismanagement, overspending, and the driving of manufacturing businesses from our shores we have managed to give the Chinese $2 trillion in reserves while we sit with our hands out looking for help.

This is the price to pay for those "cheap" products. Coincidentally, China is poised to surpass the United States in manufacturing within the next 10 years or so. That being said, let's look at this "bailout" plan.

If we simply pump money into markets which do not produce tangible products we will see nothing good come of it. The inevitable will be delayed (that being a major downturn in the economy). If we bail out automakers this will also delay the inevitable correction in their markets. Why should we reward poor management, inflated salaries, and excessive retirement agreements while these industries were riding high?

Any interference in the market as proposed will not help, it will hinder the free market system. But as I have always pointed out, do not criticize a situation unless you have proposed a solution, be it a good one or not. The economic situation must be allowed to run its course. Our governments should be re-evaluated from a business standpoint. Non essential local, state, and federal government employees (ie: professional politicians) should all be put on a part time work and pay basis. There should be a four-day work week gradually settling in on a three-day work week, 10 hours a day to let them get chores done after close of business without being interrupted.

The corporate tax rate should be reduced over the next 2-3 years. This would make the U.S. a highly desirable base of operation to many foreign businesses. It would stem the flow of money leaving the country through corporate tax loopholes now being utilized.

The sales tax in every state should be a minimum of 5 percent, of which 1 percent automatically goes to the federal government.

The federal income tax should be repealed and all income taxes should be levied from the states only. The federal government should then "bill" the states for their share of the national budget requirements after a budget has been submitted and approved 1 year in advance.

The practice of "earmarks" should be made constitutionally illegal.

Schools' budgets should not be allowed to increase by an amount greater than 3 percent per year or that of inflation which ever is greatest.

Real estate taxes should be calculated based on the tax return of the occupant or owner, whoever has the greatest income. This would give relief to those who lose their jobs and are in danger of losing their homes in many cases the elderly also.

All government employees should be paid at the same wage as an equivalent position and responsibility in the private sector. They should also get the same healthcare and co-pays as the worker in the private sector.

This is a "grow the economy from the bottom up" approach. We cannot continue on the path of squeezing more taxes from the people regardless of their ability to pay.

The governments have proven to be even worse business managers than those in the private sector whom they criticize, so why do we look to them to guide us through this mess? After all, they created it through poor fiscal policies. This plan will take time to work out and implement. The people will have less government but a more business savvy one.

While this is being implemented there will be suffering by many. Now we take that $800 billion dollars ($700 billion until recently) and bail out the people while the government gets its act together.

J. SCOT COMEY lives in Attleboro.