It never ceases to amaze me how the political pundits try to spin everything, especially those on the left. Don't get me wrong, those on the right do their share of fantasy broadcasts. But they all get paid to try to keep things stirred up, or push us to follow this agenda or that. As a result, I don't pay much attention to any of them, except that I watch the Sunday morning talk shows on all four networks. Now please understand this, it isn't because of their witty banter, or round table discussions, or even their regular talking heads. It is for one thing and one thing only; to listen to the politicians blow their own horns and blow the whistle on each other, and for the more than occasional foot in mouth or rectal cranial inversion they practice. And there's plenty of that to see!

I often wonder if some of these pundits and members of Congress actually listen to themselves, or actually believe the pablum they spew. Like the clown who stated recently that the last election proved that Americans want to be governed from the middle, not the left or the right. He, like most, just aren't getting it. We're far more interested in righting the ship than bipartisanship. And we don't mind being governed from the middle, as long as they move the middle W-A-A-A-A-Y back toward the right. One of the ways we hoped to influence the current Congress was via our votes, but this Lame Brained Duck Congress instead took it as an opportunity to shove more uneeded legislation down our throats.

I won't go into the DADT, or the DREAM Act, or the fight over funding the government with the omnibus bill; all those issues need to be revisited after the newbies take office, along with a lot more, and hopefully repealed along with Husseincare in favor of real corrections. We need them to end all the sweet deals that caused EVERY Republican in the Senate to vote with the Democrats to pass unanomously S510, the Food Safety Act. This isn't about food safety at all, but about the Federal government usurping more states rights in violation of the Tenth Amendment. In reading this bill, it all appears very innocuous, that is until you check to see what parts of the US Code it changes, and how those changes will affect us. Sadly, that's the case with most legislation, it robs the states, and We, the people, of more and more of our freedoms in the name of "safety".

I've often quoted Ben Franklin on the subject of safety vs. liberty, and I'm going to do it one more time. "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Those words were never more true than they are today, and to heed them now is essential to our survival as a nation. Why? Without the realization that we surrender more of our liberties every time Congress passes legislation, or an agency writes their own rules without Congressional approval or scrutiny (i.e. The FCC and their new powers over the internet), in the name of protecting us, we will soon be under the complete control of that government. "The greatest threat to the future of our nation - to our freedom - is not foreign military aggression ... but the growing dependence of the people on a paternalistic government. A nation is no stronger than its people and the best measure of their strength is how they accept responsibility. There will never be a great society unless the materialism of the welfare state is replaced by individual initiative and responsibility." ~ Charles B. Shuman

All in the name of safety, we have the Patriot Act, and all the new TSA rules, and the Food Safety Act, and Husseincare, etc., etc. "The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home." ~ James Madison

When did we become such cowards? When did the land of the free and the home of the brave become the land of the taxed and the home of the weak and lazy? Why can't we assume personal responsibility for our actions, and take care of ourselves and our families? If this had been the attitude of those who grew America, we would still be 13 states. If this had been the attitude of those who came here, there would be no United States of America, for no one new would have set foot on this continent. (The First People of Turtle Island might be a lot better off though!) What happened to the pioneer spirit that carried us to the lofty perch as the best nation on earth? In fact, what happened to the American spirit? "The greatest threat to the future of our nation - to our freedom - is not foreign military aggression ... but the growing dependence of the people on a paternalistic government. A nation is no stronger than its people and the best measure of their strength is how they accept responsibility. There will never be a great society unless the materialism of the welfare state is replaced by individual initiative and responsibility. " ~ Charles B. Shuman

Yet as you read this, we are surrendering to the welfare state, one that will willingly tax us even after death (the death tax is only on hold for another year); one that will glady accept responsibility for us rather than encourage us to take responsibility for ourselves and our families; a government that no longer represents the American ideals of honesty and fairplay, but rather works out back room deals and trades votes for votes on legislation that serves no one but themselves and their pet projects.

"Few of us seem to want to keep government out of our personal affairs and responsibilities. Many of us seem to favor various types of government guaranteed and compulsory "security." We say that we want personal freedom, but we demand government housing, government price controls, government-guaranteed jobs and wages. We boast that we are responsible persons, but we vote for candidates who promise us special privileges, government pensions, government subsidies, and government electricity." ~ Dean Russell

It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same. Isn't it time to change that? if you believe so, please don't fall asleep at the wheel again. Keep on top of what our newly elected members of Congress are up to, and how they are voting. And don't be afraid to stomp on their toes if they get stupid.

Tags: idiocy lunacy Congress

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It’s time to clear the air on “tax cuts”. The Bush “tax cuts” are due to expire, unless Congress gets around to extending them. The Democrats, specifically the liberal side of that party, are screaming that this extension will only add to the problem by increasing the deficit, and, consequently, the National Debt, but the Republicans counter that we need to reduce Federal spending and keep the cuts in place to spur the economy. And moderates on both sides are talking about limits on both who gets the extensions and for how long. So let’s look at the history of what “tax cuts” have done for/to the economy, and for/to the nation as a whole.

JFK proposed, and got passed, some very radical tax cuts during his short time in office, with the Republicans crying the same rhetoric the Democrats are screaming today. Kennedy’s plan reduced the highest income brackets from 91% tax rates to 70%, a 21% reduction. Bush’s plan dropped them from 39% to 35%, a 4% reduction. Considering that the GDP to Federal debt ratio was 49.51% in 1963, 38.96% in 1983, 60.88% in 2003 and is currently at 94.27%, as a result of both government spending and borrowing under this Congress and administration, it would seem the wrong time to increase taxes on ANY class of American, let alone increase Federal spending.

If one also looks at the tax breaks fostered by the Reagan administration and his Congress, which shows a 39% debt-GDP ratio in 1983 and a 25% across the board tax cut, and then compares what in our economy in the ensuing years, a definite pattern appears. One that suggests tax breaks are most assuredly the way to go, even, and especially, with breaks to the higher income levels.

The following is a breakdown of Federal revenues and deficits during each of the five year periods before, during and after the three tax change periods.

JFK Comparison
Revenues
$129.2 billion in 1957 to $161.3 in 1962. ($32.1 billion increase)
$158.7 billion in 1961 to $215.3 billion in 1966. ($56.6 billion increase)
$240 billion in 1967 to $365.8 billion in 1972. ($125.8 billion increase)

Deficits
-$5.3 billion in 1957 to $7.1 billion in 1962. ($12.4 billion increase)
$3.5 billion in 1961 to $3.7 billion in 1966. ($.2 billion increase)
$8.6 billion in 1967 to $23.4 billion in 1972. ($14.8 billion increase)
(Unemployment went from 5.5% in 1960 to 6.7% in 1961, then began falling to a low of 3.8% in 1966, and 3.5% by 1969.)

Reagan Comparison
Revenues
$630.7 billion in 1977 to $1.0767 trillion in 1982. ($437 billion increase)
$1.0157 trillion in 1981 to $1.4394 trillion in 1986. ($423.7 billion increase)
$1.5819 trillion in 1987 to $2.1161 trillion in 1992. ($532.4 billion increase)

Deficits
$53.7 billion in 1977 to $128 billion in 1982. ($74.3 billion increase)
$79 billion in 1981 to $221.2 billion in 1986. ($142.2 billion decrease)
$149.7 billion in 1987 to $290.3 billion in 1992. ($140.6 billion increase)
(Unemployment went from 7.1% in 1980 to 9.7% in 1982 beforebeginning its descent to 5.3% in 1989.)

Bush Comparison
Revenues
$2.8485 trillion in 1997 to $3.3307 trillion in 2002. ($482.2 billion increase)
$3.7641 trillion in 2003 to $4.7671 trillion in 2008. ($1.003 trillion increase)
$4.3525 trillion in 2009 and $4.4508 trillion in 2010. ($98.3 billion increase)

Deficits
$21.9 billion in 1997 to $157.8 billion in 2002. ($135.9 billion increase)
$377.6 billion in 2003 to $458.6 billion in 2008. ($81 billion increase)
$1.4127 trillion in 2009 and $1.5556 trillion in 2010. ($142.9 billion increase)
(Unemployment went from 4% in 2000 to 6.0% in 2003 beforefalling to 4.6% in 2006 and 2007. It currently stands at 9.6%.)

This exercise proves a couple of things. One, that tax breaks increase the Federal revenues considerably, and for more than just the immediate five years after. Two, the more the government takes in, the more it spends, usually on more entitlement programs that end up costing us for many years to come. Three, both sides of the aisle in Congress participate in these spending sprees based on the increased revenues.

One simply doesn’t have to go very far to disprove the crowing from the left that tax cuts only help the wealthy, since median incomes increase and unemployment numbers fall within two years of said tax cuts, and the trend continues until government decides to take more of the American wage earners buck, from the top, middle and lower incomes, to spend on more programs that give the government more control and creates even more dependence on it all the while stifling the economy of not only the US, but the rest of the world. Consequently, it would seem the best way to increase the Federal revenues is by lowering taxes in order to spur the economy and lower unemployment, just as has been done over the last 50 years of our history.

Only two things, done in unison, will ever allow us to consistently increase our incomes while stabilizing tax rates, government growth, and the economy. They are a balanced budget amendment which incorporates paying off the National Debt and eliminating the National Deficit, and a system of “fair taxes”. I still see a need, though greatly reduced, for the IRS. Understanding that the poor obviously can’t pay the same rates as everyone else, I would propose a system under which those with low incomes or large families be refunded a certain percentage of their taxed expenditures on a sliding scale based on their average income. Then, instead of 49% of this nation NOT paying any income taxes, everyone would pay their share while the poorest and those with the highest family expenses would get a break. It would be up to the IRS to monitor and enforce this system, and issue refunds to those who deserve it.

Some have suggested issuing “tax exempt status” cards to those who can prove their dire or burdened situations, but given the propensity for fraud in any government program, I suggest this is not an effective or efficient way to address the problem. However, since paying a “fair tax” via an established sales tax system would create an undue burden on those of limited incomes, a quarterly filing system could be initiated. After all, corporations and companies have quarterly filings, what would it hurt to add individuals to the mix? And since the IRS would have many of its responsibilities removed under the new system, they would have enough extra employees left over to handle the new filings.

Now, what say you? Do we need to have the “tax cuts” remain as they are, should they be altered in some way, or allowed to expire? Should we have a balanced budget amendment, and should it contain controls to reduce both the National Debt and the National Deficit? And what of a “fair tax” system, yeah or nay, and how should it be designed?

Tags: tax cuts congress unemployment economy

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My best wishes for the upcoming holiday season can be found at this Holiday Wishes link. Don't forget to turn up your speakers!

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My best wishes for the upcoming holiday season can be found at www.cherokeeparks.net. Don't forget to turn up your speakers!

Tags: Christmas, Holidays

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Yes, that’s all it is, a hullabaloo. Are any of you surprised that the TSA started X-Raying everyone? Or feeling them up patting them down? If you are, you just haven’t been listening. I remember any number news broadcasts over the last several months discussing the ordering of these machines, and their impending implementation around the country. In these broadcasts, they also discussed what would be done if there were any questions raised as a result of the scans. Their timing, of course, is somewhat suspect.

The GOP has taken over the House and made a huge dent in the Senate, and, as a result, there aren’t likely to be any more bailouts, unless the White House can create a severe need, like failing airline companies. And al Qaida is certainly helping with their broadcast recently. By advertising that they were able to cost Americans billions in increased security costs for a mere expense of some $5k, they aid in setting up higher ticket prices and higher losses, all of which will lead to the need of another bailout for the airline industry.

You just wait, after the holidays we’ll hear how the airlines lost hundreds of millions because of increased costs and lower passenger counts, and how they won’t be able to survive without government help. Then you can expect to hear the White House wants to offer them billions we don’t have in a structured deal similar to that of GM, thus giving the government control of yet another American industry.

The railroads are already living off government subsidies, as are giant food producing and processing corporations (the bulk of which are foreign owned and are still employing illegals at will as well as sending the bulk of their profits abroad), banks, GM, healthcare (unless it gets defunded), and the list goes on and on. 49% of Americans pay no taxes, so the remaining 51% are supporting the government, all these corporations, half the world and a full third of the other 49% of Americans, yet Congress intends to continue to manipulate the tax system for one purpose, and one purpose only; control. Add in S 510 and we can certainly expect to forget being able to afford garden seeds or buying fresh fruits and vegetables, or anything else, from roadside stands or farmer’s markets.

It’s all about control, and the belief that the government can run your life better than you can. We know that certainly isn’t true, but how do we get that message to Washington? The same way we did on 2 November, and for the 18 months leading up to the election. Encourage your elected officials to do the right thing, keep talking about the issues, and stay informed. When it comes to government, question EVERYTHING! Push for term limits (I’d even like to see government forced to do all their business in just six months, not a full year where they still leave things undone), and an end to the current congressional retirement package. You know, the one where they get most of their congressional salary after serving only one term, along with all the medical benefits none of us can afford (all at our expense). Push for a balanced budget amendment that will force government to live within their means, but make sure you tell them to include a plan for reducing the National Debt, not just the National Deficit. Find a Fair Tax plan you can support, and work toward getting those in power to adopt it. By making taxation fair across the board in conjunction with a balanced budget, government will have no choice but to reduce itself, and allow all the states to regain the control they were promised under the Tenth Amendment.

The main thing is to stay involved, and to force Washington to return to a common sense mode of operation. Included in that common sense approach, we need to end the fiasco of political correctness. We need to become far more pro-active about our security, and our borders, if we expect to survive economically, and physically, as a nation. That includes expanding profiling and pre-flight interviews instead of over-reactionary methods now in use. Trust me; a Caucasian man traveling with his young family IS NOT any more of a threat than an 85 year old granny. But a man of Arabic descent traveling alone or with another just like him, who purchased his/their ticket(s) with cash, and at the last minute, needs to be looked at no natter what the ACLU says. Until we start to take transportation security seriously, and do something serious about it, we can expect our government to continue to remove our freedoms, all in the name of safety.

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” ~ Ben Franklin

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