Category Archives: Taxes

Gruff old Liberal…

I was gonna give this a couple of days to percolate, but I think something got lost in the mix last night. Clearly Paul Ryan steadfastly adhered to a pre-planned strategy for the debate. So much so I believe he missed a number of opportunities to knock that arrogant old fart off the stage with a cold blast of facts. However, it was even more simple than that. Biden was on point and delivered the pandering message in order to scare the living crap out of the old folks, as well as every other “hot button” group he could think of. The problem was he misrepresented every issue he raised.

Now I know the fact checkers will eventually pick this thing apart and they should. But here are just a few basic points. I’m a big Reagan fan and I can tell you President Reagan initially provided very few specifics on his tax reform plan in 1986. #40 knew full well that a tax code  printed on about 50,000 pages back then was sure to contain enough wiggle room to accomplish his “across the board” goals. He was right and legendary House Speaker Tip O’Neil knew it. That was how the extraordinary bipartisan arrangement was facilitated. So “Old Joe” got his wires a bit crossed on that one.

And how many times is the Obama Administration going to count that 700 + billion dollars they raided from Medicare? The reality is they could not possibly pay for “Obamacare” on the promise of simply cutting waste and fraud within the existing structure of the law. As a matter of fact, the CBO figured they would be about 500 billion dollars short. Joe Biden knows this but bullied his way passed a very polite Ryan to make his case for a necessary, albeit clandestine “middle class tax hike” in order to recoup the shortfall. Moreover, Obamacare adds in another 300+ billion dollars in taxes over the next ten years to account for the ever “graduating” costs of the program. Obamacare will be the greatest money pit Americans have ever seen. It is inevitable.

Biden was also out in “Left” field when he repeatedly misrepresented small business folks and how they fit into the tax structure. Team Obama continually returns to this theme because they believe Americans are too stupid to understand how many small business owners file their tax returns. Those numbers must ultimately be adjusted to reflect the (cost of actually “doing” business) including business tax, medical coverage for employees (impending Obamacare), simple overhead and a slew of other state and federal regulatory taxes and fees. So what does their final paycheck look like, and whose gonna get that tax hike Joe? This is simple economics that unfortunately even the fact checkers and economists have a hard time understanding beyond their singular academic prowess. The Democrats hope is you don’t get it, because they need that tax revenue to pay for their massive spending. Inevitably, Ryan was right. If the Dems have their way, better than a half a million jobs will likely be lost next year alone, as those small businesses will downsize and close under the suffocating pressure of “Obamanomics”. And the “big businesses” will simply just go into hibernation like they always do.

And then there was Libya. Well, that one is gonna play out soon, and I personally think it sinks the Obama Administration. (Just sayin…)

In the end, I think Ryan was too polite but did no damage, and Biden had a good night in the eyes of the red meat Libs. Talking points were on the menu and Biden “cooked” them up. Having said that, I believe the real Biden was up last night. Not the nice guy that even many Republicans portray, but a gruff old Liberal with rocks in his head, and a grudge against the truth.

 

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It’s only the first debate…

Just a couple of observations. (If) we are to believe the polls, Governor Romney did exactly what he needed to do and took the fight to the President. He was on message, articulate and described what is the most basic but important part of this election, “the vivid contrast” between two visions for America. And while the President did seem a bit disinterested and smug, that actually didn’t surprise me one bit.

Now I won’t get into why I feel the POTUS is not necessarily the “likable” guy many folks seem to think he is. I might just let the recently revealed tapes of a couple of very divisive speeches he made before he was elected speak for themselves on that matter. Consequently, I definitely got the feeling the Obama camp was trying mightily not to appear outside of that “likability” comfort zone. Let’s face it, Romney pretty much showed that’s really all they have. Arguably however, this is only the first debate. And judging from the “Shame Stream Media” response thus far, they will be out in full force today to spin this to the President’s advantage as best they can.

The simple truth is that in November, “We the People” will in fact have to do exactly what Governor Romney said last night, and choose between two very different ideological directions for our country. One thing is for certain after watching last night’s contest though, and that is neither of the candidates  attempted to hide theirs. Using only this as a benchmark, I score the night a tie.

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Re-elect the slate…

Gas and food prices continue to sky-rocket, foreclosure rates among the highest in the country, unemployment well above the national average, and a business climate not suitable for a sidewalk lemonade stand. So what do the Rhode Island voters have to say? “Re-elect the slate again”.

When Brendan Doherty enjoyed a 14 point lead in the polls, I told many of my like-minded friends not be over-confident, as the “perfect pandering politician” had not yet wound up his class warfare campaign machine of hate. And now that the “do nothing Socialist spitfire” who destroyed our home city of Providence has made quick work of Anthony Gemma, he may now turn his mean-spirited and propagandist lies in the direction of the retired State Police Colonel.

Look, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that David Cicilline is the quintessential baby kisser when it counts. What’s sad is that Rhode Islanders appear to be game for “more of the same” yet again. A few folks on a campaign commercial talking about how these dolts came to their rescue for a photo-op, and presto, all is well in Little Rhody. Demonize the opposition by framing real and critically necessary solutions to monumental problems in the context of perceived “radical reform”, while simultaneously and shamefully scaring the collective crap out of old folks and those who don’t know any better, and you have a recipe for assured collapse of what is left of this pitiful state.

Sadly, I think Doherty will lose a close race, and the other Republicans will be pummeled by the rest of the entrenched leaches . And that as they say will be that for Rhode Island.

 

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The Eye of the Storm…

My wife and I renewed our wedding vows this past weekend and then traveled to our favorite Block Island Bed and Breakfast to recharge our batteries. It’s amazing how some quiet time on the beach can promote introspection. The ocean has always been a friend to me, and I’ve run back wounded to the sea many times. It also doesn’t hurt to be married to a like-minded soul. This trip had special meaning though, and our son’s future was a huge part of that. Things are changing in our country and I’m becoming more and more aware of what we as a nation seem increasingly comfortable with leaving behind. It’s almost as if there are forces at work lopping off huge chunks of our cultural identity and no one seems to care. Ironically, as we head back to the mainland and I turn on the news for the first time in a few days, I see things getting steadily worse, yet the President’s poll numbers are getting steadily better.

For too many reasons I’m sure, there is a growing segment of the U.S. population who are completely comfortable with barely an, or even no effort at all. These entitlement voters have either been convinced or have convinced themselves the “American Dream” is dead and buried, and they are now somehow owed their “fair share” at the expense of someone else who earned theirs. Social mainstays that are the foundations for all which has made us unique and exceptional, are now routinely manipulated and attacked as “out of touch” by revisionist anarchists with only selfish motivations. Progressive politicians are rewriting our founding documents in order to establish and maintain an environment were even change for the worse can be viewed as favorable so long as you can blame all the negative results on something or someone else. And the simple truths of God given and inalienable rights are called into question when they stand in the way of wealth redistribution and/or some perceived utopian fantasy world without accountability. Yes, it is a sad day in America when a man with as many secrets as President Barack Obama can slip in under the radar and alter the course of freedom, because so many Americans are asleep at the wheel, and still others have simply surrendered their reason at the altar of Left-Wing Progressivism.

Alas, I suppose I must continue the fight despite the growing number who continue to fly in the face of fact and history. I would tell you though, I think Kirk Cameron got it right at the end of the movie “Monumental”, a short film I think every American should watch with their children close by…

“The responsibility to secure freedom for my family lies in my hands. For 400 years we’ve had the strategy. We’ve got the game plan. And its produced a nation that is healthy strong and free. And every time we’ve strayed from it, we’ve suffered the consequences. The seed that grew this nation is faith in God. That faith produces character. A character that produces great courage. Courage to self-govern. Courage to guide and educate our children in the right world view. And the courage to elect today’s liberty men and women who will take the torch from our forefathers.The answer doesn’t begin at the White House, it begins at your house. I’m no longer gonna sit on the sidelines. I’m gonna get involved. And I know there are millions who feel like I do. As for me and my family we’re going this way. The way of our heroes, who fought against all odds and changed the world. The time is now. Join me, and together we will secure a monumental future for our children…” – Kirk Cameron —-Amen!

 

 

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Hooray, we’re #7!!!

My hero, the late Dale Earnhardt liked to say, “second place is just the first loser”. So what does that make us at #7 in the world when it comes to “global competitiveness”. Sliding for yet another year since this President took office, the “World Forum” has reported the United States’ decline from its coveted and long-held position of number #1, all the way to #7 and falling. The biggest reasons given, you guessed it. Out of control debt, as well as unemployment and economic instability brought on by a cavernous void of distrust of the federal government by U.S. businesses. We simply cannot continue down this road away from what has made us great.

The “Obama way” is not new you know. It has been applied by many a socialist politician as a feel good cure for a nation in trouble, and whose people seek change.  In fact, economic class warfare and a centralized all-powerful federal system, have been tried many times around the world, often with catastrophic and even fatal results. Just look around even today and see the chaos created by promises of utopia absent a real and viable economic plan for the future.

This is not just a headline people. This is what happens when you entrust a proven and profitable free market system, which in practice has been responsible for so much good in the world, to an inexperienced college ideologue, lost in the dreams of his Progressive mentors. He is attempting to fool you once again.

Vote accordingly…

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The true “Standard Bearer”…

Listening to President Clinton speak, is an exercise in analytics. He is masterful and boring all in the same framework. He is a consummate politician and has made an art form out of playing the crowd. The problem always arises however, when we must break down and analyze closely, what he is saying.

Putting aside his often palpable disdain for the POTUS for a minute, one needs to understand that for Bill Clinton the man, there is always an underlying strategy. He himself loves to boast of his accomplishments, most of which came as he tactically switched sides in “94” and left his own party stunned and wondering about his motivations. Simply put, Clinton understands politics like Barack Obama can only dream of. And this is exactly why many Americans still believe he was a great President.

I personally believe “Bubba” was a decent President if only because he could read “We the People” like very few Presidents could, and “We the People” were somewhat better off because of it. However when we look at some of his actual as well as philosophical policy nomenclature, we find things like the adaptation of the 1977 “Community Reinvestment Act”, the deregulation of 1932 GlassSteagall, all of which some would argue paved the way for the unethical and misguided lending practices, which are in fact a major root cause of all our current economic bleeding. And we also see the “paper tiger”, high leverage businesses of the late 90’s, in it for lopsided short term gain, and with no real foundational liquidity to carry them through to the other side of any recession.

You won’t hear much about these and other “inconvenient Clinton truths” from the Dems. Instead (he and they) are far more comfortable with the mythical status, built around the philandering former Commander in Chief. A myth so convoluted, and yet fostered as if Biblical, that it far overshadows the current POTUS, eclipsing him as any sort of “Standard Bearer”. Clinton himself is the real Standard Bearer, and he is content to hold that title, at least until (2016). Hillary???

Ultimately, I will not watch the President tonight, as I only see a man bent on changing what I understand should never be changed. I only see a man with limited if not clouded life experience, whose persona has been hyped beyond even his own ability to sustain it. Frankly, too much is at stake. So I will read the excerpts tomorrow looking for what I know I will find, and write about that. In the mean time, I will listen to Clinton’s speech again and ponder Charles Krauthammer’s analysis in which he refers to the lengthy diatribe as, “Sprawling, undisciplined and self-indulgent…

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The man behind “Hope and Change”…

In many ways, when it comes to politics there is much the politicians put past “We the People” in terms of complicated and often factually challenged information. However, every so often someone comes along and digs up some tangible stuff which then provides the necessary clarity and understanding. That is, if we chose to acknowledge and accept it.

Tucker Carlson recently reported on a very significant but mostly overlooked lawsuit from 1995 in which then “Community Organizer” Barack Obama, on behalf of 186 mortgage applicants, brought a class action lawsuit against Citibank. The suit claimed applicants were discriminated against during the bank’s mortgage evaluation process because they lived in depressed areas, and thus were not given home loans as a result. The long and short of the story is that Obama won and the bank was forced to issue loans to people, who otherwise would not have qualified, and who records would later show had no business getting “any kind of loan” at all. In fact many who were represented had bankruptcies and worse on their credit reports prior to and even during the process of applying to Citibank. In the end to date, just 19 of the original 186 managed to keep their homes. The rest wound up in foreclosure, bankruptcy or both.

Now that part of the story would seem to be the end, right? Wrong. This is where we get a glimpse of the man who would be President. Moreover, it tells us much about his political ideology, and personal belief systems. Firstly, Community Organizer Obama openly championed the cause of these people, as he noted they deserved their piece of the “American dream”. (Apparently this meant whether they could pay for it or not). And secondly, it was that very foolishness going on in the sub-prime lending market at the time, which was the real iceberg that sank our economy in the first place. Now you will hear the arguments back and forth about the Bush years, and how the wars also contributed to our debt, and I would welcome that comparative debate as it does have some merit. Nonetheless, we cannot ignore the real root causes of this mess, and the costly entitlement culture that has been haunting our economy for generations. To do so is to disregard the speeding freight train racing directly towards us in 2012.

I must say, there has not been an election cycle I can remember where so much information has been out there for the vetting. This is just one of many significant examples which validate a return to fiscal responsibility at the earliest juncture for our country. We simply cannot afford to dismiss this stuff. To every voter considering giving Barack Obama 4 more years I beg you please, do your homework and see the real man behind the slogan. Oh, and see the movie!

 

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One chance…

44 out of “57” states saw their unemployment numbers go up last month Mr. President. 24 million Americans are out of work. The actual unemployment number, which includes those who have lost all “hope” and simply stopped looking for work, is 15.9 percent, or slightly higher depending on the mechanism of tally. And it takes 250,000 jobs created each month (just to keep up) with population growth Sir. So please tell me how we are somehow “moving in the right direction”.

It’s numbers like these, and this Administration’s response to them, that give me cause to think their intentions are something more ideological, and that they have a very different “vision” for America. Now I know this is stating the obvious, but it bears repeating as “We the People” get ready to choose a President. It is also why I firmly believe this election has far less to do with the candidates than it does the voters. “We” will have to choose not just a man to lead the way, but a direction consistent with the Constitution, and not the entitlement mindset of a particular and growing voter block. “We” will have to choose what kind of United States we want for our children, and whether we are willing to make the hard choices to secure it.

None of this will be easy. But on this Monday morning, while I watch the news and see my father’s and my sons country slipping away, this election is looking more and more like the most important in more than two centuries.

I believe we will have but one chance to get this right. Ironically, “We the People” will have to do much more than just pull a lever. History, taught adequately and “accurately” to our posterity, is our only hope…

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There’s no honeymoon in Presidential politics…

I knew they’d come for Paul Ryan, but it’s still amazing the degree to which the Left is will vilify an opponent when they have absolutely zero to run on. Regrettably, the “Lame Stream Media” seems in lock step with the Dems and their message. CNN’s Candy Crowley is out there quoting “unnamed” sources as having called the Ryan pick a “death sentence” for the ticket. Andrea Mitchell of NBC calls the pick “not one for women“. And 60 minutes (chop-shop editors) conveniently left Congressman Ryan’s home run answer to Bob Shieffer’s Medicare question on the cutting room floor. Oh well, so much for objective and non partisan journalism.

Nonetheless, cash is rolling in at a fever pitch as the energetic and charismatic Ryan seems to be making the Left cringe just a bit. Fact of the matter is, any debate over our country’s direction must include a serious discussion about entitlement reform, as a means of reigning in a deficit which will surely destroy our children’s United States. Congressman Paul Ryan understands this with great clarity, and his honest, middle class and straight forward approach will make it happen. Much to their chagrin, Dems will not be able to run from that debate, or their own standard bearer’s abysmal record. Oh, and that’s right, I called Ryan middle class. The Left has another thing coming if they think they’ll be able to pigeon hole this guy into the “rich Republican” category. He is as middle class as middle class gets, and he’s gonna stomp the fool who goes there.

Listen, I have read the Ryan proposal, and I personally don’t think it goes far enough. Having said that, it will clearly require a businessman President and Vice President to get any of it through Congress on behalf of “We the People”. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are the men for this time in our history, and I’m confident and excited their realistic and truthful presentation of that which ails us, will bring Americans back together in a common bond which has been missing for almost 4 years now. With a victory in November, on their capable shoulders will rest the future of the next generation and the hope and prayers of the current one.

 

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That sickening feeling…

It is nothing short of shameful that folks like the portly pundit Bob Beckel are touting 163,000 jobs as if that were nearly enough to dent the real unemployment number of over 15 percent in this country. Even more disturbing, is their “purposeful ignorance” when it comes to other factors like last month’s jobs numbers being revised from 80,000 to 60,000, as if 80,000 were not bad enough. And then we read that 153,000 people simply left the work force entirely last month. So what does that mean? It means the net gain of jobs is actually a net loss of (-30,000 jobs), in terms of contributing revenues.

Any economist with credentials beyond those of a classroom twerp will tell you, that an economy with the breadth and scope of the United States economy, requires consistent job creation in the range of 225,000 to 375,000 jobs per month to constitute tangible, albeit average recovery. The simple truth is that our nation remains wounded and staggering without hope of stabilization short of unleashing the “power to prosper”, by way of massive across the board tax incentives and a complete restructuring of the U.S. tax code. Realistically, we are actually sitting at the best possible juncture to push the reset button on years of reckless feel good spending and income tax nightmares.

These numbers today spell real trouble for an incumbent President, and believe me the Obama Team knows it. Oh, and message to WH Harry Reid: Mitt Romney has paid far more taxes in his working career than your entire family generationally has “earned” in all of its history. What a complete imbecile….

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