CELEBRATING NEW YEAR AROUND THE WORLD
My only resolution for this year is to make changes in my life and to do what I need to do things differently and what better place to start than on the eve of the new year.
For the last 13 years I have spent New Years Eve, on my own in my house and 5 of those years I actually saw the new year in sitting in the rabbit house trying to keep the rabbits calm as the fire works went off over head, and nothing changed in my life.
This year I am doing it differently. Having been unemployed for just over a year but starting a new job on 4th January, myself and my daughter will be spending the evening with a friend and her daughter, sharing a bottle of wine between the 4 of us and at a quarter to midnight we shall wander into the centre of town to bring in the new year.
I am so looking forward to it and the only person who can spoil is me. I don't like crowds at the best of time I like drunken crowds even less so we will simply stay on the edge of the crowds, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the firework display, go home happy and sober.
Happy New Year to one and all and may you all get out of life what you put in it.
Read the article GUARDIAN/In praise of an alternative ...New Year's Eve
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My resolution for 2011 is to Love More, Listen
More and hope all human beings seek to work together to solve our problems. Let's listen to the hatemongers a bit less...of any stripe; they just want people to take sides & want to be right. Problems never find solutions when no one is listening. Love to you all & may this coming year be one of hope & optimisim :)
Read the article YAHOO NEWS/Millions gathering worldwide to ring in New Year
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I will make two resolutions this year. They are the same two resolutions I make every year. They are the same two resolutions I keep evey year.
I resolve to eat more.
I resolve to get fatter.
No problem
Read the article YAHOO NEWS/Millions gathering worldwide to ring in New Year
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My partner and I plan to adopt two children next year.
We considered the option of surrogate mother, but decided that adoption
is more in sync with our morals and Christian values.
There are many children of all ages who dream of loving parents,
a real family and in a good home.
We can offer all the above and we thank God for giving us this opportunity
to help.
Read the article YAHOO NEWS/Millions gathering worldwide to ring in New Year
Happy 4 billion 500 million 2 thousand and 11
Read the article YAHOO NEWS/Millions gathering worldwide to ring in New Year
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"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."
--Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/2010: The Year in Review from Huffington Post Bloggers
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My past year had highs and lows, most of the time more lows, but I'm thankful for maintaining a roof over my head, food on my table, you know, the basics.
And, I've learned to take it slower in all things. I don't allow myself to panic or become unhinged at the slightest prov@cation. I also apply my 24-hour rule more regularly: I don't react to any occurrence with a more immediate sense of urgency. Nothing much is gonna happen in 24 hours that I can't handle nor will a situation resolve itself, necessarly, within those 24 hours. It gives me time to think and rethink anything. I can't tell you the number of times whereby I felt I NEEDED to respond, act or resolve any situation.
But, you know what I found out? The world doesn't stop for me and most of the time things work out. Oh, BTW, I've been unemployed since January 2008, (just acquired a job two weeks ago), so it's not like I didn't have concerns in being able to maintain.
Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/2010: The Year in Review from Huffington Post Bloggers
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As Epictetus said so long ago, It's not our experiences, but how we view our experiences that matters.
Expectations for NYE are pumped to the bursting-point and the result, of course, is savage disappointment.
We must learn to think for ourselves, rather than be manipulated by commercially-driven media--more easily said than done in the affluent world!
Happy 2011: opportunities ahead (if we take them) to be good people, to be generous people, to be wise and caring to others and ourselves.
Good luck to us!
Read the article GUARDIAN/In praise of an alternative ...New Year's Eve
BLIZZARD WRAPS UP EAST COAST
I have a magnificent view of the blizzard. I'm 3000 miles away from it and will watch it on my mother's livecam, which she has pointed at the village and the mountain. Break out the roasted chestnuts!
Read the article DAILY BEAST/Blizzard barrels down on northeast
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The sun can rise in the east every day and the cranks will say, see I told ya so, climate change is bunk. They won't get it until it is too late. And so it goes. *
Back to winter blizzards. I love this stuff. you can't fight nature. A good blizzard that shuts everything down isn't such a bad thing. We work too much, way too much especially when compared to other industrial countries.
Stop and smell the roses, or the fresh fallen snow.
Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/Snowstorm blanets east, frustrating travelers
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What I never seem to understand is the huge run on shovels, snow brushes, ice scrapers, etc. What happened to the shovel you had last year?
I have seriously had the same shovel for about 10 years now. When springtime comes, I put it away, and take it out when winter comes again.
I am sure there are some new residents here that didn't have one before so they need one, and some people broke one, but every year there is a huge run on them, and the stores are completely wiped out every storm.
Read the article BOSTON GLOBE/Storm reaches Boston; blizzard conditions and coastal flooding feared
Oh how I love some of the responses on this blog......this is New England folks...
Contrary to popular belief, it has actually snowed here before...Grab some firewood, wine and brew and hunker down for 24 hrs...what's the big deal here???
If you lose power for a day, man-up and layer up your clothes, throw a coat on and you'll be fine. I guess I don't understand the sheep mentality of rush to the supermarket,buy loaves of bread and gallons of milk....
Other than that I can only offer the pearl of wisdom which back in '78 would be considered common sense...don't drive tonight if you have old, balding tires...if I have to explain this then you should live in Florida or out on the left coast
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Read the article BOSTON GLOBE/Storm reaches Boston; blizzard conditions and coastal flooding feared
REPEAL OF "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL"
What makes a good soldier, sailor marine or airman is not what sex they are or even who they have it with. A good military man or woman is defined by how well they perform their duties(period)
Read the article NPR/Obama: Repeal of "Don't Ask. Don't Tell' will strengthen national security
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I have run into a few gay service members over the past few years. (And probably lesbians as well, but I've found that I cannot identify them as easily.) These guys were didn't cause any problems with their heterosexual counterparts, and most of their comrades already knew that they had gay soldiers in their midst.
There were no issues with showering, socializing, or going into combat. There was only one awkward thing going on: No one could ask and no one could tell. Now we can all ask and tell away, and ultimately discover that most of us don't give a crap anyway.
What now? Don't ask don't tell for homophobics?
If you're afraid that you cannot turn your back on your own regiment and duck for incoming fire, without someone ignoring all the carnage and thinking "Hey,.... nice butt", you now have the right to keep that ridiculous notion to yourself.
PS: Can we move on to what we can do to fight rapes of female service members now?
Read the article NPR/Obama: Repeal of "Don't Ask. Don't Tell' will strengthen national security
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Time will tell on any positive, negative or neutral effects of this policy shift. My gut tells me (in knowing how the military operates) that this will be nothing more than a small speed bump that in time will be part of the normal road map.
Very likely only about 11% of the general public will continue to have a discussion about the issue. The rest of use will have moved on to more important and pressing matters. This is a done deal and really nothing more to discuss.
Read the article NPR/Obama: Repeal of "Don't Ask. Don't Tell' will strengthen national security
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As a retired Coast Guardsman, I believe that the repeal of DADT was going to happen eventually. The plan for implementation appears to be well thought out. Everyone needs to be on the same page for this evolution to occur without problems and that will require everyone to be trained about the rules and regulations.
I am not gay, but I believe that gays can serve and have served in our armed forces without problems if sexual orientation is not brought into the work place. Both straights and gays need to just continue on doing what they do best...the mission. Yes, there will be some that will act up on both sides of the issue; and they need to be firmly disciplined for their actions without regard to sexual orientation. There will be some bumps, but it's time to get back to defending our nation...
Read the articleCNN/Headlines aside, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" stays in place
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As a nation, we make very slow progress toward equality for all. Slavery was abolished. Women were enfranchised. Facilities were integrated. Gays now will not be automatically discharged from the military. Of course, gays can't marry, and, in many areas, women are denied control over their own bodies, but progress has been made.
What's outrageous is the enduring bigotry of so many Americans. Most of the people (straight white males, coincidentally) who have commented on this issue would have opposed every one of the steps toward greater equality that I just listed. They've always had it good, and they see no need to share with others who aren't like them.
Read the article WALL STREET jOURNAL/Obama signs "Don't Ask' repeal into law
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Why is this a priority when our country is at war and experiencing the worst economy in our lifetimes? Gays have served, continuously and proudly, for our entire history.
What is the point of repealing DADT? What will the consequences be of serving 'openly'? If you, as an individual, or you, in terms of your lifestyle or sexual orientation, are more important than the mission, more important than the branch of service you represent, more important than our country, you are in truth lost and have no sense of honor.
Read the article WALL STREET jOURNAL/Obama signs "Don't Ask' repeal into law
ON 150TH ANNIVERSARY SECESSION DIVIDES SOUTH CAROLINA
I grew up in the deep south where the Civil War was referred to as the War of Northern Aggression. While in the 7th grade, my family's TV repairman was convicted of fire-bombing a black family's home. The entire family was killed.
Afterwards, I recall the repairman's son telling me at school one day that he could not wait until he was eighteen so he could be the best klansman he could be. I was horrified that this was his life-goal.
Dress it up any way you wish, but the stars and bars are a symbol that hurts other Americans. The SC parade and secession celebration hurts other Americans. That there are those who died valiantly trying to protect a way of life founded on the subjugation of others is not the point. Our ancestors were wrong then and those of us who perpetuate the 'noble conflict' myth of "states rights" and champion this ugly chapter in our history are wrong now
Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/South Carolina celebration of secession sparks new tensions
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North Carolina native long time resident of Charleston, and have lived in Mississippi and Alabama so I am familiar with my own history. That life experience, my studied readings and the four graduate degrees, resulted in it never crossing my mind to read the Wiki site. Why, did I miss something?
Secessionism was about the personal right to remain ignorant. No less than the resistance to evolution and science is rooted in an unyielding commitment to being authoritative without having to actually do more then read a single book and declare it the ultimate source of truth and knowledge. Celebration of ignorance, even when draped in flags and pomp and circumstance is hardly a thing upon which to build a mythos of traditions.
Similarly, ad hominem attacks, even when oblique, are no substitute for rational consideration of the merit and faults of any given argument.
Even in the most generous interpretation of the causes of the war, the issues fall into corporate interests of the North imposing monopolistic policy upon the agrarian South and so the issue of secession would have mistakenly identified the federal government as the source of the problem when it would have been industrial monopolistic influence. The revolution should, therefore, have been directed towards the management of financial influence upon government.
That, however, is an inconvenient narrative. The secession was only incidentally about the marketing of goods to foreign interests and the free trade of products on an open market. The secessionists' documents clearly indicate the cause as a perceived attack upon the southern tradition of slavery.
The rebellion can, only with imaginative gymnastics, be understood as an economic struggle. A more honest interpretation admits that it was essentially the embracing of an arrogance of ignorance within a dream of glory, at the expense of a race of people. It is a dream which has proven sublimely resistant to progress, and from which it is not yet clear that the South has awakened
Read the article THE STATE/S.C. to mark 150th anniversary of momentuous, tragic war
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It should be clear to anyone with a modicum of an historical sense that South Carolina lost the Civil War in more ways than one.
Just think for one minute (it took less than 20 years after WW II for Japan to rebuild and another 20 for it to become an economic power house - it took Germany 30 years to recover from WW II, and another 10 to become an economic giant. It has taken more than 150 years for South Carolina to fully recover from the Civil War. Germany and Japan were rebuilt with the aid of the U.S. Both of those countries have large US military presence, and so does South Carolina. Germany and Japan have laws against glorifying their war mongering past. South Carolina, hah! No such luck. Isn't that strange to anyone? Some people in this state have been in a state of denial for 145 years.
After the Civil War the United States government had a reconstruction plan for the entire South, just as there was a Reconstruction plan for all of Europe. The Marshall plan came and went and Europe has never looked back. The South with all their grand delusions about gallantry and glory can't help but look back. The ignorance that prevented the South from benefiting from its "Marshall Plan" has been alive and well for more than 145 years and can be pointed to more than anything else for the "underachievement" in this state and others.
Just imagine the human resources that were deprived of development all those years because of hatred, evil, and selfishness. Isn't it remarkable, and ironic too that two of the largest manufacturers in the state, are German and Japanese automakers? The lesson this teaches is that the USA is very good to the nations it defeats, and tries hard to be good to the Confederate nation that still thinks it is right.
Read the article THE STATE/S.C. to mark 150th anniversary of momentuous, tragic war
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"....But we do celebrate the courage and the integrity of 170 men who signed their signatures to the Article of Secession – the courage of men to do what they think is right.”
Really? I think if there was a gala ball to celebrate or honor the courage and integrity of the men of the SS...the Nazis who fought and died for their beliefs- people would be appalled. Death and war is not ever something to celebrate, yes. And veterans should be respected and honored, yes....but there are causes that are wrong- bottom line. And veterans of those causes who died for their beliefs, though tragic, should not be celebrated for their unjustifiable beliefs.
Just because you have the courage to stand up for what you believe, does not mean that what you believe is right or that it should be honored. Hitler, Mussolini, even Bin Laden...they all stood up for what they believe...should we as Americans honor their courage with a gala ball? I don't think so. Did I personally have slaves? No. But as a southerner, I would feel a tremendous amount of guilt in attending ANY event that even slightly celebrates and honors confederate soldiers or a time when slavery was seen as acceptable. From his comments, it appears Mark Simpson has not truly thought his argument through.
Read the article THE STATE/S.C. to mark 150th anniversary of momentuous, tragic war
I am a direct descendent of one of the signers of the SC secession article. I feel that having a Secession ball is in poor taste. We can't change history (nor can I be held responsible for what my relative did) but I do not understand why the people in the South still feel we need to celebrate this occassion. It should be viewed as a solemn occassion. Yes, times were different, but slavery was as wrong then as it is now.
Read the article THE STATE/S.C. to mark 150th anniversary of momentuous, tragic war
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Those of you comparing the South to Al Qaeda or the Nazis need to learn how to read. That's an absurd analogy. The South did not bomb innocent civilians, nor did they fight to conquer other nation states and engage in genocide.
And saying that the War was about slavery is an over-simplification. The causes of that war were complex, but they were much more about power and economics than about a moral crusade to end slavery. It was a cultural war because we hated each other. It was an economic war because the agrarian South was enduring tariffs that helped the industrial North at the South's expense.
It was a political war because it concerned the expansion of slave states in the west. The slave states were not important for the fact they owned slaves, but instead for the fact that they would vote with the southerners in Washington.
It was also a moral war to free the slaves (after the Emancipation Proclamation) but the moral cause was secondary to the bigger picture of a union that wanted to maintain its power against a smaller group that wanted its independence.
Read the article THE STATE/S.C. to mark 150th anniversary of momentuous, tragic war
AMBASSADOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE, THE PUGNACIOUS PEACEMAKER
"You've got to stop this war in Afghanistan." This was spoken by Mr. Holbrooke, veteran diplomat, as he was facing life-threatening surgery.
Those words are the most important words of wisdom spoken by a man speaking the most important truth confronting probable imminent end of life.
Those words are meant to be heard and internalized by President Obama. It concerns the wellbeing of 308 million Americans and 28 million Afghanis, and the fate of America.
I salute Mr. Holbrooke for his true measure of care for America. This nation awaits a meaningful response from President Obama, not the Pentagon. Although President Obama has received his Nobel Prize for Peace, he has not yet earned it.
Mr. Holbrooke's urgent message remains in the air to remind President Obama of his solemn duty to stop the war, secure peace, and get on with the vital task of rebuilding American society at home in United States of America. That's the solemn duty for which the American people elected him.
Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/Richard Holbrooke dead: diplomat dies at 69
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Our country needs more leaders like Richard Holbrooke. Leaders who are intellectually gifted and well informed, who act with courage and conviction and who carry themselves with class and distinction.
His accomplishments and talents highlight the tragedy of current politics where "leaders" are gossip magazine fodder and seem to be more concerned about portraying themselves as "average joe's" than displaying any true leadership abilities. His skills will be greatly missed.
Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/Richard Holbrooke dead: diplomat dies at 69
It is telling that "Holbrook's relationship with Afghan President Hamid Karzai was strained after their heated meeting in 2009 over the fraud-tainted Afghan presidential election."
Yet "U.S. military commanders in Afghanistan, not Holbrooke, were the ones who ended up developed the closest relations with the mercurial Afghan leader."
With his last words Holbrooke said "You've got to stop this war in Afghanistan." I don't think he chose his words lightly. I believe he meant them from deep within his soul.
This is the difference between a diplomat who wants to end the wars compared to the military that just wants to win them whatever the cost in lives or treasure.
RIP to a man who sought peace to the very end. Let us have the strength to grant his wish.
Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/Richard Holbrooke dead: diplomat dies at 69
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The European Union in fact played an important role in resolving the Balkan conflicts. This goes to the nature of warfare in the post Cold War world.
The US has far and away the most powerful military in the world. The US military is very effective at winning "wars", but it is not very adept at winning the "peace." Thus, the US could roll into Baghdad and topple Saddam Hussein in very short order - i.e., we could easily win the "war" - but we were totally unprepared to deal with the insurgency and civil war that inevitably followed. Similarly, in Afghanistan, we successfully drove the Taliban out of power relatively easily - again, we won the "war" - but the insurgency continues and peace remains out of sight.
By contrast, in the Balkans, the US military played a limited but essential role in driving Milosevic out of power and putting an end to most of the fighting. The European countries then played, for the most part, the crucial peacekeeping function that brought some measure of long-term security to the former Yugoslavia. European peacekeeping, combined with economic integration into the European Union, has been quite effective in bringing stability to the Balkans. It is a model for how "wars" need to be carried out in this century.
I think Holbrooke has been trying to duplicate this process in Afghanistan, but our principal "ally" in the region, Pakistan, is also probably our most dangerous enemy. And, there is no structure in the region comparable to the European Union that can play a peacekeeping function even if a military defeat of the Taliban could be achieved. However, Holbrooke's greatness was his conviction that just because a situation is complex and difficult, that does not mean that a successful resolution is impossible.
Read the article GUARDIAN/Tomasky - Richard Holbrook
'NO LABELS' BRAND SEEKS A BALANCED BREW
NO LABELS
I find it sad that instead of supporting efforts like this, with of course all due diligence, people will mock this effort. I am certainly one of the pessimists, but I also know that when men and women like these are caught in a wave of popular support, when we make doing right by us as attractive as taking a bribe, then we will see them change.
This should be supported cautiously. But supported none the less.
If any time elected officials try to break away from the corporate state, we do not support them we will see fewer than now willing to do it.
Our raging support for Sanders stand against the machine turned many heads.
Read the article RAW STORY/Public officials flock to anti-partisan 'No Labels' group
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Surprised at all the hate and negativity towards this. Yeah, it's a little smug, but all political movements are (I'm a Democrat and I LOATHED Obama Supporters while I was in New Hampshire. No fashion sense at all.) I always had a passion for politics, but it's almost impossible to talk about it these days, since the people who do want to talk about it are polarized assholes who think they and their party, whichever one it is, is infallible. So yeah, say what you will, but I'm all for a group promoting civil discourse.
And I end with a West Wing quote:
"If we're going to walk into walls I want us running into them full speed. We're going to lose some of these battles, and we might even lose the White House, but we're not going to be threatened by issues. We're going to bring 'em front and center. We're going to raise the level of public debate in this country, and let that be our legacy"
Read the article GAWKER/The fierce ideology of 'No Labels'
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My feelings for people on that list range from indifference to mild hate. The only positive feelings I have about any of them are limited to single-issue topics (Gillibrand's support for gay rights, Tony V's aggressive push for expanded transportation infrastructure in LA).
I fear that this is going to become the Democratic version of the Tea Party, same "populist" appeal, same fantastical vision of American politics, but instead of being rabidly anti-government and anti-tax, they'll just be rabidly "non-partisan," selling out their beliefs for the sake of their kumbayah-cooperative-street-cred. Even their messaging is as incomprehensible and nonsensical as the Tea Party.
The problem with these people is that they seem to forget that Democrats and Republicans have very different goals. And there's not necessarily anything wrong with that. I'm all for compromise, and pragmatic solutions, and incremental progress, but "NoLabels" just seems like a ringing endorsement of apathy to me.
Read the article GAWKER/The fierce ideology of 'No Labels'
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Who is signing on to this 'MOVEMENT" and what is a "no label" platform? I suspect it is one party or the other and another attempt to confuse , distract and defeat middle America.
Call me a skeptic but I've already been down the promise land road (like every election). We spent money on a deficit reduction commission and 10 days later propose an increase the deficit with a tax extension for ALL. I am in the mental frame that it is NOT ok to save one's leg and cut off a finger. Why can't we save both the leg and the finger? I know both sides arguments but does the middle want tax extensions for the 250K plus? The answer is let's take care of the short term and we'll address the long term later.
Well, it seems we are always in the short term. In two years we'll look at the short term again! Where is the middle on cutting government / increasing taxes to help the middle?
My belief is there is no middle represented and both sides only poster and then support anything that favors pushing wealth upwards (but just for the short time). The country is in deep you know what and I would join any honest realistic organization that would work for the middle country. But I'm not a fool to buy a pig in poke.
Read the article FOX NEWS/No Labels looks to make a political mark in the middle
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"Notice"! The scheduled meeting of the procrastinators club is canceled because no one showed up and a quorum is therefore not present." A Reader's Digest joke from long ago, that "rings true" today.
The science of politics is "fighting" not sitting around the campfire and singing kum-bay-yah songs.
The Art of politics, is pausing in the fighting long enough to agree on the points not worth fighting about, before resuming the fighting. Somewhere in the middle, in the "compromise" zone there will be found an area of common interest that the "greatest good for the greatest number" will be agreed upon and a law passed - (just to do it again in the "other house"), then on to the President, where the same process will go on again. It's a great process, but not one for the "impatient".
Read the article FOX NEWS/No Labels looks to make a political mark in the middle
COUNTING THE COST OF THE TAX-CUT DEAL
Isn't it ironic that just as we learn all the doom & gloom from the "Deficit Reduction Commission" and everyone is talking about fiscal discipline, the President and Congress reach a "compromise" that does NOTHING to address our fiscal imbalance, in fact it does the opposite - it makes it worse!
How in heaven's name are average Americans supposed to take our fiscal deficit seriously when our top political leaders are in a horse race to see who can cut which taxes the most?! This is truly absurd - I don't need 2% of my frickin Social Security tax, nor any of the other "trade offs" that I am being giving to justify keeping taxes on multimillionaires unreasonably low.
President Obama - do you really stand for ANYTHING? And Congressional Republicans - if tax rates are zero will you shut up already?!
Read the article DAILY BEAST/Dems point fingers over tax-cut deal
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There is a time to fight and a time to compromise. I think the President showed guts and strength to decide to compromise to make certain that the unemployed did not suffer during this time.
I think it is easy for someone to say, “let the tax cuts expire and the unemployment benefits expire” when you are already working. The middle class tax cuts are in place and the unemployed will get their benefits. It should have been obvious when the proposed bill for tax cuts for those making a million dollars or less failed, that there were going to be problems with the GOP.
We can’t always fight every situation and have so many suffer. The fight would have been ideological and political and would not have helped the middle class, poor or the unemployed. It is time to support this President as he makes the really tough decisions, that not many would have the guts or strength to do.
Read the article REUTERS/Testy Obama fires back at democrats over tax deal
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Why can’t we just agree that the federal government requires a certain percentage of GDP to finance itself. If, say that is 25% of GDP then set a flat tax on all citizens and corporations at that level so we are all paying an equal percentage of income.
The last time I checked being “rich” is not against the law and being “rich” does not increase your responsibility to everyone else. Do “wealthy” citizens use the roads more? Use more social services? Go to the hospital more? I don’t think so! And if you are of the mindset that being a certain “class” defines you as person (rich are evil or poor are freeloaders…) then you should take a closer look at yourself. Our rights should not be dictated by people that like to use “class” or “wealth” to drive their moral interpretations of what is “fair”.
The Federal government should be there to protect the rights of its citizens, provide for a common defense, enforce economic treaties and other cross-state issues such as environmental protections…and maybe if it stuck to that it could better afford itself.
We are all citizens and we all deserve equal opportunity but this in no way means equal outcomes. Some of us are born tall and beautiful, some have great athletic ability, some are born with amazing talents. Maybe we should cut them down a bit to make it fair to the rest of us “ordinary” people?
And yes, some of us (myself included) have real handicaps and do need help. If we were not trying to pay for everything for everyone we would have more for those that really need the help to get to self reliance. So please stop being jealous of what “they” have and focus on what you have and lets come up with a fair economic policy that does not try to make one group look like the enemy. It is a slippery slop when we let the government decide the winners and losers.
Read the article REUTERS/Testy Obama fires back at democrats over tax deal
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Congratulations Republicans, you finally got what you wanted, more money for the top 3% of the wealthiest Americans, who most likely won’t spend it, nor funnel it back into the economy.
I read most reports on this and even the non-partisan CBO believes this option does not hold water. Even former Bush and Reagan economists agree on at least that principle!! I blame the misinformation from (faux sources) in placing their obligation from the wealthy above those in “real need”. “As the CBO notes, most Bush tax cut dollars go to higher-income households, and these top earners don't spend as much of their income as lower earners.
In fact, of 11 potential stimulus policies the CBO recently examined an extension of all of the Bush tax cuts ties for lowest bang for the buck. The government could more effectively stimulate the economy by letting the high-income tax cuts expire and using the money for aid to the states, extensions unemployment insurance benefits and tax credits favoring job creation.
Dollar for dollar, each of these measures would have about three times the impact on GDP as continuing the Bush tax cuts”. From now on I would love to hear arguments on those who say it is good for the long term. The tax cuts didn’t work during the recession and they certainly won’t be an effective deterrent to halt future spending in these tough economic times we are all experiencing, especially when coupled with “high-income” earners who don’t need it as opposed to “lower-income” who will.
Of particular concern is the “small business” term used to justify the tax-cut when most people don’t realize that according to the IRS there are 19 categories that define a small business, of those the last four have incomes reported over the $250,000 mark. The rest are mom and pop outlets and small companies. These four businesses are related to utility companies (electric anyone?) mining (nuff said), heavy industrial manufacturing and management of companies (holding companies)….hardly small businesses to any degree..
Read the article.ABC NEWS/ Tackling taxes: What the deal means for you
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Senator Warner is a hypocrite. The man made an obscene amount of money by taking advantage of government stupidity: He arranged to buy foolishly mis-priced cellular licenses from the government, with no intention of building a network, then instantly turned around and sold them to those who knew their true value. Now he's the champion of the public purse? Puh-leeze.
What is lost on many people is that tax revenue starts out as somebody's actual income; it was earned, bargained for, etc. It starts out belonging to them. Politicians say they "can't afford" a tax cut to "the rich", as if they were giving them the money, instead of the other way around. Spending never seems to be part of the conversation.
Read the article WALL STREET JOURNAL/Obama attempts to quell Democratic unrest on tax deal
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I am glad that the two parties are finally starting to work together. However, I'm cautious about the nature of the cooperation. I worry that by "compromising" in order to work together, the parties might actually move farther from the will of the American people.
I do really believe that an overwhelming majority of Americans support fiscal conservatism, they just have different interpretations of how to achieve it. And I also believe that an overwhelming majority of Americans support a more libertarian social policy--in contrast to the moralizing, socially conservative platform (i.e. "tough on crime", anti-marijuana legalization, anti-gay rights, anti-sex-ed) that the Republican party has pushed in recent years.
It seems so common sense to me that the way to work together is for the parties to come together in the way that best fits the will of the American people--by the Democrats agreeing to cut their spending, shy off on the regulatory approach to solving problems, and step into a space of fiscal responsibility and smaller government, and by the Republicans agreeing to set aside their agenda of pushing social conservatism.
Read the article WALL STREET JOURNAL/GOP, Democrats find common ground -- for now
"AMERICA, YOU HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM" -- ALAN SIMPSON
The US better shape up and do so fast. Investors, meaning those with the hundreds of billions like China, the Arabs, Japan, and cumulatively the larger emerging nations, are getting nervous. The only reason the US has not yet suffered the same fate as Europe in the last few days is that it is a better bet. The emphasis is on better, not good; I could have said a “good” bet but didn’t. The big investors are just as afraid of the lack of fiscal discipline in the US as in the European “PIGS” only not as much.
What this means is that the US is next, and it is inevitable. At its current rate of spending the US government is borrowing around one trillion dollars a year, give or take a few billion (who’s counting anymore). That rate of borrowing, mostly foreign, is unsustainable. Thus far a lot has come from foreign money already parked in the US—-what flowed in during the 2000s and was in private assets and Fannie and Freddie but was freed by the Fed’s QE1 and is currently not being invested in the private economy (and that is why unemployment remains high). There is only so much of that money. And there are only so much new savings being generated by the large foreign investors; they too are stimulating their economies.
So the “some years” the gurus keep telling us we still have are not really there. Even if foreign investors were willing to pump nearly a trillion a year into the US economy, they are not generating that much free capital. The bottom line: expect the European contagion to spread to the US soon, probably in the coming year. Even if the Administration and Congress get religion and stop squandering, it may be too late.
About the only thing the US can do today that is credible is to stop haggling over the deficit commission’s recommendations and accept them as presented by its two cochairmen. They are not perfect but they are better than nothing, or a measly pay freeze, and time is running out very fast.
Read the article WALL STREET JOURNAL/Deficit-panel chiefs urge tax, spending changes
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I've posted it many times and I'll post it again. Time to take ALL public employees off their huge pension entitlements and have one Social Security plan for ALL. Reform Social Security Disability by getting the people off the rolls who are abusing the system by claiming disability when they are not disabled at all. Cut the public workforce by 10%, yes, and salary freeze until there is parity with the private sector. I agree with others who believe it is time to rein in the EPA, DEA, FBI, OSHA, FEMA, TSA, etc., etc., as their effectiveness and cost is certainly questionable.
Read the article WALL STREET JOURNAL/Deficit-panel chiefs urge tax, spending changes
"Reform" is always in the eye of the beholder. Two interesting things about this:
1) First it is a staff document that was put together under the aegis of the the co-chairs. Notice how all the "members" don't claim to know or have responsibility for what is in it. Never a good sign.
2) We can cut the deficit by using the straightforward budget reduction techniques. Tax reforms may be a good thing, but they are not needed to cut the deficit. What is needed is constraint on spending related to the actual revenue received.
Read the article WALL STREET JOURNAL/Deficit-panel chiefs urge tax, spending changes
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Everyone in the country needs to get behind the deficit commission's proposal. This will help lead to smaller government, and get us back on the road to fiscal sanity, and it asks everyone to make sacrifices. I'm a political moderate, and I think the deficit commission deserves huge kudos for coming up with a serious proposal.
Via Andrew Sullivan, this quote from Kevin Drum is food for thought: "Cutting taxes makes government spending less expensive for taxpayers, which makes them want more of it. And politicians, obliging creatures that they are, are eager to give the people what they want. Result: lots of spending and lots of deficits."
Americans want it all, generous Medicare and Social Security benefits, and smaller government. We can't have it all. It's about time we recognized reality.
Read the article DAILY BEAST/Deficit commission stands by guns
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This is nothing but another assault on the average American's savings, in oder to line the pockets of the financial nobility.
Social Security is not even included in the budgetary process. It is financed by contributions, and is financially secure for the next 25 years.
So, basically what this commission (appointed by Obama) suggests in order to balance the budget is to include SS into the Federal budgeting process?
So retirement age will be raised to a point where people are unemployable. If they now retire at age 65 (because they can't find work after that age) they get penalized, and their measly $ 1.000/months SS-checks get cut to $ 750.
At the same time an Federal employee of any Federal Department takes 80% of their last pay home for the rest of their lives after only 20-25 years on the job?
Before we do that, why not prevent double dipping (i.e. people drawing checks from multiple pots) and cut retirement benefits of Federal and government-employees first, because these are budget items? How many people are out there that draw Social Security, VA, and federal benefit on top? Quite a few.
Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/Deficit commission slashes taxes for wealthy, corporations, while raising retirement age, cutting spending
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There is no perfect plan for controlling the budget. The Bowles-Simpson Commission, or at least the two chairmen, have put together a scheme by which everyone sacrifices.
If we've reached the point where that is not possible we can kiss this 200+ year experiment goodbye and standby for the cataclysm. I say let's go for it with whatever its imperfections and standby for more difficult decisions
If we can do this as an electorate we'll have learned that we can take the additional tough medicine ahead. God save the USA! And thanks to Bowles-Simpson.
Read the article NPR/On deficit reduction: What are the chances?
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Perhaps lowering the corporate tax rate needs a bit more investigation and vetting. U.S. corporations that seek tax refuge by using off shore tax havens should have the ‘actual’ rate applied to them, eliminating the current tax ‘break’ that they enjoy.
Further, a lowering of the corporate rate should be up for discussion only after many the U.S. corporations that currently pay much less than that rate are brought into compliance.
Remove all the tax loopholes for the corporations, then talk about a lower, flat rate of tax which applies across the board.
Gas taxes are regressive, forcing middle and lower income consumers to assume a disproportionate amount of the tax burden. In an economy that features a 16% actual unemployment rate, this measure is ill-advised and counterproductive.
Perhaps more of a spotlight needs to be shined on the plutocracy that exists currently in the U.S. Wall Street financeers and the wealthy elites have manipulated finacial serviecs into such a position of power in Washington that the two are now inseperable.
Until the banking trusts, and their strangle hold over Congress and the Executive branch, are broken up and brought under control, these proposed tax fixes will have to be enhanced as soon as the next govenrment bailout of the mega-banks occurs.
Read the article REUTERS/Deficit panel recalibrates
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The Schakowsky plan seems to me to be the a plan that could work. It seems to cover all the future issues. It could be a little less aggressive by cutting less from the defense budget and giving up on the cap and trade system. The overall savings total by 2015 would still be more than the silly Simpson/Bowles plan.
Getting rid of the current capital gains tax system and replacing it with the income tax is a good idea. Every one then is equal when it comes to profits. Taxes have to be progressive or they will never work.
Removing the caps on payroll taxes for employers and lifting the threshold above $106,000 for employees is a good idea since a larger percentage of the population earn more than the current limit. Payroll taxes touched a larger percentage of working population 20 years ago. We have to get back to the percentage.
Cutting cutting farm subsidies more aggressively I don’t think is an issue anymore since every farmer has a computer and has instant access to the issues that affect the choice and price of crops.
Alexis de Tocqueville said that the thing that made America great is that every one had a chance and that there was no aristocracy. He thought that the estate tax was good because it brought everyone back to a level playing field. Check out the book: (Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville)
Opportunity for all people in the states should be the goal.
Read the article REUTERS/Deficit panel recalibrates
READ MORE COMMENTS: NOVEMBER 2010
