Do it for "the children"

Hey, I'll stoop to almost any level to keep my own money out of the hands of the do-gooders and those drunk with spending power in government. I used to work for a government agency. I know what it's like to work with project managers that spend money like a trust fund brat. It's because it's not THEIR money. It's so easy to remove yourself from being responsible for spending monies wisely, when it's not yours. You can usually get more by raising taxes, fees, or waiting for next fiscal year's allotment or next month's government check. When it comes to your own money, you are much more responsible.

Our federal and state governments have lost all objectivity when it comes to spending and redistributing OUR money. Money is what gives politicians and bureaucrats their power and influence, so asking them to be more responsible and actually reduce spending is akin to trying to take crack away from an addict. Democrats and liberals have traditionally been the ultimate purveyors of this ethos, but lately the Republicans have been vying for the title.

I’ve said this many times before, but I’ll say it again. Government will not get smaller, it will only get BIGGER. The inevitable destination is socialism. We can only do what we can to slow the rate of growth of government and our demise towards socialism.

Now for the children. Understand that if the Democrats take control of Congress this fall, they WILL raise taxes by:

[1] Allowing the Bush income tax cuts to expire.
[2] Allowing the capital gains tax cuts to expire.
[3] Allowing the estate (death) tax cuts to expire.
[4] Raise taxes anyway because that's what they do. (Sorry, couldn't resist...)

Tax cuts don’t affect only the “rich”. Go back and read my 9/18/06 blog about the government’s definition of the “rich”. That’s YOU. Higher taxes harm the poor and the top 50% of wage earners so much more than the intended targets of the higher taxes (the evil top 10%). Higher taxes ultimately translate into less money in your pocket to care for your family. Fewer resources available to feed your children, buy school supplies, clothes, save for college, pay for your children’s medication, or keeping the stay-at-home parent at home.

Please vote Republican, for the children.

At least one Liberal gets it

Here's a great admission from a self confessed liberal concerning the way most liberals have their collective heads in the sand concerning the war on terror.

It gives me a few seconds of hope that the world isn't spiraling out of control into the abyss, but only a few.

Tax the Rich!

It is always good to remind people, especially this time of year (quarterly estimated taxes were due on 9/15 and it's election time), of who gets the privilege to foot the bill that funds all of the programs, benefits, infrastructure, and services that we all enjoy, despise, and take for granted.

According to the latest available census data (2003):

The top 1% of wage earners pay 34.27% of all income taxes.
The top 5% of wage earners pay 54.36% of all income taxes.
The top 10% of wage earners pay 65.84% of all income taxes.
The top 25% of wage earners pay 83.88% of all income taxes.
The top 50% of wage earners pay 96.54% of all income taxes.

What is that magic 50% wage level? It’s a lot lower than you think - try $29,019! If you pay taxes, you’re most likely to be above 50%, you evil rich bastard! The super-rich top 1% earned $295,495-plus. You're richer than you think, at least according to the government, socialists, liberals, progressives, and Democrats.

Remember this when you hear from all of the whiners that say the “rich” do not pay their “fair share” of taxes. We pay plenty.

Remember this also when you vote for politicans or ballot initiatives that will raise the taxes on the so called "rich". YOU are one of them and you're just taking more of your own money away from yourself. Duh.

Status Quo for Dummies

With the electoral season rapidly approaching, I found myself cynically thinking (who, me?) about all of the new people running for elected office in Washington, DC. I recall similar thoughts back in 1994 when the Republicans began their takeover of Congress. These newly elected representatives were all excited and eager to make a difference. Sadly, they quickly came face-to-face with the establishment. Guess who won?

The establishment is a well-oiled machine - not very efficient, but very powerful. The metaphorical lubrication keeping this ever-expanding monstrosity going is money, power, influence, and control. This machine’s primary purpose is maintaining the status quo, and more importantly, keeping the American aristocracy in power.

How many of the kin of the Kennedy’s, Bush’s, Gore’s, Rockefeller’s, Forbes’ (the list is almost endless) and other such powerful families have there been and are still answering the "calling" of public service? The reason these wealthy families are in positions of influence is because long ago, some descendant in the family tree became part of the machine, either as a member of the government, or a business partnered with the government. From that point forward deep roots intertwining with the inner workings of the government are grown. Children and other close family members continue the legacy of the family’s participation in the machine, and they work tirelessly to maintain the potency of their influence.

This brings me back to my first paragraph. When these naïve people enter the hallowed halls of government, all bright-eyed and full of dreams of possibilities, do you really think that they’re going to make a difference? Not a chance. There is a distinct culture thriving in the Beltway and your state capitals that has been in existence from day one. This culture lives by the real golden rule, which is he who has the gold makes the rules. These people simply become new members of the machine, pining and scheming for more power, influence, and incumbency.

Think about this in a different way. Let’s hypothetically say that you suddenly became President of the United States tomorrow. You want to clean house and change the way government works. Unless you completely gut the entire apparatus, you will fail. How long will it take for the millionaire former senator, corporate CEO, Wall Street mogul, or Hollywood entertainer to come knocking on your Oval Office door offering “advice” or offering to “help” you achieve a particular goal because they have the right “connections” to make it happen? So it begins again...

When one company takes over another, do they give all employees pink slips? Nope, otherwise you just form a new company from scratch. Generally, only a few people in key levels of management are replaced and the rest of the rank and file remains the same. It’s the same from one Administration to another. Only the cabinet heads and a few top-level assistants change. The rest of the rank and file career government employees keep their jobs. Do you think that these supposedly non-partisan people don’t have their own little fiefdoms to defend and maintain? There are well established methods to get things done in government and a few rotating representatives and bureaucrats aren’t going to change or disrupt the status quo. One doesn't go against the machine.

Establishment aristocracy =1, citizen = 0

... but then you knew that didn’t you? Why should history change?