I Like To Dream Of A Bright Sunny Day, How About You?

Here's an idea I just read about by Ross Douthat in the N.Y.Times. Both parties, the Republicans and the Democrats are indulging in a fantasy that they will gain a lasting supremacy over our country and drive all decision making on law for the foreseeable future. Well, we just saw all that unfolding in the debt limit debates. But Douthat points out that  no matter what happens, it's unlikely that either side will prevail for very long and that in the meantime we do need them to govern. Now there's the real problem. I think that things are going to swing back and forth just as always, but the need for sound governance remains no matter what. Right now we see more contentious disagreement in congress then usual. But also right now, because of the difficult economic times we're in, we need more sound governing. The thing is, right now we're seeing less sound governance. When you are fooled into thinking your side will find itself in a permanent position of power, folks seem to start acting like they're already there. That's when they usually make the worst mistakes. It's the mistakes that are the real problem because as soon as the other side gets back in control, they swing too far in the other direction in an attempt to reverse the actions. Right now, we need a congress that will govern sanely. Right now, congress is anything but sane. Right now we have a whole lot of people suffering and a very few living very comfortably. Everything the congress seems to be doing just exacerbates that imbalance. You have to wonder how many members of congress want exactly that scenario. Then you have to wonder just how many people want those congressmen to continue to represent them. Then you have to hope for a quick election that will return our congress to sanity. Boy are we dreamers.

What's Up At The Market?

Boy oh boy, the Standard and Poors downgrade of the U. S. rating from AAA to AA1/2 is sure setting a fire under a whole lot of people. Politicians are blaming each other for this bad news, and they're all correct in doing so. The Group of 7 countries are holding a teleconference, Israel is stalling the opening of it's market. All the world markets are in an uproar over it. But ya know what? They're the wrong markets that are in an uproar. Don't get me wrong, the downgrade could send stocks  down which hurts IRAs, and all sorts of retirement funds and credit. But like I said, it's the wrong market to worry about. The market everyone should be worrying about is the grocery market. Food prices keep going up, but fixed income folks aren't getting more income, minimum wage earners aren't getting any help either. Now if your retirement fund takes a hit, that's bad news. On the other hand, you'll still be able to afford to put food on the table and a roof over your head. So, it may not be the roof you always hoped for and it might not be steak, but it's still better then minimum wage. It's still a roof and it's still nutritious. But a minimum wage worker is a code phrase for, no benefits and part time employment. You should try living on $7.50 per hour. I'd hate to have to try. You would too. It wouldn't be so bad if companies had to pay a living wage, or had to sell products and food and rent homes or apartments for an affordable price. I understand that companies have to be competitive, I get it, but how about their employees? Don't they get to be competitive too, when they're at the store or at home? What galls most of these folks is that their bosses are extremely competitive when it comes to their salaries and benefits, but not so much when it comes to the employees. Then they get upset if the employees decide to organize. I'm not asking for a complete redistribution of wealth, but just a little help would be appreciated. Come on. You rich folks can afford it.  Honestly, it's the right thing to do.

It May Be No Big Deal To Some, But It Is The Constitution.

Here in America we have this thing we call a Constitution. It's a small thing, but it's ours. We sort of like to follow it's instructions. Which is why I am so confused. If you listen to Republicans, especially Tea Party folks, you hear them talk all the time about following the Constitution. They talk about getting back to following the Constitution and what the forefathers envisioned. But if you read the Constitution and listen to them, you'd think they were talking about something else. They talk about a Christian  nation where others aren't really welcome. By others I think they mean non white, non Christian. Another thing you might wonder about is how the Constitution they talk about all the time calls for majority rule.  But since they're in the minority, they think they should rule. Now the Constitution says that not only should the majority rule, but it should always be vigilant to make sure the rights of the minority not be trampled upon. Ya know, that's a really good idea. We should always try to be fair to the minority. And I think we have. After all, we seem to have allowed them to take over the government and run the country. The thing is, however, they don't seem to be worried about the rights of the majority.  I guess it's a fine point, but I suppose it's not the responsibility of the minority to be vigilant about the rights of the majority. Now to be fair, the Republicans do hold the majority in the House of Representatives. But the Tea Party isn't even a majority in the Republican party. So here you have something like 15 or 20 percent of the Congress, completely in charge. How did they do that? Who gave them that much authority? What's that? You say they just took it? How did they do that? Do you suppose the rest of the Republican party and all of the Democrat party just cowered in the corner and let them? I'll bet that's exactly what happened. Boy I'll bet the president has chastised them for this infringement on the Constitution. What's that? You say the president is in the corner too? Well, who's in charge of the government? Oh, that's right. You did say the Tea Party is in charge. Well, I guess there won't be any new jobs until the debt is cleared up. I think the predictions are that will happen right after a comet crashes into the earth and destroys all life on the planet. Where would the Tea Party be without a Constitution.

Have I Got A Deal For You.

Folks, I still can't get over General Electric. Like our government, I'm just so darned proud of G.E. Can you imagine? Last year they had five billion dollars in profit. That's right five billion. And that's just in the good ole U. S. of A. They had even more profits overseas, for which they paid taxes. It's just that they paid taxes on that foreign profit to other countries. Here in the U. S. they paid,--- are you ready for this?  They paid a whopping, ahh, umm. Well the thing is they didn't have to pay any taxes on that five billion dollars. Do you mean to tell me that's it? They didn't have to pay any taxes and it was all above board? Hmmm, well ahhh, actually that's not all. See, the government was so proud of the job G. E. did that it gave them a three billion dollar bonus just for good measure. Hey. Wait a minute. That's sixty percent of what they made in profits. That increases their profits to eight billion dollars. Here, let me put it in perspective for you, so you'll better understand. If you made $50,000 last year and you didn't have to pay any taxes, you should have gotten $30,000 extra from the government. Or if you made $30,000, you'd pay no taxes and get $18,000. $20,000? No taxes and $12,000. If things went bad for you and you only made $10,000, you'd still get $6,000 and pay no taxes. Now if---. What's that you say? You did pay taxes and you didn't get any bonus money from the government? How does that make you feel? Uh huh. Well if I were you, I'd get in touch with your two Senators and your Representative and tell them you'd like the same deal that G. E. got. After all, fair is fair. And if they complain, tell them you'll create a job. Hey, somebody's gotta mow your lawn, right?

How Do You Reduce Debt And Create Jobs At The Same Time?

Here's another reason for Americans to be proud of it's legislators. Because of Republican Congressmen and Senators and the Airline industry, who are against simple majority votes, concerning unionization of Airline and Railroad workers, they have forced the FAA nearly out of existence. Temporarily the FAA is paying Air Traffic Controllers and Airplane inspectors out of "other sources". For how long this will work, I don't know. But because of this, several things are happening. First the FAA can no longer collect the taxes paid by passengers for flights. Hey sounds great, right? Not so fast. Airlines just raised the price of the tickets the exact amount of the tax, so you're still paying the same price. Funny how that worked out. Only it has cost the government hundreds of millions of dollars so far. And now that the Congress finally got past the debt ceiling thing, they all went home for a month. By the time they return, the government will have lost over one billion dollars in revenue. The FAA had to lay off 4,000 employees which put another 70,000 out of work. How's that for debt reduction and job creation? In a move to temporarily extend the FAA's ability to function, it was decided to stop funding some rural airports. So guess where the Republican controlled house decided to close airports? Only in Democrat's districts. Like Harry Reid's district. It's either that or eliminate the simple majority rule on unionization thing. Does any of this strike a cord? It's something of a hostage deal again. Hey, it worked so well during the debt ceiling negotiations, it looks like that's how the new rules of Congress will work. Yes boys and girls. The minority does control the Congress and the White House. In a way it does sound funny doesn't it? Then again, it's sort of sad to see our government knuckle under to extortion.

Balance This.

So. Let me ask you this? Who thinks the country should pass a balanced budget amendment? You know. A "pay as you go" plan? Well who can say they have, in fact who has always had such a plan in place in their household? You do? I beg to differ with you. I don't think you have. I can say that because I don't know any people, or at least very very few, who can honestly say that. Do you have any idea what that means?  It means no car loan. No mortgage on your house. You always have to pay cash. If everyone had to live by those rules, very few folks would own their own homes. Then again, who would be the landlords for all the people who would suddenly become renters? I can only imagine a system like medieval Europe with lords and surfs. Think back to all the things in your life that you bought on time. Now imagine what you would have done without those things. Where would you have lived? With your parents and grandparents? How about getting to work? How about that great vacation you're still paying on? Have you paid off your student loan yet? Or the wedding, or the ring? What about all those Christmas presents bought on your charge cards? In fact, what charge cards? Now I understand that a number of states have balanced budget requirements, but a budget can always be "balanced" so long as you're willing to "play" with the figures. It's what's between those little dashes that matters. In a local city, the budget for this year was balanced by assuming that certain revenue would be forthcoming. Well guess what? It didn't happen. It was never expected to happen. By anybody. But it balanced the budget. Now they've got as problem. There's an old slang saying that figures lie and liars figure. To be sure, our country has overstepped it's borrowing. By just a tad. But, boy oh boy what a tad. If anybody thinks that the, just signed, legislation solves the problem, it hasn't even begun the process. That's because figures aren't the only ones to lie. Congress has far more experience and a lot more finesse then Bernie Maddof. And ya can't put them in jail for it.

It's High Tea Time In The Old Town Tonight.

Here's something for the record-books. Ya know all the Tea Party favorites that got elected to congress in 2010 who promised to eliminate wasteful spending? No more earmarks? Well at least 22 of them have quietly fought tooth and nail for pet hometown projects. One of them, when questioned about the pork project, stated it wasn't an earmark because the price wasn't included. The price wasn't included? Isn't that worse then pork? Another, Rep. Bachmann, said of hers that a bridge is better than a teapot museum. Well, yes it is better than a teapot museum, but then it's a bridge that supposedly breaks the law covering scenic rivers. One congressman voted to cut out an earmark, but then quietly added the earmark back in. Now, far be it from me to find fault with an elected representative of the people just because he or she has managed to go back on his or her word of honor, but don't you think these folks should have trouble sleeping at night? It seems they do not. You see, they did these things in order to please certain folks from their home districts. Like when you require that the Pentagon build a new ship it doesn't want and doesn't know how to pay for. It's not that I want to be critical or that I want to see people not get a new job, but maybe we could get them a job building something that somebody actually wants. By somebody, I mean somebody that knows how to pay for it. Wanting a willing and able customer isn't unreasonable, is it?