Re(1): 'It was never OK to carve up Czechoslovakia', Ed Morrissey, HotAir.com
Re(2): 'Bush, and His Use of Appeasement', Bruce Ramsey, The Seattle Times
Re(3): 'Hypocricy on Hamas', James P. Rubin, WashingtonPost.com
1. First the good. Actually the very good. The more I think about it - good enough to be on my permanent 'My Favorite Posts' blogroll. I still use that thing for research. Anyone else find it valuable?
Ed Morrissey's post 'It was never OK to carve up Czechoslovakia' concisely argues the fact that there was absolutely NO justification for allied nations GIVING AWAY a sovereign state during a negotiation with a tyrant.
None.
Nada.
Never.
Morrissey further emphasizes this obvious point (obvious to anyone but the oblivious MoonBat Left) by recalling history anyone with eyes or finger sensation or ears could attain in a few moments of research. The fact that Hitler’s Germany acted in bad faith on the world’s stage for years prior to England and France ceding half a sovereign state to its clutches. They rearmed in violation of treaty. They increased military manpower in violation of treaty. They attacked and took territory in violation of treaty. They built a vast submarine fleet in violation of treaty. And, they acted the part of barbarian hoards for years prior to WWII.
Basically, that era of Krauts behaved like this era of Islamofascists.
Hence the name, eh.
2. Now the bad. Actually, the very bad. Now that I am thinking about it - the completely ignorant and stupid and vapid.
If I only had a blogroll for idiotic MSM ‘journalism’. But I don’t – and won’t. That task would be a full time job.
First, the wizened opinion of an idiot. Namely, Bruce Ramsey and his argument that Hitler’s Germany had some righteous arguments for demanding and accepting part of a sovereign state – just prior to rolling his tanks over the rest a few months later. You see, Hitler’s demands were reasonable because part of the Czechoslovakia Republic spoke German and because the great powers had to avoid war. Dude (I now speak a language he understands), Switzerland's official language is German. Dude, we speak a Germanic language. Dude, we sent black people to Berlin's Olympics to whomp on Aryan Germanic Ass. We Americans oppressed the German Nazis by sending a 'nigga' to show them up on their own racist home turf. The Krauts had basis for negotiating the cession of at least half the American eastern seaboard for that slight. They were oppressed, very oppressed, mightily oppressed, etc...
And to top it off, Bruce just committed a blogospheric injustice by rewriting his trash. Still not much better. Try again bubba. I’ll find the original version for posterity sake.
Moron.
Fool.
And, a fool is forever.
Second, a Clintonoid named James Rubin misquotes his own videotape and transcribed interview with Senator John McCain to make McCain look like an ObamAppeaser. It’s not every day that an MSM moron can – or will – misquote his own interview. But, here we have it!!!
Rubin quotes McCain word for word, nuance for nuance, inflection for inflection, facial expression for facial expression, etc. on the first thirty seconds of a videotaped interview he had with McCain two years ago when Hamas was dutifully elected by the enlightened citizens of Hamasistan. But, whoops, the dog ate the next thirty seconds. Certainly nobody would catch him with only half his homework done. I mean, if the WashedOutPost editors and fact checkers don’t call him on his inadvertent misplacement of an important quote than some slugs in their pajamas never will!!!
Let her ride!!!
You two ignorant turds.
The Web is Forever.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Brave Mam Clinton
Re(1): 'Shameless liar on Bosnia: I’m only human', Hot Air, AllahPundit
Re(2): 'HILLARY - OBAMA: Sucking all the cash out of the Democrats?', Instapundit, Reynolds
Re(3): 'The presidential race in perspective', KnoxNews, Michael Silence
Only a Lib would brag about being part of President Clinton's crack Foreign Policy Squad...
I think al-Qaeda operatives saw Mrs. Clinton snorkeling around the docks of Aden harbor after the Cole bombing. Bin Laden and his brave Minutemen ran for the hills.
She was on-site immediately following the Khobar Towers bombing. She single handedly captured an al-Qaeda financier. Guns blazing, Brave Mam Clinton gave fair warning, requested the door be opened, and read the Minuteman his rights. That criminal got off on a technicality by some kinda troglodyte man.
And, she defied the ‘wag the dog’ commentary and personally guided a Tomahawk missile to an Iraqi WMD factory – or maybe an aspirin factory – but, it is the thought that counts. Rode that missile like the brave pilot in ‘Doctor Strangelove’. Gods, she was beautiful.
Finally, in yet another example of leadership in a time of crisis Hillary Clinton braved smoke and mirrors saving victims from the 1st World Trade Center bombing. As a result, there were only six fatalities.
Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
Re(2): 'HILLARY - OBAMA: Sucking all the cash out of the Democrats?', Instapundit, Reynolds
Re(3): 'The presidential race in perspective', KnoxNews, Michael Silence
Only a Lib would brag about being part of President Clinton's crack Foreign Policy Squad...
I think al-Qaeda operatives saw Mrs. Clinton snorkeling around the docks of Aden harbor after the Cole bombing. Bin Laden and his brave Minutemen ran for the hills.
She was on-site immediately following the Khobar Towers bombing. She single handedly captured an al-Qaeda financier. Guns blazing, Brave Mam Clinton gave fair warning, requested the door be opened, and read the Minuteman his rights. That criminal got off on a technicality by some kinda troglodyte man.
And, she defied the ‘wag the dog’ commentary and personally guided a Tomahawk missile to an Iraqi WMD factory – or maybe an aspirin factory – but, it is the thought that counts. Rode that missile like the brave pilot in ‘Doctor Strangelove’. Gods, she was beautiful.
Finally, in yet another example of leadership in a time of crisis Hillary Clinton braved smoke and mirrors saving victims from the 1st World Trade Center bombing. As a result, there were only six fatalities.
Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
An Easter Look at Killing...
Re(1): As US Deaths In Iraq Approach 4,000 Over 5 Years, Some Perspective, The Strata-Sphere, AJ Strata
Re(2): 'What is the real death toll in Iraq?', The Guardian, Jonothan Steele and Suzanne Goldenberg
Let us look at some nasty statistics this Easter. Let us see if the SurrenderMedia can find a nugget of crap to chew upon:
A review of recent statistics demonstrates (Using the ICC stats, assuming a 6 month average of 552 wartime fatalities per month which seems to be the current level):
Iraq Civilian Casualties as a result of the war:
24.1/100,000The pre-surge rate was: 74.7/100,000
United States
Murders and Suicides: 16.3/100,000
Murders only: 5.6/100,000
So, Iraq is not the United States. It is not England. It is not Japan. Iraqi’s are not as worried about single payer healthcare or whatever as we are. However, the situation has dramatically improved and that improvement is accelerating.
From 'What is the real death toll in Iraq?’
Maximum Accepted Saddam-Era state sponsored mortality
1 million killings over 35 years, rate: 105.45/100,000
Accepted count of 380,000 Saddam state sponsored killings over those 35 years - not including Iran/Iraq war: 41.1/100,000.
Thus, Saddam killed about 11,300 per year every year. And these were state murders – not illnesses, accidents, old age, etc. And, should we not include Saddam’s unjust wars? And, the ratio seemed to accelerate through the years!!!
Surge era killings by ‘militants’ and coalition troops will result in about 6,600 per year at the current ratio. And, this ratio has a solid chance to decline as al-Qaeda weakens. Thus, the norm in Iraq under Saddam was almost double that of the current ICC stats and the differential will likely widen.
Anyone want to claim that Saddam and his lovely children and sycophants would have worked hard on behalf of the Iraqi people to reduce the state sponsored murder rate?
Or, would that pathetic genocidal murderer simply assume he had a god given mandate to murder citizens since they voted for him at a 95+% rate?
Re(2): 'What is the real death toll in Iraq?', The Guardian, Jonothan Steele and Suzanne Goldenberg
Let us look at some nasty statistics this Easter. Let us see if the SurrenderMedia can find a nugget of crap to chew upon:
A review of recent statistics demonstrates (Using the ICC stats, assuming a 6 month average of 552 wartime fatalities per month which seems to be the current level):
Iraq Civilian Casualties as a result of the war:
24.1/100,000The pre-surge rate was: 74.7/100,000
United States
Murders and Suicides: 16.3/100,000
Murders only: 5.6/100,000
So, Iraq is not the United States. It is not England. It is not Japan. Iraqi’s are not as worried about single payer healthcare or whatever as we are. However, the situation has dramatically improved and that improvement is accelerating.
From 'What is the real death toll in Iraq?’
Maximum Accepted Saddam-Era state sponsored mortality
1 million killings over 35 years, rate: 105.45/100,000
Accepted count of 380,000 Saddam state sponsored killings over those 35 years - not including Iran/Iraq war: 41.1/100,000.
Thus, Saddam killed about 11,300 per year every year. And these were state murders – not illnesses, accidents, old age, etc. And, should we not include Saddam’s unjust wars? And, the ratio seemed to accelerate through the years!!!
Surge era killings by ‘militants’ and coalition troops will result in about 6,600 per year at the current ratio. And, this ratio has a solid chance to decline as al-Qaeda weakens. Thus, the norm in Iraq under Saddam was almost double that of the current ICC stats and the differential will likely widen.
Anyone want to claim that Saddam and his lovely children and sycophants would have worked hard on behalf of the Iraqi people to reduce the state sponsored murder rate?
Or, would that pathetic genocidal murderer simply assume he had a god given mandate to murder citizens since they voted for him at a 95+% rate?
Saturday, January 05, 2008
On the Conservative Message
I, too, think the ‘Reagan Coalition’ is no longer the standard under which conservative politics can be marketed…
Why?
Because there is little left to fight for.
Taxes: Bush’s tax code is dead center for me and most folks in America. I am middle class. My 25% bracket just seems fair. I no longer pour over deductions – looking for every edge. I just pay ‘my fair share’. Under Bush my first $15,000+ is untaxed, the next $48,000+ is taxed at 15%, and anything over at 25%. Under Clinton my first $54,000 was taxed at 15%, and the rest at 28%. Why should a married couple making less than $15,000 pay tax. Why should a middle class chap almost pay 1/3 of his income in federal tax? The tax code is fair. We just pay. The corporate tax is much the same. The tax treatment of dividends wiped out ENRON style fraud. What is left – the 28% bracket. Small stuff…
Defense: Bush came into office with the DOD funded at about 2/3rd’s of requirement. Remember, we ran out of Tomahawk missiles when dealing with Afghanistan. Remember the flood of senior SNCOs leaving the military. Remember the officer corps exiting stage wherever. Remember the ammo shortages. Remember a 162 ship Navy. An 8 Division Army. A depleted Air Force. That was the Clinton Legacy. We are now a much more modern and effective military. We just need a bit more numbers – and, both the Army and Marine Corps are growing in a sustainable fashion. Clintons last budget appropriated $344 Billion (inflation adjusted). Bush’s last budget appropriated $450 Billion – excluding supplementals for the war. That is on target. And, it didn’t come with an unmanaged splurge.
Social Values: Tried ‘Faith Based Initiatives’ – public didn’t rally. Appointed quality judges – got no credit. Demonstrated healthy Judeo-Christian values in public – decried as a theocrat, an ignoramus, and/or a liar. How many 40 year old issues will move tens of millions? Abortion – not for me.
Those were the old issues. The new ones are:
Spending Responsibility: Bush had to fight a war. The Libs wanted bribes and the ‘Fiscal Conservatives’ wanted a big piece of the growing pie. I put ‘Fiscal Conservative’ in quotes because they proved not to be. They figured that since the pie (tax revenue) was growing so rapidly they could take bigger bites and still shrink the deficit in a timely manner. Well they misjudged. The folks in America figured that the $250 million dollar bridge in Alaska could have partially funded the supplemental. The folks figured out that income does not always go up in America. Sometimes there is an economic downturn. The credit card does come due. We are actually in a great position for a politician to remind the voter that we can run in the black for decades – and, do so with no pain.
Social Security: Bush fought the good fight – but powerful trust funders in the Senate squelched and mangled the message. On purpose – some. Out of complete ignorance – most. I mean, if you have $10 million earning 4% I think you can live off of $450,000 a year especially when you have a salary of $220,000 a year. So these ignorant louts think that a 30 year old ‘investing’ 12% of his/her income can do the same with the same interest. Safe and sound. The morons cannot do basic math. The results are about $11,000 in annual benefits. Now, we watch as the Rangel $1 Trillion dollar tax hike affects the way corporations and individuals account for their assets. Surprise. Oh, well. I think this is a solid angle with all the 401(k) investors out there.
American Values: Classic WASP values can be proposed and lived by Americans. Who cares about which faith he/she believes in. We really don’t need a ‘Baptist Based Initiatives’ project – but a ‘Faith Based Initiative’ or a ‘Values Based Initiative’. Yup. Good idea. Where would you rather send your money – the Salvation Army or the Federal Department of Education?
So, the message is still there. But we don’t have to surround the walls of Jericho anymore. We already have that city.
Why?
Because there is little left to fight for.
Taxes: Bush’s tax code is dead center for me and most folks in America. I am middle class. My 25% bracket just seems fair. I no longer pour over deductions – looking for every edge. I just pay ‘my fair share’. Under Bush my first $15,000+ is untaxed, the next $48,000+ is taxed at 15%, and anything over at 25%. Under Clinton my first $54,000 was taxed at 15%, and the rest at 28%. Why should a married couple making less than $15,000 pay tax. Why should a middle class chap almost pay 1/3 of his income in federal tax? The tax code is fair. We just pay. The corporate tax is much the same. The tax treatment of dividends wiped out ENRON style fraud. What is left – the 28% bracket. Small stuff…
Defense: Bush came into office with the DOD funded at about 2/3rd’s of requirement. Remember, we ran out of Tomahawk missiles when dealing with Afghanistan. Remember the flood of senior SNCOs leaving the military. Remember the officer corps exiting stage wherever. Remember the ammo shortages. Remember a 162 ship Navy. An 8 Division Army. A depleted Air Force. That was the Clinton Legacy. We are now a much more modern and effective military. We just need a bit more numbers – and, both the Army and Marine Corps are growing in a sustainable fashion. Clintons last budget appropriated $344 Billion (inflation adjusted). Bush’s last budget appropriated $450 Billion – excluding supplementals for the war. That is on target. And, it didn’t come with an unmanaged splurge.
Social Values: Tried ‘Faith Based Initiatives’ – public didn’t rally. Appointed quality judges – got no credit. Demonstrated healthy Judeo-Christian values in public – decried as a theocrat, an ignoramus, and/or a liar. How many 40 year old issues will move tens of millions? Abortion – not for me.
Those were the old issues. The new ones are:
Spending Responsibility: Bush had to fight a war. The Libs wanted bribes and the ‘Fiscal Conservatives’ wanted a big piece of the growing pie. I put ‘Fiscal Conservative’ in quotes because they proved not to be. They figured that since the pie (tax revenue) was growing so rapidly they could take bigger bites and still shrink the deficit in a timely manner. Well they misjudged. The folks in America figured that the $250 million dollar bridge in Alaska could have partially funded the supplemental. The folks figured out that income does not always go up in America. Sometimes there is an economic downturn. The credit card does come due. We are actually in a great position for a politician to remind the voter that we can run in the black for decades – and, do so with no pain.
Social Security: Bush fought the good fight – but powerful trust funders in the Senate squelched and mangled the message. On purpose – some. Out of complete ignorance – most. I mean, if you have $10 million earning 4% I think you can live off of $450,000 a year especially when you have a salary of $220,000 a year. So these ignorant louts think that a 30 year old ‘investing’ 12% of his/her income can do the same with the same interest. Safe and sound. The morons cannot do basic math. The results are about $11,000 in annual benefits. Now, we watch as the Rangel $1 Trillion dollar tax hike affects the way corporations and individuals account for their assets. Surprise. Oh, well. I think this is a solid angle with all the 401(k) investors out there.
American Values: Classic WASP values can be proposed and lived by Americans. Who cares about which faith he/she believes in. We really don’t need a ‘Baptist Based Initiatives’ project – but a ‘Faith Based Initiative’ or a ‘Values Based Initiative’. Yup. Good idea. Where would you rather send your money – the Salvation Army or the Federal Department of Education?
So, the message is still there. But we don’t have to surround the walls of Jericho anymore. We already have that city.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
4th Generation Musings...
Re(1): 'The Implosion Of The Leftward Fever Swamps, Dems Mob Out Of Control', The Strata-Sphere, AJ Strata
A Disconcerning Thought.
Are Lefty Boomers looking inward?
The time to watch is when the GenXers start acting on the influence of the Boomers.
Those latch-key kids who spent their childhood during an era of dissolving family and social structure tend to see things in a practical manner. They get things done – and in some cases break the eggs used in the omelets.
For example. Is it the Boomers wailing about the GWOT or the GenXers? Yup, the Boomers are awailing and the GenXers are adoing. Look at the difference between Petraeus and Wesley Clark in the way a military campaign is run. Petraeus knows casualties are coming but still fights to win. Clark accepted no pain and gave himself no chance to win. Look at the Boomers like Pelosi and Reid and Malloy (Air America) and Sheehan wailing that only oldsters and children are showing up at their rallies. The GenXers may not like the war – who does – but, they realize that unpleasant things must be completed and a war decisively won. The life of a GenXer revolves around making tough decisions and acting on them toward completion.
But, what happens internally. When Boomers influence pragmatic – and in some cases violent – GenXers. The clown (Leeland Eisenberg) with flares in his jacket at the Clinton campaign headquarters was a Boomer. Timothy Mcveigh was a GenXer. Boomer Leeland wanted to make a Kerryesque senatorial protest point, GenX Mcveigh decided he hated the government apparatus and moved to kill it. We have Boomers with dangerous ideas all over the spectrum. If/when they focus internally – and, I think the left is starting to – we are in for some rough times. Even if they want to fight it out with cultural wars rhetoric they will influence GenXers to fight it out on the streets. I think the Wingnuts can be controlled, but I can’t see anyone controlling the Moonbats.
We do live in interesting times.
A Disconcerning Thought.
Are Lefty Boomers looking inward?
The time to watch is when the GenXers start acting on the influence of the Boomers.
Those latch-key kids who spent their childhood during an era of dissolving family and social structure tend to see things in a practical manner. They get things done – and in some cases break the eggs used in the omelets.
For example. Is it the Boomers wailing about the GWOT or the GenXers? Yup, the Boomers are awailing and the GenXers are adoing. Look at the difference between Petraeus and Wesley Clark in the way a military campaign is run. Petraeus knows casualties are coming but still fights to win. Clark accepted no pain and gave himself no chance to win. Look at the Boomers like Pelosi and Reid and Malloy (Air America) and Sheehan wailing that only oldsters and children are showing up at their rallies. The GenXers may not like the war – who does – but, they realize that unpleasant things must be completed and a war decisively won. The life of a GenXer revolves around making tough decisions and acting on them toward completion.
But, what happens internally. When Boomers influence pragmatic – and in some cases violent – GenXers. The clown (Leeland Eisenberg) with flares in his jacket at the Clinton campaign headquarters was a Boomer. Timothy Mcveigh was a GenXer. Boomer Leeland wanted to make a Kerryesque senatorial protest point, GenX Mcveigh decided he hated the government apparatus and moved to kill it. We have Boomers with dangerous ideas all over the spectrum. If/when they focus internally – and, I think the left is starting to – we are in for some rough times. Even if they want to fight it out with cultural wars rhetoric they will influence GenXers to fight it out on the streets. I think the Wingnuts can be controlled, but I can’t see anyone controlling the Moonbats.
We do live in interesting times.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Adding and Subtracting...
Re(1): The Strata-Sphere, AJ Strata
Re(2): The Skeptical Optimist, Steve Conover
Well Adding
And, for optimistic (and fair) economic analysis one can do no better than Steve at the Skeptical Optimist. He and Jayson (of pre-immigration debate self-immolation) were the still small voices of economic reason piercing the doom and gloom of Sauron’s Eonomy. Steve is an honest broker who keeps tabs on things even when the budget and economy aren’t leaning in the right direction – like now.
Out of the cacophony I am starting to hear that 'still small voice'...
The past six months or so have been in flux. No trends of note could be studied or reviewed or written on with confidence. Now, many long term trends are starting to build.
al-Qaeda is losing it's 'base'.
Re(2): The Skeptical Optimist, Steve Conover
Well Adding
Not SubtractingYou absolutely have to add AJ Strata to any viable blogroll – he is a rocket scientist or something or whatever after all… And, he is a center right kindof guy. Well worth listening too.
And, for optimistic (and fair) economic analysis one can do no better than Steve at the Skeptical Optimist. He and Jayson (of pre-immigration debate self-immolation) were the still small voices of economic reason piercing the doom and gloom of Sauron’s Eonomy. Steve is an honest broker who keeps tabs on things even when the budget and economy aren’t leaning in the right direction – like now.
Out of the cacophony I am starting to hear that 'still small voice'...
The past six months or so have been in flux. No trends of note could be studied or reviewed or written on with confidence. Now, many long term trends are starting to build.
al-Qaeda is losing it's 'base'.
They put everything on the line in Iraq thinking that democracies are the weak horses. That hasn't worked out well for them. The libs were - and are - weak horses, but their weakness didn't completely infect our culture. Regardless, there still is a transnational conflict with militant Islam. Will we continue to press our hand without being able to focus on a singularity?The American voter is seeking leadership.
The body politic is deeply split right now - but, there is starting to be movement toward the center. To me, the overarching quality the American voter is looking for is leadership. Is there any other reason for Giuliani leading in the Republican polls? For Romney? For Thompson? Then, again, there are the Democrats. Will they go the way of the dodo bird as a result of their ‘leadership’ in Congress? I would not want to be a Presidential candidate in a Democratic Party that is ineffectively ranting and raving to satisfy its financial and ideological base. Conversely, the Republican Party is recentering.Iran is being dealt with as a valued member of the Axis of Evil.
And, all out war will not be necessary. Will the next president be able to deal with the chaos of an Iranian collapse? President Bush Sr. dealt with the fall of the Soviet Union. I have confidence in Giuliani, Romney, Thompson – but what about Clinton or Obama. See above.The Federal tax revenue stream is no longer promising.
Is this because corporations and individuals like me are adjusting to the new reality of a Congressman Rangel defined tax code? Financial decisions have to be made now - before one is actually affected by the various proposals. Remember, the most recent tax increase was retroactive - as was the most recent tax cut. Do I really want to be in dividend producting securities if/when dividends become taxable as income? Do the oil companies want to show profit now that their investors no longer desire dividends?It is now time to raise ones voice!!!
Time for a New Entry in the 'My Favorites Posts' List
Re(1): ‘The Real Surge’, The Belmont Club, Wretchard TC
Re(2): 'The Race is On', Me
Re(3): 'Keep Your Eyes on the Prize', Me
Re(4): 'Red/Blue in the Middle East', Me
So, Iran is in a commanding position this Thanksgiving…
Me thinks not.
As stated here, here, and especially here there seems to be a strategic effort to deal with the second leg of the Axis of Evil.
Wretchard, the esteemed purveyor of The Belmont Club, naturally describes this better than others in ‘The Real Surge’…
Well written, concise, and now part of my research post list...
Re(2): 'The Race is On', Me
Re(3): 'Keep Your Eyes on the Prize', Me
Re(4): 'Red/Blue in the Middle East', Me
So, Iran is in a commanding position this Thanksgiving…
Me thinks not.
As stated here, here, and especially here there seems to be a strategic effort to deal with the second leg of the Axis of Evil.
Wretchard, the esteemed purveyor of The Belmont Club, naturally describes this better than others in ‘The Real Surge’…
Well written, concise, and now part of my research post list...
Monday, November 12, 2007
Arround and Around we go!!!
Are we heading backward towards 2001/09/10 - the last day of the roaring 90's...
Or forward towards 2001/09/12, the first day of the end of the Islamofascist movement...
The Hard Left has been smoking cancer sticks for so long I can't remember a moment when one wasn't poking from their ever scowling grill.
The Center Left moved away from them.
Recently, however, the media provided the means for the Hard Left contagion to stream into the center.
If we have the anti-bodies remaining to fight this internal struggle than the Left in America will be destroyed.
Is this a good thing?
Not always…
And, that comes from a conservative neocon.
But, it is a thing.
It is a fact.
Both Parties will have to rebuild. One from the ground up – cursing the idealists and power brokers who cannot see the good in our society, who cannot see the good in our efforts, who run the show completely and without remorse, The other from the center out – picking off those who have no backbone, no morals, no guiding stricture.
Back to the culture wars, eh…
Or forward towards 2001/09/12, the first day of the end of the Islamofascist movement...
The Hard Left has been smoking cancer sticks for so long I can't remember a moment when one wasn't poking from their ever scowling grill.
The Center Left moved away from them.
Recently, however, the media provided the means for the Hard Left contagion to stream into the center.
If we have the anti-bodies remaining to fight this internal struggle than the Left in America will be destroyed.
Is this a good thing?
Not always…
And, that comes from a conservative neocon.
But, it is a thing.
It is a fact.
Both Parties will have to rebuild. One from the ground up – cursing the idealists and power brokers who cannot see the good in our society, who cannot see the good in our efforts, who run the show completely and without remorse, The other from the center out – picking off those who have no backbone, no morals, no guiding stricture.
Back to the culture wars, eh…
Sunday, October 14, 2007
This is a test of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a test...
Here is a weird thought:
Americans are blithely trooping about listening to music on their radios. The latest tunes. Songs of love, dogs, cats, killing cops, or whatever turns each individual on… In the background we hear of auto crashes and traffic snarls…
Every week or so we experience the aggravating sound of the ‘Emergency Alert System’ test:
Here is the skinny…
We accept that test. Most respect that test. We know we need that test.
Six years into the GWOT we accept the war, most respect the warfighter, and we know we have to be engaged in the region. We don’t like it. But we accept it. We are very happy that most of the sounds are ‘tests’ of the system and not Katrinas with thousands or hundreds of thousands of casualties. We feel prepared.
When a Katrina is forming or blows in most will heed the warning and act. Some will ignore the Emergency Alert System and switch to their iPod or whatever. But, in full, there will be major action. There have already been major adjustments.
Maybe someone with an iPod stuck in his/her ear-hole will be elected. That would be a shame. Both for us and our enemy. But, we are large and still in charge. And we have mobilized our economy (which is perking along just fine), our infrastructure (which is very robust and getting more so), our military (which is in the region and gaining experience), and pushing to ‘close the gap’ (which will help any leader focus on a smaller and smaller region for full retaliation). It would be a shame to lose thousands more and to be forced into sowing a land with salt – but, that might be the end result.
Americans are blithely trooping about listening to music on their radios. The latest tunes. Songs of love, dogs, cats, killing cops, or whatever turns each individual on… In the background we hear of auto crashes and traffic snarls…
Every week or so we experience the aggravating sound of the ‘Emergency Alert System’ test:
Music and joy or cop killing or whatever fills the air again.Squawk..
Squawk..
Squawk.."This is a test of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a test."
Squawk..
"This is a coordinated monthly test of the broadcast stations in your area. Equipment that can quickly warn you during emergencies is being tested. If this had been an actual emergency such as (insert types of messages that may occur in the geographic area) , official messages would have followed the alert tone. This concludes this test of the Emergency Alert System."
Squawk..
Squawk..
Squawk..‘This concludes this test of the Emergency Alert System.”.
Here is the skinny…
We accept that test. Most respect that test. We know we need that test.
Six years into the GWOT we accept the war, most respect the warfighter, and we know we have to be engaged in the region. We don’t like it. But we accept it. We are very happy that most of the sounds are ‘tests’ of the system and not Katrinas with thousands or hundreds of thousands of casualties. We feel prepared.
When a Katrina is forming or blows in most will heed the warning and act. Some will ignore the Emergency Alert System and switch to their iPod or whatever. But, in full, there will be major action. There have already been major adjustments.
Maybe someone with an iPod stuck in his/her ear-hole will be elected. That would be a shame. Both for us and our enemy. But, we are large and still in charge. And we have mobilized our economy (which is perking along just fine), our infrastructure (which is very robust and getting more so), our military (which is in the region and gaining experience), and pushing to ‘close the gap’ (which will help any leader focus on a smaller and smaller region for full retaliation). It would be a shame to lose thousands more and to be forced into sowing a land with salt – but, that might be the end result.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Bush’s War Machine by the Numbers…
Re(1): 'Joe Sixpack on Taxes', The Fly Bottle, Will Wilkinson
Re(2): 'The July 2007 Monthly Treasury Statement', Department of the Treasury
Re(3): 'Monthly Treasury Statement', Department of the Treasury
Re(4): Bureau of Labor Inflation Calculator
Some poor Lefty (Alphie) posted the usual blather at Will Wilkinso’s ‘The Fly Bottle’ blog stating:
The poor sod.
Just how big is Bush’s War Machine…
Some facts first:
That War Machine is costing 0.8% of GDP and 7% of Tax Revenue. There are no serious experts who think we should spend less than 4% of GDP on our military. Only folks like Alphie I guess.
So, here is my deal with the Lefty’s:
Let’s cut DOD expenditures by $25 Billion and HSS expenditures by $35 Billion. That is, shave 5% off of each budget!!! Then, with the tax revenue growth President Bush has initiated we shall see a large surplus next year.
Let’s shake on that!!!
The Grand Bargain!!!
Re(2): 'The July 2007 Monthly Treasury Statement', Department of the Treasury
Re(3): 'Monthly Treasury Statement', Department of the Treasury
Re(4): Bureau of Labor Inflation Calculator
Some poor Lefty (Alphie) posted the usual blather at Will Wilkinso’s ‘The Fly Bottle’ blog stating:
And the $400+ billion the U.S. government paid in interest last year(mostly to foreigners) on the money it borrowed in the past instead of rasing through taxes?(Spelling errors his)
Even Joe Sixpack realizes that if he runs off to Vegas and blows his mortgage money on a good time…there will be a cost.
When he sobers up, that is.
The poor sod.
He is off by $29 Billion on the interest payment – in his favor!!!
And:
Off by a massive $161 Billion on his DOD spending. That is a 30% error.So, I got to thinking…
Just how big is Bush’s War Machine…
Some facts first:
The GDP in 2000 was 9.8 Trillion
The GDP estimate for 2007 is $13.5 Trillion.
Thus, GDP in 2007 in 2000 dollars is 11.2 Trillion
DOD spending in FY2000 was $281 Billion
The DOD FY2007 spending estimate is $539 Billion
Thus, DOD FY2007 spending in 2000 dollars is $445 Billion
Some opinion:
Very few associated with the military found the DOD spending acceptable. Anyone remember running out of Tomahawk missiles in October 2001? Anyone remember any new military technology that was developed in the Clinton era? Anything we did not have in 1992? Anything at all? Maybe some up-armored HMMVEs?
So my opinion is that we had to spend a bit more in the DOD to compensate for Clinton Era cutbacks. We all know the military ‘survived the Clinton Era!!!’. But, just barely
Now the Math (in 2000 dollars):
Bush has grown the DOD budget by:
$445 Billion - $281 Billion = $164 Billion.In that time, Health and Human Services grew by:
$561 Billion - $390 Billion = $171 Billion
With Tax Revenue Growth of:
$2,127 Billion - $2,025 Billion = $102 Billion
And, a FY2007 deficit of probably $120 Billion ($99 Billion in 2000 dollars). With a balanced budget – or even a surplus – in FY2008!!!
Thus, under Bush,
The DOD expenditures are 3.7% of GDP
The Health and Human Services expenditures are 5.0% of GDP
The DOD expenditures are 20.9% of Tax Revenue.
The Health and Human Services expenditures are 26.4% of Tax Revenue
Thus, under Clinton,
The DOD expenditures are 2.9% of GDP
The Health and Human Services expenditures are 4.0% of GDP
The DOD expenditures are 13.9% of Tax Revenue.
The Health and Human Services expenditures are 19.3% of Tax Revenue.
That War Machine is costing 0.8% of GDP and 7% of Tax Revenue. There are no serious experts who think we should spend less than 4% of GDP on our military. Only folks like Alphie I guess.
So, here is my deal with the Lefty’s:
Let’s cut DOD expenditures by $25 Billion and HSS expenditures by $35 Billion. That is, shave 5% off of each budget!!! Then, with the tax revenue growth President Bush has initiated we shall see a large surplus next year.
Let’s shake on that!!!
The Grand Bargain!!!
Sunday, September 02, 2007
I flushed once…
Re(1): 'As 9/11 Draws Near, a Debate Rises: How Much Tribute Is Enough? ', NYT, N.R. Klienfiled
No, not a Larry Craig joke.
Instead, yet another miserable article by the NYT…
The basic jist of Klienfield's article is: 9/11 – Get over it!!!
Some quotes:
Klienfield, we Americans remember World War II. Have you visited the monument? Do you go shopping on Veterans Day? Memorial Day? You may not remember the start of World War II – but that only proves you are an ignorant lout. Personally, if you do not remember ‘the day that lives in infamy’ I can’t help you. Why are you qualified the write about epoch changing events?
Klienfield, I do not commemorate the Kennedy assassination, Kent State shooting, the Katrina hurricane, or the Oklahoma City bombing because those events did not upend America the way the Revolution, the Civil War, World War II, and 9/11 have. The Kennedy assassination is remembered – but what has it changed. The other events were tragic – but why are they on your list.
A natural disaster?
A steamship fire?
A mass killing?
Why not put Contra Gate on that list? Watergate? Did some Christianist Wing-Nut editor at the NYT scandalously excise those references from your screed? How about the 1977 San Diego State beating of Florida State? Are all tragedies equal. Can you define the Revolution, the Civil War, and World War II as tragedies and still tell the world that you are a man of letters? Spend a second and think of 9/11. Was it a 'tragedy'?
I live over three thousand miles away.
I will allow my memory of 9/11 to fade when I find myself living in an era of PAX Americana. I will remember ‘Victory over Barbarism Day’. If you ignorant troglodytes will allow a victory than that will be the day I celebrate. Is that a fair bargain? Let us shake on that.
To make my point a bit clearer. To cut though the fog of BDS infliction. If you cannot separate a steamship fire from the initiation of a hot war than I am sorry.
You and yours are turds still floating aimlessly in the bowl.
Looks like I have to flush that damn toilet again.
No, not a Larry Craig joke.
Instead, yet another miserable article by the NYT…
The basic jist of Klienfield's article is: 9/11 – Get over it!!!
Some quotes:
To answer Klienfield’s questions as well as that of the good doctor’s:Few Americans give much thought anymore on Dec. 7 that Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941 (the date to live in infamy). Similar subdued attention is paid to other scarring tragedies: the Kennedy assassination (Nov. 22, 1963), Kent State (May 4, 1970), the Oklahoma City bombing (April 19, 1995).
Generations, of course, turn over. Few are alive anymore who can recall June 15, 1904, when 1,021 people died in the burning of the steamer General Slocum, the deadliest New York City disaster until Sept. 11, 2001. Also, the weight of new wrenching events crowds the national memory. Already since Sept. 11, there have been Katrina and Virginia Tech. And people have their own more circumscribed agonies.
What might happen on Sept. 11 a hundred years from now? “It’s conceivable that it could be virtually forgotten,” said Dr. Bodnar, the history professor. “Does anyone go out on the streets of New York and commemorate the firing on Fort Sumter?”
Klienfield, we Americans remember World War II. Have you visited the monument? Do you go shopping on Veterans Day? Memorial Day? You may not remember the start of World War II – but that only proves you are an ignorant lout. Personally, if you do not remember ‘the day that lives in infamy’ I can’t help you. Why are you qualified the write about epoch changing events?
Klienfield, I do not commemorate the Kennedy assassination, Kent State shooting, the Katrina hurricane, or the Oklahoma City bombing because those events did not upend America the way the Revolution, the Civil War, World War II, and 9/11 have. The Kennedy assassination is remembered – but what has it changed. The other events were tragic – but why are they on your list.
A natural disaster?
A steamship fire?
A mass killing?
Why not put Contra Gate on that list? Watergate? Did some Christianist Wing-Nut editor at the NYT scandalously excise those references from your screed? How about the 1977 San Diego State beating of Florida State? Are all tragedies equal. Can you define the Revolution, the Civil War, and World War II as tragedies and still tell the world that you are a man of letters? Spend a second and think of 9/11. Was it a 'tragedy'?
I live over three thousand miles away.
I will allow my memory of 9/11 to fade when I find myself living in an era of PAX Americana. I will remember ‘Victory over Barbarism Day’. If you ignorant troglodytes will allow a victory than that will be the day I celebrate. Is that a fair bargain? Let us shake on that.
To make my point a bit clearer. To cut though the fog of BDS infliction. If you cannot separate a steamship fire from the initiation of a hot war than I am sorry.
You and yours are turds still floating aimlessly in the bowl.
Looks like I have to flush that damn toilet again.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
It Didn't Happen
Re(1): "It Didn't Happen", The OpinionJournal, James Taranto
Re(2): “History Proves Vietnam Victors Wrong”, Wall Street Journal, Senator James Webb
Re(3): “The Approach Of The Arab Pol Pot”, HughHewitt.com, Hugh Hewitt
Re(4): “Vietnam Analogies”, HughHewitt.com, Dean Barnett
Because of articles like these - and the long memories of an educated citizenry - I think it will be impossible to bail from a conflict without addressing the consequences.
It was possible in 1975:
- To run and hide.
- To cut and run and redeploy.
- To have a compliant media ignore the facts.
There is simply too much information, too much history, and too many sources to ignore the circumstances of a run and hide strategy.
I am including Taranto's article on the 'My Favorite Posts' link list.
I would have included Webb's as well - but, me thinks politics may add, shall we say, nuance to his writings in the near future. I want to keep the 'My Flameouts' link list as clean as possible. What Webb writes in 2000 is now open to interpretation by Webb in 2007 and beyond!!!
Measurement and Change...
Re(1): ‘Process’, The Belmont Club, Wretchard
Process and initiative are both basic cogs in an ever improving and competitive enterprise. There is a balance. You need both.
The Clinton Legacy was one that neither respected the military nor the intelligence services. Hence, they would not accept failure and could not accept results unless ‘process was followed’ and ‘accountability could be ascertained’. Both the military and the intelligence services were not critically important assets since they were not immediately aligned to Liberal goals. Basically, these entities never adapted to the peace dividend!!!
Therefore, the view was that they must change incrementally. Thus, process improvement techniques where implemented (TQL) to build a ‘stronger’ military and ‘revamped’ intelligence service. However, under Clinton ‘stronger’ was ‘more streamlined’ and cheaper - and ‘revamped’ was a re-tasking to economic and social research. We were, of course, talking about ‘Peace in Our Time!!!’.
Conversely, after 9/11 we went straight to change and initiative without much regard to process. To me, this was necessary. The processes were not set up to redevelop and restructure the entity. They were there to make it manageable and cheaper in peacetime. However, we are now dealing with the excesses and failures of initiative without measurement. America is now restructuring its processes to match its reality. Hence, the hue and cry about surveillance and counter insurgency surges. The Left is still unconvinced that the military and intelligence services have adapted to the modern world, and the Right cannot prove that they have. We are now readdressing process. It is ugly, but it is necessary.
Here is a very strong positive of the Clinton starvation by process and the ‘W’ process be damned just give me progress initiatives. Now, the military has a much lighter support footprint and understands process improvement techniques. The best example is Rumsfeld’s water spiquet references. Even during wartime he wanted to measure effectiveness and make incremental changes based on those facts. Another example is the recent review of NSA surveillance techniques – and, the reasonable adjustment to the wild-wild west changes that occurred in October of 2001. Why is that important? It is important because we can now change tactics and equipment and training and recruiting and retention – and still measure how the changes affect the whole.
We have changed, We are changing, And, we are improving.
I would hate to be the other guy!!!
Process and initiative are both basic cogs in an ever improving and competitive enterprise. There is a balance. You need both.
The Clinton Legacy was one that neither respected the military nor the intelligence services. Hence, they would not accept failure and could not accept results unless ‘process was followed’ and ‘accountability could be ascertained’. Both the military and the intelligence services were not critically important assets since they were not immediately aligned to Liberal goals. Basically, these entities never adapted to the peace dividend!!!
Therefore, the view was that they must change incrementally. Thus, process improvement techniques where implemented (TQL) to build a ‘stronger’ military and ‘revamped’ intelligence service. However, under Clinton ‘stronger’ was ‘more streamlined’ and cheaper - and ‘revamped’ was a re-tasking to economic and social research. We were, of course, talking about ‘Peace in Our Time!!!’.
Conversely, after 9/11 we went straight to change and initiative without much regard to process. To me, this was necessary. The processes were not set up to redevelop and restructure the entity. They were there to make it manageable and cheaper in peacetime. However, we are now dealing with the excesses and failures of initiative without measurement. America is now restructuring its processes to match its reality. Hence, the hue and cry about surveillance and counter insurgency surges. The Left is still unconvinced that the military and intelligence services have adapted to the modern world, and the Right cannot prove that they have. We are now readdressing process. It is ugly, but it is necessary.
Here is a very strong positive of the Clinton starvation by process and the ‘W’ process be damned just give me progress initiatives. Now, the military has a much lighter support footprint and understands process improvement techniques. The best example is Rumsfeld’s water spiquet references. Even during wartime he wanted to measure effectiveness and make incremental changes based on those facts. Another example is the recent review of NSA surveillance techniques – and, the reasonable adjustment to the wild-wild west changes that occurred in October of 2001. Why is that important? It is important because we can now change tactics and equipment and training and recruiting and retention – and still measure how the changes affect the whole.
We have changed, We are changing, And, we are improving.
I would hate to be the other guy!!!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Some Reletively Unsubstantiated Thoughts...
1. bin Laden is dead or weak.
2. The tide has turned against al-Qaeda.
3. al-Qaeda's strategic actions seem to take place in Iran and Pakistan.
I have a feeling inside, can't explain...
I have a feeling inside, I can't explain...
But, I can state a few things:
1. We don't want to get beat by Islamists ANYWHERE
2. This conflict is not over when al-Qaeda is wiped out; it is a wider conflict.
3. Iran and Islamist elements of Pakistan will not enjoy Sunni Islamists inside their borders
and, lest we forget some earlier commentary...
We will not definitively know when we have won the conflict...
2. The tide has turned against al-Qaeda.
3. al-Qaeda's strategic actions seem to take place in Iran and Pakistan.
I have a feeling inside, can't explain...
I have a feeling inside, I can't explain...
But, I can state a few things:
1. We don't want to get beat by Islamists ANYWHERE
2. This conflict is not over when al-Qaeda is wiped out; it is a wider conflict.
3. Iran and Islamist elements of Pakistan will not enjoy Sunni Islamists inside their borders
and, lest we forget some earlier commentary...
We will not definitively know when we have won the conflict...
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
This 4th of July
Re(1): ‘Harry Jaffe’, The Hugh Hewitt Show
RE(2): 'The Dennis Prager Show', Dennis Pragwer
Listening to Harry Joffrey and Dennis Prager this July 4th - while debating yet another Conflicted Leftist on ‘Back Talk’ - moved one synapse in my vague and beer addled mind to connect with another…
What do I love and respect about my country – the good old United States of America!!!
I love my nation because we:
- accept imperfection,
- know we are imperfect,
- can act on our imperfections,
- and have the freedom to strive for perfection.
Where else in this fine and diverse abode on which we all live is this true. We accept our imperfections, but have confidence we can challenge and overcome them. Slavery is a perfect example. For the greater good, slavery was actually written into existence - written into the Constitution. But, that Constitution can be, must be, and will be changed. Over 600,000 fellow Americans died to change that central mores – but, we did the right thing.
Additionally, and here I might be on thin beer bleary thin ice, where else on this marble of ours does a nation celebrate its birth as being the date of legal separation. Not a battle won or a war started. But, instead, when a document that defines a belief and presents a grievance is presented to the general populace. Who really remembers the first or last battle in the Revolution?
We remember a perfection written by the naturally imperfect.
The most perfect understanding of humanity yet.
May we always move forward.
God Bless America
Monday, July 02, 2007
Larry's Other Brother Larry - CIA Expert
Re(1): 'Larry Johnson: So wrong so often that he’s actually becoming a nearly-pitch perfect predictor of what’s right', Protein Wisdom, Jeff Goldstein
MessNBC's Terrorism Expert, Larry Johnson...
The best 'byline description' of CIA Master Spy Larry Johnson yet!!!
A target of scorn and humor...
That has to hurt...
MessNBC's Terrorism Expert, Larry Johnson...
The best 'byline description' of CIA Master Spy Larry Johnson yet!!!
Once again, Johnson’s wannabe-hipster pessimism — which is temperamentally tied to the grand conspiracy scenarios he and his acolytes like Olbermann cling to like Lindsay Graham might a victory sombrero — has led him to look like an utter “denialist” (hi, Commissar!), one who, if his track record is any indication, wouldn’t be able to spot imminent Islamic terrorism were it wearing a “Hi, I’m a Jihadist” name tag and galloping towards him on a camel wrapped in explosives and sporting a riding blanket made entirely from roofing nails and the severed heads of western journalists.
A target of scorn and humor...
That has to hurt...
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Talkin' Tax Code...
Re(1): 'Trick question: "Did the tax cuts pay for themselves?"', The Skeptical Optimist, Steve Conover
Re(2): '2000 Tax Rate Schedules', IRS
Re(3): '2006 Tax Rate Schedules', IRS
Re(4): '2006 Alternative Minimum Tax Schedule', IRS
I am not rich. I am in the 25% tax bracket. Solidly middle class!!!
I am using 2006 inflation adjusted numbers and am increasing the 2000 tax brackets by the inflation adjustment. Adjusted the brackets look like the following:
2000 Federal Tax Schedule for Married Filing Jointly (Inflation adjusted to 2006) :
2006 Federal Tax Schedule for Married Filing Jointly:
(Note: Higher brackets will end up in the AMT. A flat tax!!! Income is flat taxed at 26% or 28% with very restricted deductions - and, no, that hasn't been changed. Thus, higher income earners really don't get a 'tax break' and can't play with their taxes - but, inflation will soon bring the AMT flat tax to you!!!).
If the taxes revert to the pre-2003 code I will be in the 28% tax bracket. That difference does not sound like much, but the fact is that income from $0 - $51,336 is taxed at a higher effective tax rate of 15% rather than 13% (as a side note: why should we all want the bottom two brackets to pay more income tax?).
So, under pre-2003 tax code I would pay the Feds $14,045 for exactly the same service I currently pay the Feds $11,615. Thus, from a married chap firmly in the middle class, the BusHitler tax code nets little old me $2,430 in take home pay - or a little more than $200 bucks a month. Half a car payment, or perhaps paying down the old credit cards a bit faster, maybe investing more into my retirement fund, eh… Lots of options and the government is not there to tell me how to best deal with it. And, to top everything off, the Federal annual budget will be in surplus next year – while looking at $300 - $500 billion dollar annual surpluses for as long as the eye can see if the economy doesn’t tank
Now, more pertinent to the current post by Steve. Will I simply pay the $200 each month and be happy about it?
Nope…
I will act aggressively, as I did in 2000, to reduce my tax burden. I will ‘hide’ more income from the tax man!!! I will be more aggressive in my deductions. I will stop funding a Roth IRA and increase my 401(k) contributions. And, RIGHT NOW, I will take my capital gains from investment growth and move to cash. (and, yes, Marmico that is what I am doing at the present. I want to beat the big time investors to the safety of cash and low tax rates before they act).
So, the increase in personal income tax rates will net the government $0 or maybe even a negative return as I start playing the tax game again. And, what happens to the economy as I move my resources from active assets to tax shelters?
Why should the Feds make me play the game?
Since I feel the taxes are fair I no longer play. I just pay!!!
Re(2): '2000 Tax Rate Schedules', IRS
Re(3): '2006 Tax Rate Schedules', IRS
Re(4): '2006 Alternative Minimum Tax Schedule', IRS
I am not rich. I am in the 25% tax bracket. Solidly middle class!!!
I am using 2006 inflation adjusted numbers and am increasing the 2000 tax brackets by the inflation adjustment. Adjusted the brackets look like the following:
2000 Federal Tax Schedule for Married Filing Jointly (Inflation adjusted to 2006) :
| If taxable income is over- | But not over- | The tax is- |
| $0 | $51,336 | $7,700 |
| $51,336 | $124,039 | $7,700 + 28% of the amout over $51,336 |
| $124,039 | $189,014.63 | $20,356 + 31% of the amount over $124,039 |
2006 Federal Tax Schedule for Married Filing Jointly:
| If taxable income is over- | But not over- | The tax is- |
| $0 | $15,100 | $1,510 |
| $15,100 | $61,300 | $1,510 + 25% of the amount over $15,100 |
| $61,300 | $123,700 | $8,440 + 25% of the amount over $61,300 |
| $123,700 | $188,450 | $24,040 + 28% of the amount over $123,700 |
(Note: Higher brackets will end up in the AMT. A flat tax!!! Income is flat taxed at 26% or 28% with very restricted deductions - and, no, that hasn't been changed. Thus, higher income earners really don't get a 'tax break' and can't play with their taxes - but, inflation will soon bring the AMT flat tax to you!!!).
If the taxes revert to the pre-2003 code I will be in the 28% tax bracket. That difference does not sound like much, but the fact is that income from $0 - $51,336 is taxed at a higher effective tax rate of 15% rather than 13% (as a side note: why should we all want the bottom two brackets to pay more income tax?).
So, under pre-2003 tax code I would pay the Feds $14,045 for exactly the same service I currently pay the Feds $11,615. Thus, from a married chap firmly in the middle class, the BusHitler tax code nets little old me $2,430 in take home pay - or a little more than $200 bucks a month. Half a car payment, or perhaps paying down the old credit cards a bit faster, maybe investing more into my retirement fund, eh… Lots of options and the government is not there to tell me how to best deal with it. And, to top everything off, the Federal annual budget will be in surplus next year – while looking at $300 - $500 billion dollar annual surpluses for as long as the eye can see if the economy doesn’t tank
Now, more pertinent to the current post by Steve. Will I simply pay the $200 each month and be happy about it?
Nope…
I will act aggressively, as I did in 2000, to reduce my tax burden. I will ‘hide’ more income from the tax man!!! I will be more aggressive in my deductions. I will stop funding a Roth IRA and increase my 401(k) contributions. And, RIGHT NOW, I will take my capital gains from investment growth and move to cash. (and, yes, Marmico that is what I am doing at the present. I want to beat the big time investors to the safety of cash and low tax rates before they act).
So, the increase in personal income tax rates will net the government $0 or maybe even a negative return as I start playing the tax game again. And, what happens to the economy as I move my resources from active assets to tax shelters?
Why should the Feds make me play the game?
Since I feel the taxes are fair I no longer play. I just pay!!!
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day...
Re(1): 'The Call of Cthulhu', The Belmont Club, Wretchard T.C.
Re(2): 'Americans will die for liberty', The Telegraph, Andrew Gimson
I fear that many confuse the sound of Spartan piping at Thermopylae with the signed or whispered or shouted orders at Diyala and Auschwitz and Andersonville. On this Memorial Day, I think we should take a moment to redefine the difference.
On this day I voice my deep appreciation for the soldiers who have fought - and who are now fighting - men who don the livery of evil. I honor those who have paid the ultimate cost for the ultimate endeavor.
May good always triumph!!!
Re(2): 'Americans will die for liberty', The Telegraph, Andrew Gimson
I fear that many confuse the sound of Spartan piping at Thermopylae with the signed or whispered or shouted orders at Diyala and Auschwitz and Andersonville. On this Memorial Day, I think we should take a moment to redefine the difference.
On this day I voice my deep appreciation for the soldiers who have fought - and who are now fighting - men who don the livery of evil. I honor those who have paid the ultimate cost for the ultimate endeavor.
May good always triumph!!!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Sorry Libs, The Federal Deficit will not balloon this year :-&
The one grand hope you have regarding ‘Deficits as Far as the Eye Can See!!!’ is that the spineless Democrat acceptance of the $100 Billion in ‘off-budget’ Iraq Occupation supplemental will bust the budget. It will not. You will have to hope for more al-Qaeda murders (whoops, I forgot. The freedom fighting group that calls itself ‘Al-Qaeda In Iraq’ is not in Iraq) and Biblical natural disasters to blow the improving budget outlook.
Why? Three reasons:
Why? Three reasons:
- The Defense Department is currently spending as if the supplemental was passed
- And, even the DOD cannot spend that kind of money that quickly
- And, the stock market is boiling…
Thus, there will be no marked increase in monthly spending. The DOD will simply backfill other budget line items. And, folks are still making tons of taxable money in the stock market - even if the market crashes!!!.
I expect an FY2007 deficit (for you Lib ignits October 2006 to September 2007) to be about $70 Billion. That is, less than 0.6% of GDP. Yup, rounding error - or the equivalent of a six pack of cheap beer per month for Americans at the poverty level.
There is always hope. Maybe you all could create al-Qaeda influenced cells here in America and prove that playing offense in the Middle East is not making Americans safer here. What will you call your organization – ‘Ignit Lefty al-Qaeda Supplicants in America’. Has a nice ring to it!!!
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Deficit News You Won't Hear on MessNBC!!!
Re(1): 'Montly Budget Review, May 2007', Congressional Budget Office
Re(2): 'Monthly Treasury Statement, April 2007', United States Treasury
Carnac must retire from the Federal Budget prognostication business...
I mentioned in an earlier post that BusHitler, the 'Great Monkey Ape', seemed to be streamlining the budget process. I even mentioned the whole TQM approach of measuring and managing processes. The fact that the woefully incompetent - and slow - Congressional Budget Office is quickly reviewing and posting information based on the Monthly Treasury Statement is testament to that fact that the budget process is now more manageable.
The CBO actually crunched and posted an adjustment to their estimates four days after the end of April. This is very good, and a very positive thang. But, if they did it right it does make predicting tax receipts and government expenditures a bit boring.
Oh well...
Here are the numbers:
However, things are far bleaker if one uses the ratios from the remaining months as the determinant factors:
This would incorporate the $100 Billion dollar Defense Supplimental. Even the DOD can only spend so much money a month on gold plated screwdrivers!!!
But, and this is a rather large sized but...
There is no additional Katrina money being spent!!!
Thus, I still lean toward my preseason pick of $68 Billion as the FY2007 deficit...
Oh, the humanity...
My guess is that we will hear nothing of this. I mean the gnashing of teeth over a deficit of 0.51% of GDP should be audible from the moon.
The end is near...
The end of annual deficits, I mean!!!
Re(2): 'Monthly Treasury Statement, April 2007', United States Treasury
Carnac must retire from the Federal Budget prognostication business...
I mentioned in an earlier post that BusHitler, the 'Great Monkey Ape', seemed to be streamlining the budget process. I even mentioned the whole TQM approach of measuring and managing processes. The fact that the woefully incompetent - and slow - Congressional Budget Office is quickly reviewing and posting information based on the Monthly Treasury Statement is testament to that fact that the budget process is now more manageable.
The CBO actually crunched and posted an adjustment to their estimates four days after the end of April. This is very good, and a very positive thang. But, if they did it right it does make predicting tax receipts and government expenditures a bit boring.
Oh well...
Here are the numbers:
| April | to Date | Change | Annual Projection | |
| Revenues: | $385 | $1,506 | +11.3% | $2,677,533 |
| Expenditures: | $209 | $1,589 | +2.9% | $2,731,353 |
| Deficit: | $176 surplus | $83 | -54.9% | $53,831 |
However, things are far bleaker if one uses the ratios from the remaining months as the determinant factors:
| April | to Date | Change | Annual Projection | |
| Revenues: | $385 | $1,506 | +12.1% | $2,697,449 |
| Expenditures: | $209 | $1,589 | +6.3% | $2,822,886 |
| Deficit: | $176 surplus | $83 | -49.6% | $125,437 |
This would incorporate the $100 Billion dollar Defense Supplimental. Even the DOD can only spend so much money a month on gold plated screwdrivers!!!
But, and this is a rather large sized but...
There is no additional Katrina money being spent!!!
Thus, I still lean toward my preseason pick of $68 Billion as the FY2007 deficit...
Oh, the humanity...
My guess is that we will hear nothing of this. I mean the gnashing of teeth over a deficit of 0.51% of GDP should be audible from the moon.
The end is near...
The end of annual deficits, I mean!!!
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