In Flyover Country
On the ground, but never grounded...
In Flyover Country
This will make you cringe...
Today's Financial Times has a very interesting write-up concerning the budget hole we're in.
Essentially, we're unable to fill it without a dramatic rise in taxes (which in turn slows down economic vitality, etc... - you know the rest.)
This is the part that made us want to throw up:
Essentially, we're unable to fill it without a dramatic rise in taxes (which in turn slows down economic vitality, etc... - you know the rest.)
This is the part that made us want to throw up:
Mr Obama intends to squeeze the rich, but the scope for this may be more limited than US liberals would wish. Few Americans seem aware that the US income tax code, as a recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development study showed, is already one of the most progressive.* Even before the rise in top marginal rates promised by Mr Obama, the US income tax collects 45 per cent of its revenues from the highest-income decile. Compare that with Britain at 39 per cent, Canada at 36 per cent, France at 28 per cent, Sweden at 27 per cent and an OECD average of 32 per cent.
...The US tax system raises comparatively little revenue; what little it raises already comes disproportionately, by international standards, from the rich.
The good news? We are still taxed comparatively little as a nation. The bad news? We soak the rich more than socialized nations - and it's just going to keep getting worse! Obama has already promised to raise taxes on the wealthiest even more.
Where does that leave us?
We'll never understand where it will end. What is a "fair share" of taxes for liberals where the rich are concerned? When is enough, enough? Their insatiable thirst for power is never quenched. This is where conservatives have it exactly right. We are not "for the rich." Instead, we come out for freedom, for individuals to escape the oppressive thumb of the government.
And what does Congressman Barney Frank want to do? Cap ALL executive pay at $500,000. Then where will you get your coveted tax dollars?
To top it off, our state then wants to raise taxes through eliminating Federal Deductibility. News flash - at a time when New Yorkers and other Northeasterners are leaving by the droves because of high taxes, perhaps we should welcome them with open arms?
Nah, we'll just kick them out of a public hearing instead.
The Media of Inevitability
Well folks, the truly inevitable has happened. The media are defending ridiculous pork ideas.
The lastest is Todd Dorman, who chides Republicans for coming out against a 12-story "Tower of Invincibility" in Vedic City. This is a part of Culver's new I-Jobs plan. Dorman thinks Republicans should be ashamed of themselves and lay off this plan. He says that when we drive by this tower, we'll continue on to the Anamosa school district, where they will have a new middle school equipped with handicaped-accessible entrances.
My, how could we be SO shallow? And here we thought the massive tax increase known as the Local Option Sales Tax was to take care of school infrastructure needs. How could we be so misguided? Coulda fooled us.
We don't even care about the fact that it's technically a religious symbol. God forbid we chastise anyone other than Christians.
Imagine if we wanted a12-story "Cross of Invincibility," or a 12-story "Baptismal Water Fountain of Invincibility." Think that would fly? Heck no. Nor are we advocating for Christian symbols to be paid for with a $750 million line of credit that Culver's proposed.
What bleeding hearts don't get is that the end doesn't always justify the means. Just because a school (that should have used their local option funds) builds a new ramp doesn't mean I want to drive by a ridiculous-looking tower on the way to see it.
Really - this is how you justify the tower? That would be like feeding your kids a cupcake, skittles, ice cream, chocolate milk and a bagful of M&M's - but saying it's OK because once they're done with that, they'll eat a vegetable.
Government debt, in these turbulent times, is abysmally stupid. Let's instead focus on sound budget techniques, and start with cutting some of the billion dollars in new spending put forth by this governor and Legislature in the past two years...which, coincidentally, is just about the size of our current shortfall.
The lastest is Todd Dorman, who chides Republicans for coming out against a 12-story "Tower of Invincibility" in Vedic City. This is a part of Culver's new I-Jobs plan. Dorman thinks Republicans should be ashamed of themselves and lay off this plan. He says that when we drive by this tower, we'll continue on to the Anamosa school district, where they will have a new middle school equipped with handicaped-accessible entrances.
My, how could we be SO shallow? And here we thought the massive tax increase known as the Local Option Sales Tax was to take care of school infrastructure needs. How could we be so misguided? Coulda fooled us.
We don't even care about the fact that it's technically a religious symbol. God forbid we chastise anyone other than Christians.
Imagine if we wanted a12-story "Cross of Invincibility," or a 12-story "Baptismal Water Fountain of Invincibility." Think that would fly? Heck no. Nor are we advocating for Christian symbols to be paid for with a $750 million line of credit that Culver's proposed.
What bleeding hearts don't get is that the end doesn't always justify the means. Just because a school (that should have used their local option funds) builds a new ramp doesn't mean I want to drive by a ridiculous-looking tower on the way to see it.
Really - this is how you justify the tower? That would be like feeding your kids a cupcake, skittles, ice cream, chocolate milk and a bagful of M&M's - but saying it's OK because once they're done with that, they'll eat a vegetable.
Government debt, in these turbulent times, is abysmally stupid. Let's instead focus on sound budget techniques, and start with cutting some of the billion dollars in new spending put forth by this governor and Legislature in the past two years...which, coincidentally, is just about the size of our current shortfall.
One Way Or Another
No, I mean, they REALLY mean it. When they aren't having their way picking our pockets through legislative fiat, they are LITERALLY picking our pockets. It's sad that a leader in the labor movement in Iowa, who is important enough to have wrangled an invitation to sit with VP nominee Biden at the DNC in Denver, can't keep his hands out of the purses of Iowans.
We always thought that some of the union leaders were a little less than smart. But to do it RIGHT IN THE IOWA CAPITOL? It's just too good not to post about.
Iowa Gets A Break - Collins to the RNC
As has been reported around the blogosphere today, Gentry Collins was tapped today to serve as the RNC Political Director. A few months ago, Krusty had posted a rumor that Collins was heading out to California to work with Meg Whitman's campaign. He's been rumored for other posts as well, but today it became official.
This is significant for a couple of reasons. First, it's always good when an Iowa operative gets a big role in national politics. We want our local folks to succeed.
However, the best news for Iowa is that there will be someone inside the RNC at a high level who can keep an eye on the Iowa Caucuses and our first-in-the-nation status. The job of Political Director doesn't set policy like that, it is handled by the RNC members and the rules committee specifically, but having a pair of eyes in DC watching what is happening will bode well for the Caucuses.
Whether you've been on the same team with Gentry or on another team working against him in a primary, most people we talk to think he's a straight shooter and a smart, organized operative. Given the troubles the RNC has had over the past month or two, Gentry is a good addition. His discipline and judgment will help put the organization back on the road to success.
Clean comments only, please, we should be respectful when one of Iowa's own gets a shot at a key job in DC.
This is significant for a couple of reasons. First, it's always good when an Iowa operative gets a big role in national politics. We want our local folks to succeed.
However, the best news for Iowa is that there will be someone inside the RNC at a high level who can keep an eye on the Iowa Caucuses and our first-in-the-nation status. The job of Political Director doesn't set policy like that, it is handled by the RNC members and the rules committee specifically, but having a pair of eyes in DC watching what is happening will bode well for the Caucuses.
Whether you've been on the same team with Gentry or on another team working against him in a primary, most people we talk to think he's a straight shooter and a smart, organized operative. Given the troubles the RNC has had over the past month or two, Gentry is a good addition. His discipline and judgment will help put the organization back on the road to success.
Clean comments only, please, we should be respectful when one of Iowa's own gets a shot at a key job in DC.
Am I Outraged? No, I'm Not.
Since the simple, feeble-minded people who are outraged over the AIG bonuses choose to take a shallow, narrow-sighted, class warfare argument, we are going to take the same, simple approach to our argument: We are not outraged over the AIG bonuses.
If you'll remember, we channeled our outrage over the actual bailout bill itself.
For the president and legislators to now come back and say they're so upset...it's just political theater and a CYA approach.
First, these workers earned their bonuses. Now legislators want to punish them? How fair is that? These workers did nothing wrong. Legislators saw the contracts over a year ago, yet still voted for the bailout.
This is what happens when you don't read the g-damn bill you vote for.
Second, they have legally-binding contracts with these people. If you think it's expensive now, trying paying all those legal fees that will come as a result.
Third, we're talking about trillions and trillions of bailouts, and they're concerned over a few million bucks?
Trying to make AIG's hard working employees the poster child through a 100 percent tax, as Harkin has proposed, isn't right and it isn't fair.
This is what happens when government gets involved in private enterprise.
What's done is done. Just move on. Because if you legislators lose next November, it ain't because of a few bonuses a year and a half earlier. It's because you haven't done your homework, haven't read the bills, voted for them, then acted outraged.
People are fed up, and see through your bull-sh*t.
If you'll remember, we channeled our outrage over the actual bailout bill itself.
For the president and legislators to now come back and say they're so upset...it's just political theater and a CYA approach.
First, these workers earned their bonuses. Now legislators want to punish them? How fair is that? These workers did nothing wrong. Legislators saw the contracts over a year ago, yet still voted for the bailout.
This is what happens when you don't read the g-damn bill you vote for.
Second, they have legally-binding contracts with these people. If you think it's expensive now, trying paying all those legal fees that will come as a result.
Third, we're talking about trillions and trillions of bailouts, and they're concerned over a few million bucks?
Trying to make AIG's hard working employees the poster child through a 100 percent tax, as Harkin has proposed, isn't right and it isn't fair.
This is what happens when government gets involved in private enterprise.
What's done is done. Just move on. Because if you legislators lose next November, it ain't because of a few bonuses a year and a half earlier. It's because you haven't done your homework, haven't read the bills, voted for them, then acted outraged.
People are fed up, and see through your bull-sh*t.
Brand new video of Vander Plaats' Iowa Press Appearance!
See above. That's where we have embedded the brand new video of Bob Vander Plaats' Iowa Press appearance this weekend. In the first 10 seconds, you can see an empty suit. At about minute 14, you'll see as he says nothing. Oh! Watch for that zinger 20 minutes in. Plus, if you watch the entire thing, you'll see every single piece of major policy he rolled out.
Pretty entertaining video, isn't it? What - you say there is no video there? You don't see a candidate, policy proposals, a zinger or anything of substance?
Well, if you want that, you're going to have to make it up. Because there wasn't any.
Look, until now we had no problem with Bob. We have been closely following Krusty's critiques. A lot of people think he's hard on Vander Plaats and until now, we've largely held our tongue. Hell, we even tried to help Bob out by eagerly anticipating his response to the Senate Majority Leader's challenge to him. But he said nothing! He let us down! You can NOT be the standard-bearer of our party's message if you won't even take advantage of Gronstal's calling you out. He legitimized you, for crying out loud. That's something you've had yet to do for yourself.
For the love of Pete, this guy has nothing. It is truly unbelievable, un-nerving and downright painful to listen to him in his interview! Oh, and by this time, you should probably know Mike Glover's name.
Folks, we have got to find someone to run for Governor. We don't know if that passenger is on our flight, or has yet to board, but there has got to be somebody.
Let's put it this way - Culver's approval numbers are tanking, yet Iowa fails to garner even a mention in the Washington Post's top 10 Governor's races to watch in the country. That's pathetic - did we mention Bob has run statewide three times (primary, primary, general)?! And not even a mention.
We are either going to get serious about this race by nominating someone other than Bob, or we are going to lose. It's up to you, Iowa Republicans.
"Corporations move to low-tax Switzerland; Escape Obama's tax-seeking administration"
Be honest. When you saw the above headline describing this story, you had strong feelings one way or another.
1. "Those damn, dirty corporations are nothing but greed factories. They won't pay their fair share, and leaving the country is unpatriotic."
2. "See, the government sets high-tax policies and doesn't take into account the consequences and this is what happens!"
If you answered in the former, you are a liberal. If the latter, welcome to the conservative side.
Look, nobody is arguing that corporations should duck their taxes, nor that they should pay nothing. They use the roads, infrastructure, police, fire and other vital services that the government provides. They most certainly should contribute something to the cause. However, constantly placing undue excess taxes on a company is the worst form possible of governmental policy.
Let's explain.
Companies employ Americans who pay their own taxes. Without a job, Americans wouldn't pay taxes and would instead be taking tax-funded benefits supplied by the government.
The more Americans out of a job, the less taxes coming into the Treasury.
The more Americans out of a job, the more taxpayer-funded benefits coming out of the Treasury.
It's just that simple. And history has proven this time and time again. When Reagan cut taxes, what happened? Money to the treasury actually increased.
Why? How?
Because when individuals have less taxes on their production, they will be freed up to contribute more to society in the private sector. They create things that create wealth. Hell, Kennedy understood this and cut the top tax rates in his day too.
Why do Democrats ignore history?
Plain and simple: It's about power. Democrats believe in that our fundamental rights come from and are set by the government. The laws of the land exist solely to "level the playing" field between classes (read also: the producers and the leeches.) If the government is stripped of their power, then Democrats have no basis of control over the American people. This is why every single thing you touch, see, hear - even breathe, soon - is taxed. And regulated. And has oversight. And a federal bureaucracy that ensures compliance over everything. Everything.
How is that freedom?
Let's hope more of these companies move overseas so that the Democrats can have a wake-up call.
1. "Those damn, dirty corporations are nothing but greed factories. They won't pay their fair share, and leaving the country is unpatriotic."
2. "See, the government sets high-tax policies and doesn't take into account the consequences and this is what happens!"
If you answered in the former, you are a liberal. If the latter, welcome to the conservative side.
Look, nobody is arguing that corporations should duck their taxes, nor that they should pay nothing. They use the roads, infrastructure, police, fire and other vital services that the government provides. They most certainly should contribute something to the cause. However, constantly placing undue excess taxes on a company is the worst form possible of governmental policy.
Let's explain.
Companies employ Americans who pay their own taxes. Without a job, Americans wouldn't pay taxes and would instead be taking tax-funded benefits supplied by the government.
The more Americans out of a job, the less taxes coming into the Treasury.
The more Americans out of a job, the more taxpayer-funded benefits coming out of the Treasury.
It's just that simple. And history has proven this time and time again. When Reagan cut taxes, what happened? Money to the treasury actually increased.
Why? How?
Because when individuals have less taxes on their production, they will be freed up to contribute more to society in the private sector. They create things that create wealth. Hell, Kennedy understood this and cut the top tax rates in his day too.
Why do Democrats ignore history?
Plain and simple: It's about power. Democrats believe in that our fundamental rights come from and are set by the government. The laws of the land exist solely to "level the playing" field between classes (read also: the producers and the leeches.) If the government is stripped of their power, then Democrats have no basis of control over the American people. This is why every single thing you touch, see, hear - even breathe, soon - is taxed. And regulated. And has oversight. And a federal bureaucracy that ensures compliance over everything. Everything.
How is that freedom?
Let's hope more of these companies move overseas so that the Democrats can have a wake-up call.
I'm confused
'If people aren't clear, they're going to be confused.'
That's a recent quote from the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffet. To whom was he reffering? To his choice for President of the United States, Barack Obama.
Buffet said the quote in response to how the President is handling the economy. He, along with corporate legend Jack Welch, rightly notes that when the President yesterday talks about stem cells, today gives an address on education and later this week addresses health care...can you name what's missing?
THE ECONOMY!
I know all these feel-good weepy types will tell you that they're all intertwined, but they aren't. Even Jim Cramer and others who fiercely defended him on the campaign trail don't know what to make of this.
Even this weekend, he attended a celebrity gala at the Kennedy Center in honor of Senator Ted Kennedy. All dressed up, hob-knobbing with celebreties...just two days after the latest job report said we shed 650,000 jobs last month alone.
Talk about mixed signals! We know little Barack Obama didn't have the big boy pants he needed for this job, but wow, he's shocking even us with his complete aloofness and ineptitude.
Rush Limbaugh didn't want him to fail. If Rush had wanted him to fail, he'd have told the President to do exactly what he's doing now. If anything, Limbaugh did him a favor.
That's a recent quote from the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffet. To whom was he reffering? To his choice for President of the United States, Barack Obama.
Buffet said the quote in response to how the President is handling the economy. He, along with corporate legend Jack Welch, rightly notes that when the President yesterday talks about stem cells, today gives an address on education and later this week addresses health care...can you name what's missing?
THE ECONOMY!
I know all these feel-good weepy types will tell you that they're all intertwined, but they aren't. Even Jim Cramer and others who fiercely defended him on the campaign trail don't know what to make of this.
Even this weekend, he attended a celebrity gala at the Kennedy Center in honor of Senator Ted Kennedy. All dressed up, hob-knobbing with celebreties...just two days after the latest job report said we shed 650,000 jobs last month alone.
Talk about mixed signals! We know little Barack Obama didn't have the big boy pants he needed for this job, but wow, he's shocking even us with his complete aloofness and ineptitude.
Rush Limbaugh didn't want him to fail. If Rush had wanted him to fail, he'd have told the President to do exactly what he's doing now. If anything, Limbaugh did him a favor.
An Open Letter to Democrats
Dear Democrat Friends,
We haven't always agreed on, well, almost anything. We've had spirited, idealogical debates that have led to sparring and some good revelations. But today, we're asking for your help.
Too often, both parties are portrayed as either tax and spend (Democrats) or cut all taxes and let everyone fend for themselves (Republicans.) That's why we were encouraged today to see that the White House would be softening a bit on its tax increases. We're also encouraged that moderate and conservative Democrats are balking at the enormous spending in the stimulus bill.
Yes, we'll be the first to admit that we as Republicans have our own share of wound licking to do. But, if we were going to be truly partisan about this, we'd say go ahead and spend to your heart's content, knowing that the American people couldn't stomach it, throwing money at things like ACORN and STD prevention wouldn't stimulate the economy, and you Democrats would lose two years and four years from now.
But this isn't partisan, because by modifying your tax and spending increases, you're putting yourselves on a pathway toward success.
Remember, your party has become more moderate because you've had conservative Democrats campaigning on Republican issues. If you'd just carry through with our issues, you'd see how successful you can be.
There is a reason Michael Bloomberg won't raise taxes on his richest residents. Did you know that in New York City, population 8,000,000, that just 40,000 people pay over half the taxes? Isn't it time for some reform? He knows that if he raises their rates, they will move out of the city.
We all need to do our part.
it's up to you now, Democrats. Will you contact your Democrat lawmaker and tell them to stop spending so much, and to not dramatically hike taxes during a recession? Republicans can hem and haw all we want, but it's going to take YOU, whom they listen to, in order to make this happen.
We need fiscal accountability. Hold your fellow Democrats to the fire. Hopefully they'll listen to you. Our Republican leaders never listened to us.
Good Luck.
Sincerely,
Your Captains
We haven't always agreed on, well, almost anything. We've had spirited, idealogical debates that have led to sparring and some good revelations. But today, we're asking for your help.
Too often, both parties are portrayed as either tax and spend (Democrats) or cut all taxes and let everyone fend for themselves (Republicans.) That's why we were encouraged today to see that the White House would be softening a bit on its tax increases. We're also encouraged that moderate and conservative Democrats are balking at the enormous spending in the stimulus bill.
Yes, we'll be the first to admit that we as Republicans have our own share of wound licking to do. But, if we were going to be truly partisan about this, we'd say go ahead and spend to your heart's content, knowing that the American people couldn't stomach it, throwing money at things like ACORN and STD prevention wouldn't stimulate the economy, and you Democrats would lose two years and four years from now.
But this isn't partisan, because by modifying your tax and spending increases, you're putting yourselves on a pathway toward success.
Remember, your party has become more moderate because you've had conservative Democrats campaigning on Republican issues. If you'd just carry through with our issues, you'd see how successful you can be.
There is a reason Michael Bloomberg won't raise taxes on his richest residents. Did you know that in New York City, population 8,000,000, that just 40,000 people pay over half the taxes? Isn't it time for some reform? He knows that if he raises their rates, they will move out of the city.
We all need to do our part.
it's up to you now, Democrats. Will you contact your Democrat lawmaker and tell them to stop spending so much, and to not dramatically hike taxes during a recession? Republicans can hem and haw all we want, but it's going to take YOU, whom they listen to, in order to make this happen.
We need fiscal accountability. Hold your fellow Democrats to the fire. Hopefully they'll listen to you. Our Republican leaders never listened to us.
Good Luck.
Sincerely,
Your Captains