Owner: Miscellaneous Reflexions URL:http://www.miscellaneousreflexions.com/ Join Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 22:41:56 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Incisive thoughts on government, society, and some deeper thoughts. Site statistics:Click here
Comment on Gas Prices Are Fine 2007-09-30 21:28:22 I never did understand trickle down economics, but the second chart sure looks like a trickle down effect to me.-Most economists acutally beleive that supply-side economics is, well, a crock. Yet, despite the consensus among economists, supply-side economics has become a power-ful political force. Between 1980 and 1990, the tax rate for the richest of the rich, dropped from 70% to 28% (no wonder the 80s are remebered as a decade of greed). The Clinton admin raised the "rich tax" a bit back up to 40% - until Bush cut down to 35%. Why the tax decrease for those at the top? Because supply-siders beleive that it spurs economic growth (turns out is doesn't). The economy grew quite a bit in the 50s and 60s (as well as the 90s during the Cliton tax raises). Read more:Comment
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Comment on Defending President Bush 2007-11-03 08:46:02 Hi Mara, running this country is a tremendous task, but it is the President
's job to lead the country, not run it. The country is supposed to be run by we the people through our elected representatives. This is why I ask, how many of us can say we've done our job? The President hasn't led, the representatives haven't represented their constituents, and we the people haven't communicated with our representatives. This is why our country is in such an awful mess.As to the "spoiled child" reference, he just put on a display this past week. Facing the possibility of his nominee for Attorney General not being approved, he threatened to appoint no one if Congress didn't approve his guy. This would leave a very important position in our government vacant. And if it wasn't bad enough he did this, it was done in front of the media instead of meeting in private with those who oppose him. Read more:Comment
Comment on Defending President Bush 2007-11-02 18:20:57 I don't agree with the "spoiled child" analogy. Running this country, I'm sure, is a tremendous task. And though he is commander and chief, he doesn't have absolute power, this government was corrupt long before he took office. Power breeds corruption, and he could have been a completely honest and faith driven man when he took that oath, but I'm not sure if he's that same person now. 9/11 was a tragedy, yeah I'm sure lots of people will say they know what they would have done, but again, lots of "factors" had to be weighed and I know Bush did not make the decision to go to war on his own, we all wanted it. I also know he wants Bin Laden in the worst way, c'mon, if he could find Bin Laden, it would stop a tremendous amount of the criticism Bush is experiencing. All I know is, I love my freedom and there are many who want to take it away. I am weary about the 2008 election, I think even if we elected the perfect candidate it would only be a matter of time. Power breeds corruptio Read more:Comment
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Comment on Legislation Without Representation 2007-11-02 17:50:43 I still see taxation without representation happening, how were they able to raise our sales tax by 1%? I don't understand how that happened, everyone I talk to about it is not happy about it at all. We are taxed over and over, payroll tax, property tax,capitol gains tax,inheritance tax,sales tax...over and over. If your a small business owner, it gets even worse with all the fee's and insurance requirements. It's no wonder people are always looking for ways to get "around" the system. Read more:Comment
, Legislation
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Comment on Made in America: We Were Warned 2007-11-02 17:42:12 I am so frustrated as I attempt to start Christmas shopping for my children. Paints, markers, crayons, play dough... EVERYTHING "made in china". As for clothing, my children would be walking around naked if I decided to completely boycott "made in china" products. We are at the manufacturers mercy, and no one seems to be paying attention. It's going to be a tough holiday season for me. Read more:Comment
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Comment on The Word Game 2007-11-02 16:31:37 Thanks for letting me know about that one, I wouldn't want to offend an Administrative Professional. Read more:Comment
Comment on Attacking Iran 2007-11-02 15:43:21 I don't think investing money in an alternate energy source is the problem. The death of the electric car indicates there are far bigger problems, but you are correct we are at their mercy. The "ostrich" behavior you speak of sounds like a nice way of saying self-absorption. The fact that we have become a self-absorbed society is what's catching up with us. Read more:Comment
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Comment on Attacking Iran 2007-11-02 08:06:42 I believe that until we become less dependent on forein oil supplies, we will always be embroiled in something in the middle east. We need to start spending major money on an alternate energy source. Right now, we are at their mercy! I also think it doesn't help that most people don't care about things that they don't think effect them on a daily basis. The "ostrich" behavior of sticking our heads in the sand is definitely catching up to us as a nation! Read more:Comment
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Comment on Homeless Veterans 2007-11-10 17:15:16 The established correlative factors such as mental illness and substance abuse may be the more serious problem in that veterans are more prone to suffer from these things. I am curious to know what percentage of veterans who are homeless have served in combat versus veterans who haven't. I am inclined to believe that the horrors of war are enough to leave even the strongest mind prone to mental illness and substance abuse.You are welcome for the link. I try to look at as many views as possible. Your blog adds to the diversity of my blogroll. Read more:Comment
, Veterans
Comment on Homeless Veterans 2007-11-10 11:47:47 Robert,Thanks for adding a link to Matters of Manner and Type on your blogroll.In re: homeless veterans, as someone who does volunteer work with the homeless, I can say that there is a disproportionate number of veterans amongst the homeless that I interact with. With that said, one cannot yet establish correlation, let alone a causal link between military service and homelessness. Government and the media would be better served by focusing on established correlative factors such as mental illness and substance abuse, both of which occur more frequently in the homeless populations that I'm familiar with.Thanks again!G Read more:Comment
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Comment on Where Was Al When the Electric Car Died 2007-11-07 15:12:38 Yes this is a good question that I would like to know the answer too.An equally appropriate question is why is Al Gore still silent on this front ?? From what I have read and heard from Al Gore, I have not heard anything about reducing greenhouse gas emissions from petrol vehicles by replacing them with zero emission technology such as electric vehicles. Perhaps he has shares in the oil companies. I don't know.Also why has there been so much silence regarding the hoarding of suitable NiMH battery intellectual property that was ear marked for the 2nd generation GM EV1 and was subsequently swollen up by an Oil company(Chevron) only to be shelved so that nobody else could use it !! See http://www.ev1.org/chevron.htmThere seems to be lots of talk from politicians regarding tackling climate change but everyday we wheel out our gas guzzling petrol vehicles and it's business as usual whilst mega tonnes of greenhouse gases are still being emitted and nothing gets done except more cheap talk Read more:Comment
, Electric
Comment on Legislation Without Representation 2007-11-06 18:26:41 Taxes are a part of legislation without representation. Unless a majority of citizens were for these taxes, they were approved by legislators who weren't representing the interests of the people. As to looking for ways to get around the system, it is sad that this is happening. Maybe if we all work together to fix the system, we will have a system where there is no need to find ways around it. Read more:Comment
, Legislation
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Comment on Where Was Al When the Electric Car Died 2007-11-14 14:01:36 He probably has shares in some bio-fuel. That is the dilemma with electric cars, there is very little money to be made once the car is sold. As long as greed rules society I don't think we'll see it get a fair shake.I am not surprised about the silence on the batteries, I didn't even know about the electric car until seeing "Who killed the electric car". Big business, the government, and the media have failed us on this one. Read more:Comment
, Electric
Comment on Where Was Al When the Electric Car Died 2008-01-28 19:48:59 No Blaise it is not a lie !!Battery electric vehicles(BEV) are the only available vehicle technology to offer "zero emissions". If the energy required to charge up a BEV is derived from a rooftop photo voltaic arrays then no emissions are created in the process and hence "zero emission".A part from generating zero emissions it also offers the luxury of creating your own energy for free, something that big Oil and Governments don't like :(Even when powering from the grid typically off peak, net emissions are drastically reduced because emissions from internal combustion engines are eliminated and it is easier to reduce emissions at the smoke stack rather than rely on dubious anti pollution equipment on cars. Read more:Comment
, Electric
Comment on Where Was Al When the Electric Car Died 2008-01-28 19:21:56 So the electric car is an economically viable vehicle and takes out the many different parts that an internal combustion engine needs. However, to say that it is a "zero-emissions" car is a lie: the greenhouse gas emissions are merely moved from the tail-pipe to the smoke stacks of coal plants. How the country handles this energy problem whether it be the use of wind, solar, or nuclear energy would be an interesting topic. I liked that little clip with the anecdote that Clinton told, and I found it funny that Al Gore was mentioned as well. The suppression of this option really made me sad and slightly suspicious regarding that administration and this program. Read more:Comment
, Electric
Comment on Extinguishing the Olympic Torch 2008-04-09 18:35:53 Unfortunately the US is not in a position to boycott, we owe China money and will probably need to borrow more. Besides, what will it accomplish? The horrible human rights abuses will still continue. Read more:Comment
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Comment on Extinguishing the Olympic Torch 2008-04-09 17:03:56 All nations, and especially the US, should boycott the opening ceremonies. I believe it is the best compromise position. The athletes still get to compete but China gets exposed to the full measure of world displeasure with their horrible human rights abuses. Read more:Comment
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Comment on National Debt Now 9 Trillion and Growing 2008-04-15 09:59:30 This number is huge, I don't know how we will gonna handle this anymore. It's not only about national debt, it's also about an entire nation complaining about personal debts and credits... we have to stop this from spreading and start to handle things in a better way. Read more:Comment
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Comment on Legislation Without Representation 2007-11-02 08:56:45 How long do you think it's been since our representatives HAVE done their jobs? I was raised to believe that my vote counts and that you have to stand up for what's right. It's hard not to throw in the towel because it's almost impossible to find someone who really wants to make a difference for the people! Everytime you turn around another senator or congressman is being accused of something. Is it possible that we have just become numb to it? I mean, no one even seems to be shocked anymore when the latest scandal breaks! That's what I think is the real shame. Read more:Comment
, Legislation
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Comment on Consumer Spending vs. Consumer Buying 2008-04-30 19:04:29 Yes definitely, but based on this statistic I don't know if we are buying more while spending more or buying less while spending more. My point was that if we are buying less but spending more because of inflation, then the consumer spending statistic is being used to make us believe that the economy is doing better when it really isn't. Read more:Comment
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Comment on National Debt Now 9 Trillion and Growing 2008-07-01 02:23:55 No doubt it is really a matter of concern for the whole world, that The Gross National
Debt has crossed 9 trillion dollars. Necessary steps should be taken to have a check on it and also to control it's further expansion at this pace. Read more:Comment
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