Common Sense

just wondering how come

How come we never hear anymore the daily drumbeat of how many have perished from Covid? Didn’t that daily drumbeat of reporting seem to disappear with the Presidency change?
To prove that point we just passed one of those milestones that they led broadcasts with and left on the screen this week. That number, 575,000.
Did you know that? Hear it? Wonder why?

the nielsens on the sotu

Did you see the numbers from Nielsen on the audience for the State of the Union?
It was 23 million. The lowest audience since 1993. By contrast President Trump’s first SOTU had 43 million viewers.
Where were the 81 million who voted for Biden?

Even more amazing, a CNN poll of an audience which overall “leaned” Democratic gave Mr. Biden a lesser score than Mr. Trump received when he delivered the same traditional speech in 2017.
The CNN poll found that 51% of the respondents gave Mr. Biden a positive review of his speech. (Mr. Trump received a 57% positive rating in 2017.)

the moving Tax Income target

A White House official, yesterday, when questioned said a married couple collectively earning up to $509,300 wouldn’t see a tax increase. Wait, we thought it was $400,000 per person.
Remember the old song from the show Cops? “Sooner or later they will come for you.”

the president speaks

“It’s only been 100 days, but I have to tell you I have never been more optimistic about the future of America,” Mr. Biden said at a car rally in Duluth. “America is on the move again!”

the people are polled

A recent NBC News poll found that 53% of adults — including 90% of Democrats, 61% of independents and just 9% of Republicans — approve of the job the nation’s 46th president has done over his first 100 days, compared to 39% who disapprove.

Mr. Biden gets his highest mark, 69% approval, for his coronavirus response and lowest mark, 33% approval, for the way he has handled border security and immigration.

does anyone care about police deaths?

Yesterday two deputies were killed and three other people, including a suspected gunman, were found dead after a lengthy standoff in North Carolina.

In Delaware, an officer declared clinically dead Wednesday after he was brutally beaten while responding to a 911 call, police say.

Through the first four months of the year, 111 officers lost their lives in the line of duty, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. That is an 11% increase from 98 during the same period last year.

A total of 360 officers died in the line of duty last year, according to the fund, the deadliest year for law enforcement since 1974.

How come we never see the coverage for them?

have a great weekend. Cancel the cancel culture.

the state of the union

The President presented his vision in a clear, well delivered speech. He outlined his programs and plans to get there.
He appealed to the people who believe government is the solution. In fact he proposed $6 trillion dollars of additional spending, spread across various programs.
Begin free education with three and four year olds, continue it through two years of community college. Additional child care support. Rebuild the roads and bridges. Healthcare subsidies.
The list was endless.

How would he pay for it? Raise tax rates on what he called the rich (anyone earning over $400K). Raise tax rates on corporations.

So what it comes down to, in my opinion, is a philosophy of government.

In America do you go out earn and achieve what you can, or do you think the government should do it for you? If your answer is the government should give it to you, then you can’t say others who toil and create have too much. We are built on individuals doing for themselves and family.

We’re one proposal from guaranteed income, an idea the generations before us would never consider, but a socialist society would.

Now you and I know that the tax increases will not cover the $6 trillion bill by raising the federal rate to 39.5% and increasing the capital gains to the same number.
What happens is, the spending never ends, and when the revenue falls short the added burden begins on lower and lower brackets. You can count on that. Check history. Remember, when the income tax was created people were laughed at who said “why someday the government might take 10% of your salary.”

Why is it that no spending programs ever go away? Why is it when new programs are introduced they are always additives? Don’t you in your household eliminate some things to do others? With the government every program only grows. Why? Because it’s your money. It’s always easier to spend other peoples money.

Thus, the Biden proposals are for bigger government, more support and less individual initiative. If you think that is the right way to make the America of tomorrow right for your children then you are for the spending.

A question one might ask is this. If the opportunity out there is so great and we are heading to new heights, why don’t we let people do what they do best and go out, get jobs and create? I keep seeing and hearing help wanted signs and establishments saying they can’t hire people because they are getting paid not to work. If we give out more does that drive people to work? We’ve created more millionaires and success than anyone because people were doing for themselves.

One thing I did learn last night was a partial answer to the question we have long asked, what is fair share?
I heard the President say those making under $400K are paying their fair share, it is those above we still need to define what it is.
I do know when we had tax rates in the 70% area in the 1970’s that our nation stalled. It was only the release from those rates that drove a boom. People invested again and individual drive was reborn.
Maybe we’re different today. I doubt it though.

Take note too, that there was no mention of lifting the SALT limit that many blue states have demanded. Lifting it would benefit the higher income individuals and cost the federal government too much revenue. Keep an eye on this because the blue state Democrats are on record as saying this must go. Any lifting of SALT makes the higher rates a fraud.

Lastly, the term “corporate welfare” and they “are not paying their fair share” has a recent example.
When we raised those rates to 35%, because after all they are only corporations, what happened? They left the U.S., and our jobs went to China, India, S.Korea, Mexico and Taiwan, among others. When we went to 21% and were competitive, what happened? We saw our manufacturing base grow.
It might sound good to say “corporate welfare,” but the reality is we compete in a global economy and raising rates is not in a vacuum, no matter how you present it.
Add this, you raise corporate rates and consumer prices go up. The people pay in one way or another.

have a great day. cancel the cancel culture.

the president speaks tonight

A speech to a (limited) joint session of Congress at 9:01 p.m. ET. Elements of his plan are coming out.
Spend more and tax the rich are all we hear. As you listen to the speech remember that and ask yourself these questions.
Is this class warfare?
Is this something a socialist country would do?
Does this fit the American dream of doing for yourself?
Does this plan encourage investment and innovation?
Are those about to be taxed just going to pay this or do you see them taking creative actions to avoid?
Are you hearing anything about cutting deductions and loopholes or just rate raising?
Is the answer really funding the IRS with 80 billion additional dollars (over the next decade) to collect trillions? If you believe that, then I tell you that bridge in Brooklyn is still for sale.
Do you think the new “free” services appeal to some voters, assuring votes?
The Republican response to follow is from Sen. Tim Scott (R., S.C.).

is this possible?

Wait, Hunter Biden is getting a gig at Tulune University and his lecture is on “Media Polarization and Public Policy Impacts.” (Basically fake news)
The same Hunter Biden who told CBS he didn’t know if the laptop with his notes and private pictures was his.
How does he rate this?  Really, Tulune?

international news that deserves covering

Did you hear that in Afghanistan the U.S. Embassy has ordered all nonessential staff to leave the country? Why? We are concerned that the Taliban will mount an escalation of violence after we failed to meet their deadline for all troops to withdraw. Remember last week that President Biden changed the date to September 11th (a poor choice of dates for sure) and our citizens are threatened.
My question is what’s going to happen between now and September 11th that didn’t happen the past twenty years that will change the atmosphere? I can’t imagine what it is, so why risk any life if you’re leaving?

The second place is Iran. I guess John Kerry’s buddies are getting aggressive again because they respect him so much.  
Things are so out of control that the a U.S. Navy patrol boat actually fired warning shots this week during a confrontation with three Iranian vessels.
But don’t worry, the administration is seeking to renew the nuclear agreement with Iran.

politicio has a poll

“Eighty-five percent of Democrats polled gave Biden an ‘A’ or ‘B’ grade for his first 100 days in office, while 44 percent of independents surveyed gave Biden the same marks. That’s more independent and intraparty support for Biden than former President Donald Trump got in his first 100 days, when just 32 percent of independents surveyed and 72 percent of Republicans polled gave Trump either an ‘A’ or a ‘B.’”

wait, that was wrong too?

Prosecutors told a federal judge Tuesday that U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick was assaulted with Mace — not the more dangerous bear spray as originally reported — debunking another false narrative that emerged after the officer’s death the day after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Remember the NYT first reported he was killed by the rioters with a fire extinguisher, only to learn later he died of natural causes. Oh yea, Nancy Pelosi used this as part of impeachment two. Anyone in the press asking for an explanation or apology? (If you think they are, remember that bridge I referenced above.)

oh sure

The Washington Post is canceling and closing its now famous presidential fact-checking database. The database that they reported daily on for former President Trump. They do this only 100 days into the Biden administration.
Why? Nothing to see here. Yeah, right.

have a great day. cancel the cancel culture.

the oscars crash

So the Oscars had an historic low viewership. In fact, the Nielsen numbers said under 10 million tuned in. Viewership among the younger ages was the worst.
Pointing out once again, maybe Hollywood actors (and sports stars) should stick to their craft and stop telling us how to live our lives.

john kerry, did you?

Tapes of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif were leaked to the public yesterday, and they implicated former Secretary of State John Kerry as  allegedly sharing sensitive information about Israeli military operations in Syria. This morning Kerry denied this.
Here’s the issue.
Normally we all discount anything the Iranians say as untrue, but John Kerry’s past denials leave many of us doubting his denial. Isn’t it a shame when your credibility is no better than the Iranian government officials?

california goes to a recall

California state officials confirmed that the campaign to oust California Gov. Gavin Newsom has gathered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. The Secretary of State announced that 1.6 million of the 2.1 million signatures submitted to recall Gov. Newsom have been certified as valid, exceeding the threshold of 1.49 million required to trigger a special election..

A few candidates have already announced, but it will still be tough to beat the Democrat Newsom in the state. The latest polls show support for him at 40%.

electoral college switch

Political power shifted further to states in the South and Mountain West—with Texas picking up two House seats and California losing one, as the Census Bureau released their data.
Two implications of the change. States that voted for Donald Trump picked up three electoral votes over blue states. That’s equal to an Hawaii in an election.

In addition it means three additional congressional house seats. Often the redistricting can add additional. Well, with Democrats holding a 222-213  (Full house) edge, three seats gets it very very close (219-216). It makes a house switch to Republican hands more likely in 2022.

police and criminals

Yesterday we wrote about the police encounters that have occurred are not because the police initiated them for fun, but because they were called. Well the Washington Times has a front page story on this today. Here’s a breif from them and a link to the article if you want to review it:
The “systemic racism” narrative touted by Black Lives Matter and the Biden administration to explain police use of force against Black victims is drawing pushback as resisting arrest emerges as a factor in many if not most high-profile cases.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/apr/26/daunte-wright-george-floyd-and-rayshard-brooks-bla/?utm_source=Boomtrain&utm_medium=subscriber&utm_campaign=newsalert&utm_content=newsalert&utm_term=newsalert&bt_ee=gLKRSSwZv6iyn7iHz7PExbPLkKJAPbli9fhr0EGZkhQ%3D&bt_ts=1619481563657

another surprise in georgia

Former Rep. Doug Collins said Monday he is passing on the chance to run next year for Georgia governor or the state’s U.S. Senate seat. It was thought he was going to run for one. In fact former President Donald Trump floated the prospect of Mr. Collins returning to the fray to challenge GOP Gov. Brian Kemp.
However, Collins released this statement:
“I am announcing today that I will not be a candidate for any office in the next election cycle, for those who may wonder, this is goodbye for now, but probably not forever.”

The Republicans appear to be running uphill in Georgia and need a united party in 2022 to have a chance of holding the Governorship and defeating Senator Warnock.

have a great day and cancel the cancel culture.

the war on police

Every time I see a police incident covered by the MSM they cover what an officer did when he/she arrived at a scene they were called to for assistance.
Do people realize that?
The officer didn’t go looking for trouble.
They were called because someone was doing something that threatened others. Someone called the police because they couldn’t handle a situation.
A crime was being committed or a person/situation was out of control.

The MSM makes it seem like the police are old west outlaws riding into a situation and firing away. Do they realize a crime was being committed, one that couldn’t be handled and police were needed?

Maybe they should start explaining things with that and not so one sided.

And how about covering the lives and families of officers killed in the line of duty. These families are parentless, not because their parent committed a crime, but because they rushed to one who did to protect the innocent.

The media is the problem.

What did i see?

The global leaders hold a zoom conference to discuss climate change.
One leader is on the zoom call with a face mask. One, among the twenty or so on screen.
Why was President Biden wearing a face mask on this zoom call? What impression did he give the other leaders by doing so?

While on that conference, why did every other leader have their national flag behind them except President Biden? I can’t even fathom why it wasn’t there.

Next he will tout his Covid vaccine success. He will again say his goal of 100 million people in 100 days was doubled.
I am going to repeat again, that is failed leadership. FAILED.

We were clear here that 200 million was low and 225- 250 million was a real goal. Well as we write this, with two days to go, the number vaccinated is 225 million.

Claiming victory for a bar set so low is a disgrace and the fact the media will allow them to get away with it doubles that.

while on covid

Remember all the media coverage about how Republican Governors were going to kill people with their covid approach and Democrats (like Cuomo) were heroes? Well what are you hearing now? Almost nothing, right? Here’s why:

Post covid, of the 20 states with the lowest unemployment rates, 17 are led by Republican governors.
The average unemployment rate for the nation’s 27 states with Republican governors is 4.6%; the average rate among Democrat-led states is 6.4%.

The 11 states with the highest unemployment rates are all run by Democratic governors: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

Eight of the top 10 states for economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2020 were led by Republican governors, according to the data, while the average growth for red states in the fourth quarter was 5.1%, more than a full point higher than the average of 3.7% for Democrat-run states.

Two Republican-led states, Idaho and Utah, actually have more jobs now than when the pandemic began. Also, 25 Republican-led states have recovered at least half of their jobs lost, and 17 at least two-thirds of their lost jobs.

Here’s a chart:
States with Fastest Economic Growth in Q4 of 2020

On the other end of the spectrum, all bottom ten states (and DC) with the slowest growth in the 4th quarter of 2020 were led by Democrats.

have a great day and cancel the cancel culture.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Over the next few weeks we will be enjoying spring break and this blog will publish only periodically.

a follow up on two stories

Yesterday we said there was a deal behind the scenes for a lower corporate tax and that the 28% was just a conversation balloon.
Well, this from the President:
President Biden said that he is willing to scale back a proposed corporate tax increase in his massive infrastructure plan amid resistance from a key Senate Democrat and a new study that said the plan would sap wages and economic growth in the long run.

The key Senator, of course, was to make Joe Manchin look good, because his polls in W. Va. have been declining.

Speaking of Manchin, he came out today to say he will not vote to change the filibuster. Pretty strong, uh? Oh yea, yesterday Senator Sinema (AR.) took that position. When she did the chance for a filibuster change was zero.

Story two was the talk of an Olympic boycott of the China games. Well here’s what happened with that when China spoke up:
The Biden administration sought Wednesday to tamp down speculation it is considering a boycott of next year’s Winter Olympics in China, amid growing pressure from human rights groups and the threat of a “forceful” response from Beijing if Washington tries to rally countries to pull out of the Games.

i still say failed leadership

I have railed here about the failed vaccine leadership goals that they keep touting beginning with 100 million in 100 days. It should be 250 million and how anyone could call 100 million leadership is like giving everyone a trophy.
Anyway, remember a few weeks ago the administration announced the goal of everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be by May 1?
Well guess what. Not two weeks later they announced this:
President Biden said all U.S. adults should be eligible for Covid-19 vaccines by April 19, speeding up a timeline he set out, as he urged Americans to be patient and take precautions as the rollout continues.

Leadership is not setting makable goals, claiming success and moving dates up. Leadership is motivating people to do what seems the impossible. The press calling this a success just shows how far they have fallen.
These “goals” are a far cry from John Kennedy’s challenge to place a man in the moon and bring him back safely before this decade is out.

Congress

Rep. Alcee Hastings, a Democrat from Florida, passed away this week. He was 84 and had been suffering from cancer. His death and open seat makes the current congress 218 to 211, with several vacancies. It will become 218-212 in a week when Republican Rep.-elect Julia Letlow of Louisiana is sworn in.

The way things are moving through congress you would think the numbers would be larger in the House and Senate (50-50), wouldn’t you?

Hastings, by the way, was the first Black federal judge in Florida. He was a trailblazer. However, he was impeached and removed from his judgeship and then ran for Congress. He won and was reelected every two years.

the border

What is going on with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas? On top of saying he may close the border fence holes, he now says he is preparing to take on sanctuary cities that refuse to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and he wants more illegal immigrants to face criminal prosecution for jumping the border.

He also rejected calls from some in President Biden’s political base to abolish or split up the government’s deportation agency.

He revealed theses hard-line stances last week during a virtual town hall forum with ICE employees. 

The Washington Times has reviewed notes of the conversation in which Mr. Mayorkas said he is working on a set of deportation guidelines to govern how and when officers can arrest and attempt to deport illegal immigrants. Pressed by ICE employees worried about public resistance to the agency’s work, Mr. Mayorkas said ICE has a “noble mission.” Noble? The VP called them the KKK.

“I’m 100% opposed to the abolition of ICE,” he told the employees. “It is the opposite of what I think needs to occur. I think we need to strengthen our policies and practices and communicate more effectively what we do and why we do it.”

but not all changed

Homeland Security removed a press release announcing the arrest of two terrorism suspects along the southwest border because it wasn’t approved by higher-ups, and revealed sensitive information.
The Border Patrol had announced Monday that agents arrested two Yemeni men who were on the FBI’s terrorist watch list over the past two months, confirming lawmakers’ reports that terrorism suspects were attempting to sneak into the country as part of the migrant surge.
One of the men was nabbed last week near Calexico, California, after he jumped the border.
The 26-year-old was found to be on both the FBI’s terrorism watch list and the No-Fly list.
The other man was arrested near Calexico, California, early in the morning on Jan. 29, just days after President Biden was inaugurated. That 33-year-old was also on both the watch list and the No-Fly list.
Agents also said they found a cellular phone sim card concealed under the man’s shoe insole.

Why are we removing this information? It’s been said at least six believed terrorists have been caught so far.

have a great day. cancel the cancel culture.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Over the next few weeks we will be enjoying spring break and this blog will publish only periodically.

The $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan 

Well so much for you can only use budget reconciliation once a year.
The Senate’s parliamentarian just cleared the way for Democrats to use it two more times this year. That will give the Democratic leadership more maneuvering room with President Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan and an expected child-care and antipoverty package.
I guess when you’re on a spending roll, you keep on spending!
Who pays the bill?
Your kids, grandkids and their kids. Wait until it comes due and they pass judgement on us.

Senator Joe Manchin (a favorite here) said he does not approve of President Biden’s infrastructure bill as it is written. He specifically does not support the 28% corporate tax rate and thinks it should be lowered to 25%. It is 21% now.
Here’s a thought.
The cynical part of me says that the 28% proposed was done on purpose. They know it would make us uncompetitive again. As an example, it would take our tax above China. Not a good idea at this time. Thus, propose 28%, let the Manchin’s say no and take credit for 25% and fool the people again. (China’s rate is 25%.)
Don’t be fooled.

meanwhile our leaders are proposing

Treasury Secretary Yellen, said the U.S. was in talks with G-20 nations on a global minimum corporate tax. Imagine that, a global corporate tax rate.
She said this could help stop “the race to the bottom” on tax policy.

The chances of passing this are too slim to bet on. Lower tax rates are how countries attract businesses. I don’t see them wanting to raise their rates so the U.S. can raise their’s and keep business.
Just not going to happen.

new york back on top

Of what you ask?
The new taxes proposed by the Governor and supported by the legislators will put them ahead of California for the highest state taxes.
This from the NYT:
“Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and New York State legislative leaders were nearing a budget agreement … that would make New York City’s millionaires pay the highest personal income taxes in the nation.”
How high?
The city’s top earners could pay 14.8 percent in state and city taxes, when combined with New York City’s top income tax rate of 3.88 percent — more than the top marginal income tax rate of 13.3 percent in California.
The President is proposing the Trump federal tax cut to 37% for these earners be raised back to 39.5%.
So add them together and a rate for high earners is 54.3%.
That, of course, doesn’t include social security and medicare taxes, not to mention all the taxes we pay on gasoline, cable and cell, etc.
You wonder how we save anything.

the olympics

There is a drumbeat to boycott the Olympics this year because they are in China. It is picking up momentum.
I don’t favor any boycott.
It hurts the athletes who generally have one shot at a magical moment they trained for all their lives. Why agree to China then boycott them?
I realize even our President didn’t see the China threat a year ago (C’mon man, China is going to eat our lunch?”), but why punish the dedicated athletes?
I thought it was wrong when President Carter did it in 1980 and I don’t support the drive to do it today.
One country has announced they are not going. Who? North Korea.
They cited the pandemic as the reason.

A republican senator in trouble

Senator Lisa Murkowski who has prided herself on being “independent” to the point she angered many just saw her polling results in Alaska.
The pollster said she has a “very weak image with voters.” How weak?
Well, a 63% unfavorability among all the voters, and 87% unfavorability among GOP voters. Why so unpopular with Republicans?
Her vote to convict President Trump in the impeachment trial, opposition to Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court and ranking as the second most liberal Republican Senator.
Last time out she lost the Republican primary, but won reelection as an independent. That may not work this time.

can this be real?

This story in the Washington Times yesterday:
“Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told department employees that he may restart border wall construction to plug what he called “gaps” in the barrier. Mr. Mayorkas was asked about his plans for the wall during a conversation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees last week. Although Mr. Biden canceled the border emergency order and halted Pentagon money flowing to construction of the wall, he said, “that leaves room to make decisions” on finishing some “gaps in the wall.”

Have a great day. cancel the cancel culture.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Over the next few weeks we will be enjoying spring break and this blog will publish only periodically.

does any of it make sense?

Last year we had a rash of “defund the police” shouts and actual actions in some cities.
This year we have those same cities “concerned” over their increased homicides.
Well isn’t that a surprise?
Here’s some numbers:
Police data and public reporting found that in the first three months of 2021, the homicide rate in 20 major cities across the country rose by 28% last year.

In nine of the cities that made the most dramatic cuts to police department budgets, homicides rose by nearly 68%.

Portland, Oregon, you have heard of them, has seen its homicide rate soar a staggering 1,900% in 2021. They carved $16 million out of its police budget.

Austin, Texas cut $20 million, 23%, from its department budget and shifted another $80 million by moving certain services to other departments.
Police reported a 35% rise in their murder rate.

Philadelphia reduced police funding by $33 million and saw homicides climb 25% in early 2021.

Minneapolis has had a 46% jump in the first quarter of 2020. The city council has shrunk its department’s budget by more than $9 million.

You get the idea. Did “defunding” make sense to anyone?

moving the all star game

Did moving the all star game out of Atlanta make sense to you?
First of all, even Atlanta officials, like their Mayor, said it was a bad decision that would hurt their average citizen and business owners.

Why did they move the game?
It gained momentum when President Biden went in ESPN and supported the move. Then local CEOs from Coke and Delta supported that too.

Wait, didn’t anybody see the Washington Post (the newspaper that has never, as in never, supported a Republican for President) say Biden lied?
They gave him four pinnoccio’s. Their highest lie rating.

Exactly where are they going to move the game? New York, where MLB is headquartered wants the game.
Except that NY has more restrictive voting laws than the new Atlanta one.

The new law requires voters to provide ID to vote by mail, a change that critics say will disproportionately affect some voters. Wow, you need an ID to vote.

It shortens the time during which voters can request early ballots, but from six months before Election Day to 78 days.

Counties can begin sending ballots to voters 29 days before Election Day, rather than the previous 49 days.

So let’s see.
You need an ID to vote, you can request a ballott 78 days before the election (Mid August), and you get the ballot 29 days in advance.
Why is that restrictive?

Polls don’t close at 5:00 as President Biden said, and water is allowed on line, just not by political campaigns trying to sway your vote.

With the expected announcement today of Colorado as the choice, watch the comparisons between their voting laws and Georgia.

I think MLB made a mistake here, a big one.

the salt argument

Five Governors, all Democrats, appealed to President Biden to undo a cap on state and local tax deductions enacted by the Trump tax program.
Now what this means is they want their state citizens to be able to deduct all their state taxes and not just $10,000.
You see by doing that they can raise taxes, and citizens in the low tax states can just pay more. So if your state kept taxes down locally you should pay more to support the New York’s, California’s and Illinois.
Some questions.
Who pays the highest taxes in those Democratic states?
Isn’t it the same rich who they say don’t pay their fair share?
So why do they want to give them a huge deduction?
In fact, I bet the top 10% would get 90%+ of this deduction.

Does that stand make sense?
Will the media point this out? Of course not.

have a great day. cancel the cancel culture.

on taxes – does it all make sense?

So, Nancy Pelosi and team say they want the SALT (State and Local Taxes) deduction of $10,000 lifted. They say it is unfair to high tax states. Now aren’t they the same people who say “tax the rich?”
Well, how does lifting it square with this fact:
Removing the cap would mainly benefit wealthier taxpayers. The Tax Policy Center has projected that if the cap were repealed, more than half (50%+) of the benefits would flow to the top 1% of earners and more than 80% of the benefits would go to the top 5% of earners.
Did that limit benefit the wealthy as they claimed, and is lifting it hurting the wealthy? What am I missing?

On taxes, President Biden says, “We’re going to raise the corporate tax. It was 35% which was too high.” (Forget the fact it went that high under his watch). “We all agreed five years ago it should go to 28%.” (No we didn’t, some of us thought 21% was too high.) “But, they reduced it to 21%. We’re going to raise it back to 28%. No one should be able to complain about that.”
Yes they can and they should. In fact, as the Tax Foundation showed in a comprehensive report on global corporate rates, a national rate of 21% puts the U.S. rate at about 25.8% when state and local corporate income taxes are added in, and that’s still slightly above the world average.
Some think the tax hike would send jobs, factories and capital out of the U.S. by again saddling our businesses with one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world — while the trend everywhere else has been toward lower rates for decades.

on trust in the government

Here’s a report/poll from Morning Consult on trust in the government.
Republicans polling in October had a 67% trust vs. 41% among Democrats.
In the first poll after Election Day, Democrats shot up to 54%, while Republicans dropped to 51%.
Following Biden’s inauguration, 65% of Democrats said they had at least some trust, while only 42% of Republicans echoed the sentiment.
Current numbers stand at 60% for Democrats and 34% for Republicans. 

The divide is on all issues. Take a look:

HAve a great weekend. cancel the cancel culture.

Just the news – but

Congressman Matt Gaetz broke news that he’s under federal investigation for sexual misconduct. The charge involves sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old girl. His television interviews didn’t do much to clear anything up. I was wondering why there was a story quoting him in the past 48 hours that he may resign and take a role at Newsmax. Keep an eye on this, and watch how Democrats will want him removed from committees. The same people who voted that it was fine for Swalwell to stay on the intelligence committee. President Biden’s dog Major bit someone again yesterday while on a walk at the White House. He had just returned from training in Delaware, and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden still maintains that “he’s a sweet dog” who is still acclimating to the busy environment and new faces of The White House.  I see. A reader suggested we should send Major to the border. He might help there, and since no one in the White House wants to go, it might be good! Those of you old enough may remember G. Gordon Liddy from the Watergate activity in the 70’s. He was the leader of the “plumbers” conducting the break-in. He died yesterday at age 90. He was one interesting character. I read his book, and upon being caught in the caper, he asked his superiors which corner he should be on. He was prepared to be assassinated. As a young man he felt he had many fears and decided to confront each. As an example, he had a fear of rats. At age 11, he roasted a rat and ate it to overcome that fear! Like I said, he was an interesting character. Amid March Madness, the Supreme Court is hearing a case on NCAA compensation for athletes. The contention is that scholarships for free education and room and board are inadequate payments. The decision could change college sports in a big way. While Pfizer announces that its vaccine is 100% effective in children between 12 and 15, the virus numbers are climbing a little. There were 60,000+ new cases for Tuesday. That was down from Monday (69,419), but up from 53,578 a week earlier. As you hear this on the news remember that daily tallies are still far lower than January’s peak of about 300,000 per day. The question is, if schools require a vaccine what will parents do? It will be an interesting afternoon as President Biden unveils his new spending and tax plan. The spending is estimated to be between 2 and 3 trillion dollars. It will be infrastructure and climate initiatives. Taxes to pay for it are widespread. Examples: Corporate tax rate back up to 28%. Raising the Trump tax rates for higher earners back to 39.6%. Adding social security tax on earnings above $400K. The question is will he repeal the SALT limitation of $10k? If he does, that provides a major reduction to high earners. Some moderate Democrats say that if not included they will not vote for any program. Now on the other side, the spending on top of the other trillions recently spent is too little for some. An example: Rep Ocascio- Ortiz said, it’s “not nearly enough and needs to be way bigger.” She’s not alone: Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) proposed a $10 trillion climate plan this week. You just can’t please them all. Did you see the photos from the first two reporters allowed to view the children being held in Texas? If you did, answer these questions. Where’s the uproar? Where’s the media with their outrage?

have a great day. Cancel the Cancel culture.

WHY?

Why would Democratic lawmakers in Maryland want to pass the first-in-the-nation legislation that would limit police access to popular DNA genealogical databases that have been used in recent years to solve decades-old rape and homicide cases across the country?
Using DNA analysis from crime scenes, authorities have been able to identify suspects such as the “Golden State Killer,” who terrorized Californians in the 1970s and 1980s. The genetic samples came from relatives who submitted to genealogy-tracing companies such as GEDmatch and Family Tree DNA.

Why do they not want criminals apprehended and the public protected?

Why is the filibuster now racist?
Last year Democrats used it 317 times and Republicans once.
When did they discover it was racist?
Sounds like a case of “I was for it before I was against it,” depending on who was in office.

Why is no one talking about the diversion from the filibuster they are using?
Reconciliation is a process that generally can be used only once per fiscal year, according to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

Majority Leader Schumer is maneuvering to pass a third bill this year using this.
You see, reconciliation is a procedure that sidesteps the filibuster and lets you ram through an agenda without the support of a single opposition member.

They have used this process twice this year, and now are talking a third.
“It is hugely irresponsible for Schumer to consider undermining the few remaining rules that might bring discipline to federal budgeting,” said Chris Edwards, director of tax policy studies at the libertarian Cato Institute.

Why are they getting away with not allowing reporters at the border?
How can a free press that so condemned the last administration on the border accept not being allowed in to do their job and report on conditions?
How can they see the congressional pictures and videos and not demand access?

Why didn’t they report this Gallup Poll finding?
Over a quarter of the population from 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (120 million), would like to permanently move to another country.
42 million named the U.S. as the place they want to come. 

Why do we talk often of lost values? Here’s one example from Gallup.
American membership in houses of worship dropped below 50% for the first time in the 83 years that Gallup has been asking the question. 

In 2020, 47% of U.S. adults belonged to a church, synagogue or mosque — down from 73% in 1937, and 70% in 1999.

Now religions have contributed to the decline, but from 73% to 47% tells you a lot. Here’s a graph of the decline from Gallup.

Take note this holy week.

have a great day. cancel the cancel culture.

a view of the presser

There are plenty of views on the first President Biden press conference. Some praising his grasp, some saying he was confused and lost. Here’s mine:

I thought he was coherent enough to get by.
He had clearly prepped much.
In fact you could see him reviewing his cards once when the door opened.

He avoided any pitfalls and can breathe easier today that he did so.

It was also the first time I ever saw a President have talking notes for issues.
It was the first time I saw a President read answers to some questions.

He avoided a potential catastrophe, but he did enough for people to wonder.

now for the press

Let’s start with the control over the press that was exhibited with no complaint.
Did you see people raising their hand and shouting?
No, they sat there sheepishly as the President looked over his pre determined chart on who to call.
Would this have flown a few years ago with a different President?

Did anyone challenge the President as they did the past one? (In fact, the first question at President Trump’s first press conference began with, “Mr. President, you lied to the American people, how can they ever believe you…”

Now Chuck Todd (MSNBC) said last night there were no negative questions yesterday because there is nothing negative to ask.
If you believe that, you must work in the press.
The tone of questions, the words used, the supporting nature of each all provided the President an easy walk.

I repeat again, we have lost a free, unbiased and open press. They have chosen sides, and that is bad for the nation’s future.

final thoughts on the presser

Readers here must have laughed at the President’s new goal of 200 million shots in the first 100 days.
The press praised his new goal, as if he accomplished something.
We have written numerous times, his original goal of 100 million was an example of failed leadership.
In fact, his new goal is low today. At worst it should be 2.25 million if not 2.5.

President Biden said “yes” when asked if the filibuster was a remnant of Jim Crow activirty.
Now that’s interesting since he was in office for 47 years and not only never said a word about it, but actually utilized it.

As Chuck Todd said, nothing to talk about here.

some other news to think about

You are aware of the drive to move everyone to electric vehicles.
Well, are you aware the drumbeat has begun to create a new tax based upon the miles you drive?
How would it work?
Drivers would report their mileage electronically, using a plug-in device in their cars or a smartphone app.
Each mile you drive becomes a tax.
Ready?
Don’t worry, your taxes won’t go up, only the wealthy will pay! I bet your electric rates go up too!

I continue to be astonished how President Biden gets away with now saying he is taking on China.
He was part of Washington when the problem developed, festered and reached this point.
A year ago his famous “C’mon on man, China is going eat our lunch?” comment was made. He didn’t recognize it then.
Last I heard his son was still getting paid by a Chinese company.
Yet, yesterday he sounded the alarm about China and our children’s future.
Did he get any questions about it? No.
Wouldn’t a legitimate question be – Mr President when in the last year did you realize China was real threat to the U.S.?

How about this story, not worth asking a question on it?
The Biden administration claims to be upholding the Trump-era pressure campaign on Iran, but there are clear signs sanctions are crumbling as China dramatically increases its purchases of embargoed Iranian crude oil. A tripling of Chinese purchases since President Biden took office has given Tehran a financial lifeline and new leverage to fend off outside pressure, complicating the administration’s hope for a quick revival of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal that President Trump repudiated.

Remember the press and left uproar a few weeks back when Texas and Mississippi relaxed their mask mandate and opened their states?
They were all over the news on their callousness and disregard for health.
Did you hear this now?
Mississippi cases are down and trending lower.
Texas reported yesterday that the state has not witnessed a surge in new cases, and in fact, infections continue to decline statewide.

Meanwhile the past left hero Gov. Andrew Cuomo is in more trouble.
The latest report :
“As the coronavirus pandemic swept through New York early last year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration arranged for his family members and other well-connected figures to have special access to state-administered coronavirus tests, dispatching a top state doctor and other state health officials to their homes, according to three people with direct knowledge of the effort.“

This was the Governor who said, “My Mother’s Life matters and your Mother’s life matters.”
I guess his did a little more, as he got her tested and said he would not place her in any nursing home that he sent covid patients too.
But don’t worry. The NY Polls still show people want him to stay in office and he still plans to run for reelection.

have a great weekend. cancel the cancel culture.

in the news and ON MY MIND

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) has been chiding the Biden administration to appoint more Asian Americans to the Cabinet. Yesterday in a call she was reminded that VP Harris is of South Asian American heritage.
Her immediate reaction was saying that was “incredibly insulting.”
Okay, I get that. What was her next reaction?
She vowed to reject any nominee who is white and straight. 
Explain that one to me.

Remember all the noise about the Post Office around election time?
Well yesterday they reported their 14th consecutive month of losing money. In fact, their fiscal year loss is now $9.2 billion dollars.
Now if this were a private business, what would happen?
As a government organization, though, we just funnel more money to them.
Now ask yourself, do you foresee using the postal system more or less as time passes?
Are you going to mail more payments or do it online?
How come the other package delivery companies make money?
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has put forward a plan to overhaul the agency and avoid more than $100 billion in projected losses over the next decade.
The Democrats want him replaced.

Isn’t this interesting in light of the border issues? (From Washington Times)
When Donald Trump proposed a wall during the 2016 campaign, it cleaved the country, with supporters and opponents about evenly divided.
While Mr. Trump was carrying out those plans as president, support slipped, with 55% opposed, according to a 2019 survey from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
The Senate Opportunity Fund’s polling now shows 38% opposed and 53% in support of the wall.
I wonder why.

Wait now, explain this again.
We have said over and over that “taxing the top 1% will soon seep down” to you. Well here’s the latest clarification of the new tax plan. It was down to $400,000 per person right?
Well now its changed again.
Mr. Biden is already breaking his pledge because a person earning over $200,000 per year married to someone making the same amount would see tax increases.
Stay tuned.
If they don’t take away deductions from the high earners, you will pay more – guaranteed.

Here’s an interesting analysis on why President Biden is moving so quickly:
Four things are pushing Biden to jam through what could amount to a $5 trillion-plus overhaul of America, and vast changes to voting, immigration and inequality.
1. He has full party control of Congress, and a short window to go big.
2. He has party activists egging him on.
3. He has strong gathering economic winds at his back. 
4. And he’s popular in polls.
If you followed what President Obama said his mistake was, it was not moving quickly in year one, because he lost the congress in the mid terms.

Why hasn’t this happened? They lied under oath!
Sen. Charles E. Grassley is demanding justice against several individuals who lied to the Senate Judiciary Committee over allegations against Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh during his confirmation in 2018.  
The Iowa Republican sent a letter Tuesday to Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray asking for an update on four people who came forward with false allegations about Justice Kavanaugh when the committee was looking into a different allegation from Christine Blasey Ford. 
Mr. Grassley said it’s  “the responsibility of the Justice Department and FBI to hold those who mislead and obstruct Congress accountable for their criminal behavior,” and demanded to hear back by April 6. 
He’s made similar requests in the past, but has not had a response.

Make the U.S. like California. All Electric vehicles by 2035?
California’s senators are urging President Biden to hasten the country’s transition away from fossil fuels by phasing out gasoline-powered vehicles.
Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla sent a letter to the White House on Monday requesting stronger federal action on climate change.
Someone needs to explain to me how we can be all electric cars by 2035 (as California has mandated).
If you take a long trip how do you charge your battery? How long will that take?
How do people living in the city and parking on streets charge their cars?
Is the electric grid going to be able to do this?
Yet, its full steam — er electric — ahead.

Just some of the things I am wondering about this AM.

have a great day. cancel the cancel culture.

the news this am – as we reviewed

With the official start of March Madness, let me close this week by reviewing headlines in the news this morning that go back to issues we discussed.

first – the china talks

The talks began yesterday and as long as it wasn’t for show, the Biden administration adopted the tougher stance of the last administration as Antony Blinken fought back against China’s lead diplomat Yang Jiechi. In fact, they went at it.

Now we think it certainly is long overdue that U.S. leadership (outside of President Trump), got the message on China, and are happy to see this.
But, we are left with this lingering question.
President Biden was in Washington for 47 years while this developed under his nose. A year ago he was still down playing China with his now famous, “C’mon man, China is going to eat our lunch?”
I ask again.
If it was created under his watch, he didn’t see it for 47 years, he’s the solution today?

second – the vaccine

Yesterday they celebrated the “achievement” of the promised 100 million doses in the first 100 days. The media touted it too.
I am going to say this again. The President should be embarrassed and the media is disgracing itself.
If all you want is to celebrate ridiculous goals, then celebrate.
For me, goals are reaches for the stars. Something you drive people to achieve because it changes the game.
100 Million in 100 days would have been a failure for the United States.
Why?
On inauguration day we vaccinated 1.2 million people. That’s 120 million over 100 days. Did President Biden and the media want to slow down?
At the time we were still ramping up on the new vaccines. The second had just been approved. Who thought we were going to do less?
A real leader and a real media doing its job would have set the goal I have mentioned – 200 Million in 100 days.
When you achieve your 100 day “goal” in 58 days, you are a poor goal setter and leader and did not drive the maximum outcome possible.
As further proof that 200 Million was the right goal consider this:
We are now averaging 2.2 million per day and did 2.5 million yesterday.
Run those numbers.
We did 100 Million in 58 days.
We average 2.4 for the 42 days left. That’s 100 million more.
A 200 Million goal was leadership.
What we are celebrating as leadership is failure to imagine motivate and challenge.

third – the border

Yesterday I watched the exchange between Dr. Fauci and Senator (Dr.) Paul.
The Senator challenged masks and why Dr. Fauci is vaccinated and telling people to wear double masks.
Dr. Fauci defended his position and said this administration wanted safety.
Okay, two different views, you can choose a side.

Then I saw the DHS Secretary interviewed on the border crisis he called a challenge.
He was asked if people with Covid have been released from custody.
His answer, “yes.” Wait, what?
In this administration we placed people on buses and transported them into our society? “Yes.”
Why would the vaccine and double mask administration do that?
Well, he said, “the law” does not allow us to hold them beyond a certain time.

Think about that from two perspectives:
You spend trillions of our children’s future dollars to protect us today from the virus and you release people with the “highly contagious” virus into society.
Then think about our leadership. Speaker Pelosi and Senate Leader Schumer seem to move awfully fast to change what they want. They can’t change the rule on releasing ill and contagious into society?
Third, Mr Executive Order President, is your pen dry?

Where is the free and non biased press?

the new cuomo poll

A Quinnipiac Poll out this morning says by 49-43% of New Yorkers do not want Cuomo to resign. Do not.
Which raises the questions.
If you are a Democrat in a blue state with a media who loved and praised you:
How many seniors have to die and how many woman do you have to abuse to have a majority realize what is really going on?

Immigration bills

Yesterday the House passed two immigration proposals that provided 11 million undocumented immigrants with a path to citizenship. 
All House Democrats voted in favor of the proposals and nine Republicans joined them. The proposals will now go to the Senate.
My thoughts are these:
First, there are far more than 11 million, as we will find out when it passes.
Second, I go back to what is fair and I offer this idea again:

Why do we reward those who broke the law as opposed to those who followed the rules?
Why can’t we tell those who are here illegally to register with the government and go on the list of those applying for citizenship. They go on as of the date they register, no line skipping.
In the interim they can stay on two conditions.
They obey our laws and do not commit crimes.
They pay taxes and contribute to society.
Then when their number comes up, after those legally on the list, they can submit citizenship papers.
Why do we insist on rewarding illegal behavior?

also

Xavier Becerra, the former California attorney general and congressman, was confirmed on Thursday to serve as Health and Human Services secretary. Remember the name because he has a far left agenda, and I guarantee you he is going to make noise.
The Senate narrowly confirmed him, 50-49.
Did you know that Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) was the Republican who jumped sides to support his nomination?

have a great weekend. enjoy march madness.
Cancel the cancel culture.

I can’t understand or explain

Why you would not want our border secure.
What is the reason not to protect our country?
What country leaves its borders open?
Why is there even an argument?
Why would we have the funds for a wall that was working and stop it?
Why would you leave a wall unconnected as if it has open doors?

Then, why do you refuse to call it what it is – a crisis?
Why do you, who promised to be the most open administration ever, not allow reporters in to see and report?
Even that mean man Donald Trump allowed that.
How could you be encouraging kids to come alone?
Some not even ten years old?
Is it a gimmick or trick?
Let the kids in and use family migration to allow all relatives?

And no testing for the virus? This administration – no testing?
Where’s the science for that?

How can 70+% of Americans be for border control and 62% say President Biden is doing a good job?

I just don’t get it. Do people know what is going on?

I don’t understand the immediate desire to make all things racial.
We get the alert about the Atlanta shootings and immediately it’s racial.
I watch the story and see the shootings are at massage parlors.
My immediate thoughts were:
I bet this has something to do with sex.
A religious zealot maybe?
A dissatisfied employee or customer?
Not the media.
They ran to racial, despite all victims were not Asian.
And then Democrats in congress knew who to blame. Donald Trump.
Donald Trump? Yes they did, out loud.
I can’t understand it.
What is wrong with these self proclaimed “enlightened and smart” people?

Doesn’t seem they are either to me.

Then consider this.
Yesterday Senator Warren called the Filibuster “racist.”
Here’s her direct quote:
“The filibuster has deep roots in racism, and it should not be permitted to serve that function, or to create a veto for the minority. In a democracy, it’s majority rules.”
Now if Donald Trump were trying to get rid of the filibuster it would be racist in another way. He would be denying minority rights.

If you ever want a case study of political hypocrisy just look at the senate’s leanings on the filibuster, depending on whose in office.
They change like the wind.

How much and how many times can the people be fooled and just reelect them?

Yesterday President Biden said:
“Anybody making more than $400,000 will see a small to a significant tax increase,” in federal tax.
Okay, like we said yesterday, the tax rate doesn’t matter, the deductions do.
Let’s see you really do that.
Are all his big tech and Hollywood supporters going to pay more taxes?

Count me a skeptic on that, but count me in on people believing it.

I don’t get why people are so docile about the U.S. moving on a track to lose energy independence.
Didn’t they see the advantage of being so, for the first time in almost 60 years?
Why is the climate better if the gas they put in their car is foreign oil and costs more?
Why is it better that prices go up, fellow Americans lose jobs, the money goes overseas and we have a gun to our heads?
Why is the media not covering rising gas prices like they do under Republicans?

Why are people so naive and easily fooled?

Why did the Media tell us over and over that the intelligence report said Russia tried to interfere in the 2020 election, and not tell us that Iran did too?
Is it because the Russians were supposedly supporting one candidate and the Iranians the other?

How is it possible that 43% of New Yorkers say they approve of Governor Cuomo?
You mean the nursing home deaths and the sexual charges don’t matter because he is a Democrat?
Is it really blackface, dead seniors and abused women are okay as long as you’re in the right party?

Are people that dense?

I can’t understand why the coverage was almost non existent of the Washington Post admission the story of what they reported Donald Trump said in Georgia was wrong, as the tape was released.
Pelosi and team used those false quotes in impeachment number two.

I guess you can add that to the Russian Collusion that wasn’t and other stories that a majority still believe was true because the media repeated them over and over and the retraction was never heard.

Are people that misinformed?

Let me close with this frustration. We heard over and over how bad Republican Governors were over their handling of the Covid.
How could they not close their state like Cuomo and Newsom?
Well it turns out the death rates were no different and their economies emerged far different.
Well here’s another outcome. Unemployment numbers.
When you view this, think about what the country thinks because of the media has told them.

Have a great day. cancel the cancel culture.

“pay their fair share”

I hear the drumbeat underway to now turn to infrastructure and the need to raise revenues to pay for it and all the stimulus dollars handed out. Hear it?
Boom, Boom, Boom.

Thus, the next thing you will hear from the leaders of raising taxes is “its about the wealthy paying their fair share.”
Boom, Boom, Boom.

Before we get into the real issue, consider these actual facts:
The top 1% (one per-cent) currently pay 38.5% of the U.S. income tax.
The top 10% paid 70% of all federal income tax.
The top 25% of earners pay 87% of all federal taxes.
The top 50% pay 97% of all federal taxes.

That leaves the remaining 50%. They pay 3% of all federal taxes.

Okay, absorb that for a second while you hear the drumbeat:
Boom, Boom, Boom
The top 10% of earners in the nation pay 70% of all federal taxes paid.
The top 50% pay 97% of all federal taxes.
The remaining 50% of taxpayers pay 3%.

Got that right?
Now answer this question:
So when they say fair share what do they mean?
What is the fair share anyone should pay in taxes?
I hear the President and Schumer say “the wealthy must pay their fair share,” but the media never asks what is that number.
Do you know what it is? I don’t.
Boom, Boom, Boom

The argument you will hear from the left over and over in the months ahead is the high earners do not pay enough.
You will hear that Warren Buffet’s secretary pays a higher rate than he does.
Immediately that rankles the mind. What?
How can that be?
Then you understand.
His federal income tax rate is higher, but what lowers that rate is that he pays capital gains on his investments at 20%.
Capital gains are taxes on money he already earned, paid taxes on and invested.
His capital gains lower his overall rate because 20% is lower than his federal tax rate.
So he pays a higher rate on income, but why bother with facts when we can fool people and rile them up?
And by the way, it means he pays his secretary very well, because she is part of the 50% carrying the other 50%.
Boom, Boom, Boom

That brings me to the real issue.
There will be a demand to raise the rates on the rich.
The media will love it. Democrats are for you. (I assume they mean the 50% paying 3% of the bill.)
They will raise the income tax rate on those paying.
They will discuss raising the capital gains, calling the 20 or 28% unfair.
Totally disregarding that taxes were paid when you earned the money and you invested in the future. You see, saving is bad.
They may even want 40% of the gains. It will sound great to the media.
Ask yourself if they do that what happens to the stock market, where IRAs, 401ks and pensions are invested. So it will be smoke and mirrors.
Boom, Boom, Boom.

But you say the government will get more money.
Wrong, I say.
You know why?
It’s not the rate you have on a chart that matters.
You can vote any rate you want.
It’s the deductions that they take that matters.
As long as they can meet with their accountants and lawyers and take the deductions you can raise the rate, but you aren’t driving federal income.
You want to raise revenue?
Try leaving the rates and taking away deductions.

In fact, if you reverse the Trump limit on state tax reductions, you will actually be helping the higher wage earners gain more deductions!

This whole thing is a sham.
Fool the uninformed again.
Make them think they are on their side, while protecting their campaign donors.

Then, when revenue is not enough for all their spending, they will raise rates on everyone.
It’s that simple.
Boom. Boom, Boom.

Yesterday we closed with the Peter and Paul story and taking from one to give to another.
Our federal tax rate is an example of that.
50% of federal tax payers pay 97% today.
Who is getting the benefit of the programs that supports?
I would think the 50% who pay 3% of the tax bill are the beneficiary.

So back to the question.
What is the fair share they say is fair?
When does the government rein in spending?
When does Paul support Paul with some help from Peter?

In the meantime — hear the drumbeat:
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM

have a great day. cancel the cancel culture.

Wondering OUT LOUD

Yesterday I saw that President Biden’s approval rating was at 52%. It got me thinking about what people were judging the administration on.
Was it because he was not Donald Trump?
Was it because he was a Democrat?
Was it the money he was giving away?
Trump gave away money and he had trouble getting to 45% at any point in his four years.
What is it? So I decided to take a closer look at things since January 20th.
Let’s see:

Is it the vaccine? I know the administration has taken credit for it, but surely people know it was the warp speed program of the last administration that created them.
Did they believe it when Biden said there was no vaccine?
How could that be possible?
They saw him, his wife and VP get vaccinated on live TV before the inauguration.

Do they think that there was no plan for distribution?
I looked at the chart below, and as rollout ramped up in early January we were over a million a day by the time of administration change. At that point we all expected an increased rate, didn’t we? Why wouldn’t we?

Now the President set a goal of 100 million vaccines in 100 days. Looking at this chart, would you as the leader accept that? If you did you are no leader.
I can tell you I would tell my team 200 million is the goal.
Are people that fooled by the slogan 100 in 100 days?

If the President worked for me (and I guess in a way he does), I would say “you need leadership and goal training.” I would share an old saying that said:
The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.
They certainly didn’t here, yet he told people he exceeded the goal, and they applauded.
Where was the media to …. oh yea, right, the media, they let it slide.

Okay, maybe it wasn’t the vaccine, then what?
The border management?
Let’s see, he took a secured border and created first (using their words) a challenge, then a problem, and now a big problem. Some of us think it might be a crisis, but by all accounts it is messed up.
Is that leadership?
Maybe the leadership is to tell the people not that the border was secure but that it was broken, and this is all because of that.
Do people believe that line and lie? Are they that gullible? No wonder these phone scams are so successful.
It can’t be, after all the press — oh yea, the press won’t tell them.

Maybe they liked those Executive Orders to remove all Trump did. After all it does rid us of Trump policies and the media likes that.
After all, think all the good we did by rejoining the Paris Accord.
Does it improve our environmental standing? Well no, we were exceeding the agreement goals.
Did it drive China and India to improve theirs? Well no, they are exempt even though they are larger polluters in China.
Well then, what?
Oh, maybe they like the idea we are funding the world to do nothing again. After all, we have plenty of excess funds. It’s not like we are borrowing from our children’s future.

Okay, let me try China.
Maybe they like the way the President is handling China. Now which one do they like?
The candidate who said “China is going to eat our lunch, C’mon on man.”. Or, maybe its the recent, we better act or “China is gonna eat our lunch.”
I don’t know.
The media is not covering it. Too much Hunter danger there.

I don’t know, then it must be the stimulus money.
Now the former President wanted $2,000 per person, and we got $600 then and $1,400 now. So together we got another $2,000.
Then we added all this extra funding for things that had nothing to do with the virus. In fact, I heard it whispered only 10% of the $1.9 trillion went against Covid. Can that be?
I don’t know, the MSM never reported on it.
So let me understand this, what makes a great President these days?
We borrow from your kids and their kids to pay later so you can live better now?
I thought America was about sacrifice and saving to make tomorrow better for our kids.
When did that change?
Well maybe the people don’t realize what is happening, but how can that be, unless the media is not telling them the whole story.
Can the media be biased?

Did values really change? Well ask yourself this question. What chance would an old time politician have who said:
“This is the United States of America. Here you pull yourself up by your bootstraps, get a job and provide for your family. You create a better tomorrow by your ingenuity, drive and willingness to work for it. Don’t look for a handout, look for place to use your hands, to drive your future.”
I guess that’s the way it was.
We grew soft.
We want a guaranteed income to stay home.
We want more funds for more kids because we are a single family household. We won’t reward you for working and saving, we’ll tax you to support the rest.
Is this our future?
Well as they say, when you take from Peter to pay Paul two things happen.
Peter loses incentive and you end up with more Paul’s.
When you have more Paul’s the end of your society is near.
The press won’t tell you that or cover fairly those who would.

HAVE A GREAT DAY AND CANCEL THE CANCEL CULTURE.

reacting to the news

So, some Democratic leaders are all over Gov. Cuomo to resign.
My thoughts:
First, everyone is entitled to a fair hearing and investigation. That should be done.
Second, I am wondering if they want him to resign now over sexual charges and get him out, in that way there is no investigation of the nursing home scandal and deaths.
The former will pass with the public, the latter, for the leader they said was the example, could hurt.
What do you think?

Did you hear the Democratic talking points on the border on the Sunday shows?
“They inherited a broken system and it will take time to fix.”
My first reaction was, who believes that?
Then the reality that none of the hosts pushed back. The same hosts that pushed back on the previous administration every week.
Well here’s my opinion:
The border was under control and you broke it.
It was fixed with no help from congress, just smart leadership.
Last week you said it wasn’t a crisis. This weekend you called in FEMA.
Isn’t FEMA the disaster crisis organization?
The press didn’t call you on any of this. The press is the problem.

The story out of Bloomberg, based upon an interview with Janet Yellen, is tax hikes are coming.
Oh, you mean we have to pay the bills?
Now they will tell you “we are going to tax the wealthy.” Many Americans will believe them – again.
You see they always start at “the wealthy” and then discover they need more.
The original income tax was going to be 1% and anyone saying “someday it could be 10%” was ridiculed as ridiculous.

Don’t forget this too. When they raise corporate taxes, they don’t tell that results in price increases, and you pay the bill. The press won’t tell you either.

Now think about this too.
We just gave out a $1.9 Trillion Dollar Stimulus to drive the economy.
Do increased taxes stimulate or stall the economy?

Included in those state grants as part of the stimulus was a requirement the states cannot cut taxes.
Think about that long and hard.
You cannot cut taxes even if your budget is balanced, or you have a surplus.
Follow that logic now.
You must spend the money.
So we create more spending programs.
What do you think will happen in 18 months when the additional stimulus dollars are no longer there?
Budget shortfalls. Solution, raise taxes.

Here’s a thought. How come we never start with how to reduce spending on a budget trillions out of balance?
You mean there’s no programs we can reduce, cut or eliminate? It’s only more spending? There’s no waste or mismanagement?
Apparently so.
As Maggie Thatcher said, “sooner or later you run out of other people’s money.”

Nancy Pelosi’s reaction to Republican criticism of the additional spending and no tax cut provision was this:
“I don’t see them turning down the money.”
Meaning the states are taking it. Many will echo her profound words.
Well here’s mine:
Speaker, they know if they turn it down you will transfer it and spend more in the free spending blue states.
They know their state citizens will face the same tax increases as others for the spending. Their rates will go up just as much. You see, if they turn it down, it doesn’t give them a break.
We’re all not fooled.
The press covered her arrogant words. Did they tell you the whole story?
The press is the problem.

While on the fooling part, how many people are President Biden and his spokesperson fooling with his comments on no vaccine or plan when he came into office?
That is so ingenuous that it is hard to even write. But I am guessing he will fool 50% of us and the press will allow him to make the claim.

Mr President, when you said 100 million vaccines in your first 100 days, didn’t you know we were up to average a million a day at your inauguration?
Didn’t you know the U.S. had already contracted for double that amount?
Is your leadership claim really just keeping the pace?
You know, in my opinion, if you set a goal for 100 days that you were able to do in 60 days, you set the bar too low. You should examine your goal setting with your team. We can do better.

Marco Rubio was interesting this weekend. He backed the movement of unionization at the Amazon plant in Alabama.
Wait, I thought Republican conservatives were right to work and Democrats were the union guys.
Here’s what Rubio said:
“Here’s my standard: When the conflict is between working Americans and a company whose leadership has decided to wage culture war against working-class values, the choice is easy — I support the workers.”
Then, referring to Amazon and techs in general support for the left, he said:
“The problem is that when it comes to tax cuts, then they want our help. When it comes to, Oh, they’re trying to unionize us, so we might have to pay workers more, then they want our help. If you have a union problem, if you think the taxes for corporations like yours — the biggest in the world — are too high, why don’t you get your woke liberal, leftist friends and have them help you?”

Now that was interesting. Did you hear it on the air or read it in the press?

have a great week. cancel the cancel culture.

interesting things today

Today is Day 50 of President Biden’s presidency.

Once he signs the latest stimulus bill into law, Washington will have spent more than $5 trillion in less than a year on this virus.
This is far more than we have spent in any past crises.

As the country opens more and more does anyone find it odd that LA schools are still closed? What happened to “follow the science?”

Speaking of Covid, how about the book publisher announcing no more printings of Gov. Cuomo’s book on leadership during the crisis? If you bought a book, you were duped. The heroes on each coast are being exposed, but don’t worry, the press is now telling us again how Republican Governors are wrong.

Here’s a cartoon from Fillmore (that Gannett cancelled) on the book:

Here’s a question someone asked about NY’s Lt. Governor:
Has any reporter asked what she knew about the cover up of 15K nursing home deaths? What she thought about the 3/25 EO? Anyone ask her if she’s ever witnessed the sex misconduct & bullying that’s been alleged by so many in recent weeks? Would seem pertinent, no?
Yes I think it would, but why expect the press to be aggressive here?

By the way, the third of the Covid hero Governors, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, is facing increased scrutiny over a policy that may have contributed to increased nursing home deaths related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Imagine that. There will be more news on this as we go forward.

It was announced that The National Guard will extend its mission at the U.S. Capitol into May. Why is the question?
Besides the cost, the appearance of a military state, and a talking point for Pelosi, why is this continuing?

Did you see that Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri said he won’t be running for re-election in 2022?
He is the fifth announced Republican not running. No Democrats have said they will not run.
In a 50/50 senate this could be very significant.

Former President Trump reacted to Blunt’s announcement:
“He [Sen Roy Blunt]  was one of the first people who came to my defense against the Impeachment Hoax #2 (IH-2), and it was greatly appreciated by me. Congratulations to the entire Blunt family, and to Roy on a wonderful career!”
Notice how his opening comments is about himself. That was and remains a Trump problem. He always makes it about him.
Here’s a second example.
The decision was made that President Biden will not sign the stimulus checks that he will approve today. Remember how Trump made it is an issue to put his name on them?
It goes back for me, to Trump policies yes, but Trump personality no.

On those polices, don’t we miss them already? Two examples front and center:
The border is not a “challenge”, it is a mess. This administration broke it and the press is failing to tell the story.
The price of gasoline is rising, and will continue going up as long as we have the current policies. Why would we ever risk giving up energy independence?   

You may seen the story of the death of Roger Mudd. You may remember it was Mudd’s 1979 interview of Senator Edward Kennedy that derailed his run for president. Mudd asked him: “Why do you want to be president?” 
Kennedy stumbled for an answer and never recovered. (Some may think it was the Chappaquiddick accident and death of a young lady, but it wasn’t. Kennedy a Democrat was forgiven). Mudd’s question did it.

Now I wonder if today Mudd would have a job. Why you ask?
He was a distant relative of Dr. Samuel Mudd, arrested for treating an injured John Wilkes Booth after President Lincoln’s assassination.

have a great day and cancel the cancel culture.

monday morning: Issue 1 – Cuomo

Life is so different when it’s you and not me.
With five woman now speaking out about sexual abuse the Governor of NY said: “I’m not going to resign because of allegations.” In fact he said it was “anti-democratic, and a violation of the due process clause of the Constitution. There is no way I resign.”
Funny he spoke so differently when there was far less direct evidence against others.
Why is that Governor?
In fact, the difference between your charges and Judge Kavanaugh is that all five of these woman worked for you. They were your supporters and team.
In Kavanaugh’s case there was no connection between them, the claimants only “witness” said it wasn’t true. The other two who brought charges were proven to be made up.
I guess the rules for thee are not for me.
And by the way, this is no way replaces another real crime, the nursing home deaths.

The New York Post poll on Friday said 45% of New Yorkers would vote for Cuomo for reelection. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. In fact, in NYC two years ago the Governor got 80% of the vote.
Now that 45% is at the height of this scandal and mess, against an unknown opponent. In two years, against a known Republican, don’t be surprised at the outcome.

One more thing you should remember about the 2022 race. If Cuomo decides not to run, you know who will? NYC Mayor Deblasio.
He cannot run for reelection as Mayor (term limits). He ran for President last year, Governor is a no brainer.
Can he win? Is he a Democrat in NY?

MONDAY MORNING: ISSUE 2 – The media

Let’s see, the media talks up President Biden’s $300 unemployment boost. Okay, but answer this:
If President Trump were doing this today what would the message be?
I would think the media would be saying (loudly) that the new deal is a cut from the previous President’s $400 per week. In fact, the talk would be how this new plan is taking $400 per month out of Americans’ pockets. How can people buy food and pay rent with less money?

MONDAY MORNING: ISSUE 3 – THE MEDIA Part ii

Here’s some stats (from Axios) on media coverage of the old and new administrations:
Nearly halfway through President Biden’s first 100 days (today is Day 47!).

• Three times as many news stories were written about President Trump in February of 2017 than about Biden this past month.
  
• Biden was discussed on cable news for 1,836 minutes last month, according to the Stanford Cable TV News Analyzer. In February of Trump’s first year, he commanded 4,669 minutes. Just a 2,833 minute difference in a short month!
  
• Nearly every big news site saw traffic decline in February, with politics dropping most.
  
  So no press conferences, no SOTU, no negative news. The world has changed.

MONDAY MORNING: ISSUE 4 – joe Manchin

We’ve been outspoken that Senator Manchin talks a good game but he is never the one ala a Collins, Murkowski or Romney.
Well it happened again in the 50 – 49 Stimulus Vote.
Remember when he said he would not support such a huge spending bill?
Well he did.
His claim to fame on it was he got unemployment down from $400 to $300.
Now’s he talking again:
He’s going to “insist” Republicans have more of a voice on President Biden’s next big package than they did on the COVID stimulus. (Just like this package.)

He said he will “block” Biden’s next big package — $2 trillion to $4 trillion for climate and infrastructure — if Republicans aren’t included. (Sure he will, if there are 51 or more votes.)

Then he said “he’ll push for tax hikes” to pay for Biden’s upcoming infrastructure and climate proposal. This can be as much as $4 trillion dollars. No problem, he said ,”as long as it’s paid for with tax increases.” (I’m sure he’ll get Republican support for tax hikes, aren’t you?)

He also talked up an array of tax increases, including raising the corporate tax rate from the current 21% corporate tax and repealing “a lot of” the Trump tax cuts for the wealthy.  (How many Republicans do you see supporting that?)

My gut is that West Virginians are discovering Joe Manchin and he will be in trouble next reelection time, but then again that is not until 2024.

monday Morning: issue 5 – MINNEAPOLIS

Buckle up for non stop coverage of how bad a people we are. The trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd begins today with jury selection. Make no mistake, Chauvin deserves what he gets. At the same time, four officers were shot in NY over the past few days. Did you hear about that? Do their lives matter?

have a great week. cancel the cancel culture.