That's progress.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The good news is...
That's progress.
Dr.Wallace Charles Smith takes the name of "Talk Radio" in vain.
I am proud and pleased that Dr. Smith is willing and able to speak the words, on the pulpit, that are resonating through the Brown Community in the USA. This is a difficult time for them. They are at the mercy of Governors such as Michigan's Governor Rick Snyder.
The minority communities in the country are members of a socio-economic dilemma that isn't solved in Michigan unless Dictator Snyder takes away their rights and divides their cities assets while selling them to the highest bidder.
Talk Radio is bigoted. It is proven by the very fact they are seeking to make a mockery of a distinguished pastor and well spoken critic of their oppressive agenda.
The words need to be said. The people within the community need to be validated and the understanding that their cities and schools are under seige is more than correct. They are under seige because Republican Governors don't know how to governor they only know how to control and victimize.
...In March, (click title to entry - thank you) Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder won approval of Public Act 4 (i.e., the Emergency Manager law), which permits him to declare that a city is in fiscal crisis and then to appoint an overseer with unlimited powers including the elimination of existing union contracts. Significantly, chief sponsors of Public Act 4 were State Rep. Al Pscholka, who was a former aide to Whirlpool heir U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, and also "a former vice president for one of the major entities involved in building the luxury golf development,"...
I hope everything turns out well for cities like Benton Harbor. I sincerely do. But, to realize this is an African American community experiencing these problems only highlights the 'ripple effect' of the Wall Street Bailout and how that 'trickled down' on the most vulnerable communities when they pocketed the money and turned their backs on the USA.
This is only one example. But, to realize "Talk Radio" is as insensitive as this to single out a distinguished pastor and harp on it because they believe it will give them political traction proves they hope to 'stir the political pot' with bigoted hatred of a community in profound distress of their circumstances.
I thank Dr. Smith for his words, his bravery and I wish I was at his sermon on Easter Sunday.
Where is the bailout for Benton Harbor, Governor Snyder?
I understand Rush Limbaugh is taking the Lord's name in vain.
It is dangerous territory to start down that path and quite frankly there are dearly few that should. I was quite alarmed that Franklin Graham was actually seeking to be influential in Presidential politics. How did that happen and he needs to be investigated for his non-profit status.
These are the words of the King James Version of the Christian bible. I believe it is Matthew 21:12.. In colloquialism it is called, "The Cleansing of the Temple." Simple for most people to relate to, but, historically there is a lot going on here.
"And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,..."
It is unwise to go down this path for Republicans. They aren't correct in their morality at any turn. This passage in Matthew illustrates the distain Jesus Christ had for manipulation of the 'worthy' by the powerful. There is a lot to be said about poverty in the words of the prophets, but, in this instance (which appears in the words of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) the Son of God rebukes all that is evident in the evils of capitalism and how that interprets into an economy 'of the people.'
It is interesting that Rush Limbaugh, of all people, should invoke the name of Jesus Christ in his own colloquialism. He is looking for political footing. He is searching somewhere in his listening audience for 'the words' that will bring down the Democratic King; so to speak. I would think he would have more reverence for the people of the USA by now. He certainly doesn't have any reverence for a savior. It is quite astounding when one sincerely reflects on the pathetic nature Republicans have found themselves.
I'll be traveling for a couple of days. The ice caps are still melting, it is currently 39 Fahrenheit at Glacier Bay National Park. Antarctica is still receiving multiple 'heat transfer vortices' that are having sincere impacts on the circumstances there. There is life threatening weather circumstances for the nation with flooding causing all kinds of problems. As a matter of fact I need to check where that front is before I leave. Hm. Maybe travel more north before going west this time.
...TWC Severe Weather Expert, Dr. Greg Forbes (click title to entry - thank you) now says April has set a tentative record, with 292 confirmed April tornadoes in the U.S., breaking the old mark of 267 tornadoes in 1974. Keep in mind, an average entire month of April sees "only" 163 tornadoes.
There have been over 5400 severe weather reports (tornadoes, hail, and high winds/wind damage) so far in April. On average, only about 3300 severe weather reports are tallied in an entire April nationwide....
This is a recent satellite picture of the vortexes at work around the ice continent. I'm not going to explain it. It is the 'physics' of an Earth far too hot by human activity. I am quite confident Jesus Christ would not give sanction to it. How many electric cars are being sold this year?
I'll check in along the way. All who visit this blog, have a better day.
These are the words of the King James Version of the Christian bible. I believe it is Matthew 21:12.. In colloquialism it is called, "The Cleansing of the Temple." Simple for most people to relate to, but, historically there is a lot going on here.
"And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,..."
It is unwise to go down this path for Republicans. They aren't correct in their morality at any turn. This passage in Matthew illustrates the distain Jesus Christ had for manipulation of the 'worthy' by the powerful. There is a lot to be said about poverty in the words of the prophets, but, in this instance (which appears in the words of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) the Son of God rebukes all that is evident in the evils of capitalism and how that interprets into an economy 'of the people.'
It is interesting that Rush Limbaugh, of all people, should invoke the name of Jesus Christ in his own colloquialism. He is looking for political footing. He is searching somewhere in his listening audience for 'the words' that will bring down the Democratic King; so to speak. I would think he would have more reverence for the people of the USA by now. He certainly doesn't have any reverence for a savior. It is quite astounding when one sincerely reflects on the pathetic nature Republicans have found themselves.
I'll be traveling for a couple of days. The ice caps are still melting, it is currently 39 Fahrenheit at Glacier Bay National Park. Antarctica is still receiving multiple 'heat transfer vortices' that are having sincere impacts on the circumstances there. There is life threatening weather circumstances for the nation with flooding causing all kinds of problems. As a matter of fact I need to check where that front is before I leave. Hm. Maybe travel more north before going west this time.
...TWC Severe Weather Expert, Dr. Greg Forbes (click title to entry - thank you) now says April has set a tentative record, with 292 confirmed April tornadoes in the U.S., breaking the old mark of 267 tornadoes in 1974. Keep in mind, an average entire month of April sees "only" 163 tornadoes.
There have been over 5400 severe weather reports (tornadoes, hail, and high winds/wind damage) so far in April. On average, only about 3300 severe weather reports are tallied in an entire April nationwide....
I'll check in along the way. All who visit this blog, have a better day.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Dictatorships propagate extremists?
It would seem as though raising taxes on the wealthy is unpopular in newsprint today, so the lead stories at the New York Times is about terrorists. I suppose.
...Most famously, though, Darnah (click title to entry - thank you) has a claim to being the world’s most productive recruiting ground for suicide bombers. An analysis of 600 suicide bombers in Iraq by the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point found that of 440 who listed their hometowns in a recruiting roster, 52 were from Darnah, the most of any city, with Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 40 times as populous, as the next biggest source, sending 51....
It is the kind of thing I have said before about The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt; "It has to be left alone."
...The presence of Islamists (click here) like these amid the opposition has raised concerns, among some fellow rebels as well as their Western allies, that the goal of some Libyan fighters in battling Col. Gadhafi is to propagate Islamist extremism....
Certainly, hating Russia in Afghanistan didn't do the USA any good, now did it? When it came to Libya the Russians stated, "It is not our concern." They saw no reason to be involved nor stand in the way at the United Nations Security Council. Russia may very well have squandered its good will in the Middle East, but, that is a folly every burgeoning capitalist has to learn.
The question remains, "Did the government create the extremist, or did the extremist create the government?"
Probably neither, The Gun Economy created the extremist. Rarely does one find an extremist without a gun, even in the USA. There is something about 'the power' of killing at the single pull of a trigger that secures an understanding "I am powerful over life." Sort of like God.
This is the tightrope First World countries run when they attempt to be benevolent. It is a known fact that the CIA uses rebels all the time for their own purposes. That isn't anything new. The slaughter in South America decades ago occurred, 'in the name of freedom.' What the average citizen doesn't know or doesn't care to know about their own country is rather profound. That isn't the topic though. The topic is 'Was Gadaffi actually an ally of the USA and did we move into Libya for the "W"rong reasons?" Basically, did the USA within the alliance of NATO begin another 'hell on Earth' war we will regret in the long view?
What if I said it never really matters.
Americans have this 'delusion' they own the world. Our allies, the Europeans have a very different view of the world. They don't have an ocean 'between' them and the countries with unstable government and social oppression.
In the American understanding of 'security' lies the 'idea' that we can impose 'our will' at 'will' on any country on Earth and when they don't comply we can make them comply. That is a faux arrogance, and when stated as such, it is viewed as extreme in and of itself, so it never is stated.
Countries the USA relies on for energy and products to the economy are primarily not democracies. China is not a democracy and Saudi Arabia is a kingdom. Those are only two examples, yet the USA 'trades' with them. As a matter of fact, Nixon went to China, while "H.W." was ambassador to China. It was viewed as a great diplomatic victory. Today, it is regarded as a plight on the country. The USA turned a 'closed society' into its primary banker. To say the Chinese learned well is an understatement.
But, back to the 'idea' that The Libya No Fly Zone was a mistake. What do you want? Do you want to spread democracy in hopes 'all works out, okay" or do you actually want a transition into a change in governming principles?
Seriously.
The USA armed the rebels in Afghanistan and they turned out to be able to give sanctuary to al Qaeda to nurture the largest terrorist attack in history. The truth is that the Russians were actually ready to leave Afghanistan anyway, but, the resistance prodded them to leave earlier. Honest. The tribes of these nations are tenacious and we are witnessing that example in Miserata, Libya. There is no changing those people. Libya has some of the most wealthy peasants in the world. Seriously, There is no poverty in Libya, it is just to an American point of view there appears to be. Egypt is different. Egypt has profound poverty. So, which is it? Poverty and mistreatment that breeds extremism or it is 'inherent' to the nature of the tribal system of these countries? There are the two extremes right there. Egypt with poverty and Libya without.
The point and this is something no one except academicians study and that is there is a 'logical transition' to changes in 'governing processes,' That is correct. The populous of countries move themselves into positions where democracy can take place. So, does The West assist these processes, in the name of morality, freedom and liberty. That is horseshit. That is an impetus to 'using' the American electorate for purposes of profit.
The reason the USA is involved with Libya is because of UN Resolution 1973. It is a humantarian mission and it is working. There are people alive today from a dictator that is afraid of becoming Murbarak. That is the truth. The UN Resolution worked. It worked well and the goal is now, what exactly? To kill Gadhaffi.
WE ARE NOT ARMING REBELS. We have instituted a "No Fly Zone" for humanitarian purposes. It is working. We are not going to assassinate Gahaffi to turn loose rebels that are of questionable LOYALITY to their ? allies ? If UN Resolution 1973 provides for the bombing of Gadaffi himself and his compound because he is ordering more deaths of citizens, then so be it. We will have stopped the killing by Gadhaffi. Will it result in an AMERICANIZED Libya? Hell, no. But, will it provide a new venue for change in Libya that will reduce the people that want to kill Americans? Maybe?
The test of American policy, oddly enough, is not 'what we can control,' but, what we can influence and how we influence it.
Once the government of Libya is replaced, no different than the 'freedom and peace movement' in Egypt and other nations will resutl in a NEW RELATIONSHP between governments. That means 'the foreign policy' process starts all over again. The people at the leadership to the government in Libya nearly doesn't matter. It is the 'relationship' that develops that matters. It might be hostile, it might not. But, at the very least Libya is now disarmed and poses no real threat to the USA or its allies or its neighbors. Where we go from here will be the test of time, not the people we deal with. The new relationship with the new government cannot be any worse than the relationship with Gadhaffi over the past four decades.
It's a wash. People have to live somewhere and how the international relationships develop is always interesting. But, the American people are highly 'diluted' to believe they can fend off every danger by 'owning' the world. It simply is unrealistic.
One other thing.
Saudi Arabia has one of the most aggressive programs to reduce 'the occurence' of extremism. They have a list of 'candidates' for recruitment and criminality and they 'round them up' annually. It seems to work for them.
...Most famously, though, Darnah (click title to entry - thank you) has a claim to being the world’s most productive recruiting ground for suicide bombers. An analysis of 600 suicide bombers in Iraq by the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point found that of 440 who listed their hometowns in a recruiting roster, 52 were from Darnah, the most of any city, with Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 40 times as populous, as the next biggest source, sending 51....
It is the kind of thing I have said before about The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt; "It has to be left alone."
...The presence of Islamists (click here) like these amid the opposition has raised concerns, among some fellow rebels as well as their Western allies, that the goal of some Libyan fighters in battling Col. Gadhafi is to propagate Islamist extremism....
Certainly, hating Russia in Afghanistan didn't do the USA any good, now did it? When it came to Libya the Russians stated, "It is not our concern." They saw no reason to be involved nor stand in the way at the United Nations Security Council. Russia may very well have squandered its good will in the Middle East, but, that is a folly every burgeoning capitalist has to learn.
The question remains, "Did the government create the extremist, or did the extremist create the government?"
Probably neither, The Gun Economy created the extremist. Rarely does one find an extremist without a gun, even in the USA. There is something about 'the power' of killing at the single pull of a trigger that secures an understanding "I am powerful over life." Sort of like God.
This is the tightrope First World countries run when they attempt to be benevolent. It is a known fact that the CIA uses rebels all the time for their own purposes. That isn't anything new. The slaughter in South America decades ago occurred, 'in the name of freedom.' What the average citizen doesn't know or doesn't care to know about their own country is rather profound. That isn't the topic though. The topic is 'Was Gadaffi actually an ally of the USA and did we move into Libya for the "W"rong reasons?" Basically, did the USA within the alliance of NATO begin another 'hell on Earth' war we will regret in the long view?
What if I said it never really matters.
Americans have this 'delusion' they own the world. Our allies, the Europeans have a very different view of the world. They don't have an ocean 'between' them and the countries with unstable government and social oppression.
In the American understanding of 'security' lies the 'idea' that we can impose 'our will' at 'will' on any country on Earth and when they don't comply we can make them comply. That is a faux arrogance, and when stated as such, it is viewed as extreme in and of itself, so it never is stated.
Countries the USA relies on for energy and products to the economy are primarily not democracies. China is not a democracy and Saudi Arabia is a kingdom. Those are only two examples, yet the USA 'trades' with them. As a matter of fact, Nixon went to China, while "H.W." was ambassador to China. It was viewed as a great diplomatic victory. Today, it is regarded as a plight on the country. The USA turned a 'closed society' into its primary banker. To say the Chinese learned well is an understatement.
But, back to the 'idea' that The Libya No Fly Zone was a mistake. What do you want? Do you want to spread democracy in hopes 'all works out, okay" or do you actually want a transition into a change in governming principles?
Seriously.
The USA armed the rebels in Afghanistan and they turned out to be able to give sanctuary to al Qaeda to nurture the largest terrorist attack in history. The truth is that the Russians were actually ready to leave Afghanistan anyway, but, the resistance prodded them to leave earlier. Honest. The tribes of these nations are tenacious and we are witnessing that example in Miserata, Libya. There is no changing those people. Libya has some of the most wealthy peasants in the world. Seriously, There is no poverty in Libya, it is just to an American point of view there appears to be. Egypt is different. Egypt has profound poverty. So, which is it? Poverty and mistreatment that breeds extremism or it is 'inherent' to the nature of the tribal system of these countries? There are the two extremes right there. Egypt with poverty and Libya without.
The point and this is something no one except academicians study and that is there is a 'logical transition' to changes in 'governing processes,' That is correct. The populous of countries move themselves into positions where democracy can take place. So, does The West assist these processes, in the name of morality, freedom and liberty. That is horseshit. That is an impetus to 'using' the American electorate for purposes of profit.
The reason the USA is involved with Libya is because of UN Resolution 1973. It is a humantarian mission and it is working. There are people alive today from a dictator that is afraid of becoming Murbarak. That is the truth. The UN Resolution worked. It worked well and the goal is now, what exactly? To kill Gadhaffi.
WE ARE NOT ARMING REBELS. We have instituted a "No Fly Zone" for humanitarian purposes. It is working. We are not going to assassinate Gahaffi to turn loose rebels that are of questionable LOYALITY to their ? allies ? If UN Resolution 1973 provides for the bombing of Gadaffi himself and his compound because he is ordering more deaths of citizens, then so be it. We will have stopped the killing by Gadhaffi. Will it result in an AMERICANIZED Libya? Hell, no. But, will it provide a new venue for change in Libya that will reduce the people that want to kill Americans? Maybe?
The test of American policy, oddly enough, is not 'what we can control,' but, what we can influence and how we influence it.
Once the government of Libya is replaced, no different than the 'freedom and peace movement' in Egypt and other nations will resutl in a NEW RELATIONSHP between governments. That means 'the foreign policy' process starts all over again. The people at the leadership to the government in Libya nearly doesn't matter. It is the 'relationship' that develops that matters. It might be hostile, it might not. But, at the very least Libya is now disarmed and poses no real threat to the USA or its allies or its neighbors. Where we go from here will be the test of time, not the people we deal with. The new relationship with the new government cannot be any worse than the relationship with Gadhaffi over the past four decades.
It's a wash. People have to live somewhere and how the international relationships develop is always interesting. But, the American people are highly 'diluted' to believe they can fend off every danger by 'owning' the world. It simply is unrealistic.
One other thing.
Saudi Arabia has one of the most aggressive programs to reduce 'the occurence' of extremism. They have a list of 'candidates' for recruitment and criminality and they 'round them up' annually. It seems to work for them.
"Morning Papers" - Its Origin
"Okeydoke"
The taxes on the wealthy need to be raised. The Republicans have plundered the USA and now they want to destroy the citizens into Third World status. When is the electorate going to save their own lives and that of their children?
The rhetoric will linger as long as the electorate allows it.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
"Good Night Moon"
0.2 days after last quarter
April 24, 2011, 11:32 PM EDT.
Young scientists: Nova experiment on Endeavor (click title to entry - thank you)
April 24, 2011
In the last half-century of U.S.- manned spaceflights NASA has reached milestones by landing men on the moon and helping to establish the International Space Station. One of the lesser-known achievements of the space program, however, is the opportunity for students to participate in experiments flown into space....
Is there something "W"rong with this? (click title to entry - thank you)
...In November, after the midterm elections, a draft plan was released by the chairmen, Erskine Bowles, the president of the University of North Carolina system and a former White House chief of staff under President Bill Clinton, and Alan K. Simpson, a former Republican Senate leader from Wyoming. It called for deep cuts in domestic and military spending starting in 2012. It would overhaul the tax code, eliminating or reducing the $1 trillion a year in popular tax breaks for individuals and corporations and using the revenues mostly to slash income tax rates but also to reduce deficits. And to make Social Security solvent for 75 years, it would raise payroll taxes for the affluent and reduce future benefits, including by slowly raising the retirement age for full benefits to 69 from 67 by 2075. They said the plan would reduce deficit spending by about $4 trillion over the coming decade....
When the debt is addressed in a real way and the country is 'producing' higher revenues again, this can be redressed. That can be written into the bill when these measures are passed. In other words, there can be 'tests' to the national debt that would 'trip' Congressional challenges to re-examine the progress of the nation's debt and deficit and reconsider some provisions for change.
Playing political brinkmanship over The Annual Budget is hideous.
When the debt is addressed in a real way and the country is 'producing' higher revenues again, this can be redressed. That can be written into the bill when these measures are passed. In other words, there can be 'tests' to the national debt that would 'trip' Congressional challenges to re-examine the progress of the nation's debt and deficit and reconsider some provisions for change.
Playing political brinkmanship over The Annual Budget is hideous.
The federal debt increased $54.1 billion in the eight days preceding the deal made by President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) and House Speaker John Boehner (R.-Ohio) to cut $38.5 billion in federal spending for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, which runs through September.
It is time to get serious. We need to pass legislation, not more brinkmanship over the debt ceiling. That isn't going to get us anywhere, it certainly didn't do a darn thing during the budget mess.
In 2000, ... U.S. all-source taxation was 29.5 percent of GDP. In 2009, ... all-source taxation was only 24 percent of GDP...
It is getting more than a little silly to see where the USA is headed and why and why it was propagated by Republicans.
Knock it off. The American Electorate are being fools for these people.
This graph has some of the same problems noted by Republicans comparing 'treasury failure,' but, it does compare some major European Union countries.
The Australian Tax Rate in relation to GDP is 30.5 %.
Canadian Tax Rate is 33.4% of GDP.
Japanese Tax Rate is 27.4% of GDP.
These countries supply far different services to their citizens from the USA as well.
Russia and China are communist countries that supply many services to their citizens. China's Tax Rate per GDP is 17% and Russian Tax Rate per GDP is 36.9%.
The USA offers far less services to their citizens while sustaining a low 'tax rate' to GDP than other major First World nations. Perhaps that is the reason Republicans like it in the USA. Hm?
One has to remember, when a country provides services to their citizens THE COST OF LIVING is not the same as it is if citizens are forced to purchase those same services in the private capital market. Think about it.
"Read my lips, no new taxes" Taxes take all kinds of creative forms when political ideology is at issue.
Tennessee’s neighbors have already raised taxes, or are looking to do so, to balance their state’s budget; Georgia has eliminated sales tax credits for the poor, Missouri is looking to raise its sales tax, Mississippi established a new franchise tax on business and Virginia is expanding its sales tax.
Most states view their citizens as ATM’s, a never-ending source of cash for more and more government spending.
Gov. Bill Haslam presented his budget to the Legislature yesterday; it is a balanced budget with no tax increases on Tennessee’s citizens....
...The Governor has presented a budget that cuts spending by 5.6% compared to the current operating budget and eliminates over 1,100 state jobs. Those are meaningful cuts. They deserve our support.
Accoding to 2009 statistics Tennessee is 21st in the nation in GDP with a federal contribution of 1.7%. It is 36th in the naiton with GDP per capita of $34,089 annually. Historically (prior to 2009) Tennessee was ranked 34th in the nation with a GDP per capita of $29,844. That means since President Obama has taken office Tennessee's GDP per capita has increased by $4245 per person annually. So, with a population that is 17th in the nation according to 2010 statistics numbering 6,346,195 that is a lot of NEW tax revenue.
“The question becomes, 'How do you define tax increase? Does that mean there will be no fees or assessments?'” said Dallas Democratic State Senator Royce West, during a taping of "Inside Texas Politics.
Facing a $10 billion gap in 2003, the Republican-controlled Legislature balanced that budget as Gov. Rick Perry recalled Tuesday speaking to senators.
“And as we did back in '03, we'll balance the budget this time too, setting priorities, making tough decisions and not raising taxes," Perry said.
But, what Perry didn't mention is how lawmakers in 2003 deregulated college tuition that shot up 72 percent since then, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and slapped on $2.7 billion in new and higher fees centering on health care and vehicle regulations.
According to the Texas Comptroller’s office, among some of the bigger fee hikes were up to $1,000 more per teacher in health insurance premiums that raised $711 million.
Also, there were the $30 traffic ticket fee forecasted to bring in $271 million and a $20 fee on motor vehicle transfers budgeted to raise $200 million.
So, drivers shouldn't be surprised some lawmakers talk now of raising the vehicle registration fee up $50 more.
Democrats, like West, question if raising the fee on such a basic necessity for the vast majority of Texans owning a car is really just a de facto tax increase.
“I think voters need to look at, and Texans need to look at as well, whether or not there is going to be transparency," he said....
Will no tax increases in Texas just mean highers fees, charges? (click title to entry - thank you)
AFP-TN Analysis of Gov. Haslam's Budget (click here)
by BRAD WATSON
WFAA
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 7:33 PM
Updated Friday, Jan 14 at 9:47 PM
There is nothing moral about GREED.
WHY DID KING Louis XVI RAISE TAXES? (click title to entry - thank you)
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
Because France was bankrupt from helping the American colonists in their fight against Great Britain for their independence (The American Revolution).
France's treasury in the years immediately before the French Revolution was almost empty, and King Louis XVI was trying to remedy the kingdom's fiscal problems by raising taxes. Of course, the peasantry were the primary source of taxation, and Louis' raising of the tax was one of the contributing factors of the French Revolution.
Hope this helps,
Peace!
France's treasury in the years immediately before the French Revolution was almost empty, and King Louis XVI was trying to remedy the kingdom's fiscal problems by raising taxes. Of course, the peasantry were the primary source of taxation, and Louis' raising of the tax was one of the contributing factors of the French Revolution.
Hope this helps,
Peace!
The painting is of the French king assigning a French navy veteran of the American War for Independence, La Pérouse, to undertake the expedition,
France unveils €3.5bn in fresh tax rises (click here)
By Ben Hall in Paris
Published: June 25 2010 14:26
Last updated: June 25 2010 20:34
The French government on Friday announced a further €3.5bn of tax rises for 2011 the latest in a series of announcements that puts Paris’s austerity drive on par with Berlin’s much-criticised plan to trim its budget.
The latest announcement – intended to reassure the markets while not scaring the French public about impending austerity –- brings to €13.2bn the amount France aims to raise from tax increases next year.
The States in the USA are not having problems finding places to raise revenues by increasing taxes.
Georgia gas tax will increase 3 cents on May 1
Higher prices tied to sales price, Ga. economist says (click title to entry - thank you)
Posted: April 20, 2011 - 11:15pm
Updated: April 21, 2011 - 9:45am
By G.G. Rigsby
As if the pain at the pump isn’t bad enough already, the price of gasoline will increase 3 cents a gallon May 1.This time, it’s because part of the state gas tax automatically increases when the price of gasoline increases....
Georgia GOP pushes massive service-tax increase (click here)
At the halfway point in the 2011 session of the Georgia legislature, a measure has been introduced that would — for the first time ever – force Georgia citizens to pay sales taxes on certain professional services they receive. The proposal – HB 385 – also would greatly expand the number of personal services already taxed in the Peach State. If HB 385 — introduced last week by Republicans Mickey Channell of Greensboro and Larry O’Neal of Bonaire — becomes law, Georgia will join a total of only nine other states in taxing consumers for professional services they receive....
What is Rick Scott really afraid of? Taxing the internet or not receiving votes from the poor? The poor never voted for him in the first place.
...On the chopping block (click title to entry - thank you) to date: $400 per student in K-12 education, a 15 percent "emergency" budget cut to an already overburdened system for the developmentally disabled, reduced unemployment compensation, severe , nearly reductions in health care for the poor, $400 million in higher-education funding lost, sorely needed money for children's protective services gone, and land preservation and Everglades restoration halted. And that is just for starters.
Gov. Rick Scott and the Republican-dominated Legislature are being myopic in their single-mindedness toward balancing the budget, at the expense of the most needy and the most vulnerable in our state.
GO AFTER $2.4 BILLION LOSS
There is another way, one that would cover a substantial part of the budget shortfall: collecting Internet sales taxes....
Here again, the Middle Class and Poor are the victims for the 'feel no pain' wealthy and Wall Street.
NO EQUITY in the Republican approach to cuts and tax hikes. It is one thing to cut when necessary, it is quite another to cut services to vital needs of a state, while the wealthiest of citizens feel no pain and have resources to supplement their own lives where government leaves off.
NO EQUITY in the Republican approach to cuts and tax hikes. It is one thing to cut when necessary, it is quite another to cut services to vital needs of a state, while the wealthiest of citizens feel no pain and have resources to supplement their own lives where government leaves off.
Senstor 'Sex Be Shameless" is Pro-Tax hike for high earners. Hm?
Subject: CHAMBLISS WILL SUPPO9RT TAX INCREASE (click title to entry - thank you)
To: Sen. Lamar Alexander
Sen. Bob Corker
April 18, 2011
Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) Says Senate Republicans Will Support Tax Increases
Tell you what gentlemen, if you think that YOU WORK for Saxby Chambliss then go ahead and vote yes to raise taxes. But if you remember you work for the taxpayers in Tennessee then I suggest you vote NO ON ANY TAX INCREASES. Your job now is to SLASH SPENDING NOT INCREASE TAXES.
Calhoun , TN
To: Sen. Lamar Alexander
Sen. Bob Corker
April 18, 2011
Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) Says Senate Republicans Will Support Tax Increases
Tell you what gentlemen, if you think that YOU WORK for Saxby Chambliss then go ahead and vote yes to raise taxes. But if you remember you work for the taxpayers in Tennessee then I suggest you vote NO ON ANY TAX INCREASES. Your job now is to SLASH SPENDING NOT INCREASE TAXES.
Calhoun , TN
U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss was recently recognized (click here) with the 2010 “Taxpayers’ Friend Award” by the National Taxpayers Union.
Georgia’s senior senator scored 97 percent on the group’s rating scale, which weighed votes on tax, fiscal trade and regulatory policy.
“I am humbled to receive this award,” Chambliss said. “I have always worked to protect taxpayers’ interests and will continue to do so.”
The group’s president, Duane Parde, said Chambliss was a stand out in a year of unusual rancor on the issues.
“2010 saw some of the most polarizing fiscal issues in the history of Congress, and NTU’s Rating depicted the trend in stark detail,” Parde said. “Although an increasing number of lawmakers voted with taxpayers’ interests, more than three times as many sided with special interests instead. With this lopsided tug-of-war among members of Congress, it is no wonder the nation’s finances were dragged into a quagmire last year.”
About 8,300 of the members of the National Taxpayers Union reside in the state of Georgia....
Economic signs can be manipulated depending completely on the 'political leanings' of any party. Germany is a good example of just that.
Finance
04.11.2010
A panel of German economic experts has significantly upped its forecast for the country's tax revenue over the next two years, prompting conservative politicians to call for an expedited debate on tax cuts.
A stronger-than-expected economic recovery in 2010 led German authorities on Thursday to raise their outlook for federal, state and local tax revenue from 2010 through 2012 by a total of 61 billion euros ($86.8 billion).
The announcement quickly led Bavarian Finance Minister Georg Fahrenschon, a member of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), to call for an immediate discussion on cutting taxes.
"The economy is improving, the new prognoses are surprisingly good, and I think in light of this development there can't be any holdup in tax policy," he told public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.
Budget cuts come first
But Chancellor Angela Merkel has resisted calls to cut taxes, saying the government's first priority should be cutting the state budget.
"In this year, we will accrue 50 billion euros more of debt," she told reporters on Thursday. "That's a debt level that we haven't had in decades."
Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble echoed Merkel's sentiment, saying the expected increase in tax revenue only showed that Germany's economic situation was not as dramatic as was previously thought.
"We're on the right path (with budget cuts)" he said in Berlin on Thursday. "It's difficult, but we will carry on."...
Merkel under pressure to raise tax for rich Germans (click title to entry - thank you)
Wednesday, 25 August 2010 04:37
By Dave Graham
As an age of austerity looms for some of Germany’s poorest citizens, pressure is growing to impose higher taxes on the richest, setting the scene for fresh conflict in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling coalition.
Thousands have taken to the streets this summer to demonstrate against plans by Merkel’s centre-right government to cut billions of euros in spending on the unemployed without imposing a similar burden on the other end of society.
Some senior figures from her conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) have urged Merkel to consider higher taxes for the rich, lest a steady slide in the administration’s popularity accelerate into freefall before six state elections next year....
This is what is astoundingly amazing.
Wall Street then received the biggest 'wet kiss' they ever did as the banking regulations were dissolved and Bush sent $1.2 Billion to the housing market to 'move renters to homes.' The beginning of the housing bubble in 2003.
Then every measure of legislation was a jobs bill which supplied 'short term immediate' upticks in prosperity. "Flash in the Pan Economics." It was completely dependent upon the ability of the USA Congress to pump out spending bill after spending bill while raising the debt ceiling higher and higher and higher during the Bush years. The National Debt exploded. The money reserves of the country were drained and yet that was not enough.
The housing bubble became all too real following the resignation of John Snow and Paulson did nothing, but, travel to China to 'whine and wine and dine' those he felt would give insight to Goldman Sachs. Then the housing collapse of 2008. The SECOND major bailout and corruption of the USA was now endless.
The bailouts didn't stop there. The investment banks took their money and ran leaving the USA high and dry for an economy. The economy was shrinking and shrinking fast even as the investment banks stated they were going to pay off their 'bailout' in a short period of time. The Recovery and Reinvestment Act was a bailout for the nation and Governors were there to receive monies for 'shovel ready' jobs. The government infrastructure was bouyed and the next budget would fully fund the federal government securing more and more jobs and sending 'authority' in the real world to begin the process of 'restraiining corruption.'
The next huge bailout came as the elections of 2010 closed from the Fed in the way of QE1. That 'felt' so good it was followed by the next major bailout QE2.
Well.
It would seem the Wall Street crowd is again seeking to achieve great wealth at the cost of the American taxpayer. Enter stage right the 'speculators' that hope to make money from the insolvency of the USA.
How S&P's warning could actually help US debt (click title to entry - thank youi)
NEW YORK (AP) — A warning from Standard & Poor's that mounting debts put the U.S. government's credit rating at risk blindsided markets last Monday. The Dow Jones industrial average lost more than 240 points in the morning before recovering. It was the worst one-day drop for stocks since fears over a nuclear meltdown in Japan sent investors into hiding on March 16.The response made sense. A downgrade of U.S. debt, after all, could turn into an economic calamity. Here's the surprising part: After a quick dip, prices for U.S. government debt began rising.
Economists and bond traders offer varying explanations for the Treasury market's curious reaction, but there's a common thread: S&P's warning shot could actually wind up making bonds more attractive.
If an actual downgrade were to occur, the effects would ripple through financial markets. When S&P lowers the credit rating on a country, it's saying that there's a greater chance the country won't pay its debts.
Creditors demand higher borrowing rates. In the U.S. it would mean higher interest payments for the federal government. All borrowers — from companies, homeowners to credit card users — would find it harder to borrow. Presumably, bond prices would fall.
The strength of Treasurys, the very debt that S&P said was at risk, left many observers confused. Aren't U.S. government bonds more dangerous now?
"There's quite a bit of head-scratching going on," said Guy LeBas, the chief fixed income strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott. "It looks like the bond market got hit in the head with a frying pan and is already up looking for a fight."...
...Kalivas and others say the threat of a downgrade may push Congressional Republicans and the Obama administration to reach an agreement on tackling the country's long-term debts. Cutting spending and raising taxes would lead the government to sell fewer Treasurys. A drop in supply would likely push Treasury prices up.
The warning could also prod Washington to make even deeper spending cuts more quickly than they would otherwise. Economists warn that slashing too deeply, just like raising taxes too high, could threaten the economic recovery. That could actually help the bond market, too.
When the economy slows, investors tend to take fewer risks and favor stable investments like bonds. During the financial crisis, for instance, Treasurys trounced other investments.
In a note sent to clients last week, Goldman Sachs economists said the greater threat of a downgrade wouldn't translate into higher long-term interest rates and lower Treasury prices. In fact, it would have the opposite effect. "A significant push toward fiscal austerity would lead to lower growth," they wrote.
The Federal Reserve would also likely postpone raising short-term interest rates, because the threat of inflation would diminish. That, too, would add to the appeal of Treasurys.
In other words, what's bad for the economy is often good for Treasury bonds....
Basically, Wall Street could engineer huge profits by investing far less in the 'credit markets.' Not bad for people that have mastered the 'art of the con.'
The 'hero' of all the 'austerity' mongers in the USA, David Cameron.
Tories will raise tax rates for top earners (click title to entry - thank you)
The Conservatives will go into the next election committed to raising the top level of tax to 45p for those earning more than £150,000.
By Andrew Porter and Rosa Prince
7:00AM GMT 20 Mar 2009
David Cameron signalled that the rich would have to pay “their fair share” to rescue the economy from the mounting crisis in the public finances.
It was made clear that hundreds of thousands of top earners would face paying the new rate — which Labour will also introduce after the election if they hang on to power — if Mr Cameron enters Number 10.
In a speech intended to set out the Tory blueprint for economic recovery, Mr Cameron painted a grim picture of the likely situation he would face if elected Prime Minister.
He said the country faced slumping into a depression, meaning that “tough decisions” would have to be made. Making sure the rich paid their way would be
central to the recovery, he said....
The USA has a long way to go to 'catch up' to more struggling countries such as Iceland or Greece.
Click on picture to enlarge it.
...Add it all up and the simple fact is (click title to entry - thank you) our domestic economy and the global economy are in for real challenges. Robust recovery? I don’t think so. The following pictorials paint a very ugly picture for what lies ahead. I direct you to the pictograph in the lower right which projects that the U.S. Gross Debt as % of GDP will approach 110% in 2015....
This is the argument the Right Wing CHRONICALLY makes as a 'foretelling' to what will occur with the USA. There are many ways of measuring debt, but, to compare the United States as an equivalent to Iceland, Greece, Ireland, Spain, Lithuania and Romania is not exactly what I would call a good analogy. In the same light, the United Kingdom is not in that ball park either. So, the Right Wing might like to make bad analogies, but, the economies of these small countries aren't even comparable to what the USA and the UK comprises as their resources and potential. As far as I am concerned it is a defunct argument. The USA's economy is far different than many nations and predicting its future based on wrongful analogies is not prudent. The global community looked to the USA post October 2008 to salvage their own economies.
The 'reserves' of the USA far exceed most countries on Earth without much exception. Comparable economies have to be the 'balance' of major countries of the European Union and Japan along with Australia. So, this is a really poor argument.
If Japan, the US, the EU and Australia decided to bring their economic strengths into a 'cooperative' of sorts, that really would be an interesting outcome. I doubt the WTO would appreciate it.
I do not believe for one minute Johnny Cash ever knew the meaning of being 'tax poor.' Poor, maybe, but not due to over taxation.
Johnny Cash
Earnings: $7 million
Occupation: Musician
Date of Death: Sept. 12, 2003
Age: 71
Cause: Complications from
diabetes
The Man in Black's renaissance
continues even after his death.
His former label, Columbia, put
out a well-received boxed set covering the country legend's
career this summer, and this fall his biopic Walk the Line hits
theaters. Twelve years in the making, the film has Cash's
stamp of approval, as did the choice to cast Joaquin Phoenix
in the lead role. A Sotheby's auction of Cash memorabilia
generated $3.9 million. -- Peter Kafka
diabetes
The Man in Black's renaissance
continues even after his death.
His former label, Columbia, put
out a well-received boxed set covering the country legend's
career this summer, and this fall his biopic Walk the Line hits
theaters. Twelve years in the making, the film has Cash's
stamp of approval, as did the choice to cast Joaquin Phoenix
in the lead role. A Sotheby's auction of Cash memorabilia
generated $3.9 million. -- Peter Kafka
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