Is It Any Wonder?

Up-front disclaimer:  I like Herman Cain as a potential candidate for the Republican ticket.  I like the idea of a free-market, business type of guy running the country.  Someone who has been in the private sector longer than has been in the public sector.

Yet, I don't think he's the Republican's best ticket against President Obama.  I just don't think he could win.

All that aside, the attacks against Cain have been relentless the past week.  At first, I saw the "chink in the armor".  I figured it was adios, amigo.  Who's up to bat next?

But here's what's bothering me.  I don't usually listen too much to Ann Coulter.  She's pretty far to the extreme right for me...but...for argument's sake, let's just assume the following is "true" and then discuss:

"So it's curious that all the sexual harassment allegations against Cain emanate from Chicago: home of the Daley machine and Obama consigliere David Axelrod.

The Daley-controlled Illinois Restaurant Association works hand-in-glove with the National Restaurant Association.  And strangely enough, Cain's short, three-year tenure at the NRA is evidently the only period in his decades-long career during which he's alleged to have been a sexual predator.


And now, after a week of conservative eye-rolling over unspecified, anonymous accusations against Cain, we've suddenly got very specific sexual assault allegations from an all-new accuser out of...Chicago.


Herman Cain has never lived in Chicago.  But you know who has?  David Axelrod!  And guess who lived in Axelrod's very building?  Right again:  Cain's latest accuser, Sharon Bialek.


The reason all this is relevant is that both Axelrod and Daley have a history of smearing opponents by digging up claims of sexual misconduct against them.  John Brooks, Chicago's former fire commissioner, filed a lawsuit against Daley six months ago claiming Daley threatened to smear him with sexual harassment accusations if Brooks didn't resign.  He resigned--and the sexual harassment allegations were later found to be completely false...


...one month before the 2004 Democratic primary for the US Senate, Obama was way down in the polls, about to lose to Blair Hull, a multimillionaire securities trader.  But then the Chicago Tribune--where Axelrod used to work--began publishing claims that Hull's second ex-wife, Brenda Saxton, had sought an order of protection against him during their 1998 divorce proceedings...Hull's substantial lead just a month before the primary collapsed with the nonstop media attention to his divorce records.  Obama...won the primary."

Ok, now that that's out of the way, let's ponder for a moment.  Is it a stretch of the imagination that dirty politics are played on the national stage?  Is is a wonder that "anything goes" when one is fighting for the top jobs of US government power?

If the answer is "yes, I assume anything goes", then is it a wonder why good people don't run for office?  Have you ever wondered why better choices are not given in an election?  Have you ever wondered, "gee, not much of a choice here...guess it's the better of two evils"?

There are better people out there.  There are exceptionally qualified people who should run.  There are better choices.

But, like any good parent and spouse, they choose their family over politics.  They know that fairness is NOT a part of our political "game", and that their loved ones could be the true victim in the road to the White House.  I don't know the truth of what happened with Herman Cain and the women that are, 15 years later, coming out saying, "oh, he's a bad guy."  What I do know is, if a true crime occurred, the evidence to exonerate Cain is long past...and the political operatives know it...and love the fact he can't possibly defend himself.  Guilty until proven...well, there is no fair process in the court of public opinion.

How very sad.  How very sad for his family.  How very sad for our country.

Those Evil Corporations

You have probably noticed already, but I am not a fan of the Occupy Wall Street movement(s).  Why?

First, they lack a coherent argument.  Most of their sputterings arguments center around either socialist or communist platforms.  Second, they lack a sustainable vision for the country.  The effects they call for would not only make the economy worse, they would cripple it. Third, they offer no reasonable, rational, or executable solutions.  Most of these folks have not considered the secondary and tertiary effects of their solutions...and those effects are the most important for long term economic viability.

And they are just plain weird.  That should count for something, right?

And if that doesn't make sense, maybe this will.  Enjoy!

Happy 10,000!

This little blog started with a pretty simple idea...vet my ideas in the open blogosphere and hopefully add a little humor sometimes.

I thank everyone who has visited my site (although, not sure why the Russians and Chinese are visiting...must be the economics), and I hope we have many fun-filled and enlightening posts in our future!

Happy 10,000 blog hits, Skippy Maximus fans!

My Other Sign Is a Yacht

Some Saturday fun for you.  I love this little guy.

"That's Who We're Creating"

I am not a regular watcher of Judge Judy, but I must admit...I might start.

Below is a great video clip from the Judge Judy show (now on You Tube...because it's been pulled by CBS from their site?)

Summary:  Guy gets government money for rent.  You see, he's a student (already receiving $22,000 from the government to go to school) and he doesn't have a job.  Therefore, the government gives him an extra $400 for rent.  If we just stopped there, it wouldn't sound so different than what we have become accustomed to from the government.

Yet, this man decides to live with his girlfriend and spend the money on...other things.  Judge Judy has a few words for this...uh, upstanding young man.

Judge Judy...yes, send it to Congress.  In the meantime, the rest of us will remember this debacle when we vote.

Some Saturday Humor

"Bad Lip Reading" has some really funny videos.  Below are the "front-runners" in some...well...bad lip reading.

Hilarious!  Enjoy.

A Simple Explanation

Ok, I stand corrected.  Here's a recent video which, I guess, totally makes me wrong in everything I've thought about the Occupy Wall Street crowd.

And here I thought these folks had no logic or economic foundation on which to make a coherent argument.

Just kidding.  Enjoy the circus.

The Retort

Ahhh, Hat tip to everybody...both HotAir and Lex have this, so let me just help spread the wealth.

Peter Schiff, one of the few who actually knows a little about making money and predicting economic failure, gives a retort to the Occupy Wall Street degenerates.

Do yourself a favor and watch the whole thing.  I know, 18 minutes is such a long time.  But at least at the end of the 18 minutes, you'll be better informed and understand the difference between:

a.  What will save us
b.  What will kill us.

Enjoy.

Ooops

A colleague in my marketing class passed this along. Some of the biggest marketing blunders committed. 

Good fun, via Digital Dreams. 

1. Scandinavian vacuum manufacturer Electrolux used the following in an American campaign: "Nothing sucks like an Electrolux."

2. Coors put its slogan, "Turn It Loose," into Spanish where its translation was read as "Suffer From Diarrhea."

3. Clairol introduced the "Mist Stick", a curling iron, into German only to find out that "mist" is slang for manure. Not too many people had use for the "manure stick."

4. When Gerber started selling baby food in Africa, they used the same packaging as they did in the U.S., with the beautiful Caucasian baby on the label. Later they learned that in Africa, companies routinely put pictures on the label of what's inside, since most people can't read. Yikes!

5. Colgate introduced a toothpaste in France called Cue, the name of a notorious naughty magazine.

6. An American T-shirt maker in Miami printed shirts for the Spanish market which promoted the Pope's visit. Instead of "I saw the Pope" (el papa), the shirts read "I saw the potato" (la papa).

7. Pepsi's "Come alive with the Pepsi Generation" translated into "Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave", in Chinese.

8. The Coca-Cola name in China was first read as "Ke-kou-ke-la", meaning "Bite the wax tadpole" or "female horse stuffed with wax", depending on the dialect. Coke then researched 40,000 characters to find a phonetic equivalent "ko-kou-ko-le", translating into "happiness in the mouth."

9. When Parker Pen marketed a ball-point pen in Mexico, its ads were supposed to have read, "It won't leak in your pocket and embarrass you." Instead, the company thought that the word "embarazar" (to impregnate) meant to embarrass, so the ad read: "It won't leak in your pocket and make you pregnant."

10. Frank Perdue's chicken slogan, "It takes a strong man to make a tender chicken" was translated into Spanish as "It takes an aroused man to make a chicken affectionate."

Californication

On October 9th of this year, Govenor Jerry Brown signed into law AB499.  This law allows minors, as young as 12, to get preventative HPV vaccines without the consent of their parents.  Of course, this should be of no surprise in a state which allows for minors to have an abortion without the parents' consent or even notifying them of the procedure.

Yikes.

On the very same day that Govenor Brown signed this bill into law, he also ensured that another evil was eliminated.  On Sunday, he signed into law a measure that prevents teenagers from using an indoor tanning bed WITHOUT PARENTS' CONSENT.

So, let me get this straight.  It's ok to have an abortion without parents' consent, but the use of a tanning bed without consent is now illegal?

Can someone explain this absurdity to me?

Sacrifice

Sacrifice defined by Webster: "Surrender of something for the sake of something else; something given up or lost."

Defined by a parent:  Shortly after finding out that she was pregnant, Stacie Crimm found out she had cancer of the neck and head.  Chemotherapy could save her life...but could jeapordize the baby.  What to do?

Sacrifice.  Stacie decided the life of the child was more important than her own.  Stacie refused the chemotherapy.  She was able to hold little Dottie Mae for 3 hours before Stacie slipped into a coma.  Stacie died three days later.

When Stacie learned of the news of her cancer, she called her brother to relay the news.  When the subject came up about chemotherapy, she said, "If I have to make a decision, you know what it's going to be.  Don't even ask, I've lived my life."

Sacrifice defined.  Thank you, Stacie.

"Only a life lived for others is worth living."  - Albert Einstein

The Definition of Irony

Via Hot Air.

The "Occupy Wall Street" (aka, I'm a socialist and give me all your money!) crowd just discovered the definition of irony.

The same people who say this:



...are now upset that they are being robbed by fellow "protesters".  When they want redistribution of property and wealth, they weren't referring to themselves, of course.  To the "rich"...whatever that means.

Me?  I'm just sad that this stupidity still exists in the 21st century.  After all the struggle, pain, and failure of socialism and communism, people are still ready to embrace it.  Logic does not matter to these people.

I still ask the same question to people who believe in socialism: "Who produces things that make our lives better when there is no incentive to produce?"

Still awaiting an answer that is filled with logic and facts rather than hyperbole.  

Numbers

You know, like words, numbers have meaning.

I'm a big fan of Marco Rubio.  I'm not a fan of Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.

Case in point.



You see, the jobs act is so fundamentally important (according to the President), that there is no option but to support it.  If you don't support it?  Then according to his party, then you're against preventing murder, rape, paying firefighters, police, etc.  Hyperbole.  Pure and simple.

I think what the American people are tired of is speaking out of both sides of the mouth when real people are hurting.  People want real solutions, not real campaigning.  That goes for not just Democrats, but for Republicans too.

Me?  I'm still waiting for a leader.

A Lesson For Government

Here's a clip for the folks in Washington.

Untitled from Travis Prater on Vimeo.

A Really Bad Idea

I blogged (shortly)  in July on the ATF's "Fast and Furious" program that ended up getting one of our border agents killed.

Good to see this is being investigated.  Good to see the media doing its job.

Hopefully people will be held accountable.  Anything else would be...criminal.

You Should Put Down Your Flags...

...because I don't think you understand what it stands for.

Via Lex.  As the "protests" around the country gain in size, make sure you take a look at what they are arguing for.

I don't like what I'm seeing.

The Tax Man: Part II

I've heard comments around the blog that the U.S. enjoys a low tax burden compared with other countries.  This, of course, is a reason that is given to support the idea that we can be taxed more.

Found this chart at the Tax Foundation.  Very interesting.  You see, the people who say we're not taxed as much are looking at the overall taxation percentage.  But if you look closely, you'll see that all other taxes are about the same, except the Value Added Tax (or VAT).  That's a consumption tax.

So, in essence, we're taxed at the same level at most other countries...but taxed less on consumption.  Consumption taxes are tricky.  If you consume less, you pay less taxes.  If you consume more, you pay more taxes.  You can (theoretically) adjust your own tax rate with the VAT method.

Problem is, the VAT theory only holds if all other taxes remain the same.  You see, if we all decided to buy less, the federal government would take in less revenue.  Their response?  Raise your other taxes.  This is where the VAT theory falls apart.  I don't think most politicians who talk VAT are actually trying to give you more control of your pocket book...I think they just want more of it.

Interesting stuff to think about.

If this stuff bores you, that makes politicians happy.  The less you pay attention, the more they get of your wallet.

Keynes Was Wrong

Well, that headline is contested by about half the population.  But, that's my take.

The Center for Freedom and Prosperity has a good video supporting this idea.  Give it 5 minutes.  It will help you make better decisions at the ballot box.

Something in the Water

Is it just me or have you been scratching your head at recent headlines?

"Obama Wants Jobs Bill Back"

No More Shawshank Redemption For Me

Say it ain't so, Red.

It's always disappointing when, instead of providing a logical argument, people just name-call those they disagree with.  When I call someone a socialist, I try and give an explanation and a supporting argument.  I don't believe in name-calling, as it reduces whoever is using it to a "simpleton".  A simpleton has no coherent argument.  They either know their case is weak, or have no idea what their case is...other than, "I want our side to win."

Too bad for Morgan Freeman.  I really like his movies.  It's always unfortunate when you get to know the actors for the people they really are.  Makes believing any role they play in the future (or have played in the past) simply...unbelievable.

All You Need To Know

I will not offer many responses to this, as I think it's important to just let a socialist speak for herself.  Elizabeth Warren is the new front runner in the Massachusetts Senate race.  She has a lot to say, as most politicians do who want to call themselves Senator.

What caught my ear was her reaction to business.  In my opinion, business is what makes the world go 'round.  Business employs, business creates, business pays taxes (and so do the people who the business hires and so do the people who buy their products).

But she thinks that business "owes" something more, just because, well they're a business.  You see, in her opinion, business would not survive if it were not for the tax revenue that paid for the roads, schools, police, and fire that the business uses.

I disagree.  In my opinion, business pays a lot more tax than the common American.  In fact, 50% of Americans don't pay any taxes at all.  Does that mean that 50% of Americans who don't pay taxes should be grateful to the wealthy who do?  They should, but seems like lately, it's the wealthy who are deemed "bad" and should pay their "fair share" (even though they already pay far more than most...far more).  Even though the business is paying a higher rate and greater quantity of taxes than the common American, Elizabeth thinks that business owes....and owes....and owes some more.

You see, Elizabeth gets it backwards.  It should be the taxpayers who are grateful to business, for business supplies the jobs, business produces what we consume, business pays most of the taxes...business is the economy we rely on.  Yet, in her world...in her socialist viewpoint...business should be grateful to us.  Business "owes" us more.  In her world, a "fair portion" of tax is more...and more....and more...and more....

If you think socialism is a thing of the past or just a punch line, just remember...she's the front runner.

Hmmm....

That's, an...uh...interesting photo.

Not really sure what else to say, other than, which one is not like the other?

"Barack Obama joins Open Government Partnership for group photo."

By the way, I think that's Ronald Reagan in the back row.

What Do You Deserve?

Recently, Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) said that "I'll put it this way, you don't deserve to keep all of it.  It's not a question of deserving, because what government is, is those things that we decide to do together."

"Keep all of what?" you may be asking.  Your money.

You see, Representative Schakowsky believes that you don't deserve to keep all of your money.  Why don't you deserve to keep all of your hard-earned money?  Because of government.  You see, we have to have government.  We can't exist without government.

I disagree.  I say, government can't exist without us.

There is another conversation that we need to have before we can talk taxes.  It's a conversation about whether we, as American citizens, have inalienable rights.

Tina Korbe from Hot Air recently blogged about this.  Quote:
"...the government does have that authority (to tax) from our consent, the consent we express in the Constitution, which does give the federal government the power to tax...when the federal government taxes us, then, it doesn't really take our money.  We freely--if indirectly--choose to appropriate our money to the federal government by voting in the Congress that establishes the tax rates in the first place.  We consent to giving the federal government authority over a particular portion of our private resources, making those private resources public.  In effect, we cede our right to that property to the federal government.  The federal government, then, has a right to our tax dollars because we give it that right."

Did you catch the important phrase?  "...we give it that right".

J.E. Dyer from Hot Air continues this thought.  She says, "The question of what we 'deserve' boils down to which came first, the individual human with rights, or the state.  America was founded on the principle that the individual human with rights comes first.  Any idea that violates that principle is counter to our founding idea...The American founding idea is that we the people decide what government will do, and we decide how much money government will have to do it with.  Then we contribute out of which is inalienably ours."

Catch that one?  "Then we contribute out of which is inalienably ours."

You see, this is the core of the true debate.  How big should the government be?  How much should the government do?  What does the government deserve to get?

How many of our rights to property (our money) do we cede to the government?  How should the government spend our ceded property?

And...who gets to decide this?  We the People or We the Feds?

Now, back to Congresswoman Schakowsky.  She, along with many in our country, have reversed the above.  They believe that government existed first, and should, therefore, have first dibs on our property.  She says, "Government is those things we decide to do together.  And there are many things we decide to do together."

Really?  I don't remember wanting to purchase shares of Chrysler.

She continues, "I think you need to pay your fair share of the things we decided are national priorities."

Bingo.  She's not talking about all of government.  You see, most of your life you exist at the local level.  Local ordinances, local government, local codes, property taxes, state ordinances, etc.  Very rarely, are you living at the national level.  But she's reversed that.  What she calls "we" is really "them" at the federal level.  The federal government is consuming more and more of your property.  And what do you have to show for it?  Less and less.  In fact, much of what you give to the federal government, in the hopes of future pay outs, is  insolvent.  Like Social Security.

So, if you believe that we give the government power, and we decide how big government should be, then I propose you do this:

Go cash in your shares of Chrysler.  Get your money back...we are constantly told "we own" the company.

Yet, this is what will happen.  Nothing.  You don't own anything.  The federal government owns the shares.  Now, tell me, is Representative Schakowsky talking about the things "we decide to do together", or is she really saying, "we the federal government has decided the things we will do without you"?

Interesting question to ponder.  Are We the People really in control?  For if our government does things we do not consent to, nor have the ability to correct, are we still living under the wishes of the Founding Fathers?  Are we still living under the guide of the Constitution?

Or are we somewhere else?

"If any of us doesn't deserve to keep everything he has earned, then that man is a slave...in the American idea, the state doesn't operate on the basis of 'what we deserve'.  It operates on the basis of law.  'What we deserve' is outside the scope of the state's competence to decide.  America was founded on the principle that individual rights precede and constrain the state.  As far as government is properly concerned, we all deserve to keep 100% of our money.  The question of what we decide to do with it, and how the functions of government figure into that, is a separate and subordinate topic.

It is impossible to live as free men and women otherwise."

Evil Is Real...And So Is Courage

As we recognize the 10th anniversary of September 11th, 2001, many thoughts are brought forward.  We all have our stories.   9/11 means so very much to so many people.  Each has their own story, with each having a fundamental impact on their lives.

For me, it's a profound sense of sorrow and loss.  Yet, that feeling is shortly replaced by what is more fundamental--how we performed after being attacked.  I was on an aircraft carrier leaving the Persian Gulf (3 weeks later flying the first flights into Afghanistan).  It was hard for me, being that I thought I was overseas fighting the enemy...but it seemed the enemy was closer than I was to my homeland.  But, my fellow citizens proved that courage was much more common that I think many thought.

As people attempted to escape the flames of the Trade Towers, the firefighters and police charged into the flames.

As the walls of the Pentagon verged on collapse, Americans charged into the smoke to pull out fellow citizens, only to go back after they saved a life.

And aboard Flight 93.  True courage.  Common citizens displaying uncommon valor.  "At the moment democracy was under attack, our citizens defied their captors by holding a vote."

And that vote...to take back the plane.

As we acknowledge the loss, let's also acknowledge the courage and the vision that those in Flight 93 had.  Simply, we are a land of the free, and a home of the brave.  Simple and common words, until you actually have to live them.

We are a great nation.  We have in us a spirit that is not easily broken.  "We the People" should remind us that our nation is not our government...it's supposed to be us.  We each make up the citizenry.

To those who say that America's best days are behind them, I say "Let's roll."

Battle Lines...

...are being drawn.

As we anxiously await the President's solution to all of our economic woes on Thursday, we're all getting a sneak peak on what the next year or so will look like.  Democrats used to make fun of President Bush's "you're either with us or against us" doctrine.  Looks like the Democrats are actually big fans of the idea.  Politically, that is.

If you're part of the Tea Party movement, you're terrorists, banned to damnation, and are the obstacles to bigger government solutions.

If you're Republican, then you are barbarians.  No kidding...the Vice President thinks so.  At an AFL-CIO (big union) rally, the Vice President is in a fighting mood...literally.

Seems the battle lines are being drawn.  Today, in an introduction for the President of the United States, Jimmy Hoffa, Jr. (seriously, if you were the President, would you want anyone named Jimmy Hoffa introducing you?) said that the labor unions are the President's "army" and that we should take these "sons of bitches out" (referring to Tea Party activists and Republicans).

Yeah, well, you know rhetoric.  I'm sure the President distanced himself, right?

Nope.  The President is proud of the remarks.

So, what side are you on?

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you don't know, you're probably already the enemy.  Watch your back.

Call me crazy, but the battle has already started.  I hope you are prepared.

Keynesian Socialist

What's the difference between a $14.7 Trillion debt and a $15.7 Trillion debt?

Maxine Waters.

Regular readers of this blog know my feelings about the Congresswoman representing South Central Los Angeles.  She's threatened to nationalize the oil companies (which reminds me of someone else), and has told a good number of voting Americans to "go to hell" due to their desire that the federal government live within their financial means.

There are many more reasons, but let's focus on the most recent.  Congresswoman Waters believes in the fallacy that if the government gives someone a dollar, they'll create $1.84 in economic stimulus.  The problem with this theory is that the government doesn't create wealth.  It has to take wealth, in the form of taxes, to spend on government programs.  Money taken in the form of taxes is wealth that could have been used to invest, create, hire, or spend in a free-market economy.  This is simply redistributing wealth not creating it, either telling how people should spend their money or simply making that decision for them.  She apparently doesn't understand this...or, she's a socialist and doesn't care.  Case in point, Meet the Press from this weekend.  She wants to spend a trillion dollars on a "jobs plan".




"I don't think he can have a program that simply gives more tax breaks to the very people who got us in this trouble in the first place."

You mean Congress?

Ma'am, let me introduce you to another theory.  The people in your district would be served better if you thought this way...and you would make less ridiculous statements on national t.v.

What Would You Do?

Let's play a game! Sorta like the TV series, we'll be playing "What Would You Do?" Skippy-style.  After I ask the question, take a moment to think about what you would do, then I'll give you the government's answer to all the questions.  Let's play!!

Question 1:  Your favorite ice cream company delivers their yummy products via trucks across the country.  The company finds out that one of their drivers is often drunk when he drives the trucks.  You think to yourself how many people that trucker has put at risk.  The company no longer allows the trucker to drive their trucks, but keeps the trucker in the company to do something non-driving related.  Did the company make the right decision?

Government Answer: No.  You violated the man's civil rights by removing him from driving.  You see, alcoholism is a "disability".  You know, the same as blindness, deafness, down syndrome, and multiple sclerosis.  Therefore, by removing him from his position (doesn't matter that you didn't fire him and kept him with the company) you violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, and we, as the government, are going to sue you.  We will sue you to reinstate the man as a driver again, provide him with back pay, and provide him with punitive damages.  Full story here.

Question 2:  California has a multi-billion dollar budget deficit.  It has some tough decisions to make.  For one, it has decided to close over 70 state parks.  For anyone that has been to California, they know that some of the most beautiful parks are located within the state.  What should the state do next?  Cut more from the budget?

Government Answer: No.  Actually, just the opposite.  You see, the federal government couldn't pass the DREAM Act because of a lack of support.  No problem.  California has plenty of support for illegal aliens....excuse me, undocumented workers....so, they'll pass the DREAM Act at the state level.  Even though they're having incredibly huge budget problems, the California Appropriations Committee has decided to spend $40 million via Assembly Bill 131.  This funds "Cal Grants", which would allow illegal aliens to collect public financial aid to spend for a college education. Story here.

Question 3:  The US Postal Service is going bankrupt.  As their costs grow beyond their revenues, the Post Office has recently closed 3,700 branches and eliminated Saturday delivery.  What could be causing the budget problems?  Labor.  FedEx labor costs are 32% of costs and UPS's labor costs are 53%.  The US Post Office's labor costs are 80% of all costs.  You see, the US Post Office has so many contractual issues with their employees (via labor unions), which include "no-layoff clauses", they are unable to control the costs of paying their people.  What should the Post Office do?  Re-negotiate with the unions?

Government Answer:  No.  Hey, Post Office.  We're going to bail you out.  Even though the American taxpayer is voting with their feet (via UPS and FedEx), we'll use taxpayer money to continue your unsustainable business model.  We understand unsustainable monetary models...we're the Federal Government.

That's all for today's game!  Hope you enjoyed today's frustrating results.  Excuse me, I must go give Office Depot more business.

Absurdity

So, a CAT 2 is rolling through the east coast.  All storms are potentially dangerous, but...really?

Millions have been evacuated, and the storm hit with 85mph winds. Politicians are so worried about becoming the next "Katrina" mayor, they're forecasting the apocalypse if people don't drive to Kansas and dig a hole to live in.

"What absurdity?" you may ask.  Behold:

The President has manned the "hurricane command center", as if any decision he makes there will have any outcome on what the hurricane does.  Mother nature, Sir, is not beholden to the Executive Branch.  Who is able to make the best decisions?  Local officials there on the ground, or the President who is staring at a nice LCD monitor getting the info...from the officials on the ground?  To me, this is another perfect example of the trend of running to the federal government for all of our problems.  Hurricane coming?  Leave.  Board up your windows.  Mayors, call out the emergency personnel.  Why do we need the President manning a command center like this was the opening wave of WWIII?

Part of me wants to blame the media.  The media started this circus by describing this as the storm of the century.  Mayhem.  Apocalypse.  And no matter what happens, whether the facts prove them wrong about the intensity of this hurricane, there's a story to be told.  And the story is what sells.  So, sell, baby, sell!

Oh, the winds are only at 85 mph?  Hmm...oh wait!  A guy got killed by a falling branch!  See, we told you it was the worst thing in the world!!!  Are you still a little skeptical of the Skippy cynicism?  Behold:

Reporter Gives Update Covered In Sea Foam: MyFoxNY.com

Look, I really hope I'm wrong.  I hope our elected officials are right, and are making calls on what they truly believe are the rights things to do.  But something tells me it's not.  Something tells me this is grandstanding mixed with a lot of CYA.  Call me a cynic.  

When the mayor of New York and the governor of New Jersey say that staying behind is "against the law" and "are putting emergency personnel at risk", I get a little cynical.  Where is that law written?  There's no law against stupidity, if in fact these people are acting stupidly.  This, from a mayor who wanted to ban salt from restaurants.  No kidding.  And putting emergency personnel at risk?  Driving a car, swimming in the ocean, lighting candles in your living room, camping in the forest, hiking up mountains, flying, scuba diving, hand gliding...well, you get my point.  These are all risky actions, and they all have the potential to put emergency personnel at risk.  But they're not against the law.  

And that's why I'm cynical.  When things aren't logical, you should find the true answer in politics or money.

I think I found one, at least.

"Wal Mart, Home Depot, grocers get big boost from Irene."

Update:

Like I said, follow the money trail.  "New Jersey governor Christie expects storm damage in billions."  Hmm.  Wonder where the money is going to come from.  I wonder.

Garbage In, Garbage Out

Seems the representatives of the people are not educated in the ways of supply and demand or debits and credits.

According to a report from the Employment Policies Institute, only 1 in 5 members of Congress has a formal education in business or economics.  Broken down, only 8 percent majored in economics while 14 percent majored in business or accounting.

Of course, you don't necessarily need a formal education to make good policy.  But if you lack the formal education, maybe you should spend more time listening than talking.  Maybe your statements would not make you sound, so...what's the technical term?  Ah, yes.  Boneheaded.



Well, based on that logic, let's give everyone food stamps!  Put everyone on food stamps and we'll really stimulate the economy.  We'll borrow the money (from China, probably) and turn every one of those dollars from China into $1.84.  We'll have a robust economy!  And we'll have more money so we can pay them back!  Heck, if we gave everyone food stamps, we could stimulate the economy and balance the federal budget and eliminate the national debt!  And if a dollar turns into a $1.84, why stop at food stamps?  Let's give everyone a huge paycheck each month, and then they can go out and buy all kinds of stuff!!!  Of course, we'll need to take everyone's income and production so we can fund it.  Hmm, that sounds like another economic theory, but I just can't put my finger on it.  An economic free lunch!  Of course, the above video was only the Secretary of the Agriculture.  I'm sure no one in Congress would say such a thing.



The report says of our politicians, "This research suggests that our elected representatives may want to dust off their Econ 101 textbook (if they have one) before trying to tackle the weighty questions about the impact of taxes, spending, and debt on our economy and the labor market."

Gee, how novel of an idea.

It's Been A Long Week

It continues to be a busy couple of weeks for me, so until things mellow out, here's something to pacify your Skippy-necessity.

Allow the Judges To Retort

The following is an update to my previous post, but it is so good, it deserves it's own section of the blogosphere.

As you may know, especially after my last post, I do not agree with the Affordable Care Act (aka, Obama Care or Socialism In A Can).  I've attempted to relay that sentiment at times, but sometimes other people say it better.

In this case, the judges from the 11th Circuit Court have said it magnificently.  Why reinvent the wheel?  Especially if you have other things to do.

The Court wrote, "The government's position amounts to an argument that the mere fact of an individual's existence substantially affects interstate commerce, and therefore Congress may regulate them at every point of their life.  This theory affords no limiting principles in which to confine Congress's enumerated power."

In other words, if the White House's and Congress's view on this hold, it can force individuals to enter contracts with private companies from birth to death.  In other words, there are no longer any limits on what Congress can do.

The Court continues, "Every day, Americans decide what products to buy, where to invest or save, and how to pay for future contingencies such as their retirement, their children's education, and their health care.  The government contends that embedded in the Commerce Clause is the power to override these ordinary decisions and redirect those funds to other purposes."

The government has never claimed a power like this in the form of an individual mandate.  The Obama administration claims that health care is somehow inherently different from other economic decisions.  The 11th Circuit retorts that these claims are "ad hoc, devoid of constitutional substance, incapable of judicial administration--and consequently, illusory....they are not limiting principles, but limiting circumstances...(that) imperil our federalist structure."

I'm not quite sure what that means, but I think they are saying the former law professor who is now the President should just teach law, not practice it.

Allow Me To Retort

Today, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled "Obamacare" (Affordable Care Act) unconstitutional.

Of course, the White House was not pleased with the decision and issued a statement on the White House blog. I'll save you some time and provide the most qualifying comments...with Skippy "addendum's", of course.

“There has been no shortage of court cases regarding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. Before today, four courts, including the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, examined the health reform law and found it constitutional.  Today, a different court ruled against the Affordable Care Act’s individual responsibility provision. We strongly disagree with this decision and we are confident it will not stand.”

Skippy summation: "We would like to pick and choose which law is good and which law is bad. You see, these judges over here are making the right decisions...those over there are not. Since these judges over here agree with us, then they are right. Since those judges over there do not agree with us, they are wrong. Questions?"

“The individual responsibility provision – the main part of the law at issue in these cases – is constitutional. Those who claim this provision exceeds Congress’ power to regulate interstate commerce are incorrect.”

Skippy summation: "It's constitutional because we say it's constitutional...capiche? Those who claim this provision exceeds Congress' power to regulate are either Tea Party terrorists, or people who think that government should not be able to tell its people what they should buy and how much they should pay for it, essentially destroying any free market solution. The former probably believe that government should allow the free market to decide the price of goods and services. Those same people probably assume that pharmaceutical companies who make profits from people being sick is a good thing, in that the desire to make profits cure disease and increase the medical welfare of the people, as shown over the last 100 years. Those same people probably wish that government would help increase the supply of doctors vice incentivizing the increase of supply of free riders who increase the demand of medical services (increase in demand with decrease in supply...aka, what economists call a shortage...we've seen that in Canada and the U.K., but we're confident it just can't happen here...we're awesome!). We completely disagree with those people. They are idiots."

“Individuals who choose to go without health insurance are making an economic decision that affects all of us – when people without insurance obtain health care they cannot pay for, those with insurance and taxpayer are often left to pick up the tab.”

Skippy's summation: "Not one single person in this country goes without health care. There are, of course, people who go without health insurance. We'd like to conflate those two so that you find it harder to understand. You see, while we don't have a problem with illegal immigrants who use health care and make the rest of us pay for it, those Americans who do the same are bad, very bad people. Also, we don't like that people can make economic decisions that affect other people. For example, if you have an iPad and I don't, you've created a inequality that just can not stand in this America, comrade. If you have great insurance, and this guy over here does not have great insurance, well, that just will not stand. We must make everyone equal. To each according to his ability, to each according to his need. (P.S.--the "pick up the tab" thing was probably a bad choice of words after Congress increased the debt limit this past week, ensuring our children's children's children will be picking up the tab of our current spending)."

“That’s why the Affordable Care Act requires everyone who can afford it to take responsibility for their own health care and carry some form of health insurance.”

Skippy's summation: "We'd like you to take personal responsibility for your own health care, but we need you to choose this plan for this price...we don't care if you don't like it and could do better. Or for that matter, we don't care if the country can't actually pay for this system. We're talking about your personal responsibility, not the government's responsibility, ok? You see, health care is a right. If we call it a right, the government must pay for it. You question this? Capitalist Pig! Now that we think about it, isn't food a right? Well, we'll be implementing the Affordable Safeway and Kroger Act soon which will ensure everyone eats well and doesn't have to pay for it. Also, we plan on enacting the Affordable House Act, which will ensure everyone has a free house to live in. I mean, if health care is a right, then surely food and and a place to live are also. And for that matter, we'd like to see the Affordable Water, Sewage, and Electricity Act, because people have rights to those also. How could you live without water, sewage or electricity? Those are rights too. And since everyone needs to be able to transport themselves to their jobs, we'll be recommending the Affordable Car Act, followed shortly by the Affordable Gas Act. I mean, a car without gas does no good, right? We plan on funding these too, via the federal government...we'll just need to continue to increase your taxes. What, you have a problem with increasing your taxes? What are you, a terrorist?"

Well, in all seriousness, I don't blame the White House for responding. It was a great piece to read (and I know the brother of the author...Guano, you owe me money). It just still amazes me that so many people still believe in the fallacy of a socialist world. It doesn't work. I wish I could say something to these people who believe in socialism that would change their mind. But there's really nothing I can say. Like telling my daughter, over and over, not to touch the hot stove, sometimes...well, she just has to touch the stove to see that it really will burn.

I just wish we all didn't have to feel the pain along with them.

Your Yearly Hearing Test

Listen closely.  Replay if necessary, but turn your volume up.  If you catch it, congrats, you pass...er, bad choice of words.



I'm sure it was just the chair.  But wouldn't it be great if it wasn't?  Disclaimer:  I'm no fan of Congressman Barney Frank.  Especially since he thinks that the first place to gut funding is the Department of Defense, and that "no good purpose" has come from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yes, we're spending $140 Billion a year on these operations....but, currently, the debt is increasing by $3.8 Billion per day.  In July of 2009, we paid $19 billion just in interest on our debt.

By my math (using old 2009 numbers), that's approximately $230 Billion a year just in interest.  Almost double what we paid in military operations.  While he may think we're not getting much out of these operations, I think he would privately admit it's a lot more than we're getting by paying interest.

Or not.  He is a politician.  But back to my original point, I do feel sorry for that chair.

Update:

And one more thing for the Honorable Congressman from Massachusetts (that's a hard state to spell...and I'm from Mississippi!).

Since 1967, our spending on the DoD has fallen from 45% of the budget to 20%.  Social Security has risen from 14% to 21%.  The payment on the interest (to our debt) has risen from 7% to 9%.Medicare and Medicaid has risen from 2% to 21% of the federal budget.

You tell me...which is the growing beast?  Defense or entitlements?  Which is the growing problem, defense or entitlements?  Which, if left unchanged, will consume the federal budget...that which is shrinking or that which is growing?

It's a pretty simple answer, but a very complex solution.  

The Search For Answers Excuses

Think I'll Call In Sick

Ah, I feel a 3-4 day flu coming on.  Cough, cough.  Yeah, I may not make it into work this week.

Maybe one day I'll make the voyage.  Until then, keep the shiny side up...have fun!

The Art of Compromise

Ah, yes, compromise.  Like I said before, compromise for the sake of compromise is worthless.  Unless something good comes from it, compromise is...compromising.

Good thing we "hurried" to get the compromise debt deal through...you know, before our credit was downgraded.

Behold!  The art of compromise!

Ever been to a art studio?  Sometimes, the art just sucks.

Admitting You Have a Problem

Well, the first step to dealing with a problem is accepting you have one.

White House Press Secretary: "The White House doesn't create jobs."

Bravo.  I'm actually surprised they understand this, with their massive Keynesian gavel they've been slamming on our heads lately.

Next step, though, is actually putting your actions behind your words.  You see, if you admit that the White House (executive branch of government) doesn't create jobs, then who does?

Business creates jobs.  Business, with the goal of making profit, producing goods that people want to consume, hire labor to produce those goods.  Those goods meet a demand (hmm...supply to the demand...think I read that somewhere before).  Those laborers then can purchase other goods with their salary and contribute to funding the government with taxes.

The White House spokesman (Jay Carney), went on to say that "legislative priorities the President believes will create jobs" will help the economy.  Doh!

Well, I guess he needs to go back to step 1.  The legislature doesn't "create" jobs.  Business does.  Government jobs (all jobs, really) are a cost, not a benefit.  Government should only provide services which the benefits outweigh the costs...or those that can only be realized at an organized federal level (e.g., the military).  Economically, you should only invest in that which the benefit outweighs the cost.  Businesses, as a logical being, incur costs only when the benefit is greater, and part of those costs are jobs.  Those jobs are the costs which are incurred by attaining the benefit.

Where does tax revenue come from?  Ah yes, the laborers from the businesses (who are actually the creator of jobs). You see, there would be no government jobs if there was no revenue coming into the government to hire those government workers.  Government doesn't create wealth, it redistributes it.

Well, I guess the simple fact of saying "the White House doesn't create jobs" is pretty good for this administration.  You know what, who am I to lecture on economics?  Listen to an expert.  I wish I could have spent an hour with the Professor.

The Dereliction of Logic

Logic: "A particular mode of reasoning viewed as valid or faulty."

Overkill: "To obliterate with more force than required."

Unjust: "something characterized by injustice"

Why the drive down Webster's lane?  Oh, I don't know.  A little linguistic foreplay before the "you gotta be kidding me" moments you are about to enjoy.

- 11yr old girl saves woodpecker from family cat.  Keeps bird in cage until well enough to fly away on its own.  US Fish and Wildlife officer finds out and shows up with a State Trooper at their front door with a citation and summons.  Feds fine the family $535 and a possible 1 year imprisonment for the girl's mother.  Story here.  Update: US Fish and Wildlife commission: "Oops.  Sorry about that...it was a 'clerical error'."

- Police in Coralville, Iowa, shut down a business they say was breaking the law.  The proprietor of the business was given a cease and desist.  The proprietor was 4 years old and the business was a lemonade stand.  Story here.

- Police chief in Midway, Georgia told a couple girls (saving up for a water park visit) to stop selling lemonade at their stand.  Police chief said that "the law is the law".  The law requires the little girls to buy a business license and food permit which costs $50 per day and a $180 per year.  They're going to have to sell a LOT of lemonade to make that profit margin work.  Story here.

You know, if the government is having trouble making budgeting cuts, I can recommend 3 "officer of the peace" positions that should be eliminated.  They seem to have too much time on their hands and a lack of perspective.

Rant complete.

  

Some Humor to Lighten the Day

Disclaimer: This humor is offensive.

In other words, it's pretty funny.

Fun With Numbers 2

With "million", "billion", and "trillion" being thrown around in the news constantly, I thought it would be important to add a little perspective.

What is a million?  What is a billion...and a trillion?

Let's use age as a perspective.  When a baby is born, how long does it take for that baby to live a million seconds?

The baby would be approximately 11 days old.

How long does it take for that baby to live a billion seconds?

The baby would be 31.7 years old when it has lived for a billion seconds.

What about a trillion seconds?  How old would that baby be alive if it lived for a trillion seconds?

The baby would be 31,709 years old.  That's an old baby.

Interesting stuff to keep in mind when thinking about our $14 trillion debt...and increasing by $3.81 billion per day.

One more thing--if every man, woman, and child had to pay down our debt, how many dollars per person would that be?  $46,149.96 (that's using an estimated population of 311,043,303).

My daughter better start charging more at her lemonade stand.

Heads and Tails: Headlines

Thought you might like me to sum up some headlines from the past few days.  I'll present them using a heads/tails format.

Heads:  California seeks bridge loan to pay bills (they're broke, by the way).
Tails:  Governor of California signs DREAM Act allowing illegal immigrants to receive college loans.

Heads: President Obama issues televised speech deploring the House and Senate to compromise on a budget bill to prevent default on US debt.
Tails: President Obama says he will veto any compromise bill from the Republicans that passes the House and the Senate.

Heads: Politicians from San Francisco argue for Gay rights across America.  People should be free to choose their lifestyle and not be punished for it.
Tails: San Francisco bans Happy Meals because they aren't good for you, or you just don't know any better.

Heads: "A key component of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) enforcement mission is the tracing of firearms on behalf of thousands of Federal, State, local and foreign law enforcement agencies." (www.atf.gov/statistics) The ATF just offered $3000 as a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those persons responsible for a burglary and theft that occurred in Pryor, Oklahoma.
Tails: Federal agents of the ATF can not account for more than 1,000 firearms smugglers bought...from ATF agents!! (Sorry, had to include exclamation marks on this one--Operation Fast and Furious.  Just Google and prepare to weep...the family of the border officer killed by one of these guns is.)

Heads: We should not jump to conclusions about whether Nidal Malik Hassan's faith had anything to do with him shouting "allah akhbar" before gunning down 13 people, nor of the Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad.  We should not jump to conclusions about whether religion had any motivation in these terrorist acts.
Tails: In Oslo, ABC details that the police are questioning the "Right-Wing Christian" over the weekend massacre.  Washington Post "On Faith" contributor blames Christianity for Oslo bombing and shootings with an article titled, "When Christianity Become Lethal."

Heads: In a speech to La Raza ("The Race") President Obama makes "joke" about wanting to change laws by bypassing Congress, but adds, "but that's not how our system works."
Tails: Military action continues in Libya, with US forces providing direct and indirect support.  President Obama said that he doesn't need Congressional authorization to use the military in Libya.



It is...to weep.  I'm turning off the news, and watching some Sponge Bob with my daughter.  

Economics From Mankiw

There has been a lot of discussion recently about a "balanced" approach to our debt problem.  You know, some cuts...but some tax increases, too.  I am not a follower of the "balanced" approach.  You see, I believe the "balanced" approach is one reason why we are in this mess.  If I live beyond my means, spending more money than I take in, I might suggest taking out a loan to pay for my rent.  I would tell my wife, "but honey, I know we need to make some adjustments to our spending, but we need a 'balanced' approach--one that involves loans."  While I may use the word balanced, I have not addressed the true problem.

The government takes in plenty of cash.  Don't be fooled.  It's not the amount of money coming in, it's the amount of money going out that is the problem.  Our entitlement programs have created a demand for government programs, and the government is more than happy to supply.  With other people's money, of course.

It's called redistribution of wealth.  Take from some, give to others.  Government doesn't create wealth, businesses (the people running the businesses) create wealth.  The goal of business is to make money, and that "making money" is what drives employment.  Employment comes from the expansion of business.  An expanding government is not creating more jobs, it's creating more cost.  That cost requires the government to take in more money, and that money comes from productivity.  If everyone had a government job, there would be no productivity to tax to generate revenue to pay the government employee.  Hence, everyone would have a job, but nothing to spend the money on.  And with no businesses making money, there would be no tax revenue coming in to the government coffers.  No money in the government coffers, no ability to pay government employees.  This is the fallacy of the people who believe more government jobs is good, and subsequently, more government spending is good.  That money that the government is spending is not their own.

The President gave a speech on Friday (it's hard to keep up with all his speeches), in which he said that rich people can give up more of their income because...well, they can.  While this is technically true, where is the fairness in this?  He advocated that it's "only fair" to ask for the rich to help even more, even though 50% of the country doesn't even pay taxes.  Our tax system is progressive, which means that not only do people who make more money pay more in taxes, they are actually taxed at a higher rate.  To say that people who are already progressively taxed should solve a problem created by the consumption (through social security, medicare, medicaid) of a majority of people who don't even pay taxes is ludicrous, not just unfair.

My MBA program began with an introductory course in economics.  It was a very good course, and I really enjoyed the book we used.  It was written by a professor at Harvard, who had served on President Bush's Council of Economic Advisers.

Anyway, I read a good article in the Wall Street Journal today from Professor Mankiw.  The title of the article is "I Can Afford Higher Taxes.  But They'll Make Me Work Less."  In describing how a higher tax rate for more income (progressive tax and marginal rate) actually "de-incentivizes" productivity, he says:

"Suppose that some editor offered me $1,000 to write an article.  If there were no taxes of any kind, this $1,000 of income would translate into $1,000 in extra saving.  If I invested it in the stock of a company that earned 8% a year on its capital, then 30 years from now, when I pass on, my children would inherit about $10,000.  That is simply the miracle of compounding."

"Now let's put taxes into the calculus.  First, assuming the Bush tax cuts expire, I would pay 39.6% in federal income taxes on that extra income (and a phaseout of deductions adds 1.2%)...I also pay Medicare tax...and I pay 5.3% in state income taxes.  Putting all those taxes together, that $1,000 of pretax income becomes only $523 of saving."

"And that saving no longer earns 8%.  First, the corporation in which I have invested pays a 35% corporate tax on its earnings.  So I get only 5.2% in dividends and capital gains.  Then, on that income, I pay taxes at the federal and state level.  As a result, I earn about 4% after taxes, and the $523 in saving grows to $1,700 after 30 years."

"Then when my children inherit the money, the estate tax will kick in.  The marginal estate tax is scheduled to go as high as 55% next year, but Congress may reduce it a bit.  Most likely, when the $1,700 enters my estate, my kids will get, at most, $1,000 of it."

"Here's the bottom line:  Without any taxes, accepting that editor's assignment would have yielded my children an extra $10,000.  With taxes, it yields only $1,000.  In effect, once the entire tax system is taken into account, my family's marginal tax rate is about 90%.  Is it any wonder that I turned down most of the money-making opportunities I'm offered?"

No, Professor, it doesn't.  When we punish success, that seems the logical conclusion.

Which society do you want to live in?  One that punishes those who supply the revenue to operate?  If you do that long enough, people leave or stop working.  As Congressman Boehner said today, "I've always believed, the bigger the government, the smaller the people.  And right now, we have a government so big and so expensive it's sapping the drive of our people and keeping our economy from running at full capacity...the solution to this crisis is not complicated: if you're spending more money than you're taking in, you need to spend less of it."

Sometimes the simple things are just too simple for Washington, I guess.