Crike!

The democrats are right! We need to raise taxes on the rich to bring down the def...wait a second...nevermind.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/25/washington/25budget.html?hp&ex=1169787600&en=fb17e1d11b52463f&ei=5094&partner=homepage

More Government Should Help

I have a good idea for how to get back at American Airlines (http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/business/16533365.htm). It's a little complicated, so follow closely: fly another airline next time. If you need further explanation, please contact me.

Seriously, I sympathize. I wouldn't want to be stuck on a plane for that long, just sitting on the tarmac, especially if I had either of my pre-K girls with me. I'd raise hell if they became excessively hungry, needed medicine or the like.

The publicity this is garnering should be a catalyst for one of two things, or both: American will lose present and future customers (something it cannot afford to do) or they will improve their processes.

But please, can we cease all the 'Passenger's Bill of Right' baloney, please? The last thing that needs to happen is the introduction of more regulation on every airline because of the actions, or lack thereof, of one. The market works these things out. Uncle Sam already has his hands way too far into mine and your private lives.

You don't think they know about all this, and are taking measures to make sure it doesn't happen on one of their airplanes??

"A Revolution"

I was listening to a local newstalk station, 1200 WOAI, while making breakfast for myself this morning, as I customarily do. Pags* was talking to Jim Pinkerton of Newsday and Fox News Watch about President Bush's State of the Union address last night. I didn't pay close attention until Pinkerton mentioned the sight of Henry Paulson, the Treasury Secretary. I had a feeling when he mentioned his name, he might talk about social security, based on reports that Paulson is going about quietly the process of negotiating with members of Congress social security reform. Why quietly? Because reports have been floating around, pretty much since Paulson was confirmed last June, that W might be willing to allow taxes to go up as part of a compromise. And make no doubt about it, discriminately raising, if not all out eliminating the cap on earnings subject to the social security tax is just as much a tax increase as "rolling back" or "repealing" (as liberals like to say) Bush's tax cuts on the wealthiest American taxpayers. I used to wonder why there was such a cap. Then I figured out that people making that much per year, currently in the mid $90Ks, probably will not rely as much on social security when they retire (if they do, given that they are indeed the most productive members of society) as will those who make less. Then, it made perfect sense: welfare restrained. I like it!

Pinkerton finished by saying that if such a thing happens, there will be a "revolution" within the republican ranks. I hope, for the good of the economy, and society, that the cap is left alone (better yet to privatize it all together, but who am I kidding?). But, if it is lifted or eliminated, I welcome a "revolution". What's more, I look forward to seeing how current congressman (Ron Paul) and senators (McCain, Brownback) vote for it, and how that will effect the position on the issue staked out by those running for the nomination who will not have a vote, like Guiliani.

One of these days, someone running for public office will take seriously those who wish the government was at least half the size it is today.

And one other thing that has been on my mind for a while. Those for a vastly simpler tax code, such as myself, should have known better (and probably did) than to think Bush would be the one to deliver, given how he wants to address the health care issue.

*I give credit to Joe Pagliarulo. He started as the host of WOAI's morning program about a year or so ago. My first impression: 'Sheesh; what a radio voice!', which is another way of saying 'Ugh! What a fake!' He repeated himself, some of the things he said, so much from day to day, I started to wonder if it was a recording. But I must say, I have come to like him doing that job, and that's probably only partially because it seems he holds many of the same beliefs as me.

music review: army of anyone

I recently finished making it through the cd and found it to be pretty good. It's at least better than the new Audioslave, who's songs sound too much alike, although not quite as good as Velvet Revolver's Contraband, to which Army will inevitably be compared due to the Stone Temple Pilots link. Some of Army's songs kinda surprised me with how good they are. And some reminded me of a Joe Walsh-y, Peter Frampton-ish 70s. You can detect the similarities to STP's music, but it also sounds to have evolved some out of that. I really like track 9, "Father Figure."

Jeepers!

The democrats are right: we better do something about this foreign direct investment surplus, er, I mean, trade deficit, before this country collapses!

"Toyota Motor Corp. on Thursday would not confirm published reports that it is close to choosing a site for its eighth assembly plant in North America, possibly in the southern United States."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/stories/MYSA010507.06C.toyotaplans.26a126d.html

Drats!

The democrats are right: we better do something about this economy before it's too late!

"WASHINGTON (AP) -- Employers stepped up hiring last month, boosting payrolls by a healthy 167,000 and keeping the unemployment rate steady at a still historically low 4.5 percent. Workers' wages grew briskly."

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/ECONOMY?SITE=TXSAE&SECTION=BUSINESS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Painful

I flipped to C-Span before going to bed late last night (been working late for year-end closing) with all the interest of watching a train wreck, given that it was the democrats first full day back in control (makes me ill to type that). I saw Dreier from Cali (republican) speaking. OK. Then McGovern from Mass. (there are only democrats there, Romney not withstanding) responding. OK, same as before. Normal. It became too much for me when I saw Barney (heh, I pause here remembering Dick Armey's, ahem, 'slip up' with his last name) Frank from Mass. in the speaker's chair presiding over the debate.

I've been kinda curious the last few years to see what democratic control would look like and see if they, and the GOP, would turn into hypocrites.

I found last night that it's going to take some time.