I just read on The Foundry that the Federal Income Tax is 100 years old today. It was brought about with the ratification of 16th Amendment to the Constitution: “The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.” Is it possible congress had any idea what they wrought back in 1913?
Politics
Happy Indiana Day!
In 1925, the Indiana General Assembly provided for the designation of December 11 as Indiana Day. By law (Indiana Code 1-1-10) “The governor shall issue a proclamation annually designating the eleventh day of December as Indiana Day” and citizens are urged to celebrate “in appropriate and patriotic observance of the anniversary of the admission of the state of Indiana into the Union.” Reference here.
Cartoon by Robert Ariail. Visit his site here.
I’m Prescient!
NBC Headline: Obama claims mandate on taxes
I’m Prescient! <sigh> As I posted here and here a mandate has been claimed for a win by a scant few percentage points, thus setting us up for more partisan rancor. If the above referenced article (found here) is to be believed, it’s stated even worse as a “broad” mandate in the first line, “President Barack Obama claimed a broad mandate for his vision on taxes at his first news conference since being re-elected, demanding that his negotiations with Congress yield a specific plan that results in a higher tax burden for the wealthiest Americans.”
So we went from “calling both sides together to arrive at a solution” to “demanding” in a matter of a week. So much for healing…
Election Day ’12
For those of you that know me, you probably know that I have not been chanting “Four More Years!” this fall. That doesn’t mean that I’m thrilled with nor buy into everything the other side says either. I tend to agree with William Weld who said, “I believe the government should stay out of your wallet and out of your bedroom.” which I’ve heard paraphrased as “I wish the Democrats would stay out of my wallet and the Republicans would stay out of my bedroom!” Whatever the outcome, I will just be glad to have it over. The negative campaigning has taken its toll and I’m concerned that whoever wins will claim a mandate, but in reality not be able to do anything. Normally I’m somewhat in favor of gridlock going by the theory that if they can’t do anything, they also can’t do any harm. In this case though, I feel the uncertainty of the last few years has contributed to the economic malaise. If you’re informed voter, get out and vote. If you’re not? Stay home!
In other election day events, the Senior Expo is going on at the Lifeplex. Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF) will be there in a booth with the United Way. Since I’m now a board member, I want to promote their cause. They will be talking about The John Marshall Legacy Society.
John Marshall was the 4th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the namesake for Marshall County. Here’s an excerpt taken from the MCCF John Marshall Legacy Society flyer:
John Marshall (1775 – 1835) is considered by many as one of the greatest jurists that ever served on the Supreme Court of the United States of America. His tenure as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1801 – 1835) produced some of the most important decisions that have become fundamentals of U.S. law and shaped our country’s way of life. Truly, Chief Justice Marshall was a man who accomplished much during his life and, by his actions, left a positive legacy that has affected many generations beyond his mortal years. In recognition of his life’s work, Marshall County, Indiana was named in his honor on February 7, 1835.
If you’re out and about after voting, stop by and see Jennifer, Jayne and Amanda.