Rants

Regalia Quote

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“…the CBO data shows that since 1979, not only have the income tax shares of the lower four quintiles continued to drop, but the lowest quintile has been in the negative since 1987, and the second lowest has been negative since 2002.  This means that the lowest 40% have not been paying any federal income tax but have, instead, been getting subsidized by the government through such incentives as refundable tax credits.”

From Dr. Martin Regalia:  Econ 101, Tax Facts: Where the $ Comes From in Free Enterprise, April 2010

Paul Ryan Quote

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“While exact and precise measures cannot be made, there are estimates that in 2004, 20 percent of households in the U.S. were receiving about 75 percent of their income from the federal government, and that another 20 percent were receiving nearly 40 percent.  All in all, about 60 percent of American households were receiving more government benefits and services, measured in dollars, than they were paying back in taxes.  President Obama’s first budget alone raises this level of ‘net dependency’ to 70 percent.”

Paul Ryan is in his sixth term as a member of Congress, representing Wisconsin’s First Congressional District.  He is ranking member of the House Budget Committee and a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee.   This quote was taken from an article in the February 2010 issue of Imprimis.

April is National Landscape Architecture Month

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This month is National Landscape Architecture Month.  April is also African American Women’s Fitness Month, International Cesarean Awareness Month, Emotional Overeaters Awareness Month, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Month & Nationally Sexually Transmitted Diseases Month just to name a few.  (From the site here.)  I’m promoting Landscape Architecture since I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Landscape Architecture (B.S.L.A.) from Purdue University.  I am a Registered Landscape Architect with the State of Indiana.  I am a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).

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Regalia Quote

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“The president’s budget came out last month, and after reading through hundreds of pages of text and tables, I came to the conclusion that this budget was a lot like the “El Gordo” platter at my favorite Mexican restaurant – it contains something for everybody, it’s loaded with pork, but it’s bad for your health, and it totes a hefty price tag.” 

–  From March 2010, Econ 101,  Dr. Martin Regalia, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Economic Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Jack Jordan

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Becky and I were invited to a meet & greet fundraiser for Jack Jordan at the home of Carol & John Zeglis last week.  Carol and John are always wonderful hosts and make everyone welcome.  There were a lot of new faces there, but it was still a comfortable setting.

Jack Jordan

Jack and his wife,  Hope, were very personable.  He has the basic Republican positions, but with a strong “anti-politician” message.  One of his issues is term limits and he has promised no more than three terms.  I wish I could believe in that… I want to believe in that…  It seems though, that those that run for political office quickly become  politicians.  The number of incumbent politicians that believe in term limits is significantly less than those using that platform plank in their first run for office. 

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