government
Regalia Quote
“…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
Replacing Bayh
As part of the program at the March Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) State Board of Directors’ meeting, we heard four of the five Republican candidates running against Brad Ellsworth for Evan Bayh’s Senate seat speak. There were three politicians, Marlin Stutzman, John Hostettler and Dan Coats. The fourth, John Bates, Jr., has not held political office in the past. This wasn’t a debate. Each candidate was allowed to make a short introductory speech and then they took questions from the audience. It was set up in half hour time slots, so we received individual presentations.
Jack Jordan
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 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.
Washington Gibberish
I am somewhat frustrated by the gibberish that is coming from Washington. Be it Health Care Reform, the so called “stimulus” packages or even just the general budgets. Many would say it has always been like that and I have read some accounts that discussed arguments over bills that nearly came to blows in the 1800’s. There are other records that belie that though. The Homestead Act of 1862 is one such example. Could such a sweeping document be created and passed in such a succinct form today? I think not.
First, if you look at that document (here), which basically opened the West to settlement, it is only two pages long! I would wager that President Lincoln didn’t sign his name to it with 15 different give-away pens either…