Tax the Bastards and Ask Questions Later

According to the treasury department, folks, in 2000, the top one percent of the U.S. population made an income that comprised 21% of the G.D.P.. By contrast, this same group ended up paying 37% of the country's income taxes. Follow this to 2005. At that point, the top one percent continued to earn at that same rate; 21% of G.D.P.. Their burden to the treasury, however, that increased to 39% of tax revenue collected. So, even in spite of George W.Bush's reduction in overall tax rates (and, yes, so, too, his perceived favoring of the wealthy in society), the richest amongst us (as of 2005 anyway) ended up shouldering a larger percentage of the burden that they carried by the end of the Clinton years. Kind of interesting, huh?.......................................................P.S. For those of you who are curious, this same trend holds up for the top 5% as well. In 2000, this group made an income that comprised 35% of G.D.P.. The taxes they paid on this income made up 56% income tax revenue. By 2005, their share of the G.D.P. went up one percent to 36%. This, while, at the same time, their tax burden went up four percent to 60%. Again, not necessarily an advantageous scenario for the rich..................................................................I don't know, folks, perhaps the rich in fact are getting richer. This, I'm saying, in that maybe it shows up in a different economic indicator. But it sure doesn't seem as crystal clear anymore...................................................................P.S. As for Bush himself, maybe he does favor the rich. I don't know, I've never been able to figure the guy out (never mind get inside his head). All I'm saying is that his policies haven't necessarily translated into anything tangible. That's all.

Repressed Freedom

Comedian, Bill Maher, folks, is an interesting fellow. He's funny and, yes, extremely insightful as well. And while his political views can sometimes be a tad extreme from time to time, it's evident to all who listen that he does put a lot of thought into them.......................................................So, clearly, I was quite disappointed in a recent interview (it must have been on Larry King) when he said that, because Jews still reside in Iran, it really can't be ALL that bad of a place, after-all. He certainly seemed impressed by the fact that there are upwards of 11,000 of them..................................................................Of course, what Mr. Maher forgets to mention here is that, while, yes, Judaism still exists in Iran, the Jewish people themselves are treated quite miserably. This, I'm saying, in that those who do remain (tens of thousands fled after 1979's Islamic Revolution) are always viewed with suspicion, under constant surveillance, not allowed to teach a Jewish curriculum in their schools, or even have a rabbi. In addition, Jews are generally not allowed to travel abroad and emigration is never allowed. Worst of all, is the fact that at least 17 Iranian Jews have been executed - virtually all of them on religious grounds....................................................................Now, look, I'm not saying that we can't or shouldn't negotiate with Iran (or at least certain elements within it). I certainly don't think that we should be going around glibly singing (as Senator McCain did) "bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran". I'm just saying that we shouldn't go into these negotiations thinking that we're dealing with necessarily reasonable individuals here. I mean, seriously, YOU try being a Jew in that country, Mr. Maher. I dare you.

Insanity Strikes Again

Look, folks, I'm as convinced as anybody that the mainstream media has a penchant to favor the Democrats. I need absolutely NO persuading here - believe me. But, come on, there has to be, soon, in terms of protestations anyway, a point of diminishing returns here. Just take, for instance, all that crap that Sean Hannity's been peddling of late. It's lunacy, for Christ!. I mean, just the other day, he accused the mainstream media of NOT reporting on the fact that there might be a fair amount of pork in the stimulus bill. NOT REPORTING ON IT!! And, yes, folks, the fact that keeps on peddling this stuff with a straight face, too. That, I'm afraid to say, just might be the scariest part, period.....................................................................P.S. For the record (and, yes, just to name a few of them), John King, Anderson Cooper, Campbell Brown, and, yes, folks, even Chris Matthews, have ALL covered the more debatable aspects to this legislation. To say that they've been ignored is disengenuous at best.

Exit, Stage-Left

I sincerely hope that the Obama surge strategy for Afghanistan works. He better, too. Because, if it doesn't, the country will turn on him, and it will do so rapidly. Just ask Harry Truman. Just ask LBJ and Nixon. Just ask George W. Bush. This country has no patience for long drawn-out conflicts (not in this day and age), especially not those without an end in sight. And, no, we don't like incrementalism, either. Win, win quickly, and win decidedly. If Mr. Obama can't in good faith deliver on that, he just might want to take a look at containment instead. This, I'm saying, in that his Presidency might in fact hinge on it.

Like Rudy Said, I Guess it Depends a Lot on Who's Doing the Water-Boarding

Several years ago, Hollywood came out with a movie entitled, "Rendition". It was a not so subtle indictment of the Bush administration policy of the same name (i.e., where terror "suspects" end up being "exported" to other countries for interrogation - harsh interrogation no less and, yes, probably torture, too). Well, guess what, folks, it appears that the Obama administration is probably going to keep this particular "anti-terror" measure (not to mention some of the other more controversial Bush 'techniques"). Hm, I wonder. Does this mean that our good old friends in Hollywood will be coming out with a "sequel" in the not too distant future? Me, I kinda doubt it.

Night and Day

To all of my conservative male friends out there who worship (and/or have a crush) on Ann Coulter. I have two little words for you: Amity Shlaes. I mean, think about it. She's beautiful. She's brilliant. She's insightful and provocative. And, yes, me-buckos (drum-roll, please) - SHE'S CONSERVATIVE!!.......................................................Of course, what makes her even more appealing (and, yes, far more tolerable to liberals and moderates) is the fact that she isn't a freak-show. I mean, I don't think I've ever seen her engage in those Coulterian tactics of hyperbole, demonization, false dichotomies, shrillness, etc.. If anything, folks, Shlaes follows more along the lines of nuance. Does it plump up a show's ratings (as Ms. Coulter's appearances evidently do)/"entertain" us as much? Probably not. But I am telling you one thing, folks. She sure as hell stimulates you to think a tad. And isn't that why we read, watch the news, etc?............................................................P.S. And like I said at the beginning, she ain't exactly ugly, either.

Human Tragedy, On Display

The Palestinian Authority, folks - these folks have all told received approximately 6 BILLION dollars in aid (since 1993). That's a lot of money, huh? Do you have any idea how much of that money (up until 2005, anyway) has been spent on permanent housing for the 650,000 Palestinian refugees still living in camps? I'll give you a clue. It's a small number and it rhymes with hero.......................................................Yeah, that's right, folks, the Palestinian Authority hasn't spent a dime on actually improving the lives of their people. Hm, apparently they'd rather keep all those refugees in squalor, on display for the rest of the world to gawk at. etc.. I mean, seriously, what better a symbol of Israeli "oppression" could they possibly come up with (never mind, of course, the fact that Arab countries started the war that led to this situation, the fact that even more Jews were displaced because of the conflict, etc.)?..........................................................Oh, and if you think that maybe the Arab countries of that region have done any better a job, think again. All told, their "contributions" constitute about 2% 0f the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's annual budget. I don't know, apparently they've discovered some better things to do with all that oil revenue. Or something.

Put "Em Up! Put "Em Up!

I usually don't give a damn what Ann Coulter thinks, folks. I mean, why should I? It's all about tweaking and I generally prefer not to take that type of bait. But on Larry King this week, I have to admit it, she did rather get to me a tad. Joy Behar (who was subbing for Mr. King) asked Ann Coulter if she ever dated "liberal men". When she said that she didn't, Behar pressed her, "So, what type of men DO you date?" Coulter countered by saying, "Just that, men - real men. Men who don't feel that they have to go to the U.N. in order to defend this country." Neocons, in other words, I gather...........................................................I mean, talk about a slap in the face, huh? So, it's like, what, she only dates men who, when they were younger, went out of their way to avoid the actual fighting and mayhem of conflict, but who are all too willing to pull the trigger now? Give me a frigging break. Go back to beating up on the 9/11 widows, Ann. At least with that I can fantasize on some cat-fighting scenarios.

Grading on a Cable-Curve

I hate to say it, folks, but Bill O'Reilly is almost starting to sound reasonable these days. Of course, the real question is, is he actually reasonable, or does he just seem that way because I've also been watching Hannity and Olbermann? Hard to say. Whatever it is, though, I have in fact noticed it and, yes, felt the need to give him some credit for it......................................................BUT, before you think that I'm going to let the guy off the hook totally, think again. Still does Mr. O'Reilly persistently put himself at the cynosure of his interviews, think too often conspiratorially, and, yes, folks, the guy still puts forth his opinions as if they were instead finely honed facts.........................................................Take, for instance, his theory that the New York Times is only against strict immigration policies because it benefits the Democratic party. The New York Times, he further goes on to say, have, as a point on their agenda, the actual elimination of the two party system (poor immigrants will inevitably vote for the Dems, seek to further their particular needs via the welfare system, etc.). A draconian motivation, in other words...............................................................I mean, don't get me wrong here. The bastard may in fact be on to something. But, come on, me-buckos, it's still a frigging theory, for Christ................................................................Oh, and, yes, he's a mind-reader, too. I forgot to mention that.

Free Lunch for Full Bellies

It seems as if one of the provisions in the stimulus package is financial assistance for people currently paying for COBRA (health insurance that a worker can purchase from their employer, once that person is laid off). I don't know, I guess that the government is going to kick in for a certain percentage of it or something.....................................................Well, let me tell you something there, folks, as a person who (for several years back in the early 2000s) had to dish out some serious money for this expense, I have to say that I'm in favor of this part of the plan. I mean, seriously, that shit is expensive. And the fact that you really can't go without it, either (especially at a certain age)........................................................But even with this obviously well-intentioned provision, might there not be at least a modicum of prudence here, too? Take, for instance, the likelihood that a certain percentage of these people being laid off may not need the financial assistance, at least not immediately. Do we have to subsidize them, too (people with $200,000-300,000 in the bank, I'm saying, who can afford to purchase the COBRA on their own)? I personally don't think that we should. Not with a 10 plus TRILLION dollar debt, we shouldn't. Means-test the son-of-a-bitch!

Another Mindy Memory

Bray herself, though, folks, was nothing but an agitator - purely/simply. Add to that the fact that she was always plastered (three sheets to the wind and gruesmely) and, yes, me-buckos, absolutely, SHE WAS PUTRID!! Of course, being that there never much in terms of pickiness at Sassy's, so, too, was it just as easy for a low-ball jammer TO breed. "Somebody for everybody" - that being the battle-cry, the best that I recall.

Spending For a Purpose

How 'bout this as a means to stimulate the economy? You've heard of food stamps, right? Well, how about, in addition to giving those to people, we give them something called "merchandise stamps", too? They'd be basically just like cash BUT, instead of them being something that people can squirrel away (i.e., save) and/or pay down preexisting debt, they have an expiration date on them. People HAVE TO spend them before that time frame. If they don't, then they forfeit any potential purchasing power........................................................What do you think, folks? Me, I'm thinking that this would be an especially effective tool for the middle class (and, yes, I'd give them the food stamps, too). This, I'm saying, in that poor people (for whatever the reason) are far more likely to spend their rebate check than the middle class. Providing the latter group with an added incentive to make those types of purchases that would facilitate job growth - I don't know, folks, that would seem to make a boat-load of sense to me........................................................Now, obviously, this would only be a short-term solution. To get the economy moving forward for the long-term would no doubt require more of a tax-based incentive. My preference would be to cut the tax rates for everybody but, clearly, if that was not a political feasibility (as it appears to be the case today), yes, I'd focus things more on the middle class. I mean, they're the group that's basically gotten shafted the most (though, yes, the working poor have had a nasty go of it, too) the past 30 years, right?

Preaching to the "Base"

George Bush was criticized frequently for his alleged use of fear tactics. And, yes, a lot of that criticism was entirely understandable. One, he scared us into thinking that the Iraqis were on the verge of nuclear weapons, expediting what has now become a six year involvement in that country. And, yes, more recently, he scared us into thinking that the only way that we, as a nation, could secure our economic freedom would be for Congress to pass what turned out to be this 700 billion dollar bailout bill. I mean, seriously, talk about jumping and thinking about the consequences later. Two pretty good examples of it, huh?.........................................................Well, guess what, folks? I'm starting to get a little political deja vu here. This, I'm saying, in that, think about it. Is that not exactly what President Obama is doing here with this so-called stimulus bill, saying that if in fact we don't pass it, and pass it immediately, there'll be "catostrophic' consequences? I don't know, folks, don't you think that, BEFORE we spend the amount of money we spent on the New Deal and the Vietnam War COMBINED (yes, adjusted for inflation), it might not be the worst idea to talk about it at least a while longer? I don't think that it'd hurt all that much, do you?

Apologies to Stella

According to Rachel Maddow, folks, infrastructure spending is far more "stimulative" to the economy than tax cuts. And hell, who knows, maybe it is (though, yes, getting economists to agree on anything is itself a chore). But, still, I couldn't help but get a chuckle as I was listening to her. "What about the 'Bridge to Nowhere'?", I started thinking. I mean, seriously, folks, if stuff like that is stimulative to the economy, then instead of vilifying Sarah Palin, shouldn't we be loinizing the lady? She was stimulating the economy, Rachel! LOL..........................................................There, NOW do you see why I don't like partisanship?

October Prime-Time

Felicia, though, THAT, my friends, is devastation at its most rudimentary. And the fact that she herself is as tight-assed and tiny-titted/busted as Bray (dark haired, with bright eyes, an infectious smile, etc.), so as well was she lethal/out of bounds. Of course, being that this prism had in fact been seen by me through a bile....and a pile of advancing years, too, what if not for a little bit of giddiness and blather? I mean, seriously, folks, does that not at least make a modicum of sense here?

Hurry Porkdown

I'm probably not the best person out there to be giving advice - let alone not to the President of the United States. But, if I were to give him a suggestion or two, the first one would clearly be to stop listening to Nancy Pelosi. I mean, sure, be dignified to her in public and on TV but behind the scenes, folks, he's really got to put a foot on her, make sure she understands who the real leader of the country is, etc......................................................And I'd also keep repeating to him, over and over again, "Bill Clinton", "Bill Clinton". This, I'm saying, in that think about it, Bill Clinton (put aside his sexual pathologies/propensities to lie aside for a minute) was for all intents and purposes an effective president (or at least he didn't screw things up). And he was able to be this type of president, in my opinion, precisely because he DIDN'T fall prey to the more liberal elements in his party. He triangulated (to use a term from the wretch, Dick Morris), in other words..................................................Look, folks, I DO want Barack Obama to succeed. And clearly (again, my opinion) the best way for him to do that would be for him to take a more moderate and sensible approach to governing. Think about it. Being that it took us a long time to get ourselves into this current economic mess, maybe we ought not to rush into the "solving" of it - especially not via this pork-filled and ludicrous stimulus package. Remember the last two times (Iraq and the last bailout) we rushed into something? I certainly do.

Dear Dick(head)

I don't know, bro, I'm beginning to think that you, Dick Morris, are just as much of a dick-head as a frigging dick, for Christ! I mean, seriously, I get it, you can't stand Bill and Hillary C.. You especially have a strong dislike for Hillary. But, come on, don't you think that maybe this is getting a wee-bit out of hand (pathologically speaking, of course) here?....................................................And, yes, I'm talking about that latest low risk/low reward pillow fight of your over on the "Factor". You actually had the audacity to say that being Secretary of State will end up being Hillary's "first real job". Wow. I guess you don't consider her eight years as junior senator from the state of New York (a post where even her detractors admitted that she worked her tail off) as gainful employment. And what about all those years as an attorney? I mean, sure, she probably hasn't been on the up and up all the time/completely but, really, to say that these years didn't constitutes "employment", I don't know, man, I'm beginning to think that maybe you yourself might be needing a break of sorts. I mean, dude, you're almost starting to make me feel sorry for the wretched one.

Not On My Watch, You Don't

An interesting evening on cable-news tonight, folks. This, I'm saying, in that right in the middle of their eight o'clock broadcasts, CNN and Fox cut in and showed live coverage of President Obama's economic speech....and MSNBC DIDN'T ("Countdown" was NOT preempted)!!! Wow, huh? I mean, I couldn't believe it, the station that basically served as Obama's headquarters snubbed him, refused to give him a forum to plead his case, etc.. Oh well, I guess that that just goes to show that as much as Kid Olbermann worships Obama, as much as he likes to listen to him speak, bottom-line, he'd rather hear himself speak instead. Talk about a man-sized helping of an ego, huh?

The Buck Stops Not Here

To all of the people who say that President Bush is responsible for the current economic quagmire, spot on. To all of those who say that the Republicans in Congress are responsible, spot on. To all of those who say that the Democrats in Congress are responsible, spot on. To all of those who say that Christopher Cox (former SEC chair) is responsible, spot on. To all of those who say that former Fed chair, Alan Greenspan, is responsible, spot on. To all of those who say that the greedy Wall Street executives are responsible, spot on. Etc., etc., etc.. Yes, yes, yes. You're all frigging right, for Christ!.......................................................But, please, folks. Aren't we forgetting that there's at least one additional culprit here? Yeah, that's right, friends. I'm talking about us. I mean, seriously, weren't there a lot of US who acted like total idiots, too - taking out loans that even a three year old would have been able to see as excessive? It's like, how 'bout some personal responsibility here? What? What's that? Oh, yeah, I forgot, it doesn't exist anymore. Hey, where's my bailout, by the way?

Parched Delivery

One of my all-time favorite comedians, folks, is Steven Wright. First of all, he doesn't use profanity (or at least he doesn't go around swearing profusely). But, even more important than that, he's dry, wry, whatever you want to call it. I LOVE THAT! I mean sure, not each and every one of his jokes is a gut-buster, per se, but, so, too, me-buckos, is that itself part and parcel of the fellow's charm. For those of you "unfortunates" largely unaware of Mr. Wright's humor, please, allow me the opportunity to put forth a couple of my personal favorites here. And, yes, by all means, folks, judge them for yourself. I'm pretty sure that the smarter of you out there will like them. 1) I'm addicted to placebos. I could quit, but it wouldn't matter. 2) I'm a part of the Jehova's witness protection program. I go door to door telling people that I'm sombody else. 3) I got a paper-cut on my suicide note last night....It's a start. 4) I started a real commotion at the supermarket last night. I saw this guy pushing 30 carts across the parking-lot and I yelled at him, "Hey, maybe somebody else might want to use one of those!" And then on the inside I tried to buy the thing that separates my items from the other guy's. I said, "No, I need that. You have no idea what's it like where I live." 5) I remember when I was a little kid. My aunt gave me this five dollar bill. She whispered to me, "Don't tell your mother." I whispered back, "It'll cost you more than that." 6) I often wonder what my life would have been like if I was born one day earlier. I realize now that it wouldn't have been much. I just would have asked that question yesterday. 7) Boy, that Jesus really pissed off a lot of people. Like with all this turning water into wine stuff. It's like, "Hey, I'm trying to take a shower over here!" 8) With some games, when you lose, you actually win. For example, musical electric chairs. 9) I wish I could start my life all over again. I'd make my first word, quote. And then right before I day, I would say, unquote. 10) I saw this guy hitch-hiking the other day. He was holding this sign that said, HEAVEN. So I hit him. I think he probably made it. He looked like a pretty nice guy. There, a top TEN.

"To All My Friends!!"

Genuineness - how incredibly precious is that these days, huh? And, yes, folks, being that is in fact a rare commodity, when do have the good fortune to stumble upon it, so, too, you're more than eager to appreciate it. An example of such an event happened at the recent Golden Globes ceremony. I cite, specifically, that moment when Susan Sarandon opened up her envelope and uttered those two little words, Mickey Rourke. I couldn't believe it, folks, the response. Virtually everybody in the room stood up and cheered, cried, and were seemingly overcome. Hell, I was frigging crying in my living-room, for Christ!!.............................................................For those of you aren't aware, Mickey Rourke was one of Hollywood's golden-boys in the eighties and early nineties. He starred in such films as "Barfly", "9 1/2 Weeks", "Angel Heart", "Wild Orchid", and "The Pope of Greenwich Village". And, yes, as quickly as all of this fame arrived for him. so, too, it disappeared. I don't know, I guess that the guy basically hit the skids (a lot of his wounds apparently self-inflicted, unfortunately) for a while and, because of it, he ended up pissing away the better part of fifteen years. Nobody, nobody, NOBODY, ever thought that he'd come back in any sort of meaningful way...............................................................But he did, folks. He has. Hence the inspiration. And you know what, I hope he wins the frigging Oscar, too. Sean Penn already has one and, besides, he'll probably be up for the Venezuelan and Iranian equivalents anyway.