No Runny Eggs

The repository of one hard-boiled egg from the south suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (and the occassional guest-blogger). The ramblings within may or may not offend, shock and awe you, but they are what I (or my guest-bloggers) think.

Archive for October 20th, 2008

That Pesky Patriotism Thingy Again

by @ 5:46. Filed under Politics - National.

In case you missed it:

Obama Camp Scraps National Anthem

According to Newsmax.com, the Obama Campaign scratched the National Anthem at one of their rallies:

to make room for another speaker.

Let’s see, this is the guy who quit wearing the flag lapel pin because:

it has become a substitute for “true patriotism” since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Later he began wearing it when it made the political statement he felt was appropriate for the moment….like when he visited US car manufacturers or military bases.

Looks like just one more example of where Barack comes first, Country comes second. Maybe we should start getting used to it.

My Feet Are Cold. Could It Mean?????

by @ 5:28. Filed under Politics - Minnesota, Taxes.

The Vikings won’t be winning a Superbowl this year,

The Cubs aren’t winning the World Series,

Thing 1 and Thing 2 haven’t cleaned their rooms without being asked

Dang, I can’t figure out why my feet are cold!  

Wait, maybe this is it; both the Star and Tribune and the Pioneer Presshave taken positions against increasing Minnesota’s state sales tax via a Constitutional amendment.   They even have solid logic for their opposition!

As the Democrat dominated House and Senate worked to develop a budget last year, they groped to find ways to not only spend a $2 Billion dollar surplus but to add additional taxes to support their never ending greed.   In one of the most notable events of last session, they increased the gas tax by $.05 (and more to come) and created the largest single bill tax increase in Minnesota history.   They were abetted in this act by several RINOs in the House, all of which have either decided to “retire”, have been unendorsed or look like they will be beaten.  

One item that the Dems weren’t able to get through last year was an increase in the sales tax.   Unlike Pelosi, they were able to count heads and, knowing that Governor Pawlenty would veto an increase, knew they couldn’t get the override done in the House.   So, they took the back door.   In Minnesota, the Legislature can bring Constitutional issues directly to the voters without going through the Governor.   The Dems gathered darn near every constituentcy they could find, hunter, clean water, arts, parks, wetlands, fisherpersons and park enthusiasts, lumped them in a pot and said “let’s get an increase in the sales tax in the Constitution that you all can fight over how to spend.”

So here comes the two daily newspapers.   Editorial sections that haven’t met a tax that they didn’t like.   In fact, I can’t remember one that they have opined against, they like big government.   But on this issue they say nyet.   The reason both of them give is that while they support the desire to improve and fund all of the items included, they don’t believe doing it in the Constitution and tying leglislator’s hands, is the right way to do it.   They believe that Legislators should be accountable for the State’s budget.

While I can’t agree with their support of the various issues (Don’t the “Arts” have patrons anymore?), I do agree with their conclusion and the reason for it!   Congrats to the Star and Tribune and Pioneer Press for getting one right!

Excuse me while I  go and find my insolated socks!

Behind Every Cloud, a Silver Lining?

by @ 5:21. Filed under Economy, Taxes.

First, I’m back. Second, I didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to politics while I was gone (funny how life in the Caribbean doesn’t revolve around US politics!) I did however, pay a bit of attention to the on going economic nonsense. A quick observation/comment on that front.

While I was gone the Dow was:
Down 700
Down 100
Up 940
Down 77
Down 730
Up 400
Down 120

Anybody got some Tums?

As I mentioned before I left, the stock markets have left any  semblence of “investing” and have become simply “betting.” That said, I’m betting that “investing” returns within the next few weeks. It looks like we’re watching the final swings of a pendulum that got released from a very overextended position and has to  redetermine center.

It doesn’t matter whether you are retired, self employed, unemployed, wealthy or just making ends meet, the current economic uneasiness is not fun for anyone. However, silver linings can be found even in these challenging times; you just need to know where to look.

As I was traveling home I saw this headline in the USATODAY:

Amid meltdown, cities slash services

Seems that states and local communities are finding that decreasing home values and purchasing along with softening incomes have decreased all of the main funding mechanisms these entities rely on. Unlike the Federal Government, local and state governments don’t have the luxury of printing more money to solve their budget problems. Instead, local and state governments are left with the options of either increasing taxes or cutting budgets GASP!

Yes, cities across the country are going to see drastic cutbacks:

Last fiscal year, Phoenix’s tax revenue fell $89 million short. So the city doubled the cost of swimming lessons at city pools to $12 per session

and

Even wealthy cities are feeling the pain. Aspen, Colo., will delay construction of a $360,000 foam pit for training snowboarders in the city gym.

The money quote from the article is this:

“There’s just no choice,” Fairbanks said. “With all the cuts we’ve made in the past, I don’t think there’s anything left that someone in the community doesn’t highly value.”

And that’s the problem. Cities and states have gotten fat, dumb and happy while they’ve seen their incomes rise in unprecedented fashion during the past decade. Rather than focusing on “needs” and essential services, states and cities have found things that the “community highly values” to justify increased taxes.

Have any of you lived through a government shut down because of budget issues?   Minnesota had one a few years back.    The State cut back only to essential services meaning  public safety, everything else was shut down.   I don’t know of anyone that was clamoring for the budget to be settled to get all of their lost services back!  

Especially at the city/county level, now is the time to stay engaged in the process. As your local officials work to adjust budgets to recognize their new economic environments stay close and focus them on needs versus wants. It’s far too easy for Mayors to start talking about “cutting police protection” when they should be talking about cutting administrative staff and programs that are outside of essential services.

If budgets are adjusted simply on a % basis, you may have a smaller budget but one that is still funding “highly valued” but nonessential services while underfunding the services, like police, that really are one of the key responsibilities of government.

If diligence is pursued during these difficult times you’ll have a much better base to work from when things improve. A little work now can surely make for a silver lining later on.

[No Runny Eggs is proudly powered by WordPress.]