Before heading off for a long-overdue 'good-walk-spoiled' on a vacation golf course, OS has been reading commentary and reactions on the past week's events.
The level of anger approaches that of 1850's America, which does not bode well.
The sense that people are losing hope seems also to surface.
So, OS would wish to raise his aged hand and remind one and all: Yes, the world seems to be in the hands of knaves and fools, presiding over a clown circus. And, by no means is this the first time we have experienced such a circumstance.
Our hope, our confidence that the future exists, and that we will participate in it, does not lie within ourselves, or any political arrangement, or asset allocation.
St. Paul explained it to the Romans, during times much darker in the first century Roman Empire.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
(Romans 5: 1-5 KJV)
This is where Hope is located.
Showing posts with label Hope and Change/Hype and Mange. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hope and Change/Hype and Mange. Show all posts
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, February 26, 2010
Governor Paterson Heads For The Exits
OldSouth had a long day yesterday, and broke his normal routine. It was a good day, but by about 6:00 he was an hour from home, tired and hungry. Eating in restaurants alone is no fun, but it was necessary last night. So, he grabs a copy of yesterday's YewNorkTimes to see what the latest MSM spin is, just for amusement, and finds his table.
Well, hot-DAUMMN!, up on the top left of the front page, in a separate box just to make sure it's not missed, with three writers listed as authors, the news of Governor Paterson's incredibly sleazy behavior as he apparently sought to intimidate a woman that his sleazy top aide has battered.
This is news. This is the second New York governor in three years to get caught in some seriously sleazy behavior. Paterson even makes Eliot Spitzer look relatively benign. Spitzer just had a case of 'The Joneses' for young hookers, and engaged in bank fraud to cover his tracks. Paterson intervened directly with the battered woman to intimidate her into silence. The State Police (who had no jurisdiction in the case) had also been by for a 'friendly visit'. This crosses the line into truly dark, evil behavior, smudging the line between governance and criminal gang leadership. This is overtly criminal, at both the State and Federal level. (More about that later!)
What stuck OS was the fact that the YewNorkTimes reported it at all. A few years ago, the YewNorkTimes would have actively participated in the cover-up of this criminality--after all, Paterson is a Democrat, black, and blind. A true liberal 'Three-fer' (Three 'misunderstood oppressed righteous minorities in need of our understanding and unqualified support, all in the same person. We feel three times as righteous for enabling his criminality. You know--a 'Three-fer'.)
And in today's web edition, news that Paterson won't seek re-election. Boy, that was quick!
Of course, what's needed here is a resignation. Or an impeachment, in case he needs some encouragement to GetOutOfDodge. If he had a shred of honor....but wait, he threatens battered women, so let's not seek what does not exist.
And, let us remember, the State of New York is on a trajectory toward almost certain bankruptcy. Good to know HizHonor had time to engage in a bit of official extortion on the side...
A few further questions come to mind, while on the subject:
1. This, on its face, is a Federal civil rights case. Gross abuse of power by a Governor to silence a battered woman seeking redress in a local court. Does AG Holder have the stones to allow Federal prosecution of a fellow black Democrat politician? (Don't hold your breath!)
2. Where's Jesse Jackson, 'speaking truth to power', or Al Sharpton? Or is it only white-on-black violence that interests them, as grist for the race-baiting mill? And, Jesse, Al and Paterson are pretty tight friends over the years, are they not? How much about behavior this did they know, and decide to sit by in silence?
Once again, the collapse of the YewNorkTimes' subscription base, directly as a result of their complete lack of credibility (and outright hostility to the United States at points), seems to have led to some sort of attitude adjustment somewhere on the daily editorial staff.
Of course, the editors of the Op-Ed page still think the country can spend us into oblivion without consequence, and daily drink the Obama Kool-Aid. Their conversion experience will have to wait until about the second or third week of November.
Well, hot-DAUMMN!, up on the top left of the front page, in a separate box just to make sure it's not missed, with three writers listed as authors, the news of Governor Paterson's incredibly sleazy behavior as he apparently sought to intimidate a woman that his sleazy top aide has battered.
This is news. This is the second New York governor in three years to get caught in some seriously sleazy behavior. Paterson even makes Eliot Spitzer look relatively benign. Spitzer just had a case of 'The Joneses' for young hookers, and engaged in bank fraud to cover his tracks. Paterson intervened directly with the battered woman to intimidate her into silence. The State Police (who had no jurisdiction in the case) had also been by for a 'friendly visit'. This crosses the line into truly dark, evil behavior, smudging the line between governance and criminal gang leadership. This is overtly criminal, at both the State and Federal level. (More about that later!)
What stuck OS was the fact that the YewNorkTimes reported it at all. A few years ago, the YewNorkTimes would have actively participated in the cover-up of this criminality--after all, Paterson is a Democrat, black, and blind. A true liberal 'Three-fer' (Three 'misunderstood oppressed righteous minorities in need of our understanding and unqualified support, all in the same person. We feel three times as righteous for enabling his criminality. You know--a 'Three-fer'.)
And in today's web edition, news that Paterson won't seek re-election. Boy, that was quick!
Of course, what's needed here is a resignation. Or an impeachment, in case he needs some encouragement to GetOutOfDodge. If he had a shred of honor....but wait, he threatens battered women, so let's not seek what does not exist.
And, let us remember, the State of New York is on a trajectory toward almost certain bankruptcy. Good to know HizHonor had time to engage in a bit of official extortion on the side...
A few further questions come to mind, while on the subject:
1. This, on its face, is a Federal civil rights case. Gross abuse of power by a Governor to silence a battered woman seeking redress in a local court. Does AG Holder have the stones to allow Federal prosecution of a fellow black Democrat politician? (Don't hold your breath!)
2. Where's Jesse Jackson, 'speaking truth to power', or Al Sharpton? Or is it only white-on-black violence that interests them, as grist for the race-baiting mill? And, Jesse, Al and Paterson are pretty tight friends over the years, are they not? How much about behavior this did they know, and decide to sit by in silence?
Once again, the collapse of the YewNorkTimes' subscription base, directly as a result of their complete lack of credibility (and outright hostility to the United States at points), seems to have led to some sort of attitude adjustment somewhere on the daily editorial staff.
Of course, the editors of the Op-Ed page still think the country can spend us into oblivion without consequence, and daily drink the Obama Kool-Aid. Their conversion experience will have to wait until about the second or third week of November.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Tax Story That Reuters Spiked At White House Request
OldSouth just loves Junior Deputy Accountant!
Whoodathunk that anyone could make the Dismal Science into a truly funny running narrative. This LeftCoast lady does it, and she is not for the prudish or faint of heart. A heartfelt 'Whoo-Whee' sent in the direction of Miss Adrienne, the intrepid.
She shares with us the Reuters story that the Obama White House spiked, for fear that the truth of their intentions might see the light of day.
All it does is remind us what happens the day after the 2001 tax cuts expire. Which Obama plans to do, and hopes no one notices.
To quote Dr. Evil: 'Riiiiigggghhht!'
They do well to fear this news escaping.
The publication of that final little bullet point below surely will make Hopey-Changey's blood run cold. They might tumble to the fact that he's planning to screw everyone, everywhere, forever.
And, like Reuters, make anyone who dares talk about it sit down and shut up.
So, here's the article. If it were to find it's way into the inboxes of your colleagues, friends, and family in the morning, well, golly-gee, it might jest get some folks all riled-up. Whaddayathink?
[Begin copy]
Original:
Backdoor taxes to hit middle class
By Terri Cullen – Mon Feb 1, 4:09 pm ET
NEW YORK (Reuters.com) --The Obama administration's plan to cut more than $1 trillion from the deficit over the next decade relies heavily on so-called backdoor tax increases that will result in a bigger tax bill for middle-class families.
In the 2010 budget tabled by President Barack Obama on Monday, the White House wants to let billions of dollars in tax breaks expire by the end of the year -- effectively a tax hike by stealth.
While the administration is focusing its proposal on eliminating tax breaks for individuals who earn $250,000 a year or more, middle-class families will face a slew of these backdoor increases.
The targeted tax provisions were enacted under the Bush administration's Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. Among other things, the law lowered individual tax rates, slashed taxes on capital gains and dividends, and steadily scaled back the estate tax to zero in 2010.
If the provisions are allowed to expire on December 31, the top-tier personal income tax rate will rise to 39.6 percent from 35 percent. But lower-income families will pay more as well: the 25 percent tax bracket will revert back to 28 percent; the 28 percent bracket will increase to 31 percent; and the 33 percent bracket will increase to 36 percent. The special 10 percent bracket is eliminated.
Investors will pay more on their earnings next year as well, with the tax on dividends jumping to 39.6 percent from 15 percent and the capital-gains tax increasing to 20 percent from 15 percent. The estate tax is eliminated this year, but it will return in 2011 -- though there has been talk about reinstating the death tax sooner.
Millions of middle-class households already may be facing higher taxes in 2010 because Congress has failed to extend tax breaks that expired on January 1, most notably a "patch" that limited the impact of the alternative minimum tax. The AMT, initially designed to prevent the very rich from avoiding income taxes, was never indexed for inflation. Now the tax is affecting millions of middle-income households, but lawmakers have been reluctant to repeal it because it has become a key source of revenue.
Without annual legislation to renew the patch this year, the AMT could affect an estimated 25 million taxpayers with incomes as low as $33,750 (or $45,000 for joint filers). Even if the patch is extended to last year's levels, the tax will hit American families that can hardly be considered wealthy -- the AMT exemption for 2009 was $46,700 for singles and $70,950 for married couples filing jointly.
Middle-class families also will find fewer tax breaks available to them in 2010 if other popular tax provisions are allowed to expire. Among them:
* Taxpayers who itemize will lose the option to deduct state sales-tax payments instead of state and local income taxes;
* The $250 teacher tax credit for classroom supplies;
* The tax deduction for up to $4,000 of college tuition and expenses;
* Individuals who don't itemize will no longer be able to increase their standard deduction by up to $1,000 for property taxes paid;
* The first $2,400 of unemployment benefits are taxable, in 2009 that amount was tax-free.
[end copy]
Whoodathunk that anyone could make the Dismal Science into a truly funny running narrative. This LeftCoast lady does it, and she is not for the prudish or faint of heart. A heartfelt 'Whoo-Whee' sent in the direction of Miss Adrienne, the intrepid.
She shares with us the Reuters story that the Obama White House spiked, for fear that the truth of their intentions might see the light of day.
All it does is remind us what happens the day after the 2001 tax cuts expire. Which Obama plans to do, and hopes no one notices.
To quote Dr. Evil: 'Riiiiigggghhht!'
They do well to fear this news escaping.
The publication of that final little bullet point below surely will make Hopey-Changey's blood run cold. They might tumble to the fact that he's planning to screw everyone, everywhere, forever.
And, like Reuters, make anyone who dares talk about it sit down and shut up.
So, here's the article. If it were to find it's way into the inboxes of your colleagues, friends, and family in the morning, well, golly-gee, it might jest get some folks all riled-up. Whaddayathink?
[Begin copy]
Original:
Backdoor taxes to hit middle class
By Terri Cullen – Mon Feb 1, 4:09 pm ET
NEW YORK (Reuters.com) --The Obama administration's plan to cut more than $1 trillion from the deficit over the next decade relies heavily on so-called backdoor tax increases that will result in a bigger tax bill for middle-class families.
In the 2010 budget tabled by President Barack Obama on Monday, the White House wants to let billions of dollars in tax breaks expire by the end of the year -- effectively a tax hike by stealth.
While the administration is focusing its proposal on eliminating tax breaks for individuals who earn $250,000 a year or more, middle-class families will face a slew of these backdoor increases.
The targeted tax provisions were enacted under the Bush administration's Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. Among other things, the law lowered individual tax rates, slashed taxes on capital gains and dividends, and steadily scaled back the estate tax to zero in 2010.
If the provisions are allowed to expire on December 31, the top-tier personal income tax rate will rise to 39.6 percent from 35 percent. But lower-income families will pay more as well: the 25 percent tax bracket will revert back to 28 percent; the 28 percent bracket will increase to 31 percent; and the 33 percent bracket will increase to 36 percent. The special 10 percent bracket is eliminated.
Investors will pay more on their earnings next year as well, with the tax on dividends jumping to 39.6 percent from 15 percent and the capital-gains tax increasing to 20 percent from 15 percent. The estate tax is eliminated this year, but it will return in 2011 -- though there has been talk about reinstating the death tax sooner.
Millions of middle-class households already may be facing higher taxes in 2010 because Congress has failed to extend tax breaks that expired on January 1, most notably a "patch" that limited the impact of the alternative minimum tax. The AMT, initially designed to prevent the very rich from avoiding income taxes, was never indexed for inflation. Now the tax is affecting millions of middle-income households, but lawmakers have been reluctant to repeal it because it has become a key source of revenue.
Without annual legislation to renew the patch this year, the AMT could affect an estimated 25 million taxpayers with incomes as low as $33,750 (or $45,000 for joint filers). Even if the patch is extended to last year's levels, the tax will hit American families that can hardly be considered wealthy -- the AMT exemption for 2009 was $46,700 for singles and $70,950 for married couples filing jointly.
Middle-class families also will find fewer tax breaks available to them in 2010 if other popular tax provisions are allowed to expire. Among them:
* Taxpayers who itemize will lose the option to deduct state sales-tax payments instead of state and local income taxes;
* The $250 teacher tax credit for classroom supplies;
* The tax deduction for up to $4,000 of college tuition and expenses;
* Individuals who don't itemize will no longer be able to increase their standard deduction by up to $1,000 for property taxes paid;
* The first $2,400 of unemployment benefits are taxable, in 2009 that amount was tax-free.
[end copy]
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