Is Now The Time?

Epiphany. A moment of sudden revelation or insight. Today, as President Obama rolls out his budget – I may be having one of these sudden insights. I do not want to have it. I am pushing back with half my brain. Half is not sufficient.

The question before me – is in fact the same question much of the world is encountering. Greece. Riots in the streets continue as the government moves forward with its austerity movement. Promises made. Promises not kept. The UK has experienced similar uprisings. I am a creature of the Left. I did not wake up one morning and decide to lean Left. One accumulates points of view over a few years; coupled with a natural bent towards one view or another. I want to be “for” things rather than “against”. Even now, all I see coming from the Right is opposition. That is a turn off for me.

Accounting. Other than something one (like me) did or does for a living – it is a day of reckoning. The budget is still one hour from seeing daylight – but as usual, the media seems to have most of it. Are we indeed going to kick the can just a bit further down the road? Am I (and perhaps you) not being selfish in believing again that it is OK to kick that can? It’s good for us. Our Social Security, our pensions, our Medicare and Medicaid will be safe.

After hearing the outline of what President Obama has in mind – I turned off the TV and sat in silence. Contemplating. Good for me – but what of my son and his children? We are about to enter into another of those long debates featuring the Left vs. the Right. Part of the budget proposal will be to let the Bush tax cuts expire and raise the rate on the super rich. The President is reported to have said, “Now is not the time for austerity”. As desperately as I want to climb aboard yet another ship leaving the Port of Washington – there is that word again. Epiphany.

In my case, I just may have been jolted into having one. I find myself saying “now just may be the time to go after entitlements. Bring them back to Earth. It would hurt folks. Folks who have already been severely hurt. It would hurt ME. Somewhere, sometime, there is going to be hurt. Looking clinically at the situation with the deficit and the politics of reality – I doubt Washington has the guts to fix anything now – and will not have the guts as far out as I can see.

Social Security, despite some observations to the contrary, is in decent shape for about 30 years. It works as Rachel Maddow says. Do we really want to cut the revenue which actually pays the benefits? Even the Tea Baggers say “Do not touch MY Social Security”. And so it goes. Everyone wants to get the deficit to around 3% of GDP – so long as it is the other guy who pays for it.

President Obama. I have worked so hard to elect and support him. I believe deeply that given the circumstances – this has been a highly successful first term. There is so much more work to be done. A second term is needed, and I will be out there working my tail off again. But here is where the rubber meets the road. Take on cuts to Medicare and Medicaid – and reelection will become impossible. The Progressives will dump the President in a heartbeat. We get to have President Romney or President Santorum. The very thought is repulsive. How do we win in 2012? First, we must leave entitlements once again for the next person. We must regain all our strength with the base. Attract the independents. It is the only way. But in may be wrong.

Is it time for we Progressives to be martyrs? Tackle everything in an out effort to do the right thing? Be defeated? The immediate result would be Barack Obama leaves the White House. But I will bet $10,000 of Mitt’s money, history would judge President Barack Obama as one of the greats.

I want this damn epiphany to disappear. ( I seem to like the word ) Let me get on with preaching from the Left. With a day or so to think – I believe I can put it back where it came from. That I will go about saying “don’t worry too much about the deficit – it will be taken care of in time”. Yeah right. Answer one question for me – and perhaps pull me out of this hole. The U.S. will continue to sell debt. There is no other way. But assume (and it looks very likely) that in 2020 we have a boat load of debt to sell – at 2%. No takers. Not even China. Then what folks? Then what.

Catholic Church vs. Obama

This ABUSE by the CATHOLIC CHURCH pales in comparison to its abuse of children; but it is quite serious.  I am speaking of the Church's’ blatant disregard of the rules governing exemption from Federal Income Tax. (As well as many other taxes).  The Internal Revenue Code provides exemption from tax under about twenty subcategories. IRC section 501(c)(3) provides for the exemption of organization’s engaged exclusively in charitable, activities.  (This includes religious, educational, health care, etc.).  Churches have become a class unto themselves.  Due to the separation of church and state - the IRS is extremely reluctant to challenge any church - but especially the Catholic Church.  Rome thumbs its nose at the U.S. tax code.   THE ABUSE of the code is the constant involvement of the Church in partisan politics.  The Church openly opposes President Obama - hiding under cover of abortion.  Think of OUR debt.  Were churches in general required to pay tax - we would do much to solve the revenue side.  All of us are abused to some extent by religion.  Virtually all wars are ultimately about religion.  Churches get by with zero tax - including in most jurisdictions - real estate tax.  Yet they routinely disregard all exemption rules - knowing the Feds are afraid to touch them.  Time to end tax exemptions.  By the way - do you realize that virtually all country clubs also are exempt?  They“earn” millions - misuse millions of acres - and laugh at us.

It appears that we just might get a major revision of the Tax Code.  (It’s good to dream).  That would be the time to radically revise tax exemptions. 

Now the Catholic Church according to Peggy Noonan - has been awoken.  Who is she kidding?  They have been wide awake for centuries.  They are “up in arms” over new regulations proposed by the Obama administration regarding employee insurance coverage. (Abortion !!!!!!!!!!!!!)  BUT - they want to keep their exemption.  Give up the exemption and do what you please.  Do not do so and expect all of us to pay your bills.

The media as usual is clueless.  At this moment the mouths are moving, condemning the administration for laying down rules for the most holy institution.  YET they do not mention tax exemption.  So long as idiots rule the media - we must learn on our own.  But that’s a good thing - provided WE LEARN.

What Is A Conservative?

Conservatism.  Misunderstood by most, conservatism in the realm of national politics does not equal individual liberty.  It in fact represents the opposite.  Think of the world’s dictators.  They could hardly be called Leftists.  They are far Right.  Look at the events taking place in the USA today.  Study the policies of the GOP.  

The GOP preaches constantly about keeping government out of our lives.  Is it the Left or Right who wants to intrude in every woman’s most personal matters?  THEN they argue that abortion is a religious issue.  But does not the Constitution say we will keep the State away from religion?  That party speaks constantly about following each letter of the Constitution.  Yet which party today had a journalist arrested for attempting to tape a public hearing?  First Amendment?  The chairman of the committee holding a hearing on Fracking did not want the public to hear the testimony. The environmental and health impacts from Fracking are well documented.  Many spills, blowouts and leaking wells.  The “conservatives” hope to do this despite any danger to the public.  WHY??  Because the Right is actually the side which opposes individual liberty.  

Environmentalist.  Like abortion, and so many other Right wing causes, I fail to see how this is a political matter.   The opposite of an environmentalist is a noneviromentalist.  Meaning caring nothing about the environment.  This leads directly to global climate warming.  Why spend a minute debating the subject.  The Earth either is or is not warming.  To take reasonable steps to prevent warming is just common sense.  Except the Right seldom is persuaded by common sense.  They pull out either the Constitution which they do not understand - or a Bible, which no one understands.

No, we need have no worries about the Left.  Worry instead about the Right.  They will destroy our freedom and the Earth.  I can’t tell you which will come first.  To end on an up note - I do not believe it is possible for America to select either Mitt or Newt over Barack Obama.  So we get at least until 2016 to enjoy our liberties - and the warming Earth.

Time To Grow Up

WASHINGTON - not the state - is not only broken; it is very close to falling off the flat Earth.  At the State of the Union each year, we get to see just how childlike these “grownup” members of congress can be.  I say that with due respect to actual children - who could most likely do a better job.  John Boehner looked like a 3rd grader who was being held in at recess.  Cantor was Cantor, and I am not at all sure what he is.

OK, we are Americans and we are entitled to have our own views.  Members of congress can have very real disagreements on policy.  However, we hopefully teach our children how to constructively handle disagreements.  I see no evidence that members of congress were well raised.  The current crop of Republicans, LED by O’Connell and Boehner, have given new meaning to “the loyal opposition”.  Clips of these people behaving so badly will be seen around the world.  I have no problem with someone who really disagrees with a statement not cheering - but the clear disrespect they show is a bridge too far.  (I love throwing that worn out phrase in).

Is there any question who is primarily responsible for the broken system?  I would not be so bold as to claim all Democrats are good and all Republicans are bad.  That is very old thinking.  However, the GOP is currently taking full “advantage” of the numbers.  They have the necessary numbers in both the House and Senate to obstruct.  AND, let us recall that they have publicly proclaimed that “OUR ONLY GOAL IS TO MAKE OBAMA A ONE TERM PRESIDENT”.  Mitch O’Connell pretty much said it all with his expressions.  A constant smirk. Not once putting his hands together, as in clap.  Not once even a tiny smile.  Not once rising to his feet.  Just that dumbstruck stare - thinking to himself - “WE will get that SOB.  WE will agree to nothing”.

I for one, in my very tiny slice of America, have had it up to HERE.  I have been a participant in Barack Obama’s past campaign and his administration.  I say that with extreme pride.  I shall now redouble my efforts.  I will not sit on my hands while the disloyal GOP tries to grab the White House.  There is a message here for all, who perhaps agree.  WE must defeat not only the GOP in numbers - WE must show all that behaving as misbehaved children is just not going to be tolerated.

A final thought for my Progressive friends.  To those who are disappointed that this President has not done each of the things we would like.  We too must rise above the petty politics of destruction.  No person on Earth can even imagine what Barack Obama faced on day one.  He knew it was going to be bad.  We all did.  But none of us sat there in the Oval Office and read or heard just how bad things were.  So wake up and see the truth.  Don’t let us down, simply because you didn’t get each and every thing you desired.  You will.  It will take a reelection.  It will take hard work.

THE DEATH OF THE GOP

The Grand Old Party is no longer. I presume I should feel quite good about that. That is not the feeling I am having. The history of democratic political systems indicate what I have always believed.  That a strong TWO party system endures. Bring in the third, and the forth will be right behind. The United Kingdom does pretty well with multiple parties - but it is basically a two “strong” party system. In addition, a parliamentary system can better withstand multiple parties. One need look only at Italy to make my point. The terms Progressive and Conservative should pretty much cover the waterfront, with the middle staked out by Independents. 

The demise of the GOP in my view, began in 1992 with the election of Bill Clinton. The party was coming out of twelve years which they very much wanted to be sixteen years. They were intrenched. All of a sudden they had lost the White House. And they had not just lost it - but they lost it to a hated figure in Bill Clinton. That Bill was president was hard to accept - but they also immediately took on Hillary. The conservative talkies went after the first family with a vengeance never seen before. They even went after Chelsea.  They and the hateful right were off and running to their destruction.  I have no idea what went on in the Bush family - but somehow George leaped over brother Jeb.  As we know, the Bush years proved to be disastrous. Then came McCain, who was a horrible selection in his own right - but he proceeded to select Sarah Palin for VP. The party was at that point set adrift. Infighting became the daily routine.

Ordinarily by 2010, the GOP would have their selection made for 2012. The tradition of selecting the next in line ran into a problem. There was no next in line. Now they have offered up a cast of characters Steven King could not make up. There is no need for me to name all the candidates and speak of the shortcomings of each. That has been done over and over. To make matters even worse - Donald Trump injects himself (for the second time) into the fray. A party of rich tradition (with whom I agree on nothing) will put on a TV show hosted by Donald. Only Newt and perhaps two others will take the bait.

I will do all I can possibly do to reelect President Obama.  I frankly think his own base has been very unfair to him. A tremendous amount has been accomplished in three years. That some of the “change” has not taken place has many reasons. Have we forgotten the incredible mess Barack Obama faced from day one?  Add to that the stark reality of the office.  Seeing that first intelligence assessment must have been a rude shock. On balance, I truly have no hesitation in giving President Obama an A- for term number one.

I said up front that I was not feeling joy seeing the opposition party destroyed. In the process of self-destructing, they have made our system of government a joke to the world. Should Newt become the nominee - and somehow defeat Obama - I will not go into an imitation of a Republican. Our very existence may be at stake. Some time we must return to civility.  That is a requirement.

"SHORTS" FROM PRIOR WEEK

A recap of some short rants from the past week:

Congratulations to the people of Mississippi. They have decided that women do in fact have a brain - and are capable of running their own bodies. This of course from conservatives who want the government out of our lives, So, I presume they have awaked and found themselves in the 21st Century. NOW that they are awake and exhibiting normal function, perhaps they will see fit to open their minds and hearts to the uninsured. Or they may fall back to the Bagger position - no insurance, then die. No job, then starve. (Bachmann actually said that last night). Anyway, with Ohio and Mississippi - that will keep me going for.........3 more hours.

OK GOP - let’s do some talking. YOU just lost big-time on Issue 2 in Ohio. Organized labor sent a loud, clear message to the subhuman governor of OHIO that overreaching and heavy handed tactics will not be tolerated. Goes well beyond Ohio. Wake up from your perpetual slumber Rick Scott. (Rick in FL has an approval rating of 11%) He has promised to follow the Kasich lead. HA While we are talking GOP/Baggers - don’t think for a moment your voter suppression efforts across the nation are going to work. Requiring picture ID’s of persons (Black, poor, etc.) whom you know can not get the ID. I believe jail time is in order in many of these efforts to keep non-GOPS from voting. The Dems had other nice wins tonight. So you guys go play in the sand with your 9 candidates and leave governing to the Progressives. JOHN, JOHN KASICH - WHERE ARE YOU? COME ON OUT.

Where are we headed? We have a “super” committee of twelve who are supposed to come up with sufficient cuts and revenue to get us on track for recovery around 2060. Today, 63 GOP’s sent a letter to the committee daring them to include any increased revenue. Social Security, Medicare, Defense, and accrued interest account for 73% of the budget. If the Dems cave in on revenue - the only possible way to get where they need to go is to cut SS and Medicare. Defense will take only a tiny hit. So, with all the uninsured - we increase the co-pay on Medicare to 30%, and raise the SS age to 70. That’s all there is folks. Cutting a million here and there in various other programs won’t even be noticed in the final numbers. We saw a public uprising in Ohio to let the Governor know he can not do as he pleases. When are we going to do the same nationwide and let the GOP know they are not going to dictate to us. If we don’t - America is effectively finished.

PRO LIFE? So if you happen to oppose abortion you are entitled to call yourself PRO-LIFE? And that would mean all the other folks are PRO-DEATH? Just another good reason for for ME to consider Pro-Lifers second class citizens. That would apply to all so-called conservatives. What these self-righteous AH’s really mean is protect the unborn - even if it costs the life of the mother - but then forget about people. Give then nothing. Health Care - Hell no. Unemployment insurance? - Hell no. A good education for our children? - Hell no. Tolerance of those who may be “different”? - Hell no BUT they all toddle off to “services”.

Taxes - Again

TAXES.  I’m going to throw the dice, and take one more crack at taxation in America. I will stick to income tax - because it’s the one most folks gripe about. Most know that the income tax was introduced in 1913. Started out, as most things do, fairly simple. List your income, take a few offsets, multiply by your rate and that was it.  It wasn’t long before congress saw that the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) could be manipulated to accomplish a variety of social aims. What better way to get people to buy/build houses than to give them a deduction for interest paid on the residential loan. It worked. How about getting companies to invest in more long-term equipment?  Suppose we let them write off the “depreciation” in the year of purchase? What a concept. And it worked. So many things were thought of over the years by this or that member of congress. Understand, that the congressperson just things of an idea. Congressional and committee staff actually put it in words. Then the new “law” goes over to Treasury Department to determine what the words mean.  Eventually it makes its way over to the IRS for implementation.  Now - after 98 years - the tax code has reached subcritical mass. (At subcritical, it cannot maintain its self and will explode). At critical mass it would be self sustaining.  Here is where the rubber meets the road. There are very few people who do not benefit directly from some specific provision of the code. Everyone sobs “Get rid of the special breaks”. The Super Committee will supposedly come back eliminating some of them.  SOME OF THEM. For every person made happy - one will be made angry. That is just the way the IRC is written. Then there is the outright dishonesty of the law makers. We hear over and over from the GOP about our 35% corporation rate. Truth?  No, the effective rate is right at 16%. No our corporations are not overtaxed in comparison with other countries.  Is the individual rate TOO hight? I have no idea - nor do you.  Write a good definition of that point at which taxes become TOO hight - and you win a prize.  TOO HIGH?  For some?  For all?  As W Bush was fond of saying - “THIS IS HARD”.