Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Obama gets the message.......and Rachel's HAIR?

Is Obama FINALLY waking up to the excellent advice of Christie of New Jersey (imagine so few unions have agreed to save others' jobs by freezing their own salaries?)?  Obama is going to freeze the salaries of two million federal employees. (Oops, there goes a chunk of the base...imagine how hard Obama had to think about this one?).

By the way, I was at the Hairdresser today looking through hair styling books (time for a no 'do') and all the girls  in the photos were in wispy, lovely long and short hair styles, off-shoulder tops, sexy little dresses, lovely make up, etc.   Suddenly, I see a very short hairdo and the woman has almost no makeup on and I realize she looks a little like Rachel Maddow and that is Maddow's haircut.  I looked at her clothing and she's in a dark pinstripe suit with a pale blue shirt, EXACTLY like Maddow wears!  I flipped quickly through the book to see if any other model had on what even remotely resembled a man's suit and there wasn't one.   I had to laugh at the thought process of the stylists of the book!  Sure, no politics mentioned, no harm, no foul, but this really was so SO obviously done on purpose.......silly, but I had to post it.

One more thing from the linked article about Mr Obama:  "The savings from the pay freeze make only a small dent in the nation's $1 trillion-plus budget deficit. But with voters voicing their anger over Washington's spending during the midterm elections, even a symbolic gesture would show the White House got the message."   CONGRATULATIONS, TEA PARTIERS.
geeeeeeeeeez

86 comments:

cube said...

It's just like Obama to propose a Republican plan just before the Slurpee summit. He can swat down all the talk about keeping the Bush tax cuts by saying, "Hey, I gave you something, now it's my way or the highway". If we don't back down, he'll go on TV and say republicans aren't cooperating... blah blah blah... and the press will report it that way.

Anonymous said...

Everyone knows that Maddow is really a 12 year old boy.

Christopher - Conservative Perspective said...

All about nothing as this is after a 2-3% PAY RAISE and it only freezes COLA raises not merit or pay grade promotions (i.e., the feds can just bump-up everyones pay grade).

Same game rule change.

He has not heard or learned a damn thing!

FrogBurger said...

It's a drop in the bucket.

News in Europe: a former soccer star is calling people to empty their bank account to start the revolution. Some people are following and the banks are getting worried. The euro zone is sinking more every day and the bleeding is only beginning.

I must say I keep thinking about taking my money too and put it under my mattress.

I think we can safely say it's pretty much the end of the Western world as we've know it since the industrial revolution.

Marxism may have won by destroying it altogether.

Ticker said...

FB, exactly what I have been writing about for the past month. Capitalism is for the most part dead. Socialism has won by using Capitalism and won by default because people were so stupid they didn't realize what was happening. It's kinda like the frog in the pot of water, we've been cooked and didn't know it.
However I do believe there is hope given that the PM of Ireland has refused the "bail out" from the Euro community. Perhaps he saw the handwriting on the wall and realized that them more "government" gets involved, the less freedom one has. That's our only hope and yes, Christopher, Obama hasn't heard or learned a "damn" thing. His narcissism would not allow such. All he did was take the lid off the pot so a little light would shine in and we'd believe we are still ok. Meanwhile he'll find a way to turn up the heat under the pot.

Ducky's here said...

Oh Froggy, don't be so dramatic.

Schumpeter was pretty spot on stating that capitalism has to destroy itself and be reborn every so often. That's what we're seeing now.

I think socialism is still a way off but capitalism is displaying its lack of sustainability. So we either shape up or there is going to be a fairly drastic civil war.

Craig said...


Marxism may have won by destroying it altogether.


How is it the rich keep getting richer and banks and giant corporations are making record profits in this Marxist, Socialist world? And, don't look now but, Someone (probably a black guy) just bought a pack of smokes with food stamps and there's a Muslim hiding under your bed.

It's kinda like the frog in the pot of water, we've been cooked and didn't know it.

Did you know, frogs will jump out when the water gets too hot? It's true.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

This ought to be fun.

In one corner, weighing in at just shy of 68 IQ, we have the leftist wonder of blunder Ducky, who declares capitalism had better die or there will be a civil war...

...and in the other corner, his challenger, the pitiful liberal Craig, who sees no socialism anywhere.

Let's get weddy to wumble!

Brooke said...

Obama just threw some more 'supporters' under the bus for political expediency!

Always On Watch said...

Freezing those salaries is something I support. That said, so many federal employees here in the D.C. area have counted on consistent raises and have borrowed themselves to the hilt depending upon a lack of salary freeze.

FrogBurger said...

I think you're right Brooke.

Obama governs through what I call the egometer. Only thing he cares about is being loved and admired. That's the kind of result that matters to him.

FrogBurger said...

I think you're right Brooke.

Obama governs through what I call the egometer. Only thing he cares about is being loved and admired. That's the kind of result that matters to him.

FrogBurger said...

How is it the rich keep getting richer and banks and giant corporations are making record profits in this Marxist, Socialist world?

That's what you lefties keep saying. I've heard that since the 80s in France. Nobody mentions any stats regarding profits but they just say this hoping it's going to stick.

Also, it's very possible banks profit nicely in socialist times. Especially when it's corporate socialism at work.

Your simplistic little brain is trying to argue profit means socialism doesn't exist. Well in France, under Mitterrand, profits were good and the stock market was actually performing well while people were losing their jobs. And trust me, Mitterrand was no capitalist since he nationalized the banks and many other companies.

One of the many explanations of profit being possible with socialism is the fact that like you said the other day businesses go somewhere else, where regulations are less stringent and the workforce cheaper. Therefore profits may increase overall.

I could go on and on but it looks like you think like a sophist.
Socialist don't like profit. There's profit. Therefore it's not socialism.

No wonder you're on the left. Sophism is the underlying thought process of you people.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

Exactly, FB.

I think the left is past sophism though.

They're in their own universe of solipsism. The trees block their view of the forest.

Z said...

Cube, yes, this was a Republican plan from May, from what I understand.
Hallelujiah. (i'm never quite sure how to spell that :-)
We're the PARTY OF NO because we don't follow his orders.
I'm SO SO impressed by Ryan, Cantor and McCarthy....they speak clearly, have facts and figures, and are reaching out to THE KIDS (FINALLY, after all my nudging about how important that is in order to save our country...ya think they read geeez ..ya, sure! :-) (just kidding!)

Anyway...good comment, And no, I don't have a place for lahmajoon other than here in LA and I don't know if they ship frozen! Let me know if you're interested and I"ll contact them. MAKE MY RECIPE, you will LOVE IT, I promise..it's nice and light and tasty!

Anonymous....probably true! ??

Ducky (gasp) I agree with you (oh, double gasp :-)

Ticker: IRELAND OPTED OUT? you made my day, I hadn't heard. God bless Ireland!

Z said...

Oh, gad, I started my comment, got on the phone, did some other things, and I finished it, published it, and ten more had commented!

I'm with you all (except for the remarks I just plain don't grasp:)

AOW, all they're asking for is a FREEZE...their BOY WONDER ASKS FOR A FREEZE and even his BASE (Fed employees) are angry? I guess he's seeing exactly what his base is about now, huh? OR probably, he's thinking "OH, man, those people are right but I have to look indignant so the damned republicans get off my back"
I hope I'm wrong.

FrogBurger said...

The Irish knows that Europe stinks so bad that they have to go on their own. I know they took a lot of subsidies from them before but I think people now realize the centralized and growing statism the EU is representing is no good.

I've never been a EU fan at the economic level. It's less freedom and less local democracy for countries. And all it does is create technocrats and bureaucrats who need to justify their uselessness. For example by trying to ban cheeses like roquefort.

Anonymous said...

To my mind an across the board 10% cut for all federal Dept's and agencies would be more to my liking, and a hiring freeze!

And I'm being generous.

Here is the kind of thing that's going on in the private sector. My son and all employees in the co. he worked for, were furloughed three days a week for months, to avoid layoffs.

Ultimately, recently, the co. was foreclosed upon, and everyone was laid off, with no vacation pay for those who had not taken all their vacation time.

This is not an aberration. It's real life outside the unions and government. A pay freeze is not a loss, it's status quo.

Excuse me if I'm not impressed. Today, if you're employed, and drawing a decent salary, status quo is a plus!

Pris

Anonymous said...

"Did you know, frogs will jump out when the water gets too hot? It's true."


As a metaphor...will it be enough to launch massive civil disobedience...before a "civil" war?

Karen K said...

Well, this is good news at least.

Hope you find a 'do you like!

FrogBurger said...

Hey Craig, when you get your paycheck, what do you do with the evil profit (gross income - taxes - expenses)? Do you give it away?

See even individual can make a profit on the produce of their work.

So if you don't like profit, I suggest to give yours away. Also you haven't addressed my question about owning stocks. I hope you're not participating in the stock market to be in agreement with yourself.

WomanHonorThyself said...

welcome to statism at its finest..UGH!

Anonymous said...

Zin;

When Mr. Z left us?

SAM

Susannah said...

"Obama governs through what I call the egometer. Only thing he cares about is being loved and admired..."

...and FEARED by his "enemies" (he said it, I didn't)...don't forget feared .

ABNPOPPA said...

WoW Z you have some lively discussion here. Is Maddow really 12 or just acting like 12. Frogburger now there's a guy who likes to comment! As for me I don't really care about Maddow, hair or no hair. On barrack hussein obama, I only care about him because Joe, did I say that! is next in line. God please protect B O.

Pops @ Conservative Outrage

Z said...

Sam, I'm sorry..the other day, I meant to tell you and got distracted.
My dear husband died in October of last year, 2009, of a rare disease called Amyloidosis. He did not suffer too much, and died very unexpectedly, though there is no cure, we thought the medicines would work...he had a procedure one day at the hospital and never woke up the next morning. He died in his sleep in his own home next to me.
You can imagine how much I miss that wonderful man.

FrogBurger said...

I wish it could've worked out, Z :(

For the first time in my life I had to deal with a lot of doctor appointment for my finger join fracture-dislocation and I'm very thankful for all the care I have received. It's unbelievable the amount of dedication I have gotten from the staff and the physical therapy team I saw for weeks.

Medicine is great in the US. That's all I can say. And my insurance covered most of it despite a high deductible.

I know I didn't have a major disease but dedication was there.

And for Mr Craig, profit is good. IT makes people more dedicated. Ask my mom how dedicated people are in France for her lung problem. Not very much.

Z said...

Hi, ABNPOPPA! Nobody cares about Maddow, but when feminine 'women's hairstyle' magazines start showing butch hair cuts on suits she wears and hiring models who look like her, you've got to wonder! I suppose they'll have a whole section on women who aren't.....feminine...

Susannah, amazing, eh?

Angel, yes...so true.

FrogBurger, I'm so glad to hear that. I have to admit that Mr. Z had excellent care and our insurance kicked in wonderfully, too, with a high deductible. Medical care IS excellent here...
Saudi's King is coming to America for medical care........
and still the left yammers.

Craig said...

And for Mr Craig, profit is good. IT makes people more dedicated. Ask my mom how dedicated people are in France for her lung problem. Not very much.

I agree. I have nothing against making a profit on producing something someone else wants to buy or providing a useful service. Someone or some co. that treats their employees fairly and pays them a wage that allows them to buy more than the bare necessities. You know, create demand. Make as much profit as you can, then pay your taxes because you live in a great country that gave you that opportunity and it costs something to keep it going. There will be plenty left over. It's how economies are supposed to work.

I think profiting from exploiting cheap labor or the environment is immoral. "Profiting" from selling "assets" over and over or creating phony credit derivatives and colleralized debt obligations with huge exposure, then having the public bail them out when it all goes south is immoral.

Profiting from using our public infrastructure, using our courts to protect their interests, taking govt. subsidies, then stashing those profits to avoid paying their share of taxes is immoral and unpatriotic.

Profiting from denying someone who has paid their ins. premiums, coverage is immoral. Profiting on health ins. is immoral. I agree we have the finest health care professionals in the world. The problem is cost and access.

Profiting from war is immoral.

Do you get it?

Susannah said...

Craig~ "Profiting from using our public infrastructure, using our courts to protect their interests, taking govt. subsidies, then stashing those profits to avoid paying their share of taxes is immoral and unpatriotic." And I would add ACCESSING public health w/o paying one RED CENT in insurance or med. costs...

Oh. You mean like ALL Illegal Aliens?

D@#$. Knife cuts both ways, eh Craig?

cube said...

It turns out the stuff Mr. Cube bought locally to take to his aunt's house wasn't lahmajun, but meat pies. That they were folded in half should've been a clue.

The best lahmajun we have found comes from George Assadourian's place in New Jersey and they ship frozen. They even have a website:
http://www.lahmajun.com.

I have to make some time to make your recipe. More easily said than done these busy days.

FrogBurger said...

Mr Craig, you're confused.

I think profiting from exploiting cheap labor or the environment is immoral

Define cheap labor. What does that mean? What is cheap to you in the US may be great money for a vietnamese that's been poor his whole life under a communist regime. Really you haven't travelled much.

Profiting from using our public infrastructure, using our courts to protect their interests, taking govt. subsidies, then stashing those profits to avoid paying their share of taxes is immoral and unpatriotic.

I agree. So is someone unemployed not looking for a job when the employer has been paying for the insurance. I call that personal greed and profit.
Or so is some gov worker being overpaid for what he's worth and getting nice benefits and a hefty pension. So are socialist government unions who try to get as much money as they can from the tax payers.


Profiting from denying someone who has paid their ins. premiums, coverage is immoral. Profiting on health ins. is immoral. I agree we have the finest health care professionals in the world. The problem is cost and access.

The problem isn't cost and access. I don't know if you live in CA but illegals get it for free and the doors are open.
Also when gov denies the best technology, it is the equivalent of a private company denying you. Except gov rules and you have no exit. Ask my mom the kind of treatment she gets in France. Nobody gives a damn. She got it in CA b/c the private sector works and people compete for clientele and money.

You are totally deluded my friend. The criticisms you make are not invalid. They also apply to big government and collectivist ideals. It's actually worse when big gov is trying to impose the morality you're trying to impose. Because it gets to define that morality, create laws and limit our freedom in the name of the morality.

That's exactly what fascist regimes did. They took over religions, faiths to impose their new vision of what's moral and not moral with no way out for citizens.

Susannah said...

FrB~ ...standing & applauding, my friend, standing & applauding...

Z said...

Cube.."That they were folded in half should've been a clue." I'm still laughing! Hilarious!

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/mar/15/local/me-armenian15

That's an article about the bakery my family goes to (they have another 'branch' closer to Mom, but this is the mother ship!)...and yes, Mexicans now run the Armenian bakery and are doing a fabulous job! My..friend...who owned it..gave it to them in his will! I just called and they don't ship, darn! enjoy the article.


FrogBurger...well said..Susannah, he's pretty American for a Frenchman, c'est-ce pas, ma chere amie?

FrogBurger said...

More than American, I love *F*reedom, detest government and useless bureaucrats and despise the extremely faulty logic of the left intelligentsia and the inability to understand human nature, including their own individual behaviors and thoughts. It's so easy to deconstruct, it's not even funny.

Z said...

FB....i'm with you, tho I do love America...
Tho I must admit that if turns of events can make ME start feeling not QUITE so enamored, you KNOW things are bad! it's a bad feeling....

It's sure not FREE anymore...in any understanding of the word FREE!!

Craig said...

Define cheap labor. What does that mean? What is cheap to you in the US may be great money for a vietnamese that's been poor his whole life under a communist regime. Really you haven't travelled much.

If some company wants to send our raw materials to the third world to employ workers $1 an hour to make something out of it to sell back here, fine. We shouldn't subsidize it and we should tax it. Tariffs. And, negotiate trade deals that have some protections for foreign workers. Not the kind of deals Repubs pushed for in the 90's. Like the Mariana Islands

The barbed wire around the factories face inward so that the mostly women couldn't get out. They had quotas that were impossible for these people to reach and if they didn't reach them, they'd have to stay until they finished the quota and they wouldn't be paid for that work. They were hot, the barracks were horrible. A lot of the females were told you work during the day in the garment factory and then at night you can go and work in a club and they'd force them into prostitution at night.

Yes, I'm a protectionist. I guess you think it's more important to pay less for tube socks than protect American workers.

Craig said...

The problem isn't cost and access. I don't know if you live in CA but illegals get it for free and the doors are open.

It is cost. As for illegals, start prosecuting those who employ them. Immigration reform. If there are guest workers, get them on the books and contributing to their own ins. I don't want illegals taking our jobs. You're so concerned that someone here might earn a living wage, I would think you'd welcome illegals.

Back to cost,

Health care expenses in the United States rose from $1,106 per person in 1980 ($255 billion overall) to $6,280 per person in 2004 ($1.9 trillion overall).1 During this period, health care costs grew faster than the economy as a whole. As a consequence, health spending now accounts for 16 percent of the GDP, compared to 9 percent in 1980. With the aging of the population and the accelerating pace of medical innovation, this trend is likely to continue.
Here

It's actually worse when big gov is trying to impose the morality you're trying to impose. Because it gets to define that morality, create laws and limit our freedom in the name of the morality.

It's what we've done since the beginning of this country. We've always protected the 'public interest', the Commons. Since Reagan, we protect the 'Corporate interest'. We've cut taxes. We're one of the lowest taxed nations in the industrialized world. We've deregulated. Bush appointed people from the very industries they were supposed to oversee, to regulatory agencies. Essentially eliminating oversight. Here

As Congress prepares to debate expansion of drilling in taxpayer-owned coastal waters, the Interior Department agency that collects oil and gas royalties has been caught up in a wide-ranging ethics scandal — including allegations of financial self-dealing, accepting gifts from energy companies, cocaine use and sexual misconduct.

It didn't get much better under Ken Salazar, either.

Conservatives have gotten almost everything they want. You want me to believe we are where we are because public employees were smart enough to democratically unite to bargain collectively? Follow the real money.

FrogBurger said...

Yes, I'm a protectionist. I guess you think it's more important to pay less for tube socks than protect American workers.

I do hope you buy American only then.

But I feel like you're another phony who preach to others what he doesn't apply to himself.

FrogBurger said...

Craig, the cost issue is another phony one.
1. Are the numbers you provide actual ones or do they include inflation?
2. Let's not confuse costs with healthcare spendings. An increase in spendings is not an increase in costs.
3. Spending more money on healthcare is not necessarily a bad thing. Americans take care of their health more seriously than Europeans. Things like going to the dentist, chiropractor, etc... things peope don't do in Europe b/c they are not necessarily reimbursed by the government and cost money for low wages.
4. What is the return on investment of that spending? If spending more money means a higher quality of life, there's no reason to worry about it.
5. Using the percent of the GDP is bogus, especially when we don't have many other local industry left. So instead of looking at a plain percentage, we ought to look at a comparison with other industries that may have left the country for example. Also seeing healthcare and the technological innovations it requires as burden for the economy doesn't make sense. There's a very strong correlation between the quality of care and health and the development level of a nation. Even Bill Gates, the Liberal he is these days, say it and that's why he's investing his money in health.

See you really need to be less shallow in your analysis.

Again, as a good lefty, you throw things without a deeper analysis hoping it's going to stick.

FrogBurger said...

We're one of the lowest taxed nations in the industrialized world.

Where have you been? The corporate tax rate in the US can go up to 39% at times. In CA I pay a third of my salary of my taxes as a self-employed person. What do I get for it? Nothing. If I compare what I'd pay in France and the return for it, I can now say the delta is higher for me in the US. That is if I use a narrow minded view of the numbers and forget the nasty consequences of the French redistribution system.

Hopefully since you think you're not paying high-enough taxes, I hope you make a donation every year to your state or your federal government. Do you? I'd really like to know.

Again, don't be a preacher or talker. Apply your morals to yourself first, then come preach to me.

FrogBurger said...

Follow the real money.

I've been following it and have noticed a lot of money going from those nasty profit making banks and healthcare companies to Obama and Democrats.

Numbers here

How interesting!

FrogBurger said...

Since Reagan, we protect the 'Corporate interest'

When are you leftists going to get out of your eternal dichotomy people vs businesses?

France has been killing the corporate interest since I was born. It's been doing quite well indeed.

Your vision of life and the world is so black and white, simplistic and puerile.

Susannah said...

(..."puerile"...excellent word!)

Speedy G said...

How is it the rich keep getting richer and banks and giant corporations are making record profits in this Marxist, Socialist world?

Money/Income correlates w/IQ. BOTH are heritable... as are positions in the Revolutionary Vanguard. ;-)

Speedy G said...

...just ask Raul castro and/OR Adan Chavez.

Craig said...

Again, as a good lefty, you throw things without a deeper analysis hoping it's going to stick.

I hope this analysis is

Despite having the most costly health system in the world, the United States consistently underperforms on most dimensions of performance, relative to other countries. This report—an update to two earlier editions—includes data from surveys of patients, as well as information from primary care physicians about their medical practices and views of their countries' health systems. Compared with five other nations—Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom—the U.S. health care system ranks last or next-to-last on five dimensions of a high performance health system: quality, access, efficiency, equity, and healthy lives. The U.S. is the only country in the study without universal health insurance coverage, partly accounting for its poor performance on access, equity, and health outcomes. The inclusion of physician survey data also shows the U.S. lagging in adoption of information technology and use of nurses to improve care coordination for the chronically ill.

Slice it any way you want, we spend more and get less. All I've seen of your in depth analysis is an anecdote about your mother. I'm sorry she isn't getting the care she needs in France and I'll take your word for it. Questioning my maturity doesn't make up for your lack of evidence.

Craig said...

What do I get for it? Nothing.

Really? Do you only drive on private roads? I know you live in CA. Here in MN, I depend on my tax dollars keeping the roads plowed. You can be reasonably sure you'll have safe drinking water and food. You get police and fire protection. You have beautiful state and federal park land, maintained with your taxes. Safe medication that was, more often than not, the product of basic research done by the govt. A military, even when it's misused. A court system that protects your business and legal representation if you can't afford it. You are guaranteed a basic pension, administered at under 2% overhead. You are guaranteed treatment if you're sick or injured. I could go on. Since you don't like paying taxes, what are going give up?

"Again, don't be a preacher or talker. Apply your morals to yourself first, then come preach to me."

I've been following it and have noticed a lot of money going from those nasty profit making banks and healthcare companies to Obama and Democrats.

I agree. Do you think they contribute and not expect something in return. They give money to who they think will win. I'm not as enamored with Obama as you think I am. He's done some good things but he's far too beholding to the moneyed interests. I would love to see public financing of elections. If you really believed in "We the People", you'd agree.

By the way, did you notice what a minuscule amount comes from labor compared to business?

FrogBurger said...

Really the US is ranked lower than the UK? I had a friend in the UK. How many times she told me how terrible the doctors were. Gov workers. The study seems pretty lousy to me.

Also you recently said it was good in the US. So it's one thing to argue, it's another to contradict yourself.

Re "what I get for it". The argument about road is a puerile one. Not only because it is one thing the government should care about before caring about welfare and other nonsensical expenses but because the road quality is pretty mediocre, almost third world like in the US in some areas. Especially in CA or in major cities run by Democrats. Pathetic in DC where I lived, pathetic in LA where I live. So I don't get much for it at that level. But I do get a lot of potholes and car repair expenses.

Also the argument about fire fighters and police is puerile too. That's the basis and fundamental role of government. And I'd rather spend more and pay taxes specially dedicated to those people rather than pension plans for paper pushers or teachers.

So sorry but you can't a valid point. You're using what the leftist always use against people for limited government by bringing up what we consider like fundamental roles of gov.

Not convincing at all.

FrogBurger said...

Re the cost of healthcare, I was also thinking about those stats, which you obviously couldn't defend. So you had to change the subject using another study.

But population is getting older with less young people. So it is natural the sendings are going to increase.

A thorough analysis would compare actual spending (without inflation) by age range. That would give a lot more accurate picture. An event better one would be to compare the spending / budget ratio of households.

See I'm trying to think for myself using my analytical and critical mind, and through observation. Not by repeating what I shallowly read on the media outlets I favor.

Show me I'm wrong through real and *objective*, precise, meaningful stats and you'll change my mind. Not averages or aggregate that hide the truth.

Anonymous said...

corporate taxes in the US are the second highest in the world

Anonymous said...

those coporations are made up of you and I and the taxes are merely passed on to the customers

US Corporate taxes the highest

Craig said...

The study seems pretty lousy to me.

Excellent analysis Frog. Very not puerile.

I had a friend in the UK. How many times she told me how terrible the doctors were.

I had a friend who has a cousin whose friend told me about this time she was babysitting. She kept getting these calls from some guy who said he was watching her. Stop me if you've heard this one.

Speedy G said...

All wealth to the new Putin oligarchs and their Neo-American proxy representatives at Soros Fund Management.

Anonymous said...

the bastions of free market values California, New York and New Jersey are three of the worst states for corporate taxes...

too busy funding public employee unions instead of the free market I suppose

FrogBurger said...

Excellent analysis Frog. Very not puerile

You know what? You're right. I'm not afraid of admitting my own faulty logic. But my friend who's a socialist really complained about it. She had good teeth, though.

Anonymous said...

All Hail the Oligarchy Speedy

elmers brother said...

My wife owns a small business and half goes to taxes, medicare. Doesn't iclude her expenses etc.

At this rate we'll become like other socialist nations where it's more profitable to live off the gubmint dole then it is to work.

FrogBurger said...

Hey Craig, did you read in the report how the stats were gathered? I'm not a statistician expert but when you survey more people in the UK than in the US when the population is a lot higher in the US, it seems pretty odd to me.

Also the fact it's based on a survey of the actual population may lead to subjectivism. Before being in the US, I really thought the French healthcare system was great. It is pretty good as far as access timewise. Doctors are pretty much on duty 24/7 but that doesn't mean they pay attention they way they should like for my mom.

I'll keep reading the pdf in more details. It's pretty interesting.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

Craig,

Are you posting from a computer made in America, running through a modem / router built in America?

No?

Then shut up until you are.

Craig said...

corporate taxes in the US are the second highest in the world

I'm not opposed to cutting corporate tax rates. I think it's probably a good idea. I was talking about individual tax rates. I'm in favor of tax breaks for job creation, more access to capital, accelerated depreciation. Incentives for new business. I also think there should be penalties for companies that move their headquarters to a PO box in the Cayman Islands and want to do business here. I think that's a fair trade off.

You know what? You're right. I'm not afraid of admitting my own faulty logic.

Humbly acknowledged. Hat tip.

FrogBurger said...

I also think there should be penalties for companies that move their headquarters to a PO box in the Cayman Islands and want to do business here. I think that's a fair trade off.

But that's the thing. You can't control what's going on overseas.

Honestly, I don't understand why people don't want a flat tax with no loopholes whatosever. 15% for everybody, individuals and businesses.

No loopholes, no complexity, no accountant needed, no useless IRS agents needed, a lot less administrative and gov costs. How complicated is it?

Craig said...

Then shut up until you are.

No.

I know a drywaller/psychology blogger who thinks you might have delusions of superiority. I'll try and find a link.

Craig said...

Frog, I'm all in favor of a simpler tax code. Flat tax, not so much. Gotta run. I'll explain later.

Anonymous said...

also think there should be penalties for companies that move their headquarters to a PO box in the Cayman Islands and want to do business here. I think that's a fair trade off.

you'll be hard pressed to find anyone in Congress who isn't into driving those same companies to the Cayman Islands

Z said...

I've lived in Europe....anybody would can goes to the AMERICAN HOSPITAL in Paris. Heck, Rock Hudson wasn't IN France but they flew him THERE to die...think that's because French medicine is better than American medicine? :-)
England is the worst, however...from the reports of my friends who've lived there. You can't even pick your doctor; you are assigned one, then you wait. And wait.
My sis lives in Canada...GREAT medical care until something's really wrong, then you're screwed. REALLY good payments for physical therapy, weight control, all sorts of stuff you'd maybe not get covered here, then they have to have a test with intense pain and it's "in a month".

FB has a superiority complex? No, Craig, he's just smart and has a different opinion than you .

FrogBurger said...

FB has a superiority complex? No, Craig, he's just smart and has a different opinion than you

That was for King Beamish :)

About the Canadian system, you can't even generalize. It depends on the province according to my dual German-Canadian citizen friend.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

I don't have a superiority complex, Craig.

I simply and quite humbly am just better than you'd ever hope to be.

Speedy G said...

Expropriate wealth... make EVERYONE wallow in identical levels of poverty!

The countries that expropriate wealth together starve together!

Speedy G said...

Socialist arepa's anyone? I'm hungry!

Anonymous said...

they won't be happy till everyone's in a food line eh Speedy?

elmers brother said...

the level playing field means we all stand in line

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

We should just tax employers out of existence to pay for unemployment programs.

Z said...

"beamish said...
We should just tax employers out of existence to pay for unemployment programs."

Don't look now, but I THINK that's what's happening.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

Well, as long as we don't fight wars in Islamic countries and create terrorists among the people we should never profile at the airport, I think we'll be okay. ;)

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

[don't mind me, I'm giving the left some support for Christmas muhahaha]

Anonymous said...

"While you were at the hairdresser today...so was PFC Bradley Manning...a gay freak looking good for his imprisoned gay buds?"

You think gays are "good" for the military?

Read on...Thanks Ann....Goodnight sweet, stupid, naive America....like Walter Cronkite said...Goodnight.


http://tinyurl.com/26mbzss

elmers brother said...

We should just tax employers out of existence to pay for unemployment programs.

it's how you stimulate the economy doncha know, adding people to the unemployment and welfare rolls.

FrogBurger said...

it's how you stimulate the economy doncha know, adding people to the unemployment and welfare rolls.

That's right. It's the biggest bang for the bucks, Pelosi said. I hope she'll get the Nobel for Economics theory next year.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

Now they're talking about bailing out the European Union with almost a Trillion dollars.

FrogBurger said...

It's the end Beamish. Wait for all currencies to drop massively.

I am spending my money these days b/c I don't know what it'll get me in 6 months.

I think the next step is for the Chinese to stop buying the bonds since it's worth crap. Or devaluate their currencies too even more.

What a catastrophe.

Z said...

FB>..do you ever consider going back to France now?
I've considered it..Mr Z and I both had; as he used to say "Italy's had about 40 governments since the second World War but they'll always be Italy, they always get over the ups and downs"...He and I both don't think America will survive as we know it. I think it's far safer in Europe.
I really do..

Susannah said...

"He and I both don't think America will survive as we know it."
This makes my heart hurt to read. I pray your hunch is wrong.

Dear Heaven, help us. Hear our prayer.

Z said...

Susannah...AMEN to your prayer.

Odd, I just read my comment and I'm getting 'dotty'..it's the first time, I think, that I've referred to Mr.Z in the present tense.....

FrogBurger said...

Z, I don't know.

I know how miserable I was in France. But I do know that the advantages of being in the US now are pretty much gone, especially when you live in California. I don't think I'd say that in a different state like VA where I used to be or TX.

For me it's a very depressing situation. I owe a lot to the United States and going back would be a bit of a betrayal, if not a failure.

And I do think I'd miss the US pretty quick.

The only reason for which I'd go back would be my mom being sick.

Z said...

Hi, FB....your comments make a lot of sense. It grieves me that our country's sunken so much in just the very short time since I met you...imagine?
Sometimes I'm actually glad Mr. Z isn't around to see this because he loved America so much. He DID see the slide, he did realize the danger of Obama, but nobody thought it would go down this quickly.

The problem with CA is that the 'constitution' says CA can't declare bankruptcy.......while I'm no big advocate of bankruptcy in general, I understand that makes it VERY tough to dig ourselves out. And, with the kind of governance we have now...WOW.

Think of all the MILLIONS of votes for Meg and Carly, though...the country doesn't give that credit and that bothers me. I also believe that, since I personally saw fraud twice in the 8 minutes I was at my voting precinct, there had to be TONS of it...I don't know where that girl went next who just "had to vote provisionally!" And, I have it on excellent authority that the provisional signatures literally CANNOT be checked in time, so the worker there was well primed on how to present the lie, too. Very disheartening.