Man, people in Europe really know how to have a riot of a good time. You know, trashing and burning a ton of other people’s stuff because they’re upset. Like a little kid’s temper tantrum on a grownup psycho scale. This year, our cousins are raging over government budget cuts. Whacking benefits, regardless of the reason, is a non-starter across the Pond, if you don’t count all the fires the rioters ignite. After decades of generous handouts, they’ve…
The outcome of the November mid-term elections is forcing President Obama to fulfill one of his major 2008 campaign promises. With Republicans newly empowered, the President must become bipartisan in deed, not just in word, or be left in the blame dust come 2012. So, for starters, he’s jumped in bed with GOP leaders in extending all of the Bush tax cuts as part of a negotiated tax package. Obama’s about-face has left Democrats, especially those in…
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for global climate change proponents. First, the co-chair of the U.N. working group proclaimed that the U.N. isn’t actually trying to protect the climate. It’s working to redistribute the globe’s wealth using a carbon tax contrivance to funnel huge sums of money from rich countries to developing nations.
Next came Al Gore’s admission that his 15-year promotion of
The Social Security fund isn’t in bad shape. It’s on life support without enough life or support. When Obama’s Debt Commission previewed its thinking a few days ago, it made a point of emphasizing the current Social Security mess. Too many claims, too little money, especially after the baby boomers check in for payment. According to one member, the boomers will “crush the system” within a very few years. So, the Commission is considering both cut backs in…
In election years, the favorite weapon of mass destruction is the ad. Internet, radio, newspaper, flyer, email, snail mail, and, especially, television. Some might question the use of the term “mass” in reference to these weapons. After all, ads are usually aimed at just one person – the opponent of the ad’s backers. But, depending on how clever the marketing piece is, the fallout can be much broader. In destroying a lone candidate, a legitimate voter alternative can be…
We started hearing about it six months after President Obama’s inauguration. The new normal. You know, permanently lowered economic expectations. A downturn that never looked back. Or up. From here on out, consumers are living lean by spending a whole lot less. High unemployment is a fact of life. So are vast, bleak oceans of foreclosed houses, deserted strip malls and boarded up storefronts. The nation’s debt throttle is stuck in high gear. Taxes barely invented are already squeezing…
