Bush must still be getting high. Often. It is the only explanation for his plan to completely rebuild the Golf Coast without raising taxes. Not only is he not going to raise taxes, but President Bush wants his temporary tax cuts to become law.
I'm a Republican. One reason I'm Republican is because I think many in Government like to waste money they didn't earn on pork projects no one needs. Therefore, I picked the party that pledged to take less of my money. I like my money. Little pixie fairies didn't give me my money. Mummy and Daddy didn't provide me with a trust fund. I have been poor and it sucked. It sucked eggs. Therefore, I'm very protective of my money.
The thought of local government using my dear, sweet money to finance some doctor's parking garage peeves me to no end. That state and national government see fit to use my beloved money to enable some slob, allergic to labor, to continue to sit on his/her lard ass for another generation or two keeps me up at night.
However, when my fellow Americans are suffering horribly after a catastrophe beyond their control... Yes, by all means, let me get my checkbook. I expect to feel at least a little pinch. I think most reasonable people do. Passing the entire $200 billion dollar burden (plus interest) on to my children and grandchildren by slapping the cost of Katrina recovery on to the national debt is inexcusable.
A small child recently asked me, "Why don't they just make more money so there won't be any more poor people?" I attempted to explain inflation by saying anything too plentiful wasn't likely to be valuable. You know what? The five year old got it. You know what else? Bush doesn't. Which is scary. Really scary. I don't want to think that our Commander in Chief is that stupid.
I choose to believe he is simply snorting tons of coke instead.
If your mind is too open, your brain will fall out. Warning: Names, identities, descriptions, and pictures have been changed and/or used to protect the innocent as well as the guilty. PollyPeoria should not be used or quoted as a source for your senior college thesis.
Monday, September 19
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15 comments:
He's not snorting coke! He's in a box and can't get out. How do you give all your rich buddies a tax break and then raise taxes on the poor who can least afford it to pay for a diaster that never effected said such buddies!!!!!!!!!!
Oh the middle class, upper middle class, and wealthy lost homes, businesses and employment on the Gulf Coast too. Like the poor, many of them don't have flood insurance and will only receive help in the form of a non interest gov't loan. I got a tax break ($600) from Bush and I'm not wealthy. I don't like the idea of punishing those that do well. This is America, you are SUPPOSED to do well. Anyone with brains who is willing to work hard is allowed to get rich. That's the real American dream, and it fuels the economy well. How many jobs does Bill Gate's genius/Microsoft provide? The wealthy should only have to pay their share. Not more. We don't force people to give to charity in this country, no matter how wealthy one is. I think this is not the time for tax cuts for ANYONE.
I'm sorry, but Bush is cutting spending? Where?
Okay... lets attempt to pay for the worst natural disaster this country has ever known by doing away with that silly prescription drug benefit that will -ever so slightly- help poor elderly people trying to find a way to pay for their meds. Nice.
Instead of delaying or cutting the prescription drug benefit, why not delay or eliminate the latest round of tax cuts? Wouldn't that be more responsible, not to mention HUMANE?!
We are a fairly ( and Balanced ) republican area. Let's make a list of planned pork barrell projects that are not needed , in Central Illinois. I'll bet we could make a pretty big dent and also be true to real republican ideals , or we can remain radio spouting hypocrits.
#1. I drive to macomb, quincy more than 99% of any drivers. How do I know this, 99% of the road is empty. Doing away with this project would save God knowws how much. And we already have a more efficient railroad service to move goods.
#2 ???
By all means lets slaughter the pork. I'm all for it. In fact, the mere thought warms my Republican heart and brings me endless joy. However, is there NOTHING we are willing to pay extra for? The WORST natural disaster in our nation's history, one that ruined a major American city and left most of its citizens with nothing - isn't that worthy of at least a temporary tax? Even if we could get rid of all the pork (and we can't) I don't think its going to be enough. Besides, those folks, those AMERICANS need help NOW.
Wow what a plethora of non starter comments. 1. poor people do not pay much in federal tax.They pay at the lowest level of the tax rate if any at all. You can not cut taxes on those who do not pay any. 2. If you cut projects in your locality that are funded by federal dollars you also cuts payrolls and taxes derived from payolls. 3. wages earned is money spent in the community business sector. So if you want to cut projects ask your fellow wage earners and businesses about making less moneyand se if thy will support it.
Ah yes, Mr. Precinct Committeeman, clearly, one man's pork is another man's "business development."
Puke.
Okay, all together now:
"I can bring home the bacon...fry it up in a pan..."
Kill the pork. Then talk new taxes...but not before. I'm paying enough, thanks.
Let's say you're about to remodel your kitchen, but then your basement floods. You'd most likely put off the kitchen job and fix the basement, right?
Like the kitchen, most pork projects can wait a year or two (or three of four). So put 'em on the back burner, already, and channel those bucks to the south. Those monies are gonna funnel back into our economy, anyway. How many new excavators and dozers do you think they're gonna need down there? Bunches. Skads. Train loads.
".... And never let you forget your a Man... cause I'm a WOMAN..."
Because I am a woman, I know cutting ALL the pork before raising taxes ain't gonna happen. No one can quite agree on what pork is. Some called shoring up the N.O. levees pork before this disaster. I would like to see Americans say, yes, this time we are willing to pay a bit more to specifically help our fellow citizens.
What about all the projects that have already waited 5-6 years , tell them just a few more years until the south recovers. How would you and your community feel with that reasoning thrust upon you?
I'm not suggesting that we should put all projects on hold for 5-6 years until the South fully recovers. I think that Americans should and would be willing to pay a one time extra "help tax" to aid fellow countrymen in the wake of the worst natural disaster our nation has ever known. I'm Republican too, but there are some things you should pay extra for, even if you aren't responsible for the disaster and even if your government is already quite "porky."
By the way Committeeman, I could wait five, six, or even sixty years for say the Med Tech Pork Business Incubator to be completed. I could wait an eternity for Peoria's pet pork project- the doctor's parking garage- to be built.
Sorry, Polly. I have to depart ways with you on the whole Med-Tech thing. Here's my two cents.
Peoria used to be a whiskey town. Then a manufacturing town. Now, we're evolving again due to a more competitive global economy. Cheap foreign labor means our future as a community is not going to be found on the shop floor. We have to diversify. And we have to make use of the other assets we have.
And we do have some amazing advantages: like more than a $1 billion spent right here on technology research and development. And the 300+ PhDs living and working here (stats show that for every "white coat" job created, eight more are created to support it). We have the largest ag lab in the nation. And we have a whole lot more. Our research and technology assets rank with bergs much, much larger than our own.
So I say, let's leverage it! Let's get new companies started and attract even newer ones. Then, let's keep them here! And while we're at it, let's help turn around a section of our town that, if I'm not mistaken, you want to move out of because it needs to be turned around.
If you consider a future than extends beyond the next 5-10 years, Med-Tech is a no-brainer for Peoria.
Oh Peoria Dad,
You misunderstand me, Pop! I think med-tech is a good idea. I think the business incubator is bull shite, and even if it isn't, it doesn't need government funded support. Moreover, our beloved Peoria City Council seems to do anti-Med Tech things all the time by granting enterprise zone status (which allows for sales tax free construction) for the Illinois Eye Center and Heart Clinic, both in far North Peoria, well out of the med-tech district. Notice there is plenty of medical construction without special med-tech districting. Most of it is out on Route 91 near the new mall.
The fact is that, projects from one district are good for those folks but others outside the district see it as pork. Is I-74 upgrade a pork project or a timely construction project to make roads safer and traffic move smoother? If the public sends the message to their reps in Wash DC that it is ok to bring home the bacon they will continue to do so. If you don't like city council decisions then throw them out or run yourself. If enough are similarly upset with their (council) choices get together and make it clear that it was a bad decision. You could also send the message that support for bad votes are subject to opposition at the ballot box, write letters to them and make it clear where you stand.
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