Friday, December 31, 2010
Which is to say
That last post was supposed to explain why you'll find personal health info here in such abundance.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
For anyone new here
I started this blog as a way to update my friends on my health status. I didn’t want to keep sending long emails that some people might not want to read, so I post here instead. If anyone is interested they can get the latest news, or they can ignore it – it’s all up to them.
I also post so others who may have similar experiences who are searching the Internet will know that they are not alone. When I first came across stories of other people who had had Legionnaires’ Disease, it was an amazing relief to know that I was not the only one with the problems I had. You can feel very isolated when you have a critical illness and there is support in just knowing that it isn’t just you. I want to offer my experience to help others in any way that I can.
I also blog about any random thing that interests me, and lately, I’ve been ranting about political policy issues.
All of the above will continue determined by my mood and whenever I am able.
And thanks for stopping by and reading.
I also post so others who may have similar experiences who are searching the Internet will know that they are not alone. When I first came across stories of other people who had had Legionnaires’ Disease, it was an amazing relief to know that I was not the only one with the problems I had. You can feel very isolated when you have a critical illness and there is support in just knowing that it isn’t just you. I want to offer my experience to help others in any way that I can.
I also blog about any random thing that interests me, and lately, I’ve been ranting about political policy issues.
All of the above will continue determined by my mood and whenever I am able.
And thanks for stopping by and reading.
I’m slow, but I do get around to things
First up, in response to an anonymous comment: I read a variety of things, when conditions permit.
Reading is difficult. It is tiring, requires concentration that I do not often have, and I have a strange sort of dyslexic thing going on where words on the page get moved around. It’s not just a problem with the letters in individual words, I will sometimes – all too often really – pick up words in a sentence from a different line or move the words in a sentence around. That can seriously change the meaning of the text.
But over the past few years when I can read, I read all sorts of things: mysteries, thrillers, spy novels (well, I read some old John LeCarre), fantasy and science fiction.
I’ve been trying to get into some science and history but the lack of concentration really hurts with that sort of reading since comprehension is so important. I can read fiction and not care as much about retention, but what’s the point in reading non-fiction if you can’t remember anything?
I haven’t read that much, two or three in each genre, but it’s been all over the place. I guess I’m just trying to find what works.
Reading is difficult. It is tiring, requires concentration that I do not often have, and I have a strange sort of dyslexic thing going on where words on the page get moved around. It’s not just a problem with the letters in individual words, I will sometimes – all too often really – pick up words in a sentence from a different line or move the words in a sentence around. That can seriously change the meaning of the text.
But over the past few years when I can read, I read all sorts of things: mysteries, thrillers, spy novels (well, I read some old John LeCarre), fantasy and science fiction.
I’ve been trying to get into some science and history but the lack of concentration really hurts with that sort of reading since comprehension is so important. I can read fiction and not care as much about retention, but what’s the point in reading non-fiction if you can’t remember anything?
I haven’t read that much, two or three in each genre, but it’s been all over the place. I guess I’m just trying to find what works.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Therapy
I am self-medicating. I have spent some birthday money (yes, even someone my age gets money for his birthday). I bought some books.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Where did all this come from?
Yes, I am posting like damn fool lately. No, I don’t know why.
Maybe it’s the urgency of the situation the country is in. Maybe it’s a reaction to stress that builds this time of year. Maybe it’s because I’m changing some of my medication.
I really don’t know why I am doing this. I always say that I am going to blog more but this is ridiculous. It’s not like I have some quota to fill before the end of the year or anything.
Hopefully I can keep up the content value and entertainment levels, but there are no guarantees on that.
Maybe it’s the urgency of the situation the country is in. Maybe it’s a reaction to stress that builds this time of year. Maybe it’s because I’m changing some of my medication.
I really don’t know why I am doing this. I always say that I am going to blog more but this is ridiculous. It’s not like I have some quota to fill before the end of the year or anything.
Hopefully I can keep up the content value and entertainment levels, but there are no guarantees on that.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
I really don't understand
I keep coming back because I forget to mention something.
Maybe I did say this before and have forgotten, but it is important.
Social Security is deficit neutral. By law it can not pay out more than it takes in or has on hand. If you eliminated Social Security completely it would do nothing for the deficit. Yet people talk about cutting Social Security claiming that will help to balance the budget. That is a lie. The only reasons to cut Social Security are ideological, not budgetary.
Such as the proposed payroll tax cut, which is without a doubt an attack on Social Security. There was something called the Making Work Pay tax credit in the stimulus bill. That was going to be extended, but the GOP wanted a payroll tax cut instead and the White House went right along with them. What’s the difference, you ask? Both cut taxes on the middle class, but the tax credit doesn’t hurt Social Security. Further, the payroll tax cut is framed as a temporary tax holiday, but just as letting the Bush tax cuts expire – as the law was written – was called a tax increase, you can bet that letting this temporary cut expire will be called a tax increase.
And when someone in DC screams tax hike, no one will let it happen. The 2% reduction in Social Security payments will continue, if not increase, and the cries of insolvency will become self-fulfilling prophecy.
Social Security is fully funded until 2037 and in decent shape until the end of the century. But attacks like this threaten it. And if you think you couldn’t possibly need it or were never going to get anything out of it, think again. I never thought I would be disabled. Not that it matters when it comes to helping people. I explained to someone recently that I didn’t support Social Security because I needed it. I’ve always supported it, even though I never thought that it would be around when I reached retirement age. I thought the attacks against it would be successful by then. I supported it because it was the right thing to do.
But there are people who have spent decades of their lives and hundreds of millions of dollars trying to get rid of Social Security – more than $10 million was spent this October alone. They would be happy funneling tax dollars to Wall Street to handle retirement, but they object to letting the government do it. The stock market collapsed, more than once even since I was born. So far the US government hasn’t. But it looks like these people will be successful. If someone can’t make a profit, then no one gets the help they need. After all, all government spending must be bad.
So it looks like Social Security won’t be around when I reach retirement age. It might not be around in 2 or 3 years. The deficit won’t be any smaller, but senior citizens and the disabled will suffer. I can’t see any reason for that, but there must be a good one. Why else would it be a good policy for the richest nation in the world to let senior citizens and the disabled die in poverty?
Maybe I did say this before and have forgotten, but it is important.
Social Security is deficit neutral. By law it can not pay out more than it takes in or has on hand. If you eliminated Social Security completely it would do nothing for the deficit. Yet people talk about cutting Social Security claiming that will help to balance the budget. That is a lie. The only reasons to cut Social Security are ideological, not budgetary.
Such as the proposed payroll tax cut, which is without a doubt an attack on Social Security. There was something called the Making Work Pay tax credit in the stimulus bill. That was going to be extended, but the GOP wanted a payroll tax cut instead and the White House went right along with them. What’s the difference, you ask? Both cut taxes on the middle class, but the tax credit doesn’t hurt Social Security. Further, the payroll tax cut is framed as a temporary tax holiday, but just as letting the Bush tax cuts expire – as the law was written – was called a tax increase, you can bet that letting this temporary cut expire will be called a tax increase.
And when someone in DC screams tax hike, no one will let it happen. The 2% reduction in Social Security payments will continue, if not increase, and the cries of insolvency will become self-fulfilling prophecy.
Social Security is fully funded until 2037 and in decent shape until the end of the century. But attacks like this threaten it. And if you think you couldn’t possibly need it or were never going to get anything out of it, think again. I never thought I would be disabled. Not that it matters when it comes to helping people. I explained to someone recently that I didn’t support Social Security because I needed it. I’ve always supported it, even though I never thought that it would be around when I reached retirement age. I thought the attacks against it would be successful by then. I supported it because it was the right thing to do.
But there are people who have spent decades of their lives and hundreds of millions of dollars trying to get rid of Social Security – more than $10 million was spent this October alone. They would be happy funneling tax dollars to Wall Street to handle retirement, but they object to letting the government do it. The stock market collapsed, more than once even since I was born. So far the US government hasn’t. But it looks like these people will be successful. If someone can’t make a profit, then no one gets the help they need. After all, all government spending must be bad.
So it looks like Social Security won’t be around when I reach retirement age. It might not be around in 2 or 3 years. The deficit won’t be any smaller, but senior citizens and the disabled will suffer. I can’t see any reason for that, but there must be a good one. Why else would it be a good policy for the richest nation in the world to let senior citizens and the disabled die in poverty?
A question
Not to continue this, I really am just curious. If anyone is actually reading this I was wondering if it was commonly accepted that the unemployment insurance extensions that are being talked about are in addition to existing benefits.
Is that what most people think? Why do I expect you to know? Beats me. I’ll settle for personal opinion.
I don’t know if it’s because I know people who are looking for work or because I research stuff – or both – but I did know that the extension earlier in the year and the current proposal merely reauthorize the current level of benefits. There was an earlier change to add 73 weeks to the 26 weeks previously available, but the funding is only for that. That’s why all the talk about the 99ers.
Maybe it’s the use of the word extension, which I do myself, but none of this adds any additional weeks to unemployment benefits. I don’t know if that is deliberate misdirection by some or simply the problem of using shorthand to describe things, probably the latter. I think that people may have the wrong idea about what is being talked about.
Is that what most people think? Why do I expect you to know? Beats me. I’ll settle for personal opinion.
I don’t know if it’s because I know people who are looking for work or because I research stuff – or both – but I did know that the extension earlier in the year and the current proposal merely reauthorize the current level of benefits. There was an earlier change to add 73 weeks to the 26 weeks previously available, but the funding is only for that. That’s why all the talk about the 99ers.
Maybe it’s the use of the word extension, which I do myself, but none of this adds any additional weeks to unemployment benefits. I don’t know if that is deliberate misdirection by some or simply the problem of using shorthand to describe things, probably the latter. I think that people may have the wrong idea about what is being talked about.
Late deliveries
UPS and FedEx were delivering around here at 5:00 and 6:00 last night – no gifts here, just some things we ordered on line (books and clothes). I think the only other time I saw that was when I ordered a Harry Potter book the day it came out. Maybe I just haven’t been paying attention.
Framing
I suppose I’ve been so verbose on one subject lately because it isn’t just the policy that bothers me. It does, because it is unjust. But the talk about it is just as bad. For all the talk about the economy and the deficit, the proposed plan doesn’t help either.
Cutting taxes doesn’t stimulate the economy, if it did the last ten years would have been boom times. Everything suggested just adds to the deficit, so neither argument is honest. There is some stimulative effect, but it is minor. The things that would be the most immediately helpful are extended unemployment insurance and food stamps, but they are vilified.
What helps a recessionary economy is spending, and since people don’t have the money to do that it is the responsibility of the government to do it. It worked before, it would work again. But then there’s that pesky deficit which is only allowed to explode in order to cut taxes. Oh well.
We are told repeatedly that this is the best thing for the country, and I am afraid that may be true for the middle class. I don’t see any way at this point to get anything else done so we just have to settle for the least we can get – again. I hope it’s enough.
But we are also told that this is the best way to do things, and as I said before, if this is the best they can do then we need better people in Washington.
Cutting taxes doesn’t stimulate the economy, if it did the last ten years would have been boom times. Everything suggested just adds to the deficit, so neither argument is honest. There is some stimulative effect, but it is minor. The things that would be the most immediately helpful are extended unemployment insurance and food stamps, but they are vilified.
What helps a recessionary economy is spending, and since people don’t have the money to do that it is the responsibility of the government to do it. It worked before, it would work again. But then there’s that pesky deficit which is only allowed to explode in order to cut taxes. Oh well.
We are told repeatedly that this is the best thing for the country, and I am afraid that may be true for the middle class. I don’t see any way at this point to get anything else done so we just have to settle for the least we can get – again. I hope it’s enough.
But we are also told that this is the best way to do things, and as I said before, if this is the best they can do then we need better people in Washington.
Is this all I do?
Based on the majority of recent posts, the question must surely arise: Is all I do complain about politics?
Of course not. I complain about a lot of things.
Of course not. I complain about a lot of things.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Still more
As the arguments continue that the proposed deal will accomplish a lot of important things, let me further describe my own position.
It is true that the country needs more stimulus, the middle class needs a tax cut and the unemployed need their benefits. Some of the other fixes in the announced deal are vital to many people in the country. I am not convinced that this is the only way to get those things done.
Since all of this is true, why wasn’t anything done sooner? Why wait until the last minute and then cry expediency when criticized? Why pretend that this is the only way to get things done?
If something is necessary it should be done without unnecessary things being added to it and it should be worth fighting for. There wasn’t even an argument for the basics in this. There is too much posturing and not enough work being done.
I know, I expect honesty and justice. What was I thinking.
It is true that the country needs more stimulus, the middle class needs a tax cut and the unemployed need their benefits. Some of the other fixes in the announced deal are vital to many people in the country. I am not convinced that this is the only way to get those things done.
Since all of this is true, why wasn’t anything done sooner? Why wait until the last minute and then cry expediency when criticized? Why pretend that this is the only way to get things done?
If something is necessary it should be done without unnecessary things being added to it and it should be worth fighting for. There wasn’t even an argument for the basics in this. There is too much posturing and not enough work being done.
I know, I expect honesty and justice. What was I thinking.
Just a reminder
Comments are moderated because of an increase in spam a while back, not for any content related issues. I do eventually get around to check on things.
Another day of remembrance
It has been thirty years since the death of John Lennon. Whatever your opinion of the man or his music, he used the platform his talent afforded him to try to make the world a better place. I am not going to lionize him, beyond the music he didn’t do anything that anyone else couldn’t do and he did have flaws. He was human. But he did do something when many others do not. Maybe what he did was because of ego, but not everyone with that kind of ego opens themselves to ridicule and harassment just to talk about world peace.
Even if there were ulterior motives, the message he delivered was important, as was his music. John Lennon was a very talented man and part of something that changed the world for the better. He gave us a great gift of music and motivated an historic moment in music history. It may be selfish to see it this way, but though we lost his influence and his talents thirty years ago, we have his legacy.
I also have a request. When we remember people like John Lennon, may we please always remember their names and forget the names of the murderers. Those who destroy should not be made famous for their evil.
Thank you John Lennon for what you gave us.
Even if there were ulterior motives, the message he delivered was important, as was his music. John Lennon was a very talented man and part of something that changed the world for the better. He gave us a great gift of music and motivated an historic moment in music history. It may be selfish to see it this way, but though we lost his influence and his talents thirty years ago, we have his legacy.
I also have a request. When we remember people like John Lennon, may we please always remember their names and forget the names of the murderers. Those who destroy should not be made famous for their evil.
Thank you John Lennon for what you gave us.
Just one more thing
I'm starting to sound like Columbo, but really, just one. Yes there are good things in the proposed deal, but it could have been better. This is not the best deal, it was the easiest. Like I said, we deserve better.
Yesterday wasn’t really a good day for a rant
Historically, of course, it was the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. I should have been at least as concerned for the memory of the people who died that day and the many sacrifices that followed. The war started before that Sunday and it continued for many years after. The day should always be a reminder of what war does to people and how they can give so much of themselves to help their family, friends, neighbors and even strangers when there is need.
Also, we lost a special woman yesterday when Elizabeth Edwards died. She didn’t step into the spotlight of public life for herself, and she certainly didn’t invite the scandal, but she always handled things well and with grace. She seemed like a woman of great spirit and great humor, and she devoted her energy – when there could not always have been much of it – in an effort to help other people. I trust that she is at peace, and I hope that in time her children and her family will be able to deal with the pain and the loss more easily.
Two examples, one collective and one individual, of how people can rise to the occasion and, even in the face of great adversity, show what is best and right in humanity.
Also, we lost a special woman yesterday when Elizabeth Edwards died. She didn’t step into the spotlight of public life for herself, and she certainly didn’t invite the scandal, but she always handled things well and with grace. She seemed like a woman of great spirit and great humor, and she devoted her energy – when there could not always have been much of it – in an effort to help other people. I trust that she is at peace, and I hope that in time her children and her family will be able to deal with the pain and the loss more easily.
Two examples, one collective and one individual, of how people can rise to the occasion and, even in the face of great adversity, show what is best and right in humanity.
Anger
Why am I so angry? Well, you could attribute some of it to the after effects of my illness, but I think it’s really because I am an altruist. Really. I am. I’m also a cynical son of a bitch.
When I see some people exhilarated because they could use their power to crush other people I get pissed off.
When I see others abdicate their power and responsibility for the sake of self-aggrandizement I get pissed off.
When I see someone lash out and complain when they are held to the very principles they themselves espoused I get pissed off.
Some people see the House of Representatives as a lesser chamber, but each member is supposed to be the best person to represent the constituents of their district and be one of the 438 best people in the country at that job.
Senators are supposed to be one of only two people in their state who can best represent their constituents and 1 out of the 100 best in the country at it.
It should go without saying that the President is supposed to be the single best person in the country to do the job.
What I ask is not easy. It is a damn difficult thing to stand on principle, and also damned hard just to run a country as complex and demanding as the US. But if you claim to be one of the most qualified people in the country and one of the less than 0.000004% of the adult population who even gets to do the job, then I damn well expect you to do it right. If that’s too much to ask of someone who has devoted their time, effort and money to get elected to a job that is invariably described as public service; if running as great a nation as this one can be is just too hard to do right; if you’d rather just enjoy the benefits and leave the hard work to someone else just so you can rifle the till – then just stay home.
This country deserves better.
When I see some people exhilarated because they could use their power to crush other people I get pissed off.
When I see others abdicate their power and responsibility for the sake of self-aggrandizement I get pissed off.
When I see someone lash out and complain when they are held to the very principles they themselves espoused I get pissed off.
Some people see the House of Representatives as a lesser chamber, but each member is supposed to be the best person to represent the constituents of their district and be one of the 438 best people in the country at that job.
Senators are supposed to be one of only two people in their state who can best represent their constituents and 1 out of the 100 best in the country at it.
It should go without saying that the President is supposed to be the single best person in the country to do the job.
What I ask is not easy. It is a damn difficult thing to stand on principle, and also damned hard just to run a country as complex and demanding as the US. But if you claim to be one of the most qualified people in the country and one of the less than 0.000004% of the adult population who even gets to do the job, then I damn well expect you to do it right. If that’s too much to ask of someone who has devoted their time, effort and money to get elected to a job that is invariably described as public service; if running as great a nation as this one can be is just too hard to do right; if you’d rather just enjoy the benefits and leave the hard work to someone else just so you can rifle the till – then just stay home.
This country deserves better.
A little more on the tax deal
First, it should be obvious from this deal that no one in DC cares about the deficit because all this does is add to it. Now can we stop the posing, please?
There are many reasons why I don’t like this. I will admit that initially it gives more in dollars to the middle class than to the rich. The problem is how that is done. The extended tax cuts are heavily weighted to favor the rich so the deal is one-sided, and everything else is a tax credit that will not be included in any further extension of the cuts. The numbers look like this deal favors the average American, but after 2 years it swings the other way – in 13 months for the unemployed. So on the whole, the structural changes that are most likely to become permanent are those that favor the rich. There is no equity. Congress should act to help all Americans equally.
Also, this is being framed as a compromise when it isn’t. There has been no compromise on the part of people who want to give a bailout to millionaires and billionaires and the only compromise offered on that from the other side was summarily rejected by the President for no good reason.
It is good that tax cuts for the middle class have been passed. But in the frenzy of complaints and self-congratulation the underlying problems are being obscured. I did this myself in that previous post. I complained about how this deal gives breaks to those who don’t need it. Let the accusations of class warfare begin, but that battle started a long time ago. What I neglected to point out adequately was how this deal affects policy going forward.
The deal legitimizes tax cuts as the best way to deal with the economy and it minimizes job creation and spending – even in the form of unemployment insurance and food stamps. It reinforces the canard that tax cuts for the wealthy will help the economy and employment – even though that didn’t work for the past 10 years. It also legitimizes lower tax breaks for the middle class and takes a big step towards defunding Social Security.
So in the name of compromise and what is important for the economy and the nation as a whole, every alleged principle on tax cuts and deficits was abandoned. No one fought for anything and no one thought about the American people. I suppose what bothers me the most are the naked lies. I know better than to trust politicians, but they used to have the good grace not to outright lie on national television.
Rather than something that would help the county we get political maneuvering and politicians pandering to the people who they represent* rather than serving those that elected them. Whatever the short term gains, the American people lose if this goes ahead as stated because it contains no plan to fix the problems we face. The true crisis is ignored and we get more business as usual. I don’t think anyone voted for that.
It is late, I am cranky and I am ranting. If this makes no sense let me know. I am seriously disappointed with the people in DC because we need leadership and all we get is whining from both sides.
*ETA: What I am saying is that the politicians are representing corporate and individual interests and not the interests of the electorate.
There are many reasons why I don’t like this. I will admit that initially it gives more in dollars to the middle class than to the rich. The problem is how that is done. The extended tax cuts are heavily weighted to favor the rich so the deal is one-sided, and everything else is a tax credit that will not be included in any further extension of the cuts. The numbers look like this deal favors the average American, but after 2 years it swings the other way – in 13 months for the unemployed. So on the whole, the structural changes that are most likely to become permanent are those that favor the rich. There is no equity. Congress should act to help all Americans equally.
Also, this is being framed as a compromise when it isn’t. There has been no compromise on the part of people who want to give a bailout to millionaires and billionaires and the only compromise offered on that from the other side was summarily rejected by the President for no good reason.
It is good that tax cuts for the middle class have been passed. But in the frenzy of complaints and self-congratulation the underlying problems are being obscured. I did this myself in that previous post. I complained about how this deal gives breaks to those who don’t need it. Let the accusations of class warfare begin, but that battle started a long time ago. What I neglected to point out adequately was how this deal affects policy going forward.
The deal legitimizes tax cuts as the best way to deal with the economy and it minimizes job creation and spending – even in the form of unemployment insurance and food stamps. It reinforces the canard that tax cuts for the wealthy will help the economy and employment – even though that didn’t work for the past 10 years. It also legitimizes lower tax breaks for the middle class and takes a big step towards defunding Social Security.
So in the name of compromise and what is important for the economy and the nation as a whole, every alleged principle on tax cuts and deficits was abandoned. No one fought for anything and no one thought about the American people. I suppose what bothers me the most are the naked lies. I know better than to trust politicians, but they used to have the good grace not to outright lie on national television.
Rather than something that would help the county we get political maneuvering and politicians pandering to the people who they represent* rather than serving those that elected them. Whatever the short term gains, the American people lose if this goes ahead as stated because it contains no plan to fix the problems we face. The true crisis is ignored and we get more business as usual. I don’t think anyone voted for that.
It is late, I am cranky and I am ranting. If this makes no sense let me know. I am seriously disappointed with the people in DC because we need leadership and all we get is whining from both sides.
*ETA: What I am saying is that the politicians are representing corporate and individual interests and not the interests of the electorate.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
AGW
Even if you don't accept the science on climate change and don't believe that the world is warming; even if you don't believe that the world's demand for oil will sooner rather than later exceed production; even if you believe that the US has enough domestic oil reserves to keep going forever - if the rest of the industrialized world is moving towards alternative energy technology, why the hell wouldn't you want to be the one who is selling it to them?
Argue against the truth of climate change if you must, but don't stand in the way of progress. The US can make a ton of money, employ a heck of a lot of people and improve our trade balance if we develop the new technology first.
What is it with this country and acting against self-interest? We have political ideology acting against national prosperity and security. I can't see any reason for this except to help keep the oil companies going. Apparently even they can't see where oil is heading.
And why can't I get a gas powered generator to run the electric motor in my car? Forget the 600 pound battery. If it's good enough for a locomotive, why won't it work in my car?
The title is an acronym for Anthropogenic Global Warming. Which this post really isn't about.
Argue against the truth of climate change if you must, but don't stand in the way of progress. The US can make a ton of money, employ a heck of a lot of people and improve our trade balance if we develop the new technology first.
What is it with this country and acting against self-interest? We have political ideology acting against national prosperity and security. I can't see any reason for this except to help keep the oil companies going. Apparently even they can't see where oil is heading.
And why can't I get a gas powered generator to run the electric motor in my car? Forget the 600 pound battery. If it's good enough for a locomotive, why won't it work in my car?
The title is an acronym for Anthropogenic Global Warming. Which this post really isn't about.
Capitulation?
I waited to post anything because I was pretty angry about this, but I think something needs to be said.
Yesterday the President said the extension of the Bush tax cuts on the wealthy will expire in 2 years. Funny, 2 years ago he said he would make sure that they expired January 2011. Kind of makes you wonder.
True, the middle class gets a tax cut, but it is miniscule compared to what the wealthy get.
The richest 2% of Americans get a massive 2 year tax break, the unemployed get a half-assed promise of 13 months extension of the basic insurance (nothing for the 99ers) and Social Security gets a 13% cut in funding. This creates no jobs, puts more money in the hands of people who will not spend it than in those who will and it threatens Social Security.
Here’s where one of the lies comes into play – we need to give tax cuts to the job creators. They already get one. If you hire someone, the money is a business expense and is not taxed. If you get the money as income, then it is already being taken out of the business and even if you reduced the tax on it to zero will not result in even one job being created.
$150 billion in tax breaks for the richest 2%, $15 billion for the unemployed 10%. Hedge fund managers making $1 billion a year pay a 15% tax rate. The estate tax drops to its lowest point ever and there’s a $5 million dollar exemption. Why not tax it as income? I don’t get a $5 million dollar exemption on my income. Fair is not the word that comes to mind right now. I guess we’re supposed to be happy that the tax cuts from the stimulus get continued, as if those crumbs make up for everything else.
Sure, a 2% payroll tax cut gives people money to spend right away. So would increasing the already approved tax credit – of course, that wouldn’t attack Social Security.
Is it capitulation? I don’t think so. I think the President agrees with this in principle. If the country gets out of this debacle with a middle class I will be surprised. It can happen, but it won’t be easy. And if Social Security survives I will be amazed.
Yesterday the President said the extension of the Bush tax cuts on the wealthy will expire in 2 years. Funny, 2 years ago he said he would make sure that they expired January 2011. Kind of makes you wonder.
True, the middle class gets a tax cut, but it is miniscule compared to what the wealthy get.
The richest 2% of Americans get a massive 2 year tax break, the unemployed get a half-assed promise of 13 months extension of the basic insurance (nothing for the 99ers) and Social Security gets a 13% cut in funding. This creates no jobs, puts more money in the hands of people who will not spend it than in those who will and it threatens Social Security.
Here’s where one of the lies comes into play – we need to give tax cuts to the job creators. They already get one. If you hire someone, the money is a business expense and is not taxed. If you get the money as income, then it is already being taken out of the business and even if you reduced the tax on it to zero will not result in even one job being created.
$150 billion in tax breaks for the richest 2%, $15 billion for the unemployed 10%. Hedge fund managers making $1 billion a year pay a 15% tax rate. The estate tax drops to its lowest point ever and there’s a $5 million dollar exemption. Why not tax it as income? I don’t get a $5 million dollar exemption on my income. Fair is not the word that comes to mind right now. I guess we’re supposed to be happy that the tax cuts from the stimulus get continued, as if those crumbs make up for everything else.
Sure, a 2% payroll tax cut gives people money to spend right away. So would increasing the already approved tax credit – of course, that wouldn’t attack Social Security.
Is it capitulation? I don’t think so. I think the President agrees with this in principle. If the country gets out of this debacle with a middle class I will be surprised. It can happen, but it won’t be easy. And if Social Security survives I will be amazed.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Was it something I said?
I started going to this great doctor a while back who is phenomenal at osteopathic manipulation therapy. Even other doctors who have known him for years don’t know how he does what he does. He did wonders for me and my wife. Because of him much of the muscle spasms and joint alignment issues I had have been helped and I can move much better. He was even working on fixing my jaw problems. He talked to you and explained things – he taught you what he was doing and why things worked.
In August he moved to Texas.
One of his students, who is also great at OMT, went into Emergency Medicine when his fellowship was over.
The newest student, who is also great, is returning to Colorado after his residency.
Another doctor who has been a great help is leaving a different practice.
Is it me? Is it my breath? Do I dress funny?
At least before he left, the first doc brought back another one of his great students who had gone to New York. So the total number isn’t going down, but this is getting to be a habit with these guys.
Oh well, as long as my wife can keep getting the treatment that she needs.
I know that it can sound a little odd, but osteopathic manipulation therapy can be great. If you find the right doctor, and of course if you have a problem that can be treated – and you might be surprised at what can be helped with OMT – I highly recommend it.
I just can’t tell you who to make an appointment with.
In August he moved to Texas.
One of his students, who is also great at OMT, went into Emergency Medicine when his fellowship was over.
The newest student, who is also great, is returning to Colorado after his residency.
Another doctor who has been a great help is leaving a different practice.
Is it me? Is it my breath? Do I dress funny?
At least before he left, the first doc brought back another one of his great students who had gone to New York. So the total number isn’t going down, but this is getting to be a habit with these guys.
Oh well, as long as my wife can keep getting the treatment that she needs.
I know that it can sound a little odd, but osteopathic manipulation therapy can be great. If you find the right doctor, and of course if you have a problem that can be treated – and you might be surprised at what can be helped with OMT – I highly recommend it.
I just can’t tell you who to make an appointment with.
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