October, 2011 archive
Flat Tax, Flat Out Lie 0
Bloomberg takes a look at flat taxes. They conclude (my words, not theirs) that it’s one more trick for making the rich richer and the poor poorer.
Read the whole thing:
(snip)
Would a flat tax be “fairer” than the current system? Perry plans to call for a rate of 20 percent, which is lower than today’s top rate of 35 percent and higher than today’s lowest rate (which is zero). If your income currently puts you in a bracket higher than 20 percent, a 20 percent flat tax constitutes a tax cut. If you’re in a bracket lower than 20 percent, a flat tax will constitute an increase, unless it comes with lots of deductions, in which case it’s no longer flat. If lowering taxes on high incomes and raising taxes on low incomes would be an improvement, then a flat tax is fairer than the current code. Otherwise, it isn’t.
The Beat Goes On 0
One of the most disheartening things I have learned over the years is that there is far more wife (and husband) beating that goes on–and more persons who turn a blind eye to it–than my very safe and stable upbringing led me to believe.
Update from the Foreclosure-Based Economy 0
The Philadelphia Inquirer looks at the real estate bust in Nevada.
“These people over here just walked away,” said Dave Johnson, gesturing toward the empty stucco-and-tile home next to his on Diazo Street.
Johnson and his wife bought their place for $249,000 41/2 years ago, when he had steady work as a truck driver. Now he has an agreement to sell the house – for $65,000.
Persons such as this are the victims, not the perpetrators, of the crash.
The perpetrators don’t even have to be driven by their chauffeurs through these communities as they travel between their corner offices and their country clubs.
Endless War All Over the World 0
At the Asia Times, Yong Kwon analyzes the latest drumbeats:
This contention has always been popular among Americans who believe that the United States should actively utilize its massive military and economic might to neutralize international threats.
The simple logic behind the coercive approach is attractive, but dangerous if not completely irresponsible.
Atrios summed up the endless war approach to foreign policy quite well.
Facebook Frolics 0
Violating a electronic confidence is still violating a confidence.
As a bonus extra, this also illustrates the corrosiveness of the self-righteous bigotry sometimes fueled by religion.
QOTD 0
A. J. Liebling, from the Quotemaster (subscribe here):
People everywhere confuse what they read in newspapers with news.
Facebook Frolics 0
When does “delete” mean “keep”?
Apparently, in Facebook World:
The Irish office of the Data Protection Commissioner confirmed to the newspaper that it is investigating the world’s largest social network after numerous complaints were filed by a 24-year-old student, who discovered Facebook had been holding onto boatloads of personal information he had deleted from his Facebook account.
The investigation is not completed, but, given Facebook’s track record of acting in bad faith, I suspect that the findings will be worse than expected.
The Voter Fraud Fraud 0
The undercurrents of bigotry in the voting I. D. laws are rapidly becoming overcurrents:
Tennessee resident Virginia Lasater found out the hard way after she was unable to get the photo ID required to vote in her state because she wasn’t able to stand in a long line at a DMV . . .
The DMV staff said there was nothing they could do.
What’s Wrong with Our Youth? Cantor’s Cant Dept. 0
A Penn student commenting on protests contemplated for an appearance by Eric Cantor:
“I think it’s a little too much to bring the protest to a college campus,” she said.
I mourn for the lost generation.
(Cantor canceled the appearance when it became apparent that the university was not going to allow him to handpick the audience. Competing press releases at the link.)
Driving while Brown, Price per Head Dept. 0
Axel Caballero on Cuentame’s Immigrants for Sale campaign, and the politicians and corporations that profit from detention centers.
QOTD 0
Erasmus, from the Quotemaster (subscribe here):
A good prince will tax as lightly as possible those commodities which are used by the poorest members of society.
More and Better Twits on Twitter 0
The Camden County, New Jersey, Republican Party has withdrawn support from their state Senate candidate because he repeatedly twitted on Twitter.
(snip)
Earlier this week, Mitsch defended his tweet, telling The Inquirer’s editorial board on Wednesday that it was “a great tip” that “shows the utmost respect for women.”
If the Republican Party pulled support from every candidate who repeatedly said gratuitously stupid, hurtful, or vindictive things, many ballots would be shorter.
Indeed, The CNN “presidential” debates would be virtually depopulated.
The Voter Fraud Fraud 0
Clarissa is busy, so Zandar explains it all.
