A Little Economic Sense

According to an article in US News & World Report, we're heading back into an era of Big Government. Our economic woes are such that the government will have to get more involved. If done right, it isn't necessarily a bad thing. But, we all know that it won't be done right.

Here's a few of my off the top of my head ideas.

1. The government needs to be proactively involved in producing a complete electric car. Tax breaks should be given to the car companies to offset some of their research costs. We know this car has existed -- one that can drive highway speeds and travel up to 300 miles on a single charge -- it just hasn't been cost effective. The second part of this is the government needs to give tax breaks to anyone who purchases said car. I can't afford a $30,000 car -- even if it will drop my gas to nearly nothing, but if the government subsidizes the manufacturing and the purchasing, I'm sure I could swing $20,000 for the car.

2. All this talk about Social Security being overdrawn in 2017 is beginning to piss me off. First, Social Security used to have a surplus until the government started borrowing against it. The time for that to completely stop is now. Also, let's put some of that borrowed money back and then let's see if we're still behind. Finally, we need a national retirement plan. The truth is that we need older workers to get out of the way for younger workers. If everyone works until they drop dead, what are young people going to do for jobs? That being said to keep this funded let's eliminate the cap on the tax. No matter how much you earn, pay both Social Security and Medicare taxes on it. So, no more cut off at $92,000.

3. We need to take a good long look at what the government subsidizes. (Yeah, I know I said electric cars, but hear me out.) Nearly everybody gets something from the government. For example, farm subsidies. Huge company farms are subsidized and that's not what the plan was for. This should be changed to only help the little farmer compete. There are other things we subsidize and we need to take a good long look at them to see if they're really needed.

God Bless

Top of My Head Thoughts...

Just a random bit of thoughts...

First, I had dinner last night with a friend of mine, Daisy. Really sweet lady and, as usual, we have a wonderful time. We ate at this little place on sixth street, the something I can't remember bistro. (It's where What About Me used to be). I highly recommend the place. Order a High Society -- I just taught the bartender how to make them.

Next, what is up with gas prices? Seriously, why is it that the oil companies are the only company on earth that makes huge profits when they have a shortage? I understand all that supply and demand stuff, but it stands to reason that if you only have so much to sell, even with raised prices, you shouldn't be making billions in profit. Further, I looked it up -- gas prices have risen a dollar since the end of Feb. That's just ridiculous, especially since, last time I looked, the price for a barrel of oil has gone down.

And, why hasn't there been a new refinery built in this country in the last 30 years? That could help them out.

We have a serious issue in Iraq right now, but both sides are completely wrong. We don't need to announce a withdrawal date. I'm sorry, but it just plays into the hands of our enemies over there. On the other hand, when will the administration start listening to the military instead of micromanaging the war? And, here's something to keep in mind... During WWII, we lost approx. 1 out of every 15 soldiers. In Vietnam, it was 1 out of every 1500. Now, it's 1 out of every 15000. That isn't a great comfort to those families who have lost someone (and my heart goes out to them), but we aren't losing as many soldiers as people think...

What we are doing is not taking care of the survivors. Let's stop fighting in Congress and realize what's truly important -- that our VA's are properly staffed and funded to take care of American's wounded heroes. It is disgusting that we do not take better care of our Veterans. I don't want to hear about who's at fault, because we all are, let's just join together and fix it.

On a lighter note, I heard that someone wants to build a waterpark in Racine. Well, let's have at it! What a terrific idea! A nice place for some much needed family fun! Let Kenosha have it's Casino, let's build a waterpark!

God Bless!

Bush's Energy Plan...

George W. Bush wants Congress to back his energy plan. He wants to cut "gasoline consumption by up to 20 percent over 10 years."* That's a nice start, but how is that going to happen when he opposes setting higher fuel-economy standards?

What he does what to do is require the use of ethanol to the tune of 35 billion gallons a year by 2017. This might not be as the politicians proclaim it to be.

First, while "ethanol industry profited handsomely last year, it continued to benefit from billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies."** So, basically, we're going to subsidize an industry that's already making money on its own. Is that like the tax breaks we give the oil companies?

Second, ethanol -- as of now -- is made from corn. Have you noticed our rising corn prices? If we rely on ethanol, will it get worse?

Finally, ethanol doesn't make it any cleaner for the environment. Are we not going to lower emissions?

Another reason I'm against Bush's energy plan is that he wants Congress to give his administration the power to set the standards. Is he for real? Hasn't Congress given him way too much power in this nation as it is?

We need to come up with a solution to our current energy crisis, but I don't think Bush's plan is the answer.

God Bless






* -- http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/02/10/Bush.radio.ap/index.html
**-- http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070204/12ethanol.htm