I Look Really Tan In My New Myspace Default

Representative Charles Rangel has proposed that there will be tax reductions for the “middle class” that will be re-directed to those with more money. Fox news reported:

“The House's top Democratic tax writer outlined a $1 trillion plan Thursday to eliminate the alternative minimum tax and ease the tax burdens of most people by asking the rich and some companies to pay more. We have attempted to restore equity and fairness to the system," said Rep. Charles Rangel, chairman of the House ways and means Committee. He said his plan would mean net tax cuts to almost all families with incomes under $500,000.”

As someone who holds conservative views when approaching economic issues, I fail to see the advantage of this proposal. Tax reductions should serve their purpose- the reduction of taxes. Redirecting them is still giving more money to the government. The issue at hand here is not really who is being taxed but that no one should be taxed at all. The more money given to the government, the more opportunities they have to create programs, foreign affairs, and other unnecessary expenses. The less taxes, the less the government becomes involved. I think that people should not expect so much from their government. I for one would much rather not pay taxes, and expect absolutely nothing from my government. My own motivation and hard work will serve me as best it can, and I will make a name for myself. If I fail to achieve this “American Dream” and are not able to strike it rich, then I will NOT blame the government or my circumstances. I will blame myself. Now, some people may be bitter with those who inherit money and are considered “trust-fund babies”, but somewhere up in their family tree SOMEONE had to have made some good decisions and made money. That’s what it’s all about. Eventually, someone will make enough money that they can pass it down their family, until someone incompetent will spend it all, go into debt, and start the cycle once again. This is the natural course of finances and requires no aid from the government. The only thing that taxing “the rich” will accomplish is allowing them to make less income which is technically obstructing the American Dream.

Political Compass Results

Economic: Right, 5.62
Social: Authoritarian, 0.46
I found this survery to be more accurate than those I had previously taken in class, but I find it difficult to answer these questions with a yes or no mentality. Often I am undecided about issues or I am poorly informed. Then again, there are those situations in which it really depends on the circumstances. I did like the graphing idea rather than a left or right way of thinking, but I still think that these ideas are being fit into a political party, rather than an ideology. I love the environment, I would love to own a gun, and want women to have as many abortions as they please, but because I want my children to have strong religious values and I don't want to legalize marujana I still was grouped towards Authoritarian (although very slightly). As this class has progressed I have become to extremely dislike labels because I feel as if "conservative" brings upon a negative connotation among the many "liberals" who have seemed to swarm over California.

This political compass helped me to realize we are not all one way or the other, we are individual people with ideas! how cool!

I See Blue People

Representative Ralph Regula announced that he will not run for his 19th term in congress next year. This is a pivotal moment for Republicans right now as they are continually losing strength in the government and are seemingly against very tough odds in the upcoming election. Fox news reported:

“Regula, 82, is the dean of Ohio's congressional delegation and the No. 3 Republican on the powerful Appropriations Committee. He has held his seat since 1973 and is the 11th Republican to forgo a re-election bid next year, further complicating the GOP's efforts to retake control of the House.
"Today's decision to not seek re-election has been a difficult one for me," Regula said in a statement released by his office.
The retirement sets up a tough election for Republicans because the parties are competitive in the northeastern Ohio district, state GOP chairman Bob Bennett said. Republicans usually win there, but Democrat Ted Strickland easily carried it in his successful campaign for governor last year.”

I felt this article was important because it sets up a frame for the battle arising between the parties. As there is always controversy and hard feelings between the two political parties, this battle is very different and much more hard-hitting in its results. This battle, defined by the representatives not re running for congress and the many Republican candidates for president, is a fight to keep their opinion in the government. It is very possible that all Republican input could be blocked out by the large number of democrats that may be able to soon control the house. The unpopular military action in Iraq had turned out more Democrats than usual. Although I do live in California, a very democratic state so I may be a little biased, but I feel that there are more Democrats than ever- or at least anti-Bush supporters. A series of events may prove this observation true and put the government in the hands of a different party. Every person, no matter what party they associate themselves with, should watch for this significant change that will have a long reaching effect on the United States.

Hilary, Shake your Money Maker

Apparently, Hilary Clintons' got money in the bank- Over $35 to be exact. She is leading not only over Obama and her fellow Democrats, but is surpassing the Republican party as well. It was also reported that Clinton actually had over $50 million, but 15 million of that fundraising could not be used in the primaries. This amount of money gives great evidence to what many Americans have been thinking- Hilary is quite popular. Which brings me to think, will Hilary Clinton be our next president? At the beginning of this race, I found it quite unlikely, considering that white male has been the trend for a while now.

Some stats for the moment are: McCain- 1.6 mil, Giuliani- 13 mil, Thompson- 5.4 mil.

Interestingly enough, Thompson made a chunk of money in a very short amount of time, considering that he just recently “officially” entered the race. What does this show about America? We like names. We like to hear things about people, we like people to be well known. Which conveniently brings my blog back to Clinton- Before we jump to any conclusions about Hilary in Office, we need to think, is the American public expressing a trend influenced by other’s options? Is Hilary Clinton just a name that rolls off the tongue nicely? Are we just used to saying “President Clinton”? How many Americans actually know Hilary's policies and realize that they differ greatly from her husbands? Maybe the founding father’s choice in an Electoral College and many other aspects of our government were made just for this election.

I'll trade you my $5 million for your $10 rusty coin....

Today, there are only four surviving examples of the 1804 dated Eagle coin, struck at Philadelphia Mint in 1834. Apparently, this particular $10 coin was made for Andrew Jackson. Fox news reported:

"The pristine-condition coin depicts a turban-wearing "Miss Liberty" surrounded by 13 stars representing the original 13 colonies. The word "Liberty" is near the top of the coin and the date 1804 is at the bottom. The other side shows a spread-winged eagle surrounded by the words, "United States of America.""

This coin sold for $5 million dollars. The buyers asked to remain anonymous, but were reported as entrepreneurs who had been collecting these pieces since young boys and wanted to complete their collection. This purchase was documented as the highest price paid for such a coin.

Has the world come to the point that no one has anything better to do with their money? Is America the land of the rich and lazy? Should this money be donated to poor people? Maybe people should take up less expensive hobbies like soccer or stamp collecting.

I chose this current event to actually prove a point. This point is that there was nothing significant in this week of politics or world news. Republicans spent a lot of money on campaigns, and people are still talking about health care. Illegal immigrants are invading and there's a war in Iraq. Obviously, we need someone to do something scandalous so we can cultivate more interesting news topics. I feel that I need no other proof than the fact that this story was on a news homepage as a highlight story to prove my point.