The New Tax Bill

Well, for better or worse, the Republicans in Congress have all but passed the largest tax reform bill in the history of the United States. Not surprisingly, they did so without any Democrat support, and amid several of the top Liberal obstructionist screaming that the sky is falling.

The Republicans claim that the bill will lower taxes for not only corporations, but a majority of tax payers (especially the middle class). They say that this will create jobs and stimulate the economy by promoting growth.

The Democrats believe that it's just a give away to the wealthy and greedy corporations. It's their view that the new bill will actually hurt the middle class and ruin our economy.

To be honest, it's too early to say for certain who's right or wrong. The bill is less than 24 hours old, and won't really go into effect until February.

However, we're not going into this completely blind. There are some historical evidences as to how smaller but similar bills have acted in the past. Both Presidents Kennedy and Reagan sign smaller versions of this bill, and both times, the economy boomed. Taxes on the lower and middle classes fell, while the job markets soared.

Already, you have companies like Fed-ex announcing that, if Trump signs this into law, they are going to hire tens of thousands of new workers. Other, overseas companies, have reported an interest in setting up operations in the U.S. So, it would seem to me that it's already starting to work on some level.

But, to be "fair" (I have always hated that word), the proof is really in the pudding. Give it until around the November mid-term elections. By then, the full effect should have already been felt. If the economy is strong and expanding, the Republicans will win. If, on the other hand, it's stagnant and collapsing, the Democrats were right and will take control of Congress. It's that simple.

The only snag in this theory I can see, is the removal of the SALT portion of the tax act. This is the part of the tax code that allows people in higher tax States (typically Democrat controlled) to deduct their state and local taxes from their federal. Personally, I find SALT to be "unfair" (It's not a factory worker in Oklahoma's fault a stock broker in New York chose a governor that raises taxes). But, the SALT States are also the most populated, and so will have very loud complaints.

Other than that, I'm willing to bet that, come November,  most of the Democrats are going to regret betting against not only President Trump, but the American people as well. Just as long as the Republicans don't do anything too stupid in other areas, they should be able to pull off another major win in getting reelected.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to one and all!

This year, I think it would be a good idea to remember exactly what this season is supposed to mean...

Of course, Christmas is the time when Christians celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. But, the holiday actually means so much more than that, and can hold special meanings for nonbelievers as well.

If you don't believe in Jesus as the True Son of God, that is your right and choice. (It's also between you and God, and you'll have to square with that someday.) You Don't have to believe in Christ, to see and recognize the universal truth and wisdom in His teachings. I mean what kind of sociopathic monster doesn't agree with peace on earth, or treating others the way you want to be treated? Despite all the ideological rhetoric and nonsense from our media and politicians, who seriously doesn't want to help the poor?

As a former Athiest, I can tell you that, wishing someone a Merry Christmas doesn't hurt anyone physically, morally, or financially. It doesn't threaten anyone's core beliefs (unless, your beliefs weren't that solid and strong to begin with). It's not meant to offend or insult, but merely wish you health and prosperity in a season the believers hold most sacred. If anything, you should feel honored that someone cares enough to think of you, and wish you well. (I feel the same when someone wishes me a Happy Hanukkah, or a Happy Kwanzaa.)

In any case, even when I didn't believe, I knew better than to get insulted by the blessing. At the very least, I looked at it as no skin off of my nose. Someone wished me happiness during a holiday I didn't believe in... so what? It's not like they threatened to burn my house, kill my family or eat my dog.

So, again I say... Merry Christmas to all. And, if that offends you... grow the hell up.

Teaching a Pig to Whistle

Apparently, I will never learn...

Yesterday, I was publicly confronted by a rabid, Left-wing Regressive at a laundromat for thanking a veteran for his service. "Confronted" may actually not be a strong enough word here, since it very nearly came to blows at one point.

The man immediately identified himself as a Liberal, and informed me that he didn't believe that we owed our veterans any sort of thanks for serving. From there, the conversation quickly devolved into an angry tirade on conservatism and how the Right is "destroying" America. His semi-coherent, self-agrandizing rants ranged from the economy, to abolishing the Second Amendment, to how Mitt Romney was actually responsible for Bengahzi instead of Hillary Clinton (I know, I laughed so hard I nearly fainted at that one). Not surprisingly, he was completely incapable of going two minutes without using personal attacks and insults against President Trump and anyone currently supporting him.

The man claimed to be a recently retired environmental engineer, yet had no idea who Cass Sunstien is (Obama's environmental czar, and a former head of the EPA). He instantly and immediately discredited any and all "Right-wing news" and fact-checking media sources, while singing the praises of such historically inaccurate sources as MSNBC and the Huffington Post. On at least two different occasions, he asserted that people who listen/watch Conservative news media are grossly misinformed and "getting the whole picture", yet couldn't even tell me who Peter Strzok is. (He's the pro-Hillary FBI agent that "investigated" Clinton's email/server scandal, then was assigned to the Mueller Russian Collusion Delusion before being removed... For any Liberals out there who are so much "better informed").

Through most of this confrontation, I could hardly get a word in edge-wise, and was not only cussed, but frequently shouted down (in true Regressive freedom of speech fashion). However, two positive things did come from the encounter...

One, I did manage to get him to admit that the Left isn't truly interested in gun control, like they claim. In the heat of his argument, when I pressed the question of what new gun law would actually work to prevent mass shootings, he yelled angrily, "completely banning them altogether!"

And two... He managed to reaffirm my original assertion that you can't truly argue with a Left-wing Regressive. If someone creates their own facts and reality, it's pointless to try and change their mind, or present actual evidence.

All in all, it reminded me of a quote from a famous science fiction author, Robert Heinlein... "Never try to teach a pig to whistle. You'll only end up looking foolish, and you'll frustrate the hell out of the pig."