that whole economic stimulus thing is a joke - our economy stinks and I can't go to Ireland this year. Why don't some of you from countries that aren't mired in recession come over here this summer? I'll buy you at least one pint...
...and you can hang out/crash at my place on the way if need be. Although there's only one loo. . .unless you count the back yard (It's a Michigan guy thing, I guess).
Although gasoline has gone up, in comparison to Europe it's quite low. Gasoline has always been a variable, and although it effects the prices of other things, some things in life actually cost less than they did 20 -30years ago comparison wise. It's just that we have become more disposable with our incomes and the items we buy and rebuy. Also, the economy is still showing growth and the fact is that we aren't in a recession... the numbers are always labeled "surprising" when it doesn't go the way the more socialist amongst us would like. The worst thing for our economy now would be higher taxes of any kind and unfortunately it looks as though O'Bama (He is part Irish) is going to go after "big oil." That often makes me laugh... insert other big industry in there... "big diaper" "big toiletries" " big snack food..." What about "big Hollywood"... What we should be fearing is "big government" But then again I say POWER TO THE PEOPLE! And right now that isn't represented in McCain, Hillary or O'Bama... We need to be very careful that we don't end up wprking for the government rather than the government working for us. Europe is starting to feel some of that pain right now...
wow - what I thought was a lighthearted plea for someone to come to my neck of the woods and play tunes has elicited comments ranging from the futility of wastewater infrastructure in large cities to global warming to ack, politics. Fascinating...
So you're really looking for musical stimulus, not economic. And I'm all for it... I have lots of guest room... Let me know if you want to visit and play some tunes!
Oh, and I think the gas prices thing is affecting the US economy more than Europ because our prices have risen relatively more. Fuel has always been fairly expensive in various parts of Europe, partially due to heavy taxation (not that we don't have that here too...), but the economy is used to those prices. In looking at some data on the web from the US Dept. of Energy, UK fuel prices have risen about 159% in the last 3 years, Germany prices are up about 115%, but US prices have risen about 227%. So considering that fuel prices affect the price of pretty much everything, our economy has had a bigger impact to try to absorb. (Oh, that, and the price tag of the war... but I try not to get political on this website...)
Well thanks for your efforts to cheer me up McCracken, but I have this infallible economic indicator called my wallet. But you're right - "the economy stinks" isn't exactly politically neutral. And thanks for the offer Rev - we have lots of space here too. We're heading up to Weiser in a couple of weeks - if it weren't for the stinkin' gas prices we'd just keep driving. If we ever do make it out your way though, I'd want a t-shirt to commemorate the journey...
We here in the UK can't afford to go over there. In fact, we can't afford anything much right now, and it's going to get a lot lot worse. Enough of this positive rubbish - bring back negativity. We're all going to hell in a hand-basket.
There's room to stay here on the eastern shore of the lovely Delaware River in our nation's most taxed State, New jersey. Although why someone would come here voluntarily I'll never know. Did you know that there isn't a single toll to be paid as one enters New Jersey but a slew of them as one tries to leave. Know why? It's simple really, folks will gladly pay to leave.
Funny how things work, I received this today:
"What is a 'billion'? Now here's a reality check! This is too true to be very funny. The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money.
A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.
A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.
C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were Living in the Stone Age
D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.
E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.
While this thought is still fresh in our brain, let's take a look at
New Orleans. It is amazing what you can learn with some simple division Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D), is presently asking the Congress for $250 BILLION to rebuild New Orleans . Interesting number, what does it mean?
A. Well, if you are one of 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, and child), you each get $516,528.
B. Or, if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans, your home gets $1,329,787.
C. Or, if you are a family of four, your family Gets $2,066,012
Washington, D.C. HELLO! ... Are all your calculators broken?
Tax his land,
Tax his wage,
Tax his bed in which he lays.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes are the rule.
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirts,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he tries to think.
Tax his booze,
Tax his beers,
If he cries, Tax his tears.
Tax his bills,
Tax his gas,
Tax his notes,
Tax his cash.
Tax him good and let him know
That after taxes, he has no dough.
If he hollers, Tax him more,
Tax him until he's good and sore.
Tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in which he lays.
Put these words upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me to my doom!'
And when he's gone,
We won't relax,
We'll still be after the inheritance TAX!!
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax),
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax),
Liquor Tax,
Luxury Tax,
Marriage License Tax,
Medicare Tax,
Property Tax,
Real Estate Tax,
Service charge taxes,
Social Security Tax,
Road Usage Tax (Truckers),
Sales Taxes,
Recreational Vehicle Tax,
School Tax,
State Income Tax,
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),
Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax,
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
Telephone State and Local Tax,
Telephone Usage Charge Tax,
Utility Tax,
Vehicle License Registration Tax,
Vehicle Sales Tax,
Watercraft Registration Tax,
Well Permit Tax,
Workers Compensation Tax"
What's the price for a gallon of gasoline in the states? In Germany, we have to pay 1.5 euros per litre, that's 5.60 euro per gallon, which is around 8.60 dollars (US).
Well SWFL Fiddler I don't remember that really, but I did hear and read of it whilst in school. But then again I heard and read of a number of things whilst in school that I've learned since are quite false.
I do remember my mother telling me that money didn't grow on trees. I suppose in those homes where the politicians grew up they spoke of, and probably had, a money tree. I guess me ma was lying to me or maybe money really does grow on trees, the trees every politician thinks we all have in great store apparently.
I remember when you could drag a mammoth into a cave, beat it senseless and skin it, eat the back legs and still have enough to feed a tribe of twenty for a month. Ah, those were the days!
I remember during the Age of Enlightenment when we thought that by the 21st century, all government would have withered away and died because it's useless.
HA HA HA! Pretty funny, eh? Boy, did we let those guys down. We stink.
Awwww, my comment about the loo was only so that someone doesn't show up thinking that the Batchelor Pad (aka "Heartbreak Hotel") is like the Waldorf-Astoria or something. Actually I have plenty of space to hang out and play, lots of parking, and very laid-back neighbors. So if you're passing through. . .
Now if I could just find a job so that I can stay ahead of the payments. . .
Yeah. Why don't we just get rid of the government entirely. It's not like we really need roads, or schools, or a national defense. And privatizing everything is really working out well for the American middle class.
But seriously, what amazes me is that we are willing to pay more for inferior services provided by bloated corporations, for fear that a few of our tax dollars might go to paying for someone else...Like say when their whole city is destroyed due to massive negligence.
"Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society." -Oliver Wendell Holmes
Sorry for the political response. Off to ogle some mandolins.
'I remember when you could drag a mammoth into a cave, beat it senseless and skin it, eat the back legs and still have enough to feed a tribe of twenty for a month. Ah, those were the days!'
Mark Harmer, you were lucky! We didn't even have our own cave! We used to crawl out of a rotten, stinking log with our bodies covered in leeches in the middle of the night to dig pits for sabre-tooth tigers and then our Dad would force us to play dead next to the pits as a lure for said primordial beasts. If you were lucky you only lost the odd arm, leg or head, and, if you were unlucky, we fed on you for the next couple of days.
And you tell that to the youth of today and they won't believe you!
Mind you, all this happened in Wolverhampton in the mid-1970s.
You should be more careful with what you put on the interet....you can never tell who is tracking you!
With an attutude like yours, at best they might not let you on a flight again....at worst, they might put on an unmarked flight to Cuba or some garden spot where accomodations are something less than the Waldorf.
Oops. getting political again. Need go give some advice to the new poster worried about the legitimacy of spots in ITM!
"...Gasoline has always been a variable, and although it effects the prices of other things, some things in life actually cost less than they did 20 -30years ago comparison wise..."
This "comparison" drives me nuts! The 70s happened 30+ years ago. Why not say "prices of goods and services during economy of Depression were relatively far higher (on a per capita income basis) than the prices we're experiencing today..." or "What does it matter, a little increase in prices? At least we don't have the Plague to contend with like those poor bastards in the 14th century..."
I live in the present. I'm effected by the current economic fluctuations. The "70s were just as bad" argument is pointless.
Also, comparing gas prices in the US to those in Europe is ridiculous! European gas prices have been sky high for decades. Here in the US, on the other hand, we have built an economic machine that relies to a great extent on abundant, cheap gas.
The current "sting" at the gas pump is a harbinger of far worse things to come. Relativising the problem by comparing two very different economic models or harkening back to the gas lines of the 70s says nothing about what's happening in the US NOW!
"Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society."
I agree. Anti-tax people would perhaps prefer to live under a Saudi type of "government"--but remember there's that pesky religious tax. The current administration is particularly fond of the Saudis... Hmmm...
And those out there praising taxes invariably receive more than they're paying out. Narcissistic leeches will bleed the West bone dry, and soon. Shucks, jess call me Giambattista Vico...
sorry I made such a big deal out of your guest bathroom tomw - someone told that a favorite joke to play on tourists inquiring about the location of the pub's bathroom in Ireland is to tell them it's out the back door, about 75 feet, over the stone wall, where you'll find a field...
Airport,
May see you in Weiser, not that I would recognize you. Look for the five-string banjo player doing Dixie Breakdown wishing he was playing guitar to ITM instead.
If they actually spent the tax money on schools and roads instead of bailing out ruling class bankers and feeding parasitic corporations sucking off the Federal teat, then the argument about the wonderfulness of government might make some sense.
Ah, nothing like a nice, contemplative stroll around Walden Pond on a lovely summer's day...
"If they actually spent the tax money on schools and roads..."
I agree, but "tax revolts" like California's Proposition 13 are evidence that a majority of people don't want to pay taxes regardless of what the tax monies are used for--and so it goes... In the US, the political trend for the past 30+ years has been to vilify taxes. "Cut taxes" has become a meme of sorts. Talk of raising taxes has become a formula for political suicide. But at what cost?The consequences, once relatively easy to ignore, are now becoming painfully obvious. And while the social structure has become increasingly more vapid and apathetic (aka, dumbed down), the Infrastructure (capital "I") has fallen into great disrepair, schools are understaffed and overstressed, on and on... Where's the money going to come from to fix things? More borrowing from China? Just curious.
real economic stimulus
real economic stimulus
that whole economic stimulus thing is a joke - our economy stinks and I can't go to Ireland this year. Why don't some of you from countries that aren't mired in recession come over here this summer? I'll buy you at least one pint...
# Posted on May 29th 2008 by airport
Re: real economic stimulus
...and you can hang out/crash at my place on the way if need be. Although there's only one loo. . .unless you count the back yard (It's a Michigan guy thing, I guess).
# Posted on May 29th 2008 by tomw
Re: real economic stimulus
Sure, stop by, take the grand tour, though it's only May and the high was 93 today. Maybe in January? Ah, Florida...
# Posted on May 29th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: real economic stimulus
93! In that case you should come here too - it's 65 and cloudy and likely to remain that way until July
# Posted on May 29th 2008 by airport
Re: real economic stimulus
Although gasoline has gone up, in comparison to Europe it's quite low. Gasoline has always been a variable, and although it effects the prices of other things, some things in life actually cost less than they did 20 -30years ago comparison wise. It's just that we have become more disposable with our incomes and the items we buy and rebuy. Also, the economy is still showing growth and the fact is that we aren't in a recession... the numbers are always labeled "surprising" when it doesn't go the way the more socialist amongst us would like. The worst thing for our economy now would be higher taxes of any kind and unfortunately it looks as though O'Bama (He is part Irish) is going to go after "big oil." That often makes me laugh... insert other big industry in there... "big diaper" "big toiletries" " big snack food..." What about "big Hollywood"... What we should be fearing is "big government" But then again I say POWER TO THE PEOPLE! And right now that isn't represented in McCain, Hillary or O'Bama... We need to be very careful that we don't end up wprking for the government rather than the government working for us. Europe is starting to feel some of that pain right now...
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by McCracken
Re: real economic stimulus
wow - what I thought was a lighthearted plea for someone to come to my neck of the woods and play tunes has elicited comments ranging from the futility of wastewater infrastructure in large cities to global warming to ack, politics. Fascinating...
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by airport
Re: real economic stimulus
What, you want some of *us* to go to *you*? In the States?
But it's full of Americans.
How can you "have a nice day" when there are Americans about?
(just joking)
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: real economic stimulus
Politics? You brought it up... policies+politics---
Airport, I was just trying to cheer you up! If you read my post it's very positive... Don't buy the negativity! Power to the people!
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by McCracken
Re: real economic stimulus
So you're really looking for musical stimulus, not economic. And I'm all for it... I have lots of guest room... Let me know if you want to visit and play some tunes!
Oh, and I think the gas prices thing is affecting the US economy more than Europ because our prices have risen relatively more. Fuel has always been fairly expensive in various parts of Europe, partially due to heavy taxation (not that we don't have that here too...), but the economy is used to those prices. In looking at some data on the web from the US Dept. of Energy, UK fuel prices have risen about 159% in the last 3 years, Germany prices are up about 115%, but US prices have risen about 227%. So considering that fuel prices affect the price of pretty much everything, our economy has had a bigger impact to try to absorb. (Oh, that, and the price tag of the war... but I try not to get political on this website...)
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by Reverend
Re: real economic stimulus
uhhh, add an 'e' on the end of 'Europ', if you would be so kind...
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by Reverend
Re: real economic stimulus
Well thanks for your efforts to cheer me up McCracken, but I have this infallible economic indicator called my wallet. But you're right - "the economy stinks" isn't exactly politically neutral. And thanks for the offer Rev - we have lots of space here too. We're heading up to Weiser in a couple of weeks - if it weren't for the stinkin' gas prices we'd just keep driving. If we ever do make it out your way though, I'd want a t-shirt to commemorate the journey...
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by airport
Re: real economic stimulus
I don't think they should use the term "stimulus" & "package" together.
I've noticed there are an awful lot of sales on matresses across the land lately.
It happens on Presidents Day as well.
Hmmm, this land was your land, this land was my land .
Got Gas?
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by Bodhi
Re: real economic stimulus
We here in the UK can't afford to go over there. In fact, we can't afford anything much right now, and it's going to get a lot lot worse. Enough of this positive rubbish - bring back negativity. We're all going to hell in a hand-basket.
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: real economic stimulus
I hear that the U.K. is getting ready to ban drinking booze on the bus.
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by Bodhi
Re: real economic stimulus
Yes, Dung, those drivers need to be taught some moderation.
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by strayaway
Re: real economic stimulus
There's room to stay here on the eastern shore of the lovely Delaware River in our nation's most taxed State, New jersey. Although why someone would come here voluntarily I'll never know. Did you know that there isn't a single toll to be paid as one enters New Jersey but a slew of them as one tries to leave. Know why? It's simple really, folks will gladly pay to leave.
Funny how things work, I received this today:
"What is a 'billion'? Now here's a reality check! This is too true to be very funny. The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money.
A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.
A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.
C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were Living in the Stone Age
D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.
E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.
While this thought is still fresh in our brain, let's take a look at
New Orleans. It is amazing what you can learn with some simple division Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D), is presently asking the Congress for $250 BILLION to rebuild New Orleans . Interesting number, what does it mean?
A. Well, if you are one of 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, and child), you each get $516,528.
B. Or, if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans, your home gets $1,329,787.
C. Or, if you are a family of four, your family Gets $2,066,012
Washington, D.C. HELLO! ... Are all your calculators broken?
Tax his land,
Tax his wage,
Tax his bed in which he lays.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes are the rule.
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirts,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he tries to think.
Tax his booze,
Tax his beers,
If he cries, Tax his tears.
Tax his bills,
Tax his gas,
Tax his notes,
Tax his cash.
Tax him good and let him know
That after taxes, he has no dough.
If he hollers, Tax him more,
Tax him until he's good and sore.
Tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in which he lays.
Put these words upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me to my doom!'
And when he's gone,
We won't relax,
We'll still be after the inheritance TAX!!
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax),
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax),
Liquor Tax,
Luxury Tax,
Marriage License Tax,
Medicare Tax,
Property Tax,
Real Estate Tax,
Service charge taxes,
Social Security Tax,
Road Usage Tax (Truckers),
Sales Taxes,
Recreational Vehicle Tax,
School Tax,
State Income Tax,
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),
Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax,
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
Telephone State and Local Tax,
Telephone Usage Charge Tax,
Utility Tax,
Vehicle License Registration Tax,
Vehicle Sales Tax,
Watercraft Registration Tax,
Well Permit Tax,
Workers Compensation Tax"
Opened my eyes a bit wider it did!
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by ejsant
Re: real economic stimulus
Now here's the real kicker. Remember we fought a revolution once over being taxed? Ah, the good ol' days...
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: real economic stimulus
What's the price for a gallon of gasoline in the states? In Germany, we have to pay 1.5 euros per litre, that's 5.60 euro per gallon, which is around 8.60 dollars (US).
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by s.g.
Re: real economic stimulus
gas is half that here. no cause to complain, really.
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by leoj
Re: real economic stimulus
Well SWFL Fiddler I don't remember that really, but I did hear and read of it whilst in school. But then again I heard and read of a number of things whilst in school that I've learned since are quite false.
I do remember my mother telling me that money didn't grow on trees. I suppose in those homes where the politicians grew up they spoke of, and probably had, a money tree. I guess me ma was lying to me or maybe money really does grow on trees, the trees every politician thinks we all have in great store apparently.
All the best!
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by ejsant
Re: real economic stimulus
A billion hours ago there was no such thing as tax. The good old days?
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by kjay_bc_box
Re: real economic stimulus
I remember when you could drag a mammoth into a cave, beat it senseless and skin it, eat the back legs and still have enough to feed a tribe of twenty for a month. Ah, those were the days!
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by Mark Harmer
Re: real economic stimulus
I remember during the Age of Enlightenment when we thought that by the 21st century, all government would have withered away and died because it's useless.
HA HA HA! Pretty funny, eh? Boy, did we let those guys down. We stink.
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: real economic stimulus
Awwww, my comment about the loo was only so that someone doesn't show up thinking that the Batchelor Pad (aka "Heartbreak Hotel") is like the Waldorf-Astoria or something. Actually I have plenty of space to hang out and play, lots of parking, and very laid-back neighbors. So if you're passing through. . .
Now if I could just find a job so that I can stay ahead of the payments. . .
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by tomw
Re: real economic stimulus
Yeah. Why don't we just get rid of the government entirely. It's not like we really need roads, or schools, or a national defense. And privatizing everything is really working out well for the American middle class.
But seriously, what amazes me is that we are willing to pay more for inferior services provided by bloated corporations, for fear that a few of our tax dollars might go to paying for someone else...Like say when their whole city is destroyed due to massive negligence.
"Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society." -Oliver Wendell Holmes
Sorry for the political response. Off to ogle some mandolins.
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by North Light
Re: real economic stimulus
'I remember when you could drag a mammoth into a cave, beat it senseless and skin it, eat the back legs and still have enough to feed a tribe of twenty for a month. Ah, those were the days!'
Mark Harmer, you were lucky! We didn't even have our own cave! We used to crawl out of a rotten, stinking log with our bodies covered in leeches in the middle of the night to dig pits for sabre-tooth tigers and then our Dad would force us to play dead next to the pits as a lure for said primordial beasts. If you were lucky you only lost the odd arm, leg or head, and, if you were unlucky, we fed on you for the next couple of days.
And you tell that to the youth of today and they won't believe you!
Mind you, all this happened in Wolverhampton in the mid-1970s.
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by Floss the Tethers
Re: real economic stimulus
North Light
You should be more careful with what you put on the interet....you can never tell who is tracking you!
With an attutude like yours, at best they might not let you on a flight again....at worst, they might put on an unmarked flight to Cuba or some garden spot where accomodations are something less than the Waldorf.
Oops. getting political again. Need go give some advice to the new poster worried about the legitimacy of spots in ITM!
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by zippydw
Re: real economic stimulus
"need to go" can't type worth a @#%
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by zippydw
Re: real economic stimulus
"...Gasoline has always been a variable, and although it effects the prices of other things, some things in life actually cost less than they did 20 -30years ago comparison wise..."
This "comparison" drives me nuts! The 70s happened 30+ years ago. Why not say "prices of goods and services during economy of Depression were relatively far higher (on a per capita income basis) than the prices we're experiencing today..." or "What does it matter, a little increase in prices? At least we don't have the Plague to contend with like those poor bastards in the 14th century..."
I live in the present. I'm effected by the current economic fluctuations. The "70s were just as bad" argument is pointless.
Also, comparing gas prices in the US to those in Europe is ridiculous! European gas prices have been sky high for decades. Here in the US, on the other hand, we have built an economic machine that relies to a great extent on abundant, cheap gas.
The current "sting" at the gas pump is a harbinger of far worse things to come. Relativising the problem by comparing two very different economic models or harkening back to the gas lines of the 70s says nothing about what's happening in the US NOW!
"Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society."
I agree. Anti-tax people would perhaps prefer to live under a Saudi type of "government"--but remember there's that pesky religious tax. The current administration is particularly fond of the Saudis... Hmmm...
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by gw
Re: real economic stimulus
ejsant--
Right on and bless you, brother.
And those out there praising taxes invariably receive more than they're paying out. Narcissistic leeches will bleed the West bone dry, and soon. Shucks, jess call me Giambattista Vico...
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by NEW Pure Drop® Ear Canal Oil
Re: real economic stimulus
sorry I made such a big deal out of your guest bathroom tomw - someone told that a favorite joke to play on tourists inquiring about the location of the pub's bathroom in Ireland is to tell them it's out the back door, about 75 feet, over the stone wall, where you'll find a field...
# Posted on May 30th 2008 by airport
Re: real economic stimulus
In Layman terms it really IS a REALITY CHEQUE!
—mission accomplished.
# Posted on May 31st 2008 by Bodhi
Re: real economic stimulus
Airport,
May see you in Weiser, not that I would recognize you. Look for the five-string banjo player doing Dixie Breakdown wishing he was playing guitar to ITM instead.
# Posted on May 31st 2008 by ayedbl
Re: real economic stimulus
I always figure that people who have the luxury to complain about living in the U.S. economy are the luckiest people on the earth.
# Posted on May 31st 2008 by jwvansteenwyk
Re: real economic stimulus
Ah Oliver Wendell, the old Calvinist Aristocrat.
If they actually spent the tax money on schools and roads instead of bailing out ruling class bankers and feeding parasitic corporations sucking off the Federal teat, then the argument about the wonderfulness of government might make some sense.
Until then, I'll stick with Thoreau.
# Posted on May 31st 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: real economic stimulus
Ah, nothing like a nice, contemplative stroll around Walden Pond on a lovely summer's day...
"If they actually spent the tax money on schools and roads..."
I agree, but "tax revolts" like California's Proposition 13 are evidence that a majority of people don't want to pay taxes regardless of what the tax monies are used for--and so it goes... In the US, the political trend for the past 30+ years has been to vilify taxes. "Cut taxes" has become a meme of sorts. Talk of raising taxes has become a formula for political suicide. But at what cost?The consequences, once relatively easy to ignore, are now becoming painfully obvious. And while the social structure has become increasingly more vapid and apathetic (aka, dumbed down), the Infrastructure (capital "I") has fallen into great disrepair, schools are understaffed and overstressed, on and on... Where's the money going to come from to fix things? More borrowing from China? Just curious.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_13_(1978)
# Posted on May 31st 2008 by gw
Re: real economic stimulus
Ayedbl,
It'd be fun to have an Irish tune or two at Weiser - I'll send you an email.
Also I thought ovo-lacto-vegetarians were the luckiest people since they only eat giant chocolate chip cookies.
# Posted on May 31st 2008 by airport
Re: real economic stimulus
"...out the back door, about 75 feet, over the stone wall, where you'll find a field..."
...I'd feel right at home.
# Posted on May 31st 2008 by tomw
Re: real economic stimulus
From what I've heard come out of there... it would be great to hear a TUNE at Weiser... The contest styale is not for my ears!
# Posted on June 2nd 2008 by McCracken