Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Tax reform ... before it is too late

We find our self at a cross roads, either the end of America or the beginning. Similarly, we are at either the end of the world or the beginning. Say what? At least that is what the Obama administration would have you believe, crisis is power. Arrogance is power. Hold the boat… things are not that bad. We are just suffering under poor and irrational leadership. The amount of natural resource in the U.S. has not changed…. Ditto the world. The air is cleaner, the people better educated …(not in the U.S. but in other countries).


One of my favorite John Wooden quotes is never confuse activity with achievement. This is true for every organization in the world. Unfortunately the United States has been favoring activity and crucifying achievement.

The green agenda… the end of productive industries carries with it tons of processes (activity). The Obama agenda … the end of productive individuals carries with it tons of processes (activity).  Are we really better off without productive industries and people? What is the point of winning the lottery if you have to give everything you won to those who lost?

OK. Let’s keep this simple … not confusing activity for achievement.

Green agenda… Immediately fund the planting of trees and leafy plants. Every young person prior to attending higher academia or entering the work force will spend 1 year of volunteer labor reforesting the globe, 10 Billion trees by 2020. Problem solved.

Now for rebuilding the United States and thereby the world; let us focus on cause and correction.

Problem: Housing market has been destroyed

Congress (2007) and their Government Sponsored Entities(GSEs) collapsed the housing market of the U.S. by changing the lending rules after people had invested in low interest teaser loans.  They did this without grandfathering existing loans.   Purposefully to create a crisis to forward their agenda (activity).

Solution:

It is virtually impossible to have too much housing supply in a country with a growing population. In order to restore the housing market, we need to re-enable purchasing. We should have a national housing sale. Price is irrelevant, sell the mortgage but at reduced interest rate. If the mortgage is greater than the price of the house, sell the financing. Works in the auto industry, it will work for houses. Market will recover quickly.  Interest cost to the government is near zero.

Problem financial insolvency of the government (state(s), federal)

Congress (2007) and the Obama administration has traded big government for productive industries and individuals. This is unsustainable.

It is virtually impossible to have too little government in a country with highly productive individuals and industries. As the number of failed businesses and individuals increases, the requirement for government services also seems to increase. Unfortunately, this is a false relationship. The greater the investment in government, the less resources become available for private investment.  Obama is simply creating an "Idiocracy".

Solution:

Revert government budgets to 2006 levels. Phase in government layoffs slowly over the course of a year. Change the tax basis for the country as follows:

1) Make the Bush tax cuts permanent except for the upper rate.

2) Eliminate all payroll taxes (not the income tax)

3) Phase in a federal sales tax not a VAT.

This broadens the tax basis(illegal workers and wealthy), while reducing the incentive to ship jobs overseas. It also directly benefits small and large business.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Obama'd or simply Bama'd

Listening to a staunch Obama supporter (Black/Socialist) at a recent town hall meeting... It became clear to me that the whole country has been Bama'd. Hot dogs and beans for everyone. Even government affirmative action hires making 6 figure salaries with tons of overtime and amazing benefits are feeling the loss of America. Trickle up poverty... communism ... the lack of economic progress is painful for everyone. Government has grown so large, takes so much, that even the government elite are now being threatened. As the marginal rate of investment in government approaches 60 percent,  the size of the supporting economy is shrinking at an ever increasing rate.


Shouldn't surprise anyone. If you look at his roots; president Obama had three major influences in his life prior to taking office. His father (Islamic), his minister(Black liberation theology) and his schooling (communist). Organized near to far Islam, radical communism and progressive communism; all three groups hate the United States and work for our demise.

Meanwhile ... and let's be clear on this ... the Obama administration (people) have been running the check book of the country since sweeping both houses of congress in 2006(Obama, Dodd, Reid, Pelosi and Frank). They took down the housing market by manipulating the mortgage lending policies and setting the asset ratio requirements for the primary and secondary mortgage markets through the Government Sponsored Entities(GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac(managed by Obama/Reid/Dodd).

I suspect they did not want to risk dealing with 4.4 % unemployment and a growing economy before Obama's election.

Now we as a nation have been Bama'd. Virtually every aspect of American life is in the "shitter". What now?

The good news is ... it's not too late. We must vote every democratic candidate out of office. It doesn't matter if we vote in a cat or a dog. They will make better decisions. At least they will not actively seek to take our country farther down the road to communism. Left unchecked, the current administration can find its way to a communist dictatorship. Things can get so bad... that for the safety of the country and the ruling elite... marshal law must be declared.

I recently spoke with a young government elite. His opinion was that the current path is flawed because you and I("the ants") are still allowed to make decisions. With our limited educations, we lack the ability to make good choices. Government "minders" and a benevolent dictatorship is the only way to save what is left of failed capitalism.

I asked him if he could provide two examples of successful socialist dictatorships(last 100 years)... that are not simply selling natural resources as their economic staple ..? He immediately spoke. "Germany"..."Iran"...

After a moment of thought he quipped

"That doesn't sound that great"...." just send money... I have a PHD ...I'll get it done right".

Bama'd...



GPC Passing Through

Monday, June 7, 2010

a world of shit...


Shit happens, shit sucks and we are now stuck in a world of shit.

That pretty much sums of 3+ years of liberal, progressive rule.  In 2007 Obama, Reid, Pelosi, Frank and Dodd took control of the house, senate, administrative, and judicial aspects of the U.S government.  This was followed by the executive branch in 2008.  Every financial indicator in the world began a rapid descent to total collapse in 2007.

Not only have they led the U.S. into despair, they have dragged the entire world along for the ride.  Tarp, auto bailouts, union bailouts,  government takeover of virtually every industry.  Home equity/spreading the wealth and fascism encroaching into every aspect of our lives... change we can believe in? 

In their misguided attempts to protect the economy, they forced domestic oil exploration into high risk deep water wells.   Meanwhile Cuba leases the rights to drill off our coast in shallow water...to China? Makes a lot of sense.   Nuclear weapons for Iran, and a hero's Mosque to celebrate 9/11.

Unemployment... 95% of every job created is a temporary government job... counted 2 or 3 times?  We prosecute our nations heroes and look the other way at Chicago style politics ... as usual.

Trickle up poverty for everyone?

Union wages up?

Government wages up?

A new oxymoron ... Government Prosperity... for the liberal elite?

Hope, change?  A world of shit is change.

GPC passing through

Sunday, April 25, 2010

The Green Job and Liberal Idiocy


I was visiting my family in San Diego and discussing "Green Jobs".   My step daughter was contending that President Obama had created millions of "Green Jobs".  They are just cropping up everywhere. 

Not according to the national unemployment rates.   

Being rather open minded, I started off in search of anyone who had actually witnessed a "Green Job".  The only ones I could find seem to be government employees who are responsible for accounting for "Green Jobs"....Even they are losing their jobs.

Where or where could a green job be?
... And then I found it ... A Green Job.   
As I was walking along the trail bordering the beach... 
I saw it.   

A middle aged white male was lamenting the end of his unemployment benefits.   He was talking to a friend who was unloading his surfing gear, about the friend's recent unemployment.   

The first gentleman had experienced a full dose of  President Obama's "trickle up poverty".  He had received 6 months of termination benefits and extended unemployment benefits.   The later unemployed had not.   They both had lost their homes, and were about to lose their cars.  The first had also lost his wife and family.  The stress of trickle up poverty, spreading the wealth,  seems very real, to those not affirmed by the government or its preferred unions.

But then...out of the corner of my eye...along came a well groomed, well attired middle aged white male riding a bicycle.  He had three baskets.  One on each side of the rear tire and a front basket.  He stopped at each waste receptacle and rummaged for the plastic, aluminum and paper he could extract.  He then carefully placed them in a plastic bag (sorted by basket).  In a former time, he would have sought venture capital, founded a company.   Obama and the federal government now consume virtually all credit.  Some small amount remaining is dispersed based on government priorities.  The green job agenda...a nice bicycle?
   
Not to belittle the point I had witnessed a "Green Job" ... the first and only one to be witnessed personally by anyone I know.

Well so much for poppycock.   Sort of.

I was discussing politics with two liberal associates at a local pub. They are both beyond "just" liberal.  They are extreme.   As we would debate, the often quoted "Obama" truths... as they had no facts other than Obama truths. I had misquoted the population of Afghanistan.   I thought it was a small poor country, on the order of Colorado in size/population.  They were quick to point out (after IPod lookup)  that I was off by a digit.   It was more like an impoverished Florida. 

[Note]
An Obama truth is a statement made by  President Obama, which is then held out as truth, simply because President Obama uttered it.  If spoken loudly enough it carries more weight.
....
We ventured into the topic of immigration reform.  

Liberal ...
Their belief was that the United States should not discriminate against any person from any country, total inclusion... sort off.   For example, sealing our border is illegal and racist, unless we deny access to all persons from all countries.  We have no right to impede anyone from crossing the border whether by air or ground.  Also, we should focus "quotas" for access based on education level, or other metrics determined by liberal government employees.  

Me ...
I wonder who  an immigrant college professor would vote for?
I pointed out that my preference would be to have open borders and friendly/welcoming work policies for our neighbors.  I would like to restore manufacturing, have low cost/taxation manufacturing zones both with Canada and Mexico.  I would double the GDP by eliminating taxes which affect cost of goods sold, restore self sufficiency.  I wanted to bring and end to our good neighbors having to hide in the shadows... just to work?  

Liberal ...
They called me racist and discriminatory.
Their is no such thing as a neighbor.    
How could I exclude the Middle East, Asia.  
Mexicans (they pointed out) are poorly educated and only capable of jobs Americans prefer not to do.  
Chinese, Russians, Saudis they are well educated and capable of significant contributions.

Me ...
I defined a neighbor as someone  who can simply walk over when they come to visit.
Neighbors are welcomed. 
I tried to point out that their approach was elitist and naive, as it discriminated against the poor and disadvantaged who could not afford an airline ticket and passport.
I also indicated that they could be educated and would be capable of  higher level employment, limited only by their ambition and ability.   

Liberal ...
Ha.. one had spent extensive time in Arizona.  I can be assured they are not capable...  

Me...
Really?
I pointed out that Mexico and the vast majority of Mexicans are our good neighbors, and should be welcomed to work in our country, but must earn citizenship.  As a country we are no longer trying to settle a frontier.  Guest workers should be welcome, as long as they obey our laws, but they are not automatically entitled to citizenship.  Guest workers should have different benefits than citizens.  If they want to earn citizenship, than that should be possible. 

Liberal ...
Earn citizenship... what do I mean by that?
Racist....

Me ...
I implied spending some time, learning English and the basics of our constitution.   

English because it is the world wide language of business and I want to partner with them in commerce around the world.   Starting with south and central America.


Liberal ...
They immediately cried racist.  Earn citizenship, Am I trying to limit the vote?
They disagreed with earning citizenship or with encouraging guest worker relationships with our bordering neighbors.   Why not Iran, China or Russia? , saying that well educated Europeans/Asians/Middle Asians should be preferred... as they provide immediate value.  

Me ...
Hmm.. they could provide for more "spreading of the wealth".  
 I pointed out that they should be encouraged to visit, but should use their educations for the benefit of their own societies.   


...
The debate went on and on.  Then it dawned on me.   The liberal who has drank the cool aid is not capable of independent or pragmatic thought.   The facts and their conclusions are all predicated on liberal elitism.    They don't care or even consider that we have a responsibility to not treat an entire race(Mexican illegals) as though they are essentially slaves.   

Could it be that the party of slavery (Democrats)... the party that filibustered the civil rights vote(Democrats)  ... the party(of war) that drafted millions of poorly educated young people to fight their war in Vietnam(Democrats)...actually prefers subjugating a race for their own liberal elitist ideals?  Spreading the wealth?

GPC Passing Through



Saturday, April 3, 2010

They ...We

We hear all the time about the recent great recession and "They" whose behavior caused it. The issue is not just how it happend but also who are "They".


"They" are a group of real people acting in their own self interest. "They" are the democatratic leadership who took control of congress as a result of the congressional elections in November 2007. They controll 90 percent of the economy of the United States, and have for the last 3+ years.

As Rahm Emanuel says.. “Rule one: Never allow a crisis to go to waste,”. So rule ...zero... create the crisis... it will allow you to accomplish more than you could otherwise. The great recession is all about setting the stage for the progressive, socialist agenda.

"They" needed a "Perfect Storm" to accomplish "a significant majority" for change. (http://riverviewobserver.net/2008/10/2008-presidential-election-the-perfect-storm-of-an-election-is-coming-our-way%E2%80%A6/ ). This was echoed as a talking point all through the liberal presss leading up to the 2008 election.

Barack Obama, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Chris Dodd, Rahm Emanual and Barney Frank have been running the country since 2007. They have been in control of the house of representatives, the senate, the judiciary, administrative branches of government and the commerce/trade regulations since that time.

What is the administrative branch? After forty plus years of affirmative action, we now have a government that does not reflect the political make up of the people. If you are a goverment worker "You" work for "They".   If "You" are a government worker, almost guaranteed,  "You" are a progressive democrat. "You" control every aspect of the execution of government. "You" set the asset ratio requirements for refinancing home loans. "You" determine the requirements on a case by case basis for voter registration. "You" count the vote. You determine the demographic profile for investment, loans, hiring, health care. "You" determine whether a "bad home owner" should be grand fathered or forclosed on when disenfranchised as part of a planned perfect storm. "You" reset asset ratio requirements for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under the direction of Barney Frank. "You" determine what the parameters will be for FHA loans and thereby create 3.5 million toxic assets... formerly valuable homes in California, Florida, Arizona, Georgia... "You" take over the banking industry and determine who succeeds and who fails. "You" transfer the wealth from one generation to the government. Wonder what "They" will do with all of the toxic assets.

After all ... We the previous owners and our equity vaporized in a massive series of terrorist attacks...Oh that didn't happen... really. While "We" are living with our parents, kids, friends, etc. "They" are trying to determine what to do with our former houses. Really "They"? The equity is go to belong to "They". ...the returned tarp funds to "They"... GM..."They" .... Chrysler... They...fill in the blanks ..."They"

Accidental? ... the great recession, the housing collapse, the devastation of the economy, 9.7 percent unemployment... Hardly ... the deliberate work of "They". Unwittenly, we have been and are continuing to be duped by a politial machine implementing National Progressivism.

"They" do not care if every middle class American is out of work or in foreclosure. When polled "They" have a positive outlook on the future of America". "They" are earning and hiring at record levels with enormous salaries (>= 170,000$ per year) and benefits (http://www.foxbusiness.com/search-results/m/27906803/report-government-pay-surging.htm).

"They" are spreading the wealth of an entire generation of working middle class Americans to themselves and their constituents. "They" are the government elite.

We are the trickle up poor. According to them, and their press, we are the bad, the socially clueless and the  guilty. 

"They" are selling this agenda via supportive government elites "to be". Through affirmative action, one group of government elites... the super preferred ... will direct commerce to lessor worker classes of government preferred/affirmed. Ultimately, we the trickle up poor will pay for our own demise.

The health care reform act is the dagger in the heart of American liberty. Progressive judges will attempt to legislate the right of government to direct purchasing of products which "They" specify. The camel's nose is already under the tent. ...optional soon to be mandatory fines, impisonment or both. If you can be forced to purchase a governement approved product, then all personal liberty in the United States is over.

"They" will direct the products to be produced and by which companies. "They" will determine the out come of every commercial... government elite approved transaction. For example, We can buy a Toyota, or Honda or VW... but only after our mandatory purchase of a Chevy Volt. We can drive your Toyota or Honda or VW, but only after paying fines, imprisonment or both. "They" of course will require a different class of vehicles to comply with security requirements and policy ... specified by "They"... so the rules do not apply to them. Their behavior is ...after all being forced by a lack of civility by We.

Germany circa 1936 and the peoples car is created.... Didn't notice any of the government elites driving them.

Did you?

The cause of all this?

"Their" liberal press that pushes guilt onto We the people, while praising socialist/progressives... "They" ...the government elite. We sat quietly for 40 plus years, but no more. The time is now or We will lose our freedom forever. Every time "They" try to push their agenda, their guilt, their propaganda, their rules, their regulations; we need to be in their face, pushing back.

For each and every action their must be an equal or greater reaction. Their new talking point is civility. Make them practice it. Push back. We are the people. "They" are the government elite. "They" are attempting to control every aspect of our lives. "They" destroyed the economy of the world to create crisis. Tens of millions of people jobless, millions more home less, economic devastation across America's richest states. Simply because "They" no longer are reflective of We the people.



GPC Passing Through

Monday, February 15, 2010

Leadership is not management

Leadership is not hard.   It is not management, or something you learn in a book.  It is the ability to envision how things should be and inspire your self and others in achieving that vision.   Our current leadership including President Obama, congress and all three political parties are failing in this most fundamental aspect of governing. They provide no leadership.   They don't even understand what it is or recognize that it is missing.   Change you can believe in was cool for campaigning but leaves a definite sour taste in everyone's mouth, left, right or center.   How can you believe in something that can't even be described.   So let's be real specific.   Leadership starts with a vision and a belief in our ability to accomplish it. Instead of whining about how insurmountable the problems are, how about vision and positive expectations.

America is not doomed, but we are digging ourselves a large and growing hole.   The trick is to stop digging deeper and start filling it in and then rising above;  standing on newly created heights.

Here is my vision and a basic leadership message for any who will follow.

Let's start with putting the people back in charge of the government, rather than the government in charge of the people.   Somewhere around 1965, America lost its way, and introduced the notion of the welfare state, and an ever expanding government.   Big government little people.   America was founded on the principle of a free and independent people and a limited and subservient government.   Like an evil genie who has escaped from its bottle, we must regain control over our government.  Nothing radical is required.   We must simply freeze government spending at 2008 levels and grant not 1 singe penny of additional funding.   This will force the government to shrink and the economy and people's share of its goods and services to grow.  It will force the government to provide only the essential goods and services required of it.  It will erode largess and waste.

Now let's create a clear and distinct vision of America ten years down the road.  Let us paint with brilliant colors and stark contrast to what we hear today.   Our goal is not simply to compete, ...to try, ...to surrender our heritage, ...slowly, ...to those countries increasingly prevalent on the world stage.   Our goal is restore America as the greatest industrial and financial super power.  It is to restore the American dream for the world at large, and to welcome those who would live and work in freedom to our shores.  It is to empower a new "greatest generation". 

The key is to restore our manufacturing base and along with it,  the self sufficiency that accompanies a vibrant industrial revolution.   Within the next 5 years we will:

1) Create 50 million new jobs
2) 30 million of these new jobs will be in manufacturing
3) Increase the average wage of the middle class by 30 %
4) Achieve self reliance with respect to manufactured goods (70 % of goods sold in America bear the label "Made in the USA").
5) Achieve a balanced budget 
6) Enable those living in the shadows as illegal aliens to emerge, contribute and relish in what we will create together

Within the next 10 years
1) Achieve energy independence
2) Triple the number of new millionaires created each year

Impossible?  Hardly.
Here is the plan....
1) Aggressively drive the government contribution to cost of goods sold for items made in America to near zero
2) Start by eliminating all payroll taxes
3) Enable manufacturing by creating tax free manufacturing investment zones
4) Start with the rust belt states and then along our borders with Mexico and Canada
5) Gradually(over 18 months) phase in a federal sales tax to replace payroll tax revenues 
6) Drive government share of GDP below 15 percent
7) Implement my previously described illegal alien reform policies

Finance this effort by reallocating the stimulus and TARP funds.

GPC Passing through