The Taxman (or woman)

This is what a Democrat ticket will bring to us, because to them it is the clear solution to all of our current problems.

Currently in Massachusetts: Mass.: Gas tax hike option lingers From the article: "I have never opposed raising the gas tax. What I have said is that it is not my first choice," Patrick said in response to reporters' questions Wednesday. "I think I would be right in saying that it is not the first choice of most consumers in Massachusetts, especially in these times." In other words, stay tuned. Increased gas taxes will not only effect the cost of commuting, but will inflate the cost of products we buy from the shelves. Additionally a potential tax would also hinder not just the economy of Massachusetts, but of all of New England since shipping routes cross the state. This is the mentality... there is a ton of government excess, ballooned social programs, corruption, you name it... and yet instead of potentially trimming waste, Patrick, loyal to fellow politicians would rather hurt the people they serve.

And remember, Deval Patrick plays a key role in the Obama campaign. So this is what all of the country could potentially have in store for it.

A refresher for those not keeping track:
"They often riff off one another. They share a world view," Axelrod told the Times about Obama and Patrick. "Both of them are effective speakers whose words tend to get re quoted and arguments tend to be embraced widely." from: Obama, Clinton camps point to borrowed rhetoric

The main difference between Obama and Hillary is I believe Hillary, and not Barack, is more likely to make her tax and spend funding of Marxist dreams a reality.

Hillary Clinton Proposes Massive Energy Tax
This is from a biased source, but regardless... the message is legit. Hillary is packaging this as the people vs. corporate America, however the "tax breaks" she plans on rescinding, are breaks to big oil industry that they receive as incentives to invest in things such as research and renewable resources. Hillary's beef (and the democrats beef) is that the private sector is getting to decide how to spend these funds rather than "Big Brother". "Speaking to a group of alternative energy investors in Washington, D.C., Clinton proposed to sock oil companies with $20 billion in new fees that would be used to fund research on clean energy - driving up costs for oil producers that they would inevitably pass along to consumers."

Chance of Increased Taxes if Hillary Clinton is Elected
From article:
-She certainly would repeal Bush's tax cut halving the tax rate on dividends and would raise it from its current 15 percent to 30 percent. She would also most likely end the planned elimination of the estate tax and probably reduce the size of estates subject to the tax.
-She has specifically refused to rule out a big increase in Social Security (FICA) taxes. This levy is currently enforced on the first $97,000 of income. Hillary would probably follow the lead of Democratic liberals and either raise the limit — at least doubling it — or eliminating it altogether. A self-employed American making $250,000 a year currently pays $12,125 in FICA taxes (12.5 percent x $97,000). If the threshold were eliminated, his FICA tax would jump to $31,250!
-Robert Novak reports that Rangel's staff is "hard at work on an audacious plan that over the next decade would redistribute up to a trillion dollars in American income through the tax system." Rangel, himself, calls the new legislation "the mother of all tax reforms." (This is the redistribution of wealth and is Marxist at its heart)
-Behind her rhetoric about shared values and unity, lies the most far reaching tax increase proposals since the days of the New Deal. And, if she is elected, she will likely carry enough Democrats into the Senate (my current estimate is 58) to pass whatever she pleases.
(Please note Dick Morris wrote this article.... former Clinton White House staff)

The Democrats want us to change the structure of our government. They want us to be, (overused term) "A Nanny State". The idea is that since a few of us will slip through the cracks we should create a government funded safety net. (Which will rob us of what little incentive and work ethic Americans have remaining now days) To achieve this goal we will be matching the nations at the latter end of the following chart. Please note that our corporate taxes already are nearly as high as those in the highest taxed countries. Hillary and Obama want them to be EVEN HIGHER. That should be good for everyone...... who competes with us on the global market. See chart:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Income_Taxes_By_Country.svg

Night on the town, and a relaxing weekend....

Well... the "guys night out" that John Madden had been planning in Portland came and went. The night started with a great meal of salad and Chicken Parmesan cooked by Michelle. We had a couple of after-dinner-beers, and then headed out to Rosie's (transportation courtesy of Michelle). All three of us, John Madden, Tim Hayes and myself drank too much cheap beer listened to music, and frequented a few of the "off the beaten path" watering holes. We headed back to John & Michelle's apartment after finishing off our bar hopping night at "Bubba's" where Michelle's sister Christine tends bar. It was a surprisingly unique establishment which from the outside appears to be a typical dive. They were having "80s" night complete with a dance floor that has built in multicolored lights (circa 1970s). The place was packed with people, and I didn't notice the dance floor till it emptied out later on. Truthfully I was too wrapped up in conversation to really care much about the festivities.

Back at the apartment we listened to a play list John had made specifically for the occasion on his ipod. It was a broad array of tunes covering vast expanses of time and genres.... in both the context of our own lives, as well as the broader context of music history.

At one point in the night Tim convinced us all to try to play cribbage. By this time I had been awake for probably 19-20 hours and on about 4 hours of sleep from the previous night. The game has sentimental value for Tim, as he explained. Apparently his grandmother always encouraged him to play, or to learn how to play since he was a child. I was really exhausted and honestly I have a tough time having enough attention span to play cribbage when I'm awake and sober. However, it was clear that Tim was looking forward to sharing the game with us, and we all listened as Tim explained the rules. I don't know if it was bad luck, bad skills, bad hands, or all of the above but I did poorly. John smoked both Tim and myself at the game. When John was 80% around the board I think they could see me slipping into a coma induced by alcohol, and accentuated by a lack of sleep. I think Tim suggested that John already had essentially won the game... or maybe I suggested it. The suggestion was complementary to my train of thought, that was certain. I can't remember who brought it up, and it doesn't matter either way. I was just relieved not to play any more hands, and was fine with the prospect of finishing last, despite a slight chance I could have caught up with Tim.

I think I was lying down on the futon before the night (actually the morning) officially came to an end. John gave me a pillow and threw a blanket on top of me, and he and Tim continued talking while a couple more songs played. I tried to participate at random in the conversation. I'm certain when I chose to interject it just was only a waste of energy and what little wit I possessed had long vacated the premises.

I slept intermittently and finally woke up for a period of time to use the facilities and then try to hydrate myself with a couple glasses of water. I could hear Tim downstairs talking to Jaxon (spell?) Christine's little girl who is about 4 years old or so. John and Michelle live in the upstairs unit of a duplex, while Michelle's sister Christine and her two children occupy the first floor. Tim came up later trying to coach me into going to the gym later with him, and/or playing some basketball with John, Tim, Brandy, and their friend Sherri. I had a head ache... a trend that has gotten worse in my "old age" that I tend to get even from moderate drinking. Hayes located an Advil for me downstairs, which I chased down with some more water. I managed to catch a couple more hours of sleep and woke up around 12:30 feeling a lot better. John was up around this time and we went downstairs where Christine and Tim were watching Jaxon play with some blocks in the living room. Brandy and Sherri arrived and John & Tim readied themselves for their basketball match. I decided this was a good point to go my separate way since I was a little too tired for competitive sports.

After leaving I decided to grab a bite to eat at Arby's before heading back to Melrose. I think I scared the teenager at the register. I hadn't showered, had significant facial hair growth from not shaving in greater than 24 hours, was wearing an old red "Walmart special" hoodie, and my hair was in chaotic bed-head form. Not too mention my essential tremor was really kicked in due to previous long day and exhausted state.

I really enjoyed my roast beef sandwich and curly fries. Even the fountain soda seemed amazing, and satisfied that cola addiction that I most definitely have. We don't have Arby's around Boston, probably due to the prevalence of mom & pop roast beef sandwich shops. Sadly, I actually enjoy Arby's moist roast beef more than I do the dry, and often rare, (as people prefer) roast beef of eateries such as Kelly's or Liberty bell. Arby's is what I grew up on, and I have a sort of sentimental spot for it too.

I was going to write minimally about the "Guys night out" experience and instead compose a fantasy piece about what it would be like to eat lunch with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling especially creative so you'll have to settle for this in its place.

Saturday night Kate and I went to Friendly's (Kate's favorite). I had a turkey melt, Kate had a chicken wrap sandwich, and we split an ice cream sundae for desert. Sunday we poured through our travel books on Germany and took some notes. We took a walk and went to the Melrose library where I picked up a history book on Berlin. It was a nice day despite only being in the 40s. There were a ton of people out walking around enjoying the sun. The tennis and basketball courts in Melrose were filled with cheerful people getting exercise in the cold spring air. Kate and I got some Chinese take out for lunch. I had chicken with mushrooms, and Kate had General Gau's chicken. Later that evening I drove Kate back to Brookline. For a change it was still sunny out when I said goodbye to her. A sign of warmer weather to come.

Well it is time for bed... I should sleep well again as I am still catching up!
Happy end of March! Bring on the April Showers....

FRIDAY!!!!

Today will be a half day since I'm headed to Maine... but since I worked till 10:00 Thursday, and since I'm going in early tomorrow.... well you get the picture.

I had two Cadbury eggs for desert tonight... particularly criminal since working late thwarted my desire to get to the gym.

My apartment is kind of a mess... I need to tidy up a bit here before I go to bed.

My building stinks when I walk in, I have the sneaking suspicion there was another plumbing problem somewhere because it smells like wet carpet out in the stair well.

Well... That's enough random thoughts, stream of consciousness, whatever....

This will likely end a sub par lot of posts for March. I'll try to do better in April.

Have a spiffy weekend.