Tag: Government

PoliticsLeave a comment

Fiscal Cliff Notes

Podritske

Allegedly, it is crucial that the US Congress and the Administration come to terms on tax and spending to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff. What is the fiscal cliff? When Congress failed earlier to come to terms on taxes and spending amidst concerns about the looming debt ceiling a deal was struck in exchange for raising that borrowing limit for the US government. The deal involved an array of automatic spending cuts that would take effect at the start of 2013. It also allowed that the already extended Bush tax cuts would expire on January 1, 2013. Now I hear … Continue reading Fiscal Cliff Notes

Government, PoliticsLeave a comment

Political-Fil-A

Podritske

In a recent article, David Frum strolls close to an insightful interpretation of the Chick-Fil-A incident but then struts off down a superficial path. His conclusion is that the American political system is ill-equipped to “…solve real-world problems.” That is not the proper role of any political system. Chick-Fil-A is the 1600-outlet restaurant franchise started by the Cathy family whose members openly support Christian causes. This offends many who are willing to use the iron hand of government to mollify their hurt feelings. The Chick-Fil-A story—allegedly pitting gays against Christians over same-sex marriage—indicates a turning point to Mr. Frum. He … Continue reading Political-Fil-A

Ethics, Philosophy, PoliticsLeave a comment

Crude, Aristocratic and Mean

Podritske

The president of the United States holds a dim view of humanity. It is crude, aristocratic and mean. This was revealed in his famous “you didn’t build that” speech. First, despite the media reprieve afforded him—first by the Colorado movie theatre massacre, and now by Olympic sports coverage—Barack Obama’s alleged gaffe is still news. While Obama’s defenders argue he was quoted out of context, Charles Krauthammer and Philip Klein have both noted that quoting more from Obama actually makes matters worse. Mr. Krauthammer suggests that Obama’s comments could be so damaging to his re-election campaign that opposition Republicans should replay … Continue reading Crude, Aristocratic and Mean

PoliticsLeave a comment

Don’t Blame Romney

Podritske

I don’t like Mitt Romney the politician. However, based on his appearance before an assembly of the NAACP recently, I have some respect for the man. He showed a commitment to principle by standing before that crowd and vowing to work toward getting rid of non-essential, expensive government spending programs if he is elected president. When he included a mention of “Obamacare” as one of his targets he was booed by the audience for 15 seconds. Romney retained his composure throughout. He did not deserve to be treated this way. Apparently, people represented by the NAACP voted nearly 95 percent … Continue reading Don’t Blame Romney

Foreign Policy1 Comment

Semi-Free Trade

Podritske

I applaud the efforts of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to promote free trade. Over the course of many months we’ve heard about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with the United States and several Asian-Pacific nations. Discussions are ongoing with specific countries or regions, including Europe, India, China and most recently, Japan. News reports suggest that free trade is a good thing for Canada and for Canadians.  It is indeed, if it is the simple concept of free trade they’re all talking about. Ordinary Canadians however, are distanced from the facts of the “negotiations” surrounding the multiple “free-trade agreements” currently being … Continue reading Semi-Free Trade

george soros, moveon org, political orientation, Politics, right wing extremists, social disparitiesLeave a comment

Occupy Thy Self

Podritske

Efforts to rationalize the revolutionary significance of the so-called “Occupy Wall Street” movement are mostly futile. There is not much new about a gaggle of placard-waving, anarchist-inclined people protesting with slogans about rich versus poor, capitalists versus workers, love versus money (or war) and chanting “power to the people”. The “sit-in” of fifty years ago has become today’s “Occupy (fill in the blank)”. Occupiers vs. Tea Partiers Comparisons of the “Occupiers” to the Tea Party phenomenon have been made. Applications of “left” versus “right” political orientation have respectively labelled the Occupiers and Tea Partiers as “left-wing” radicals and “right-wing” extremists. … Continue reading Occupy Thy Self

Political EconomyLeave a comment

AAA Tax Rating

Podritske

Moody’s credit rating agency has maintained the U.S. government’s credit rating at “AAA”. Its review, which began on July 13, was coincidentally completed today with the following public statement: “We have confirmed the AAA government bond rating now that the statutory debt limit has been raised.” (Emphasis added.) The agency need not have bothered with the charade of an independent review during the eleventh hour political bickering in Washington if all it was going to do was sanction an increase in borrowing capacity once it was passed by Congress. Bond investors look for safety in the “full faith and credit” … Continue reading AAA Tax Rating

Ethics, Political Economy2 Comments

Appoint a Receiver

Podritske

Five months ago I encouraged you to keep an eye on the Statutory Debt Limit in the United States. My premise is that the “debt ceiling” indicates how seriously members of the US Congress and Obama Administration take fiscal responsibility. Since then the partisan bickering has escalated while a general consensus is not whether the limit will be raised but by how much and under what conditions. It is clear that the majority of political participants cannot be entrusted further with finding a resolution. It is time to appoint a Receiver. Debt Caused By Excessive Spending First, consider why law-makers want the … Continue reading Appoint a Receiver

Government, Media, RightsLeave a comment

Home Grown Terror

Podritske

An unnamed official, through the assistance of mainstream media, is encouraging an atmosphere of “home grown” terror in North America. This is not news to those who understand the tactics of terror; unfortunately, it is mainly the terrorists who possess this understanding. A Reuters story dated 6 July 2011 has the aforementioned unnamed official effectively warning us that terrorists may be scheming to have undetectable explosive devices surgically implanted in their bodies. This would make it easier to smuggle them onto airplanes for later detonation. The unnamed official, according to the story, stresses that no attacks are imminent however. (Foregoing emphasis … Continue reading Home Grown Terror

Canada, Ethics, Rights, SportsLeave a comment

Kiss Off

Podritske

There have been overtures made to me regarding the kissing couple featured in my last essay. It was pointed out by one commenter that viewed from the opposite perspective it seemed the young man was helping the young woman to resuscitate, she perhaps having lost her breath after being knocked down by the mob revellers. Another source has suggested to me that a parent of the young man in the photo actually recognized him and confirmed that yes; in fact he was trying diligently to revive the young woman. I would only ask that, especially of those among you who … Continue reading Kiss Off