Diggapedia

Let me start by saying I understand the nature of politics is win elections and to win elections you must say and do things to weaken your opponent and strengthen your own position.   I get it.   What I don’t like is the flat out lies spewed by candidates.   Case in point: the GOP assault on the President regarding the lackluster jobs market when it the very same GOP pro-business, anti-labor, anti-middle class, and anti-education agenda that has led us where we are today.   For candidates like Mitt “Private Equity” Romney to tell the black and Hispanic communities that President Obama has turned his back on them as demonstrated by the record high levels of unemployment for these minorities is as incredulous as it is distasteful.    But let’s look at the numbers: Overall Unemployment rate for August was 9.1% By race and gender: ·          Total age 20 – 24: 14.8% ·          Men...

I hope this critique of the Presidential nominee’s economic plan demonstrates that is possible to disagree with a man’s policies without having to question his patriotism or love of America.   I am also not naïve to believe that suddenly attacks on President Obama’s character will come to an end. Firstly, let me say that I think Jon Huntsman is a good man who served his country admirably and his constituents in Utah.   I do not question is patriotism or his love for America.   That being said, I do not agree with considerable parts of his economic plan.   In general, Huntsman is a devout Reaganite who sees growth solely through the supply side lens ground from the silicon of tax cuts, deregulation, and free trade with a smattering of gas and oil exploration.   Let’s begin: Tax Reform Let’s be clear that when a Republican says tax reform, he really means tax cuts.   In Huntsman case, his tax ‘reform’ pillars are marginal rate cuts and elimination of the Alt...

Memo to President Obama: perception is reality and right now you are perceived as ineffectual, ineffective, and in danger of losing re-election.      I know you want to peak at the right time, but you’re getting dangerously close to losing your base. That being said, it is still interesting to see that the polls show increasing disenchantment with the President and a loss of faith, yet Bush is still blamed for the sad state of the economy and Republicans are still not trusted. Is it me or since Rahm left to go to Chicago, has the GOP bullied the piss out of the office of the President? Looks like the highlight of the Bachmann campaign for President may have been the Iowa straw poll.   Since Ranger Rick Perry entered the race, her numbers have plummeted as the Texas shitkicker eats into her share of the Tea Party Social Retarded crowd.   I hate to see her go because she is a bottomless cup or comedic coffee and with three debates in September she can really enter...

As most of America moves onto domestic news coverage of Hurricane Irene, the poor economy, Beyonce’s pregnancy, and the latest line up for Dancing With the Stars, things in the Middle East and North Africa have grown increasingly unstable and uncertain.   In North Africa alone, the previously authoritarian regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, and now Libya have fallen only to be replaced with what?   In Tunisia, the peaceful overthrow of the Ben Ali regime has led to a shaky government with many of the previous regime’s power brokers still in positions of influence and authority and little or no economic opportunity. Next went Egypt and its president Hosni Mubarak, by far the biggest shoe to drop.   Mubarak’s ouster has had significant effects on the region not least of which is the rise of the previously banned Muslim Brotherhood and the even more fundamentalist Salafist movement closely tied to Al-Qaeda and its dream of a global caliphate.   The fall of Mubarak set off alarm...

So America has become uncompetitive because of the marginal corporate tax rate?   Is the marginal rate of 35% one of the highest in the world?   Absolutely, only Japan has a higher marginal rate.   Do other developed nations have much lower marginal rates?   You Betcha (ooops sorry): Ireland (12.5%), Germany (15.8%), and Canada (16.5%) to name a few.   But there is a big difference between marginal rates and effective rates in the U.S.   In Europe, they are one in the same, but in the U.S. the differences are enormous thanks to loopholes, credits, and offshoring.   Did you know that of the S&P 500, 115 paid tax rates below 20%, 30+ paid less than 10%, and some of the true tax masters include Southwest Airlines (6.3%), Boeing (4.5%), Yahoo (7%), General Electric (3.6%), Merck (12.5%), H-P (20%), and J&J (22%).   GE gets special consideration for claiming a loss of its U.S. operations in 2009 due to losses at GE Capital while globally it ear...

1.        Can you be a Christian and for capital punishment? 2.        Is a person that is pro-life and pro-death penalty inconsistent? 3.        Was Jesus a socialist? 4.        Why do people in the South call themselves Patriots but they were the last to join the revolution, many sided with the British, they seceded from the USA, and they still love to fly the Stars and Bars? 5.        Do European leaders really think they can save the Euro and the EU? 6.        Can Hollywood make a movie that isn’t a sequel, a comic book adaption, or a remake? 7.        Does anyone in America have a tougher job than new Apple CEO Tim Cook? 8.        Will the broadcast networks ever air a show that isn’t a safe sitcom, a serial drama, or a cop show? 9.   ...

Congress’ approval rating has sunk to an all-time low of 12%.   It is safe to say that Hurricane Irene is more popular than John Boehner.   Shocking development in Major League Baseball: It’s the Yankees and Red Sox battling it out for the AL East. Did you know at this time in the election cycle four years ago that Hillary Clinton led Barack Obama by 20 points and Rudy Giuliani was the Republican front runner?   Moral of the story: polls at this stage mean less than a politician’s promise. Granted it has been only two preseason games, but Patriot fans have to be excited about what they see.   Brady and the high powered offense now coupled with an aggressive 4-3 Defense.   Yep, lots to like. Channel surfed and came across the first episode of Deadwood.   Lost count of the f bombs, c—k suckers, and g-d damns after just 15 minutes.   Though, Ian McShane was tremendous. 82% of America’s high schools are failing the No Child Left Behind math and reading min...