From flowingdata.com. I would like to see actual tax return data that included all the tax credits and such.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Anthem
Here is "Anthem" as sung by Tommy Korberg from the musical Chess.
Tommy introduces the song like this, "It's a song of praise to his old country. At the same time he's not happy with what his country has become. It has a great deal to do with longing"
Lyrics
No man, no madness
Though their sad power may prevail
Can possess, conquer, my country's heart
They rise to fail
She is eternal
Long before nations' lines were drawn
When no flags flew, when no armies stood
My land was born
And you ask me why I love her
Through wars, death and despair
She is the constant, we who don't care
And you wonder will I leave her - but how?
I cross over borders but I'm still there now
How can I leave her?
Where would I start?
Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart
My land's only borders lie around my heart
Friday, April 23, 2010
Why I am voting no on Proposition 100, the Arizona Sales Tax Increase
I am planning to vote no on Proposition 100 coming up on the May 18 election. I cannot believe that all avenues have been explored to balance the budget. I cannot believe that adding a tax will help speed up the recovery of jobs in Arizona.
What you you all think?
--Update 5-5-2010--
A couple more links
There are two video links here and one hours long audio one.
Here is one of the videos that hit me strongly.
--Update 5-11-2010--
Deciding how to vote on this proposition has been the hardest to decide in a very long time. I have 7 children in the public education system and two more that will be. I want the best education possible. I am pretty settled on voting no for the following reasons.
Washington DC has one of the highest per student spending in the country and among the worst results.
Maybe a better solution would be to cut out the education middleman.
Since the passing of proposition 301 in 2000, a smaller percentage of education money actually gets to the classroom.
"If passed, Arizona would have the 5th highest sales tax rate in the country" http://www.noprop100.com/
Even if the tax expires in three years, it will put the brakes on a not so vibrant AZ economy. I think there are better ways to reform the system to cut out waste and still produce excellent students.
--Update 5-13-2010--
My friend Jen is on the School Board for Dysart School District. I called her this morning after a few emails back and forth. I wanted to understand her position well. She is for proposition 100. I respect Jen. She has worked hard for 1 1/2 years on the board.
To me it has come down to what will cause the least short term harm, because both ways will cause that. What will cause the greatest long term good?
By voting no, I will not put a brake on the recovery of the Arizona economy. Ronald Regan reduced taxes in the 80s and increased tax revenue. See the Wikipedia article on the Laffer curve and some videos explaining it.
I am also very concerned that we do not go the same direction as California and Washington state. They have increased tax so much and are not willing to cut to have a balanced budget.
Also by voting no, more teachers will be laid off, class sizes will increase, some computer of other resources may not get replaced.
By voting no, I will provide a greater chance for reform in the school funding formula so that the full amount of funds per student follow the student. Perhaps there can be a reduction in administrative costs at schools so that more money gets to the classroom. I will not hinder the recovery of the Arizona economy.
Ooma: Nearly Free Phone Service
About a month ago, I bought an Ooma Telo. We have been paying around $38 a month for Cox Communications telephone service. After using it for nearly a month, my wife was comfortable with us porting our existing number to it.
Just over a week ago the port finished. There were a couple of hiccups. I had to ask my sister in law to complain to Cox that she could not get through to my number. The voice quality is not always as good as Cox was.
For $38 a month, we will start to profit from our initial investment in just a few more months.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
OIIOHH
That stands for Obama Is In Over His Head.
Texas figured it out. A lady recently asked Obama if he thought it was wise to raise taxes through the recently health care bill when the economy is only showing the tenderest growth. He spent 17 minutes not answering her question.
He really can talk but I don't think he is willing or able to face economic facts.
Hugh Hewitt has merchandise if you so choose to declare was is becoming more and more obvious.