Tax brackets over the past century

From flowingdata.com. I would like to see actual tax return data that included all the tax credits and such.

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

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.

See ballotpedia for a write-up of both sides of the issue.

What you you all think?

--Update 5-5-2010--

A couple more links

http://www.noprop100.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/No-on-Prop-100/107608792611918

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.

http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2008/04/07/the-real-cost-of-public-schools/

Maybe a better solution would be to cut out the education middleman.

http://goldwaterinstitute.org/article/2810

Since the passing of proposition 301 in 2000, a smaller percentage of education money actually gets to the classroom.

http://www.goldwaterinstitute.org/article/4575

"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.

The Laffer Curve, Part I: Understanding the Theory

The Laffer Curve, Part II: Reviewing the Evidence

The Laffer Curve, Part III: Dynamic Scoring

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.

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.