Make your voice heard

A tax on plastic bags: What’s next?

Starting on January, 1st 2010, Washington, D.C. will require businesses that sell food or alcohol to impose a 5 cent tax on each plastic bag used by a consumer. At first, you might think this will lead to an increased grocery bill, but it will actually lead to a larger shopping bill in general.

According to the article, any store which sells food must impose the tax. That means that supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores, bakeries, and larger retailers will also be charging for bags, since they sell food. Sure, you can buy reusable bags to avoid the 5 cent tax, but are you going to bring the bags into nearly every store you visit? » read more

Eric Massa versus Dick Cheney

Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) has challenged former Vice President Dick Cheney to a debate. Massa’s challenge came as he complained about being sick of Cheney “kicking us in the shins,” and saying that he “suffers from a horrible case of political Tourette’s”. The most telling part of his rant came when he decided to present himself as Barack Obama’s political bodyguard:

“I don’t want the president being diverted from his mission on this, having to deal with Dick Cheney. I want Dick Cheney debate me, anywhere, anytime, anyhow. And let’s see how he stands up to the truth.”

He doesn’t want the President to be diverted by Dick Cheney. Does that mean that he’s afraid the President would some how be swayed by Cheney’s argument, or intimidated into doing the right thing? Well, if that’s the case, have no fear because Eric Massa is here! By the way, if Eric Massa thinks Barack Obama could be so easily “diverted” by the comments of a private citizen, then what does that say about his perceived leadership skills? » read more

Another day, another $3.8 billion

The U.S. Treasury just gave another $3.8 billion to GMAC, which hopes to one day make a profit again. For those of you following at home, this latest infusion is on top of $12.5 billion distributed previously, for a grand total of $16.3 billion.

I know there are a lot of people who would defend this latest expenditure as being “necessary”. Here’s a question for those people: What about small businesses and medium-sized companies that have had to close their doors? Where’s their bailout? » read more

Barack Obama: The new Neville Chamberlain

I recently had a discussion with someone about the Republican party. He told me that he had been a registered Republican for years, but left the party while George W. Bush was President. We both agreed that George W. Bush had strayed from various Republican principles, such as fiscal conservatism, and were generally unhappy with his performance. The propensity of the Bush Administration to run-up the deficit and the national debt were maddening, but with most things, there were accomplishments that were not fully appreciated.

George W. Bush’s greatest achievement was helping to keep the United States safe after 9/11. Critics like to take aim at Guantanamo Bay, the Patriot Act, and The War on Terror in general, but his success in keeping the country safe cannot be disputed. There were attempts to attack the U.S. since 9/11, which were thwarted, and I’m sure there were many more attempts which were stopped early on in the planning process. For that, we owe the Bush Administration our gratitude. » read more