This Washington Times article really highlights the Huckster's tenure as Governor of Arkansas, and why he is NOT the right man to be the GOP nominee, let alone leader of the free world.
Diverting the funds of a conservative PAC to a Democrat who was opposed by a Republican in a state legislature race, demanding people be "with Huck or against him", calling other Republicans "shi'ites" (which, in return, Arkansas Republicans called him a "Christian Socialist"), and attempt to find any reason to destroy any Republican who didn't fall in line with him.
He seems like a nice enough guy, but...
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tax Rebate Plan Reaches Tentative Agreement
Looks like a decent way to stimulate the economy without too much governmental "heavy-handedness".
Should the plan go through as it is rumored to stand...
- Tax rebate of $300 to individuals ($600 for married couples), and an additional $300 per child with a cap of $1,200 per family.
- Workers who made more than $3,000 in 2007 are eligible for the rebate.
- Income cap for eligibility is $75,000 for individuals, $150,000 for married couples.
The Democrats were flexible on not extending unemployment benefits for those reaching the 26 week limit and not increasing food stamps, while Republicans were flexible on the minimum income level of eligibility to the point of almost any person earning a paycheck will receive a tax rebate (the original income minimum was much higher in the original Bush proposal). Should the proposal be passed and signed by President Bush, tax rebate checks should arrive in most American mailboxes sometime in June.
Basically, everyone from the working class up to the upper-middle class will benefit from this.
Also part of the Economic Stimulus proposal...
- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be able to buy homes over the current limit of $417,000.
- Tax cuts for businesses, small and large.
For the first time in a while, we're seeing government working together to provide a sensible solution to a major problem...which is "how to stimulate an uncertain economy." I'm glad to see that the Dems went the sensible route, hopefully this sensibility becomes a trend.
Should the plan go through as it is rumored to stand...
- Tax rebate of $300 to individuals ($600 for married couples), and an additional $300 per child with a cap of $1,200 per family.
- Workers who made more than $3,000 in 2007 are eligible for the rebate.
- Income cap for eligibility is $75,000 for individuals, $150,000 for married couples.
The Democrats were flexible on not extending unemployment benefits for those reaching the 26 week limit and not increasing food stamps, while Republicans were flexible on the minimum income level of eligibility to the point of almost any person earning a paycheck will receive a tax rebate (the original income minimum was much higher in the original Bush proposal). Should the proposal be passed and signed by President Bush, tax rebate checks should arrive in most American mailboxes sometime in June.
Basically, everyone from the working class up to the upper-middle class will benefit from this.
Also part of the Economic Stimulus proposal...
- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be able to buy homes over the current limit of $417,000.
- Tax cuts for businesses, small and large.
For the first time in a while, we're seeing government working together to provide a sensible solution to a major problem...which is "how to stimulate an uncertain economy." I'm glad to see that the Dems went the sensible route, hopefully this sensibility becomes a trend.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Fred Thompson Drops Out of GOP Race, Who Should I Endorse Now?
So my man, Fred Thompson, is out of the race officially. Between the not-so-hot finishes in Iowa and South Carolina, tending to his sick mother last week, and a mixed GOP base...I can see why things just didn't go for him this time.
Since Thompson hasn't endorsed anybody, I now have to find a new candidate to support.
Do I go with John McCain, Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, or Ron Paul? Well, let me weight them out...
Mike Huckabee...while I like the idea of the FairTax, I don't think it is something that could be implemented without serious short-term economical damage. Other than that, Huckabee doesn't have much going for him with me. His record on issues isn't very sparkling when it comes to fiscal prudence, and he's heavy on the SoCon platform, which is very divisive in today's political sphere. Factor in Huckabee's lack of real ideas on the foreign policy front, and there isn't much for me to agree with as far as I've seen. Until he shows me something different, I cannot (in good faith) support Huckabee. Not with these other candidates in the field.
Ron Paul...while I like limited government and free markets, Paul strikes me as just a tad too isolationist for my tastes, especially since we're a big part of the global economy. Paul wants to pull out of Iraq immediately, even though many Dems even agree that things are now going in our favor and we can create a better situation in that region if we continue on the current course. I like libertarian ideals, but I'm a federalist at heart, and Paul and I just don't quite click enough to work.
John McCain...I respect McCain's independent streak, and I agree with him on fiscal issues (not just tax cuts, but spending cuts are necessary). He claims to have "heard the people" in regards to immigration, but that remains to be seen. McCain has the experience, the bipartisan appeal, and the intelligence to be a good leader. However, with that comes a certain amount of unpredictability about his performance. Then again, I thought McCain would've been a good leader in 2000 over George W. Bush. 50/50 shot with McCain, here.
Rudy Giuliani...The man I originally leaned towards for President until Fred Thompson came around and inspired me to endorse him. Rudy is smart on most of the issues, but has been basically repeating the same routine for about 8 months now. However, should he win Florida, the race changes dramatically. I like Rudy, and I think he'd make a pretty good leader. However, he's been dormant for so long that I don't know what to think.
Mitt Romney...Mitt appeals to me on fiscal issues, but has changed his position on various issues to move himself further to the right from where he was as a candidate for the U.S. Senate and as Governor of Massachusetts. With the economy being the top priority for the majority of voters right now, I would believe that Romney could be one of the best candidates to bring revival to the American economy, as he (along with his father) is a model of capitalist success. Another possible pick, but I'm just not sure at this point.
Do any of you have any ideas? Here's your chance to sell your candidate to me.
Since Thompson hasn't endorsed anybody, I now have to find a new candidate to support.
Do I go with John McCain, Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, or Ron Paul? Well, let me weight them out...
Mike Huckabee...while I like the idea of the FairTax, I don't think it is something that could be implemented without serious short-term economical damage. Other than that, Huckabee doesn't have much going for him with me. His record on issues isn't very sparkling when it comes to fiscal prudence, and he's heavy on the SoCon platform, which is very divisive in today's political sphere. Factor in Huckabee's lack of real ideas on the foreign policy front, and there isn't much for me to agree with as far as I've seen. Until he shows me something different, I cannot (in good faith) support Huckabee. Not with these other candidates in the field.
Ron Paul...while I like limited government and free markets, Paul strikes me as just a tad too isolationist for my tastes, especially since we're a big part of the global economy. Paul wants to pull out of Iraq immediately, even though many Dems even agree that things are now going in our favor and we can create a better situation in that region if we continue on the current course. I like libertarian ideals, but I'm a federalist at heart, and Paul and I just don't quite click enough to work.
John McCain...I respect McCain's independent streak, and I agree with him on fiscal issues (not just tax cuts, but spending cuts are necessary). He claims to have "heard the people" in regards to immigration, but that remains to be seen. McCain has the experience, the bipartisan appeal, and the intelligence to be a good leader. However, with that comes a certain amount of unpredictability about his performance. Then again, I thought McCain would've been a good leader in 2000 over George W. Bush. 50/50 shot with McCain, here.
Rudy Giuliani...The man I originally leaned towards for President until Fred Thompson came around and inspired me to endorse him. Rudy is smart on most of the issues, but has been basically repeating the same routine for about 8 months now. However, should he win Florida, the race changes dramatically. I like Rudy, and I think he'd make a pretty good leader. However, he's been dormant for so long that I don't know what to think.
Mitt Romney...Mitt appeals to me on fiscal issues, but has changed his position on various issues to move himself further to the right from where he was as a candidate for the U.S. Senate and as Governor of Massachusetts. With the economy being the top priority for the majority of voters right now, I would believe that Romney could be one of the best candidates to bring revival to the American economy, as he (along with his father) is a model of capitalist success. Another possible pick, but I'm just not sure at this point.
Do any of you have any ideas? Here's your chance to sell your candidate to me.
Oh, No...He's Gone Quiet Again!
Once again, I've been pretty silent as of late. I'll tell you why...
- I'm moving at the beginning of March. No, I'm not going to Florida as I had alluded to many months ago. I'll be moving to New Market, VA. Simply relocating from one end of Shenandoah County to another. However, getting everything situation requires time and effort.
- My writing time is no longer solely dedicated to politics. I was recently hired to start writing a monthly opinion column that deals with a guilty pleasure of mine...pro wrestling. When the column is up and running (next month), I'll link my columns there for you wrestling fans.
- Busy times...when it comes to real life (i.e. away from the blogosphere) I work in the banking industry, so times are busy right now for many reasons.
I'm hoping that, as life stops getting in the way, I'll return to bringing you more of what comes to my mind, but for the time being, posting will be fairly sparse compared to months past.
- I'm moving at the beginning of March. No, I'm not going to Florida as I had alluded to many months ago. I'll be moving to New Market, VA. Simply relocating from one end of Shenandoah County to another. However, getting everything situation requires time and effort.
- My writing time is no longer solely dedicated to politics. I was recently hired to start writing a monthly opinion column that deals with a guilty pleasure of mine...pro wrestling. When the column is up and running (next month), I'll link my columns there for you wrestling fans.
- Busy times...when it comes to real life (i.e. away from the blogosphere) I work in the banking industry, so times are busy right now for many reasons.
I'm hoping that, as life stops getting in the way, I'll return to bringing you more of what comes to my mind, but for the time being, posting will be fairly sparse compared to months past.
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