Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Health Insurance Give-Aways Cost Too Much
In 2007, Congress is expected to reauthorize the SCHIP subsidy for medical expenses of children in families who don't qualify for Medicaid. No one can seriously think this won't happen, but we could do better. A long-term fix would be to enact the FairTax and allow people to go across state lines to buy health insurance.
Time To Change Debate On Taxes
Fifteen states tax food purchased in grocery stores. Tennessee tops the list with the highest tax rate at 8.35%, and some people there want to get rid of that tax and instead tax incomes. They suggest, of course, that doing so will benefit the poor.
In Kentucky, where we tax incomes but not grocery food, we should go in the exact opposite direction our neighbors to the south are contemplating for exactly the same reason.
A food tax is regressive, hitting low-income earners harder than others. But there is no ripple effect through the economy caused by consumption taxes. The ripples -- a type of multiplier effect -- hit the more vulnerable citizens harder and make upward mobility that much harder. Corporate taxes, however, get passed on through every layer of production and hit the consumer as well. If we really want to help lower-income people with tax policy, we should move away from taxing profits, incomes, and business activity. Taxing consumption only, even at rates that look pretty high at first glance, would cause less collateral damage to our economy.
In Kentucky, where we tax incomes but not grocery food, we should go in the exact opposite direction our neighbors to the south are contemplating for exactly the same reason.
A food tax is regressive, hitting low-income earners harder than others. But there is no ripple effect through the economy caused by consumption taxes. The ripples -- a type of multiplier effect -- hit the more vulnerable citizens harder and make upward mobility that much harder. Corporate taxes, however, get passed on through every layer of production and hit the consumer as well. If we really want to help lower-income people with tax policy, we should move away from taxing profits, incomes, and business activity. Taxing consumption only, even at rates that look pretty high at first glance, would cause less collateral damage to our economy.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Democratic Congressman Apparently Can't Read
Earlier today, Rep. Baron Hill (D-Indiana) said "access to health care is a constitutional right."
Last time I checked, HillaryCare wasn't in the Constitution.
Last time I checked, HillaryCare wasn't in the Constitution.
February GOP Showdown In Jessamine County
Word is circulating that the annual Republican Party of Kentucky Lincoln Dinner in Louisville is completely sold out.
If you haven't gotten tickets, don't worry. If you really want to see the GOP gubernatorial candidates go toe-to-toe, you can head out to the Jessamine County Republican Party Lincoln Dinner on Saturday, February 10 at the Bluegrass Sportsman's Club. The event runs 11 AM to 1 PM.
If you haven't gotten tickets, don't worry. If you really want to see the GOP gubernatorial candidates go toe-to-toe, you can head out to the Jessamine County Republican Party Lincoln Dinner on Saturday, February 10 at the Bluegrass Sportsman's Club. The event runs 11 AM to 1 PM.
Is Dan Rather Doing Crowd Counts For CBS?
Bob Schieffer at CBS would like to see "hundreds of thousands" come out and protest the war, which is his prerogative. Reporting it when it didn't happen, though, is noteworthy.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Hillary Clinton Goes Hard Left On Iraq
Will Cindy Sheehan love President Rodham now that she is demanding Bush surrender Iraq before leaving office?
With Brain Drain Myth Gone, Improve Kentucky Higher Ed With Competition
My son graduates high school this year and will very likely receive the maximum $2500 annual KEES stipend for four years of college. The strings attached to the money are supposed to keep him at an in-state school.
It won't work. But new data suggests we need not try so hard to force our students to stay here for school.
Now that it appears we are not experiencing a brain drain, perhaps we should explore improving the educational opportunities of our young citizens by doing away with this provision of the KEES program.
Currently, Kentucky high school graduates can take their KEES money out of state only to participate in programs that aren't available at in-state schools. While it is positive that we can expand our offerings in this way, our economy would probably benefit even more if we allowed students to take KEES money to out of state programs that are available here but are demonstrably superior to those available at state schools.
Armed with the confidence that Kentucky can retain its educated citizens, shouldn't we do even more to ensure they get better preparation?
It won't work. But new data suggests we need not try so hard to force our students to stay here for school.
Now that it appears we are not experiencing a brain drain, perhaps we should explore improving the educational opportunities of our young citizens by doing away with this provision of the KEES program.
Currently, Kentucky high school graduates can take their KEES money out of state only to participate in programs that aren't available at in-state schools. While it is positive that we can expand our offerings in this way, our economy would probably benefit even more if we allowed students to take KEES money to out of state programs that are available here but are demonstrably superior to those available at state schools.
Armed with the confidence that Kentucky can retain its educated citizens, shouldn't we do even more to ensure they get better preparation?
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Breaking: GOP Lawmakers Running For Statewide Offices
Rep. Lonnie Napier is running for Treasurer and Rep. Stan Lee is running for Attorney General.
Bloodbath: Dem Gov 2007 Will Be Fun For Sure
Greg Stumbo is running with Bruce Lunsford. What can that possibly lead to except millions of dollars spent on ripping up the eventual primary winner and -- as a bonus -- a trip to the private sector for Stumbo?
Good luck building golf courses with your own money, Greg.
Good luck building golf courses with your own money, Greg.
Friday, January 26, 2007
What Is It About Kentucky College Students That So Offends The Good Folks At AFL-CIO?
Rep. Joe Fischer wants Kentucky's public college students to have a few rights in the classroom and around campus. The Kentucky AFL-CIO voted earlier this month to oppose what seems like a pretty straightforward proposition.
Bush Calls Dems Bluff On War
The same people who are apoplectic that President Bush has dared state "I am the decision maker" on Iraq punt very quickly when he challenges naysayers: "They have an obligation and a serious responsibility therefore to put up their own plan as to what would work."
What Not To Do When No One Shows For Your 8 AM Press Conference -- Candidate Billy Harper
The delivery, setting, and just about everything else around this announcement is a disaster. But is the message the right one?
By the way, I'm told there were three reporters present.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Harper Campaign Blasts Fletcher Over Ford
Billy Harper for Governor campaign manager Stan Pulliam laughed out loud at comments Governor Ernie Fletcher made about Ford Motor Company's financial woes.
"These guys are unbelievable," Pulliam exclaimed in response to public comments from Fletcher that he would try to get state funds for the struggling automobile manufacturer. Ford posted quarterly losses of $5.8 Billion today.
"So they are going to help Ford Motor Company after they tax them for being unprofitable," Pulliam said. "This is a perfect example of why we need to repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax."
"These guys are unbelievable," Pulliam exclaimed in response to public comments from Fletcher that he would try to get state funds for the struggling automobile manufacturer. Ford posted quarterly losses of $5.8 Billion today.
"So they are going to help Ford Motor Company after they tax them for being unprofitable," Pulliam said. "This is a perfect example of why we need to repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax."
Obama Loves HillaryCare
Who needs Sen. Barack Obama if all he is going to do is agree with Sen. Hillary Clinton and her extreme ideas?
Four years ago, all the Democratic presidential candidates were for socialized medicine. Looks like we are headed in that direction again. Unfortunately, this time Kentuckians should probably be asking gubernatorial candidates of both parties if they will push universal mandated coverage.
The best argument for socialized medicine is that it doesn't kill everyone in Europe and Canada. And if that makes you angry, please read this before responding so we can discuss it.
Four years ago, all the Democratic presidential candidates were for socialized medicine. Looks like we are headed in that direction again. Unfortunately, this time Kentuckians should probably be asking gubernatorial candidates of both parties if they will push universal mandated coverage.
The best argument for socialized medicine is that it doesn't kill everyone in Europe and Canada. And if that makes you angry, please read this before responding so we can discuss it.
One Interesting Thing About Dem Primary 2007
Will all the other candidates eat Jody Richards due to his apparent ambivalence toward casino gambling? Will Richards jump on the bandwagon to avoid being eaten?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
John Kerry Cuts And Runs From 2008 Bid
...and he has a new website to celebrate his courage, wisdom, and foresight.
"Big Ed" Gatewood Should Stick To Smoking Pot
Gubernatorial candidate Gatewood Galbraith has eschewed his support for legalizing marijuana, but when it comes to education policy he might as well keep on smokin'.
Giving a $5000 higher education voucher to every high school graduate might score some points with the income-redistribution crowd, but even trying to contemplate all the ways this is wrong (tuition inflation, overcrowded classes full of unqualified students, worst ROI for any government plan ever, etc.) is a bad trip, indeed.
Giving a $5000 higher education voucher to every high school graduate might score some points with the income-redistribution crowd, but even trying to contemplate all the ways this is wrong (tuition inflation, overcrowded classes full of unqualified students, worst ROI for any government plan ever, etc.) is a bad trip, indeed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)