I found a pretty interesting constitutional case against the 16th amendment, which is the one that made the income tax the law of the land.
We should make presidential candidates answer why the 16th amendment should not be repealed. Forcing this issue is the only way we will ever do more than just whine about our broken tax system.
Pushing to have the 16th amendment repealed through the legislative process or deemed unconstitutional by the judiciary would not yield quick results, but it would make more people think about what we are doing to ourselves with a fatally flawed program for financing our government. But I think once the ball got rolling, it would force the reform issue.
Defending the indefensible makes people say goofy things. While we have so many wannabes on the presidential contender talk circuit, we should encourage them to try.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
I Love A Good Misleading Headline
The Courier Journal's bold print this morning says "Stumbo respected by both parties."
Then you read the story and see they are only talking about Bob Heleringer. Bob is a casino supporter who used to be a Republican state representative.
Then you read the story and see they are only talking about Bob Heleringer. Bob is a casino supporter who used to be a Republican state representative.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Good News For Them Is Good News For Us
A column on Bloomberg today should give fiscal conservatives great hope for the future of the United States.
A discussion of emerging-market bond funds might be a great cure for your insomnia, but while many of us have slept poor nations in the world have been catching up to us quickly.
It is time to wake up.
The jolt will be tough for a lot of us, but as prosperity and achievement spread throughout the world we will have to cut our patience for counterproductive public policies.
In other words, as the economies of the third world get stronger we will be less able to afford liberal economic policies.
Could we be seeing progress already? Look at how quickly this turned into this.
A discussion of emerging-market bond funds might be a great cure for your insomnia, but while many of us have slept poor nations in the world have been catching up to us quickly.
It is time to wake up.
The jolt will be tough for a lot of us, but as prosperity and achievement spread throughout the world we will have to cut our patience for counterproductive public policies.
In other words, as the economies of the third world get stronger we will be less able to afford liberal economic policies.
Could we be seeing progress already? Look at how quickly this turned into this.
Gatewood Galbraith Scores 12%, Otis Hensley Gets 8% In Latest Dem Polls
Mock polls on college campuses may be a nice teaching tool, but I was surprised to see two candidates -- Jody Richards and Jonathan Miller -- have now issued press releases touting the results.
At least Jonathan Miller printed the raw numbers. It's a whole lot less impressive when you consider them.
At least Jonathan Miller printed the raw numbers. It's a whole lot less impressive when you consider them.
Fred Thompson Pimps Tax Cuts
If he is going write op-eds in the Wall Street Journal calling out the tax-raisers on Tax Weekend, Fred Thompson needs to go ahead and announce for president.
By the way, have you ever wondered how we got the income tax? Good story.
By the way, have you ever wondered how we got the income tax? Good story.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Battle Of The Would-Be State Treasurers
Responding to Melinda Wheeler's suspicious call to shut down the Treasurer's office she is running for, an opponent has called for her to drop out of the race.
In an email statement from his campaign manager, Rep. Ken Upchurch (R-Monticello) said "if Ms. Wheeler does not have anything to add to the office, perhaps she should consider withdrawing from the race."
Another comment attributed to Rep. Upchurch practically guarantees no other candidate for the office will engage this controversy unless absolutely forced to do so. He said what he would do in an effort to compensate for the lack of meaningful duties associated with the Treasurer's office:
The first lesson in a good financial literacy class, though, might say something about not spending too many tax dollars to make a state officeholder with few real responsibilities look busy.
In an email statement from his campaign manager, Rep. Ken Upchurch (R-Monticello) said "if Ms. Wheeler does not have anything to add to the office, perhaps she should consider withdrawing from the race."
Another comment attributed to Rep. Upchurch practically guarantees no other candidate for the office will engage this controversy unless absolutely forced to do so. He said what he would do in an effort to compensate for the lack of meaningful duties associated with the Treasurer's office:
"Down ticket offices can serve the Commonwealth outside of their basic duties with innovative leadership. My plan to increase financial literacy education in our high schools is an example of a forward-thinking platform worthy of this constitutional office."
The first lesson in a good financial literacy class, though, might say something about not spending too many tax dollars to make a state officeholder with few real responsibilities look busy.
A Conservative Looks At Abstinence Education
I have to admit I haven't paid any attention at all to the "abstinence-only" approach to sex education for middle and high school students in public schools.
Now that this report has come out today claiming that such a thing doesn't work, I have to say I don't doubt the report at all.
It is very simple. "Abstinence-only" education works perfectly when two parents who are married to each other start having frank conversations with their children when those children are seven or eight years old. Continuing to hold age-appropriate discussions about members of the opposite sex and what constitutes proper physical contact prior to marriage throughout the teenage years is critical. An intact nuclear family is very important in this process.
As a child of divorced parents, I wish this weren't the case, but it is.
So we are spending $176 million a year in federal tax dollars to start telling 11 year olds in public schools not to have unmarried sex?
What a stupid idea. Sorry, I know liberals have been saying that for a long time. But you guys are so wrong about social issues usually I just tuned it out.
Now that this report has come out today claiming that such a thing doesn't work, I have to say I don't doubt the report at all.
It is very simple. "Abstinence-only" education works perfectly when two parents who are married to each other start having frank conversations with their children when those children are seven or eight years old. Continuing to hold age-appropriate discussions about members of the opposite sex and what constitutes proper physical contact prior to marriage throughout the teenage years is critical. An intact nuclear family is very important in this process.
As a child of divorced parents, I wish this weren't the case, but it is.
So we are spending $176 million a year in federal tax dollars to start telling 11 year olds in public schools not to have unmarried sex?
What a stupid idea. Sorry, I know liberals have been saying that for a long time. But you guys are so wrong about social issues usually I just tuned it out.
Staying Relevant: Bill Frist Says Vote For Fred
Sen. Mitch McConnell escorted Sen. Bill Frist through Kentucky when the former Senate Majority Leader from Tennessee was still considered a potential candidate for president.
Now Frist is carrying the torch for former Sen. Fred Thompson, who Frist is encouraging to run for the White House.
Now Frist is carrying the torch for former Sen. Fred Thompson, who Frist is encouraging to run for the White House.
Richie Farmer Is On The Net
Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has just put up his campaign website. Let's face it, Farmer faces very little chance of losing this year.
But he has talked about running for higher office. He should get ready for the increased scrutiny that goes along with such aspirations.
But he has talked about running for higher office. He should get ready for the increased scrutiny that goes along with such aspirations.
Shutting Down Kentucky Treasurer's Office
The Kentucky Treasurer's office is meaningless and only Jonathan Miller would have missed it these last eight years if it didn't exist.
So why are more candidates -- eight -- running for this office than any of the other down-ticket constitutional offices?
And why am I just getting an email last night from one of the candidates telling me that after three months of trying to tell people what she would do if elected, she has now decided that if she is elected she will push for shutting the office down?
From the email:
Melinda Wheeler hasn't put this on her website yet. A skeptic might be forgiven for wondering if this is just a stunt to revive her campaign. And it is pretty hilarious trying to imagine a candidate struggling for three months trying to answer the most basic question in any campaign. Nevertheless, her Republican opponents should be made to answer whether they agree or disagree with disbanding this office that would serve us better as a part of the Finance and Administration Cabinet.
Another fun thought would be to get the Democratic candidates arguing with each other about how important the Treasurer's office is to the future of the Commonwealth.
And where is Jonathan Miller on this? What have you been doing with your time these last eight years, big boy?
So why are more candidates -- eight -- running for this office than any of the other down-ticket constitutional offices?
And why am I just getting an email last night from one of the candidates telling me that after three months of trying to tell people what she would do if elected, she has now decided that if she is elected she will push for shutting the office down?
From the email:
"What will you do if elected?" seems like such a simple question.
If the office of Treasurer is significant why is this such a hard question for me to answer? The reason is that the most meaningful duties have been stripped from the office over the preceding decades.
...
As a result, I believe the time has come to eliminate the constitutional office of Treasurer.
Melinda Wheeler hasn't put this on her website yet. A skeptic might be forgiven for wondering if this is just a stunt to revive her campaign. And it is pretty hilarious trying to imagine a candidate struggling for three months trying to answer the most basic question in any campaign. Nevertheless, her Republican opponents should be made to answer whether they agree or disagree with disbanding this office that would serve us better as a part of the Finance and Administration Cabinet.
Another fun thought would be to get the Democratic candidates arguing with each other about how important the Treasurer's office is to the future of the Commonwealth.
And where is Jonathan Miller on this? What have you been doing with your time these last eight years, big boy?
Thursday, April 12, 2007
A Glimpse Into A Universal Health Care Future
If Kentucky elects a governor who pushes mandated health coverage for everyone, it may shake out something like what we are seeing in California.
Jody Richards Press Release: I Won WKU Mock Primary
No, I'm not making it up. Click here to see for yourself.
Georgia Poised To Move Ahead Of Kentucky On Special Needs Education
The state of Georgia moved a big step closer to becoming the fifth state to offer school choice scholarships to special needs students to help them escape under-performing public schools. The bill passed Georgia's Choice Subcommittee of the Georgia House Education Committee, something Kentucky doesn't even have.
Kentucky could have achieved this first, but Rep. Stan Lee's special needs student bill was killed last month in the our state's House Education Committee.
Great quote from the Georgia bill's sponsor:
Kentucky could have achieved this first, but Rep. Stan Lee's special needs student bill was killed last month in the our state's House Education Committee.
Great quote from the Georgia bill's sponsor:
“If parents have no choice, there is zero incentive for public schools to improve their quality or remain accountable to the citizens and the taxpayers of the community. We want to ensure that every disabled child, regardless of wealth or circumstances, has the opportunity to receive the very best education available,” Senator Eric Johnson stated.
Now THIS Is A Nappy Headed Ho
Too bad Don Imus didn't hold his fire against accomplished student-athletes from Rutgers and unleash it instead on Crystal Gail Mangum, the Duke false accuser.
Kudos to Matt Drudge for putting Mangum's mug on his website. If we really want to improve race relations, we should run skanks like Mangum and race-whores like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton off the stage, out the door, and onto a small-island leper colony where they would be forced to live with white racists with whom they have so much in common.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
We Need To Join Barack Obama On This One
Sen. Tom Coburn and Sen. Barack Obama co-sponsored a federal bill last year to open up government spending to public scrutiny. An effort earlier this year to do the same thing on the state level in Kentucky was stuffed by Rep. Harry Moberly.
This is another Moberly screw-up we need to fix. A national effort called "Show me the spending" has been set up to draw attention to the open government initiative on the state level. It will help. A lot.
This is another Moberly screw-up we need to fix. A national effort called "Show me the spending" has been set up to draw attention to the open government initiative on the state level. It will help. A lot.
Fighting Back Against Harry Moberly
In the wake of Rep. Harry Moberly's attempt to hijack the legislative process, freedom-loving Kentuckians really need a legislative initiative to counter his secrecy scheme.
A bill to require the General Assembly and governor to pass and sign a budget bill by January 25 of each budget session would help a lot. That way, legislative leaders could negotiate the budget in secret -- behind closed doors, covered windows, and with armed guards -- to their hearts' content. The public and rank-and-file legislators could still have time to examine their work and respond appropriately. The sixty day session would continue past the budget deadline, but the budget bill would be off-limits beyond January 25. And for this to work we couldn't allow special sessions to address the budget either.
I think this would help reinforce the idea of who is actually in charge of our government.
A bill to require the General Assembly and governor to pass and sign a budget bill by January 25 of each budget session would help a lot. That way, legislative leaders could negotiate the budget in secret -- behind closed doors, covered windows, and with armed guards -- to their hearts' content. The public and rank-and-file legislators could still have time to examine their work and respond appropriately. The sixty day session would continue past the budget deadline, but the budget bill would be off-limits beyond January 25. And for this to work we couldn't allow special sessions to address the budget either.
I think this would help reinforce the idea of who is actually in charge of our government.
Fun Story About Steve Henry
Democratic gubernatorial front-runner Steve Henry doesn't really need Republicans to rip on him. He has fast-growing liberal bloggers Kentucky Women and Rural Democrat breaking the bad news about him at light speed.
Henry's fundraising problems draw attention to the state of political blogging. Reading the political blogs, you might expect the gubernatorial races in both parties to be almost exactly opposite of where they are now. I don't know if that is more symptomatic of a broken political system or an immature medium, but well-written blogs will continue to have an opportunity to grow in influence.
Henry's fundraising problems draw attention to the state of political blogging. Reading the political blogs, you might expect the gubernatorial races in both parties to be almost exactly opposite of where they are now. I don't know if that is more symptomatic of a broken political system or an immature medium, but well-written blogs will continue to have an opportunity to grow in influence.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Kentucky Tax Increase Trivia
When I saw Steve Nunn's endorsement of Anne Northup today, it occurred to me that without Steve's father Louie Nunn's support of raising the state sales tax to five cents and Northup's 1990 vote to raise it to six cents, we might still have a four percent sales tax.
While Louie "Nickel" Nunn took a lot of grief for that tax increase, and Northup might get some herself for hers, I won't really join the hit parade. I would far rather see us have the highest sales tax in the nation if we could repeal all income taxes.
But this Northup quote from the January 23, 1990 Louisville CJ has been making the rounds:
While Louie "Nickel" Nunn took a lot of grief for that tax increase, and Northup might get some herself for hers, I won't really join the hit parade. I would far rather see us have the highest sales tax in the nation if we could repeal all income taxes.
But this Northup quote from the January 23, 1990 Louisville CJ has been making the rounds:
Northup said, "I'm really angry that Wilkinson has spent three years stirring up anti-tax sentiment."
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