CISPA’S GONE, ONE MORE ROUND, CISPA’S GONE

Like a zombie it may rise again.  But around 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, members of the Senate confided to US News that in the way as the CISPA  House Bill was passed, “that” bill is dead.  Pieces of it may be pushed through the Senate in an effort to preserve the parts that protect our cyber-structure,  but  those pieces designed  to protect sitting politicians…  consider them tossed.

Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), CISPA’s sponsor, has been pushing for such a bill for years, and has repeatedly insisted this will be the year it becomes law. President Obama vowed to veto it if it passed in an answer given to over 100,000 signings of a White House petition… 300,000 people petitioned Congress to scrap it.

Cybersecurity lobbying has doubled in 2012 alone, outspending privacy groups by a factor of 14 to one. …$55 million to $4 million.

Essentually CISPA was supposed to help with cyber attacks.  If we were attacked by a Stuxnet virus, CISPA would drop all privacy issue restraints and allow anyone connected to security to roam through any and all accounts with impunity….

Like credit card numbers.  Like patient information.  Like pictures of you in the nude. Like your contacts and business associates. Once compromised and if anything were to happen to you, say, information was leaked to your boss, or your spouse, or put inside a newspaper for everyone to read, you could not sue, you would have no recourse and most likely, you would be completely unaware this was going on until a friend happened to see it and let you know….

The sponsor of the bill, wrongly says this is absolutely necessary to protect us from threats.  However, not being able to sue because you were fired because you boss saw a medical file showing you were being treated for cancer,  does little to protect us from Chinese hackers.

And that is the problem.  Furthermore,  so much stuff flows on the internet, that asking providers for specific data, is like asking someone to retrieve a certain molecule of water from a flowing river.  If CISPA passed, the internet would grind to a halt, as every search engine, every server, struggled to filter and organize all their data so if asked, they could legally provide.

It is a bad bill. Yet it’s sponsor keeps bringing it back. and back. and back.  Here is the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution.  The one CISPA violates.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

This is the anti-phishing amendment.  If you don’t have any charges to press, and don’t know of any particular evidence in a person’s possession, it is illegal to go to their house when they are not there, and look around for something to pin on them….  yet that is exactly what  CISPA sponsor Mike Rogers bill will do….

It allows Senator Joesph McCarthy hearings to take place without the hearing.

But more odd is how one private company is all over Mr. Roger’s CISPA, there at its inception, its creation, its Reichstag moment, and it’s demise. That private company is the  cybersecurity consulting firm Mandiant…. who is owned and run by Kevin Mandia out of Alexandria  Virginia.  Kevin Mandia was brought in by Mark Rogers to testify as to the dangers our computer system faced.

“China’s economic espionage has reached an intolerable level,” he said at a congressional hearing in October 2011.  As head of the House Intelligence committee  he held a hearing on “Chinese hacking”  and one of those creating the report, was Kevin Mandia who was thanked by Rogers at the hearing’s end.

At the hearing, cyber security groups were in force to testify, but no privacy groups were allowed inside.  The Conversation was one way with the cyber security groups insisting they would only share anonymous information with each other…  Unfortuately that assertion could not be challenged.

But outside the closed hearing, privacy groups are saying  it would let “companies hand over large swaths” of individuals’ private information “to the government, without a warrant.”  Credit card numbers, bank papers, phone contacts….

Rogers argues that is a consequence, not an intent.  No matter the reasoning behind it, CISPA allows it to happen.  Quite possibly thousands or tens of thousands can be looking over your data because you  happen to bank at Bank of America, or shop at Caldor… or Wal*Mart…. when they came under attack….

Then last year’s version was shot down, Rogers was undeterred.

There “appears to be a new level of threat that would target networks from—I’ve got to be careful here—an unusual source,” he said. He joked about how he wanted to share what he knew but couldn’t, because it was classified.  ”I look really bad in those orange jumpsuits with the numbers on the back,” he told his audience…..

Then, almost as if on cue for this spring legislative session, in February 2013. the New York Times announced it had been hit by Chinese hackers, followed shortly by the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal. Then Twitter, Facebook, and Microsoft. Their stories differed, as did the severity of the attacks, but everybody agreed: These hacks were sophisticated, and they all seemed to come from China…..

You probably remember the headline, just before the House vote on CISPA….

A cybersecurity firm had found the source of those attacks. In no uncertain terms, the firm claimed to have traced the hacking operation to a single, 12-story building outside of Shanghai: People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Unit 61398. Hiding in plain sight, the report said, was a dedicated hacking operation run by the Chinese government…..

And the firm that released it? Mandiant, whose CEO advised Rogers that day.

Mandiant’s report, backed by pages of data and years of research, relies on a few simple pieces of evidence. A loose coalition of similarly styled hacks all stem from the same source, codenamed APT1 (short for “Advanced Persistent Threat”). Mandiant traced the vast majority of the attacks to China—Shanghai, specifically—and noted that Unit 61398 was uniquely capable of sustaining such a sophisticated operation.

What was just said, was that these hack were traced to Shanghai and in Shanghai there is this building so they had to come from there…

Not so fast, says the head of another cyber-security agency. Jeff Carr, CEO of a different cybersecurity firm, Taia Global. He has a different explanation.

“Mandiant provided lots of facts about the PLA, and they provided a lot of facts about how APT1 works, I’m not disputing those.What I’m disputing is the conclusion that they drew. They created a table: In one column was characteristics of the PLA, the other was APT1, and they seemed to believe that the only possible conclusion was that the PLA is APT1. Well, that’s not the only possible conclusion.”   Those other possibilities include Russia, Israel, and France, which the U.S. has acknowledged engages in cyber-espionage. It could also include Ukraine, Taiwan, or Germany. Or “APT1 could just be a group of professional hackers that are stealing information and selling it,” Carr said. “In fact, that makes more sense to me because of the lack of operation security that’s been exhibited by these guys.”

The fact that most hackers’ Internet protocol (IP) addresses trace back to China doesn’t mean much. Those are easy to fake—heck, moderately sophisticated Internet pirates fake theirs all the time to avoid getting caught. China, indignant, countered the Mandiant report, partially on those lines.   “As we all know, hacker attacks almost always steal IP addresses. It is common practice online,” China’s Department of Defense announced after Mandiant’s report, though it also said it traced a million hacks on its own network to the U.S., via those attackers’ IP addresses.

What that says in plain language was that a million hacks came from the US into the Chinese system and then went back to the US.  A million hacks came from the US … just before CISPA was to be voted upon.    And you have this very cozy relationship with the sponsor of the CISPA bill and a cyber security firm which announced earlier that China was one day going to do massive hacks into the United States….

It worked.  It fooled Democrat John Carney.  He voted for CISPA.

“China is like the boogeyman to promote [CISPA],” cyber security specialist Carr added. “If you increase the fear around China, and then you wave CISPA, hopefully you will attract more movement to simply pass that—some blind attempt to heighten security.”

Bottom line is that CISPA would allow private companies (like Facebook, or your Internet service provider) to share your emails, text messages, or stored files with the government for “cybersecurity purposes,” and it would trump the existing laws that allow you to sue those companies for privacy violations.

All you know is that you got fired without cause and escorted out of your building…..

Sharing information is a flawed concept….   It is absolutely the wrong way to thwart an attack.  Such that it appears the main thrust of the bill is to access information, NOT thwart a cyber attack…

To thwart a cyber attack, one must take this approach….

“The solution is to assume your network is going to be breached, and you need to be able to identify what’s of value on that network, and segregate it and monitor it in real time. If somebody does gain access, and they’re accessing it from an IP address you don’t recognize or at a time of day where they shouldn’t be, you can immediately lock down that file. It’s known as data protection.    “It’s like the TSA. You tried to bring a bomb aboard in your shoe, so from now on we’ll just have everybody take off their shoes. 

But, as for now these details are all for naught ….

CISPA’s gone, one more round, CISPA’s gone…..

How They Wish It Was: How It Really is

On Delaware Politics, Mike Protack put this up for humor.  Warning: it isn’t really funny.  However, it is a very useful tool which can be used to describe the difference between the two parties.  Or more specifically, one decrepit party versus the rest of humanity.  One can definitely see in its original tone, that Republicans feel they are the entitled ones. They feel they should not have to work for their wealth, but it should be handed to them.  They assume they are entitled to exist at the top fo the food chain, and all others, who are on this planet, are here only for their pleasure or benefit….  So, I sincerely thank him for posting this, so the historians of posterity can come here to browse, whenever they ask: …”btw, what ever happened to the Republican Party?”

If a Republican doesn’t like guns, he doesn’t buy one.

If a Democrat doesn’t like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.

If a Republican is a vegetarian, he doesn’t eat meat.

If a Democrat is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.

If a Republican is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.

If a Democrat is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.

If a Republican is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.

If a Democrat is down-and-out he wonders who is going to take care of him.

If a Republican doesn’t like a talk show host, he switches channels.

A Democrat demands that those they don’t like be shut down.

If a Republican is a non-believer, he doesn’t go to church.

A Democrat non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.

If a Republican decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.

If a Democrat decides he needs health care, he demands that the rest of us pay for his.

If a Republican reads this, he’ll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh.

A Democrat will delete it because he’s “offended”.

That is how they wish it was…. Now… here is how it really is…..  if you notice above, Mike Protack’s joke is phrased as if it is the Republican who is the one doing something of which all Republicans don’t approve .  Everyone knows, that is not how Republicans are!   For this to be a true, accurate depiction of how things truly are and perceived by Republicans, we need the Republicans to be the ones controlling everyone else…  That is the reality and that is why the Republican party has lost 50% of its base since last November.

If a someone doesn’t like guns, a Republican threatens them with bodily harm.

If a someone is a vegetarian, a Republican taunts him for being a tree hugging commie pinko fag..

If someone is homosexual,  Republicans and his friends, attack him and drag his body behind their pickup around town.

If  someone is down-and-out, a Republican jeers, taunts, and punches them in the face.

If a Republican doesn’t like a talk show host, he beats the crap out of his wife.

If someone is a non-believer,  a Republican gets on his knees, and leads the Sussex County Council in loud, obnoxious prayer.

If a Republican decides he needs health care, he quits his job, runs a meth operation, and uses the money to pay off his doctors….

If a Republican reads this, he will say it was written by a bigot.

Obviously this of course has been done as a public service so those insensitive Republicans who are still unaware of how they appear to society when they express their views in public, can finally get the idea.  I hope this helps us all to move forward and treat each other with mutual respect…..

But, I doubt….  that they have it within them to rise to the challenge….  

Dumb Arguments From Boehnor, Cantor, and Moseley

This erupted on a right wing blog here in Delaware and for future historians who may wonder how Republicans collectively lost their minds, I preserved it right here….

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“Excuse me. Federal spending in 2008 was $2.9 trillion.

For 2011 it was $3.8 trillion.

For 2012 it was $3.7 trillion…..

Even if we cut $85 billion that still leave $700 billion we are over spending!!! “

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Of course, it certainly makes a difference in what is being overspent and what therefore needs to be cut.

In 2008, our defense budget was $671 billion. (Includes $190 billion for two wars not listed in budget but funded outside by appropriations).  This year it is $670 billion, including the two wars.. In 4 years there has been some creep downward of $1 billion.

Back in 2008, our non military discretionary budget was… $488 billion    Today it is  $615 billion.   The breakdown is below.

2008 –——-(+ or – 2007)—–  Cabinet Department——-(2013 budget)

$69.3 billion (+0.3%) – Department of Health and Human Services  ($81)
$56.0 billion (+0.0%) – Department of Education  ($68)
$39.4 billion (+18.7%) – Department of Veterans Affairs  ($60)
$35.2 billion (+1.4%) – Department of HUD  ($41)
$35.0 billion (+22.0%) – Department of State and Other International Programs  ($56)
$34.3 billion (+7.2%) – Department of Homeland Security  ($55)
$24.3 billion (+6.6%) – Department of Energy ($36)
$20.2 billion (+4.1%) – Department of Justice ($24)
$20.2 billion (+3.1%) – Department of Agriculture ($27)
$17.3 billion (+6.8%) – NASA  ($18)
$12.1 billion (+13.1%) – Department of Transportation ($24)
$12.1 billion (+6.1%) – Department of the Treasury ($14)
$10.6 billion (+2.9%) – Department of the Interior ($12)
$10.6 billion (-9.4%) – Department of Labor($13)
$51.8 billion (+9.7%) – Other On-budget Discretionary Spending ($53)
$39.0 billion – Other Off-budget Discretionary Spending  ($31)

A four year creep of $127 billion.

And we are proposing to cut $85 billion of that per year….  how much is 85 billion?  Well if you parked 85 billion cars, bumper to bumper, it would stretch to the sun and back, and back again as far as Mercury….

Imagine that huge amount instantly disappearing from our economy?

That is a pretty big worry.

Now we know where $100 billion of that $700 billion difference  came from.  Granted, it costs more to run our government now.  We have tighter security in our airports than we did in 2008.  We have tighter border security than we did in 2008.  We have a lot more people on food stamps than we did in 2008.  We have a lot more baby boomers retired or retiring… than we did in 2008…. We pay more in servicing our debt, than we did in 2008….

None of these can be cut.  Therefore we must cut out of our military.  We must cut out of our non military discretionary services…

Republicans have underestimated how painful these will be.  CBO says 700,000 jobs will be lost.  Regional pockets of unemployment could cross 40%.. Northern Virginia and Bethesda Maryland, will be very hard hit.  For when government workers get laid off, it is a  little different than if one closes a plant that makes widgets for the Chinese.  People in government facilitate other peoples lives.

Our food is safe, because of government.  Our planes are safe, because of government.  Our roads are safe because of government.  Our schools are safe, because of government.  Our neighborhoods are safe, because of government.  Our health is safe, because of government.  Our retirement is safe, because of government….

After March 1st, that safety provided by the government disappears….  the safety net has developed holes all through it…

Now when flying on the trapeze  through private sector jobs, flitting from one to another,  one must add the worry that if one misses his timely catching of the next bar,  he may just fall through one of the many gaping holes scattered across that net so far below….

Why Fair Tax Is Not Fair

It is simple.  Let us take the United States of America.

Our current tax on income nets us about $1.4 trillion.   If divided equally upon every American (315 m) we would all owe  $4444.44 dollars.  Pretty nifty right?

But that includes children. So, if we tax every working person fairly,  that is about 131 million of us,  each of us to be fair and pay the same amount would chip in $10, 687.

It shouldn’t matter how much one makes.  Everyone in a “fair” system should bear the brunt equally, right?

But some people simply don’t make $10,000 dollars.  Should all their totals then go to the Federal Government until they at least reach that  thresh hold?  And what about state and local taxes which are on top of these? They won’t get paid?

Of course not.

So we write off those who don’t make enough.  They are off the roles.

But shouldn’t they pay something?  Fairness says they should. But what? And if they don’t pay, who then should pick up their costs?  To be fair, shouldn’t it be split among everyone else?

Let’s answer that yes and see where it takes us.

Let us write off those making less than $10,000.  They can work without getting taxed and the rest us us pick up their slack.

The number of those making less then $10,000 are  roughly 38 million of us.  So if we take the entire tax burden and spread it equally, … we get the rest of us workers (131-38 ) 94 million of us share the $1.4 trillion dollar burden to the tune of $14,893 assessed upon each one….

We have two problems with this fairness model.  The first is that now, those making $15,000 a year, are working strictly for the Federal Government.  They have $0 dollars to spend.  The second fairness issue, is that those making only up to $10,000 in earnings keep all their money, but those between $10,000 and $15,000 now have nothing!  And of course those making $20,000 are scrapping to live off the $5,000 they have left, which is half of what those making only $10,000 have to spend.

Something is wrong with this “fair tax”.  It doesn’t  seem very fair now, does it?

Ok, so let’s jump it to $30,000.  A single person can live on $27,000 so let us make that the cut off point.  After all, they can get a cheap apartment at $1250 a month, pay off the utilities at $500 a month,  eat on $500 a month, and at $30,000  they can have $3000 for “others”….

So if the cut off is $30,000 then that wipes off the taxpaying roles  of 82,340,000 of us…  So those that are now left,  (131 – 82) .. 49,000,000 must bear the shared amount of  the rest.  Our shared total is ($1.4 trillion divided by 49 million)  or $28,571, well below the $30,000 threshold…

Well, now we are on to something!

If we divided the assessment up  according to the fair tax principals  every American making over $30,000 would pay $28,571… each.

We are told “this is fair” by the Flat Taxers, of which Huckabee is one.   From the rich man’s perspective it seems fair that the 81 of us making over $50,000,000 a year pay the same as everyone else making $30,000 a year or more.

for them it is like a community assessment fee.  Everyone who buys into America pays the same total into the same fund.

But,  from the bottom there are problems.  Again those making $30,000 a year have $30,000 in disposable income; those making $30,001 have $1430 to live off of for one whole year.  Likewise as one goes up the ladder the same imbalance continues.  Only until ones income has cross the $58,571 dollar mark, is he bringing home as much as is that person making $30,000 a year.  In fact, someone making $40,000 a year is bringing home the exact equivalent of someone making $11,430 a year…

And this is supposed to be fair….

To hide this fact from you, those advocating a fair tax coach the terms in percentages….  that for one, makes it hard for all of us non-math majors to see how unfair their proposal is, and two,  one can accept that paying the same percentage is fair because it sounds more fair…

Unfortunately whether you coach it in percentages or dollars, it is still the same principle…

The US has $5.8 trillion in annual taxable compensation…..  We need $1.4 Trillion of that each year for discretionary spending.  Do the percentage and we find that it is….. 24.13%….

So everyone pays one quarter for every dollar earned.   If you are rich, that’s a lot of money.  Presidential Romney pays less than 13% on the one year he would show us.  It is a 11% jump for him.  (Remember this is what gets paid; there are no other deductions to diminish the totals in a flat tax scheme).  An 11% jump?  About time he paid his fair share!!!

Again, that sounds great.  But of those 81 making over $50,000,000 a year… only make up 0.00005% of the population.

On the other hand, these starting from the bottom, get hit pretty hard…..

• <$10,000  = $7500 live on income
• <$20,000  = $15,000 live on income
• <$30,000  = $22,500 live on income
• <$40,000  = $30,000 live on income
• <$50,000  = $37,500 live on income
• <$60,000  = $45,000 live on income

So what we are saying is that it would be fair to simply suck 25% of taxable wages right out of our economy.

A curious question.  So how does a “fair tax” impact ones economy? Aside from the obvious that we now have to step up assistance payment to the lower echelons thereby incurring even more of an expense,  sucking this much money out that was previously untaxed,  actually makes quite a dent.

If  we are taxing 25% of all wages under $60,000, those 122 million of us are turning over $432 billion out of the $2.73 trillion all of us making under $60,000 earned…. sucking it out from our economy into the coffers of the US Treasury.

The cumulative wages of those few (42,000) making over $450,000 come up to close to $426 billion…  We take that amount and cull our 25% , the government gets $106 billion  and those few get to keep  the remainder, $320 billion .

So if you believe the “fair” tax is truly “fair” you subscribe to the belief that it is “fair” for someone to live off $7500, well under the cost of living,  and then get reimbursed with food stamps, Medicaid, and Earned Income Tax Credit, simply so that someone making $50,000,000 each year gets to pay the same rate because saying so makes it “fair”…

If we decided to give a tax break again to those making under $10,000,  all of those 38 million earning an aggregate of  $152 billion would have their portion of  income tax spread out across the rest of America’s taxpayers.  Just to only spread that to the top echelon alone, if those earning over $400,000 paid the entire amount of the $38 billion taken from those earning under $10,000, it would amount to only a total cumulative tax rate of 33.8%…

Which is pretty fair….

Because the truth is, that through manipulation of tax laws and the politicization of deductions within the tax structure, we don’t really have an income tax here in the United States of America.  What we do have, is a tax on income over those amounts required for deemed necessary expenses.

If you are wealthy and you still feel you are paying more of your money out in taxes, there is something fair you can do about that…. pay your employees a lot more.  The more they make, the more of the burden of the tax load they can afford to take away from you.   There is a very good reason right now, they are now paying less in taxes.

They are making a lot less ….  Likewise, you should be paying a lot more in taxes, because…. you are making a lot more.

That is fair.

 

 

 

NRA Ridicules Person Who Shoots Clay; Ignores Those Who Shoot Little Babies

Wow, that has to be a joke A headline like that jumps right out.

What? It’s true? Can’t be. Not even the NRA is that stupid, …. are they?

Really? They ridicule someone who shoots skeet, but won’t lift a little finger to prevent someone from killing their mother, then breaking into a school, shooting the principal and guidance counselor who try to disarm him, then methodically point and click an assault rifle at little children who have always trusted everyone they know, looking up at him with big eyes, maybe a smile, and he pulls the trigger?

Really, the NRA isn’t doing anything to stop him? Really? The NRA isn’t even saying they are sorry? Really?

I’m finding this a little hard to believe… I always thought the NRA was just normal people who liked guns. Wait a minute. I know lots of people in the NRA… They are terribly upset over the Newtown killings….

Oh, it isn’t them? Who is it?

Ohhhhhhh, the NRA leadership… What’s that guys name, Wayne LaPierre? So he came right out and said that it was too bad that little kids have to get killed, just so he can have a gun that should be illegal? It’s ok to have dead children laying on the tile, as long as Republicans get to keep their guns? He said that? Really?

And let me get this right…. This kook, this goofball, this sicko, is making fun of someone who shoots at clay?

News Journal SLAMS Caesar Rodney Institute of Education

Kilroy lambasted the Caesar Rodney attempt to stir up sentiment towards Charter Schools in rural Smyrna Delaware.

The News Journal played along too, here.

The meeting was attended by the following.

• Jim Hoseley, the Caesar Rodney Institute’s director of the Center for Excellence in Education.
• Priest of St. Polycarp Roman Catholic Church.
• A woman in the middle of the room wearing a purple knit hat.
• “Honey Bun”.
• The Rev. Thomas Flowers.
• One woman in the crowd who wondered aloud “where are the black people” as she looked around at a crowd of white faces.
• Mike Matthews, a Red Clay Consolidated special education teacher and union supporter,
• And one man who blurted out,  “Does he also believe in Santa Claus?”

Which would leave 25 others also down there, with the backdrop of the room filled with American flags and images of Jesus….

One would assume, except for Mike Matthews, that all those in attendance were people unfamiliar with education, period. Most of us would probably call them gullible.

Delaware Today magazine was then taken to the woodshed by Mr. Hosely of the Caesar Rodney Institute because it did not include charters with its public school rankings report. Instead, Delaware Today magazine charter schools were ranked in another issue of the magazine that was dedicated to private schools.

(The obvious reason it did so, was because Charter Schools are run like private schools and not, like public schools. Obviously missing the logic that if they were run like Public schools,and funded by the public school system, they might as well be Public Schools. That they are run like a Private School, is the whole point of charter schools…)

Next, the Caesar Rodney spokesperson bashed Markell because his state of the state did not mention vouchers. There are those who “philosophical” believe that there should be more of a “free-market” approach to our schools because this will push students to higher rates of achievement.

Governor Markell’s Delaware’s public schools have been failing minority students at a higher rate than their white peers, Hosley said.

This is where the lady looked around and said,” Where are all the BLACK PEOPLE!

In the past, black people is a group that the Caesar Rodney Institute hasn’t often found strong support among this community — earlier there was insulting criticism of brown-skinned people’s reasoning on there strong support for President Barack Obama.

Unfortunately, there were quite a few things that Mr. Hoseley of the Caesar Rodney Institute, failed to mention….

He failed to mention:

• That charter schools are generally no better — and often are worse — than their traditional counterparts…
• State and local agencies and organizations in Republican districts that grant the charters have been increasingly hesitant to shut down schools, even those that continue to perform abysmally for years on end..
• Only 17 percent of charter schools provided a better education than traditional schools, and 37 percent actually offered children a worse education. Meaning a charter school has only a 1 in 7 chance of being any better than a public school… And a 2 in 7 chance of completely ruining the kids in its care.
• Standards being used by the charter authorizers to judge school performance are terribly weak.
• For the majority of schools, poor first year performance will give way to poor second year performance.

States that are in a hurry to expand charter schools should proceed with caution. The evidence of success is not all that ample.

Advocates of Charter Schools who “philosophically” believe in the “Free market system” cheer when they see a charter school closes… “See, that’s what we are talking about!  Yeah, Baby!  It failed.  Shut ‘er down!  The market system works.  If it succeeded and had done well, it would have prospered. Now that it is closed, it can’t destroy any more children.  The free market system works.  Woo Hoo!!! “…..

When asked, they could provide no answer of what to do with those children who were now,  unable to go to school…..

Tax Policy Wonks Only Need Look Here

I’m about to dump this bibliography onto Delaware Liberals comment section as a response to Cass’s admonition that there is no empirical evidence that raising taxes grows the economy.

I understand her frustration. Having dealt with Global Warming deniers, I am aware of all the twists and turns one uses to escape overwhelming evidence that one is wrong. As with Global warming there are many moving parts. I remember Tommywonk illustrating the difference between weather and climate. There is a difference.

Usually the argument of distraction is used. I know someone whose house flooded after Sandy, who once said to me “Ha, Ha, there is a glacier that is growing ice. Global warming is debunked.” They were unable to grasp the big picture, that if the average global temperature was rising, then the earth was getting warmer, even if you did get snow in October.

The overwhelming evidence in regards to the economy, is that when tax rates are too low, inevitably economies fail. When tax rates are high, economies do well across the entire board of measurements.

Obviously having a bibliography in someone else’s comment section will be hard to find. It is here for anyone wanting to reference data available that answers the question “why” higher taxes grow economies….

http://www.epi.org/publication/books_rethinking_growth/

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Columns/2011/06/24/Will-Higher-Taxes-Tank-the-Economy.aspx#page1

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-02/raising-taxes-isn-t-a-kiss-of-death-for-employment-growth-history-shows.html

http://www.decisionsonevidence.com/2012/04/more-jobs-through-lower-tax-rates-a-look-at-the-evidence/

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/tax-cuts-rich-dont-spur-151649273.html

http://stumblingandmumbling.typepad.com/stumbling_and_mumbling/2010/04/a-tax-on-jobs-experimental-evidence.html

Rutgers economic historian James Livingston has reasserted it in an excellent book: “Against Thrift”.

http://www.newrepublic.com/blog/plank/111016/rein-the-rich#

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3043/does-cutting-taxes-create-jobs

http://www.columbia.edu/~ma820/taxes.and.jobs.html

http://www.ncjustice.org/sites/default/files/BTC%20Brief%20-%20Better%20Alternatives%20to%20Cutting%20Corp%20Tax.pdf

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/05/12/higher-taxes-encourage-tax-avoidance/

http://lanekenworthy.net/2011/05/09/taxes-and-work/

http://blog.oregonlive.com/myoregon/2010/01/facts_not_propaganda_should_gu.html

http://open.salon.com/blog/myles_spicer/2011/04/12/job_creation_by_the_wealthy_is_mostly_a_myth

http://www.fairtaxation.org/facts/jobs.php

http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/the-economic-impact-of-raising-taxes-on-high-income-households/

http://web.econ.uic.edu/espe2007/paper/F53new.pdf

http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2011/07/on_high_income_taxes_and_job_c.html

http://washingtonindependent.com/108872/studies-debunk-myth-that-the-rich-flee-states-with-higher-tax-rates

http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/corporate-income-taxes-profit-and-employment-performance-canadas-largest-compa

http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/having-their-cake-and-eating-it-too

http://www.politicususa.com/higher-taxes-jobs.html

I hope you don’t mind that I left them in browser form. It was late, and I thought that at least seeing the raw links was easier to pick and choose among, than clicking blindly. Enjoy.

(just added this… Although it is possible that Google has though my previous research tailored my search results to my liking, but when I Googled “evidence that high taxes creates new jobs” I got pages stating that “low taxes do not create jobs”. Those touting that low taxes did create jobs, were all copies of one study derived from the Cato Institute, and …. they always ended with “well, it just has to be this way”. Not very solid intellectual arguments to be sure.) It appears there that Mitch’s philosophy “Low taxes create jobs.” has been removed from internet consideration as being a serious topic.

Alert: The Crises Is Real….

I apologize to all. i too was lulled by press reports that led me to think we could coast two months without resolving the fiscal cliff. I just read data otherwise. I did not know that the debt ceiling fell on December 31. I have been lulled into thinking it wasn’t until February that it became due.

That is because the press assumed that since we got through two months of stopgaps last time, we can do it again.

There is the possibility that we can. But what scares me are the scenarios which portend we will not.

The debt ceiling crises is like a cancer. The United States of America is the patient. We know that at some point the cancer will be so advanced it will be untreatable; after which it will become too pervasive and it will win. We could walk into the cancer center right now, and say “let’s get this started”, and know that we will come out ok. Although we don’t know for sure, the predictions are that our point of no return is at the end of February. If we are wrong, and the cancer unbeknownst to us is too rampant, it will win.

Our huge problem is that we need a consensus to get ourselves into the cancer treatment center. And one party whose vote is required, will not vote yes, because they believe only in medicine proscribed by witch doctors. They will not consider to committing the patient for medical treatment, until a witch doctor has been brought in from deepest Africa to perform his rituals…. That one small contingent believes in mystical witchcraft so much, they refuse to allow medical treatment.

Of course when the line of death approaches and all others remain adamant that saving the country is more important than proving the existence of witchcraft, we assume they will give in….

The real question is whether or not we can get them to commit before it becomes too late….

If not, the Tea Party contingent of the Republican Party of the United States of America, will have signed our nations death warrant.

I know a lot of people raise hell over every crisis in order to promote their argument. I’m always the cool headed one. Simply put, we are now in a minefield because all markets are maxed out, because leverage is off the scale, because the treasury can’t help, so that if the markets were to fall because of the threat of a credit downgrade, there will be no bottom. The financial system as we know it, will be no more….

Today’s Tea Party in the House of Representatives is the metaphorical equivalent of putting 4th Graders in control of our nuclear arsenal… There is still a good possibility that they will act rationally and all will go ok; nothing catastrophic will happen.. But should they not, the results will not be a little minor blip….

America’s Ugly Wall Of Shame

This is horrible. It breaks my heart. How can this happen in America? The land of plenty? The nation of opportunity? All reduced to just pithy sayings because of …. these people…

Representative District Phone Number Office Location
Adams, Sandy FL-24 (202) 225-2706 216 Cannon HOB
Aderholt, Robert AL-04 (202) 225-4876 2264 Rayburn HOB
Akin, Todd MO-02 (202) 225-2561 117 Cannon HOB
Alexander, Rodney LA-05 (202) 225-8490 316 Cannon HOB
Amash, Justin MI-03 (202) 225-3831 114 Cannon HOB
Amodei, Mark NV-02 (202) 225-6155 125 Cannon HOB
Austria, Steve OH-07 (202) 225-4324 439 Cannon HOB
Bachmann, Michele MN-06 (202) 225-2331 103 Cannon HOB
Bachus, Spencer AL-06 (202) 225-4921 2246 Rayburn HOB
Barletta, Louis PA-11 (202) 225-6511 510 Cannon HOB
Bartlett, Roscoe MD-06 (202) 225-2721 2412 Rayburn HOB
Barton, Joe TX-06 (202) 225-2002 2109 Rayburn HOB
Bass, Charlie NH-02 (202) 225-5206 2350 Rayburn HOB
Benishek, Dan MI-01 (202) 225-4735 514 Cannon HOB
Berg, Rick ND (202) 225-2611 323 Cannon HOB
Biggert, Judy IL-13 (202) 225-3515 2113 Rayburn HOB
Bilbray, Brian CA-50 (202) 225-0508 2410 Rayburn HOB
Bilirakis, Gus FL-09 (202) 225-5755 407 Cannon HOB
Bishop, Rob UT-01 (202) 225-0453 123 Cannon HOB
Black, Diane TN-06 (202) 225-4231 1531 Longworth HOB
Blackburn, Marsha TN-07 (202) 225-2811 217 Cannon HOB
Boehner, John OH-08 (202) 225-6205 1011 Longworth HOB
Bonner, Jo AL-01 (202) 225-4931 2236 Rayburn HOB
Bono Mack, Mary CA-45 (202) 225-5330 104 Cannon HOB
Boustany, Charles LA-07 (202) 225-2031 1117 Longworth HOB
Brady, Kevin TX-08 (202) 225-4901 301 Cannon HOB
Brooks, Mo AL-05 (202) 225-4801 1641 Longworth HOB
Broun, Paul GA-10 (202) 225-4101 325 Cannon HOB
Buchanan, Vern FL-13 (202) 225-5015 221 Cannon HOB
Bucshon, Larry IN-08 (202) 225-4636 1123 Longworth HOB
Buerkle, Ann Marie NY-25 (202) 225-3701 1630 Longworth HOB
Burgess, Michael TX-26 (202) 225-7772 2241 Rayburn HOB
Burton, Dan IN-05 (202) 225-2276 2308 Rayburn HOB
Calvert, Ken CA-44 (202) 225-1986 2269 Rayburn HOB
Camp, Dave MI-04 (202) 225-3561 341 Cannon HOB
Campbell, John CA-48 (202) 225-5611 1507 Longworth HOB
Canseco, Quico TX-23 (202) 225-4511 1339 Longworth HOB
Cantor, Eric VA-07 (202) 225-2815 303 Cannon HOB
Carter, John TX-31 (202) 225-3864 409 Cannon HOB
Cassidy, Bill LA-06 (202) 225-3901 1535 Longworth HOB
Chabot, Steve OH-01 (202) 225-2216 2351 Rayburn HOB
Chaffetz, Jason UT-03 (202) 225-7751 1032 Longworth HOB
Coble, Howard NC-06 (202) 225-3065 2188 Rayburn HOB
Coffman, Mike CO-06 (202) 225-7882 1222 Longworth HOB
Cole, Tom OK-04 (202) 225-6165 2458 Rayburn HOB
Conaway, Michael TX-11 (202) 225-3605 2430 Rayburn HOB
Cravaack, Chip MN-08 (202) 225-6211 508 Cannon HOB
Crawford, Rick AR-01 (202) 225-4076 1408 Longworth HOB
Crenshaw, Ander FL-04 (202) 225-2501 440 Cannon HOB
Culberson, John TX-07 (202) 225-2571 2352 Rayburn HOB
Denham, Jeff CA-19 (202) 225-4540 1605 Longworth HOB
Dent, Charlie PA-15 (202) 225-6411 1009 Longworth HOB
DesJarlais, Scott TN-04 (202) 225-6831 413 Cannon HOB
Diaz-Balart, Mario FL-21 (202) 225-4211 436 Cannon HOB
Dold, Robert IL-10 (202) 225-4835 212 Cannon HOB
Dreier, David CA-26 (202) 225-2305 233 Cannon HOB
Duffy, Sean WI-07 (202) 225-3365 1208 Longworth HOB
Duncan, Jeff SC-03 (202) 225-5301 116 Cannon HOB
Duncan, John TN-02 (202) 225-5435 2207 Rayburn HOB
Ellmers, Renee NC-02 (202) 225-4531 1533 Longworth HOB
Emerson, Jo Ann MO-08 (202) 225-4404 2230 Rayburn HOB
Farenthold, Blake TX-27 (202) 225-7742 2110 Rayburn HOB
Fincher, Stephen Lee TN-08 (202) 225-4714 1118 Longworth HOB
Fitzpatrick, Mike PA-08 (202) 225-4276 1224 Longworth HOB
Flake, Jeff AZ-06 (202) 225-2635 240 Cannon HOB
Fleischmann, Chuck TN-03 (202) 225-3271 511 Cannon HOB
Fleming, John LA-04 (202) 225-2777 1023 Longworth HOB
Flores, Bill TX-17 (202) 225-6105 1505 Longworth HOB
Forbes, J. Randy VA-04 (202) 225-6365 2438 Rayburn HOB
Fortenberry, Jeff NE-01 (202) 225-4806 1514 Longworth HOB
Foxx, Virginia NC-05 (202) 225-2071 1230 Longworth HOB
Franks, Trent AZ-02 (202) 225-4576 2435 Rayburn HOB
Frelinghuysen, Rodney NJ-11 (202) 225-5034 2369 Rayburn HOB
Gallegly, Elton CA-24 (202) 225-5811 2309 Rayburn HOB
Gardner, Cory CO-04 (202) 225-4676 213 Cannon HOB
Garrett, Scott NJ-05 (202) 225-4465 2244 Rayburn HOB
Gerlach, Jim PA-06 (202) 225-4315 2442 Rayburn HOB
Gibbs, Bob OH-18 (202) 225-6265 329 Cannon HOB
Gibson, Chris NY-20 (202) 225-5614 502 Cannon HOB
Gingrey, Phil GA-11 (202) 225-2931 442 Cannon HOB
Gohmert, Louie TX-01 (202) 225-3035 2440 Rayburn HOB
Goodlatte, Bob VA-06 (202) 225-5431 2240 Rayburn HOB
Gosar, Paul AZ-01 (202) 225-2315 504 Cannon HOB
Gowdy, Trey SC-04 (202) 225-6030 1237 Longworth HOB
Granger, Kay TX-12 (202) 225-5071 320 Cannon HOB
Graves, Sam MO-06 (202) 225-7041 1415 Longworth HOB
Graves, Tom GA-09 (202) 225-5211 1113 Longworth HOB
Griffin, Tim AR-02 (202) 225-2506 1232 Longworth HOB
Griffith, Morgan VA-09 (202) 225-3861 1108 Longworth HOB
Grimm, Michael NY-13 (202) 225-3371 512 Cannon HOB
Guinta, Frank NH-01 (202) 225-5456 1223 Longworth HOB
Guthrie, Brett KY-02 (202) 225-3501 308 Cannon HOB
Hall, Ralph TX-04 (202) 225-6673 2405 Rayburn HOB
Hanna, Richard NY-24 (202) 225-3665 319 Cannon HOB
Harper, Gregg MS-03 (202) 225-5031 307 Cannon HOB
Harris, Andy MD-01 (202) 225-5311 506 Cannon HOB
Hartzler, Vicky MO-04 (202) 225-2876 1023 Longworth HOB
Hastings, Doc WA-04 (202) 225-5816 1203 Longworth HOB
Hayworth, Nan NY-19 (202) 225-5441 1440 Longworth HOB
Heck, Joe NV-03 (202) 225-3252 132 Cannon HOB
Hensarling, Jeb TX-05 (202) 225-3484 129 Cannon HOB
Herger, Wally CA-02 (202) 225-3076 242 Cannon HOB
Herrera Beutler, Jaime WA-03 (202) 225-3536 1130 Longworth HOB
Huelskamp, Tim KS-01 (202) 225-2715 126 Cannon HOB
Huizenga, Bill MI-02 (202) 225-4401 1217 Longworth HOB
Hultgren, Randy IL-14 (202) 225-2976 427 Cannon HOB
Hunter, Duncan D. CA-52 (202) 225-5672 223 Cannon HOB
Hurt, Robert VA-05 (202) 225-4711 1516 Longworth HOB
Issa, Darrell CA-49 (202) 225-3906 2347 Rayburn HOB
Jenkins, Lynn KS-02 (202) 225-6601 1122 Longworth HOB
Johnson, Bill OH-06 (202) 225-5705 317 Cannon HOB
Johnson, Sam TX-03 (202) 225-4201 1211 Longworth HOB
Johnson, Timothy IL-15 (202) 225-2371 1207 Longworth HOB
Jones, Walter NC-03 (202) 225-3415 2333 Rayburn HOB
Jordan, Jim OH-04 (202) 225-2676 1524 Longworth HOB
Kelly, Mike PA-03 (202) 225-5406 515 Cannon HOB
King, Peter NY-03 (202) 225-7896 339 Cannon HOB
King, Steve IA-05 (202) 225-4426 1131 Longworth HOB
Kingston, Jack GA-01 (202) 225-5831 2372 Rayburn HOB
Kinzinger, Adam IL-11 (202) 225-3635 1218 Longworth HOB
Kline, John MN-02 (202) 225-2271 2439 Rayburn HOB
Labrador, Raul ID-01 (202) 225-6611 1523 Longworth HOB
Lamborn, Doug CO-05 (202) 225-4422 412 Cannon HOB
Lance, Leonard NJ-07 (202) 225-5361 426 Cannon HOB
Landry, Jeff LA-03 (202) 225-4031 206 Cannon HOB
Lankford, James OK-05 (202) 225-2132 509 Cannon HOB
Latham, Tom IA-04 (202) 225-5476 2217 Rayburn HOB
LaTourette, Steven OH-14 (202) 225-5731 2371 Rayburn HOB
Latta, Bob OH-05 (202) 225-6405 1323 Longworth HOB
Lewis, Jerry CA-41 (202) 225-5861 2112 Rayburn HOB
LoBiondo, Frank NJ-02 (202) 225-6572 2427 Rayburn HOB
Long, Billy MO-07 (202) 225-6536 1541 Longworth HOB
Lucas, Frank OK-03 (202) 225-5565 2311 Rayburn HOB
Luetkemeyer, Blaine MO-09 (202) 225-2956 1740 Longworth HOB
Lummis, Cynthia WY (202) 225-2311 113 Cannon HOB
Lungren, Dan CA-03 (202) 225-5716 2313 Rayburn HOB
Mack, Connie FL-14 (202) 225-2536 115 Cannon HOB
Manzullo, Donald IL-16 (202) 225-5676 2228 Rayburn HOB
Marchant, Kenny TX-24 (202) 225-6605 1110 Longworth HOB
Marino, Tom PA-10 (202) 225-3731 410 Cannon HOB
Massie, Thomas KY-04 (202) 225-3465 1119 Longworth HOB
McCarthy, Kevin CA-22 (202) 225-2915 326 Cannon HOB
McCaul, Michael TX-10 (202) 225-2401 131 Cannon HOB
McClintock, Tom CA-04 (202) 225-2511 428 Cannon HOB
McHenry, Patrick NC-10 (202) 225-2576 224 Cannon HOB
McKeon, Buck CA-25 (202) 225-1956 2184 Rayburn HOB
McKinley, David WV-01 (202) 225-4172 313 Cannon HOB
McMorris Rodgers, Cathy WA-05 (202) 225-2006 2421 Rayburn HOB
Meehan, Patrick PA-07 (202) 225-2011 513 Cannon HOB
Mica, John FL-07 (202) 225-4035 2187 Rayburn HOB
Miller, Candice MI-10 (202) 225-2106 1034 Longworth HOB
Miller, Gary CA-42 (202) 225-3201 2349 Rayburn HOB
Miller, Jeff FL-01 (202) 225-4136 2416 Rayburn HOB
Moore Capito, Shelley WV-02 (202) 225-2711 2443 Rayburn HOB
Mulvaney, Mick SC-05 (202) 225-5501 1004 Longworth HOB
Murphy, Tim PA-18 (202) 225-2301 322 Cannon HOB
Myrick, Sue NC-09 (202) 225-1976 230 Cannon HOB
Neugebauer, Randy TX-19 (202) 225-4005 1424 Longworth HOB
Noem, Kristi SD (202) 225-2801 226 Cannon HOB
Nugent, Rich FL-05 (202) 225-1002 1517 Longworth HOB
Nunes, Devin CA-21 (202) 225-2523 1013 Longworth HOB
Nunnelee, Alan MS-01 (202) 225-4306 1432 Longworth HOB
Olson, Pete TX-22 (202) 225-5951 312 Cannon HOB
Palazzo, Steven MS-04 (202) 225-5772 331 Cannon HOB
Paul, Ron TX-14 (202) 225-2831 203 Cannon HOB
Paulsen, Erik MN-03 (202) 225-2871 127 Cannon HOB
Pearce, Steve NM-02 (202) 225-2365 2432 Rayburn HOB
Pence, Mike IN-06 (202) 225-3021 100 Cannon HOB
Petri, Thomas WI-06 (202) 225-2476 2462 Rayburn HOB
Pitts, Joe PA-16 (202) 225-2411 420 Cannon HOB
Platts, Todd PA-19 (202) 225-5836 2455 Rayburn HOB
Poe, Ted TX-02 (202) 225-6565 430 Cannon HOB
Pompeo, Mike KS-04 (202) 225-6216 107 Cannon HOB
Posey, Bill FL-15 (202) 225-3671 120 Cannon HOB
Price, Tom GA-06 (202) 225-4501 403 Cannon HOB
Quayle, Ben AZ-03 (202) 225-3361 1419 Longworth HOB
Reed, Tom NY-29 (202) 225-3161 1208 Longworth HOB
Rehberg, Denny MT (202) 225-3211 2448 Rayburn HOB
Reichert, Dave WA-08 (202) 225-7761 1730 Longworth HOB
Renacci, Jim OH-16 (202) 225-3876 130 Cannon HOB
Ribble, Reid WI-08 (202) 225-5665 1513 Longworth HOB
Rigell, Scott VA-02 (202) 225-4215 327 Cannon HOB
Rivera, David FL-25 (202) 225-2778 417 Cannon HOB
Roby, Martha AL-02 (202) 225-2901 414 Cannon HOB
Roe, Phil TN-01 (202) 225-6356 419 Cannon HOB
Rogers, Hal KY-05 (202) 225-4601 2406 Rayburn HOB
Rogers, Mike AL-03 (202) 225-3261 324 Cannon HOB
Rogers, Mike MI-08 (202) 225-4872 133 Cannon HOB
Rohrabacher, Dana CA-46 (202) 225-2415 2300 Rayburn HOB
Rokita, Todd IN-04 (202) 225-5037 236 Cannon HOB
Rooney, Tom FL-16 (202) 225-5792 1529 Longworth HOB
Roskam, Peter IL-06 (202) 225-4561 227 Cannon HOB
Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana FL-18 (202) 225-3931 2206 Rayburn HOB
Ross, Dennis FL-12 (202) 225-1252 404 Cannon HOB
Royce, Ed CA-40 (202) 225-4111 2185 Rayburn HOB
Runyan, Jon NJ-03 (202) 225-4765 1239 Longworth HOB
Ryan, Paul WI-01 (202) 225-3031 1233 Longworth HOB
Scalise, Steve LA-01 (202) 225-3015 429 Cannon HOB
Schilling, Bobby IL-17 (202) 225-5905 507 Cannon HOB
Schmidt, Jean OH-02 (202) 225-3164 2464 Rayburn HOB
Schock, Aaron IL-18 (202) 225-6201 328 Cannon HOB
Schweikert, David AZ-05 (202) 225-2190 1205 Longworth HOB
Scott, Austin GA-08 (202) 225-6531 516 Cannon HOB
Scott, Tim SC-01 (202) 225-3176 1117 Longworth HOB
Sensenbrenner, F. James WI-05 (202) 225-5101 2449 Rayburn HOB
Sessions, Pete TX-32 (202) 225-2231 2233 Rayburn HOB
Shimkus, John IL-19 (202) 225-5271 2452 Rayburn HOB
Shuster, Bill PA-09 (202) 225-2431 204 Cannon HOB
Simpson, Mike ID-02 (202) 225-5531 2312 Rayburn HOB
Smith, Adrian NE-03 (202) 225-6435 503 Cannon HOB
Smith, Christopher NJ-04 (202) 225-3765 2373 Rayburn HOB
Smith, Lamar TX-21 (202) 225-4236 2409 Rayburn HOB
Southerland, Steve FL-02 (202) 225-5235 1229 Longworth HOB
Stearns, Cliff FL-06 (202) 225-5744 2306 Rayburn HOB
Stivers, Steve OH-15 (202) 225-2015 1007 Longworth HOB
Stutzman, Marlin IN-03 (202) 225-4436 1728 Longworth HOB
Sullivan, John OK-01 (202) 225-2211 434 Cannon HOB
Terry, Lee NE-02 (202) 225-4155 2331 Rayburn HOB
Thompson, Glenn PA-05 (202) 225-5121 124 Cannon HOB
Thornberry, Mac TX-13 (202) 225-3706 2209 Rayburn HOB
Tiberi, Pat OH-12 (202) 225-5355 106 Cannon HOB
Tipton, Scott CO-03 (202) 225-4761 218 Cannon HOB
Turner, Bob NY-09 (202) 225-6616 2104 Rayburn HOB
Turner, Michael OH-03 (202) 225-6465 2454 Rayburn HOB
Upton, Fred MI-06 (202) 225-3761 2183 Rayburn HOB
Walberg, Tim MI-07 (202) 225-6276 418 Cannon HOB
Walden, Greg OR-02 (202) 225-6730 2182 Rayburn HOB
Walsh, Joe IL-08 (202) 225-3711 432 Cannon HOB
Webster, Daniel FL-08 (202) 225-2176 1039 Longworth HOB
West, Allen FL-22 (202) 225-3026 1708 Longworth HOB
Westmoreland, Lynn GA-03 (202) 225-5901 2433 Rayburn HOB
Whitfield, Ed KY-01 (202) 225-3115 2368 Rayburn HOB
Wilson, Joe SC-02 (202) 225-2452 2229 Rayburn HOB
Wittman, Rob VA-01 (202) 225-4261 1317 Longworth HOB
Wolf, Frank VA-10 (202) 225-5136 241 Cannon HOB
Womack, Steve AR-03 (202) 225-4301 1508 Longworth HOB
Woodall, Rob GA-07 (202) 225-4272 1725 Longworth HOB
Yoder, Kevin KS-03 (202) 225-2865 214 Cannon HOB
Young, C.W. “Bill” FL-10 (202) 225-5961 2407 Rayburn HOB
Young, Donald AK (202) 225-5765 2314 Rayburn HOB
Young, Todd IN-09 (202) 225-5315 1721 Longworth HOB

When our grandchildren ask their parents…. “Tell me again, Dad. How did America fall from once being the greatest country in the world to live in?”

“Dear, Child, …. once there were cowards…. who when the time came to stand up for what was needed…. To choose between what was so obviously “right” from “wrong”,…. failed their test of character, and gave into fear, darkness, despair. Responsible for opening the gates to evil itself, these men and women could not bring it upon themselves, to fight against it. They allowed Evil to enter inside their hearts, to rule their thoughts… and darkness turned them away from all America once stood for, casting us deep under this dark evil’s spell from which we’ve never recovered.

Just a handful, who when all hope was laid upon them, and victory seemed to raise its hand, turned their frightened backs upon the battle, and in shame …… ran….

Christmas Message For NRA

I saw we just lost a soldier in Afghanistan this holiday. It made me realize in that society almost everyone has a gun. And they know how to use it. Actually almost everyone in that society has an assault rifle, stolen from either the Soviets or given to them by the Americans… That society is not safe.

Yeman has no gun control laws. Neither does Somalia. Why would we want to evolve towards their world of chaos, instead of pulling away from it?

The NRA has jumped the shark… They seem to have no sense of reality anymore… In a way, they are just like Romney who on the night of November 6th, realized his vision was just that, a vision with no root in reality.

How is giving every nut a gun, going to make us safer? Look to Afghanistan for the answer….

I want your land. = Gun
I want your daughter = Gun
I want your valuables = Gun
Nice horse you got there, I’ll take it = Gun

Half of the NRA’s funding in 2011 came from gun owners dues, which have dropped a lot from 2010, which is down from 2009. The other half is supplied by the gun manufacturers.

Every respectful American should cancel their membership, for the simple reason, their blindness to Newtown Connecticut, makes it embarrassing to be associated with them. The NRA used to solely teach gun safety. It should go back to what it did well….

Ladies and gentlemen: if you truly want to do something great this Christmas, and represent your religion well, drop your membership to the NRA until they go back to teaching gun safety and leaving politics alone….. I mean I wouldn’t trust a store clerk with removing my liver. Why would I trust a gun nut, with protecting my life by giving even more, and more people the option to make a personal statement at my expense, then kill themselves?