https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/04/walter-e-williams/rights-vs-wishes/

Rights Versus Wishes
By Walter E. Williams
April 20, 2016

*** begin quote ***

Here is what presidential aspirant Sen. Bernie Sanders said: “I believe that health care is a right of all people.” President Barack Obama declared that health care “should be a right for every American.” The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: “Every person has a right to adequate health care.” President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his January 1944 message to Congress, called for “the right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health.” And it is not just a health care right that people claim. There are rights to decent housing, good food, and a decent job, and for senior citizens, there’s a right to prescription drugs. In a free and moral society, do people have these rights? Let’s look at it.

*** end quote ***

So how is that “right” to “affordable care” working out for you?

I have no obligation to pay for anyone else’s “stuff”.

Argh!

A “positive” right to something implies that someone must provide it.

In nature, everything has a cost. Even “free health care”.

http://tomwoods.com/d/bernie.pdf

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http://tomwoods.com/podcast/ep-642-the-israel-lobby-what-it-does-and-how-it-works/

Ep. 642 The Israel Lobby: What It Does and How It Works
18th April 2016
Tom Woods

*** begin quote ***

We are supposed to believe that the network of organizations promoting a particular view of Israel and the U.S. relationship with that country doesn’t exist, and that anyone who says it does is a crank and a hater. Yet it’s precisely the network of organizations that would call such a person a hater that we’re talking about in the first pace. Grant Smith joins me for a rational discussion of this inexplicably sensitive issue.

About the Guest

Grant F. Smith is director of research at the Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy in Washington, D.C.

Book Discussed

Big Israel: How Israel’s Lobby Moves America

*** end quote ***

Basically, I don’t understand anyone who doesn’t have sympathy for Israel after the Shoah considering American actions before it (i.e., rejection of the Saint Louis; the anti-semitism of the US State Department; the failure of the executive to order the US Army Air Corp to stop the trains; the failure to inform the American people of what known facts when it was happening). 

That being said, not all the Israeli and USA interests are ALWAYS aligned.

It was an eye opening podcast that exposes how much the Israeli Gooferment manipulates the USA Gooferment to its benefit.

Argh!

Entirely too much Gooferment is my bottom line.

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18th April 2016Tom Woods33 COMMENTS

In response to my letter opposing the ACA.

*** begin quote ***

Dear Ferdinand,

Sincerely,

Jeanne Shaheen
United States Senator

*** end quote ***

Argh!

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Dear Ferdinand,

Sincerely,

Jeanne Shaheen
United States Senator

http://nj1015.com/feedback/

Listened to D&D (DEMINSKI & DOYLE) on 101.5 FM the other day.

And, gave them the following “feedback”. (Their webpage prevents cut’n’paste. Argh!)

*** begin quote ***

D&D on “drinking and driving”

I think the penalties are wrong and counter-productive.

First, if drinking and driving are soon bad, then my generation should have died out.

Second, “they” keep lowering the “limits” to capture more revenue. It used to be 1.25 for “DRUNKEN driving”. Now, it’s 0.80 for “DRINKING and driving”.

Third and probably worst, it confuses the definition of “crime” — something that causes death, injury, or damage to property. A driver, who is snagged for the first time in a random stop, has not hurt anyone.

Argh!

*** end quote ***

In a short feedback square, it’s impossible to lay out what is so totally wrong about the biased question. It was designed to get folks talking about increasing the suspension time and prison time for DUI.

Argh!

Even the hosts readily and quickly admitted that their question had no chance of “solving the problem” (i.e., folks drive while on the suspended / revoked list and breath interlock devices can be bypassed).

So, let’s go into a little depth.

Historically, “Drinking and Driving” was a not a “big deal”. In fact, unless there was an accident, it wasn’t enforced.

The politicians and bureaucrats want to get into our pocketbooks to drain more wealth for their unconstitutional activities. More money is always needed!

SO let’s start with reinstating the Fourth Amendment, and end the random capricious checks for “DUI”.

If there is an accident, an injury, or Heaven Forbid a death, then there has been a crime. The accused should be tried and forced to make restitution.

If it’s just an accident with property damage, then the individual should be put on notice that the NEXT time there will be SEVERE penalties. An injury or fatality goes directly to an enhanced punishment!

For a second offense, jail time should be mandatory.

Subsequent offenses should have suitably longer imprisonment.

That will END the problem with a minimum expense to the taxpayer.

 Argh!

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http://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2016/03/trump-is-rightdump-nato-now.html

MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2016
Trump Is Right—–Dump NATO Now
By David Stockman

*** begin quote ***

If you want to know why we have a $19 trillion national debt and a fiscal structure that will take that already staggering figure to $35 trillion and 140% of GDP within a decade, just consider the latest campaign fracas. That is, the shrieks of disbelief in response to Donald Trump’s sensible suggestion that the Europeans pay for their own defense.

*** end quote ***

For everything bad “they” say about Trump, dumping NATO and all the costs associated with it would save a very pretty penny!

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https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/03/robert-ringer/capitalism-communism/

Capitalism or Communism? What Difference Does It Make?
By Robert Ringer
RobertRinger.com
March 29, 2016

*** begin quote ***

Sorry, Barackus, but communism and capitalism are at opposite ends of the liberty-tyranny spectrum. Communism is literal slavery for the masses and thus specifically prevents people from bettering their lives. Capitalism, on the other hand, is the epitome of freedom and provides unlimited opportunity for all. Other than this minor distinction, you don’t have to worry about whether something fits into socialist theory or capitalist theory.

*** end quote ***

This item was not widely reported.

I read a lot of global “news” thanks to Al Gore’s internet.

When I read this, I was blown away.

How stupid can you be?

Like those who wear the Che t-shirts — I have been know to reprimand those I see with those one — like the crazy old fart I am.

Communism / Marxism / Socialism / Fascism all lead to genocidal maniacs in charge.

How utterly ignorant of the cause and effect chain.

Argh!

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https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/03/mark-thornton/curing-heroin-epidemic/

The Legalization Cure for the Heroin Epidemic
By Mark Thornton
Mises.org
March 29, 2016

*** begin quote ***

The problem of the epidemic rests with two causes. The first is the War on Drugs which creates profit incentives in the black market for the distribution of the most dangerous drugs. The second is the pharmaceutical-medical-FDA complex, or Big Pharma, which profits from treating pain with dangerous pharmaceutical drugs.

*** and ***

Third, in a free market, drugs like heroin would be produced and sold on a commercial basis. It would be a standardized product(s) and companies that sold dangerous and addictive products would do so under several legal constraints, such as liability and negligence law.

*** and ***

With drug legalization, the number of overdose deaths would plummet and tens of thousands of families would not have their lives ruined every year.

*** end quote ***

I’d add that the “(pseudo) War on (some) Drugs” incentivizes the Gooferment to keep the current status quo. 

The “forfeiture laws” provide a huge incentive to the police. And let’s not forget all the profits and employment in the justice / prison industry.

Argh!

It’s a medical problem that can be addressed by letting Walmart become the nation’s “drug dealer”.

Let see a drug ring make a profit competing with Walmart. Hasn’t happened yet to Sears, Kmart, Target, Pennys, or any number of small Mom and Pop stores.

Since Walmart doesn’t sell porn or even cigarettes or booze to youngsters, we can be sure that they won’t sell “drugs” to children. And, I bet it’ll be like eyeglasses, they’ll offer medical services to addict to kick the habits. 

Can you see how “un-cool” drugs will become if they are available fro Walmart? Kids wouldn’t be caught by their peers with them. Might as well wear Walmart jeans to the Gooferment Skrule!

It’s a medical problem that the free market will demolish in no time.

Sigh!

Then the Gooferment can focus on the real criminals — politicians and bureaucrats!

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http://www.cato.org/blog/oregon-legislature-repeals-laws-supply-demand

MARCH 4, 2016 9:50AM
Oregon Legislature Repeals Laws of Supply & Demand
By RANDAL O’TOOLE

*** begin quote ***

Buoyed by its success, the legislature yesterday passed a law legalizing inclusionary zoning, that is, forcing homebuilders to sell a certain percentage of their products below cost. This will also lead them to build fewer homes and to sell the market-rate homes they do build for higher prices to offset their losses on the “affordable” homes. In other words, this law relies on the counterintuitive notion that making housing more expensive will make it more affordable.

Once again, the legislature is playing a balancing game. A few people will get–and be very grateful for–more affordable housing. Every other homebuyer and renter will end up paying more, but not enough more for them (the legislature hopes) to complain about it.

The Oregonian, for example, accompanied my article criticizing the urban-growth boundary with a photo of a man who enjoys “affordable” housing provided by the city of Bend that was funded by taxing all other new homes in the city. Where are the photos of the people having to pay higher taxes or who can’t afford to buy a new home because of that tax?

*** end quote ***

This is just a variation of Bastiat’s Broken Window fallacy.

“The broken window fallacy” — Frédéric Bastiat Ce qu’on voit et ce qu’on ne voit pas (That Which Is Seen and That Which Is Unseen) 1850 

The politicians and bureaucrats are always “giving” but we don’t see those “taken from”.

Argh!

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https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/03/thomas-woods/can-laugh-2/

Moderators and Candidates Make Direct Hits on Trump: Lew and Tom Discuss Another Debate
By Thomas E. Woods Jr.
Tom Woods Show
March 5, 2016

*** begin quote ***

In last night’s debate (March 3, 2016), Trump suffered blows at the hands of moderators and candidates alike, and didn’t respond well. 

*** end quote ***

Good point by Tom Woods about the “open letter” hit on Trump by all the “experts” (ex spurts) and where their advice and expenditures have delivered us. Hell in a handbasket with all that “great” advice. Argh!

If life was fair, then the politicians, bureaucrats, and experts that give us these massive failures would slink silently into the shadows and be quiet. But like certain economists, weather forecasters, and groundhogs, that have no shame when they are obviously WRONG, these same losers prattle even louder about what should be done.

While I am not a fan of any politician or political party, I do think, that Trump’s modest statements on “foreign policy” (i.e., leave Putin alone; the USA should not be in foreign wars; let’s take care of our vets), makes him, like the US dollar, the “prettiest horse at the glue factory”.

While all these dictators around the world are very bad people, who’s to say that getting rid of them will make things better. We have classic examples in Iraq, Libya, and Egypt. And, now the warmongers of both parties — HRC and the Republican New-Cons — want to try again in Syria. What a mess!

And, let’s not forget our crazy old man the “democratic socialist” who is advocating for the system that exterminated millions under Stalin, Mao, and many other examples. How he has any support at all is a testament to the lure of “free cheese”.

Argh!

The whole system is INSANE. 

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https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/03/walter-e-williams/every-dime-youve-got/

What Is the Fair Share of Taxes?
By Walter E. Williams
March 1, 2016

*** begin quote ***

Our demagogues also claim that corporations do not pay their fair share of taxes. The fact of the matter, which even leftist economists understand but might not publicly admit, is corporations do not pay taxes. An important subject area in economics, called tax incidence, says the entity upon whom a tax is levied does not necessarily bear the full burden of the tax. Some of the tax burdens can be shifted to another party. If a tax is levied on a corporation, and if the corporation hopes to survive, it will have one of three responses to that tax or some combination thereof. It will raise the price of its product, lower dividends or lay off workers. In each case, a flesh-and-blood person is made worse off. The important point is that a corporation is a legal fiction and as such does not pay taxes. As it turns out, corporations are merely tax collectors for the government.

*** end quote ***

I have known this ever since I took my first class in Corporate Finance. And heard it repeated over and over.

“Corporations are merely tax collectors; not taxpayers. They merely pass their costs along.” Lawrence Alan “Larry” Kudlow is an American economist, television personality, and newspaper columnist. August 26, 2014 0830 on WMAL Mornings on the Mall Brian Wilson and Larry O’Connor

But for some reason, “We, The Sheeple” don’t seem to understand.

Burger King goes to Canada. Drug Companies and Banks got to the Grand Caymans. Google and Apple store their cash in Ireland.

See a pattern here.

Like the beer trucks with signs on them “This vehicle pay $11,985 in taxes.” NONSENSE! The poor bloke who drinks the beer is paying those taxes.

Every can on beans you buy in the supermarket has hidden taxes build right into the purchase price. And, don’t get me started on “gas taxes for the roads”! Another fiction. Seen the roads lately? Where did all that money go? So every product delivered by a gas powered engine (i.e., plane; train; boat; truck) has a hidden gas tax that’s being paid for by “We, The Sheeple”.

So the correct corporate tax rate is ZERO, because only REAL people pay taxes. 

Ask you favorite politician about that concept!

I’m sure you’ll be told “it’s more complicated that that.” It ain’t! Argh!

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https://www.lewrockwell.com/podcast/roger-stone-endorses-trump/

Roger Stone Endorses Trump
Tells Lew Rockwell about how he will wreck the Hillary and Jeb crime families.
October 30, 2015

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24 minutes

In the beginning of the podcast, he destroys Jeb and Bill.

Roger Stone really excoriates the Bush / Clinton CIA connection.

He sticks the fork in these “politicians”.

Argh!

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https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/02/patrick-j-buchanan/republics-perish/

How Republics Perish
By Patrick J. Buchanan
February 12, 2016

*** begin quote ***

“Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded,” wrote James Madison, “No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.”

Perhaps Madison was wrong.

Otherwise, with no end to war on America’s horizon, the prospect of this free republic enduring is, well, doubtful.

*** end quote ***

The last Presidential candidate who was a “peace candidate” was Ron Paul. He was thrown out of the race by being accused of isolationism, pacifism, and essential being “crazy”. BHO44 became the “new” “peace candidate”; even going so far to get a Nobel Peace Prize for doing NOTHING. Then, immediately staring the pot and creating more wars. Argh!

So, who turns this around and how does it get done?

Sad to say, the only one with any semblance of a “peace bone” in their body — now that Rand Paul is gone — is Donald Trump. At least at one point, he said “leave the Ukraine to Putin” and let the “Muslims fight it out without us”. While not the “Let’s bring all the girls and boys home now!” of Ron Paul, I’ll take any shred of peace that I can get. And, the Donald has said things that make me think he’s not as “crazy” about war as the main stream media would like us to believe.

I can’t vote for a socialist or a uncovicted felon. So we have to see what choices we have.

I remember the line by in “Master and Commander” when Captain Jack Aubrey (Russel Crowe) says: “There, I have you! You’re completely dished! Do you not know that in the service … … [pauses] … … one must always choose the lesser of two weevils.”

Argh!

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http://www.wsj.com/articles/lawmakers-introduce-bill-requiring-women-register-for-draft-1454627151

Lawmakers Introduce Bill Requiring Women to Register for Draft
Republican representatives look to spur national debate
By FELICIA SCHWARTZ
Feb. 4, 2016 6:05 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

WASHINGTON—Two Republican lawmakers introduced a bill on Thursday that would require women to register for the draft in a step meant to advance a national debate about the Pentagon’s decision in December to open all military combat positions to women.

*** end quote ***

How about we save some money and ELIMINATE the draft and all those cushy patronage jobs?

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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-25/wal-mart-it-came-it-conquered-now-it-s-packing-up-and-leaving

Wal-Mart: It Came, It Conquered, Now It’s Packing Up and Leaving 
Shannon Pettypiece 
January 25, 2016 — 5:00 AM EST

*** begin quote ***

The Town’n Country grocery in Oriental, North Carolina, a local fixture for 44 years, closed its doors in October after a Wal-Mart store opened for business. Now, three months later — and less than two years after Wal-Mart arrived — the retail giant is pulling up stakes, leaving the community with no grocery store and no pharmacy.

*** and ***

“I was devastated when I found out. We had a pharmacy and a perfectly satisfactory grocery store. Maybe Wal-Mart sold apples for a nickel less,” said Barb Venturi, mayor pro tem for Oriental, with a population of about 900. “If you take into account what no longer having a grocery store does to property values here, it is a significant impact for us.”

*** end quote ***

I guess they should have made the building permit conditional on a time guaranty?

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“I was devastated when I found out. We had a pharmacy and a perfectly satisfactory grocery store. Maybe Wal-Mart sold apples for a nickel less,” said Barb Venturi, mayor pro tem for Oriental, with a population of about 900. “If you take into account what no longer having a grocery store does to property values here, it is a significant impact for us.”

http://patch.com/new-jersey/southbrunswick/taco-bell-nixed-south-brunswick-zoning-board

Taco Bell Nixed By South Brunswick Zoning Board
Adios, Taco Bell. A diner and a White Castle will be coming soon near Rt. 1 North at New Road, however.
South Brunswick, NJ
By CARLY BALDWIN (Patch Staff) January 15, 2016 2:31 pm ET 

*** begin quote ***

South Brunswick, NJ – You’ll have to drive elsewhere if you want some Taco Bell.

The South Brunswick Zoning Board rejected a proposal to build a Taco Bell on Rt. 1 North at New Road. The board shot down the proposal in a 5-2 vote Thursday night, according to TAPInto.

Neighbors of the lot would be negatively affected by a Taco Bell, board members said.

*** and ***

“(The lot) is not big enough (for another type of restaurant),” he said, according to TapInto. “We have to think about what we are going to put there (if not Taco Bell).”

*** end quote ***

Sorry, but this is wrong.

The South Brunswick Zoning Board should not be in the business of picking winners and losers.

If some one is will to gamble their money putting it there, then who are these bureaucrats to say that they can’t?

Argh!

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https://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/12/patrick-j-buchanan/america-first-world-war-iii/

America First — or World War III
By Patrick J. Buchanan
December 19, 2015

*** begin quote ***

Midway through the debate, Trump cut loose with a sweeping indictment of mindless American interventionism in the Middle East:

“We’ve spent $4 trillion trying to topple various people that, frankly, if they were there and if we could have spent that $4 trillion in the United States to fix our roads, our bridges, and all of the other problems — our airports and all the other problems we have — we would have been a lot better off. …

“We have done a tremendous disservice not only to the Middle East — we’ve done a tremendous disservice to humanity. The people that have been killed, the people that have been wiped away — and for what? It’s not like we had victory. It’s a mess. The Middle East is totally destabilized, a total and complete mess. I wish we had the 4 trillion dollars or 5 trillion dollars. I wish it were spent right here in the United States on schools, hospitals, roads, airports, and everything else that are all falling apart!”

*** end quote ***

For all of The Donald’s flaws, he nailed this one.

Other than Rand Paul, all the other candidates are like escapees from the insane asylum.

The politicians and bureaucrats have made a mess of the USA — in both foreign and domestic matters. When I rant that the Gooferment is immoral, ineffective, and inefficient, as well as untrustworthy, I think I understate the objection.

But I don’t know how you put the evil back in Pandora’s box.

First step has to elect a President who will step back from all the wars and the saber rattling.

Otherwise, we could all be “crispy critters” if an accident happens. 

I think I know a movie quote that sums it all up.

“This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we’ll be lucky to live through it.” — The Hunt for Red October (1990) by Admiral Josh Painter played by Fred Dalton Thompson.

Dona Nobis Pacem

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RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM A VERY SMART GIRL WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER

http://qz.com/566702/finland-plans-to-give-every-citizen-a-basic-income-of-800-euros-a-month/?utm_source=parWD

We need to move to Finland!

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MY RESPONSE

Sorry, as a little L libertarian, I can’t be part of such oppression. Where does the gang pretending to be the Gooferment of Finland get the largess it’s going to distribute, why it’s STOLEN from the oppressed taxpayers of course. 

I’m surprised at you, my ersatz daughter, from not learning this lesson. 

If the gang pretending to be the Gooferment of Finland can steal from Peter to pay Paul, then what else can the do to poor Peter and demand of poor Paul at risk of having his basic income withheld?

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Argh!

It’s the same for any Gooferment “giveaway”. First it must be stolen from someone else!

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http://www.wnd.com/2015/11/supremes-asked-to-rule-on-shell-game-taxation/

WND EXCLUSIVE
SUPREMES ASKED TO RULE ON ‘SHELL GAME’ TAXATION
Was ‘seedbed in which the people’s right not to be taxed without representation sprouted’
Published: 13 hours ago
BOB UNRUH

*** begin quote ***

“Obamacare raises taxes by hundreds of billions of dollars, but it was enacted in violation of the Origination Clause, which was designed to safeguard against arbitrary and reckless taxation. Obamacare was unveiled in the Senate, even though the Origination Clause requires taxes to start in the House, the body closest to the people,” he said.

“Pacific Legal Foundation and Matt Sissel are asking the Supreme Court to accept our challenge to Obamacare, in order to uphold and enforce the Constitution’s safeguards against arbitrary taxation, and to liberate Americans from a harmful law that was imposed in defiance of those procedures and protections,” said Sandefur.

Pacific Legal argues that Reid simply took the number of a House-passed bill that raised no taxes and and pasted it on the front of the thousands of pages of Obamacare, which taxes Americans $500 billion a year.

*** end quote ***

Not very likely.

We’re already seen SCOTUS turn itself into knots to keep it a la “it’s not a tax” / “it is a tax”.

Argh!

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WND EXCLUSIVE

SUPREMES ASKED TO RULE ON ‘SHELL GAME’ TAXATION

Was ‘seedbed in which the people’s right not to be taxed without representation sprouted’

Published: 13 hours ago

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2015/11/supremes-asked-to-rule-on-shell-game-taxation/#tHtHT1p0rgfrdduL.99

http://www.cato.org/blog/cbo-tangled-web-welfare-programs-creates-high-tax-rates-participants

NOVEMBER 20, 2015 3:22PM
CBO: Tangled Web of Welfare Programs Creates High Tax Rates on Participants
By CHARLES HUGHES SHARE

*** begin quote ***

The dozens of different programs that form our tangled welfare system often impose high effective marginal tax rates that make it harder for low-income people to transition out of these programs and lift of those programs and into the middle class. As the people in these programs enter the workforce, get a promotion, or work more hours, they can lose a significant portion of those earnings through reduced benefits and increased taxes. A new report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) illustrates this predicament: many households hovering around the poverty level face steeper effective marginal tax rates than even the highest earners. These prohibitively high tax rates can discourage work and limit their prospects, ultimately making them less likely to escape poverty.

*** end quote ***

The Gooferment is immoral, ineffective, and inefficient.

And here’s an example.

At best, it’s an “Unintended Consequence”! At worst, it’s a craven disgusting way to keep people as slaves.

You decide.

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CBO: Tangled Web of Welfare Programs Creates High Tax Rates on Participants

https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/carly-fiorina-written-tax-plans-never-implemented/2015/11/08/id/701168/

Fiorina: No Need for Written Tax Plan
By Greg Richter
Sunday, 08 Nov 2015 12:04 PM

*** begin quote ***

Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina said in an interview televised Sunday that she doesn’t need to give a written detail of her tax plan since such plans are never implemented exactly as written anyway.

“Politicians put out detailed plans for all kinds of things; it never happens,” Fiorina said on “Meet the Press.”  

Instead, she said, people should got to her website where she answers questions from all comers about her plans as president.

*** end quote ***

So why doesn’t she put her three pages on the website?

I bet at HP she certainly had written plans. How else do you communicate what you will at least attempt to do?

She lost ground in my “measuring”!

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