ECONOMICS: I don’t see the downside of swapping tariffs for the IRS

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/armstrongeconomics101/economics/the-recession-into-2028-trump-does-not-understand/

The Recession into 2028 Trump Does Not Understand
Posted Nov 17, 2024 by Martin Armstrong

*** begin quote ***

As I said, Trump’s plan to eliminate and replace the income tax with tariffs will fail. I understand those who proposed the idea, citing that the nation was funded by tariffs before the income tax, and a return to that funding system may look good in bullet points, but the economy is far more complex, and the socialistic goals will not be able to simply be cut without resistance. 

*** end quote ***

I think the biggest risk is, like with the proposal for a national sales tax, is that we wind up with both tariffs and the income tax.

I am struck by the realization that some people have had that only “We, The Sheeple” pay taxes.  Corporate taxes are passed through to the consumer  —  “We, The Sheeple”.  ALL taxes eventually are our burden.

So why not swap the IRS for tariffs?

Yeah, it may cause some disruption but it has to be a net positive to eliminate all the bureaucrats and administrivia surrounding the income tax.  Everyone will be better off when the annual ritual is terminated.  Yeah, I am sure that H&R Block will scream bloody murder.  But imagine getting your paycheck without deductions?

I like it.

And I still haven’t heard a good argument why not.

—30—

Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

VETERANS: 11 souls finally found — the terrible price of war

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

FROM 1440

*** begin quote ***

World War II Veteran Recovered

The remains of a missing World War II veteran have been recovered and identified at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. The expedition—213 feet below the surface—is the US government’s deepest underwater recovery operation to date.

On March 11, 1944, a B-24 bomber known as “Heaven Can Wait” was shot down over Papua New Guinea. The aircraft—carrying 11 US service members—was en route to bomb Japanese anti-aircraft weapons on the island’s northeast coast. Early last year, Navy divers recovered the dog tags and remains of 2nd Lt. Thomas V. Kelly Jr.—a 21-year-old aviator from California. The remains of two other veterans—radio operator Eugene J. Darrigan, 26, and navigator 2nd Lt. Donald W. Sheppick, 26—were identified earlier this year.

The mission came about after Kelly’s family members conducted an extensive research project from 2013 to 2017, gathering historical documents and eyewitness accounts to narrow the wreckage search. 

*** end quote ***

https://www.yahoo.com/news/wwii-airman-remains-positively-identified-153302737.html

# – # – # – # – # 

It’s important that every effort be made to find and bring out vets home.

One thing that is drilled into our military is “Never leave a comrade behind”.  I learned it when I was in training and I hope it’s still taught.

I watch for these stories as a fulfillment of that ethic.  Unfortunately, the politicians and bureaucrats, some who are “perfumed princes” in the Pentagon, fail in this duty.

In the movies, it was best expressed by “We Were Soldiers” Hero, Hal Moore.

“I can’t promise you that I will bring you all home alive. But this I swear, before you and before Almighty God, that when we go into battle, I will be the first to set foot on the field, and I will be the last to step off, and I will leave no one behind. Dead or alive, we will all come home together. So help me, God.”  — Mel Gibson playing Lt. Col. Hal Moore in “We Were Soldiers”.

I know the Conspiracy Theories that we left living POWs in WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam.  I hope that they are not true.  And, I hope we are busting heads to confirm or deny.

The way we, the USA, treat our veterans is a national disgrace.

Shame on us.

 “Some had families waiting. For others, their only family would be the men they bled beside. There were no bands, no flags, no Honor Guards to welcome them home. They went to war because their country ordered them to. But in the end, they fought not for their country or their flag, they fought for each other.”  — Barry Pepper as Joe Galloway in “We Were Soldiers”

—30—

Leave a Comment » | VETERANS | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

POLITICAL: Eliminate DOEd, FEMA, and the FBI

Monday, November 25, 2024

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2024/11/d_o_g_e_is_a_wonderful_concept_and_here_are_some_ideas_to_get_it_started.html

D.O.G.E. Is A Wonderful Concept, And Here Are Some Ideas To Get It Started
By Gregory McCants

*** begin quote ***

With Donald Trump’s election win now a few days behind us and the GOP all but confirmed to have swept both houses of congress as well it would appear that at least for two years we should have a truly unique and remarkable opportunity to make meaningful change in a variety of areas. Of highest priorities would be the economy and border security, both of which were clearly the major issues the American people looked to when deciding their next government.

Within that discussion of economic improvements, Trump has now tapped Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head an informal operation to be known as the Department Of Governmental Efficiency (with the excellent acronym of D.O.G.E.)

*** and ***

FEMA probably just wrote its own obituary with the revelation that a FEMA official in Florida told workers to “avoid houses with Trump signs” in the wake of Hurricane Milton, leading to loud calls for defunding the agency. The truth is that emergency disaster relief should not be handled by yet another agency with large layers of bureaucracy.

Instead, states should be able to request emergency disaster relief funds directly from Congress, with the appropriations then used to purchase necessary resources and materials, ideally from private vendors who can compete for the contracts. This would lead to increased efficiency and better prices for the taxpayer. This would also allow the government to engage in strict accounting to ensure federal funds go where they are supposed to go.

*** and ***

The DOE is on Donald Trump’s list of agencies that should be removed, and it’s been on Republican lists back to the Rick Perry days. The Department of Education (“DOE”) has long been a target of many who feel the government’s meddling in education, and its one-size-fits-all approach is ultimately detrimental. To quote Reason, “Take, for example, federal grants to state education departments. Federal aid incentivizes schools to shift their priorities to meet federal grant requirements rather than local educational needs.”

*** and ***

The FBI, originally created as an “emergency agency” in response to organized crime during the Prohibition era, has become a bloated, redundant, and ultimately useless organization that essentially serves as the outdated grandfather of other agencies conducting operations on the ground, such as the U.S. Marshalls or the Drug Enforcement Agency. One of my personal favorite YouTube commentators did an excellent video on the topic. 

*** end quote ***

As always, the Gooferment “Swamp” is a “target rich environment”.

But I hope that DOGE doesn’t get confused and jump from target to target.

Best focus on these three and drive to completion.

Don’t just trim around the edges; axe them.

If, for example, the FBI’s labs are “valuable”, then transfer them to some “technical organization” like NIST,

—30—

Leave a Comment » | NOTRECOMMENDED, Political | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

JOBSEARCH: Never share the hard-file, rather an access controlled version of the document

Sunday, November 24, 2024

https://www.boredpanda.com/home-assignment-recruiter-disabled-access/

Work & Money
Nov 14, 2024
Recruitment Scam Doesn’t Go As Planned After Guy Protects His Files
Jonas Grinevičius and Mindaugas Balčiauskas

*** begin quote ***

Job interviews are stressful enough as they are. Not only is your entire professional life being judged, but you also have to make sure to leave a positive impression, all the while you go through the many (many, many!) application stages. It’s exhausting.

And even though rejection is hardly ever a nice thing, there are better and worse ways to go about it. The least you can do is tell applicants that they didn’t pass, instead of ghosting them after multiple rounds of interviews. Redditor u/thegr8_alexander recently went viral on the Recruiter Hell subreddit after sharing how they pushed back at a company they were applying to after getting “radio silence.†All it took was disabling access to their take-home assignment.

*** and ***

The good thing that I did was not to share the hard-file, rather an access controlled version of the document that also disabled people from printing/downloading it.

And guess what? The recruiter called next day on the pretext of having another round of discussion because they want to go ahead with me. S/he let it slip in the conversation that evaluators are having difficulty in accessing my document and if I can share it as a file rather than sharing a link ;)

Well well, the moment I have been looking for. I told her about the malpractices that a lot of recruiters do and that’s why, in principle, I do not share any hard-files. I assured her that I’ll myself walk-through the panel on everything once again, when we connected. S/he wasn’t satisfied, but disconnected the call.

Got a ping that evening to talk something in person. We connected. S/he mentioned that I have landed him/her in a soup by disabling the access. S/he was expected to collate all the projects and share internally and there were only 3 presentations which they had shortlisted. Me not allowing access to my files will put the HR in trouble. S/he also mentioned that hiring is always professional but I’m taking it to a personal level by putting him.her in soup.

I gently replied, “Hiring is not personal. I would have accepted a rejection. But by giving me false hopes when you never intended to hire was personal. It wasn’t me who started it!”

There was a silence of a few seconds. I then proceeded to cut the call. 

*** end quote ***

I don’t think that ever happened to me.  Been a long time since I ever did any job search.  But I like this person’s approach.  Trust no one.  I’ve been “ghosted” more times than I could count.  Even went so far as to keep a “Dead To Me List” (DTML)  of recruiters and companies.  Had occasions to use it and folks were flabbergasted that (1) I would not submit “blind” (i.e., not able to id the company); (2) refused to even take calls from some recruiters or talk about certain companies; and (3) share my DTML with anyone who asked.  

I kept good records and even was able to “explain” why I didn’t want to talk to them or consider a company.  That was fun!  I didn’t care if Sam or Samantha was no longer there.  Like I’d believe anything a salesperson would say without proof. 

Argh!  Just tapping this out has raised my BP and my ire.

—30—

Leave a Comment » | JOBSEARCH | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

MONEY: What about “where’s george” and political messages in the margins or stamped

Friday, November 22, 2024

https://www.ecoticias.com/en/dollar-bill-wont-be-accepted/8835/

This dollar bill won’t be accepted as of November: This will happen if you try to pay with it
by Sarah I.
11/20/2024

*** begin quote ***

Dollar bills have consistently gone through updates to increase security. As of October this year, new parameters were introduced stipulating what cash will be accepted at major retailors, banks, and ATMS. As we head into the final month of November and families begin preparing for the upcoming festive season, you may need to ensure that your cash is up to scratch with new standards set by the U.S. government.

*** and ***

As we enter into the final few weeks of 2024, certain dollar bills will no longer be accepted. These new regulations are tightening stricter measures with regards to damaged bills. Walmart, Target, and Dollar Tree have already begun implementing these new measures. The following damage to cash will not be accepted or exchanged at major retailers, banks, and ATMS:

  •     Mutilated banks notes with tears or missing corners
  •     Bills which have become significantly distorted or damaged where it become difficult to determine their authenticity. This could be from through water damage or from being burnt as an example.

*** and ***

If you find yourself with a mutilated bill which will not be accepted or exchanged, you will need to contact the Bureau of Engraving and Printing directly. From there, you will need to file a mutilated currency claim. “The BEP will evaluate the note. They have special tools to examine the authenticity and assess the full value of the note. After they do that, they can issue a check back to the consumer,” a Fed currency representative explains.

*** end quote ***

Well, what happens to those bills with political messages stamped on them or written along the edge?

Will those be declared “mutilated”?

That’ll be “yet another way” “they” take away or First Amendment rights.

What happened to only gold and silver would be money?

 

Leave a Comment » | MONEY | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

ECONOMICS: Lesson from Argentina — Cut Gooferment 60% and inflation goes from 70+% to 2.7%

Friday, November 22, 2024

https://www.dailywire.com/news/javier-milei-staunch-economist-brings-argentinas-inflation-to-less-than-3

Javier Milei, Staunch Economist, Brings Argentina’s Inflation To Less Than 3%
‘We are emerging from the desert, the country is starting to grow again’
By Hank Berrien
Nov 13, 2024 DailyWire.com

*** begin quote ***

Staunchly libertarian Argentinian President Javier Milei’s economic plans are proving enormously successful, as the country’s inflation plunged to 2.7% in October, the lowest level in three years.

*** and ***

n 2022, the Argentinian inflation rate was 72.43%. Barrons reported that when Milei took office last December, “monthly inflation leapt by 25.5 percent after he devalued the peso by more than 50 percent. It has since been on a downward trajectory, coming in at under five percent each month since May. … Milei, who wielded a chainsaw on the campaign trail last year as a symbol of his plan to slash public spending, has cut energy and transport subsidies and thousands of public sector jobs.”

*** end quote ***

Hopefully DJT4547 is watching this success.

We can only hope.

There are so many great ideas floating about.  Someone once said, Regan I think, that a President can only try to accomplish three things.  I hope world peace, immigration, the Federal deficit / debt / inflation, and making elections like Florida are DJT4547’s three.  Yeah I know that’s four, but what’s one more when you have a mandate.

—30—

Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

ConspiracyTheories: Was the fight was staged

Thursday, November 21, 2024

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-14109079/Mike-Tyson-vs-Jake-Paul-conspiracy-theories-Netflix.html

  • Fans think they’ve spotted the moment which proves Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul was FIXED – as conspiracy theories over Netflix bout continue
  •  Paul beat Mike Tyson via unanimous decision following eight two-minute rounds 
  • However, fans think they’ve spotted the moment which proved it was all staged

By JAMES COHEN

Published: 04:30 EST, 21 November 2024 | Updated: 05:30 EST, 21 November 2024 

*** begin quote ***

However, conspiracy theorists on social media have claimed that the fight was staged and pinpointed a specific moment which they believe supports this.

One fan on X shared a clip from the fight which appeared to show Tyson about to land a hard right to Paul’s unprotected face. 

Yet the 58-year-old, instead pulls his fist back. The caption to the video read: ‘Just in case anyone had any doubts’.

*** end quote ***

Yeah, that’s why I have a rule  —  NEVER bet on anything that talks.

“4. Plausible”, imho!!!

COMMERCIAL CT that defrauded a lot of watchers and bettors.

—30—

Leave a Comment » | CONSPIRACYTHEORY: | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

ENCOURAGING: A problem and a prescription to solve it (mostly)

Thursday, November 21, 2024

https://nypost.com/2024/11/13/opinion/question-for-trump-to-solve-just-how-many-million-migrants-did-joe-let-in-8-million-12-15/

Question for Trump to solve: Just how many million migrants did Joe let in? 8 million? 12? 15?
By Andrew Arthur 
Published Nov. 13, 2024, 7:35 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to crack down on the southern border and deport those here illegally.

But the million-dollar question left by the Biden administration: Just how many people is that?

A recent House Judiciary report says that “For almost four years, Americans have watched as President Joe Biden and border czar Vice President Kamala Harris have abandoned the southwest border and welcomed nearly 8 million illegal aliens into the United States.”

But that 8 million is likely an undercount — and perhaps by a lot.

The House Committee on Homeland Security estimated in the spring that there would have been 10 million encounters during Biden’s four-year term. And that doesn’t include “got-aways” — people who crossed illegally without ever talking to a Border Patrol agent.

There are, meanwhile, all kind of “parole” and other programs the Biden administration used without Congressional approval to fly immigrants in directly from South America and other parts of the world.

*** end quote ***

OK, so the answer is “a lot”.  Some proportion are criminals or neer’do’wells,  While the rest are a mix of those seeking a better life or some who want to collect on the dole.

How do we differentiate who is a “Priority One Removal” and who don’t we really care about?

Fortunately some really smart people have some great ideas.

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2024/11/expediting_deportation_using_carrots_and_sticks.html

americanthinker.com
Expediting Deportation, Using Carrots and Sticks
By Ned Barnett

<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2024-11-13>>

*** begin quote ***

How do you deport the roughly twenty million individuals living illegally in the United States? For a lot of reasons, this will be a huge challenge, and likely a costly one – when was the last time the government did anything even remotely correct without it busting the budget?

Well, for one thing, you could try offering incentives for people to make their deportation easier than it might otherwise have been.  

First, offer them an option. Go home on your own, and you will be eligible to apply for legal residency, along with anyone else who wants to come to America and who hadn’t broken our laws to get here.

*** and ***

What about the stick? Tell this same population that if the government has to take actions to deport them, they will have to wait for more than the current ten years before even getting to the end of the line for legal immigration, lengthening the time before they can return to America, but this time as legal immigrants. 

*** end quote ***

And, the details outlined seem very reasonable.

Then DJT4547 and his team can focus on the criminals, welfare cheats, and sanctuary cities and NGOs.

I like this approach.  We’ll see how they tackle it.

—30—

Leave a Comment » | ENCOURAGING | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

TECHNOLOGY: Free dikw (i.e., data, information, knowledge, wisdom) from the internet and public ibraries

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/11/apple-shares-the-most-popular-podcasts-of-2024/?utm_placement=newsletter

# – # – # – # – # 

While I don’t miss the traffic on Route 287 when I was working, I do miss having two or three or more hours listening to my self-improvement cassettes.  (Imagine how less “wonderful” I’d be if I hadn’t “improved” with all those great suggestions.  Laugh!).

If podcasts were available then, I could have saved a lot of money on cassettes.

I remember often griping about having to buy the same content to “upgrade” from cassette to cd. Especially if the tape broke or tangled.  Why did I have to pay to replace it? Argh!

And, today, audio content is available free from the local library via Libby or other open sources.

Anyway, here’s an “interesting” list of things that might be worth listening to.  Now, if I just had a long commute, treks from Fairfax VA to the Pepuls Republik of Nu Jerzee, or drives to and from Keene NH and NJ, I could “improve” even more  — if such was possible.

(Not too much ego?  Right!)

As always YMMV and FWIW,
Crazy Old Ferd

—30—

Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

ECONOMICS: Both tariffs and income taxes get paid out of the same pocket — yours

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/12/trump-tariffs-companies-scramble-lobbyist-loopholes.html

‘Everyone is calling’: Trump’s tariff threats send U.S. companies scrambling for lobbyists and loopholes
Published Tue, Nov 12 20244:08 PM EST
Updated Tue, Nov 12 20244:46 PM EST
Rebecca Picciotto
Lora Kolodny

*** begin quote ***

Trump made universal tariffs a core tenet of his economic campaign pitch, floating a 20% tax on all imports from all countries with a specifically harsh 60% rate for Chinese goods.

*** end quote ***

It seems really simple  — tariffs or the IRS!

Both get the money from the same pocket  — we, the Taxpayers.

Without the income tax and the IRS, there’s no need for lobbyists and loopholes.  Pay when “stuff” comes in, no exceptions, and there is no need for an IRS,

We’ll still be paying.  Of course, there will be a period of adjustment.  Some prices will go up and some won’t.  We’d be changing the entire “incentive” structure back to one the Dead Old White Guys intended.

Of course, we should be very afraid on winding up with both!  That’s one of the arguments for any tax reform (i.e., flat tax; fair tax; national sales tax; etc. etc. Etc.).  

I’m not sure that One Fell Swoop (i.e., shut down the IRS and impose tariffs on the same day like February First) is the “best” implementation strategy but we drive on roads with potholes all the time.  So what.

I’d say: “Just Do It”.

—30— 

Leave a Comment » | ECONOMICS | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »