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“A people that has a government” – methinks that this guy has that relationship backwards.  From the Nashua Telegraph:

Assistant Safety Commissioner Earl Sweeney hopes drivers will take into account that the North Country experiences some of the worst winter driving conditions in the state.

“The difference it would make for someone traveling a distance of 100 miles at 70 miles per hour versus 65 miles per hour is they would complete their trip about six minutes sooner and consume more fuel while doing it,” Sweeney said in an email. “Is it worth it just to save those six minutes?”

To some folks, yes it is. And whether or not they “consume” more fuel is none of your business – that is a decision between adults and their wallets.   On a personal note, Mr. Sweeney has the perfect right to his opinion – pontificate away!  As a government employee, however, his purpose is to carry out what the public (his employer) have decided to do with those roads via their elected officials.  In this case, the public has decided they want to go a bit faster on the roads that their tax monies built and maintain – you’re job is to make it happen as safely as possible knowing a priori that 100% safety is impossible to attain. 

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Low taxes are the result of low spending

– former NH Gov Meldrim Thomson.

Well, as it seems to be their wont, our Legislators in DC just keep forgetting about that sage advice and instead, keep their own New Year’s tradition alive – “gifting” us with new taxes.  Some big, some small. CNN / Money as a short list of those that you may need to hurry up on before they go away:

1. Tuition and fees: A deduction for tuition and fees of up to $4,000 is currently available to parents and students paying for college.
2. Teachers’ expenses: The Educator Expense Deduction aims to help teachers cover the cost of classroom supplies like notebooks, pens and paper that their school doesn’t reimburse them for. Elementary and secondary school teachers can qualify for deductions of up to $250 per year, even if they don’t itemize.
3. Mortgage insurance premiums: Currently, homeowners are able to deduct their mortgage insurance premiums as residence interest.
4. State and local sales tax: In states without an income tax, like Florida and Alaska, taxpayers have been able to deduct state and local general sales taxes instead of taking the income tax deduction — but that won’t be an option next year unless Congress intervenes.
5. Donations through your IRA: Retirees older than 70-and-a-half have traditionally been able to make non-taxable charitable donations of up to $100,000 directly from their IRA disbursements. But once this tax break expires, they will need to take the disbursement first, meaning it will be considered part of their taxable income.
6. Energy-efficiency: It’s your last chance to get a credit of up to $500 if you made energy-efficient home improvements this year — including new windows and doors. To see if you qualify, visit EnergyStar.com or ask the company where you bought the items.
7. Commuter costs: Currently, commuters who take mass transit like trains or buses to work are able to receive $245 a month (or $2,940 per year) in tax-free money toward those expenses. But this perk is scheduled to expire January 1, at which point commuters will only be able to write off just $130 per month — $1,560 a year.
8. Mortgage debt forgiveness: A tax break that has been in effect since 2007 allows struggling homeowners to exclude any debt forgiveness they were granted from a bank when calculating their taxable income.

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Of COURSE, once the news that UPS and Fedex missed some deliveries, I knew it was only a little bit of time before some Self-important CongressTwit and SenaBoob was going to insert themselves into this situation, given that it was Christmas and Capitalism.  From the various news reports, it seems that some retailers and the shippers overpromised in the world of online purchases – and underdelivered.  Of COURSE people were angry to the point of outraged.  I can certainly understand – it’s a pain in the neck when I’ve ordered something and it doesn’t appear on time – but stuff happens:

These factors pushed online retail sales to jump 63% on Dec. 23 when compared to the same day last year, according to Mercent data. Even though forecasts expected a jump in online sales this year, the industry has not experienced this peak two days before Christmas in the past, Best said. “They may have seen late signs that more people were buying online, but you can’t ramp up equipment that fast,” Stock said.

So, right on cue, US Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) steps in and demands rebates from the retailers and the shippers.  All of the reports I saw in the blogosphere reguritated this – except for CBS New York who recorded a bit more than what is on his website: 

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President Obama has decided, along with most of the Democrats / Progressives / Socialist, that he must bring the Marxist philosophy of Class Warfare to play – but call it Income Inequality.  After all, who is against inequality of any type?  Who is not for the traditional notion of equality?  Well, those that are out to redefine, to ‘fundamentally transform’ America – Obama, for starters.  The traditional American value of equality of opportunity and equality before the Law is in direct opposition the Marxist demand that we all are the same, MUST be the same, and that equality must be defined as equality of outcome.  Typical socialism – typical outlook driven by Envy.  Throw in a dash of racism (e.g., the Eric Holder’s DOJ weapon of choice of “disparate outcomes” using statistics to “prove” racism by those that must be punished).

From Cafe Hayek, a scenario that blows apart the implicit idea that Obama is trying to push – that we are all exactly the same except for our incomes and that ONLY incomes matter.  Obama wants us to concentrate only on the money – and not some of the other choices that we all make for our individual “pursuit of happiness”.  There is no mention of “tradeoffs” that we make because money is only important to Obama’s planned transformation – and that individual choices are of no concern or part of his “greater common good”?

• Do you [proponents of ‘redistribution’] not worry that creating government power today to take from Smith and give to Jones — simply because Smith has more material wealth than Jones — might eventually be abused so that tomorrow, government takes from Jones and gives to Smith simply because Smith is more politically influential than Jones?

• Suppose that Jones chooses a career as a poet. Jones treasures the time he spends walking in the woods and strolling city streets in leisurely reflection; his reflections lead him to write poetry critical of capitalist materialism. Working as a poet, Jones earns $20,000 annually. Smith chooses a career as an emergency-room physician. She works an average of 60 hours weekly and seldom takes a vacation. Her annual salary is $400,000. Is this “distribution” of income unfair? Is Smith responsible for Jones’ relatively low salary? Does Smith owe Jones money? If so, how much? And what is the formula you use to determine Smith’s debt to Jones?

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“Why are the Republicans willing to “own” the perceptions that they hate the military?”

This has reminded me of a post that I have, thus far, failed to post.  I will be rectifying that Real Soon Now (a “Pournellism”).  In the mean time, read this from a US Military veteran when asked for money in a Republican fundraiser letter by US Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) – you know, the Republican that just made that two year budget agreement with Progressive Caucus member Senator Patty Murray which broke the only successful lock on Federal spending in a very long time – the Sequester.  This “compromise”, as part of its “savings”, is cutting the pensions of those that put their lives on the line for the rest of us by serving in the US Military.  As a double Blue Star Dad and TEA Partier, I couldn’t keep my jaw from hitting the floor over the insult to “those on the Wall” and in the foxholes; even though my two sons only served one hitch each, to go after the military pensions to “save” the money is a kick in the arse.  Oh, we hear that it’s “only 1%” – yeah, compound interest can work wealth wonders in the positive direction (er, when the Fed leaves interest rates to seek their own level) but can wreak havoc when run backwards – 6 digits in fact over a length of time.  Well, that vet that received the letter decided to answer back (emphasis mine, and there are a lot of them):

I’m still mulling this Paul Ryan budget deal that stole money from every military retiree (past, present and future). This morning, upon opening my email, I noticed I had a letter from Congressman Paul Ryan…and it was begging me for an “emergency end of the year donation.” It only proves what we already know. The folks in Washington are indeed clueless. Instead of hitting the delete button, I decided to call Congressman Ryan out on his audacity and lack of self-awareness. I sent the following to him. I’m also posting it on the FB USAF Chiefs page as an open letter to the Congressman. If you’re a retiree, I will tell you we may have lost the battle, but not the war. If you’re inclined and find it worthy, let’s flood social media with this letter and see if we can get some traction. Thanks.

Congressman Ryan,

Please note that this request by you for a cash donation from me is extremely unfortunate and very ill-timed. You see sir, I am one of the military retirees your “bipartisan” budget just impacted. You and every Republican (both in the House and Senate that voted to pass this travesty betrayed and broke trust with me and everyone like me. You may not know us by name, but we’re the people, Congressman, who answered our Nation’s call, some of us at a very early age to willingly serve YOU and others LIKE YOU so you could safely attend college and pursue your personal ambitions without fear of harm.

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Luke 2:4 – 2

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

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Again, from yesterday’s Meet The Press where Washington Post’s E.J. Dionne expressed his dismay that a lot of Americans don’t believe that government should or can’t deliver healthcare for all, especially where it concerns Obamacare:

Well, I think there’s something crazy when people say that Government can’t deliver healthcare.  Ever heard of Medicare?  Ever heard of Medicaid? And there’s a mandate to pay taxes for those things?  This thing is complicated because President Obama chose to go for a model that is a market oriented model that Republicans favor of helping people buy private health insurance. That proves to be very complicated.  But what you are seeing already is an enormous appetite among all the Americans that don’t have health insurance to buy it and that’s what’s going to save Obamacare.  This is filling a real need in the society.

And then he goes on that all other developed nations use Government to deliver healthcare (as if America was sufficiently regressive to believe that mere people could actually handle things for themselves).  Now, to use Medicare and Medicaid as paragons of great sources of healthcare delivery mechanisms only shows that Dionne hasn’t had to use either.  Neither have I but I did have to often help to shepherd both my Mom & step-Dad through their use of Medicare.  I also point out that both systems are facing bankruptcy and in Medicaid, may docs are no longer accepting patients dependent on those Government payments, so what practical good is it when you can use it?  Seriously, the word Potemkin looms large.

But the silliest was

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That is what former Obama Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said on yesterday’s Meet The Press.  Really!  As if someone can just wave a magic wand and go “Poof, there it is”!  It seems like a number of the Ruling Class (and yes, being the Press Secretary does tend to make you a member with sterling credentials) can be mini-King Canutes and just command things into being (er, when does ole’ boy Canute get replaced by Prez Obama in these tales; after all, the latter seemingly tries to do it more often).

They constantly fail to realize that Trust is an ephemeral entity – easy to go and hard to come by.  And given the Scandalpalozza that have been Obama Administration man-made disasters (Porkulus, IRS, EPA, NSA, Obamacare, just to name 4 real quickly), more and more folks are convinced that Government is trying too hard to take over too much and do too much and not being successful.

Which strikes a dagger into the Progressive Mantra that Government CAN do it all and take care of us.  So Gibbs wants more trust in Government by the rest of us (as it seems he’s still fully convinced that Progressive axiom holds true)?  Here’s an idea:

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Up to this point, I’ve said little on the Duck Dynasty imbroglio – but I will as Rick is absolutely spot on.  We are in a culture war that has been a “hot war” for a few years now.  Government is now in the business of enforcing a secular-humanism religion in the public square and crowding out all others in the Progressive March to the “Heaven on Earth” dream.  Christian values?  Check’em at the door as you leave your home or house of worship because as Erick Erickson of RedState has made clear: “You WILL be made to care” – regardless of what your personal conscience says.  Doubt me?  Read this line that was flashed during one of yesterday’s talking head shows during a Duck Dynasty discussion.  From Wilson Cruz of GLAAD (the militant gay group that not only wants those that it considers to be ‘sinners’ against its values to apologize and grovel, but having done that, then pretty much run-out of the public square, and life):

The country is changing and even the State in which Mr. Robertson lives is changing and he needs to get in line.

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