How to Win an Election

My dad once told me that a third of the people are democrats, a third are republican, and a third are independent. In order to win an election, you have to win a majority of the independent vote. The Republican Party would do well to remember this. Recent statements (i.e. wanting the President and/or his policies to fail) made by several prominent Republicans play well with their base; however, those statements alienate moderates and independents. For Republicans to have electoral success in 2010 and thereafter, they need to broaden their appeal and promote ideological diversity. The question is will they do it?

Memo to AIG

Jim Croce sang: "You don't spit into the wind, you don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger, and you don't mess around with Jim." I would add to that - you don't sue the IRS.

For those who haven't heard, AIG leaders in their finite wisdom, are suing the IRS for $306 million in back taxes. The same American International Group (AIG) that is being kept afloat by a $170 billion dollar government bailout has now decided they were overtaxed by the government to the tune of $306 million dollars. The leadership was so aggrieved by the government's alleged over taxation, they asked that the government pay their court costs and attorney fees. That's chutzpah! What lead their leaders to believe this was good idea? Suing the IRS is not a smart move, it only ensures that every AIG employee from the CEO to the mail room clerks will be audited for the next 10 years. In addition to that, the audits will also be retroactive for the last 7 years. Congratulations and good luck with that!

Cool Under Fire

Just an New York Times op-ed piece chastising President Obama for not being angry enough for the writer's taste.  Mr Obama said he was angry but that doesn't seem to be good enough for some at the NYT.  What would they have him do, throw a tantrum worthy of Senator McCain?  What they fail to realize is if President Obama were to do that, he would be dismissed as an angry black man and be the butt of late night jokes for the remainder of his term.  Mr Obama was elected in part because of his calm, competent demeanor and cool under fire.  At this point in time, we don't need a raving madman or incompetent cowboy as president; we've been there and done that, thank you.   Considering the gravity of our situation, anger is justified, however, that energy must be channeled into developing solutions instead of venting for the nearest TV camera. 

Should we nationalize our banks?

According to Dilbert, the comic strip, companies are run for the benefit of the shareholders, not the employees.  In that vein, it would seem that banks are run for the benefit of their shareholders, not the general public.   Those who oppose nationalizing our failed banking system argue that nationalization would wipe out their investments.  These are the same shareholders who sat by idly while the senior executives ran banks into the ground.  Should we really care if they lose their money?  Many of our fellow citizens are unemployed or going without pay raises because of our current economy - do they care if the investor class loses a few million? Our current mess is due in no small part to the deregulation of the banking industry.  Capitalism and the free market helped make America the nation it is today, however, letting banks operate without government oversight is like giving whisky, money, and car keys to teenage boys. 

Maybe it's time we looked into nationalizing our banks.  

Just say no?

In his visit to Africa, Pope Benedict XVI said the use of condoms is wrong and that condoms are not the answer to combating the spread of HIV/AIDS on the continent. The pontiff called for marital fidelity and abstinence instead, saying condoms contributed to the problem. According to UN figures from 2007, 22 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are infected with HIV - this is one fifth of the global total.

In light of that number, it would seem fairly obvious that marital fidelity and abstinence alone are not combating the spread of HIV/AIDS. Marital fidelity and abstinence are ideal, however, some people of their own free will choose to go a different route. These people need to be taught how to properly use condoms. Public health data indicate that proper and consistent use of condoms is highly effective in preventing HIV transmission. Studies also indicate that comprehensive sex education is more effective in preventing STD transmission than abstinence only education.

Condoms aren't part of the problem, they're part of the solution along with comprehensive sex education in Africa and the rest of the world.

Bonus babies and AIG. Today we call it a bailout, tomorrow, we'll call it why daddy went to jail.

Recently, 73 AIG executives including 11 who no longer work there were paid $1million each in bonuses.   This begs the question why give bonuses to people who run a company into the ground? Historically, bonuses were a reward for exemplary performance, going above and beyond the call of duty.   When did it become de rigueur to reward mediocrity and outright incompetence?  Running a company into the ground does not qualify as exemplary performance.   AIG was in such dire straits, that they accepted T.A.R.P (Troubled Asset Relief Program) funds.   Why was it necessary to reward the executives of such a poorly run company with taxpayer funded money?

  

Today, having heard the hue and cry from the huddled masses yearning to stay afloat financially, Congress is looking toward a tax to in an attempt to recoup the money.  Treasury Secretary Geithner said he would withhold $165 million from the next $30 billion payment the firm is scheduled to receive.  That's all well and good, but what about the 73 executive who've already received their bonuses?  Will AIG do the right thing and ask that the bonuses be returned?  Don't hold your breath.  

AIG is said to be too big to fail, but one has to wonder what would happen if we let them fail?  

Zach Wamp is Wrong

Healthcare is right, not a privilege for those who can afford it. No American should have to choose between paying for food, clothing, or shelter at the expense of paying for healthcare. Zach Wamp, the U.S. Representative from the Third Congressional District of Tennessee, feels that healthcare is a privilege.  Interesting considering his healtcare is paid for by the American taxpayers, many of whom cannot afford healthcare for themselves!  Those that don't have healtcare end up using the emergency room as their primary care provider - this leads to longer wait times in the ER and ties up staff that could be treating emergency cases.  The ER is not exactly cheap either and the cost is passed on to the rest of society because the hospital is still require to treat patients regardless of their ability to pay. This leads to higher healthcare costs for those that are insured.  Enough is enough, the time has come for healthcare reform.   It's a right, not a privilege.