Sunday, May 22, 2016

Armed Forces Day May 21-Let Us Give Thanks to Those Who Serve

Saturday May 21 is Armed Forces Day.  It is a day to reflect and give thanks to all of our Men and Women who serve in our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard without ego or fanfare.  It is a time to reflect on all of those who gave their lives to preserve the freedom of our country. 
To me it is a thankless job especially when our national elected officials are ignorant of military and world matters.  America has always been asked to help in times of crisis or natural disaster.  It should be understood that the greatest country in the world is expected to lead in times of need or crisis.  Our country relies upon an all volunteer Armed Forces to help keep peace in our world, help protect our citizens abroad and to allow others the opportunity to live in a free society rather than under a dictatorship/tyrant rule as we still see in 50 countries of our world such as Cuba, Iran and North Korea to name a few.
Freedom is not and has never been free to achieve.  Millions upon millions of people have died in a quest to be free and to remain living free in our world.  Freedom should be taken for granted nor abused by politicians who in many cases are ignorant of their world history of freedom.
Let us rejoice and give thanks to all those who are current serving and have served in our Armed Forces every day of the year not just once a year.  For with out them the likelihood of us being free would be questionable.  Thank you all who have served and are serving our country.

Saturday, May 14, 2016

What Is To Like About The Connecticut Democrats Fourth Deficit Budget?

Not much.  In trying to understand as an economist and as a taxpayer a complex $20 billion dollar budget in 48 hours or less, there is not much to like about this budget.  Nor did I like the past Connecticut Democrat Party/Malloy developed deficit ridden budgets.
This budget again lacked any input from the Republicans who represent a large part of the state.
This budget in theory does not raise any taxes however it again puts off the payments of GAAP debt for yet another year.  This only increases the interest payments the state must make in the future.
This budget also takes over more local control from cities and towns by creating in 2018 Regional Education Service Centers that will force cities and towns to consolidate human resources, finance and technology divisions.  This was done with no input from the 169 towns and cities in our state.
This budget has built in deficits in it due to the apparent creation of supposed savings and shifting of budget items around.  If you did this in private business you would probably be arrested for accounting fraud.  This is a well known magic trick of the Connecticut Democrat Party to help continue their economic debacle.  There will be no increased savings nor lack of spending.
This budget caps non union pensions at a mere $125,000 a year.  I am curious as to how many middle class citizens in the state receive this type of pension or any type of pension from their employer?
This budget also satisfies long time Democrat controlled cities by allowing Bridgeport to defer part of their pension payments into the state run pension system for municipal workers for two years  and Middletown receives $2 million dollars more in funding through the implementer rat function of the budget bill.  Political favors given without anyone knowing about it in an implementer bill is known as a rat.  Again in private business this amounts to bribery. 
What is to like about the Connecticut Democrats fourth budget?  Not much.  It is more of the same with the exceptions of cutting some spending.  But there was once again no structural reforms in the way the state does business.  Connecticut still has massive unfunded short and long term debt.  Depending on how one views it it is between $44 billion dollars and $80 billion dollars (figuring in long term benefit and pension obligations).  This economic issue was still not addressed nor will it ever be addressed with the continuing one party rule of the Connecticut Democrat Party.
I do not like this budget.  It is more of the same.  The Economic Armageddon is fast approaching thanks to the Connecticut Democrat Party.

Saturday, May 07, 2016

Fourth Connecticut Democrat Budget-Will There Be A Fifth?

Four budgets now here in Connecticut.  Each budget only slightly different than the other.  Each based upon incredible and overly opportunistic projections of tax revenues that never seem to be met due to the decaying Connecticut economy.  Pet projects and political nepotism never being touched.  High level non-productive, highly paid and massive benefit do nothing positions never cut.  Those most in need due to illness and or disability have their programs slashed.  Mandated transportation for school children bus funding is cut.  Hospitals are taxed and are supposed to provide free care for those who have no insurance even though there is socialized health insurance that is supposedly affordable for all.
Thus four budgets have been created with no input, discussion or debate from the Republicans in Hartford who represent believe it or not a large percentage of the remaining Connecticut taxpayers who still live here.  The supposed spirit of bipartisanship is unknown and declared illegal by the Connecticut Democrat Party at times of budget negotiations.
More of the same for Connecticut taxpayers.  More budget deficits, more long term unfunded liabilities, more and higher taxes, more of Hartford's Omnipotent One Party Rule and their continuing economic nightmare.  Will it ever end for Connecticut taxpayers?
I do not think so.  This budget serves up the same economic lies as the last three.  In 2017 we will be reading about the new deficit much the same as the old deficit and the new taxes that are needed to cover it.  We will be reading about how the highest taxpayers of Connecticut are not paying their fair share even though they are moving out of state quickly due to the massive tax burdens they have.  It is the constant replay of the Connecticut Democrat Party's economic nightmare and debacle.  And it has to stop this November with the voting out of office in mass of these same Democrats who have ruined Connecticut beyond economic repair.  Taxpayers can not afford this economic burden placed on them now that they are truly the economic slaves to the Connecticut Democrat Party.
It is time to take back Connecticut in November.