Representative Mushinsky = No Change As Usual

Representative Mushinsky of Wallingford represents no change as usual in her recent political appointment as Chairperson of the Program Review and Investigations Committee. I find her appointment ironic as she represents 28 years of her failed liberal agenda in the state legislature. Her most important vote being for the state income tax. Now she wants to look at tax credits for many industries. However, hasn't she been in office for 28 years and been part of many of these tax credits? She also wishes to look at many programs and view results based accounting for state programs. When has anyone in state government including herself been worried about results based anything? Her mantra has been tax and spend, tax and spend to the point that Connecticut is the second highest taxed state in the country and we are in one of the poorest preforming economies in the country with massive population drains. Yes all these problems are indirectly the result of her failed 28 year liberal agenda along with the failed agenda of Connecticut's Democratic party which has now pushed our state to the edge of no return. I still find it amazing that Wallingford voters were blind in seeing this and brought her back for yet another two years of failure.

The 100 Most Special Individuals In America Today-The United States Senate

There are 100 individuals in the United States today who are more elite, more important and more special than anyone else in our country. They are not individuals from the Armed Forces, nor from our Police or Fire Departments, nor from our Hospitals, nor from any Charitable organizations. They are the United States Senate. A group of 100 special, important, elitist, above any law people who help make laws in our country. These 100 people are in theory elected by voters. But more importantly they are appointed by Governors who have the ability to broker to the highest bidder their seats when a Senator goes on to an even more important office and must resign their position. And you may ask what is wrong with a lowly Governor appointing (through the appropriate lobbying, cash payouts and the like)their successor? I guess there is nothing wrong with the current situations taking place in both New York and Illinois. Of course the Obama camp had no knowledge of what was going in Illinois at all. And in New York the legacy of the Royal Family of America to be appointed to a vacant Senate seat is a right granted by the United States Constitution and should be adhered to.
What a mockery of our political process. What a debasing of the rules and laws that govern our country. What a disgrace. All this as we wait for Senator Chris Dodd, a major factor in the current economic credit crisis that he helped to create, for 196 days to tell us taxpayers about his sweetheart mortgage deal. The United States Senate needs reform if we as a nation are going to survive.

Connecticut's Fiscal Mess

Connecticut is in a fiscal mess. In a state that spends over $18 billion dollars a year we are in a fiscal mess. Actually it is not we but the Governor and elected officials who have increased spending by billions of dollars are in a fiscal mess. My family and many others are not in a fiscal mess because we have chosen to live within our means. We have decided not to take out jumbo mortgages which we can not afford (although we have not been given a sweetheart mortgage like Chris Dodd). We have chosen not to spend more than we earn and run up excessive credit card debt like others. We have decided to be thrifty and frugal in many areas of our personal lives. Connecticut's government and legislature decided to spend wildly above their means using the state income tax as their greatest source of ever increasing revenue and new and higher taxes on just about everything to get us in this fiscal mess. This has all happened since Connecticut's dark ages of the Weicker administration, where tax and spend were the mantra of political life.
Thus we as a state are in a fiscal mess. A fiscal mess which was produced by our elected officials. Not by taxpayers. Maybe governmental officials could do the right thing now and give up their taxpayer financed salaries and taxpayer funded campaigns for reelection to save money. Maybe just maybe they should pay for their continuing fiscal irresponsibility - hit them in their pocketbooks like we taxpayers of Connecticut have been hit. Our well is now dry - taxpayers have no more to give to this fiscal mess in Connecticut which was not our making.

Let's Sell All Congressional Seats!

Let's sell all Congressional seats. Better yet why don't we charge money to our current Senators and Representatives for keeping their seats. States could generate a great deal of revenue from this. For example here in Connecticut it would be a great way to help pay off the massive overspending by the Democratic state legislature over the years. Isn't it true that most of Congress are multi millionaires anyways? They can afford to pay the states they represent (or have moved to in order to obtain the seat)millions of dollars to retain their seat. What is the use of elections anyways? Incumbents can control their district or state for years with no amount of wrong doing ever forcing them from office. Look at Chris Dodd, he has helped to create the financial crisis our economy is experiencing and got a sweetheart mortgage deal on top of that. And why should he or any other member of Congress worry about any sense of ethics and or worry about any type of law that runs our nation. All 535 members should be and are above all that nonsense that we taxpayers must follow. Congress has become the ruling elite following no law, needing no ethics nor have any concerns other than their own self gain and financial reward. Maybe in 2009 taxpayers should break away from this tyranny like we did in 1776. Enough is enough.

Businesses Welcome To Illinois

Businesses welcome to Illinois. Now here is a state that you want to do business in. A warm, friendly economic environment greets you. Little governmental intervention unless you are the Governor or a Reverend. I am astounded at the Republic Windows and Door debacle that is currently taking place in Chicago. I am also astounded at the Governor's incredible economic plan to stop doing business with Bank of America as punishment (punishment for what?).
Thus as an economist, I must understand Economics 101 in a now liberal, nationalized economy.
Here is what used to occur. A company is doing poorly for a variety of reasons, possibly lower sales, increased competition, excessive federal, state and local governmental taxes and regulations, excessively high wages and benefits, higher inputs costs, etc. The bank that they are doing business with decides by analysis of their financials that they are a high credit risk, have no other assets/future sales to borrow against and pull their line of credit. No more money is available to this company to continue their operations. The company then must close its operations because it no longer has any money to pay its bills or its employees. All of its employees are laid off, the company then decides on bankruptcy and the private business cycle falls into place with firms leaving an industry due to a lack of profit.
In New World Liberal Economics, a company should have been making a profit so that local, state and federal governments could have taxed the profit at a 100% level to continue to finance their deficit spending and redistribution of wealth. The bank they are doing business with does not have to analyze any financials or sales, they just will continue to lend them money to infinity. The company even though it may be losing money and sales will continue to give massive pay and benefit increases to its employees. And finally bankruptcy is outlawed in our economy. We now have an Utopian economy where the business cycle no longer exists. I guess I need to reeducate myself on everything that I have learned about economics over 35 years. I never thought I would see this in my lifetime.
And I guess I will never open a business in Illinois and I guess many others will not either.

Congress and It's Lack of Knowledge About Our Economy

Congress really does not understand economics in any way shape or form. The Congressional hearings about the auto bailout truly astound me. Many of these same politicians who are belittling the auto industry executives had no problem supporting the fall 2007 strike by UAW against General Motors (Does Mr. Obama remember this by any chance?), they had no problem adding greater standards and regulations since the late 1990's, they had no problem driving vehicles which were not made by the Big 3. Nope none of this means anything to Congress. But to listen to Mr. Franks rant about their industry makes no sense to me whatsoever, his clueless remarks shows me and millions of other taxpayers how far removed he is and the rest of his Democratic party when it comes to the harm that Congress has burdened our economy with.
Congress has little if any real working knowledge about how our economy works and as such they continue to do more harm than good for our economy. The mortgage crisis, the credit crisis and the now the auto industry crisis can be traced to the United States Congress, an omnipotent, illogical charade that taxpayers must support.

Why The Economy Can Correct Itself - Without Government

Our economy can correct itself without chronic government bailouts. It can be done through a variety of means. I would like to look at two areas in particular. Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac need to be sold off by the government and allow to operated by a private entity. This would take the harsh political nature of this company out of play and allow for the free markets to work in the mortgage market. What would happen is that if you can't afford a mortgage you would not get one. You would need 10% to 20% as a down payment and have actual verifiable income levels to support your mortgage. This would self correct the run up in housing prices and allow for housing to be affordable for those who work for a living and chose to live below their means. Second, the auto industry does not warrant a bailout. Because of its' poor management over the years, excessive salary and benefit structure, poor product, the non consumer friendly dealership buying environment, it deserves its fate. That would be a merger and or bankruptcy. It would not be the end of our economy if economies of scale and efficiency would be reintroduced to our domestic auto industry. Why do other auto manufacturers produce at a much lower hourly rate than the big three? Why do they produce more economically?
Our government frenzy of throwing $6.3 trillion dollars in bailout money at our economy will have long reaching effects on our national debt and our ability to borrow money. It is political, short sighted, and inefficient. And ultimately taxpayers will be paying for the political gains of our economically illiterate Congress.

Dodd Is Anxious, So Am I

Chris Dodd is anxious and so am I. Does this mean he is going to release all of his information about his sweetheart mortgage deals? No not at all. He is anxious to continue to deflect all knowledge of his mortgage deals and his defense of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. No he is anxious to confirm all of Mr. Obama's appointments to help stem the financial crisis he has helped to create. It is amazing given that Mr. Dodd usually never gave the time of day to any of President Bush's appointments. Today to help cover himself, Dodd will actually speed up the process. As a taxpayer I am still waiting to find out about his mortgage deal and I am not overly enthusiastic to several appointments being mentioned. In particular Larry Summers who I was unimpressed with during the Clinton term.
We as an economy must realize that we can not continue to allow for constant government stimulus packages in order for our economy to work. Government at all levels needs to cut spending and taxes in order for our economy to once again become stimulated and grow. Socialism will not work. Economic growth must come from the private sector not from government. But again Chris Dodd is anxious and I am anxious for him to leave office once and for all. He is a disgrace to the taxpayers of Connecticut.

Here It Comes... More Taxes For 2.5 Million Jobs

Here it comes...more taxes for 2.5 million jobs. I just love it when politicians who have no clue as to how the economy works blurt out figures, dollar amounts and presto they become economists. I am hesitant to see what an Obama 2.5 million public service job creation program will cost and look like over the next four years. As I can see by his cabinet forming, I am underwhelmed by the recycling of Clinton appointments and see that it looks like it will be business as usual for the next four years. What change? Where? Did I miss something? I guess I will lower my already low expectations with Obama as I see the even more perfect economic storm forming in the next four years. A lack of investor confidence, a lack of consumer confidence, a lack of business confidence and higher taxes. Does it get better than this or is this now back to 1977-1980?

No Bailout

No bailout, not now, not never. But I guess it is the time of the year for economic giveaways of taxpayers monies. This time the big, bad auto industry is calling it quits without $75, no make it $50, no-how about a mere $25 billion to help support its poor production and management decisions. Did the Big Three ever hear about cutting costs and making its plants more efficient? Did they realize that they should not pay employees who do not work and or give them a lifetime pension equal to their regular salary? Did they realize that they need to actually improve their product so that auto consumers would actually buy the car or truck? In my economic opinion they should go bankrupt and allow for a major market correction to take place as it should have in the finance industry. It is obvious that what they did 50years ago is not working today and that consumer demand is much different than it was back then. I personally feel that automobile consumers are sick of the lies that they were fed by the Big Three, the hassle to buy a vehicle, the hassle of it breaking down, the high cost of repairs, etc.
Taxpayers should be strongly against this new form of corporate welfarism which will ultimately lead to higher taxes and more poor economic decisions.

Where Is The Economic Turnaround?

Where is the economic turnaround? I really thought it would happen with election day. I really thought it would happen here in Connecticut when voters decided to return in mass the same stale tax and spend politicians back to Hartford so obviously they can continue to tax and spend us some more for two years. I really thought with the Obama crowning that the stock market would recover its 5000 point loss in the week and that his new tax and spend policies would be embraced by anyone who either works for a living and or invests in our economy. I really thought with the talk of socialization of our 401K plans that the market would embrace all of that money flowing out of the economy and into government's hand. I really thought that the 2012 Presidential election would start in earnest on November 6th and even more new and greater economic socialization plans would be discussed and enacted upon immediately. I really thought our economy would turn around (and our biased media would disappear). I guess you get what you vote for.

Happy Veterans Day To All Veterans

America today celebrates Veterans Day. My family and I wish each and every Veteran of our country our thanks for your service and dedication to our country. We appreciate your sacrifice. As a child growing up I was always fascinated by the stories told by my Father who served in Europe during World War II and by my Uncle who served in the Pacific. It was a verbal, living history of the war and gave me the incentive to study our military history over the years. I know I treasure our freedom in our country and our freedom to choose. It is with the sacrifices of all the enlisted men and women since our Revolutionary War that has made our country the greatest nation in the world. America forever in its leadership and strength to guide the world. And again thank you to all the Veterans of our country and for all those who have died for our freedom. It will never be forgotten.

It Is Time To Get To Work

It is time to get to work. It is time for the conservative movement to reassert itself for the coming elections. It will not be able to do it with the current leadership of the Republican party whether at the national or state level.
On a national level the Republicans showed that Governor Sarah Palin is a candidate of the future and Senator McCain's moderate liberalism is hopefully gone forever. Governor Palin by far was the best of the four candidates running for high office.
The state elections showed the rational ignorance of Connecticut voters by eliminating our ability to have a say in our government by voting down the constitutional convention (in which many voters did not understand what they were voting for) and giving the liberal Democrats one party rule in Hartford so they can continue to tax and spend. Voters will get what they deserve over the coming years.
There needs to be a conservative philosophy which the Republican party needs to embrace and enact upon. We need to rid ourselves of the Stevens, the Rowlands, and all of the other self serving politicians who have spread like a cancer in our party. We need to embrace ethics, smaller government, lower spending, lower taxes and to allow for the free market system to run without governmental intervention. We can and we shall take back our party. If we are not successful then now is the time to form a true Conservative party as an alternative to the two stale and inept political parties who once again have shown their disregard for the voters and taxpayers this past week.

How High Taxes Have Crippled Connecticut

High taxes have crippled Connecticut. We pay an excessive amount of taxes here in Connecticut which has resulted in little if any job creation, a mass movement of businesses out of the state, excessively high transportation costs, and a mass exodus of our young people moving out of the state. If you work for a living here in Connecticut or own a business I am not telling you anything new.
Thus what is the answer? In a few hours the Democrats here in Connecticut will be rejoicing in their continual one party rule in Hartford for another two years. We as taxpayers are confident that the amendment for the Constitutional Convention will pass and as such tax reform will be enacted upon along with term limits. Tax reform is essential if Connecticut is going to survive in the future. Disgusted taxpayers need to bombard their elected officials beginning tomorrow that the excessive tax burden of Connecticut needs to stop in the next legislative session. The state needs to cut spending and cut taxes and live within its means. The entitlement mentality of the Connecticut State Legislature has bankrupted our state. Lower taxes. Now.

Will The Media Ever Be Balanced Again?

Will the media ever be balanced again? I do not know if that will occur in my lifetime. I was taught many years ago in my journalism classes that when you cover a story you need to present both sides so that readers can be informed and understand what you are writing about. Obviously that does not occur in journalism classes which are taught today. I truly do not know what is actually being taught today but in my opinion it is not unbiased reporting.
I no longer watch TV nor have have cable TV. I have $65 more a month to spend or invest each month due to my decision. If someone came up to me from the street and told me that they were a reporter from a TV station, I would not know them nor could I care about who they were, they do not impress me with their lack of productivity in our economy. I believe strongly that the way the media can become balanced is through an economic boycott of cable TV and its advertising sponsors. By a lack of economic support they would be forced to rethink their horrific coverage of this year's election and their demeaning and degrading of Sarah Palin. It was truly disgusting to read what has happened to this entire process. I can see why it is difficult to attract good honest people to run for elected office, since the media has crowned themselves as the new nobility in our society and only they are right and 300 million Americans are wrong. But for one last time it is just another reason why I am voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin tommorrow. And I urge you do also.

Ethics and Leadership

What is ethics? What is morally right? Many years ago in non revisionist history, America fought a long war in Vietnam. This war was on the news every night (when you only had three stations with news not 500), in the daily paper and in the weekly news magazines. Liberals at that time thought it was cool to demean and deface our soldiers fighting there. They asked for them to surrender, join the enemy and other assorted misguided views. The war was mismanaged by a Democratic President who had great concerns about his legacy, he also had poor military advisers which helped lose the war for America.
In this time many United States soldiers died and many became POWs. One of the most noted POWs is very close to becoming our next President. He sacrificed six+ years of his life being tortured and gaining permanent physical disabilities from his capture. He endured six+ years that many of us would not have the ability to deal with. During this time he proved his mental toughness and proved his love for our country beyond a doubt.
Thus in a few days we will vote for a new President. Do we want a President who has an ethical and moral character, a man who stood by his fellow soldiers, a man who placed his country above his own well being physically? Or do we want a liberal Senator who has basically never worked a day in his life who is worried about his ego and self glorification? I know I don't and I know John McCain and Sarah Palin are what are country needs in leadership today. I know my vote goes to McCain - Palin.

Why America Can't Afford Another New Deal

America can't afford another New Deal. I can't see how the first one worked since it was blurred by World War II. I can't see how another Great Society will work as the first one from the 1960's still has done little if anything for our economy.
I would like to see a new freedom deal for our society and our economy especially for those who work. This could be done by making the Bush tax cuts permanent. It would not penalize those who work hard, choose to take risks and create jobs and wealth for our economy. It would allow for the free market movement to continue to exist in our economy and allow for economic growth to continue to take place. A redistribution of wealth already occurs in our economy (although Congress by exempting itself from most laws, social security and the like allows its wealth to grow)through the current income tax system. A large proportion of citizens pay no taxes at all and are supported by those like us who work for a living. Thus if we work in our economy we are penalized by the same federal government trying to continue to change our wealth status and give it to those who supposedly need it. Rather than empowering those who need more skills and education it is much easier for government to create the mindless bureaucracy of entrapping these same people in a welfare mentality and welfare cycle. Government owes them. The New Deal and the Great Society were utopian measures which failed our economy and created the great dependency that is visible especially in the Democratic party, a party void of ideas and ethics. But in my economic opinion it was a failure, is a failure and will continue to be a failure for the future. We as a voters need to understand that we can ill afford more of this endless quest for mediocrity that the Democrats embrace at all levels of government. Real change in November comes only with a vote and a victory for John McCain and Sarah Palin.

Why Pickens Plan Is Blowing In The Wind and Will Not Work

It is blowing in the wind and money from your wallet will follow. And if you are T. Boone Pickens your profit is blowing in the wind. And you as energy consumers will help make Pickens wealth grow even more if his misguided plan works. Do not get me wrong I am all in favor of creating wealth and I have been consistently in favor of alternative energy sources. However I am not in favor of this plan which can only rely upon eminent domain to take over properties starting in Texas and position incredibly expensive electrical lines along state lines to transport this electricity throughout America. And at a time when the price of a barrel of oil has gone down $70+ a barrel. I have a strong feeling that taxpayers like you and I will help support Pickens in his semi-retirement through this master liberal plan of nothingness for energy.
We do have problems with energy independence which can be traced to the 1970's and a Democratic Congress who has basically done nothing for 35+ years with regards to this. Obviously since Congress is removed from the everyday economy nor does it have to worry about anything financially, it could care less if gas went to $6 a gallon and heating oil to $7. It solution is simplistic, tax these supposed "excessive profits" that we always hear about. Are the profits there today at $2.50 a gallon?
Thus the real nature of eminent domain is at stake here. Solar installations on buildings do not require eminent domain, nor do windmills privately owned on private property. New building construction with geothermal energy does not require eminent domain nor does nuclear power. In my economic opinion I do not feel taxpayers need to support nor endorse this poor Pickens plan. And by the way I favor the energy proposals of McCain/Palin, let us control our own oil supply in our country. They have my vote.

Why Is Wealth Bad In Our Economy?

Why is wealth bad in our economy? Why is it fine to have millionaire liberal Democrats in Congress dictating to those individuals in our economy who are productive what they can and can not have? I have studied formally Economics and Business since high school, 37+ years now. Over all the classes I have taken, the degrees that I have, all the classes I have taught, all of the thousands of articles I have read, all of the magazines and books that I have read, I still wish to know why is it bad to work hard and gain wealth and why is it government's inherent right to take as much as it can away from those same people.
That is what this Presidential election had developed into. Government has once again proven by interfering with the housing market it has help to create a great housing and credit mess along with hiding the problems of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. And then it blames capitalism for it. It needs to blame itself. What Congress could have done was to help create energy independence-it only has had 35+ years to do that and to stimulate the economy by the elimination of taxes on inheritances, and lower and eliminate all taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains. Let capitalism run itself and downsize government at all levels. Just another reason why I am voting for McCain/Palin this election.

Vote Mike Vitali State Representative 85th District

Wallingford residents finally have a chance to unseat one of the most liberal tax and spend Democrats of all time, Mary Mushinsky. Our current representative and her cureent massive tax and spending increases have help stripped our state of its economic vibrancy and growth. Her liberal arguments continue to be feeble to anyone who must work for a living. It is time once and for all for her to be voted out of office. Mike Vitali represents a breath of fresh air for Wallingford. He is young, innovative and actually willing to work to help lower spending and taxes for our community and state. Mike Vitali is a product of schools and our town, we could not ask for a better candidate to represent us. For those voters in the 85th District, I urge you to vote for Mike Vitali as your State Representative and also I know I am voting for the McCain/Palin ticket for a positive future for our country.

How Does Hard Work Pay Off Economically?

How does hard work pay off economically? If you are a liberal millionaire Democrat you need not work in life. For example, if you are a Chris Dodd you were able to get a favorable subprime mortgage and save a great deal of money on the life on your mortgage. What you have done is unethical but remember you are a millionaire liberal Democrat who does not need to work for a living. If you are a candidate for President like Obama who needs to spend your entire working career being non productive and always receiving a paycheck from some form of government agency whether local, state or federal. This non productivity now allows you to tell the productive business entrepreneur (i.e. Joe the Plumber) that you can not keep all that you earn. Your hard work must be shared with those like himself and those who do not wish to work or be productive. No you must share your wealth with those who probably are inherently lazy and enjoy living off the government meal ticket. Government and we the taxpayers of our economy apparently owe those like Dodd, Franks, Pelosi, Reid, Obama and Biden and many others who do not wish to work a living. You as a productive, hard working individual who wishes to get ahead in life must listen to the stale rhetoric of a failed 75+ year program of the Great Society. A Great Society if you are only a millionaire liberal Democrat. Productivity, creation of wealth and hard work needs not to be penalized by a Great Society program that has failed our country miserably. We can not afford any more penalties for efficient labor and creation of jobs which in turn create wealth and prosperity in our economy.
Just another reason why I am voting for McCain/Palin.

The Tax Cut That Isn't - Another Lie

The tax cut that isn't is being sung by the Obama machine is just another lie. When one really tries to understand this plan one can see that it is no way shape or form a tax cut. It is a tax increase for anyone who earns $40,000 a year or more. If you earn over $150,000 a year look out because your taxes will jump, even more at $250,000. With this plan over 45% of the American taxpayers will no longer pay taxes. Why the shift from now 24% to 45%? To buy more votes for this miserable and failed economic plan? Why are we going to create economic disincentives to those who work for a living and who are self sufficient? Why is hard work and wealth wrong to the Democratic party even though most of them who represent us are rich and have the audacity to exempt themselves from the laws they create for us. No 95% of American will not get a tax cut.
I also have to laugh at Warren Buffet being an advisor to his campaign. Although he is a brilliant investor (who likes to keep salaries low for those that work for him and hates to pay dividends) he knows very little about our tax structure. He has always complained that the rich do not pay enough in taxes, if that is the case then instead of giving $5billion to GE give it to the Federal Government for more wasteful spending or to bail somebody else out.
Thus the Obama plan is more of the same; rape the working class of our economy and keep the economically distressed more economically distressed so that they have no incentives to work, gain self esteem and personal wealth. Just another reason why I am voting for McCain/Palin this year.

Why Sometimes We Should Listen To Our Economic Past..

Sometimes we need to listen to our economic past in order to understand our present. Over the years in my Microeconomics classes I have given a topic paper assignment about the late Milton Friedman. Friedman in my economic opinion was a brilliant man, I loved studying him when I was in college in the 70's. The basis of Friedman was simple, government needs only to provide for three functions: a military defense, it needs to enforce contracts between individuals and it also needs to protect citizens against crimes against themselves and their properties.
That is it. It is simple yet to the point, our economy can run itself without governmental intervention as is so prevalent today.
Government has become self serving at all three levels, local, state and federal. It has created an entitlement mentality which continues to erode the fabric of our nation as a whole and continues to demean the philosophy that economic hard work and self sufficiency helps create economic growth and well being. In my economic opinion the brilliance of Mr. Friedman is too lost today by a new group of economists who argue for more governmental spending and intervention. In 2008 the economic sky is not falling but has been entrapped by a group of millionaire self serving politicians like Dodd, Franks, Reid and Pelosi who now use their power for economic gain in total violation of their oaths of office.
I think if Mr. Friedman were alive today he would be helping and voting for the McCain-Palin ticket rather than the economic socialist ticket of the failed Democratic party. Yes, sometimes we should and need to listen to our economic past in order to understand the mess that our Congress has gotten ourselves into.

Economics Nobel Prize For What? Who?

The Nobel Peace Prize for Economics makes no sense to me whatsoever. Paul Krugman? Oh you mean the liberal New York Times columnist who is always right and anyone who disagrees with him wrong? I will credit him with his intelligence and his insight on the concepts of economic free trade and the functions of economic geography. However is this an actual foundation for the Nobel Prize? But looking at an organization that gave Al "Can we make some money on global warming" Gore, I can see why they gave it to him. It is because of his writings in the liberal New York Times.

Let us look at what Donald Luskin wrote in National Review Online:

These days Krugman’s liberal agenda always takes precedence over economic principle. He has described himself as “an unabashed defender of the welfare state.” He has declared, “For me, Sweden of 1980 would be ideal.” He has called Barack Obama’s sweeping plan for socialized medicine “naïve” because it doesn’t contain enough mandates. He has said that “We should be getting 28% of GDP in [tax] revenue,” when the highest level ever collected, even in wartime, is less than 21 percent.
In 1999 Paul Krugman was paid $50,000 by Enron as a consultant on its “advisory board,” and that same year he wrote a glowing article about Enron for Fortune magazine. But he would change his tune. After Enron collapsed in 2001, Krugman wrote several columns excoriating the company. (One featured what may be the most absurd howler in the history of op-ed journalism: “I predict that in the years ahead Enron, not Sept. 11, will come to be seen as the greater turning point in U.S. society.”) In most of these columns Krugman worked hard to link Enron to the Bush administration, and in one he actually blamed Enron’s consultants for the company’s collapse — while neglecting to mention that he, too, had been an Enron consultant.

Oh well, selective memory is fine for the Nobel Prize. I have also noticed on many occasions his columns have really nothing to do with economics but drone on about the virtues of bigger government and how bad conservative economists are. But that is now the view of the Nobel Prizes. They are now somewhat meaningless and how they advocate peace is beyond me. Thus as an economist I will ignore the mention of this yearly prize and go about my own research which continues to advocate less government, elimination of taxes on all dividends, interest, capital gains and inheritances. Oh if you can't tell by now, Mr. Obama will do everything to raise your taxes middle class or not. That is why I am voting for McCain and Palin.

Can You Spare $3000 for a Job?

Is this an economic incentive? If you create a job you will get a $3000 tax credit. Wow! This new plan unveiled by Mr. Obama makes little economic sense to me. First, does he realize how much it actually costs to create a job for a business? A business must look at both its fixed and variable costs when creating a job. What is the hourly salary along with the social security taxes and whatever benefits it pays will be the actual cost of the job, for example $22 a hour wage plus another $8 in taxes and benefits equals $30 a hour cost. Multiply it by 40 hours a week and you have $1200 a week or $62,400 for the year. If you subtract this tax credit it will cost the business $59,400 a year for this new job creation. The business must earn an additional $59,400 in sales/profit to even begin to justify this new job. If the costs of creating the job outweigh the benefits to the business then the job will not be created. You really do not need to be an economist to figure that out.
Thus in the simple world of Presidential politics, Mr. Obama yet again shows his ignorance of the business world and the economy of the United States. Why would you as a business person risk $62,400 to get $3000 back as a tax credit? I just love the fantasy world that the US Congress lives in. This is not an economic incentive in any way, shape or form. Just another lie by the supposed Economist Obama.

Should We Really Blame Him?

Obviously if you are Chris Dodd, the answer is no. If you are him you are making a great salary, have great benefits, have a sweetheart mortgage deal and can help cause one of the biggest financial meltdowns in your nation's history and then place blame on everyone else but yourself. What is better than that? However if you are like millions of Americans like myself, who work hard for a living, work 2+ jobs, pay your taxes on time, live within your means in a non sweetheart mortgage derived home, can only send your children to public schools, get no assistance from the government at any level and have just seen your 401K drop 30% in value over the year, you need not complain nor will your complaints be heard by the omnipotent US Congress. So let us only blame ourselves for voting these incompetent fools into Congress, although in my case I never voted for Dodd. Oh please Chris can you one day just come clean on your preferred mortgage? We know you do not care about us who live within our means and play by your false rules.

A Report Card For Congress

Can we grade our current Congress? I will focus upon several players who have helped create the financial mess that we are in today.
Senator Chris Dodd Grade F-. I know an F should be the lowest grade possible but since it is now 110+ days and we still can not get information on his sweetheart deal with Countrywide Mortgage, I have taken the liberty of grading him down. What is even better is his massive campaign contributions from these fallen financial giants and his total lack of understanding of what is actually going on with his industry. Dodd should be recalled by Connecticut voters, censored by the Senate and or resign immediately for his lies to the public about this crisis.
Representative Barney Franks Grade F. Another clueless individual trying to rape taxpayers in this bailout bill. I never heard more twists and turns with policy, who to blame and why than from this man since 2004. Another ignorant politician who has massive power over the financial industry and uses it to his self glorification. Also someone else who needs to resign.
Representative Charles Rangel Grade F. He gives new meaning to ignorance and should be censored also. He just writes tax law but has no need to follow it. Maybe he can squeeze in a few more apartments at a cheap rate after all he deserves it.
Representative Nancy Pelosi Grade F. What a speech yesterday! I guess she is shooting for an approval rating of -9. Resign, what a disgrace to our Congress.
Senator Obama Grade F. Why would you have Franklin Raines as an Economic advisor is beyond my understanding. Raines should be in jail now for his looting of public money.
Finally Representative Maxine Waters Grade F-. If you thought nationalizing the oil industry was bad, try listening to her interrogation of the federal regulator during the Freddie and Fannie corruption hearings in 2004. What lies about Raines. Here is someone who should resign and run in Cuba.
Sadly these self serving, egotistic, corrupt politicians are still in office today and taxpayers from all walks of life will continue to pay for their greed, their self glorification and their ignorance.

Congress and Economics/Finance Do Not Mix

"I understand speed is important, but I'm far more interested in whether or not we get this right,". Chris Dodd said this yesterday at his bailout hearing. I am wondering why he did not comment on his subprime mortgage deal with Countrywide. However after reading what happened at the hearings I can conclude that our Congress and economics/finance do not mix. I can not rationalize the lack of economic knowledge that members of this group displayed yesterday. I can not believe they are that ignorant about how our economy works nor do they have any understanding of how our finance markets work. Barney Franks continues to ignore his own lies about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and still beats his liberal drum sitting in front of his committee working it to his own political glorification. It is pathetic to watch this. Both committees in my opinion are clueless as to what is going on in the financial markets. And both are playing politics as usual (especially Dodd who does not have a leg to stand on) with this financial
bailout bill. Congress really needs to address itself and its failings especially when economics,finance and spending are concerned. And I wish hearings could start today on that.

The Plan With No Strings Attached

I continue to read and watch in amazement the current debate about the $700 billion dollar bailout plan in Congress. In keeping in step with their inability to either lead or make decisions I can see the Democratic Congress coming up with a great deal of pet provisions to throw into the bill and probably a great deal of earmarks that could be added also.
I have to laugh at the pathetic nature of Reid, Pelosi, Franks and Dodd commenting that they are looking out for the self interest of the taxpayer in the bill. I guess this is why Franks has come up with the comical strings attached to the bill that he announced yesterday. My question to Franks and Dodd is why did they block legislation that could have prevented this mess in the first place? So that Dodd could protect his sweetheart mortgage deal with Countrywide? Franks comment in 2003 that the fears of Fannie Mae were "overblown" . At what point does Franks think things are overblown? When his cronies stopped looting the company? Who profited the most from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Franklin Raines and the numerous members of Congress like Dodd and Franks that received donations from these two bankrupt companies?
Thus the bill will come to a vote soon enough and most members of Congress will know virtually nothing about what they are voting for. As a taxpayer this is a disgrace to anyone who chooses to live within their means and pays taxes in our country. A private market solution would work the best rather than a socialistic/capitalistic system that is evolving by a Congress too foolish and too self serving to understand how our economy works.

Please, please bail me out!

Please bail me out. I am out of control. No, my family is not out of control with our spending, but can we get some of that bail out money that is free in Washington. Can we get some of that change (whatever that means?) that is supposed to be coming? Better yet show me some of my cash that I pay in local, state and federal taxes.
A simplistic view of the financial mess that is found in our economy today is that we need to spend less money. We need to live below our means to help create a better financial future. Many CEO's are not worth what they are being paid in these financial companies that are going broke. I realize that this falls onto deaf ears in Washington and Hartford but I can not see governmental ownership of mortgages where in essence, if you have this type of mortgage you are both the creditor and debtor of the mortgage. We are subsidizing those who have lived well above their means. Who really will pay for all this?
As an economist I really would love to see the free market system work again with that invisible hand guiding us along the way. So much for that in my lifetime.

The Energy Bill That Isn't

Oh we will give you an energy bill and what a beauty it is. The Democrats in Congress never cease to amaze with their brazen deception of the American taxpayer and energy consumer. This "new" energy bill allows for drilling offshore, it is too bad that there is no oil where they are allowing oil companies to drill and only with the states approval and only with the bulk of the royalties going to the government. Wow, this should help our energy crisis and we energy consumers are once again being told to drop dead by our leaders in Washington. What is the point of this deception? Why do the Democrats have so many problems in becoming realistic with energy issues? So it just more of the same, no new sources of energy, not now, not then, not never. A great thanks should be given to this most horrific self serving Congress in our nation's history.

Thursday's Quick Thoughts

Some quick thoughts:
Why is the Constitutional Convention in Connecticut a bad idea? We have an unresponsive state legislature along with an equally unresponsive legal and executive branch of government, why not make them accountable? What is wrong with that? I am voting in favor of it.
Speaking of unresponsiveness, Wallingford voters in the 85th district actually have a choice between the incumbent tax and spend liberal Mary Mushinsky and a political newcomer Republican Mike Vitali. In my opinion he has a great chance of unseating Mushinsky who is completely out of touch with anyone who works for a living in Wallingford. Vote for Vitali in the 85th.
Another day and another no response from Chris Dodd and his unethical mortgage deal from Countrywide Mortgage. Why does he still represent us? Why does the media continue to ignore this major issue?
Sarah Palin continues to shine with John McCain. What a great choice and a great team. Compare Obama/Biden with McCain/Palin. The Democrats have to be wondering why they got suckered into this mess of a ticket, ultra liberal, combative, irresponsible, inexperienced, anti-woman, new and higher taxes, no leadership qualities. McCain/Palin will win...

Hey Taxpayer - Got Any More Money?

Hey do you have any more money? Let us say $85 billion? What do you mean you don't? What do you mean you are tapped out from what you as a taxpayer gave to Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, JP Morgan and others? What do you mean by a free market system which allows for supply and demand to exist, didn't you learn that in Economics 101 from Professor Swick many years ago? What do you mean that when you went for a mortgage you had to put 20% down for your house or condo and you have to prove you were employed and verify what income you earned? What do you mean that it was legal for these same companies who are going broke and using taxpayers monies that their CEO's are still getting their high salaries and bonuses? What do you mean you lost $25,000+ so far in your 401K? What do you mean by Social Security and the concept of retirement when members of Congress are excluded from Social Security? What is Capitalism? Is it now Government Capitalism?
I truly wish I could wake up from this financial debacle and see how a free market works again...

It is never the Democrats fault...

I know it is never the Democrats fault for anything that happens in our economy. Even though they control both the House and Senate on a national and state level, even though many like Chris Dodd and Barney Franks have been in office for years, they are oblivious to any responsibility for their questionable, unethical and in my opinion illegal actions. I find it incredible that the Democrats now feel that the financial debacle is the Republicans fault. I guess Franks stonewalling of reforms for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac does not count for anything. Dodds sweetheart mortgage deal and incredible political donations from both Fannie and Freddie do not count for anything. His bailout of Countrywide Mortgage does not count for anything either. No it is all the Republicans fault according to their twisted logic. What a pathetic mess these Democrats have made.
I have always wondered what it would be like to have a job and not have to do anything, not have to take any responsibility for anything, not have to be ethical nor have to worry about the laws that govern us. Then again I am not Chris Dodd, Barney Franks or any of the other Democrat Representatives or Senators who have abused their power for their own self interest and self gain.

Will Dodd Ever Tell?

I guess not. I guess we as taxpayers who are currently underwriting one of the largest bailouts of mortgages and banks in our nations history will never find out the true story of Senator Chris Dodd's sweetheart subprime mortgage deal. The media continues to avoid the question, more concerned with his role in a new Democratic administration. What a farce of reporting. What are his qualifications to serve? Actually what are his qualifications to continue to be Senator with this questionable and unethical mortgage deal he received and then his bill which bails out the same mortgage company? Dodd is concerned only with his personal self interest, personal gain and glory. Ethics does not play a role in it. As his power continues to grow in his own mind he is above the law as are most who serve in Washington. And once again taxpayers will pay for this debacle of fraud.

Community Organizer=President?

As an Economics and Business Instructor, I am wondering how much do community organizers for ACORN or other liberal type organizations contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)? What kind of jobs are actually created? And who pays for those jobs, the private sector or taxpayers through government funding of these mysteriously named ultra liberal and anti-business agencies? These are just some random thoughts I as a voter and taxpayer are wondering about Mr. Obama's background. I know he has spent an incredible amount of time campaigning for his seats in Illinois and his failed seat for the House and for his current seat in the Senate. In his employed state position in Illinois, he voted present which apparently means a catch all not to disturb either side of an issue nor be able to actually make a decision. I know he has currently missed half of his votes as a US Senator over the past two years while campaigning for President. His shine as a candidate seems to be fading rapidly as the American voting public is starting to question his credentials and his background. To put it mildly, he is unfit to lead our country.
The tide is turning to two candidates who have the abilities to lead our country, John McCain and Sarah Palin. Not the other two candidates who are leaderless, pompous, arrogant and self serving. McCain=President.

McCain-Palin An Excellent Choice

McCain-Palin. I like the sound of that. I also like the confusion it creates for the Democratic party. So much for their change of nominating two ultra liberal males, one who has no track record and one whose track record is fair/poor at best. Talk about politics as usual.
Sarah Palin brings a great deal for the Republican ticket and in my opinion will lead them to victory in November. She is bright, intelligent, reform minded, not afraid to take on political machines and has a great deal of common sense and love (being a Mother of five children). Whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, you have to be proud of McCain's choice. Yes it is true that John McCain is ready from day one. And with his choice for Vice President it also shows his future vision, wisdom and ability to lead our country. Yes McCain-Palin, an excellent choice.

Senator Dodd's Non Issue

Senator Dodd has a non issue. His receiving a subprime mortgage at below market rates is a non issue. It is an issue that he has no reason to respond to nor any legal obligation to. Senator Dodd apparently has done nothing wrong. As a matter of fact all United States Senators and Representatives should not be concerned at all with laws, rules, ethics or the like, even the new Democratic candidates for President and Vice President. Secret deals for real estate or plagiarism, not a big deal.
All of our members of Congress need no guidance, upholding of laws, or ethics values. We as taxpayers must understand that they are a ruling elite. They are nobility taking away personal freedoms at a whim in order to further their self interest. They talk all the time using rhetoric to their fullest advantage only to be trying to find the next angle to promote their own self interest.
Enough is enough, we as taxpayers in Connecticut need to force the issue of Senator Dodd's subprime mortgage and his subsequent mortgage bailout deal. It is too bad our local media is blind to this gross ethics violation.

High Electric Rates-All is now well with an OLR report

Why does Connecticut have high electric rates? I read with curiosity the 8/5/08 report issued by the OLR regarding Connecticut having the second highest electric rates in the country. As an economics instructor I found the reading to be difficult, laborious and for the common person they will not be able to understand its technical jargon. Thus I would like to develop with more simplistic terms why electric rates are so high in our state. First, as far as I can see Connecticut generates very little actual electricity as it use to. The deregulation of the industry created small peak power plants with most of our basic everyday needs for electricity being bought on an open market grid from outside of the state. This is automatically more costly since electricity is now transported rather than produced in our state. These small peak power plants operate only when there is a high enough demand for them. The cost of producing this electricity is expensive and is profit driven by the companies that run them. My immediate suggestion here is to build two nuclear power plants to replace the old Millstone plants and generate the bulk of our power in the state through nuclear which is clean and cost effective and efficient. I no longer see from either a business view or an economic view why United Illuminating and or Northeast Utilities are still in business and why they are allowed rate increases since they generate little if any electricity any more.
Demand plays a small factor in the high costs of electricity. As we continue to see a grave economic decline in our state electric demand remains flat with high demand being generated in heat waves (more air conditioning being used)and thus the peak plants go to work and electric costs increase due to this. Also due to stringent air pollution laws electricity must be created in a "clean" manner and thus is much more costly due to the high costs of natural gas.
The state legislature with our tax dollars have passed three separate bills to improve electric efficiency for businesses and home owners, to help build more of these peak power plants and to provide assistance for those in need. These bills in my economic opinion have done little to help either businesses or consumers in the state or to lower electric rates. This is also an example of why the state legislature has no understanding of how our economy works or why Connecticut is in the economic mess that it is in today.
The solution to this problem without this OLR report is to build two or more nuclear power plants in Connecticut immediately. Nuclear power in 2008 is non polluting, cost efficient and highly efficient. It would help lower electric rates in our state, create jobs and help promote economic growth to a state which is badly managed from a taxpayers point of view. However my proposal may be too logical for the self serving, special interest peddling state legislature here in Connecticut.

Russia: Back to Communism

Russia is going back to Communism. If you have been following the tragic news of Russia invading Georgia over the supposed South Ossetia issue, one can see the formations of the old USSR redeveloping in Eastern Europe. I find it interesting that Czar Putin decides to launch his war on Georgia on the day that the China Olympic games start. Unification of our world seems to be a theme in the Olympics yet Georgia as a Democratic free country needs to be eliminated in the eyes of Putin and his military men.
We again view the United Nations as a hapless and helpless governing body which is unable to condemn this brutal attack on innocent and free people nor do anything about it. President Bush equally misplayed his response and belief in this new Russian Dictator who has reemerged as again a threat to the free world.
Senator John McCain spoke the truth in his response to this terror. Putin privately must be worried that a McCain Presidency will spell trouble for him. As a President, McCain will not be weak or meek against this type of unprovoked terror. My heart and prayers go out for the freedom loving citizens of Georgia.

Congress to Energy Consumers: Drop Dead!

Congress to energy consumers: please go away and drop dead. I do not understand the philosophy that the Democrats in Congress have about voting one way or another about increasing energy production in the United States. In economic terms why do they like punishing American energy consumers through excessively high prices? Why can't we drill for our own oil and help our country and economy?
Their excuses are comical. Nancy Pelosi is obviously more concerned about promoting her book rather than helping her country. She continues to show her inability to lead and her desire for her own personal self gain and glory.
I will applaud the small group of Republicans who have shown the courage to put America's interest first when it comes to energy. Voters hopefully will remember this debacle called Congress come November.

Live Above Your Means-Chris Dodd Will Pay For It With Taxpayers Monies!

By all means live above your means. House too small? Pick up a 8000 square foot in a nice neighborhood for $1,000,000. What do you mean you and your wife only earn $200,000 a year? Not a problem sub prime mortgages are for you. Oh you are a Senator and a famous one in fact? Oh you are head of the Senate Banking Committee? Oh you wish to use your influence to get a better rate? Not a problem Senator! And when the market collapses you will help our mortgage company using taxpayer's monies to bail us out. Great! Just sign here...
Congress with the exception of a handful of its 535 members are an egotistical, self serving, self promoting and corrupted bunch of mediocre politicians. Whether it is this bailout or a lack of energy policy or excessive spending Congress has pushed itself to the point of no return. It lacks ethics, it lacks dignity and most importantly it lacks the ability to govern for the good of our nation. What a waste of taxpayers monies.

Free Mortgage Monies Provided By Us-The United States Taxpayers

Free Mortgage Monies Provided By Us-The United States Taxpayers! Yep, us! I am so happy that the elite United States Senate has developed and will enact shortly into law a complete bailout of the United States Banking, Mortgage and Housing industries. Led by our illustrious and corrupted Senator Chris Dodd, taxpayers should be preparing for a grave sticker shock when this bill becomes law. And if you are a special interest group your ship has come in! The reckless amendment to allow Hank Paulson a blank check to bail Freddie Mack and Fannie Mae out is obscene from an economics point of view. What gives him that right?
Maybe, just maybe it is time for the chips to actually fall and clear out the excessive bad debt in these markets and allow real supply and demand to operate in these markets again. The demand is not there at this time for these excessively large homes which have driven our children out of Connecticut since they can not find affordable houses to start their families.
Let the giants fall, our economy will be strong enough to recover without further wasting taxpayer dollars.

Why is heating oil $5 a gallon?

$5. a gallon for heating oil-why? I was asked this by one of my students recently. There are many factors that are falling into play to make heating oil unaffordable here in Connecticut this winter. One area which is complex to understand is the futures market for heating oil. To try to tie in the futures/hedge fund/investment bank market for heating oil, we must understand that most futures are bought on margin while your local oil company who is delivering your heating oil probably had to pay cash up front for his load of oil. I wonder aloud is this fair? The speculator only has to invest a small amount of the actual amount bought while the person making a living from it has to cover the whole amount. Who will make more profit? Obviously the futures trader.
The simplest solution for high heating oil prices is to build more refineries and drill offshore for oil and finally become energy independent in our country. I know 35 years is a long time for Congress to place the good of the country over their personal self interest but enough is enough.
The time has come to drill and produce in the United States. I wonder how many Connecticut citizens will freeze this winter and I truly wonder if Congress has the guts to act.

Maybe Congress Should Read the Declaration of Independence

Happy 4th of July to all! Maybe Congress should read again the Declaration of Independence. 56 brave and futurist Americans decided to form a new country, a new, free country not bound by the tyranny of England. A country in which all would have say in the government not just an elite few who were of nobility. They wished to create a fair and equitable system of taxation not taxation without representation as what was occurring at that time. Our brave country at that time was willing to wage war and die for the sake of freedom for all in our new country. Our history is formed by this unique document and has been challenged repeatedly since 1776. In the course of 232 years of our country, we should all praise those who have fought and have died for this freedom to endure for our well being. We may not have had a perfect history but we have the greatest country which was ever formed. A country which has seen war, catastrophe, freedom, innovation, technology, expansion all in the name of a United States of America. A great land which provides for us if we are willing to work and follow the laws established by our forefathers. A beautiful, unique and enduring country built by those who were not afraid of risk taking, hard work and belief in a spiritual God and religious faith. Yes for 232 years we have endured and we will endure for many, many more years. The majority of our citizens are not silent nor will they accept a new ruling political elite that will damage what was created for us in 1776. Congress needs to go back to actually governing not the quagmire of earmarks and self interest it has become in 2008.

Here is the Declaration of Independence again taken from the United States National Archives. I urge all to reread it and see if we need to create a new Declaration of Independence from our current Congress and Government - written in English only.

The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

---

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

---

The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:

Column 1
Georgia:
Button Gwinnett
Lyman Hall
George Walton

Column 2
North Carolina:
William Hooper
Joseph Hewes
John Penn
South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge
Thomas Heyward, Jr.
Thomas Lynch, Jr.
Arthur Middleton

Column 3
Massachusetts:
John Hancock
Maryland:
Samuel Chase
William Paca
Thomas Stone
Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia:
George Wythe
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Harrison
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Carter Braxton

Column 4
Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Franklin
John Morton
George Clymer
James Smith
George Taylor
James Wilson
George Ross
Delaware:
Caesar Rodney
George Read
Thomas McKean

Column 5
New York:
William Floyd
Philip Livingston
Francis Lewis
Lewis Morris
New Jersey:
Richard Stockton
John Witherspoon
Francis Hopkinson
John Hart
Abraham Clark

Column 6
New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett
William Whipple
Massachusetts:
Samuel Adams
John Adams
Robert Treat Paine
Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins
William Ellery
Connecticut:
Roger Sherman
Samuel Huntington
William Williams
Oliver Wolcott
New Hampshire:
Matthew Thornton

Page URL: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html

35 Years To Energy Independence and Counting

35 Years To Energy Independence and Counting. It has been 35 years we have been fighting the war for energy independence. It looks like it will be another 35 years to continue this fight. We as a country need new energy sources, we need to control and promote our offshore oil drilling. We need to build new refineries, exact oil from shale, have only three blends of gasoline not fifty. We need to continue to promote nuclear, hydro, wind and solar energy.
What we really need is a Congress that has the guts to promote and actually act upon energy independence not the tired song of more taxes on oil companies. We need a new Congress as many members have been in office since 1973 and have not done anything to promote our energy independence. Republican Presidential candidate John McCain has it right, we need a new energy policy and to make it work for our energy independence.
Congress has failed us on energy in 2008 and we need to hold them accountable especially here in Connecticut. Rather than worrying about their self and special interests (like Chris Dodd's mortgage deal) they should be worried about an energy revolt by the people they supposedly represent. What do we have to look forward to $6 a gallon heating oil and $7 a gallon gas? What is their solution? Congress and their inaction is tiring and ruining our nation.

Why Wallingford Does Not Need Charter Revision.

Wallingford does not need charter revision. If you happen to be around town you see several individuals trying to get signatures to form a committee and have voters vote to change the charter of our town. I was approached twice by former Democrat Geno Zandri to sign the petition at both the town wide electronics recycling day and yesterday at the recycling center. I was amazed to see him at both places and concerned that voters who were signing the petition really did not know what they were signing.
In my opinion all charter revision is, is a way for the Democratic party in town to strip power from Mayor Dickinson and make him a ceremonial Mayor. This would force the town to hire a Town Manager and watch the politics fly. The Democrats and a few in town can not find an effective way to try to get rid of Mayor Dickinson. They fail to run good candidates (look at how many votes Geno Zandri lost by when he ran), they fail to come up with new ideas. No it is always the same, the chronic complaints of how bad Dickinson is and how bad he runs the town. Politically they should see the light, Mayor Dickinson is a non egotistical, powerful leader who puts Wallingford above his personal self interests. Why does he win by such a large vote count each election?
Maybe those fighting for charter revision should do the same like the Mayor.

Senator Dodd- Resign

Senator Dodd- Resign. Simple and to the point. Resign. The abuse of your position of power is an insult to the citizens and taxpayers that you supposedly represent. To act as naive as you have with regards to this mortgage that both you and your wife obtained is inexcusable. Are you that naive with regards to all the legislation that you vote on such as the Countrywide/Bank of America taxpayers bail out bill? Do you think that taxpayers do not understand that you feel that you are above any law of our country because you are a United States Senator? That your power on the Senate Banking Committee entitles you to all the perks and rewards that you can obtain, whether they are legal or not.
Your denial is an obscene gesture to the taxpayers that you supposedly represent. Those same taxpayers who pay higher interest rates for their mortgages and who are not entitled to any V.I.P. treatment.
Senator Dodd- Resign. Simple and to the point. Resign.

The Power of the Position

The Power of the Position. If you are Senator Dodd you have it. Power in the mortgage industry for sure. In my economic opinion there has been a grave misuse of power by him and several other elected officials with regards to obtaining favorable mortgage rates with Countrywide. He did indeed receive a favorable loan at a lower interest rate than other consumers. Why? Because of their V.I.P. program which amounts to paybacks to our elected officials for pro mortgage legislation.
Mr. Dodd is Chairman of the Banking Committee and now overseeing a great taxpayer bailout of the greed and ineptness that graced this industry for many years now. This is unjust and does a grave disservice to those who pay their mortgages on time and followed proper procedures, rules and laws to obtain their mortgages.
Mr. Dodd lacks ethics in his denials. This is just another blatant disregard that the United States Congress has for taxpayers and the citizens they represent.

Here is the solution to high gas prices: pay cash for gas and get a 100% discount!

Here is the solution to high gas prices: pay cash for gas and get a 100% discount! Well maybe not that much. Rumors are that our state government will actually allow gas stations to give discounts for paying for gas with cash. Rumors that this could be as high as .20 cents a gallon are being floated as I am writing this. To bring this back into perspective, a station in Wallingford offers a .5 cent discount per gallon for paying with cash not .20 cents a gallon.
Thus we as gas consumers to add insult to injury must make sure we have that extra $80 to $100 in cash in hand for that next fill up in the quest to save realistically about .5 cents a gallon. For a twenty gallon fill up we can save $1. Wow! What an incentive!
It is funny how this is in the news today and we are not hearing anything about repealing the secret gross earnings tax which has help create the excessively high gas and diesel prices in our state.
Let me see what I can do with my new found $1. Thanks Hartford.

Repeal the Gross Earnings Tax

Simply, Connecticut needs to repeal the secret gross earnings tax. An addition $25 million dollars will begin to be drained from the state economy beginning July 1 as this tax jumps to 7.5% from its current 7% level. Governor Rell finally has initiated dialogue with regards to cutting $25 million somewhere else in the bloated $18.4 billion dollar budget that has been forced on state taxpayers for this fiscal year in exchange for lowering this tax. In my economic opinion there is a great deal of pork and fat found in $18.4 billion dollars worth of state spending. Excessive state government spending has caused Connecticut to have the highest tax level in the country and it seems that the Democrats in Hartford are disinterested in doing anything about it.
Why is this tax that important? Simply because it continues to allow our state its rampant and wasteful spending. It is time for this tax to be lowered back down to its original 5% level. The money is not going to support transportation projects but is dumped into the General Fund with little or no accounting for it. Stop this tax increase now. Taxpayers have had enough.

#1 at the Pumps and #1 in Taxes - What a combo to be proud of!

#1 at the Pumps and #1 in Taxes - What a combo to be proud of! I hope everyone campaigning for reelection in the Connecticut House and Senate will be placing this in their brochures during the campaign so that all voters can read about it. This distinction is something that all elected officials in Connecticut should be proud of. We now have the highest gas prices in the country along with the highest level of taxes in the country. And the best part of it is that our gas prices will be going up on July 1 again when the secret gross earnings tax goes up to a mere 7.5% increasing per gallon taxes on gas to at least .53 cents a gallon or more depending upon the wholesale level price. But again what do we as motorists or taxpayers care, we have unlimited sources of income to deal with these obscene costs. And what do our elected officials care, they have no accountability or responsibility to the people they serve. November - I can only hope for a massive cleaning in Hartford.

Sue Them and Make Them Pay!

Sue Them and Make Them Pay! This is the new energy policy of the United States. The House recently passed a bill which enables them to sue OPEC. I am sure that OPEC would gladly respond to this type of lawsuit with no problem. Let me see - I can picture Hugo Chavez in a courtroom in Washington after having lunch with liberal members of the Congress. Or better yet Ahmadinejad from Iran enjoying afternoon tea with several lobbyists before his court appearance. How stupid can Congress be? We have just seen our new energy policy. Never mind expanding oil production, new refineries, expand nuclear and hydroelectric energy, expand geothermal energy. Nope, let us sue them and make them pay. OPEC's response will probably be that they can sell their oil elsewhere with little problem. How much is heating oil now, $8 a gallon? Thanks Congress and please by all means reelect these fools again in November.

Why Must Corruption Pay In Connecticut?

Why must corruption pay in Connecticut? Why must taxpayers be forced to pay retirement benefits for those state workers and politicians who are corrupt, break the law and are convicted? Why has it been so difficult for the State Legislature to pass a meaningful law which is retroactive to take away these benefits to corrupt state employees and politicians? Has the function of state politics become so inept and corrupt that there is actually a debate on the level of corruptness and in the level of benefits that must be mandated to pay these same corrupt workers and officials? I am truly lost with this debate and it shows the amazing level of arrogance and disregard that our state legislature has for the taxpayers of this state. Again I urge voters to vote these legislators out of office in November. What a waste of taxpayers monies and what a waste of a debate for all. If you have been convicted you have forfeited your rights and benefits-why is that so difficult to understand?

I Forgot It Was May 8, 2008 Since I Have Been Too Busy Working

I forgot it was May 8, 2008 today. I know I should have remembered an important day like today-Tax Freedom Day, but I have been too busy working to pay my taxes and trying to survive here. There is not much that can be said about it. In Connecticut we work longer than any other state to pay for our Federal, State and Local taxes. And our elected officials, especially on a state level could care less about it as evidenced by this last horrific state legislative session which has just closed. Thus we must shut up and work and support a failed liberalism which is embraced by self serving politicians who continue to do nothing to improve our state. Their belief of tax and spend has failed and will continue to fail us in the future at all levels of government. Change is essential if we are going to survive. I can only hope it happens in November.

Congratulations On Doing Nothing!

Congratulations On Doing Nothing! The Democrats in Hartford have achieved the ultimate in poor government. Spending $18.7 billion dollars in a reckless manner with no thoughts as to the overtaxtion of the public, the squandering of the surplus, while raising the minimum wage and giving absolutely no thought to the impending deficit that will be coming in next years budget. What an incredible waste of taxpayers monies! The budget in my economic opinion is a cruel hoax to the taxpayers in our state. Why the inaction? Why must we cut our personal spending due to the excessive costs of energy, excessive local and state taxes and our leaders just continue to spend to infinity? Please, please wake up and vote these mediocre leaders out of office in November. But before that I wish to congratulate each one on doing nothing.

Cut taxes-not now, not tomorrow, never! Never!

The Democrats in Hartford along with Governor Rell's budget chief just do not get it. Cutting taxes during an economic slowdown will help stimulate our economy and help keep businesses in the state. But this would counter the Democrats and the Budget Chief's enjoyment of our state being ranked #1 per capita in taxes in the country. Do they feel this would actually become an incentive to have businesses move into our state and create jobs? I will give credit for a group of Republicans actually forcing the issue and show a tax cut along with forced cuts in spending through early retirements. The Democrats laugh at it and thus nothing again will be done about our economic crisis in Connecticut. I urge voters to truly consider who they will vote for in November in the state election. We can no longer afford this misrepresentation by a Democratic majority in Hartford which is leading us to economic ruin. Cut taxes-not now, not tomorrow, not never! Never!-Connecticut's Democratic Party mantra.

What price gasoline and diesel?

What price gasoline and diesel? Will it soon be $5 and $6 a gallon? Connecticut now has the second highest gas tax in the country. Between federal, state per gallon and the state gross earnings tax at 7.52%, motorists are paying .63 cents per gallon in tax. Why? Is any of this money supposedly going to highway and road maintenance? Has anyone driven on I-84,I-91 or I-95 lately? Our highway system looks like a vast parking lot with daily projects that never end.
Gasoline is approaching $4 a gallon. Diesel is at $4.50 a gallon and rising. Over 16%percent of the cost of gasoline and diesel is now taxes and will continue to escalate as gas prices continue to go up. Our costs of living are increasing daily because of this. Our elected officials in Hartford are enjoying this as they see more tax monies going into the general fund so that more can be spent. The secret gross earnings tax will go up again on July 1. And there is no action by Hartford. Nothing at all.
We are already the highest taxed state in the country at 38.3% per capita income based on local, state and federal taxes. Apparently state elected officials are proud of this distinction. Lower the fuel tax today. However, we know this will not happen any time soon.

May 8, 2008

May 8, 2008 is coming. And it can not come too soon. For in Connecticut it represents Tax Freedom Day, a mere 129 days into the year that we have to work to pay for our taxes. 36% of our year we work to pay for our local, state and federal tax burden at a mere 38.3% per capita of income. To restate this we work over 1/3 of the year to see more than 1/3 of our salaries go to pay the highest tax burden in the country. And our state legislature again ignored any type of tax relief in this session. Highest taxed state in the country along with a do nothing, know nothing, see nothing state legislature. The ultimate result will continue to be a constant outflow of businesses out of the state and citizens fleeing. I am sure our state legislature is proud of that.

The Video Says All - Sees All - Tells All

Yes, the video that Democrats have found (with taxpayers monies) says all, sees all, and tells all. We as taxpayers have to be amused with the lack of governing that goes on in Hartford. This new episode of cost overruns on the new rail facility in New Haven and who heard what and at what time, again reeks of politics. After all, why should the Democrats in Hartford worry about our state having the highest taxes in the country. While we work the longest in the nation to May 20th, just to pay taxes at a mere 38.3% per capita (or .383 cents of each dollar we earn goes to pay taxes). Or how about a meaningful law that puts criminals away which might make us safer in our homes. Or how about an elimination of the secret gross earnings tax on fuel as gas just went up yet again - fast approaching $4. a gallon.
No, what we have is good old boy he said she said politics at its best. Voters and taxpayers, we really need to vote these stale and pathetic politicians out of office in November once and for all.

Connecticut Tax #1 - Congratulations!

Connecticut Tax #1 - Congratulations! If you read the article by Scott McCredie http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/Advice/TheBestAndWorstStatesForTaxes.aspx
you will see that our beloved state pays the most in combined state, local and federal taxes per capita at a mere 38.3%. Yes we are #1 in the country a full 1.2% less than New York. I wish to personally thank all of our elected officials at all levels of government for helping us to be #1. It is a great honor to bestow upon our state and one that they all should be proud of. Thus we will see a continual flow of our children, our brightest, our business and industry continue to flee our state for the foreseeable future. Why stay here and be overtaxed? Why stay here and support a never ending lobbyist form of government who steals from the middle class and give to themselves? Why does this exist?

Is There An Energy Policy In Our Country?

I am curious, is there any energy policy in our country? I know by eliminating regular light bulbs that might save some electricity and by increasing by a few miles per gallon new vehicles gas mileage that might save some gas, but do we have any energy policy to finally get off the transfer of wealth from our country through the purchase of foreign oil sold by rogue countries. Are we going to do anything to expand our development of new fuel sources in our country? Are we going to do anything to expand our refinery capacity? Does anyone care? Obviously Congress does not. Nor does the state of Connecticut since its tax revenue goes up each time the price of fuel goes up through its secret gross earnings tax on fuel.
We really have not learned anything since 1973.

In A Perfect World, Everything Would Be Taxed

In A Perfect World, Everything Would Be Taxed. This quote must have been said sometime, somewhere in Connecticut. I am trying to find out who said it. Or maybe I misunderstood what was trying to be said. Maybe I misremembered the statement. Maybe it is ok to have a special city sales tax which can help drive businesses and jobs out of the cities. Maybe it is ok to have a sales tax on all deliveries in the state. Maybe it is ok to have a tax on all oil and gas deliveries in the state and make it a secret. And maybe it is ok to continue to see a mass fleeing of businesses, workers and residents out of Connecticut to states which actually have lower taxes and vibrant economies.
Yes, In A Perfect World, Everything Would Be Taxed. Taxpayers can see this clearly in the sham called government which is led by Democrats in Hartford.

How Many More Must Die?

Besides being one of the highest taxed states in the country we are now going to be a state in which we must fear for our lives because of home invasions by criminals who are paroled. Isn't that great! I really wonder how many more people must die before the Democratically controlled State Legislature will actually pass the the three strikes and out bill. I know that if a politicians family member was brutally murdered then something would be done about it. Until that time their failed liberalism for criminals becomes a shame for law abiding citizens. Why must law abiding citizens have less rights than convicted criminals? What is wrong with being tough on crime?
How many more innocent Connecticut citizens must die before this legislation is passed?

What Price Energy?

At what price energy? For energy consumers in Connecticut the answer is always unknown. Depending upon the time of day you can choose one of the many answers; increased demand from developing countries, supply disruptions, change of season, high temperatures, low temperatures, new formulas, and the list goes on and on.
In my economic opinion we have an energy market which has become a collusive oligopoly, where prices are controlled by this oligopoly.
Our state enjoys the excessively high fuel prices as they reap greater and higher tax revenue from the secret gross earnings tax on fuel. This tax is obscene greed by our state government and should be eliminated in order to provide relief for energy consumers. But why cut that tax (or any tax)? That would mean that the state like us would have to cut spending and we know we can’t have that when an overspending bureaucratic government is Hartford's desire.
Here are some solutions that should be enacted immediately. Eliminate the secret gross earnings tax on fuel. Ban heating oil heat and water systems for all new housing. Give one year full property tax abatement for all housing that converts to hydroelectric/solar/geothermal and wind energy. Make all of these same systems exempt from state sales tax. All hybrid vehicles should be fully state sales tax and property tax exempt. Redevelop nuclear power plants to generate electricity. Develop greater efficiencies to our rail systems to move products to our state. Develop a monorail system which would be user friendly moving us from place to place. Connecticut could have for 35 years taken a lead in these areas. Instead we have 35 years of frivolous and inept energy policies from both federal and state government.
For 35 years I have been writing about high energy prices and our lack of energy policy. I am sure I will be writing for 35 years more about it also.

Maybe 30 strikes and you are out?

The Democrats in Hartford could not bring criminals to justice. They could not get tough on those who murder and commit ruthless violent acts to the public. They have chosen to take the liberal easy way out and hope that hardened criminals and murderers will not harm anyone else. Please give me a break! Connecticut needs to get tough on our criminal element. I am tired as a taxpayer supporting the liberalization of crime and those in the legal profession that support them. The Democrats in Hartford continue to show their inability to lead. This November I can not see why anyone will vote for these same individuals who have a blatant disrespect against law abiding citizens. The three strikes and out bill should have been
immediately voted upon and signed into law.

Vice President Dr. Condoleezza Rice - A Winner

McCain-Rice. It has a nice sound to it. I have talked to many people about this dream ticket. I will also go on record stating that Dr. Rice would be an incredible candidate for the Republican ticket and a great Vice President. Here is an articulate, intelligent, brilliantly educated and strong woman who is fully versed in both domestic and foreign affairs. She is young (she would be 54 in January) and has had a great deal of experience in the private sector and in academics. She would give new energy to the party in a non political, non egotistical manner.
I urge Mr. McCain is consider her as his running mate. From all views this would be a winning ticket in November.
Yes, I and a majority of voters would elect a McCain-Rice ticket.

Higher taxes here we come! Thank you Democrats

I guess the Democrat party has always and always will love taxes. Prosperity by those who work for a living to this party is bad and should be abolished by taxing people to death. I am surprised there has not been much reaction to the incredible amount of higher taxes we will pay if the Democratic plan to end President Bush's tax cuts goes into effect. Reading several figures which range from $500 to $648 billion in higher taxes from this plan, I wonder how this will actually pay down the budget deficit and stimulate the economy? Again it passed with no mention of proportional decreases in governmental spending (earmarks anyone?).

So we have more of the same by Congress, excessive spending, new and greater pork earmarks and higher taxes. My final question is then why are we going to reelect any of these politicians back into office in November? Why are they bankrupting our country's economic future for their own self interest?

Repeal the Secret Gross Earnings tax in Connecticut

Enough is enough. $3.54 a gallon for fuel oil? $4.04.9 for diesel fuel at the pumps? A major heating oil company goes under as its bank pulls its line of credit (obviously this bank had too much in sub prime loans to write off). How high will energy prices go in our state? My answer is the sky is the limit.
We also see there is absolutely no movement by our elected officials to repeal Connecticut's secret gross earnings tax on fuel. Why should they? What a windfall this tax is - a mere 7.52% on most fuels, millions of dollars going to the state, what is better than that? With no accountability. Might as well get all you can off of energy consumers.
Thus all consumers of energy in our state will continue to be crushed under the weight of excessively high electric rates, irrationally high gas prices and obscene diesel and home heating oil prices. An energy induced recession.
What is the solution? In Connecticut it is government just taxing us more and in turn out of control state spending for the special interest groups that rule our state. What is better than that!

This is the 2008 State Legislature?

I continue to be amazed at the lack of governing that comes out of Hartford each session. This session the Demoblicans have come up with a banning of all plastic grocery bags (stores could give away the cloth bags they are trying to sell to put your groceries in), banning of all bottled water, lower and free college tuition for illegal immigrant children, and the list goes on and on. What is the point?
Why don't we ban everything in the state and go back to a foraging, caveman existence in the state?
We still see no movement to repeal the secret Gross Earnings Tax on fuel, why bother when fuel prices continue to escalate and this brings yet even higher tax revenue to the state. We must as well slam taxpayers even more with this tax. Why bother trying to resolve the real issues of our state? Like corrupt union members being paid back sick days, pensions and the like (New Haven, is anyone listening?) by taxpayers. A poor transportation system and excessively high taxes to name a few. It is time for a change in state government before it is too late. Too bad this falls on deaf ears.