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

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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.

William F. Buckley Jr. -You Will Be Missed

I can still remember picking up my first issue of the National Review when I was a Freshman in High School. I was a member of the Political Science Club and back in 1972 I read my first issue of this great magazine. Yes I know I was 14 and digesting many concepts and ideas, but this magazine was incredible. A true conservative view, one that I agreed with and one that I treasured. The Legend of William F. Buckley Jr. is part of our history and part of why conservatives remain true to the basic principles of self reliance, less government and optimism about our great country and economy. There is still true conservatism that exists in our country and our world. It is a concept that will not fail, nor grow old. We can see that Liberalism has failed us miserably and will continue to fail us in the future.
William F. Buckley Jr. -You Will Be Missed by me and millions of others. May God grant you eternal peace.

The Democrats Economic Plan or Please Tax Me More.

It seems to me that the Democratic Party whether on a National or State level enjoys raising, creating, adding taxes. Taxes of all shapes and sizes, on all types of products, goods, services, basically anything they can get their hands on. The reason I bring this up is trying to understand the new Clinton economic plan. In my limited reading of it, it seems that corporations are obviously bad and will be punished, more governmental jobs will be created and yes we will see higher taxes. For some reason liberals hate seeing people successful in our economy.
This all ties into the liberal philospohy of dependency upon governemnt. We should only be allowed to make a certain amount of money in our economy while we must digest liberal wealth like the Kerry's, Kennedy's and let us not forget the Clinton's. It is ok for them to create and shield their wealth but not ok for my family to create our wealth.
Thus in November if you choose to vote for either Clinton or Obama good luck. Your taxes will be increased, your economic freedoms lessened, you will work harder. Sorry I will not vote for either and I am sure the majority of working voters will not either.

Does Connecticut really have two parties? Or are we governed by a Democratic/Republican Unified Party?

Does Connecticut really have two parties? Or are we governed by a Democratic/Republican Unified Party? Are all members of the General Assembly and the Governor now Demoblicans?

I was amazed after trying to figure out from the Governor's State of the Union speech what it all meant.

Here are some simple figures-since Fiscal year 2004 state spending has increased a mere $4.2 billion dollars. With this new budget it now increases spending by another mere $800 million dollars. We have increased spending in a four year period from $13.5 billion dollars to over $18.5 billion dollars for this year. For a state the size and population of Connecticut, why are we spending this much?

Over $3.5 billion has been the amount of surpluses since that time also. Thus we as taxpayers have been overtaxed a massive amount over the past 4 years. Yes Hartford a tax surplus means you are overtaxing us and to a large degree.

As an economist and a Republican I can not figure out how this budget actually showed fiscal restraint. It has showed the taxpayers of our state that we will see more of the same, high taxes, excessive governmental spending and a total disregard for taxpayers both on a personal and business level. More of the same. Welcome to Connecticutax led by a uniparty, the Demoblicans.

What is the National Debt and does anyone running for President care?

Hey do you have an extra $9 trillion dollars plus? Can I use it? If you are the Federal Government that is how much the National Debt is. I have a little clock on my blog site showing the debt increasing by the second due to rampant spending by our government. The government each year must borrow more and more money to finance it-9% of the budget is now borrowing for the debt and 8% of the budget is interest on the debt itself!
I am curious if any of the Presidential candidates care about it? I know on the Democratic side they are much more concrened about spending even more money than what we are spending now since the Democrats answer to everything is more spending. I am somewhat concerned to the thoughts of the Republican candidates on this subject since I see there is no restraint on the part either Democractic or Republican members of Congress (with the exception of Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona-who in my opinion should run for the Presidency).
Thus here is the challenge for the Republican nominee for President. Develop a plan to cut Federal spending, pay down the National debt and have government start living within its means.
Well I can dream can't I? Cut spending now.

Who am I going to vote for in the primary? Mitt Romney

Who am I going to vote for in the primary? Mitt Romney. I have spent a great deal of time debating who will I vote for in the upcoming Republican primary. I have read over a great deal of information on Ron Paul, John McCain, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani. I see that each candidate has some strong points and some weak points. My concern is when election time comes in November I truly fear either a Clinton or Obama administration, with all of the problems that will be forthcoming from either candidate(higher taxes, weak foreign policy, poor economic decisions). Thus I must look at who can win in November for the Republicans. Again the more I have read about the candidates and in particular their economic platforms, I have decided to vote for Mitt Romney and see him as being the best candidate to lead our country in 2009. Romney's call for the elimination of the dreaded capital gains tax for certain taxpayers is essential for our long term growth and well being. He in my opinion, seems to represent the most dynamic economic candidate that we can offer our electorate. And in 2009, we will see that the economy will be the most important issue facing our country. We can ill afford a Democratic Tax and Spend President which will be forthcoming from either candidate. Their concept of change is more of the same, tax and spend to infinity. My change will come from my vote for Mitt Romney.

Look at what I have done! Please give me more! Connecticut's State Legislature

2008 is another election year. This year we will once again elect our State Legislature. We will continue to hear from now to election day incredible stories of how bad or how great everything is in our state. We will hear incredible stories (as seen in the recent mailings of our State Representatives and Senators) of all the great things that they have done for us, using of course our tax monies. When reading the cards that we mailed to my family at my expense, I wondered if I was living in the same Connecticut as they described.
There were incredible things done apparently in this past legislative session although they escaped my attention since I was very busy working two jobs to help support my ever growing state tax burden and the ever growing state budget. My family has had to cut back due to the excessive tax burden of Connecticut, high state college costs, higher energy prices, higher insurance costs and higher food costs. Has anyone in Hartford thought about cutting spending and in turn cutting taxes? Or does this concept not exist in our failed state legislature?
Thus the election of 2008 will again bring about the same group of mediocre state legislatures whose main concerns are the lobbyists that support them and give them power rather than those who elect them. A major overhaul and audit of the state budget is needed for Connecticut to survive. Again we as taxpayers deserve better.

Brother Can you spare me $500 billion dollars?

Brother Can you spare me $500 billion dollars? Give or take a few billion.
You see my family and I lived within our means. We did not buy a house we could not afford with no money down, with a no interest mortgage for five years, with no income verification, and with a high real estate commission. No, we are still in the same house trying to make ends meet.
We try not to overspend since we know we must pay our bills on time, and must save for the future. We know energy costs especially for heating oil have gone up 50% since last season thus we must budget for that also. We know what a budget is and that we must have enough income to offset our expenses each month. We do not live in a fantasy world that has been created in our economy by greedy mortgage/banking lenders, greedy real estate salespeople and uneducated and or greedy home buyers. The financial markets tried refining financial garbage and make a profit on it.
No we as a family live within our means.
I also resent the State of Connecticut spending $50 million of our tax money to bail many of these people out. Let the market correct itself and possibly let government regulators who are supposed to examine these mortgages do their job correctly.
The sub prime mess will cost our economy in my economic opinion $500 billion dollars or more. Taxpayers will be forced in some way (as seen in the Connecticut example) to subsidize this greed. I resent that. Greed over a poor investment decision will cost us all and many banks will walk away from this untouched. This debacle was not necessary.
Therefore, Brother Can you spare me $500 billion dollars? I really want my family's share. Now.

The Wallingford Mayoral Election Heats Up!

Low and behold waiting for me in my mailbox this afternoon was Wallingford's independent (not Democrat any more) Mayoral candidate's flyer which sure looks almost like Mayor Dickinson's flyers. Imitation is the best form of flattery that one can receive. In trying to disect what the Trzcinski flyer slammed the Mayor on is interesting. Wallingford, like all communities in Connecticut is mandated to have reevealuation of property values. This increases the grand list for towns and shows in many cases how property values have gone up in a five and or ten year period. Guess what! The last property reevaluation in Wallingford (done at the peak of the real estate boom) showed property values dramatically up which in turn forces taxpayers to pay more in property taxes even though the mill rate has gone down. The flyer states that "For the average resident taxes have risen 88.6% since 1996!" Oh really? I feel I am an average taxpayer living in the same home for 23 years now. Since 1996 my taxes have gone up about 37% not 88.6%, that amounts to about 3.5% a year not 8.9% as the flyer states. I wonder where that figure came from?

Then there is also a mention of Community Lake ... since 1979. How critical is that for the town's future? Bringing back Community Lake is more of a luxury for tax payers than a necessity.

What about "The building on Rt.5 which has been in foreclosure since 1989?" There are several environmental cleanup issues at that location resulting in a stalled resolution to that problem.

What are the Lucille for Mayor solutions to all of these issues? I do not see any in her copy cat flyer I just received. It's easy enough to say we need long range strategic plans but what are they?

I think in Wallingford everything is going well because our community is governed by people who care and by a Conservative, non-egotistical Mayor who puts the town's needs first over any form of political glory (glory in my opinion just waiting for it to happen by the other two candidates). I have taken a second look at what's going on in Wallingford and I still like what I see. I will again vote for Mayor Bill Dickinson and the Republican candidates for Town Council and Board of Education. Real leadership for Wallingford.

Will Chris Dodd go home?

I am still confused why our illustrious Senator Dodd is running for the Presidency. I know somehow he has gotten elected for many years as both Representative and Senator, (with a great deal of help from weak and ineffective Republican candidates who have run against him) but really what has he done to help our state? I am still trying to figure out when was the last time he sponsored some sort of meaningful tax reform legislation and or spending cuts which could be passed onto working middle class citizens which inhabit our state. You see I am tired of Senator Dodd and his Democratic party’s redistribution of wealth programs. I am tired of a social welfare system has he has championed for years which has done nothing other than keep money out of the hands who truly need it and create generation after generation of welfare recipients. And I am really tired of his constant glorification of Latin and South American leaders who rape their countries and promote their form of dictatorship (in particular Castro).

Maybe it is time for Chris Dodd to come home, to forget about rewriting the history of his disgraced father and retire once and for all from public service. Connecticut would be so much better off without him.

Dickinson for Mayor in Wallingford

I love Wallingford. It is a community that its citizens are proud of. It is a town that many people want to move to because of its strong school system, low taxes, low electric rates, close location to both Hartford and New Haven, many stores and businesses. It is a community where we have seen a steady course continue through the administration of Mayor Bill Dickinson. The Mayor who has been in office for many years now has led Wallingford by example always putting the town's needs first over self glorification and personal gain. That is not say he is without his critics which are many. However, I believe that the majority of Wallingford voters wish for him to return for another two year term. I do not believe either of the other two candidates running for Mayor (Democrat and Independent) have the drive, knowledge or ability to lead Wallingford for the next two years. It is apparent to me that they are running weak campaigns and dwell on the Wooding property issue alone. There is little new thought or ideas being presented by both. This election a vote for Mayor Bill Dickinson and the Republican candidates for Town Council and Board of Education will continue the path of progress for our great town, Wallingford.

The Sub Prime Mess or Who's Mortgage Is It?

As an instructor of Economics for 25 years now, many students of mine have asked me to comment on the current problems faced in the Sub Prime Mortgage market. To try to understand what a sub prime mortgage is, we may view it in a variety of ways. First it is a mortgage given to a consumer who may have a poor credit record, not much if any money for a downpayment on a home. Many who may have unreported income (under the table income) may be qualified for this type of mortgage along with those who wish to make a major refinancing by combining all loans into the mortgage (for example $50,000 credit card bills, $200,000 remaining on a mortgage a jumbo mortgage of $250,000-but the house has only been valued for $225,000.). After the mortgage company makes the loan they are then rebundled and resold in the aftermarket usually to a fund or investment firm in many cases in an overseas market.
So what happens now is after paying on a mortgage with 0% interest for one, two or however many years all of the sudden the consumer sees a greater interest rate along with a much higher mortgage payment each month. Property taxes also shoot up. Energy prices shoot up. People lose their jobs. Income in some cases is not even verified. Real estate values have started to decline (in my economic opinion they were overvalued to begin with) and guess what-that home worth $225,000 is now only worth $175,000 and the consumer still owes $250,000 on it.
I think that you may be able to start seeing the problems that are happening. Each segment of the market is starting to blame the other. Economic education was not even thought about in educating consumers whether or not they could realistically afford that mortgage.
Now the problem is how to resolve it. It can only be resolved through the basic laws of supply and demand in both the real estate market and the credit markets. People will lose their homes and mortgage companies will be going out of business, it is the reality of the situation. Political answers such as throwing more money into this market will do nothing to resolve it. If it is too good to be true than it is should be the result of this fiasco. Realtors, mortgage companies and consumers who have signed for these loans all should share the blame. You can also interject the word greed in this equation also. Sub primes will be gone soon enough and logic will return to this market.

Our crumbling highways, oh well!

For many years now I have discussed in my economics classes-where is the tax money going in our state to fund and repair our road and highway system on both a state and federal level? The disaster in Minnesota (which naturally is now a political field day for the Democrats since higher taxes are their answer for everything) sheds light as to the problems we have here in Connecticut with our aging and crumbling highway/road system. The state levies a great deal of taxes of gasoline and diesel in our state, with the money apparently just going into a general fund and then some of those taxes being redistributed through the DOT. Obviously if anyone drives to work one can see first hand how bad our highways are whether it is I-91, 95 or 84 (or how about the storm drain waste of money in Waterbury?). The costs of upkeep are somehow considered in a budget (although how I can't figure it out) and it seems to me a handful of projects on occasion are completed usually after a long period of time and overbudgetted. If one travels I-95 you see the daily mess of the Q-Bridge through East Haven. I can only imagine what a mess it will be when they try to rebuild the Bridge itself.
Is there any solution? Obviously the cry will be greater taxes to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure because there just seems never to be enough money appropriated for the politics of our highway/road system. However, higher taxes will not solve the problem. Maybe here in our state politics could be put aside for a little while and we could force accountability so that we do not see a bridge fall here. Maybe taxpayers and users of our highway/road system deserve better. Maybe state officials could actually do the job they a re paid to do. What a concept.

The Failed Connecticut State Legislature

Ethics violations, corruption, greed, graft, waste, over taxation. I feel these words describe the Connecticut State Legislature. As evidence by these ruling elite, taxpayers have seen the waste of our hard earned tax dollars throughout this session. Why was nothing accomplished in this session? Why are taxpayers no longer represented in our State Legislature?
Nothing was accomplished for any of us who work for a living here in Connecticut. We are still the highest taxed states in the country. We have one of the highest gasoline and diesel taxes in the country and the beauty of it is that the money does not even go to maintain our crumbling and failed highway system in the state.
If a person breaks a law whether they are Democrat or Republican shouldn't they be punished? In this assembly they have placed themselves above the law. Ethics violations in both parties is now the norm with no repercussions for the violators. And the list goes on and on.
Taxpayers need to analyze what happened in this legislative process and view how poorly we are represented in Hartford. In my opinion we have no representation in Hartford. I again call upon a recall election immediately in order to clean out these inept politicians and also a referendum on the state budget allowing those who are paying for this mockery to be able to vote whether we accept it or not. Our state legislature is broken beyond repair and needs to be fixed immediately. Why do taxpayers need to continue to pay for this ineptness called state government?

Are Both Parties For Real?

With the two proposals for a new state budget, I as a taxpayer am wondering are both parties for real? If you have a constitutional amendment to cap state spending, then why do both parties ignore it? Why are taxes being raised so much (even though the Democrats claim a small drop in the income tax rate-most will be paying more in the long run)? Is the concept of fiscal restraint unknown by both parties?
The two state budget tax and spending proposals are shocking, outrageous and ill timed-do any of our elected officials realize we are already the highest taxed state in the country? Our tax freedom day is now May 20th, the longest in the country!
I would really like to know when Connecticut will have Taxation with Representation again. What a pathetic government.

Pork-Please let me spend more and more and more

Pork, pork and more pork. I see things have not changed in Congress. Under the “New” Democratic leadership, a mockery has made of the current Iraq bill which will allows an incredible amount of non related Iraq spending to take place. So much for the elimination of pork barrel spending. This bill adds a mere $30 billion plus to non war related activities to help buy the votes to pass it. Thus you as taxpayers are seeing the great lie of the Democratic party. Even though they campaigned to eliminate pork barrel spending it is just more of the same. Any kind of spin can be placed on this, Democrats will try to manipulate this bill to their advantage and again nothing changes. How can taxpayers have any faith in a Congress which is so out of control and clueless to the real problems of our country? Again we need term limitations, both the House and Senate need to be four year terms, each limited to two terms. You may serve for eight years and move on. This would bring in fresh and new ideas to both bodies of Congress and hopefully eliminate the fraud that takes place each day they are in session. I conclude by asking what has Ted Kennedy really done in over 40 years as a Senator? He is the greatest argument for term limitations that I know of. And the waste and pork continues ad infinitum.

Connecticut's Energy Induced Recession

Connecticut's State Department of Public Utility Control truly amazes me. Whatever any utility wants in the state gets from this supposed balanced commission. With yesterdays United Illuminating ruling of an incredible 50% increase in rates, we can see from an economic point of view that Connecticut will be going into an energy induced recession from this ruling. The comedy of the whole situation is that Connecticut's do nothing legislature has help create this mess by forcing both UI and Northeast Utilities out of the generating business for electricity. Thus by buying electricity on the open market, this deregulation has forced prices through the roof. It has not have the intended impact of our feel good legislature thought it would have. I give UI credit for its total disregard for its customers by asking for and receiving this astronomical increase. I am sure that UI's management staff will receive its annual performance bonuses, stock options and the like.
Thus Connecticut will be going into an energy induced recession. The blame for it can be equally shared by the electric companies, the Connecticut Legislature and last but not least the Connecticut DPUC. Consumers will be doing without to pay for their incredibly high electric bills, businesses will be moving out of our state due to high electric costs and sadly the same stale politicians in Hartford who supposedly represent us will be back yet again in 2008 saying what a great job they did.
I just hope that the last person who leaves Connecticut will turn out the lights once and for all.

I thought Iraq was a free country?

I thought Iraq was a free country? I guess I am mistaken after looking at new commission report which was developed by a group of experts(?)and their findings. I have always wondered why influential individuals seem to lose their common sense when acting in a group or committee. In this case the report makes no sense to me what so ever nor can be applied to the conflict. We as a nation need to remember that many terrorists wish to murder us all and eliminate our freedom. We must realize that terrorism loves to embrace our economic system to fund its activities. Yet their hatred of us is ironic. 9/11 still remains in our history due to the murders of many innocent US citizens whose only crime was that they went to work that day. Negotiating with terrorists is not an option.

Terrorists have a great hate of themselves and others in our world. That is why they wish to continue their terrorist activities. Our American freedom has been fought for since before 1776 and will continue to be fought for in the future. How many people throughout our world crave freedom? And are willing to give their lives for it? Iraq is a developing free democracy in the Middle East. And one day with our help it will remain free. It is a lesson that other countries should understand.

No thanks but I won't vote for Lamont

I am still confused by the current Connecticut Senate election. I really need to know who Ned Lamont is. No, I am not going to vote for him or support him, but I really can’t see how he could possibly represent my family or anyone else in Connecticut. As far as I can see the reason why he won the primary by a slim amount of votes is because he is anti-war candidate. Joe Liebermann lost because he has taken a view point that we need to finish what we started in Iraq and allow those people freedom.
Does this mean that all people in Connecticut are anti-war? I don’t think so.
Trying to understand Lamont’s other stances becomes more difficult. He is in favor of many liberal causes which in my opinion have failed our economy miserably. He is very wealthy and here we have just another example of a multi millionaire liberal trying to dictate to our state what we can and can not have. I guess the economic system is ok when he was trying to make his fortune and now that he has it the hell with it.
I believe that there are many voters like me here in Connecticut, who are middle class and conservative in our beliefs and life styles who dislike this candidate for all of his liberal stances. We are tired of the ranting and raving of how bad things are and the excessive costs of the liberal fixes that a candidate like Lamont wants.
Ned Lamont reminds me of Lowell Weicker – an opportunist with an ego that does not seem to be satisfied. No, I will not vote for Ned Lamont, nor do I feel a majority of Connecticut residents will either.

Correction on the Secret Connecticut Gross Earnings Tax

Now everything makes sense to me. I need top correct my last blog regarding Connecticut's Secret Gross Earnings tax levied on all fuel in the state. It is now 6.724% not 5.8% as I thought it was. I got conflicting information regarding it. Also two more secret taxes that are now charged include a Lust Tax (Leaky Underground Storage Tank) which is .001 per gallon and a Federal Spill Fee Record tax of .0012. The reality of this tax in addition to the State tax of .25 cent per gallon and a Federal tax of .184 cents per gallon and bingo you have one of the highest tax rates in the country! The Secret Gross Earnings tax adds from .17 to .21 cents per gallon more in costs. I guess our clueless State Legislature did not think the oil companies were going to pass on this tax to the consumers. Guess again. Now I see that the Legislature may go back into special (and maybe secret) session to come up with answers to Connecticut's energy problems. I do not see why they should as they have yet been able to come up with anything since 1973 except to raise taxes. Here is the solution-get off our dependency of foreign oil and use less. The State I am sure wastes energy everywhere, from State employees in State vehicles going faster than 65 miles per hour, lights on everywhere in State Buildings, and the list goes on and on. Let us face up to it, there is no thought for either taxpayers in our state nor for energy consumers. And now State taxpayers will foot the bill for this useless special session.

Again higher gas prices, again higher gas prices, again...

Again higher gas prices-I just read a nationwide survey that we have the third highest average prices for gasoline in the country. We are only behind Hawaii and California. $3.19 is the average although I know of a few stations that I can buy cheap gas at $3.09.9. I always hear the stories of supply and demand as a long time instructor of Business and Economics classes I have difficulty with some of the same arguments that I hear over and over again. Connecticut has one of the highest gas taxes in the country and I do believe that the long run implications of this high tax is both a state recession and people once again leaving in droves from our state. Our elected officials passed a secret increase in the gross earnings tax up now to 5.8% (and please do not let anyone kid you, motorists pay for this tax-making an average of .54 cents a gallon with federal taxes thrown in).
I know that you and I have an unlimited amount of income to pay for higher energy costs and higher taxes here in our state. We receive constant cost of living increases in our pays to offset these higher costs. Wait you don't believe me? Again higher gas prices...Again higher gas prices...Again higher gas prices...to infinity.