Craig Fishbein For Wallingford Town Council

Research on town issues is critical to any Town Councilor's success. Republican Craig Fishbein in my opinion does a great deal of research on the issues that confront the Wallingford Town Council. In his first term on the Council, Mr. Fishbein has been prepared and well informed. I like that in someone that represents our town.

I recently had an opportunity to talk to him with regards to the 2011 election. He stated: "I believe that it is not the government’s responsibility to give us handouts or to tell us what to do. It is not the government's place to regulate and/or to tax us to death. As a member of the Wallingford Town Council, I will strive for smaller government, low taxes, and less interference in the day-to-day affairs of our law-abiding citizens."

Mr. Fishbein has been a strong member of the Council and does an excellent job in analyzing what comes in front of the Council. I believe he would do another great job in his second term representing Wallingford.
He has my vote for another term.

Vincent Cervoni For Wallingford Town Council

Another strong candidate from the Wallingford Republican party that is running for re-election to the Town Council this election is Vincent Cervoni. I had an opportunity to talk to him a few weeks back about his campaign and views for the upcoming election.
When discussing his first term on the Council, Cervoni stated:
"As I come to the completion of my first term on the Wallingford Town Council, I'm proud to have been part of an administration which has achieved a bond rating of Aaa. This speaks to the pattern of fiscal responsibility commenced by Mayor Dickinson and which has carried through recent years."
"While I do believe that Wallingford is a great place to live for people from all walks of life, I would like to see an improvement in the appearance of our downtown district, our uptown area, and the Route 5 corridor. It is my hope that I will be given another term on the Council to work toward these objectives."

Cervoni has been in my opinion a strong and effective Council member in his first term, he is articulate and offers a great deal of insight on many issues that come forward to the Council. He deserves a second term.
Mr. Cervoni has my vote this November.

Tom Laffin For Wallingford Town Council

I like Tom Laffin. I am going to vote for him as one of my votes for Wallingford Town Council. Tom served on the Wallingford Board of Education and is well aware of the issues going on in town. Tom would bring to the Council a common sense approach to fiscal management of our town along with a business oriented focus. Tom was articulate when he was on the Board of Education on all issues he faced. He is a life long resident of Wallingford and to me is greatly qualified to serve our community with his education and business experience.

From his website www.voteinlaffin.com
My Plan for the Continuation of Successful Principles and Practices for a Prosperous Community
A Vibrant Downtown:

I want a strong, healthy downtown. I want to make it easy and convenient for people to go, shop, dine, enjoy friends and show off their town.
A Solid Education:

Wallingford is highly respected for its education system by other towns and its administrators. After serving on the Board of Education for four years, and working along side of Superintendent Dr. Menzo and our team of teachers and administrators, I understand the needs of our children and how to balance those needs to work well with the general government.
Reliable Utilities:

I'll work to make sure the Mayor and the Public Utilities Commission have the resources and flexibility they need to continue the success we have benefited from. Our town boasts one of the strongest and most reliable electric companies on the east coast. Our water and sewer departments provide inexpensive and unfailing services that are the envy of our friends from other neighboring towns.
Fiscal Responsibility:

Budgeting to make sure our reach does not exceed our grasp, Wallingford has maintained it's strong AAA bond rating while continuing to grow within our means. By working to foster the town's self-sufficient nature and lack of strong dependence on the state for funds allows us to direct our own future.

Tom Laffin, the right choice for one your votes for Wallingford's Town Council
I know Tom has my vote this November.

Trying To Understand Higher Taxes But Can't

As an economist I continue to try to understand politicians most favorite phrase and term-"Higher Taxes". I no longer understand what this term means as it relates to government and its' spending. Higher taxes seems to mean that taxpayers have an unlimited amount of income that they must pay to government at all levels, local, state and federal.
Taxpayers must accept these poor economic decisions that are made by our elected officials and thus pay these higher taxes to continue to support an inefficient and bloated government. Politicians remain unchecked in their economic power grab of taxpayers' income and wealth. Then this money is redistributed in some ways to an elite few for their own economic gain. Higher taxes strips economic growth out of our economy.
Higher taxes does little to help government control spending and or pay down debts as has been see through the bloated Democratic state budget enacted. A massive tax increase (higher taxes) has done little to help our state economy nor is it addressing the massive unfunded pension liabilities of the future.
So I do not understand higher taxes. Nor do we have any plans for addressing our national debt, addressing our massive Connecticut unfunded long term debt or resolving massive unemployment. We have more of the same rhetoric-higher taxes, over and over again-ad infinitum (to infinity).

Hey Whats $13 Million? Taiwan Is Nice This Time Of The Year

Hey who cares about $13 million in pension funds? Especially when state pension unfunded liabilities are anywhere from $10 to $15 billion depending on who you believe. So what is the big deal about the State Treasurer trying to figure out a way to get that $13 million out of Taiwan? Heck I do not understand why the Democratic party and the state media isn't applauding her for making that kind of money on the pension funds. Why are they not giving her a raise? Or maybe a new car with new plates and registration? Why shouldn't taxpayers pay for that?

I mean $13 million can go a long way to paying down that $10 billion in unfunded pension liabilities. What is that about a 1/2% of it? I mean I know somewhere the Democrats have a plan for paying it off like raising more of our taxes or some other economic scheme. Just like the plan for rebidding almost $1,000,000 in banking contracts which have not been rebid in ten years.
Oh well-what's money when it is not yours and you do not have to be accountable for it? Anybody see $13 million?

How Many More Disincentives To Work In Our Economy?

How many more disincentives will this administration come up with to make working for a living a thing of the past? 99 weeks and counting for unemployment benefits. A special unemployment tax levied on all businesses in Connecticut who pay into the unemployment fund due to it being broke. Massive taxpayer funded stimulus packages for the past three years and the net result is even higher national debt and higher unemployment rates. We now can argue that there too many disincentives to actually go out and find a job. These disincentives further erode any hope for economic expansion and growth in our economy.
In my economic opinion due to the anti business atmosphere that the Obama Administration has and its anti free market theories, many businesses will not hire new workers in a period of economic uncertainty. Businesses are fearful of massive new labor laws and economic regulations which continue to hinder our economy in the long run. Thus, no new jobs.
Maybe new jobs will be found in 2013 with a change in Presidents. It can't happen soon enough.

Wow-More Economic Misery Again By This Administration

Let me try to understand this new economic logic, we are now going to raise taxes to pay for more jobs? What kind of jobs escapes me as the recent Obama jobs campaign speech promises more of the same economic misery that we have seen since January 2009. Again by raising taxes on millionaires who earn $200,000 a year, what is being accomplished economically? Another transfer of wealth? Another penalization of the creation of wealth in our economy except for those who have donated to Democratic candidates (i.e. General Electric, Warren Buffet)? Thus more of the same economic plan. Transfer wealth from those who have earned it through higher and greater taxes.
And no jobs will ultimately be created. After three years of failed economic policies would it make sense that the free market system be once again allowed to function without chronic governmental interference?
No, instead we will have more economic misery. More of the same failed economic policies.

More Failed Keynesian Policies - More Of The Same

Well Mr. Obama's speech was filled with more of the same, more governmental spending and more failed governmental micromanagement of our economy. What a pompous campaign speech by an individual whose one term Presidency is fading very rapidly into oblivion. Not to shock the President and his economic advisers but they must realize that the current gap between gross domestic product and potential gross domestic product is about $1.3 trillion. That is a substantial amount of money which this new and recycled jobs plan does little to address in the long run. Actually from an economics perspective I see no mention of this at all.
Naturally he also called for higher taxes on those who pay the most in taxes already, I had mentioned in a previous column that Warren Buffet and his buddies can contribute to the national debt.
The mortgage market also must clear itself finally and not continue to be propped up by individuals who economically can no longer afford their homes. The new plan does more of the same which will still not address the excessive amount of toxic mortgage debt in our economy. Which forces the continuing problems in this area of our economy.
My economic advise is simple, Congress do not pass this debacle of a campaign/jobs bill. Let the free market system clear itself of the economically inept government programs that have burdened the markets for too long. Allow free market incentives to increase production of goods and services which allow for the creation of new jobs for those 18% who are unemployed. Keynesian economics does not work and has never worked in our economy, not in 1933 nor in 2011.

More Speeches = Less Jobs

Let me see, tonight we will hear how the Republicans are at fault for the economy and in particular the lack of jobs in our economy. We will hear that this President inherited this mess and that a mere $2 trillion dollars in debt later, he needs yet another stimulus program to get Americans working. And/or maybe an extension of unemployment benefits to 3 years or may be your entire lifetime until you can retire on Social Security at 62. We will see liberal news commentators spin his words to biblical proportions. And then maybe a majority of Americans who work and pay taxes at all levels of government will finally see how unprepared and unqualified Mr. Obama is to be the President of the United States of America.
The campaign for President is in full swing, we really need someone who understands the free market system and economics to become our new President. Millions upon millions of Americans have had enough of the lackadaisical on the job training that goes on in the White House with this Administration especially with poor economic policies that have damaged our economy.
More speeches and still even fewer jobs on the horizon. One term and done economically.

The Local Election Is Near-Here Comes The Misinformation

Yes for Wallingford voters the local election is near-here comes the misinformation. We will hear the usual denunciation of the Republican Council members and the Dickinson Administration. We will hear the misinformation about the paving of the parking lot at Simpson Court. It would be interesting to see if anyone remembers when John Thompson appeared before the Town Council with the plans for this repaving (as is provided by the lease which the town has had since 1961 for this area) and why there was no objections to it at that time. But now we can view the election fodder of why this area must not be paved to benefit the town and the downtown area. And the fight for the referendum for this will amount to a great waste of taxpayers monies for it. And what is the purpose of this? Is it really saving taxpayers monies? In my economic opinion, it is not saving the $500,000 that is going to be spent to improve this area nor does Simpson Court owners need to accommodate Town Parking either if the lease is voided.
Thus in the 2011 election we will have more of the same, misinformation.
Democracy has always been served well by those who question what needs to be questioned. Democracy does not function when it is degraded to the constant turmoil of misinformation by a chosen few who claim knowledge in all areas called local government.

Labor Day Economics

Happy Labor Day. How many people are working today? What is the real rate on unemployment? 18% with those off the unemployment compensation roles due to their 99 weeks benefits ending? How many jobs have been permanently lost in our economy since 2008? How many jobs will either be lost or gained from our recent hurricane? How much does federal government interference and regulations cost in actual new job creation? How can new job creation occur with chronic government overreach in the labor market? How many more failed jobs plans can the Obama Administration create? Why are Unions given their current salary and pension structures which are in the case of Connecticut still not addressing long term unfunded liabilities? Why can't the free market system allow for the creation of new jobs without governmental subsidies paid for by taxpayers? Why is Connecticut's unemployment fund broke?
Happy Labor Day-hopefully you have a job as do many, many politicians and governmental workers at all three levels of government have. If you don't have a job...well...

More Poor Economic News

Taking a break from the 24/7 hysteria of Tropical Storm Irene, we need to examine more poor economic news coming from Connecticut and our nation.
From Connecticut I envision many taxpayers not fully understanding the new higher retroactive tax rates coming out of our one party rule in Hartford and ending up owing much more in state income taxes come filing time. Trying to understand the retroactive part of this rate is nearly impossible if one was to read the Department of Revenue Services website. Maybe it could be explained in plain English for a change.
Also from Connecticut the obvious costs of the storm will be enormous, the losses will be staggering and forthcoming will be increases for all for their property insurance whether or not a claim has been filed or not.
On a National level, not even mentioning the still out-of-control National Debt, is the now downward revision of economic growth to less than 1% for the last quarter. For any economy to expand its needs strong economic growth which our country does not have now. Couple this with a real unemployment rate of 18+% and you spell recession/depression for the remainder of this year and next. Economic gloom is here and will remain with the economically irrational policies of the Obama Administration. Mercifully I can truly see a new President being elected come November.
More poor economic news, more to come.

Why Not Write The Check Warren?

Why not write it? I continue to be amazed at Warren Buffet and his demand to pay more taxes. His $6,938,744 that he paid last year in Federal taxes apparently was not enough. Why not write the check then Mr. Buffet? There is a way for any taxpayer to pay more in taxes to our spendthrift Federal government. Way back in 1843, an account was formed so that citizens could give gifts to the government including money.
From the US Treasury Website:
Gift Contributions to Reduce Debt Held by the Public

The Bureau of the Public Debt may accept gifts donated to the United States Government to reduce debt held by the public. Acting for the Secretary of the Treasury, Public Debt may accept a gift of:

Money, made only on the condition that it be used to reduce debt held by the public.
An outstanding government obligation, made only on the condition that the obligation be retired and the redemption proceeds used to reduce debt held by the public.
Other intangible personal property made only on the condition that the property is sold and the proceeds from the sale used to reduce the public debt.
Gifts to reduce debt held by the public may be inter vivos gifts or testamentary bequests.

Thus in Fiscal Year 2011 $2,035,349.94 has been given so far. With a $14.5 trillion dollar debt it helps buy our government a few more seconds of deficit spending.

So again I ask why can't Mr. Buffet and his liberal friends put their money where their mouths are? Send your billions to pay off the national debt. Your illogical economic arguments about higher taxes leave a great deal to be desired. Higher taxes on people who earn $250,000 and more are stale and do little to help our economy or economic growth. Those are income earners who are paying the bulk in taxes, not you Mr. Buffet and your liberal rich friends. Maybe Congress could pass a Buffet tax. A tax to bring your tax rate to lets say 90%? Or how about 100%? If that were to happen watch the outcry by these same liberal rich folks-how dare you take our hard earned income! But it is acceptable to tax our $250,000 millionaires in our economy?
Just write the check.

The Tea Party-Alive and Well

Liberals and Democrats seem to strongly dislike the Tea Party movement. Why? The Tea Party movement in my economic opinion is long overdue. It is a grassroots movement which has a simplistic and long overlooked economic premise. You can only spend as a government what you have and no more. Deficits and debt compromise the economic well being, economic growth, jobs and interest rates of any economy. The out-of-control spending and debt crisis of the Obama Administration has helped fuel this resistance movement for our economy. It is not radical nor does it vote in Congress. It is an economic movement which has been long overdue in our economy.
Taxpayers are fed up with the waste and fraud of our government's spending and lack of checks and balances when it comes to deficits and debt. The Tea Party movement addresses these concerns. And the truth hurts both sides of the political aisle. And the truth especially hurts a liberal and biased media in our economy.
The Tea Party is here to stay no matter what a biased poll states. The Tea Party movement is the only remaining check to balance out-of-control governmental deficits and debt. The Tea Party movements strength is only beginning to show and it will grow even more so with the upcoming Presidential election. Yes, liberals the Tea Party is here to stay.

Debt and More Debt

And the debt continues. Congress and the President choose to avoid economic reality with the new/old debt ceiling lie. We can see no meaningful reductions in federal spending nor any economic efficiencies taking place with this new deal.
And the blame is everywhere depending on whose side you take. However in my economic opinion to blame the Tea Party movement is illogical and irrational. Our government can not sustain uncontrollable spending in which the bulk of the money they are spending is just paying interest on the national debt itself. It is totally non productive. The Tea Party movement has brought this issue of uncontrollable spending out in the open for all to see and for all to be upset by. Look at the money middle income taxpayers are spending to support this economic debacle. General Electric is not paying these taxes, nor is Warren Buffet. I have never heard General Electric, Bill Gates or Warren Buffet offering to give the government a few billion to pay down the national debt. Middle income taxpayers are paying it. You are not rich if you earn $200,000 a year nor should have to make up for what these companies and individuals are not paying in taxes.
And the debt continues ad infintum (Latin: to infinity-if there is still one).

What Plan?

Why don't the Democrats and the media understand that Mr. Obama has no plan to resolve either deficit spending or the national debt? Because if he had a plan of any sort economically he may have mentioned what it actually was. He has been in office over 2 1/2 years now-where is the plan? What is the plan? What is the problem?
And why is the blame on the Republicans in the House? They are trying to balance the budget and reduce the deficit. The Senate Democrats still have yet to develop a budget in 800+ days now. Is that right and justified? Or is that an abuse of their power and an insult to the taxpayers of America?
Thus its politics as usual and I place the blame for this debt crisis solely upon the Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats. There is absolutely no economic leadership from the Democrat party. None.
Come now-what is the plan?

More Taxes And Spending, More Democratic Rhetoric

Well, we have more taxes and more spending by the transparent Malloy Administration. We have been given shared sacrifice if you work for a living and pay taxes here in Connecticut. Malloy has given us more taxes and more state spending. Malloy has given us absolutely no reform on state salaries, benefits or long term pension obligations. Malloy and his legislature have given us more of the same rhetoric we have heard for the past twenty years, more taxes and more state spending will solve all of our state's problems.
When in economic reality all we have is more of the same. We are one of the top three taxed states in the country. We have unfunded liabilities of $100 billion dollars and counting. We have negative job growth. How does higher taxes and higher state spending do anything to create economic growth in the private sector? Why these stale politicians are continued to be voted into office is beyond me.
More Democratic rhetoric, how poorly can they continue to govern our state?

Why Not A Balanced Budget In Washington?

Here is a novel solution to the self imposed debt ceiling economic debacle created by the Obama Administration: balance the budget and create a plan to pay off the national debt of $14.5 trillion dollars.
Simplistic?
Yes.
Realistic?
No.
We as taxpayers must live within our means. We can not spend more than we earn or we face bankruptcy. That is also known as economic reality.
To me, there is little economic reality being offered by the Obama Administration. Raising the debt ceiling along with raising taxes and increasing spending is more of the same poor economic plan which has helped to create a mere $3 trillion more in the National Debt since Obama has taken office. Why has this happened? Why has this help to create stagflation? Are there any economic solutions that this Administration can actually offer that does not include more spending and more taxes? No-it is just more of the same. Something that does not work keeps being used over and over again.
Balance the budget and create a plan to pay off the national debt of $14.5 trillion dollars. Change that never happened-since 2009, change that ends not quick enough in 2012.

The Politics Of Hartford

The politics of Hartford never ceases to amaze me. Realizing that as a taxpayer I really do not have any say whatsoever in our state government. We have a wildly swinging Governor who seems to be in over his head in self created economic turmoil. He chooses a well know political tactic by cutting programs and areas which he knows will upset many in the state. Illogical random choices by far and wide are essential so that the Governor can make his point politically. We will assume at the last second there will be some sort of union/Democrat compromise along with yet another round of tax hikes and all the previously mentioned cuts will not take place. The theatrics of Malloy, Democrats and the unions make for some good laughs and good political theater for the media.
However, it does nothing to help the state, those who own businesses in the state or the long forgotten taxpayers who support this economic debacle. It continues to accelerate the great drain of business, industries and youth from our state. For example the buying of 200 jobs for large corporations such as Cigna at the cost to taxpayers of upwards of $47 million plus does little to foster economic growth for the state. Again it is just the politics of Hartford. More of the same, taxpayers being thrown under the train (which will now cost even more to ride).

Why Raise The National Debt Ceiling?

The National Debt is a critical economic issue in our country. In my economic opinion, it continues to be the most serious economic problem of our country. Government spends much more than it takes in, it truly has no idea what is owed nor where the money is going. It is an economic debacle. Our elected officials in many cases envision that higher taxes continue to solve all problems yet we continue to see that higher taxes does little to solve debt problems nor stimulate the economy. Especially higher taxes on wealthier individuals.
Wealth should not be viewed as a burden to our economy. Wealthy members of Congress are hypocritical with regards to this issue, as they are able enjoy their wealth but not anyone else (Look at Nancy Pelosi as an example). The National Debt can be resolved by cutting spending. It is a simplistic concept. Less money is spent thus driving down the need for more money to be borrowed by the Federal Government. It is a realistic plan. It is a logical plan and it is a plan that needs to be implemented by Congress.
Mr. Obama is lost economically. His economic policies and programs have failed our economy miserably. The Debt ceiling does not need to rise to further promote inefficient spending by his Administration nor are new taxes needed. Cut spending now.