Lisa Murkowski – Today I voted against the Student Loan Bill which would solve one problem by making another worse. Raising taxes on employers will only decrease the chances that they’ll be able to add jobs and hire college graduates. I’m hopeful we’ll find a better, bipartisan way.
Press Releases – Press Office – United States Senator Lisa Murkowski
www.murkowski.senate.gov

Senator with all due respect I’m so tired of that nonsense. It’s clear there is no connection between taxes and jobs. What creates jobs is demand for goods and services. With people saddled with high student loan costs they have less to spend in the economy. Your vote just made the banksters happy. Who do you represent? What is your solution that isn’t more welfare for corporate America and Millionaires?

This is a slap in the face of working class families. The children of the rich don’t have to worry about student loans. They don’t have to work their way through college. They don’t need to be concerned about getting a job when they graduate, they can afford to buy a car, buy a home, get married, start a family all without the burden of hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan debt. Shame on you Senator.

Keith Hartley It amazes me that anyone can think that the “rich” dont pay taxes when the top 10% provide more than 70% of it, and taking all of their money each year would fix even the deficit let alone the problems in the american school system.

We currently have the lowest tax rates since the 1950′s. We give away billions in subsidies to large corporations, many of the largest pay zero federal income taxes like Exxon and GE. The rich benefit most from preferential tax treatment of dividends and interest. They pay as little as 15% like the billionaire hedge fund managers. Even Romney only paid 17%, about half that of a typical working class family. Increasing the marginal rate by 2% over a million and another 2% over a billion is not too much to ask. Closing loopholes that allow large multi-national corporations to avoid taxes is not too much to ask. US businesses benefit the most from a well educated work force. Our economy is in desperate need of Math and Science majors, as well as the many fields in Medicine. We are falling behind world wide because other countries are more committed to higher education. If cutting taxes created jobs we wouldn’t have the unemployment problem we have today. Our economy was much stronger in the 50′s when the top marginal rate was 91%.Top Marginal Tax Rate History

Small business owners need customers and clients, not tax breaks. They only pay taxes when they make a profit. If you don’t understand that, then you’ve never operated a small business.

We’re not going to cut our way out of this mess conservatives got us in. We have to invest in America and Americans.

Keith Hartley…no comparison to be made between a corporation and a self employed small business owner. Small business owners employ a high ratio of people to a given amount of profit, corporations do the opposite of that. self employed business owners pay a far greater tax rate then either individuals or corporations do. ALL of the tax plans that have come around from this admin have been to pit the so called “poor” individuals against the so called “wealthy” individuals and let the corporations off easy.”

So we agree, we need to increase taxes on the 1% and multi-national corporations. We can do this by closing loopholes. Taxing all income the same. Remove the cap on income subject to social security and medicare. (Cut the social security and medicare tax by half. Every business or individual earning less than $103k would receive an instant pay raise). Raise the marginal rate over a million by 2% raise it another 2% over a billion. Institute a minimum tax on income over a million dollars.

Keith Hartley“…are you seriously on about oil subsidies? they amount to literally pennies when compared to the size of the deficit. What about hybrid car subsides? what about ethanol subsides? what about so called “green energy” subsidies? they line the pockets of corporation at the cost of the individual citizens of this country.”

I’m talking about subsidies for all kinds of industries from oil to pharmaceutical. But oil is a good example. They make a record profit, some not paying a penny in federal income tax. Instead of creating jobs with the windfall they buy back stock. They are sitting record amount of cash. We would have been better off collecting the tax and investing it in America. If we are going to subsidize industries it should be those that are sustainable and less damaging to our environment. Oil doesn’t need the subsidies, alternatives do at this point.

Keith Hartley“You think that increasing spending on education will help the quality of education in America? how about getting the government out of education all together. The abysmal quagmire that is the united states lernin’ standards started during the carter admin when he started the department of education. Pretty soon schools realized that they could get more money by making school less difficult.”

If spending more money doesn’t make a difference then why is the cost per student higher for private schools than public schools. They are able to hire the best teachers. They have the lowest teacher to student ratio. They produce the best results. But this particurlar issue isn’t about cost of education. It’s about cutting the interest rate on student loans. Not writing off the debt. Not bailing them out. Just extending the interest rate cap for a year. Is that so unreasonable of a proposition considering the billions that we spend in other areas?

Keith Hartley“Those proposed tax increases do NOTHING to do anything to help anyone. Taxation is the problem. If it was, raising taxes could fix the problem whether or not anyone likes it. Whether the idea sounds good to you or not, there isnt enough money in the economy to close the deficit without destroying something along the lines of 50% of the economy.”

Are you a Ron Paul supporter? I already showed you the fact that the economy was better when the top marginal rate was 91%. I’m not suggesting we go anywhere near that amount, just modest increases and changes to the tax code.

Keith Hartley“I absolutely AM not someone that advocates tax breaks are the answer to our problems. the fix will be several hundred billion in spending cuts and a few hundred billion in revenue increases. these revenue increases could be achieved by – as you referenced above, eliminating the tax breaks for Democrat favoring General Electric, which hasn’t paid taxes since it was bailed out a few years ago.”

So you would be ok with allowing the Bush tax cuts expire for Millionaires? How about eliminating corporate loopholes and subsidies? I’m not a Democrat and I don’t care if it’s GE or BP not paying taxes on record profits. Bottom line is the top 1% are starving the country.

Keith Hartley“This is a very important difference between corporations and the wealthy…I will be one of the “wealthy” one day. I will have achieved that by doing a better job, working harder, paying for my own school and paying the debt off early that so many dems cant seem to do. It will piss me off when I am paying more taxes to support companies like solyndra and general electric so that they can be exempt of taxes or be paid to keep their doors open when I could instead be spending it on food, wine, vehicles etc. and be putting money into the pockets of others.”

“I’m going to be wealthy one day” Yes, that’s the American Dream alright. Do you have any idea home many American’s dream turned into a nightmare because of the Banksters on Wall Street? Through no fault of their own they lost their jobs, life savings, homes and businesses. Do you know the only thing that many of them have left? Social Security and Medicare. The things that conservatives want to turn over to private industry. These were good people who did everything like you said. Worked hard and produce better and faster. The company profits soared and their purchasing power declined. When the dust settled all they had left was the Government safety net. Yes there is a difference between corporations and the wealthy. Corporations get subsidies and the wealthy get preferential tax treatment on certain kinds of income. You think having money in your own hands instead of paying it in taxes is a good thing, But you don’t think people paying less interest on student loans, putting more money in their hands, is a good thing. How do you resolve that contridiction?

Keith Hartley“You really think that small business owners only pay taxes on profits? unless you can afford to pay someone to provide you with warren buffet tax evasion techniques you pay a larger minimum amount of taxes than anyone else does, FAR more than someone who makes the same amount of money in a year and works less than you.”

Have you ever owned or managed a company? I don’t think so. What drives hiring and firing of employees is demand. Taxes typically affect prices as it’s rolled into the overhead cost, like insurance. It’s not tax evasion, it’s taking advantage of tax loopholes and getting preferential treatment on certain types of income. I’m all for closing the loopholes and taxing all income from any source the same. That won’t be enough. We need to raise taxes on the richest of this country. We have always had a progressive income tax. We’ve allowed it to become less progressive and the country’s economy has suffered for it.

Some people talk about government being too big, we have too many regulations, government is the problem – not the solution, they say. They are willing to risk throwing out the baby with the bathwater so to speak. They see government as corrupt, evil and fundamentally flawed. While very few will offer specific examples.

Others, like myself, recognize that there are serious problems with our government, as there is with any government. But there is a proper place and role that government is necessary for a functioning society based on the rule of law and compassion for our fellow man.

Our country is divided in so many other ways; right vs left, urban vs rural, haves vs have nots, old vs young, religious vs secular, and many more less obvious and stark. But we are all Americans and we’re in this thing together. We can either rip this country apart because of our differences, or we can come together to make this country greater than ever.

We’re facing a lot of problems, unemployment, the deficit, the economy as a whole, immigration, the war against terrorism, the war on drugs, crisis in education and healthcare – it’s easy to get overwhelmed by them all. I think many people are scared, angry, confused, frustrated, they are looking for someone to blame, looking for quick and easy solutions. There are those that are capitalizing on that to benefit and enrich themselves. Others are using it to attack and destroy others.

There is a saying that “Money is the root of all evil”. When we look at our most pressing problems we can see that money is certainly a major component of them all in one way or another. So it would make sense that if money is the problem, money is also the solution.

Right now the problems are being approached independently of one another. The solutions offered are limited. Raise or lower taxes. Cut or increase government spending. Basically its fighting over a finite amount of pie. We need to change our focus, we need to bake a bigger pie.

In a previous post I asked the question: “What Kind Of Country Do We Want?“. Much of it was written based on the finite pie scenario. However, no matter how large the pie, we’re going to need to have priorities, certain values that are non-negotiable. For me, and for the purposes of this discussion that means we take care of our elderly, disabled, sick, unemployed and veterans. We value eduction, equal opportunity, self reliance, entrepreneurship, personal liberty, independence and freedom.

Each of my proposals will, save money or increase revenue and adhere to the values and priorities above.

1. Remove the cap on income subject to Social Security tax. It may be possible to lower the rate, which would lessen the impact on upper income earners, and provide some relief for lower incomer earners and the self employed who have to pay both the employer and employee portions of the tax.
2. Add a Public Option for health care that will allow anyone to buy into a health insurance plan on a sliding scale. This would virtually eliminate society cost of the uninsured using the most expensive health care, emergency rooms, for routine health care that could have been averted with preventative care, or taking care of at a less expensive medical provider, such as a doctor’s office or clinic.
3. Remove most restrictions to enter the country legally for the purpose of work. Would have to pass criminal background check. Would not be eligible for public assistance. Required to buy into public option health insurance, if not covered by employer. Would be required to pay all taxes. Persons already in the country would be eligible if they clear criminal background check.
4. Employers to be held strictly accountable to ensure all of their employees were eligible to work legally in the country. Requirement would include having picture ID issued by the State or Federal Government on file at all times. Immigrant employees must be paid the same, have same benefits, same working conditions and hours as citizen employees. Violations would result in heavy fines and jail time for employers.
5. End all corporate and farm subsidies for products or services to be sold overseas. Subsidies may still provided on in country sales to value added companies. Also end all subsidies and incentives for outsourcing jobs.
6. Remove Hemp from the list of controlled substances. Ban the export of non-value added Hemp. Then get out of the way and let American entrepreneurial spirit take hold to create new products from this natural renewable resource.
7. Transfer the federal regulation of Marijuana to the ATF to be renamed MATF. License, regulate and tax similar to existing Tobacco and Alcohol operations. States would have the same rights to license, regulate and tax in their jurisdictions.
8. Pardon and release all persons currently being held for simple marijuana possession.
9. Expand Job Corps with funds saved from not arresting, prosecuting and incarcerating marijuana users. Add training needed in the manufacturing of the 1000′s of products being made from Hemp.
10. Make child support payments tax deductible. The more non-custodial parents pay the less dependent single parents will be on State benefits.
11. End the Bush tax cuts for the top 2% income earners. Tax all income the same regardless of the source. End the Hedge Fund “carried interest” windfall loophole

So there you go. Have at it. Rip up my ideas, but come with your own. I’m prepared to defend my ideas, so be prepared to defend your criticisms and your ideas.

First of all, something everyone needs to be aware of is that SB1070 doesn’t apply to just illegal immigrants. It empowers law enforcement officers with “reasonable suspicion” to demand identification or proof of legal immigration from ANYONE. Even if they have done nothing wrong. They don’t have to place them under arrest.

This is almost identical to the arguments over the US Patriot Act with warrant-less wiretaps. Those in favor of giving the government unlimited power to spy on citizens in violation of the Fourth Amendment said “If you don’t have anything to hide then it shouldn’t matter if they are listening.” Yes it does matter. Because every time we give up one of our rights, whether it’s to protect us from terrorists, illegal immigrants or drug dealers, it just makes it that much easier for more to be taken.

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~ Benjamin Franklin

In addition to many people not knowing their rights, how to apply them and why they are important there are some that think we should not be taught or learned. Teachers Suspended for Showing Flex Your Rights Video

The guys at FlexYourRights.Org have done a great job putting together video’s not only explaining our rights but how to exercise them properly. I’ve included their “10 Rules For Dealing with Police” video below in four parts. Also, a couple of additional links from the Washington Post and Cato Institute.

Washington Post: ’10 Rules for Dealing with Police’ seeks to teach constitutional rights

Cato @ Liberty: Immigration Law — Up Close

Cato Institute: 10 Rules for Dealing with Police – A film produced by Flex Your Rights With comments from William “Billy” Murphy, Attorney and 10 Rules Narrator and Neill Franklin, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. Moderated by Tim Lynch, Director, Project on Criminal Justice, Cato Institute.

Part One

Click here to view the embedded video.

Part Two

Click here to view the embedded video.

Part Three

Click here to view the embedded video.

Part Four

Click here to view the embedded video.

In each case I argued against those critics because I don’t believe any of that has anything to do with Palin’s – or any woman’s – ability to do their job.  I believe every woman should be able to decide for themselves what is right and appropriate for themselves and their families.  I believe in equality for women.  I believe in their right to privacy.

I defended Palin in spite of her views on such issues as abortion, birth control, and sex education in public schools.

Now that it’s public knowledge that her unwed 17 year old daughter is pregnant however, I think it’s fair to question her on her “abstinence only” education stance.  If Palin can’t make that work in her own family, then what makes her believe it will work in ANY family.

However, we have to be careful in how we broach the subject because if people begin to feel as though Palin and her family are being ‘picked on unfairly’ it will most likely result in sympathy votes for the McCain/Palin ticket.   The same thing happened in the Gubernatorial campaign when opponent Andrew Halcro routinely made Palin look like a bumbling hillbilly that had no clue about the issues affecting Alaska.  Halcro lost ground, while Palin in spite of her ignorance, gained ground.

We should all sincerely wish the very best for Bristol, Levi and their baby.  They are embarking on a rough road, but if they truly love each other and work hard at the task of being a family, they can succeed and be happy.   I’m happy for them that they have a loving family that will help and support them, not all young adults in this situation are so fortunate.  They have done nothing wrong to deserve media attention, negative or otherwise.

They do however illustrate that even in the best of families, sometimes our young people don’t always  make the choices that we wish they would.  That’s why we have to give them every tool available to keep them as safe as possible. We need to provide them as many alternatives as possible when they do make a bad choice or find themselves in a difficult situation.

Another concern is the trend for Palin to only disclose or come forward with information when absolutely forced to.  She did it with her own pregnancy.  She did it all through the “Trooper Gate” (and continues to in my opinion). It begs the question of what else is she hiding? Not only that, but now what else does McCain know that hasn’t been disclosed?

There are many questions that need to be asked and answered.  I only hope that questions will be focused on issues and positions and not personal family matters.  Let’s show a little class and decency.

*Note:  I am not now, nor have I ever been, or likely ever be connected with the Obama campaign or Democratic Party.  I’m pretty sure they are happy about that fact.

Our school system was designed for families that needed their children to work in the fields or in the family business. That’s why we have short school days and summer vacation. Nobody was ‘required’ by the government to attend school. Then only the very best and brightest went on to post secondary education.

A quick google search for “university freshman drop out rate” shows that the drop out rate isn’t limited to UAA, it’s wide spread, and has been a major problem for quite awhile. The same can be said about the 33% drop out rate of ASD, which is near the national average.

So let’s rid ourselves of the notion that this is merely a local problem. It’s bigger than that… much bigger. If we’re going to ‘fix’ whats wrong, we have to look at education in context with our changing culture. Kids aren’t needed like they were on the family farm or business, which means they have too much time on their hands. We have to consider the growing number of single parent households, and two earner families. We have to understand that many parents even when available are unable to help with homework due to their own education and limitations. We also need to focus on the main purpose of educating our children, preparing them to be productive members of society. We have to recognize that one-size-fits-all education fits very few well.

So first things. School vouchers. Parents know best what will work best for their children. I wouldn’t send my kids to a religious school, and probably not even a private school. But as long as the school meets state curriculum standards why should we care what they teach in addition? It would help reduce over crowding, and offer options for students with special needs.

Next. Full day, year round school for grades 7-12. 9-6 Monday through Friday. 12 week quarters with one week break in between. If we are serious about preparing our kids for life after school, they need to know that doesn’t mean 6 hour days and 3 months vacations every year.

We have to stop passing the buck. If a child isn’t ready to move on to the next grade then we need to hold them back. Passing kids because we don’t want them to have the stigma for being held back isn’t doing them, the other students, or the teachers any favors. At the very least students should be tested at 3rd, 6th and 9th grade to make sure they meet the minimum requirements to move on.

While every child should have the “opportunity” to go on to higher education, that doesn’t mean they all should go on. Some people just aren’t cut out for it, which is why I think we have so many college freshman dropouts. The final two years of high school should be tailored to the students post high school goals. Which could include enrolling at university, attending a technical school like AVTEC, Community and Technical College. or Charter College, Apprenticeship Opportunities or enlist in the military.

The goal shouldn’t be getting a diploma or certificate. The goal should be whatever is next for the student. When they enter high school, students should be encouraged to start thinking about what they may want to do after high school. Perhaps even have a required “Life Planning” course where they could investigate different alternatives and create their own path to life after High School. The last two years of high school would be focused on the student completing the things necessary for them to continue with their life plan, in and out of school.

As a fail safe, the Job Corps program should be expanded. There is no legitimate reason why there should be a 6 month waiting list to join the Alaska Job Corps

So are we ready and willing to quit pointing fingers and making the kind of fundamental, radical changes to our education system that our current results (or lack thereof) suggests we should? I doubt it. I don’t think there is the leadership in the school administration building, our local school board or the state board of education. But at the very least, lets acknowledge what the “real” problems are. It’s not parents. It’s not teachers. It’s not money. It’s an antiquated system that is well past the time for it to be overhauled.