TAX POLITIX
The Politics of Taxes
Unfairly Attacking the Gig Economy
Earlier this year, California passed AB5, a measure that would require companies to reclassify independent contractors as employees. The problem is that the government is yet again intruding on employer-employee relationships under the guise of worker protections. Furthermore, it’s an attempt to put unions even more in charge of things in California while also purporting to provide more revenue to a nearly-bankrupt state, all doomed to failure because of its economic ignorance. AB5...
The Illinois Fair Tax Proposal is Not Fair
On November 3, Illinois residents have a Constitutional referendum to change their method of taxation from a flat tax to a “fair tax.” The current system treats all Illinois taxpayers the same by levying a modest 4.95% rate. Under the proposed change, taxpayers would be divided among multiple tiers with a progression of increased rates based on higher levels of income, and both individual and corporate rates would be affected. By removing the Constitutional provision against graduated-rate...
What Does Trade Deficit Mean?
Despite what you may have heard from politicians and journalists, trade deficits are not a bad thing… In fact, they almost always indicate a healthy economy.Some people (including a number of our civil leaders) believe that the United States’ trade deficit is a bad thing. They think that it means that other countries are abusing us. This is just wrong – and economically ignorant. It is the same as saying that a deficit of sugar in your diet is a bad thing. Just wrong.By definition, a trade...
Taylor Case: Systemic Police Reform not Systemic Racism
Everyone is aware of the tragic death of Breonna Taylor and its surrounding circumstances. But many are calling for murder charges against the police officers who did the shooting, and are calling the event evidence of systemic racism. Both positions are ridiculously off base. The grand jury did not charge any officers with the killing of Ms. Breonna Taylor in her home. The mainstream media would have you believe that this means that the grand jury was derelict in its duties. This...
Bidenomics: Like Obama and FDR
As Biden is gaining closer to winning the upcoming election, his economic plan deserves more scrutiny. So far, Biden is clearly looking to Obama for his policy aspirations. Unfortunately, Obama was following FDR’s playbook to the detriment of our economy. Let’s take a look: Obama’s policies resulted in the poorest recovery since the New Deal, just as FDR’s meddling only prolonged America’s longest depression ever. Obama followed FDR’s failed playbook - he raised taxes, over-regulated...
Rioting & Looting: Hypocrisy & Ignorance
Rioting and looting damage society and harm people. The recent protests on behalf of fighting institutional racism wreak with unlawful violence and hypocrisy. Of course there are plenty of peaceful protesters who have caused no physical harm to property or other individuals. These are not at issue. Rather, the focus should be on the 15 people who lost their lives from the initial George Floyd protests, the countless businesses suffering stark physical damage to their properties (and...
Who Really Has the Edge on the Impending Mail-In Ballot Fiasco?
The Democrat's have had court victories in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and other states in connection with requiring that votes received after election day must nevertheless be counted. And in many of these decisions, the Courts have simply overruled the actual wording of the relevant law. Since it is accepted that many more Democrats than Republicans will be voting by mail, there seems to be a general belief that this is good for Democrats. But should that really be the takeaway?It is quite clear...
Let’s Talk About Kamala
With Kamala Harris as the Democrat’s Vice-Presidential candidate, it’s important to know that she has committed some rather egregious trespasses as a prosecutor. Just as disturbing is her fluctuating policy positions, calling into serious question her attempt to presently appear as a criminal justice reformer. Instead, Harris should be known for 1) her criminality and very poor judgement as a prosecutor 2) her hypocrisy, and 3) her opportunism. One of the biggest areas of concern is her...
CNN Gets New York’s Future Wrong
As a lifelong New Yorker and fan of Jerry Seinfeld, I really wanted to like CNN’s article,“Jerry Seinfeld is right about New York's future.” The more I read it however, the more delusional it became until it was outright laughable. The author, Jeffery Sachs, attempts to explain why New York will not fail and he’s right that the city has had tough times before. He’s correct that there will be a day of reckoning. But he is utterly incorrect that this reckoning is “between the...
NYC Public Schools are Incompetent
The NYC public schools are now supposed to begin opening on September 29, but unions continue to be apprehensive about in-person instruction. De Blasio already delayed school opening twice this year after ongoing threats of a teacher strike, citing “concerns raised by our labor partners.” On the other hand NYC charter and private schools have a variety of...
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Taxpayer Advocate 2015 Annual Report to Congress
The Intersection of Obamacare and Immigration
The Wall Street Journal put together an excellent editorial yesterday on the intersection of Obamacare and immigration. First, starting in 2016, employers with 50 or more full time employees are required to offer health insurance for each of their...
United Healthcare May Withdraw From Obamacare Next Year
A few days ago, UnitedHealthcare announced that the possibility of withdrawing from the Obamacare health insurance exchanges. This is a significant announcement, as UnitedHealthcare is one of the biggest insurers in the country. The impact of...
HHS Attempting to Frame Obamacare Losses to Insurers as a Government Obligation
A must read from the Washington Examiner today on the subject of Obamacare, insurance companies, and bailouts. I republished the article in full. The Department of Health and Human Services attempted to reassure private insurers on Thursday that...