This is the sort of short film history buffs absolutely adore.
Annie Oakley - who toured with Buffalo Bill - was some dame I tell ya.
2012-01-30
Molecular Cuisine
The latest trend in world culinary techniques (with its hub in Spain) is molecular gastronomy.
I'm thinking of inventing molecular blogging.
I'm thinking of inventing molecular blogging.
Foodstamp Nation
46.2 million Americans use foodstamps.
That's, like, a lot of people.
I can just imagine the shenanigans.
That's, like, a lot of people.
I can just imagine the shenanigans.
Question
Are taxes an "obligation to your fellow man" as someone told me on the weekend?
I'm having trouble with this.
Like, for example:
-If this is true, how does one work around the fact that nearly half of all Americans don't pay taxes? So it's an obligation for half the people and not the other half?
-Why does one have an "obligation" to a fellow citizen? Is it voluntary? Does it include, say, a murderer? What if someone chooses not to give, for argument sake, five dollars to another person?
- Are taxes not 'coercive' (and inefficient) by nature since government can levy them with all sorts of punishment if you don't? How about the issue of tax money going to waste - for example, petty corruption or cost over runs that could have been avoided? Does that obligation have to accept this?
- There's a growing debate about, here in Canada anyway, if we're getting bang for our buck in return when it comes to social obligations - which comes in the form of universal services.
I'm having trouble with this.
Like, for example:
-If this is true, how does one work around the fact that nearly half of all Americans don't pay taxes? So it's an obligation for half the people and not the other half?
-Why does one have an "obligation" to a fellow citizen? Is it voluntary? Does it include, say, a murderer? What if someone chooses not to give, for argument sake, five dollars to another person?
- Are taxes not 'coercive' (and inefficient) by nature since government can levy them with all sorts of punishment if you don't? How about the issue of tax money going to waste - for example, petty corruption or cost over runs that could have been avoided? Does that obligation have to accept this?
- There's a growing debate about, here in Canada anyway, if we're getting bang for our buck in return when it comes to social obligations - which comes in the form of universal services.
2012-01-29
Shafia Murder Trial Ends With Guilty Verdicts
In the aftermath of the Shafia murder trial, discussion on Sharia law coming to Canada are being raised again. Without knowing the specifics as to why they only got 25 years, it strikes me as not enough for such a sad murder.
Personally, I don't think it should ever be accepted. Quebec feels the same way.
Some resources about Sharia in Canada:
Here.
And
Here.
Personally, I don't think it should ever be accepted. Quebec feels the same way.
Some resources about Sharia in Canada:
Here.
And
Here.
Drawing Lines
Not sure if this is the exact quote but it is attributed to Theodore Roosevelt.
"We should insist that if the immigrant who comes here does in good faith become an
American and assimilates himself to us he shall be treated on an exact equality with every one else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed or birth-place or origin.
But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American. If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated from the rest of America, then he isn't doing his part as an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. . . We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, of American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding-house; and we have room for but one soul loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people."
Teddy Roosevelt, 1919.
"We should insist that if the immigrant who comes here does in good faith become an
American and assimilates himself to us he shall be treated on an exact equality with every one else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed or birth-place or origin.
But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American. If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated from the rest of America, then he isn't doing his part as an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. . . We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, of American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding-house; and we have room for but one soul loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people."
Teddy Roosevelt, 1919.
History Spotlight: The Venetian Republic
This is how I spend a Sunday night now.
It used to be with a gal - or two - and playing a sport.
One interesting part of this abstract is a reference to the Crusades and how it related to Venetian trade interests. Too often, I hear people speak of the Crusades strictly as a religious endeavor. Which it wasn't as anyone who properly reads Medieval history knows.
The Venetians were masters at managing profit margins.
Posted by The Doge.
It used to be with a gal - or two - and playing a sport.
One interesting part of this abstract is a reference to the Crusades and how it related to Venetian trade interests. Too often, I hear people speak of the Crusades strictly as a religious endeavor. Which it wasn't as anyone who properly reads Medieval history knows.
The Venetians were masters at managing profit margins.
Posted by The Doge.
Tax Oxymorons
Oxymoron:
Tax fairness. Or. Tax efficiency.
Discuss.
It's all arbitrary. If you make X, we will tax Y and over spend what we take. Because we say so.
Tax fairness. Or. Tax efficiency.
Discuss.
It's all arbitrary. If you make X, we will tax Y and over spend what we take. Because we say so.
Harper's Pension Warning And American
Prime Minister Harper made an interesting assetion recently regarding the future of federal pensions.
While some Canadians, judging from the comments threads, are missing the point with strawman logic, using"corporate taxes" as the reason for why it's happening. I think it's more of demographic (our pension funds are a mess and one of the reasons is that we won't have enough people, hence taxes, to pay for seniors in retirement. I believe once upon a time all you needed was one person to fund 4 retireees. Nowit's something like 3 - someone can correct me here I'm sure) reality the government has known about since the 1960s. Singling out Harper for the pending truth about pensions ignores this truth.
This is why RRSPs were invented. The government wanted Canadians to have a private option retirement plan with an incentive to save. That incentive is to let it grow tax free until an investor drew income from it in the way of a RIF.
It's something I learned during my Canadian Securities Course back in the 90s. It was right there in black and white (between the lines): save your money and don't rely on the government down the line.
Canadians are not net savers and Harper is merely relaying that message.
***
To me, also, the argument that it's about the neoliberal agenda - which I'm totally against - rings hollow a little. Neoliberalism, it seems to this chump, speaks of individual rights without making accounts on how to contribute to the community around you. Libertarianism. even anarchism, don't go as far as to believe man is an island onto himself. They simply believe neighbors will help one another out of self-interest, and even compassion.
***
Speaking of islands of man, I reject this belief I sense is creeping into our intellectual discussions.
"We're successful because somebody started the University of Michigan. We're successful because somebody made an investment in all the federal research labs that created the internet. We're successful because we have an outstanding military that costs money. We're successful because somebody built roads and bridges. And laid broadband lines and these things didn't just happen on their own. And if we all understand that we've got to pay for this stuff, it makes sense for those of us who've done best to do our fair share and to try to pass off that bill on to somebody else, that's not right. That's not who we are,"
Conclusion: Happiness is a warm government.
***
Did I hear right during the State of the Union address that Obama, after saying no more bail outs, proposed homeowners with some relief on their mortgage payments? Cut payroll taxes but attack capital gains?
Wow.
If you fail to see the problem with this, then, it's time to admit yourself that you're likely financially illiterate. Officially.
Pat Buchanan called it a 'centrist' speech. I heard a lotta federal agencies being created. I heard a lotta empty rhetoric. Name me the ONE idea he proposed? It's as if I watched someone wage his own personal anarchy war.
***
You have to admit, Navy Seal Team 6 - the unit who called Osama bin Laden - are something else. No wonder Obama likes deploying them.
While some Canadians, judging from the comments threads, are missing the point with strawman logic, using"corporate taxes" as the reason for why it's happening. I think it's more of demographic (our pension funds are a mess and one of the reasons is that we won't have enough people, hence taxes, to pay for seniors in retirement. I believe once upon a time all you needed was one person to fund 4 retireees. Nowit's something like 3 - someone can correct me here I'm sure) reality the government has known about since the 1960s. Singling out Harper for the pending truth about pensions ignores this truth.
This is why RRSPs were invented. The government wanted Canadians to have a private option retirement plan with an incentive to save. That incentive is to let it grow tax free until an investor drew income from it in the way of a RIF.
It's something I learned during my Canadian Securities Course back in the 90s. It was right there in black and white (between the lines): save your money and don't rely on the government down the line.
Canadians are not net savers and Harper is merely relaying that message.
***
To me, also, the argument that it's about the neoliberal agenda - which I'm totally against - rings hollow a little. Neoliberalism, it seems to this chump, speaks of individual rights without making accounts on how to contribute to the community around you. Libertarianism. even anarchism, don't go as far as to believe man is an island onto himself. They simply believe neighbors will help one another out of self-interest, and even compassion.
***
Speaking of islands of man, I reject this belief I sense is creeping into our intellectual discussions.
"We're successful because somebody started the University of Michigan. We're successful because somebody made an investment in all the federal research labs that created the internet. We're successful because we have an outstanding military that costs money. We're successful because somebody built roads and bridges. And laid broadband lines and these things didn't just happen on their own. And if we all understand that we've got to pay for this stuff, it makes sense for those of us who've done best to do our fair share and to try to pass off that bill on to somebody else, that's not right. That's not who we are,"
Conclusion: Happiness is a warm government.
***
Did I hear right during the State of the Union address that Obama, after saying no more bail outs, proposed homeowners with some relief on their mortgage payments? Cut payroll taxes but attack capital gains?
Wow.
If you fail to see the problem with this, then, it's time to admit yourself that you're likely financially illiterate. Officially.
Pat Buchanan called it a 'centrist' speech. I heard a lotta federal agencies being created. I heard a lotta empty rhetoric. Name me the ONE idea he proposed? It's as if I watched someone wage his own personal anarchy war.
***
You have to admit, Navy Seal Team 6 - the unit who called Osama bin Laden - are something else. No wonder Obama likes deploying them.
2012-01-27
My Audience Breakdown
Was bumming around blogger's new interface - still can't get used to it - and ended up viewing where my audience mostly comes from. As has always been the case from day one, my biggest readership (and support) comes from the USA. Next up used to be Canada but my home country has been supplanted by France of all countries. Merci mes amis.
Way to go Canada! Thanks for nothing.
Maybe someone should subsidize me.
Way to go Canada! Thanks for nothing.
Maybe someone should subsidize me.
2012-01-26
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)