RECENTLY ON TOL:
TOL Our Town
- A tumblr site dedicated to the people and places that make up Oregon and Southwest Washington.
TAGS:
rethomas's comments:
on Your State of the Union
:-) I understand completely... I have an F350 that I'm going to sell or donate this year... just doesn't makes sense anymore when I can use a small truck (at 20+mpg) for what I need.
I always figure that a $1.00 gas tax could be used something like (MHO):
$0.25 to subsidize trade-ins
$0.25 to subsidize green-energy
$0.50 to retire the debt
Note that I wouldn't propose taxing diesel commensurately... this is something we can learn from Europe.
posted 3 years, 3 months ago
view in context
on Your State of the Union
Partisanship aside, the state of the union is that we're still in trouble, I also think that a single year isn't sufficient to judge results (ask me next year).
Government programs haven't affected me yet, but the deficit's we're running may affect my retirement and will certainly affect my children. I'm only slightly worse off than last year due to tax increases, but that's manageable through reduced spending.
My hope for the coming year is that we'll focus on three things:
1) Increasing govmt revenue in a green-way thru significant gas tax increases and elimination of exemptions for children.
2) Scrap the current health care bill and propose one whose centerpiece is a public option.
3) Get out of southern Asia as quickly as possible.
posted 3 years, 3 months ago
view in context
on 66 and 67 Have Passed. Now What?
Thank you... eliminating child exemptions is one of the two greenest tax solutions the state can adopt, the other being a significant hike in the gas tax.
Either one I'd gladly pay and until that time I'll vote against every other tax (or levy) placed before the voters.
posted 3 years, 3 months ago
view in context
on Oregon Meth
My apologies for being direct, but where do you live? I have a standing script for time release Pe (to address chronic rhinitis) that's been honored by three pharmacies I've used on the west side of the metro area.
Agree whole-heartedly that Pe's OTC replacement is useless.
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
view in context
on Tax Measures
Then we agree to disagree... my philosopy is simple, either do it right or not at all... compromise is just politics as usual which generally means turning good ideas and principles into hamburger.
If folks aren't willing to demand something better from their government, nothing will change and politics as usual isn't going to solve our problems... I'm no longer willing to accept it. Being grown-up also means discipline and learning to say 'no' :-)
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
view in context
on Tax Measures
Based on this response, I assume that the Churches mentioned wouldn't mind being taxed in order to protect "the least of these"? The scriptures you quote were an individual call and didn't assume corrupt and incompetent institutions layered in between the individual in need and individual giving. Personally I'm much more willing to give to the "least of these" one to one, without institutions (that I don't trust) in the way.
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
view in context
on Tax Measures
My apologies in advance, but I neither trust nor respect the budgetary expertise of our elected representatives... the budget they've come up with is the best compromise they could pass... not the best budget.
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
view in context
on Tax Measures
IT would be better to have "know nothings" carrying NEA scripts?
There are discrepancies on both sides and it feels like independents are being asked to choose sides is what feels like a battle of faiths... frankly I trust neither side to tell me the truth.
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
view in context
on Tax Measures
If we're truly sincere about the need to maintain or expand services, we'd agree to collectively tax ourselves as the benefits are being positioned (more or less) collectively.
We need to ask ourselves, if this were instead a referendum on a $0.25 per gallon gas tax hike, would we still vote 'yes'? If not then our beliefs aren't sincere and we're merely picking on two of the few remaining minorities it's still acceptable to pick on.
Whether "they" can afford it or not is immaterial, affordability is a value judgement and, in this case, dependent one one's current economic situation.
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
view in context
on Portraits of War
Make it as graphic as possible, show the blood, the gore, the pain, the anger, the fear and the smell if you can.
Don't downplay it, don't look for controversy, political angles or focus only on the heroic. Make it crystal clear to the people waving goodbye exactly what awaits their loved ones.
As a friend of my family, a Russian front survivor, graphically explained to me when I was growing up... anyone who has ever fully experienced it will never want to again. Teach us.
Lastly, my personal note of gratitude to those who were called and went... Thank you!
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
view in context
on Measure 67
Using this thinking we'd eventually be like California... with ~8% sales tax and 50B in the hole... no thanks.
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
view in context
on Measure 66
No doubt our Founding Fathers are rolling over in their graves at the "patriotism" comment... this country was founded (in part) as a revolt against taxation.
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
view in context
on Measure 66
I'll vote 'no' on both measures...
When times get better will these increases sunset? Probably not, the extra income will likely then be used to fund additional personnel or programs that won't want to be cut in the next downturn, so an additional tax increase will be requested that again won't sunset when times get better... ad nauseum.
Not in favor of cutting teachers, but very much in favor of slashing administrators. Don't blink... Schools and law enforcement are always placed at the forefront of potential budget cuts to frighten the public, insist the cuts come from another source.
The only tax increase I favor is one on gasoline as there are a number of long-term benefits and I can mitigate them to some degree by becoming more efficient. The only way to mitigate income or corporate tax increases is to spend less in the local economy (personal promise) or move.
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
view in context
on Coming out of Copenhagen
Agree completely. Folks should note that the 14th century's "Black Death", in significantly reducing the population of Europe, is credited (in part) with ushering in the Renaissance as it helped break the iron grip of the feudal system. Perhaps we should be welcoming global warming as an opportunity... if we don't reduce our numbers, the planet will do it for us.
posted 3 years, 5 months ago
view in context
on Mt. Hood Search
I'd suggest you try it sometime and see for yourself... it may not change your experience, but it would change mine.
So let's agree that you'll keep your hands off my life and I'll keep mine off yours.
posted 3 years, 5 months ago
view in context
on Mt. Hood Search
You're missing one point... when I drive I can choose not to wear a belt and have to accept the consequences if caught or get in an accident.
Personally I know that I'm willing to climb more aggressive pitches if I think I'm carrying the equipment to protect me... I'm also much more attentive at the wheel at 90mph than at 55.
I'd suggest you carry one when you climb and leave decisions about the rest of our lives to us.
posted 3 years, 5 months ago
view in context
on Mt. Hood Search
The 'stupid tax' is the burden placed on the 90%+ that will never need rescue by having to carry a transponder just in case coupled with the cost of enforcement, the bureacrats needed to manage it all, etc, etc.
My life and decisions are my own, stay out of them. If you can't afford to rescue me, then don't.
posted 3 years, 5 months ago
view in context
on Mt. Hood Search
I agree whole-heartedly with the last paragraph... my dad and I have summited the major peaks in the west and considered getting back a personal responsibility and part of the experience. We've been in some dicey situations, but knew the risks and accepted the potential consequences.
If the issue is the cost of rescue, then don't and let darwinism reign. Take away the risk and you diminish the experience and accomplishment... I'd rather die on a mountain than in a hospital bed with tubes running out of every orifice any day.
posted 3 years, 5 months ago
view in context
on The Economics of the Death Penalty
One might suggest subcontracting death penalty cases to an offshore entity (China for example), I understand they are very efficient in these matters.
posted 3 years, 6 months ago
view in context
on Breast Cancer Screening
First and foremost this is a womens issue, let women decide.
Second, the arguement that these are "just recommendations" is a red-herring... recommendations, if not stopped early, quickly become guidelines and then protocols.
Third, consider this in light of the health care debate, who do you want to make these decisions for you?
posted 3 years, 6 months ago
view in context
