This'n'That; Oct 13th

It Ain't A "Tax Cut!!!" All the politicians, both parties, aren't really giving the American people a tax cut!!! All they're doing is re-assigning the source of the government income: For instance if the politician promises a $10 Billion tax cut for a particular segment of the population, they will just increase taxes on another segment/area; increase federal fees, etc. The only way there can be a true tax cut is to have a corresponding and EQUAL cut in federal spending.... i.e., in defense, education, housing, commerce, medical/medicines, etc. All of which are SACRED COWS!!!! and thus "untouchable" by those hoping for re-election. You notice that NONE OF THE CAMPAIGNING POLITICIANS ever mentions any cuts in federal spending. They just want to increase the size of government as a method of "buying" votes via their lofty financial promises, hopefully enough to get elected. Once elected most of their schemes and bullshit will fall by the wayside.... They got what they wanted.... TO HELL with the commoner that fell for all the "fluff" that put them in office!!! The Bail-out Scheme: After the congress wrote the blank check to the Treasury Department, who's watching the purse strings? We know who "HOLDS" the purse strings-Henry Paulson, Secretary of the Treasury..... .....BUT....... Who's "watching" the purse strings?? Who is auditing the expenditures, determining who/what is worthy of all this "free money??" Bail-Out Basics: $810 Billion [the added pork notwithstanding] into the hands of the Treasury Secretary, exclusively!! The Secretary has UNPRECENDENTED powers to draw on public entities with NO GROUND RULES, WHATSOEVER!!! The Secretary can waive "specific provisions" of our contracting laws, the Federal Acquisition Regulation [FAR] if he determines that "urgent and compelling circumstances make compliance with such 'provisions' contrary to the public interest." The Bail-Out Bill does not define "PROVISIONS." The Bail-Out Bill does not stipulate who will be charged with drafting and monitoring the contracts. The Secretary does not have to inform governmental watchdog agencies concerning bail-out activities. These agencies will have access to the information, but will only be able to report on the contracts after they have been issued and paid. So....... We'll know who's screwing us; how badly we're being screwed........... BUT only after WE'VE BEEN SCREWED!!! This is a "history rerun.... We've been here before!!! Anyone remember the S&L bailout of the late 1980s? The Resolution Trust Corporation was founded in 1989 to dispose of loans and other assets from the Savings and Loan debacle. With predictable results, the taxpayer "took it in the shorts" as we did during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In both instances, a multitude of contracts were issued, seemingly to line someone's pockets. Although the participants are different, the end result will probably be the same. No one seems to study and learn from history. Til nextime.....