RightWave

Yeah, I know.  Long time no write.  But, I just had to share this video with you from Ed Frank at Americans for Prosperity.  The AFP team staked out the esteemed former Vice President’s “major address” on climate change, and below are the results:

While you’re at it, check out this update with pictures of the Gore motorcade.

Let’s be clear, by the way, it doesn’t bother me that the Gore folks ride in style.  He’s made a lot of money and he’s earned the right to live in luxury.  But, let’s not lecture others about the need to change their lifestyles in between trips to the Exxon station to fill up the SUVs.

This shocking headline and opening courtesy of the venerable Associated Press:

McCain, Obama offer different visions on taxes
Make more than $250,000 a year? Watch out. Barack Obama wants to raise your income taxes. Social Security taxes, too.

Run a corporation? Lucky you. John McCain wants to cut your business taxes.

Those positions illustrate pieces of two vastly different approaches to the economy, an issue at the forefront of voters’ minds given that the country is teetering on the brink of - if not already in - a recession as gas prices soar and layoffs rise amid a credit crisis and a housing slump.

Obama, the Democrat, seemingly has a traditional liberal outlook of taxing the rich more while having the government help people of more modest means through tax breaks. McCain, the Republican, advocates a classic conservative vision of cutting taxes - many geared toward businesses - to promote competition within a free-market system.

I mean, wow.  Really.  Republicans and Democrats disagree on taxes?   I’m shocked.  Although, I guess, to be fair, this was in question in this election cycle. 

However, this is illustrative of one important point.  Senator McCain should keep this as the story.  He should stop talking about global warming or whatever other “straight talk” he’d like to provide us for the day.  He should keep talking about tax cuts and spending restraint.  He should talk about the expansive growth of government and how to stop it.  At least, I suppose, if he’d like conservatives to get at all excited about him this year.  Guess we’ll see…

When John McCain came on the screen on Saturday Night Live this weekend, I got nervous (be honest, didn’t you?). 

But, I was pleasantly surprised that he was (finally) off his global warming soapbox, at least for a little bit.  SNL would have been a natural place for him to peddle his bill of goods and play to the liberal-skewed staff and audience.  But, alas, Senator McCain talked about…EARMARKS!  Hurrah!  Hurrah!

Now, I realize this doesn’t mean that he won’t push forward on his cap and trade scheme (did someone say “$1.3 billion tax increase?”  Oh.)  But, at least he’s back to his core competency - stopping the runaway growth of government.  I’m happy to have him talk about that all the time and stop talking about all his other nonsense.

 Anyway, in case you missed it, here’s clip:

UPDATE - Kathryn Jean Lopez over at the Corner has a different clip posted from the SNL appearance.  And, her post reminds me of something my mother said to me the other day.  “Would Ronald Reagan have done something like this?” …meaning is this really becoming of a Presidential candidate?  Probably not, but who knows?  President Reagan was an actor after all, and pretty darn funny.  But, he had class.  Does anyone anymore? 

Quote of the day, from a so-called “Blue Dog Democrat” regarding the Dems proposal to add an income tax “surcharge” to couples who earn a million dollars or more a year (or individuals who earn $500,000 or more):

“What we’re talking about is a one-half percent income tax surcharge on incomes above $1 million,” said Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., a leader of the Blue Dog group. “So someone who earns $2 million a year would pay $5,000. … They’re not going to miss it.”

They’re not going to miss it?  Are you kidding me? 

Hmm.  Apparently, it’s a bad time to be a high-achiever in America - and it’s just going to get worse. 

Why, indeed, would we want to incentivise people to work harder and earn more?  And, shall we discuss why this is called an “income tax surcharge?”  Surcharge?  Like when you buy a ticket from Ticketmaster?  So I guess we should think about this like a Ticketmaster charge for your ticket to the millionaires club.  Because, of course, if you’re a millionaire, you’re not already paying enough. 

If, perchance, you happen to be a millionaire who doesn’t feel like you’re paying your fair share, I’d direct you to support Congressman John Campbell’s “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” legislation.

This kind of thing is just silly more than anything else, to be sure - a ridiculous attempt to “enforce” their “pay-go” rules.  Aw, shucks, we have to raise taxes…

Unfortunately, at the end of the day, it’s just not funny.

Bush prepares global warming initiative

The administration also is trying to head off what it sees as a regulatory disaster. Environmentalists say greenhouse gases can be regulated under existing rules under the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act or the National Environmental Policy Act, and have filed lawsuits to try to force action. The Bush administration and others want to avoid a web of rules and regulations for businesses.

“The embedded regulatory trajectory that we’re on is a train wreck,” Mrs. Perino said. “For those who want reasonable and responsible action, it is worthwhile to have a constructive conversation as we work to keep the developing nations in this process in a way that will work to solve the problem without harming the economy.”

Oh, good.  So let’s create a new regulatory and economic disaster.  Good plan.  We’ve got President Bush reversing course and (presumably) calling for new regulations and proposing schemes to “solve” global warming - not to mention Senators McCain, Obama and Clinton (and numerous others)!  What happened to supporters of FREE ENTERPRISE!?!

At least there are some reasonable voices in this debate:

One person familiar with the meeting said several members, including Republican Reps. John Shimkus of Illinois and F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. of Wisconsin, told the White House it was making a mistake if it called for congressional action.

Supposedly, we’ll find out more about the President’s plan tomorrow, so stay tuned. 

In the meantime, sign up today to take a stand against the “ballooning” costs of global warming alarmism.  We need to get the biggest crowd possible to come out for this Americans for Prosperity event on Monday, April 21 to kick off the AFP Hot Air Tour across the country.  Plus, it’s a free lunch and a good time with hundreds of other AFP activists.  See my previous post on this or visit the AFP website for more information.  Sign Up Today!!

 Higher state tax on beer?

SACRAMENTO - Joe Six-pack will have to pay a lot more to get his buzz on if Assemblyman Jim Beall has his way.

The San Jose Democrat on Thursday proposed raising the beer tax by $1.80 per six-pack, or 30 cents per can or bottle. The current tax is 2 cents per can. That’s an increase of about 1,500 percent.

Beall said the tax would generate $2 billion a year to fund health care services, crime prevention and programs to prevent underage drinking and addiction.

“The people who use alcohol should pay for part of the cost to society, just like we’ve accepted that concept with tobacco,” Beall said.

Well, first of all, I’d quarrel with that characterization of tobacco.  This is yet another stupid tax that is not only bad on principle, but it’s bad in practice.  If you base a revenue source on a tax that is aimed, at least in part, at reducing the sales/use of a product, it’s counterproductive.  This is (one of the) reasons so-called “sin taxes” are such a bad idea.

I hope you’ll join me in drinking a “protest beer” this weekend!

And, for goodness sake, if you live in California…

…you gotta fight for your right to party!