No Labels

Written : Dec. 28, 2010

Let me introduce the No Labels movement to you. They say, “We are Democrats, Republicans, and Independents who are united in the belief that we do not have to give up our labels, merely put them aside to do what’s best for America.” Sounds nice, doesn’t it? And, as I suggest in my book, From the Left to the Right, we need to lower the level of vitriol in our political dialogue, while adding a large dose of civility at the same time. They apparently agree, and I like their slogan, “Not left, not right, forward.” Cumbaya so far!

I find this movement intriguing, yet somewhat disturbing. Let me say first that none of the following items - by themselves - is any big deal. First of all, No Labels was kicked off on Dec. 13, 2010, at Columbia University in New York City, both bastions of liberalism. Secondly, any party, or ideology, which gets bashed in a national election, seems to start a ‘movement’ after their defeat. The Democrats just got throttled, so I have to ask myself if this is their movement. Thirdly, this centrist movement seems to be an extension of the Coffee Party, which was formed to counteract the Tea Party. Anything that distracts from the Tea Party in my opinion, is a detriment to our country, and no one even mentioned the Tea Party in the initial meeting of No Labels. In addition, the founders of No Labels are mostly left leaning, former Democratic Party operatives. Lastly, most of those who spoke at their first meeting were liberals and/or Democrats.

The group has some good ideas, but as with anything new, we need to be a little skeptical. Remember the brutal resistance the Tea Party encountered when it was first formed? Is No Labels a genuine and dedicated group of Americans who will really put partisan politics aside and work for the benefit of our country? Or, is this a slick group of liberals who are angry they were trounced in the last election and have a left-wing agenda to carry out? Time will tell…

For more information about Mark A. Cohen, see The Castle Rock, CO Gathering Place, Writer of the Month for Nov. 2010

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Responsibility vs. Morality

Written : Dec. 21, 2010

David Gregory of Meet the Press quoted President Obama from his book, Audacity of Hope, on the Dec. 19, 2010 show. Mr. Obama found the Bush tax rates for the wealthy “morally troubling.” Vice President Joe Biden said, “They are.” Mr. Biden insisted that he and President Obama still believe lower rates for the rich are immoral.

Bill O’Reilly took a more sensible view on his own show a day later. Bill feels it’s immoral for the responsible to pay for the irresponsible. O’Reilly believes the responsible can support others if they so choose, but it should not be an imperative set in place by the government. I agree, it should be up to us as to what we share, and not up to someone else’s arbitrary view of morality. Should others tell you what to do?

As one TV commentator puts it, “How much is too much?” Rich people pay about 70% of all U.S. taxes, depending upon how you define ‘rich.’ Their individual tax rates can be as high as 60%, if you include state, local, and sales taxes to federal. If taxes are to be raised on upper-income people, what is the appropriate rate? Do we try 80%? Why is that fair, and how do we know they are not already investing the extra 20% in stocks or in some form of business? Therefore, how can we assume they are not already creating or maintaining jobs for some of us? Wouldn’t it be suicide for us to pull the rug out from under them?

The Vice President said he and The President broke their campaign promise on letting the Bush cuts expire, and supported the recently passed the tax compromise bill only to help the middle class. This bill extends the Bush-era tax cuts for every American for another two years. Does he not realize that the struggle is and should be an individual one, and not based upon one’s economic class? Vice President Biden wants to revisit raising taxes on entrepreneurs prior to the next presidential election. Does he not understand that this is a recipe for disaster for his party? I guess not!

For more information about Mark A. Cohen, see The Castle Rock, CO Gathering Place, Writer of the Month for Nov. 2010

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Grover Norquist, Part II

Written : Dec. 7, 2010

…continued from last week…

The spectacular appearance of Grover Norquist on Washington Journal on Dec. 5, 2010 is worth discussing some more. He said that President Obama’s so-called stimulus package cost $800 billion, which led to higher unemployment, lower growth, and made the economy worse. How can you disagree?

Host Pedro Echevarria said the New York Times recently listed how much extending the Bush Tax Cuts could cost - and what it might yield for the U.S. if not extended. Each household over $250K would get an extra $25K annually if continued, while if the cuts expire, the Government would receive about $60 billion in revenue. The NYT suggested the $60 billion could buy - for example - a tripling of federal funding for research, or universal pre-school for 3- and 4-year-olds, or a much bigger troop surge in Afghanistan, etc. Mr. Echevarria asked Grover Norquist to respond.

The founder of Americans for Tax Reform surprised me with a little more excitement. “I don’t care what greedy politicians [want to do with] your income!” He then said that the NYT and the federal government play God and they think we’re wasting our money on our families. Norquist argued that we could spend it better. “The whole idea of the Tea Party was: You know what, Washington, you can’t spend my money better than I can and second of all, it’s not your money!”

Mr. Norquist continued, “The King wants the peasant’s money and he thinks the peasants are wasting it… It’s not the King’s money, it’s the American peoples’ money. We don’t have peasants in this country: We are citizens. …The nerve of the New York Times to announce: ‘Let me walk through your house and take things out...’ It’s not their job!”

Grover Norquist concluded, “Where was the NYT when we spent $800 billion on the so-called stimulus package…?” He then used an analogy. Take a cup to a lake and fill it with water. Next, walk around to the other side of the lake and dump the water in the cup back into the lake. And the so-called stimulus did it 800 billion times. Norquist suggested that Keynesian economics says if you take $1 from someone and give it to someone else it stimulates the economy. Doesn’t it seem like a silly idea?

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Grover Norquist, Part I

Written : Dec. 7, 2010

Did you catch Grover Norquist on Washington Journal on Dec. 5, 2010? Fortunately, I did. Mr. Norquist is the head of Americans for Tax Reform, and he was stellar on CSPAN!

According to Mr. Norquist, the Dems would like to make you believe they urgently want to extend the current tax rates for some but not for all. “Think about that,” he said. Democrats have had a majority in Congress for years (since 2006) and they’ve never even written a bill to extend the rates for anyone! “Not for poor people, not for middle-income people, for no one.” So, Mr. Norquist argued: President Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Sen. Harry Reid have gotten up every morning and never lifted a finger to extend these tax cuts. The concept that they have a burning desire to extend the lower rates for anyone is nonsense. They were hoping they could let the Bush cuts expire, but they were beaten in the last election.

He explains my position beautifully. Grover Norquist painted a verbal picture of the President standing in front of businesses with a sledgehammer. Since Norquist’s appearance on this program, the Congress and the President have compromised on an extension of the cuts for two years. But he was prepared for the circumstance. Mr. Norquist said that President Obama would say to businesses, “We’re not going to smash you in the face now, we’re going to smash you in the face in two years.”

Norquist maintains, “Do you think investors and businesses [are going to say] that’s great, we’re going to build a new factory because we’re protected for two years? And then you hit us in the side of the head? No. Temporary tax cuts don’t have the incentives…that people face.” He says that the President’s plan is to make the change temporary, and then cause them to expire after he gets re-elected.

Grover Norquist concluded that since the cuts are not permanent now, we have to replace President Obama “in two years with a president who respects that when people earn money, it belongs to them [and] not to some greedy politician....” Well put, man!

...to be continued next week…

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How Conservatives Can Win in 2012

Written : Nov. 29, 2010

We'll need to screen our candidates more carefully for the 2012 presidential election. What do I mean? The Republican Party will need to do its homework. Christine O'Donnell (R-DE) was a disappointment because once she unseated the incumbent Mike Castle (R-DE) she could not beat the Democrat in the general election. She was qualified enough from my perspective, but there was one skeleton too many in her closet. The media exploited it and she looked silly. Her “I’m not a witch” ad didn’t help, either. Our biased media has done the same thing with Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK). She'll make a wonderful distraction and should take all the flak in 2012, but I believe she can't win at this stage.

Rep. Sharron Angle (R-NV) was tough enough and said the right things to beat Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), but she could not overcome the machine. The twisted media blurred Ms. Angle’s message. Her strange facial expressions and imperfect speaking style were accentuated and therefore, she could not win. If you’re a Republican you must project a perfect image.

In contrast, when a Democrat is weird, the media makes him (or her) seem likeable. Take Alvin Greene (D-SC), for example. He was completely off his rocker and as unqualified as any candidate who ever ran for office, but the media portrayed him as just a tad nutty, and Keith Olbermann took him ever so seriously. We didn't know anything about President Obama (D-IL) as he entered the 2008 presidential race, but the lame-stream media ignored it for 'hope and change.' However, they sent teams of reporters to Alaska to dig up any dirt they could find on Sarah Palin. I ask you, how fair was that?

In 2012, I want candidates who can stand up to the media's standard for Republicans. If that makes me a sell-out, then fine, but whomever runs must win. They have to be well spoken, presentable - but not too beautiful or too handsome, they can't appear odd in any way, and they have to limit the gaffs. Let's play this one by their rules. Of course, our candidates must show leadership, stand for the right policies, and they must be capable of reversing the damage done to our country by the current administration. And, no more bowing to world leaders!

Who qualifies? These potential candidates: Senator-elect Rand Paul (R-KY), Gov.-elect Nikki Haley (R-SC), Rep.-elect Allen West (R-FL), Senator-elect Marco Rubio (R-FL), Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR), Rep.-elect Kristi Noem (R-SD), Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ), and Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) are among the least likely to be unfairly tarnished by today's partisan media. They have the fewest negatives and the most positives, unless someone else emerges. Did I leave anyone out?

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Scan Me, Bro

Written : Nov. 23, 2010

Imagine this scenario. A Mexican, after a long walk through treacherous terrain, tries to get into the U.S. He is stopped at the border and his body is scanned for contraband. Next he is patted-down rather briskly by a male U.S. border guard. They find nothing. He is given forms and is urged to apply for citizenship. Then he is fingerprinted and is free to follow his American dream.

Back in Phoenix, a suspect is caught after a fifty-mile car chase. He is tackled immediately after fleeing his vehicle. The man is frisked and two weapons are removed from his pockets. He’s arrested and is headed to jail.

At the airport, you are going through security. The airline knows you are a U.S. citizen, and have been employed by your company for several years. You are not connected to any terrorist groups. Your carry-on gets scanned, but you are exempt. So, which of these situations require pat downs? Yes, you’re right, the first two. You do not need to be scanned or patted down because the Transportation Security Administration (the TSA) did a little homework. Imagine that.

What if it didn’t work that way? Which method would I prefer? If I didn’t travel often, I’d prefer the body scan. Who cares if someone sees this ugly body? If I traveled often I’d worry about radiation, but I don’t. All the worry and the protests occurring today associated with invasive touching in the name of security could be avoided if the TSA would peer into who is flying. But they won’t.

The Israelis know who their passengers are and scrutinize their terminals intently. El Al Airlines is known as the world’s most secure airline. Their passengers are all interviewed and are asked to report to the airport three hours early. The TSA would rather suspect you of terrorism than following the fine example set by the Israelis. I wonder why, don’t you?

For more information about Mark A. Cohen, see The Castle Rock, CO Gathering Place, Writer of the Month for Nov. 2010

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When We Say / Who Are We?

Written : Nov. 15, 2010

When we say Walmart and Sears are evil for deciding to remain open on a holiday like Thanksgiving, who are we to decide that ALL their employees want to be home when everyone else celebrates? We can agree that businesses shouldn’t force their people to work a holiday, but those who want to work should go to the head of the class and get the chance. And, if we boycott these companies, aren’t we also hurting their employees in the long run?

When we say the idle rich should pay their fair share, who are we to say which people are ‘idle?’ For example, how do we know whether Kim Kardashian or Paris Hilton are not earning their keep? Who are we to say what they can and cannot afford? Who are we to say they don't have solid investments in our economy? Do you think we should penalize the successful among us? If that be the case, why try to succeed? God bless the successful, for they are the ones who create jobs!

When we say corporations never pay any taxes, aren’t we being stubborn? I’ll argue they do pay some taxes. But we’ll agree on this - they'll pass along any future increases to you and me. If we decrease their taxes in an economy in which businesses have confidence, what happens? Ok, in addition to doling out those horrid bonuses we all despise, they absolutely will invest more in jobs and new equipment (expansion, growth, more jobs, fewer handouts, more taxes being paid at the lower rates). That’s good for everyone, right?

When we say higher taxes mean higher federal revenues, aren’t we ignorant by not analyzing the idea? Aren’t we repeating a mantra? Presidents Ronald Reagan (and JFK, a liberal Democrat) understood this theory: If you cut tax rates (taxes were topping out at 91% when JFK cut rates to 37%), revenue to the feds goes UP. This is not intuitive, nor is it a wacky idea: it is indeed a solid fact. My intelligent reader, please take a minute to think about why!

For more information about Mark A. Cohen, see The Castle Rock, CO Gathering Place, Writer of the Month for Nov. 2010

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