Change Is Good
There are times when one is confronted with the great inevitability of life, namely that things change. This is particularly true when that change pertains to one’s very nature. After all, “no history is as relevant to a man as his own.”
I had just such an experience this past weekend. A friend of mine recently approached me with the opportunity to purchase two tickets to a Bon Jovi concert. Eighth row, club level seats, not too shabby. After all, it is hard to find a bad seat in The Excel Center. My wife and I having been teenagers during the 80’s, this concert seemed like a fun & nostalgic evening out. Sweetening the deal further was the fact that this same friend who had offered the tickets, had sold two adjoining seats to some good friends of ours whom we don’t see nearly enough. This seemed to be a fairly promising evening for fun, not to mention, revisiting our youthful days.
Upon presenting the idea to my lovely wife, I was reminded that we already had concert tickets for the weekend. I shot her a quizzical look, and then I remembered that we were taking the kids to see
Go Fish. Regular readers may remember my review of their Superstar album.
Well, this local trio has a new album out, and as is customary, there is a companion tour, thus presenting us with an opportunity to take our kids to go and see them perform live. Now I briefly flirted with the idea of doing both, but seeing as we are now at an age where staying out too late comes at a hefty price, we decided against Bon Jovi. This proved to be a prudent move, considering the Go Fish show was at the toddler friendly time of 10am and we wanted to be fully present.
I have to say I was quite impressed. Aside from running into some friends from college that I haven’t seen in over a decade, which is always nice, the show was great. First off, the guys sound great live, showcasing their immense talent. I hate it when bands are so produced they only sound good inside of a studio. These guys sound great anywhere. Furthermore, they really know how to connect with their audience. On one number, they came out into the crowd, and my kids were able to high five them. This was definitely a highlight for my crew.
There were many moments where my wife and I would look at each other and laugh (and it wasn’t about leftover bagels in our teeth). To see the kids, standing on their chairs, singing their little hearts out, clapping ferociously, and getting their groove on, well it just brought a smile to our faces.
To be frank, the Mrs. and I probably had as good a time or better than the kids. I for one was glad my ears weren’t ringing from the night before, or my head foggy from the lack of sleep. Watching my kids enjoy themselves, I was glad we could share the experience as a family and felt even more blessed to be a parent.
What a Beautiful Sunset?!?!?!
It is five years away. But, you will start to hear about it more often. I hear President Bush comment on it every once in a while. And, I hear the left beat him up for it from time to time. I am referring to Bush’s tax cuts being made permanent.
First, let me provide a little background. A substantial series of tax cuts were passed into law in 2001 as part of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (hereinafter referred to by its more commonly used acronym EGTRRA). As a part of this legislation, the tax brackets were lowered and an new 10% tax bracket was added. The lowering of the brackets was originally supposed to take place incrementally over a six year period. This was later sped up as a part of additional legislation. Probably the most memorable part of this legislation was the retroactive implementation of the 10% bracket, which resulted in taxpayers receiving a tax refund check. This legislation contained an odd provision in that it was only effective until December 31, 2010. After that date, everything is to revert back to the way it was before 2001.
I support the idea of removing the “sunset” provision and making the 2001 changes permanent. To not do so would be a major plow to both individuals and businesses. My rational is not completely altruistic. I’ll be honest. I don’t want to end up paying higher taxes.
The President is correct in calling this “sunset” provision a tax increase. Because if the provisions of EGTRRA are not made permanent, the 10% bracket will go away, all the lowered brackets will be raised, and the marriage penalty will be reinstated. So, in order to avoid a tax hike, the provisions will have to be made permanent.
Of course, all you hear from the left is how the President wants to make his tax cuts for the rich permanent. What you don’t hear is that in the same way this was an across the board tax cut, the “sunset” provisions are across the board too. So, that “sunset” provision will affect everyone regardless of their income level.
There is another aspect that is never brought up, which I suspect is either because the topic is too boring for most people or because it doesn’t support the misconception that President Bush only cares about tax cuts for the rich. If the provisions of EGTRRA are not made permanent individual retirement plans will take a beating. Not only did EGTRRA lower income tax brackets, it also raised contribution rates to retirement plans. It also created the “catch-up” contribution, which is meant to assist those older Americans who need to sock a little more away for their retirement. There are also numerous provisions that help make retirement plans run more effectively and help individuals save for their retirement. All of these provisions will go away if action is not taken.
Between the income tax increase that would result from not making the provisions of EGTRRA permanent and the effects on retirement plans, the results to our economy and our economic well-being would be devastating.
So, let us all join hands and sing with Elton John …. “Don’t let the sun go down on me yet ….”
Another Angle
I love having a blog, because I can post things
like this. Short & sweet....I hope you enjoyed it.
On
Hugh's show yesterday,
Lileks, equated the senators' opining (windbagging-if you ask me) to having Einstein in a confiramtion hearing, and having the laugable lefties grill him about e=mc2, and their, ahem, lack of comfortability with the subject, based upon their collective wisdom of a ninth grade science class. Pretty much sums it up.
This pretty much explicates the fear.
Question Of The Day
The bloviating of Senators Schumer, Kennedy, & Biden exposes their collective dim-wittedness and portends Samuel Alito's confirmation, for surely, people see through nonsense. In addition,
this opinion was offered today from someone usually sympathetic to the aformentioned leftist cabal. Well worth the read as the position is well articulated and offers an interesting perspective, to which the left may want to heed.
Lastly, a caller on
Bill Bennett's show this morning offered the following query:
"If the constitution is a living document, how can the matter of Roe vs. Wade be settled once and for all?"
