Friday, June 7, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
& Taxes
I'm altogether too terrified to talk about death, but I like discussing taxes. It's topic that deserves all the attention it gets.
If money makes the world go round, then taxes are the physics in the equation They are the gravity, the motion, the velocity. Taxes always get things done. But the things they do isn't always good. Sometimes, they stymie good intentions. Sometimes they drive good people and companies to do bad things. Or simply drive 'em away.
But taxes feel good too. Smooth roads make my ancient car feel young again. New playgrounds, good schools, impressive libraries, quality first responses make neighborhoods fun, safe and interesting. Fun, safe and interesting neighborhoods attract fun, safe and interesting people. Fun, safe and interesting people buy stuff and pay more taxes. The neighborhood street gets swanky new light-poles and the neighborhood school can afford a nurse and counselor.
Of course, when taxes increase, you don't always get what you pay for. Especially at the ferderal level, it can be difficult to see your tax dollars at work. You hear about tremendous waste and inefficiency. Many times the reports are true.
However, while you decipher evidence of bureaucratic waste, do consider that your city was not invaded, your breakfast didn't kill you, your house is structurally sound, a satellite just passed overhead and will recommend you bring an umbrella today, a rover on Mars is snapping photos for you so you don't have to, back on Earth, not every animal is extinct and somewhere in a small lab a government employee is making the next internet/fuel source/medical discovery. Quietly, your taxes are at work.
Conversely, while you may not always get exactly what you pay for when you increase taxes, when you decrease 'em, you always do. Sometimes, this is marvelous. It's money in the bank. But, other times, the mentally ill don't get the care they need. Without that care, someone might hassle you in the street today. Might even shoot you dead. It can be that dramatic. Or it just might be that what used to be a publicly provided service becomes private and profitable.
So, it's all good and bad. Which means the very framework of our current conversation about taxes is all wrong. The arguments are dogmatic. The pledges are insipid. The fear is palpable.
But it doesn't have to be this way. Higher taxes could be the super hero. Lower taxes could be our savior. And this could happen at the same time.
I think it might be easy. Say, you're a business. You're paying taxes, naturally. All the cool ones do. Let's say you decide to start an investigation into sustainable practices. Research into that gets you a tax break. Sharing your research (especially among similar industries) gets you another. Implementation of your sustainability investment provides a massive tax break. Hey, you're helping everybody now. It's appreciated. That extra cash allows you to cut waste to zero. Closing the loop entirely? Okay, no taxes for you. No, really. Thanks.
Meanwhile, the EPA, OSHA, and a host of other agencies are seeing their experts pulled into the private field. It's okay, we need less government now that good corporate governance is incentivized like an X-Prize. Good things are getting done.
Overly optimistic? Probably. But corporations behave like young children. If they start making their beds, they might deserve an increase in their allowance.
If money makes the world go round, then taxes are the physics in the equation They are the gravity, the motion, the velocity. Taxes always get things done. But the things they do isn't always good. Sometimes, they stymie good intentions. Sometimes they drive good people and companies to do bad things. Or simply drive 'em away.
But taxes feel good too. Smooth roads make my ancient car feel young again. New playgrounds, good schools, impressive libraries, quality first responses make neighborhoods fun, safe and interesting. Fun, safe and interesting neighborhoods attract fun, safe and interesting people. Fun, safe and interesting people buy stuff and pay more taxes. The neighborhood street gets swanky new light-poles and the neighborhood school can afford a nurse and counselor.
Of course, when taxes increase, you don't always get what you pay for. Especially at the ferderal level, it can be difficult to see your tax dollars at work. You hear about tremendous waste and inefficiency. Many times the reports are true.
However, while you decipher evidence of bureaucratic waste, do consider that your city was not invaded, your breakfast didn't kill you, your house is structurally sound, a satellite just passed overhead and will recommend you bring an umbrella today, a rover on Mars is snapping photos for you so you don't have to, back on Earth, not every animal is extinct and somewhere in a small lab a government employee is making the next internet/fuel source/medical discovery. Quietly, your taxes are at work.
Conversely, while you may not always get exactly what you pay for when you increase taxes, when you decrease 'em, you always do. Sometimes, this is marvelous. It's money in the bank. But, other times, the mentally ill don't get the care they need. Without that care, someone might hassle you in the street today. Might even shoot you dead. It can be that dramatic. Or it just might be that what used to be a publicly provided service becomes private and profitable.
So, it's all good and bad. Which means the very framework of our current conversation about taxes is all wrong. The arguments are dogmatic. The pledges are insipid. The fear is palpable.
But it doesn't have to be this way. Higher taxes could be the super hero. Lower taxes could be our savior. And this could happen at the same time.
I think it might be easy. Say, you're a business. You're paying taxes, naturally. All the cool ones do. Let's say you decide to start an investigation into sustainable practices. Research into that gets you a tax break. Sharing your research (especially among similar industries) gets you another. Implementation of your sustainability investment provides a massive tax break. Hey, you're helping everybody now. It's appreciated. That extra cash allows you to cut waste to zero. Closing the loop entirely? Okay, no taxes for you. No, really. Thanks.
Meanwhile, the EPA, OSHA, and a host of other agencies are seeing their experts pulled into the private field. It's okay, we need less government now that good corporate governance is incentivized like an X-Prize. Good things are getting done.
Overly optimistic? Probably. But corporations behave like young children. If they start making their beds, they might deserve an increase in their allowance.
'12 Songs I Heard
I started sending annual collections of favorites about a decade ago. I try to adhere to a rule that the song was released or reissued in some form in the past 12 months. Naturally, I've broken that rule a few times (always with the best intentions).
Since about '07, I've used the year to dictate the amount of songs. I figure I can continue that trend for a spell. The limit keeps the quantity manageable. Otherwise, the collection could go for days and days (For instance... this year, Thurston Moore's new band Chelsea Light Moving would've been featured as song number 13, Mind Spiders 14, Cat Power probably 15... and so on).
I hope you find these picks to your liking. If I've omitted your favorite, please tell.
DK – Moon Over Marin Yeah, breaking the rules with this one. Obviously not released or
reissued or remixed in 2012, this song contributed heavily to my prejudices
about all territory north of the Golden Gate Bridge (which I now call home).
But the Dead Kennedys were only about 50% correct about everything. And their
name-calling demise was uglier than anything I’ve seen up here in Millbury.
Still, I love this song and I’ve been humming it since the day I arrived.
Since about '07, I've used the year to dictate the amount of songs. I figure I can continue that trend for a spell. The limit keeps the quantity manageable. Otherwise, the collection could go for days and days (For instance... this year, Thurston Moore's new band Chelsea Light Moving would've been featured as song number 13, Mind Spiders 14, Cat Power probably 15... and so on).
I hope you find these picks to your liking. If I've omitted your favorite, please tell.
King Tuff - Anthem. Bottom of the Hill was
absolutely bonkers. Swirly, sweaty, bumpy. One kid stage dove right to
the ER. He probably claimed later that it was worth it. I could’ve taken any
song off this record. Picked this one ‘cause it’s a solid start. Buy the rest,
you’ll be happy.
Waters – Way Back to You. Yeah, millennial. I’m sure he’s annoying. Just
look at that haircut. And yet… on this song he does a real good job replicating
that 90s Superchunk sound, which my wife will tell you I’m a completely powerless
against.
Nick Cave, Warren Ellis
(Featuring Emmylou Harris) – Cosmonaut. Nick
Cave & Warren Ellis make a record with Emmylou Harris, Ralph Stanely,
Willie Nelson, and Mark Lenegan and virtually no one seems to care. Weird, yes?
Regina Spektor – Small Town Moon. Up on a
ridiculously gigantic, outdoor stage, there’s absolutely no reason that her
piano and voice should’ve sounded so right. But they did.
Grinderman – Palaces of Monezuma Nick Cave released this ode to his wife in 2011.
In early in 2012, Grinderman released three remixes. This one’s faster than the
original and easily the best song of the year… even if it ain’t exactly of this
year.
Royal Headache - Never Again These Aussies have been accused of ripping off
pretty much every British brand from 1968-1978. ‘Course, everybody plunders. At
least they chose wisely. Sounds to me like a mod Rod Stewart fronting the Jam.
The Mrs. says this song features “Todd tempo.” Fair enough.
Lord Shorty & Vibrations International –
Vibrations Groove Less of a song
than a lesson from the godfather of soca music. Strut and Numero Group keep
mining the world for gems. Spend an hour on their websites and dig, dig, dig.
The Boss – Death to my Hometown Wrecking
Ball is the Great Recession dust bowl record. Springsteen spells it out simple:
We were fleeced with that pen Guthrie warned us about. This entire record is
the best and most honest tribute Woody got for his 100th.
First Aid Kit – King of the World The Swedes keep taking our Americana and giving
it back with a tasty meatball sittin’ on top. These sisters write and harmonize
beautifully. Conner Oberst backs ‘em up nicely. The fiddle is weepy. The horns are lovely. And I don’t mind the handclaps, do you?
Dan Deacon – USA VI The Manifest I’m not
sure this song can handle the implied scope. America’s a big topic best left to
country music and Copeland. And yet, Deacon’s dizzying brand of industrial is
pretty compelling. I get the impression he listened to the Wax Trax greats back
in the day. I read he has a classical/formal musical education and I think I can
actually kinda sorta hear it. Although, honestly, I’m not even sure what that
means.
The Coup – Your Parent’s Cocaine (Featuring
Anti-Flag) Aside from MCA’s
departure, 2012 was a good year for hip hop. Killer Mike’s record is amazing
(especially “Reagan” and “R.A.P. Music”), Death Grips kept on pushing buttons,
and Big Boi’s new record is solid. But I think I liked The Coup best. Despite a
populist earnestness that made them the soundtrack to Oakland Occupy, they
still managed to make the most fun and danceable record of the year (Joe
Strummer + Sly Stone).
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
4.54 Billion Reasons
As a moderate extremist, I’m not inclined to automatically dismiss
anyone or anything outright. Drones just might be the most effective
weapon in asymmetric warfare. Some degree of entitlement privatization
probably warrants further study. If a corporation can demonstrate a
resolve to behave sustainably, perhaps it should pay nothing in taxes.
I’ll listen to the arguments. I might even be inclined to agree. Despite
the chill, I’m willing to swim (or, at least, wade) in a handful of
conservative/libertarian think-tanks.
But when I hear conservative-sweet-twenty-sixteen Mark Rubio declare, “Whether the Earth was created in 7 days, or 7 actual eras, I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to answer that. It’s one of the great mysteries,” well… my tolerance shrinks and shrivels down to an unforgiving dogma, “I cannot image ever voting for a Republican.”
The phrase deserves an asterisk. The *’s caveat might read: “Until the party and its people accept radioactive dating into their lives.” I’m not asking for a complete devotion to science, just some semblance of empirical thinking… a post-Renaissance, Enlightenment, and Industrial Age approach to our world.
Why endure leadership that doesn’t fathom the intricacies that stem from biologic life? We don’t have time to teach presidents the dependencies entwined in biodiversity. Surely, presidents are swamped by US economic and diplomatic tutelage. How might a Republican, who’s curiosity and knowledge of life science remains stunted somewhere between first and second grade, ever catch up? I fear they wouldn’t, won’t, couldn’t, can’t. And, thus, I’m forced to meet their dogma with some of my own.
But when I hear conservative-sweet-twenty-sixteen Mark Rubio declare, “Whether the Earth was created in 7 days, or 7 actual eras, I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to answer that. It’s one of the great mysteries,” well… my tolerance shrinks and shrivels down to an unforgiving dogma, “I cannot image ever voting for a Republican.”
The phrase deserves an asterisk. The *’s caveat might read: “Until the party and its people accept radioactive dating into their lives.” I’m not asking for a complete devotion to science, just some semblance of empirical thinking… a post-Renaissance, Enlightenment, and Industrial Age approach to our world.
Why endure leadership that doesn’t fathom the intricacies that stem from biologic life? We don’t have time to teach presidents the dependencies entwined in biodiversity. Surely, presidents are swamped by US economic and diplomatic tutelage. How might a Republican, who’s curiosity and knowledge of life science remains stunted somewhere between first and second grade, ever catch up? I fear they wouldn’t, won’t, couldn’t, can’t. And, thus, I’m forced to meet their dogma with some of my own.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Wins
Hi. I've been absolutely fascinated by politics since about 1978... I think
that's when my grandmother started sending me Herblock editorial
cartoons she clipped from the Washington Post. I drew my first Reagan cartoon in 1980 (age 9, copied from Mad Magazine).
In high school, I teamed up with a conservative friend (a math & programming wizard with feet as hairy as a Hobbit) and ran his mock election candidacy
as Dukakis. Deep in OC, "Dukakis" won. I was proud. I read Marx and
Chomsky (it wasn't until college that I realized he's the left's Dan
Quayle... dumb, cynical and wholly full of shit). I listened to the Dead
Kennedys. And kept waiting for meaningful liberal victories.
They didn't happen. Yeah, I still blame Nader for actively combating what would've been our greenest presidency. If Noam is Quayle, then Ralph is surely the left's Bush (arrogant and wholly full of shit). The left just kept getting more angry, stupid, and stubborn (a lot like the tea party). Honestly, aside from Ted Kennedy and Wellstone (also opposed by the Green Party), liberalism was pretty devoid of nationally prominent thinkers that actually accomplished things.
But along came Obama and his team of pragmatists (if you haven't read it, I recommend the Metaphysical Club, about the creation of pragmatic philosophy... which trails only baseball and national parks as this country's greatest gift to humanity). I predicted his presidency early. But I most certainly didn't anticipate the speed at which progress would take hold. If you'd told me sometime in 2000 (or anytime during the Rove years of supremacy) that within the next decade we'd have a president endorse gay marriage or demand that cars get 56+ MPG... I think I would've probably dismissed it as too optimistic. Remember when 8 MPG SUVs were outselling cars by ridiculous numbers? That was one term ago.
Look at Obama's coalition. It's a Guthrie folk song. It's a liberal Noah's ark: young, multiracial, loaded with estrogen. Compare it to the Opposition. It's amazing. Liberals have never been good at keeping people together. We have an anarchistic streak. When Goldwater got beaten, conservatives organized. They coalesced, realizing that everlasting political victories take time and strategy. If the left could've figured that out earlier, maybe they get behind Gore. He wins... and Alito and Roberts are just lawyers for an oil company somewhere in Dubai.
Obviously, that didn't work out. But then Obama did. And, with apologies to some leftists, there is a difference between Roberts and Sotomayor. Kagan, too. These are meaningful adjustments and I'm thrilled that they will be ongoing. Ginsburg can retire... if she feels like it. A scientist remains the head of the Dept. of Energy. Etc.
We're winning and winning big. I didn't think DADT would be eliminated this decade (it's not that old), much less have the Democratic party and its president endorse marriage equality. A decade ago, Tommy Thomson was governor of Wis. Then, Bush's Secretary of Health. This week, he lost to Tammy Baldwin for the state's senate seat. Massachusetts elected a consumer crusader to rightfully sit at Ted's seat. We raised taxes for schools in California. We have a super-majority in the statehouse. I'm represented in Washington by a former Sierra Club lawyer. Gay marriage started winning in state contests. Pot was legalized in Co. The list goes on and on. Sure, there's plenty to do.
But it's worth noting that this week was the greatest liberal triumph of my lifetime. Yours too, probably. This isn't hyperbole. Yes, trends probably suggest that a lot of these things were eventually inevitable (demographics, price of gas), but most of the big and small victories that occurred yesterday owe a huge debt to the strategy, optimism, inspiration, and pragmatic patience of a black man at the top of a now competent Democratic party. He's been hammered from the left and the right, but Obama has remained unfazed. He knows the score and the clock. He's building something slowly in an impatient world, but I think it's built to last. In human history, has there ever been a more diverse coalition rallying around one person? I don't think so (Caesar's popularity was coerced). That alone is something truly worth celebrating.
They didn't happen. Yeah, I still blame Nader for actively combating what would've been our greenest presidency. If Noam is Quayle, then Ralph is surely the left's Bush (arrogant and wholly full of shit). The left just kept getting more angry, stupid, and stubborn (a lot like the tea party). Honestly, aside from Ted Kennedy and Wellstone (also opposed by the Green Party), liberalism was pretty devoid of nationally prominent thinkers that actually accomplished things.
But along came Obama and his team of pragmatists (if you haven't read it, I recommend the Metaphysical Club, about the creation of pragmatic philosophy... which trails only baseball and national parks as this country's greatest gift to humanity). I predicted his presidency early. But I most certainly didn't anticipate the speed at which progress would take hold. If you'd told me sometime in 2000 (or anytime during the Rove years of supremacy) that within the next decade we'd have a president endorse gay marriage or demand that cars get 56+ MPG... I think I would've probably dismissed it as too optimistic. Remember when 8 MPG SUVs were outselling cars by ridiculous numbers? That was one term ago.
Look at Obama's coalition. It's a Guthrie folk song. It's a liberal Noah's ark: young, multiracial, loaded with estrogen. Compare it to the Opposition. It's amazing. Liberals have never been good at keeping people together. We have an anarchistic streak. When Goldwater got beaten, conservatives organized. They coalesced, realizing that everlasting political victories take time and strategy. If the left could've figured that out earlier, maybe they get behind Gore. He wins... and Alito and Roberts are just lawyers for an oil company somewhere in Dubai.
Obviously, that didn't work out. But then Obama did. And, with apologies to some leftists, there is a difference between Roberts and Sotomayor. Kagan, too. These are meaningful adjustments and I'm thrilled that they will be ongoing. Ginsburg can retire... if she feels like it. A scientist remains the head of the Dept. of Energy. Etc.
We're winning and winning big. I didn't think DADT would be eliminated this decade (it's not that old), much less have the Democratic party and its president endorse marriage equality. A decade ago, Tommy Thomson was governor of Wis. Then, Bush's Secretary of Health. This week, he lost to Tammy Baldwin for the state's senate seat. Massachusetts elected a consumer crusader to rightfully sit at Ted's seat. We raised taxes for schools in California. We have a super-majority in the statehouse. I'm represented in Washington by a former Sierra Club lawyer. Gay marriage started winning in state contests. Pot was legalized in Co. The list goes on and on. Sure, there's plenty to do.
But it's worth noting that this week was the greatest liberal triumph of my lifetime. Yours too, probably. This isn't hyperbole. Yes, trends probably suggest that a lot of these things were eventually inevitable (demographics, price of gas), but most of the big and small victories that occurred yesterday owe a huge debt to the strategy, optimism, inspiration, and pragmatic patience of a black man at the top of a now competent Democratic party. He's been hammered from the left and the right, but Obama has remained unfazed. He knows the score and the clock. He's building something slowly in an impatient world, but I think it's built to last. In human history, has there ever been a more diverse coalition rallying around one person? I don't think so (Caesar's popularity was coerced). That alone is something truly worth celebrating.
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