For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.-Thessalonians 3:10
Ninety nine weeks of government sponsored unemployment benefits, soon to be extended by Congress. Who's agenda does that serve? It sure doesn't sound like the Bible sponsors this kind of behavior. If your out of work for nigh on two years, you need to find another profession, yours is full. And to be brunt, your not bringing the skills to the table the market is seeking. It's time to accept personal responsibility and provide for yourself.
I've worked for over three decades and not collected a dime of my contribution to unemployment insurance. I don't think I could sleep at night knowing I was that irresponsible. How does one lie around and convince themselves they have nothing to contribute? How can you set that kind of example? It's neither American, nor is it Christian.
The next generation is watching!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
It's Taxing!
The tax rate seems to be the topic that's on everyone's mind, and honestly most of it makes my head hurt, but there is a simple explanation that seems to elude those in Washington. So I'll explain it so a simple citizen like myself can understand what they try to make complicated with their rhetoric.
Tax rate increases have NEVER raised tax revenue, here's why. People with money have a choice, they can pay taxes on income or hide it in tax free investments like municipal bonds. Say you have $100,000.00 of income hanging around. Now the government will subject that income to a 39% federal tax leaving you with $61,000.00, or the smart option, investing in municipal bonds. While the return is minimal, you still retain your initial $100,000.00 plus the interest, a $39,000.00 savings. Even if it only pays a few percentage points of interest, you didn't get taxed the $39,000.00.
Now Washington should and does know this. When people face tax increases they shift their money from productive investments, to less productive areas, (like municipal bonds), to keep the money they've earned. This hurts the economy as it causes the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) to decrease. Here's why that's bad.
W. Kurt Hauser of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University has charted the relationship between tax revenue collected and GDP. Apparently the higher the GDP the more money the government collects! Contrary to Washington's idea that raising tax rates increases money in hand. Between 1950 and 2009 tax revenues have been between 17.9% and 20.6 percent of GDP. Despite tax rates being between 89% and 35% of taxable income. So in speak we can all understand, the rate of taxation doesn't matter, the amount of money the federal government collects is driven by the prosperity of the country,(GDP). This chart is amazing, the tax rates go from almost 90% to 35%, and the tax income remains a steady flat line.
So with that simple explanation even an elected official should be able to see, the secret to federal tax revenue is to increase the GDP. And the best way to accomplish that is to give business incentive to create wealth....,.DON'T RAISE THEIR TAXES! Unless, of course, your trying to purposely bankrupt the republic, and punish the successful.......
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tax rate increases have NEVER raised tax revenue, here's why. People with money have a choice, they can pay taxes on income or hide it in tax free investments like municipal bonds. Say you have $100,000.00 of income hanging around. Now the government will subject that income to a 39% federal tax leaving you with $61,000.00, or the smart option, investing in municipal bonds. While the return is minimal, you still retain your initial $100,000.00 plus the interest, a $39,000.00 savings. Even if it only pays a few percentage points of interest, you didn't get taxed the $39,000.00.
Now Washington should and does know this. When people face tax increases they shift their money from productive investments, to less productive areas, (like municipal bonds), to keep the money they've earned. This hurts the economy as it causes the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) to decrease. Here's why that's bad.
W. Kurt Hauser of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University has charted the relationship between tax revenue collected and GDP. Apparently the higher the GDP the more money the government collects! Contrary to Washington's idea that raising tax rates increases money in hand. Between 1950 and 2009 tax revenues have been between 17.9% and 20.6 percent of GDP. Despite tax rates being between 89% and 35% of taxable income. So in speak we can all understand, the rate of taxation doesn't matter, the amount of money the federal government collects is driven by the prosperity of the country,(GDP). This chart is amazing, the tax rates go from almost 90% to 35%, and the tax income remains a steady flat line.
So with that simple explanation even an elected official should be able to see, the secret to federal tax revenue is to increase the GDP. And the best way to accomplish that is to give business incentive to create wealth....,.DON'T RAISE THEIR TAXES! Unless, of course, your trying to purposely bankrupt the republic, and punish the successful.......
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, December 5, 2010
An Open Letter To Warren Buffett!
I'm a strong believer in the seven degrees of separation, where the theory that everyone has contacts that within seven of those contacts there is a connection to anyone. So with that in mind I'm composing an open letter to Mr. Warren Buffett in the hopes that our readership will see to it that it crosses his desk for consideration.
Mr. Buffett;
It has come to my attention your a vocal proponent of the tax increases for the wealthy. Here's my problem, Washington has an addiction to spending. If one of my family members acquired the habit of writing checks on an account they had no money in, the solution for me would be to take away the pen and the checks, not deposit more money in the account. I also refer you to the Declaration of Independence, where our founding fathers stated, "All men are created equal," and the proclamation engraved upon the Supreme Court building that states, "Equal justice under the law." That cannot apply and is in direct conflict with the intentions of the principles our great nation was based upon, if we tax people at different rates. It discriminates upon the basis of your degree of success and creates a division of class, not unlike the caste system of India. That is not how America was founded.
My solution to the tax increases is for you to keep your tax increase money. Your already a massively successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the definition of capitalism. I propose you take the additional income you'd have paid in the tax increase and form a charity. Hire an out of work CEO and a minimal staff to oversee the distribution of the funds to provide health care insurance for those who have preexisting conditions and cannot afford to pay the extravagant fees. The new charity, after vetting the applicants to ensure there is no fraud, could make up the difference the troubled insured might pay for standard health care and the additional required to keep them in coverage. Thereby solving the need for employment, providing coverage for those less fortunate, reducing the need for government resources, (lowering the need for tax increases), and keeping charity in the hands of the people. You could also hire staff to solicit donations from others in the top 1% bracket to form more job creating charities, relieving more of the government's burden, in lieu of donating much needed capital to a financially irresponsible federal bureaucracy.
This will allow the government to focus on their job description, and keeping them from straying into social issues that charities can handle more efficiently. There is no end to the good the top 5% income bracket can do if they'd devote the additional tax revenues toward staffing and funding charitable ventures. After all, don't they exude success in other ventures already? I realize you already do so much for charity, by why limit yourself, and why feed Washington's addiction? You can put a dent in unemployment, provide a fraud free environment for change, and most importantly add the title of "my hero" to your already impressive resume'.
It's hard to put a finger on your already massive tax burden, the figures are all over the board. I did see one report that placed your personal tax liability in 2006 @ $48.1 million or 19% of your personal income, and Berkshire Hathaway donated $1.9 billion, 26% of their gross to the IRS. The difference in that and the proposed 39% rate would allow for a serious dent to be placed in a social need. This is the kind of "outside the box" thinking that made you successful and America great.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Mr. Buffett;
It has come to my attention your a vocal proponent of the tax increases for the wealthy. Here's my problem, Washington has an addiction to spending. If one of my family members acquired the habit of writing checks on an account they had no money in, the solution for me would be to take away the pen and the checks, not deposit more money in the account. I also refer you to the Declaration of Independence, where our founding fathers stated, "All men are created equal," and the proclamation engraved upon the Supreme Court building that states, "Equal justice under the law." That cannot apply and is in direct conflict with the intentions of the principles our great nation was based upon, if we tax people at different rates. It discriminates upon the basis of your degree of success and creates a division of class, not unlike the caste system of India. That is not how America was founded.
My solution to the tax increases is for you to keep your tax increase money. Your already a massively successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the definition of capitalism. I propose you take the additional income you'd have paid in the tax increase and form a charity. Hire an out of work CEO and a minimal staff to oversee the distribution of the funds to provide health care insurance for those who have preexisting conditions and cannot afford to pay the extravagant fees. The new charity, after vetting the applicants to ensure there is no fraud, could make up the difference the troubled insured might pay for standard health care and the additional required to keep them in coverage. Thereby solving the need for employment, providing coverage for those less fortunate, reducing the need for government resources, (lowering the need for tax increases), and keeping charity in the hands of the people. You could also hire staff to solicit donations from others in the top 1% bracket to form more job creating charities, relieving more of the government's burden, in lieu of donating much needed capital to a financially irresponsible federal bureaucracy.
This will allow the government to focus on their job description, and keeping them from straying into social issues that charities can handle more efficiently. There is no end to the good the top 5% income bracket can do if they'd devote the additional tax revenues toward staffing and funding charitable ventures. After all, don't they exude success in other ventures already? I realize you already do so much for charity, by why limit yourself, and why feed Washington's addiction? You can put a dent in unemployment, provide a fraud free environment for change, and most importantly add the title of "my hero" to your already impressive resume'.
It's hard to put a finger on your already massive tax burden, the figures are all over the board. I did see one report that placed your personal tax liability in 2006 @ $48.1 million or 19% of your personal income, and Berkshire Hathaway donated $1.9 billion, 26% of their gross to the IRS. The difference in that and the proposed 39% rate would allow for a serious dent to be placed in a social need. This is the kind of "outside the box" thinking that made you successful and America great.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Welcome Aboard!
I was reviewing the stats about whom and where this blog affects. I was surprised and humbled to find "A View From Offshore", enjoys quite an international audience! Outside of the United States the strongest readership is in the Netherlands, followed closely by Canada. South Korea falls next in line, and then we spread our influence to Russia, and Germany. Surprisingly there is readership in Latvia, Poland, and also in Slovenia, quite an international flair!
So welcome! I hope you all enjoy and are brought to thought by the words assembled here. I'd like to remind everyone this is an open forum, designed to stimulate discussion. Your comments, thoughts, and jeers are shared by leaving comments, and I invite your input! Don't be offended if I don't respond, I've made my point, the comment box is for you to make yours. Remember the thought you share might be beneficial in influencing someone's life, and that's what leadership is all about. A thought not shared is a thought wasted!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill!
So welcome! I hope you all enjoy and are brought to thought by the words assembled here. I'd like to remind everyone this is an open forum, designed to stimulate discussion. Your comments, thoughts, and jeers are shared by leaving comments, and I invite your input! Don't be offended if I don't respond, I've made my point, the comment box is for you to make yours. Remember the thought you share might be beneficial in influencing someone's life, and that's what leadership is all about. A thought not shared is a thought wasted!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Doe A Dear Power Grab!
You've heard me rant about the DOE, (Department of Education), before, the bureaucracy created by Lyndon Baines Johnson using the pretext of civil rights to expand the power of the federal Government. The idea of this financial mess was to help low income families with education subsidies. So how's that working out?
The initial budget when it was formed was $13.1 billion, (inflation adjusted) and it employed 450 people. The 2010 estimated budget is....$107 billion employing 4800 government workers. Just another example of why our nation is in debt, and how every government program becomes this ever expanding festering infection.
Here's the really funny part, providing your still able to keep your sense of humor.
During the 1995 government shutdown, because of the budget crisis, 89.4 percent of those union backed government employees was deemed.....non essential, unneeded, useless, you know, a waste of our money.
Here's the scuttlebutt, the whole idea of a federally run Department of Education is unconstitutional. "Any powers not granted to the federal government belongs to the states." No where in the Constitution does it define education as a power granted to the federal government. And there is no way they can use the commerce clause to defend this one.
Who know better about the need you community has than the community itself? Who understands the challenges each and every town faces better than those with the boots on the ground? Problems are best solved and managed at the lowest level possible. But then that would lessen the power of the federal government to intrude into your life, wouldn't it? As Ronald Reagan pointed out.....
"Education is the principle responsibility of the local school system, teachers, parents,citizen boards, and state governments."
That would insure the local needs and preferences of the community are met rather than the wishes of Washington when it comes to the education of our children. But then they couldn't insure our children won't learn about creationism or how the role of religion was critical in the founding of our nation.
As Homer Simpson aptly put it...."DOE!"
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The initial budget when it was formed was $13.1 billion, (inflation adjusted) and it employed 450 people. The 2010 estimated budget is....$107 billion employing 4800 government workers. Just another example of why our nation is in debt, and how every government program becomes this ever expanding festering infection.
Here's the really funny part, providing your still able to keep your sense of humor.
During the 1995 government shutdown, because of the budget crisis, 89.4 percent of those union backed government employees was deemed.....non essential, unneeded, useless, you know, a waste of our money.
Here's the scuttlebutt, the whole idea of a federally run Department of Education is unconstitutional. "Any powers not granted to the federal government belongs to the states." No where in the Constitution does it define education as a power granted to the federal government. And there is no way they can use the commerce clause to defend this one.
Who know better about the need you community has than the community itself? Who understands the challenges each and every town faces better than those with the boots on the ground? Problems are best solved and managed at the lowest level possible. But then that would lessen the power of the federal government to intrude into your life, wouldn't it? As Ronald Reagan pointed out.....
"Education is the principle responsibility of the local school system, teachers, parents,citizen boards, and state governments."
That would insure the local needs and preferences of the community are met rather than the wishes of Washington when it comes to the education of our children. But then they couldn't insure our children won't learn about creationism or how the role of religion was critical in the founding of our nation.
As Homer Simpson aptly put it...."DOE!"
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The Climate Of Liberty!
I couldn't help but notice on my sunrise stroll with my dog, that it's unseasonably cool outside. I understand it is December, but then again it is Florida, and mid 40's isn't normal by any means for this time of year. Besides, far be it from me to miss an opportunity to poke fun at Al Gore and his global warming crew, who ironically meeting at this very moment in Cancun, promoting their foolish agenda. You know, the absurd notion that man can affect or control the weather!
The only way this global warming agenda will fly is if they can convince the world that there is no higher power, and man does control his destiny. While the secular faction has made significant progress removing religion from daily life, it's no where near being at a point of a majority. It's all part of a bigger plan, they chip away at your beliefs, and soon they can call into question the definition of morality. Once there is a gray area in that definition, any behavior they can muster up can be explained as acceptable. At that point of decline, our freedom will be lost.
The whole premise our nation was founded upon crumbles. The Judeo-Christian principles will be under assault, and this experiment in liberty will be in jeopardy. The progressive machine is assaulting our country from every side. I read a survey the other day where they polled citizens of this nation and 26% of them didn't know who we won our freedom from. One in four citizens have not received the education required to answer this simple question. If they don't in fact understand how and from whom we defeated tyranny, how can they defend their personal right to be free?
Now I don't know the parameters of this survey, but in any case it is depressing. We have to know our history and have a firm understanding that religious freedom was the foundation of the building of this nation. You can't defend your liberty in a conversation with someone who doesn't believe you deserve it, if you have no idea how it was born. But then if you don't understand your freedom, do you deserve to retain it? The progressives are banking that answer is no.
"Liberty is the prevention of control by others.
This requires self-control and, therefore,
religious and spiritual influences;
education, knowledge, well-being."
-Lord Action
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The only way this global warming agenda will fly is if they can convince the world that there is no higher power, and man does control his destiny. While the secular faction has made significant progress removing religion from daily life, it's no where near being at a point of a majority. It's all part of a bigger plan, they chip away at your beliefs, and soon they can call into question the definition of morality. Once there is a gray area in that definition, any behavior they can muster up can be explained as acceptable. At that point of decline, our freedom will be lost.
The whole premise our nation was founded upon crumbles. The Judeo-Christian principles will be under assault, and this experiment in liberty will be in jeopardy. The progressive machine is assaulting our country from every side. I read a survey the other day where they polled citizens of this nation and 26% of them didn't know who we won our freedom from. One in four citizens have not received the education required to answer this simple question. If they don't in fact understand how and from whom we defeated tyranny, how can they defend their personal right to be free?
Now I don't know the parameters of this survey, but in any case it is depressing. We have to know our history and have a firm understanding that religious freedom was the foundation of the building of this nation. You can't defend your liberty in a conversation with someone who doesn't believe you deserve it, if you have no idea how it was born. But then if you don't understand your freedom, do you deserve to retain it? The progressives are banking that answer is no.
"Liberty is the prevention of control by others.
This requires self-control and, therefore,
religious and spiritual influences;
education, knowledge, well-being."
-Lord Action
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Liberty Under Assault!
Washington seems to be hellbent on a mission to deny us our liberty. It's one piece of legislation after another designed to limit our freedoms. It's a disease that infects both sides of the isle, both democrats and republicans. I was hoping that this past election wold send a message loud and clear to our representatives we don't want anymore of their interference in our lives, but there are still a few who just don't get it. Below is a list of 19 politicians who voted to censor the Internet. My prayer is if they are in your district you send them the message, with your vote, that they were sent to Washington, not to rule, but to govern.
Patrick J. Leahy -- Vermont
Herb Kohl -- Wisconsin
Jeff Sessions -- Alabama
Dianne Feinstein -- California
Orrin G. Hatch -- Utah
Russ Feingold -- Wisconsin
Chuck Grassley -- Iowa
Arlen Specter -- Pennsylvania
Jon Kyl -- Arizona
Chuck Schumer -- New York
Lindsey Graham -- South Carolina
Dick Durbin -- Illinois
John Cornyn -- Texas
Benjamin L. Cardin -- Maryland
Tom Coburn -- Oklahoma
Sheldon Whitehouse -- Rhode Island
Amy Klobuchar -- Minnesota
Al Franken -- Minnesota
Chris Coons -- Delaware
While most of them are democrats, and two, (Leahy and Coons), are basically communists, sadly there are some from the GOP. I foresee a well deserved retirement in their future......
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
PS Just a side note, it didn't take Coons from Delaware long to confirm that Delaware failed the IQ test at the ballot box!
Patrick J. Leahy -- Vermont
Herb Kohl -- Wisconsin
Jeff Sessions -- Alabama
Dianne Feinstein -- California
Orrin G. Hatch -- Utah
Russ Feingold -- Wisconsin
Chuck Grassley -- Iowa
Arlen Specter -- Pennsylvania
Jon Kyl -- Arizona
Chuck Schumer -- New York
Lindsey Graham -- South Carolina
Dick Durbin -- Illinois
John Cornyn -- Texas
Benjamin L. Cardin -- Maryland
Tom Coburn -- Oklahoma
Sheldon Whitehouse -- Rhode Island
Amy Klobuchar -- Minnesota
Al Franken -- Minnesota
Chris Coons -- Delaware
While most of them are democrats, and two, (Leahy and Coons), are basically communists, sadly there are some from the GOP. I foresee a well deserved retirement in their future......
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
PS Just a side note, it didn't take Coons from Delaware long to confirm that Delaware failed the IQ test at the ballot box!
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