Grace 11/26/12

                                                                                                                            R.R. Clark

Bless us Lord with restful sleep that heals us till we wake,

Bless us Lord with industry, a better world to make.

Bless us Lord with wit and charm, the doubtful mind to turn,

Bless our curiosity, for wisdom let us yearn.

Bless us with prosperity, with well-earned fruitful gain,

Bless our acts of charity, the needful to sustain.

Grant to us discretion, Lord, to which our deeds consigned,

We judge not selves or others, but act with thoughtful mind.

Grant to all, their lives to live according to their lights, and

Bless O Lord our loved one’s lives and all their days and nights.

Bless wayfaring strangers Lord and absent friends this day

See them safely to our hearts and bid them there to stay.

Bless today this gathering which gives our spirits lift,

And bless this food before us Lord, thy bounty’s gracious gift.

Amen

No Big Surprise

           Congressional leaders profess cooperation with the President, but there is no evidence of their sincerity. The evidence indicates mere posturing. You don’t start a cooperative relationship (and after six years, it hasn’t yet started) by issuing ultimatums to the President. Crap like, ‘If you do anything about carbon emissions,’ or ‘do anything to help immigrants, you are poisoning the well of good will,’ (that we have never extended and now allegedly offer) is so transparently nasty that it will be an achievement for reasonable people to accept.

           Congress, this self-serving, obstructive, juggernaut of special interest has just had its license renewed by a mid-term election comprising a small percentage of America’s eligible voters. By no means does it have a mandate to crank up the corporate steam roller. Anyone who interprets the election result as a passport to ignore the persistent issues of fairness, so far abandoned by congress, is making a mistake. The election merely validated the tactics used by campaigners and state governments. In short, voters failed to hit ‘refresh’ and now we’re back on a familiar and well-worn path.

           Our President is far from perfect, but our congress has no room to talk—it is, and has been, profoundly dysfunctional. Around here, we think somebody has to do something to move the needle for ordinary Americans, and for our planet. It’s clear that congress isn’t going to be that somebody. They’ll be the ones, once again, complaining that their failures are the President’s fault. “Surprise!” said nobody.

Cheating On Taxes

           The principle from which all taxes derive justification is that they should equally burden people according to their ability to pay. Thus, income taxes are graduated, increasing as income (and ability to pay) goes up. Reasonable sales taxes are not levied on things everyone, rich or poor, must have to survive. And property tax is based on the value of property being taxed. See a pattern here?

           It’s popular these days to claim that graduated income taxes are unfair—that there ought to be a flat income tax rate so everyone is treated the same. In America, sadly, everyone is not treated the same. Lobbyists, often former Congresspersons, are bankrolled by people and organizations of great wealth to “get things into the law” that benefit them. Like minor-sounding exemptions and exclusions that reduce their tax burden or provide other government benefits. Inch by inch, and mile by mile, equal treatment is compromised. That is why the flat income tax idea is a ruse—a geek trick—that lulls unsuspecting voters with specious promises of fairness.

           Around here, the flat tax idea falls flat. It’s something people who hire lobbyists like. There are, however, many important things that fair play requires Congress to get into our tax laws. How about taxing all income the same, whether it was made from work or capital? Maybe closing access to offshore tax havens? Or raising the number of corporations who pay income taxes from 25% to 80%? Why not just stop the cheating?

Bainwarble Clubs It Up

           Now that Siobhan has returned home, Bainwarble has taken to clubbing on his days off. He joined the Dull Men’s Club. Each member has to have an invigorating hobby. Bainwarble chose collecting photographs of “Do Not Enter” signs. The Club meets daily, so he has a horrible attendance record. On one absent day, he was named President of the stateside Roundabout Appreciation Society, but he doesn’t mind. It complements his photo collecting activity nicely.

His only complaint was that he therefore had to buy a car. He of course chose the smallest one he could find, a stunning if somewhat tired yellow Yugo. He had to cut a hole in the roof (for headroom) which he covered with a flaming red stock pot, weatherstripped and screwed neatly into place. Now, whenever he drives around it looks like his head is on fire.

“I can’t imagine how anybody thinks this whole thing qualifies as dull,” I told my wife, Ducky Bumps. “He’ll be on Dancing with the Stars next!”

           Ducky Bumps’ only comment was, “I would have thought pictures of jet engine exhaust might be more exciting!”

          We learned of his first moving violation ticket, issued for entering a roundabout in the wrong direction. He confided that he had talked his way out of several others by showing his British motoring license. He also told us it was the only way to get really good pictures of those “Do Not Enter” signs.

          “The things we do for our hobbies,” I remarked.

Don’t You Dare Do Nothing

          The 113^th Congress has been worse than a do nothing Congress with its sad record of bull-headed incompetence. Both the 112^th and 113^th have been “Do Damage” Congresses. By refusing to resolve in a positive way the issues that create fairness for ordinary Americans, they have damaged our economy, our world standing, and our future.

           No climate change action, no gun background checks, no immigration reform, no meaningful job or street-level economic recovery actions, no minimum wage action, no action to overturn “citizens united,” no revision of trade agreements or deliberative action thereupon, no tax reform, no elimination of “too big to fail,” and no counteraction on voting rights and other Constitutional infringements, are all among their abject failures.

Congress has cheated America out of seven years of prosperity, and generations of Americans out of enduring improvements. Perhaps because they misunderstood what was going on, or they didn’t want average Americans to succeed in the present political situation. Perhaps because those who own their genuine allegiance thrive when the young, the poor, and the dwindling middle class are broke, hungry and scared.

           Elections are coming soon. If the young, the poor, and the middle class don’t remember, and turn out and vote to replace these do damage demagogues with representatives who are worthy of the office, then they (we) deserve the sorry result—the hostage-taking-Hell-with-America obstruction.

Around here we think we owe it to America to suit up, show up, and vote. Doing nothing is too “last century.”

I Wanted To Be Nonchalant

          Around here, we always thought leaders need time to work things out. But they aren’t doing that. The “leaders” are accomplishing nothing.

          Minimum Wage? Taxpayers are subsidizing poverty wages with costly social programs because it’s the right thing to do. But the minimum wage needs to be raised immediately, with increases linked to cost of living so we don’t have to pass a new law when costs go up. Congress is doing nothing.

          Immigration reform? Congress is doing nothing. Waiting to get re-elected and letting the lives of lots of good people go to Hell.

          Climate change mitigation? Congress is doing nothing. Denying the problem exists or denying the science, and kicking the can down the short road.

          Job creation and economic recovery? Congress did everything it needs to do—the stock market is fine, and the rabble aren’t marching yet.

          Gun legislation? Ha Ha Ha! What most Americans agree on (background checks and closing the gun show and mail order loopholes) doesn’t matter. So, Congress is doing nothing.

          Voting rights? Thing of the past. In many states, restrictions are being placed on voters. Congress is doing nothing.

          Too Big To Fail? Those huge financial houses are even bigger than they were when taxpayers saved them last time. NO private bank should be too big to fail. Instead, Congressmen retire to those big institutions! Congress is doing nothing.

          Your issue? Don’t be surprised to learn that Congress is doing nothing, and that being patient gets you more of the same!

Wiley Stinks Chef Entrepreneur

          Our chef, Wiley Stinks had a great idea. “That Stinks!” said my wife, Ducky Bumps, after I explained the plan. I wanted to help, but didn’t have enough to financially back him. Obviously, I had to find other ways to help Wiley.

           His idea was “The Recliner Diner,” where people could eat like they do at home. Each customer sat in a recliner, in front of a TV, with headphones. There was no talking. Diners chose food from TV menus and then picked a show to watch. Food was brought out on paper plates, along with either paper towels, or if they paid extra, cloth hand towels. Occasionally, food would be served with flimsy plastic knives, forks, and/or spoons. Cup holders were placed over chair arm rests for plastic cups of customers’ beverages of choice. Drink choices were bread/milk smoothies, sodas, sports drinks, or just plain corn syrup.

           The best way I could help was to paint the signs that said, “Please tip 25% or more—we have to clean these chairs!” I did them in old saloon style lettering.

           Ducky Bumps did the decorating, plastering the walls with pictures of handguns and football memorabilia, so I also had to do signs that said, “No throwing, and no packing.”

           I am sorry to report that the Recliner Diner lasted only a short time, and to add that Wiley has asked for a raise. He also wants to sell smoothies and recliners in front of our house. I’m painting the signs.