Monday, January 6, 2020
Friday, January 3, 2020
It's just been announced by the Federal Bureau of Economic Affairs, (yes they really are a government agency that's paid to gather information on our economy), that through the third quarter of 2019, corporate taxes paid to the US Treasury accounted for just 3.5 percent of all federal tax revenue, a sharp drop from the 9 percent they paid in 2010 and, the 22 percent paid in 1960.
Folks. federal tax revenue comes from several sources but, the greatest amount paid into the Treasury comes from you, the taxpayer in the form of withholding tax. Another source is revenue from excise taxes on liquor, gas, tires, etc. Then there's the revenue that comes from the collection of tariff fees but bear in mind those fees are usually on marketable items so that fee (or tax) is passed along to you the consumer as a higher price.
Yes, thanks to that Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court, national corporations can now spend as much money on Congressional Representatives as they want. Which is exactly what happened to influence that big corporate tax break they got when Trump took office. The one that lowered their taxable table from 35% to 22%. Trouble is, they get so many deductions on their taxable income, (you'd be amazed at the number of items they get to deduct from their tax liability), that some pay no tax at all, but most paid way below the 35% they claim is stiffing their profits?
Profits at all time highs, cash reserves so great they can destroy competition with buy outs, salaries of corporate officers to production employees so overwhelmingly inequitable, most of their realized income from that tax break being used to buy back stock instead of use for product or production. Yep, their living high and we're not.
Folks. federal tax revenue comes from several sources but, the greatest amount paid into the Treasury comes from you, the taxpayer in the form of withholding tax. Another source is revenue from excise taxes on liquor, gas, tires, etc. Then there's the revenue that comes from the collection of tariff fees but bear in mind those fees are usually on marketable items so that fee (or tax) is passed along to you the consumer as a higher price.
Yes, thanks to that Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court, national corporations can now spend as much money on Congressional Representatives as they want. Which is exactly what happened to influence that big corporate tax break they got when Trump took office. The one that lowered their taxable table from 35% to 22%. Trouble is, they get so many deductions on their taxable income, (you'd be amazed at the number of items they get to deduct from their tax liability), that some pay no tax at all, but most paid way below the 35% they claim is stiffing their profits?
Profits at all time highs, cash reserves so great they can destroy competition with buy outs, salaries of corporate officers to production employees so overwhelmingly inequitable, most of their realized income from that tax break being used to buy back stock instead of use for product or production. Yep, their living high and we're not.
Friday, December 13, 2019
On 12-11-19 the Enlightened Prisoner wrote:
I believe the cause for impeachment of President Trump would have been enhanced if the Democratic Representatives would have charged him with "Conduct Unbecoming a President of the United States". The amount of evidence to support that charge would have overwhelmed Republicans.
I believe the cause for impeachment of President Trump would have been enhanced if the Democratic Representatives would have charged him with "Conduct Unbecoming a President of the United States". The amount of evidence to support that charge would have overwhelmed Republicans.
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
On 12-10-19, the Enlightened Prisoner wrote:
To characterize this Administration as capable of dealing with problems is the problem. Since their arrival at the White House the atmosphere of community in this country has been placed in jeopardy. Our reputation for giving a hand to those who want what we've achieved, peace, stability, and opportunity to achieve, is treated as a God-given right, not the privilege of self-determination. The arrogance and indifference shown by this Administration through its Presidential leadership, is abysmal and has reduced our national reputation for wisdom and compassion into a nation of division and suspicion. Corrective action is needed and it begins with us because this Administration has placed itself above and uncaring of the national conscience. Now this President talks of firing still another FBI Director because he would not endorse the President's personal view.
In the days of J Edgar Hoover, when he was the top dog at the FBI, the issue of political bias was very much in the news. However, in the case of Hoover, the bias was not directed at the political party, but at the individual who was thought by Hoover to be inimical to the interests of the United States. Hoover's high-handed ways were exposed by the media and usually it was because of his own cadre of agents who couldn't abide such bias in a controlling government official. So, my point here is there's always been an independence within the Bureau that put the interests of the country first. They are not and don't want to be considered agents of those who would abuse the power of a government office. Particularly those elected with little or no concern for any public interest, only self-interest. I'd certainly put the Country's welfare in the hands of the FBI before the political fortitude of the ineptness currently occupying the White House.
To characterize this Administration as capable of dealing with problems is the problem. Since their arrival at the White House the atmosphere of community in this country has been placed in jeopardy. Our reputation for giving a hand to those who want what we've achieved, peace, stability, and opportunity to achieve, is treated as a God-given right, not the privilege of self-determination. The arrogance and indifference shown by this Administration through its Presidential leadership, is abysmal and has reduced our national reputation for wisdom and compassion into a nation of division and suspicion. Corrective action is needed and it begins with us because this Administration has placed itself above and uncaring of the national conscience. Now this President talks of firing still another FBI Director because he would not endorse the President's personal view.
In the days of J Edgar Hoover, when he was the top dog at the FBI, the issue of political bias was very much in the news. However, in the case of Hoover, the bias was not directed at the political party, but at the individual who was thought by Hoover to be inimical to the interests of the United States. Hoover's high-handed ways were exposed by the media and usually it was because of his own cadre of agents who couldn't abide such bias in a controlling government official. So, my point here is there's always been an independence within the Bureau that put the interests of the country first. They are not and don't want to be considered agents of those who would abuse the power of a government office. Particularly those elected with little or no concern for any public interest, only self-interest. I'd certainly put the Country's welfare in the hands of the FBI before the political fortitude of the ineptness currently occupying the White House.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Friday, October 4, 2019
Furthermore, his activities to now are evidence to support the Muller Report's conclusions for interference with the 2016 US Election Process. It doesn't matter that direct evidence of his involvement is not conclusively evident. The fact is that several people have been indicted, several are identified in the report as failing to provide records or testimony, and there are many instances that would cause a reasonable person to conclude a foreign government was enlisted to help create a negative impression on Secretary Clinton and a favorable one for Trump. And, all this happened while Trump was in direct control of his election committee composed of people who made the Russia interference possible, and conducted.
Now, the Ukraine actions, which he admits would influence the 2020 election process is before us. It is the subject of a Congressional Investigation to determine grounds for impeachment. Because our Constitution forbids any attempt to influence a US Election by the use or efforts of a foreign government. There is clear and present evidence that our President withheld authorized funds from Ukraine in order to force their government to convene an investigation of a political opponent. Even though the matter has been determined to lack evidence enough to be conducted.
And this is in addition to the obvious use of his office and its influence to enhance his financial gain while serving in an elected government official.
God speed our Congressional Representatives in their lawful pursuit of this criminally inclined demagogue because we have no hope for an independent investigation from within the Administration. And, the idea of this being politically motivated is purely a smoke screen. For an elected representative, this represents a duty to their office, the check and balance of one political party over another.
And right now, our government is in the hands of an unscrupulous cheating, lying, bigot who belies a threat to our Constiuted Republic of government by laws, not men. This President and his Administration has caused irreparable harm and needs immediate removal and condemnation.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Friday, August 9, 2019
The Enlightened Prisoner says this about that:
Recent news has noted the FBI's release of additional information about their investigations of Trump campaign actions that would show connections with Russian sources.
Certainly there's reason to have some doubts about evidence when offered by media accounts where oath is lacking. But, if there's one consistency you can take note of in President Trump's history of strategy to discredit accusations for his campaign's misdeeds, it usually follows a line of presentation which any seasoned investigator can tell you reflects on a pattern of guilty consciousness. One of those reasoning facts is he's a habitual liar, and not that good at it. And, during those lies he'll deny you any space or opportunity to challenge or rebut.
This becomes very evident whenever a media source relates portions of the Muller Report showing his campaign's association with those sources solicited to dirty the image of Hillary Clinton. The President denies his involvement but, the Muller Report clearly amplifies a truth in those findings by showing the total lack of cooperative witness statement, or access to supportive documentation that would serve to exonerate this President. He claims no involvement or knowledge, even though the whole sordid mess happened on his watch as he served as the Campaign's Management. Then, he frustrates discovery by refusing to testify and only answers questions in writing, usually by citing his loss of memory for events. Yes, that's a continuing pattern of guilty consciousness.
How then do you explain Muller's record of Grand Jury indictments and convictions against the players who only represent the President's side of things? Those indictments were for offering false, misleading, or uncooperative testimony before an investigative tribunal authorized by the President's Administration. Muller's findings cannot be dismissed as inconclusive for campaign abuse. There was evidence of a collusive design by Trump's Presidential Campaign Organization to manipulate the Presidential election and that certainly flies in the face of ethical or legal behavior which govern our national elections.
It happened, and it happened throughout the campaign as a result of clear and present help from the Military Intelligence arm of the Russian government. They actively accessed our social media with disinformation on Hillary Clinton and supportive ads favorable to Trump's election. How can you not believe that happened when 16 Grand Jury indictments have been issued on the record (as a result of the Muller Investigation) naming members of that Russian Military organization? But, resolution of their complicity is compromised by the uncooperative nature of a hostile Russian government.
Okay, I'm a member of the United States electorate, and one that has lost faith and respect for the governance integrity and competence of this President. There is nothing emotional or political about that decision. I certainly don't relish the political circus of an impeachment indictment but, we have a spoiled brat at our helm who lacks the capacity for shame enough to realize he has risen to the level of an incompetent, and owes this country his absence.
Recent news has noted the FBI's release of additional information about their investigations of Trump campaign actions that would show connections with Russian sources.
Certainly there's reason to have some doubts about evidence when offered by media accounts where oath is lacking. But, if there's one consistency you can take note of in President Trump's history of strategy to discredit accusations for his campaign's misdeeds, it usually follows a line of presentation which any seasoned investigator can tell you reflects on a pattern of guilty consciousness. One of those reasoning facts is he's a habitual liar, and not that good at it. And, during those lies he'll deny you any space or opportunity to challenge or rebut.
This becomes very evident whenever a media source relates portions of the Muller Report showing his campaign's association with those sources solicited to dirty the image of Hillary Clinton. The President denies his involvement but, the Muller Report clearly amplifies a truth in those findings by showing the total lack of cooperative witness statement, or access to supportive documentation that would serve to exonerate this President. He claims no involvement or knowledge, even though the whole sordid mess happened on his watch as he served as the Campaign's Management. Then, he frustrates discovery by refusing to testify and only answers questions in writing, usually by citing his loss of memory for events. Yes, that's a continuing pattern of guilty consciousness.
How then do you explain Muller's record of Grand Jury indictments and convictions against the players who only represent the President's side of things? Those indictments were for offering false, misleading, or uncooperative testimony before an investigative tribunal authorized by the President's Administration. Muller's findings cannot be dismissed as inconclusive for campaign abuse. There was evidence of a collusive design by Trump's Presidential Campaign Organization to manipulate the Presidential election and that certainly flies in the face of ethical or legal behavior which govern our national elections.
It happened, and it happened throughout the campaign as a result of clear and present help from the Military Intelligence arm of the Russian government. They actively accessed our social media with disinformation on Hillary Clinton and supportive ads favorable to Trump's election. How can you not believe that happened when 16 Grand Jury indictments have been issued on the record (as a result of the Muller Investigation) naming members of that Russian Military organization? But, resolution of their complicity is compromised by the uncooperative nature of a hostile Russian government.
Okay, I'm a member of the United States electorate, and one that has lost faith and respect for the governance integrity and competence of this President. There is nothing emotional or political about that decision. I certainly don't relish the political circus of an impeachment indictment but, we have a spoiled brat at our helm who lacks the capacity for shame enough to realize he has risen to the level of an incompetent, and owes this country his absence.
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