In case anyone living in Delaware hasn’t heard, the state is facing a $350 million budget deficit. And like all things government, if they are saying $350, it most likely is more. One has to wonder, just how bad a man wants to be governor, considering they would be walking into such a fiscal mess, but that is exactly what John Carney did. Knowing the fiscal nightmare his predecessor and his party, were leaving him, he ran, and won the campaign to be the person to take on the monumental task of solving this economic nightmare.
Of course being the good Democrat that he is, he isn’t showing any real imagination on how to solve the problem. Oh sure, he has taken the show on the road, and has put together a series of “Reset The Budget” town hall-style meetings, many along with Republican elected officials. Isn’t it great to see the two sides working together, to stick it to the people?
Now that may seem a bit cynical, but considering the balloons being floated following these meetings, not so much.
Of course the gasoline tax will again raise its ugly head, after all, gasoline is so cheap right now the people will hardly notice a ten-cent increase, and we can always worry about the economic impact later. And please don’t worry about the fact such an increase negatively affect the lowest incomes the most. The state will always be there to subsidize those who can’t afford it.
Any day now I am sure we will be hearing a growing list of new laws making this or that illegal, or increasing the fines for things which are already illegal. Like the helmet law proposed. What this does is falsely increase revenue projections, allowing the General Assembly to “BALANCE” the budget.
We recently heard from Governor Carney that our property taxes are “too competitive”.
This is politician speak for, too low. This is also politician speak for, we want to raise the property tax. Now this could be done in several ways. Either the state defunds some of the money it sends to the individual counties, saving the state money, but forces the counties to raise the property tax. Or the state and counties do a reassessment of the value of properties, which hasn’t been done since the seventies I believe. Or, even more scary, the state institutes a state property tax on top of the county property taxes.
Let me say I don’t believe a reassessment of property value is likely. From everything I have heard when this has come up in the past, the cost of doing the reassessment is so costly, it negates any benefit, and surely could not be done in time to offset the coming fiscal storm.
More likely is a combination of the other two. Defund the counties, causing them to raise their property taxes, and instituting a state property tax.
Is there anyone out there, other than someone running for office, who doesn’t understand the negative affect higher property taxes would have on the economy overall? Like any tax, if a family, or business owner has to spend more on taxes, then they will have less to spend on goods and services. They won’t be buying new cars and other big-ticket items. They won’t be going out to dinner as often, if at all. A tax is like a rope around the neck, and every increase is like tightening the rope, until you strangle the life out of the body economy.
So why is it, our new Governor, and his party of Democrats can never see past raising taxes to solve their spending problems? Why is it the Republicans sit on their hands during the budget process and wait for the Democrats to put forth a budget, and then attempt to say no? Where is the alternative budget from the Republicans?
Of course I am aware the GOP is still the minority due to a really bad political calculation which didn’t pan out. But there is nothing stopping them from going to the people. Yes the Delaware GOP blew it on the special election in one district and lost any hope of “balance” in our state government. This does not mean, because one district chose to vote for the Democrat, there are not Democrats, independents, and Republicans state-wide who would oppose a state-wide property tax, and other tax increases.
Yes the GOP is the minority in the General Assembly, so they need to work the people to offset the gap. Rally the people, and not just Republicans, rally all the people to oppose these tax increases.
And stop travelling around with the Governor while he attempts to soft sell the tax increases. Do stand alone town halls and lay out the facts cold and hard.
Some of my readers may be thinking, all well and good, but how do we solve the deficit problem without tax increases?
Well how about we begin by doing away with things we really don’t need, or at least could live without until times are better. Has anyone ever taken a look at the list of state agencies? Do you realize how much money is spent on things which could be described as luxuries?
I’ll start with one which may seem controversial. The Office of the Deaf and Hard Of Hearing.
From their website, these are some of the things they do;
“How to make arrangements for a sign language interpreter or obtain other auxiliary aids needed for an appointment”. So this office, informs people how to arrange for a sign language interpreter for appointments. One would think, a deaf person already knows someone who knows sign language, why can’t they just bring them along? Also, most people have a smart phone, there are apps which can translate the typed words into vocal on the spot. Or, and this is where I get really crazy, maybe they could simply write out what they have to say.
You know how I know these things exist? Because right on this same website they say, “How to find assistive technology resources”. But do we need a government agency for this? I put “hearing assistive technology” in my search engine and got thousands of links.
This is the description of this office from their own site, “The Delaware Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DelODHH) resides in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, an agency of the Department of Labor.” This is what is known as governmental sprawl.
One has to wonder how many ways there are to lower the cost of doing business? This is but one example of something which seems like a good thing, in good times, but is it really something we can’t live without, or find a way to do for less?
The state runs so many ad campaigns to inform the citizens of things they should know on their own. Such as the numerous billboards about the negative effects of gambling addiction. Really? And just why is it, gambling addiction is such a problem? If it is actually a problem on the scale we need ad campaigns to warn people, would it be, if the state had not decided to create the gambling industry as a revenue source?
But why do we as a state have to spend tax dollars to warn people about the danger of gambling addiction? First of all, most people know if you become addicted to gambling, you will most likely lose everything, and so they don’t. However, if you have an addictive personality, and are likely to fall prey to the seductive state-run casinos, then having a billboard every ten feet will not prevent it.
Another of my favorites is the state has an office, which will help you plan for a natural, or man-made disaster, well all except for the man-made disaster of a $350 million deficit. This office also runs commercials to inform you of its existence. It is there to help you formulate a plan and to be prepared in the event of a disaster.
Really? Like what? A hurricane? Get away from the coast. A flood? Get to high ground. A nuclear bomb? Bye Felicia!
If adults don’t know what to do in the event of a disaster, that is what is known as natural selection. If you find yourself sitting on the roof of your home following a hurricane, spelling out help with your dirty laundry, waiting for the National Guard to air lift you off. Just drown yourself, please.
These types of government agencies are an assumption that people are incapable of taking care of themselves. Worse, this type of nanny state breeds citizens who are incapable of taking care of themselves.
Here is my challenge to the General Assembly and the Governor, before you begin talking about raising, or creating taxes, before you use scare tactics, telling the people the only cuts possible are in the areas of safety and education, how about you take a long look around the plodding giant of state government, and make real sacrifice by cutting the stuff we can do without.
Don’t expect the citizens to sacrifice. I personally can live without the state providing recycling centers. I can live without the state providing needles. I can survive a hurricane on my own, because I don’t want to drown. I don’t need government to tell me where to find a hearing aid, I’ll find it for myself. I don’t need another road sign telling me I have entered Delaware and who the current Governor is.
What I do need is a state government which understands, you can only tax people so much before you tax them into leaving. Learn from New Jersey.
So what does Delaware need? We need citizens who will contact all elected officials, not just their own, or those of their favored party, and we need elected officials to be leaders, and to be concerned about something other than re-election.
‘…waiting for the National Guard to air lift you off. Just drown yourself, please.” – Frank
The “Delaware” Air National Guard operates mostly in Afghanistan. Any return on our taxes from that is hardly apparent, so if you want zero out a organization’s budget, a place to look is the DANG.
Good piece and good points. NO NEW TAXES
The Socialist state- unlimited government- must always grow. And it will continue to grow. And so will the resultant deficits. Get used to it.
Of course, eventually the money runs out. There’s no one left to steal from. In a wealthy country like the US, it may take a hundred years. But it must happen.
Then, we will have true equality. Everyone flat broke.
The 1% gets all the gains for decades and the self hating types don’t want the rich to pay more. In fact the typical Trump supporter has no idea that tax cuts don’t mean them
Americans are taxed at around a 60% rate. For what?
Those who obsess about the mythical “1%” should spend their time more productively. Like figuring out how to make more money. It might mean study. It might mean longer hours. But complaining is a waste of time.
The pie is nearly infinite. Who cares about the “1%?” Cut your own slice.
Of course, there are always those who prefer being carried.
Based upon IRS data;
In 2013, 138.3 million taxpayers reported earning $9.03 trillion in adjusted gross income and paid $1.23 trillion in income taxes.
Every income group besides the top 1 percent of taxpayers reported higher income in 2013 than the previous year. All income groups paid higher taxes in 2013 than the previous year.
The share of income earned by the top 1 percent of taxpayers fell to 19.0 percent in 2013. Their share of federal income taxes fell slightly to 37.8 percent.
In 2012, the top 50 percent of all taxpayers (69.2 million filers) paid 97.2 percent of all income taxes while ,b>the bottom 50 percent paid the remaining 2.8 percent.
The top 1 percent (1.3 million filers) paid a greater share of income taxes (37.8 percent) than the bottom 90 percent (124.5 million filers) combined (30.2 percent).
The top 1 percent of taxpayers paid a higher effective income tax rate than any other group, at 27.1 percent, which is over 8 times higher than taxpayers in the bottom 50 percent (3.3 percent).
When will the lower 50% start paying their “fair share?”
Who are the “top 1%?”
According to statistical data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the top 1% had an adjusted gross income of $465,626 or higher for the 2014 tax year….the average household income for this group at $1,260,508 for 2014.
Obviously, there are a lot more people at the low end of the range, to offset the huge income of Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Zuckerberg and so on. Then there’s the Hollywood moguls, Lady Gaga, Lebron James and the Clintons.
Then there’s the evil CEO’s. Temporarily in charge and duly elected, they must devise a business strategy for success in a super-competitive environment, with 50,000-100,000 jobs hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, Katy Perry sings songs.
Believe it or not, the low end income of the “top 1%” isn’t that incomprehensible in places like New York City, San Francisco and quite a few other locales. City houses can cost several million and private schools for the kids are a necessity. Sure, they’re not hurting, but in most cases, they’re working hard- very hard- for the money.
But some people are suckers for class warfare propaganda. Useful idiots.
By-the-way…how did the Clinton’s leave the White House “broke” and earn $100 million in a few short years? Hillary’s books were failures, and Senate salaries are what, $200k? So, where did the cash come from?
Rick,
Don’t you be concerned for the 1%. They can fend for themselves just fine without worrying about how you’re doing.
I’m not even remotely concerned about the 1%. That’s because unlike most Socialist-Democrats, I know that the economic pie is nearly infinite, and that the 1% don’t “take” anything from anyone.
And don’t you worry about 1%’ers like Hillary. Sure, she’s corrupt, and yes, she was humiliated, but after siphoning cash from her “foundation,” she and Bill will live comfortably in her all-white and filthy rich suburban mansion.
Bill Gates gave us Windows
Bill Clinton gave us a semen-stained dress
With point and click we go where mouse goes
While lying cheat just left a mess.
I’ll take a hard working CEO over a lying, career parasite politician any day.
You do understand that most wealthy people pay capital gains and not income tax, right? And that capital gains is taxed at a much lower rate? Maybe I’m missing something. Is there some advantage in sucking up to and shilling for the people who have taken almost all the gains for decades?
I forgot that the 1% is mostly represented by Republicans who validate and pander to bigotry and that’s more important than anything lol
You do understand that most wealthy people pay capital gains and not income tax, right?
No, I don’t.
A CEO earns a salary and bonuses. That’s income. Lady Gaga gets a cut from albums and concerts. That’s income. Ditto Lebron James and Tiger Woods. This isn’t to say they have no capital gains- they surely invest.
As I posted earlier, the low end of the top 1% is $450k. Doctors, lawyers, real estate salespeople and so on in that income bracket all have significant income. And there are way more in the lower half of the 1% than there are Warren Buffets and Marc Zuckerbergs.
Sure, the lazy rich have primarily capital gains. As do older, semi-retired millionaire speculators. But the majority work.
Determine the 350 wealthiest people in Delaware, apprehend them, shackle them and remove them to Fort Delaware, ransom them at one million a head. Option (2) Make State employees pay their fair share of their benefit package. I believe the First Scenario is more likely.
Will you have State employees decide what a “their fair share” is?
On the failed Rachel Maddow tax return circus ( about as revealing as declaring Puxatawney Pete to be a groundhog), we learned that Trump paid at a lot higher rate than Bernie Sanders.
Why is it that socialists are so loose with other people’s money yet so protective of their own?
The answer is simple; socialists don’t care about people. They care about the consolidation of power. And their ideology is diametrically opposed to the tenets that made America great.
Bernie, write a check to the IRS for $100k. Do it for “the people.”
Yeah, right. He’s just another doddering, dysfunctional lying socialist fraud.
@Rick : “The pie is nearly infinite. Cut your own slice.”
I just know you cut a big slice for yourself, Rick. Why not invite us all to a fancy catered meal and live entertainment at your McMansion at Rehoboth Beach Yacht & Country Club?
Nothing could be more fair than a flat 10% tax rate. Then make it mandatory that the federal budget fall within the revenue generated. No more debt financing.
We do not need a Department of Education, Department of Labor, or Department of Commerce, and their should be no federal spending for local projects with no connection to interstate commerce, such as parks, artwork or anything else.
The USPS, a perreniel money loser, should be privatized.
AMTRAK, a perreniel money loser, should be privatized.
Big government is a proven failure. As I noted above, socialists like Bernie Sanders are quite careful with their own money, but reckless with the money of others. We have an incomprehensible $20 trillion debt, with little to show for it.
Since politicians can’t regulate themselves, their spending must be controlled by statute. The federal government is micromanaging too many things; the people know more than bureaucrats. The Founders knew this, which is why they put Article I., Section 8., into the Constitution.
A “heavy, progressive tax” is straight from Marx and Engels. And that’s the moral authority American socialists reley upon to steal from one man in order to dispense largesse to another?
A flat tax- which fits the definition of “fair”- that is also the spending limit, is the answer.
Rick: “We have an incomprehensible $20 trillion debt, with little to show for it.”
The debt is entirely comprehensible. Two unfunded wars and soaring costs under Medicare and Social Security.
Pssst, Rick: Are we going to get an invite to your mansion at RBYCC or at Henlopen Acres…or whatever upscale neighborhood you call home? I know you work hard and have figured out how to cut yourself a nice big slice of that infinite economic pie.
Flat taxes would give a break to millionaires and cause average people to pay more. All the rich people like it. Not sure why you people do though.
Flat taxes would give a break to millionaires…
How is it a “break” to pay at the same rate as every other US citizen, i.e., equal protection of the law(s)>
…and cause average people to pay more.
Maybe they need to pay more. Maybe it will make them a bit more cognizant as to how much waste and fraud exists in big government.
The bottom 50% of income-earners account for under 3% of tax revenue. That’s “fair?’
!0% for all. Real equality, real fairness and a real rejection of Marx and Engels.
Rick, I hear there’s a pool where you live! Let’s wait until season starts and then you can throw a pool party for Followers of Frank. It’ll be swell.
What Frankie Knotts needs is a brain.
I only swim in heated pools
I wonder what sort of child abuse or the like it takes to generate someone so self loathing and insensitive to the reality of average people for them to advocate a tax plan that rewards multimillionaires and raises taxes on those who barely make enough to survive.. That ideology and ego combined with being mean and uneducated is doing some scary stuff in our nation. The same ilk is falling on the sword to support incompetent and sociopathic leadership that is working against the same ilk that supports it. But I guess validation of bigotry and racial resentments trumps everything else for some folk.
I wonder what sort of child abuse or the like it takes to generate someone so self loathing and insensitive to the reality of average people for them to advocate a tax plan that rewards multimillionaires and raises taxes on those who barely make enough to survive.
It’s called the equal protection of the laws. Or, in “libspeak,” it is “fairness.”
Make $1,000,000, pay $100k. Make $100,000, pay $10k. Make $30,000, pay $3k. In other words, everyone pays an equal percentage. No more Commie “progressive” tax which is a euphemism for theft.
@ mouse “I only swim in heated pools.”
I hear you. Looks to me as though Rick needs to work longer hours or get more education to get a bigger slice of that infinite economic pie he refers to. That way he can upgrade his pool before he invites us over. Maybe if he spent less time posting and more time on the job? I can help set some performance goals for you Rick if that would help.
Save your advice for someone who wants it.
Meanwhile, I have some advice for the government. Quit printing currency to pay debts. It isn’t working. Our “public servants” have managed to create a massive $20-trillion debt.
Impose a flat tax, and eliminate 90% of the IRS. Cap federal spending at 90% of the previous years tax revenue total.
Our “public servants” have grossly violated their fiduciary responsibilities. It is time to take it out of their hands and impliment mandatory budget limits. The federal government has no constitutional authority to be allocating money to states and local municipalities for creating parks or battered women’s shelters; that is the responsibility of the states, or local entities.
I see that Trump has lost $1 billion and has dropped 220 spots on Forbes Billionaires list. He is now worth $3.5 billion. Meanwhile, over at US News & World Report…
The 2017 rankings of best countries to live are in! The USA dropped from the 4th best to the 7th best. Survey respondents from 36 countries cited the toxic nature of the US election and widespread distaste for Trump. There was some good news for him though. In Russia, 83% of the respondents supported him. Turns out he is more popular there than anywhere in the world!
Who cares what Trump is worth? Is there any real difference between having $100 million and $10 billion? At some point, after buying a townhouse, a beach house, boats, jewelry, some investment property and a private jet, the money becomes theoretical.
The 2017 rankings of best countries to live are in! The USA dropped from the 4th best to the 7th best.
2017 rankings rate the 2016 year. In 2016, the president was Barack Obama.
Survey respondents from 36 countries cited the toxic nature of the US election and widespread distaste for Trump.
What “36 countries?” And how many of them would be speaking German or Russian if not for the United States?
I hope the “liberals” in England, France, Denmark and Italy will like living under Sharia Law. Women won’t have to worry about the high cost of education, driving a car or abortions. Anti-government speech and peculiar sexual orientation will be capital offenses. Remember, under Islamic Law, religious dogma replaces civil and criminal statutes.
People with no sense of historical precident naively believe that the Muslim hoards invading Europe will gleefully assimilate. They will not. And as they proliferate, the demands for separation will grow, ultimately leading to civil war. The 21st Century Trojan Horse has an open belly and the ladders are in use. St. Paul’s Cathederal will make a fine mosque.
And I’m supposed to care about the opinions of those who encourage cultural suicide?
There was some good news for him though. In Russia, 83% of the respondents supported him…
Perhaps that’s because Russian men haven’t been emasculated and Russian women prefer men to metrosexuals.
Maybe at some point the Russians- who grasp the threat of Islam- will beat the Arabs to the punch. They will not tolerate a European Caliphate. Western analysis notwithstanding, Northern European countries of the former Soviet Bloc are not inclined to accomodate Muslims. As time passes, they will be much more aligned with Russia than with declining Western states like England, Italy, France, Denmark, Germany and others that are on the road to Islamification. At some point, the Russians will realize that NATO is a paper tiger. In collaboration with what few men are left in Germany, France and so on- many of which are in the army- and the nations of the Northern European Ice Belt, the Russians may take advantage of the opportunity afforded them to eradicate Islam from Europe with the same thoroughness of Charles Martel.
One way or another, the Socialist West in Europe is doomed.
@Rick: “2017 rankings rate the 2016 year. In 2016, the president was Barack Obama.”
The survey was conducted in mid-November. That was AFTER the election. If you had bothered to look into the ratings before posting, you would know.
And now over to Gallup, which a few days ago showed Trump’s approval rating at 37%. In the toilet.
Is it a good thing or a bad thing, that 83% of Russians support Trump? You can also ask yourself, is it a good thing or a bad thing that the two biggest nuclear powers in the world should get along…I’m thinking it’s a good thing.
….And you can’t bring up Russia these days without mentioning collusion, right?
Well, when President Obama speaking as CANDIDATE Obama, whispered in Russian president Dimitri Medvedev’s ear about what he could do for the Russians if, and when he wins the 2012 election ; couldn’t that be considered collusion? I mean, at that point he was secretly COLLUDING with Russia as a presidential candidate, as an agent of the Obama/Biden campaign, wasn’t he?….The whisper or “secret” conversation was only revealed because it was picked up on a “hot” mic.
And then over at the Wall Street Journal, the editorial board wrote that Trump’s endless falsehoods make him his own worst enemy.
“He survived his many false claims as a candidate because his core supporters treated it as mere hyperbole and his opponent was untrustworthy Hillary Clinton. But now he’s President, and he needs support beyond the Breitbart cheering section that will excuse anything.”
And it ends by saying that “if he doesn’t show more respect for the truth most Americans may conclude he’s a fake President.”
Oh dear.
And now over to Gallup, which a few days ago showed Trump’s approval rating at 37%…
Yeah, Gallup had Hillary winning by 10, too. LOL
Rasmussen has him at 46, Reuters at 47. But who cares?
All politicians lie. Sort of like Obama tell us that “if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. If you like your health plan, you can keep your health plan.”
Or like Obama tell us that the “deal” with Iran isn’t a treaty, it’s an “agreement.”
Remember when Clinton, pointing his finger at the TV camera and saying’ I did not have sex with that woman…Ms. Lewinsky…”
How about Teddy Kennedy killing his secretary/girlfriend in a drunken stupor?
Or our departed “Constitution expert,” former Ku Klux Klansman Sen. (D- WVA) Robert Byrd?
Trump is a rank amateur compared to these guys, and at least he hasn’t killed or raped anybody.
And like FBH said, what’s the big deal about being friendly with Russia? Would you rather go to war?
Poor London. If you think it’s bad now, wait until England is 40% Muslim.
” At some point, the Russians will realize that NATO is a paper tiger.”-rick
” the Russians may take advantage of the opportunity afforded them to eradicate Islam from Europe” – rick
Rick,
You’ve been reading too many Tom Clancy novels.
You’ve been reading too many Tom Clancy novels.
I’ve never read a Tom Clancy novel. But I did (and still do) read Toynbee’s “A Study of History.” Maybe you should, too.
Nobody cites Toynbee anymore, possibly because he relied on Christian moralism and metaphors more than factual historical data to arrive at conclusions about the decline of civilizations. Clancy is your better bet.
Nobody cites Toynbee anymore…
I just did.
…he relied on Christian moralism and metaphors more than factual historical data to arrive at conclusions…
Obviously you have never read Toynbee, or you’d know how absurd your statement is. For example, when the Roman Empire “fell,” it was a Christian state, and the Egyptian, Minoan, Hellenic and Sinic Empires collapsed long before Christianity existed, yet are dealt with in exquisite detail.
And to say that Toynbee failed to rely on “factual historical data” is even more ridiculous. He was an expert at Greek and Latin, and was well-read in regard to actual historical writings, archeology, and philosophy, and often referred to the assessments of previous historians. His knowledge of the Islamic world was unprecedented in the West, and he quite often viewed Islam from a sympathetic and even admiring eye.
But, your comment sure fits the “liberal” narrative, most likely from a Wikipedia contributor who believes The Catcher In The Rye to be the greatest extant example of Western literature. Some people embrace fatuous pop history and reject a thirty-year extensive study, not because the former is “better” or “truthful,” but rather because it’s easier to read a “popular” volume endorsed by the New York Times than it is to invest the time to read a ten-volume work within which the rise, interaction and fall of societies is covered to the last, intricate detail.
Charles and Mary Lamb introduced children to Shakespeare by presenting stories in condensed form with contemporary language and lots of pictures. Adults need to read the real thing. But that takes a prolonged intellectual effort, something severely lacking in the postmodern West.
“Nobody cites Toynbee anymore…” – honi soit
“I just did” – rick
Citing Toynbee won’t turn a nobody into a somebody.
“Make $1,000,000, pay $100k. Make $100,000, pay $10k. Make $30,000, pay $3k. In other words, everyone pays an equal percentage. No more Commie “progressive” tax which is a euphemism for theft.”
A guy making 30 K is probably bringing home more 20K after all FICA, medicare, state tax, health insurance and the like. 3K to someone at that level has a lot more impact than a guy keeping 900K of his million. But you people admire the 1% robber baron class and they prey on the macho self righteous ideology of sociopaths, and racial resentments of suck up rubes for votes. You people are so selfish that you would deny your own kids to satisify your worship of the robber baron and your racial resentments
Citing Toynbee won’t turn a nobody into a somebody.
At least I know who he is.
3K to someone at that level has a lot more impact than a guy keeping 900K of his million…
But you people are all always whining about “fairness.” A flat tax is fair.
What you really advocate is theft.
<i…you people admire the 1% robber baron class and they prey on the macho self righteous ideology of sociopath…
The bottom end of the 1% is $450k. Robber barons? Funny. Doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers and so on earn that, and more. And there are way more in the lower half of the 1% then there are Gates’ and Zuckerbergs.
Of course, when people suffer from jealousy and envy, they don’t think clearly.
When Trump thinks of Toynbee, it’s all about pinching his nose and swallowing at the same time. He’s never heard of Arnold. No surprise there he only reads publications that have his picture on the cover.
I don’t think Trump is particularly well read (but I don’t know), but he did graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League school. Unless you think he paid his professors for grades, he must have learned something.
“but he[Trump] did graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League school.” – rick
The Ivy League is not an indication of presidential ability, considering that Bush I and II, Clinton and Obomba are all products of the Ivy League.
Agreed. But they had the ability to be elected President of the United States.
Trump transferred to Penn from Fordham. Word is that daddy knew someone in the admissions office and pulled some strings. Trump claimed to have graduated at top of class but that’s another lie. The student newspaper ran a story showing names of all students on the dean’s list in each of the semester that Trump was enrolled. It also published the names of students who graduated with honors. No Trump.
Trump was on the golf course again today. The 13th time since he was installed as president. He has no time to read and never has.
Word is that daddy knew someone…
Who’s “word?” Yours?
…the names of students who graduated with honors. No Trump.
Yeah, he’s a failure for sure; a multimillionaire and President of the United States.
Just think how well he’d have done if he had graduated with honors.
“Yeah, he’s[Trump’s] a failure for sure; a multimillionaire …” – rick
Being born a millionaire is not an accomplishment.
See: Atlantic City
Being born a millionaire is not an accomplishment.
No, but increasing your wealth 1000X is. Not easy having to deal with banks, feds, NY state, city, contractors, unions and so on.
No, Rick, not me speculating about how Trump got into Penn. I didn’t give a source because I figured you were so well-read that you already knew. Once again I’m doing your homework. Here goes:
In Gwenda Blair’s 2001 book, “The Trumps: Three Generations of Builders and a President,” she claimed Trump transferred into Wharton from Fordham University with help from family connections.
@Rick: Trump would be worth more today if he had just taken the money his daddy gave him and invested it in an index fund.
In Gwenda Blair’s 2001 book, “The Trumps: Three Generations of Builders and a President,” she claimed Trump transferred into Wharton from Fordham University with help from family connections.
She “claimed.” Yawn.
@Rick: Trump would be worth more today if he had just taken the money his daddy gave him and invested it in an index fund.
How much money did his “daddy” leave him? You don’t know. Thus, your financial “advice” is based upon an assumption, and irrelevant.
Furthermore, real estate holdings aren’t “money.”
There’s also the legacy component. You can’t build a Trump Tower out of currency.
I see that Rick has taken to using quotes à la Trump:
“daddy”
“advice”
“money”
Yawn. Meanwhile, I see that Trump’s approval ratings have fallen to a new low since he was installed. It’s now just 36% according to Gallup. Rick will be dismissive of this survey of course–as he is of any that yields an unwelcome result.
Give the poor president a break, he just fixed healthcare and now he can move onto easy things that we can all agree on like gutting pollution standards and giving the wealthiest people in the nation a tax cut.
I see that Rick has taken to using quotes à la Trump:…“daddy”“advice”“money”
Yes, one normally uses quotes when quoting someone else’s words. And since you couldn’t respond to my post in any substantive way we’ll try again;
How much money did his “daddy” leave him?
Well? How much?
You don’t know.
And you don’t. Right?
Thus, your financial “advice” is based upon an assumption, and irrelevant.
As easy as A, B, C.
Furthermore, real estate holdings aren’t “money.”
Are real estate holdings “money?”
How to make a million= not by building- but through influence, from today’s Breitbart:
…[i]ndeed the Clinton Foundation had received millions in donations from several investors in Uranium One, a Canadian-based company in which a majority stake was sold to Russia’s nuclear energy agency, Rosatom, in a lucrative deal needing approval from Clinton’s State Department and eight other federal agencies.
“The sale gave the Russians control of one-fifth of all uranium production capacity in the United States,” The New York Times confirmed.
The “deal,” as Trump points out, refers to how donations to the Clinton Foundation from executives of Russian-owned Uranium One had exceeded $145 million, according to The New York Times. In fact, those Clinton Foundation donations from uranium investors spiked just as the deal for Russia’s Rosatom to secure Uranium One was being finalized.
A troublesome series of undisclosed donations came from former Uranium One chairman Ian Telfer.
Telfer made four foreign donations totaling $2.35 million to the Clinton Foundation while the uranium deal was being negotiated. However, the Times noted, “those contributions were not publicly disclosed by the Clintons, despite an agreement Mrs. Clinton had struck with the Obama White House to publicly identify all donors. Other people with ties to the company made donations as well….”
i assume that Blair was correct in claiming that Trump’s daddy helped him get into Penn because Trump would have demanded a retraction at the very least and in all likelihood would have sued for defamation. But he didn’t. Thus, my assumption is a perfectly reasonable one.
On another front, I see that Fox released a poll about Trump’s tweeting. Only one third of his supporters approving of his tweeting. Overall, a paltry 16% approve. The man is a train wreck.
I’m confused. Why is a guy who runs a blog called “Delaware Right”, sharing grass roots Michele Obama for President 2020 propaganda on Facebook?
I’m confused. Why is a guy who runs a blog called “Delaware Right”, sharing grass roots Michele Obama for President 2020 propaganda on Facebook?
To Frank, “right” means “I’m always right,” while we, the readers, keep thinking that “right” means “conservative leaning.” That’s been Frank’s definition of “right” since 2010, despite all of the information to the contrary.
Frank’s post dated Jan 3 explained that he was re-positioning his conservative blog to include more viewpoints. Perhaps you missed that post and that is why you are confused. Let’s hope that’s it. An unflattering explanation is that you just are unable to think clearly.
Yeah sure, but Michelle Obama? I think it’s just a wind-up.
…explained that he was re-positioning his conservative blog to include more viewpoints.
Yes, but he should change the name of the blog to Delaware Wishy-Washy or something.
“Welcome to the Ford Carriage and Ice Wagon Co. We make automobiles.”
Finally. A real, workable health care plan. Congress, get it done.
….Americans will be free to choose among a variety of health insurance plans offered by willing sellers, competing with one another to provide the best plans at the lowest price. A nationwide market in health insurance will drive down costs and improve access — just like everything else we buy here in America!
Within a year, most Americans will be buying health insurance on the free market (and half of the rest will be illegal aliens). We’ll have TV ads with cute little geckos hawking amazing plans and young couples bragging about their broad coverage and great prices from this or that insurance company.
The Obamacare plans will still have the “essential benefits” (free pony rides) that are so important to NPR’s Mara Liasson, but the free market plans will have whatever plans consumers agree to buy and insurance companies agree to sell — again, just like every other product we buy here in America.
Some free market plans will offer all the “essential benefits” mandated by Obamacare, but the difference will be: Instead of forcing me to pay a premium that covers Mara Liasson’s special needs, she’ll have to pay for that coverage herself….
Complete (brilliant) article:
The Coulter health plan, click
Yes, health care is still to be dealt with, but at least ISIS is behind us. Whew!
“I don’t want the enemy to know what I’m doing…All I can tell you, it is a foolproof way of winning, and I’m not talking about what some people would say, but it is a foolproof way of winning the war with ISIS.”
“The problem with politics is if I tell you right now, everyone else is going to say, ‘Wow, what a great idea.’ You’re going to have 10 candidates go and use it, and they’re going to forget where it came from, which is me. But no, I have an absolute way of defeating ISIS.”
“I have a simple message for [ISIS]: Their days are numbered. I won’t tell them where and I won’t tell them how…We have to be unpredictable. And we have to be unpredictable starting now. But they’re going to be gone. ISIS will be gone if I’m elected president. And they’ll be gone quickly.”
I don’t know about you, but I sure can sleep better at night.
Coulter, lol. There clearly is no threshold of embarrassment
Interesting conversation on radio 105.9 between Dan Gaffney and Jim Purdue of Purdue Foods. Talking about consumer trends and how they are moving towards an all organic product due to consumer demand.
Purdue is also working to convince farmers of this trend ,and how growing non-GMO feed crops will help bring down the current high costs of having to import organic feed from overseas.
Listening to this, and seeing how consumer demand is trending away from GMO products, I don’t see why the Dupont Co. is doubling down on GMO….Just seems like a bad business plan for the company and as a result, Delaware.
Coulter, lol. There clearly is no threshold of embarrassment…
Instead of denigrating the writer, why don’t you read and critique her article?
Coulter is a Cornell grad, an attorney, clerked for a 6th Circuit judge, practiced corporate law in New York and has written several bestselling books.
Compare her resume to yours. LOL.
“Coulter is a Cornell grad, an attorney, clerked for a 6th Circuit judge, …” – rick
So what?
None of that makes her any more a expert on healthcare policy than a Harvard grad, an attorney, and a (twice) elected President.
Coulter also looks fetching in a bikini. But I don’t think she’s available, Rick. Never been married and dating hasn’t worked out for her either.
“Coulter is a Cornell grad, an attorney, clerked for a 6th Circuit judge, …” – rick
So what?
So resumes mean something in the real world. Rather than respond to the co tent of her health plan (which actually makes a lot of sense), mouse merely (like the sheep in Animal Farm) parroted the “Ann Coulter lol” mantra the left always resorts to when they’re unable to formulate a meaningful response.
None of that makes her any more a expert on healthcare policy than a Harvard grad, an attorney, and a (twice) elected President.
Well, we saw what Obama’s “experts” created. A monstrosity doomed to fail, with higher prices and lower access, with the middle class carrying the parasites.
Coulter is right. Keep Obamacare. And simultaneously, pass a statute (under the Commerce Clause) that supersedes all state and local laws, enabling all insurance companies to offer any plan in any state. Those who fatuously belief in the efficacy of government healthcare can stick with Obamacare. Normal people can opt for the free market plans.
Choice and competition foments efficiency, quality and value.
A government run monopoly- as we have seen before (AMTRAK, USPS)- breeds mediocrity.
Why is it that “liberals” decry business monopolies (real or imagined), but willingly- no, enthusiastically- embrace government monopolies? Why?
Me: I see that Rick has taken to using quotes à la Trump:…“daddy”“advice”“money”
Rick: Yes, one normally uses quotes when quoting someone else’s words.
Rick: Why is it that “liberals” decry…
Me: And just who is it you are quoting this time?
Admit it. You like to use quotes not for purposes of quoting but for purposes of casting doubt or for disparagement, as in:
Rick is really proud of his “son”.
I have been sick recently, and it has taken me longer to get over it than I would have thought, also work has been busy, and when I get home I am exhausted. I have been lacking in the upkeep of the site. My apologies.
I sat down today to go through comments made in my absence. I would like to thank all the guest who have commented and have held to the rules. It’s nice to know we have created a community of regulars here who can have the conversation without constant monitoring.
I feel I should respond to FBH’s questioning of a Facebook post I shared. Yes it was an endorsement of the idea of Michelle Obama running for President in 2020.
FBH seems to think that if I write on a blog titled “Delaware Right”, then I cannot have any conversation outside of their comfort zone. How dare I attempt to discuss the idea that the GOP may have created, with the election of what might be the worst Republican President, if not the worst of all time, with the election of Donald Trump, the perfect environment for a “Michelle Obama” to be elected.
FBH seems to be of a mind that there is, or should be some sort of “RULES” for what can be discussed. It is one thing to have rules for “HOW” things can be discussed in order to assure all voices can be heard. It is quite another to want rules about “WHAT” can be discussed. That way lies fascism.
I will continue to challenge the so called norms of political discussion. FBH will just have to learn to deal with it.
I was just confused for a moment, Frank. People change, I get it.
You have to admit, though, that it’s quite a journey from supporting a fringe right wing candidate in Christine O’Donnell, to supporting a world class leftist like Machelle Obama. It just shocked me there for a second….I’ll be fine.
Welcome back, Frank! I figured you probably were sick and may have floated the idea of Michelle Obama for president while in a delirium.
“Those who fatuously belief in the efficacy of government healthcare can stick with Obamacare.” – rick
People on Medicare are not fatuously demonstrating in the streets to get rid of their government healthcare.
Omabacare cut Medicare, but that’s a different issue. The main issue is that Medicare has existed for decades before Obama was elected, and is not going anywhere- nor should it- since is was “paid” for.
The discussion was about healthcare. Give people a choice. If you like Obamacare, keep it. With de-regulated insurance, if you want out- and into a free market plan- get out. What’s the problem?
Rick: since is was “paid” for…
Me: How’s your “job” going these days, Rick?
Coulter is an opportunist who lives by tossing out nasty bigoted absurdities and conspiracies to people who want to believe such things. I guess it’s a living lol
Coulter is an opportunist who lives by tossing out nasty bigoted absurdities and conspiracies to people who want to believe such things. I guess it’s a living lol
Her credentials are stronger than yours. So is her resume. By miles.
She is read- and heard- my millions. You, by a few DR stalwarts.
It never fails. When unable to critique an idea in any rational way, the “liberal” shoots the messenger. What a great way to learn. So “inclusive.”
From Maxine Waters to Joy Behar to Katy Perry, all you get is venomous, ravenous hate. It really shows what the “liberal” American left is made of. Mush.
PS
The reason I put “paid” in quotes, (re; Medicare), is because it isn’t really paid for. The government takes the money, spends it, and deposits IOU’s. Which is why, long-term, Socialist-Security and all of its subsidiaries will ultimately collapse. Don’t take my word for it- read the trustee report.
Rick, using your example of Coulter’s resume making her more or less credible, you would then have to say that the Obamas and Clintons and so many so called liberals are all credible due to their having attended colleges of note, having written books, and having been heard by millions.
I think the others have a point that a person’s resume alone does not make a person credible.
She still isn’t going to bike into Rehoboth for a fruit smoothie and be the first kind in Funland like me!
kid
Careful who you support in Rehoboth. While Funland remains a bargin for their target consumer, the way they exploit their workers is enough to keep me from dropping any money there. Come to think of it, Monty treats his staff like shit, too.
Local kids mostly who have connections
I love Funland. My daughter can go there and ride a few rides the get a couple slices of Louie’s for less than 10 bucks
Rick, using your example of Coulter’s resume making her more or less credible…
I said that credentials and resumes carry weight in the real world.
Qualified or not, Obama was President of the United States.
Hillary is a bit of a different story. She never would have been elected dog catcher if not for her husband, although she probably would have been an effective grievance lawyer.
….a person’s resume alone does not make a person credible.
What does “credible” mean? Apparently, television networks and publishers find her credible. She is regularly on newscasts, has a syndicated newspaper column and has written several bestselling books.
Results are a way of establishing credibility, and hers outweigh yours and mouse’s and the rest of our resident detractors by miles. Millions of people find her “credible.” How many find you “credible?”
My main point was that our resident “liberals” probably didn’t read Coulter’s piece in the link. They see “Ann Coulter” and, like Pavlov’s dogs, bark in unison.
Coulter has a history that precludes credibility save for angry rubes looking to validate their bigotry
Her[Coulter’s] credentials are stronger than yours. So is her resume.
Her credentials and resume have nothing to do with healthcare policy.
She is read- and heard- my millions. – rick
So were Hemingway and Hitler, but that does not make them credible authorities on healthcare policy.
“What does “credible” mean?” – rick
If you don’t even know the meaning of “credible”, how can you know that Coulter is credible?
Rick, dirty little secret, I have about five of Ann Coulter’s books on my shelf, I can see from where I am typing this. She sells books, and is invited on shows because she is provocative. That is not a judgement of her credibility, or her correctness. You can be right or wrong while being provocative.
And personally, I find that even though my resume and credentials may not measure up to her’s in your eyes, I feel I have much more credibility in my views, since I don’t rely on my views, for a paycheck.
Ann Coulter dating Jimmy (“dy-no-mite”) Walker…Doh!