Friday, April 8, 2011
Preparing for a Government Shutdown
Unless a last minute deal can be struck today the Federal Government will shut down tonight at Midnight. All services deemed 'non-essential' will be halted untill Congress can approve a budget for the rest of the fiscal year through September. This is one of the most short sighted and disapointing failures of Congress in a long time. None of our long term problems go away by taking this stand on such near term funding, and it can only hurt the economic state of the Country and the individuals affected by this inane squabbling. Beyond that, it once again signals to Americans that Congress is ineffective and disattached from the real world and real problems we face in this Country. We need to reestablish a bond between the People and their representation. This is not the way to do so.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Great idea by Penguins
On Apr. 6 at 10 a.m. roughly 2,000 tickets will go on sale for each of the first playoff games at Consol Energy Center. The Penguins have done since they returned to the playoffs in 2007, and I think it is a wonderful idea by management. I personally have been sucessful five times in attempting to score tickets, including two finals games. I love the idea, and it lets non season-ticket holders have the opportunity to see some playoff hockey, which is the best of all four of the major sports. If you have the opportunity, and a load of cash, park yourself in front of a computer, go to the box office of trying the Ticketmaster outlets at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Be aware that there is a lottery at the Ticketmaster window and the box office. Also, if you are trying on a computer, don't quit if it says all seats are gone. Keep trying for as long as you can. I did it on a computer for a regular-season game, and I tried for about an hour before I was sucessful. Good luck and enjoy the playoffs. I could say they are just as exciting from the comfort of your living room, but that would be a lie. You can always try Stubhub. Keep in mind that sports isn't all there is in life, so don't get too down if you miss out.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Monday Morning Notebook (04.05.V4-3)
*The US is getting ready to end combat missions flying over Libya in the next few days. Is this a "mission accomplished" moment like we had in Iraq, only to be followed by escalating violence, or is the current President really ready to walk away from this fight and wash his hands of whatever the results are of the ongoing civil war in that North African nation? Barrack Obama should be credited with preventing a near certain mass murder in Benghazi, and NATO forces, including the US I would assume, will continue to moniter and enforce the UN sanctioned 'No-Fly Zone.' The ultimate effect of this effort on the ground is far from certain in Libya however. Muammar Gaddafi and the Rebel Forces in Libya are basically fighting to a stand still and neither will seem to be able to 'finish the job' of disposing of the other.
*After watching the Philadelphia Flyers-New York Rangers game yesterday, I can't help but feel that the Flyers are really on their heels backing into the playoffs. Something doesn’t quite seem to be clicking right with that team right now, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a tough time getting out of the first round, especially against a team with a tough goalie like the Rangers or the Buffalo Sabres. I feel the Washington Capitals will win the #1 overall seed and be the team to beat in the East. They have been on fire since adding a few pieces at the trade deadline, and have the most complete healthy team in the Conference right now.
*The Budget Showdown will be dragging on in Congress for another week of D.C. melodrama. Will this be the week that Senate Democrats, President Obama, and whatever caucus Speaker of the House John Boehner can muster will come to an agreement on the temporary budget for the remainder of the fiscal year through September, so that they can get onto bickering about a long term budget solution for the future years? A Government Shutdown, such as occurred in 1995, is looming if a temporary solution cannot be reached. Of course most of the 'essential' functions of the Federal Government would still be funded, but it would be a black eye in the face of a spawning economic recovery. Something that is important to note: this fight is not the Big One. The argument (and an ongoing simultaneous debate that will also focus on the Country’s Debt limit) that occurs this week will not do one single iota to fix our Nation’s long term fiscal crisis. The real strong leadership that the American people crave will be those who dare to crack open the “untouchable” issues of Social Security and Medicare. The current debate over non-defense discretionary funding will do nothing to alleviate the big picture issues surrounding those programs, and can only hurt us in the short term economic forecasts, because cuts in spending will mean cuts in jobs. It is that simple folks. The British are learning this to their peril as their economic recovery sputters out in the face of large cut backs in spending in the name of fiscal austerity. There is some simple math out there that shows that cutting government spending reduces the employment situation for workers on the ground. Eric DuVall of the Tonawanda News breaks this down very precisely and succinctly in his editorial piece yesterday:
“This might be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. The Republican Party’s official position on job creation is this: If the government lays off workers on a mass scale, it will help employment.
How is this possible? Someone in the House GOP caucus has missed their calling as a fantasy novel writer, for starters.” Read the rest here
*It became official over the weekend, the New Jersey Devils will be missing the NHL’s postseason for the 1st time since 1996. Count me as one who will certainly not weep for the absence of the Devils in this year’s playoffs. They are the organization that is more responsible, in my eyes, than any other for bogging down the game with their neutral zone shutdown “swamp hockey” that became the trendy defensive style of play from the Mid 1990’s to the early 2000s. They may have won 3 Stanley Cups in 9 years with this accursed style of play, but have only won 2 playoff games beyond the 1st round since they hoisted the Holy Grail against the Anaheim (then Mighty) Ducks in 03. So this has been a team and a style of hockey in decline for the better part of a decade now. Hopefully 2011 will be remembered as the year swamp hockey was finally laid to rest.
*Former President Bill Clinton has suggested in public that the world should furnish arms and supplies to the Rebel Forces in Libya. Privately I guarantee he knows that something of that sort is already going on. This entire intervention in Libya has a very Clintonesque feel to it, and with his wife represented in the Administration as Secretary of State, it seems very likely to me that she is pulling some of the old levers that Bill left behind in the International Community. To think that the two are not cooperating and interconnecting their influence and powers to get Gadaffi out of Libya would be foolish indeed.
*After watching the Philadelphia Flyers-New York Rangers game yesterday, I can't help but feel that the Flyers are really on their heels backing into the playoffs. Something doesn’t quite seem to be clicking right with that team right now, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a tough time getting out of the first round, especially against a team with a tough goalie like the Rangers or the Buffalo Sabres. I feel the Washington Capitals will win the #1 overall seed and be the team to beat in the East. They have been on fire since adding a few pieces at the trade deadline, and have the most complete healthy team in the Conference right now.
*The Budget Showdown will be dragging on in Congress for another week of D.C. melodrama. Will this be the week that Senate Democrats, President Obama, and whatever caucus Speaker of the House John Boehner can muster will come to an agreement on the temporary budget for the remainder of the fiscal year through September, so that they can get onto bickering about a long term budget solution for the future years? A Government Shutdown, such as occurred in 1995, is looming if a temporary solution cannot be reached. Of course most of the 'essential' functions of the Federal Government would still be funded, but it would be a black eye in the face of a spawning economic recovery. Something that is important to note: this fight is not the Big One. The argument (and an ongoing simultaneous debate that will also focus on the Country’s Debt limit) that occurs this week will not do one single iota to fix our Nation’s long term fiscal crisis. The real strong leadership that the American people crave will be those who dare to crack open the “untouchable” issues of Social Security and Medicare. The current debate over non-defense discretionary funding will do nothing to alleviate the big picture issues surrounding those programs, and can only hurt us in the short term economic forecasts, because cuts in spending will mean cuts in jobs. It is that simple folks. The British are learning this to their peril as their economic recovery sputters out in the face of large cut backs in spending in the name of fiscal austerity. There is some simple math out there that shows that cutting government spending reduces the employment situation for workers on the ground. Eric DuVall of the Tonawanda News breaks this down very precisely and succinctly in his editorial piece yesterday:
“This might be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. The Republican Party’s official position on job creation is this: If the government lays off workers on a mass scale, it will help employment.
How is this possible? Someone in the House GOP caucus has missed their calling as a fantasy novel writer, for starters.” Read the rest here
*It became official over the weekend, the New Jersey Devils will be missing the NHL’s postseason for the 1st time since 1996. Count me as one who will certainly not weep for the absence of the Devils in this year’s playoffs. They are the organization that is more responsible, in my eyes, than any other for bogging down the game with their neutral zone shutdown “swamp hockey” that became the trendy defensive style of play from the Mid 1990’s to the early 2000s. They may have won 3 Stanley Cups in 9 years with this accursed style of play, but have only won 2 playoff games beyond the 1st round since they hoisted the Holy Grail against the Anaheim (then Mighty) Ducks in 03. So this has been a team and a style of hockey in decline for the better part of a decade now. Hopefully 2011 will be remembered as the year swamp hockey was finally laid to rest.
*Former President Bill Clinton has suggested in public that the world should furnish arms and supplies to the Rebel Forces in Libya. Privately I guarantee he knows that something of that sort is already going on. This entire intervention in Libya has a very Clintonesque feel to it, and with his wife represented in the Administration as Secretary of State, it seems very likely to me that she is pulling some of the old levers that Bill left behind in the International Community. To think that the two are not cooperating and interconnecting their influence and powers to get Gadaffi out of Libya would be foolish indeed.
The Rich Get Richer
At least in New York, they will be. Governor Andrew Cuomo is set to allow a surcharge on wealthy taxpayers to expire at the end of this year. The tax applied to high earning individuals and joints filers, starting at $200,000 annually for single filers and $300,000 for married couples. For a married couple earning $350,000 per year, the surcharge was $3,500 or 1%. If this "give back" is supposed to help stimulate the New York economy, then Governor Cuomo may be barking up the wrong tree.
In a recent New York Times article regarding the tax cut, nearly every person with whom the writer spoke said they do not plan to spend any of it but instead will put it into college savings. One individual mentioned that he did not even notice the additional tax when he paid it and didn't mind because he does well financially. Another individual mentioned he won't be spending the extra cash on fancy lunches or extravagant items because he already does that now. While that certainly shows two completely opposite views, a majority of those interviewed still had no plans to further stimulate the economy with their minor windfall.
What I have learned about situations like these, tax cuts for the rich, is just how extremely polarizing they can be. There are many people who are not even close to the top earning brackets, and probably never will be, who blindly support these tax cuts because they envision themselves there someday. There are others, like myself, who know that $3,500 to a couple earning over $350,000 per year means a lot less to them than it would to a couple earning $90,000 per year. I also know that the couple earning $90,000 per year is feeling a lot more of the financial burden in terms of inflation, out of control interest rates, and soaring higher education costs.But with people so quick to side with the "haves" in a nation made up mostly of "have nots", it's unlikely that situation will ever change.
For being one of the richest nations in the world, America is not filled with many people who are actually rich at all. In reality, we have a staggering number of individuals, nearly 13%, living at or below the poverty line and many well regarded experts feel that is grossly understated. Only 15% of Americans earn over $100,000 per year and only 1.5% over $250,000, yet there is an abnormally large contingent supporting tax cuts for the highest earning rich despite only making up 1.5% of the population? As someone who works with numbers, that simply doesn't add up but it certainly follows the Golden Rule which states: " The one who has the gold makes the rules".
In a recent New York Times article regarding the tax cut, nearly every person with whom the writer spoke said they do not plan to spend any of it but instead will put it into college savings. One individual mentioned that he did not even notice the additional tax when he paid it and didn't mind because he does well financially. Another individual mentioned he won't be spending the extra cash on fancy lunches or extravagant items because he already does that now. While that certainly shows two completely opposite views, a majority of those interviewed still had no plans to further stimulate the economy with their minor windfall.
What I have learned about situations like these, tax cuts for the rich, is just how extremely polarizing they can be. There are many people who are not even close to the top earning brackets, and probably never will be, who blindly support these tax cuts because they envision themselves there someday. There are others, like myself, who know that $3,500 to a couple earning over $350,000 per year means a lot less to them than it would to a couple earning $90,000 per year. I also know that the couple earning $90,000 per year is feeling a lot more of the financial burden in terms of inflation, out of control interest rates, and soaring higher education costs.But with people so quick to side with the "haves" in a nation made up mostly of "have nots", it's unlikely that situation will ever change.
For being one of the richest nations in the world, America is not filled with many people who are actually rich at all. In reality, we have a staggering number of individuals, nearly 13%, living at or below the poverty line and many well regarded experts feel that is grossly understated. Only 15% of Americans earn over $100,000 per year and only 1.5% over $250,000, yet there is an abnormally large contingent supporting tax cuts for the highest earning rich despite only making up 1.5% of the population? As someone who works with numbers, that simply doesn't add up but it certainly follows the Golden Rule which states: " The one who has the gold makes the rules".
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Will the Flyers collapse?
With four games to play, I have started to wonder if the Philadelphia Flyers will be able to hold on to win the Atlantic Division? They have played well against the Pittsburgh Penguins, winning all their games at the Consol Energy Center, including a 5-2 victory on Mar. 29, but have faltered a bit since that win. They have 102 points, one back of the Washington Capitals for first place in the Eastern Conference race, and are just two ahead of the Penguins, who won Saturday night in Florida. Pittsburgh has three games remaining. If they win out against the Devils, Islanders and Thrashers. The Penguins can win all these games, although New Jersey is always tough, how will New York respond after the two teams battled it out the last time in a game that more resembled an MMA card. They should beat Atlanta easily, but you never know. I believe it depends what's on the line. If Pittsburgh needs to win to secure the division title or keep the No. 4 spot, it can take the game. The Flyers are tied 1-1 with the Rangers at 8:40 of the second period as of 1:59 p.m. EST. They have remaining games with the Senators, Sabres and Islanders. They wrap up with the Isles on Saturday, which will let the Penguins know if they will have the opportunity to play for something Sunday in their finale. If not, I would rest some people and get ready for the playoffs. I preview a series with the Tampa Bay Lightning to start Wednesday, April 13. I guess the answer to the question: Will the Flyers collapse is no.
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