McCain
Who would vote for this guy…?
Not me!
Tax And Spend VS. Borrow And Spend - A Lesson In Fiscal Responsibility.
I guess I didn’t get all of that “stimulus check” stuff out of my system. Part of reason I can’t put that behind me quite yet is attributable to my friend Bob. In the comments of the post on stimulus checks I wrote a few days ago Bob wrote, “I decided not to give my money to Obama now, since I am well aware that should he become president he will be taking a lot more than my stimulus check.” I chuckled because I didn’t see that one coming but I surely should have. But I have to ask those prone to repeat the right wing mantra of “tax and spend Democrats;” what is different between “tax and spend” and “borrow and spend?” Which is more fiscally responsible; I ask the advocates of fiscal conservatism. Whoever the next president is, they are going to have to do something about our bleeding capital position in this country. The more we borrow from the Chinese and the rest of the world the weaker our dollar becomes and the less people can spend in those big brick and mortar retail establishments that we all know and love.
Both parties love to spend. We can all surely agree on that. It’s only a matter of what the advocates of each party wants to spend money on that really separates us. That’s why I find it so hypocritical of Republicans when they claim to be fiscally responsible. They historically spend as much or more money than Democrats. Republicans never met a deficit they didn’t inflate. How then do conservatives continually clamor for tax cuts? One of the biggest differences I have with tax cut advocates is that they continually say the government “takes” our money. You saw that I received $42.40 in my stimulus rebate and I have a family of five. If you got more than I did then you don’t pay more in taxes than I do. I never have felt that the government takes money from me. I have always paid my taxes at what ever rate with appreciation for what those taxes afford for me and my family. I guess that’s the difference between liberals and conservatives. Liberals love their country and are willing to pay for it. Conservatives are unpatriotic and only think of themselves. LOL! I couldn’t resist that! Sorry… no I’m not!
Do I think there is huge room for improvement in the way money is spent? To be sure. Especially the last seven-plus years. I only complained about paying taxes one time in my life. I was working for my dad at his gas station. I don’t know how old I was when my dad began taking taxes out of my wages, maybe about 15 years old or so. My dad gave me my paycheck minus withholdings and I raised a fit. My dad uncharacteristically snapped at me and said, “I don’t ever want to hear you complain about paying taxes again. You live in the greatest country in the world.” And that worked for me to this day.
I’m just not a believer that the tax cuts which saw the top income-tax rate of 35 percent (which was lowered from 39.6 percent in 2001), the top capital gains tax rate of 15 percent (which was lowered from 20 percent in 2003) and the top dividend tax rate of 15 percent (which was lowered from 38.6 percent in 2003) need to be made permanent; especially considering the excessive deficit spending of the Bush administration. This rebate was bad economics and political gamesmanship by the president and an unpopular congress. I won’t forget the congress. Thank heavens congress didn’t fall for the gas tax shrill game that McCain and Clinton proposed. I’m all for pay as you go and only once in my life felt like the government “took” my money.
Oh and for you Reaganite voodoo economists out there who continually mislead us with the idea that the Reagan tax cuts actually increased revenue? Consider this: federal revenues rose 80 percent in dollar terms from 1980 to 1988. But real revenues per capita grew only 19 percent over the same period. In fact, it’s less than revenue growth in the period 1972-1980 (24 percent) and much less than the amazing 41 percent gain from 1992 to 2000. Hmm. Who seems to control the White House in those prosperous years? I keep telling you guys, voting Republican, if you are middle class, is not in your own personal interests. But go ahead and do what you will. I’m only the 360 pound Red Hog in the room.
Hard Working Voters By Another Name: Rednecks?
White voters who didn’t graduate from college and live in West Virginia; the Clinton campaign is calling them “hard working” voters. There might be another name for them: Rednecks. In the end Obama picked up more super delegates this week than Hillary won in West Virginia last night. Can Obama win without the Redneck vote? Against John McCain he can. Was it a big loss for Obama in West Virginia? Sure. Was it devastating? No. Turn out in West Virginia was much lighter than it has been in states where the Obama campaign had devoted full blown resources. Have we seen this sort of lopsided victory before? Almost; in Illinois and Georgia for two examples. And those states are much more significant than West Virginia in terms of delegates and popular vote.
And before you go off on me for calling West Virginia a Redneck state take a moment and save your breath. We have seen the demographics before where 70% of the voters from this specific group who have supported Clinton in the past have said race is a very important issue when they cast their votes. What’s up with that? You know, I can’t think of anything better for those “hard working” voters than to prosper for about eight years under the leadership of a dynamic and progressive black president. This election is too important race to be the deciding factor when America casts its votes this November. The only way around the issue will be for those voters from places like West Virginia and Pennsylvania to get an opportunity to know more about Barack Obama. When he is the only candidate representing their interests in a campaign against McCain that offers four more years of George W Bush it would seem supporting Obama will be more palatable.
I Gottcher Stimulus Payment Right Here…
I literally laughed out loud when I opened the advice of our governments answer to stimulate the economy. $42.40 was my joint income windfall! 
It took me all of two seconds to know what to do with the proceeds:
Darn fine idea wasn’t it? I tell ya what, even if I had got the $1200 advertised for a family our size I think I would have still given it to Obama. The only way I know of to correct the economy is through great leadership in these uncertain times. Please consider donating your “stimulus payment” or a portion of it at BarackObama.com
Does Hillary “Really Care” About Democratic Process?
Obama picked up seven more “super-delegates” yesterday and two on Thursday. Clinton is even seeing another super-delegate switch from her camp to Obama’s. (Rep. Donald Payne of New Jersey, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus who had been a Clinton supporter.) This news, combined with the news that George McGovern withdrew his support of Hillary in favor of Obama made it a tough week for the Clinton campaign. It’s great that Hillary wants everybody’s voice to be heard and all but geeze, take a hint would ya? There is continual talk about the democratic process coming out of the Clinton campaign. The rhetoric is especially heavy-handed when it comes to discussion of Florida and Michigan. I just have one question: Where is Hillary’s consideration of the Obama supporters Democratic rights when she talks about including the results of the Michigan and Florida primaries?
It’s all such a moot matter at this point because even if the Michigan and Florida results are included Hillary would still be behind in the popular vote, the pledged delegate count, the number of states won and by Monday it appears, the number of super-delegates. What the Clinton delegation won’t admit is that accepting the result of Michigan and Florida, events where Obama was not even on one ballot and the campaigns and supporters adhered to party wishes and did not participate, their voice was not heard. It’s a good thing the old Red Hog has a solution.
Come convention time lets take a demographic sampling of the nation at large, paying equal attention to new voter registrations and those voters over 65 and apply a national average split in awarding the delegates. If the Clinton campaign is as righteous and concerned as they claim to be regarding the democratic process they should have no problem with that.
Where Does All My Time Go?
So last night after work we made a quick dash down to Iowa City where Clayton did a guest set at “The Summit” Comedy Club. His guest set was part to give him a feel for the stage where he has landed a summer emcee opportunity that… wait for it… actually pays money! He will be hosting the comedy shows for The Summit all summer while their regular emcee is off in Chicago on business. It’s a great gig for Clayton and the money ain’t bad either. 
As a continuation of our meeting with The Midnight Swinger; he told us that we need to begin acting like we are professional comedians long before we actually might become professional comedians at one level or another. One way to do that, he suggested, was to get a web site. I know websites, kind of, I figured I could do that. So we did. And while this new site will be nothing like the trusted and true (always) Red Hog Diary it has taken quite a bit of my time the last couple of evenings. We have it launched and hope you will visit. The site is Wilcox Comedy.com. It’s in the very early stages of development but I would appreciate if you would go take a peek and let me know what you think. Once the site is up and running the way we like it there will be very little site maintenance required. Is it Thursday already? Damn! Friday’s post may be light as well because I will be heading down the road after work again Thursday after work.
We have to set a date for our South East Iowa “Comedy For Kids” event and I have to make a presentation to the Credit Unions of the area. As part of “the cost” for fitting me on their agenda they have asked that I perform an extra duty as “auctioneer” for their annual chapter fundraiser. Oh man… I can see it now. After that experience I will want to pursue a side interest in auctioneering as well as stand up comedy, motorcycling, sucking at golf and being the devoted husband and loving father that you all know me to be. Have a great Thursday.
Obama Rocks The Primaries & The Midnight Swinger Gives Us Hope!
Did you see the exit polls that reported Hillary won 70% of the vote of voters over 65 years of age in Indiana? Did you hear that Obama won the voters under age 65? Gee, do any of you know any racially intolerant senior citizens? Could that have anything to do with the split in voters older and younger than 65? And then the craziest thing I heard was that 11 percent of the voters participating in the Democratic primary in Indiana were Republicans. Rush Limbaugh’s operation chaos seems to have taken hold. It was a pathetic and despicable thing to do; toy with a free election that so many Americans have fought and died to ensure.
Was it just yesterday when I said, “So today is the big next final showdown between Obama and Clinton. Funny how jaded we can become. I used to sit on pins and needles on primary nights.” Well I’m sitting up watching election coverage, glued to my computer and the TV as the clock nears midnight. This has been a pretty fun ride all things being said and …well it won’t be “done” until the fat lady sings! HEY WAIT! It’s just an expression folks and lord knows I have absolutely no room to talk. April was hard on the Obama faithful to be sure. But today is a new day. Hillary has cancelled all of her TV and public appearances for the day. I imagine that with the wind out of her sails, her campaign fund run dry and her popular vote victory vote chances eliminated, even if you do count Florida and Michigan, there isn’t much she can say. I don’t imagine for a minute that her campaigning days are over for this nomination run. It would seem we can see an end to the campaign that wouldn’t go away, however.
As of Tuesday morning, Obama needed just 273 delegates to clinch the nomination. When the votes are fully counted Wednesday morning, He will have gained more than a third of them in a single day. How are you going to spin that Hillary? I would hope we might see a super delegate avalanche coming into the Obama camp over the next week or so. I’m not going to predict it but I am ever hopeful.
Speaking of hopeful; Clayton and I had lunch yesterday with The Midnight Swinger. The Swinger is a Penguins favorite for many reasons. First - he is freaking hilarious. Second - His shows are high energy and produced with an attention to detail and showmanship that is rarely seen even among the 
biggest comedic talents. And then there are the legendary rumors about how much money the Swinger hauls in on an annual basis. But mainly I think The Swinger is such a huge favorite is because he is genuinely sincere guy. Whether he is talking to the club owner, the busboy, his audience or amateur comedians he always has positive things to say. So Clayton took a chance and shot him an email to see if he would join us for lunch the next time he came through town. Yesterday was the day. We had a great lunch where he shared scads of information on what a guy would need to do to get started as a paid comedian. And he has seen some of our work and he offered great criticism and encouragement for ways we could hone our acts. Now we just need a chance to get back on stage and apply what we learned. Thanks Swinger!
What Do You Mean It Has Been 30 Years Since I Was In High School?
Oh Man! This summer, in two months actually, marks the 30th anniversary of my high school graduation. I prefer to focus on the anniversary of my college education; however, as this summer will be the 20th reunion of my classmates at Northwestern. Um, uh… State University of Louisiana. Somehow 20 years removed from college doesn’t sound as bad as 30 years out of high school. Ah college; the best 10 years of my life. Okay, maybe that isn’t true but it was a great time in my life. What I am particularly enjoying about all of this reunion business is the trickling of information and emails about and from people I have not seen in…well, 30 years.
I’m particularly excited about this reunion because I was able to book our Comedy for Kids Children’s Miracle Network benefit for the Thursday leading into reunion weekend. It is also on the eve of my hometown’s annual summer festival so we should be able to draw a pretty good crowd of friendly faces. With the addition of a generous corporate sponsorship we are hoping to raise $3,000 for CMN for 90 minutes of work. I love it when a plan comes together. Our Cedar Rapids show will be July 19th and I have meetings in South East Iowa and Davenport to finalize two more gigs later this week. Suddenly the possibility of having a tour total of $10,000 seems doable. And that would be a good thing.
I’m hoping to see Bob, the infamous conscientious objector to most of my political insight on the Red Hog Diary at the reunion. Are you coming Bob? And it would be great if Lori from Hahn At Home could come back for the event. Lori is just a kid though and graduated after Bob and I. But I know she had a lot of friends in our class so who knows? The Cedar Falls Class of 78 spread to all corners of the country. I’ve been in touch with old friends from Florida, Colorado, California, Wisconsin, Arizona and Texas to name a few. To my friends from Florida; I don’t care that your votes didn’t count in your primary. You should have scheduled better. To my friends in California: what in the hell were you thinking? I guess your primary was just too soon for you to make a rational decision. Texas- you guys are okay. Obama didn’t win the popular vote but he won the delegate battle. I can live with that. 
So today is the big next final showdown between Obama and Clinton. Funny how jaded we can become. I used to sit on pins and needles on primary nights. It would seem that the polls which we all harshly criticized after New Hampshire are pretty sound. And they were in New Hampshire up until that final two days of craziness where Obama seemed to come from nowhere to be the presumptive favorite. I would imagine that Hillary will win Indiana, (what the hell is a Hoosier anyway?) and Obama will win North Carolina as expected. And then we will all focus on West Virginia, Kentucky and Oregon. Then Puerto Rico, Montana and North Dakota and we can call it a wrap! Or one would hope. Somehow I see this thing dragging on through the summer. Thanks a lot California.
The Filly Finishes Second
Prior to the weekend running of the Kentucky Derby Hillary Clinton made it a big deal that she would be betting on Eight Bells, the only filly among 20 horses entered in the race. Clinton told a crowd in Jefferson, Indiana, “I hope that everybody will go to the derby on Saturday and place just a little money on the filly for me. I won’t be able to be there this year - my daughter is going to be there and so she has strict instructions to bet on Eight Bells.” As you all may know by now the race ended on a rather somber note when the filly Eight Bells had to be put down after finishing second in the race due to an injury. While I hope the horse race that is the Democratic campaign ends as did the Kentucky Derby with the filly finishing second I don’t subscribe to any notion that the Senator from New York will need to be taken out back and shot after the campaign is finished.
LoomisNews wrote a clever satire along these lines. Read it here.
Finally, Some Straight Talk From John McCain.
GOP Presidential Candidate McCain - Friday morning in Denver. “My friends, I will have an energy policy that we will be talking about, which will eliminate our dependence on oil from the Middle East that will prevent us from having ever to send our young men and women into conflict again in the Middle East,” LMAO! Was the comment by McCain misspeak or was it a flash of straight talk that has been intriguingly missing since McCain began the turnaround of his once dead campaign? I don’t really care and I’m not going to beat him to death over misspeaking. I just wish he would be honest when explaining himself. I don’t even have a problem with the war mongers admitting the war was all about oil in the first place. They can wrap themselves in the flag and say it is a national security issue for all I care. There is a plausible connection between oil and national security. If we want to maintain our way of life for as long as possible and we consider business as usual as a form of security then sure, you could say the war in Iraq is about national security.
What I can’t do is agree that the interpretation of national security as outlined above was reason enough to go to war. And if in fact McCain does regain some composure and give us straight talk about the tie between our oil interests and the war in Iraq somebody needs to ask him if it was all worth it. Somehow I have a feeling that most Americans will feel we were really screwed when you consider the price of lives and treasure paid to see the price at the pump we currently do not enjoy. And if this was all about lining the coiffeurs of big oil I guess you could say, “Mission Accomplished.” Such pandering to corporate America is exactly the criticism so many of “we lefties” hold as testimony that the GOP is out of touch with middle class America. You will never convince me that this little war of Bush and Cheney hasn’t worked out exactly as they wanted. Defense contractors and oil companies have profiteered and the people be damned.
And Hillary, the non-elitist who doesn’t even know how to pour herself a cup of coffee from a convenience store self serve dispenser, defended her “Gas Tax Vacation” by uttering the offensive mantra of “you are either with us or you are against us.” Virtually every economist, environmentalist, policy wonk and scholar in America has said her plan to eliminate the federal gas tax between Memorial Day and Labor Day is pandering to the electorate and has dire consequences if enacted. Consider the 9 billion dollars that would immediately vanish from our highway funds. After a long hard winter in Iowa I know that there are many of us who consider road conditions to be among the most prominent issue in local politics. Forget that the false sense of relief equates to a savings of about a half of tank of gas over the summer. Don’t speak of the thousands of jobs that will be lost when road crews don’t have funding to repair our roads. Don’t even think about the fact that come September we will all be shocked after prices climb to the levels they are currently and then we see the 18 cents federal tax put back in place. It will be interesting to see if the Hoosier State is smart enough to see through this political sham.
We do need to eliminate our dependence on oil from the Middle East. But the way to do that is: replace low mileage vehicles with high mileage vehicles, consolidate trips when running errands, ride the bus, ride your bike, ride your Harley! Turn off your lights when you aren’t in a room, adjust your thermostats higher in summer and lower in winter, car pool. Support alternative energy companies, slow down, walk if you can, inflate your tires to the high end of the manufacturer’s recommendations and draft the car in front of you unless they begin flashing their brake lights. We can do this. We can have national energy security and we don’t have to spend trillions of dollars, thousands of American lives, hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives and risk war with Iran to do it. But then what do I know. I’m just some whacko liberal blogger who said this war was all about oil in the first place.
