New Year Same as the Old Year
Posted by MichaelGroff on January 2, 2013 | Filed under Podcasts
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As the calendar rolled over to the new year, many of the same problems persisted in the U.S. congress. The fiscal Cliff was averted in an eleventh hour deal that saw tax rates increased on those earning more than $400,000 per year with the promise of budget cuts in a future deal. Senate Republicans generally compromised with Democrats to garner 89 votes on the deal before it was sent to the house where it was met with little resistance. It would seem that the fiscal cliff and fiscal conservative principles were both dodged nicely by congress.
The most unusual part of this deal was the incredibly one-sided ratio of $41 in tax revenue generated for ever $1 in spending cuts. Republicans don’t make very good negotiators if they’re willing to concede a 41:1 margin of revenue to cuts. While not every Republican was on board, many justified the action as necessary in order to prevent another economic slide. Ahh yes, the tried and true method of taxing one’s way out of a debt. It’s never worked in the history of human society, but maybe Republicans are joining Democrats in the idea of there being a first time for everything.
January 8, 2013 at 8:10 am
Hey Mike, great to hear a response from you in regards to the gun issues.
The only thing I’d like to point out is that you missed the point of what I was trying to make. The fact that laws, no matter how old our ‘founding’ they may be are at the mercy of becoming outdated. :)
Overall, enjoyed your show as always. Keep at it Mike! :)
January 8, 2013 at 8:36 am
**EDIT*** (was sleepy and just mashed buttons and realised it didn’t really make sense so I had to fix it as there’s no edit/delete comment option)
Hey Mike, great to hear a response from you in regards to the gun issues.
The only thing I’d like to point out is that you missed the point of that I was trying to make. The fact that laws, no matter how old or ‘founding’ they may be are at the mercy of becoming outdated. I was referring to how society has evolved. Not just to automatic weapons that the bad guys use but general safety that common people have. Life is safer now than in Colonial times, this should be reflected.
Then again I’d like to have a gun for protection as much as a baseball bat or anything else. But the line really should just be drawn at a handgun.
Funnily enough, it’s harder to get a handgun license than a rife license (in Australia at least).
Overall, enjoyed your show as always. Keep at it Mike! :)
August 29, 2015 at 7:06 pm
My heart goes out to you and your family. <3
I totally agree with you on the gun control issues. I feel that schools should offer in their classes, a gun safety class or at least address as a topic in a Life Studies class or something. If taught to respect them at an early age and teach them how to handle them properly would help in the long. Plus you also get to watch how those children act and behave around them. You don't just ban something and expect it to solve the issue.
Hell, I've been shooting guns since I was about 10. The only that is, I don't really know how to clean one. Wish I had classes on that at a young age. I am all for classes on gun safety and very deep background checks for crime and mental issues too. Some states have very strict and some don't. However Knowledge and Communication is the key. People of all ages should be informed of what is going on. When this country was being built, the one thing they all agreed on was everyone should be informed of what was happening. You can not expect a citizen to have knowledge of anything without informing them. Then Government in their arrogance are trying to keep us ignorant.
Like the Alcohol Prohibition issues back in the 1920's which I believe started as early as 1840's. Some states do not allow you to buy alcohol even to this day on Sundays.
Oh, and don't get me started on Cigarettes! Kissing someone who smokes, is like licking an ashtray… no thank you.
You want to ban something sure go ahead, but it will not stop people from doing what they want.
If people can find a way to do it, buy it, use it. Whatever "IT" may be then what is the point of 'Banning" something. If anything, you will make people do it just to find out what the talk/hype is all about.
I am just an American. I am not a Republican or a Democrat. I consider myself as an Independent. But I am not happy with any of our Government. What happened to the country that my forefathers created and what happened to the values, morals, and rights that was set in script and signed that July day? Hate to say it, but when you are right Mike, you're right! :P
I have always enjoyed the Music Portion of your podcast. Funny how some of the music you like, I didn't think you would. Nice to see you like some of my music. hehe
I am not one to do New Year's Eve either. I think I may have gone to a party once and out once. But, other then that I would sit home and watch Dick Clark and now he is gone and it's just not the same. Sorry Ryan Seacrest.
Really enjoyed it! :)