It seems like every day, more freedom is being stripped from us. In Los Angeles County, you can no longer throw a frisbees or football on the beach, nor dig a hole deeper than 18 inches. Violate one of these rules and you will be slapped with a $1,000 fine.
Today it was reported that Los Angeles County has decided to enforce a ban on "tossing, throwing, kicking or rolling any ball, tube or other...object other than a beach ball or beach volleyball" on all county beaches, unless you get a permit.
In passing the 37-page ordinance on Tuesday, officials sought to outline responsibilities for law enforcement and other public agencies while also providing clarification on beach-goer activities that could potentially disrupt or even injure the public.
I am at a loss for words. This is complete absurdity. What happened to America?
Last night, for the seemingly millionth time, President Obama said that Warren Buffett's secretary paid more in taxes last year than Buffett, himself. Obama is comparing apples and oranges, and it's not a fair comparison. I was going to write my own comparison, but I found one that explains it perfectly:
Buffett is comparing two different taxes. One is a tax on income, one is a tax on investments. They are two different taxes on two different things. Warren Buffett has already been taxed on that money. Here’s an oversimplification to explain what I mean.
You earn $100 in salary.
TAX #1: Uncle Sam takes $35, leaving you with $65.
You then invest that $65, and that investment earns 10% or $6.50.
TAX #2: Of that new $6.50, Uncle Sam takes another $1.
Now, add up the earnings: the original $100 + $6.50 = $106.50.
And, add up the taxes: $35 + $1 = $36.
On $106.50 in earnings, you were taxed $36, or 33.8%,– about double the rate Warren Buffet claims he’s paying. This gets more complicated with margin, outside investment, and a million other variables, but this how it works in general. (Dividends are worse: you get taxed on initial income, the company gets taxed on their profits, then when they give you a slice, it gets taxed again.)
So, how does Buffett justify his low tax numbers? He acts as if TAX #1 never occurred. Then he tells you that the rate of TAX #2 is too low. It’s a completely disingenuous shell game.
There are also other variables involved, like how Buffett's secretary likely paid a much lower tax rate for her income bracket after deductions and other factors.
I was shocked to see Obama try to use this example to his advantage last night. The article I quoted was written over 3 months ago. This is an old argument that's been disproven over and over again, and yet he still gets away with it because most people simply haven't looked up the facts for themselves.
The City of Irvine is one of the best examples of a successful, master planned community in the United States. Recently its owner, Donald Bren, was interviewed about land planning and development. The following answer was one I found interesting.
Can Irvine be duplicated elsewhere in the future?
Donald Bren: The government regulatory and environmental restrictions have become so overwhelming for large-scale projects that they are not feasible going forward… There is little opportunity to problem solve and get on with the business of new development. Government regulatory and environmental restrictions at the local, regional, state and federal level are just overwhelming, not to mention the numerous legal challenges that follow.
The entire interview is pretty interesting. You can watch it here.
What's wrong with our government and our judicial system? I'll tell you.
There's something wrong when an underage drug smuggler is set free because his civil "rights" were violated when a border patrol agent supposedly lifted the handcuffs of the uncooperative smuggler, forcing him to the ground. And instead of the smuggler going to jail, the border patrol agent is sentenced to 2 years in prison.
Texas border patrol agent Jesus Diaz has 6 children, one of which he has never held since they were born after his sentencing. Governor Rick Perry has done nothing to help.
Our government and judicial system are siding with the "rights" of illegal aliens over the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our borders. That is what's wrong.
Absolutely disgusting.