I was born in 1970.
I moved to Nashua, New Hampshire for the 2nd grade.
My favorite book dealing with leadership and management is Executive Qualities by
Joseph M. Fox.
HAVE FUN. SPEND SOME MONEY.
Just because you are alive today does not mean you will be alive tomorrow. A friend of mine died because of a drunk driver in 1980 when I was 10 years old.
I recommend many websites on this profile that may save you a lot of money.
I also recommend many websites that may help you improve your finances.
I hope you will consider telling people about this profile and my website. I hope you will consider improving many of the solutions I discuss on this profile and on my website.
My main website is http://www.myspace.com/kennethstremsky. It has my picture. I have 6 humorous columns on the website. The first of the 6 columns makes fun of me and it discusses what might take place if I am President of the United States of America. It contains geography humor.
I posted humor, product recommendations, and other things on http://sites.google.com/site/kenstremsky/. I started writing GLOBAL THINKING EXPANDED on March 2, 2009. I added sky is falling humor on February 22, 2009. I added things to say when you are bored on February 28, 2009. Comedic relief is necessary if you want to think logically and strategically. The more you panic the worse decisions you may make. I hope my humor benefits you.
I highly recommend people check out http://www.poorandstupid.com that discusses the financial crisis and economics in an interesting way.
I recommend people read
"Economic crisis 'is as bad as they come'" by Carolyn Lochhead
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/02/22/MNNA16117...
"Tough Times in Troubled Towns
America's Municipal Meltdowns" by Nick Turse
http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175037/nick_true_closing_down_main_stree...
"After the Green Economy, Green Security
How to Build Resilient Communities in a Chaotic World" by Chris Ward
http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175039/chip_ward_the_department_of_homeg...
I highly recommend people read
"Join Me On a Mission" by Christopher Thompson.
http://catch22solutions.typepad.com/catch_22_solutions_blog/2009/02/join.... I agree with Christopher Thompson about not allowing negativity harm your ability to be successful. Our country and the human race have had far worse things to deal with. The more hopeful people are the more solutions they may be able to come up with. The more hopeful people are the better they may be able to make things over time. The more hopeful people are the more money they may be able to make for themselves and others. I am hopeful. I hope you will be hopeful.
It is NOT about government revenues.
IT IS ABOUT JOBS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. People who have jobs in the private sector are able to make mortgage payments, reduce their debts, buy things, and pay taxes to state governments and the federal government. If businesses think things are going to get better over time, they may be less likely to fire people and be more likely to hire people.
I discuss many different solutions for dealing with the financial crisis and some other future problems on this profile. If people had been better educated in economics and other issues and voted for better people, we would have fewer problems now. I discuss economics and human nature a lot on this profile. If you read John Locke, you might obtain more benefits from what I have written. Enjoy each day of your life some because today may be your last day on our planet. I learned this lesson well in 1980 after a friend of mine was murdered by a drunk driver when I was 10 years old. I recommend you live your life according to most of the poem If by Kipling because if you do you might enjoy your life almost as much as I enjoy my life. I recommend you read George Washington's Farewell Address and when he discusses foreign nations - think friends and enemies. Lead and do not expect others to follow. Do not care.
Two websites dealing with selling I highly recommend are http://www.gitomer.com and http://www.catch22solutions.com. http://www.gitomer.com has my favorite free sales newsletter. http://www.catch22solutions.com has an archive of articles dealing with selling by Christopher Thompson that have been in the Union Leader.
I hope people will read THE ART OF WAR by Sun Tzu. If they do, they may think more logically.
I added fines to my New Hampshire section on February 15, 2009. I discuss Individual Liberty and logic. I came up with an interesting way for New Hampshire to raise significant revenues from casinos on February 16, 2009. When I first came up with the idea, I laughed a lot.
I added an ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION section after New Hampshire on February 22, 2009. I added a discussion of the minimum wage before United States of Africa on March 1, 2009.
Someday, we might want there to be 870 Representatives to the United States House of Representatives. I do not think this is going to take place within the next 10 years.
Someday, we might want to pass an Amendment to the United States Constitution that has the Census being done every 5 years.
BASIC LOGIC
If businesses are having a hard time obtaining capital, governments need to increase the odds businesses will be able to obtain capital. If governments reduce taxation of savings and investments, people and businesses are more likely to save and invest. If the corporate tax rate is reduced, many people and businesses may be more likely to invest.
The stupidest thing to do in a financial crisis like we are experiencing now is to increase the capital gains tax and the corporate tax rate or threaten to do so because this increases the probability of capital flight. The more capital flight that takes place the harder it may be small businesses and other businesses to stay in business. Threatening to increase the capital gains tax and the corporate tax rate during a financial crisis may cause more jobs to be lost in the private sector than any jobs the government creates via government spending. Government spending during a financial crisis may be far more successful if the capital gains tax and the corporate tax rate are reduced. I discuss several sales taxes on the wealthy and others.
Our national debt was less than 1 trillion dollars on January 20, 1981. It took us more than 180 years to accumulate that debt. Our national debt is now more than 10 trillion dollars. To reduce the national debt, our country needs to increase sales taxes on the wealthy and others, have sales taxes again that our country has not had for a while, and may need to have sales taxes our country has not had before. Do you care if the money you have now is worth a lot less in the future?
People may want to support getting rid of the penny and the nickel. This might save the government many millions of dollars.
"Congress eyes steel pennies, nickels as cost - saving move" by Laurie Kellman of The Associated Press http://www.usatoday.com/money/2008-05-06-steel-pennies_N.htm
People should think about how much money they want our country to spend defending Europe. You may want to do a search dealing with US cost for defending Europe. You may want to do a search on how much South Korea and Japan pay the United States of America to defend them. You may want to do a search on how much foreign military bases cost our country. People should think about how many military bases they want our country to have in our country and how many military bases they want our country to have in foreign countries. Someday, I would like our country to have another Air Force Academy, another Army Academy, and another Naval Academy that would contain another Coast Guard Academy in our country. I discuss why I would like our country to have a Military Trainers Division on the education, energy, military issues blog entry on http://www.myspace.com/kennethstremsky. The blog entry contains military humor I wrote.
I recommend people read
"Atyant Capital Newsletter Issue 30, February 13th, 2009" by
Vedant Mimani
Managing Director, Atyant Capital Management Ltd
http://www.atyantcapital.com/atyant-capital-newsletter-issue-30.pdf
It discusses the United States of America and India. India may be one of the best countries to invest in during the next 50 years.
You may read old issues of the newsletter at
http://www.atyantcapital.com/viewnewsletter-issues.php
If you want to see the world as it is, I recommend you read some publications that are not based on the perspective of the United States of America. I read some US publications and some foreign publications.
GLOBAL THINKING is at the bottom of my newgeography.com profile.
I graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1992 with a BA Degree in Political Science and a minor in Economics in 1992. I took geography courses in college which were awesome.
I ran for United States Senate from New Hampshire in 2002 in the Republican primary. I discussed the SEC and my dislike for former President Bush and parts of the Republican party platform on The Green Papers at http://www.thegreenpapers.com/Vox/?20020721-0. I have discussed Individual Liberty, national security, and other topics on other Vox Populis to The Green Papers.
Our Republic is the greatest Republic in history and people are lucky to live here. Our country has had to deal with a lot worse problems in the past. It took many decades to cause our problems. It may take many years to solve many of our problems. People should NOT expect immediate results. Long term, I am hopeful.
We need to be worried about high unemployment. We need to be worried about high inflation. We may have significant deflation before high inflation. People should not be surprised if we get Stagflation within the next few years. People should not expect immediate positive results dealing with the economy from government decisions. Sometimes, government decisions take a long time to produce positive results dealing with the economy.
Pension funds that invest in US companies need to think like very smart investors. Pension funds need to care about increasing the amount of money they obtain from dividends and capital gains. If pension funds do badly, many government employees may be harmed. If taxes are decreased on businesses, many businesses may increase their dividends and increase in value over time which benefits pension funds that obtain dividends and capital gains. It makes more sense to increase sales taxes on wealthy people. Pension funds need to be concerned about capital flight from US companies they invest in. The fewer people investing in US companies that pension funds own the more harm that may be done to government employees.
SOME QUESTIONS I HOPE PEOPLE WILL THINK ABOUT
What does a nation need to do to stay prosperous?
What does a poor nation need to do to become prosperous?
What do we need to do to reduce the national debt?
Do you realize that if the national debt keeps soaring future generations may be significantly harmed?
What should we do to reduce the probability of hyperinflation?
Do you care about the value of our currency?
Do you realize how much harm has been caused by hyperinflation in other countries?
How may we encourage savings and investments?
How may we get the federal government to cause less harm to state governments and local governments?
How may we help state governments and local governments fund their operations?
How may we improve our manufacturing base?
How may we reduce our need for foreign oil?
How may we improve k-12 education, college educations, and graduate school educations?
If you do not like to think, you should stop reading.
If you allow other people to think for you, you should stop reading.
If you like being ignorant and stupid, you should stop reading.
Do I think I will ever win elective office? No
Would I rather watch ducks than discuss politics? Yes
Would I be happy if political parties ceased to exist? Yes
The more businesses that fire people the more businesses that may fire people.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PEOPLE READ
"The Joys of Hyperinflation" by Gary Gibson
http://www.whiskeyandgunpowder.com/the-joys-of-hyperinflation/
If you care about you and your families, you should want to reduce the probability of hyperinflation. Congress may want to back our currency with gold, silver, and many other valuable commodities. Our currency should NOT just be backed by gold and silver. The more valuable commodities our currency is backed with the better. Congress may want to eliminate the Federal Reserve or veto many of its decisions. People may want to support an Amendment to the United States Constitution that allows state governments to "coin Money" - make gold coins and silver coins. State governments may be better able to fund their operations. State governments may try to find more gold and silver in our country and other countries.
I hope people will check out http://www.dmcrecycling.com which deals with recycling dealing with electronics. We need to better use our nation's resources. Hopefully, our country will be better able to make use of existing trash and future trash.
If the highest federal corporate tax rate is NOT greater than 15 percent, many businesses may hire more people, increase wages of many people, buy more products and services from other businesses, and increase dividends. Many people might obtain more money from capital gains. Pension funds of government employees may do a lot better. Many large businesses may buy more products and services from small businesses which may increase employment in small businesses. Many businesses may have an easier time obtaining loans and investments for hiring workers. More innovation and manufacturing may take place in our country. There may be less need for food stamps and Medicaid.
IT IS ABOUT JOBS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THE MORE BUSINESSES THAT FIRE PEOPLE THE MORE BUSINESSES THAT MAY FIRE PEOPLE.
I recommend people read
"Government Spending Is No Free Lunch
Now the Democrats are peddling voodoo economics." by Professor Robert J. Barro
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123258618204604599.html
Do people want to reduce unemployment in our country?
I think it makes sense for the federal government and many state governments to loan money to manufacturing companies and other companies. I think it makes sense for the federal government and many state governments to buy stock in manufacturing companies and other companies.
The federal government might not want to have individuals and businesses pay the social security tax for the next 2 years on wages below $30,000 a year. This may give many people more money to spend and help them reduce their debts. This may help many businesses have more money to spend, reduce their debts, and increase the probability that they will stay in business. Many businesses might fire fewer workers. Many small businesses might hire more workers. If unemployment significantly increases, many more people will not be paying money into Social Security and Medicare. If unemployment significantly increases, the need for food stamps and Medicaid may increase.
I think it makes sense to have the social security tax placed on all wages a person makes in a year above $30,000. If this is done, businesses should NOT have to match employee contributions above $100,000 a year. The problem with businesses contributing to social security is it may lead to higher unemployment, lower wages, and more inflation.
If the federal government decides that businesses do not have to pay the social security tax any more, many businesses may fire fewer workers, hire more workers, increase pay of many workers, and increase dividends.
I discuss many different ways of funding Social Security and Medicare on different parts of my website http://www.myspace.com/kennethstremsky. I mention a national sales tax, selling federal government owned land, a higher gasoline tax, and other things.
Social Security might want to buy gold, silver, and other commodities. Social Security might want to buy stock in many small companies in many countries.
I highly recommend people read
THE COMING GENERATIONAL STORM
What You Need to Know about America's Economic Future by Laurence J. Kotlikoff and Scott Burns. The book has many ideas dealing with Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid I hope our elected leaders and voters will think about.
Congress may require executives of companies who have received TARP funds to discuss how they are using TARP funds every 2 weeks on television. They may be more interested in loaning money to avoid television coverage. If a business uses TARP funds, it should expect strings to be attached. Killing a goose that makes golden eggs is not a good idea. Congress needs to make exceptions dealing with pay and bonuses. The federal government does NOT want the best employees leaving companies that have received TARP funds because the federal government may be left with many financial companies that are basically empty shells. Top employees are able to work in Hong Kong and other places. Members of Congress should read bills or have people read the bills to them before they vote on them.
Congress should make it easier for shareholders to increase their dividends. Congress needs to make it easier for shareholders to fire executives and boards of directors. Congress needs to make it easier for shareholders to reduce employee pay and eliminate bonuses. Congress needs to make it easier for shareholders to get back executive pay and bonuses already paid out when they were based on numbers that were not accurate and/or fraud.
The more faith people have in their leaders and the less faith they have in themselves the less Individual Liberty, freedoms, and wealth they are likely to have. People should not trust any person 100 percent. This is especially true when dealing with government leaders. A person should not trust the person's self 100 percent. I do not trust myself or anybody else 100 percent.
I hope people will read "Free Trade Ideology And The Constitution" by Michael Doliner located at http://www.swans.com/library/art10/mdolin04.html
I hope people will read "How Wall Street Can Bail Itself Out Without Destroying The Dollar" by Thom Hartmann is located at http://www.opednews.com/articles/How-Wall-Street-Can-Bail-I-by-Thom-Hart...
He writes "For us, this Securities Turnover Excise Tax (STET) was a revenue source. For example, if we were to instate a .25 percent STET (tax) on every stock, swap, derivative, or other trade today, it would produce - in its first year - around $150 billion in revenue. Wall Street would be generating the money to fund its own bailout. (For comparison, as best as I can determine, the UK's STET is .25 percent, and Taiwan just dropped theirs from .60 to .30 percent."
I think a Securities Turnover Excise Tax "on every stock, swap, derivative, or other trade" of .25 percent makes sense. Some of the money obtained from the Securities Turnover Excise Tax should be used to help fund Social Security, Medicare, k-12 educations, and college educations. A portion of the Securities Turnover Excise Tax should go to state governments. Some of the money could be used for infrastructure.
I hope people will read
"A $545 Billion Private Stimulus Plan
Let's bring home foreign earnings without tax penalty." by Allen Sinai which is located at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123310439653922291.html. I agree with Allen Sinai. I think it makes sense to "bring home foreign earnings without tax penalty." I do NOT think it makes sense to ever tax "foreign subsidiary earnings" of US companies. We need to encourage US companies to invest more in our country. The more money invested in our country by companies the faster economic growth may be and the lower unemployment may be. A faster growing economy may help the federal government and state governments obtain more money from sales taxes. A faster growing economy may benefit Social Security and Medicare. Many companies might increase their dividends. Pension funds that own stock in US companies may obtain more dividends and capital gains.
If capital gains taxes are increased, expect Americans and foreigners to invest less money in the United States of America. Many Americans and foreigners may sell stock in US companies and invest the money in other countries which may harm pension funds that own stock in US companies. Government employees who have pension funds need to realize how much HARM may be done to them by an increase in capital gains taxes and an increase in income taxes. The higher taxes are on businesses the less likely that Americans and foreigners will invest in US companies. It makes more sense to increase sales taxes on wealthy people.
Congress should have learned from the Savings and Loans Crisis and regulated properly. Congress should have required down payments on homes and fixed rate mortgages. Allowing mortgage backed securities to be sold based on no money down mortgages was nuts. Some regulation is necessary because businesses often do NOT care about clean water, clean air, safe food, safe toys, safe working conditions, and reasonable wages.
The less the federal government taxes individuals and businesses the higher the taxes that state governments may have on individuals and businesses. State governments I think often spend money more wisely than the federal government and often provide services better than the federal government.
Businesses need capital to stay in business. This is especially true for small businesses. The federal government should stop taxing interest from savings accounts, dividends, capital gains, and estates. Businesses especially small businesses may have an easier time obtaining loans and investments for hiring workers, research and development, and plant and equipment. Many middle class people, union members, and government employees who have mutual funds would benefit from capital gains and dividends not being taxed. Wealthy people and others may be more likely to donate money to homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and food pantries.
Where do people think capital comes from? Do people want to reduce our need to obtain capital from China and other countries? Many people obtain capital from working, gifts, loans, and investments. Allowing businesses to keep more of their capital by not taxing interest from savings accounts and dividends may make it easier for them to expand. This may decrease the need for loans and the selling of stock. Many businesses have just the business owner. Many businesses have less than 10 employees. If a business owner who is the only employee of a business is able to save enough money over time, the business owner may be able to hire additional employees and buy more plant and equipment.
The more businesses that get started the more innovations that may take place. Many people fail at running businesses many times before becoming successful. Many people may want to spend a lot of time in libraries reading about failures in business and successes in business before starting a business. A writer on another website discussed the benefits of a mentor before starting a business. There are many great websites dealing with business. I like http://www.inc.com, http://www.entrepreneur.com, and others. My favorite free sales newsletter comes from http://www.gitomer.com.
If capital gains are not taxed, many middle class people and others may be more likely to invest in our companies which may create jobs in our country. I am trying to keep people employed. I am trying to make it easier for people to save money to start businesses, save for college tuitions, and save for retirements. I am trying to increase the probability that wealthy people will invest money in our country instead of countries that tax capital less.
I would like state governments to stop taxing interest from savings accounts, dividends, capital gains, and estates.
It is better for the federal government and state governments to tax different types of consumption than to tax estates, savings, and investments. The federal government and state governments may want to increase some of their consumption taxes. Sales taxes are paid by wealthy people, middle class people, and poor people.
The federal government and state governments should stop taxing estates. Estate taxes discourage work, job creation, savings, and investments. Why work as hard as you are able to if your children and grandchildren are going to be punished? Why create jobs? Why innovate? Why take significant risks?
Businesses need capital to develop technologies that help solar panels on homes and businesses obtain more energy from the sun. Businesses need capital to develop technologies that increase drinking water supplies from the oceans and rain water. Businesses need capital to develop technologies that help us obtain more energy from wind, geothermal, and ocean waves. Businesses need capital to increase farm yields where growing crops is now hard to do in ways that do not harm the environment. Businesses need capital to develop technologies that will increase energy storage in small energy storage devices and energy storage in very big energy storage devices.
The less underground an economy is the more money that governments may be able to obtain from sales taxes and income taxes.
"Hiding in the Shadows
The Growth of the Underground Economy" by Friedrich Schneider and Dominik Enste is located at http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/issues/issues30/index.htm
"The Economics of Developing Nations and the Global Financial Crisis" by Vikas Shah is located at http://thoughteconomics.blogspot.com/2008/12/economics-of-developing-nat...
We can and we should improve and increase our manufacturing base over time. Our manufacturing base is important if we want to help poor people move into the middle class over time and help people who are middle class now stay middle class. Our manufacturing base is important to our national security, economic growth, and our ability to reduce the national debt over time.
I hope people will read former Senator Fritz Hollings "Sobering Up" located at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sen-ernest-frederick-hollings/sobering-up_.... He mentions a VAT and other things. He wrote "In the meantime, we can rebuild our economy by levying a 10% surcharge on all imports as President Nixon did successfully in 1971." His website is http://www.citizensforacompetitiveamerica.com
A portion of the "10% surcharge on all imports" that former Senator Fritz Hollings recommends should be used to help fund Social Security, Medicare, k-12 educations, and college educations. Some of the money raised from the surcharge could be used for infrastructure. A portion of the "10% surcharge on all imports" should go to state governments. If other countries decide to have a 20% or more surcharge on all imports, our country should NOT have a surcharge on all imports greater than 10%. Businesses that make products in our country may produce less air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution on our planet than businesses that make products in China. The greater the distance an item travels from place of production to final destination the more water pollution and other types of pollution that may take place.
I hope people will check out ECONOMY IN CRISIS http://www.economyincrisis.org. It discusses manufacturing and other topics.
We did very well after World War 2 in large part because Germany's manufacturing economy and Japan's manufacturing economy had been destroyed by World War 2 and took time to recover. If you are going to discuss our economy after World War 2, you need to keep this in mind.
The more governments tax people the less hard they work, the fewer jobs they create, the less they innovate, and the less they save and invest. This is human nature. A great deal of innovation has taken place since January 20, 1981. Our national debt was less than 1 trillion dollars on January 20, 1981. Our national debt is now more than 10 trillion dollars.
Congress may want to pass a 2 percent national sales tax that is placed on most items other than food, shelter, health care, and education. If a national sales tax is adopted, the federal income tax on individuals and businesses should be reduced. Some of the money from a national sales tax should be used to help fund Social Security, Medicare, infrastructure, k-12 educations, and college educations. Some of the money raised should go to state governments. A national sales tax would tax some of the money being earned in our underground economy by illegal immigrants and others.
SOME OF THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL SALES TAXES SHOULD GO TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
The federal government might want to have a 5 percent sales tax on donuts, ice creams, candies, sodas, cakes, pies, chips, and pretzels. Some of the money should be used to help fund infrastructure, education, Medicaid, food stamps, Social Security, and Medicare.
The federal government might want to have a 5 percent sales tax on television advertising and internet advertising. Some of the money should be used to help fund infrastructure and education.
The federal government might want to have a 5 percent sales tax on bottled water, paper cups, paper plates, and golf. Miniature golf should NOT be taxed. Some of the money should go to job training programs for people who belong to families who make more than $20,000 a year.
The federal government might want to have a 5 percent sales tax on luxury clothing, luxury watches, luxury jewelry, and luxury furs. Some of the money should be used to help fund infrastructure and education. Some of the money should be used for programs that teach adults to learn to read and write in English. Some of the money should be used to teach adults foreign languages. Some of the money should be used for job training programs for people who belong to families who make more than $7,000 a year.
A luxury tax on luxury boats, luxury cars, and luxury planes may be a very bad idea because a luxury tax on these items could cause many people who make luxury boats, luxury cars, and luxury planes to lose their jobs.
I highly recommend people read
"What Is Luxury?" by Raju Peddada at
http://www.swans.com/library/art15/rajup07.html. It is one of the most intelligent columns I have ever read. The most valuable commodity is time. Just because you are alive today does not mean you will be alive tomorrow. I learned this lesson well in 1980 when I was 10 years old after a friend of mine was murdered by a drunk driver. Saving a life is hard. Taking a life is easy. I have known since I was a young child that I could die on any given day because of an asthma attack. A person can fall down a flight of stairs and die. A person can slip in the shower and die. A person may choke to death on a hot dog. A person may be killed by an idiot who drives while talking on a cell phone. Enjoy today some and do other things some because today may be your last day on our planet. Know what you are willing to fight for. Know what you are not willing to fight for. Know what you are willing to fight against.
I recommend people read
"National Priorities In The Economic And Digital Divide" by Jan Baughman
http://www.swans.com/library/art15/jeb205.html
If the highest federal corporate tax rate is NOT greater than 15 percent, many businesses may hire more people, increase wages of many people, and increase dividends. Many people might obtain more money from capital gains. Pension funds of government employees may do a lot better. Many businesses may have an easier time obtaining loans and investments for hiring workers, research and development, and plant and equipment. More innovation and manufacturing may take place in our country. There may be less need for food stamps and Medicaid.
Someday, we might NOT want there to be a federal corporate tax rate on businesses. Many more jobs might be created. Many state governments might be better able to increase their taxes. Businesses would still pay federal sales taxes.
I recommend people read
"Beware the Value-Added Tax" by Daniel J. Mitchell, Ph.D.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Taxes/bg1852.cfm
I think a Value-Added Tax would be a lousy idea. I want people to KNOW the taxes they are paying.
"The Hong Kong Tax System
-Key features and lessons for Policy Makers" by Professor Michael Littlewood
http://www.freedomandprosperity.org/Papers/hongkong/hongkong.shtml
If the highest federal income tax rate on individuals is NOT greater than 15 percent, many more individuals may be willing to start businesses and employ people. Many people may be more creative and produce more innovations. Many state governments might be able to increase their income taxes if the highest federal income tax rate is not greater than 15 percent. It is about jobs in the private sector. If wealthy people have many more incentives to create more wealth, more jobs may be created over time. More consumption may take place by middle class people and wealthy people which may help create jobs. State governments may obtain more money from sales taxes.
I highly recommend people read
"The Long Arm of the Lawless" by Fred Burton and Scott Stewart
http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20090225_long_arm_lawless
"Obama Has the Chance To Be Another FDR -- He Can End the Era of Marijuana Prohibition" by Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman located at http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/120365
The United States of America, Mexico, and many other countries should legalize, regulate, and tax the sale of marijuana, heroin, and cocaine for people who are at least 18 years old. If the United States of America and Mexico legalize, regulate, and tax the sale of marijuana, heroin, and cocaine for people who are at least 18 years old, they may be able to spend less money dealing with violent Mexican drug gangs. If Mexico is able to spend less money dealing with violent drug gangs, Mexico may be able to spend more money on its economy. If Mexico's economy grows a lot, fewer illegal immigrants may come to the United States of America, many illegal immigrants may leave the United States of America, and many more Mexicans may be able to buy products and services from the United States of America. Many poor people may have an easier time obtaining jobs if they do not have to compete against so many illegal immigrants. Most non violent drug offenders should be released from prison. If state governments are able to spend less money fighting violent drug gangs, dealing with illegal immigrants who are a major expense for them, and non violent drug offenders, they may be able to spend more money providing services to their citizens and reduce sales taxes. Would you rather our country spend money jailing non violent drug offenders or would you rather our country spend the money improving k-12 education and other things? Do you want to reduce the probability that the types of problems Mexico is having with violent Mexican drug gangs will happen in the United States of America? Do you want to reduce the probability that children will die because of fights over drug territory? Do you want to reduce the probability that police officers will die because of drugs?
Many states may benefit a lot from growing hemp and using the hemp to make papers, clothing, sneakers, ropes, parachutes, and other products. Our country may be able to reduce many agricultural subsidies if farmers are allowed to grow hemp.
I hope people will read
"Drug Gangs Have Mexico on the Ropes
Law enforcement south of the border is badly outgunned." by Mary Anastasia O'Grady at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123292962031814007.html
I hope people will read
"Failed State in Our Own Backyard?" located at http://www.economicroadmap.com/2008/11/failed-state-in-our-backyard.html
"Mexican drug wars worry some Americans
Experts say violence is becoming one of the world's biggest security risks" is located at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28719835/
"Always on My Mind
David Kennedy's obsession with drug dealers has made him a highly sought after criminologist." by Suzanne Smalley
http://www.newsweek.com/id/182534
Governments tax the drugs to deal with some of the harm caused by existing addicts and harm caused by new addicts to themselves and others. Drugs that are regulated are likely to be safer than drugs that are not regulated. When people buy marijuana, heroin, and cocaine now they can not be sure of how strong it is strength wise and what else is in it. Can a person die from the first time use of heroin or cocaine? Yes
Will criminals always look for ways to make money illegally? Yes Will there always be violent gangs? Probably Will legalizing drugs decrease the amount of money they make from drugs? Probably
The point is to reduce the amount of harm caused by the illegal drugs to other members of society. If Mexico's government collapses, how many more illegal immigrants do you think our country is going to get and how much harm do you think our country will experience if Mexico's government collapses?
Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution says Congress has the power
"To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures"
Congress should eliminate the Federal Reserve or veto many of its decisions. If a majority of the United States Senate wants a Federal Reserve decision to be vetoed, it should be vetoed. If a majority of the United States House of Representatives wants a Federal Reserve decision to be vetoed, it should be vetoed.
Congress should consider backing our currency with gold, silver, and other commodities.
The federal government, state governments, and businesses should spend more money on buses within cities, buses between cities, passenger rail, and freight rail. If people have an easier time getting to jobs and from jobs via buses, governments may be able to spend less money on food stamps and Medicaid. If fewer families need to have 2nd cars and 3rd cars, they may save money on gas, auto insurance, auto maintenance, and other auto related costs which could give them more money to spend on other things. People who do not have to spend money on cars have more money for college educations, down payments on homes and fixed rate mortgages, and retirements. If the air is cleaner, fewer children who have asthma may have to go to emergency rooms for asthma attacks and fewer parents may lose less time from work to take care of sick children. Our country may use less foreign oil and be able to spend less money on the military.
I am a regular user of Manchester Transit Authority which operates buses in Manchester, New Hampshire. Many senior citizens, disabled Veterans, students, shoppers, and others may benefit from having evening bus service and Sunday bus service in Manchester. Manchester's downtown might be busier at night and on Sundays. Many restaurants might have more customers and New Hampshire might obtain more money from its rooms and meals tax. Manchester Transit Authority buses have plenty of advertising space inside of them and I hope many businesses will advertise inside of Manchester Transit Authority buses. A person may see an ad inside of a bus longer than an ad in a magazine.
Congress for the New Urbanism http://www.cnu.org has a nice website. I agree with them that we need to make cities more walker friendly. This may reduce our need for foreign oil, help make our air cleaner, and help reduce obesity.
If New Hampshire's governments and businesses spend more money on buses within cities and buses between cities, more businesses might be willing to create jobs in New Hampshire and more tourists from Canada might visit New Hampshire.
Article 6 of United States Constitution
"This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges of every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding."
Please keep in mind when Article 6 was written United States Senators were chosen by State Legislatures which gave State Legislatures a say in which Treaties were adopted and which Treaties were NOT adopted. Before Amendment Seventeen was passed, State Legislatures via United States Senators had a say on military issues, Treaties, trade agreements, Ambassadors, national debt, Supreme Court Justices, and other things.
I would like an Amendment to the United States Constitution adopted that says when a part of an existing Treaty or future Treaty conflicts with a portion of the United States Constitution that part of the Treaty is voided. The only way to significantly change the United States Constitution should be via an Amendment to the United States Constitution.
I would like an Amendment to the United States Constitution adopted that allows each State to have at least 3 United States Senators and allows each State Legislature to choose at least 1 United States Senator.
I would like an Amendment to the United States Constitution adopted that allows State Legislatures to repeal Treaties, trade agreements, federal laws, and federal regulations.
I would like an Amendment to the United States Constitution adopted that allows State Legislatures to recall (fire) their Representatives to the United States House of Representatives, their United States Senators, the President of the United States of America, and the Vice President of the United States of America.
I would like an Amendment to the United States Constitution adopted that allows the people to repeal federal laws, federal regulations, trade agreements, and Treaties.
I would like an Amendment to the United States Constitution adopted that allows the people to recall their United States Senators, their Representatives to the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States of America, and the Vice President of the United States of America.
SOME IDEAS FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire should allow casino gambling in many parts of New Hampshire. To deal with addicts and crime, New Hampshire and the cities the casinos are in taxes casinos, taxes winnings above a certain amount, and charges people a fee for entering the casinos. New Hampshire would also benefit from rooms and meals tax revenues from the casinos. Many existing restaurants and many existing hotels could be allowed to have poker matches and other casino gambling. This may help many restaurants and hotels stay in business. Some of the money New Hampshire obtains from casino gambling could be used for police, education, gambling addiction, and infrastructure.
Individual Liberty and freedoms are important. Treating people who are at least 18 years old as adults is important. Does every person who gambles become an addict? No Do many people who gamble become addicts? Yes Prohibition dealing with alcohol caused significant harm. Prohibition dealing with marijuana, heroin, and cocaine for people who are at least 18 years old is causing significant harm. Do you want to ban alcohol because alcohol harms many people? Do you want to ban cigarettes because cigarettes harm many people? Do you want to ban sodas because they harm many people? Do you want to ban donuts because they harm many people? Do you want to ban the state lottery because the state lottery harms many people? Gambling may make it easier for New Hampshire to reduce its tax on corporate profits.
New Hampshire should allow people to smoke in restaurants. This may save jobs in many restaurants. This may help increase employment in many restaurants which may help reduce the need for food stamps and Medicaid. If you do NOT want to eat in a restaurant that has smoking, you may eat in a different restaurant. If you do NOT want to work in a restaurant that has smoking, you may work in a different restaurant. Making it harder for a restaurant to stay in business is a bad idea. Individual Liberty and freedoms are important. If a restaurant wants to have smoking, it should be allowed to have smoking. I have had asthma since I was a child. I have never smoked. Second hand cigarette smoke has sometimes bothered my asthma.
The rooms and meals tax should be 5 percent to encourage more people to visit restaurants and hotels. The more people employed by restaurants and hotels the fewer people who may need food stamps and Medicaid.
I think New Hampshire should reduce cigarette taxes to encourage more people from New Hampshire and other states to buy cigarettes and lottery tickets in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire's state government and local governments need to make it easier for small businesses to do business in New Hampshire by eliminating regulations that are not necessary, by eliminating laws that are not necessary, and by reducing many fees and paperwork.
New Hampshire might want to have a tax of less than 6 percent on corporate profits to encourage more businesses to do business in New Hampshire and encourage existing businesses to expand in New Hampshire. New Hampshire needs to care more about creating good paying jobs and other jobs in New Hampshire. New Hampshire needs to reduce its need for tourism. Many Massachusetts businesses might decide to create jobs in New Hampshire. State revenues do not need to be as high if there is less need for food stamps and Medicaid.
PEOPLE NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHEN THEY WANT PUBLIC SAFETY TO BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY.
I first read John Locke when I was a teenager and my political philosophy is based on John Locke. I usually care more about Individual Liberty than anything else. I believe there should be an Amendment to the United States Constitution that bans the military draft as a possibility even when our nation has been invaded. It is better to die free than to live as a slave.
A friend of mine was murdered in New Hampshire by a drunk driver in 1980 when I was 10 years old. I still have emotional scars from his murder. His murder really screwed me up for a long period of itme.
I hope you will think about how you would like it if a friend of yours is murdered by a drunk driver. I hope you will think about how you would like it if a friend of yours is killed by an idiot who talks on a cell phone when driving.
New Hampshire should have mandatory auto insurance. The son of a friend of mine has significant brain injury because of an uninsured driver. The driver who injured my friend's son now has to have auto insurance. Medical costs from a car accident may be several hundred thousand dollars over the victim's life. If a person does not have auto insurance, the person may not be held accountable when the person causes harm while driving.
New Hampshire may want to have mandatory seat belt usage to reduce the probability of having to cleanup bodies from the highways and reduce the probability of more accidents because of bodies in the highways. Many people own CONVERTIBLES. If you are not wearing a seat belt and your car gets hit, you are going to have less control of your car if you are still in it which increases the probability of other people getting injured and/or killed in other cars. Do you care if other drivers endanger the lives of your children and other family members when the drivers do not wear seat belts? If you are driving in a convertible without a seat belt and your car gets hit, your chances of leaving your vehicle is greater than it would be if you are wearing a seat belt because of PHYSICS.
New Hampshire SHOULD BAN the usage of cell phones while driving in non emergency situations. If a person is caught using a cell phone while driving in a non emergency situation, the person should be hit with a $2,000 fine and a 5 percent of yearly income fine. If you drive while talking on a cell phone, you are more likely to cause an accident. If you drive while talking on a cell phone, you will have a harder time avoiding an accident. If you drive while talking on a cell phone, your control of your car is less when it is hit which increases the probability your car will hit other cars. The point is to avoid a situation before it takes place.
If a person is caught texting while driving, the person should be hit with a $3,000 fine and a 10 percent of yearly income fine. A person should never text while driving.
If a person is caught driving more than 20 miles per hour above the speed limit, the person should be hit with a $2,000 fine and a 5 percent of yearly income fine.
If you are at least 18 years old and you want to smoke in a restaurant that allows smoking, you should be allowed to do so because of Individual Liberty.
If you are at least 18 years old, you should be allowed to smoke marijuana, have sex with prostitutes, and gamble in casinos. If New Hampshire allows people who are at least 18 years old to smoke marijuana, have sex with prostitutes or a date in a casino, eat in the casino restaurant, and gamble in casinos, New Hampshire may be able to sell its own brand of marijuana, charge people to eat in the restaurant, charge people a fee to gamble, and tax winnings above a certain amount. Rooms and meals tax revenues might increase. Tourism to New Hampshire might significantly increase from many countries.
I hope people will think about Individual Liberty in a logical way. If you are at least 18 years old and you want to smoke marijuana at home, you should be allowed to do so because of Individual Liberty. If you drive while under the influence of marijuana, you should be punished. I think it is crazy that we tell cancer patients they may NOT smoke marijuana while allowing people to endanger the lives of others by talking on a cell phone while driving. Individual Liberty allows you to harm yourself if you are at least 18 years old. Individual Liberty does NOT allow you to engage in reckless behavior that endangers the lives of others.
Do you care what happens to walkers who get hit by uninsured drivers who talk on a cell phone while driving? Have you ever had an idiot talking on a cell phone while driving cut in front of you when you have had a walk signal? I have trying to cross the street in Manchester on several occasions. Maybe we should call Manchester the reckless Wild West City where many idiots drive.
"Live Free or Die" is the motto of New Hampshire. The "Die" part fits. The "Live Free" part does not. If you drive or walk in New Hampshire, you need to expect to be hit by an idiot who talks on a cell phone while driving without auto insurance and no seat belt. I wonder how many people who think New Hampshire should NOT have smoking in restaurants and gambling in casinos think people should be allowed to talk on cell phones while driving and not have auto insurance. If New Hampshire believed in people Living Free, people who are at least 18 years old would be able to smoke marijuana, smoke cigarettes in restaurants, have sex with prostitutes, be prostitutes, and gamble in casinos. New Hampshire does NOT value life. New Hampshire does NOT value freedom. New Hampshire does NOT value Individual Liberty. New Hampshire does NOT value public safety.
A friend of mine was murdered in New Hampshire by a drunk driver in 1980 when I was 10 years old. He never got the chance to go to college, get married, and vote.
If you die because of a drunk driver, your Individual Liberty no longer matters.
If you die because of an idiot who drives while talking on a cell phone, your Individual Liberty no longer matters.
I hope none of you ever knows what it is like to lose a friend because of a driver who was not responsible.
I hope fewer children die because of drivers who are not responsible.
Responsible drivers do NOT talk on a cell phone in a non emergency situation. Responsible drivers do NOT eat and drive. Responsible drivers do NOT shave and drive. Responsible drivers do NOT drink coffee and drive. Responsible drivers focus on driving.
People who are at least 18 years old have the right to ruin their own lives.
People do NOT have the right to murder me with their cars or murder any other person with their cars. People do NOT have the right to ruin my life or ruin the life of any other person.
Public safety is more important than Individual Liberty when people are driving.
I asked MANCHESTER EXPRESS questions dealing with the Verizon Wireless Arena and MerchantsAuto.com stadium that Manchester, New Hampshire's taxpayers are paying for. The answers are on page 5 of the January 5-11, 2009 Express http://www.manchexpress.com/express010509.pdf
"The Express spoke with city finance officer Bill Sanders to find out the answers to these questions and learn more about the financial arrangements the venues have with the city."
"The City of Manchester does not receive any money from merchandise or ticket sales from the arena or the stadium, whether in the form of a commission or a sales tax, Sanders said. While it would be possible to have some sort of sales tax on these things, the decision to do so would be a legislative matter at the state level, he said."
"The city receives an annual contribution of about $200,000 from the arena to the capital reserve fund. This payment is more than offset, however, by the $4.5 million the city pays annually on a bank loan taken out for the arena's construction. This amount will increase to about $5.2 million per year during the next 20 years, at which point the loan will be paid off, Sanders said."
"Funds for the debt service payments do not come from Queen City taxpayers directly, but from the statewide meals and rentals tax. The state adds an 8 percent tax on hotel and restaurant bills that costs at least 36 cents, along with an 8 percent tax on motor vehicle rentals, according the the Department of Revenue Administration website. This money is collected by the state and redistributed to the city and town governments. Manchester received $4.8 million in 2008."
I hope New Hampshire's Legislature will have a sales tax on tickets and merchandise sold at Verizon Wireless Arena and MerchantsAuto.com stadium and turn over all the proceeds from the sales tax to Manchester's government so that Manchester's taxpayers will not continue to be harmed by Manchester elected officials who did not make sure that Manchester's government is able to tax sales at Verizon Wireless Arena and MerchantsAuto.com. Manchester's taxpayers are not able to take buses to the Verizon Wireless Arena and MerchantsAuto.com stadium on Sundays because there is no bus service in Manchester on Sundays. I hope Manchester will have evening bus service and Sunday bus service. I hope voters in many states will learn from Manchester's government poor decision making.
New Hampshire may want to ask Canadian governments and Canadian businesses if they would be willing to help fund and run passenger rail between Canada and Boston. Many Canadian tourists and businesses might benefit from passenger rail between Canada and Boston. New Hampshire might want to ask many businesses based in Massachusetts if they would be willing to help fund and run passenger rail between Canada and Boston because they might benefit from passenger rail. New Hampshire might get more tourists from Canada and Massachusetts if there is passenger rail between Canada and Boston. It might be easier for many people who live in New Hampshire to work in Canada and Massachusetts. Many businesses could advertise inside of passenger rail. New Hampshire could allow poker matches and other card games with large cash prizes on passenger rail.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
The federal government should pay 100 percent of the cost of providing public k-12 educations to illegal immigrants and the children of illegal immigrants including those children born in the United States of America. The federal government should pay 100 percent of the cost of Medicaid for illegal immigrants and the children of illegal immigrants including those children born in the United States of America. The federal government should pay 100 percent of the cost of food stamps and other anti-poverty programs for illegal immigrants and the children of illegal immigrants including those children born in the United States of America. The federal government should pay 100 percent of the cost of jailing illegal immigrants and the children of illegal immigrants including those children born in the United States of America. Local governments and state governments should send bills to the federal government for the previous things and the federal government should pay them because the federal government is responsible for keeping illegal immigrants out.
An important component of national security is border security. Democrat members of Congress, Republican members of Congress, Republican Presidents, and Democrat Presidents have not cared enough about border security. We need to be worried about illegal immigration, terrorism, crime, diseases, and harm to our food supply.
Our country should significantly increase LEGAL IMMIGRATION in the future especially educated immigration and skilled immigration. Our country should let in more immigrants who are able to create jobs in our country. Our computer industry has benefitted significantly from legal immigration over the years. We might not have much of a computer industry if it were not for people like An Wang and Andy Grove.
It should be easier for LEGAL IMMIGRANTS to become citizens of the United States of America.
Illegal immigrants should have to register with the federal government and the state government of the state they work in. If a business hires an illegal immigrant who is NOT registered to work in the United States of America, the federal government and the state government should hit the business with fines. Illegal immigrants should receive photo IDs that includes their fingerprints.
Illegal immigrants should pay a higher social security tax and a higher Medicare tax than citizens of the United States of America. Illegal immigrants should pay a higher income tax than citizens of the United States of America. Illegal immigrants should pay a 5 percent WORK IN THE USA tax collected by employers that would be split between the federal government and the state government. Only ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS should pay the WORK IN THE USA tax.
An illegal immigrant should have to live in the United States of America for at least 10 years after the passage of this law before the person may become a citizen of the United States of America. An illegal immigrant should have to pay social security taxes for at least 25 years after the passage of this law before the person is able to obtain any benefits from Social Security.
The federal sales taxes would tax some of the money being earned in our underground economy by illegal immigrants and others.
I recommend people read
"Hiding in the Shadows
The Growth of the Underground Economy" by Friedrich Schneider and Dominik Enste.
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/issues/issues30/index.htm
LIBRARIES
I obtained much of my education going to the Nashua Public Library in Nashua, New Hampshire when I was growing up. I obtained a great education from Nashua's public schools.
The need for libraries may significantly increase.
I hope many restaurants and other businesses will hold fundraisers for libraries. Businesses could match employee contributions up to a maximum limit the businesses set. Many companies might want to donate items to be raffled off. Many businesses might want to donate, shirts, bags, and other things that could be sold with the proceeds going to libraries.
Libraries may help poor children and other children obtain great educations.
The books in libraries and newspapers in libraries may help people find jobs.
Computers at libraries may help people find jobs and save money when they buy things. People may look up prices on the computer and then order things over the phone when they get home. Computers may help people obtain product reviews they are able to take with them to retail stores where they may buy items.
EDUCATION
I hope governments and businesses in many countries will help fund and run free education websites that have top teachers and top students teaching early childhood education, k-12 subjects, college subjects, and graduate school subjects via video, audio, notes, and other things. Top teachers and top students could be compensated. You may see what MIT is doing at http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm. The free websites could also provide free tutoring by teachers and students. A student in Nebraska could benefit from a teacher in France. A student in Germany could benefit from a student tutor in Kansas.
Students who have a hard time learning in the classroom may learn a lot from the websites. Some students do not learn some subjects as fast as other students. Some students learn some subjects faster than other subjects. The education websites may benefit homeschooled students and employees of many businesses.
A nice website dealing with education is http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/early_education/subject_matter/scie...
I hope many governments and businesses in many countries will help fund free during the school day tutoring, free after school tutoring, and free weekend tutoring.
I hope governments and businesses in many countries will fund cooperative education programs similar to what takes place at Northeastern University in junior high schools, high schools, colleges, and graduate schools.
Local governments and state governments may want to do many of the things that Finland is doing dealing with education. You may read about education in Finland at http://www.edu.fi/english/Subpage.asp?path=500;4699
Governments and businesses may want to make reducing functional illiteracy dealing with reading and writing one of their main priorities. People who are able to read and write may make more money, buy more goods and services, and pay more in taxes.
WHAT I AM ATTEMPTING TO DO
I am trying to help people be better educated voters. I am hoping to get more people interested in running for elective office. I am discussing the issues the way I think they should be discussed.
I have a very long paper trail going back more than a decade.
I think it is more likely that our planet will be hit by several asteroids on the same day capable of wiping out all life on our planet than me ever winning elective office.
SOME THINGS TO DO IN A CRISIS SITUATION
Do not panic. If you panic, you are likely to make things worse.
Read The Art of War by Sun Tzu to help you think more logically.
Think logically and take the time necessary to decrease the probability that the solutions you have come up with will make things worse. Before TARP was passed, members of Congress should have made sure the federal government was getting back some of the bonuses and executive pay already paid out. Congress should reduce future executive pay and bonuses when it wants of companies receiving money from TARP. Members of Congress should make financial institutions receiving money from TARP tell Congress how the money is being spent and loaned out at least every 2 weeks.
Study human nature. If you ignore human nature, policies are less likely to work.
Study history to see what has worked in the past and what has not worked in the past.
