I've Been Gone...

...but now I'm back.

We've got a serious election coming up in a couple months, one that will decide what direction the country moves in from here on out. So I think it's about time I start looking at issues and candidates a lil harder...and while I'm doing that I might just as well blog about it. Might make life a little easier for all of you, no?

So stay tuned...watch this space on Thursdays for my new posts!

Taxes, Taxes, Taxes: Part 2

While I agree with the concept of taxes, I don't necessarily think they're ALL well and good. I think a lot of tax dollars are spent on stupid stuff. Even more money is spent inefficiently. While government shouldn't and couldn't be run like a business, the idea of such waste and corruption (however minor it may be in some cases) being accepted is total crap. I think we can ditch quite a bit of spending, especially at the Federal level.

I'm also not a huge fan of income tax. I realize it's easy. It's guaranteed income for the government. But...why? Why automatically tax me for making a living and being productive? I don't agree with the concept. Property taxes make the most sense to me, because money from those taxes go to protect and serve the property. Property taxes cover the fire department that keeps my home safe; property taxes go to the school that teaches my children. By all means, tax my property.

Sales/transaction taxes also make a lot of sense. When I want to use that money I can understand taxing certain transactions. When I buy a new car, or bottle of Jack Daniels. When I buy or sell stock. Maybe an account tax, on savings or CD accounts. It's a choice to use my money, and I can choose to not buy some luxury or "sin" item or even to not expand my wealth on the stock market. I agree with that much more than taxing income indiscriminately...I can't NOT have a job, but I can NOT buy a new car.

So there's the downsides of taxes as I see it. We're spending too much in too many bad ways and not getting good results, and the income tax rubs me the wrong way. Anyone feel like looking into this, or are we too busy pointing fingers and yelling "Fat cat Republican" and "Filthy Liberal" at each other?

Taxes, Taxes, Taxes: Part 1

This isn't your standard tax season post. Oh no. See, I don't believe that taxes are inherently evil. I get quite a bit in return for my tax dollars. A government with enough funds to operate services is what separates our country from that of the third world.

A few things funded by my tax dollars:

• Roads
• Education
• Libraries
• Medical research
• Museums
• Support for Artists
• Law and Order
• Fire Protection
• Building Codes
• Military Protection
• Emergency Medical
• History Preservation
• Trash Removal
• Sewage Systems
• Drinking Water
• Food and Product Regulation

There are quite a few things that would be difficult or impossible for me to do as an individual, things I take for granted on a daily basis. How in the hell could I drive to work without roads, or traffic laws? There's no way I could fund a university to train doctors and research cures. I can't put out fires. I can't break up gangs or catch burglars.

But pool my money with money from my neighbors? Pretty soon you're talking serious cash. And with a pile of cash comes the ability to do things like hire cops and lay roads. Now this money has to be spent intelligently...but that's another post for another day.

US Senate Primary Election 5/4/10: The Democratic Candidates

Unless someone else files in the next six days, the competitors for the Democratic nomination for George Voinovich's seat are set.

The candidates are Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Lt. Governor Lee Fisher. Both are fairly well known across the state as they've held office for several years now. Aside from a considerable lead in fundraising for Fisher, there doesn't seem to be a clear advantage for either candidate, especially when paired against the favored GOP candidate Rob Portman.

An interesting fact to note is that while Brunner is FAR behind in money (usually the key indicator in a race) she's still hanging tough. And with just a couple months to go till the primary, it's the Fisher campaign that's shaking things up with a new campaign manager.

This is already a race to watch!

US Senate Primary Election 5/4/10: the GOP Candidates

Unless some other candidates file in the next nine days the competitors for the US Senate seat being vacated by George Voinovich are set.

For the GOP nomination it's a fight between a newbie from Cleveland named Tom Ganley--who has a large fortune from his auto dealing companies--and veteran Congressman/US Trade Rep/Director of Office of Management and Budget Rob Portman from Cincinnati. While Portman enjoys the backing the Republican Party leadership and all the perks and advantages that entails, Ganley is tapping into the anti-government feelings popularized by the "Tea Party" movement.

In a lot of ways, this primary is the epitome of the struggle going on in the GOP and the rest of our political structure. Across the board, issues are being increasingly polarized over bigger government vs no government, with no one considering the idea of a middle ground.

Incumbents are being pooh-poohed simply because they're a part of government--regardless of their actual accomplishments or lack thereof. Compromise candidates like the "Blue Dog" Democrats are getting caught in the middle: too liberal for their constituents, too conservative for party leadership. GOP incumbents such as Arlen Specter are finding it necessary to change parties just to have a chance of staying in office--because they've become too "establishment" and "liberal" for the GOP base.

The Portman/Ganley showdown is another sign of this. Government veteran, or government outsider? Political operator or commercial giant? Seasoned legislator or successful executive? Those are some of the choices GOP voters will have to decide in May, and the results could be quite interesting for the future of this country.

Dates Dates Dates

Some key dates for the upcoming primary election season (brought to you by the Franklin County Board of Elections):

2/18/2010: Deadline for partisan candidates to file, as well as local issues/questions/options for the 5/4/2010 election.

3/3/2010: Deadline for write-in candidates to file intent.

4/5/2010: Deadline for VOTER REGISTRATION, to be eligible to vote in May 4th primary.

5/1/2010: Deadline for absentee ballots by mail (must be received by BOE by 4pm).

5/4/2010: Primary Election Day, polls open 630am-730pm.