Cons of a Flat Tax System

Flat Tax Assessment

Les Miserables, the Spy Museum and American Art Museum

The National Spy Museum: So the spy museum doesn't allow any food or drink inside, but I managed to sneak in a large coffee. I had to get past multiple inspection points and I still managed to out-spy the SPY MUSEUM. #ImANinja


The Kennedy Center: Colin, Michael and were brought back to a time of Revolution, Love and War at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday. The show was uniquely done with a large projector used for many of the backgrounds, allowing for much creativity in set design and choreography. The Kennedy Center itself was also pretty cool. With multiple theatre halls, and super-over-priced concessions, its up there with the best of Performing arts centers.


Finally, the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum were pretty awesome, but part of me cringed on the inside to see some of the things that now qualify for art.

But hey, look on the bright side: If you can't get a job after graduation, you could always just do something like this and become an artist! :D

Visit to DOJ

Interesting discussion of antitrust law and job hunting in DC hosted by Ed Ajaeb '11.

Tax Reform Fantasies

Hold Obama to His Word!

Obama should be held to his word. He suggested that if the economy did not turn around during his administration that he would be held accountable by the American people. We have not seen significant economic "change" since he took office. Should we just allow him to slip by and say "oh I made a mistake" or "sorry I was wrong, please let me have another term and I'll see what I can do?" I don't think that in this economic environment we can afford to give people second chances such as this. With such a monumental failure to remedy the economy and at such a huge cost to the American debt/deficit I think electing Obama for a second term is fiscally dangerous. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, when Obama took office in January of 2009 the unemployment level that month was 7.8%. Since then the unemployment rate has never dropped below 8.2%, with that only happening once. During the majority of his time in office, the unemployment rate has been above 9%. Only in recent months have we seen it even out at around 9% consistently. This is still 1.2% greater than the unemployment rate in the country when Obama first took office.

I believe that we have not seen the "change" that Obama promised. With this in mind I don't see how it could be prudent for the American people to take another four year gamble to see if Obama can pull through.

Is the love affair over?

Evidence that animosity toward Congress in general may be spilling over to individual incumbents. Mr. Rusche is an expert on this subject.

Another East Wing Tour

So this week my internship (ACYPL) is hosting its largest program of the year made up of delegates from Israel, Palestine, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. We were able to go on an East Wing tour of the White House, and I managed to get some pics of the First Dog, Bo getting some fresh air.

Is high speed rail a good investment?

Topic for future debate?

The conservative case for Mitt Romney

An Argument Against the Flat Tax

"A flat tax would shift tax obligations from the rich to the poor, and especially the middle class, and eliminate desirable tax incentives for retirement savings, home ownership, and charitable contributions. Simple? Yes. Efficient and equitable? Not so much."

Brief Guide to Flat Tax

Flat tax proposals abolish special breaks for the well-connected elite and put an end to double taxation, a practice that has for years discouraged productive saving and investment behaviors. Under the flat tax plan, all taxpayers would be treated equally, save for a "family-friendly" loophole (the only loophole), which would excuse the poorest families from tax payments they truly cannot afford.

Debate topic for this week: Flat Tax

Preemption

Brief discussion of the doctrine of preemption. Issue cuts in complex ways. DOJ is arguing that preemption prohibits immigration laws such as those in AZ. On the other hand, business groups often favor preemption as a way of avoiding the complexities of being regulated by 50 different states.

Kurns v. Railroad Friction Products

The other case we will hear. Another preemption case.

National Meat Association v. Brown

One of the cases we will hear next week. Case raises the issue of "preemption."

TIL Michael Scanlon Went to My High School

Just for clarification (TIL for all you non-redditors means Today I Learned) and Michael Scanlon was Jack Abramoff's partner in crime (portrayed by Barry Pepper in Casino Jack).

Just thought it was an interesting tidbit to share with everyone. Michael Scanlon was class of 1989 at Walter Johnson High School where I went to school. A lot of infamous people attended my high school including the American Taliban (John Walker Lindh). Hopefully this doesn't become a pattern, especially with me...

P.S.: Yes I know wikipedia articles are taboo/unreliable (especially my high school's page) but I do not think anyone has sabotaged the alumni page recently.

Luncheon with Herman Cain

This afternoon I attended a luncheon with Herman Cain at the National Press Club. It was a swell time. Not really sure what inspired me the most: his speech, the 9-9-9 cupcakes, or his singing.

Paul Krugman on: Military Keynesianism?

I admit, I found this on Reddit. But it's something I've always pondered: "small government" and fiscal scrutiny rarely applies to the military.

"Anonymous" hackers threaten Mexican drug cartel

Hacktivists, "Anonymous," continue activity despite controversy and criticism. This time, they're back with a message to the Mexican Drug cartel, "Zetas". Anonymous threatens to expose all information linked to this cartel on November 5th, if their comrade is not released.

U.S. cuts UNESCO funding after Palestinian membership vote

One nation, two camps: The most ideological election in years

“It will really be the first election since the 1930s in which there has been such a focus on economic divisions and the role of the state.” - Nolan McCarty

More on Occupy...

Huntsman's 3 daughters spoof Cain's "smoking" ad

Huntsman's daughters recently made a web video (and twitter account) spoofing Herman Cain's silly ad that came out last week. The video itself is pretty hilarious, and the girls obviously will use its boost in popularity to try to draw attention to their dad. Could Huntsman really use this opportunity to catapult himself into the spotlight?

Happy Belated Birthday, Lady Liberty

Here's a video of the festivities as well
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15503621

Herman Cain Sighting

My post yesterday about the scarcity of political Halloween costumes due to disillusionment with government may have been a little premature. Last night in Adams Morgan I saw this distinguished gentleman.

Halloween costumes, politics not mixing this year

DC is the capitol of topical Halloween costumes. However few have opted for political costumes this year, indicating public dissatisfaction with government

3rd candidate on the rise?

American Elect, a group consisting of Democrats, Republicans & Independents, fed up with party polarization in Washington will be holding a national primary election online for a third party presidential candidate.

Power networking

Kevin, Cara, Caroline, and Binchan chat with Austin Imperato '07 at Bar Louie.

Cain may get important endorsement

Heritage getting a little pushy?

Maybe a bit of over-polarization from the ideologically driven think tanks like we were talking about...

Occupy Oakland Gets Ugly

Police throw tear gas into the crowd. 102 people were arrested.

President's student loan plan will save graduates less than $10 a month

Occupy financial aid office?

Obama's Mortgage Plan

Personally I like this plan and I am happy to see the administration taking steps to help heavily indebted borrowers refinance their mortgages. However I am concerned that Obama passed this via executive order. I am wary of legislating through executive order. Our Constitution clearly gave Congress the ability to pass laws and I think that in recent years the executive has over-stepped their bounds by taking a lot of liberty with executive orders (whether it be Obama with mortgage changes or Bush with his national security executive orders that allowed for increased surveillance and extradition of suspected terrorists). Presidential executive orders are on the rise and I do not think this is what the framers had in mind when they designed our democracy. What does everyone else think?

Income Inequality Rises According to CBO

I wonder how this will play out in 2012? The economy is definitely stagnant and will probably be the primary issue on voters minds. But it is possible that the anger at the super-rich in this country exemplified by the OWS protests might play out in Dems favor. This might become very important issue especially if the Republican nominee is somewhat like Herman Cain or Rick Perry, both of whom produced economic plans that would significantly benefit the top earners in the country.

DC magnet for hip young Americans

and their mature American fearless leaders.

U.S. economy grows nearly twice as fast in 3rd quarter

The economy kept "chugging along, steadily if not spectacularly, even amid volatile financial markets, deepening fears about a possible economic collapse in Europe, and a U.S. debt downgrade" (Irwin, Washington Post).

I do not deny that there is high unemployment rates but the constant flow of bad news squashes confidence in our economy. The market is, always has been, and always will be a confidence game.

Overall, this is some moderately good news. Check out the Market this morning (October 27, 2011):

Credit: Bill Cara's Blog

In honor of our debate last night, is it too late for Obama?

Cain's odds

Answer to Tim's question

According to this expert, not ok to hand out copies of your resume while working a room.

New Poll Finds a Deep Distrust of Government

This article discusses how Americans current distrust of government will impact the upcoming election.