The Way I See ItBy cj pollickLocal Bicyclists Are Notified Of The Law - Have you ever ridden on Gulf Boulevard when a gathering of over 30 bicyclists are riding together in large groups sometimes six wide? If yes, then you know how frustrating it can be to pass this traveling mass of bicycles. The law, as reflected in a recent public sign that alerts bicyclists to the rules of the road on Gulf Boulevard, states that the bicyclists must not travel greater than two bicyclists wide. Not three wide, not four wide and certainly not a traveling mass of bicycles. Will bicyclists follow this rule? Time will tell, but it could easily be monitored by the Sheriff's Department and/or Clearwater Police Department. Out Of Control And Asking For More Money - How can local and county governments continue to ask for more taxpayer funds when America is in a deep recession? Simple, governments could propose to cut popular program funding from the annual budget. Citizens who support those popular city/county programs will rant and rave at city hall about not cutting popular programs and, therefore, support higher government spending. Dangle the carrot and lead the horse. On the other hand, taxpayers should be questioning the costs of government funded healthcare, car allowances, pension costs and other fixed cost-of-living pay raises for government/taxpayer employees. How much has government cut in those large expenses over the past twenty years? Not much, but many elected people would immediately respond by saying, "I inherited fixed contracts with city employee unions and can't cut those annual benefit/salary costs. We are stuck with negotiated contracts from previous administrations." (Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio has "taken on" on the unions by saying there will be NO pay increases in the budget.) And, of course, the answer is true. However, people work at the pleasure of the government. Perhaps it is time for elected officials to cut government payroll and costs related thereto. Union officials would be predictably outraged and would support candidates who would not encourage such a manner of government budget cutting. Candidates who support city union plans would receive campaign funds while opponents would rely on common taxpayers for election funds. Here is the root of our financial mess: common citizens do not support the election process. Special interest groups rule the day. Are you unhappy with the manner in which local/county governments spend your tax dollars? Get involved with the election process and vote for change. Episcopal Church Votes To Allow Homosexuals To Become Bishops And Priests - In an expected vote by Episcopal Church leaders, the Episcopal Church of America will support gays and lesbians as church leaders (ministers/bishops.) However, this recent vote of the US Episcopal Church may alter the manner in which leaders of the Church of England may accept this vote for greater acceptance of gay and lesbian priests. Church leaders in England are not as supportive of this dogma as the American Episcopal Church. This decision will likely cause an even greater split in the American Episcopal Church. Must Read Article - Wall Street Journal on Tuesday published an article about how Obama and House Democrats are planning to increase income taxes to nearly 60%. According to the Wall Street Journal, that is exactly what Stanford economist Michael Boskin had predicted when Obama was running for elected office (but Obama campaign staff at the time denied such economic reports.) Democrats have controlled Congress for over two years and clearly have the votes to pass any new laws they desire. House Ways and Means outspoken Chairman Charlie Rangel plans to impose a "surtax" on people who make more than $280,000. Furthermore, and in order to fund their health care plan, so stated the Wall Street Journal, the following tax rates are likely to be passed by Democrats: top personal tax rate will increase from 35% to 46%; capital gains tax rate will increase from 15% to 23%, and payroll tax rates will increase from 15% to 23%. Thus the highest tax rate could be over 60%. How would a tax increase affect business productivity? Christina Romer and her husband, a Berkeley economist, stated to the Wall Street Journal that "tax increases appear to have a very large, sustained and highly significant negative impact on output." According to the Wall Street Journal, "The last time the top federal tax rate was 50%, the richest 1% paid only about 25% of all income taxes. Today, at a 35% rate they pay nearly 40% of all income taxes." What does Obama plan to do with our tax system? Wall Street Journal concluded, " The more the Obama Democrats reveal of their policies, the more clear that they prize income redistribution above all else, including job creation and economic growth." Is this the change Americans voted for in the last election? Media Tries To Shift News From Obama - Just when you would have thought the liberal media would support pressuring the Obama administration to address and fix our growing national recession, the media covers old news about Dick Cheney and how Bush may have tortured captured terrorists. The media's outdated coverage of redundant news, nevertheless, can't replace our nation's growing displeasure of the last two years of wasteful spending in Washington. Many Americans are, quite frankly, fed-up with all politicians. Nancy Pelosi continues to spend taxpayer funds at historic levels of waste. Harry Reid can hardly wait to get back to Las Vegas and view more "free" fights at one of his favorite casinos and Ted Kennedy still wants a national health plan with federal employee exemptions (such as Congress.) The First Lady is also sending a mixed message when she carries a $6,000 handbag and wears a $600 pair of sneakers while working at a "feed-line" ministry. Has anything changed from the wasteful days of arrogant Republicans in Washington? The way I see it, people want to cut government spending. Americans want less war and more emphasis on helping Americans (and not illegals.) Politicians do not get the message! Certainty - If you begin with certainties, we shall end in doubts; but if we begin with doubts, and are patient in them, we shall end in certainties. - Francis Bacon |