Craig's Corner

The metaphor of yelling “fire” in a crowded theatre is a paraphrase of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.’s opinion on the Supreme Court case which outlawed “dangerous and false speech.”   The Boy Who Cried Wolf is one of Aesop’s Fables which is about giving a false alarm.   Today’s news (traditional, cable and internet) hyperbole is histrionic on nearly everything – so that when there’s a real issue that comes up, it can’t be distinguished through the noise.   Each outlet in their own way hyperventilate stories to the point that it’s surprising anybody has any nerve endings left.   Fox News in particular has become the #1 cable news network by shouting about every perceived injustice.   So when they whine and cry that the Obama administration is out to get them, it’s quite natural to think that it’s more of the same.   The problem is that it’s now actually true.   I wish that there was a more sympathetic target so more people would be wound up...

Saturday Night Live since 1975 has been a leader in comedy thanks to their ability to do spot-on parodies.   The cultural shift against Sarah Palin can be tied to Tina Fey‘s imitation of the former VP candidate.   It’s rare that real-world events are a parody in and of themselves.   Thankfully, however, we have an example.   Congress just bailed out the helium industry once again.     According to the Washington Post (not The Onion or late night comedians) The Federal Helium program was introduced as a temporary measure in 1925.   Inflatable airships were being built in Europe after World War I and the U.S. was afraid of falling behind, so Congress ordered a stockpile of helium to make sure American dirigibles weren’t left behind.   Private companies do produce helium, but the U.S. Government continues to have a reserve – enough to fill 33 billion party balloons.     President Reagan tried to dismantle the pro...

Last week the IRS disclosed that in evaluating an application for tax-exempt status, ‘low level’ staffers had used search words such as “tea-party” and “patriot” to single out organizations for further review.   Conservatives are outraged at the McCarthy-style tactics, seemingly immune to the irony that McCarthy was a Republican conservative.   No mention in the reporting (or ranting) is what happened in 2006 when (under a Republican President) the IRS went after All Saints Episcopal Church and tried to rescind its tax exempt status over a sermon.   (Church and State?) Heads are starting to roll, but it's a bit of a head scratcher.   When it comes to charities, the IRS has specific rules.   In exchange for not having to pay income tax organizations must have a purpose and mission that is for the public good.   They must also disclose donor lists, contributors, etc.   The government then gets groups that are doing things that are beneficial t...

For 247 years the argument between Federalists and States-Rights has been going on.   Jefferson vs. Hamilton.   Roosevelt vs. Wilson (or Wilkie or Dewey).   Reagan vs. Carter or now Obama vs. any Republican.  The role of the Federal Government and the role of State Government has never been agreed on, let alone how to fund it.   The battle continued this week with the majority of the senate voting for federalism and further eradicating states rights.     The Senate approved a massive tax increase in a 69-27 vote.    Online purchases under the bill would be subject to individual state sales taxes.     Proponents say that it’s only fair that if brick-and-mortar stores have to collect and distribute taxes to the state then so should their competitors.   Opponents say that sales taxes are designed to cover the costs of local and state government to support the brick-and-mortar stores, and for businesses with no physical p...

Everybody who likes paying taxes please raise your hand.   Other than  Barney Frank and Warren Buffet it’s a safe bet that there aren’t a whole lot of extended arms.   Most people I know see taxes as a necessary part of life and have various philosophies on them.   This is not an essay on the evils of taxes – instead in my tradition of pointing out irony – my own situation is this week’s case study.   I dutifully went through the arduous process of reporting every part of my life where funds were expended to the IRS and various state entities as for 2012.  I had to report to three different states! My political (and financial) distaste for taxes gets reinforced more and more each time I go through the process.   In order to benefit from various incentives the cost is providing additional bits of information.   Before I digress into a diatribe about the tax code – back to the story.   I finished the process, double, triple and q...