SnakeRiverLib

Did you know the original intent of the Federal Minimum Wage?  Well, you can guess, as it was passed by Democrats, that it was structured in some way to hurt black workers.  You would be right. It was originally established to set a "standard wage" .  Of course what history books seem to have lost is that the reason it was 'necessary' is because white workers were having to compete with contractors who brought their own black crews with them, undercutting jobs.  Before the minimum wage, black teenage unemployment was actually lower than white teenage unemployment.  What happened after?  Yeah, you know, it was completely reversed.  So why is the minimum wage so harmful? Can we talk?  First, the real minimum wage is $0.  That is right, that is what an employee earns after they have been replaced, or their position eliminated.  Did you know that less than 1% of minimum wage workers are supporting themselves, or a family?   I...

No, this is not a rant, though it easily could be.  This is a minute section of the code that I am talking about, and I mean minute, but it demonstrates very clearly the problem with layering law upon law. In my Democracy class, one of the assignments that I am doing is choosing an article in the Federal Register, and commenting on it.  If you are not aware of the Federal Register, it is where proposed regulations, laws, and rule changes are posted for a period of time for comment, prior to implementation.  Did you know about the Federal Register?  Most don't, and of those that do, few take the time to read and comment on it. So what has got me going on this evening?  The IRS, of course.  Of course the proposed change is a good thing, but that it even needed to be done is ridiculous.  If you want to read it, here is the link.  Enjoy, I didn't.  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/11/23/2018-25538/estate-and-gift-taxes-differen...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Of course I am inserting politics into this holiday.  Nothing like sitting down to dinner with someone who talks about the collective action of the pilgrims and the indians and how they worked together to have their bountiful harvest.  Well, that story line is crap.  Just like the idea that Robin Hood is the model for socialism by robbing the rich and giving to the poor.  That is so not how the legend went, but thanks to the retelling by progressives over the last century, that is what it has evolved into.  To clear that one up.  Robin Hood liberated money that the government had stolen from the people and gave it back to them.  Bernie tries to make himself as Robin Hood, but really he is the Sheriff of Nottingham. Back to our story. The pilgrims were looking for a land that they could worship as they will.  They tried Holland, but the different language and culture was something that they didn't want to deal wit...

When the Constitution was written and ratified, the Founders knew that it would only survive if those who served, and the populace in general were a righteous people.  There is no place in a republic, or a democracy, for those who are dishonest, are thieves, or worse.  Democracy is only as solid as its foundation on the rule of law.  As that erodes, it usually becomes ripe for a despot.  Donald Trump is no despot, contrary to what the media and the Democrats would tell you.  Does a despot tear down regulation?  Does a despot complain about inaction by the legislature, or Congress?  You may say, "well, Phil, not at first",  So far, Mr. Trump does not appear to me to be the one to take up the power wielded by his predecessors and expand it like each of them did.  Of course, it is only two years, so we will have to see. There are two groups that are despised by the people worse than Trump.  They are the Media, and Congress.  Can't ...

Pension funds are sinking cities and states all over the nation.  Why?  They were funded based on 8% returns, and so the moon was promised.  Now that they aren't delivering, those pensions are eating into general budgets.  Cities are going bankrupt because of these liabilities, which by the way number into the trillions of dollars, nationwide.  Not a local government or state employee?  Don't smirk,  you are sitting on a huge liability that dwarfs the pension issue.  Social Security.  The difference, of course, is that if things get too desperate, money wise, Congress can pass legislation changing how much you receive, or add an earnings test, to see if you qualify for Social Security.  Yup, the Supremes did that back in the 1960s, and we know how important precedent is.  Social Security is now a drain on the general fund.  And what is anyone doing about it? What about other entitlements?  The welfare reform of the mid...

First, As much as I hate to say it, with the Democrats showing their hand, and making no pretense of "working across the aisle", I feel like as much as I want to not vote Republican, I am in a District where the luxury of voting how I need to, instead of how I want makes that pretty clear.  My district, which has been Republican with the exception of the Nancy Boyda years is a toss up.  No labels Lynn Jenkins is retiring, and the Republican has been a no-show for most of the campaign season.  We saw in the Kavanaugh rape that the Democrats see their work being flushed down the toilet, as it was not built on statute.  (Notable exception is the Affordable Care Act, which is still around, though it is the walking dead without the individual mandate.) Speaking of the ACA, as it does impact the Missouri Senate race.  When I did my paper on health care policy, I pointed out the difference for average people between having insurance and access to care.  I di...

Why? As the debt and deficit explode, the real fear is that with interest rates on the rise the number one budget item will be servicing the debt.  More than defense, more than Social Security, more than Medicare. Of course, debt being number one does not detract from the desperate need for reforms of the two headed hydra, Social Security and Medicare.  Why? The obligation to those two programs isn't factored into the debt.  For years these programs took in more than they spent.  While that money was allegedly put into a "Lock Box" somewhere in a building in West Virginia (no doubt named for Robert Byrd, former Democrat Senator and Klansman), what was really put into that lock box were special government securities for that purpose.  The government then put the money into the general fund to offset the annual deficit (which was how they said they balanced the budget) or to make it not look as bad as it was.  All the while things were great, money was ro...