The Die Was Cast In 1945

And, is still rolling down the line from Harry Truman to Kim Jong-un and beyond. The monster will not go back into the tube. Whom will break the arc? Paul Hunter

Evil Is Banal

That nice quiet family next door re:the Hovaters, may be, for any number of reasons, a representative of the dark side of human ideas. As much as I abhor and condemn their ideology I defend their right to have a different opinion outside of the workplace and under certain conditions. Their proselytizing actions must be away from the workplace and minor children. When Mr. Hovater allowed the Times interview he harmed his employer's right to earn a living. He did, in the end, do the right thing by requesting that his employer let him go. (Wash Post) There are no winners when we adopt the censoring methods of our enimies. Paul Hunter

Another Trump Lie As Political Strategy

From the AP. Not seen as a moral lapse by the prevaricator. Or, maybe he can't differentiate and there is no moral compass. The lie: "The consumer protection bureau has devastated the financial industry that is unable to serve the public.","it has been a total disaster". The truth: Those institutions have grown by 5% over the same quarter last year. 67% of reporting institutions had year over year growth. The bureau has saved untold numbers of potential home buyers from the sub prime loan speculators that nearly broke the country in 2007-2008. Paul Hunter

The Punishment Of Oliver North

A confessed felon walks Excerpted: http://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/09/weekinreview/the-nation-the-punishment-of-oliver-north.html The Judge who presided over the Iran-contra trial of Oliver L. North, saved a final surprise for last by punishing Mr. North for his crimes with a sentence that included a fine, community service and probation, but no prison term. Mr. North, the former Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and National Security Council aide, was convicted of destroying documents, accepting the gift of a $13,800 home security system and abetting the obstruction of Congress. Judge Gesell could have imposed a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and fines of $750,000. Instead, he imposed a $150,000 fine, two years of probation, a three-year suspended sentence and an order to perform 1,200 hours of community service. At the same time, Judge Gesell's leniency seemed to deflate a campaign by Mr. North's conservative supporters for a Presidential pardon. An appeals court later ordered Gesell to hold a special hearing to determine whether any of the witnesses at his trial had been influenced by North's congressional testimony, which he had been assured would not be used against him in court. North's congressional testimony: " Oliver L. North conceded today that he lied to Congress after his boss sent him against his will to a session where he denied providing assistance to the Contras. "Did you tell the truth at that meeting on Aug. 6, 1986?" defense lawyer Brendan Sullivan asked North during his second day of testimony at his criminal trial. "No," North said. "I went into the meeting not believing it would be illegal not to tell Congress the truth. "We do live in a democracy, don’t we?" a congressman asked the Marine. "We do. Thank god," North responded. "In which it is the people," the congressman continued, "not one Marine lieutenant colonel that get to decide the important policy decisions for the nation." "I saw that idea of using the Ayatollah Khomeini’s money to support the Nicaraguan freedom fighters as a good one," North stated. "I still do. I don’t think it was wrong. I think it was a neat idea. Posted by Paul Hunter

Corporations Add Tax Savings To Cash Pile.

The supporters of the federal tax reform and reduction bill, claim that reducing tax rates will actually increase revenue. The unproven theory posits that corporations will use the tax savings to increase investment in plant, equipment and wage increases. This hope ignores the fact that consumer demand drives corporate investment. Consumers are the ultimate job creators. If spare cash is the panacea for slow growth, a look at the spare cash on hand for the following sample businesses begs the tax reduction point. Apple-$262B Microsoft-$135B Alphabet (Google)-$95B Cisco-$68B Oracle $66B GE-$44B Amgen-$39B Qualcom-$38B Et al. http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-us-companies-with-largest-cash-reserves-2017-8
 Paul Hunter

U S Corporate Tax Rate Too High

If you pay taxes, that is. Why would the parent company of the local Alkermes facility return to its original home, Cambridge Massachusetts? The corporate tax rate in its current home, Ireland, is 12.5% which is still lower than the proposed 20% being considered by congress. For every $1 million of income a tax savings of $75,000 would be lost. Would any reasonable financial adviser recommend a move back to the U S from the Cayman Islands if: The Corporate Tax Rate in Cayman Islands stands at 0 percent thus saving $200,000 for every $1 million invested. Many large corporations don't have to move overseas because they have gamed our tax system and pay little or no taxes (o%) regardless of income. Paul Hunter

Positive (save the) Baby Steps

Will sanity finally overcome the single issue and well financed pressure politics of the NRA? The NRA spent over $2 million into November's Virginia races, including a $750,000 advertising push in the last three weeks before the election. The results: The winners were an anti NRA governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General Mark Herring. In 13 competitive races where the Democratic candidate was endorsed by a pro–gun control group and the Republican was backed by the NRA, the control groups candidate was victorious in 12. The control groups dumped $700,000 into Virginia races as election day drew near. Paul Hunter

Thanks Red States

Thanks to those 19 Trump pandering red state governments, mainly in the south, for sending their medicaid money to us 32 states that care for our needy brothers and sisters. Your unintended generosity is greatly appreciated. Paul Hunter

The Rich Get Richer

Do these companies need a 15% tax cut to invest in new plant, equipment and jobs?Need it or not theyare going to get it. 2012 Forbes top ten companies with largest cash reserves in billions Apple $137,000,000,000 Microsoft $68 Google $48 Phizer $47 Cisco $46 Oracle $34 Qualcom $28 GM $27 Amgen $24 Ford $23 $391,000,000,000 2015 Forbes top ten companies cash reserves in billions Apple $200,000,000,000 Microsoft $110 Alphabet/Google $70 Cisco $61 Yahoo $35 Qualcom $30 EMC $15 E Bay $10 Face Book $9 $540,000,000,000

More Guns That's The Ticket

We are bombarded with the harangue, from the NRA gun sellers and their feckless congressional lackeys, that more guns means a safer population. The "more guns" rant apparently includes adapters that convert semi automatic military style assault rifles with oversized magazines into rapid fire killing tools. Please explain to the families of the dead and wounded how armed concert goers in Las Vegas could have prevented the tragedy. Watch, listen and weep. https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/contributors/100000005475556/our-loved-ones-died-we-want-action-on-guns.html Paul Hunter

Seeking Comment

If world affairs continue on the current path we could expect, sooner rather than later, the next synthesis in the Socratic/Marxian dialectic. Economic power will shift from the malfunctioning democratic capitalism of the developed nations to the command capitalism of China. The only hope is that the equally populated and democratic India can survive the struggle.

The western model eliminated the communist/socialist/dictator system of the USSR and the axis powers to create the current synthesis. Nothing but change is constant.

Our only hope is that we can overcome the political blame game and regain our bipartisan balance.

Paul Hunter contact paulhunter45177@gmail.com

Not The Time For Gun Talk

Asked by a reporter at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas if the United States has a "gun violence problem," the president dismissed the question.

"We're not going to talk about that today," said Trump. "We won't talk about that."

'This isn't a guns situation,' says Trump after Texas church shooting.

What situation is it? It's time to sell guns to church goers it appears!
NRA's Wayne LaPierre will target anyone for blame over the Las Vegas massacre."“There are menaces out there every day. People want to be able to protect themselves,” LaPierre told CBS News’ “Face the Nation.
” It's Obama’s fault"

Paul Hunter

What We Don't Know

Is it in Ohio's citizens best interests to maintain a secret department manned by private business executives that may have agendas that are not necessarily in the interest of the public at large?

As Bloomberg Businessweek points out "Jobs Ohio" spends millions of tax payer dollars in an attempt to bring new companies to Ohio. The citizens and their watchdog, the state auditor, have no access to the results of that spending. The legislature has made Jobs Ohio bullet proof from audits and public records requests. The overall results are rather depressing. According to Bloomberg, Ohio's job growth rate trailed the U. S. average for 57 consecutive months.

The original, still existing and public, Ohio Department of Development, could duplicate that record for a lot less money.

Paul Hunter

Where Did The Money Go?

Wilmington, Ohio's estimated median household income in 2015: $33,316 (it was $34,880 in 2000)
Estimated per capita income in 2015: $20,977 (it was $17,346 in 2000)Population in 2014: 12,375 (99% urban, 1% rural). Population change since 2000: +3.8%
Check it out:

a. Wilmington's median household income (most common occurring income) decreased from $34,880 in 2000 to $33,316 in 2015.

b. The population of Wilmington increased from 11,904 in 2000 to 12,375 in 2014.

c. The per capita (average) income increased from $17,346 in 2000 to $20,997 in 2015.

I conclude that the city's income wealth over the observed period, for the most part, didn't go away it actually increased and was simply redistributed to fewer people. This wealth transfer replicates the national trend.

A sample calculation

Population in 2000 was 11,904 with an average income of $17,346 = $206,486,784 total income.

Population in 2014 was 12,375 with an average income of $20,997 = 259,837,875 total income

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Wilmington-Ohio.html#ixzz4wtQAlNbU

Paul Hunter

For comment and correction contact paulhunter45177@gmail.com

Amateur Economist

If tax cuts are actually made by congress in spite of near full employment:

Buy gold because the dollar will lose value.

Interest rates will climb if the Federal Reserve senses an inflationary trend over 2 percent.

If the interest rate rises so will the cost of financing the federal debt further increasing the budget deficits.

Unless corrected, the big boys in fund management will continue to receive rate loop holes that you could drive a truck through. (see carried interest)

Tax cuts for consumers, so called pump priming, in a recessionary, high unemployment economy, is meant to stimulate growth and not necessarily increase government revenue.

Tax cuts on businesses is meant to stimulate business growth and lower unemployment but, as in Ohio, the business owner often pockets the tax saving for personal purposes. This results in a reduction in tax revenue and a reduction of essential government services.

Both Kennedy and Reagan primed the pump but then increased taxes when the economy overheated.

Clinton raised taxed to balance the budget and to build a rainy day fund for Bush II

Bush II kept his tax cuts beyond the use by date and the debt and deficits soared and contributed to the great crash of 2008.

Supply side, trickle down has not worked for the mainly because those befitting the most pocketed the saving rather than invest in new plant and equipment. Ergo we see the great rift valley of wealth distribution we see today.

One upside is that U.S. goods will be more affordable in foreign markets.

These are personal observations and opinions based on 50 years of interested study. I welcome any and all counter opinions.

Paul Hunter (contact paulhunter45177@gmail.com)

Rosenberger considering a run for County Commissioner

From the speaker of the Ohio to a commissioner in a small county?

Maybe Cliff can use the donations from his fundraiser, the 2017 Winter Warmer that took place Feb. 4 at the Bay Club, a luxury golf and country club in Bonita Springs, near Naples. Attending the general reception and dinner costs $1,000. Additional brunch and golf options are available to those who donate $5,000, $10,000 or $12,500 to Rosenberger's campaign fund*.

He could also arrange for a summer cooler in Sligo to raise additional funds

He also might finally reveal who paid for his trip to Turkey as an indirect guest of a Ohio charter school sponsor cum rebel agitator Mr.Gullen**.

It's doubtful that the Speaker will need such fancy digs in Clinton County

The public is in the dark about how much Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger is paying to rent a 2,200-square-foot luxury condo from a well-heeled GOP donor. Ohio ethics law doesn’t require Rosenberger to offer public proof that he is paying a fair market rate.*

*Columbus Dispatch

** Akron Beacon Journal

Paul Hunter

Work To Consume Model Threat

Krogers and around the country:

How will the majority of the 3,541,010 former cashiers and an unknown number of baggers in the United States pay for their groceries?

From the Dayton paper: "Expanding self-checkouts and ‘Scan, Bag, Go’

Kroger will be re-designing the front-end of its stores to maximize the customer experience.

The store will increase the number of self checkouts and will also dramatically expand its Scan, Bag, Go checkout option.

The Scan, Bag, Go checkout allows shoppers to check out using wireless hand-held scanners in aisles as they shop. The checkout option will be expanded to 20 stores this year and then to 400 stores in 2018, according to Kroger."

Paul Hunter

Choice of Statues On The Town Square

Either Nat Turner. a killer of sixty people in the name of freedom

Or, R. Lee, killer of tens of thousands in the name of slavery

Paul Hunter

Dark Underbelly Of Unregulated Capitalism.

CEDC: "Opioids (including prescription opioids, heroin, and fentanyl) killed more than 33,000 people in 2015, more than any year on record. Nearly half [16,000] of all opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid. "

When the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) legal and investigative department began making cases against recognized suppliers and pill mill prescribers. The distributors, including a local area firm in the below link, stated calling in their bought and paid for political allies for relief from the pesky DEA.

The result: A new law was passed defanging DEA enforcement and the opiate overdose deaths continue to soar.

Poster's note: The major buden resulting from this, selling of poison as medicine, for profit, falls on families already demoralized by the upward shift of national wealth.

Unregulated banks just take our money unregulaed pharma takes our lives.

CBS "60 Minutes" exposed this sad story of the effect of uncontrolled money in politics. on 10/15/17.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ex-dea-agent-opioid-crisis-fueled-by-drug-industry-and-congress/

http://www.daytondailynews.com/business/report-springboro-distributor-

benefited-from-weakened-drug-enforcement/u9iTbp4UnPYy0wp2CMDxnN/

Paul Hunter paulhunter45177@gmail.com

Critical Input On Ohio Issue 2

Critical input on Ohio issue 2:
This 60 Minutes, segment https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ex-dea-agent-opioid-crisis-fueled-by-drug-industry-and-congress/, informs on the aggressive marketing techniques of big pharmaceutical firms. This evidence is enough to cast doubt about the honesty of the " vote no on issue 2", campaign's claims. The story also condemns the fecklessness of our political representatives. Shameful!
The group opposed to Issue 2 is called Ohioans Against the Deceptive Rx Ballot Issue.
"The campaign is entirely funded by major drug manufacturers through the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, a drug industry trade group. PhRMA spokeswoman Priscilla VanderVeer said all the money the group has donated to the campaign came from member companies, of which there are 37 listed on PhRMA’s website. They include some of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the market — Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Merck, Gilead and more."
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/your-questions-answered-about-issue/dTMjggyqOIW7JtHT9558kO/

Paul Hunter paulhunter45177@gmail.com