Uranium one and Russia

In January of 2013, a Russian company Rosatom takes over a Canadian company with uranium interest in the US. Several men in this company were large donors to the Clinton Foundation. These same men then sold off their interest to Russian and the company became Uranium One. The CEO of this new company donated $2.35 million to the Clinton Foundation. A Russian bank promoted Uranium One stock paid Bill Clinton $500,000 for a Moscow speech. The US and Uranium One both agreed not to sell uranium to Russia but those promises were broken. The concern heightened when the Clinton Foundation received $250 million from mostly foreign nations during Hilary Clinton’s tenure as Secretary of State. No direct ties between the Russians and the Foundation were uncovered so the investigation was stopped.

Payroll tax

The latest addition to the senate tax bill is a benefit for low income people. It raises the child tax credit to $2,000 but can go against payroll tax. A family of four, earning $53,000 pays no income tax but pays $4,000 in payroll tax (social security and Medicare). This four grand will be refunded to them in the form the child tax credit which means they will pay no income tax and no payroll tax.

Democracy

When a person decides to run for public office one of the questions they face is what happens if my core beliefs conflict with what my constituents believe. There is a congressman in California who was a former tech guy and has software which will allow the people in his district to vote on his web site on all issues that come before him. He says he will vote as his people direct him and this answers the above question for him. He is willing to sacrifice his principals for the majority rule or what he calls direct democracy. The US is not and never has been a democracy but a representative republic. There is grave danger in a democracy where the majority rules so the courts will have to be alert to any threat to minorities that may come from this “direct democracy”. This congressman will also face the dilemma of what happens when his district is opposed to what his party wants. This concept is appealing since many people feel their representatives have lost touch with the people.

Energy policy

The United States is exporting coal and along with it air pollution. WASHINGTON/LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. coal exports have jumped more than 60 percent this year due to soaring demand from Europe and Asia. While the carbon dioxide from burning coal is affecting the air worldwide, the heavy metal contaminates like mercury and lead along with the acid rain chemicals like nitrates and sulfates stay in the area where the coal is burned. This means the US is exporting air pollution. The US imports rare earth metals to manufacture high tech stuff like wind mills and solar panels from mines in China where they are contaminating the ground water with various chemicals including some that are radioactive. There was a book written in the 50’s about the arrogance of American diplomats called “ The Ugly American” and the remnants of this idea have returned with our energy policy.

Solar subsidies

We often hear that renewable energy is growing faster than other areas. From that you might assume that this is a money making business but recall in 2013 the state of Minnesota passed a law saying that power companies must get 1.5% of their power from solar by 2020. Yet the state’s new solar standard, signed into law Thursday by Gov. Mark Dayton, will force four investor-owned electric utilities to generate 30 times more solar power than they do today. Solar power remains more expensive than electricity generated from conventional sources despite generous government subsidies estimated at more than $39 billion annually. The subsidies include among other things a 30% tax credit which was extended to 2019 when congress agreed to lift the ban against oil exports. A tax credit is not a deduction but a direct subtraction from the taxes owed. It is not unusual for the government to provide help to new industries but when articles about solar are written they often forget to mention the subsidies while showing the reduced cost. This is similar to the Obamacare mandate where the law demands that you buy something and then the law helps you to pay for it,

November walk

A NOVEMBER MORNING WALK A November morning walk is a special event. The gray clouds hang low on the horizon. The North wind, now filled with the first chilling reminder of winter, pushes the Autumn leaves across the pavement, rolling and crackling on their way to winter graves. The trees, that only last week, were bright with red and gold, now stand partially disrobed and dull brown against the morning sky. The heated activity of the past summer has subsided, and the time for regrouping is at hand. I look inward, and wrap myself up in the warm blanket of my feelings, as I prepare to hibernate with thoughts of peace and contentment. It is my time for preventive maintenance, and proper care of the soul. When I was in the first half of life, I had not time for such foolish behavior. I did not realize the joy of resting quietly in the forest, for I was busy rubbing the sticks of ambition and materialism together, to start the fires of progress that would set the forest ablaze. As I look back upon the charred remains of all this activity, I am thankful that I didn’t burn myself out. I will cherish each day of this seemingly forgotten month, as I build up my enthusiasm for giving and forgiving in the coming year, and then as the month comes to an end, it is appropriate that it burst open with a great thanksgiving for the past year. Now is the time when I will check my moral foundation, and my spiritual working parts, so that I am properly prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead. With all things in good working order I will best be able to share my gifts with others, and experience the truth, joy and love that is my destiny. Today’s reminder: Lean on me, when you’re not strong And I’ll be your friend I’ll help you carry on For it won’t be long Till I’m gonna need Somebody to lean on Lyrics from the song,”Lean On Me” by Bill Withers

Teachers

Much ado about nothing. Critics of the new tax plan complain that teachers will no longer be able to deduct out of pocket expenses for classroom activities. Under current law teachers can deduct $250 of unreimbursed expenses and that saves them $30 in taxes. This practice is most prevalent in new teachers who are trying to build up supplies. It is ridiculous that the teacher must buy these materials as there is no reason why the school should not provide them. Who wants to spend $250 so you can deduct $30 from the tax you own.