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From: Lawmakers to Consider Lowering Cigarette Tax Next Week
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easy to buy them online for $3 a back too!From: Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?
in Politics
If ever there were a sign that Gingrich's campaign is over, his campaigning in RI is that sign.Patrolling Barrington might not be as hard as patrolling South Providence, but I bet they've got to deal with the same level of attitude. Only the people with the attitudes are driving BMW's instead of tricked out Japanese cars.
Onto the "strange category".
I'm still confused as to why Ciconne gave money to Doherty and how they know one another. Ciconne's only past federal contribution was a small one to his fellow Democrat and former colleague Jack Reed. But he gave over $1,000 to a Republican who was in management while he represented unions? Strange.
If Hinckley fired Loughlin over an honest mistake in a press release, he doesn't get politics. I'd bet Hinckley was trying to cut costs or was looking for a young person who would follow his directions rather than attempting advise him. Also strange.
Zaccaria's suggestion that Cicilline would leave the race is beyond strange.
@Vetforlife: Unless Sweeney agreed beforehand to stay on through the election, you can't blame him. He didn't run for an elected term and leave midway through his term. He's no different than any other employee who gets a better offer and takes it.
From: The Top 30 Biggest State Contractors
in News
This guy is such a tool:"“I think you’re pretty much on target to say that Carcieri’s policies increased the use of contractors, but remember that once you lay off someone, there is a choice between hiring a contractor and just doing a bad job of whatever it is that person used to do,” said Tom Sgouros, a progressive blogger and former candidate for state Treasurer.
Hey Tom - ever think that maybe behind Door #3 is the possibility that you can do a good job cheaper than with an FTE complete with salary, pension and OPEB?
From: NEW: Doherty to Return $1,000 Contribution to Sen. Ciccone
in News
Joe Bernstein -Agree. By reputation and direct knowledge, Brendan Dougherty is a brave, modest man who stands ready to assist his fellow citizens. Mr. Dougherty has never been so busy that he could not take the time to listen to the concerns of citizens.
As with you, though not part of his campaign by virtue of residing outside the district Mr. Dougherty seeks to represent, I and others remain grateful for his courage and loyalty.
Paul Vincent Zecchino
Manasota Key, Florida
06 April, 2012
From: Aaron Regunberg: Voodoo Economics is No Good for RI
in News
i am not impressed with anyone that writes about tax policy unless they have never written a check to US TREASURY or DIVISION OF TAXATION.From: The Top 30 Biggest State Contractors
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i will bet you the best drink in town that every one of these contractors contribute to political partiesFrom: Aaron Regunberg: Voodoo Economics is No Good for RI
in News
When municipalities are losing up to 10% of their budgets every year or so, they have to do something, so they hike property taxesAaron, this is what they CHOOSE to do. Not what they necessarily HAVE to do. There is always the option of CUTTING spending. I know it's a philosiphy that's lost on the entire democratic party.
From: Aaron Regunberg: Voodoo Economics is No Good for RI
in News
"The Keynesian fantasy of recouping 1.5 dollars for every dollar of government stimulus spending had already been shot to hell before our current President spent a couple of trillion dollars on magic stimulus beans as a magic bullet to save the economy."Care to support that statement?
I'll support mine. The best example, of course, is the Great Depression, when government spending began to pull the country out of its slump. But more importantly, your criticism of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is just plainly contradicted by the facts. I wish I could post a picture in this comment, but I can't so I'll just have to link to it. Do check out the following graph: http://www.cbpp.org/images/chartbook_images/1.2-monthly-change-OPT.jpg
Here's what it shows. Before the stimulus, which was signed into law in February 2009, the country experienced 13 straight months of increasingly negative job growth; some of those losses were at historic levels. 2 months after the stimulus bill was signed, the rate of job loss started shrinking. Since October of 2010, we've seen job growth. Every single month. For 18 months. But oh, no, the stimulus didn't work. It was just magic beans.
Finally, you're just wrong on the borrowing. For 2 reasons. First, the real yield on Treasury debt is negative. That means the government is actually getting paid to borrow money. Second, because of this situation, there is no better time for governments to invest in things like infrastructure. Those bridges, schools, and roads are going to have to be built at some point. Any investor with smarts would realize it's better to do it now, while borrowing is cheap, than to do it later, when it's not. Oh yeah, and as a bonus, we create jobs and put people to work.
From: Aaron Regunberg: Voodoo Economics is No Good for RI
in News
If I were running the Republicans, I would cede the argument and let the moonbats raise taxes on the wealthy. This would cancel the topic as an election year issue and, in a few years, show how stupid it was.Give them the Buffet rule/tax and take it off the table.
From: Aaron Regunberg: Voodoo Economics is No Good for RI
in News
Does anybody remember what the states economy was like before the tax on the high wage earners dropped to be in line with other states? Oh yeah, it sucked then as well.From: Aaron Regunberg: Voodoo Economics is No Good for RI
in News
Benjamin, the Keynesian fantasy of recouping 1.5 dollars for every dollar of government stimulus spending had already been shot to hell before our current President spent a couple of trillion dollars on magic stimulus beans as a magic bullet to save the economy. And like all other failures in this vein, he uttered the mantra, "it just wasn't big enough ..".Government spending for all intents and purposes now does create zero growth because any actual economic net gains created have been offset by the cost of borrowing the money to "create" growth. If Rhode Island's problem was that it had a problem of sluggish economic growth, and an enormous cash surplus creating a liquidity trap, then yes, some public spending could kick start new economic activity.
The actual situation in Rhode Island - indeed - all across America - is quite the opposite: massive public debt, and private sector economic growth constrained by the high costs of taxes and regulatory compliance.
From: Aaron Regunberg: Voodoo Economics is No Good for RI
in News
"I also know that the point of diminishing returns on raising rates is much lower than you think"I could cite studies with findings to support that number, but I suspect your mind is made up no matter what the research found. My point though was that your claim that every increase in taxes reduces the tax base is false and in fact contrary to the whole model of the curve.
From: The Best of Rhode Island: Top New England Colleges 2012
in Lifestyle
.For situation, buying greater part candy and even tulle bags you ought to fill as well as tie off at your home will save you hundreds specified thickness buying these types of bags already assemble.Purchasing smallish boxes in addition to chocolate bonbons one at a time and having to wrap them on your own is another most viable option.Baking important things yourself can certainly be a excellent option.A 100 sugar pastries shaped for a heart you frost as well as decorate can be hugely affordable.
When considering a majority of these inexpensive wedding mementos, a bride do well to help enlist quite a few help designed for herself.A person's bridesmaids, house maid of praise, mom, long run mother-in-law, or flowergirls is often of excellent assistance a full day or two prior to an wedding
From: The Best of Rhode Island: Top New England Colleges 2012
in Lifestyle
.Think carefully should you choose decide to own something that isn't on a subscriber base, you tend not to want to spend your time on profit on something they usually have.These days people are most often getting married later on in life so gambling wedding gifts such as a kettle or perhaps toaster are in all likelihood not expected.Buying something to the wedding couple they already have is merely waste of your respective for either you and also them as they definitely will only have to return the idea.
If you may be a close friend or family member it is actually nice to have a wedding gift which is unique, you will certainly no all the couple effectively and can produce something is heartfelt, ideas like a hand prepared scrap e-book containing illustrations or photos and specifics of the couple can be priceless, remember its not necessarily the cost you that counts
From: The Best of Rhode Island: Top New England Colleges 2012
in Lifestyle
.Creating the List
Las Vegas weddings involve numerous details, so you ought to have a master all the list tasks that have to be completed before your wedding and reception.Some of those tasks include buying some dress, reservation a chapel, booking the reception setting, renting tuxedos, arranging to your services of the florist, together with booking the band as well as other musical group.You should certainly make the these tasks and please note when they have to be completed so you have some sort of master checklist that one can follow throughout the entire considering process.
Creating some Calendar
Las Vegas weddings involve numerous tasks that have to be completed ahead of time so this planning will take place
From: Aaron Regunberg: Voodoo Economics is No Good for RI
in News
@Roger Williams: Your statement is only true if the spending creates "zero" economic growth. Sure, if everything stays the same, then when the government spends money it has less money. That's hardly a useful insight. But when the private sector isn't spending and businesses aren't creating jobs, then someone has to get the economy going. Government spending can do just that. So, if the spending stimulates economic growth and creates jobs that wouldn't otherwise be there, then in the long-run revenue will actually go up because there will be a larger tax base. It's not about government spending creating the foundation for the entire economy, it's about the government stepping in and stimulating private sector spending by creating demand--this will in turn lead to economic growth. And it's an approach that's certainly better than what's happening currently: the wealthy have been allowed to keep that $120 million and are hoarding it. It's not being put into the market and the result is an absolutely anemic economy.From: The Top 30 Biggest State Contractors
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Hey Rob, I heard that the testing fees for NECAP are paid by the districts. For instance, I heard that Providence pays $$$ 4 million per subject test. That makes 12 million spent by Providence alone for Math, Science, and English tests.From: The Top 30 Biggest State Contractors
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Lets face it, RI is full of incestuous relationships when it comes to contractors that deal with the state and municipalities. With only a handful and such a small state it is important for them to divide and conquer against the taxpayers always mindful of the practice of planned obsolence. Rt. 95 for example was completely rebuilt only 15 years ago, but it looks like it was last resurfaced in the early 80s, why? if they did the job right the first time there is a smaller piece of the pie for future work. These guys may be gumbas but they know how to screw us to line their pockets. Sadly, it will never change.From: Aaron Regunberg: Voodoo Economics is No Good for RI
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I am keenly aware of how the Laffer curve works - and I also know that the point of diminishing returns on raising rates is much lower than you think. If there's any hope left for Rhode Island's finances, the will find a way to lower rates and, once again, broaden the tax base.But I wouldn't hold my breath.
From: Aaron Regunberg: Voodoo Economics is No Good for RI
in News
"...everytime it raises taxes to collect more revenue, it shrinks the size of the tax base. Damn that Laffer curve!"Actually the Laffer Curve illustrates that you can raise revenue by raising taxes, not that you can't. The only question is at what point do you hit the crest of the curve where returns begin to diminish as rates go up.
If we were solely concerned with revenue (and I don't say we should be) the optimal tax rate on the highest earners is in the vicinity of 70%. The funny thing is, that point is lost on the anti-tax crowd and usually to their own detriment as property taxes go up, necessary services go down, etc.
From: Aaron Regunberg: Voodoo Economics is No Good for RI
in News
Aaron,So because the high wage earners can afford higher taxes, the government should do it? If we all paid our fair share we would be paying for the services we used. Instead the people that worked hard, took on loads of student debt (maybe not you) and didn't waste the free education given to them by the taxpayers of their community, should subsidize even more of the failings of people who squandered the opportunities given to them by society. A person making a million dollars pays $60,000 in state income tax and $350,000 in Federal tax. Add on SSI, property tax, car tax, and sales tax and they are going to be close to $500,000 in taxes.
Tell me again who's not paying their fair share.
From: NEW: Hinckley Raises Over $300k in First Quarter
in Politics
Lets keep up the good work Hinckley Team!!! Hinckleyforsenate.comFrom: Aaron Regunberg: Voodoo Economics is No Good for RI
in News
Unless you tax that public employee's income at 101%, it's going to be a net economic loss for the state. This is why most sensible governments attempt to limit the size of their workforce and view public sector hiring as a means of delivering *services* instead of *paychecks*.Rhode Island's debt and tax burdens are sending private sector employers (you know, the ones who provide nearly all the real revenue required for the state to survive?) fleeing for the exits. Now the state is caught in an economic death spiral - it's debt is bad, it needs more revenue to get out, but everytime it raises taxes to collect more revenue, it shrinks the size of the tax base. Damn that Laffer curve! Why can't reality just conform to Keynesian economics?!
From: Aaron Regunberg: Voodoo Economics is No Good for RI
in News
ANother thing Aaron....also 'peer reviewed research' show, even when liberals do the research, that the top 10% pay almost half the taxes in the country. You don't see the injustice in that? 47% of the country does not pay federal taxes at all. Talk about a regressive system!From: Aaron Regunberg: Voodoo Economics is No Good for RI
in News
I don't need the 'peer reviewed' studies Aaron...I'm one of the earls and I have several friends that are also earls. If you think we are staying in this state you are crazy. RI just changed its tax system to go after everyone earning over 150,000.00. You don't even have to be wealthy, just comfortable for the RI vultures to take our money.Page 734 of 1399 pages « First < 732 733 734 735 736 > Last »
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