By Andy Blom, TES Washington Editor
We are a nation in a crisis of courtesy. Yes, there are serious political divides, even essential values divides between right and left. But it seems that division, discord and debate are leaking over into every aspect of life. Should we blame Trump/Biden for the hostility on the roads, the constant running of red lights, the grim faces and unfriendly looks of people pushing their carts into us in the grocery store? And then there are the debates. The GOP Presidential Primary debates were raucous enough but the Ron DeSantis, Gavin Newsome debate was embarrassing, not for the topics, but for the ad hominem attacks of the California Governor instead of giving real answers to serious questions about education, the economy and more.Perhaps we are all starting to behave like our alleged leaders show us. While we wait for a return to civility, let’s see what happened in Washington…
Keep Big Government Out of My VISA. If it works, don’t worry Big Government will fix it. Like your credit card? Enjoy your reward perks? Forget it if BG has its way. Thot’s why Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) has asked the Florida Legislature not to follow Washington’s plan and put their big foot into credit card exchange fees. Get the full story here.
Yes, the IRS is Sneaky, But it Doesn’t Mean They Don’t Want to Get You. Did you notice the Democrats, and only Democrats, voted to let the IRS come after all your Venmo and Payday transactions over $600? Well some taxpayers did and it caused political problems for the Biden Administration. The IRS solution? Act without Congressional authorization to delay the new rule so Biden isn’t embarrassed. ATR gives you the truth.
We Didn’t Elect These People But They Are Costing Us a Ton of Money. Regulations, created by unelected bureaucrats, cost the average household $14,000 PER YEAR. The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) tells us there are 10,000 reasons to reform the regulatory state in a just 1 minute and 25 seconds.
China Owes Us Money. Lots of Money. Time to Collect? China is defaulting on a trillion dollar debt to the U.S. Bet you thought it was the other way around, right? Now that would sure be a big bene for American taxpayers. But will we collect? The Heritage Foundation has thoughts. Or we could just have the IRS monitor their Venmo account.
Want to Keep the Good Parts of the Biden Economy Rolling? Extend Trumps’ Tax Cuts. The Biden Administration wants us to believe the economy is wonderful and it’s all the President’s fault. Anyone who has been to the grocery store, gas station, tried to buy a house or car lately may have a different opinion, but there is some good news. Want the good to continue? Peter Rolf writes in The Hill that it essential to extend the benefits reaped in the TCJA. Makes sense.
This Weeks’ Reading Homework… Not really, and there won’t be a quiz on Monday, but a new book may merit your attention. Party of the People: Inside the Multiracial Populist Coalition Remaking the GOP by Patrick Ruffini. It’s on Amazon, of course.
It’s the Holiday Season, so let’s be nice to people, no matter how idiotic their opinions may be.
TES Editor Andresen Blom is a Washington based policy and political analyst and author who has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, and Politico, et.al.