Geithner not the only politico who botched taxes

Senatorial hopeful Al Franken has problems with taxes, as does Rep. Charles Rangel. Both are Democrats. [Photo Al Franken campaign site.]At the moment, President-Elect Barack Obama’s spokesman Robert Gibbs is hard-pressed to defend Obama’s choice of Tim Geithner for Secretary of the Treasury. Geithner’s housekeeper had a problem with her immigration status, but that’s not really the big problem. The big problem is Geithner’s alleged failure to pay income taxes on some of his earnings. But Geithner isn’t alone in the tax quagmire, and that’s one reason I wrote to Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) this morning. “America's tax system is antiquated and places an undue burden on many of us. In my opinion the tax system is unconstitutional because within that system we are not equals,” I wrote. Consider the fact Rep. Charles Rangel still chairs the House Ways and Means Committee. One duty is writing tax legislation. Yet Rangel botched his own taxes. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) apparently forgave him, acquiescing to keeping Rangel on as chair.  And another Democratic senatorial hopeful has tax issues of his own.

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‘24’ launches season with moral dilemma and Clinton look-alike

The U.S. Atlantic and Pacific fleets hold combined operations at Guantanamo Bay circa 1910. (US Navy photo)TV viewing got better this week as '24' launched a new season, and the opening moments in the first episode posed a moral dilemma that goes to the heart of a political debate in this country. Is it acceptable to use force on a terrorist to save the lives of innocents?

Superhero Jack Bauer faces grilling from a U.S. Senate committee, and the actor playing the senator is loathsome in a manner so delicious you can taste it. The only thing I’d have done differently: the fictional senator needs a bowtie. Asked if he tortured a terrorist, Bauer responds,“Don’t expect me to regret the decisions that I have made.” Bauer had used force on a terrorist in order to save the lives of adults and 10 children.

This scene goes to the heart of a debate during the campaign—current politics dictate the correct answer to using force in an interrogation is “never.” Coincidentally there’s a new book out, ‘How to Break a Terrorist,’ by Matthew Alexander that makes an excellent case for treating alleged terrorists in a manner consistent with the golden rule. Is there another way to pose the dilemma?

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Bush 43 final press conference reveals truth about Israel

President George W. Bush (White House photo by Chris Greenberg)(Jacksonville, Fla.)—President George W. Bush’s final press conference began on a rather sentimental note, with the president thanking media for doing their jobs. But his response to a question about the Middle East revealed an important truth. In order to have peace in the Middle East, Bush said, “You have to have a vision of what peace would look like.” For him the vision rests on two democracies living side by side in peace. In the days before Bush spoke those words, fighting continued in Gaza, with Israel taking steps to shut off tunnels used for transporting arms provided by a number of other countries for the benefit of Hamas. Days before the president spoke, demonstrations began to pop up here in the U.S.

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TV bailout program goes through $1.3 billion, needs more

For months the federal government and TV networks have publicized the pending switch from analog to digital broadcasting in the U.S. The official Dept. of Commerce website explains the switch and benefits: “At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.” In keeping with a nanny government approach that dates to President Bill Clinton and has thrived under our current administration as well, the feds have offered coupons to people who still rely on analog TV, spending $1.3 billion bucks in the process.

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Moviegoers easy to please: PC Awards praise ‘The Dark Knight’

Buzz preceding the release of the movie ‘The Dark Knight’ promised a blockbuster film, and the promise continued to be fulfilled on Wednesday as the People’s Choice Awards handed the movie 5 prizes including favorite cast. The awards are a popularity contest—fans vote for their favorites. The People’s Choice website has information about the process and the awards show held at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Judging the lavish praise for ‘The Dark Knight’, given not only by the public but also by a number of critics, I’d have to say moviegoers and some critics are easier than ever to please. For me, the striking aspect of this movie was its ability to underwhelm.

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NCHS says teen birth rate at highest level since 1971

Photo from CDC website.The National Center for Health Statistics announced the teen birth rate rose in 26 states during 2006, reaching the highest level since 1971. Southern states led the pack in what might be called ‘The Year of the Teen Mom.” It won’t be long before liberals and conservatives enter the conversation about the latest data—liberals will blame abstinence only education and conservatives will blame cultural changes and “Tinselati” in the entertainment business who produce movies and films that glamorize unwed motherhood.

The US Report hopes to obtain a copy of the actual release; we sourced the figures from USA Today. I’m not sure why a government agency requires registration for news releases and embargoes the same, but the federal government often does things I don’t understand. So what caused the uptick in teen births?

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RNC chair up for grabs as candidates debate party strategy

(COMMENTARY)—Even before the 2008 presidential election, conservatives bemoaned the state of the Grand Old Party. Many never warmed up to Sen. John McCain and conservatives also split over a number of social issues. Considering the Democratic sweep of two government branches (and a possible complete future sweep as Supreme Court seats come up vacant), it’s obvious the GOP has some serious soul searching ahead. A number of Republicans I’ve spoken to have yielded to the ‘blame Bush’ mantra Democrats are so fond of. Whatever goes wrong—if your toast burns because you set the dial wrong—it’s Bush’s fault. Whatever the reasons, the party must restore itself. And six candidates want the honor of leading the GOP as Republican National Committee chair.

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