Taxes

The number one rule every student learns in Econ 101 or Political Science 101 is this:

PEOPLE PAY TAXES.

Corporations don't pay taxes, businesses don't pay taxes, dead people don't pay taxes, nor do Coops.

So the next time there are tax questions on ballots, forget all the arguments pro and con.  If the tax is on inheritance, businesses, non-profits, corporations, etc.;  you can bet that people will pay it.  It will always be passed on through price increases or some other means to the guy at the bottom who is still breathing.  The businesses and corporations will not asorb the cost, it will always be passed on to a person somewhere.

The Unions again.

The more I think of union mentality, it doesn't deviate much from the old protection racket in many immigrant communities.  The big difference is it has been made legal, placed on automatic withdrawal and tax deductable.  Here's how it works:
"Ya wants to work here?"
"Yes"
"Then we are gonna protect ya.  Ya give us 50 bucks a month and we make sure nobody messes with ya."
"Nobody's messing wit me now."
"Yeah, dat's cuz yas a new kid.  Dat's ok, ya gots thirty days to think it over.  Make sure ya don't do anything stupid, cuz you could get hurt or lose y'alls job.  Understand?"
After 30 days, the new worker finds his car vandalized in the parking lot, his tools messed with, his acceptance in the work force denied, or subtle pressure from union co-workers.
"We hear ya's been having trouble in your job.  We want to help ya.  Sign up wit the union and you'll never miss the dues cuz they be taken out each month and you get a tax break.  Besides, when ya's one of us, we got your back."
"Where do I sign?  And you promise to leave me alone, and protect my back?"
"Hey, what are friends for?"
They don't have to make the rounds each month to collect, the guy gets a tax break, the management takes care of all the paperwork, and everyone's happy, except the guy's wife who misses the 50 bucks in her grocery budget each month.

Politics 3

Can anyone else see the similarity between Unions and Congress under the Democratic leadership. It began during Bush's term when the Democrats walked out in unison. Now that they are in power, they use the same tactics I have seen union bosses use to keep their minions in subjection. This kind of power removes the elected officials from the sworn duty to represent their constituents and the constitution and places them in lockstep agreement to party leadership. What union tactics are brought to mind? Well my brief sojourn with unions allows me to include the following observed tactics, remembering that the list is not inclusive.
1. Threats
2. Friendship
3. Inclusion in the crowd
4. Isolation
5. Destruction of property
6. Endorsements
7. Down playing mistakes, indiscretions, lies, blunders
8. Money
9. Power
10. Name calling
11. Selling of positions
12. Pressure against family or values