MY Party

It’s my party and I’ll blog if I want to.  Since I can’t seem to find a party I like, I decided to create my own.  I actually had some other names for the party, but the cool ones were already taken, so I decided it is My Party.  If you wish to join – you’re in and the name works because it will be your party (wait??- no ok, when it is your party and you tell people about it  — you will tell them it is My Party so we are still good!!)  Acknowledge your affiliation with My Party by forwarding it to others letting them know about My Party.   At some point we may need to have a convention, which will probably consist of a grill and keg and selection of candidates.

My Party Platform

Flat tax everyone pays same.  The dollar you earn is the same why not the tax. If you want to pay more great the tax form will have a line for additional contribution.

Pro-life if you don’t want a baby there is a way to avoid it.

Congress –  If you pass a law then own it.  If you really believe Obamacare is what’s best for the country then it should apply to you.

Obamacare should not require anyone to pay for contraceptives or abortion if they oppose it morally or religious.

Congress — Once you leave congress your salary ends. You’re not working for the country so you shouldn’t be getting paid.

If your title or job description has the title czar in it – it’s over.  USA does not equal USSR.  We elect not create positions by fiat.

Every agency should have a justification of its job and need.

Tort reform we have it – they are called juries.  They hear the evidence and are in the best position to determine what is just –As in justice. An artificial cap on damages only impacts cases which have been shown to be requiring a verdict to correct harm.

No cap on salary if you can earn it through hard work power to you, but don’t be a hypocrite and support tort reform. Either you are for a free market or you aren’t

There is no “the problem was Bush, Obama, etc., etc.”  The problem is America’s.  Stop whining about what happened and start changing what is happening and what is going to happen.  There is plenty of blame to go around so let’s move forward and do what has to be done.

Brent Carpenter – It’s My Party

Death and Taxes

The government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:  If it moves, tax it.  If it keeps moving, regulate it.  And if it stops moving, subsidize it.  ~Ronald Reagan

Two things people claim are a certainty –death and taxes.   Let me start with a disclaimer — I am not an expert on taxes (or death), and welcome comments by anyone who can help me out.  Here is the question/problem –What is the justification for having different income levels paying a different percentage of tax and why should your estate have to pay taxes on what you made (and probably paid taxes on) while you were alive?  How is that fair?  If I and three buddies go into a store and each get a soda which cost a dollar why should I pay $1, while my buddies pay $1.25, $1.40 and one actually gets it free because of a rebate.  It’s the same soda, we are all getting the same thing for our money, how is that different than paying more based upon how much you make?  The person that makes more than me isn’t getting any greater benefit from the government and the person paying less isn’t getting any less so why the difference?  We elect representatives who all seem to say the same thing, we need to change the tax structure, etc., etc.   Then why haven’t they done it?  Why are we paying billions of dollars to bail out companies, fund “art” exhibits that show Jesus covered in ants and other pork barrel projects which continue to increase our debt?  Why is it ok for “our” representatives to spend our money on things which not only do I not want or need, but am morally opposed to?  Where are our representatives when these appropriations are being made, why are they not taking a stand then and there rather than telling me I will be fighting to stop this wasteful spending, etc.  If all of those elected officials that tell us they will do something actually did it then we wouldn’t be having this discussion.  How can it be that almost everyone of them say they do not support x,y or z, but then apparently by some miracle something gets passed which they did not approve.  Here is a suggestion – stop talking — start doing.  If you are going to pass a law make it mandatory that it impacts you, the congress and senate in the exact same manner as it will impact those you represent.  Do away with your private health care, retirement fund, travel allowances, etc. and make do with the same things you believe are good enough for the rest of us.  I want you to explain to me how a graduated tax structure makes any logical sense (other than to provide you with more money to spend on things I don’t want and to dole out to your friends and contributors) and explain to me why the government needs to tax a person their entire life and when they die tax their estate.  What benefit is that person getting from the government at that point? They are dead.  There is no benefit to them and they are no burden on the government.  What is the justification to tax the estate?  I realize I am just a small town country lawyer, but I could really use some enlightenment here.  I welcome answers.  Real answers, not just “I hear you and I with your continued support we will make these changes” speech. How about forwarding this to all those in congress and the senate and let them answer these questions.   These should be easy answers for them as they constantly vote on tax issues.   I assume they would be proud of how they vote and why they voted the way they did, so why not have them answer the questions and post their answers for everyone to see.   If they agree or disagree with a graduated tax system they can explain the benefit of their position to us.  If they agree or disagree with an estate tax they can explain the benefit of their position to us.  I know some of them will say I fought against it but lost the vote, but put me back in there and we will get them next time.  How about this – put down in writing what you actually believe, stand by it, do what’s right and let the rest take care of itself. But like I said in the beginning what do I know — I am no expert and just a small town country lawyer, so help me out with some explanations here.