A reply and predictions...

My October 27th post elicited quite a strong response from my brother-in-law. I do feel a response is in order:

First, the purpose of taxes is to raise funds for goods ("outputs" is the political science jargon) that are for public use. The political process has determined that the funding should be public (not private or user fee) and the benefits should be for all of society. Strong examples of this are national defense and the interstate highway system. These are the outputs that taxes are used for. Various levels of government employ user-fee systems (NJ Parkway and Turnpike) that collect funds based on use, but that is not what the federal income tax system is used for.

Second, the empirical evidence demonstrates that government revenue goes up when capital gains tax rates are reduced. As with all social science, causality is questionable; however, correlation is not - and it is nearly perfect. Obama can say that revenue may not go up - he can also say that drinking Clorox may not kill you - but he has no empirical evidence to back it up.

Finally, many people have made millions and more per year by working hard. Regardless of whether one thinks of some work as "bad" or "good" it is still work and requires an effort (that's why it is rewarded with money.) This also excludes the question of wealth because that is not taxed at the Federal level (thanks to the Progressives.) There are many ways to earn $1 million or more per year - I'm just not willing to put the necessary work into doing so (just like most Americans.)


OK, so who will win tomorrow?

Obama will take Virginia (it will be called by 9pm EST.) McCain will miss flipping Pennsylvania and Obama will be guaranteed the White House.

Is this a realigning election?

Probably. According to the American Conservative Union, McCain is moderately conservative (his score of 65 ranks him as the 47th most conservative senator for 2007) while Obama is strongly liberal (his score of 8 ties him for 15 most liberal senator - behind Joe Biden's 4.)

What about reforming Washington and bringing bipartisanship back?

Dead. McCain/Palin are the only major party ticket that have any experience or willingness to take on the establishment. Obama/Biden is a "yes-man" ticket in every way. McCain has worked on major bipartisan legislation and reforms. Obama & Biden? Nope. None of it.

Will this finally end the racial question in American politics?

It should. "The Man" will be a black man - a liberal black man at that. Race-baiters have nothing to complain about with Obama in the White House.

In addition to leeching off the taxes paid by the rich, I look forward to seeing all the nutroots and wackos that formed Obama's "base" deal with being the "establishment" apologists.

Ready to join the vast right-wing insurgency once again,
Brad