Unemployment solutions
March 25, 2009
My ex-boyfriend makes the following proposal for alternatives to the minimum wage. Comments?
Option #1: You spend the full work day searching and applying for jobs for which you qualify, and are paid the minimum wage until you land one.
Option #2: The government will pay for you to go to college, but they pick your major based on what skills are in demand (i.e. teaching, computer science). A job will be open for you upon graduation.
Option #3: Military service or Peace Corps.
News Flash- The economy still sucks
February 27, 2009
Recent analysis suggests that Obama’s budget plan is likely to fall short, and economic recovery will take longer than expected. But Obama can’t back down now. If he does, the public will panic, and we’ll be in even more trouble. I’m not a huge fan of government spending by any means, I just don’t see many other solutions.
Speaking of which, my cousin reports in her blog that it’s gotten so bad, one European airline is considering a charge to use the bathroom on flights. (I’ll resist making a pun on “European.”) I don’t see how this will make much revenue- the small quarters and uncertain cleanliness are already enough incentive for me to go before boarding. And it doesn’t seem fair to exploit people in emergency situations.
Calling All Republicans!
January 4, 2009
The Republican Party is soliciting suggestions for rebuilding the party, and right now the proposal with the most votes is the FairTax! Please add your vote here.
For those of you who don’t know about the FairTax, I strongly recommend that you read the book. However, I’ll do my best to give a brief review.
The FairTax would eliminate income taxes, corporate taxes, and payroll taxes. It would replace them with a tax on new goods and services. To ensure that poor people are not oppressed by taxes on basic necessities, all Americans will receive a “prebate” equal to the amount they would pay in taxes for necessities; this will be calculated based on the federal poverty level.
Under the current system, corporations pass on their taxes to consumers, just as they pass on all other costs, by increasing the price of the product or service. In short, we are already paying these taxes, but the FairTax system would make this taxation direct and visible.
Other advantages: the FairTax applies to all new products and services, which means that all consumers pay the tax- including those people who are currently avoiding their income taxes through offshore bank accounts, underreporting, etc. The FairTax will save money by eliminating the complexities and wasted time associated with the current income tax and IRS. Finally, it will encourage savings and investments by making them tax-free.
Please don’t just take my word for it- go to their website and check out the details. And then go make your voice heard!
