One of the main differences between Obama and McCain’s tax plans is that Obama will reduce taxes for people making under $250K. McCain wants to reduce taxes across the board. Obama basically is under the theory that the rich can afford it, even though the top 10% of income earners already pay 70% of the taxes. As an FYI, the bottom 50% of income earners pay less than just 3% of the US Taxes. Anyways, the other theory of Obama is that regulation is key and with additional tax revenue, they can pay for other programs such as his health plan, whereas McCain believes that reducing taxes will help the economy by spurring investors to create new businesses, which creates new jobs, etc. So, many Obama supporters claim that McCain’s plan will cost the country billions, which it definitely will, but if you take into account all of Obama’s projects that he plans on spending that additional revenue on, the net result is worse than McCain. According to US Budget Watch’s New Report: A Fiscal Voter Guide to the 2008 Election, McCain’s plan will cause the gov’t to go more into the red by about $180 billion, whereas Obama’s plans will cost the gov’t $286 billion. So, with the $700 billion bailout plan, wouldn’t it be nice to have an additional $100+ billion?

FYI…when you hear Obama complaining about how bad Bush has been for the economy, just take into account the budget deficit ratio as compared to GDP. It is currently less than it ever was in the 90’s during the Clinton administration. Here is a great article about that: http://www.heritage.org/Research/Budget/bg2178.cfm

Well, good news for all those (including myself) who thought we shouldn’t promote the uncontrolled use of Stem Cells. Apparantely scientists have figured out how to convert ordinary skin cells into stem cells. Of course I don’t know all the details, and there is still a lot of work to do (just as there is in making Stem Cells useful in medicine), but at least we can hopefully avoid the whole moral dilemna.

Skin Cells Converted to Stem Cells

p.s. Think anyone is going to give Bush an apology for being so hard on him and his stance on this issue?

So, I just took this quiz that tries to define the type of person you are politically. According to the survey, I am an Enterpriser, which means the following:

Enterpriser
Based on your answers to the questionnaire, you most closely resemble survey respondents within the Enterpriser typology group. This does not mean that you necessarily fit every group characteristic or agree with the group on all issues.

Enterprisers represent 9 percent of the American public, and 10 percent of registered voters.

Basic Description
As in previous studies conducted in 1987, 1994 and 1999, this extremely partisan Republican group’s politics are driven by a belief in the free enterprise system and social values that reflect a conservative agenda. Enterprisers are also the strongest backers of an assertive foreign policy, which includes nearly unanimous support for the war in Iraq and strong support for such anti-terrorism efforts as the Patriot Act.

Defining Values
Assertive on foreign policy and patriotic; anti-regulation and pro-business; very little support for government help to the poor; strong belief that individuals are responsible for their own well being. Conservative on social issues such as gay marriage, but not much more religious than the nation as a whole. Very satisfied with personal financial situation.

Who They Are
Predominantly white (91%), male (76%) and financially well-off (62% have household incomes of at least $50,000, compared with 40% nationwide). Nearly half (46%) have a college degree, and 77% are married. Nearly a quarter (23%) are themselves military veterans. Only 10% are under age 30.

Lifestyle Notes
59% report having a gun in their homes; 53% trade stocks and bonds in the stock market, and 30% are small business owners – all of which are the highest percentages among typology groups. 48% attend church weekly; 36% attend bible study or prayer group meetings.

2004 Election
Bush 92%, Kerry 1%. Bush’s most reliable supporters (just 4% of Enterprisers did not vote)

Party ID
81% Republican, 18% Independent/No Preference, 1% Democrat (98% Rep/LeanRep)

Media Use
Enterprisers follow news about government and politics more closely than any other group, and exhibit the most knowledge about world affairs. The Fox News Channel is their primary source of news (46% cite it as a main source) followed by newspapers (42%) radio (31%) and the internet (26%).

Note: All descriptions and percentages are based on the national sample of adults surveyed by telephone in December. Based on your answers to the survey questions, you most closely resemble survey respondents within this group, even though you may differ significantly on one or more issues or traits.

In the overall typology there is a ninth group called “Bystanders” who are defined as adults who are not registered, who do not follow news about government and public affairs, and who say they rarely or never vote.

To take the quiz: Where do you fit?

Let me know what you are!

These articles are a little old, as I forgot to make them live, but still available if you are interested in hearing a different side of Stem Cell then what you normally hear.

Mrs. Bush article

Junkscience Article

I believe that there should be separation of church and state, but some people are taking this to the extreme. I won’t go into the whole Ten Commandments issue in Montgomery, AL a while back, mainly b/c I don’t have a firm opinion one way or the other. But this new thing I read has crossed the line, and for no good reason.

First, read the article Evolution ‘Theory’ Case Heads to Court, then read the rest of this post.

According to the article, the schoolboard decided to put a sticker/disclaimer in their text books saying the following:

This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered.

This sticker was used b/c the text books claimed evolution was a fact, which is not necessarily true. Everything sounds fine with this to me…however, some idiot parents have created a lawsuit claiming that this statement promotes ‘Creationism’, which is the belief of the Bible and many other religions, and therefore, should be removed from the text books. If someone can point out where the disclaimer above mentions anything about religion or creationism, then please do so, b/c I fail to see it.

I personally blame the German guy I know who is living in Atlanta for this. (inside joke for those that have no idea who I’m referring to)

Well, 10 minutes ago Kerry called Bush to concede the election to Bush…which apparantely makes it official according to CNN. It has been somewhat of a long day/night. I went to bed at 12:30am, got up from 3:30-5:00, then woke up again at 7:00am to see the final results. Unfortunately there was nothing official until just 10 minutes ago, so it was all for not, but at least I have something to write about on the site.

Here are the current betting odds on the election results:
Bush: $1 bet returns $1.65 (profit $0.65)
Kerry: $1 bet returns $2.20 (profit $1.20)

Also, if you are into superstitious betting…every time the Washington Redskins win on the Sunday before the Election, the incumbent candidate wins the Election. So, if you want Bush to win, bet on the Redskins…if you want Kerry, bet on the Packers.

There is a ton of talks about embryonic Stem Cell research and whether it should be allowed or not. Well, here is a different view from what the media powers keep presenting. After reading this you may want to do some investing!

• Ron Reagan Wrong on Stem Cells
• California’s Stem Cell Scam

Well, as most of you know John Kerry didn’t get my vote, but I think the following snide remark from his wife, Theresa Heinz, might cause some of those on the fence to lean more towards Bush in the end…especially the women. Here is her quote referring to Laura Bush…”I don’t know that she’s ever had a real job — I mean, since she’s been grown up…” As facts would have it, she was a school teacher and librarian for about 8 years back in the 70’s, followed by raising the Bush daughters…which is a full time job in and of itself.
The thing that amazes me is that Theresa is not someone that comes from the wrong side of the track and had to work “real jobs”, so why she said it baffles me. Obviously she has already apologized stating she forgot about the First Lady’s previous jobs, but the damage was done.

p.s. Polls show that if it were a race between Laura and Theresa, Mrs. Bush would win by something like 70%-30%.

Now this is just funny…for both Republicans and Democrats alike. Watch both the “This Land” and “Good to be in DC”…they are both hilarious.

www.jibjab.com