Thursday, February 10, 2011

This and that

2-10-11 amazed brain
I’m blown away by the people of Egypt: protesting, risking their lives, standing strong, demanding change from their government. And here I sit at my computer today, late afternoon, watching the action on live video feed. The power of technology also blows my mind. Egyptian people were able to come together via social networks such as Facebook and twitter and I am able to see this with my own eyes.

I am reminded of an article I saw this last week by Robert Reich, the former US secretary of labor, which he spoke of the federal budget: Past, Present and Future.

“In the global economy, the only asset that’s unique to any nation- and that determines its living standards- is the people who comprise it. Everything else- money, equipment, factories, supplies--moves across global boundaries at the flick of a computer key”

Reich has a blog HERE

Also interesting to note in this week’s news, an article about Taxes. I don’t want to hear anyone complaining about taxes THIS year! Income tax payments this year will be nearly 13% lower than they were in 2008, the last full year of the Bush presidency. Taxes will be the lowest since 1950. I guess it is still more important to stimulate the economy than pay down the national debt. (?)

2 comments:

  1. Those are some very fine comments and love to see you directing people to Robert Reich. I have always admired him and he makes sense in a world of pure b.s. nowadays. Good stuff Judy. Thank you!

    btw, I was shocked to learn, only months ago, that the top income earners during the Eisenhower era, paid 90% taxes on their earnings. That would go a long way to pay down some debt. Having watched "Wall Street @" (forgot the subtitle) last night, it was painful and irritating and maddening to watch the re-enactment of the fall of Wall St by their own greed and sense of entitlement and, in my opinion, sociopathic attitudes. The movie is so-so. But the lack of ethics it calls out are right on the money if you'll forgive the pun.

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  2. Cal Gal, I too had heard about the high taxes in Eisenhower era. I'll have to ask my parents if people were complaining back then. Times have changed since then, it seems like the American people tend to whine more now about everything.... it's the "me" generation! I guess I'm part of that- the Baby Boomers. We have no clue what real love of country, and sacrifice means.
    Freedom without responsibility and sacrifice is hollow and meaningless.

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