Tag Archives: Taxes/regulation

“The very men who were arguing the government should protect all the depositors’ money, not just that protected under the FDIC, have been vocal in opposing both government regulation of their industry and government relief for student loan debt, suggesting that they hate government action…except for themselves.” March 12, 2023, Letters from an American, Professor Heather Cox Richardson At 6:15 this evening, Secretary of the Treasury Janet L....

Traditional USPS supporter at Save the Post Office, Steve Hutkins presents the latest information about the reorganization of the USPS. We had let off where President Joe Biden has/had a chance to replace two commissioners whose terms were at an end. Everyone wants two new Commissioners, but Biden has not made a move yet on their replacement. ~~~~~~~~ “The USPS Eagle spins S&DCs to postal employees,” Save the Post Office, Steve Hutkins...

I do not understand what the hell is going on regarding Silicon Valley Bank. I read something in the New York Times that seems to suggest to the no doubt completely confused me that somehow money will change hands as if uninsured deposits were insured. I have some simple questions. What happened ? What is happening now ? Why ? I guess the two key questions are 1) why are extraordinary measures being taken by the Federal Government to help...

This NYT story just dredges up the stories we would read and hear in the fifties and sixties. Popular song when I was hanging around the coffee houses then. No Starbucks then or laptops. If the song was of your ilk. Arriving in record numbers, the children escaping other countries are ending up in jobs violating child labor laws. Their presence can be found in the factories making the products your own and safe children might be eating or wearing....

Interesting article on why certain industries are not feeling the impact of Artificial Intelligence. I am not sure I agree entirely with Marc. Sixty-five-inch TV is around $2,000 today. Why use TVs in comparison which were always less costly? “We’re heading into a world where a flat-screen TV that covers your entire wall costs $100 and a 4-year degree costs $1M,” Fortune, Marc Andreessen and MSN. Marc Andreessen is not worrying about...

I am a member of AARP. I am also a part of its MediGap Plan N Program, and Part D Pharmaceutical. Just like to shop at one store. Some do not believe in MediGap. If you are healthy and do not think you will have to pay the Part A $1600(?) deductible and the 20% of costs. Then skip MediGap. Do you feel Lucky? Then toss the dice. You may be lucky, I am not. With Part D, I use Walgreens and we are having a faceoff. Everything was fine until they...

“Jawboning, the moral suasion in the context of economics and politics. In action such is the use of authority to persuade various entities to act in certain ways. It can sometimes be underpinned by the implicit threat of future government regulation.” President Joe Biden uses the bully pulpit during the State of the Union address to call for a universal price cap on insulin for all diabetes patients. The proposal is very unlikely to pass the...

I am in Arizona these days and watching the state and local area scramble to get developments approved before the Federal Agency in charge of the Colorado River water decides who gets what. I suspect if you have an approved Build, a state will be allowed to build it. The Feds have applied the new restricts and the counties have to show they have a 100-year water supply. Interesting maneuvering in this story. Outside of Phoenix sits a farm. The...

Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made significant changes to the federal tax code. The major changes were the lowering corporate and individual income tax rates, increasing the standard deduction, reforming child tax benefits, and reforming the corporate international tax system. In an effort to mask its true cost and fit it within cost limits, almost all of the individual and estate tax provisions were set to expire after 2025. Several...

UE is the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America issuing a statement by its Executive Board. In case you are wondering, UE is responsible for transporting train crews. The membership is approximately 2,000. It is interesting to note, their claiming of pricing issues with the transportation of goods across the US. Typically, we see these costs passed along in the form of shortages and/or higher prices. UE is also calling...