Balmer not running his own campaign

The race for State Senate in Northwest Indiana got a little ugly this week, with the Democrat attacking the Republican incumbent with a mailing. The mailing just happened to be filled with false information, so Mayor Jon Costas and GOP leaders stood up to support Ed Charbonneau and call the Democrats on the carpet for fabrications.

From the Post-Tribune:

Porter County GOP defends Charbonneau from ad attack

VALPARAISO -- Porter County Republicans rallied Thursday afternoon to defend state Sen. Ed Charbonneau after a recent political ad hit area mailboxes.

Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas, along with state Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, spoke at the party headquarters to denounce Larry Balmer's ad.

"This is not merely a negative ad, it is an intentional distortion of the facts with the sole objective of smearing the reputation of a man who has been a symbol for ethics and good government in Northwest Indiana," Costas said.

Under "Ed Charbonneau's Resume," the mailing shows "Good Government Reform" crossed off and identifies him as a "Lake County Oil Lobbyist."

Charbonneau, who is on the ballot for the first time, formerly worked for U.S. Steel.

"Just because U.S. Steel owned Marathon Oil for a time does not justify this outrageous claim," Costas said.

The ad criticizes Charbonneau's involvement on the Good Government Initiative study, which was spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky, D-Merrillville.

"A Great Pretender -- Not a Great Reformer," the ad says.

Charbonneau, who is running for the 5th District seat, said he was informed about the ad on Tuesday when his next-door neighbor received it in the mailbox.

Although he understands that politics can be aggressive, the ads unfairly attack his integrity and credibility, he said.

"This is an uncomfortable, poignant time for me," he said.

Balmer said he was "not responsible for sending it out" and directed questions about some of the ad's statements to the state Democratic Party office in Indianapolis which produced it, he said.

Balmer, of Plymouth, said he knew about the mailings, however, he said he was assured by the party that the ads were "factually correct."

The state's Democratic Party could not be reached for comment Thursday.

So, Balmer isn't running his own campaign, doesn't know what they're mailing out or lying about, and the State Democrat Party was targetting our Senator for defeat. Sound like the best reason yet to vote for Ed Charbonneau. When the party carpet bags, they tend to mess things up in the local district.

Polls have been misleading

Karl Rove says polls have problems

From the Wall Street Journal Opinion by Karl Rove (read entire article at link)

There has been an explosion of polls this presidential election. Through yesterday, there have been 728 national polls with head-to-head matchups of the candidates, 215 in October alone. In 2004, there were just 239 matchup polls, with 67 of those in October. At this rate, there may be almost as many national polls in October of 2008 as there were during the entire year in 2004.

Some polls are sponsored by reputable news organizations, others by publicity-eager universities or polling firms on the make. None have the scientific precision we imagine.

Obama praises McCain

A great morning read for all of us

Orson Scott Card's Powerful McCain Endorsement

From the Ornery American and science fiction writer Orson Scott Card the powerful words of his most recent article: What Really Matters as we Vote.

The highlights, since now that I know who's writing these I find it unimaginable to copy the whole thing:

The air is now so full of floating feathers that it's hard to see the furniture, and the media isn't helping, as they blow the fluff around.

But he goes on to say there are solid issues important enough to ponder.

Without ensuring safety for America and its allies, nothing else a president does matters at all. And on this subject, Obama has promised us that his regime will be even more disastrous than Clinton's was. On National Defense

But if you're not paying a tax today, and the decisions of Obama and the Democrats in Congress cause your taxes to rise, that's a tax increase. When you factor that in with Obama's supposed "cuts," working people will be paying a lot more.

Now comes the clincher: Obama is a true believer in "income redistribution." He thinks that the rights granted by the Constitution and the courts are only "negative" rights -- what the government is forbidden to do. He wants to mandate what "what the federal government or the state government must do on your behalf" -- and that is "redistributive change." On the Economy

Are you getting the gist? Please go read the entire article, send to friends and relatives.

Did Dems hold up McCain registrations?

The Chesterton Tribune reports on a story wherein some people in Porter County registered at a Democrat-Obama office in Chesterton. They subsequently found that their registrations were not received in the County office and therefore they cannot vote. Obama-Democrat office had no comment, Voter Registration says that it was perhaps "6 or 7 people" and County Prosecutor Brian Gensel basically says he's out of the loop.

A “handful”—that is, “six to seven”—persons who registered to vote at the Democratic headquarters in Chesterton have complained to Porter County Voter Registration that their registration forms were never submitted to its office by the Oct. 6 deadline and that they are now unable to vote.

The e-mail to the Tribune did have a disquieting addendum: “FYI- (as I look back on this I remember that the worker asked if I was going to vote for Obama and I said I was still deciding. I hope they did not throw out only the ones that were not sure things for Obama).”

So the questions arise:

• Were registrations held up when people weren't firm for Obama?
• Should there be a legal responsibility held over registrars? We've seen fake registrations in some counties and here lost ones. Do they have any liability?
• Why doesn't Brian Gensel conduct an investigation? It's a nationwide phenomenon, kinda time little Porter County take it serious too.
• Was it only 6 or 7 people, or were there a lot more that got held up, or lost?
  

Porter County - Who should be judge?

I've postponed this a couple times, mainly because voting for judges seems wrong across the board. Earlier this week I opined about judges collecting money from attorney, the very attorneys arguing cases in front of the judge, for their re-election campaigns. Well of course they do, who else would even know how good a job they're doing?

So, first off, voting is a bad idea. I'd like to call for reform in this area too. Surely the County Prosecutor, County Administrator (when we have one), County combined Council, and two City Mayors could come up with a way to appoint judges ... even for 4-6 year terms ... so that we don't have to watch this process.

As for the election at hand, the only close race is Chidester v. Vojslavek. Chidester is the current judge, married to another current judge Mary Harper, who is ex-wife of county commissioner Bob Harper. The Harpers have had a lot of control over Porter County for the last decade ... having straddled both sides of the political fence ... If you want reform in Porter County it's probably time to break the Harper Hold. We endorse Vojslavek for Judge. Today's letter to the editor disagrees, but it would appear the author is someone pretty close to the Chidester office, probably staff.

1. Vojslavek has been deceptive in his political signs and ads when he outwardly uses the phrase, "Tough Judge," knowing Vojslavek has never been a judge. If you do a search of both county newspapers, you will not find his name once in serving as judge of an important case or one that he could be considered tough. (Update: How exactly does a non-Judge promote himself as experienced besides temporary assignments? This is like saying John McCain can't be President because all he's done is Senate, POW, Bi-partisan leadership, and military)

The best and clear cut choice for judge is David Chidester, for more than 100 reasons. I hope you will agree. (Update: Gotta disagree, respectfully of course, and say that in this day of reform and a need for new leaders)

Only a few days left - observations

Not much time tonite to post links but a couple thoughts for your evening:

John McCain still win, but millions of Obama voters would have to stop their lemming run into the myth, and look around to see that we really don't want to go the direction he's leading.

Polls all solidifying toward a three point lead for Obama nationwide, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania all tightened ... to inside the error margin in most cases

Indiana is McCain country, albeit a four or five point win rather than Mitch Daniels' 20 point win.

Republicans in general are downtrodden. How do we win elections where more than half of the population wants money from the government? Good question, and worth pursuing as we go forward.

If you need ideas for votes in county elections, read the posts below. Will post endorsement of judges and state reps tomorrow morning. No major surprises there.

Oh, and although I won't be posting an official endorsement, my own personal vote will go to Pete Visclosky for our Federal Congressman. I don't like all the pork and earmarks, but he has done a good job trying to bring Lake County to the table on regional projects and working with Mayor Costas and Porter County leaders.

Knoblock changing her story - forgets

The Times is reporting this morning in breaking news that County Commissioner Knoblock does not remember a letter sent to supporters four years ago promising not to run again:

VALPARAISO | Porter County Commissioner Carole Knoblock said she does not remember a campaign letter from four years ago stating she would not seek a second term. The Democrat is in a re-election race against Republican challenger and county Treasurer James Murphy.

"We don't need any more lifetime politicians in search of a job," according to the Jan. 28, 2004 typed letter signed by Knoblock.

Knoblock confirmed her signature, but it is unknown how many people received the letter. She says elsewhere in the letter she is running because "I strongly believe that elected officials should keep their word to the taxpayers."

A hearty thanks to Carole Knoblock for her service to the county over the last four years, but it's time for a full-time commissioner who knows the problems in our county and can stand up to Bob Harper and get some things done. Commissioner Knoblock was absent far too often, and we should take her promise to one term to heart and let her retire.

Bi-partisan support for Ed Charbonneau

We join the South Bend Tribune, a rather left-leaning newspaper, in endorsing Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso for the 5th Senate District which affect much of Porter County. The bi-partisan support for our Senator shows two things:

1. How strong Ed's first term was in showing his commitment to Indiana and NW Indiana
2. How electing any Democrats to the Indiana Senate in a year when Mitch Daniels will win by more than 20 points, and probably regain control of the Indiana House, would be pretty ineffective.
   

Endorsements: Ed Charbonneau

Indiana Senate

In District 5, challenger Larry Balmer, a Democrat from Plymouth, faces incumbent Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso. Balmer is a health care security consultant and a former South Bend police officer.

Charbonneau, who is completing the term of retired Sen. Vic Heinold, is interim president and CEO of The Methodist Hospitals Inc. Charbonneau, in his only Senate session, has shown special interest in utility issues and strong advocacy for South Shore Railroad improvements. The Tribune endorses Ed Charbonneau.

You Decide 2008

Should judges be able to accept money from attorneys?

Was reading the article in the Times Seated Judges raise money from local attorneys, and wondered aloud, and now here:

Should seated judges be able to raise money from local attorneys? Isn't this just a little odd, that the attorneys arguing cases in their courts, are giving them campaign donations? Does this strike you as odd too? Is it just me?

Mitch Daniels by more than 30 points

In the latest poll released by Howey Politics (hat tip to Hoosier Access)

Governor Mitch Daniels is up by 31 points over Democrat challenger Jill Long Thompson. This is being considered a terrific blowout.

John McCain moves ahead of Obama again, with some outlier polls last week having created some worry among Hoosiers. Early voting, in other reports, is heavy and of course favors Obama ... but McCain is also gaining in areas worried about taxes, economy and international affairs.

There does appear to be some worry that Congressional races may still favor the Democrats, so the Sarah Palin trip this week (culminating 100,000 Hoosiers having seen her in person in the last two weeks) is hugely important for holding or even possibly gaining a Republican in Congress.

In other polls today:
Obama lost his 13 point lead in Pennsylvania, which dropped to 7 in one week
Gallup Poll shows Likely voters at 2 points separating them
Zogby shows all voters at 4 points separation, and once again tightening

Polls in Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, North Carolina all tightened to the margin of error over the weekend. Watch for further contraction in Colorado, Pennsylvania and New Mexico tomorrow.

Murphy - Bucko - Now The Porter Plan

First we had the Murphy Plan from County Treasurer Jim Murphy, that would assist cities, towns and schools with interest from the hospital proceeds. This plan was roundly defeated and even castigated by the Democrats on the County Council. (It would appear that plan was defeated so that Jim Murphy wouldn't get any positive news media since he's running for County Commissioner)

Then we got a brief glimpse of the Bucko Plan from County Councilman, and candidate for Treasurer, Mike Bucko, that would do the same but offer the funds as a loan at an interest rate pretty close to the rates being offered by the bond bank. This was before the credit markets went haywire, and who knows what rates would be on the table now? This plan never even got a vote from the County Council, they approved $300,000 for more consultants and walked away from any decisions. It is an election year, and they are scared to make any decisions.

Now, we get a school board member from Portage, an elected board member no less, who will present the "Porter Plan" with modifications from the prior two plans but this time focused on schools.

Portage Township School Board member Tom Pappas will ask the Porter County Council to consider a plan at its Tuesday meeting to give some of the money generated from the sale of Porter hospitals to school districts in the county. Pappas received the unanimous backing of the board for what he calls the Porter County Plan, a scheme that would cover the cost of tax anticipation warrants, which are money that the school district expects to have to borrow to meet its bills.

You can read the details at the Post or go to the meeting tonite. Now let's talk politics briefly. Where exactly are all the other county councilmen? How about the county commissioners? Are they all scared to have an opinion? Before we vote on Tuesday, I'd like to hear some specific opinions from the people running for office ... this ought to help all of us make a decision on who can actually run this county going forward.

For what's it's worth: The editorial board of this site has formerly endorsed the Murphy Plan, which would help schools, libraries, and cities and towns. We stand by that endorsement and hope the democrats on the council can get on board.

Ready the legislative guns, but fire the Board first

Cow here, writing with regard to Ed Soliday's proposal to make Valparaiso Schools' board part appointed, part elected.

With Valparaiso schools’ performance relative to other public schools, nobody should want to mess with the recipe. And yet, after a dubious but unquestioned firing, an out-of-touch elementary consolidation, and a half-million-dollars in declined donations, it’s no wonder that both newspapers and dozens of community members want a elected board.

They want an elected board even though school board elections rarely garner more than 15% voter turnout. Even though most studies show that elected boards have no effect on student achievement. Even despite 138 years of experience with an appointed board.

Valparaiso’s superintendent and Board operate on a public trust that allows them to be appointed rather than elected, because Valparaiso has believed that the schools are better run with an appointed board. That public trust has been betrayed.

Even if you think the board has done nothing wrong, the fact that there is such strong support for an elected Board (and possibly an elected superintendent) means that the Board has failed in its duty to the public. Only one member has shown any hint that he takes his duty to the public seriously, and he only recently discovered that sentiment after scrutiny increased.

Following these violations of public trust, the four members of the Board as of early 2008 should stand down at the end of their terms, if not sooner. If they seek reappointment, the City Council and Center Township Board should replace them. Only with new members on the Board can the Board begin to earn back the public’s trust.

Meanwhile, Rep Ed Soliday should draft and have ready legislation to change the board to appointed or a mix of appointed and elected, including possibly the Superintendent. Being fired is often a good motivator for a feckless Board and entrenched Superintendent.

McCain polls jump 5% in one day

The McCain surge begins today

From Zogby:

UTICA, New York – Republican John McCain continues to gain on Democrat Barack Obama, reducing Obama’s lead to 5.3 points with just over a week to go before Election Day, the latest Reuters/C–SPAN/Zogby national daily tracking poll shows.

The race now stands at 49.4% to 44.1% in favor of Obama. Obama led McCain by 9.5 points in yesterday’s report.

“There is no question that this race continues to tighten and that McCain is finding his message again,” said Pollster John Zogby. “It is after all about the economy and that is how McCain tightened it up the last time. I have said over and over again, when he focuses on extraneous issues, he screws up. In today's single day of polling, it was 49% to 46% in favor of Obama. McCain has moved his own numbers each of the three days and Obama has gone down from 54% to 50% to 49%. I have alluded before to this strange, magnetic pull that brings Obama down to 48% or 49%, a danger zone for him. McCain's gains are among white voters, where he now leads by 12 points, and with men, where he again has a healthy lead. There is still a lot of campaign to go. A lot of campaign to go.” (Source: Libertarian Republican)

Joe Biden doesn't like tough questions

Why can journalists ask any question of McCain or Palin, but Obama and Biden are off-limits?

Valparaiso School Board: Appoint or Elect?

Although almost all of the coverage on this site for the next 10 days will be about campaigns, both national and local, this issue will eventually be important to residents of Valparaiso. The question continues to work its way to the surface: Is the all-appointed school board working in Valparaiso Schools?

If you recall, one school board member spoke out last month suggesting that the superintendent had too much authority and the board members were providing little oversight in the current arrangement.


Today Ed Soliday (R) State Rep from Indiana tells the media that he's willing to wade into this complicated issue and work to draft a bill that will highlight a possible hybrid. Ed's challenger for the seat in 10 days response? "uh ... uh ... should talk to city and school first" or something like that. Typical.

This issue may not be all important to you today, with Iraq and Taxes and Stock Markets taking front and center, but keep it in mind when choosing your State Rep in 10 days ... and know that next year it will matter.

Update: A possible proposal - 4 elected members (at least one from outside city limits but inside school system limits) ... 3 appointed (1 by Mayor ... 1 by City Council ... 1 by County Council) with County Council appointment to be relinquished to County Administrator if and when county government is totally reorganized to an elected administrator.

Elected or appointed, or both?

VALPARAISO | Should the School Board of Valparaiso Community Schools become an elected board or remain appointed?

Because of much recent discussion over that question, state Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, wants to give residents a chance to weigh in.

Shortly after next month's election, Soliday plans to hold public meetings to gauge public sentiment on the issue.

In the meantime, he is drafting a bill to introduce in the next General Assembly that would create a part-elected, part-appointed board.

You choose 2008 - What's your priority?

You can get upset about Governor Palin's expensive clothes (a story that was actually incorrect but the media reported anyway) or McCain's supposed health insurance tax (which merely lets everyone have a tax credit instead of only employer paid insurance recipients) or McCain's comment that we might be in Iraq for 100 years, or McCain's blinking during the debate, or the fact that Sarah Palin is female or more conservative or ....

All things that have been leveled at the McCain-Palin team. Some true, some false. Let's say they are all true.


You can get upset about Biden's mess-ups, or Michelle Obama's quote about loving American, or even stay mad at George Bush for the next 50 years. Go for it. All pretty stupid along with the first list.

Or ... you can take serious Barack Obama and just Barack Obama. A man who may well take this country in a direction, a change for sure, that none of us every though a free capitalistic society would choose. Can international investors buy in for a couple million? Can terrorists get face to face negotiation time? Will he break our relationships with Israel and Iraq? Will he raise taxes during a recession? Will he nationalize industries like Chavez? I'm asking that you take this a little more serious than parsing the foolish things that people say and do when they run for office for 18 months.

McCain will be more of the same, sure ... More United States of America, land of the free, land of entrepreneurs, land of growth and innovation and risk, the place everyone else wants to become

Obama will be change, sure ... Less freedom to speak out your religion, or guns, or right and wrong .. less entrepreneurs creating jobs ... less growth, nationalized risk ... a place no longer beckoning to the rest of the world. A place the world likes better because we've lost our edge and given up. Just an example below:

Obama campaign allowing fraudulent donations

Gateway Pundit is spotlighting an effort to show that fraudulent campaign donations in names of known terrorists are quite possible on the Obama machines online donation platform.

I won't copy the whole post but a couple screen shots:

Jim,

It took a few days to confirm, but as of this morning all four charges have posted to my CC account (see attached). Remember, these were all separate donations made by:

John Galt
Saddam Hussein
Osama Bin Laden
Bill Ayers

And I have the screenshots to prove it. Also, I made another attempt this morning to make a $10 donation under the name Tony Rezko (See attached.) And it went thru again. So reports that this has been fixed are erroneous.

Further, last night on Sheppard Smith’s 3pm-ET show this issue was brought up briefly and they cited the Obama campaign falsely claiming that this sort of thing happens at the McCain site and that they catch these errors later in the processing. Well, it took three days to process my donations and they all skated through their rigorous screening.

Donations specifically in the names of Ayres and Osama Bin Laden were accepted by Obama's online platform! How much of his $750 Million is from real terrorists, or foreign governments?

Today in Politics

Some articles I'm reading today:

Hugo Chavez joins US Media in bashing Sarah Palin - are we actually going to let Iran, Syria, Hamas, Libya and Hugo Chavez tell us who to elect? If they want Obama, I want him even less.

Democratic Leaders call for 25% cut in Military Spending and nationalizing 401K's - they're starting to talk a little early. If they were smart they'd keep the heavy socialist stuff quiet until after the election, what if people are paying attention and realize they've been duped?

Lawsuit against Obama claiming he's not a citizen tossed from state court - will Democrat attorney who brought the suit go to Supreme Court for a ruling prior to election, or wait until after and get a ruling that could affect electoral college dramatically?

Is Obama lying about relationships with terrorists and underground groups? - In my opinion he's got some bad friends. This happens a lot to young college punks who lean left and get involved in stupid ideas like Marxism and Revolution.

Gallup, Zogby and Rasmussen all show national polls widening today to Obama ... state polls show about the same as last week with McCain gaining in Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, but so far not enough to look like enough for 270 electoral votes. Early voting is strong, and most pundits think this is an indicator for Obama's chances.

Although I am not prepared to say it's over for McCain, I am a political student enough to acknowledge that Republicans will have to come out in numbers never seen before on election day to turn the tide, and that most Republicans seem bored, tired, lazy, unorganized, and prepared to cede control of the country to socialism. Some like the idea because they think after two years everyone will see the error of their ways. Others, frankly are just swamped with a government induced recession (with some media help) and can't see straight. The last group, and the one that makes me the most sick are the lazy ones ... those who will have lots of opinions in February of next year if Obama and Reid and Pelosi get total control ... they'll complain about taxes and socialism and gutting our military ... but won't do anything next week when it matters.

Millions of young Americans have donated $100 bucks to Obama or Ron Paul. Have you?
Millions of Americans are excited about change and willing to elect "anyone" to get past the Bush years, have you even thought about the election?
Hundreds of thousands of Americans are expressing themselves online, in groups, grass roots style debates that epitomize our nation and freedom of speech ... are you one of the people that was too busy or disconnected to engage ... or worse too bull headed to talk to someone you disagreed with?

My case is close to being rested, I'll step off the stool for now ...

Portage School Board Youtube Candidate

School Board member launches YouTube channel

BY JEFF BURTON
Jeff.Burton@nwitimes.com

PORTAGE | With public access channels having bit the dust, Portage Township School Board member Tom Pappas has found a new vehicle to help his crusade to better inform Portage residents on school issues: launching a YouTube channel.

Pappas, who spent six years as the co-host of a local cable access show on school matters, said students might stumble across the channel and become more informed about the issues that directly affect them.

"That's the biggest thing with all the young people," he said.

Running for re-election to the at-large seat he's held for the past two terms, Pappas said while there is a video short on the channel about his candidacy, most of the material will be issues-based.

"I've taped a number of brief videos on the issues, like what we've done to increase our ISTEP scores," he said.

Pappas's take on the board policy manual, administrative procedures, differentiated teaching, cluster grouping and fraudulently registered students are currently available for view with more short clips on the way, he said. Pappas said he views the channel, which allows viewers to post comments and start a discussion, as a way to keep open lines of communication.

"Our system takes great pride in being open," he said. "Our meetings are, in my opinion, some of the most open in the state in terms of allowing public comment. This is just an extension of that attitude."

Click to it
To view Portage Township School Board member Tom Pappas's video shorts

Porter County: Want to become Lake?

Fears of Porter County suffering from the ills of its neighbor to the West are beginning to become reality, and we have to reverse this trend before it’s too late. Layers of incompetence, evidenced by the need for well over $400,000 in consulting fees to teach our officers how to do their jobs, are a sign that it’s time for something different. As well, while Porter County is 89th out of 92 Indiana counties at getting its tax bills out on time, Democrats continue to blame the state for its failures, without trying to solve any problems. Passing the buck and playing the blame game are not leadership. Democrats have had their chance to control county government for several terms. Perhaps its time for a fresh set of eyes to look at how we do business and exercise the duty government owes to taxpayers—to spend as little of their tax money and as efficiently and effectively as possible. I agree with the NWI Times: its endorsed candidates Jim Murphy, John Evans, Jim Burge, and Sandi Snyder are the right choices to get this County back on track.

FEAR Obama Pelosi and Reid Oh My!

Yes there is that four letter F word. What do I fear an Obama, Pelosi, Reid government!
Everyone out there should be afraid of this trio of Liberal views. The United States of America will change. So maybe this is the change they are talking about. Abortion will no longer be something that is an issue because it will be common place. Gay Marriage big deal another common occurrence. Government robbing the corporations and giving to the nonworker again natural. You see there will be a lot more unemployed because corporations that are going to be taxed to death will move overseas to areas that are more business friendly. Those that stay will have to raise their prices to the point that they are run out of business by the overseas companies. Unemployment will be at record levels because they only business left in America will be family run companies.

Good news though we will have universal health care that will cause elderly genocide so the social security budget will finally be able to hold it's own because there will be very few to survive the universal health care that they will have that doesn't work in other countries.

So when you are going to the polls remember do we really want a Obama, Pelosi, Reid package deal?

Treasurer - Surprise we choose Mike Bucko Democrat

This may come as a surprise to those of you that follow this site, to our conservative readers who want to toe the Republican line, and to our Democrat readers who love to argue in the comments section:

As a long-time Porter County leader, a sitting county councilman, a thinking politician willing to look at reform of local government, we endorse Mike Bucko for County Treasurer. Some of you will remember our series earlier this year The Murphy Plan or the Bucko Plan?

In which Jim Murphy who is the sitting county treasurer, running for county commissioner, and Mike Bucko, sitting county councilman running for county Treasurer, prepared competing plans to assist local municipalities using the $160 million in hospital proceeds. We backed the Murphy Plan but were proud that both leaders were willing to take a risk in an election year, this county needs Leaders willing to reform and take risks. We've gone too long with "head in the sand" leadership from the commissioners, the elected "skill leaders" and the council.

We do disagree with Mike on his stance to keep the Treasurer seat forever. We believe that a total overhaul of county government, a reform that would put skilled professionals in the jobs of Auditor, Clerk, Treasurer, Assessor, and Economic Development ... would be much preferrable. This was originally proposed by Bob Wichlinski, and was the best idea to come out of the election season, although the media disregarded and thus many people didn't understand it. Sure, Mike Bucko has the skills, but what about the next person that gets elected who doesn't and continues the mess that our county administration has endured. Mike ... take a second look at this issue for sure.

Let's put Mike Bucko and Jim Murphy into that county building, I'm sure they'll come up with some terrific ideas for reform and investment to grow our county. And no, we didn't lose our edge, the best part of both of these wins would be that Commissioner Bob Harper would lose his proxy domination of the entire county. Mike Bucko was the last Democrat to stand up to Bob Harper, on his foolish green space ordinance, and though he suffered from retaliation, he is back to the leadership position he deserves.

Stop Governing Like This
For more articles on reform of local government

County Commissioner - Vote Jim Murphy

We here at Porter County Politics are pleased to join Mayor Jon Costas in endorsing Jim Murphy for County Commissioner, here is the text of Jon's released endorsement letter yesterday.

Dear friend,

We are living in interesting times.

Our current economic condition has created an environment of consumer concern, tight operating conditions and uncertainty about our business future.

Never has it been more important to manage smarter, plan more wisely and work together – to get through this crisis and keep our businesses and local economy strong.

That is why this year's local election is so crucial. We must choose officials who are committed to moving forward and working closely with the businesses and residents of Porter County to grow and protect our economic interests.

There is one local race this year that I know is critical to the future of our county. Jim Murphy can provide the decisive leadership Porter County must have in the commissioner's office. The incumbent Carole Knoblock, while a nice person, has not proven to be a strong leader. She opposes the county government reforms recommended by the Kernan-Shepard report which are so vital to improving performance and accountability. Her background and experience do not justify her making decisions involving tens of millions of our tax dollars.

There is clearly a better choice in the county commissioner race. Jim Murphy has demonstrated his abilities as our current County Treasurer. He has shown his determination to "get the job done" – on time and on budget. Jim Murphy is an innovative county leader whose plan for immediate tax relief was a sensible and responsible proposal.

I honestly believe that electing Jim Murphy as our County Commissioner is the most important act we can take to ensure that our local government and our economy are prepared to meet the challenges that face us all at this time.

Very truly yours,
Jon

Porter County Council - Vote Jim Burge

More endorsements coming later today, check back in!

Time for Change in Porter County?

To answer the question whether Porter County should return to antiquity, I would like to borrow that familiar, “NO!” the county Democrats have used so regularly in their reactionary decision making. In these crucial local races, we have the opportunity to vote for change, and on this, the county Democrats have no monopoly. In fact, they are the very obstacle to change that Obama and others have referred to. In Porter County, the good ol’ boy Democrats through their automatic “NO!” have outlawed progress, innovation, and creative thinking in favor of taking the heat off of themselves. Real leaders make tough decisions. Don’t allow Dan Whitten and Carole Knoblock to ride the coattails of the Democrat Presidential Candidate silently back into office for another term of the same old thing. Just remember that our current situation is the product of Democrat control—and no matter your political persuasion—these democrats are not about the new ideas boasted at the national level. In this important Election, the only vote for change at the local level is a vote for your local Republicans. Keep that in mind this November 4th.

Porter County Council - Vote Jim Burge

Today we start a series of specific endorsements for our local races. I think you'll be surprised that not all our chosen candidates are Republicans, but this first endorsement is. Jim Burge is an incumbent on the Porter County Council, has shown tremendous leadership in finances, ethics, and bi-partisanship over the last four years. One of our three votes for county council will go to Jom Burge.

Today's article County nearing $400,000 for consultants, Burge to vote no more ... epitomizes his efforts to watch our tax dollars. IN 2009 and beyond we need elected officials willing to re-organize government, to save money, to eliminate waste and fraud, and to generally shake up the way things are done ... businesses are being shaken and reorganized to their cores, why can't government get off status quo. Status quo sure isn't working:

Burge said it is time to consider the proposal to streamline local government by replacing elected tax officials with an appointed person who has accounting experience

Polls and more polls

Are you getting tired of all the polls? Interesting though, I've never been called. I guess roughly 2 million households with phones in our state, let's say go back 4 elections, 10 major polls, 10 months per election, 4 weeks per month, making 3000 calls to get 1000 answers, registered (only 50% of population) ... i should have a 3 in 1 chance of getting called. NEVER! Makes you wonder who they call? Who actually pick up?

18 year old on cell phone? Nope
Text message 20 year old at college about home election? Nope
Gather door to door input from 25 year old single woman who works two jobs? Nope
How about young family with caller ID who put kids down at 8:30 p.m.? Nope
I got it, retiree visiting grandkids during summer, then snowbirding after Thanksgiving? Nope
Employee at work? Nope

Who do the pollsters actually talk to? More eery, do the polls tell people how to vote, because we're such followers we tend to vote for the "winner" so we look cool?

Well ... here's the latest. After we find out last week that Mitch Daniels had clinched the election and was running 21 points ahead, capped property taxes, ran a budget surplus, and Jill Long Thompson was all out of money ... we were also told that Obama had a lead in Indiana.

What's that you say? How can that be? Who would vote for Obama and Mitch? Who indeed.

Today:

The latest Zogby battleground poll shows GOP presidential nominee John McCain has regained the lead in Indiana, turning what pundits called a purple state to red.

By a 53 percent to 42 percent margin.

Right ... 13 percent of Hoosiers changed their minds this week right?

Final 12 Days in Porter County

Below I have reprinted a Call to Action from the Republican team here in Porter County, as well as links to the newspaper endorsements. Even with these solid endorsements in the last two days, and even if the newspaper's picks win, Republicans would only control the Commissioners and would "not" control the County Council. This would give voting power over $160 million dollars to the Democrats for the next couple years.

It's time to take this election serious in Porter County!

Times endorsements for County Council: Blaney (D) ... Snyder (R) ... and Burge (R)

AP poll today - all even heading into final 12 days

Also, endorsement by Times of Jim Murphy and John Evans for Commissioners

From Chris Buckley at Republican headquarters just a few minutes ago:

My Friends,

Election Day is 14 days away! This is the final stretch and the Porter County Republican Party needs your help more than ever to get the job done!

We will again be meeting in Valparaiso @ Republican HQ (212 E Lincolnway) @ 9am to carpool to Portage. We will be meeting at the Hampton Inn (on U.S. Hwy. 20 just East of SR249) and will dispatch to various neighborhoods to walk door-to-door in the Portage area. You are free to meet us at either location at the respective times. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Friends, this is where the rubber meets the road. Talking to voters in key neighborhoods is often the difference between success and failure, and volunteers are the backbone of this effort.  Let's get on the road to victory for November 4th!

I look forward to seeing all of you this Saturday. Feel free to contact me with the information below if you have any questions.

Sincere thanks,

Christopher A. Buckley
Campaign Coordinator
Porter County Republican Party
Mobile: (219) 510-4613
Office: (219) 464-2213
BuckleyCAP@gmail.com

Update: Newest Indiana-wide polls show Mitch Daniels prevailing by a dominating 21 point lead, but John McCain locked in an epic struggle to even win Indiana. This means that thousands of people will choose two opposite ends of the political spectrum ... our local candidates are right in the middle and need our help and attention.

Disgusting Vandalism

The top picture shows a garage door on Bullseye Lake Rd the man is in his 80's and had on his garage door God Bless America and Support Our Troops. I stopped and talked to him. He has four active duty military grandsons and has made his own McCain for President sign. He loves our country and our troops. I guess someone didn't appreciate his right to freedom of speech so they decided to paint through the Support our troops and the God Bless America then decided that he should add Obama 2008. By the way 8 different people called the two local newspapers to try to get someone out there to do a story on this man and neither one would.

The next picture is a sign on sturdy road that a lady brought in because she was upset that someone defaced her sign. She went over to the Obama camp and showed this and one of the ladies there actually had the nerve to say well Republicans do the same thing. The lady left disgusted and we replaced the sign with a new one.

To top off all of that this week I picked up 28 signs from the Valpo PD that had been stolen from yards and dumped into someone elses yard. Thankfully the person that got them dumped in their yard called the PD to pick them up.

EVERYONE has the right to support whom they choose it is sickening to think that whom ever is doing this thinks that this ok to do.

Vote yes on referendum #1

Military Vote will go to McCain

Not much poll manipulation available here, the military vote is McCain's

clipped from www.redcounty.com clipped from www.redcounty.com Troops Support McCain by 3-1 Margin A recent Military Times poll found that active duty U.S. military members support John McCain over Barack Obama to be their next commander-in-chief by a margin of 68%-23%. Obama's support among the services is lowest in the Marine Corps (18%.)  And, paralleling observations Michael has made previously, 79% of African-American service members support Obama.

Should pay some taxes to get some back - right?

I'm a little confused, like many Americans I was starting to believe Barack Obama's claims that he would lower the taxes on 95% of Americans, he said it enough times. But now the truth comes out - many of the people would get checks who didn't pay any taxes in the first place. That's ridiculous

Obama has claimed that he would lower taxes on 95% of workers – even though more than 50% of workers don’t even pay taxes. What he says is true, but what it really means is that he is reintroducing a massive increase in the welfare state, costing about $30 billion per year. According to the Center for Data Analysis’ microsimulation modeling, Obama would increase the number of tax filers who receive a check from government without paying any taxes including payroll taxes – people filing just to receive a welfare check – by about 10 million. Where will the $30 billion per year come from? From those who are paying taxes, of course. And indirectly from all of us, when the economy is dragged down by higher tax rates on businesses.

From The Foundry - Obama's Poverty Trap

This is no long term solution, to hand out checks to people that didn't pay any taxes in the first place. They can't create jobs, they need the jobs that small businesses would create. Call it old fashioned trickle down economics (that should enrage the liberals) but those who create economic opportunity need less government so they can take the risks it takes to create and innovate.

Indiana Chamber of Commerce Endorse Mitch Daniels

For the first time in it's history the Indiana Chamber of Commerce stepped out and endorsed Mitch Daniels for Governor. Not too tough a call, since he's leading in all polls and in some by as much as 18%. But it does say a lot when all we're hearing about is a recession and credit market problems ... The Daniels administration is doing much better than almost all other states.

clipped from www.insideindianabusiness.com The Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the state’s largest broad-based business association, today announced its endorsement of Republican Mitch Daniels for governor. This marks the first time in the Chamber’s 86-year history that it has publicly endorsed a gubernatorial candidate. “Indiana’s performance has been head and shoulders above its Midwestern neighbors and most others across the country. Our state's AAA credit rating is a good example. We must continue to elevate our state in order to have that competitive advantage when it comes to business and job location, the rightsizing of local government, training for our existing workers and so much more that impacts Hoosiers every day. That’s why keeping Gov. Daniels – someone who has demonstrated his ability to achieve success in these areas – in office is so important for our state.”

Presidential race tightens again

Polls and polls and more polls. In general the race is doing exactly what everyone expected, tightening to about 48% for each candidate and 4% still trying to decide.

I've commented elsewhere on undecideds and my shock that it's even possible to not be able to decide between two candidates with such differing views on where we go with this country.

clipped from ibdeditorials.com IBD/TIPP Tracking Poll: Day Seven After three days of gains by Obama, McCain bounced back slightly, reducing his opponent's lead from approximately 7 points to 5. McCain was helped by a jump in rural support from 50% to 56%, and by gains among people making $30k - $50k (7 point gain to 42%) and $50k - $75k (4 point gain to 35%). The race for Independents remains close with 40% favoring Obama, 38% supporting McCain and 22% still undecided.

State polls show Ohio and Florida back to McCain

With the media spending all day talking up Obama, and talking about the Colin Powell endorsement, not much talk about Ohio and Florida where the polls have gone back to McCain.

This site is patently pro-Obama and was forced to show the poll results, even though they still show the electoral college with Obama getting both states. A little misleading at the least

clipped from www.electoral-vote.com We have nine presidential polls today. Florida and Ohio, the two biggest swing states, are still swinging. Today's polls put McCain ahead in Florida 49% to 47% and also ahead in Ohio 46% to 45%, both statistical ties. Somewhat surprising is a new poll in Montana in which McCain is leading by only 4 points in a state Bush won by 20 points in 2004 and by 25 points in 2000. Together with the statistical tie in North Dakota, it looks like a number of solid Republican states may not be solid at all. Of course, a 4-point win in Montana is as good as a 20-point win, but given the amount of money Obama has and how cheap television time is in Montana, he could afford a real blitz there.

Ayres Standing on a Flag

I think that everyone should look at this picture and then go to your local GOP office and help them get the vote out. This is exactly what America is in for if Obama gets in. He and his friends have absolutely no respect for America or its symbolism.

History: Aaron Burr v. Thomas Jefferson

An endorsement of a great leader over a man surrounded by corruption, in 1800 Alexander Hamilton endorsed Thomas Jefferson over Aaron Burr. Yesterday Colin Powell went the opposite direction and endorsed socialism and corruption over leadership and greatness.

Colin Powell is no Alexander Hamilton

clipped from grandoldpartisan.typepad.com Grand Old Partisan Welcome to the blog that celebrates the heritage of the Republican Party. clipped from grandoldpartisan.typepad.com Colin Powell endorsed the new Aaron Burr The most important endorsement in U.S. political history came during the presidential election of 1800.  The House of Representatives had to choose between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. His private character is not defended by his most partial friends.  He is bankrupt beyond redemption, except by the plunder of his country.  His ambition will not be content with those objects which virtuous men of either party will allot to it, and his situation and his habits will oblige him to have recourse to corrupt expedients, from which he will be restrained by no moral scruple.  To accomplish his ends, he must lean upon unprincipled men, and will continue to adhere to the myrmidons who have hitherto seconded him.

Valparaiso City Council puts an eye on Schools

Liaison to School Board named

Update: After some fireworks on the school board last month, the Valparaiso City Council has appointed a liason. This won't have enough teeth for true accountability, but it's a good start. Councilman Kelly Ward wants to keep the appointed board structure, and to do so she'll have to show that she can reign in the board appointees and the Superintendent. I have long supported tighter restraints on the school board, annual reviews of the entire budget by the city council, an appointment system that favors non-education oriented board appointees

VALPARAISO | An idea kicked around for about five years finally came to fruition last week with the appointment of Councilwoman Kelly Ward as the council's liaison to the School Board.

Council President Al Eisenmenger said former Councilman Vince Galbiati first brought up the idea of the liaison and was interested in the position, but timing and schedules just never seemed to work out.

"We were trying to find a person who would be able to make all the meetings," Eisenmenger said. "We discussed it again when we were making all the other council appointments to various boards and committees at the beginning of the year. Kelly kept it in her mind and volunteered."

Drug deaths at record level in Porter County

A few questions for our readers:

1. What methods of police action or community action actually have any affect on drug usage? Can any group affect drug statistics?
   
2. Does drug usage track with economic trends, and if so will we see a further increase?

Northwest Indiana Drug Deaths On The Rise

VALPARAISO-- There have been more deaths from drugs in northwest Indiana's Porter County in 2008 than any time before, including last year's record of 17.

The Porter County Coroner's Office has confirmed 19 deaths from drugs so far, and it's waiting on toxicology reports from four more autopsies, including the three suspicious deaths that happened last weekend.

"That'd put us at 23, and that's way over last year. And that's disturbing," said Porter County Coroner Vicki Deppe. "We are just mid-October. I don't think it's a good sign for the rest of the year."

That's keeping with trends, said Robert Taylor, head of the Porter County Drug Task Force.
Deppe agreed.

"We're having a sharp increase in drug deaths in the county and drug-related deaths in the county," she said. "These aren't suicides we're talking about; these are overdoses."

Deppe plans to look over statistics at the end of the year, but she sees few patterns.

"We see little spikes of heroin overdoses," Deppe said.

One happened in April, and heroin is suspected in one of the recent deaths.

The other major pattern is poly-drug deaths, where the deceased has more than one drug in his or her system -- up to
four or five -- and sometimes alcohol, too.

Interviews with families and investigations are showing that the overdoses aren't the first forays into drugs. They're long-time users, Deppe said.

They're getting more extreme in behavior, Porter County Prosecutor Brian Gensel said.

Colin Powell endorsement of Barack Obama

A deep breath, news reports are now issuing "breaking news" that Colin Powell has endorsed Barack Obama for President. Is this a nail in the McCain coffin? Although I'm an avowed McCain supporter I do think it hurts for sure.

First, Powell has probably supported Obama all along, and therefore the timing suggests they've worked together to deliver a two week blow to the McCain campaign surge. Good for them, as a political strategist I can say well done.

Second, I'm still laughing a bit at the voters (or alleged voters) who are still saying they are undecided. I have a hard time believing that at this late date, and after this long campaign, there is anyone still undecided. But alas in these days of microwave attention spans, perhaps that possible.

Lastly, it's sad that a man who's had the opportunities of the United States military, two Bush Administrations, a war against tyranny in Iraq, and the ability to make tons of money because of his leadership ideas ... is supporting Barack Obama who stands for surrender in Iraq, who stands for increasing dependence on government handouts, and who frankly can't work with both sides of the aisle. My opinion, I'm sure Obama supporters will see it the exact opposite, and I respect that and Mr. Powell.

Florida slides back to McCain column

With national polls tightening this week, to just 2 points in likely voters on national Gallup Poll, a couple battleground states are also moving toward McCain. With Florida polling slightly to McCain and Ohio polling dead even (Rasmussen) the electoral college projections will be moved back to dead heat too this week.

What does all this mean? That Get Out the Vote efforts, the legal ones at least, are very important to Republicans. ACORN-style fraud efforts will continue and I think the public is wearying of Democrats useage of ACORN tactics to pad the numbers.

FL Men Drift to McCain, Sunshine State Stays Steady in SurveyUSA Tracking

In an election for President of the United States in Florida today, absentee balloting underway and early voting about to begin, Republican John McCain edges Democrat Barack Obama 49% to 47%, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted for WFLA-TV Tampa, WFOR-TV Miami, WKRG-TV Mobile-Pensacola, and WFTX-TV Cape Coral.

Compared to an identical SurveyUSA tracking poll 3 weeks ago, almost nothing has changed in the Florida data, at a time when the world has changed profoundly. Then, the Dow Jones was at 11,143. Today: 20% lower. Banks have failed, insurance companies have been nationalized. But smooth sailing on the Florida poll tracking graphs. True: men have swung 9 points to McCain since SurveyUSA’s last poll

There is slight movement to McCain in Southeast Florida, which includes Miami and Fort Lauderdale. There is offsetting movement to Obama in Central Florida, which includes Orlando, and in Southwest Florida, which includes Tampa. Unique to Florida, and unlike other states that SurveyUSA is polling: those in Florida who tell SurveyUSA they have already voted disproportionately back McCain. The sample size is small, so caution is warranted, but unlike SurveyUSA findings in Ohio, New Mexico, Georgia, Iowa, and North Carolina, where early voters disproportionately favor Obama, in Florida, McCain leads by 8 among those who have already voted, and is tied among those who have not yet cast a ballot but who are determined by SurveyUSA to be likely to do so.

Voting for judges in Porter County

If you're like me, its a little tough to make an educated decision on judges elections. I've even suggested elsewhere that perhaps judges shouldn't even be elected. In Porter County we have two races for judge, and really only one that looks close ... that's the one featuring Democrat incumbent Dave Chidester (husband of one of our other judges Mary Harper ... yes former wife of current county commissioner Bob Harper) and Republican attorney Tim Vojslavek.

The Bar Association does a review of the candidates, and frankly both Chidester and Vojslavek scored high. With Vojslavek scoring 75% as qualified or higher and 25% as not qualified ... and Chidester scoring 81% as qualified or higher and 19% as unqualified. It is my understanding that 142 ballots were sent out and 92 responses were received. Not all responses evaluated all candidates.

Video Interview by Times of Tim Vojslavek running for judge in Porter Superior Court as Republican.

Video Interview by Times of David Chidester running for judge in Porter County Superior Court as Democrat.

We will begin posting our formal endorsements next week for all races, but there is no doubt that the nepotism in the judges chamber and county government involved here is a concern, at least raising the potential that another viable candidate should be considered.

As a side note, the Times is working awful hard to hide their videos and making them impossible to embed here, sorry for the outside links, kinda web 1.0 from NW Indiana's newspaper.

Democrats say "disregard the fraud" of ACORN

It may be too late, everyday voters are pretty frustrated that Democrats for Obama have pursued fraudulent registrations. Polls get closer today, as many voters are getting sick of hearing about unions and Democrats in collusion.

clipped from www.indystar.com Democrats brush off vote fraud claims State Democratic officials said today that the growing fervor over allegations of voter fraud and remote polling sites in Lake County is a smoke screen aimed at shoring up Republican John McCain's chances to win Indiana. In Lake County, an attorney for labor unions and Democrats wants a new judge to decide to decide whether satellite early voting centers can stay open in Gary, Hammond and East Chicago.

Gallup has race at 3 points

Gallup Poll just out at noon shows the Presidential Race has tightened to 3 points among likely voters:

(will insert text once Gallup updates their posts - just stats now at 49% and 46%)

A friendfeed-twitter debate on taxation theory

For those of you who aren't on friendfeed or twitter, you're missing some great debates, links, and conversation on issues. Here's one just this morning, with over 30 responses in an hour or so:

Soulhuntre posted a message on Twitter

“In 2006, the top 1% of earners in the US paid 40% of all income tax... the top 5% paid 60%. The "rich" pay more than their share.”

This message got pulled into his friendfeed stream where the bulk of the comments occurred. Though some commenters also chose to republish to twitter from friendfeed so the debate could go on in both places. This is one important problem to these great debates, they're hard to follow, because they jump platforms so quickly.

But do they pay their 'fair share'? By taxing the successful even more what is really being said is some are too successful. As if there could be such a thing. Such is the world when everyone gets a ribbon merely for showing up. - Peter Simard

Soulhuntre, what you're leaving out is that the top 1% make anywhere from 10-25% of the nation's income (depends on which source one chooses to quote). Even with a flat tax system these wealthy tax-payers would still be paying the larger portion of the total taxes taken (because 30% of 10M is always going to be larger than 30% of 100,000) - Stupid Blogger (aka Tina)

@Tina - hence why I support flat taxes :) - Soulhuntre

So how do we devise a system to tax the poor...or even better, how about taxing the unborn(wait they do that already)? Maybe we can cut the rich some slack and merely tax the dead? - Terence Washington

And now I get to be the rebel... exactly why we need a consumption tax (with some sort of rebate up to the poverty level) ... a system the encourages savings over spending.... the rich will always spend more then the middle class, and the poor. - Sean Reiser

However, when looking at wealth versus tax burden, the top 1% account for approximately 40% of all wealth and pay 40% of all income tax. - AJ Kohn

Peter, for the sake of argument define fair. Do we limit the success that individuals have (the fact that this runs counter to the American Dream notwithstanding)? Do we unilaterally deny them their success simply because they have the money that government need to make up its deficit( again, government irresposibility notwithstanding)? Are we going to apply that cut off to people of all income levels (even when they can't actually pay it)? Do discriminate against the rich by singling them out? - Roberto Bonini

@Sean - they call that a sales tax for the most part :) - Soulhuntre

Soulhuntre, mathematically a flat tax will have to be in the 30-40% range to match the take on the current revenue system. This means that everyone *except* the exorbitantly wealthy will be paying more. Moreover, from a livability standpoint someone making 30k is going to notice loosing 30% of their income a helluva lot more than someone making 3M. - Stupid Blogger (aka Tina)

Actually, I want to tax the rich more, and the poor less. The rich can afford it!! I think many of us make the common mistake of assuming that we're better off than we actually are. I don't know about you, Soul, but i'm not a millionaire. heck, i'm barely a thousand-aire. In todays economy, though, we're literally all in this together. - Chris Hollander

@sean: thats exactly the problem. The rich will *not* always spend more than the middle class, and more than the poor... in fact, its almost the opposite. the rich don't get rich by spending money, they get rich by saving it. the poor don't get poor because they save too much. The poor have greater need, and thus spend more. The rich have more privilege, and thus less need, and ultimately spend less. - Chris Hollander

@Tina: Exactly, the utility of each dollar has far more meaning for that person making 30K than it does to the one making 300K. - AJ Kohn

Punish people for creating wealth and eventually you will get to the point where it makes little sense for them to do so. Already I know a number of guys who could start companies that would employ others but they have not because it isn't worth dealing with the overburden. Even some of the progressive types in the Web 2.0 / startup world carefully avoid getting to big employee wise by using contractors to avoid regulatory / tax / oversight issues. We are stunting our own economic growth this way. - Soulhuntre

@Robert I believe a progressive tax system to be the fairest, to a point. When Reagan came in to office the top marginal tax rate was 70%. I don't think that could be considered fair by any definition. While I wouldn't like it I could live with allowing the expiration of the Bush tax cuts which would return the top marginal rate to 39%. Taxation is limiting of success by its very nature b/c it imposes an artificial premium on success equal to the level of taxation. I'd prefer BIG spending & tax cuts - Peter Simard

@Soulhuntre: Interesting, every report I read shows that small business are not decreasing in numbers and contribute essentially the same % of payroll to the economy as they did in the 1980s. - AJ Kohn

@Chris How do you tax the poor less than zero? Wealth redistribution perhaps? - Peter Simard

what percentage of the population do you think actually pays zero taxes? - Chris Hollander

In 2005, 134MM tax returns were filed. 44MM paid zero taxes. 32.6% http://www.ntu.org/main/page.p... - Brian Newman

wait. THERES A TAXPAYERS UNION? why didn't anyone tell me? where do i sign up? Do i get a free hat? - Chris Hollander

Yeah it's great! We are going to raise the dues on the top 5% so the rest of us don't have to do jack! Suckers! - Brian Newman

The way I look at it, the richer you are, the more you need the government's services to help you protect your wealth. - Victor Ganata

Sounds like a protection racket. - Brian Newman

@Brian: than you for pointing me to a link that suggests that almost 1/3 of those filing returns do not pay taxes. @Peter (or @brian?): Can you now show me the link that explains that that 1/3 is also the poorest? I should have asked, "what percentage of the poor pays zero taxes". - Chris Hollander

I think it's very enlightening that, on October 8th, I issued the challenge to people to define "fair" in such a way that it could be used for both taxes and football. *crickets* http://friendfeed.com/e/164a65... - Glen C

@AJ - given that it is much, much easier to sustain a small business now than before in many ways - the fact that there aren't more says something to me. I know many more people who are self employed now than in the 80's. They could be small businesses, but choose not to be... I am not sure that the reports you see exclude self employed but not incorporated folks, but I suspect so. - Soulhuntre

The issue of who notices their money more or who needs it more is only relevant if you believe that society has the right to take what they wish from you and that whether you deserve or need to keep your money is a morally relevant issue. I don't believe that.Whether someone needs their own property is irrelevant to whether others have a moral right to take it from them. - Soulhuntre

Again, % wealth to % tax burden is essentially even for top 1%. Also, we probably wouldn't be screaming about $70MM salary parachutes if we had a more progressive income tax. - AJ Kohn

@Chris: Some 92% of zero-tax filers earn less than $30,000 a year, according to the Tax Foundation, a non-partisan research group in Washington, D.C. That doesn't include another 15 million who earn too little to file in the first place. http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/2... - Brian Newman

but they make and control far more than that of the total % of wealth. - Morgan

@AJ - Whether or not someones wealth offends the sensibilities of the rest of society should not be the justification for confiscating it. I am all for not rewarding folks who broke the law by letting them profit - but for folks who make their money legally whether that wealth pisses others off shouldn't be relevant - but it does seem to drive lots of voters these days. - Soulhuntre

@Soulhuntre: It's not about pissing anyone off, it's simple statement that the rich, as defined by the % of wealth they have, pay a "fair" share. You choose to use income to tax ratio, others use wealth to tax ratio. You're simply choosing to be offended by the flip side of the equation. - AJ Kohn

Are you saying the rich already pay their fair share? Or their taxes need to be increased to pay their fair share? - Brian Newman

My contribution: The issue of rich v. poor is old fashioned class warfare, used for votes, but really not all that helpful in the discussion. A fairer and flatter tax would feature an eliminatin of special exeptions, a tax that's easy to understand, and hard to cheat. It's my opinion that consumption or sales taxes would fit this mold better than income or property. Daltonsbriefs