Some Taxing situations

You can be taxed into getting health care.  It is that simple.  The 5 - 4 Supreme Court decision essentially comes as a result of the Chief Justices's twist to find a way to make the law stand.

The Democrats should be thanking their lucky stars for this one, at least on this issue, because but for that twist (or rather tax), it appears clear the decision would have gone otherwise. If you have followed the debate all the long, some very key Democrats has been insisting that the law was not a tax.  It was a regulation of interstate commerce.  

But it definitely was not a tax, until yesterday morning that is.

The Republicans are wringing out their crying towels.  In fact so much so they have order a new batch.  They however should be saving those towels, letting them dry out and then twirl them in the air for the victory the ruling in fact gives the "conservative" view on the economy.  

Within the ruling comes what should be considered a very significant victory.  The commerce clause argument was rejected, and the limits of congress in the parts of the law rejected.

If you are unhappy about the ruling upholding the meat of the law, or if you are jumping for joy because of the ruling, once the celebration or mourning ends, take a moment to think through the long term implications.

Five justices, four of them the liberal wing of the Court, just applied a very heavy foot to the breaks of that rambling vehicle so often used to cram even more onerous mandates down our throats, and that is the rejection of the commerce clause argument, along with the carrot and stick approach rejected for some of the provisions.

You might not see it, but in the long run a very huge road block has been thrown up for congress (yes I know it should be with a "C", however until the collective body in office right know grows up, I will leave the lowercase. 

While conservatives across the nation may feel Earle Warren may have been reincarnated in the being of Chief Justice Roberts, once they adjust their vision beyond the tip of their noses they might find they have a more politically savvy Rehnquist.  

Be it 5 – 4, or if it had been 6 -3 or 9 - 0, it is what it is, which is the law of the land.

At this point, keep in mind several things:  You want to now have congress repeal this tax, fine.  Somebody better have an option to replace it when that occurs.  As onerous as some of the law is/seems, there are some provisions that absolutely need to be addressed, and should have been addressed decades ago.

Before we all get to the arguments about our Founding Fathers spinning in their graves, keep in mind that health care wasn't an issue a quarter millennium ago.  In fact seeing a doctor back than could be as much a detriment to your health as the disease.  

If this law will cause health insurance to sky rocket, what has been done to this point to prevent what has all ready happened?  HMOs were supposed to be our savior, keep costs low, make insurance more affordable, and provide better care.  

I don't know whether the law is going to fix anything.  I have my doubts.  I also know that the health care/insurance industry is a train wreck, not waiting to happen, but ongoing.  

Until our politicians stop worrying about whether they get an invitation to tea at high noon, or to go throw back a few with Joan and Joan Jones after work, nothing is going to get better.

Some other taxing matters, more on one’s patience than pocket...

Yesterday's "Advocate" had a story on the secret, which wasn't.  I had become aware of the fact that the reporter had gotten wind of what was going on in town with the latest proposal for housing tourism.  Be interesting to find out who told her, but I know better than to try and out a source.

While the town should be grateful for the offer, and while on its face it may appear to be the perfect solution for locating tourism, scratching beneath the surface on needs to dot the "i"s and cross the "t"s before anything is finalized.  Liability insurance, access and length of term are the three that jump out.

Doing a little digging myself, it seems a bit clear that for some, the thought process is resolving tourism location will make the historical society issue disappear.  Isn't going to happen.  

As a matter of fact, one could be downright dumbfounded over the fact there has been no public discussion about commencing discussions for the continued occupation of the academy building.  The agreement with the nurses has been questioned and discussed.  The agreement with the state agency has been questioned and discussed.  The non-agreement with the historical society doesn't seem to be an issue.

One should be, and is, pretty ticked off at the town resources being spent to find a way to keep it in that building.  The time and effort paid public employees have been required to deal with this issue is appalling.  

Don't get me wrong, I have a certain amount of gratitude over the issue. Without it, I might not have anything to write about some days. 

Well that is probably not true.  If some weren't tripping over their own feet on this matter it would be something else.

Speaking of something else...

TGIF + YE

For everyone with the "normal" work week the TGIF is pretty obvious.  For them and others the above stand for Thank God Its Fiscal Year End.  

On paper the town finished in the black.  Not a bad thing since you are legally required to do that.  Year end is always a taxing situation, literally and figuratively.  

All most two whole days before any worry about getting through next year.

Dealing with municipal budgets is like most movie franchises.  First two, maybe three have a tendency to be good.  As each sequel comes out though, you see a decline.

Occasionally installment 4 or 5 might be pleasant surprises, but more often than not you see disappointment.  

Be nice to say we are involved in a "Harry Potter" franchise rather than the seemingly never ending "Halloween" saga.  Be nice, but can't say that.

But we you get hooked, you are hooked.  As often as you might say that was the last one you will watch, you can't help yourself.

To quote from GF III, "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in".  Seems to be something that comes up every year that acts as a pull.

Oh well sooner or later the ties that bind do break.

Have a great weekend.