Written by Jeff Piersall | 04 January 2010

As we start the new year, it is interesting no matter if you are a democrat or a republican that we have a Congress that is willing to give itself a pay raise and to start debating if there should be a College Playoff system.  Can anyone just SCREAM foul?

Somehow we as the voting public have to say enough is enough and understand that until we get representatives who are willing to sacrifice and listen that we are going nowhere fast.

We can make a difference and let's start making sure that Congress understands that this is not acceptable.  We need to put our personal agendas to the side and take repsonsibility for staightening this out ourselves.  Congress works for us and is elected by us - they get themselves a "PAY RAISE" without us approving it first.

Wouldn't you like to give yourself a pay raise without your bosses' approval?

Written by N. Gingrich Speech | 08 November 2009

We should create jobs first, before we spend any more on government programs.

1. Immediate Payroll Tax Relief. Whereas many people do not pay the income tax but do pay the payroll tax, a two-year, 50% reduction of the payroll tax would immediately boost take home pay for every employee, and dramatically free up available cash for every small business employer to hire and invest. Among other sources, this would be paid for with all the unexpended TARP money, along with $300 to $400 billion of the unspent "stimulus" spending authorized in February.
   
   
2. Reduce the Corporate Tax Rate. Combining state and federal taxes, America has the highest corporate tax system in the world. Matching the Irish corporate tax rate of 12.5%, combined with zero capital gains, will make America the most desirable economy in the world to invest in.
   
   
3. Abolish Taxes on Capital Gains. Matching the Chinese capital gains rate of zero is relatively inexpensive in the current economy because people are going to have smaller gains. In the 1970's, this is the rate that Alan Greenspan testified was best for economic growth.
   
   
4. Abolish the Death Tax. Inheritance is the most powerful accumulator of capital and eliminating the death tax has been consistently  supported by over 75% of the American people.
   
   
5. Incentives for Small Business Investment. Allow small businesses to expense 100% of new equipment purchases each year to help them invest in new, more productive technologies.
   
   
6. Balance the Budget Within Seven Years. While Newt Gingrich was speaker, federal spending rose by an average of 2.9% a year, the lowest increase since Calvin Coolidge in the 1920's. We can apply the same principles that worked from 1995 to 1998 and create a balanced budget with a smaller government with lower spending, lower interest rates, and less debt.

Written by Jeff Piersall | 30 October 2009

This comes to us from the Associated General Contractors

House Health Care Legislation Unveiled

Includes employer mandates, insurance policy mandates, premium and tax increases, and Medicare cuts

After weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) released legislation that will overhaul the nation’s health care system. The 1,900 page legislation comes with a preliminary cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office of $900 billion over the next ten years. The cost estimate only pertains to the expanded coverage and not other changes to existing programs, so the official price tag could significantly increase to over $1 trillion. A major change from previous versions of the legislation is that many of the reform timeframes will be moved up, allowing democrats to enter the 2010 and 2012 elections with some achievements.

The majority of the Affordable Health Care for America Act is financed through a surtax on married couples with adjusted gross incomes exceeding $1 million a year and individuals earning over $500,000 a year. The surtax is not indexed for inflation and would begin in 2011 at a 5.4 percent rate. Previous drafts of the legislation had thresholds of $280,000 for individuals and $350,000 for couples, but it was indexed for inflation. The tax will generate $460.5 billion, much of it from small business owners who are at the forefront of our economic recovery.

In addition to the surtax, businesses with a combined annual payroll exceeding $750,000 will be required to pay an 8 percent penalty for its uninsured workers. Employers who choose to offer coverage must contribute at least 72.5 percent of premiums for individuals and 65 percent for families. The legislation includes credits for small business but they provide small employers limited value.

The legislation contains a government insurance option and expands Medicaid. It also includes a corporate information reporting proposal, which would require reporting on most third party transactions, limit the amount employees can contribute to health care flexible spending accounts, end deductions companies can take for retiree prescription drug coverage, and increase penalties for nonqualified distributions from health savings accounts.

AGC supports health care reform that expands coverage and makes coverage more affordable. However, H.R. 3962 fails to reduce costs and address the rising cost of insurance. The current proposal will increase insurance premiums and will impose indirect tax increases on employers to pay for the reform. Send a letter to your representatives in opposition to the House health care bill by clicking here.

Legislative Scheduling:
A vote in the House could occur as early as next week. The Senate continues to finalize their package. A vote on a final package that could be presented to the president could occur before Thanksgiving.

Written by Jeff Piersall | 26 October 2009

We supposedly have $700 billion in economic stimulus money to keep the small business community alive and working.   Last week it was released that this money would be more readily available through our community banks.  Would it be best that the Space Program which needs $3 billion (less then .005% or 1/2 of 1%  ot the total allocation) make an application to Florida Business Bank or Prime Bank locally to get the money it needs to continue the one program that has created so much for our economy and lifestyle.

From your car accessories, Ipod, cell phones, computers, cooking untensils, food, safety and the list goes on and on - our Space Program has delivered.  Yet, for some reason our leadership, which promised absolutely that there would be no cuts is now considering no additional funding.   You have have to step up and let your voice be heard.  Go to www.savespace.us and view the video and register your letter to the President.