…is an area drying up because Other People won’t take mass transit, you might just be a Warmist
The blog of the day is Da Techguy’s Blog, with a post on death panels in Canada.
As a sidebar, I do find photos like this rather ridiculous. You’ve gone to an interesting spot, and, rather than enjoy it, the idea was simply to take a sexy selfie, then probably leave.
Read: If All You See… »
Current IRS Administrator Charles P. Rettig decided to write an opinion piece meant to soothe and convince those making under $400k that they will not be targets of the IRS expansion, but, can’t quite say that they won’t be targets. Don’t forget that in tax cases, you are guilty until proven innocent
IRS sets the record straight: We’re going after tax evaders, not honest Americans: Op-Ed
As the nation’s tax administrator, the IRS plays a unique role in our nation. It can be a difficult job. After all, does anyone really like paying taxes? Of course not. But they’re essential to fund the roads we drive on, the schools our children attend, support our military and so much more. Unfortunately, given the nature of this work and historical stereotypes, the IRS is often perceived as an easy target for mischaracterizations of what IRS employees do — and that’s exactly what’s happened in recent weeks.
The recent debate over providing badly needed funding to the IRS is filled with outright false suggestions about what the agency and our hard-working employees do — as well as how the additional resources will be handled.
The bottom line is this: These resources are absolutely not about increasing audit scrutiny on small business or middle-income Americans. The investment of these important resources is designed to support honest, compliant taxpayers. Our investment is designed around a Treasury directive that audit rates do not rise relative to recent years for households making under $400,000.
We all want a fair and impartial system where everyone contributes their fair share, no more and certainly no less. A robust, visible tax enforcement effort focused on high-end tax evaders and those supporting them is a priority. Underpayments by tax evaders shift the burden of operating our great country onto honest, hard-working Americans who follow the law.
Focused on high earners, but, not exclusively on. There’s going to be a whole lot more people making underpayments who make less than $400k, be it small businesses or individuals.
With this new law, honest taxpayers will see badly needed, meaningful service improvements at the IRS. The IRS should be able to answer the phones and process information — including tax returns — in a timely manner. Enhanced IT systems and taxpayer services will mean that honest taxpayers will be better able to comply with the tax laws, ultimately resulting in a lower — yes, lower — likelihood of being audited and a reduced burden on them.
It works the other way, with all those extra employees being able to go through everyone’s tax filings with a fine tooth comb. You’re making $50k a year and blew off filing on the 1099 income of a $700? They’ll find out. Rettig goes through some “falsehoods”, which, really, are mostly just political talking points, including
False Statement: The additional funding will be used to hire more auditors to “shake down” average taxpayers.
Reality: False. Wage-earning taxpayers like firefighters, construction workers, teachers and police officers are among the most compliant taxpayers, given that their incomes come from Forms W-2 and 1099. These resources are absolutely not about increasing audit scrutiny on small businesses or middle-income Americans. Instead, the additional resources will also be focused on large corporate and high net-worth taxpayers to enforce laws already on the books that the IRS does not have enough resources to pursue.
What, exactly, does “audit scrutiny” mean? The IRS doesn’t need to go full bore with an audit, they can simply pull out that fine tooth comb for the small business owner. Don’t forget, a lot of small businesses have gross profits of over $400k a year, but, their net is much lower than $400k. Those large corporations and high net taxpayers have very good accountants and lawyers to make sure they’re in compliance, along with paying as little as they can per the tax code.
False Statement: This new funding will allow overreach by the IRS, putting agents on every street corner and prying into people’s personal financial lives.
Reality: False. This funding will allow the IRS to better serve the nation’s taxpayers — and ultimately meet the critical needs of our country. Our employees care and, like others in government, take an oath to support our country. We take pride in hiring veterans, people with disabilities and people from all walks of life and from every corner of our country. Many of our employees, including myself, are members of a military family. And all of our employees reflect the taxpayers we serve.
An oath like those at the FBI with their differing structure of investigation and justice? How about when the IRS targeted conservative groups? Which they admitted to? Does anyone seriously trust the IRS? Or the government? You can find all sorts of examples when the power of the federal government went after one of the little people, because it’s a whole lot easier than going after the rich and powerful, be they individuals or companies.
A couple of the comments at the article
That last one is rather important, because those penalties from simple mistakes can turn into serious money. All those extra employees will allow the IRS to find all those minor errors the middle and working class folks made by accident. The IRS doesn’t need you to come in to be audited: a simple letter will do.
Read: IRS Administrator Fails To Specifically Say Those Making Under $400k Will Avoid The IRS »
Can anyone tell me what’s wrong with this?
Climate change alters life at Fed’s Jackson Hole conference
When officials of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City sought a location for an annual economic symposium in 1982, they chose Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for a simple reason: It had fly-fishing.
Paul Volcker, the Fed chairman at the time, was known to enjoy the pastime, and it was hoped that the opportunity to do some fishing would draw Volcker away from Washington, D.C.’s late August heat. The ploy worked, and the Fed has held a conference there in late August ever since.
Now, though, warmer waters in Jackson Lake and the Snake River it empties into have led the Park Service to urge anglers to restrict their fishing to the morning hours. Catch-and-release fishing, the most common practice here, is harder on the fish when water is warmer, and the fish are also harder to catch later in the day.
It is just one example of how the consequences of climate change are now in plain view to Fed officials during their annual summer symposium in Jackson Hole. Wyoming’s Teton County has been afflicted by the same long-term drought that has lowered rivers and reservoir levels throughout the West.
Hmm, strange
Some water activities typically enjoyed by visitors to the Jackson Lake Lodge, where Fed officials are convening, have been canceled this summer. The Colter Bay Marina has been closed because of low water levels, an economic blow to the small businesses that rent motorboats and other equipment.
Many academic economists and central bankers from around the world attend the Fed’s conclave in Jackson Hole, a valley nestled amid the majestic Teton mountain peaks. The signs of climate damage are among the ways in which the region’s challenges are evident alongside the idyllic setting. The nearby town of Jackson is also struggling with soaring home prices, labor shortages and widening economic inequality.
Let me get this straight: you have all these people take fossil fueled trip from around the U.S. and the world, many in private jets (you can bet not a train or electric vehicle), and Reuters, and other outlets, are whining about ‘climate change’? Not that these people are massive climahypocrites?
Read: Huge Gathering In Jackson Hole Complains About Climate Doom »
It wouldn’t be necessary for Greg Abbott to take actions if the federal government would do their job as required by the Constitution and duly passed federal law
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas traveled to Eagle Pass, Texas Thursday afternoon to meet with Border Patrol agents and survey operations amid a daily influx of migrants that has overwhelmed local officials and fueled criticism of the Biden administration’s border policies.
Secretary Mayorkas met with Border Patrol agents at Shelby Park – a site from which the agency often launches boats.
Mayorkas did not take questions from media outlets or elaborate on the visit. Fox News has reached out to DHS seeking more information on Mayorkas’ meeting.
Isn’t it wonderful when appointed officials refuse to tell the citizens what they’re doing?
The secretary’s visit came after a sit down with the San Antonio Express-News in which he criticized Gov. Greg Abbott for ramping up Texas Department of Public Safety Officers at the border for inspections.
“[W]hen we work with DPS, in coordination with DPS, they are of tremendous assistance to us,” Mayorkas told the Express-News’ editorial board. “When state officials work unilaterally and do not coordinate and collaborate with us, it can actually wreak havoc.”
Do your f’ing job and none of this would be necessary. Stop as many illegals as possible. Deport them, don’t traffic them all over the U.S., releasing them in small town America with often even telling the residents, opening them up to crime and disease. Seriously, saying Abbott is wreaking havoc? Project much?
The difference in approach was on display earlier this month, when Border Patrol agents opened a gate that had previously been locked by Texas National Guard members to allow multiple illegal immigrants to go deeper in o the U.S.
In a sane nation, there would be an investigation into who ordered that gate to be unlocked, and that would person would, at a minimum, fired. Perhaps Abbott should send a busload to the DHS building. If Mayorkas still has a house in Los Angeles, drop a busload off there.
Read: DHS Head Whines About Texas Governor’s Actions On Illegal Aliens »
No, no, there’s absolutely zero bias at the FBI/DOJ
A whistleblower claims FBI officials instructed agents not to investigate Hunter Biden’s laptop ahead of the 2020 presidential election, saying the bureau was “not going to change the outcome of the election again,” according to Senator Ron Johnson (R., Wis.)
Johnson included the whistleblower claims in a letter to Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz on Tuesday.
“These new allegations provide even more evidence of FBI corruption and renew calls for you to take immediate steps to investigate the FBI’s actions regarding the laptop,” the senator wrote.
Johnson writes that “individuals with knowledge of the FBI’s apparent corruption” told his office that FBI officials intentionally undermined efforts to investigate President Biden’s son.
“After the FBI obtained the Hunter Biden laptop from the Wilmington, DE computer shop, these whistleblowers stated that local FBI leadership told employees, ‘you will not look at that Hunter Biden laptop’ and that the FBI is ‘not going to change the outcome of the election again,’” he wrote.
Well, of course they did. I’ve probably mentioned my long thing about how Progressives (nice Fascists) take over sectors, starting with education. Skipping a bunch, we get to the Hoover era where he had the FBI going after subversives, especially communists. Democrats/leftists hated that, so, they wanted the FBI defunded/shut down. Well, that didn’t happen, so, they did what they do best: infiltrate and change from the inside. Get people in positions of power, from Special Agents In Charge to department heads to control of HR (which they did everywhere, of course). The average agent wants to just do their job, but, enough superiors have made it political, and, if they want raises and to move up, they must cooperate.
The funny part is I’m using the Yahoo version of a National Review piece, and, of course, NR was mostly chock full of Never Trumpers, who helped get Biden elected, and many of them didn’t care about the Hunter story and laptop.
Read: Surprise: Politicized FBI Told Agents To Not Investigate Hunter Biden Pre-2020 Election »
What was that talking point about the Green New Deal, er, Inflation Reduction Act creating lots of good paying jobs?
Automakers from General Motors to Toyota are on a mission to phase out gasoline vehicles.
And while a future full of clean, electric cars will help reduce harmful emissions and stunt climate change, it may spell disaster for the thousands of auto workers whose jobs will be rendered obsolete by new technologies and manufacturing processes.
As one might surmise, workers who assemble gasoline engines, transmissions, exhaust systems, and the myriad of other parts not needed in electric vehicles will likely bear the brunt of the transition. Moreover, electric motors and batteries are much simpler than traditional powertrains, allowing carmakers to maintain the same production output with fewer workers.
Both Ford and Volkswagen have estimated that electric cars require 30% less labor than conventional vehicles. The consulting firm AlixPartners reckons that 40% less labor goes into an EV’s motors and battery pack than an engine and transmission. (big snip)
These cuts are already underway: Ford in August confirmed plans to lay off roughly 3,000 salaried and contract employees, the Wall Street Journal and others reported, as part of a larger restructuring.
Well, hey, all these automaker union members are big supporters of the Democratic Party, right? They organize for them, donate to them, and vote for them, right? So they don’t mind losing their jobs to pay for the Democrats climate crisis (scam) agenda, right?
According to an analysis by Boston Consulting Group, the shift to EVs in Europe will result in 630,000 fewer jobs at automakers and suppliers of parts specifically for combustion-engine vehicles by 2030. But booming demand for batteries, charging infrastructure, and the like will create 580,000 new roles.
“While the core automotive industry will certainly suffer significant job losses, some new industries that support electrification will experience tremendous job growth,” the firm said. When all is said is done, policy measures to spur domestic EV production could help the US add 150,000 automotive jobs overall, the Economic Policy Institute estimates.
They’re assuming this will happen with the new jobs. But, will those who worked the old jobs and getting laid off be getting the new jobs? Or, will they be filled by younger folks? Will they pay the same? Have the same benefits? How many of these jobs will shift to outside the U.S.?
Still, there’s no guarantee that displaced workers will benefit from newly created positions. “It’s not going to be the same people getting new jobs. It’s often going to be new jobs created in new places for new people,” Smith said. Automakers and their partners are planning a slew of battery plants in the US, but many of those factories will be far away from current auto manufacturing. Battery packs lend themselves to automation, Smith added.
Huh. The workers are good with taking one for the team, right? All those middle and working class folks are good with getting boned so Elites can feel good that they’re Doing Something, right?
Read: Ford To Slash 3,000 Jobs As It Pushes Electric Vehicles »
…is a wonderful walkway so Other People can be forced out of their cars, you might just be a Warmist
The blog of the day is Common Cents Blog, with a post on Biden forgiving lots of student debt.
Read: If All You See… »
See, tolerance is a one way street. How dare the Methodist church do this!
Jersey Shore Christians Accused of ‘Bullying’ LGBTQ+ for Building Cross-Shaped Ocean Pier
A community along the Jersey Shore established as a Methodist retreat in 1869 is building a pier out of its boardwalk shaped like a cross, prompting outrage from the neighboring LGBTQ+ enclave, NJ Advance Media reported Monday.
Ocean Grove, New Jersey, broke ground on a project to restore a pier jutting out of the boardwalk in July that will feature a design that resembles a cross from above. The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, the Methodist organization that founded the community and still owns most of the land, has said that the design is an “improvement” that will allow more people to enjoy being out over the water, compared to the pier that it will replace. The project is part of larger restorations still ongoing since Superstorm Sandy devastated much of the Jersey Shore in 2012.
Ocean Grove is located next to Asbury Park, New Jersey. Beachgoers can walk the boardwalk out of one town into the other.
Wait, what’s that, they own the land, including the beach (some areas in NJ have the beach owned by government, some the homeowners own the beach)? Huh. If the OGCMA wants to build it in the shape of a cross, which does give more area out at the end, then they can, and it’s no one else’s business. But, this is 2022, so, let’s go to that link above from “reported”
Members of the small seaside town’s LGTBQ+ community and allies are saying the cross crosses a line, but many are afraid to voice their grievances with the Camp Meeting Association, said Douglas Grote, a local resident and retired Presbyterian pastor.
The cross-shaped pier feels like “Christian bullying,” said Grote, who has penned letters to local and state officials asking for intervention.
“I am so deeply concerned,” he said. ”And I am so concerned from my neighbors who are scared and bullied.”
And? If they feel that way, that’s on them. It’s just a pier with a small cross shape. These people are so soft. Bullied? Pfft. If they don’t like it they can leave the area. They knew it was a very religious area when they moved there
Ocean Grove, referred to as God’s Square Mile by some of its residents, is a seaside community of roughly 3,000 residents located just south of Asbury Park. It’s technically not its own town — Ocean Grove is a small section of Neptune Township, set aside with a unique charter.
It was founded more than 150 years ago as a summertime, tent-revival religious retreat. It was governed by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, a Methodist ministry, as a religious enclave for 100 years until the New Jersey Supreme Court declared its charter unconstitutional after a series of lawsuits.
And the ministry still owns most of the land. Are none of the LGBT folks religious?
Since the pier project did not have to go through local officials for approval, many residents were surprised by the new cross-shaped pier design, said Shane Martins, an attorney who sits on the Neptune Zoning Board and lives in Ocean Grove.
Martins, who is gay, said even if he’s not personally offended by the design, “it’s not just about me, there’s other people being hurt.”
“Once this pier is built like a cross, I believe that will be the point of a no return,” Martins said. “To say that (cross-shaped pier) doesn’t represent Christian nationalism — anyone who says that isn’t being honest.”
Seems like that community is being intolerant. And, of course, has to take it further with “Christian nationalism”. It’s a pier. That is it. There are plenty of cross all over the area. You can be Offended all you want. Suck it up, buttercup.
Read: LGBT’s Accuse Church Of Bullying For Building Cross Shaped Ocean Pier »
I just wonder how soon till we see Canadian climate crisis scam groups suing to stop the mines
Biden Admin Moves To Fund Canadian Mines While Blocking US Mining Efforts
The Biden administration is considering funding the Canadian mining and metal industry as it is desperate to acquire more rare earth minerals to build renewable energy technologies; however, the administration has previously blocked the development of U.S. mining efforts, according to E&E News.
Following the passage of the Democrats’ massive climate spending package, the Biden administration is looking to import critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel and may even give money to the Canadian mining industry to acquire such minerals and help push mineral supply chains out of Chinese hands, according to E&E News. Although it is desperate to produce these minerals and confront the Chinese dominance of the mineral market, the administration has blocked major mining projects in Minnesota and Alaska.
“The Department of The Interior is not for development of any kind … whether its mining or oil and gas,” Steve Milloy, a member of former President Donald Trump’s EPA transition team, told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “Canada has courts and climate activists and does not the same ability to undercut China’s slave labor and therefore, the plan has serious limitations.”
The move to acquire minerals from outside the U.S. comes amid the Biden administration’s repeated efforts to prevent domestic mining developments. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced in May that it would review a proposal that dealt a significant blow to the Pebble Project, an Alaska mining project that would produce about 1.5 billion tons of critical minerals over 20 years. Additionally, Biden’s Interior Department (DOI) canceled two mineral leases belonging to the Twin Metals Mine in Minnesota in January, halting the mine’s construction.
The U.S. could be mining for our own materials for renewable projects and electric vehicles, but, no, Team Biden won’t allow it, and, heck, if Trump or some other Republican was president, the DOI would be working to kill the projects. But, at least we’re trying to get the materials from Canada, as opposed to China. But, we all know how this works out: the climate cultists and extreme enviros will sue to stop the mining, and loony tunes Canadian bureaucrats will work to stop the mining.
And those metals are going to be needed for things like
California to approve 2035 ban on gas-powered car sales
California is expected on Thursday to approve a ban on the sale of new gas-powered cars that would begin in 2035.
The state’s Air Resources Board on Thursday will vote on the ban, which would also ratchet up the percentage of vehicles sold in the state that are electric leading up to the 2035 date.
California’s clean car standards are also often adopted by other states, so the impact of this rule could stretch far beyond its borders.
Or, they might not. Not if consumers opt out because EVs are inconvenient and too expensive. Still lots of time, we’ll see how this goes. And will any news outlet ask California Gov Newsom and the members of the Air Resources Board if they have ditched their own fossil fueled vehicles and switched to EVs now?
Read: Biden Admin Blocks Mining In US, Funds Canadian Mines »
Greg Abbott is such a giving guy, you know
5 more migrant buses from Texas arrive in NYC as Abbott calls out Adams’ ‘hypocrisy’
Five more buses arrived in New York City from Texas on Wednesday, the most buses in one day to reach the Big Apple.
The new buses are only the latest to make the trip — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has sent more than 1,000 migrants to New York since Aug. 5, his office has said. (sent)
Abbott called out Adams’ “hypocrisy” in a Wednesday New York Post op-ed, saying the mayor “likes to pat himself on the back for welcoming migrants with open arms to his sanctuary city. That is, until he actually has to follow through on those lofty promises.”
“Adams talked the talk about being a sanctuary city — welcoming illegal immigrants into the Big Apple with warm hospitality,” Abbott wrote. “Talk is cheap. When pressed into fulfilling such ill-considered policies, he wants to condemn anyone who is pressing him to walk the walk.”
Still needs to send a bunch to Reheboth Beach, Delaware. And leave some off right at the White House
Abbott is not the only one in support of the stunt. Texas mayors and lawmakers have laughed off complaints from major cities, pointing to years and years of dealing with the crisis on their own.
“You see New York, you see Washington kind of drowning with a few buses,” McAllen, Texas, Mayor Javier Villalobos told Fox News. “We used to get over a thousand-something people a day.”
“The city of McAllen was able to deal with thousands of immigrants a day,” Villalobos said. “I think they can handle a few hundred.”
Yeah, but see, liberal cities don’t really want to deal with them, they’ll protect some from deportation, but, would prefer most stay Over There.
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