Blog

U.S. Sees An Opportunity To Press Iran On Nuclear Fuel

January 11th, 2010 - 4:13pm
Filed under International Security

Domestic unrest and unexpected problems in Tehran's nuclear programs have made Iranian leadership susceptible to new U.S. imposed sanctions. These sanctions would suspend financial transactions with front companies for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the military force believed to run the nuclear weapons effort. "For now, the Iranians don't have a credible breakdown option, and we don't think they will have one for at least 18 months, maybe two or three years." Although sanctions have failed to detour Iranian nuclear efforts in the past, the Obama administration hopes that this extended time frame will allow the sanctions to have an effect and convince Iranians that their nuclear programs are not worth the price tag. - NY Times

The War Against the Wanna Be Rich

January 11th, 2010 - 4:12pm
Filed under Economy

A war was declared on the wannabe rich when the Obama administration announced that people earning over $200,000 a year will pay higher income taxes. Professionals and small-business owners are among the hardest hit. The new law has only furthered the recession causing small business owners to retrench rather than expand by hiring new employees. Business owners fear that the proposed new income, payroll and health-care tax rates along with increased state and local taxes will put up to 70 percent of their income in the government's hands. "[If we] continue to punish and demonize [the productive class], the country will grind to a halt - as we are seeing now." - Real Clear Politics

Public Sector Unions Are Killing California

January 11th, 2010 - 4:11pm
Filed under Economy

More Americans are fleeing California as the public sector unions diminish willingness to fulfill promises to taxpayers. As unions take control of the Democratic majorities in the state legislature, the "net internal migration" fluctuates.The union's ability to produce effective campaigns that have a track record of making or breaking political careers has caused politicians to submit to the will of the public sectors in order to receive a higher compensation. "For the first time in history most union members work for the government... [and] depend on the government for their livelihood." This change has devastated American taxpayers as the increase in union member voters results in more dollars for campaigns to elect politicians who will support higher taxes to compensate for the upward arc of government spending on workers. According to a City Journal writer, the reciprocity existing between compliant politicians and influential public sector unions has left California with higher taxes, poor services and a disappearing middle class. - The Foundry