New NY 23rd

“For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: ‘It might have been!’”–Whittier

It became necessary to destroy the town to save it.–Reported from Bến Tre in Viet Nam by Peter Arnett in 1968.

From thousands of phone calls, e-mails, letters, and face-to-face conversations, I heard one clear message: “Obamacare is a disaster for us; it must be repealed.” Constituents complained of sky-high premiums and deductibles due to Obamacare. Business owners explained that Obamacare costs threatened to put them out of business. People objected to paying for other peoples problems: cancer screenings, abortions, contraception, mammograms. Responding to these nearly unanimous voices, we made a three step plan for perfect healthcare.

Yes, perfect healthcare–unbelievably low costs, unbelievably quality service, and perfect freedom to choose the plan which is best for you. A “market based” plan, a “patient centered” plan, sure to lower costs with better quality. No more government coercion, freedom to choose your doctor, no more coverage than your family needs and can afford, just what Americans want.

Enemies of the American people, those on the other side of the aisle, worked to destroy this perfect plan. Rather than work together in the interest of all Americans, they focused their hateful rhetoric only on step one–the necessary first step toward replacing Obamacare, which all recognized was less than perfect, with a much better plan. They purposefully ignored steps two and three, which would have given them everything they asked for. I implored them to be reasonable, to work with us, but they turned their backs on their own professed interests and on the American people.

Obamacare is unsupportable–it costs too much, it is a disaster. When it collapses, I hope people will remember what might have been–repeal followed by replacement with an unbelievably better plan. The thousands of constituents who came to me seeking relief from the mandates of Obamacare will surely be disappointed. So sad.

https://newny23rd.com/2013/02/20/rep-reed-uses-rhetoric-to-accuse-others-of-nothing-but-rhetoric/

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/paul-krugman-exposes-biggest-con-artist-american-politics-side-donald-trump

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Initiative, referendum, and recall enable voters, by petition, to propose or repeal legislation, or to remove an elected official from office. Eighteen states permit the recall of state officials; NYS does not. The recall of California Governor Gray Davis in 2003 was a recent instance of recall.

It is unlikely that US Senators and Representatives can be recalled under state law.

• In 1967 US Senator Frank Church was the subject of an unsuccessful recall effort. Courts ruled that a federal official is not subject to state recall laws.
• In 2009 Joseph Cao, U.S. representative for Louisiana’s 2nd congressional district, was found ineligible for recall.

The United States Constitution does not provide for  recall of United States officers such as Senators, Representatives, or the President or Vice President. No member of Congress has ever been recalled.

The Constitution does provide two methods for removing a President.

• Impeachment
• Twenty-fifth Amendment

Neither of these is very practical nor has been successfully used; either would be controversial, most likely. Recall, if it were possible, might allow the removal of a President without partisan wrangling–a vote of the people would avoid the appearance of partisan unfairness.

http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/initiative-referendum-and-recall-overview.aspx

http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/recall-of-state-officials.aspx

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He (Rep. Tom Reed) said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday he’s most focused on seeing a final bill get to President Trump’s desk by the end of the year. That, he said, would result in new withholding tables and/or rates that Reed said would show savings in pay stubs for many.–Steve Buchiere, Finger Lakes Times

Taxpayers can choose how much is withheld from their pay by filling out Form W-4.  Many choose to end the tax year with a refund rather than an outstanding liability. Having more or less withheld has no effect on how much is owed. If tax law changes do result in revised suggested withholding tables, taxpayers could enjoy more take home pay, but they also might face an unexpected bill for tax owed on April 15. Don’t be too quick to celebrate–many of us will owe not less but more.

Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate

Complete this form so that your employer can withhold the correct federal income tax from your pay. Consider completing a new Form W-4 each year and when your personal or financial situation changes.

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w4

Tom Reed claims workers who have payroll taxes deducted will see increased take home pay. Even when true, this is is deceptive.

• Hourly and salaried employees may not benefit much if at all from proposed tax law changes.
• Lower deductions won’t necessarily reflect how much is due at the end of the year.

Tom Reed is working hard to convince his constituents that proposed tax law changes, which mostly benefit corporations and wealthy individuals, also benefit them. His political advertising tries to make truth seem radical, extreme, and unruly. Voters should beware.

http://www.fltimes.com/business/reed-promises-more-in-paychecks-for/article_0c65aa94-74c3-5038-93bf-67e91f5f48f1.html

Abortion, Common Core, Critical Race Theory, and now ESG–Environmental, Social, Governmental–is the new war cry. Should business consider only profit, or are decisions which take social and environmental consequences into account now acceptable?

When our children are prematurely pregnant, poorly educated, and drought, wildfire, and devastating storms have become the new normal, will we notice? When a tornado strikes as far north as Gaylord, Mi., will the citizens of Gaylord vote for denialists? I wouldn’t bet against it.

Reportedly Florida will screen Social Studies texts as well as Math books for politically objectionable content. Perhaps History texts will be censored next.

This entry was posted in Congress, Political and tagged ESG, Florida. Bookmark the permalink.

In an April 14 press release, “REED SEES SIMPLER, FAIRER FUTURE FOR TAX FILING SEASON” Tom Reed promotes his vision for tax reform. But would a revamped tax code, mean more money, time, and jobs for taxpayers as Tom claims?

Tom writes:

Tom Reed says next year’s tax filing season could look very different if tax reform progresses through Congress. Reed pointed to Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp’s recent tax reform draft as the type of generational-level reform needed to simplify the code and level the playing field for taxpayers.

This statement is vague. Generational-level reform is undefined; “level the playing field” likely refers to “flat tax,” which is most likely a windfall for the wealthy. Tom likes flat taxes which lower tax rates in his bracket relative to most others.

“Families could be pleasantly surprised during future tax filing seasons when they have more money in their pockets and don’t have to spend as much time wondering how to file correctly,” Reed said. “By simplifying and making the code fairer, the average taxpayer would keep an additional $600 in their pocket and largely avoid the kind of time consuming, tedious paperwork taxpayers face now.”  

This statement is also vague.  It suggests that the reader might save $600 annually on tax preparation, but it isn’t clear how. Taxpayers looking to hire a professional to complete their 2013 tax return can expect to pay an average of $261 for an itemized Form 1040 with Schedule A and a state tax return, according to the National Society of Accountants (NSA). Fees for non-itemized returns are also low – the average cost to prepare a Form 1040 and state return without itemized deductions is only $152 (NSA). So while someone may save $600 or much more on tax preparation, it probably isn’t anyone we know.

Reed says the average taxpayer spends about 13 hours each year gathering all of the paperwork to file their taxes and 90 percent of taxpayers pay someone to prepare their taxes for them or purchase tax software to help. The tax reform draft would allow about 95 percent of filers to claim the standard deduction, saving time and money otherwise spent on outside tax preparers.

Everyone, with the possible exception of tax accountants, would like to save time and money preparing tax returns, but what is the downside? As usual, Reed doesn’t say.

“At a time when Americans in every part of the country feel like they don’t have a fair shot at getting ahead, tax reform is a huge opportunity for everyone to get ahead,” Reed continued. “We need to take advantage of this opportunity to lower tax rates for every American and in turn, create more private-sector jobs. Chairman Camp’s tax reform draft is estimated to create 1.8 million new jobs – that’s an opportunity we absolutely cannot pass up.”

Trickle down, ’nuff said.

Reed sees broad support and broad agreement that the current tax code is in need of reforming. The U.S. tax code saw its last overhaul in 1986. In the nearly three decades since, the code has grown to 70,000-pages and riddled with loopholes and special exemptions.

Tom doesn’t mention that all those loopholes and exemptions were enacted by Congress, the same foxes who now offer to fix it for us.

“Tax reform is a common thread uniting both ends of the political spectrum,” Reed said. “There is broad agreement that you cannot defend the status quo tax code anymore. We need a carefully considered plan for this type of generational-level reform and we have laid the groundwork. Through the bipartisan working groups, dozens of Congressional hearings and tens of thousands of public comments, this is certainly not a bill we are going to pass to find out what is in it. The open and honest debate will continue.”  

The bottom line ought to be an explanation of who pays more and who pays less. If Camp’s plan were revenue neutral, all taxpayers can’t pay less. The NY Times article cited below emphasizes proposed tax increases that fall on business and the rich, but the subject is complicated and I am unconvinced. Better watch our wallets when Tom talks tax reform.

An article in the Elmira Star-Gazette today by Stephen Ohlemacher noted that IRS enforcement of tax law is seriously underfunded, allowing tax cheats to avoid paying costing the treasury a bundle. Congress could save taxpayer’s money by authorizing more spending for enforcement as President Obama has proposed. This would provide simple, meaningful tax reform, but Republicans are opposed.

Note: Camp proposes to restore a  generation-skipping transfer tax. Possibly, this is what Reed means by generational-level reform.

© William Hungerford – April 2014

http://reed.house.gov/press-release/reed-sees-simpler-fairer-future-tax-filing-season

http://www.nsacct.org/life-and-taxes/life-and-taxes/2013/12/12/taxprepfees2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/07/business/economy/from-an-unexpected-source-a-tax-proposal-that-targets-the-rich.html

This entry was posted in Congress, Economics, Reed’s Views and tagged Tax reform, Taxes. Bookmark the permalink.

Max Della Pia, Nick’s opponent for office

What if the Trump coup succeeds? It’s still going on you should know, backed by some of those who swore to protect The Constitution.

What does Nick Langworthy say about himself? It isn’t easy to tell. His web page only asks for donations; his facebook posts are mostly complaints about others. Here are some excerpts from his facebook posts:

Sept. 15th — “This is great news for the people of Cattaraugus County who suffered a huge blow when Dresser-Rand closed its doors. Under the right policies, the Southern Tier has the capacity for an economic revival and as your Congressman, I will fight to bring good-paying jobs to our region.

There is more to this story; reading the headline doesn’t tell all:

The deal isn’t quite there yet, as the companies are asking the Cattaraugus County IDA for a package of tax incentives that include $400,000 in sales tax breaks, $125,000 in mortgage-recording tax breaks and a 20-year enhanced manufacturing facility property tax break that would have them paying no property taxes for the first 15 years.

Tom Reed once vowed to keep the former Dresser-Rand plant open. When that didn’t happen, he shut up about it. If Republican politicians are good for us, one wonders why there is still so much poverty here after nearly twelve years of Tom Reed.

September 16th — Coming soon to New York if we don’t deliver big change this November. They want you to sell your gas car to buy an electric car, but then you can only charge it when they say you can because the grid can’t handle the burden. Insanity!

There is no they who say, or will say, you can’t sell your car or that you can’t charge your electric car when you like. Nick, like Tom Reed, in spite of having no relevant education or experience with the electric power industry, poses as an expert; that’s the politics of fear; that’s insanity.

September 16th — There is a sad pattern of lies coming out of the White House that are designed to make you believe that everyone is doing just fine, but the truth is that people are struggling under Biden’s harmful economic policies. Wages are not keeping up with inflation and things will only get worse the deeper we get into the recession. We have to put the brakes on this runaway train.

Information from the White House informs us of facts. Politicians like Nick tell us what to believe; I think most resent being told what to think. Nick proposes no alternative economic policy. The runaway train platitude is an appeal to you know who.

September 16th — We were told inflation was just “temporary” but here we are a year later and we are still facing 40-year records. The only way to stop inflation is to stop printing money for Biden & Pelosi’s reckless spending.

Nick, like Tom Reed, in spite of having no relevant education in economics (he has a BA in political science) poses as an expert. Again, that’s insanity. A leader would tell us that our government is doing, and will continue to do, what it can to slow inflation and mitigate the harm it causes the vulnerable. A demagogue would offer a vague, naive solution to an intractable problem.

There is much more; read it for yourself.

Three background check bills (H.R. 8, H.R. 1446, H.R. 1518) have been introduced in Congress. H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446 have passed the House; none have yet become law. H.R. 8 has 201 cosponsors including 3 Republicans; H.R. 1446 has 165 cosponsors, all Democrats; H.R. 1518 has 41 cosponsors including 7 Democrats. Here are the CRS summaries:

This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals). Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers or exchanges, such as a gift between spouses in good faith.

(Sec. 2) This bill revises background check requirements applicable to proposed firearm transfers from a federal firearms licensee (e.g., a licensed gun dealer) to an unlicensed person.

Specifically, it increases the amount of time, from 3 business days to a minimum of 10 business days, that a federal firearms licensee must wait to receive a completed background check prior to transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. (This type of transaction is often referred to as a default proceed transaction.)

If a submitted background check remains incomplete after 10 business days, then the prospective purchaser may submit a petition for a final firearms eligibility determination. If an additional 10 days elapse without a final determination, then the federal firearms licensee may transfer the firearm to the prospective purchaser.

(Sec. 3) The Government Accountability Office must report on the extent to which the changes have prevented firearms transfers to prohibited persons.

(Sec. 4) The Federal Bureau of Investigation must report on the number of petitions it receives for final federal firearms determinations.

(Sec. 5) The Department of Justice, in consultation with the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms, must report on further amendments to the background check process that would likely reduce the risk of death or great bodily harm to victims of domestic violence, domestic abuse, dating partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

This bill modifies procedures for conducting firearms-related background checks through the national instant criminal background check system (NICS). Specifically, it permits the NICS to query an additional database—the National Data Exchange—as part of a firearm-related background check.

Michael Fitzgerald  is a regular contributor to the Finger Lakes Times. His column “WRITE ON” is published every Friday. You can email him at [email protected] and visit his website at michaeljfitzgerald.blogspot.com.

New York Congressman Tom Reed has been taking some serious licks in recent weeks in appearances at town halls around the district, with most attendees barely able to contain their pique at his support of the GOP plan to blindly repeal the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare.

Draconian immigration policies, defunding of Planned Parenthood and possible cuts in Social Security and Medicare are also part of a potpourri of issues being raised.

But in addition to those concerns, Reed faced criticism at a packed session in Ovid last weekend by audience members who said he doesn’t listen enough to constituents.

His classic politician’s response drew a chorus of boos and catcalls.

“I represent 717,000 people,” Reed said. “I try to listen to that silent voice.”

If “silent voice” sounds faintly familiar, it’s because it’s a spin on the term “silent majority,” a phrase late-former President Richard Nixon used in a 1969 speech aimed at quieting protests over his handling of the Vietnam War.

Variations of the phrase get dragged out by politicians to lay claim to invisible support for often unpopular positions.

Reed’s problem today is that many of the silent voices that might have unwaveringly supported him in the past are now standing in front of him at town hall meetings demanding to know what exactly is going to happen to their health care.

Platitudes that the newly elected GOP-controlled federal government will simply take care of everything are being met with a roiling mix of skepticism and increased cynicism.

To his credit, at least Reed has been willing to step in front of some pretty angry groups across the sprawling 23rd Congressional district, unlike many of his colleagues. In many other districts across the nation, GOP congressmen are playing duck and cover rather than standing in front of constituents to answer questions about why the GOP wasn’t ready with a plan to replace the ACA the day the new government took office.

But Reed’s generally vague answers — coupled with claims that silent voices in the background count more than people who turn out at town halls — is not a winning strategy for reelection in 2018.

And that’s what these town halls are all about — re-election.

Reed coasted through the last two re-elections while the GOP was spending the majority of its time blocking any progress on any front — a strategy that appealed to anti-Obama, anti-Democratic voters.

Town halls were a big part of Reed’s campaigning, with generally less- strident, less-confrontational audiences willing to listen to his platform palaver about how terrible Obama and the federal government were.

But now that the GOP has the reins of the entire federal budget and the bureaucracy is in its political grasp, citizens are justifiably asking what the GOP plan is about health care.

And everything else.

Eight years of being obstructionists seems to have induced GOP mental atrophy except for the destruction of federal agencies, repealing regulations and regulatory authority in the process.

Removal of clean water and clean air regulations, for example, could spell environmental disaster for the Finger Lakes.

Ditto for any national immigration policy that could discourage legal immigrant workers from working for local farms and vineyards.

The town halls are likely to get even more raucous and confrontational, unless Reed and his House of Representatives’ GOP colleagues quickly put on their thinking caps and come up with some real plans for real progress and not simply try to revoke the social and fiscal progress of last century.

When the electoral/voting clock chimes on Nov. 6, 2018, the silent — and not-so-silent — voices are likely to speak with a unified voice.

http://www.fltimes.com/opinion/write-on-a-rocky-road-to/article_9b1bccb0-0b0f-11e7-bae9-43c03ccc3355.html

Don’t think like an elephant.–George Lakoff

Tom Reed has announced a town hall at the American Legion Hall on Ithaca Rd. in Horseheads on Monday November 20 from 6-7 PM.

Avoid reinforcing Tom’s political advertising

Tom Reed wants nothing more than to discuss tax reform on his terms at his next townhall meeting. What are “his terms?” Look at his advertising.

Tax cuts and new jobs are popular; that’s why Tom’s advertising focuses on them. Whether individuals enjoy a tax cut of $1600 or some other amount is unimportant–the idea of tax cuts, whatever the amount, works for Tom Reed.

Likewise more and better jobs is an idea that Tom loves to discuss. Whether 63,357 jobs will be created or some other number is unimportant; what sells is the idea of better jobs. When constituents attack 63,357 as absurdly precise, ridiculously small, and unlikely as a consequence of corporate tax cuts, they reinforce Tom’s claim that he seeks to create jobs.

What should be discussed is better ideas. Here are some possibilities:

• Larger tax cut for middle class taxpayers which would create jobs directly without reliance on “trickle down.”
• Close corporate tax loopholes, which current proposals don’t do. It’s only fair.
• Create jobs with investment in infrastructure, clean energy.
• More funding for hospitals and clinics in NY-23.

Arguing with Tom on his terms is counterproductive; it only invigorates Tom’s supporters. Such arguments, especially from “lefties,” secure more support for Tom. At the Horseheads meeting, the cameras will likely be running; let’s not feed Tom’s advertising campaign.

Reading the news

1. If you lock your doors at night, a border wall is needed.
2. It was cold today, so climate change is a hoax.
3. Tax cuts for the rich benefit all.
4. The Federal Government is useless, so a shutdown of weeks, months or years doesn’t matter.
5. Trump knows much about many things, more than anyone else.
6. Hostility toward Iran makes it less likely that it will seek nuclear weapons.
7. If a 5 billion dollar wall is a bad idea, a 2.5 billion dollar wall makes sense.
8. Cutting taxes raises revenue.
9. Guns don’t kill, so firearm regulations are unwarranted.
10. Tariffs and trade war are good for the economy.
11. Britain, France and Germany are unreliable allies, Russia and N. Korea not so much.
12. The Mueller investigation has found nothing, so it should be terminated.
13. Scandal is no problem if officials are implementing Trump’s policy.
14. Administration lies are no big deal.
15. The Press Secretary’s job is to repeat and justify President Trump’s falsehoods.
16. America has regained the respect of the world.
17. The Trump Administration is making America great again.

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