For what it’s worth

 

I’m proud to pay taxes in the United States; the only thing is, I could be just as proud for half the money.

American radio and television host, Arthur Godfrey, was born on this day in 1903 (died 1983).

 

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.

The government takes too much money. The government spends too much money.

If we can’t have that as a starting point then we are not going to have a productive conversation.

Whatever your favorite government program is, you can rest assured that the majority of funds dedicated to it, by a

long shot, are spent in administrative and overhead costs.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not getting my money’s worth.

That’s a bipartisan statement. The problem is that there’s no “leadership” in either party in DC with the testicular fortitude to do anything about it.

So, instead, they just raise their credit limit, even though they’re not paying their bills.

Must be nice. Capital One just laughs at me.

I digress.

It’s Thursday, Houston is drying out and starting to clean up before figuring out how they’re going to rebuild and recover. It won’t happen quickly.

I have endeavored to be something of a voice of reason on the Interwebz. I should know better.

I’m pretty tired of saying “that’s fake news” or “that’s photoshopped” or “that’s just a lie.”

It’s hard to be the voice of reason in an unreasonable world.

But, sometimes, I just can’t help myself.

Then I’ll go off and post about something ridiculous and people will read THAT the wrong way, or respond with something equally ridiculous.

I grow weary.

It’s one of the reasons I stopped doing politics all the time. Just one, mind you.

But most people don’t want to hear anything that goes against their preconceived ideas, or heaven up us if it makes them think.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably ahead of the curve.

At least I like to tell myself that what I write can be inspiring or make people think. I’m sure it’s not always, but maybe now and then.

I’m not fishing for compliments.

I’m just trying to be a better writer. And to make my writing count.

Something to be proud of.

FIVE THINGS FOR YOUR THURSDAY

BLS: Americans Spend More on Taxes Than Food and Clothing Combined
CNSNews.com
Americans on average spent more on taxes in 2016 than they did on food and clothing combined, according to data released this week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Negative Ads in Virginia Governor and Attorney General Campaigns
Bearing Drift
If this is what we get to expect the next 60 days, get ready for a bumpy ride.

Dear Christians (and Everyone) Slamming Joel Osteen This Week — You Need a Reality Check
Faithwire
Look, this isn’t a defense of Osteen and Lakewood; it’s an indictment of so many peoples’ decision to judge with few facts, to let emotion take the lead and to allow overarching disdain for Osteen step in the way of fact-finding and truth.

OPINION | Antifa is not a political movement; it’s a delusional, violent outburst
The Hill
These self-proclaimed “anti-fascists” (hence the name) have been showing up at rallies across the country since Trump’s inauguration, assaulting police with urine bombs, beating journalists bloody, and setting the occasional car on fire. All this is somehow supposed to protest fascism. Or Inequality. Or capitalism. It really depends on the day.

The Washington Post’s Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone
The Republican Standard
The Washington Post doesn’t need a better brand; it needs better souls at the helm and a higher standard of ethics.

AND ONE FOR THROWBACK THURSDAY

An adventure down the rabbit hole
The Write Side of My Brain
Call me gullible. I am. Call it desperation. Well, maybe.

AND, FINALLY…

Israeli-American violinist and conductor, Itzhak Perlman, was born on this day in 1945

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