How Much More Evidence Do We Need – Tax Cuts... GOOD!
by John Riet

Stop the presses. It appears as though the federal deficit for 2006 will be a nice, plump $337 billion. But that’s not what bothers me. Well, it does. I guess what I mean is, it doesn’t surprise me. What surprises me is that some people, like this reporter for the Associated Press, still think that deficits are caused by tax cuts. More...

Government Proves Ignoring the Problem is Always the Best Solution
by John Riet

The other day, I was driving to work when my “Check Engine” light came on. Naturally, I was concerned. So, I pulled over to the side of the road, popped open my hood, and disconnected the dashboard electrical system. That light hasn’t come on since. And now I can go on enjoying my car, worry-free, for as long as I want. More...

What Does A “Conservative” Party Have to Fight About?
by John Riet

Skimming the news on the internet, I came across the article on USAToday.com entitled Bush, Congress Prepare to Face Off Over Yearly Budget Nips and Tucks. When I first read the title, my immediate thought was, “what do a President and a Congress who supposedly belong to the ‘Party of Small Government’ have to fight about?” Seems to me, if I were a member of Congress and a fellow fiscal conservative asked me to make cuts in the budget in an attempt to reduce the government, without hesitation I would say, “yes! Sure! No problem! Let’s slash away by God!” More...

Wal-Mart Should Boycott Maryland
by John Riet

Let’s say you were walking in a forest one day, and you came across a goose that lays golden eggs. What would you do? Would you take it home, give it a nice place to sleep and play, give it a little pool to swim around in... maybe even find her a little male companionship? You'd probably research geese on the internet to find out their habits, favorite foods, lifespan, etc. in order to make sure your golden goose lives a long happy life and lays plenty of solid gold eggs? Or, would you grab that goose by its throat and strangle it until it stopped moving… then, for good measure, find the nearest rock and pummel it about the head until its brains lay spread out amongst the trees? More...

A Word of Advice to Our Canadian Conservative Brethren… Don’t Screw it Up!!!
by John Riet

As the Canadian elections draw near, the Conservative Party holds a very prominent lead over the ruling Liberals. The gap, depending on which poll or article you read, is anywhere from 8 to 13 percent. Unlike the recent elections in Germany, it appears there will be little controversy and therefore, no need for the victor to make compromises in order to appease the defeated socialists. More...

Oh, and By the Way… Water is Wet
by John Riet

Recently, USA Today ran the story, Social Security Could Be a Big Chill for 50-Somethings, in which Susan Page came to the stunning revelation that those in their 50s and younger might not fully experience the promised benefits of Social Security when it comes time to retire. Either it was an incredibly slow weekend at USA Today, or there are still an amazing number of Americans who are living under a rock… on Mars… with their eyes closed… and their fingers in their ears. With the extent of debate that's been taking place on this issue for more than the past decade (yes – even during the Clinton administration), I find it hard to believe this can be considered legitimate news. More...

In America, There is Such a Thing as, “Too Successful.”
by John Riet

Zogby International has apparently supported my own theory that the American public frowns upon success when it's not their own. A poll it recently conducted revealed that 56 percent of U.S. consumers think that Wal-Mart is bad for America. The poll was comprised of two statements of which the respondents were asked to choose the one that best fit their view of the retail giant. The majority chose, “I believe that Wal-Mart is bad for America. It may provide low prices, but these prices come with a high moral and economic cost for consumers.” Thirty-nine percent chose, “Wal-Mart is good for America. It provides low prices and saves consumers money every day.” More...