Saturday, February 17, 2018
Dave Chappelle understands trade better than Donald Trump
In a recent comedy routine, Dave Chappelle summarized President Trump’s position on trade relations with China by saying, “I’m gonna go to China, and I’m gonna get these jobs from China and bring ‘em back to America.” Chappelle then replied, “For what, so iPhones can be $9,000? Leave that job in China where it belongs … I wanna wear Nikes, I don’t wanna make those things. Stop trying to give us Chinese jobs.” Dave Chappelle gets it.
While initially being a "never Trumper," I have warmed to Trump. His appointment of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court and his appointees of other conservatives to the judiciary, the passage of pro-growth tax cuts, the defeat of ISIS, and his slashing of Obama era regulations are the accomplishments which are at the forefront of my reason for warming to Trump. I still have reservations about Trump, however. His demeanor and his lack of ideological commitment to conservative orthodoxy concerns me. While I am beginning to think that Trump's anti-trade rhetoric may be more posturing than real and while I am pleased that he has not started an international trade war, it is dangerous however to spread ignorance about the benefits of trade.
While I am supportive of combating currency manipulators and theft of intellectual property, the benefits of trade should not be ignored and trade should not be demonized. I do not want to grow my own food, and make my own shoes, and build my own house, and make my own car. Trade increases one's standard of living. The same principle that applies to trade in general, also, applies to international trade. If we are better at marketing a product, financing a product, delivering a product and retailing a product than making the product, let people in some other country make it and we will do the rest. To require than products be American-made may cost more jobs than it saves. As an example, if we say all steel used in construction of an American oil pipeline must be made in America, we may be able to build fewer pipelines due to the higher cost of American steel than we could if we imported steel. The few jobs saved by insisted on "American-made" may be fewer than the jobs lost due to the higher construction cost.
A bad thing that has resulted from Trump's anti-trade rhetoric is that many people who think of themselves as conservatives now process an anti-trade mentality. On the other hand, a good thing resulting from Trump's anti-trade rhetoric is that Democrats, who were the party captured by unionist who always take a knee-jerk anti-trade position, are so anti-Trump that they now are pro-free trade. Maybe, on balance, the cause of free-trade comes out ahead. In any event it is reassuring to hear a popular figure like Dave Chappelle explain the benefits of free-trade.
Friday, February 16, 2018
"Megan, a mistake is having a one-night sexual encounter for which you then feel guilty the next day. A two-year affair is not a mistake."
"Megan, a mistake is having a one-night sexual encounter for which you then feel guilty the next day. A two-year affair is not a mistake."
Patricia Dillon, Nashville Tn, The Tennessean, Letters to the Editor
Thursday, February 15, 2018
1st Tuesday featuring former TN Congressman Stephen Fincher, Candidate for US Senate
Tuesday, March 6th at Waller Law, 511 Union Street, Nashville
Stephen Fincher, former TN Congressman from the 8th District who hails from Frog Jump, TN and has ''hopped in'' to the primary the Senate primary to replace the retiring Senator Bob Corker will be our Guest ! Since entering the race, Stephen has been proven he can marshal the significant funds needed to compete in a statewide primary.
Doors open at 11am, Lunch begins at 11:30. Program starts at Noon sharp with Q&A session ending promptly at 1pm. Chairman Golden will give behind the scenes insights into the upcoming elections.
$20 for 2017 Members and $25 for Guests. More info and register here. [Remember: parking under building at 511 Union St is only $7 for 2 hours if you tell them you've been to 1ST TUESDAY!]
Stephen Fincher, former TN Congressman from the 8th District who hails from Frog Jump, TN and has ''hopped in'' to the primary the Senate primary to replace the retiring Senator Bob Corker will be our Guest ! Since entering the race, Stephen has been proven he can marshal the significant funds needed to compete in a statewide primary.
Doors open at 11am, Lunch begins at 11:30. Program starts at Noon sharp with Q&A session ending promptly at 1pm. Chairman Golden will give behind the scenes insights into the upcoming elections.
$20 for 2017 Members and $25 for Guests. More info and register here. [Remember: parking under building at 511 Union St is only $7 for 2 hours if you tell them you've been to 1ST TUESDAY!]
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Mayor Barry warns of 'fiscal challenges' for next city budget. Does this sound like a good time to increase Nashville's sales tax to the highest in the nation?
These are the "challenges:"
This year, I am not going to be surprised at all if Mayor Barry proposes a property tax increase. If so it needs to be resisted and instead the city needs to cut waste including closing General Hospital.
The next time the city goes after bringing a business like Amazon to town and wants to "incentivize" them for coming hear, ask "why?' I for one, don't want more growth. I do not understand the fetish for getting bigger and bigger. Growth does not pay for itself. Bigger cities are more expensive cities with higher tax burdens, and less affordable housing and more traffic congestion. I am please that we have grown over the years, but there is an optimal size and I think we passed it about three years ago.
So, reject the tax for tracks plan, stop corporate welfare to attract new companies coming to town, close General Hospital, actually build some sidewalks but stop wasting millions on thinking about it, tighten our belts, restore the reserve funds, put up the not welcome sign and pull up the draw bridge.
To read The Tennessean story, follow this link.
- Fund balances for each of the six tax funds are at or are projected to be below policy targets at the end of fiscal year 2017-2018 and those fund balance reserves must be increased;
- Escalating health care costs combined with the Tennessee General Assembly not acting to expand Medicaid;
- Property tax appeals following last year’s reappraisal far exceeded the level of appeals after the last two reappraisals, and the full impact to revenues will not be known until the end of this fiscal year;
- There will be further reductions in revenue from the state Hall tax on certain investment income, which the state legislature has voted phase out;
- After a couple of years of acceleration, revenue growth in the six tax funds is returning to normal levels; Increased debt service requirements.
This year, I am not going to be surprised at all if Mayor Barry proposes a property tax increase. If so it needs to be resisted and instead the city needs to cut waste including closing General Hospital.
The next time the city goes after bringing a business like Amazon to town and wants to "incentivize" them for coming hear, ask "why?' I for one, don't want more growth. I do not understand the fetish for getting bigger and bigger. Growth does not pay for itself. Bigger cities are more expensive cities with higher tax burdens, and less affordable housing and more traffic congestion. I am please that we have grown over the years, but there is an optimal size and I think we passed it about three years ago.
So, reject the tax for tracks plan, stop corporate welfare to attract new companies coming to town, close General Hospital, actually build some sidewalks but stop wasting millions on thinking about it, tighten our belts, restore the reserve funds, put up the not welcome sign and pull up the draw bridge.
To read The Tennessean story, follow this link.
Who voted for transparency and who voted to conceal the $8.9 price tag of the tax for tracks plan
On February 6, the Metro Council voted to approve Mayor Barry's transit improvement program (Bill BL2017-1031 (as amended)), or as it is better known, "tax for tracks" Included in the bill was a request for the Davidson County Election Commission to call a county-wide referendum regarding the increase in taxes to fund the plan.
In debating the bill some members made the argument that they were simply passing the bill to let the public decide the issue. That is not the way it works. That is a weak rationalization for not having the guts to vote against it. That is like a member of the Senate voting for a bill and claiming he is voting to let the House of Representatives decide. Or, it is like a councilman voting to pass a bill in the Council and saying he is voting for it and the mayor can decide to sign it or not. As the minutes describe the bill it is , "An ordinance adopting a transit improvement program for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, approving a surcharge for the program, and requesting the Davidson County Election Commission to call a county-wide referendum election to be held on May 1, 2018, regarding the levying of the surcharge on certain taxes to fund the program." For more proof, read the bill. This was a vote by the Council to approve the plan and to approve the tax increase.
Originally the bill required language in the referendum to state that the cost of the program would be $5.3 billion. On the night of final passage, the bill was amended to reflect the true cost of $8.5 billion. This of course assumes no cost overruns and historically projects of this nature rarely come in on budgets. Cost overruns of 50% to 200% are not uncommon for projects like this. Following the amendment adoption, the following language is what will be in the referendum:
A "yes" vote on Amendment 2 was a vote for transparency. It was a vote to include the $8. 95 million plan price tag.
Sharon Hurt, At-large Jim Shulman, At-large DeCosta Hastings, District 2
Brenda Haywood, District 3 Robert Swope, District 4 Doug Pardue, District 10
Larry Hagar, District 11 Steve Glover, District 12 Holly Huezo, District 13
Keven Rhoten, District 14 Freddie O'Connell, District 19 Mary Carolyn Roberts, District 20
Sheri Weiner, District 22 Mina Johnson, District 26 Tanaka Vercher, District 29
Jacobia Dowell, District 33 Angie Henderson, District 34 Dave Rosenberg District 35
Here is a list of those who voted against transparency, voting to hide the $8.9 Million price tag.
Scott Davis District 5, Bret Witters, District 6 Anthony Davis, District 7
In debating the bill some members made the argument that they were simply passing the bill to let the public decide the issue. That is not the way it works. That is a weak rationalization for not having the guts to vote against it. That is like a member of the Senate voting for a bill and claiming he is voting to let the House of Representatives decide. Or, it is like a councilman voting to pass a bill in the Council and saying he is voting for it and the mayor can decide to sign it or not. As the minutes describe the bill it is , "An ordinance adopting a transit improvement program for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, approving a surcharge for the program, and requesting the Davidson County Election Commission to call a county-wide referendum election to be held on May 1, 2018, regarding the levying of the surcharge on certain taxes to fund the program." For more proof, read the bill. This was a vote by the Council to approve the plan and to approve the tax increase.
Originally the bill required language in the referendum to state that the cost of the program would be $5.3 billion. On the night of final passage, the bill was amended to reflect the true cost of $8.5 billion. This of course assumes no cost overruns and historically projects of this nature rarely come in on budgets. Cost overruns of 50% to 200% are not uncommon for projects like this. Following the amendment adoption, the following language is what will be in the referendum:
This transit program’s capital cost is estimated to have a present day value of $5,354,000,000 and the program is estimated to require $8,951,062,000 in revenue through 2032. Once construction is complete, the estimated present day value of recurring annual operating and maintenance costs is approximately $99,500,000.The amendment to include the transparent language that reveals the $8.9 Billion price tag was hotly debated. It passed by a vote of YES: 21, NO: 16, ABSTAIN: 1 and NOT VOTING: 1
A "yes" vote on Amendment 2 was a vote for transparency. It was a vote to include the $8. 95 million plan price tag.
Here is a list of those who voted for the transparency amendment.
John Cooper, At-large Erica Gilmore, At-large Bob Mendes, At-LargeSharon Hurt, At-large Jim Shulman, At-large DeCosta Hastings, District 2
Brenda Haywood, District 3 Robert Swope, District 4 Doug Pardue, District 10
Larry Hagar, District 11 Steve Glover, District 12 Holly Huezo, District 13
Keven Rhoten, District 14 Freddie O'Connell, District 19 Mary Carolyn Roberts, District 20
Sheri Weiner, District 22 Mina Johnson, District 26 Tanaka Vercher, District 29
Jacobia Dowell, District 33 Angie Henderson, District 34 Dave Rosenberg District 35
Here is a list of those who voted against transparency, voting to hide the $8.9 Million price tag.
Scott Davis District 5, Bret Witters, District 6 Anthony Davis, District 7
Nancy VanReece, District 8 Bill Pridemore District 9 Jeff Syracuse, District 15
Mike Freeman, District 16 Colby Sledge, District 17 Burkley Allen, District 18
Kathleen Murphy, District 24 Russ Pulley. District 25 Jeremy Elrod, District 26
Karen Johnson, District 29 Jason Potts, District 30 Fabain Bedne, District 32
Antoinette Lee, District 33
Abstaining was Davette Blalock, District 27 and not voting was Ed Kindall, District 2
If you are unsure who your councilman is, you can use the look-up tool at this link. Also, if you would like to put a face with the name, you can see what your councilman looks at at that link and you can contact them from that page should you wish to communicate with your council member.
Mike Freeman, District 16 Colby Sledge, District 17 Burkley Allen, District 18
Kathleen Murphy, District 24 Russ Pulley. District 25 Jeremy Elrod, District 26
Karen Johnson, District 29 Jason Potts, District 30 Fabain Bedne, District 32
Antoinette Lee, District 33
Abstaining was Davette Blalock, District 27 and not voting was Ed Kindall, District 2
How they voted on the final bill
After the bill was amended to make it more transparent, it was then voted upon. In the final vote every member of the Council voted for it except for Robert Swope and Holly Huezo who voted "No" and Angie Henderson and Dave Rosenberg who abstained.If you are unsure who your councilman is, you can use the look-up tool at this link. Also, if you would like to put a face with the name, you can see what your councilman looks at at that link and you can contact them from that page should you wish to communicate with your council member.
SURVEY: Record number of small business owners say 'now is a good time to expand'
Press release, NASHVILLE, Feb. 13, 2018–The
Small Business Optimism Index jumped two points to 106.9 in January and
set a record with the number of small business owners saying Now Is a
Good Time to Expand, according to NFIB’s Small Business Economic Trends Survey, released today.
“Main Street is roaring,” said NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan.
“Small business owners are not only reporting better profits, but
they’re also ready to grow and expand. The record level of enthusiasm
for expansion follows a year of record-breaking optimism among small
businesses.”
State-specific data is unavailable, but NFIB State Director Jim Brown said the national trends are reflected here.
On
the survey, "Now Is a Good Time to Expand" registered at 32 percent,
the highest level in the history of the NFIB survey, which began in
1973. "Actual Earnings" climbed up 11 points from December, the highest
level reported since 1988. "Plans to make Capital Outlays" jumped up two
points, and "Plans to Increase Inventories" gained four points.
“The
historically high index readings over the last year tell us small
business owners have never been more positive about the economy,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg.
“This is in large response to the new management in Washington tackling
the biggest concerns of small business owners – high taxes and
regulations.”
As
small business owners struggle to find qualified workers for open
positions, reports of higher worker compensation rose four percentage
points to a net 31 percent, the highest reading since 2000 and among the
highest in the 45 years of NFIB’s survey. Plans to raise compensation
also rose one point to a net 24 percent, the highest reading since
1989.
“Finding qualified workers now exceeds taxes and regulations as the top concern for small businesses,” said Duggan.
Click here to view the NFIB Small Business Economic Trends Survey For more information about NFIB, please visit www.nfib.com.
Monday, February 12, 2018
Vice mayor appoints members of special committee to investigate Mayor Barry
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| Erica Gillmore At-large |
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| Bob Mendes At-large |
council members Brenda Haywood, Burkley Allen, Mina Johnson, Russ Pulley and Robert Swope.
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| Brenda Haywood District 3 |
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| Robert Swope District 4 ; |
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| Russ Pulley District 25 |
To read The Tennessean's report on this development, follow this link.
WSMV coverage is at this link.
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| Mina Johnson District 23 |
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| Burkley Allen District 18 |
Vote now in WKRN news 2 poll. Should Mayor Barry resign?
News 2 wants to know… Is resigning the right thing for Mayor Barry to do? Vote in our poll below or click here to vote from the News 2 app. Be sure to click ‘Continue Reading’ to cast your vote.
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Black pastors join the opposition to Mayor Barry's tax for tracks plan
Nashville Business Journal- Nashville's transit opposition has some new backers.
Rev. Enoch Fuzz, of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, and Rev. Herbert Lester, of Clark Memorial United Methodist Church, have come out in support of NoTax4Tracks, the high-powered opposition to Mayor Megan Barry's multibillion-dollar mass-transit overhaul. (link)