This just in: Zombie attacks are less imminent that we'd originally thought.
However, if zombies do attack - there's an app for that. Well, at least a website designed to help us prepare.
Here is the website's Mission Statement: The United States Army Zombie Combat Command guarantees the survival of the United States in the event of any Zombie emergency.
Thank God someone is paying attention to this potential threat. So many are preparing for a tsunami to wipe out Germany's nuclear facilities that some of the more likely threats are being overlooked.
Speaking of nuclear facilities - ours are leaking. These sites were originally designed for 40 years of service. It was anticipated that we would replace them with new, more efficient and safer sites after that time. Now, 40+ years later, they are still running and have had their licences extended for another 20 years.
The problem is that no one told the metal-fatigue elves about this change. So the plants are leaking. We need to either fix these or build new ones. Where is the money going to come from? I'll let you know in a minute.
They are trying to build a giant solar power plant in the Mojave desert. It will cover 5 and a half square miles and will help the state meet its goal of 35% renewable energy by 2020. Some are against it because there is a famous hill nearby or something.
I'm in favor of it. Here is what it comes down to: "Either get serious about energy or learn to walk."
Congress is passing a new law that says you will go to jail if you stream a copyrighted video. People against this say that all of our 14-year-old male children will end up in our overcrowded prisons. People in favor of it say that copyrighted material should be protected.
Here is what I say, "This is just another platform for ambulance chasing lawyers to threaten families so they will settle out of court and make lawyers rich. Find another solution."
The GOP has a new entrant. His name is Huntsman. I watched his "I'm running for president" speech and felt embarrassed for him. Just a bag of clichés. Before I vote for this guy, I'll vote for my son's Xbox controller.
Update: Lulzsec has taken down the two top government websites from Brazil. As long as I can still watch Family Guy on Hulu, I'm okay with this.
Has anyone else out there noticed that websites that sell stuff try to "help you out" by filling in some of your order information for you? Be very careful of this as it can cost you plenty. For example, Travelocity defaults to the idea that you want "trip insurance" and includes it in your final bill unless you notice the charge and ask them to remove it. Here is another one. Fedex-Kinkos allows you to send printing jobs in over the internet. Their default selection is for you to use Color Printing on Resume quality paper. This can cost you hundreds of dollars if you aren't paying attention and tell them what you really need.
Now, how to pay for things like nuclear power plants or public education...
A little math here:
In 2006, about 4 million people made over 200K per year. Some made way more than that so I am going to use a weighted average of $1 million per person (it will be higher for 2010)
If those people all paid tax at the 35% rate they would generate $1.4 trillion in revenue.
If they all paid 25% that the GOP wants, they will only generate $1.0 trillion in revenue.
If they paid the 17% that the top 400 earners paid in 2010, they will only generate $680 billion.
If they pay the 70% rate from the 70's, they will contribute $2.8 billion in revenue.
A simple 3-4% increase in the tax rate for the richest Americans, for just one year, will enable us to double the number of nuclear facilities in the country.
So, if the rich pay the pre 80's tax rate (70%), they will generate 1.8 trillion more PER YEAR than the GOP proposal (25%). This balances our budget tomorrow - with some left over.
There is your money for the new nuclear power plants.
Now, compare a tax increase for the rich to the overall GOP plan of slashing education, NASA, research, family planning and Medicare while cutting the tax rate for the rich.
I hope I have managed to sway a few people with these facts. The United States is a world power because of its economy. The size of the military means nothing as far as power goes.
Here is your quote for the day: "We cannot continue to have an excellence gap with the rest of the world and intend to remain the economic superpower and military superpower of the planet. That's just not going to happen, ... We're in a position where unless we take action, we'll end up being the France of the 21st century: a lot of talk, but not a lot of strength behind it in terms of economic capability." Mitt Romney. He signed a No-Tax pledge in 2008 but is wavering on doing that again this time around.
Mitt...I couldn't have said it better myself. If only you were as good as your word.
I have a world to say and I need to get it done before it gets too hot outside.
Up, up and away...
jim
And here is Jon Stewart on Fox news. Jon is so smart that it just doesn't seem fair.
