Some days my moments of brilliance are interrupted by long periods of blank stares. Other days are like an information buffet: I'll read a little of this and research little of that until my brain is full, which does not take long.
Today is one of those days. I could not decide on one particular subject so you will get my thoughts on all of the ones rattling around in between my constantly ringing auditory apparatus.
1. Royal Baby
Most listeners to the KDKA Radio Morning Show know that I am respectful of, but not enamored with, the Royals. I am an American. They are Brits. We are allies but no longer subjects of the crown.
However, many are elated for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the couple who said they did not want the attention that the crown brings. I am happy any time life is celebrated. Congratulations on the baby girl, Lilibet Diana.
The name is a tribute the great-grandma, Her Majesty the Queen, and late-grandma, Lady Di. However, the debate rages in England as to whether the name is an olive-branch for causing recent family turmoil or a solid attempt at branding.
I am not interested in that. I say congratulations to Meg & Hank and all new parents, including the estimated 384,999 who did not garner headlines as they welcomed their bundles of joy & hope anonymously into the world last Friday.
2. World Tax
Covid-19 has been a great unifier for those administrators who love to tax.
Finance ministers from Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, and Canada agreed that a US-proposal for a 15% minimum tax on international businesses is 'just a starting point.' The idea has been unthinkable for decades.
The Group of Seven (G-7) nations want to enact an international tax scheme to keep multinational corporations in-check. A 'world tax' would aim to keep the giants from planting roots in low-tax havens to avoid higher hits in other countries in which they do business.
The idea is to keep countries from competing with each other in landing headquarters as companies seek friendlier terms. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says the global tax would "end the race to the bottom in corporate taxation and ensure fairness for the middle class and working people around the world."
I am not shedding tears for big companies. My fear is that this would stifle competition, create a powerful world government, and shackle workers and consumers with much higher costs. No one will be able to escape to a tax-friendlier environment. The costs and minimum tax rates will all trickle down.
What if all 50 states colluded on income, sales, and property taxes? People will simply be forced to stay put. No more 'voting with your feet' in search of a better deal as an individual or corporation. Think of it as 'revenue sharing' among countries.
Say, 20% of the take would go to the corporation's home government while the remainder would be split among the rest of the league. Small, competitive places like Ireland, which has a low corporate rate, would really struggle to attract opportunity.
More nation-states will be solicited to buy into the proposal next month at the G-20 conference in Venice, Italy.
3. Election Funds
Elections in Pennsylvania are normally funded through the counties with taxpayer money and additional supplements from the state and federal governments.
With the surge of mail-in balloting in 2020 came an increase in costs associated with our election process. At least 16 Pennsylvania counties took advantage of a third-party plan to help alleviate the costs and 'get out the vote.'
Two charities affiliated with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg combined to donate $37 million in Pennsylvania. Each county had a unique opportunity to apply for the outside funds regardless of the political leanings of registered voters. It did not matter if the county leaned blue or red - although blue counties got more cash. Private contracts were signed, certain criteria had to be met to receive the cash.
What could go wrong?
In a quest for transparency, State Rep. Eric Nelson (PA-57) recently told the KDKA Radio Morning Show that he is calling for these third party grants to be given directly to the department of state for equal distribution across the commonwealth. The preventative idea would be to keep special interest money from influencing individual election officials in key areas in the future.
I hate to sound naive but I cannot believe we are even having this discussion. I find it very disturbing that outside money is used to pay the costs associated with our election process. It could easily turn into a lobbying effort.
Elections should be planned and managed locally and economically. The reasonable costs should be paid for by local taxpayers not outsiders, regardless of their good intentions.
Remember: whoever pays you is who you work for.
4. Dirt Bikes
The City of Pittsburgh Police received hundreds of complaints about large groups of rogue dirt bikes and ATV's riding the streets on Memorial Day. The riders are amazing. Many have excellent skills.
However, the antics are scary, dangerous, and deadly. I saw this firsthand while living in Baltimore. Gangs of up to 80 riders were a major concern in Charm City.
They did not obey basic traffic laws. It was chaos.
Many of the bikes are illegal. They are not registered and do not have a right to the roadways regardless of how much gas tax the riders pay.
There was an opportunity to a donate a brownfield in Baltimore for the riders to use but that plan never evolved because it really made no sense.
You do not reward lawlessness. Police could do little to thwart the rides. We do not need them here.
5. Overdose deaths
The drug epidemic quietly raged in western PA as Covid captured most of the headlines in 2020. The Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner and the departments of Health & Human Services recently detailed the devastating impact of addiction.
Thanks to a steady flow of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine - 689 of our neighbors quietly succumbed to drug overdose in the county last year. A 22% increase! The age group 25-54 accounts for 74% of the deaths. White males make up the largest group of victims.
Many families are effected and there are many ways one becomes addicted: accidents, prescriptions, recreational choice. However, it is very difficult to stop addiction when it gets a grip.
Most of the fentanyl is produced in illicit labs in China and Mexico then smuggled over the border or through the mail. Rogue pharmacies also peddle opioids throughout our land.
The problems are only going to get worse. Border agents seized more fentanyl in the first 5 months of 2021 than all of last year. Leaders who turn a blind eye to the border crisis are complicit.
Contact the 'PA Get Help Line' at 1-800-662-4357, if necessary.
6. Jon Rahm of Spain
The #2 golfer in the world came in close contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19. He was tested and produced negative results every day last week - until after the 3rd round of the Memorial Tournament at Ohio's Muirfield Memorial Golf Club.
All week the event's defending champ avoided using any of the indoor amenities like the locker rooms or clubhouse, etc. He socially distanced all week until PGA staff escorted the asymptomatic star off the course following his third round. His day's work included a hole-in-one and a 6-shot lead - tying Tiger Woods' 21-year record.
Ventilation on golf courses is pretty good. Staying 6-feet away from another participant is no problem. CDC guidelines could have easily been met.
He should have been able to play on.
7. Fauci Emails
Which Dr. Fauci are we referring to? The fireman or the arsonist? To his credit, the man gets thousands of emails. He cannot possibly read them all - although he did seem to try to respond to many.
He says he was working non-stop. PLUS, public details, claims, and guidance changed rapidly in the early stages of Covid. Yes, he was 'completely swamped.'
However, I believe he misled us about the 'science.' Listeners to the KDKA Radio Morning Show heard about 'gain of function' research at a lab in Wuhan 14-months ago.
Plus, I already gave my opinion of the antics of the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Thank you for reading. Have a great day.
