August 28, 2007

The Republicans are up to it again. I have received another email asking me for financial support in order to prevent democrats from winning seats in Congress. The entire email is about what democrats have said and done. And despite the plea for money, I can't find any where in the message something that the republicans have said. Both parties are asking me to not support the other but have yet give me a good reason to support them.

Dear Matthew,

The Democrat leadership believes failure by our troops in Iraq -- the
central front in the War on Terror -- is essential for them to win elections in
2008...

...and that any positive sign of progress in Iraq is simply a "problem"
for them.
Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, driven by polls and
politics, declared "This war is lost," even before the President's new strategy
began. Reid also has bragged, "We're going to pick up Senate seats as a
result of this war."

And Democrat House Majority Whip James Clyburn said that a positive
report in September from General Petraeus and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker
would be "a real big problem for us (Democrats)." Meaning the Democrats' desire
for an arbitrary troop withdrawal -- and their party's 2008 electoral fortunes
-- would be in jeopardy if our troops succeed.

Matthew, America's national security should not be kicked around like a
political football. Republicans believe winning the War on Terror is vital
to our country's national security. The RNC needs your help to get this
message past the liberal media filter and directly to voters.
They need to know about the Democrats' "surrender and defeat"
politics.

Please click here to make a secure online contribution of $1,000, $500,
$100, $50 or $25 to help spread the word about the Democrats' political rhetoric
and defeatist agenda.
It is unconscionable that Democrat leaders are hoping
for our troops to fail so their party can gain a political advantage. And
it is unacceptable that the leading Democrat presidential contenders, Hillary
Clinton and Barack Obama, both claim to support our troops yet voted against
providing them with the resources to sustain their mission and keep them
safe.

Your urgent online contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50 or $25 to the
RNC today will help get the facts about the Democrats' true defeatist agenda and
their efforts to put politics above the War on Terror past the liberal media
filter.
Our President and our Party are counting on your help. Thank
you.

Best wishes,
Robert M. "Mike" Duncan
Chairman, Republican National Committee

(hyperlinks deleted)

They even thought that I might be more likely to sympathize if they personalized it by including my name twice. As if I would believe that this was a personal message sent only to me and no one else. As if my support, mine alone, will make the difference. The problem with the republican party over the last 8 years is that it has become more and more transparent assuming that the electorate is becoming increasingly dumb.

Today's Headline:

Bonds' Record-Breaking Homerun Ball Set for Auction

As it turns out, Matt Murphy, the owner of Barry Bonds' record breaking homerun ball would have only been responsible for paying tax on the baseball itself. Any hypothetical value of the ball will not affect the amount of tax that would have to be paid on the ball. Essentially, Murphy would have to pay an amount of tax that reflects the value of this ball as a gift from Barry Bonds. Since the ball costs about $9, he would have to pay tax on that amount. The problem with keeping the ball had to do with the security of owning the ball. In order to secure the ball in his apartment would cost far too much considering the ball would most likely be a target for burglary. Since he has chosen to auction the record breaking baseball, Murphy will have to pay tax on the profit he earns from its sale.