Paul: ‘I just read Fuzzy Math, The Essential Guide to the Bush Tax Plan, by Princeton economics professor Paul R. Krugman. Easy, quick read that exposes the flaws of the Bush Tax Plan and the underlying political agenda that goes beyond just putting the government in a budget strait jacket to limit growth of government. The goal is to make the tax burden on the average voter greater than the benefits the voter perceives he/she receives from government, thereby creating an electorate sympathetic to small government and further tax cuts. By skewing the cuts to benefit a relatively few rich people, the tax burden on the middle class remains high in relation to the diminished government benefits they receive.’
Chris Ficklin: ‘I’d like to echo what Paul said about using the Internet to buy cars. I just bought a new Ford Truck but before even going to the dealer I researched what I wanted on CarPoint and Kelly Blue Book. I added a couple of hundred dollars to the invoice and that was my target price. I told the salesperson what I was willing to pay as if I were paying cash, which unfortunately I was unable to do, but my credit union was offering 6.5% so I’d have them finance it. They still tried to play their silly games on me. I stuck fast and got the price I wanted. Would have saved them some time if they would have just given me that price to begin with! In fact, they wanted my business so bad that they lowered the price even further to entice me to finance it through Ford Credit at 6.9% with the same payment. I figured that’d save me a trip to the Credit Union and since I’d likely pay the loan off early, I was glad they lowered the sales price for me.’
Tom Mathies: ‘You write: ‘Just remember that it’s still a lot cheaper to have Pepsi and pasta at home.’ But soft drinks have hidden costs. Aren’t you a tea man?’
☞ Yes! Yes! Demand your Honest Tea! One good place for an iced cold sample: Barnes & Noble cafés.
