Jon Carroll { The Stupid Zone }

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 1/9/9 | Jon Carroll

[SmithL]

I really am a tax-and-spend liberal, as you probably already know, and I really do wish that still-beloved almost-President Obama were not promising so darn many tax cuts. It is not my impression that the economy is in the tank because our taxes are too high. The people who need the money the most are the people who will not be paying taxes at all, and in the meantime the federal government will have even less money than it usually does to pay for all the things Obama has promised to do, including building bridges and schools and providing better benefits for veterans.

The proof is still in the chocolate-flavored dessert product, of course, and I am withholding judgment. Well, obviously, I am not withholding judgment, as the previous paragraph indicates, but I am keeping an open mind and waiting for the devil, who lives in the details. We shall see. I am prepared for the notion that things will get worse before they get better, but I want to know "Worse for whom?" and "Better in what sense?"

I actually have a swell plan for helping people in need. It doesn't have a chance of becoming policy, but hear me out. When people get in financial trouble, one of the things they fail to do is pay their taxes. Now, it is the law that the federal government always goes to the front of the creditor line, elbowing out all those dry-cleaning establishments and printing plants and auto-parts manufacturers who really need the money.

So the government gets paid and ordinary wholesalers and retailers do not. How about the government goes to the end of the line instead, and the real almost-failing companies get paid off by defaulting debtors first, and we'll have a de facto tax credit...

[SmithL]

The stupid zone has been Jon's home for a very long time.

[bcsco]

Is there something in the water out there that causes this mass stupidity? I visited SF back in the 50’s with my parents. My first and last visit. It was beautiful then. Now, I wouldn’t return if you paid me the national debt. It’s become the most useless, worthless city on Earth.

[capt. norm]

This guy's TWISTED logic has finally reached the "pretzel stage":

Behold....the "Golden Pretzel" award.

[DennisR]

The same can be said for Seattle...

[iThinkBig]

My business partner and I marvel at the benefits the 40% non-taxpayers receive. The safety net is supposed to be just that, it means you live in a shabby dwelling so you don’t freeze, have survival-only medications and procedures and substandard food assistance. Since the productive middle class/small businesses were ignored this century, many have simply begun throwing there hands up.

On Bloomberg radio, I was listening to a bit on the low interest rates and the commentator stating that this doesn’t help the economy because it’s only those with good credit that can take advantage of the rates. What a moron. Those that were responsible should reap the most rewards for being prudent.

Lots of nice shiny toys and homes to buy cheap with those with cash. Equities will be looking very ripe in Q2 for a 5 year buy and hold strategy, but I recommend doing company specific dilligence into cash flows and management. I will find it morally repugnant to invest into the smaller boxes that government is picking for the winners. In fact, I own two companies in Health and Higher Ed which were started three years ago in anticipation of the credit bubble bursting. But I prefer other sectors for personal reasons.

[Melinda]

I have never understood how people this dumb get column space in anything.

[okie01]

Well, frankly, sending the IRS to the end of the creditor’s line in a bankruptcy case is a pretty good idea...

[bcsco]

The same can be said for Seattle...

Nope. You can only have one #1. Seattle has to settle for close second.

[Red Badger]

Since the productive middle class/small businesses were ignored this century, many have simply begun throwing there hands up.

Atlas Shrugged.............

[Vigilanteman]

Dumb is a requirement for a journalism degree these days. I actually earned one back in the early 1980's when most of my colleages in the department were most concerned about how they could get drunk, laid, or both that weekend.

I switched to economics when it became clear how many and what kid of butts I'd have to kiss to get ahead in journalism. But I had so many credits by then, I figured I go ahead and get the double major anyway.

[Liberty Valance]

So the government gets paid and ordinary wholesalers and retailers do not. How about the government goes to the end of the line instead..."

Thats the hope and change we've been waiting for.

[WayneS]

Stupid Zones, eh?

I wonder if this hypocritical a$$-wipe, who wants to tell everyone else where to live and what to do with their property, willing to move out of San Francisco (or at any rate forego insurance on his property)? After all, its earth-quake potential makes it one of the stupidest “Stupid Zones” in the entire country.

[sodpoodle]

****I really am a tax-and-spend liberal, as you probably already know, and I really do wish that still-beloved almost-President Obama were not promising so darn many tax cuts. It is not my impression that the economy is in the tank because our taxes are too high....blah blah blah.and I am keeping an open mind....blah blah blah****

Idiot does not have a mind - or he opened it and what few brain cells he had - flew out!!!

[Psycho_Bunny]

This guy is weaponized stupid.

[Flycatcher]

I have never understood how people this dumb get column space in anything.

Job security.

The editorial board knows that his stupidity makes them look smart.

(And it's quite hard to make a liberal-leaning editorial board look smart.)

[garylmoore]

I really am a tax-and-spend liberal

That was enough for me to read.

[sig226]

"The proof is still in the chocolate-flavored dessert product"

What a jackass.

[iThinkBig]

Yep