Missives from the 6th Floor

The biggest problem is that I believe, generally speaking, Franken and his team of researchers are reporting the facts (not to be confused with the truth, or the Truth, either of which may be found at your local organized hall of worship). I also have a hard time believing they're reporting all the facts. They have a chip on their collective shoulder, and I can't bring my self to believe that it's all about the right lying to the public.

It's obvious, for example, that Franken believes Clinton to have been the best president in recent history. He supports his argument well - especially as it regards military appropriations and effectiveness under Clinton vs. Bush (hint: they spent nearly the same, and Clinton's military, used by Bush to fight in Afghanistan, held it's own pretty damn well in a place that thwarted both the British and Russians) - but nothing's ever that simple, is it.

In fact, perhaps (tin-foil-hat-time) perhaps my reaction (ah, screw it, it's too complex, let's call the whole thing off) is exactly the desired reaction. If you can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with bullshit.

Take, for example, the estate tax. I had pretty much bought into the "it's double taxation" line - not realizing that the Democrats had offered an exemption of up to $100M (i.e. the first $100M of the estate would be inherited tax-free), and the Republicans refused - pretty much shooting down the whole "it's all about farmers" argument.

It seems, actually, that it's all about Cap. Gains. See, if you pass a bunch of unrealized capital gains to your heirs, that money falls into the exemption - so far from double taxation, it's a great loop-hole to avoid taxation period.

Perhaps everyone else realized this, but I didn't.

Anyway - if you consider yourself a conservative - or you support the current administration and have read (or can force yourself to read) the book, I'd love your reactions.