Justin Katz

The Economic Death and Dismemberment Act

By Justin Katz | January 31, 2008 |

If the “Economic Growth and Fairness Act” proposed yesterday by RI Representative Arthur Handy (D, Cranston) and Senator Paul Moura (D, East Providence) becomes law, it will blow away any lingering wisps of hope that our state can pull out of its current crisis without utter collapse. Based on a report (PDF) issued by The…

I’m No Fool, No Siree, I’m Gonna Live to Be Two-Hundred and Three Eighty-Three

By Justin Katz | January 31, 2008 |

I’d have added some sort of spiritual fortification to Dogbert’s advice, but his assessment is compelling. It reminds me of one of my father’s favorite topics: the notion that production and healthcare both are going to create a reality in which none of our historical social models apply. Everybody’s going to live a very long…

Working Toward an Ideal

By Justin Katz | January 30, 2008 |

We thank everybody who’s contributed to our fundraising efforts thus far, but we’re still a ways off even from covering expenses. If you’ve yet to do so, please take a moment to consider what might be an appropriate contribution, for you, and make it. Rhode Island is going to need alternative sources of information in…

Every Argument Will Be Made to Raise Taxes

By Justin Katz | January 30, 2008 |

Beware unsigned opinion pieces phrased in the first person. The instance in mind is this post from A Blog Called Hope, which appears to be a somewhat official production of the Rhode Island Democrats: I know everyone hates taxes, but a longer and more destructive recession would be much worse. Actually, it simply isn’t the…

Whitehouse’s Actions Commensurate with Danger

By Justin Katz | January 30, 2008 |

RI Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D, Ocean Drive) has personal experience with the dangers of global warming: Scientists say the world needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050 to avoid the worst consequences of global warming. Repeating the mantra of frustrated environmental advocates across the world, Whitehouse told a supportive audience that…

So, Tu?

By Justin Katz | January 29, 2008 |

I didn’t catch the State of the Union last night, but I’ve explained, before, that I have a hard time getting riled up for state of the x speeches. I will say that I continue to be struck by the irrational hatred of George Bush on the Left. Much of the fire, it seems to…

F.A.C.T.S. = Functional Absurdities Contorted for Teacher Salaries

By Justin Katz | January 28, 2008 |

I originally posted this in response to Pat Crowley’s ranting on RIFuture. Since he’s published the same propaganda as a letter to the Providence Journal, I thought it worth bumping the post to the top. It is sufficiently tedious to respond to “analysis” from the NEA’s Pat Crowley that, when it’s limited to RI Future,…

A Monday Reminder

By Justin Katz | January 28, 2008 |

There are now only two weeks within which to donate sufficiently to Anchor Rising to receive this year’s AR-wear as a gift. Donations of $60 or more will inspire a gift of this year’s AR apparel choice, a navy blue sport shirt with red collar trim and the Anchor Rising logo on the left of…

Another Source for Steve Peoples

By Justin Katz | January 27, 2008 |

Talk about transparency (emphasis added): The state will forgo an estimated $23.4 million next year as a result of the flat tax, according to an analysis of the Poverty Institute at Rhode Island College. The average tax cut will be $5,337. And the beneficiaries are overwhelmingly in higher-income brackets: 98 percent of the savings will…

The Business of Business Is… Healthcare?

By Justin Katz | January 26, 2008 |

As disappointing as it is that Ian Donnis would write approvingly of something spat onto the public square by the NEA’s Patrick Crowley, it’s more disappointing that he seems to agree: Pat Crowley has a strong post up at RI’s Future, pointing to a state report to indicate how Rhode Island taxpayers are paying more…