Neff Zone Column

Print Edition: January 27, 2007

TAX INCREASE AND OTHER ITEMS

Items from the crate under my desk…We need a tax increase right now! I’m in 100% agreement with a letter writer to USA Today who says, "…the most effective measure Congress can take against the war: Pay for it." Bob French of Florida goes on to say, " Congress should immediately enact a special Iraq war tax to be levied until the total cost of the war is recovered through taxes." French also proposes a line on Tax Form 1040 that says "Iraq War Surcharge." This tax would undoubtedly be supported by fiscally responsible Republicans who certainly wouldn’t want to stick our children with the bill – that would be charge and spend cowardice. Plus, experts estimate that only 1% of Americans have been personally impacted by the war, so it will give the other 99% a chance to finally face some of the proverbial music.

As for the State of the Union, just let me say that it’s no surprise that liquor sales rose in 6.3% last year, the largest recent up-tick. Top on the list were vodka and whiskey sales; in times like these it appears that Americans are reaching for the hard stuff.

Ah, and nothing goes with a stiff drink like a lung full of poison, so it was also no surprise to learn that our buddies in the tobacco industry have been doing their part. From 1998 to 2005 the level of addictive nicotine in cigarettes has risen 11%. Sort of makes those anti-smoking public service ads the industry runs a bit of a mockery, eh?

We have reason to drink and smoke when we hear things like how U.S. Senators have been flying around the country on corporate jets provided by businesses. The rule has been that a senator only must reimburse the jet owner equal to the cost of a first-class airline ticket, a really good deal to say the least. For example, a corporate jet ride from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles would only cost a Senator $800, while the actual cost to operate the jet is $31,450. Supposedly this cozy arrangement is going to be eliminated under new ethics rules, but don’t hold your breath.

Meanwhile, the working stiffs continue to rack up the hours. A recent study found that nearly a third of Americans forgo at least part of their vacation days because they can’t afford to take time off. In fact, Americans gave up 574 million vacation days in 2006. There’s even a term for it, "Vacation Deprivation." We take fewer vacation days – just 14 on average – than the Germans, British, Australians and Canadians. The French take the most vacation days – 39.

In the "Whoa, Mama, we didn’t see this one comin’" department, we all know that companies that outsource jobs employ lots of lawyers to make sure the shifting of American jobs overseas to third world countries goes off without a hitch. Apparently those companies like the concept so much they are now offshoring their legal work too. You see, a lawyer in India will do the same work for $50 per hour for which American layers charge $200 per hour.

With all our jobs going bye-bye, it’s a good thing we know how to multi-task so we can use our time more efficiently. This is particularly true in the way we use the time spent driving our automobiles. A study found that while driving 19% of us send text messages on our cell phones. If you’re like me, I can’t even see the text without reading glasses, so if I had to drive at the same time the only way I’d know I hit a pedestrian would be by the "thump" I would hear as I ran over them.

The top ten things people do while driving? Change the radio station, drink a beverage, talk on a cell phone, snack, eat a whole meal, daydream, drive without shoes, experience road rage, listen to a CD, and smoke.

When they asked people what they would most like to have in their car, people between 18-44 years of age said the Internet or e-mail. Those 45-60 said a refrigerator. Now that is a commentary on the generation gap!

Finally, as we all drive merrily to the poor house answering e-mail and looking for a piece of chicken in the onboard fridge, it’s comforting to know that at least one state is doing something to benefit its citizens. Washington state is in the midst of a "plain talk initiative" for its state government. For example, before the initiative a letter to residents said: "We have been notified that you did not receive the State of Washington warrant listed on the attached Affidavit of Lost or Destroyed Warrant Request for Replacement form F242." Now it will say: "Have you cashed your (State of Washington) check yet?"

Being on the dole has never been easier.

Jim Neff is a local columnist. Comments to neffzone@gmail.com. Read Neff Zone columns online at www.neffzone.com/cadillacnews.