Why Does The NRA Block Policies That End Up Benefiting Criminals?

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Yes, another gun post.  Sorry, but the fact that everybody is still talking about this is a good thing.  And may I personally thank Wayne LaPierre, the NRA, and other gun nuts for making my case to the American people.  Keep up the good work. David Frum has a piece today that asks a lot of pertinent questions.  Go read the whole thing, and then ask yourself why the NRA is pro-criminal.  Not one of the steps Frum lists would lead to gun confiscation, but they sure do make killing someone or getting away with murder/crime easier.

Monday Open Thread [2.18.13]

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Although the federal government "currently puts hemp in the same category of illegal drug as heroin, LSD and ecstasy," Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) "wants to change that," NBC News reports. McConnell "joined forces Thursday with a pair of West Coast Democrats -- Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley -- to cosponsor a bill that would allow American farmers to grow hemp without fear of punishment." How the hell is Mitch F*cking McConnell to the left of Barack Obama on this issue? On medical marijuana and the legalization of marijuana, the President has been very disappointing.

Delaware Needs More than Two Tiers of Income Tax

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On the issue of basic fairness, and also because we need to raise more revenue than our basically flat income tax rate allows, it is time for Delaware for add a few more tiers to its progressive tax structure. As it stands now, Delaware has two tax rates it taxes you at. If you make under $60,000, you are taxed at one percentage. If you make over $60,000, you are taxed at another percentage. The unfairness and ridiculousness of this system cannot be overstated. Someone making poverty level wages (i.e. under $18k) is taxed the same rate as someone making $55k. And someone making $14 million a year is taxed the same as someone making $90k. Delaware has a $63 million budget shortfall, and we cannot make that shortfall up and deal with the cost of Medicaid simply with spending cuts. It is time that Delaware adds more tax rate tiers above and below the 60k dividing line. Meanwhile, the JFC will be holding public hearings this Wednesday on the health and social services spending.