Recent Comments

1. about 18 hours ago on Michael Ramirez

   For sure there is a Laffer Curve in taxes, but I don’t think that we are there yet. Besides, sheltering against higher taxes only works when those shelters exist. Agree that we need a simplified tax code, and a balanced budget, but I’m not a fan of flat taxes for all income groups because in practical terms it means that poorer people pay MORE of their disposable income in taxes. That may have made sense 50 years ago, but as income distribution is more and more skewed, I think that rich families should pay more for the social safety net.

2. 4 days ago on Michael Ramirez

   Certainly a possibility, but in services and things that can’t be “outsourced” to places with lower labor rates, unemployment doesn’t necessarily rise. Consumers just pay a little more for those services. Naturally, if wages go up too much, there is always more of an incentive for companies to automate, but I would submit that they are doing that already. Who hasn’t seen McDonald’s automatic ordering kiosks?

3. 11 days ago on Michael Ramirez

   Economist wannabe here. A minimum wage isn’t a bad thing for services if everyone is willing to pay a little more for their burgers. No, people receiving a 30% increase in their (minimum) wage don’t see THEIR cost of living go up 30% so they win. The problem is when high-labor cost states or countries have to compete with lower ones. (Not in Big Macs, agriculture, construction, and mining but certainly in garments or cars). Businesses than CAN move out and unemployment rises. Good policies to promote value-added industries and retrain employees can help offset this, but governments (especially in the U.S.) usually suck at that. Personally, I think that anyone who works hard deserves a living wage. Not that I’m a bleeding heart, but because a permanent underclass is not good for our country. I would rather see the government subsidize low-wage people directly with, say, a negative tax rate. That takes more courage than telling businesses to pay more and d*mn the consequences. Just Sayin.

4. 6 months ago on Michael Ramirez

   O still didn’t really get the comic. Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah are all rats? Is that it?

5. 6 months ago on Michael Ramirez

   Sovan, Havel and A#466, you guys need to get a room.

6. 7 months ago on Ted Rall

   Jeeez! Exposed China? Yes. Restrained North Korea? Hahaha. No. Orderly Drawdown? Better than Biden. Recognized Jerusalem: Yes, got nothing for it. Spoke his mind? Yes. WIthout B.S.? No. Didn’t Provoke Putin? As if Putin took his cues from American Presidents.

7. 7 months ago on Ted Rall

   What? “Thought and Prayers” don’t work on mass shootings or abortions either?

8. 8 months ago on Gary Varvel

   According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the annual cost of tuition, Fees and Room & Board EXCLUDING INFLATION has grown by 180% in the last 50 years. Isn´t it strange that in the exact period that the internet has made so much information (and courses) available online, we are paying so much more to ATTEND college? Why do we, as a nation, value onsite education so much? Students claim that they are doing into debt in order to sit in lectures from professors so poor that they have to go online afterwards to study anyway. So, why do it? What is the Grand Conspiracy that says that we have to spend do much on learning institutions? Just Sayin´…

9. 9 months ago on Michael Ramirez

   Be Like Mike!!

10. 9 months ago on Michael Ramirez

    Just when you thought it was safe to hate Mike, he pulls one of these!