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4.7.2001 10:44 PM Ever since I earned my first paycheck, withholding of income taxes really bothered me. I'm not opposed to taxes per se (I want to see them very, very, very low), but the idea that the government gets first crack at a person's paycheck is wrong. If the government is so bent on getting my money, then they can wait until they get my check in the mail. Another problem with withholding is it makes the income tax less visible. Few people really know what percentage of their income is gone to taxes even with the oodles of accountants available. Ending withholding and making every citizen sit down and write a check to the government would definitely perk peoples' interest as to where and how their tax money was being used. People get upset when they discover their bank tacked on some new $2.00 fee. And they get really upset when they notice a $1.50 for using an ATM. It's possible sending off a few hundred dollars a month to Washington, D.C. would provoke some backlash. It's time to end tax withholding and let the public really feel how much government costs. Federal Tax Withholding Petition Sean Hackbarth | 1:28 AM While not a professional critic (at least not yet), I want to admit to not having read the following books: The Constitution of Liberty by F.A. Hayek I have no excuse. It's been sitting on my shelf for a few months, and Hayek is a huge reason I even bother to consider myself an economist. Constitution is considered by many to be his magnum opus. Witness by Whittaker Chambers Another 20th. Century classic just sitting on my shelf. What's preventing me from opening it up is its sheer size. The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Frederick Engles Since I'm such a strong opponent to Communism/Socialism/collectivism reading this should be a no-brainer for knowing one's enemy. But I've also never read Marx's Capital because what little Marx I have read has been almost unreadable. For better familiarity I'll stick with Thomas Sowell's Marxism. "The Literary Critic's Shelf of Shame" Sean Hackbarth | 4.6.2001 12:01 AM Hildegarde's idea of including blogging as part of a college course is intriguing. While not taking away from in-class discussion, it would allow more thoughtful debate while providing the instructor a vehicle to observe students' thinking processes. The inclusion of useful hyperlinks would also add value to the discussion. Sean Hackbarth | 4.5.2001 11:46 PM Bill Gertz is completely right when he says that China "appears to be testing the new Bush administration." They saw a soft target with Bill Clinton and now wonder how President Bush will react to Chinese aggression. Bush must remain strong because Gertz is also right when he says, "China's government already views the United States with disdain and as the main enemy or hegemon to be defeated." Will Bush pull off his first foreign policy test and get those soldiers home while looking strong to the Chinese communists? "The China Test" Sean Hackbarth | 11:23 PM President Bush should find the new home of the Milwaukee Brewers to be as awe-inspiring as I do. He'll be throwing out the first pitch tomorrow. Brewers injured shortstop Mark Loretta is excited that GW is coming. He wants to see the nuclear football that contains U.S. nuclear launch codes. "Milwaukee's Night to Shine" Sean Hackbarth | 4.4.2001 6:16 PM Democratic billionaire Robert Johnson opposes the death tax and offers a suggestion to pro-death tax billionaires like Ted Turner and Warren Buffett:
"Black Billionaire Dubs Death Tax Racially Biased" Sean Hackbarth | 5:03 PM President Bush offered this clever joke during a dinner last week:
Credit must be given to Karen Hughes who wrote it. "Read No Evil" Sean Hackbarth | 4:57 PM People like Kevin will be livid if President Bush ends up with $500 million to spend in the 2004 election. Even worse, he'll probably be running unopposed in the primaries. I know it's really early for election predictions, but McCain-Feingold may assure a second Bush term. "Bush's Secret Weapon" [via Upstairs] Sean Hackbarth | 4:01 PM I'm in a feisty mood. Here's a link to the Better Business Bureau. I'm not a member or the organization, nor am I a news organization or search engine. Based on this NY Times article, the BBB won't like this link, but what are they going to do sue me? "When Linking Isn't Better Business" Sean Hackbarth | 4.2.2001 2:40 AM Science is routing around ethical problems. Researchers find promise in using stem cells from adults to generate into damaged organs. This would remove the controversy of using embryonic stem cells. "Adult Stem Cells Growing Strong" Sean Hackbarth | 2:40 AM This not a joke. Memepool discovered a commercial Singer sewing machine controlled with a Game Boy. Sean Hackbarth | 1:27 AM I must have been staring way too much at the roof in Miller Park last Friday. I wrote that former Brewers shortstop Jose Valentin hit the first home run in the stadium. That was wrong. Sandy Alomar, Jr. pop one over the left field fence. No more $4.25 beers for me while watching games. "Brewers 5, White Sox 4" Sean Hackbarth | 4.1.2001 12:30 AM Friday night I took part in history. Now, some of you may think this isn't really that historic, but for being a guy, a baseball fan, and a life-long Milwaukee Brewers fan, being at the first game ever played at Miller Park was very special. The brick and glass exterior opened up to wide aisles teeming with curious fans. My seat was on the second level and was probably as close to the action down on the field as field-level seats at old County Stadium. The scoreboard is spectacular with its smaller color screen providing sharp pictures of replays and the larger black-and-white scorboard tallying the stats. Concession stands and bathrooms are plentiful. Both were only a short distance from my seat. One problem with the bathroom I used was that there were lots of windows with a wall separating the facilities from the view. One fan has it right that these windows will be a problem when he said, "There will be a lot of people showing stuff." The best part of the game wasn't watching Henry Blanco hit the first Brewers home run in Miller Park (Chicago's Jose Valentin had the first ever round tripper), nor was it watching the first ever sausage race in Miller Park. The best part was after the game. While the musical intro from 2001: A Space Odyssey played, the retractable roof opened. My jaw dropped, and I must have looked like at little kid at the circus. It was mesmerizing seeing how some huge steel panels could fold up into the sides of the stadium and open up the sky to the view of every stiff-necked fan watching. I'm going back! I must see more baseball there. But with the solid reviews, Brewers tickets will be in high demand. "Miller Park: Making the Grade" Sean Hackbarth | 12:02 AM I hate I-told-you-so's when I was right about something this bad. But Fidel Castro is using Elian Gonzalez as a victory trophy over the "evil, capitalist, empire" of the United States. Myself and others who were extremely vocal in our displeasure at returning a child to a totalitarian state knew Castro wouldn't be able to resist showing off little Elian. "Cuban Exile Community Says Castro Is Using Elian As A Trophy" Sean Hackbarth | |
ABOUT When I'm not pondering the fate of the universe, I'm reading, writing, or selling books. Here you'll find comments on politics, culture, books, and music. Not necessarily in that order. MAILBOX sean--at--theamericanmind.com  Support democracy and human rights in Iraq! 
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