Global Warming

Came across this gem today. You know what else "could happen"? Absolutely nothing.

--Brad

Ramblings on the month in sports

I've been attending football games at UGA (the wife's alma mater), and it has been a thrill to watch the next great running back at Running Back U, Knowshon Moreno. But please stop comparing him to Hershel Walker, just let him be the first Knowshon and enjoy the show.

Hats off to Sly Croom and the Mississippi State football Team for ending a putrid slump. I can now stop telling people I went to Millsaps (even though true), and not feel embarrassed to admit that I graduated from MSU.

I especially applaud Coach Croom's decision to run the ball on two third and long situations in the final minutes of the Alabama game. Had he succumbed to the desire to throw on first down, it might have fallen incomplete. Much like Arkansas did, then lost in the final eight seconds of the game.

Thank goodness these TV announcers once played the sport they're calling. I don't know how a casual fan could possibly run the same three story lines into the ground with same effectiveness as someone who has had first hand experience on the field at this level. Please TV execs, save a few hundred grand and just hire some new grad out of a Broadcast Journalism program. It'll be cheaper, and they might even be entertaining.

Did you hear Tebow has hurt shoulder? I heard it mentioned once, just once.
I think the coach at Alabama once coached LSU. Not sure though...
Mark Richt is a classy guy BUUUTTTTTTT THAT CELEBRATION...RANT RANT RANT..."Loud Noises!!!!!!!!!!!!!"...."I don't know what we're yelling about!!!!!"

I hope Mizzou wins it all. Just because nobody saw this coming, which means I could be a sports forecaster.

--Brad

Bulldog Football

I know State is a member of a money conference, but shouldn't the doormats get paid to go play other big time schools? Imagine if we could play Ohio State, N.D., or USC for their homecoming. We may not get the big bucks of a sure-fire win, but a couple hundred grand would work. Why isn't this strategy pursued, instead of banking on me to continue my pledge in the Bulldog Club? This would certainly have a better ROI than any fund raising campaign.

Maybe the future Athletic Director for Mississippi State is perusing random blogs and implements this idea. I won't even charge you for it, in fact I'll renew my pledge.

--Brad

Quick Shot

Have you realized that if you are a salaried employee, the company owns all of your time? Also, since we have an income tax, the government owns all your money. So if you work for the government, the State owns all your time and money. Sorry Dad.

--Brad

FairTax

I just finished reading The FairTax Book, and it put most of my questions to rest. Upon my return to Georgia, I heard about the FairTax and thought, "Great, another sales tax ploy. Didn't Alan Keyes run on that platform eight years ago? Why isn't this dead?" Then I saw that the largest crowd at the South Carolina Republican Debate was for the FairTax, so I broke down and did my own research.

Here's what I learned:

1. It is infinitely better than the current system. Perfect? No, but a huge improvement. And yes it will benefit my middle class income personal self. Why wouldn't I support something that helps me out? I believe it is called "rational self interest". I make no appologies for using that as a guide to make personal decisions.

2. It will close the loopholes people use to get out of paying taxes. I pay my share, so should everyone else.

3. It is NOT the national sales tax, which is regressive. I'm not going to explain it here. Read the book or go to www.fairtax.org.

4. The "Irish Miracle" grew out of low taxes, and I recently left a company due to offshoring, so the theory that no corporate taxes will boost business in the U.S. is plausible.

5. Before I read the book I always heard about how Congress is going to enact "windfall taxes" on the oil companies. I always cringed when I heard that because I knew that those taxes would only get passed back down to us, the consumer, through even higher prices. This books reinforces that belief.

6. The FairTax really is bipartisan. Take a look at the presidential candidates that support it.
i. Democratic candidate Mike Gravel. http://www.gravel2008.us/?q=fair_tax
ii. Republican candidate Mike Hucabee. http://www.explorehuckabee.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Issues.View&Issue_ID=5

Bipartisan indeed.

I have written my Congressman and Senators, voicing my support for H.R. 125 / S. 1025 The FairTax Bill. The following is the response from Senator Chambiss (R-GA):

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns about the Fair Tax. It is good to hear from you.

On March 29, 2007, I introduced S. 1025, the "Fair Tax Act." This bill, if enacted, would uproot our current unjust progressive tax code and replace it with a simpler, fairer one by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax. I believe our antiquated tax code, that was implemented in 1913 and has since been modified numerous times, is overly complicated and desperately in need of an overhaul.

The Fair Tax, otherwise known as a national sales tax, would replace our current system which is based on annual income with a tax on goods and services. The Fair Tax is a consumption tax - the more you buy, the more you pay. The Fair Tax Act would repeal the individual income tax, the corporate income tax, capital gains taxes, all payroll taxes, the self-employment tax, and the Federal estate and gift taxes in lieu of a 23% tax on the final sale of all goods and services. The eradication of these taxes will not only bring about equality within our tax system, it will also bring about simplicity. Social Security and Medicare benefits would remain untouched under the Fair Tax bill; there would be no financial reductions to either one of these vital programs. And lastly, under this bill, every American would receive a monthly rebate check equal to spending up to the federal poverty level set by the Department of Health and Human Services guidelines. This rebate would ensure that no American pays taxes on the purchase of necessities. TheFair Tax creates a fairer, simpler code that allows every American the freedom to determine his or her own priorities and opportunities.

The Fair Tax creates a fairer, simpler code that allows every American the freedom to determine his or her own priorities and opportunities.

As always I appreciate hearing from you. Additionally, if you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site http://www.chambliss.senate.gov/

Please, don't assume you understand the FairTax. Research it yourself, and you too might even change your mind.

--Brad

PS
The FairTax Book is written by Neal Boortz and Congressman John Linder. I know Boortz can be a blowhard, but I urge you to look past his politics and focus on the substance of the book.

A few authors from the Ludwig von Mises Institute put forth good opposition points to the FairTax. From my brief readings it appears they oppose all tax reform and believe all focus should be on spending reform. Not a bad cause either, but I do not think spending reform has to be dependant on tax reform. http://www.mises.org/

My Support

It is alleged that Hillary has purchased the support of a Southern, African American, Priest for $210,000. I am not appalled, I am not disappointed, I am not writing this to skewer the Senator. I applaud such tactics, and I'm throwing My Support into the ring.

Since I only fit one of the three categories mentioned, I'll offer My Support for the going rate of 1/3rd the final price. That's right, for a mere $70,000 you, Mrs. Senator, may have My Support. What does My Support entail? This site will become an Ode To Hillary. If it's exposure you're after, look no further than the Internet. Remember when Amazon.com first went public? They were given an infinite market capitalization, because the amount of potential customers could not be quantified. So it is with My Support. My Support is based on the same technology as Amazon, and therefore possesses the same potential. Second, My Support is also verbal. I will push your candidacy with a grass roots campaign. At my place of employment I have a captive audience of literally dozens. My Support will cross all racial, ethnic, and religious lines as my company is an equal opportunity workplace. At this point I will begin to solicit donations for your campaign. Since part of the captive audience includes Vice Presidents and CEO/Owners, the amount of contributions collected through My Support has the potential to exceed the meager fee.

Therefore Senator, if you're reading this - and I'm certain you're not - know that My Support can be purchased and no judgements passed.

--Brad

The death of advertising?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16787089/
http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/mar2006/pi20060302_999595.htm?chan=search

Articles like the ones linked here, and there are many, forcast doom for all of tv advertising. Well, I'm calling BS. As a TIVO owner for over three years, in fact both of our tv's are attached to DVRs, these guys are convinced that I have not seen a commercial since the final "Bud Bowl". In order to prove them wrong allow me a brief message:

Growing up a SEC guy I knew who Payton Manning was before he put on a goofy mustache and started pimping wireless carriers, credit cards, ESPN ... Okay I'll admit that example was too easy. But I do remember watching him back in college and thinking, I wish I could never graduate. Of course, that's not what makes me special. TV has shown us that we all have a lot in common, and whatever it is (sports, books, goals, etc) we can find it in ooouuurrrr countreeeee. So as products get smaller, sexier, and less expensive you can zoom-zoom down to see your lady, knowing that when the moment is right you will be ready. But when you get to work will you be ready for a buxom beauty to loose a strap while talking about the internet? Because chances are that you better know exactly what's in your wallet. Here's a hint, cash is better than plastic in those circumstances. I totally don't know what that means, but I want it. And right now I want to eat. I once heard that I should eat more chikin, but since Dan Marino lost weight maybe I shoud try his method. Afterall, a celebrity athelete wouldn't possibly steer us wrong, would he?

So when it comes to advertising, let's build something together. After all, you can do it, we can help. {Warning, easy cheap shot comming} It would seem that making a memorable slogan, not even a good one, is so easy a caveman could do it.
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So what is the real point of these articles? Are companies just trying to get a bargin on their advertising? That makes sense, and seems likely. But what if it is a cry for help. There hasn't been a true tv ad icon since the Budwiser frogs. Most of the ads on television today rely on a single strategy, quantity. While it is obviously effective, you don't hear people quoting lines on the street or in conversation. "Wazup" and "Where's the beef" are gone, leaving ad companies scrambling for recognition.

On the other hand, as the article mentions, internet ads have taken a turn toward the entertaining side. The adds of Sienfeld & Superman, and Madonna being thrown around in a BMW create buzz and generate internet traffic. But all are far longer than the magical 30 seconds, so they don't get on tv except for maybe a reference to see the entire skit.

It is my belief that companies will reach people like me by using the same tactics, plus the newer entertaining internet ads, and should spend more time developing a solid product that I would deem worthy of a purchase. Spend more time making a good product? Brilliant! Motion on the floor to spend more on R&D. Second. All in favor - aye. Man Law.

--Brad

Check back in month, the Biggest Game in Advertising starts soon, I might have the fastest disproven theory in modern man.