Principles

Ah, principles....  How often do they get in the way?  The Detroit News has, forever I'd guess, railed against judicial activism, that is, "judge-made law."  Judges are to interpret, not make, the law.  Yet, last week a Wayne County judged ruled that Mike Duggan did not meet the residency requirements of the Detroit City Charter to run for mayor of Detroit.  Duggan filed early, before his one-year residence in the city had transpired.  The charter is clear and Duggan didn't meet the requirements.  But the News, claiming among other things that the charter is a mess (regardless that it was approved by the voters of Detroit), thinks an appeals court should overturn the initial ruling, making Duggan eligible again.  In other words, an appellate decision should, in this case, rule on what the law should say, not what it does say.  Ordinarily, the News would be opposed, on principle, to its own views, but not this time.  I guess it's whose ox is being gored.  Partisanship should take precedence over principles.  Darn principles, getting in the way again....

Why don't we abolish the IRS?  Seriously.  Why should there be an agency of the federal government, one that works for the people, be one that invokes fear, dread, and whatnot in citizens?  Talk to someone who's faced an IRS audit.  There's no reason for that.  Besides, why not simplify the tax laws and code (Several thousand pages is a bit much, aren't they?)?  Eliminate credits, deductions, and exemptions.  Get rid of the "loopholes" and lower the tax rates.  How about a flat rate? There'd be even less need for an IRS that strikes such fear and dread.  How about a national sales tax?

I noted that All-Hall of Famer Lem Barney admitted in the newspaper that he tried to talk his son and grandson out of playing football.  It's too dangerous, he said.  It is too violent and the head injuries, not to mention others, are not worth the risk.  He suggested that if something isn't done to minimize such injuries, football may be a thing of the past within 20 years.  Hmmm......

Why has the Obama Administration sent aid to the rebels in Syria?  No matter who wins over there--the ones we armed or the ones we didn't--the US will be hated and treated with scorn.  Don't those supposedly intelligent people pay attention?  How have Iraq, Afghanistan (And we're still there!  What happens the instant we leave?), Egypt, Libya, and who knows where else worked out for us?  Perhaps Clinton was right, "What difference does it make?"

Speaking of the Obama Administration, who can possibly trust it or defend it, except perhaps for the most devoted sycophants/bobbleheads?  Justice Dept scandals, IRS targeting, State Dept blatant lies and incompetence--wiretaps, e-mail snooping, who knows what else?  Where are the LameStream Media?  They were all over Nixon, rightfully so.  Where are our 21st Century Woodwards and Bernsteins?  Oh, everyone is on break or vacation?  OK.  And I forgot, "But Bush lied......"

I think that church sign of a few weeks ago lied.  "It will all make sense some day."  I don't think so.