Recently, progressives have made noise about introducing a value-added tax (VAT) in the United States. The VAT is an indirect tax — that is, Americans wouldn’t pay the tax directly to government, but would pay it to businesses as part of the retail price of things we buy, and businesses would then remit the tax to Uncle Sam. Read More»

We predict Republicans will take over both Houses of Congress. The question is: Once they achieve power, what will they do with it?

Clearly the dominant issue for the new Congress in 2011 will be how to bring down the deficit. Democrats will, of course favor tax increases, and Republicans will resist them. But drowning out the partisan rhetoric will be the editorial drumbeat from the economic and journalistic establishments that will call for compromise, splitting the difference between the two. Read More»

Financial markets function to discount the future. Usually, by the time you read about something in the newspaper, financial market pricing has already “discounted” that event weeks, months, or perhaps even years before it hits the front page and becomes evident to everyone else. That’s what it means to “speculate.” Read More»

When she talked about those tribulations back in 1937, her feeble voice crackled with both age and emotion. With over 70 years separating then from now, the grief still lingered but wisdom had covered it like moss on a riverbank. Read More»

It takes two people to get one of us through life, we’re fond of saying. What one of us forgets, the other may remember.

Taking meds on time or missing a well-known turn in the road or catching a favorite TV show, we share the memory banks. But memories from childhood or youth – if one has only one’s own cache and those of fading siblings – there’s no hope for that, so Dave is the official keeper of the family memories and, of course, his own. Read More»

Peachtree City – California?
Don’t question your eyesight next week if you think you spot a California State flag flying at City Hall. Read More»

Our family is on the downhill stretch of preparing for my daughter Ruth’s wedding. There are still last minute tasks, but we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Ruth’s had several nice showers, and we’re grateful for the generosity and kindness of so many people. Recently, my two older daughters, Rebecca and Rachel, were home to co-host a shower on the north side of Atlanta. Read More»

The City Council is moving forward on a number of fronts to resolve a variety of needs and concerns facing Peachtree City. A lot of issues have been ignored and postponed that can no longer be neglected.

Until Councilman Doug Sturbaum and I began addressing the issues of funding in recreation about a million dollars of taxpayer funds were being spent each year that should not have been spent. The tennis center operations have been moved from the red to the black and The Fred should progress to about break-even this year. Read More»

By Sen. Ronnie Chance and Rep. Matt Ramsey

Thank you for the opportunity to provide additional information on HB 307, critical legislation aimed at shoring up our state’s healthcare system.

There is a great deal of misunderstanding and misinformation surrounding this measure, largely due to election year rhetoric, and we hope to provide some clarity regarding the specifics of this bill. Read More»

Back in 2004, we began a city program in Peachtree City called “Community Action Day.” The notion of using the city as a conduit, connecting churches, civic groups and private businesses, to aid residents in need proved to work incredibly well (archive.thecitizen.com/archive/main/archive-040507/news/ptc-08.html). Read More»