Private Pension Plans to Be Taxed...

… in Ireland. In a desperate attempt to shore up their debt woes, the Irish government plans to tax private pension plans.

The Irish government plans to institute a tax on private pensions to drive jobs growth, according to its jobs program strategy, delivered today.

Without the ability sell debt due to soaring interest rates, and with severe spending rules in place due to its EU-IMF bailout, Ireland has few ways of spending to stimulate the economy. Today's jobs program includes specific tax increases, including the tax on pensions, aimed at keeping government jobs spending from adding to the national debt.

The tax on private pensions will be 0.6%, and last for four year, according to the report.

Now how exactly this is supposed to drive up jobs growth remains a mystery to me. Whoever is writing this article seems to believe that only the government is capable of stimulating the economy: “Ireland has few ways of spending to stimulate the economy.” Apparently it hasn’t occurred to some folks over there that allowing the people who actually produce the wealth to stimulate the economy through spending might be a better way. That, though, doesn’t empower government. So, what do you want to bet that this tax will last more than four years? In fact, I would be confident to say that it will become a permanent tax. Once that money is allocated in the form of taxes, it then becomes government gospel that that money “belongs” to government, and any move to allow those who earned it to once again keep it will be couched as the promotion of greed. Amazing how that works, isn’t it?

Also something interesting to note about this proposed plan in Ireland:

The levy will apply to defined-benefit pensions, defined-contribution pensions, personal persons, the pensions of the self-employed and PRSAs (personal retirement savings accounts).

However, it will not apply to those who have public sector pensions.

Ah so it seems as though the Irish are willing to fund this on the backs of its private sector worker, but exempt its precious government workers from having to pay the tax on their pensions.

Meditation/Invocation – Is it Acceptable to end 120 years of tradition?

The Salisbury City Council inserted Meditation/Invocation in where the Lord’s Prayer used to be. SAM. I. Am. is still trying to figure out what is offensive about the Lord’s Prayer and why all of a sudden it has become a problem.

City Clerk Brenda Colegrove found evidence that the Lord’s Prayer has been recited at meetings since around 1890. 120 years of tradition and we just stop because someone is uncomfortable with it, yet has never said a word the four years that she has been a Council Member. Then City Council Vice-President Debbie Campbell abstains – refusing to not take a position on it, which should not surprise anyone.

What has been lost in this whole debate are the words from prayer. What is so offensive about them? Asking for forgiveness or forgiving others? Asking not tot be led into temptation or being delivered from evil? Or is it asking God’s will be done? Are these principles to controversial?

One can also use the Jewish argument, because Terry Cohen is Jewish. However, Christianity is an off shoot of Judaism and the words of the Lord’s Prayer was first spoken by Jesus, a Jew.

Still, there is the argument about lawsuits and Supreme Court decisions. That also goes the other way because the Supreme Court has ruled in favor as well. There is no specific law about the Lord’s Prayer because Congress has no such authority. Having recited it before every meeting is not a legislative act and neither is reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Now that also mentions God, should we remove that as well.

Here are the words to the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father, which art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, 

thy will be done, 

in earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive them that trespass against us. 

And lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from evil. 

For thine is the kingdom,

the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

Taken from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 1662.

If this offends you by us posting it, oh well.

SAM. I. AM.