Judge's Gavel Slams Down on 'Victimized' Speculators

"'Fees will rise on studded tires in Alaska, mobile-home inspections in Florida, traffic fines in Iowa, birth certificates in New York, and filing lawsuits in Vermont, according to the governors association. Illinois is increasing taxes on admission to riverboat casinos. Utah is raising fees on hazardous waste storage, and Virginia has imposed new fees for serving subpoenas. Smokers will pay higher taxes in a dozen states, and drinkers will pay more for liquor in a half-dozen. Fuel taxes will rise in Alaska and Michigan.'

"I cut and pasted that from an article in today's New York Times, to give y'all something to think about, noting that these are by no means the only increases in fees being levied, just a few examples. That's how the states are dealing with their respective budget crises, not to mention those that are also lookin' to slap surcharges on those earning over X amount per year. Then the county'll get you, and then the local municipality, as the purse strings are tightened goin' down the food chain. And as you ponder what the new cost of living is gonna' look like shortly, you can think about the stimulus that will be provided by the federal tax relief we are about to enjoy. Just try not to laugh."

States Take De Facto Delivery of Federal Tax Cuts: She goes on to discuss the supposed stimulus, and how folks hope it will lead to a second-half recovery: "So, just think how ridiculous the whole situation is. The federal government is busted. They are giving the states less. At the same time, they are giving us so-called tax relief. This is causing the state and local governments to increase fees (note that they don't call them 'taxes,' which could incite a riot; they're 'fees') on everything imaginable, short of the air that we breathe. How far do you think all that mortgage refi relief is gonna' carry this fiasco?

"Why not stop and think and do the math? If you do, you might not be as quick to blindly recite the latest mantra/propaganda which insists that 'federal tax relief, the advancing stock market, an upturn in consumer confidence' are providing a lock on an H2 economic recovery."

So, that should help allay the Fed's deflation fears, while the rest of us reach into our wallets, from coast to coast, to help bail out its bubble.