Matt in a Tux

Tax cuts are excellent for a politician's campaign and time in office for two main reasons. First, promises (and follow-through) on tax cuts brings a temporary optimism for those who are in the middle class and below. Paying less to a government, which presumably is being chastised for something unrelated and thus allowing for union of the underpaid masses with the higher paid individuals, excites members of a society. Excitement allows for both a politicians (re)election and for a short-term smooth-sailing ride. This leads into the second reason. When the population begins to question the state of the society, in terms of smart spending and observable improvements, the politician has a fast reply. Just as a mother would tell her insistent child, the tax-cutter is able to claim that there is no money to be spent!

Now start this vicious cycle again. You see there is a need for taxing, but you have promises of tax cuts due to a poor economy. Promises of tax cuts excite, unite and deliver a candidate. Luckily, or at least I hope, new tax policy in this new year will allow for both the cuts needed to move the economy along while also promoting a more beneficent attitude from those who are not as bad off.

I understand this is all well know, i.e. you cannot reduce taxes all the time and still have a thriving state. Perhaps I am simply doing some publicized anticipation of what can needs to happen in the future for this country.

In no particular order, and without name, here are my end of '08 blurbs to roommates of current and past.

• Playing video games and having someone up all the time was awesome. Not to mention your keyboard skills for Come Sail Away were awesome.
• Bass coming through my walls only bothers me when its rap bass; it was cool to have the classic riffs coming through for the year.
• Sorry I had sex with your friend as you were sleeping in the same room. But seriously, you shouldn't have stolen my papers.
• You were gone a lot, and the upstairs kind of did their own thing most of the days. Sorry bout that dishwashing/silverware debacle; that was a waste of good time.
• Best room mate tie person 1. You were gone a lot, but when you weren't gone, it was awesome. The drama wasn't even that bad.
• I thought it was going to be a lot worse than it was, but you actually were a cool dude mostly. Like everything, moderation is key. But hey, you stick to your guns and I give you credit for that.
• I thought you were a good person. In retrospect, you're selfish and lack of a lot of respect for people. It's a shame and I hope you can figure out a way to live comfortably while not disregarding those around you.
• Best room mate tie person 2. Awesome times, man. I really don't know what we did though. Time flew by. Good luck with everything, but I hope this isn't where I say that for the last time.

Well, damn, it looks like I've gone through a lot of room mates. It is tough living with some people. Being friends is one thing, but sharing the same common areas all the time can really push some people over the edge. Its tough to find people who can deal with you at the same time you're dealing with them, but not caring that you have to deal with them.

Christmas is here, a time to celebrate family, friends, and, most importantly, the winter solstice. Granted, winter solstice was December 21st; however, with the transformation of natural holidays into religious holidays, I figure it is very appropriate to celebrate it all at once on the commonly-accepted day.

So, Merry X-mas!