Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 170

In the recent election, the Republicans lost their White House bid, lost more elections in the House than won, and were overwhelmingly thumped in the Senate races. Dear GOP: What do you mean when you say Americans have spoken or America wants?

With all the talk about the debt ceiling, it’s obvious that politicians value it more than economists.

As the House read the Constitution this past Tuesday morning, if wonder if they understood the part that Congress is responsible for spending and the federal government can operate at a deficit.

With many having received their first paycheck of the 2013, I’m amused by those blaming President Obama and his voters for more taxes withheld.

• In 2011, President Obama proposed a temporary reduction in the withholding tax with hopes that people would increase spending. Congress passed the temporary suggestion, and the president signed the bill.
• For 2012, Congress passed extending the temporary holiday, and the president signed the bill.
• For 2013, Congress passed a bill allowing the tax holiday to expire, and the president signed the bill – thus taxes returned to 2011 levels prior to the president’s proposal. At least readers here know the events.

You may have heard the poll results comparing the favorability of the US Congress to cockroaches. Here are the study results to enjoy.

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion

• Gorilla sales skyrocket after latest gorilla attack
• Area woman decides not to post Facebook status that would tip gun control debate
• Air Force One pilot invites excited Obama into cockpit
• Procrastinating surgeon putting off coronary bypass by cleaning entire hospital
• Deadly virus found to be “real squiggly”
• Only difficult pistachios left in bag
• Hidden Valley Ranch bombed by balsamic extremist

Interesting Reads

• Huntsman and Manchin explain problem solvers
• Genetic editing
• Kathleen Parker had two good reads recently: one on gun control and this one on culture
• Questions with Wynton Marsalis
• An interesting perspective from Roger Ebert’s archives
• A short article with an interesting graphic about the US budget

On Potpourri
This is NOT from The Onion, but from the Call them Sherlock files: Taxpayer Advocate Says Taxes are Too Complicated

My week was a busier than normal, thus I didn’t get around as much as I normally do.

During the Freshly Pressed craze, I discovered Ray – an Australian radiologist and artist who transforms X-Rays into art. Check him out, and if you comment, tell him I sent you.

Ever since the Freshly Pressed stats rush, it has been interesting to watch the daily stair-step downward.

This is picture is awesome, so click here to see it.

Good news – Saturday will provide a classic cartoon post.

To send you into the weekend, here is (thanks to El Guapo) a wonderful explanation and humorous look at the European debt crisis – thus worth 3 minutes.

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Have a good weekend! In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.