Although there is a ton of stuff I have yet to make comment on, at this juncture I just want to make some simple updates:
1. Only one Hemp Legalization Initiative made it to the ballot for November. This is the Tax Cannabis version sponsored by the Oaksterdam founder. I think there is only one problem with that, as articulated by the Jack Herer Initiative Sponsors, which is the tax is based upon pre-legalization commodity prices, and so is artificially high. Also, I would guess (blankly, as I haven't gone into the Budget Analysis) that this theoretical commodity price drop hasn't been totally accounted for once supply and demand equalize.
A further consideration is that there would be a "green wave" situation of markets in adjacent States trying to balance supply and demand, so the price should stay in the area of where it is now for a while, but only falsely (due to the pent up demand and high taxation estimated). How the Feds react is the XYZ factor....
Those are the two (the second consideration being a concern in the event of any of the proposed initiatives passing) things I can say that are against.
For: (a) re-prioritize prisons and law enforcement towards more problematic and anti-social problems; (b) generate much needed revenues (conversely, not included by the Budget Analysis [I further blankly guess] would be the knock-on to the state for "Hemp Tourism") for our State; (c) create tremendous small and medium business opportunities... in the non-intoxicating uses of commercial Hemp (building materials, food, paper products, etc.); and although I probably could drone on let's just round this out by saying that technically (d) this is a move to restore property rights, so that those illegal growers would leave our State and National parks alone (once they can just grow in their backyard, or for larger scale operations by permit on a farm).
Right now there is about a 50-50 chance of this passing, but Oaksterdam has quite a few rounds left (plus this could be a very colorful get out the vote season forthcoming).
2. Health Reform. They are now warming up the water that the frog is bathing in. In three years the frog will be ready to serve for dinner. That said, the bill is a pretty good start at equalizing the International disparities of competitive edges other International producers have over our system. We will still be one of the lowest taxed post-Industrialized nations, and still have a lot of room to improve the overall ability of the median person to receive good (let alone preventative) health care. I would like to see more emphasis on people not overeating, and doing regular exercise.
3. I just really want to repost this, because there is still a major disconnect between what is necessary for people to succeed at a fundamental level. Those who say there should be no tax and consequently no government are fooling themselves. The "good ole days," if ever there was such a thing was propped up by the New Deal, FHA, the GI Bill, and Jim Crow-- lest we should forget?
and finally
4. My sister and family continue the very personal battles which is the war on cancer. My step-brother's mother was recently made a board member to Zero. Congratulations!
I am still gathering my macroeconomic and ethical thoughts on the oil flooding into the Gulf as I write, but suffice to say I am at the very least very disappointed.
