Links for 05/02/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 05/02/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Presidents are more victims than authors of events.  We have no idea what will come up.  The best they can do is to enact their tax policies.  She needs to get herself briefed on the available options, pick them, run on them and push them through.  Indeed, Obamacare was mostly about tax changes  to fund it (which in truth is what the GOP hates about it) - as well as making the Bush cuts for the bottom 98% permanent.  I would suggest to her to raise the top rates on the wealthy, take the cap off the Social Security employer contribution (and credit it equally rather than as a match to the employee levy) - which would also take care of the Buffett rule, and consider the proposals by Michael Graetz to shift tax payment by most individuals to a Value Added Tax, so that only the rich have to file.  Yes, that is my tax plan, but it is a solid liberal plan regardless.



Archbishop Cupich's tribute to his friend is wonderful. He is one of the few American prelates that deserves a red hat.



Puerto Rico's problems were much like those of the District of Columbia, who had a penion obligation imposed on it without the accompanying assets as part of Jimmy Carter's personnel reforms - one which forced asset accumulation - assets that were turned over to the Feds as part of a bailout, and promptly sold by Bill Clinton to balance the budget.  Bill also refused to regulate derivatives - something that likely is having an impact on Puerto Rico (as well as many nations who the vulture capitalists are holding to the fire).  Why is it that we are electing his wife president?  Regardless, its time to bail out Puerto Rico.  If it does not happen this year, Mrs. Clinton should make it job one for her administration (with a control board and yet another statehood vote - something DC never got).