I read the article in today's Sarasota Herald-Tribune by Jeremy Wallace titled, "Tax liens against Buchanan Explained". Jeremy did a good job pointing out that what all the hubbub is about is a IRS clerical error.

I began thinking about writing an article about gotcha politics and journalists that spend their entire careers digging up the dirt on politicians. Suddenly I realized that everyone was missing the whole point of this story about one of Congressman Buchanan's many successful businesses.

The whole point is taxes!

Nationally syndicated columnist Walter E. Williams compares paying taxes to "slavery". Walter states, "The average American worker toils from January 1st to the end of April, and has no legal claim to the fruits of his labor for that period. Federal, state and local governments, through the tax code, take what he produces. A small portion of the fruits of his labor is used to provide for the constitutional functions of government. Most of what's taken, up to two-thirds, is given to some other American in the forms of farm and business subsidies, Social Security, Medicare, welfare and hundreds of other government handout programs. As in slavery, one person is being forcibly used to serve the purposes of another person."

I was thinking what if we didn't pay any federal income taxes? What if VB Investments could keep the $556,000 it sent to the government?

Let's see, that money could be used to hire 10 employees for $55,600 a year. It could be reinvested in the company to build a new office building, which would help our slumping construction industry. It could be invested in stocks to give other businesses capital to work with and grow. It could be used to fund a new startup company, which employs even more people. It could be deposited in a bank and loaned to individuals that are having a hard time getting a mortgage. It could be given to charity to help great causes.

Congressman Buchanan and thousands of wealthy individuals like him do this every day, pay outrageous amounts in taxes. What if they had all that money to reinvest in their businesses to create jobs, pay their employees a higher salary or improve health care benefits? What if they just spent it on themselves to buy new cars, boats, homes, condos and luxury items, fueling each of these industries that employ tens of thousands of people across America?

As Claude Frederic Bastiat, French economist, legislator and writer who championed private property, free markets, and limited government, said, "Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else".

Do you endeavor to live at the expense of everybody else? Vern and Sandy Buchanan don't. We should thank them.

Do you remember the Florida recount 2000? Do you remember the close vote in the 2006 Florida Congressional District 13 race. Well those are nothing compared to what the Democratic Party is doing to its own primary voters.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune in their editorial, "Delegate mess continued" do a great job of pointing out the "Democrat Disaster in Denver" scenario that is unfolding.

Democrats are the first ones to scream voter disenfranchisement. They always blame Republicans for this sin of sins. We finally see the ugly face of the true culprits who are guilty of this secular evil - the Democrat Party itself.

As the Herald-Tribune points out, "Florida and Michigan, which held their January primaries earlier than the party designated, were stripped of their delegates by the Democratic National Committee. That left a trail of hard feelings in these two important swing states."

Hard feelings aren't the half of it. What has happened is the Democratic party has a totally dysfunctional primary election process. This process is so flawed that when you add the disenfranchisement of two key swing states into the mix you turn the entire process into a disaster.

As the Herald-Tribune explains, "The voters want to be counted; Florida and Michigan want a voice in the August national convention."

The Democrats do not have, like the smarter Republicans, a winner take all primary. The simple idea that, like in the general election, if you win the majority of votes you win all the delegates from a state. If they had such a process Hillary Clinton would now be the nominee.

If Democrats had a process where if you win the overall popular vote, as they screamed and yelled about in 2000 when Gore won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College, you would win the primary that would be fair. If you count all of Michigan and Florida primary voters Hillary Clinton wins again.

If you decide that to win in November you need to take those states that have the most Electoral College votes against Senator John McCain then Hillary Clinton wins a third time. But you must win Michigan and Florida.

We know the Democrats will sort this out because their favorite constituency is now involved - lawyers. Shades of Bush vs. Gore and Election 2000. The Herald-Tribune states, "DNC lawyers say the only option under the rules is to cut the Florida and Michigan pledged delegations by half. The Clinton camp's attorney, by contrast, argues that the rules and bylaws committee has the authority to seat all the delegates, with full votes." Even their own lawyers can't agree.

The editorial gets it way right when they state the Democratic primary process, "may have raised doubts as to whether a party that blunders into such a pickle can be trusted to lead the country." This may be the understatement of the year.

We fully agree with the Herald-Tribune, "When in a hole, stop digging." But you see Democrats are so invested in the shovel industry, because they have been shoveling you know what for so long, they don't know how to stop digging.

We believe the Democratic primary will finally be determined by "Super Delegates" in Denver. Those unelected party bosses will decide on the winner. Not Democratic primary voters.

We are looking forward to the "Democrat Disaster in Denver".

We continue to be amazed by statements of national and local liberal Democratics. Their sheer arrogance and disdain for every day taxpaying workers and their families is breathtaking.

We have so many examples that it is hard to select just a few but we will try.

Let us start with Senator Barrack Obama. Here is his unbelievable statement at a campaign rally in Roseburg, Oregon on May 17th.

"We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times ... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK."

Now let us go to a comment by our own Florida District 69 Representative Keith Fitzgerald, a Democrat. Representative Fitzgerald said at a recent Tiger Bay forum, "We can't let taxpayers tell us how to spend tax dollars".

I wonder which taxpayers Keith is referring to?

Then we have our one and only Democratic School Board member Shirley Brown. Shirley had an e-mail exchange with Sarasota resident and tax payer George Fuller about spending. Here are excerpts from that exchange:

George said in his e-mail to School Board member Brown, "Reading last week's front page article about government job cuts one is led to believe it is unfair [that] government employees are laid off. The story misses the point…….the people were hired in the first place because tax money was available and to government types that means expand the workforce.

I defy the average citizen to notice the government cuts in personnel in their personal lives. I defy anyone to tell me they noticed an increase in government services when a new government employee was hired.

Face it, your government, my government, has been spending millions of dollars needlessly for years. Would the millions wasted by government have been better utilized by the taxpayers?

The scary part is we are only talking about local government. I cannot begin to imagine the waste and corruption in the State and Federal Government and we probably don't want to know. The result might be worse than the Boston Tea Party."

Here is Shirley Brown's reply, "I do believe that there is often a direct relation to the number of government and employees and the increase in the population served. I know that is true for the school district. As the number of students increase, we must increase the number of teachers then later schools, principals, janitors, etc...

I agree that government should never over tax its citizens and that we can't tax our way out of an economic downturn. But I can't agree with the statement that taxpayers know how to spend their money better. One just has to look at the bigger and bigger gas guzzling SUV's and Hummers that were purchased over the last 10 years or the increase in spending on designer clothes and spa treatments or the rush to get rich quick in the real estate market. Taxpayers foolish borrowing and spending along with greedy business practices have to share in the blame of our current economic woes. It is not all government's fault."

WOW! Amazing, outrageous, unbelievable.

Are you connecting the dots between Senator Obama, State Representative Fitzgerald and School Board member Brown?

Each truly believes that they (big government) are in a better position to determine how to spend your and my money than we are. Senator Obama and Board member Brown clearly know best how we should live our lives.

Frightening isn't it.

It is for these reasons that we support Senator McCain for President and Laura Benson for the Florida House District 69 seat. Ms. Brown is not up for re-election but we must be wary of her attitude toward you and me, now and into the future.

Here is in their own words the "Audacity of liberal Democrats" for all to see. Words do matter.

There is an article in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune titled, "A plan to cap local government".

This plan is called the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR). We ask that you immediately send an e-mail to the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission supporting TABOR. The commissioners need to know how Florida's taxpayers feel about taking away from government the ability to tax us.

To send an e-mail or write a letter to the full commission expressing your support of this plan – send correspondence to Kathy Torian at Florida TBRC, Holland Building, Suite 245, 600 S. Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300 or email her at Torian.kathy@leg.state.fl.us. Request that your correspondence be sent to all Commission members.

According to the article, "The plan...would cap all taxes, fees and other revenue increases at the rate of inflation and population growth. Exceeding that cap would require voter approval...it is not just a chance to cut taxes even further, it is a step toward forever throttling the size of government."

"I think there's a direct correlation between the size of your government and the health of your economy," said House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami. We agree.

The plan would require voter approval of even the smallest increase in taxes or fees. What a fantastic plan.

"When we went across the state, the two things that we heard from almost every single individual that came up and spoke was 'provide property tax relief and get a hold of government spending,'" said Patricia Levesque, currently the executive director for former Gov. Jeb Bush's education think tank. "Government shouldn't grow faster than we should pay for it."

Patricia and Representative Rubio have it right.

We believe that government closest to the people is best. We also believe that voters should decide if they should be taxed. "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" depends on individuals keeping their hard earned dollars and passing their wealth on to their families. The more money in the taxpayers pockets the stronger the economy. The stronger the economy the better for our cities, counties and the state of Florida.

Please send your e-mail today to the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission supporting TABOR.

Just kidding.

Can you imagine what would happen if three prominent Republican governors had major sex scandals? Can you imagine the media outrage. The "culture of corruption" stories. The damning of all Republicans because of the violations of a few. The instant call for investigations and dismissals. The calls from Congress for a special prosecutor.

Well, don't worry you aren't seeing any of these things because the three governors are all Democrats.

What you do see are talking heads, pundits and psychologists coming to the rescue and acting as scandal denyers. We hear that the affairs of Governor and Mrs. Paterson are personal issues and that their coming out and talking about it, after he was sworn in of course, are heroic. Give me a break.

Former Democratic Governor Elliot Spitzer is a hypocrite at best and guilty of multiple crimes at worst for hiring prostitutes over a period of years and paying over $80,000 for their services.

Former Democratic Governor of New Jersey McGreevey had a gay relationship with man who he hired to run the states homeland security program. Then it turns out he, another gay boyfriend (and his personal driver) and his wife had a sexual tryst.

Finally, Democratic Governor Paterson is still in office after admitting having multiple trysts with multiple women, one of whom was a state employee.

Senator Craig's toe tapping is nothing compared to what our friends the Democrats have done in the last few months to make politicians the scorn of all, except the liberal media, social scientists, psychologists, the Democratic National Committee, the National Organization of Women, feminists, gays, teachers unions and labor unions, of course.

The liberal Sarasota Herald-Tribune's editorial board has an interesting article lamenting the removal of Dr. Deborah Rice from an EPA panel titled, "Chemical conflicts".

They and the Democratic leadership are concerned that politics may get in the way of public health and safety because Dr. Rice was not allowed to stay on a panel reviewing the potential dangers of a chemical (olybrominated diphenyl ether [PBDE] known as deca) used in flame retardants in electronic equipment.

What the Herald-Tribune does not tell you is that Dr. Rice is also an expert on the effects of methylmercury exposure to children and adults.

In 2003 Dr. Rice addressed the effects of methylmercury to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. During this testimony she concluded that, "at least eight studies have found an association between methylmercury levels and impaired neuropsychological performance in the child....there is a substantial percentage of women of reproductive age in the United States with levels of methylmercury in their bodies above what EPA considers a safe level."

She when on to say, "As a result of this, over 300,000 newborns each year are exposed to methylmercury above levels US EPA believes to be “safe”....increased exposure to methylmercury may result in atherosclerosis, heart attack, and even death from heart attack in men, suggesting that an additional large segment of the population may be at risk as a result of environmental methylmercury exposure."

This is the same Herald-Tribune editorial board that touted a new energy bill passed by the Democratic Congress this year in their editorial, "Jump start for energy policy".

Dropped into this new energy bill by the Democrat leadership in Congress is a provision to mandate the phase-out of the 125-year-old incandescent bulb in the next four to 12 years in favor of a new generation of trendy, supposedly energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), pictured above.

These bulbs contain mercury!

Mercury helps create the increased efficiency of a CFL bulb. If the bulb breaks, the mercury will contaminate an area. Secondly, when these millions of bulbs burn out they will be disposed of into our land fills.

Our question is why didn't the Democratic leadership listen to Dr. Rice and the serious health consequences of mercury? Given the current health risks from mercury exposure why did they add this new risk and mandate that the risk be brought into American homes?

It is interesting how the Democratic leadership is concerned when a scientist that disagrees with the chemical industry is dismissed from a panel but that same scientist is not listened to by the Democratic leadership when it comes to the dangers of another chemical made by the same industry that they mandate be put in all our homes.

Democrats mandating the use of light bulbs that contain mercury is like mandating the use of toys or paint that contain lead. There is no difference. Democrats are putting our children, our homes and our lives at risk in the name of the environment.

This is insane. What do you think?

Tallahassee–With one month to go until the tax filing deadline, you may not have received your return or even filed your 2007 taxes. The Democrat-led United States Congress, though, has already voted to increase your taxes for next year. Yesterday, the Democrat-led United States Senate passed the biggest tax increase in history by passing a 2009 budget that fails to extend President Bush’s tax cuts and includes $1 trillion dollars in discretionary spending.

“People in Florida and across the nation are increasingly concerned about the economy, and they want our leaders to take a new direction when it comes to the economy that doesn’t leave the middle class behind,” noted Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer. “But U.S. Senator Bill Nelson isn’t listening to Florida voters—instead, he is up in Washington, joining Senators Clinton and Obama to vote for every tax increase in sight,” said Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer.

The Club For Growth's Andrew Roth Notes The Democrats' FY 2009 Budget Would Result In "The Largest Tax Hike In U.S. History." "The Democrats' FY09 budget does not extend the Bush tax cuts. As a result, Americans are set to be hammered with the largest tax hike in U.S. history." (Andrew Roth, "Tax Hike Impact By Congressional District," The Club For Growth's Blog, www.clubforgrowth.org).

Bill Nelson Joined Clinton and Obama to Raise Taxes On Individuals Earning As Little As $31,850. "Under both Democratic plans, tax rates would increase by 3 percentage points for each of the 25 percent, 28 percent and 33 percent brackets. At present, the 25 percent bracket begins at $31,850 for individuals and $63,700 for married couples. The 35 percent bracket on incomes over $349,700 would jump to 39.6 percent." (Andrew Taylor, "Presidential Hopefuls To Vote On Budget," The Associated Press, 3/13/08)

Clinton, Obama and Nelson Voted Against Providing Death Tax Relief For Small Businesses, Family Ranches And Farms By Increasing The Exemption Amount And Lowering The Top Tax Rate. "Kyl, R-Ariz., amendment no. 4191 that would adjust the resolution to allow for a $5 million estate tax exemption for small businesses, family ranches and farms, and allow for a maximum estate tax rate of 35 percent." (S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #50: Rejected 50-50: R 48-1; D 2-47; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Clinton, Obama and Nelson Voted Nay)

In a column by local political reporter Jeremy Wallace titled, "State Democrats pressing on" we get the liberal view of the lose - lose that Florida Democrats and their party faces.

Jeremy portrays Democrats as pressing on? Yeah, to a train wreck! It is wonderful to watch but how did this happen?

First, Howard Dean and the Democratic National Committee stripped Michigan and Florida of all their delegates to the national convention because both states moved their primaries up. Democrats disenfranchised their own voters. This moving of the primary date was great for Florida Republicans because it allowed their voters to settle on a presidential candidate early. It turns out Florida was critical to the selection of Senator John McCain. Cudos to the Republican state legislature. You killed two birds with one stone - got our nominee picked in February and set the Democrats up for a political disaster.

Second, the Democratic race for president rather than being settled on Super Tuesday is neck and neck. Projections are that it will remain close until the Democratic Convention in August.

This means, according to the pundits, that two groups of delegates could determine who wins the Democratic primary - delegates from Florida and Michigan and/or super delegates.

Both options are suicide bombs.

If the Democratic party allows the delegates in Florida and Michigan to caucus and select delegates and those delegates are seated at the convention - advantage Clinton. Downside Obama and his followers, because of DNC rules, are disenfranchised. Obama wasn't even on the ballot in Michigan. If the DNC sticks to its guns and does not allow Florida and Michigan to seat their delegates, advantage Obama. The DNC disenfranchises all Democratic voters in these two states. A lose - lose.

Now the super delegates. Some are speculating that if the race between Clinton and Obama is virtually tied coming into the Democratic National Convention, the winner could be decided by super delegates. The party of every vote counts and is counted could select its nominee by delegates that were not selected by the voters. Visions of horse trading in the smoke filled back room abound. Both candidates have already spent money to buy the votes of super delegates by donating to their political campaigns, advantage Obama because he donated the most.

For Republicans this is great. While the Democrats are fighting over voters based on race, gender and class and bribing super delegates, we happily move forward to our convention and the win in November.

Voters now finally realize that Democrats are the party of voter disenfranchisement, bigotry, racism and class warfare. Democrats are truly dividers. Memories of the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago are re-appearing.

This lose - lose for Democrats is a big win - win for Republicans.