I love our country. And I am a beneficiary of the promise of America. But today, I am very concerned that at times I do not recognize the America that I love. Like so many of you, I am deeply disappointed by the pervasive failure of leadership in Washington. And also like you, I am frustrated by our political leaders’ steadfast refusal to recognize that, for every day they perpetuate partisan conflict and put ideology over country, America and Americans suffer from the combined effects of paralysis and uncertainty. Americans can’t find jobs. Small businesses can’t get credit. And the fracturing of consumer confidence continues. We are better than this. Three weeks ago, I asked fellow business leaders to join me in urging the President and the Congress to put an end to partisan gridlock and, in its place, to set in motion an upward spiral of confidence. More than 100 business leaders representing American companies - large and small - joined me in signing a two-part pledge: First, to withhold political campaign contributions until a transparent, comprehensive, bipartisan debt-and-deficit package is reached that honestly, and fairly, sets America on a path to long-term financial health and security. Second, to do all we can to break the cycle of economic uncertainty that grips our country by committing to accelerate investment in jobs and hiring. - exerpt from howard schultz’s letter to customers, business leaders and citizens. join businesses and citizens who want force the hand of compromise in our government and take the online pledge not to give campaign $$ here http://www.upwardspiral2011.org/
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I love our country. And I am a beneficiary of the promise of America. But today, I am very concerned that at times I do not recognize the America that I love.

Like so many of you, I am deeply disappointed by the pervasive failure of leadership in Washington. And also like you, I am frustrated by our political leaders’ steadfast refusal to recognize that, for every day they perpetuate partisan conflict and put ideology over country, America and Americans suffer from the combined effects of paralysis and uncertainty. Americans can’t find jobs. Small businesses can’t get credit. And the fracturing of consumer confidence continues.

We are better than this.

Three weeks ago, I asked fellow business leaders to join me in urging the President and the Congress to put an end to partisan gridlock and, in its place, to set in motion an upward spiral of confidence. More than 100 business leaders representing American companies - large and small - joined me in signing a two-part pledge:

First, to withhold political campaign contributions until a transparent, comprehensive, bipartisan debt-and-deficit package is reached that honestly, and fairly, sets America on a path to long-term financial health and security. Second, to do all we can to break the cycle of economic uncertainty that grips our country by committing to accelerate investment in jobs and hiring.

- exerpt from howard schultz’s letter to customers, business leaders and citizens.

join businesses and citizens who want force the hand of compromise in our government and take the online pledge not to give campaign $$ here

http://www.upwardspiral2011.org/

Ok, 3% is a made up number for a supposed federal sales tax (admittedly not an economist). The truth is with no agreement on a debt reduction plan, we are getting no where fast. Both sides need to give up the party line a little and start playing pragmatic politics.

What if…

Why doesn’t the US government created a 3% sales tax across the country on non-essentials in addition to state tax? Every country in Europe has taxes like these and people are still buying.The government would make so much money.

At least, let’s think of solutions to the debt issue rather than bi-partisanship stonewalling that leads to raising the debt ceiling with no debt reduction plan.

And there you have it, my frustration this week with being American is released.

fight club