This is no time for humor. Income taxes are due.

Did Congress vote to eliminate gasoline and diesel engines in 10 years? If they did, I missed it.

But the Biden Administration announced a new rule that effectively forces us to buy Electric Vehicles. The rule doesn’t say that; instead, it places exorbitant restrictions on our favorite cars and trucks, powered by gasoline and diesel. The government is pressuring Ford, General Motors, and other car manufacturers to abandon internal combustion engines. They are making it more expensive to drill for oil, transport, and refine it.

Are you surprised that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is dominated by employees who are dedicated environmentalists. They are so dedicated to “saving the environment” that nothing else matters. No common sense. For instance, if the U.S. eliminated ALL fossil fuel, would that eliminate global warming?  No, because we only contribute 15% of the gases claimed to cause global temperatures to rise. Unless other countries, especially China and India follow suit, our sacrifice would have no effect on global temperatures and ocean levels.

But these EPA folks, led by Climate Czar John Kerry, argue that China will follow our lead. Well, President Nixon established diplomatic relations with China fifty years ago, and years later we negotiated free trade agreements. The intention was for the Communist Chinese to see how great democracy and capitalism are.

Unfortunately, it is not working out. China took advantage of free trade to become a world power, in position to knock us out of #1. At the same time, we are becoming weaker. China is expanding by burning coal, stealing our technology, and supplying raw materials for our EV batteries.  China took over Hong Kong and is planning to take control of Taiwan. Not exactly following democratic principles.

Russia arrested Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, charging him with espionage. Now they are offering the possibility of a prisoner swap. Here’s my suggestion for President Biden: Offer Putin ONE BATTLESHIP in exchange for Evan. While Putin is salivating at his good luck, Biden can explain, “Yes, you release Evan Gershkovich in 24 hours or we SINK one of your battleships.” Of course, it’s a ridiculous idea. But it might let Putin know that he can’t just arrest one of our journalists every time he wants us to release a top Russian spy.

Here’s a link to a 21-minute video of me and “Will Rogers”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcPmaR3zGec
Plus a short “outtake” (50 seconds) of my reaction during an outdoor interview when a plane flies over:
https://youtube.com/shorts/tU2w_n0rmzU?feature=share  

Income taxes are due on Tuesday, April 18. We got a short reprieve this year. Below are a few favorite Will Rogers comments on taxes.

Historic quotes by Will Rogers: (on taxes)

     “The income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has.” WA #17, April 8, 1923 (also WA #99, Nov. 2, 1924)

     “Finding things to tax is becoming quite a problem. You see when taxes first started, (who started ’em anyhow?) Noah must have taken into the ark two taxes, one male and one female, and did they multiply bountifully! Next to guinea pigs, taxes must have been the most prolific of animals.” WA #594, May 13, 1934

    “You can’t legitimately kick on income tax, for it’s on what you have made. You have already made it. But, look at land, farms, homes, stores, vacant lots. You pay year after year on them whether you make it or not.” DT #1798, April 28, 1932

    “The whole trouble with the Republicans is their fear of an increase in income tax, especially on higher incomes. They speak of it almost like a national calamity. I really believe if it come to a vote whether to go to war with England, France and Germany combined, or raise the rate on incomes of over $100,000, they would vote war.” DT #1435, Feb. 27, 1931 [in 1931, the top rate increased to 63%, from 58% previously]

    “The crime of taxation is not in the taking it, it’s in the way that it’s spent.” DT #1764, March 20, 1932

     “If your Income Taxes go to help out the less fortunate, there could be no legitimate kick against it in the world.” WA #421, Jan. 18, 1931