Republican House Representative Jim Sensenbrenner has been going out of his way to somehow blame Democrats for the current economic woes. It doesn't make much sense, since Republicans were running things for six years, but hey, what does that matter? The GOP is desperate, and Sensenbrenner is notorious for proudly displaying his delusions.

But let's take a look at one of the most fervent movements still taking place in the conservative movement: corporate taxes. I was listening to a debate between anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist and progressive writer David Sirota, and the talking points for Norquist were pretty much what he's been saying for decades:

1. Taxing is stealing.

2. Corporate taxes in America are some of the highest on the planet, and are killing our economy.

3. Cutting taxes improves government revenue 

While #1 might be argued, #2 is a flat-out lie. While the STATUTORY tax rate on corporations is 35%, that's not what corporations in America ACTUALLY pay. Thanks to massive tax loopholes and numerous deductions, the average tax rate paid by Fortune 500 companies is anywhere form 6% to 15%. The state tax rate is even lower. While the average corporate tax rate on the state level is 7%, but the average tax rate paid by Fortune 500 companies is 2%-3%.

These are INCREDIBLY competitive compared to other nations' tax rates, and when Grover Norquist says the corporate tax rate is 35%, he's being intentionally misleading. He's doing it because the number is high (although not as high as in the fifties and sixties, when the economy was booming), and it scares people. But, again, the corporate tax rate is NOT uncompetitive.

If you want to argue that the corporate tax rate should be lowered across the board, then that's a different issue. That's possible, but only if the loopholes are closed. Supply side economics--based somewhat loosely on the widely disregarded Laffner Curve--developed into the form it is today primarily with the help of Grover Norquist and NO economists (they came later, ironically), which is why the theory that lower taxes can increase revenue is so easily criticized. Suggesting that the 2005 increase in government revenue was due to tax cuts is highly disputable and far too simplified.

It's nice out, so spend some time outside. But it's going to rain this weekend, too, and before you turn on your TV set and kill a few more brain cells, catch up on these particular treats (I even included a video to help you cope with all the words!)

House passes FISA legislation -- And not only that, it DOES NOT include immunity for the Telecom Companies. Immunity was almost a guarantee until people started getting active and making phone calls and sending out emails. If you were a part of this, then pat yourself on the back. It's a good start.

Climate Protections killed -- by President Bush, of course. Because he believes that a FREE MARKET can regulate pollution on its own without government standards.

No, the Free Market Can't -- An article by Greg Palast about Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, who argues that free markets CANNOT regulate their own pollution and are INEFFECTIVE in producing research.

Thom Hartmann -- He's in Darfur following the genocide in progress. He's a liberal talk radio host, but of course Milwaukee doesn't have a liberal talk radio station. We're stuck with Mark Belling the Racist and Charlie Sykes the God-Knows-What. You can listen to Thom Hartmann LIVE for free on airamerica.com 

Once you're done with those articles, please enjoy a short video compilation:

 Have a great weekend,

Ken Brosky