By Rod Jetton, on Fri Aug 5, 2011 at 8:30 AM ET Contributing RP Rod Jetton has launched his own blog to comment on Missouri politics. Here is his first entry:
 There was a lot of talk about tax credits in the last legislative session. I would like to recommend one tax credit that would only cost a maximum of 2 million per a year, but will help thousands of Missourians get enough to eat. It’s the Local Food Pantry Tax Credit Program (LFPTCP) that was started in 2008 and is scheduled to expire in 2012. The Oversight Division of the Joint Committee on Legislative Research issued a report showing that the first three years of the four-year program, only $1.5 million of the $6 million available credits were claimed, but use has grown significantly each year, with nearly $800,000 claimed in 2010. The average donation was $450 with 99 percent of the statewide credits being claimed by individual taxpayers.
While the battle rages in Jefferson City about how to reform our tax credit programs. This program already includes many of the reforms that have been debated. Most tax credit reformers have four main goals, which include:
 1. Cap the amount of tax credits one individual can receive 2. Keep tax credits from being sold or transferred
3. Cap the overall amount that can be spent on any one program.
4. Sunset all tax credit program
By Zack Adams, RP Staff, on Thu Aug 4, 2011 at 3:00 PM ET
Hyundai and Kia, the two largest South Korean automakers, gained more market share in the US from 2010 to 2011 than any other company. Additionally, their combined jump helped them overtake all European automakers combined. I agree with the article that the biggest reason for the jump in sales is simply that Hyundai and Kia are building cars that Americans want to buy. In the end, that is what it all comes down to. [Jalopnik]
A proposed law in Illinois would allow motorcyclists to treat red stoplights as stop signs. This has stemmed from complaints from motorcycle riders that their smaller vehicles often fail to trigger red lights to turn green. I’ll keep an eye on this and we’ll see if it passes. [Daily Herald]
Here is an article about the realization that the Formula 1 broadcast team on the SPEED channel does a much better job than the regular NASCAR crew. I haven’t listened to enough F1 broadcasts to weigh in on the matter. However, when the author mentions how the NASCAR crew often feels a need to be a part of the story instead of simply presenting it, I know where he is coming from. In my opinion, any analyst/commentator should focus first on presenting the event they are covering in an effective manner and worry about the fluff after. [All Left Turns]
By RP Staff, on Thu Aug 4, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET From Noon EDT to 1:00 PM EDT, the RP will be talking the debt ceiling and No Labels on Jefferson Public Radio, which covers Oregon and Northern California.
You can tune in online by clicking here.
By RP Staff, on Thu Aug 4, 2011 at 11:00 AM ET The RP will be talking the debt ceiling and No Labels on Jefferson Public Radio, which covers Oregon and Northern California at Noon EDT/9:00 PDT.
For those in the RP Nation without Pacific Ocean views, tune in online by clicking here.
By Grant Smith, RP Staff, on Thu Aug 4, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Now that the debt crisis has been averted, all eyes turn to the FAA funding impasse. [Washington Post]
Egyptians are mesmerized at the sight of former President Mubarak pleading guilty from a hospital gurney inside a cage. [Los Angeles Times]
Could former Senator and former New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine be tapped to replace Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary? [CNBC]
The story of a dinner party gone awry during the Lincoln Administration comes to light. [The New York Times]
By Michael Steele, on Thu Aug 4, 2011 at 8:30 AM ET  I, like many of you, probably spent more time than I really wanted watching political “leaders” in Washington free-fall to a decision on our nation’s debt. As I listened to the partisan excuses, whines and outright misrepresentation of what triggers a “default,” it occurred to me that all of the drama and general posturing by both Democrats and Republicans over raising the nation’s debt ceiling could have been avoided.
When asked on Dec. 8, 2010, whether he and the other Democrats would raise the debt ceiling, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid responded, “Let the Republicans have some buy-in on the debt. They’re going to have a majority in the House. I don’t think it should be [done] when we have a heavily Democratic Senate, heavily Democratic House and a Democratic president.”
So as I watched members of Congress, especially Sen. Reid, looking sullen and complaining about the Tea Party caucus in the House and the “intransigence of Republicans” overall throughout the debt-ceiling talks, I thought back to that Dec. 8 interview and wondered what we would be talking about right now if the Democrat majorities in the House and Senate (under the leadership of the White House) had passed an increase in the debt ceiling in December. Perhaps we’d be talking about jobs?
It is no wonder, then, that this proud nation and its hardworking citizens found themselves on the brink of financial default and bankruptcy because some in Washington would rather play “gotcha” politics with our problems than solve them.
A Federal Fiscal Crisis
And yet we can no longer afford to deny what we already know: Federal spending has spun out of control, surging 47 percent between 2001 and 2008, with spending increasing 9.1 percent (or $249 billion) in 2008 (the last year of President George Bush’s term) and now reaching a whopping 30 percent of the gross domestic product after the first two years of the Obama administration. Annual entitlement-program spending accounts for 54 percent of the nation’s budget, and these fixed costs have soared by 6.4 percent since 2000.
Read the rest of…
Michael Steele: Debt Deal Is Not About Who Won and Lost
By RP Staff, on Wed Aug 3, 2011 at 5:00 PM ET You’ve heard what the RP has had to say about the debt deal.
Yesterday, contributing RP Artur Davis, a former Democratic Congressman had his say.
Well, tomorrow, you’ll hear from a Republican. And not just any: The immediate past chair of the Republican National Committee, contributing RP Michael Steele. Tune in first thing tomorrow to see how he analyzes the outcome.
See you then!
By Zack Adams, RP Staff, on Wed Aug 3, 2011 at 3:00 PM ET
A collection of First-World Problems. Absolutely hilarious! [White Whine]
This is a next-level rugby player! [.gif]
Zombie vs. Baby. Pretty accurate in my opinion. [graphic]
Laser-guided kitty. Spectacular aim! [Yup, it’s a cat .gif]
This is how I worked on every school project. Calvin and Hobbes always gets it right. [comic]
By Stephanie Doctrow, RP Staff, on Wed Aug 3, 2011 at 1:30 PM ET Even famous American diplomat Madeline Albright makes mistakes. In her own words, read about the pin that angered Vladimir Putin and made her think twice about what she wears. [Newsweek]
Americans, take a vacation! This infographic captures how truly overworked the American workforce is. [Good Magazine]
In an ugly budget battle, Representative Gabby Giffords’ appearance in Congress puts the debate in perspective. [Time]
Marvel takes a step in the right direction with its newest Spiderman. Meet Miles Morales, a half-black, half-Latino teenager. [Washington Post]
By Robert Kahne, RP Staff, on Wed Aug 3, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
The MLB trading deadline has come and gone. Who were the winners and losers? Let MLB Trade Rumors sort it all out for you. [MLB Trade Rumors]
The Colorado Rockies have a 15-game Sunday losing streak going. Does God hate them? [Bugs & Cranks]
Here is a great piece about the character Kelly Leak from the Bad News Bears film series. [Deadspin]
Lou Gehrig had a complicated relationship with all the women in his life, especially his mother. This is a strange tale about Gehrig, a suitor, and some memorabilia. [New York Times]
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There was a lot of talk about tax credits in the last legislative session. I would like to recommend one tax credit that would only cost a maximum of 2 million per a year, but will help thousands of Missourians get enough to eat. It’s the Local Food Pantry Tax Credit Program (LFPTCP) that was started in 2008 and is scheduled to expire in 2012.
