Articles written by Tom Koecke in Politics, News & Issues

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About me - Tom Koecke

With thirty years experience in consumer finance, having raised two daughters as a single father, and trying desperately to get through my second childhood, I bring two things to the table when I write: an overload of experience, and a sense of humor!

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Politics, News & Issues > Bush Administration George W. Bush's legacy: 3 of 84
History has a way of being overly kind to the legacy of some Presidents, and overly cruel to others. For example, Woodrow Wilson's legacy, in my humble opinion, is lofted too highly. History regards the Treaty of Versailles as a positive accomplishment. I tend to agree with Keynes that it was fuse for World War II. History, ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Economic News How bad is the world's economy in 2008?: 1 of 22
The world's economy is really the compilation of many economies. As such, there is no trade deficit or surplus because one country's deficit is offset by its trading partner's surplus. Trade, however, is still important to consider in that it represents depletion of resources from a country or region. Both the depletion and ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Economic News 2008 economic stimulus package: The hype and the truth: 1 of 18
On February 13, 2008, President Bush signed into law the $168 billion bi-partisan economic stimulus package sent to him by Congress. One part of the three-part package will give tax rebate checks ranging from $300 to $600 per taxpayer, plus $300 for each dependent child in the household. The rebates are limited to individual... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory The concept of justice: 4 of 60
"Nothing is to be preferred before justice." - Socrates Justice is a concept that is difficult to consider objectively, and far more difficult to apply objectively. We are hindered by our perceptions and prejudices to consider justice applying to those we hate, disregard, or consider unworthy. It is because of our subjective... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Economy Should the US adopt the Flat Tax Amendment?: 1 of 12
Though it sounds like an equitable idea that everyone should pay their "fair share" for the cost of government, establishing a "flat tax rate" on income would be devastating to the economy, and would put an unfair burden on poor people, especially the working poor. While my libertarian friends cringe at such economic injusti... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Elections (Other) Should photo identification be required to vote?: 1 of 11
Presuming there are qualifications for registering to vote, there is no need for photo identification to be required to receive or cast one's ballot. There is process in place for challenging the validity of registrants, and simple processes for updating registration information. Turning the requirement to show proof of elig... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory Should the electoral college be abolished?: 2 of 19
This is always a tough sell because of the sheer number of people who will vote that the electoral college should be eliminated. If the arguments encountered in this debate are typical arguments presented in other debates I have had on this topic, the arguments will include (1) the US was founded as a democracy, (2) the Elec... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Leaders (Other) Should the next US president focus more on domestic issues?: 1 of 8
The collapse of the USSR in the 1980s left the US unquestionably the lone super-power in the world. The US did not defeat the USSR on the battlefield, on the seas, or in the air. What defeated the USSR was the collapse of its economy trying to maintain its super-power status and control amassing numbers of dissidents within ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US News Humor: Daily news (11/20/07): 1 of 6
Welcome to Helium Daily News for November 20, 2007. According to numbers recently compiled, the FBI is reporting an increase of 8% in hate crimes during 2006. This news has Congressional leaders promising to form committees to study the findings of the report. The White House issued a statement urging Americans to stop hatin... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US News Humor: Daily news (11/30/07): 1 of 6
President Bush chastised Congress for not appropriating $200 billion in emergency funding to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan before breaking for Christmas vacation. He warned lawmakers to not leave Washington until the appropriation has passed. The house approved a $50 billion emergency funding bill that calls for t... More..