Six To Eight Hurricanes Expected - Hurricane experts are predicting 6-8 hurricanes this 2006 season, which beings in June and lasts until the end of November.
Half of the number of expected hurricanes in 2006 are expected to be major hurricanes (category three or higher.) That could spell financial trouble for the few remaining homeowner insurance companies still writing business in Florida. The recent demise of Poe's homeowner insurance companies reflects the volatile business risks associated with hurricanes and the Florida homeowner insurance market.
With Florida insurance companies asking for, and recently receiving, premium rate increases for homeowner risks near water of up to 77 percent, another bad hurricane season could result in insurance disaster in Florida.
As the summer months pass we will keep an anxious eye on the Atlantic,
Go Ahead - Enjoy The Water - Everyone knew it would happen, most folks wish it had not happened, but the fact of the matter is simple: Alligators have re-taken control of our Florida waterways.
Floridians have noticed more and more alligators in ponds and rivers throughout the state the past ten years. Of course, much of the increase in alligators is due to far-left nature and environmental groups that wish to save every wild predator imaginable, even saltwater crocodiles (that grow to 20 feet or more.)
With recent confirmed alligator attacks killing humans who happen to jog by a river or swim in a river, there is a growing support to develop a plan to help control the alligator problem. For example, whenever an alligator grows to four feet in length, it should be removed to a gator protected area. Is there any reason to allow 12-foot alligators to swim in a nearby pond where children or other pets play and roam?
Of course not. Large alligators are killers and will kill anything they can catch and drown. (that includes adults.)
Rivers and waterways should have the same size alligator restrictions when the rivers are used for recreation by people. The way I see it, people should be able to enjoy Florida's waterways without a threat of being eaten by large alligators. Furthermore, can you imagine the day when 18-foot long saltwater crocodiles are swimming in Florida's southern waters! No. It is time to write laws that support the removal of large gators where people live and play.
Where would large gators be placed?
In the swamp where they could eat each other . . . and not children. Yes, let the gators chase the large boa constrictors (or vice versa) that people are releasing in the Florida swamp lands.
Enjoy The Few Remaining Years - Taxpayers were pleased to observe the recent extension of capital gains tax rate of 15 percent through 2010 by Congress. This extension of tax relief should be a blessing for taxpayers who rely on dividend and such related long-term tax planning concepts on investments. According to some economists, this tax relief concept helps to spur the U.S. economy by encouraging investments where gains on investments, if any, would be taxed at favorable rates.
Also, Congress agreed to grant relief regarding the intrusive alternative minimum tax (AMT) for the tax year. This AMT relief could, according to tax experts, help about 15 million middle class taxpayers in the upcoming tax year. If revision is not made to this tax concept in upcoming years, many middle class taxpayers might be surprised how this "minimum tax" would affect their bottom-line tax rate. (Deductions would be capped, thus, resulting in a potentially higher bottom-line tax rate.) Keep your eye on this tax concept - it is not good for most middle class taxpayers.
Why?
The American middle class already bears an unusually high tax burden.
Good Grief, It Could Be Newt Vs. Hillary - Even though liberal Democrats love Hillary Clinton, she is not accepted by more moderate Democrat voters; and, of course, conservative Democrats would not favor Hillary Clinton's social and fiscal policies.
Newt Gingrich has the same type of problem with Republicans. Conservatives appreciate Newt's creative intelligence, regarding national issues, but many Republicans also believe his day in the sun has come and gone.
Why then, do many pundits in Washington believe the next presidential election might include Newt and Hillary?
It's simple; Newt Gingrich and Hillary Clinton have more recognition.
New voices and new faces?
Not in the next election.
Equal Education - In California, and soon elsewhere, a judge has opined that since equal education is not available for all California students, the state required exit examination is not required. The ruling is being challenged. The judge in this case has taken the view that students should not be subject to the same 12th grade exam requirement since students are not all afforded the same equal education.
Equal educations for all students?
I'd like to know when equal education was ever available to all students.
Folks who can afford to send their children to private schools perhaps have an advantage in obtaining a better education for students who apply themselves. Of course, public schools have had quality advance placement classes for students who wish to learn for many decades. In many instances, public school programs were equal or better than private school programs.
Parental guidance is also important in the learning experience, as we all know.
With recent challenges to SAT exams and now challenges to exit exams, it makes you wonder if testing is valid for anything; hence, why the need for testing centers and administrators?
Interesting progress.