That strange smell and weird noise are the results of bringing my rusty old copy of Greymatter back into action after a long period of inactivity.  Between taking a vacation (went to California), work, and general malaise, I just didn’t get around to updating this site.  Besides, it seemed like all the other people said most of what I wanted to say.  I could burn up many hours a day just reading their blogs (check out some of the ones to the right if you don’t believe me ).

I will probably make a few posts in the next few days to catch up and to unload.  My trip to California brought up some interesting issues that could use some exploration and perhaps I’ll post some pictures from the Grand Canyon, where I stopped on the way back.

Finally, a church after my own heart.

Now I’d go spread the gospel if I weren’t so damn apathetic….

Some studies today suggest that Americans are paying 50% or more of their income in taxes each year (federal, state, local, etc)¹

Economist Daniel J. Mitchell observed that: “[Medieval serfs] only had to give the lord of the manor a third of their output and they were considered slaves. So what does that make us?” (Emphais mine.)

Good question.

¹For example, this Cato Institute study from 1998 placed the tax burden at 36%.  However, the study did not take into account property, sales, vehicle, and other taxes that are not witheld from employees’ paychecks.