Tax Bill passes the House

[ATrain]

Let's see, we have a tax cut that we can't be paid for, extension of jobless benefits for up to 3 years now that can't be paid for, etc...

The government needs to curtail it's spending, increase efficiency, and institute short-term tax hikes UNTIL the budget is balanced. Unfortunately, the tax-and-spend Dems are now being manhandled by the don't-tax and spend Repubs. The US-of-A, the next Greece/Ireland/Iceland, except the rest of the world will go down with it until China and India can pull them out.

[Appaholic]

I don't know about IA, but here in Superior California, there is MAJOR controversy over these so-called "smart" meters. They're tripling some people's utility costs.

It's not just the meters...PG&E reset their commercial baseline rates this year, in effect erasing all prior consumption data prior to March. I've been getting billed for commercial multi-family based on single family square footage rates...which don't include "common area" consumption (walkway, alleyway, courtyard, parking area, gate controllers, emergency wastewater pumps, etc...). I wrote them, cc'ing Public Utilities Commission, and was given the opportunity to return GAS rates to pre-March, but not ELECTRICAL rates (the big ticket).

Moreso, both residential and commercial rates are now required to now subsidize green energy development. Short of a state law authorizing an "opt out" program (which will never occur under CA's 100% uber-lib gestapo government), Calfornians will continue to pay 47% more than they would otherwise.

Seriously, TMan....you're a smart dude....why the fok are you still living there?