Staff Reports
Craig Shirley, a presidential historian, reflected on the manner in which Ronald Reagan might have approached the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Shirley asserts that should Ronald Reagan have been elected president at this time, the invasion of Israel would not have transpired. Shirley contends that the attributes of competence, decisiveness, principle, and a touch of terror are essential for the presidency. Adversaries such as Ayatollah Khomeini feared Ronald Reagan, who during the 1980 presidential campaign was notorious for his forceful rhetoric. The liberation of American detainees in Tehran occurred shortly after Reagan assumed office due to this apprehension.
Inside the Beltway | What would Reagan do to handle Gaza war?https://t.co/ESOZSqxJcB pic.twitter.com/UHsM5ahJ8i
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 2, 2023
Shirley also incorporated information from an interview he conducted with Reagan campaign hostage Bruce Langdon in Iran. Langdon disclosed that the Iranians feared Reagan would deploy the 82nd Airborne but had no regard for Jimmy Carter. Shirley believed that Carter prioritized peace above all else; however, the Iranians held a different perspective. Shirley posits that the attainment of peace is contingent upon the alliance of honorable nations or the utter subjugation of an adversary. Conversely, terrorists and abusers possess an exclusive comprehension of and regard for strength. Shirley concluded by citing a witty Reagan quotation that made reference to the legendary boxer Jack Dempsey, whose fortitude prevented him from ever being picked on.
Americans migrate to lower-tax states from high-tax states.
There is a distinct trend emerging from IRS data on tax migration patterns between 2020 and 2021: taxpayers are relocating from high-tax states to lower-tax states. As per the findings of Andrew Wilford, a senior policy analyst at the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, the states with the most substantial net loss in Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) were those with high tax burdens, including California, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia. On the contrary, tax migration resulted in the greatest increase in AGI for the states of Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Wilford underscored the fact that the "losers" states incurred tax burdens above the national median, whereas the states with the highest net gains had tax burdens below the median.
In lieu of endeavoring to make their tax codes more competitive, some high-tax states have resorted to taxing nonresidents, according to Wilford. This action undermines the right of taxpayers to determine their residency status. Without addressing these concerns, according to Wilford, an opportunity to hear the opinions of taxpayers will be lost.
A Brief Overview of the White House Bobblehead
The inaugural White House bobblehead has been unveiled by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in observance of the anniversary of the White House's entrance. The bobblehead is adorned with an exact replica of the White House, including the aerial flagpole, which prominently showcases the United States flag. Depicting the North Lawn and front shrubbery, the bobblehead's base features the inscription "The White House" in raised letters. The authentic White House, which was built from 1792 to 1800, features a total of 132 rooms, 32 bathrooms, 147 windows, and 28 fireplaces. The museum's chief executive officer, Phil Sklar, characterized the White House as one of the world's most recognizable and significant landmarks.
