THE DOW DROPS 400 POINTS THURSDAY “amid recession fears”. How many times per day do we see and hear references to “recession fears”? I say too many. While the fundamentals are wobbly at best, we in the media love to mindlessly make these references. The result is a self fulfilling prophecy momentum of gloom and doom. I wish we could understand that the economy, in part, is an attitude.

MEANWHILE THE PRESIDENT IS CAMPAIGNING for his jobs bill right in the Republicans' backyard. Will taxpaying citizens see past the candyman sales pitch? Probably not. We don’t so any diligence anymore. Which is why he is bound to get at least a half a loaf. And what will the country get?  A few bridges fixed and a couple schools remodeled, complete with orange signs reminding us of what the president “delivered”.

MEANWHILE THE PRESIDENT has to pay for all of this.  So we’re back to taxing the “rich”. Same nonsense about Americans who make less than $250,000 avoiding tax increases while those above do their “fair share”.  Just make sure you make $249,999 to be safe. Still don’t know if that’s gross or adjusted.

47% OF AMERICANS PAY NO FEDERAL INCOME TAX. But that’s ok because they just don’t make enough. Think about it. Half of America riding free. You don’t think we need some kind of flat tax reform?

STATE TREASURER GINA RAIMONDO needs to get the pension reform plan out at least a few weeks before the general assembly receives it. If she wants pressure from the people, the people need to know what the plan is. Meanwhile she tells an audience in Lincoln yesterday that her biggest worry is that the General Assembly will water down the plan. Well no kidding. Again, get it out so we can support and demand it.

THE RI BOARD FOR HIGHER EDUCATION will be voting next week on a plan for in state tuition for undocumented students. I understand the idea and support it against the vocal tide of opposition. But I can’t support the board by passing the legislature. Another Linc Chaffee sponsored back door move.  You should know that all of the other 12 states that have done this made it law.

THE WARWICK CAR TAX REVOLT is an example of one of the country’s problems right now. Hundreds come to city hall for a hearing. The council and mayor use rules to protect open dialogue. The crowd feels abused. Nothing constructive results.

THE MELODRAMA OVER STATE REP DAN GORDON is embarrassing. That the minority leader, house speaker and now the governor have all called for his resignation is an example of a runaway witch hunt. Not one of these guys has stated the case for his need to go other than his unruly behavior on Facebook and now his previous run-ins with the law. Unless and until they cite a specific, legitmate infraction of law or House rules, this remains a decision for his constituents.  He says he won’t go unless his district tells him too.  And he says he’s taking my suggestion to hold a town meeting to get the pulse.

MEANWHILE REP SCOTT SLATER USES THE GORDON STORY to introduce an idea that BCI checks should be required to run for public office. C’mon, Scott. Checking on the background of a candidate is the job of the media and the opposition.  Neither did so with Dan Gordon.

SAD OUTCOME FOR THE RUSSIAN “NATIONAL” jailed and now convicted of “aggravated identity theft”. Check the Hummel Report for the details. The feds have been over the top on this one. Hopefully the sentencing will be fair to the short end.

HOW IRONIC IS IS THAT RED SOX NATION has needed the Yankees this week? And now, it’s anybody’s guess what the weekend will bring. Except rain.

WELCOME TO FALL.