How to win the 2016 presidential election – our version

We sincerely believe that a qualified candidate of either party could win the 2016 presidential election with one simple promise. It goes “Within three years of my election, I, with the cooperation of Congress, will completely disassemble the Internal Revenue Service and replace it with a smaller agency overseeing a flat tax with virtually no deductions”. (We would allow deductions for perhaps medical expenses and charitable giving, but we’re not married to that). The IRS is so inefficient and so corrupt; there is no good solution but starting over from ground zero and eliminating the bureaucracy and tax loopholes.

Around the bay:

1. In conjunction with the lead item, our Rants and Raves focus group (made up of three old, cranky people) has decided that none of them will seek the Republican presidential nomination joining approximately nine other members of the GOP in America.

2. Tale of two counties: Hillsborough County wisely continues their moratorium on “pain management” clinics while Pinellas drops theirs. Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says the county is “virtually pill mill free”. Sheriff, we’ll give you the name, address and phone number of a pill mill operating in downtown Clearwater any time you want.

3. You can only have the greatest respect for Circuit Judge Pat Siracusa who has recused himself from the circus that is the Curtis Reeves murder trial.

4. Only in Clearwater – garbage collection to be pared down to once a week starting the first of the year, however rates will go up a dollar a month. Can yet another water rate increase be far behind?

5. You’ve really lived in Clearwater a long time if you remember the editorials in the Clearwater Sun by “Colonel Clearwater” (Jim Beardsley) - or even if you remember the Clearwater Sun.

The diamond, the media and other stuff:

6. We venture a guess that Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman will zoom to the top of the New York Times bestseller list as soon as the Times vets her political leanings.

7. Thanks to Keith Olbermann for his recent interview which reminded us of a fourth pitcher who should have been included in our reflection (RANTS – May 17) on pitchers whose potentially great careers were cut short. That fourth pitcher is Houston’s J. R. Richard whose brilliant career was ended by a stroke at age 30.

8. Speaking of Keith, one shouldn’t be surprised that KO has talked his way out of yet another job. He departs ESPN at the end of this month. He’s a talented guy, but sometimes, like many of us, doesn’t know when to shut up. He’ll land somewhere else (CBS, MLB?) but there aren’t too many more bridges left unburned.

9. Memo to baseball commissioner Rob Manfred: if you are truly concerned about the younger generation’s lack of passion for the game, start the marquee games (All-Star and World Series) more than an hour before their bedtime.

10. Count us as among the approximately seven people in America who doesn’t seem to be an authority on the Confederate flag.

MLB at the half way pole – a few surprises

Okay, everybody who thought Kansas City and Minnesota would be 1-2 in the American League Central Division and Houston would be leading the West at the All-Star break raise their hands. The Yankees leading a tight Eastern Division is no surprise nor is the Rays settling back to a sub-.500 pace. The National League is running pretty much as everyone predicted with the exception of the bizarre turn of events in Miami. Getting their superstar pitcher Jose Fernandez back is offset by the injury to offensive superstar Giancarlo (wasn’t Mike easier?) Stanton. Look for them to contend in ’16 if they decide to hire a real manager.