According to the www.washingtontimes.com, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner asked, who is going to jail over the scandal at the IRS?

I hope no one.

If they do go to jail, it should be for a crime. A scandal is a public embarrassment, such as when Tiger Woods was caught by his wife while cheating on her. Some states used to make that a crime, but no one wanted him to go to jail. He lost some endorsements and his swing, for a while, but he didn't commit a crime.

It's up to Congress to make a law that prevents such targeting of groups by the IRS, if there isn't such a law already. Let's make sure that is taken care of, Mr. Speaker.

As for firings, as many want, yes, that's appropriate for public embarrassment or hurting the trust people should have in your organization.

Yes, that was a month ago, but I must note that Pontiac's tax return came more than a week ahead of the federal tax return, a first. I always send them at the same time, and I always get the federal first, then state, and then, usually much later, Pontiac's. One time, I got a Pontiac return more than a year later.

Of course, this year, I didn't get anything back from the state. Thanks, Mr. Snyder, hope we get all those jobs with the tax breaks for businesses.

In other news, the IRS story may or may not have legs, but it seems there should be more scrutiny of those seeking tax-free status, but it should not lean towards one side of the political spectrum. This, I thought, was the one scandal that could sway many to become critical of Obama, but then the AP phone dump occurred.

That impacted media types, but I don't think Americans in general care.

Funny part is that the it seems the story that sparked the interest was reporting on the good job done by the government, something they just didn't want revealed. But making everything a secret in the name of security damages those freedoms leaders said were what Muslim extremists hated about our country.

Last week was a big one in marijuana news in Michigan, which is a story of major national interest. Let's recap: Grand Rapids and Detroit voters approved legalized marijuana use and possession, not just for medicinal purposes but for just plain old good times.

This occurred on same same that voters in Washington and Colorado also approved such measures.

Michigan voters approved a few years ago the use and possession of medical marijuana, which spawned a thriving dispensary business. Last week, a report showed the just with the licensing of users and caregivers, the state has earned about $10 million for a program costing about $3.5 million to run, almost a $3 for $1 ratio. That's just the $100 to get the card. Just think of the taxing possibilities.

Also last week, the state's top court sided with law enforcement about the status of dispensaries. They are not allowed under the law, as it's written. Seems like the law could be tweaked to improve service for users, providers, not just to appease law enforcement.

Today, there is a great story on CrainsDetroit.com about the growth of the businesses supporting Michigan marijuana growers. There's a large industry here waiting for government support and protection.

Considering all that Michigan's government has done for casinos in particular and gambling in general as well as the health and strength of the state's liquor selling and serving, beer-brewing and serving, and wine-making and serving industries, it seems like there should be nothing holding this back.

So a deal was reached within the Senate regarding the fiscal cliff, ending one year and beginning the new one with the House having to approve or disapprove of the deal.

Shame of a way to end and start a year, the same old tiresome infighting that many fear is ruining our country. It would take a lot more than political leaders to ruin such a good thing, but they are trying their best it seems. The economy, I think, will be fine, an increase in taxes or not. Slowing the accumulating debt will boost markets and improve confidence, but no one in DC seems interested in long-term solutions over their short-term soundbites.

Of course, it beats ending the year with celebrity baby news with two of the biggest celebrities... oh, that's tiresome.

So, you thought you'd get away from ugly political fights now that the election is over?

Ok, perhaps after jump over or avert (or postpone, typical for our DC leaders) the fiscal cliff, and then we can focus on work, family, sports, entertainment...a Super Bowl, the Academy Awards and awaiting spring?

Nope, it's going to get ugly with the upcoming war on guns arriving. Well, it's not going to be a war on guns, but to the defenders of the guns, it's war just thinking about any kinds of limits. (I wonder what Boehner would do if Obama offered to keep taxes on the rich lower if GOP would vote for a ban of the most deadly semi-automatic rifles.... that'd be an interesting test on the right's desire for guns and lower taxes... which is the  priority?)

The debate is already ugly, judging by the reaction to the mass shooting that killed 20 children in Connecticut just three days ago.

And wow, the news gets better:

Two police officers killed in Topeka.

A man in California arrested after firing off multiple rounds in a mall parking lot. He was releasing tension from the stuff that made his life unhappy, police said. Used to be, beer was enough for that.

Now I hear those 'people' from that church are to protest at the funerals in Connecticut.

Makes one want to turn off the news and lock the doors.

Yes, more evidence the economy is coming back. I'm not saying limping back, and may even be leaning towards roaring back. Likely, this is wishful thinking, at least here in Michigan.

But most of the news has been good. The unemployment number ticking downward was good, though mostly it's seasonal and impacted by leaving giving up the hunt for a job.

However, housing is back. Locally, home prices are up, up, up.

I heard on radio this morning that office parties are back, another sign of more than survival for many companies.

And CNN reports that today will be FedEx's biggest day of the year and possibly ever with 19 million parcels mailed.

Another good sign, I say.

So perhaps we won't make it to that fiscal cliff, as if the rich are getting richer, they'll be paying more taxes  no matter what. 

Google certainly draws a lot of interest with its high stock price, huge profits, and massive influence on everything related to the online world.

But that success seems to be driving a lot of people to target the innovative company, first for its alleged invasion of privacy for its street mapping/photography and then for its relationship with newspapers.

Then there was China and that country's insistence that it control what people can look at.

Now it is in Europe, where Germany is proposing laws to restrict what Google can let people see on their searches when it comes to news articles, by requiring payments to the newspapers. Big mistake, I think. Sure, Google is succeeding where newspapers failed, but if they make Google pay, then the search engine will not direct people to articles, and the openness of the web is its success. Plus, limits against Google can be turned into limits against others.

Then there is the issue of money, and officials in Italy are saying the company should pay more taxes, not be taxed higher, but they believe the company is not paying what the law requires. Same goes for the mayor of London, who says that Google and other technology companies need to pay more taxes.

Yes, it would be best if everyone who is successful pays more taxes, better for governments and elected leaders who like to promise things for voters, or rather citizens. But it's also natural for everyone, especially successful companies and individuals, to resist paying more taxes, as we all know here in America.

But these attacks on Google, one of the world's premiere companies, will keep company. It's just the price of success.

As I waited breathlessly for the vote in Greece on austerity measures that would determine the direction of the U.S. markets this week, listening to CNBC and driving into work, I caught the end of an interview with Michael Dell of Dell Computers.
The one-time kind of computer companies has struggled of late, though their cash reserves are heavy and their optimism of the future remains publicly strong.
In talking about the health of the American company, they ended with a bit on the jobs market, perhaps the most important part of the U.S. economy right now. Dell said that it's not easy getting the skilled employees. They questioned him about that, noting the high unemployment. Dell noted that yes there's unemployment, which is why for a 100 jobs in a warehouse, 10,000 people will show up.
However, when needing to find educated employees to filled highly skilled positions, it's a struggle to find the qualified candidates. Did they talk about reforms that could help? You bet ya. Dell said it may be helpful to have some kind of immigration reform to help companies find the employees that will help them thrive in their fields.
Education reform? Not a mention. Of course, Dell has a company to run now and such a long-term solution helps him not at all, but with all this chatter nationwide about teachers, tenure, the waste of money spent on schooling and education, well, it seems like we're not going to find smarter workers if we keep cutting on education.
Here's some of the comments on the story about MEA officials feeling that teachers are being attacked when tenure is targeted.
In the short-term, we may need some kind of reform to get the skilled workers into the jobs that will help companies grow and succeed. Success in one area breeds success in others, just as auto companies doing well means suppliers do well, meaning jobs create jobs as long as jobs are boosting the economy.
Here's a story on the lack of skilled workers in the U.S. This is a real problem, and it doesn't fit into the current political arguments to keep immigrants out and to cut as much out of education as possible. It's like we (or some of us) are shooting ourselves in both feet.
But to get past this problem, we'll also need long-term solutions to boost and improve our education system. We need smarter workers.
Oh, and great coverage on CNBC about world's markets reacting to the fighting in the streets outside as inside the Greek parliament voted on drastic cost cutting, something we here may face one day.

I'm not surprised at the recent criticisms of NBC Nightly News and NBC News in general for not reporting on a fascinating story out of New York, one that indicates one of America's most profitable companies paid no federal taxes.

GE made billions but has found enough loopholes to keep its tax bill to zero dollars. Of course, NBC is owned by General Electric and has little interest in airing its bosses' dirty laundry. Here's a good look at the issue.

I'm surprised they would totally ignore it, as that decision gives Daily Show host John Stewart something to accuse them off. Seems like tossing it in quietly and quickly would have done better. When I bounce between the three 6:30 p.m. national news broadcasts, I see generally the same stories, so it's noticeable if one story is ignored somewhere in particular.

And the news has been used so much as a way to promote network reality shows, that it's hard not to see the corporate shilling that is going on, especially with promotions of Dancing with the Stars, Biggest Loser or Celebrity Apprentice, or else American Idol -- especially when forced down on the local news stations (WXYZ's 7, WDIV's 4 or Fox2).

However, it's not like I'd believe any story at 6:30 p.m. that concerns medicines or other pharmaceuticals, considering that industry seems to pay for the right to get a 30-min worldview wrap up of the day's news.

Evidence that people do care about their communities can be found within the list of our most commented stories.

This week, for a bit, all of the top stories involved cuts to school districts and city services. And the comments get better in those stories. Oh, they are plenty angry and filled with vile and insults. But it's not as bad as national stories or crime stories. People are debating an issue that will likely impact every resident of Oakland County.

I've noticed the trend since Troy led off by foreseeing massive cuts around the corner. Well, initially, they talked about a shortfall, and city leaders tried to get voters to approve a tax hike. It failed miserably and now the talks are all on closures and layoffs.

But Troy is not alone. Bloomfield Hills (city and school district), Rochester schools, Novi schools, Madison Heights' police, Royal Oak police, Pontiac schools and city hall, and Clarkston police have all been impacted so far by falling property tax revenues due to property values free fall. Beverly Hills is wondering about a tax hike. Bloomfield Township barely passed one.

When will your community face it? From our polls, more people favor cutting services instead of raising taxes, and community and school leaders better face the facts.

Feel free to join the conversation.