Don DeWitt Dissents: A Grandiose Pain in the Neck

Don DeWitt Dissents

By Don DeWitt

A Grandiose Pain in the Neck

Probably the only sensible way to measure national spending, taxes or savings is against our gross national product (GNP).

Our recent tax cut amounts to about 1 percent of our GNP. Is that massive?

President Kennedy's tax cut was 2 percent of GNP. President Reagan's tax cut was 3.3 percent of GNP.

The inflated rhetoric of politicians is a grandiose pain in the neck.

(The statistics are from the Investor's Business Daily.)

Local License Plates

LEXORDO (Law and Order?)

GULLSWAY (For the birds, or what?)

ASIAM (Romance is there somewhere)

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts have passionate defenders, I have learned. Since going public the company spurted as high as 43+ and a recent quote was 32+. Its profits rose 67 percent last quarter and it is opening new stores at a rapid pace.

This sparked great interest, and having noted that they are sold at a gas station at Northern Boulevard and Willis Avenue, I bought a few. Both my wife, Joyce, and I had to give up on them as it seemed like sitting down in front of a bowl of sugar.

Remarking on this to friends, I found violent disagreement, and even on CNBC-TV the anchors were munching on them with apparent enthusiasm.

Having rated Dunkin' Donuts far above Starbucks for real coffee and baked goods, only to see Starbucks stock soar, my confidence is shaky.

(But I'll take Dunkin' Donuts anytime.)

Basic Training

Recently, I worked on a flier for the Manhasset Children's Circus (grades six and below), to be held on Thursday, Oct. 11 at Shelter Rock School Athletic Field. It is a real one ring circus and should be a lot of fun.

The last time I concocted a flier was for the Communist Party and that was 45 years ago.

As an FBI agent, one of my informants pleaded inability to do this assigned task, so I volunteered (without discussing the matter with FBI superiors). It worked out fine (but look what happened to the Communist Party).

In September, circus posters and fliers will be at our grade schools, pre-schools and at selected commercial locations. The circus is free for kids and accompanying adults are requested to contribute $10.