Rebuilding American for the New Millenium? i wish i could be that optimistic... yes, like the New Deal of former years it relies heavily on using the unemployed (or the underemployed) for public works projects- such as roads, refurbing buildings & clean energy updates. But- is the plan really long term- or just another bandage? i say this reaks of a band-aid. Four million jobs, the figure repeated over & over during last night's press conference... but for how long will those four million people be employed? For how long will they actually work? Because i know i would be weary of spending if i knew i was only going to be employed for a year or two? What then, more people lose thier homes, savings & gainful employment- woud we actually be any better then?
i have heard that the work may not even start till 2010- what good does this really do us? Obama has said we have to act fast & pass this bill- act fast for what- to wait till 2010 to employ people- i really do not see the rush. Let's look at this- it is jfebruary 2009- the work may not start till 2010, and if the public works projects last for say two years- isn't that upto four million people out of work in 2012- will it end in february 2012- dumped in another presidents' lap (if Obama doesn't get/ or do a 2nd term)?
i say- make the stimulus checks worth something... there were approximately 209 Billion people over the age of 18 legally livining in the US in the 2000 census- (that number can easily be verified through tax records)- so why are they only giving us $1800 max per family? That is bull hookie!! If they were to give $50k per family ($25k to individuals, legally here & over 18)- you wanna' see spending go up- bills get paid off (freeing up some of those precious credit doillars) & consumer confidence... there ya' go!
Heck- While i am at fixing the country today- make a huge broadcast- that this money will go out to US Citizen's that filed a 2008 tax return & if you get legal (become a citizen) by tax day & file taxes- you too get some cash- say a $10k become it citizen stimulus package! So by that- we have restarted the economy, registered illegal aliens & spent far less that 800 Billion. Those sales on consumer goods, housing & other items will help keep industy going & keep the jobs we have & possibly create more. Plus, everyone can feel good about the stimulus package & aliens are registered. Those aliens who still refuse to file taxes- when found will simply be deported- there will be money left over to do just that. Because with a 10k incentive to get legal & file- there is no reason to hide (unless you are a criminal- or don't want to do your part tax wise) & you deserve to be out.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Playing by the Rules Does Not Work
Doing what you are supposed to, achieving, following laws (whether social or written) no longer benefits you in America...
i finshed up my taxes over the weekend & e-filed... watching the news- i am really starting to wonder if i am one of the few. Seems like a decent amount of people that Obama is nominating lately for important offices- seemed to forget one life certainty- taxes. i must say- if you are going to oversee financial & economic policy- you should know you have to file taxes! Or if you are not confident doing them yourself- get help!
Here is an economic stimulus here for you- have the people the owe taxes- or have not filed them in years- file them? That may add millions to the federal piggy bank, plus also it would make the people that play by the rules feel a little better.
As i was filing- i saw in our tax bracket there was little benefit for having kids (our child credit was deplorable), we did not qualify for a savings credit (though we "donated" over 10k to the stock market this year), we were not able to write-off the numerous home improvements- or did we qualify for a myriad of other things we "did right" last year. We did everything they asked Americans to do- spend money (improving our home), raise our children & save for retirement...
Playing by the rules in America does not work. when i was 17 i had a summer job selling women's shoes- there is nothing wrong with that-actually i encourage it- but my friend who had a baby (out of wedlock) was making more money a month than i was & she was living with her parents. i would not argue that she needed diapers & formula- that was covered by WIC, or the baby needed clothes etc- she got $800 plus money for housing (though she lived with her parents) i have never spent over $800 a month on baby clothes- call me cheap or practial- you be the judge. There are people working thier asses off that could never dream of that type of budget- how is this right?
i believe everyone should have the oppertunity to education- i think we will never be a world leader till we teach leaders. i have a problem with my cousin owing 100k+ to be a doctor, while my other friend (who has a child- out of wedlock) gets a 50%+ discount on her education. Now i understand the arguement & i believe in teaching people how to fish- rather than giving them fish- but we need some type of reward for people that make positive decisions in thier life. Bottom line- is that if you cannot afford it- you don't deserve it. My husband & i did not have kids till we could afford it- then we only had two. If you cannot afford a baby- have SAFE SEX- we did- condoms are not expensive & organizations like Planned Parenthood are ready to help you out too!
We need responsibility & common sense back in America- if you cannot afford it- you don't deserve it. This goes for the horrid state of the housing market too- just like credit cards- you should not max yourself out- then wait for a miracle! i hear of a housing bailout & i want to wrech- is no reward for buying a house? i would have loved to buy a bigger house & have a lower interest rate. I would love a monthly check to subsidize the raising of my children. We need to stand up & say enough is enough- slap on a condom and gear up for some fiscal responsibility- play by the rules already.
i finshed up my taxes over the weekend & e-filed... watching the news- i am really starting to wonder if i am one of the few. Seems like a decent amount of people that Obama is nominating lately for important offices- seemed to forget one life certainty- taxes. i must say- if you are going to oversee financial & economic policy- you should know you have to file taxes! Or if you are not confident doing them yourself- get help!
Here is an economic stimulus here for you- have the people the owe taxes- or have not filed them in years- file them? That may add millions to the federal piggy bank, plus also it would make the people that play by the rules feel a little better.
As i was filing- i saw in our tax bracket there was little benefit for having kids (our child credit was deplorable), we did not qualify for a savings credit (though we "donated" over 10k to the stock market this year), we were not able to write-off the numerous home improvements- or did we qualify for a myriad of other things we "did right" last year. We did everything they asked Americans to do- spend money (improving our home), raise our children & save for retirement...
Playing by the rules in America does not work. when i was 17 i had a summer job selling women's shoes- there is nothing wrong with that-actually i encourage it- but my friend who had a baby (out of wedlock) was making more money a month than i was & she was living with her parents. i would not argue that she needed diapers & formula- that was covered by WIC, or the baby needed clothes etc- she got $800 plus money for housing (though she lived with her parents) i have never spent over $800 a month on baby clothes- call me cheap or practial- you be the judge. There are people working thier asses off that could never dream of that type of budget- how is this right?
i believe everyone should have the oppertunity to education- i think we will never be a world leader till we teach leaders. i have a problem with my cousin owing 100k+ to be a doctor, while my other friend (who has a child- out of wedlock) gets a 50%+ discount on her education. Now i understand the arguement & i believe in teaching people how to fish- rather than giving them fish- but we need some type of reward for people that make positive decisions in thier life. Bottom line- is that if you cannot afford it- you don't deserve it. My husband & i did not have kids till we could afford it- then we only had two. If you cannot afford a baby- have SAFE SEX- we did- condoms are not expensive & organizations like Planned Parenthood are ready to help you out too!
We need responsibility & common sense back in America- if you cannot afford it- you don't deserve it. This goes for the horrid state of the housing market too- just like credit cards- you should not max yourself out- then wait for a miracle! i hear of a housing bailout & i want to wrech- is no reward for buying a house? i would have loved to buy a bigger house & have a lower interest rate. I would love a monthly check to subsidize the raising of my children. We need to stand up & say enough is enough- slap on a condom and gear up for some fiscal responsibility- play by the rules already.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
In God We Trust?
Just like our nation has become "germ-a-phobic" with clorox and a number of other companies offering a myriad of ways to over sanitize our homes, clothing & selves, we have become "god-a-phobic" & have begun to "sanitize" a higher power out of schools, government & national landmarks.
Since there is not authority on how many people in this country actually believe in god- with numbers ranging from 70% & up- it is hard to collect an exact figure- but it is safe to say that most people believe there is a god in America. As to what, or whom they call thier god is thier own business- our country was founded by religious people that later yielded to religious tolerance. Our religious tolerance today is slipping though- towards no tolerance for religion. i must agree that forced prayer not right (in any given situation)- no prayer should ever be forced, it should be free-flowing & allowed. i feel religion, of all sorts should be taught in schools. Perhaps if we all grew up with a better understanding of eastern & western religions we may not be in the current world turmoil we are today. Religion affects perception & frames the way we view the world, past & present.
By trying to "sanitize" god out of schools i feel we are making a large mistake, knowledge of the worlds leading religions would not only help in social understanding of cultures- but in interpretations of literature. We need to help create the diplomats & corporate leaders of tommorrow- a better social/religious understanding would do just that. By teaching religion, all religions in schools- will create tolerance through understanding. Personally, i think we will learn that we are more alike than different, and our simularities will draw us closer.
So what is to be done? First- leave the money, pledge, landmarks & murals alone- they are a part of our cultural & historical history. We cannot attack a mural on our courthouse walls that has the ten commandments (which most of the "top-ten" appear in most major religions somewhere)- while we swear in for testimony on a bible.
Yes, our country was founded by christians, but we have grown- with one of the most diverse racial, religous & culural populations on earth. When i hear "in god we trust" i hear, please could a higher power watch over this nation & guide it's policians & citizens towards the greater good for us all.
Since there is not authority on how many people in this country actually believe in god- with numbers ranging from 70% & up- it is hard to collect an exact figure- but it is safe to say that most people believe there is a god in America. As to what, or whom they call thier god is thier own business- our country was founded by religious people that later yielded to religious tolerance. Our religious tolerance today is slipping though- towards no tolerance for religion. i must agree that forced prayer not right (in any given situation)- no prayer should ever be forced, it should be free-flowing & allowed. i feel religion, of all sorts should be taught in schools. Perhaps if we all grew up with a better understanding of eastern & western religions we may not be in the current world turmoil we are today. Religion affects perception & frames the way we view the world, past & present.
By trying to "sanitize" god out of schools i feel we are making a large mistake, knowledge of the worlds leading religions would not only help in social understanding of cultures- but in interpretations of literature. We need to help create the diplomats & corporate leaders of tommorrow- a better social/religious understanding would do just that. By teaching religion, all religions in schools- will create tolerance through understanding. Personally, i think we will learn that we are more alike than different, and our simularities will draw us closer.
So what is to be done? First- leave the money, pledge, landmarks & murals alone- they are a part of our cultural & historical history. We cannot attack a mural on our courthouse walls that has the ten commandments (which most of the "top-ten" appear in most major religions somewhere)- while we swear in for testimony on a bible.
Yes, our country was founded by christians, but we have grown- with one of the most diverse racial, religous & culural populations on earth. When i hear "in god we trust" i hear, please could a higher power watch over this nation & guide it's policians & citizens towards the greater good for us all.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
My First Blog-
I watched the evening news tonight, they led off with a story of how A-Rod took drugs in 2003- meanwhile our country is headed towards a depression. What the devil sense does that make? Had those Senate Comittees paid less attention to who took steriods (etc), perhaps the Wall Street situation would not be where it is today? Just a thought- when i look at our 401k i want to vomit when i see how much just our family "donated" to the stock market this year. Now mind you- we are blessed- we are not ready for retirement just yet- my heart goes out to those in retirement or just on the brink.
Common sense is not common- what the devil does the government want to spend $900 BILLION some on? If it had something to do with the slumping housing market, people losing thier homes, thier jobs or thier benefits... shouldn't someone say something about that? If i am not mistaken- didn't we just spend $300 some odd BILLION to bail out people who acted like teen-agers on payday (no offense to teen-agers here... but they are not usually noted for thier fiscal responsibility)? 1 MILLION to redecorate an office? $35k for an accent piece- isn't that a year of a salary (bad move Linch)? Tar & feather is too good for some people. Explain to me how America can bail out a bank- so they can have a 500k executive weekend- AIG? I may just be a suburbanite mom- but i could really stretch $500k!
The same goes for the American Automakers- I love american-made cars- we buy American cars. But how the big three can have the audacity to show up first by plane (private of course) then by car to beg congress for money is beyond me. Why are executives paid for failure? i know most people if they do not succeed they do not get paid- period. i love how the "well if we do not pay for the best- be do not get the best"- ok... i hear you on that- but if they are not doing the best (any you are laying off thousands of workers), do not give them the best! Thier bonuses for failure would support countless families- that are doing thier best- everyday- showing up for work & making your product! Reward the workers for doing thier jobs- not the executives that are not doing thiers!
AS Americans, we need to MAKE something again- we used to make cars, steel, technology (etc) - and really kick ass at doing it. We were world leaders, now we farm all our stuff out to countries that are now kicking our butts!
We also as Americans really need to tighten our belts as to what we are "giving away" people that do not belong here (welfare, healthcare, jobs, education)- people that did ot stand in line as we all did at one time in our families history do not deserve all the "American Goodies." I am not against anyone who wants to be an American- hell- please- come help raise our nation up, with your skills & your hard work- just that there is a right way and a wrong way to do everying- so please do it the right way. We need new ideas in our nation- 'cause the ones we are using right now- really aren't working.
Common sense is not common- what the devil does the government want to spend $900 BILLION some on? If it had something to do with the slumping housing market, people losing thier homes, thier jobs or thier benefits... shouldn't someone say something about that? If i am not mistaken- didn't we just spend $300 some odd BILLION to bail out people who acted like teen-agers on payday (no offense to teen-agers here... but they are not usually noted for thier fiscal responsibility)? 1 MILLION to redecorate an office? $35k for an accent piece- isn't that a year of a salary (bad move Linch)? Tar & feather is too good for some people. Explain to me how America can bail out a bank- so they can have a 500k executive weekend- AIG? I may just be a suburbanite mom- but i could really stretch $500k!
The same goes for the American Automakers- I love american-made cars- we buy American cars. But how the big three can have the audacity to show up first by plane (private of course) then by car to beg congress for money is beyond me. Why are executives paid for failure? i know most people if they do not succeed they do not get paid- period. i love how the "well if we do not pay for the best- be do not get the best"- ok... i hear you on that- but if they are not doing the best (any you are laying off thousands of workers), do not give them the best! Thier bonuses for failure would support countless families- that are doing thier best- everyday- showing up for work & making your product! Reward the workers for doing thier jobs- not the executives that are not doing thiers!
AS Americans, we need to MAKE something again- we used to make cars, steel, technology (etc) - and really kick ass at doing it. We were world leaders, now we farm all our stuff out to countries that are now kicking our butts!
We also as Americans really need to tighten our belts as to what we are "giving away" people that do not belong here (welfare, healthcare, jobs, education)- people that did ot stand in line as we all did at one time in our families history do not deserve all the "American Goodies." I am not against anyone who wants to be an American- hell- please- come help raise our nation up, with your skills & your hard work- just that there is a right way and a wrong way to do everying- so please do it the right way. We need new ideas in our nation- 'cause the ones we are using right now- really aren't working.
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