Gotta Go

Bob and I have been talking about downsizing lately. He'll soon be 60 and we don't need this big house.



Now we have found our motivation.



The Cap and Rape - rather the Cap and Tax - rather the Cap and Trade bill - that the House passed Friday [even though no one - that's right - no one had a copy of it] has in it that any house sold must be inspected and brought to government set levels of energy efficiency before a sale can go through.



We would face replacing all our windows, our furnace, our roof, and all of our appliances in order to qualify for a sale. It's best we get out while we can.



I daresay no house older than 40 could pass without updated windows at least. Soon there will be no more old glass in windows. Those stately old Victorians will no longer be authentic. In fact, in most towns it might be easier to tear down houses than bring them to the level that will satisfy the Government.



I'm trying to think of one area of my life that the Government hasn't or isn't or isn't trying to regulate. I'll work on that until next time.



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Color Counting Wrong

Per Reuters this morning: "At issue in the case was whether a city can, as New Haven did, throw out the results of a firefighter promotion exam after it yielded too many qualified white applicants and no acceptable black candidates. The high court ruled it cannot.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that New Haven, Connecticut, discriminated against a mostly white group of firefighters who were denied promotions, overturning a decision by high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor."

In this world of ours that is turning upside down, the correct decision comes down from the highest court. Once again, Sotomayor is overturned. She has been overturned most of the time when her decisions were reviewed by higher courts. Soon she will be putting an end to that by being the majority (liberal) vote on the highest court.

Will Congress question her ability to judge blindly? Of course not and there in is the continuation of our world being turned upside down.

Color does count. Union counts. Illegal resident counts.

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Buy/Sell

"Once the government creates a scarce new commodity -- in this case the right to emit carbon -- and then mandates that businesses buy it, the costs would inevitably be passed on to all consumers in the form of higher prices." Thus said the Wall Street Journal.

A new commodity will soon appear on the exchange in Chicago. Businesses who emit little carbon can sell their holdings to the top buyer. Who would need to buy this rare commodity?

Industries - auto makers who are not exempt due to government ownership, food processors, paper makers, oil refineries. Agriculture - farmers, milkers, ranchers. Possibly recreational places such as race tracks, and boat shows.

Where it will hit us quickly will be in the cost of transportation. Fuel costs will rise and transportation industries will pass it on to the cost of goods sold. Then little by little we will see that our paper is milled in Canada or Mexico. Our auto parts makers will be forced across the border. Even the makers of solar panels and wind turbine blades will no longer be made in America - at least not the U.S.

Call or contact your senator while you still can. This large bureaucracy will be here for ever and industry will be gone forever.

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Traders

The names of the 8 Republicans who were necessary for the Cap and Tax bill to pass this week are published. I am proud that my Congresswoman stood strong.

The weak links are: Castle, Kirk (IL), Lance, Lobiondo, McHugh, Reichert, Smith (NJ), and Bono Mark. Please take note. If one of these is your representative, contact them and remember their name when their run for re-election.

Now, the bill will go to the Senate. I have emailed both of my senators. They are meer lap dogs to Obama but at least they know where I stand. I asked them to be men. Ha.

Contact your Senators now. They are all on vacation, marching in July 4 parades, shaking hands, kissing babies, and acting so wonderful. Get in their face. Let them know what you think. Ask them to stand up against this largest tax increase ever.

Make no mistake, your electric bill and mine will soon reflect this new tax. The new tax will be reflected in all goods bought. It will cost more to transport and to build. Nearly everything will be made under skies that are not regulated by President Obama by hands that are not American.

A sad day lies ahead. Contact your Senators now. Remember, Carbon is not our enemy. Nearly everything in our lives is Carbon-based. We exhale carbon dioxide so that trees and plants can take it in. Carbon is not the enemy. Greedy control is our enemy. Slavery is our enemy. Live free.

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Home to Roost

Remember those pesty tax cuts - Bush Tax Cuts?

For 2009, estate taxes don't kick in until the estate is worth $2 million. In 2010, it is put off unless the estate is valued at $3.5 million.

Unless Congress, rather Obama who has the real power now, repeals these tax cuts, there will be no estate tax at all for the year 2011.

These past few days we have lost 3 celebs. I believe Ed McMahon was having financial trouble and Farrah may have worked her way through much of her wealth battling cancer.

Michael Jackson may have a left a chunk of change to his kids and chimp. It would have been better if he had made it to 2011. Estate taxes can be as high as 40-50% federal and California will be nearly solvent once they collect from his estate.

Just wanted to share that Bush did leave behind a few nice things. Maybe that's why Congress is so anxious to tax cigarettes and carbon. Soon they will be taxing our health benefits. All of this because of Bush' tax cuts. Damn George.

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I'm Convinced

After only 15 minutes of last night's one-sided ABC sales job, I am convinced that you and I will soon be wards of the government. Someone who believes the way Obama does will decide if I need that extra blood test and if I'm worth the chemo treatments to fight my cancer, should that be the case. They will decide my worth.

Obama didn't even answer the first question. It was very revealing and dividing. He has the votes and he will get the change he demands. ABC gave him the opportunity unchallenged to sell us on his socialist program surrounded by what was presented as the Medical Society.

This morning all the talking heads are asking why the Republicans and others haven't come up with a plan of their own. Has anyone asked them? Has ABC set aside an hour for other creative plans? Has ABC asked all medical personnel the hard questions about costs?

Bottom line. Does ABC care at all? They had the President all to themselves. They refused to run ads from opposing interest groups. That's right. Refused their ad dollars because it didn't fit the evening. They had no place for opposition.

I am convinced ABC wants socialized medicine for each of us. I have contacted them through their website and declared myself free of ABC.

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Deductions Taxed

On a company's tax return, it can deduct many expenses such as utilities, subscriptions, insurance, 401(k) match portion, FICA/Medicare matches, travel expenses, salaries, and depreciation (formulated costs of wear and tear of assets).

Our government is on the verge of collecting taxes on certain of these expenses. Not through the company's tax return, but through employee's W2 wages.

A friend works for a large medical office. This weekend, the company had a picnic for all employees and their families. The event included a meal, activities for children with prizes, door prizes for adults, and admission to the Zoo.

The day will come (sooner than later) when my friend's W2 will reflect the cost of her meal as well as her "date's" and an equal portion of the extras enjoyed that day.

We know her health coverage will be on her W2 as early as 2010. Possibly Uncle Sam will have her pay taxes on her employer's portion of her Social Security and Medicare. The company's "match" of her 401(k) will be taxed in the future when she draws it out. Maybe Obama can figure out how to tap that benefit too.

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Unfair

The latest thinking on taxing employer provided health care insurance has me steamed. Sen. Baucus is behind this one.

If you are a card carrying union worker, you would be exempt from taxes on your employer provided health insurance.

Outrageous. Pander, pander, pander.

Union workers, at least most of them, have wonderful health coverage. Bob and I pay $4,800 for our policy plus the $1,500 each deductible. Because we buy our coverage through an employer's plan, we would also face taxes on a portion considered a benefit.

Unfair. Un-American.

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What Costs $4 Trillion?

The report is out that for $1.6 Trillion we can provide health coverage for 1/3 of the uninsured American people.

So, for a grand total of $4.8 Trillion, all of our uninsured can have health coverage.

When asked if Congress will be giving up their Gold Measure health coverage and enjoying the coverage offered to our uninsured, the answer was a flat no.

I bet if your employer could not match the Government Health Insurance coverage, they would opt out and let you apply for the US policy yourself. When we all either lose our employer provided coverage or we can not afford the taxes due on the benefit, all private health coverage insurance companies will fold. We will be left with - socialized medicine.

Sell your stocks in insurance companies now.

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Unlawful Dismissal

First, let's remember that the news reported in this country is filtered. You can hunt but you won't find this story on the front page of the papers from last week. Go ahead and try.

Back in 2006 George W. dismissed 8 Attorneys General. I know you read about that. How dare he. Well, it turns out under the law, he can. They serve at his request. At that time little was brought up about the 93 Attorneys General dismissed under Bill Clinton. Strange that W. got so much flack over his decision.

Now to last week. A different type of watch dog position is the Inspectors General. This band of reputable individuals diligently watch the $ flows, especially investigating fraudulent usage. One distinguished and seasoned Inspector General was watching the grant funds coming out of Americore. He had discovered (although it won't be reported either) fraud linked directly to Kevin Johnson, mayor of Sacramento.

Inspector Generals are protected. Their released demands a 30-day notice to Congress plus statement of cause. That is the law.

Gerald Walpin was the watch dog that discovered the problems with Kevin Johnson's misuse of Americore funds.

Wednesday night he was fired. One hour notice. Resign or you are fired. He refused to resign. He's an attorney and knew this action was against the law.

We may no longer be a land of law and a land of truth in reporting. Gerald's story may yet burst onto the scene. However, will Obama's feet be held to the fire? You see, Kevin Johnson is a very big supporter and friend of the president.

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From Circulated Email

The year is 1907, over one hundred years ago.




Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

This is the quote from Teddie:

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language.. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Every American citizen needs to read this!

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Not Racist?

It has been enough time that Sonia's writings and speeches over the past 15 years have be read by many in Congress.

In 2001 at a conference she said, "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."

It was not the first time she had said a similar thing. In fact, several sitings show she was fond of that line about a wise Latina woman.

Not racist? What if I said, "I would hope that a wise white woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a black male who hasn't lived that life."

Racist? Sure. By both Sonia and myself.

But beyond the fact that race carries much weight with her, she also feels that law sometimes need to be created from the bench.

Our forefathers were smart enough to divide duties and put in place balance. We have three arms of our government. The Administrative Branch which includes the President and Vice President - little power. The Legislative Branch - law makers - much power and many heads. The Judicial Branch - law enforcers and law appliers.

One creates a law, one endorses the law, and one upholds the law. It is not the purpose of the Bench (from the smallest to the Supreme) to make laws.

However, this week we saw the Supreme Court turn away from the question of breaking contracts. They let the Administrative Branch break a contract without so much as a hearing.

We witnessed the power of this Administrative Branch. Power not given by our Constitution. We witnessed the weakness of the Judicial Branch. We deserve strong Benches.

The world has turned upside down. Racist comments made by a non-white are OK but a white best not go there. The President breaks contracts without a thought except for the mighty UAW. He threw thousands of Indiana teachers under the bus for the UAW and all those votes. How dare he!

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Confused

I realize health care costs are huge; however, I do not follow the logic that since they are so high we have to spend $1.2 Trillion now. I don't see a solution to the problem in spending much more now.

I believe it's best to find out why the costs are so high. I have given this much of my layman thought. I realize new equipment is expensive at first. I know labor is expensive.

I also know that doctor's pay nearly $100,000 annually for liability insurance. I know they all fear law suits as lately juries have awarded millions for errors. I know physicians order all kinds of tests and specialists to cover their own butts.

I know that no one is turned away from emergency rooms. No one.

There are many studies out there about the gross abuse of free emergency room health care. If one pays nothing and can only get free help at the emergency room, that is where they will go. We all over eat at buffets.

You don't need a medical coverage ID card. You don't need papers to prove you are an American. No hospital will turn you away. They may have you spend most of the day sitting in the waiting room for an internist to check out your daughter's sore throat but that's all it will cost you.

So? It's not rocket science to figure that the costs of emergency rooms have to be passed on to (built into) all other paying patrons. That would be you and me.

Bob and I pay $5,000 a year for our coverage. That is quite low for the self employed. We have a $1,500 deductible per person, then 20% package. No dental, no vision.

We do qualify for a HSA, Health Savings Account. We can deduct what we place in the plan on our income taxes. It can only come out toward health care costs. It can grow while it waits for our need.

So. I am still confused. Rather than secure our borders and refuse frivolous emergency room visitors, we have to spend trillions now.

I just don't get it.

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Sacred?

What about the sanctity of contracts? If I buy a car or a boat on credit, the creditor holds the title and thereby places a hold or lien on the property. I can not sell my vehicle without satisfying the bank or credit union.

That's the norm. But norm has died.

Secured lenders no longer can count on even getting a decent piece of the pie. The Indiana Teachers Pension fund held some big bucks in Chrylser bonds. If norm hadn't died, they would be near the front of the line to collect value for their bonds as Chrysler entered bankruptcy.

But norm is dead and the holders of unsecured liens (UAW) will be granted much more than 29 cents on the dollar.

It doesn't seem the highest court in the land will touch this hot potato. Maybe they fear the Administrative Branch of our government and its current dictator.

Norm is dead. This shakes the financial world. Why would anyone invest in corporate bonds? The contract could be changed by King Obama.

Why play the game if the rules can be changed and changed again?

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Dems Pay Big Bucks

It cost over $300,000 to bring S. Palin up on 14 ethic charges. Crucify her, crucify her.

She has been cleared of 13 of the trumped up charged by the independent State Personnel Board and another by the FEC (Federal Election Commission).

The Dems lost these battles at a hefty price. Just a political expense - smear the lady from Alaska who made them crazy. Was she that big a threat?

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Kennedy's First Draft

The first draft of Ted Kennedy's health care/insurance bill has been published. We will hear more about the details in the coming week. I found some details - rather ideas - as released yesterday.

The American Health Choices Act will be shoved through Congress in July right along with the new Supreme Court Judge nominee.

The government would subsidize premiums for people with incomes up to 500 percent of the poverty level ($110,000 for a family of four). Please keep in mind that the government equals you and me covering the $ either through taxes or through higher costs of goods and service due to additional overhead expenses.

Private insurers would have to pay out a specified percentage of their premium revenues in benefits. Insurance companies (and they will likely get their own czar) will be regulated to pay out a set amount of their revenues. Those big insurance companies will not be allowed to keep much of their profits. Spread that wealth. How dare a company consider keeping some $ to pay out to their stockholders in the form of dividends.

Plus, with the government providing excellent coverage, why would any employer or self-employed person dole out $ to private insurance companies. The days are numbered of health insurance companies. It may take them a decade to die but they will die.

Somehow I don't feel any healthier knowing these few facts.

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Coupons

Bob and I travel for work. When we arrive at our motel, we inquire about restaurants and coupons. Often the clerk will have recommendations and % off discounts.

When we get to the room, I check the phone book. Many restaurants will actually list their menu in the yellow pages. Many will have small ads showing their hours. Most phone books also have coupon pages worth checking out.

I check many menus on line but many do not list the prices. Smaller local restaurants do not have websites.

Discount coupons are important to keeping our costs down.

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Budget

"We The People" must have a large advertising budget for GM. By now you have seen the commercials on TV. There have been full page ads in newspapers from coast to coast.

While each of us normal people is trying to keep our jobs and make our payments and pay higher prices for fuel for our cars, part of our world does not get it.

GM has no $ except for our $. Soon they will have foreign $ for the divisions sold to China and India. Maybe it's from those expected funds that they have spent $ for ads.

How come the President gets to take his lady to New York for dinner and theater while telling us he understands how we all have to feel the pain of the economy? How come he gets to spend nearly $250,000 of our $ for his date? This does not include the cost of the meals and tickets. How come?

How come our taxes will be raised (either through added value tax, cap and trade tax, or federal sales tax) to pay for things we will not directly benefit from? How come we will get to pay for our own health coverage plus pay for coverage for illegal people? How come?

How come my neighbor who bought a house with 4% down and has only made 10 mortgage payments in 3 years will get assistance to remain in his house? How come?

How come doing the right thing gets no reward? How come not doing the right thing brings reward?

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Rear View Mirror

GM is in bankruptcy. Bush declared last fall that it would be a bad thing to bail out GM.

As of May 22, "We The People" have sunk over $19 BILLION in General Motors. This saved 50,000 jobs.

Let's do a little math. If we had gifted $380,000 per worker, it would have cost us less.

But I am amiss if I do not mention that we now hold ownership of this booming business. We have to sell cars, pay pensions, make payroll, provide outstanding medical coverage, give in to the union, and enforce the 35 miles per gallon mandates.

Why didn't we listen to Bush? Why didn't we just cut checks to the 50,000 and wish them well and let the company be divided and sold off. Wait, I think they are chopping up part of it and selling it off.

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Another Improved

Another quick makeover thanks to Blair.com. I think the new look is calmer and less dated.

Just FYI. Look for free shipping offers. Clearance and last season's wares are often highly discounted.

I will admit I did not have success with a pair of shoes from Blair. They arrived marked the correct size but fit my daughter whose foot is a 1/2 size shorter than mine.

Once again, buy beware.

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Blair

Thanks to successful on line shopping at Blair.com, the pink frilly bedroom has been transformed.

I posted my hopes earlier in the year and promised to show you the results. I am pleased. The bedroom is ready for company.

Tomorrow I'll share another room redone with the help of Blair.com and their no shipping promotion.

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