I have been contemplating the whole federal income tax debacle and what it actually pays for without the populace having any real control over what programs and pork barrel projects get funded with our hard earned funds. There are many things that I disagree with; the bailout that was a band aid at best, and probably won't work, at least it hasn't even slowed down the nose dive, that is 700 billion, but if you add the 25 billion for the auto makers, 300 billion mortgage bailout in July, the 85 billion for AIG and the fannie and freddie bailout we are at a trillion and a half dollars.
Added to the appropriations bill that was passed last week, there was an extra 100 million dollars for "special projects" things like tax breaks for Hollywood to film in the US, tax breaks for auto race tracks, 3 million dollars for a wooden arrow maker in Oregon, and many, many other tidbits that scream irresponsibility and corruption to me.
So I have come up with a plan that would allow the tax-paying citizens to "Earmark" their tax dollars. Here are the basics of the plan:
Based on percentages of your actual tax bill you would be able to choose where your tax dollars go, you choose your pet project types. The only types of spending would be set percentages for the military and infrastructure.
So here is an example
You after deduction tax bill is $1000.
10% for military $100
10% infrastucture $100
Now you would choose:
Schools:
Welfare
National Health Care
Corporate Bailouts
Paying down the deficit
Animal habit research
Housing subsidies
Scholarships
NASA
So here is the way it would work, you would have (in this example) $800 to fund wahtever you choose is important to you. If you are a space fanatic you can throw $800 to NASA, or if you want to help the poor throw $200 to welfare. It would be your choice. If at the end of the day certain programs are not funded adequately, they go away, the Tax-Payers choose that is not needed. Or if certain programs are over-funded any addition would go directly to paying down the deficit, The list could be up to 1000 items and would still be manageable, we the citizens would have the final word on whether or not we pay for something that we find morally reprehensible. I personally would not be forced to pay for welfare, housing subsidies, NPR/PBS or Planned Parethood. If everyone agreed and they no longer received federal funding they would have to either find private funding or go away.
I know this sounds like it could be harsh, but 50% or so of the population are conservative and 50% are liberal, so most of the programs would be funded, but most of the pork would be cut, because we would be able to say they we do not want to fund a 10 million dollar study on mating habits of the hawiian fruit fly.
It's a thought!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Daily Tease
This is a strawberry New York Style cheescake that I donated to a fund-raiser for girls camp.
Homeowners Associations
We live in a neighborhood with an association, this in many ways is a good thing as it keeps the playing field level for all the homeowners as far as junk and weeds and crazy house colors. Those things are really comforting especially when you go to sell the house.
On the other hand they are also another layer of government and bureaucracy that typically includes on the board some people that should just stay home and not be involved. They are not mentally equipped to deal with large issues and big numbers, it is scary for them to commit to spending anything for any reason.
Why am I telling you all of this? Last night the association held a board meeting that I decided to attend since I had been trying to talk to the community manager (contract company) about the letter I received for the weeds that I don't have. She NEVER returns calls. STRIKE ONE
This is where the frustration started for me.
I show up the the meeting early and I am told that "this is only a budget meeting, we will not discuss any other issues" oh really? Since there was no one else there yet from the community and since the meeting hadn't "officially" started, I started asking her my questions and pointing out my concerns. She wasn't overly receptive, but was attentive to me. Come to find out the office had been sending notices for weeds for all 7 of the roads that start with "Desert" to "Desert Basin" which is my street. STRIKE TWO
So the meeting started LATE which is a big peeve of mine, and progressed slowly and as we went line by line through the budget, we started discussing whether to trim, increase or delete certain items. The manager was pretty condescending about it, like the residents didn't know what they were talking about and her budget should be approved out of hand. STRIKE THREE
The meeting ended and as we were mingling with the others I grabbed 3 out of 5 board members and expressed my doubts about the viability of this management company, I explained the above as well as the concerns I have with the slow progress on some issues that have been "in the works" for 2 years. Come to find out the contract with the company is month to month. My day started to brighten. It took very little convincing on my part, but 3 of the 5 board members and the 2 other residents that she was ineffective and needed to go bye-bye.
So as I am typing this the board is exploring new management companies and we will hopefully introduce the new management company at the annual meeting in January.
Little victories - and I don't have to pay the fine for the mystery weeds.
***UPDATE: The property amanger called me this afternoon and is crediting us $125.00 for the assessments that they have put on for weeds and shouldn't have. I love it when an error is in my favor.
On the other hand they are also another layer of government and bureaucracy that typically includes on the board some people that should just stay home and not be involved. They are not mentally equipped to deal with large issues and big numbers, it is scary for them to commit to spending anything for any reason.
Why am I telling you all of this? Last night the association held a board meeting that I decided to attend since I had been trying to talk to the community manager (contract company) about the letter I received for the weeds that I don't have. She NEVER returns calls. STRIKE ONE
This is where the frustration started for me.
I show up the the meeting early and I am told that "this is only a budget meeting, we will not discuss any other issues" oh really? Since there was no one else there yet from the community and since the meeting hadn't "officially" started, I started asking her my questions and pointing out my concerns. She wasn't overly receptive, but was attentive to me. Come to find out the office had been sending notices for weeds for all 7 of the roads that start with "Desert" to "Desert Basin" which is my street. STRIKE TWO
So the meeting started LATE which is a big peeve of mine, and progressed slowly and as we went line by line through the budget, we started discussing whether to trim, increase or delete certain items. The manager was pretty condescending about it, like the residents didn't know what they were talking about and her budget should be approved out of hand. STRIKE THREE
The meeting ended and as we were mingling with the others I grabbed 3 out of 5 board members and expressed my doubts about the viability of this management company, I explained the above as well as the concerns I have with the slow progress on some issues that have been "in the works" for 2 years. Come to find out the contract with the company is month to month. My day started to brighten. It took very little convincing on my part, but 3 of the 5 board members and the 2 other residents that she was ineffective and needed to go bye-bye.
So as I am typing this the board is exploring new management companies and we will hopefully introduce the new management company at the annual meeting in January.
Little victories - and I don't have to pay the fine for the mystery weeds.
***UPDATE: The property amanger called me this afternoon and is crediting us $125.00 for the assessments that they have put on for weeds and shouldn't have. I love it when an error is in my favor.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Sample letter to send to your congressmen
Thanks to my buddy Brandon this is a sample letter that we should all send to those offending parties that have weakened our freedoms.
See how your senator voted
See how your rep voted
Mr. Congressman, I see that you voted "No" against the original bailout bill that the President and many others on the other side of the isle tried to scare America into accepting.
However, I see you voted "Yes" to the new bill that the Senate passed. The same bill that was laden with millions in earmarks/pork spending.
I am very disappointed in your vote today, as well as all other votes of yes from the Louisiana delegation.
Today, The President of the United States, The US House of Representatives, and the United States Senate showed that the common American is irrelevant. Instead the government has shown that it rather bail out the lobbyists on Wall Street rather than punishing them.
Rather than follow practical principles such as recommended by former Speaker Newt Gingrich, the GOP cowed to the other side to save face, and now myself, my children, and my children's, children will suffer in the long run.
It's nice to know that my tax dollars will now go to keeping corrupt CEO's in their golden thrones, and that I'm helping to pay for wooden arrow tips, and giving tax breaks to Puerto Rican Rum makers and race track owners.
Instead of passing substantial reform to fix the problem, the US Government has essentially nationalized the economy. Throwing money will not fix the situation, but only make it worse.
Mr. Alexander, I am highly disappointed in your "Yes" vote today. Come time for re-election you will not receive my vote.
See how your senator voted
See how your rep voted
Mr. Congressman, I see that you voted "No" against the original bailout bill that the President and many others on the other side of the isle tried to scare America into accepting.
However, I see you voted "Yes" to the new bill that the Senate passed. The same bill that was laden with millions in earmarks/pork spending.
I am very disappointed in your vote today, as well as all other votes of yes from the Louisiana delegation.
Today, The President of the United States, The US House of Representatives, and the United States Senate showed that the common American is irrelevant. Instead the government has shown that it rather bail out the lobbyists on Wall Street rather than punishing them.
Rather than follow practical principles such as recommended by former Speaker Newt Gingrich, the GOP cowed to the other side to save face, and now myself, my children, and my children's, children will suffer in the long run.
It's nice to know that my tax dollars will now go to keeping corrupt CEO's in their golden thrones, and that I'm helping to pay for wooden arrow tips, and giving tax breaks to Puerto Rican Rum makers and race track owners.
Instead of passing substantial reform to fix the problem, the US Government has essentially nationalized the economy. Throwing money will not fix the situation, but only make it worse.
Mr. Alexander, I am highly disappointed in your "Yes" vote today. Come time for re-election you will not receive my vote.
No Bailout
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have."
~Barry Goldwater
Thursday, October 2, 2008
AZ Prop 102
It is vitally important to all of us in the silent majority to protect the sanctity of marriage, in AZ it is prop 102, there may be a similar proposition in your state, please support marriage, and say no to its destruction.
tom
4 short videos that show what has happened and what can happen if marriage isn't protected.
A YES vote on Prop 102 does one thing and one thing only - it defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman in the Arizona Constitution, the highest law in our state. An amendment secures the definition of marriage in Arizona and leaves no interpretation for judges, politicians, or special interest groups.
YESforMarriage.com
http://standformarriage.com/
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