Do you know what happened 158 years ago last fall... back in 1850?
California became a state
The people had no electricity.
The state had no money.
Almost everyone spoke Spanish.
There were gunfights in the streets.
So basically nothing has changed except the women had real breasts and the men didn't hold hands!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Too Close For Comfort
The continued failure of the housing market hit even closer to home yesterday. My across the street neighbor of nearly 4 years quietly moved out of their home, a shock to the rest of us. The couple are/were professionals, very personable and were great neighbors. Being the oudoors type, I thought nothing of the toy hauler that appeared in the driveway a few days back. They owned a nice boat and spent a lot of weekends at house they bought on a nearby lake. They must be doing some back country exploring, I thought to myself.
Then the toy hauler appeared again later that day upon my return from the office. Odd?
That's when I saw the wife loading up a vehicle with household items. Not a good sign. Having a number of years experience in real estate and finance, the earmarks were there for an unhappy ending to this story. Validation came today when, speaking with another neighbor, I was informed that they gave the house back to the bank. Shock and awe, Reno-style.
Now, speculation kicks in. They bought the house around the time we did, which was when the market was just starting to take off. The house did not have the best lot. They must have recieved a super deal from the builder, as we thought this would just remain open space (yeah, that bad of a lot!).
The house seemed to be on the market over a year. Suddenly, the sign disappeared, a few days later, so did our neighbors. Again, this brings the crisis we are in the middle of right in your face. It is dire, it is disruptive, it leaves you a little depressed. I wish there was something I could do, reach out, tell them you can look forward to a fresh start. Not my business, I thought. They didn't offer to confide and it is none of my business. Or is it?
I believe we are all party to what has happened, every one that thought we were all real estate genuises, making all this money for nothing, just buying a house at the right time, buying a few more and play the flip game. Ignorance, arrogance and greed. The hat trick of quick profit and even quicker destitution.
We will crawl our way out of this. We will, again, be back to some semblance of normal. My only fear is that we, again, suffer from short term memory loss.
It is encumbant upon each and every one of us to have the lessons we are learning burned into not only our memories, but our genetic code. This is not the way we want to go out. This is not the world we want to leave the generations that follow.
If this is a little too close for comfort....GOOD! Remember this, make it part of your being. Let us not doom ourselves to repeat this.
Then the toy hauler appeared again later that day upon my return from the office. Odd?
That's when I saw the wife loading up a vehicle with household items. Not a good sign. Having a number of years experience in real estate and finance, the earmarks were there for an unhappy ending to this story. Validation came today when, speaking with another neighbor, I was informed that they gave the house back to the bank. Shock and awe, Reno-style.
Now, speculation kicks in. They bought the house around the time we did, which was when the market was just starting to take off. The house did not have the best lot. They must have recieved a super deal from the builder, as we thought this would just remain open space (yeah, that bad of a lot!).
The house seemed to be on the market over a year. Suddenly, the sign disappeared, a few days later, so did our neighbors. Again, this brings the crisis we are in the middle of right in your face. It is dire, it is disruptive, it leaves you a little depressed. I wish there was something I could do, reach out, tell them you can look forward to a fresh start. Not my business, I thought. They didn't offer to confide and it is none of my business. Or is it?
I believe we are all party to what has happened, every one that thought we were all real estate genuises, making all this money for nothing, just buying a house at the right time, buying a few more and play the flip game. Ignorance, arrogance and greed. The hat trick of quick profit and even quicker destitution.
We will crawl our way out of this. We will, again, be back to some semblance of normal. My only fear is that we, again, suffer from short term memory loss.
It is encumbant upon each and every one of us to have the lessons we are learning burned into not only our memories, but our genetic code. This is not the way we want to go out. This is not the world we want to leave the generations that follow.
If this is a little too close for comfort....GOOD! Remember this, make it part of your being. Let us not doom ourselves to repeat this.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
A Tax Poem
At first I thought this was funny...then I realized the awful truth of it. Be sure to read all the way to the end!
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table At which he's fed.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes Are the rule.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts Anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he Tries to think.
Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries Tax his tears.
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers,
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till He's good and sore..
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in Which he's laid.
Put these words Upon his tomb,
"Taxes drove me to my doom..."
When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax Gasoline Tax (44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation T ax
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our Nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle-class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What in the hell happened?
Can you spell "politicians?"
And I still have to "press 1" for English!
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table At which he's fed.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes Are the rule.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts Anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he Tries to think.
Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries Tax his tears.
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers,
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till He's good and sore..
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in Which he's laid.
Put these words Upon his tomb,
"Taxes drove me to my doom..."
When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax Gasoline Tax (44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation T ax
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our Nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle-class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What in the hell happened?
Can you spell "politicians?"
And I still have to "press 1" for English!
Law of the Garbage Truck
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.
Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
Have a blessed, garbage-free day!
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.
Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
Have a blessed, garbage-free day!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Silk That is not Smooth
I have always been the health conscience sort for most of my life, after watching my folks die an early death from a combination of poor diet and poor medical care (we had a medicine cabinet that would rival most pharmacies).
I never believed in the marketing sense of dieting. Diet, pure and simple, is what constitutes what you consume, not the latest fad. It is a life-long commitment to treating yourself well.
To that end, I no longer drink milk. I have been drinking soy for probably the last decade and am a big fan of it's taste (plain not the sugary vanilla or chocolate) as well as the myriad of health benefits of plant protein vs. dairy.
Recently, I have been dismayed by the lack of QC by Silk, a maker of soy drinks I have enjoyed for years. Soy milk has a much longer shelf life than dairy milk, especially when not opened right away, typically up to 2 months. My past 2 purchases have gone bad well before the experation date (this morning's had a date of March 28th, 2009 and I just opened it a few days ago!).
Being a fan of the product, I wrote to their consumer affairs department this morning to alert them. Here is the non-answer I got in return:
Thank you for your recent e-mail to Silk®.
We appreciate your interest in our products.
We guarantee the freshness and quality of our products if opened by the freshness date code and used within seven to ten days. However, our products are perishable food items and spoilage may occur if the products are stored in the refrigerator beyond the recommended number of days after the seal has been broken or if there was an interruption in maintaining the proper storage temperature.
Thanks again for contacting the Consumer Affairs Department.
They guarantee their product until there is something wrong with it! If you are not going to stand behind what you peddle, at least tell us we're on our own. I thanked them for alerting me that my electricity may be an issue. I'll check on that as soon as I return from our outhouse on the way back from the chicken coop.
Another shining example of customer 'service' (see previous post)!
I never believed in the marketing sense of dieting. Diet, pure and simple, is what constitutes what you consume, not the latest fad. It is a life-long commitment to treating yourself well.
To that end, I no longer drink milk. I have been drinking soy for probably the last decade and am a big fan of it's taste (plain not the sugary vanilla or chocolate) as well as the myriad of health benefits of plant protein vs. dairy.
Recently, I have been dismayed by the lack of QC by Silk, a maker of soy drinks I have enjoyed for years. Soy milk has a much longer shelf life than dairy milk, especially when not opened right away, typically up to 2 months. My past 2 purchases have gone bad well before the experation date (this morning's had a date of March 28th, 2009 and I just opened it a few days ago!).
Being a fan of the product, I wrote to their consumer affairs department this morning to alert them. Here is the non-answer I got in return:
Thank you for your recent e-mail to Silk®.
We appreciate your interest in our products.
We guarantee the freshness and quality of our products if opened by the freshness date code and used within seven to ten days. However, our products are perishable food items and spoilage may occur if the products are stored in the refrigerator beyond the recommended number of days after the seal has been broken or if there was an interruption in maintaining the proper storage temperature.
Thanks again for contacting the Consumer Affairs Department.
They guarantee their product until there is something wrong with it! If you are not going to stand behind what you peddle, at least tell us we're on our own. I thanked them for alerting me that my electricity may be an issue. I'll check on that as soon as I return from our outhouse on the way back from the chicken coop.
Another shining example of customer 'service' (see previous post)!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A Letter From the Boss
To All My Valued Employees,
There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges.
However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country. However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact, which might help you, decide what is in your best interests.
First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a Back Story. This back-story is oftenneglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You've seen my big home at last years Christmas party. I'm sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life. However, what you don't see is the BACK STORY:
I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% of my effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you.
My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn't have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business -- hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the discount stores extracting any clothing item that didn't look like it was birthed in the 70's. My friends refinanced their mortgages andlived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, would be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.
So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden -- the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations... you never realize the Back Story and the sacrifices I've made.
Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bailout all the people who didn't. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for.
Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price I've paid is steep and not without wounds. Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why:
I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don't pay enough. I have state taxes, Federal taxes, Property taxes, Sales and Use taxes, Payroll taxes, Workers compensation taxes, and Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes and I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time.
On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. Youknow what my "stimulus" check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.
The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child, waiting for her next welfare check?
Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.
The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you'd quit and you wouldn't work here. I mean, why should you? That's nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work?
Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy. Here is what many of you don't understand ... to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn't need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries.
But you can forget it now. When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don't defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always hasbeen. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it.
Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of ‘change’ you can keep.
So where am I going about all this? It's quite simple. If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I'll fire you and your co-workers.
You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child's future. Frankly, it isn't my problem any more.
Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see I'm done. I'm done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.
So, if you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about....
The first to be fired will be the ones with Obama stickers on their vehicles.
Signed, THE BOSS
Final Note:Who ever this boss is he has it nailed down perfectly........RE-read his entire letter and the last 3 paragraphs will make total sense to you....and if you are a left leaning, socialistic democrat, this type of thinking just may get you to re-evaluate your sense of direction for this country.
There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges.
However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country. However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact, which might help you, decide what is in your best interests.
First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a Back Story. This back-story is oftenneglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You've seen my big home at last years Christmas party. I'm sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life. However, what you don't see is the BACK STORY:
I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% of my effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you.
My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn't have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business -- hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the discount stores extracting any clothing item that didn't look like it was birthed in the 70's. My friends refinanced their mortgages andlived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, would be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.
So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden -- the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations... you never realize the Back Story and the sacrifices I've made.
Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bailout all the people who didn't. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for.
Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price I've paid is steep and not without wounds. Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why:
I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don't pay enough. I have state taxes, Federal taxes, Property taxes, Sales and Use taxes, Payroll taxes, Workers compensation taxes, and Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes and I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time.
On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. Youknow what my "stimulus" check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.
The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child, waiting for her next welfare check?
Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.
The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you'd quit and you wouldn't work here. I mean, why should you? That's nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work?
Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy. Here is what many of you don't understand ... to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn't need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries.
But you can forget it now. When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don't defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always hasbeen. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it.
Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of ‘change’ you can keep.
So where am I going about all this? It's quite simple. If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I'll fire you and your co-workers.
You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child's future. Frankly, it isn't my problem any more.
Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see I'm done. I'm done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.
So, if you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about....
The first to be fired will be the ones with Obama stickers on their vehicles.
Signed, THE BOSS
Final Note:Who ever this boss is he has it nailed down perfectly........RE-read his entire letter and the last 3 paragraphs will make total sense to you....and if you are a left leaning, socialistic democrat, this type of thinking just may get you to re-evaluate your sense of direction for this country.
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