3 Myths About Capitalism

Check out the video on 3 myths about capitalism.  It is very good.  The speaker is Dr. Jeffrey Miron of Harvard.

GOVERNMENT, GET OUT OF OUR WAY!

Coming in just 2 years! 50 years of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World"!

Begin planning your 50th anniversary celebration of the 1963 hit comedy:  "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" before you find yourself missing the following:

• Everybody pays taxes!  Even businessmen, who rob and cheat and steal from people everyday, even they have to pay taxes!
• Hey, did you see the way he went SAILING right out there?
• Hey, wait a minute! I can't cross here. You said the main road. This is Niagara Falls. Alright, look. You're a little boy. You wanna be a big boy? Which way to the main road?
• Look! We've figured it seventeen different ways, and every time we figured it, it was no good, because no matter how we figured it, somebody don't like the way we figured it! So now, there's only one way to figure it. And that is, every man, including the old bag, for himself!
• What, am I supposed to do everything? You want me to fly the airplane, you want me to work the radio, what are you gonna... What are you, the hostess?
• Listen, anything you got to say about your mother-in-law, you don't have to explain to me. You know what I mean? Like if she were the star of a real crummy horror movie, I'd believe it.
• Don't be ridiculous. Whatever else he is, he is your father.
• Why don't we just shoot them down and be through with it?
• We don't tell them anything. We tell them to hit the road or we beat their brains in!
• The tuna factory robbery! The case I've been talking about for the last fifteen years!
• I've said it before and I'll say it again, I didn't want to move to California.
• Uh uh, it's a race, ain't it? Why do you want to help that dentist for? Me? I've been pullin' all the while for that other guy, Pike, with the furniture van. The rules ought to be the same for everybody. Otherwise, it just ain't fair.
• Mama, how many people are mixed up in this thing?  Who are they? Cabbies? Mama, this thing is like a convention. 
• Yeah you were working hard trying to keep the cost down the day that you ran out of your office and stood in the street screaming.
• Listen, Dentist: I hate dentists! And I hate you so much, that I'm not able to tell you how much I hate you, in front of your wife!
• Listen! All right, tell them you heard from X-27, you got it? X-27. X-27 told you to tell them they've made three attempts on my life already today. They had me down a silver mine, they tried to drown me. Can you handle a gun? Okay. Ah! Good. There's a cafe. Pull right in there, you use that phone.
• That guy's dead.

STRAT-O-MATIC Baseball turns 50!

Given the number of games played and hours consumed by this game especially through my teenage and college years, I thought we should note its 50th anniversary via the blog.

The company's home page is here.

3-5!  May it live another 50!

Random Thoughts on Taxes

The media these days are consumed by the tax situation, specifically, the expiration of the Bush tax cuts at the end of the year.  After hearing the "umpteenth" report on the present tax bill in the Congress, my mind began to randomly wander down the "tax road" of my life.

1.  Began working and paying federal income taxes on what I EARNED.
2.  Also, paying taxes to support those presently retired (social security).
3.  Oops, also from the same paycheck I pay Medicare taxes.
4.  Nuts, forgot about state income taxes coming out of that same check.
5.  Oh, and if you happen to live in St. Louis City, you have to pay city taxes as well.
6.  Enough on the paycheck.  Now I go to the store and make a purchase.  SALES TAX.
7.  My purchase was an automobile.  Registration fee (isn't that really like a tax?).
8.  Must buy gas to run that car.  I take what money is left from my already taxed paycheck and buy gas.  Of course I must also pay a gas tax.
9.  Every year I get a bill from the city:  Personal Property Tax!  More of my paycheck for owning a vehicle on which I already have paid taxes on.
10.  Must have a place to stay so I purchase a home.  Not only must I pay sales tax, I now must pay REAL ESTATE TAXES every year I own the home.  Why must I pay more taxes each year on property I already bought and paid taxes on?
11.  Part of the tax bill under consideration includes a reduction in the Estate Tax from 55% to 35%.  That means that WHEN I DIE, my heirs must take whatever I have left from my previous paychecks and send 35% of that already taxed money to the government.  Of course, the Estate Tax is actually a Death Tax.

I really haven't put much thought into this but I am certain there are taxes I am overlooking.  But, after writing the above 11 points, I've come to the conclusion that the party getting rich in this country is not me; its UNCLE SAM!

To think our founding fathers started a revolution over things like a stamp tax and a tea tax.  Even King George never put an income tax or death tax on their backs!

Why Illegals Should Not Receive Amnesty

While cleaning out my files this morning, I stumbled onto a newspaper article I clipped out of some paper back in 2006/2007.  The editor is Roland Wetzel and the article carries the same title as this post.  Mr. Wetzel references Iowa Congressman Steve King and lists some reasons for not granting amnesty to illegal aliens.  The following is quoted from the article:

• 12 Americans are murdered every day by illegal aliens.
• That's 4,380 per year or more than 21,000 murders by illegal aliens since September 11, 2001.
• According to the same report, 13 people per day are killed by illegal alien drunk drivers.
• That's an additional 4,745 premature deaths every year.
• Eight American children are molested by illegal aliens every day.
• That's 2,920 innocent children annually whose lives are ruined each year--by scum who wouldn't be prowling for American kids if the federal government enforced our immigration laws.

Christmas Gift Exchange

Here is our gift exchange list for Christmas 2010. Gifts should be in the $10-$20 price range.

President Obama at the Bat

A friend sent me a link to this video today and I thought it was well done and quite funny.  Yes, it does make a statement against political liberalism.  But, no matter on what end of the political spectrum you might be, if you enjoy baseball, I believe you can chuckle a bit at this.

Check it out HERE.

Saved By Faith Youth Challenge (SBFYC)

Check out the SBFYC site here for next year's conference info.


Conference #25: Paul Washer is speaking.

Mark your calendars and save your money!

Mystery Photo of the Day

WHO is this?

Mystery Photo of the Day

Who is this?

Mystery Photo of the Day

Can you guess who this is and why they are doing what they are doing?

"No Doubt We Are Moving in the Right Direction"

Some folks are, evidently, confused about many of my Facebook posts in recent days.  They think I am simply reposting the same information over and over again.  I am not.

For the past few weeks, I have frequently posted updates to Facebook which begin with the statement recently made by Vice President Biden concerning our economy:  "No doubt we are moving in the right direction".  I have included, with each post, a link to an article providing testimony which clearly refutes what the Vice President has said.  Over and over again, various articles have appeared which present clear evidence that our economy is on the wrong track and continuing on that wrong track.  The President and the Vice President either are out of touch with reality, deceiving themselves, or intentionally misleading the public with their "positive" economic outlook.

The administration believes the correct approach is to take additional federal monies and throw it at various projects to stir the job market.  They did this 18 months ago with the stimulus bill and the economy has gotten worse.  More money is not the answer, Mr. President.  Besides, that money being thrown around is our money.  More precisely, it is my grandchildren's money for the government is driving us deeper and deeper into debt.  NO ONE AND NO ORGANIZATION CAN SPEND MORE THAN IT TAKES IN AND SURVIVE.  At some point we will collapse.  To cover the cost of all your programs (enacted and on the table) will require additional income which means more taxes.  More taxes further stifle the job market and the purchasing power of the consumer.  Your solution will be to throw out more money.  That means more taxes.  It is a vicious cycle.  Can't our leaders see this?  Are we truly moving in the right direction?

I am not an economic wiz but I do believe there are some things the President and his administration COULD do to address the problem.  Here they are in no particular order.  This is certainly not an exhaustive list.

1.  CUT ALL TAXES - Yes, even on the "wealthiest" Americans.  You see, its those wealthiest Americans who invest and produce the jobs which fuel this economy.  They won't do so if you continue to take more and more of their money.  No investments, no new jobs.  Cutting taxes also frees up money for consumer purchases which drives merchandising, etc.  When I say cut all taxes, I do not simply mean extend the Bush tax custs for everyone (which the administration MUST do).  No, I mean CUT ALL TAXES.

2.  CUT ALL TAXES - I'm repeating myself only to make certain the administration includes cutting capital gains taxes as well. 

3.  PULL BACK STIMULUS MONEY - Last I heard, over $300 billion of the 2009 stimulus funds had not been spent.  DON'T SPEND IT!

4.  REPEAL HEALTHCARE - Mr. President, the nation cannot afford it.  The American people do not want it.  The entire program passed last year must go.  There are plenty of ways to fix what ails the health care industry without spending ourselves into oblivion.

5.  NO CAP AND TRADE - The global warming nonsense has finally wound down a bit.  Putting additional taxes onto energy will only translate into higher costs to consumers.  It is totally unnecessary.

6.  STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION - For years we have been told "illegals do the jobs Americans won't do".  Maybe that's true sometimes.  But what is also true is that "Illegals are doing jobs Americans could do and probably would do in this economic situation if those jobs were available".  Illegal immigrants are just that:  illegal.  They should not be here and should not be permitted to remain.  The problem must be addressed because it impacts our economic status.  For starters, (1) Secure the border (seriously)  (2) Heavily fine businesses who employ illegal immigrants  (3) deport any illegal immigrant who is found (this does not require "looking" for them, rather, simply deporting those who are found).

7.  GET OUT OF OUR LIVES - No more bailouts.  If a company fails, it fails.  We should strive to help those who truly need help but we can not do this for everyone over extended periods of time.  Significantly reduce the length of time unemployment benefits are extended.  Let the free market work.  Eliminate government bureaucracy which will reduce the amount of money needed to run the government.  Americans do not want a LARGE Federal government constantly intruding into our lives.  Instead, reread the Constitution and limit yourselves to the powers enumerated therein.  All the other powers belong to the states (check the 10th Amendment please).

Those are my thoughts. 

Oh, and Mr. Vice President, we are NOT moving in the right direction!

Mystery Photo of the Day

Can you guess who this is in the picture?

September Newsletter

The September edition of "Wild Walker World" has been mailed.  There is some information in the newsletter about our Wild Walker Weekend scheduled for this weekend.  If you have additional questions concerning the facilities, I suggest you talk with Jeremy and Lisa who have visited the site.

The Grass is Always Greener...

... in someone else's lawn!

I freely admit my lawn is not the most well manicured property on our street.  Many of our neighbors have immaculate lawns requiring many hours of work in the evenings and weekends as well as constant reminders to their children (and others) to stay off the grass.  I resolved years ago not to be one of those parents.

I do appreciate the property the Lord has given me and understand I am to be a good steward of this gift.  But I also believe the Lord intends for me to do more with it than simply have it looking as pretty as a picture.  I'm not a big outdoors person (and both my physican and dermitologist are glad about that) but I also wanted my children to have a place to play.  So, when we moved here years ago, I forfeited any idea of a perfect looking lawn in order to give my kids a place to play.

And we have!  Basketball, wiffle ball, lawn hockey and many other outdoor activities right there on our front lawn.  We have played in sunshine, snow, and rain; the lawn has paid the price.  Furthermore, over the years our lawn activities have included the children of those neighbors who would not permit anyone on their grass.

For years my children have taken turns mowing our lawn to earn some spending money.  Again, that's great for them and for me.  This is especially true today since my body does not tolerate the heat well at all.

On Wednesday, I received a letter from the City of Saint Chares entitled "Code Enforcement".  My property is listed as case number 10-00003942.  There, in bold print, all caps, and underlined, are the words:

NOTICE OF GRASS/WEED VIOLATION AND HEARING DATE

In part, the text reads "The above mentioned property was inspected by this Department and the following violation(s) were found:  Grass/Weeds in excess of eight (8) inches in height."  I'm given 4 days to correct this violation.  I also have an optional hearing on Monday in case I want to defend my long grass.

Well, I will not argue that, as of this past Monday, my grass was long.  We mowed on Friday, July 30 and then left for a week long mission trip in Kentucky on August 2.  Upon returning home, the temperatures in our area reached the upper 90s and 100 every day the following week with heat indices upwards of 110 or higher.  Obviously, being out of town prevented us from mowing one week and the high temps prevented us from mowing the next week.  There is no way I could have mowed in this heat and I did not feel my children should have to do so either.

On this past Monday, the temperature broke and my girls mowed the lawn.  The letter arrived on Wednesday.  So, I guess we "complied" with the mandate.

Now I understand perfectly well well why the city has such a code.  Tall grass and weeds on a property do nothing to enhance the value of neighboring homes, especially those on the marketplace.  Furthermore, while I do not maintain my lawn with the care and precision of others, I also do not like tall grass.  So, yes, I was in violation and for that I am sorry.  There have been periods in the past when my lawn has gone 3 or 4 weeks without mowing (e.g., our mower was being repaired) and nothing was said. 

What I am curious about, though, is what prompted this "inspection" of my property.  Does the city have someone driving around town checking on lawns?  Do they actually get out and use a ruler to measure the length of the grass?  If so, that seems like a terrible use of tax money.  But, deep in my gut, I suspect someone in my neighborhood called an authority to report my tall grass.  If that is the case then it is a perfect example of a serious problem with our society:  take no responsibility and let the government resolve your problem.

If I found the lack of care given to one of my neighbor's lawns to be bugging me, I would go to that neighbor and simply request that he do something about his lawn.  Who knows?  Perhaps that neighbor has a broken mower and needs help.  Who knows?  Perhaps that neighbor is ill or caring for an ailing loved one and cannot take time to work on their lawn.  Who knows?  Perhaps I could offer to mow their lawn for them.

Now if my neighbor simply refused to do anything then I might call the authorities.  Knowing my attitude towards lawns, probably not.

Again, I am making the assumption someone turned us in.  If that is true then what we have is some neighbor who is upset at me for not taking care of my lawn.  But they don't want to get involved and take the initiative to check with me on why I am not mowing.  No, heaven forbid they check in on me and offer to help.  No, there's an easy way out:  call the government!

The note from the city is interesting in 2 other respects:

1.  Our case number is 10-00003942.  Does that mean we are the 3,942nd household cited in 2010 for long grass?  Wow, if so, then maybe there are more people around here who have the same outlook on their grass as I do!  Let's all ditch our mowers, save on gas and air pollution, and use goats again.

2.  The note also indicates if the grass/weeds grow on the same property and result in a second violation during the same growing season, "the City may without further notification" have the weeds removed.  Does that mean that I can let my grass grow more than 8 inches again and the city will mow it for me?  Will they do it at no charge?  Will they come back if I violate the ordinance a 3rd or 4th time?  Wow, maybe I could get my lawn mowed by the city for free (i.e., on the tax payers nickel) every couple of weeks!

If you are reading this post and happen to be the person who "turned us in", please, come visit me the next time before calling the authorities.  My goal is to keep my lawn looking as nice as I can (1) without jeopardizing my family's health in maintaining it and (2) without preventing my children and grandchildren from using it to have fun.  I'm sure we can reach a compromise (e.g., you can mow my lawn).