Well, the truth is no one really knows for sure, BUT our Government and our Military cannot risk not having some idea of future events. Sounds sort of like science fiction but future events are often influnced by past events. Hence enters "FUTUROLOGY".
Fu·tur·ol·o·gy (Noun)
The study or forecasting of potential developments, as in science, technology, and society, using current conditions and trends as a point of departure.
Given this definition, it is no surprise that the Pentagon has its own group of FUTURESTS who work in the Office of Net Assessment (ONA). This is an internal think tank. It was founded in 1973 and has helped both the military leaders and the presidents they serve consider emerging and over-the-horizon threats. Lets look foward about 30 years from now and see what they are forcasting our future to be.
SEPT 11, 2001
The attacks in New York, in Washington and in Pennsylvania claim more than 3000 lives. Although the consensus is that Jihadist wars on the United States began many years before , it isn't until 2001 that our nation engages in what President George W. Bush and subsequent generations refer to it as a "global war on terrorism". We have a series of Military interventions across both Asia and Africa.
AFGHANISTAN (2001-2026)
Not only have we moved into that region On the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, we also recently boosted troop strength to the region and are being asked to increase their levels again in an effort to stop Terrorist Activity. We will continue assisting even into the year 2026 in an attempt to eradicate terrorist groups hiding in that region.
NOV 4th, 2008
Aside from his history making election, President Barach Obama is also remembered for his outreach to open relations to post-communist Cuba by providing them a massive aid program. He also intervenes in Mexico during the crisis of 2011 with efforts to combat the Great Recession.
It is Mr. Obama's election that triggers a 30 year era of what is later to be called the Era of "Firsts". The election of a Black president, the first female president and the first Indian-born US citizen to achieve the presidency! All of this will be made possible by the passage of a 30th amendment to the constitution.
SOMALIA (2010-2015)
With the continued increase in pirate activity, the recent seizing of an American crew and its captain that required the intervention of Navy Seals and given that this country has had no functional government for almost ten years and is battling an astronomical inflation rate it is expected that this will continue far into 2015. Many ships traveling through the region have taken to having armed security contingents on board to repell attacks.
THE HEZBOLLAH CAMPAIGN (2017-2035)
Hezbollah is a Jihadist, Islamic Shite organization founded in Iran and having a notorious branch in Lebanon. The name means "Party of God." It is derived from Surra 5, verse 56 of the Qur’an: “Lo! the Party of God, they are the victorious.” Lebanese Hezbollah began to form in 1982, during the Israeli occupation of Lebanon, from several other organizations such as "The wretched of the Earth," "Revolutionary Justice Organization." and "Islamic Jihad." One of its objective is the eradication of Israel.
MAY 2016 (NORTH KOREA'S LAST GASP)
North Korea launches a total of 10 missiles. Eight of the missiles are knocked out by U.S. and Japanese warships over the Pacific Ocean. Two are destroyed over the coast of Alaska by ground based missile defenses. The war that follows is nothing short of attempted annihilation of South Korea by the North. China warns the North Korean Military it would not support their efforts as as they had in the 50's. U.S.-ROK forces effectively erases the North Korean army in a month. Subsequently UN forces occupy the North and supervises the peninsula's reunification three years later
AUG 2019 (ISRAEL BOMBS IRANIAN NUCLEAR SITES.)
Israel fully expecting a retaliation in kind could no longer risk a nuclear confrontation and sent its war planes to bomb the countries nuclear missile sites. Tehran never musters a retaliatory strike. Only in 2028 is it revealed that assets from the U. S. Space Corps, including a once secret hypersonic space plane , has struck a dozen Iranian missile sites as they prepared to launch.
PAKISTAN (2010-2017), (2025-2035)
The U.S. decides to assist Pakistan to eradicate the taliban from using it as a training and jumping off point into both Iran and Iraq. The first attempt is moderately successful and in 2017 pulls its forces out. By 2025 bombings and terrorist activity escalates dramaticly again and to insure stability in the region commits the U.S. military in a support roll. This continues for 10 years before restabilization is achieved.
Now remember all of these are simply educated speculation and is driven from current events. If you think back on your life and visulize those things that forged your future decisions and how your future could have been completely different had you taken a different path.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"A Virginian by birth and principle"
"It has been said the greatest volume of sheer brainpower in one place occurred when Jefferson dined alone..." John Kennedy
HOW DID JEFFERSON KNOW THESE THINGS?????? Especially read the last quote from 1802. Perhaps our collective leadership including our president needs to take heed of these observations.
When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe. Thomas Jefferson
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson
It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world. Thomas Jefferson
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government Thomas Jefferson
No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. Thomas Jefferson
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. Thomas Jefferson
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. Thomas Jefferson
To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson said in 1802: I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered..' Thomas Jefferson
'If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed.'-Mark Twain
=
HOW DID JEFFERSON KNOW THESE THINGS?????? Especially read the last quote from 1802. Perhaps our collective leadership including our president needs to take heed of these observations.
When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe. Thomas Jefferson
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson
It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world. Thomas Jefferson
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government Thomas Jefferson
No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. Thomas Jefferson
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. Thomas Jefferson
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. Thomas Jefferson
To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson said in 1802: I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered..' Thomas Jefferson
'If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed.'-Mark Twain
=
Thursday, August 13, 2009
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money".
—Margaret Thatcher
A recent article appeared on a Blog Site about current health care reform. Its focus was somewhat a form of advertising BUT the central theme was not. The author expressed a recommended series of points that would fix the major infrastructure of the health care system before ever getting into a massive over hall of an already flawed system for more money than we can ever hope to recover.
With a projected $1.8 trillion deficit for 2009, several trillions more in deficits projected over the next decade, and with both Medicare and Social Security spending about to ratchet up several notches over the next 15 years as Baby Boomers become eligible for both, we are rapidly running out of other people's money. These deficits are simply not sustainable. They are either going to result in unprecedented new taxes and inflation, or they will bankrupt us.
While we clearly need health-care reform, the last thing our country needs is a massive new health-care entitlement that will create hundreds of billions of dollars of new unfunded deficits and move us much closer to a government takeover of our health-care system.
Instead, we should be trying to achieve reforms by moving in the opposite direction—toward less government control and more individual empowerment. Here are eight reforms that would greatly lower the cost of health care for everyone:
• Remove the legal obstacles that slow the creation of high-deductible health insurance plans and health savings accounts HSA's. The combination of high-deductible health insurance and HSA's is one solution that could solve many of our health-care problems.
• Equalize the tax laws so that employer-provided health insurance and individually owned health insurance have the same tax benefits. Now employer health insurance benefits are fully tax deductible, but individual health insurance is not. This is unfair.
• Repeal all state laws which prevent insurance companies from competing across state lines. We should all have the legal right to purchase health insurance from any insurance company in any state and we should be able to use that insurance wherever we live. Health insurance should be portable.
• Repeal government mandates regarding what insurance companies must cover. These mandates have increased the cost of health insurance by billions of dollars. What is insured and what is not insured should be determined by individual customer preferences and not through special-interest lobbying.
• Enact tort reform (Change the current laws) to end the ruinous lawsuits that force doctors to pay insurance costs of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. These costs are passed back to us through much higher prices for health care.
• Make costs transparent so that consumers understand what health-care treatments cost. How many people know the total cost of their last doctor's visit and how that total breaks down? What other goods or services do we buy without knowing how much they will cost us?
• Empower Medicare to establish a commission with whatever staffing would be needed to aggressively hunt down and prosecute fraud and churning within Medicare and Medicaid. We need to face up to the actuarial fact that Medicare is heading towards bankruptcy and enact reforms that create greater patient empowerment, choice and responsibility.
• Finally, revise tax forms to make it easier for individuals to make a voluntary, tax-deductible donation to help the millions of people who have no insurance and aren't covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
Health care is a vital service that we all need, but just like food and shelter it is best provided through voluntary and mutually beneficial market exchanges. A careful reading of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution will not reveal any intrinsic right to health care, food or shelter. That's because there isn't any. This "right" has never existed in America.
Even in countries like Canada and the U.K., there is no intrinsic right to health care. Rather, citizens in these countries are told by government bureaucrats what health-care treatments they are eligible to receive and when they can receive them. All countries with socialized medicine ration health care by forcing their citizens to wait in lines to receive scarce treatments.
Take heed to this statement! Although Canada has a population smaller than California, 830,000 Canadians are currently waiting to be admitted to a hospital or to get treatment, according to a report last month in Investor's Business Daily. In England, the waiting list is 1.8 million.
Rather than increase government spending and control, we need to address the root causes of poor health. This begins with the realization that every American adult is responsible for his or her own health.
Unfortunately many of our health-care problems are self-inflicted: two-thirds of Americans are now overweight and one-third are obese. Most of the diseases that kill us and account for about 70% of all health-care spending—heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and obesity—are mostly preventable through proper diet, exercise, not smoking, minimal alcohol consumption and other healthy lifestyle choices.
Health-care reform is very important. Whatever reforms are enacted it is essential that they be financially responsible, and that we have the freedom to choose doctors and the health-care services that best suit our own unique set of lifestyle choices. We are all responsible for our own lives and our own health. We should take that responsibility very seriously and use our freedom to make wise lifestyle choices that will protect our health. Doing so will enrich our lives and will help create a vibrant and sustainable American society.
—Margaret Thatcher
A recent article appeared on a Blog Site about current health care reform. Its focus was somewhat a form of advertising BUT the central theme was not. The author expressed a recommended series of points that would fix the major infrastructure of the health care system before ever getting into a massive over hall of an already flawed system for more money than we can ever hope to recover.
With a projected $1.8 trillion deficit for 2009, several trillions more in deficits projected over the next decade, and with both Medicare and Social Security spending about to ratchet up several notches over the next 15 years as Baby Boomers become eligible for both, we are rapidly running out of other people's money. These deficits are simply not sustainable. They are either going to result in unprecedented new taxes and inflation, or they will bankrupt us.
While we clearly need health-care reform, the last thing our country needs is a massive new health-care entitlement that will create hundreds of billions of dollars of new unfunded deficits and move us much closer to a government takeover of our health-care system.
Instead, we should be trying to achieve reforms by moving in the opposite direction—toward less government control and more individual empowerment. Here are eight reforms that would greatly lower the cost of health care for everyone:
• Remove the legal obstacles that slow the creation of high-deductible health insurance plans and health savings accounts HSA's. The combination of high-deductible health insurance and HSA's is one solution that could solve many of our health-care problems.
• Equalize the tax laws so that employer-provided health insurance and individually owned health insurance have the same tax benefits. Now employer health insurance benefits are fully tax deductible, but individual health insurance is not. This is unfair.
• Repeal all state laws which prevent insurance companies from competing across state lines. We should all have the legal right to purchase health insurance from any insurance company in any state and we should be able to use that insurance wherever we live. Health insurance should be portable.
• Repeal government mandates regarding what insurance companies must cover. These mandates have increased the cost of health insurance by billions of dollars. What is insured and what is not insured should be determined by individual customer preferences and not through special-interest lobbying.
• Enact tort reform (Change the current laws) to end the ruinous lawsuits that force doctors to pay insurance costs of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. These costs are passed back to us through much higher prices for health care.
• Make costs transparent so that consumers understand what health-care treatments cost. How many people know the total cost of their last doctor's visit and how that total breaks down? What other goods or services do we buy without knowing how much they will cost us?
• Empower Medicare to establish a commission with whatever staffing would be needed to aggressively hunt down and prosecute fraud and churning within Medicare and Medicaid. We need to face up to the actuarial fact that Medicare is heading towards bankruptcy and enact reforms that create greater patient empowerment, choice and responsibility.
• Finally, revise tax forms to make it easier for individuals to make a voluntary, tax-deductible donation to help the millions of people who have no insurance and aren't covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
Many promoters of health-care reform believe that people have an intrinsic ethical right to health care—to equal access to doctors, medicines and hospitals. While all of us empathize with those who are sick, how can we say that all people have more of an intrinsic right to health care than they have to food or shelter?
Even in countries like Canada and the U.K., there is no intrinsic right to health care. Rather, citizens in these countries are told by government bureaucrats what health-care treatments they are eligible to receive and when they can receive them. All countries with socialized medicine ration health care by forcing their citizens to wait in lines to receive scarce treatments.
Take heed to this statement! Although Canada has a population smaller than California, 830,000 Canadians are currently waiting to be admitted to a hospital or to get treatment, according to a report last month in Investor's Business Daily. In England, the waiting list is 1.8 million.
Rather than increase government spending and control, we need to address the root causes of poor health. This begins with the realization that every American adult is responsible for his or her own health.
Unfortunately many of our health-care problems are self-inflicted: two-thirds of Americans are now overweight and one-third are obese. Most of the diseases that kill us and account for about 70% of all health-care spending—heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and obesity—are mostly preventable through proper diet, exercise, not smoking, minimal alcohol consumption and other healthy lifestyle choices.
Health-care reform is very important. Whatever reforms are enacted it is essential that they be financially responsible, and that we have the freedom to choose doctors and the health-care services that best suit our own unique set of lifestyle choices. We are all responsible for our own lives and our own health. We should take that responsibility very seriously and use our freedom to make wise lifestyle choices that will protect our health. Doing so will enrich our lives and will help create a vibrant and sustainable American society.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
MEMORIES
It was unfortunate but I never had the opportunity to meet Chandler Luckhum. He was the town barber for over 40 years in Irvington Va. and the father of Garry Luckham the husband of "Sam Wheeler", the writer of this story. They currently live in Irvington in the very house Garry grew up in and later completely refurbished. His contracting business specializes in retrofitting and refurbishing older homes.
All who knew him told me Chandler had a quick wit and was an extraordinary story teller. He knew everyone in Irvington going back a couple of generations. As his life was drawing to a close he told his son Garry who was visiting with him at the hospital, that he had wanted to go to college his whole life and finally he was going to be able to do it. You see he had donated his body to science at the Medical College of Va. He could see humor even as he prepared to pass from this world. If you have an interest in seeing more about this quaint, historic Virginia town here is a website you might find of interest. TLS http://www.city-data.com/city/Irvington-Virginia.html
TO IRVINGTON WITH LOVE:
On a recent rainy Sunday morning, I found myself awake before the chickens and decided to get up and start the coffee. Trying not to disturb my sleeping husband, I got my coffee, and went to our little library, four cats in tow.
I picked up a book that I have read many times before but this time had special meaning. It’s called “To Irvington with Love” and my father in law, Chandler H. Luckham had written the preface for the book. With his recent passing, I felt that melancholy mood one gets with love and loss and the marching on of time.
Re-reading that preface reminded me of how one can truly love a place. I am a “come here” and would fall under the category he wrote about “working hard to be able to live here” even though my idea of hard work was nothing compared to what earlier generations endured just to eek out a living.
I started reading all the memories so sweetly described by folks who are long gone and it set me to thinking about the town and the people of our Irvington today. Even though life from the early to mid 1900’s was much harder, it seemed more fun in many ways. Now we are so busy being busy we don’t make time for porch parties, games of charades or telling a good ghost story while roasting oysters in an outdoor pit.
We barely see our neighbors because we have TV to watch, e-mails to send and text messages to read. I remember as a kid, Sunday afternoons were kept open in case company dropped by. Folks back then didn’t call to say they were coming, they just showed up.
On nice days, we would sit outside and watch the cars go by knowing most everyone in them and say “Wonder where they are going?” No elaborate meals were planned. You had leftovers for after church lunch; it was served cold even if it was meant to be hot, and it was always delicious.
I miss those slow motion times. I worry about these kinds of things disappearing. What kind of tribute will we be able to leave the children not even born yet? What stories and recipes can we hand down to them?
If you enjoy a good love story, pick up a copy of this little book and be sure to read the preface that Chandler wrote. It inspired me to start planning a gathering of neighbors and friends for an old-fashioned porch party.
When e-mails and TV shows are long forgotten, I want to be able to remember the moments spent with all the wonderful people that make up this beautiful little town.
Sam Wheeler
2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
I HAVE HAD IT!
Commentary:
This letter is circulating on the Web and I rarely if ever forward them because I am uncertain of their content but I must say that I find no fault in this letter. This individual is a teacher from Missouri and I have heard and seen thanks to our ever watchful media, all of those things that are written here.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington , DC 20500
Mr. Obama:
You are responsible to the citizens of the United States .You are not responsible to the peoples of any other country on earth. I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War and the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe ? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about?Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century?
Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States ? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came along, come directly from this heritage.
Do you not understand this? Your bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king of Saudi Arabia . You don't show Great Britain , our best and one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of Saudi Arabia . How dare you, sir! How dare you!
You can't find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don't want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey . You offended our dead and every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves. What's the matter with you? I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you.
You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it.
What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members -- on top of the $2.5 million in automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves?
I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer. You haven't said anything about that. Who authorized that? I surely didn't! Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that's $45 million more than the AIG bonuses.
In fact, Fannie and Freddie executives have already been awarded $51 million -- not a bad take. Who authorized that and why haven't you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now.
I resent that you take me and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do. We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country.
This letter is circulating on the Web and I rarely if ever forward them because I am uncertain of their content but I must say that I find no fault in this letter. This individual is a teacher from Missouri and I have heard and seen thanks to our ever watchful media, all of those things that are written here.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington , DC 20500
Mr. Obama:
You are responsible to the citizens of the United States .You are not responsible to the peoples of any other country on earth. I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War and the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe ? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about?Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century?
Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States ? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came along, come directly from this heritage.
Do you not understand this? Your bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king of Saudi Arabia . You don't show Great Britain , our best and one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of Saudi Arabia . How dare you, sir! How dare you!
You can't find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don't want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey . You offended our dead and every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves. What's the matter with you? I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you.
You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it.
What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members -- on top of the $2.5 million in automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves?
I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer. You haven't said anything about that. Who authorized that? I surely didn't! Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that's $45 million more than the AIG bonuses.
In fact, Fannie and Freddie executives have already been awarded $51 million -- not a bad take. Who authorized that and why haven't you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now.
I resent that you take me and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do. We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Social Security, just what is it and how did we get in this mess we’ve made?
In a broad view it is called an entitlement: An Entitlement is a guarantee of access to benefits because of rights, or by agreement through law. It also refers, in a more casual sense to someone’s belief that one is deserving of some particular reward or benefit. The legal term, however, carries no value judgment. It simply denotes a right granted.
Some time ago I heard a panel of scholars debating Social Security refer to it as a "welfare" program. I came into the System just over four years ago so I have been on the Social Security roles and my company pension supplemented by my IRA fund since that time.
Welfare! I sure don't see it that way. That definition is: Welfare (financial aid) is financial assistance paid by taxpayers to people who are unable or unwilling to support themselves.
That sure isn't the case for me! I am afraid I see this thing called Social Security TOTALLY differently. At the young age of 16 I began working and paying Social Security taxes (not voluntary I might add). Starting in 1966 I began paying a Medicare withholding tax as well.
Save for a break for military service that continued until I was 63 years old, some 44 years in all. I saw this "withholding" as premiums that I paid, for an insurance policy so that once I reached retirement age (when my part of the policy matured) I would receive a benefit payment to help sustain me into my senior years. I asked for no handout! I paid my part to sustain that fund so I could receive that benefit!
If what we are being told is true then Social Security is in serious financial trouble and according to its trustees we are going to have to be ready for some serious change and/or reduction of recipients' benefits to survive past 2037. Do you want to know WHY it’s in the shape it is, well here are your answers and I guess I will let you be the judge of which of our political parties got it this way.
You’re Social Security
Just in case some of you are too young and didn't know this. It's easy to check out. Be sure and show it to your kids. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter whether you are Democrat or Republican.
Facts are Facts!!! Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:
1.) Participation in the Program would be completely voluntary.
2.) Participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual Incomes into the program.
3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year.
4.) That the money the participants put into the Independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the General Operating fund, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program.
5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.
Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of The money we paid to the federal government to put away, you may be interested in the following:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?
A: The Democratic Party.
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Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities?
A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the 'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the US.
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Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants?
AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE:
A: That's right, Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party. When immigrants moved into this country, and reached age 65, they began to receive Social Security payments. The Democratic Party gave these payments to them. Even though they never paid a dime into it!
-----------------------------------------------------
Then, after violating all the precepts of the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away! And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it!
Oh and after all that CONGRESS HAS GIVEN THEMSELVES a 100% RETIREMENT FOR ONLY SERVING ONE TERM!!!
So how DO we fix this? First, the Social Security fund needs to be restored to its original intent. Legislation needs to be enacted that prevents Congress from borrowing from the excess funds generated. Second call in aLL IOU's that are outstanding. Then freeze that borrowing.
Remenber Social Security is not part of the Federal Budget general fund. It is a separate account and has its own source of income. Social Security payments do not go into the general fund, they go in the Social Security trust fund, and should NOT be counted as general revenue. The trust fund is supposed to be used to pay future benefits.
But....keep reading....Currently, there is more being payed into the Social Security Trust Fund than is being paid out to beneficiaries. What's left over is routinely being "borrowed" and used as if it were general budget revenue. Government agencies using that money promise to pay it back (IOUs). All current IOU's need to be called due immediately and the fund reimbursed. If you check you will find that Ronald Reagan signed H. R. 4331 enacting those borrowing changes in December 1981.
FOOTNOTE:
All of the money in the Social Security Trust Fund has been spent! That's part of the National Debt. So Social Security is just a very large tax collection tool. Beware the term "Social Security Surplus"; there is no such thing. So is Social Security an enormous Ponzi Scheme? There is never more in the Trust Fund than will ever be needed so it sure fills the criteria.
A Ponzi scheme is an investment operation that involves promising or paying abnormally high returns ("profits") to investors out of the money paid in by subsequent investors, rather than from net revenues generated by any real business. Hum!
Some time ago I heard a panel of scholars debating Social Security refer to it as a "welfare" program. I came into the System just over four years ago so I have been on the Social Security roles and my company pension supplemented by my IRA fund since that time.
Welfare! I sure don't see it that way. That definition is: Welfare (financial aid) is financial assistance paid by taxpayers to people who are unable or unwilling to support themselves.
That sure isn't the case for me! I am afraid I see this thing called Social Security TOTALLY differently. At the young age of 16 I began working and paying Social Security taxes (not voluntary I might add). Starting in 1966 I began paying a Medicare withholding tax as well.
Save for a break for military service that continued until I was 63 years old, some 44 years in all. I saw this "withholding" as premiums that I paid, for an insurance policy so that once I reached retirement age (when my part of the policy matured) I would receive a benefit payment to help sustain me into my senior years. I asked for no handout! I paid my part to sustain that fund so I could receive that benefit!
If what we are being told is true then Social Security is in serious financial trouble and according to its trustees we are going to have to be ready for some serious change and/or reduction of recipients' benefits to survive past 2037. Do you want to know WHY it’s in the shape it is, well here are your answers and I guess I will let you be the judge of which of our political parties got it this way.
You’re Social Security
Just in case some of you are too young and didn't know this. It's easy to check out. Be sure and show it to your kids. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter whether you are Democrat or Republican.
Facts are Facts!!! Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:
1.) Participation in the Program would be completely voluntary.
2.) Participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual Incomes into the program.
3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year.
4.) That the money the participants put into the Independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the General Operating fund, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program.
5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.
Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of The money we paid to the federal government to put away, you may be interested in the following:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?
A: The Democratic Party.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities?
A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the 'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the US.
-------------------------------------------------------
Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants?
AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE:
A: That's right, Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party. When immigrants moved into this country, and reached age 65, they began to receive Social Security payments. The Democratic Party gave these payments to them. Even though they never paid a dime into it!
-----------------------------------------------------
Then, after violating all the precepts of the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away! And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it!
Oh and after all that CONGRESS HAS GIVEN THEMSELVES a 100% RETIREMENT FOR ONLY SERVING ONE TERM!!!
So how DO we fix this? First, the Social Security fund needs to be restored to its original intent. Legislation needs to be enacted that prevents Congress from borrowing from the excess funds generated. Second call in aLL IOU's that are outstanding. Then freeze that borrowing.
Remenber Social Security is not part of the Federal Budget general fund. It is a separate account and has its own source of income. Social Security payments do not go into the general fund, they go in the Social Security trust fund, and should NOT be counted as general revenue. The trust fund is supposed to be used to pay future benefits.
But....keep reading....Currently, there is more being payed into the Social Security Trust Fund than is being paid out to beneficiaries. What's left over is routinely being "borrowed" and used as if it were general budget revenue. Government agencies using that money promise to pay it back (IOUs). All current IOU's need to be called due immediately and the fund reimbursed. If you check you will find that Ronald Reagan signed H. R. 4331 enacting those borrowing changes in December 1981.
FOOTNOTE:
All of the money in the Social Security Trust Fund has been spent! That's part of the National Debt. So Social Security is just a very large tax collection tool. Beware the term "Social Security Surplus"; there is no such thing. So is Social Security an enormous Ponzi Scheme? There is never more in the Trust Fund than will ever be needed so it sure fills the criteria.
A Ponzi scheme is an investment operation that involves promising or paying abnormally high returns ("profits") to investors out of the money paid in by subsequent investors, rather than from net revenues generated by any real business. Hum!
Friday, May 15, 2009
MEDICARE IN A NUTSHELL
I read a "letter to the editor" in my local news paper and its content made me realize that many of the recipients of Social Security and Medicare do not understand them. Let's see if we can do a "Cliff Notes" version for medicare that would help get folks on the right track.
Part- A - Hospital Inpatient. MANDATORY WHEN YOU REACH AGE 65.
Part "A" has no premium.
Part B - IS OPTIONAL: It is Hospital Outpatient, doctor’s visits, ambulance, laboratory, emergency Room.
Part "B" does have a premium and it is automatically deducted from your Social Security Check each month.
Part C - is somewhat of a Hybrid of "A" "B" and "D" and is an alternative to regular Medicare.
CAUTION: Be sure you give "Due Diligence" to this option before doing this because it is a lot like an HMO or PPO. When you join Medicare Part “C” you are Opting for a MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN.
This means you have a Primary Care Medical Doctor. This doctor refers you to specialists and manages all your medical needs. You will not be able to visit any doctor of your choice and you stay within the group you are assigned. You can go out of the group BUT then you are responsible for up to 100% of the tab.
Part D - Prescription Drug
Part "D" Does have variable premiums depending on the plan selected.
For beneficiaries, the plan covers 75% of prescription costs above $250 per year. The recipient has to pay an initial deductible of $250, then one quarter of the costs from $250 to $2250. From $2250 to $5100 per year, the beneficiary pays for ALL of those costs out of pocket, and any costs above $5100 are completely covered by Part D insurance. This ensures beneficiaries who need to have expensive treatments will be covered for any extreme costs.
The insurance works to reduce the amount of your out of pocket costs in agreement with the other medical care provided by Medicare's other parts. NOTE: This program has a feature refered to as the "Donut Hole". My assessment is its more like a "Black Hole" and VERY costly. The best layman's description I found was on Wikipedia. This link should help explain what I mean. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_Part_D#Costs_to_beneficiaries
REMEMBER:
THE PART D PLANS ARE NOT PROVIDED DIRECTLY BY THE GOVERNMENT; AS A RESULT, THE TYPES OF DRUGS COVERED CAN VARY. Variable premiums are available depending on the plan coverage you select.
FILLING THE MEDICARE “GAP”
Medicare also does not always pay all of the charges made. Many procedures have a Medicare deductible or maximum. This is where the senior has to consider an alternate source to pick up these charges.
It is commonly called "GAP INSURANCE" and is provided by a number of carriers and does have a premium as well. You can choose from a variety of plans from A through F. Each has different features. Be sure you assess your needs carefully before choosing.
The good news here is that the Federal Government has made all providers of these type of plans carry the same components. What is important is what each component provides based on your medical needs.
Friday, April 24, 2009
GUESS OUR NATIONAL LEADERS DIDN'T SEE THIS COMING!
On Thursday, May 27, 1999, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. This is a transcript of that address.
What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:
"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.
"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.
"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.
"I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. "I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:
Your laws ignore our deepest needs, Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage, You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms, And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere, And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws, Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand, That God is what we need!"
Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and reek havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact.
What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs - politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. "Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.
Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored. We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God!"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes-He did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools.
Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA - I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"
What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:
"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.
"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.
"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.
"I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. "I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:
Your laws ignore our deepest needs, Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage, You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms, And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere, And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws, Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand, That God is what we need!"
Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and reek havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact.
What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs - politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. "Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.
Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored. We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God!"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes-He did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools.
Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA - I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Health Care plan WE may be headed toward
I have for some time been concerned as to how our current administration is leaning with regard to our health care system, especially with regard to our medicare for those 65 and older. I haven't ventured into this area because all the information I had was what our courts would call "hearsay". My family has had acquaintances and extended family associated with this thing called National Health but that is all. Well, today in our local newspaper an article in our editorial section was directed to just that and this individual is an American that lives in the United Kingdom. She responds to a previous article regarding England's National Health Service! Below is her article in her own words.
As an American living in the United Kingdom I read with interest the recent letter regarding Britain's National Health Service (NHS).
Although I agree with the writer with regard to the quality of doctors and nurses in the U. K. I was surprised to learn how many people in the U. K. also carry pricey private health insurance . I wonder if the writer is even aware that private hospitals and private insurance are even available, let alone common and on the rise.
My dear friend, a geriatric specialist, also informed me that, in the U. K. system once one reaches the "elderly" age of 65, one is no longer considered "eligible" for such things as heart, kidney, or lung transplants. Such patients are referred to as "end of life care". Incidentally my U. K. physician friend carries private health insurance for himself and his wife.
What is actually happening in the U. K. is "classist". Only the wealthy can afford private health insurance, and it is on the rise-making the NHS the only option for the masses. It would be naive to think this same private insurance would not evolve here if national health were to become the universal U. S. system.
Although not perfect, our medical system is the envy of the world. Let us work at tweaking it instead of replacing it. Sharon Strong Peple. RTD
Case in point:
A woman in Great Britian who was the mother of a family members friend saw a doctor in the U. K. (She was about 77 years old), because of some issues she was having. As it turned out the physician determined what he suspected was the source of the problem and advised her she needed to see a Cardiologist to determine exactly what was going on. In order to see a cardiologist (ANY Cardiologist) she was required to be placed on a waiting list.
Over two years passed and she then made plans to visit her son in America before something happened. She purchased her tickets and was within days of flying out when she was finally called and said they could see her. Needless to say the trip was cancelled so she could keep the appointment. As I recall her heart condition was treatable with medication but had it not been the case she very well may not have survived the "wait".
As an American living in the United Kingdom I read with interest the recent letter regarding Britain's National Health Service (NHS).
Although I agree with the writer with regard to the quality of doctors and nurses in the U. K. I was surprised to learn how many people in the U. K. also carry pricey private health insurance . I wonder if the writer is even aware that private hospitals and private insurance are even available, let alone common and on the rise.
My dear friend, a geriatric specialist, also informed me that, in the U. K. system once one reaches the "elderly" age of 65, one is no longer considered "eligible" for such things as heart, kidney, or lung transplants. Such patients are referred to as "end of life care". Incidentally my U. K. physician friend carries private health insurance for himself and his wife.
What is actually happening in the U. K. is "classist". Only the wealthy can afford private health insurance, and it is on the rise-making the NHS the only option for the masses. It would be naive to think this same private insurance would not evolve here if national health were to become the universal U. S. system.
Although not perfect, our medical system is the envy of the world. Let us work at tweaking it instead of replacing it. Sharon Strong Peple. RTD
Case in point:
A woman in Great Britian who was the mother of a family members friend saw a doctor in the U. K. (She was about 77 years old), because of some issues she was having. As it turned out the physician determined what he suspected was the source of the problem and advised her she needed to see a Cardiologist to determine exactly what was going on. In order to see a cardiologist (ANY Cardiologist) she was required to be placed on a waiting list.
Over two years passed and she then made plans to visit her son in America before something happened. She purchased her tickets and was within days of flying out when she was finally called and said they could see her. Needless to say the trip was cancelled so she could keep the appointment. As I recall her heart condition was treatable with medication but had it not been the case she very well may not have survived the "wait".
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
What is this stimulus package doing for us?
A couple of of pieces of the package are actually meant to specifically help the taxpayers:
1: One provision for those under Social Security and Supplemental Social Security income beneficiaries and older veterans and railroad retirees is a one time payment of $250.00 dollars for individuals and $500.00 dollars for couples where both are drawing these benefits.
You needn't file any forms or do anything special to get your money. It will just show up by June as an extra check or automatic deposit. Depending on how you usually receive your benefits. Want more details? Go to www.ssa.gov/payment. If you are a retiree and participate in some plan other than Social Security you may have to file tax returns to get your payments.
2: Should you choose to purchase a new car in 2009 you can get a deduction for any state and local sales taxes you pay. The nice part about this one is that even if you cannot itemize deduction's you still can take the taxes as a credit off your return. The only limitation is that it is only on the first $49,500.00 dollars of the cost of the car.
3: For those still working you will get an additional $400.00 dollars in 2009. You should see this in the form of an increase of $7.70 or so a week. Others will get the money when they file their 2009 tax return. Phaseout begins at $75000.00 dollars for individuals and $150000.00 dollars for couples.
4: COBRA: This is the law that allows you to continue your employer medical insurance if you lose your job through through no fault of your own. The stimulus package provides that if between Sept 1, 2008 and January 1, 2010 you lose your job you can get some payment relief.
In its current form it can be costly because you not only pay your part of the premium you also pay the companies part plus an administrative fee. Regular COBRA can continue for up to 18 months. The new stimulus package has a subsidy provision that will allow you to pay only 35 percent of the total amount per month for up to 9 months. The employer gets a tax credit for the 65 percent remainder. Remember though, companies under 20 employees are not eligible for this program and are not required to provide this benefit so for those employees this subsidy will not be available
5: Saved the best for last, so to speak, Should you buy a new home in 2009, either for the first time or if you haven't bought a home in the past three years you can get a tax credit of up to $8000.00 dollars to help with your down payment. There is also a provision for a new tax combined credit for up to $1500.00 dollars for 2009 and 2010 for improving the homes energy efficiency. Now, if you buy such items as replacement windows and energy efficient appliances you can get up to a 30 percent credit.
1: One provision for those under Social Security and Supplemental Social Security income beneficiaries and older veterans and railroad retirees is a one time payment of $250.00 dollars for individuals and $500.00 dollars for couples where both are drawing these benefits.
You needn't file any forms or do anything special to get your money. It will just show up by June as an extra check or automatic deposit. Depending on how you usually receive your benefits. Want more details? Go to www.ssa.gov/payment. If you are a retiree and participate in some plan other than Social Security you may have to file tax returns to get your payments.
2: Should you choose to purchase a new car in 2009 you can get a deduction for any state and local sales taxes you pay. The nice part about this one is that even if you cannot itemize deduction's you still can take the taxes as a credit off your return. The only limitation is that it is only on the first $49,500.00 dollars of the cost of the car.
3: For those still working you will get an additional $400.00 dollars in 2009. You should see this in the form of an increase of $7.70 or so a week. Others will get the money when they file their 2009 tax return. Phaseout begins at $75000.00 dollars for individuals and $150000.00 dollars for couples.
4: COBRA: This is the law that allows you to continue your employer medical insurance if you lose your job through through no fault of your own. The stimulus package provides that if between Sept 1, 2008 and January 1, 2010 you lose your job you can get some payment relief.
In its current form it can be costly because you not only pay your part of the premium you also pay the companies part plus an administrative fee. Regular COBRA can continue for up to 18 months. The new stimulus package has a subsidy provision that will allow you to pay only 35 percent of the total amount per month for up to 9 months. The employer gets a tax credit for the 65 percent remainder. Remember though, companies under 20 employees are not eligible for this program and are not required to provide this benefit so for those employees this subsidy will not be available
5: Saved the best for last, so to speak, Should you buy a new home in 2009, either for the first time or if you haven't bought a home in the past three years you can get a tax credit of up to $8000.00 dollars to help with your down payment. There is also a provision for a new tax combined credit for up to $1500.00 dollars for 2009 and 2010 for improving the homes energy efficiency. Now, if you buy such items as replacement windows and energy efficient appliances you can get up to a 30 percent credit.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Taxation til Death do us part!
It would seem most all we do is somehow taxed
by some entity, agency, county, city, state or
the federal government.
Be sure and note the last line its an eye opener
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax Inventory
Tax IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income
Tax State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee, Tax upon Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
Income Tax
Tire Tax
Provincial Sales Tax
Goods & Services Tax (GST)
And with my luck when I pass from this world they will have instituted a Mortuary tax!
Isn't it interesting that not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and we had absolutely no national debt!
by some entity, agency, county, city, state or
the federal government.
Be sure and note the last line its an eye opener
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax Inventory
Tax IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income
Tax State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee, Tax upon Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
Income Tax
Tire Tax
Provincial Sales Tax
Goods & Services Tax (GST)
And with my luck when I pass from this world they will have instituted a Mortuary tax!
Isn't it interesting that not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and we had absolutely no national debt!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Prologue:
The story you are about to read is that of a man who came into the world just nineteen years after the turn of the century. He was the son of a farmer and always loved to work the land.
When his parents passed, It was his life, passion and avocation. The land served him well and provided a modest living for him and his family. As world war II began he left and joined the navy because he felt it was his duty. The story below picks up some years later and so it began.
It seemed I'd known him my entire life, but in reality I'd met him when I was fifteen, I remember it well, his first words to me were "How ya doin’ gal?" It seemed funny when he said it. I'd been taught to say, "Pleased to make you acquaintance or something much more formal than the easy words that rolled off his tongue. Over the next forty years it became the standard greeting between us.
He was my father-in-law but since I'd never known my own father and my step father didn't feel the need to be a parent, he became the image of a dad I'd never known.
He was not an educated man, having only completed the first few years of grade school, but he was a man of great knowledge. He kept up on current events by listening to the radio and reading the daily newspaper. He took great interest in new things that were being invented, without the desire to run out and experience every new gadget that came along. He bought only what he needed and nothing more. He was difficult to buy presents for since he didn't collect anything or have a hobby. His passion was farming, and not many of us could afford a new hay baler or combine. So, without fail, it would be a new flannel shirt, He'd open it and grin, saying it was just what he needed. His smile is something I will always remember, it lit up his whole face, his eyes would sparkle and his dimples would show.
He was born in 1919, in a rural area of Virginia, When his mother passed away he continued to live and work on the old farm, only leaving to serve his country during the war. When he returned he went to work in a cellophane factory. His job was not an easy one, he worked shift work but that didn't stop him from farming. He still plowed the fields, raised cattle and hogs and had a garden that would supply enough vegetables to feed a small army. He was always busy.
Sometimes, when I'd visit, he'd offer me a glass of homemade wine. You've never tasted anything so good. On a few rare occasions he'd tell tales of the times when he was in the war or more often, of his experiences working at the lead and zinc mine, or of the ghosts encountered on the long walks though the dark woods on his way to or from work.
His was a hard life. There were no vacations because he'd never leave his animals for someone else to care for. I don't believe he spent a night away from home after he returned from the Navy. I never heard him say he wished he could get away for a week. His farm was his life.
A month before he passed away I went to see him and when I left he said, “Come back to see us, gal, you're always welcome." His son and I had divorced twenty six years earlier, but as far as I was concerned he was still my father-in-law. When I got the news of his death I couldn't imagine how life would be without him. But, life does go on. My son and grandson will miss him terribly but their memories of him will always be treasured.
He died, as he lived, on his beloved tractor that had carried him over many miles of fields and pasture, only yards from where he was born 82 years ago. Yes, we'll miss him, but only his body is gone, his spirit lives on in all of us.
Kathleen 2002
The story you are about to read is that of a man who came into the world just nineteen years after the turn of the century. He was the son of a farmer and always loved to work the land.
When his parents passed, It was his life, passion and avocation. The land served him well and provided a modest living for him and his family. As world war II began he left and joined the navy because he felt it was his duty. The story below picks up some years later and so it began.
A Man to Be Remembered
He was my father-in-law but since I'd never known my own father and my step father didn't feel the need to be a parent, he became the image of a dad I'd never known.
He was not an educated man, having only completed the first few years of grade school, but he was a man of great knowledge. He kept up on current events by listening to the radio and reading the daily newspaper. He took great interest in new things that were being invented, without the desire to run out and experience every new gadget that came along. He bought only what he needed and nothing more. He was difficult to buy presents for since he didn't collect anything or have a hobby. His passion was farming, and not many of us could afford a new hay baler or combine. So, without fail, it would be a new flannel shirt, He'd open it and grin, saying it was just what he needed. His smile is something I will always remember, it lit up his whole face, his eyes would sparkle and his dimples would show.
He was born in 1919, in a rural area of Virginia, When his mother passed away he continued to live and work on the old farm, only leaving to serve his country during the war. When he returned he went to work in a cellophane factory. His job was not an easy one, he worked shift work but that didn't stop him from farming. He still plowed the fields, raised cattle and hogs and had a garden that would supply enough vegetables to feed a small army. He was always busy.
Sometimes, when I'd visit, he'd offer me a glass of homemade wine. You've never tasted anything so good. On a few rare occasions he'd tell tales of the times when he was in the war or more often, of his experiences working at the lead and zinc mine, or of the ghosts encountered on the long walks though the dark woods on his way to or from work.
His was a hard life. There were no vacations because he'd never leave his animals for someone else to care for. I don't believe he spent a night away from home after he returned from the Navy. I never heard him say he wished he could get away for a week. His farm was his life.
A month before he passed away I went to see him and when I left he said, “Come back to see us, gal, you're always welcome." His son and I had divorced twenty six years earlier, but as far as I was concerned he was still my father-in-law. When I got the news of his death I couldn't imagine how life would be without him. But, life does go on. My son and grandson will miss him terribly but their memories of him will always be treasured.
He died, as he lived, on his beloved tractor that had carried him over many miles of fields and pasture, only yards from where he was born 82 years ago. Yes, we'll miss him, but only his body is gone, his spirit lives on in all of us.
Kathleen 2002
Epilogue:
As I arrived at the funeral home to meet with my sister and the other family members, the sun shown in the sky as those who knew this man gathered to offer their respects. He passed as he had lived, on the land. He layed in the casket in a clean crisp pair of overalls and the best flannel shirt that could be found. This was the way everyone wanted to remember him. As we went to our cars to go to the gravesite police officers arrived on motorcycles to escort the procession to the final place of rest. Just before we arrived at the family cemetary both officers sped ahead and were waiting at the turn on either side of the road. Both stood ramrod straight at attention and when we turned gave him a hand salute that they held until the entire procession had passed. As we arrived at the site we were met by a naval officer and four navy personnel at attention to do honors to his military service. The caskets flag was folded and presented to his widow. Taps played in the air and he had returned to the land that he loved.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Golden Years!
>
>LAUGH A LITTLE EVERY DAY....
>A row of bottles on my shelf
>Caused me to analyze myself.
>One yellow pill I have to pop
>Goes to my heart so it won't stop.
>A little white one that I take
>Goes to my hands so they won't shake.
>The blue ones that I use a lot
>Tell me I'm happy when I'm not.
>The purple pill goes to my brain
>And tells me that I have no pain.
>The capsules tell me not to wheeze
>Or cough or choke or even sneeze.
>The red ones, smallest of them all
>Go to my blood so I won't fall.
>The orange ones, very big and bright
>Prevent my leg cramps in the night.
>Such an array of brilliant pills
>Helping to cure all kinds of ills.
>But what I'd really like to know
>Is what tells each one where to go!
>
Remember! There's always a lot to be thankful for.
I am sitting here now thinking, how nice it is
That wrinkles don't hurt.
>
>LAUGH A LITTLE EVERY DAY....
>A row of bottles on my shelf
>Caused me to analyze myself.
>One yellow pill I have to pop
>Goes to my heart so it won't stop.
>A little white one that I take
>Goes to my hands so they won't shake.
>The blue ones that I use a lot
>Tell me I'm happy when I'm not.
>The purple pill goes to my brain
>And tells me that I have no pain.
>The capsules tell me not to wheeze
>Or cough or choke or even sneeze.
>The red ones, smallest of them all
>Go to my blood so I won't fall.
>The orange ones, very big and bright
>Prevent my leg cramps in the night.
>Such an array of brilliant pills
>Helping to cure all kinds of ills.
>But what I'd really like to know
>Is what tells each one where to go!
>
Remember! There's always a lot to be thankful for.
I am sitting here now thinking, how nice it is
That wrinkles don't hurt.
Monday, February 16, 2009
We Need Optimism not Fear Mongering
Well, my name isn't Joe and I'm not a Plumber but my family and I are one of those average families that Joe represented in our most recent election campaign. We made a modest living, raised two children and lived within our means as best we could. We bought several homes as our family grew and in later years as our children got older we saved what we could toward our 401K's in hopes of supplementing our pensions and social security.
We struggled in our early years and not until we had reached beyond middle age did we start to see some glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel toward our retirement future. Finally, the mortgage was gone, the credit cards were paid off and what are we faced with? The greatest fallout of our market system since the crashes of 1929 and more recently 1987.
We should have seen it coming with the exposure of the Enron debacle and the TYCO president going to jail for tax fraud sending their employee 401K's into a crash dive. In some ways my family was lucky, with good advise from some wise investors from an earlier time. We were fortunate, I listened and did not as the saying goes "put all my eggs in one basket". Even with that caution I still lost 30% of my investments and when retirement time came for me I still had not gained it all back. We did see the glimmering of what was about to happen though and given our ages we moved almost all our investments to the money market side of our accounts to help protect them.
What most concerns me now though is our news media. They have taken every chance to bombard us with how bad things are, how we are in a spiraling fall from which we may never recover. Words like "Pending Disaster", "Catastrophic Fallout" and "Economic Failure" are all part of their engaging news reporting.
How should these "stimulus packages / spending bills" be spent? My first inclination is that we need to get people back to work. Start moving forward again. Stop dwelling on what we've done and look toward what we need to do to repair the damage. Once there is income flowing then we can begin to see progress. Less homes will go into foreclosure, car loans won't be defaulted on, banks won't be stuck with housing assets they can't sell. Investors will be enclined to buy not sell.
Then the American economy will right itself because it is comprised of the brightest and best the world has to offer and we unlike any other nation have free will. We can listen to whom we want, evaluate all sides of an argument or even choose to go in our own direction. Stop the fear mongering!
Editorial Comment
Toms Tidbits
We struggled in our early years and not until we had reached beyond middle age did we start to see some glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel toward our retirement future. Finally, the mortgage was gone, the credit cards were paid off and what are we faced with? The greatest fallout of our market system since the crashes of 1929 and more recently 1987.
We should have seen it coming with the exposure of the Enron debacle and the TYCO president going to jail for tax fraud sending their employee 401K's into a crash dive. In some ways my family was lucky, with good advise from some wise investors from an earlier time. We were fortunate, I listened and did not as the saying goes "put all my eggs in one basket". Even with that caution I still lost 30% of my investments and when retirement time came for me I still had not gained it all back. We did see the glimmering of what was about to happen though and given our ages we moved almost all our investments to the money market side of our accounts to help protect them.
What most concerns me now though is our news media. They have taken every chance to bombard us with how bad things are, how we are in a spiraling fall from which we may never recover. Words like "Pending Disaster", "Catastrophic Fallout" and "Economic Failure" are all part of their engaging news reporting.
How should these "stimulus packages / spending bills" be spent? My first inclination is that we need to get people back to work. Start moving forward again. Stop dwelling on what we've done and look toward what we need to do to repair the damage. Once there is income flowing then we can begin to see progress. Less homes will go into foreclosure, car loans won't be defaulted on, banks won't be stuck with housing assets they can't sell. Investors will be enclined to buy not sell.
Then the American economy will right itself because it is comprised of the brightest and best the world has to offer and we unlike any other nation have free will. We can listen to whom we want, evaluate all sides of an argument or even choose to go in our own direction. Stop the fear mongering!
Editorial Comment
Toms Tidbits
Saturday, February 7, 2009
A tribute to Virginia Military Institute - VMI
VMI was heard in Inaugural Parade
When I settled in for the evening to watch the Inaugural Parade. I checked the Line-up for the parade and there was VMI next to last. It looked to be a long wait.
As the groups marched past the camera, I noticed that a number of militarily uniformed units had someone obviously out of step. I chalked it up to the cold, noise, and other factors that we might be unaware of. I wasn't really optimistic about VMI.
Then, in the far background the camera picked up the VMI front rank begin its column-left onto Pennsylvania Avenue. The camera took some shots of the colorful group in front of them but kept panning back to the steadily approaching gray wall. On they marched. It soon became apparent that this was not a single company or battalion it was the entire Corps, and just as in 1864, they were on the move with something to prove.
One could almost feel the solid chunk as heels dug in together, concentrating not just on getting it right, but getting it right.
Watching the gray wall roll toward the reviewing stand, I saw no one out of step, On they came, rank after rank. The announcer told us that 1200 and some Cadets were appearing in VMI's 13th Inaugural Parade. As the first battalion passed in review, the camera panned to the review stand in time to see Mrs. Obama watching, clearly saying "WOW" and giving them two thumbs up.
Just as it has for 170 years , the VMI Corps of Cadets stood tall for Virginia. Old Stonewall had it right so many years ago--VMI wasn't just there, VMI was heard from.
I truly wish I could write as eloquently as this but the credit for this article goes to John D. Grim from New Market, Va. from the RTD. This is the video that is mentioned in this article if you want to watch it. Use the left arrow to go back to the blogsite if you would like to read other articles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoXlNUPvKS8
John
Thank You
When I settled in for the evening to watch the Inaugural Parade. I checked the Line-up for the parade and there was VMI next to last. It looked to be a long wait.
As the groups marched past the camera, I noticed that a number of militarily uniformed units had someone obviously out of step. I chalked it up to the cold, noise, and other factors that we might be unaware of. I wasn't really optimistic about VMI.
Then, in the far background the camera picked up the VMI front rank begin its column-left onto Pennsylvania Avenue. The camera took some shots of the colorful group in front of them but kept panning back to the steadily approaching gray wall. On they marched. It soon became apparent that this was not a single company or battalion it was the entire Corps, and just as in 1864, they were on the move with something to prove.
One could almost feel the solid chunk as heels dug in together, concentrating not just on getting it right, but getting it right.
Watching the gray wall roll toward the reviewing stand, I saw no one out of step, On they came, rank after rank. The announcer told us that 1200 and some Cadets were appearing in VMI's 13th Inaugural Parade. As the first battalion passed in review, the camera panned to the review stand in time to see Mrs. Obama watching, clearly saying "WOW" and giving them two thumbs up.
Just as it has for 170 years , the VMI Corps of Cadets stood tall for Virginia. Old Stonewall had it right so many years ago--VMI wasn't just there, VMI was heard from.
I truly wish I could write as eloquently as this but the credit for this article goes to John D. Grim from New Market, Va. from the RTD. This is the video that is mentioned in this article if you want to watch it. Use the left arrow to go back to the blogsite if you would like to read other articles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoXlNUPvKS8
John
Thank You
Friday, February 6, 2009
52M in cuts for Chesterfield Co Schools
This post would fall under the "commentary" category. Simply put this is what I see from my perspective.
Chesterfield County has been one of the top Virginia school districts for many years and is the county that this writer resides in. It too has fallen victim to the economic downturn. It will most likely be the second largest cuts of any division in Virginia as reported by Superintendent Marcus Newsome. He stated that every student and every staff member will be affected by these cuts.
No raises will be forthcoming this year and each and every employee will be subject to a two day furlough (time off without pay) during the school year. If you would like to see more details about these cuts you can visit http://www.chesterfield.k12.va.us/ for added details.
I truly believe in hard times you often must make hard decisions and most often not pleasant ones. Having said that though it would seem our new superintendent has some form of immunity. Recent interviews have indicated he is purportedly to receive a substantial wage increase in the coming year which he says was agreed to when he took over the school district. Seems he is invoking the CEO immunity rule that wall street uses.
Leadership is from the top down and Mr. Newsome would gain far more respect by adding himself to the list of "staff" subject to these hard decisions.
Chesterfield County has been one of the top Virginia school districts for many years and is the county that this writer resides in. It too has fallen victim to the economic downturn. It will most likely be the second largest cuts of any division in Virginia as reported by Superintendent Marcus Newsome. He stated that every student and every staff member will be affected by these cuts.
No raises will be forthcoming this year and each and every employee will be subject to a two day furlough (time off without pay) during the school year. If you would like to see more details about these cuts you can visit http://www.chesterfield.k12.va.us/ for added details.
I truly believe in hard times you often must make hard decisions and most often not pleasant ones. Having said that though it would seem our new superintendent has some form of immunity. Recent interviews have indicated he is purportedly to receive a substantial wage increase in the coming year which he says was agreed to when he took over the school district. Seems he is invoking the CEO immunity rule that wall street uses.
Leadership is from the top down and Mr. Newsome would gain far more respect by adding himself to the list of "staff" subject to these hard decisions.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Minimum IRA Distributions (MRD)
Minimum IRA Distributions (MRD)
Breaking news! Most seniors should know by now that a congressional amendment recently went into place allowing those over the age of 70 1/2 to waive taking those distributions (RMD) to be taxed from their IRA's. Caution though, it is only good for 2009. After that the amendment is set to expire unless its renewed for another year.
Waiver of 2009 Required Minimum Distributions
On Tuesday, December 23, 2008, President Bush signed into law H.R. 7327, the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008, which waives the 2009 required minimum distribution (RMD) from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and plans, such as:
Traditional IRAs
Simplified Employee Pension (SEP)
Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE)
Inherited IRAs, including inherited Roth IRAs
Defined Contribution Plans [such as 401(k), Profit Sharing, and Money Purchase plans]
403(b)(7) custodial accounts.
This means that if you are turning age 70½ in 2009, you are not required to begin taking the RMD from your retirement account in 2009. If you are over age 70½, you are not required to continue to take your RMD for 2009.You may still choose to take a distribution, although it is not required.
As a reminder, if you turned age 70½ during 2008, then you must continue to meet your RMD for 2008.You have until April 1, 2009, to complete your RMD requirement. If you are over age 70½, you are also required to continue your RMD for 2008
Breaking news! Most seniors should know by now that a congressional amendment recently went into place allowing those over the age of 70 1/2 to waive taking those distributions (RMD) to be taxed from their IRA's. Caution though, it is only good for 2009. After that the amendment is set to expire unless its renewed for another year.
Waiver of 2009 Required Minimum Distributions
On Tuesday, December 23, 2008, President Bush signed into law H.R. 7327, the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008, which waives the 2009 required minimum distribution (RMD) from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and plans, such as:
Traditional IRAs
Simplified Employee Pension (SEP)
Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE)
Inherited IRAs, including inherited Roth IRAs
Defined Contribution Plans [such as 401(k), Profit Sharing, and Money Purchase plans]
403(b)(7) custodial accounts.
This means that if you are turning age 70½ in 2009, you are not required to begin taking the RMD from your retirement account in 2009. If you are over age 70½, you are not required to continue to take your RMD for 2009.You may still choose to take a distribution, although it is not required.
As a reminder, if you turned age 70½ during 2008, then you must continue to meet your RMD for 2008.You have until April 1, 2009, to complete your RMD requirement. If you are over age 70½, you are also required to continue your RMD for 2008
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