Easter is late this year. So, in many ways is my own "season of renewal". Though I think mine has been growing for more than just 40 days...and new, things are starting to flower and take root!
For Catholics, in February - deep in the cold and dark of Winter's long time of snow and ice, we celebrate Ash Wednesday - the beginning of Lent - it always brings me the promise of Spring - that knowledge that even in the deepest part of winter's hold, God wants us to feel the spark of warmth that comes with rebirth of all things.
The long 40 days of Lent - when we focused on "giving up" something for Lent. That sacrifice is not meant to deprive us of something we like, but rather as a focal point for the bigger work of becoming a better person in faith. By focusing on that one small sacrifice, we can use thoughts of that to strive to be a better mother, wife, friend, person. For me, it has always been a struggle of my passionate nature - the quixotic, red-headed temperament that has always been my area of weakness, the one, big place to focus improvements. Over years (YEARS), I have gotten a tight rein on my harsher tendencies and become....more - patient. (perhaps) I try. Every year. Something new.
Then, with the bright little shoots of green, everywhere it seems all at once, it bursts to the surface - my desire to have new, green, growing things all around. I love the change of seasons and all the different and new flowers, plants, fruits, vegetables, promises of things to come....Easter and growing - personal growth and growth of what seeds you planted. The rebirth and promise of our Lord, Jesus and His gift to us - and the gifts that come from the earth. They all seem tied together now.
In the Spring, I am always pulled by the earth to plant new, beautiful things to watch and nurture and grow. I love this time of year and seeing what new things will bloom - just around the corner. This year, I have planted my herbs and some flowers, my trees have budded and small pears and apples are on the branches. Grapes have returned - and look to produce this year! We will see what the harvest provides later in the summer, but for now - everything is coming up....roses. :-)
So, Happy Easter...Happy Spring, Happy Renewed You!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
A Few "Facts" About Taxes....
Some folks out there doubt what The House Leadership - lead by Mr. Ryan's Budget Plan have to say about Federal Spending and Taxes. Let's take a look at some government tax and budget facts then so you can see why conservatives say America doesn't have a tax shortage, it has a spending problem:
Fact: In 2009, the Federal government collected 2.1 trillion dollars in taxes.
Fact: In 2009, the Federal government spent 3.52 trillion dollars.
Fact: In 2009, the Federal government spent 678 billion dollars on Social Security.
Fact: In 2009, the Federal government spent 676 billion dollars on Medicare.
Fact: In 2009, 38.47% of the entire budget went to Social Security and Medicare and the two programmes consumed 64.48% of all Federal tax revenues.
Fact: The 2009 Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports show the combined unfunded liability of these two programmes has reached nearly 107 trillion dollars in today's dollars and Laurence Kotlikoff, a well-known professor of economics at Boston University, puts the real figure over 200 trillion dollars!
Fact: In 2010, the Federal government collected 2.16 trillion dollars in taxes.
Fact: In 2010, the Federal government spent 3.618 trillion dollars.
Fact: In 2010, the Federal government spent 701 billion dollars on Social Security.
Fact: In 2010, the Federal government spent 793 billion dollars on Medicare.
Fact: In 2010, 41.29% of the entire budget went to Social Security and Medicare and the two programmes consumed 69.17% of all Federal tax revenues.
Fact: Discretionary spending under Bush was 6% when he left office. Obama increased discretionary spending by 11% in 2009 and 14% in 2010.
Fact: Under the baseline scenario, for example, the CBO has determined that the federal government can restore fiscal balance by raising all taxes and cutting all transfer payments immediately and for the indefinite future by 35%.
Fact: The CBO also found that if federal income tax rates are adjusted to allow the government to continue its current level of activity and balance its budget, the lowest marginal income tax rate of 10% would have to rise to 26%.
Fact: The CBO has found that if federal income tax rates are adjusted to allow the government to continue its current level of activity and balance its budget, the 25% marginal tax rate would increase to 66%.
Fact: The CBO also found that if federal income tax rates are adjusted to allow the government to continue its current level of activity and balance its budget, the current highest marginal tax rate on 250,000 dollars (35%) would rise to 92%.
Fact: If the CBO doesn’t do it for you, then try the IMF, which has said that the US has a “critical” fiscal problem and is “not serious” about addressing it. According to the IMF, were the US government to repeal the tax cuts enacted in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (JGTRRA), and were the IPAB to succeed in curbing healthcare spending growth as provided in the IPAB mandate, reining in the fiscal gap would still require an immediate and permanent increase in all taxes and cut in all transfers of 26%.
Fact: According to the IMF, there is an alternative to the Paul Ryan Plan -- an 88% flat tax on everyone. Further, that would be in addition to FICA taxes, which would be 37% on gross income in 2054. [Yes, you read that correctly. 37% payroll taxes on gross income + 88% flat tax on everyone. And, yes, I realize that 37 + 88 = 125. Even if employers were to pay 50% of the 37% (18.5%), you are still left with 88% + 18.5% = 106.5%. Not only would you be working for free, you would also have to pay the government for the privilege of getting to work for nothing. And, you think the Madison labour fight was bad?]
Fact: If you raised taxes to 90% on the wealthiest Americans, forget about debt reduction. You wouldn’t be able to eliminate the budget deficit.
Fact: If you confiscated every penny owned (not just earned) by the 400 wealthiest Americans – 1.36825 TRILLION DOLLARS – you would still have a 300 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET DEFICIT IN FY 2011.
Fact: If you confiscated every penny owned (not just earned) by the 400 wealthiest Americans – 1.36825 TRILLION DOLLARS – you would still not have enough money to fund Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for one year.
Fact: Under the Obama tax plan, the Bush rates would be repealed for the top brackets. Yet the "cost" of extending all the Bush rates in 2011 over 10 years was about 3.7 trillion dollars. Some 3 trillion dollars of that was for everything but the top brackets—and Obama says he wants to extend those rates forever. According to IRS data, the entire taxable income of everyone earning over 100,000 dollars in 2008 was about 1.582 trillion dollars. Even if all these Americans—most of whom are far from wealthy—were taxed at 100%, it wouldn't cover Obama's 1.65 trillion dollar deficit for this year.
Once again, America has a spending problem. Not a revenue problem.
Fact: In 2009, the Federal government collected 2.1 trillion dollars in taxes.
Fact: In 2009, the Federal government spent 3.52 trillion dollars.
Fact: In 2009, the Federal government spent 678 billion dollars on Social Security.
Fact: In 2009, the Federal government spent 676 billion dollars on Medicare.
Fact: In 2009, 38.47% of the entire budget went to Social Security and Medicare and the two programmes consumed 64.48% of all Federal tax revenues.
Fact: The 2009 Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports show the combined unfunded liability of these two programmes has reached nearly 107 trillion dollars in today's dollars and Laurence Kotlikoff, a well-known professor of economics at Boston University, puts the real figure over 200 trillion dollars!
Fact: In 2010, the Federal government collected 2.16 trillion dollars in taxes.
Fact: In 2010, the Federal government spent 3.618 trillion dollars.
Fact: In 2010, the Federal government spent 701 billion dollars on Social Security.
Fact: In 2010, the Federal government spent 793 billion dollars on Medicare.
Fact: In 2010, 41.29% of the entire budget went to Social Security and Medicare and the two programmes consumed 69.17% of all Federal tax revenues.
Fact: Discretionary spending under Bush was 6% when he left office. Obama increased discretionary spending by 11% in 2009 and 14% in 2010.
Fact: Under the baseline scenario, for example, the CBO has determined that the federal government can restore fiscal balance by raising all taxes and cutting all transfer payments immediately and for the indefinite future by 35%.
Fact: The CBO also found that if federal income tax rates are adjusted to allow the government to continue its current level of activity and balance its budget, the lowest marginal income tax rate of 10% would have to rise to 26%.
Fact: The CBO has found that if federal income tax rates are adjusted to allow the government to continue its current level of activity and balance its budget, the 25% marginal tax rate would increase to 66%.
Fact: The CBO also found that if federal income tax rates are adjusted to allow the government to continue its current level of activity and balance its budget, the current highest marginal tax rate on 250,000 dollars (35%) would rise to 92%.
Fact: If the CBO doesn’t do it for you, then try the IMF, which has said that the US has a “critical” fiscal problem and is “not serious” about addressing it. According to the IMF, were the US government to repeal the tax cuts enacted in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (JGTRRA), and were the IPAB to succeed in curbing healthcare spending growth as provided in the IPAB mandate, reining in the fiscal gap would still require an immediate and permanent increase in all taxes and cut in all transfers of 26%.
Fact: According to the IMF, there is an alternative to the Paul Ryan Plan -- an 88% flat tax on everyone. Further, that would be in addition to FICA taxes, which would be 37% on gross income in 2054. [Yes, you read that correctly. 37% payroll taxes on gross income + 88% flat tax on everyone. And, yes, I realize that 37 + 88 = 125. Even if employers were to pay 50% of the 37% (18.5%), you are still left with 88% + 18.5% = 106.5%. Not only would you be working for free, you would also have to pay the government for the privilege of getting to work for nothing. And, you think the Madison labour fight was bad?]
Fact: If you raised taxes to 90% on the wealthiest Americans, forget about debt reduction. You wouldn’t be able to eliminate the budget deficit.
Fact: If you confiscated every penny owned (not just earned) by the 400 wealthiest Americans – 1.36825 TRILLION DOLLARS – you would still have a 300 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET DEFICIT IN FY 2011.
Fact: If you confiscated every penny owned (not just earned) by the 400 wealthiest Americans – 1.36825 TRILLION DOLLARS – you would still not have enough money to fund Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for one year.
Fact: Under the Obama tax plan, the Bush rates would be repealed for the top brackets. Yet the "cost" of extending all the Bush rates in 2011 over 10 years was about 3.7 trillion dollars. Some 3 trillion dollars of that was for everything but the top brackets—and Obama says he wants to extend those rates forever. According to IRS data, the entire taxable income of everyone earning over 100,000 dollars in 2008 was about 1.582 trillion dollars. Even if all these Americans—most of whom are far from wealthy—were taxed at 100%, it wouldn't cover Obama's 1.65 trillion dollar deficit for this year.
Once again, America has a spending problem. Not a revenue problem.
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Are you Tired Too?
This should be required reading for every man, woman and child in the United States of America.
"I'm 63 and I'm Tired"
by Robert A. Hall
I'm 63. Except for one semester in college,when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked hard since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired.
I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.
I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in their homes." Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help. But if they bought Mc Mansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble help them with their own money.
I'm tired of being told how bad America is by left-wing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers. In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have the economy of Zimbabwe, the freedom of the press of China, the crime and violence of Mexico, the tolerance for Christian people of Iran, and the freedom of speech of Venezuela.
I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor;" of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers," of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery," of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.
I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois.
I think it's very cool that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less arrogantly of an all-knowing government.
I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America, while no American group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.
I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate. My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough.
I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? I don't think Gay people choose to be Gay, but I #@*# sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from cool people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana.
I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers," especially the ones who aren't working, but are living on welfare or crime. What's next? Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists?" And, no, I'm not against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion. I'm willing to fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person, who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military.... Those are the citizens we need.
I'm tired of latte liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting station, trashing our military. They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves. Do bad things happen in war? You bet. Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are? Not even close. So here's the deal. I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo, and the critics can let themselves be subject to captivity by the Muslims, who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq, or the Muslims who cut off the heads of schoolgirls in Indonesia, because the girls were Christian. Then we'll compare notes. British and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and handouts, instead of hiding from in fear.
I'm tired of people telling me that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption. Read the papers; bums are bipartisan. And I'm tired of people telling me we need bipartisanship. I live in Illinois, where the "Illinois Combine" of Democrats has worked to loot the public for years. Not to mention the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet.
I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.
Speaking of poor, I'm tired of hearing people with air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor." The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing.
I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.
Yes, I'm tired. But I'm also glad to be 63. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter.
Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate.
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
My Son and the Tantrum - or Truth in Consequences....
Recently, I was complimented on the behavior of my son and how responsible and mature he is for fifteen. It was nice to know that, regardless of where he goes and whomever is there, he knows how to act in a way that makes a good impression on himself.
The acquaintance then asked me how I managed to control the behavior of a teenager. I don't. I molded the behavior of the toddler he was to influence the comportment of the young adult of today. You have to be a parent all their lives to mold the person they are becoming so that they have the self-confidence to know how to behave with class in all situations. That's not always easy, nor is it always fun - but it is always rewarding.
The one big test my son threw at me when he was little comes to mind as I think back on parenting him. He was two - not newly two, but not super close to three either. I was taking him out to dinner at the end of the work week. He liked to go out to eat and was pretty happy with things at the start of the evening.
We got to the restaurant and I settled him in and asked what he wanted for dinner; he made his choice, we ordered and all was well. He suddenly turned to me after the waitress had taken our orders to the kitchen and said, "I want dessert first." I explained that after we ate our dinner and all our veggies, he could have the little treat that came with the kids meal. "No. First."
My usually well-behaved little boy suddenly threw the first all out tantrum he'd ever had. You know the kind? The one where other Mom's look at you with sympathy and relief that it isn't them? I leaned in, told him he had 3 seconds to stop that unacceptable behavior or we were going home and he would not have his dinner or dessert, but bread and water. One,...two,...three.
Non-plussed, he redoubled his effort to break all tantrum records. I gathered our things, picked him up and stopped at the hostess booth on the way out the door to give them my cell phone number and pay for our dinner, plus a nice tip for the waitress. I told them I'd wait for our food in the parking lot and we would take it to go, if they would call me to come in and get it.
A few minutes later, they actually brought the food to the car for me (probably so I didn't bring my screaming child back inside). We went home and by the time we pulled in at the house, he had calmed back down and was quietly looking at me with curiosity. I didn't say anything about the incident.
We went in; I got him in his PJ's and we went downstairs to the kitchen. I put him in his booster chair and put his bib on, set a plate in front of him and saw his downcast face as he looked at the bread on the plate and the cup of water. He looked up at me and I said; "Son, I know you are disappointed. I am too. I'm disappointed because you behaved poorly and we didn't have a nice dinner out tonight. I told you what would happen and you didn't listen to me. Let's eat and get to bed, tomorrow will be better." After he ate, I put him in bed, read him a story, said his prayers, kissed him goodnight and we both shut the book on a learning experience.
I went downstairs and wept for my lack of wisdom in diverting the tantrum. I felt I had boxed myself in because once I told him the consequence, I had to follow through or I'd have no credibility with my son. I felt like the worst Mom in the world that night.
My son has never acted up in public again and he has never forgotten that lesson. Consequences matter.
The acquaintance then asked me how I managed to control the behavior of a teenager. I don't. I molded the behavior of the toddler he was to influence the comportment of the young adult of today. You have to be a parent all their lives to mold the person they are becoming so that they have the self-confidence to know how to behave with class in all situations. That's not always easy, nor is it always fun - but it is always rewarding.
The one big test my son threw at me when he was little comes to mind as I think back on parenting him. He was two - not newly two, but not super close to three either. I was taking him out to dinner at the end of the work week. He liked to go out to eat and was pretty happy with things at the start of the evening.
We got to the restaurant and I settled him in and asked what he wanted for dinner; he made his choice, we ordered and all was well. He suddenly turned to me after the waitress had taken our orders to the kitchen and said, "I want dessert first." I explained that after we ate our dinner and all our veggies, he could have the little treat that came with the kids meal. "No. First."
My usually well-behaved little boy suddenly threw the first all out tantrum he'd ever had. You know the kind? The one where other Mom's look at you with sympathy and relief that it isn't them? I leaned in, told him he had 3 seconds to stop that unacceptable behavior or we were going home and he would not have his dinner or dessert, but bread and water. One,...two,...three.
Non-plussed, he redoubled his effort to break all tantrum records. I gathered our things, picked him up and stopped at the hostess booth on the way out the door to give them my cell phone number and pay for our dinner, plus a nice tip for the waitress. I told them I'd wait for our food in the parking lot and we would take it to go, if they would call me to come in and get it.
A few minutes later, they actually brought the food to the car for me (probably so I didn't bring my screaming child back inside). We went home and by the time we pulled in at the house, he had calmed back down and was quietly looking at me with curiosity. I didn't say anything about the incident.
We went in; I got him in his PJ's and we went downstairs to the kitchen. I put him in his booster chair and put his bib on, set a plate in front of him and saw his downcast face as he looked at the bread on the plate and the cup of water. He looked up at me and I said; "Son, I know you are disappointed. I am too. I'm disappointed because you behaved poorly and we didn't have a nice dinner out tonight. I told you what would happen and you didn't listen to me. Let's eat and get to bed, tomorrow will be better." After he ate, I put him in bed, read him a story, said his prayers, kissed him goodnight and we both shut the book on a learning experience.
I went downstairs and wept for my lack of wisdom in diverting the tantrum. I felt I had boxed myself in because once I told him the consequence, I had to follow through or I'd have no credibility with my son. I felt like the worst Mom in the world that night.
My son has never acted up in public again and he has never forgotten that lesson. Consequences matter.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Nicki and the Geese @ Possum Kingdom Lake
DT's family has a reunion each October at Possum Kingdom Lake in Graham Texas. It is a beautiful location and the cabins we rent are dog friendly – which is good because in the our Clan, the canines outnumber the humans by a pretty healthy ratio. The predominant dog being the Australian Shepherd as many participate in Obedience and Agility trials.
The October of 2009, we had decided to get a small efficiency cabin for our family of 6 (2 adults, 2 children, 2 dogs – that was the “plan”) next to the big cabin for the rest of the family – so we could have a bit of extra room. Due to oversight, instead of bringing Nicki (our Scottie) and Indie (our Aussie) with us, I had messed up the dates on the bordetella vaccines for the schnauzers, and so, they had to come with us too (now a family of 8). Because the schnauzers are quick and (like a Scottie) not good off leash, we brought a “baby gate” as extra protection for the cabin door.
I am not a morning person. I am, in fact, not good until caffeine of some sort – preferably the nectar of the Gods *coffee* has hit my bloodstream. So, in the morning, when the dogs started skootching around to let us know they needed out, it fell to my husband to take them on the first outing. As we knew Indie was the only one we could trust off leash, he made a trip with the schnauzers and then, came back for Nicki. All the while, Indie was at his heels obedient herder that she is.
The cabins are directly on the lake. The lake – in fall – has geese and other water fowl swimming and pecking along near the waterline at the cabins. Nicki had, of course, noticed the birds while on her walk, but as she was ‘on-leash’, she did not fuss with them, or make a big noise or pull to get to them, so DT (who is used to the behavior of an Aussie) thought nothing about the geese or about Nicki and the fact that she might be interested in them. Nicki did think about them - a LOT. When DT came to let Nicki back into the cabin, she pushed on the baby gate –hard – and it popped out of the doorway. Off she ran like a shot!
She ran at those geese full speed right to the waterline, where they swam with nary a care, looking back at her with disdain. Nicki, however, was not to be put off so easily and in she went right after them, fast and hard – swimming out about 100 feet as DT raced to the dock trying to head her off. At about the 100 foot from shore mark, she seemed to realize where she was and that she could no longer touch bottom. This apparently gave her pause and she stopped paddling. And sank like a stone. DT, frantically trying to figure out how he would tell his wife that her darling had drowned, was trying to reach Nicki quickly. Between her stumbling toward shore underwater (DT could see her ‘walking’ on the bottom) and his splashing about like a madman, the two of them managed to get her out of the lake and back to the cabin where I could dry her off.
We all dried her off vigourously rubbing her with towels and checked her out well giving a listen to her lungs to make sure they were clear (thankfully they were) and we kept a VERY close eye on Nicki for the remainder of the weekend to guarantee there were no more ‘swimming’ incidents. She *seriously* likes water and we must be ever vigilant as she has not a whit of fear.
I may get her a doggie life vest before this fall's outing....
The October of 2009, we had decided to get a small efficiency cabin for our family of 6 (2 adults, 2 children, 2 dogs – that was the “plan”) next to the big cabin for the rest of the family – so we could have a bit of extra room. Due to oversight, instead of bringing Nicki (our Scottie) and Indie (our Aussie) with us, I had messed up the dates on the bordetella vaccines for the schnauzers, and so, they had to come with us too (now a family of 8). Because the schnauzers are quick and (like a Scottie) not good off leash, we brought a “baby gate” as extra protection for the cabin door.
I am not a morning person. I am, in fact, not good until caffeine of some sort – preferably the nectar of the Gods *coffee* has hit my bloodstream. So, in the morning, when the dogs started skootching around to let us know they needed out, it fell to my husband to take them on the first outing. As we knew Indie was the only one we could trust off leash, he made a trip with the schnauzers and then, came back for Nicki. All the while, Indie was at his heels obedient herder that she is.
The cabins are directly on the lake. The lake – in fall – has geese and other water fowl swimming and pecking along near the waterline at the cabins. Nicki had, of course, noticed the birds while on her walk, but as she was ‘on-leash’, she did not fuss with them, or make a big noise or pull to get to them, so DT (who is used to the behavior of an Aussie) thought nothing about the geese or about Nicki and the fact that she might be interested in them. Nicki did think about them - a LOT. When DT came to let Nicki back into the cabin, she pushed on the baby gate –hard – and it popped out of the doorway. Off she ran like a shot!
She ran at those geese full speed right to the waterline, where they swam with nary a care, looking back at her with disdain. Nicki, however, was not to be put off so easily and in she went right after them, fast and hard – swimming out about 100 feet as DT raced to the dock trying to head her off. At about the 100 foot from shore mark, she seemed to realize where she was and that she could no longer touch bottom. This apparently gave her pause and she stopped paddling. And sank like a stone. DT, frantically trying to figure out how he would tell his wife that her darling had drowned, was trying to reach Nicki quickly. Between her stumbling toward shore underwater (DT could see her ‘walking’ on the bottom) and his splashing about like a madman, the two of them managed to get her out of the lake and back to the cabin where I could dry her off.
We all dried her off vigourously rubbing her with towels and checked her out well giving a listen to her lungs to make sure they were clear (thankfully they were) and we kept a VERY close eye on Nicki for the remainder of the weekend to guarantee there were no more ‘swimming’ incidents. She *seriously* likes water and we must be ever vigilant as she has not a whit of fear.
I may get her a doggie life vest before this fall's outing....
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Budget Woes and Belt Tightening - Coming Soon to a Town Near You!
Many people all across the country have been discussing all the budgetary cuts happening currently at the local and state level; and I expect soon to happen at the federal level.
Why are we seeing all these deep budget cuts? Well, frankly, the United States is in serious fiscal trouble. States, Counties, Cities and Towns must have balanced budgets. These municipalities can not run deficits like the Federal Government. In the past few years, the Federal Government was handing out stimulus money like, well...like drunken sailors. This helped prop up municipal budgets which otherwise would have been carefully and cautiously trimming along the way. Now that the cuts have to be made all in one year, these adjustments seem very draconian. The piper has come to demand payment.
As an example of the irresponsible spending I refer to, I will share an episode from the Lewisville Independent School District (LISD) that simply stymied me in its example of short-sightedness.
First, municipal and federal budgets are going to see deep, painful cuts. Increases in fees and charges for all manner of public services will also happen. Taxes will likely increase starting with local sales taxes. These actions will take more money out of the pockets of families and working people. Next, inflation will be rearing its ugly head. We can see that by looking at grocery prices and fuel/energy costs. The numbers reported monthly by Washington are manipulated by not including items like food and gas - they say those items are too volatile but, no one can go without food or gas, no matter the cost. So, less money in your pockets.
As Washington sees the world stepping further back from US debt, we will see Income Tax increases. There is no other way that the Federal Government brings in revenue - they don't create anything, make any goods or sell services. They are totally funded by taxes, fees and penalties. They will also have to cut their employee rolls. More lay offs, more cuts and more unemployment.
Those of us who still remember hyper-inflation from the 1970's will be very sad to see a return to those days - and SPAM burgers may make a come back in kitchen tables around the US. The next 2 - 3 decades will be very tight and many people and programs that are important and worthwhile, will sadly and necessarily see cuts or eliminations. Hopefully, our children will learn from the mistakes of the past years and not repeat this cycle of living beyond our means.
Why are we seeing all these deep budget cuts? Well, frankly, the United States is in serious fiscal trouble. States, Counties, Cities and Towns must have balanced budgets. These municipalities can not run deficits like the Federal Government. In the past few years, the Federal Government was handing out stimulus money like, well...like drunken sailors. This helped prop up municipal budgets which otherwise would have been carefully and cautiously trimming along the way. Now that the cuts have to be made all in one year, these adjustments seem very draconian. The piper has come to demand payment.
As an example of the irresponsible spending I refer to, I will share an episode from the Lewisville Independent School District (LISD) that simply stymied me in its example of short-sightedness.
In 2009, the LISD was 'awarded' stimulus funds. Those funds had some strings attached - specifically, they could not be spent on capital expenditures, but had to go to teacher salaries. (personally, I think teachers deserve more money, but there were better ways to do this) These were funds for 2 years only - 2009 and 2010. In 2011, at a School Board meeting, members and parents were up in arms over spending cuts and teacher layoffs.Sadly, the belt tightening is going to accelerate in the near future. One of the primary bond funds in the US - the Pimco Select Fund last month sold all its US Bonds. That is not a good sign. China is not buying US debt at the rate they have in the past. Many countries are calling for another 'reserve currency' than the dollar. All these signs point to fiscally tough times ahead for the US. What does that mean for individuals and families?
When asked why the deep cuts were needed, it came out that instead of giving teachers 'bonuses' with the stimulus funds - that is to say 1 or 2 year bonus checks, the ISD had given raises in annual salary. Not only did they give permanent salary increases to the teachers, they also gave across the board raises to all the Administrative Staff (non-teachers - like the school secretaries, teacher aides, custodians, etc) and now, the budget was short that amount of money. This (in their minds) necessitated teacher and staff layoffs. Why didn't the ISD simply return salaries to pre-stimulus levels?
First, municipal and federal budgets are going to see deep, painful cuts. Increases in fees and charges for all manner of public services will also happen. Taxes will likely increase starting with local sales taxes. These actions will take more money out of the pockets of families and working people. Next, inflation will be rearing its ugly head. We can see that by looking at grocery prices and fuel/energy costs. The numbers reported monthly by Washington are manipulated by not including items like food and gas - they say those items are too volatile but, no one can go without food or gas, no matter the cost. So, less money in your pockets.
As Washington sees the world stepping further back from US debt, we will see Income Tax increases. There is no other way that the Federal Government brings in revenue - they don't create anything, make any goods or sell services. They are totally funded by taxes, fees and penalties. They will also have to cut their employee rolls. More lay offs, more cuts and more unemployment.
Those of us who still remember hyper-inflation from the 1970's will be very sad to see a return to those days - and SPAM burgers may make a come back in kitchen tables around the US. The next 2 - 3 decades will be very tight and many people and programs that are important and worthwhile, will sadly and necessarily see cuts or eliminations. Hopefully, our children will learn from the mistakes of the past years and not repeat this cycle of living beyond our means.
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