How Was Your Tax Day?

Did you throw a party this April 15? Do you enjoy getting taxed for your hard work? Isn't that an odd concept? Getting taxed for hard work? (or not so hard in some cases but profitable)

According to taxfoundation.org the percentage of non income tax payers is on the rise.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/25962.html

There's a 47% of non income tax payers rumor floating around out there for 2009 taxes. I don't know if that's true or not, but the above graphic should be of concern to you and here's why.


1. Baby boomers are all in the process of retiring or making plans to retire and while many of them have saved a nest egg for retirement, they will all still be planning to get their social security checks and medicare benefits while retired. If we have fewer people paying into the tax system than are relying on benefits and programs that income taxes pay for, we have an unsustainable system.


2. Unsustainable systems encourage and result in negative population growth which makes the number receiving services to paying for the services get larger and larger over time. See Europe as an example which has had this problem since 2000.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_decline for more information and sources.

3. Where there is a decrease income to the federal government from income taxes, there are 2 options; Make cuts to programs and services (which I'm on board with across the board including Medicare and Medicaid) and/or increase taxes. We currently don't have leadership willing to make cuts across the board to everything. We as a nation are apparently to dependant on the Government to privatize social security. Look at your SS statement next time it comes in. Big cuts are on the way in just a few years if it doesn't get fixed.

4. If the health care bill that was passed doesn't get overturned and is successfully funded, that will mean a lot more people will be receiving services from the government which is funded by we the people left paying taxes. I don't know about you, but I already pay more than my fair share. I don't want to pay any more. Those of you willing to pay more than your fair share, go right ahead. There's no law against paying more.

These are just some examples of why this statistic should concern you. What is my solution you ask? Please visit http://www.fairtax.org/. The fair tax repeals the income tax established in the 16th amendment and instates a consumption tax. That means everyone that consumes pays taxes whether they are here legally or illegally, doing business within the law or under the table, earning currently taxable income or not, and receiving government services or not.

Article I Section. 8. of the U.S. Constitution
Clause 1: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

The 16th Amendment was ratified by the states in 1913 allowing for collection of income tax. I don't know about you, but this amendment sounds unconstitutional to me.

A vote for Lola is a vote for sanity that has been long absent from our government.

We Should All Hold our Congressmen Accountable

Some of you may or may not have seen or heard about this video. This is a citizen holding Frank LoBiondo, Republican from New Jersey, accountable for knowing the constitution as part of his job. He was elected in November of 1994 and has been 'serving' ever since. I do believe it's his job (and all congressmens' job regardless of party beliefs) to know the constitution they take an oath to uphold and defend.



The other part I like is the point he makes that it's our civic duty to know it. I'll admit I don't know it to the level of detail he does, but we should make an effort to read it on a regular basis to stay familiar with it so we can hold those accountable who are supposed to be representing us in Washington DC.

So if you need a refresher, here's the link to the U.S. Constitution. Read it...More than once.

So You Want to Know What I Think About the Health Care Bill

I have been in mourning for the last few weeks in preparation for this day. Why? because I knew begging you to call and write your congressmen would do no good. Why? because if you have democratic congressmen most of them had no intention of listening to you unless you were for the health care bill. Though if I saw polls correctly only a slight majority of Americans are vehemently opposed to this bill.

Why?

Because over time we've become a society that slowly allows the government to take over our lives in the name of providing for us or in the name of safety, and after a little while we become used to and dependent upon those provisions and so we let them keep taking more and more of our tax dollars as long as they keep providing for our needs.

This is why I'm in mourning. I no longer believe that a majority of Americans care about liberty and freedom. I believe freedom loving Americans are in the minority and because of how our system is set up, we won't find actual representation in Washington unless we all move into the same districts and can elect our own representatives.

Don't tell me the Republicans are going to step up and represent us, because where were they on health care when they held the house and the senate in the 90's? They could have introduced and passed legislation to increase competition across state lines for health insurance and introduced legislation prohibits denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Then they could have put the parameters around pre-existing conditions that they could be subject to higher premiums or patient portions as negotiated between the patient and the insurance companies. But the republicans did nothing when they had the chance so don't tell me they are going to suddenly step up and start representing freedom loving Americans. Hannity and Limbaugh can sell it if they want, but I'm not buying. Running on repealing the legislation in November seems disingenuous to me.

Nancy Pelosi made some comment after the Health Care Bill passed comparing it to Social Security and Medicare passing. While I disagree with her view of it being a good thing, she's right. Social Security and Medicare are bankrupting this country and Health Care will be the nail in the bankruptcy coffin. Next time you get a social security statement in the mail read it.

This is from my statement received in February of this year:

"In 2016 we will begin paying more in benefits than we collect in taxes. Without changes, by 2037 the Social Security Trust Fund will be exhausted* and there will be enough money to pay only about 76 cents for each dollar of scheduled benefits...."

What do you think is going to happen with health care if the government is in charge of it? As it is, premiums will go up for everyone and/or insurance companies will go bankrupt until there's no one left but the government to bail us all out and that's how they'll get the 'universal coverage' they (and many Americans) want so badly.

Do I hope the Republican platform of repeal works in November? Sure I do, but here's how I would like to see it happen; All republicans that are up for re election get booted in their republican primary in favor of their opponent, whoever it is. Let's get rid of the old republican blood that is more than happy to spend our money on things like corporate bailouts and get fresh blood in there. If Sarah Palin were a real 'maverick' she'd be campaigning against John McCain instead of for him. Instead of campaigning for Rick Perry here in Texas for governor, she'd have campaigned for Debra Medina. Who is she you ask. Exactly my point. I will be voting for the libertarian candidate. Out with the old, in with the new.

Do American's Really Care About Civil Liberties?

This didn't make headline news as far as I can tell. It was discussed on a local radio show. Politico.com is the source of the story and the major source talking about it. The only other sources I found talking about it upon a quick search were blogs that I don't follow.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34097.html

Basically speaking Obama came out and supported a national database to store DNA of anyone arrested. Not those convicted of a crime, but those arrested. If the cops pulled you over and deemed you uncooperative or anything they feel like, they could arrest you and take your DNA and store it. Never mind that you didn't commit a crime nor had been charged. Even so are all crimes worthy of mandatory DNA sample?

Of course the argument is if we can save 1 person then it's worth it. And if you don't break the law you shouldn't worry about having a sample taken from you. Sure it starts there, but when you give them the right to take our DNA you are subject to corrupt politicians and law enforcement agents. Perhaps it is all well-intentioned in the beginning, but what happens 5 or 10 years down the road?

Over time we have given up much freedom in the name of safety. Look at 9/11 and the Patriot Act that resulted in the name of fighting terrorism. Perhaps it's only been used for legitimate terrorist threats, but perhaps some boundaries have been overstepped. Do you think the government is going to tell us?

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety" Benjamin Franklin (1759)

It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once. David Hume (1711-1776)

There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty. John Adams (1735-1826)

Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined. Patrick Henry (1736-1739)

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

I'm just curious to know what you think? Do you think this is a big deal? Do you agree with it? Are you worried that 10 or 20 years down the road someone could come after you or your family planting your DNA on a crime scene either to get at you or because you won the unlucky lottery since someone was determined to pin a crime on someone. I know it sounds conspiracy theory, but how much liberty is too much to give up?

Your Tax Dollars Hard at Work During the Super Bowl

In case you were too drunk or weren't paying attention. 3rd Quarter at 2 minutes to go, give or take, there was a commercial paid for by the U.S. Census Bureau filled with celebrities. I realize that they were B level or below celebrities, but still recognizable. But we all know the expensive part of the commercial was that it aired during the Super Bowl...

Are you Pissed off yet???

Your Tax Dollars Hard at Work

Check it out...




Here's the link to the referenced report by CBS News

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/11/cbsnews_investigates/main6084364.shtml

In the grand scheme of things it might be a minor amount, but like the article says, every penny counts in an economy like this. Oh and if you bother to read the article, there's not one particular party guilty of the abuse. Remember politicians are equal opportunity offenders when it comes to spending your tax dollars. Whether they support or oppose something.

Contract From America

Check it out.
http://www.contractfromamerica.com/

"Welcome to the Contract From America initiative, where you can join your fellow Americans in a collaborative grassroots effort to create a document that offers real change in Washington, D.C. and the state capitals. This website provides you with the opportunity to offer your innovative free market, limited government solutions to our nation’s pressing problems and to vote and comment on the ideas of others. We believe that the result of this grassroots-generated marketplace of ideas will be a document that not only represents the will of the American people, but promotes unique ideas that will breathe new life into the economic conservative movement...."


Here's what you'll find on this website
*Information on Tea Parties in your area
* Suggestion for solutions that you can vote on and/or rate
*Opportunity to submit new ideas that don't exist on the any of the lists
*Basically speaking the opportunity to express your voice

You might be interested to know the top five vote getting ideas are
1. Implement the Fair Tax
2. Legislation shall contain no unrelated amendments
3. Congressional Term Limits
4. Abolish the Department of Education
5. Pass Nationwide Medical Malpractice Tort Reform

I agree with these 5 though I'm not sure they are all in my personal top 5. The Fair Tax and term limits definitely are. What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Check out the rest of the list and the site. I encourage you to voice your opinions. Even if you don't agree with me point for point.

Dogs vs. Cats

Are you a dog person, cat person, both, or neither. Believe i t or not here's an article on it.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582375,00.html

I like any animal that will play with me.

Here's the purpose of my post today while I brush up on what political events to get riled up over. I occasionally need to take a break from politics to reduce the stress and frustration in my life.

Christmas is a ridiculously popular time to get the kids a dog. As the article states dogs are more high maintenance than cats in that most of them need exercise. All family pets need interaction. Here's my plea. Only get a dog if you as the adult are willing to take on the responsibility for it. Your kids will learn from you how to care for animals. Puppies grow up and aren't nearly as appealing once they get bigger and have been around for awhile. If you expect the kids to be the only or primary interaction with the dogs, they will grow tired of them as their attentions drift often. You have to take responsibility for including the dog as part of the family on walks, for play, and on outings.

A few months from now, shelters and rescues will start getting calls to take dogs that families weren't prepared to deal with. Dogs like me that have so much energy that they didn't plan on dealing with. Dogs that the kids grow bored with and keep neglecting that mom and dad didn't really want to begin with. Dogs whose owners don't know how to train and discipline nor do they want to make the effort required to raise good dogs.

My plea to you is...if you got your kids a dog, rethink who you got the dog for and commit to taking responsibility for feeding, exercising, and making your dog part of the family rather than complaining about what a nuisance it is. Teach your kids how to properly care for a family pet. They mimic you. If you neglect your dog, they will learn to do the same thing.

Happy new year and happy doggy parenting! I got a new treadmill for Christmas which my parents highly recommend to those of you with high energy dogs. I love it.

I'll return shortly with more rants and raves about what's going on in this world. I don't think I have to state the obvious failed terror attempt. Though if it ignited terror in the hearts of people without slaughtering tons of people, is it really a failed terror attempt?