I'm not getting a economic stimulus check from the IRS. Now don't get me wrong or anything like that. I did receive one of those letters the IRS spent $42 million on to tell me that I won't get a check unless I fulfill the requirements. Heck I didn't even know the IRS had my name and address.
There is no such thing as free someone use to say. Somehow I get the feeling this is one of those cases. Supposedly, if I file married with 1 child I'd be getting about $900 in stimulus payment. Now that would be nice. Of course my wife would want to do something practical like pay bills or save it for a rainy day. Ideas of new laptops, big screen LCD TV's or Wii's just are not part of her vocabulary. Nor would you see us on that Disney vacation trip we've never planned. No the money would definitely go to the practical side.
Which would not be bad for us. But let me explain. As I understand it the tax relief check really is not a tax relief check. In fact what it really is, is a 1 year interest free loan from Uncle Sam. With only one payment due. And to make it easier for you Uncle Sam will take that one payment from your next years tax rebate! Or simply put an advance on next years vacation, big screen, whatever tax refund. Sure going to be a lot of PO'ed folks next spring.
Nothing like Uncle Sam using false credit to try to fix the economy.
And back to me. I won't apply. Not that I couldn't use it. Plus in our case we're not expecting a refund next year so it would not be a pay back deal. However the $900 would be counted as income when my Medicare renewal comes due. That would put me $860 over the State limit. I'd loose thousands of dollars in Medicare benefits.
Nothing fixed here...........
Monday, March 31, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Memory lane time:
As kids the boys in our family meaning my brothers and I sat with our father on Good Friday and build models. Not sure what my Mother and sisters did but probably something equally entertaining. We would quietly spend the afternoon building models and I suspect we were suppose to reflect on what the crucifixion meant to us.
I don't know what my brothers reflected on, but I was reflecting on building the model without getting glue or paint on the kitchen table.
Except for the 8 baskets and going to church on Easter morning, I do not remember much about Easter at our house. I do remember church on Easter with all the flowers. The air was crisp cool and fresh. Spring/Easter signaled that winter was finally over and we'd soon be out playing. Even more importantly summer and the end of school were not that far away.
Its hard to create traditions. This year for example, instead of candy in a basket we had a shiny new wheelbarrow full of goodies. The night before our adopted military family stopped in and gave our Grandson a big basket full of goodies. We had our 98 year old friend join us for Easter dinner who immediately told me to shave, which I did. She reminded me of my Great Grandmother.
For those of you wondering: "As they approached the tomb they could see that the great stone that had blocked the entrance had been moved to the side". There were no rabbit droppings mentioned.
Happy Easter
As kids the boys in our family meaning my brothers and I sat with our father on Good Friday and build models. Not sure what my Mother and sisters did but probably something equally entertaining. We would quietly spend the afternoon building models and I suspect we were suppose to reflect on what the crucifixion meant to us.
I don't know what my brothers reflected on, but I was reflecting on building the model without getting glue or paint on the kitchen table.
Except for the 8 baskets and going to church on Easter morning, I do not remember much about Easter at our house. I do remember church on Easter with all the flowers. The air was crisp cool and fresh. Spring/Easter signaled that winter was finally over and we'd soon be out playing. Even more importantly summer and the end of school were not that far away.
Its hard to create traditions. This year for example, instead of candy in a basket we had a shiny new wheelbarrow full of goodies. The night before our adopted military family stopped in and gave our Grandson a big basket full of goodies. We had our 98 year old friend join us for Easter dinner who immediately told me to shave, which I did. She reminded me of my Great Grandmother.
For those of you wondering: "As they approached the tomb they could see that the great stone that had blocked the entrance had been moved to the side". There were no rabbit droppings mentioned.
Happy Easter
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The guy across the street is a rather loud insurance agent who bragged about how he and his wife " bar hopped " across country on their last vacation. I don't associate much with him, same with Real Estate folks. There is something about the personalities that just turns me off.
However as long as these folks are white it is a choice I make. But if they are not white, than it becomes a matter of being racist. Even though my reasons for not wanting to associate have not changed. Why is that?
Why is it that white people are not allowed to choose who they wish to associate with? Or better yet, what is it that non white folks hold over white folks that scares us into thinking we'll be called racist for not wanting to associate? As far as I am aware there was no slave ownership in my family history so I owe no apologies to any non white people. Come to think of it our family was not here during the abuses of the Native Americans so I owe no apologies there either.
But if I don't wish to associate with certain groups of people, somehow this translates into me being a racist.
For the record I don't associate with a lot of people. White black purple green yellow I don't care. I associate with who I want to.
Next I'll be told I'm a racist because I started that last sentence with "white".
Next time " Picking toe nails in public, is that racist "?
However as long as these folks are white it is a choice I make. But if they are not white, than it becomes a matter of being racist. Even though my reasons for not wanting to associate have not changed. Why is that?
Why is it that white people are not allowed to choose who they wish to associate with? Or better yet, what is it that non white folks hold over white folks that scares us into thinking we'll be called racist for not wanting to associate? As far as I am aware there was no slave ownership in my family history so I owe no apologies to any non white people. Come to think of it our family was not here during the abuses of the Native Americans so I owe no apologies there either.
But if I don't wish to associate with certain groups of people, somehow this translates into me being a racist.
For the record I don't associate with a lot of people. White black purple green yellow I don't care. I associate with who I want to.
Next I'll be told I'm a racist because I started that last sentence with "white".
Next time " Picking toe nails in public, is that racist "?
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
A LITTLE GUN HISTORY
In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953,
about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded
up and exterminated
------------------------------
In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million
Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
exterminated.
------------------------------
Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total
of
13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were
rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------
ThChina established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million
political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
exterminated.
------------------------------
Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1 981, 100,000
Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
exterminated.
------------------------------
Uganda established gun control in 1970. >From 1971 to 1979, 300,000
Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
exterminated.
------------------------------
Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million
educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
exterminated.
-----------------------------
Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century
because of gun control: 56 million.
------------------------------
It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced by
new law to surrender (involuntary buy back) 640,381 personal firearms to
be destroyed by their own government, a program costing Australia
taxpayers more than $500 million dollars. The first year results are now
in: List of 7 items:
Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent.
Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent.
Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent)!
In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300
percent. Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the
criminals did not, and criminals still possess their guns!
While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in
armed robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the
past 12 months, since criminals now are guaranteed that their prey is
unarmed.
There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the
ELDERLY.
Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has
decreased, after such monumental effort and expense was expended in
successfully ridding Australian society of guns. The Australian
experience and the other historical facts above prove it.
You won't see this data on the US evening news, or hear politicians
disseminating this information.
Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes,
gun-control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens.
Take note my fellow Americans, before it's too late!
e next time someone talks in favor of gun control, please remind them
of this history lesson.
With guns, we are 'citizens'.
Without them, we are 'subjects'.
During WWII the Japanese decided not to invade America because they knew
most Americans were ARMED!
We are about to vote in a new President. Is your choice pro or con?
I don't usually cut and paste but this arrived in my email the other day. I read it, didn't think much about it until an idiot commented that all the examples were from dictatorships.
How stupid can we Americans get? Do we honestly believe that our system of government will protect us? The same Government that illegally spies on Americans and tortures people? A President who has declared himself the "Great Decider"?
Now is the time to not trust the Government. They have taken away so much from us already. In reality, my writing here is in violation of the Patriot Act! That's right, while we slept freedom of speech was taken away.
Just remember it can and is happening right here.
In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953,
about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded
up and exterminated
------------------------------
In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million
Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
exterminated.
------------------------------
Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total
of
13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were
rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------
ThChina established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million
political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
exterminated.
------------------------------
Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1 981, 100,000
Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
exterminated.
------------------------------
Uganda established gun control in 1970. >From 1971 to 1979, 300,000
Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
exterminated.
------------------------------
Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million
educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
exterminated.
-----------------------------
Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century
because of gun control: 56 million.
------------------------------
It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced by
new law to surrender (involuntary buy back) 640,381 personal firearms to
be destroyed by their own government, a program costing Australia
taxpayers more than $500 million dollars. The first year results are now
in: List of 7 items:
Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent.
Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent.
Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent)!
In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300
percent. Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the
criminals did not, and criminals still possess their guns!
While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in
armed robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the
past 12 months, since criminals now are guaranteed that their prey is
unarmed.
There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the
ELDERLY.
Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has
decreased, after such monumental effort and expense was expended in
successfully ridding Australian society of guns. The Australian
experience and the other historical facts above prove it.
You won't see this data on the US evening news, or hear politicians
disseminating this information.
Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes,
gun-control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens.
Take note my fellow Americans, before it's too late!
e next time someone talks in favor of gun control, please remind them
of this history lesson.
With guns, we are 'citizens'.
Without them, we are 'subjects'.
During WWII the Japanese decided not to invade America because they knew
most Americans were ARMED!
We are about to vote in a new President. Is your choice pro or con?
I don't usually cut and paste but this arrived in my email the other day. I read it, didn't think much about it until an idiot commented that all the examples were from dictatorships.
How stupid can we Americans get? Do we honestly believe that our system of government will protect us? The same Government that illegally spies on Americans and tortures people? A President who has declared himself the "Great Decider"?
Now is the time to not trust the Government. They have taken away so much from us already. In reality, my writing here is in violation of the Patriot Act! That's right, while we slept freedom of speech was taken away.
Just remember it can and is happening right here.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Well the part for the ramps been ordered. Now its back to waiting. I'm good at that. Summer left, winter returned. This area is very confused. I am looking towards the day that my freedom will be returned to me. Its been a year since I became homebound and I'm thinking it wasn't the best plan for me physically or mentally.
Actually mentally it should not have been that bad. While hitch hiking across the country 5 times coast to coast I spent many an hour alone on the side of some deserted road in the middle of nowhere. Learn to tolerate your own company and you learn to tolerate others I think. Something like that.
Reminds me of a time I was traveling from Maine back to Vermont. I had become friends with a full fledged card carrying witch in Maine that I had gone to visit for a weekend. By this time I had given up on the artificial limbs and traveled as a 3 foot tall person. It was late at night, still about 6 hours from my home in Vermont. I often carried a large black trash bag in case of rain. On this night indeed it started sprinkling. Realizing that I wasn't getting far I walked off to the side of the road, pulled out the trash bag and crawled inside. Several hours later the rain stopped and I could hear a car heading down the road. I crawled out of the bag and stuck out my thumb.
The driver was drunk!! He opened the passenger door and said "stand up". I said I am standing. He said it again. We went round and round with the stand up routine each time the driver getting louder and louder. Finally after him saying if I wanted a ride I needed to stand up I replied "I am standing in a hole".
He said "Oh, well than get in". About 15 miles of drunk driving later I got out. It was safer sleeping in my trash bag on the side of the road, than riding with a drunk.
Next morning I got a ride to my doorstep.
Last night my daughter informed us that she is getting married on October 31. Gives us 7 months to get use to the idea.............
Actually mentally it should not have been that bad. While hitch hiking across the country 5 times coast to coast I spent many an hour alone on the side of some deserted road in the middle of nowhere. Learn to tolerate your own company and you learn to tolerate others I think. Something like that.
Reminds me of a time I was traveling from Maine back to Vermont. I had become friends with a full fledged card carrying witch in Maine that I had gone to visit for a weekend. By this time I had given up on the artificial limbs and traveled as a 3 foot tall person. It was late at night, still about 6 hours from my home in Vermont. I often carried a large black trash bag in case of rain. On this night indeed it started sprinkling. Realizing that I wasn't getting far I walked off to the side of the road, pulled out the trash bag and crawled inside. Several hours later the rain stopped and I could hear a car heading down the road. I crawled out of the bag and stuck out my thumb.
The driver was drunk!! He opened the passenger door and said "stand up". I said I am standing. He said it again. We went round and round with the stand up routine each time the driver getting louder and louder. Finally after him saying if I wanted a ride I needed to stand up I replied "I am standing in a hole".
He said "Oh, well than get in". About 15 miles of drunk driving later I got out. It was safer sleeping in my trash bag on the side of the road, than riding with a drunk.
Next morning I got a ride to my doorstep.
Last night my daughter informed us that she is getting married on October 31. Gives us 7 months to get use to the idea.............
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