tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.comments2023-03-06T03:47:37.771-07:00Slick Shoesoofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03131528154686495708noreply@blogger.comBlogger300125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-91175867456391168462013-01-13T19:08:28.898-07:002013-01-13T19:08:28.898-07:00It's about time! Good to hear from you duder....It's about time! Good to hear from you duder. Princess and A BYU Fanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07657108410709596908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-87859666647722616272011-06-23T15:32:32.853-06:002011-06-23T15:32:32.853-06:00A few years ago my bro-in-law was bent with my sis...A few years ago my bro-in-law was bent with my sister because she was spending too much money on dance. He proposed scaling things back. She told him he just needed to make more money. Isn't this essentially the same landscape of the current political showdown?<br /><br />The Dems want to raise taxes and keep all their sacred cows just as they are. The GOP says we don't need more money, we just need to cut wasteful spending. Now, as a government worker, I can testify that our government is pissing egregious amounts of money down a gopher hole. I'm appalled at how ineffectively things are run and how money is allocated. There are simply too many special programs catering to a very narrow demographic.<br /><br />I disagree that tax breaks aren't helping businesses. The idea is simple: higher taxes means higher costs of business. In order to keep your prices competitive but still turn a profit you need to keep your overhead low. Higher overhead means lesser profit margin. What's the fastest way to decrease overhead? Eliminate a position and make the guys in the next two offices down do that job too. Not an uncommon scenario. And thus the GOP remains firm that lower taxes creates jobs/prevents job attrition. But the reality is, our tax rate is one of the lowest in the world. We could raise taxes some and not keel over.<br /><br />Here's the bottom line: they're both right. I actually agreed with Obama on raising taxes for people making 250k a year or more. If you're making that much money, paying a little more ain't going to kill you. The GOP cried foul on this b/c it was going to hurt small businesses too. This was true. Which raises the next issue: tax code revision. We need a workable tax code so that more than 50% of Americans pay taxes and these crazy loopholes are eliminated. The loopholes are killing us. Our code is so wonky that raising taxes on people making 250k would also effect small businesses. Instead of adopting random code sections wholesale written by lobbyists representing deep-pocketed clients, creating a hundreds of pages of garbled mess and loopholes, how about we adopt a cohesive tax code that actually works? Crazy idea, I know.<br /><br />And one other thing, a small tax raise won't kill business. What's killing business more than anything right now is uncertainty. Because the market is so uncertain, businesses are holding on to their money and not expanding or investing for the future. They're saving for another rainy day. All of Washington needs to stop acting like a bunch of whiny children and grab the bull by the horns.<br /><br />There you have it: get a workable tax code, the Dems will get more money, and then maybe they'll agree to stop pissing money down gopher holes. More dance recitals for all!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-37794114953721735382011-04-02T22:32:46.763-06:002011-04-02T22:32:46.763-06:00I only use PPTs in my Sunday School class occasion...I only use PPTs in my Sunday School class occasionally to show illustrations for the kids to visually see Bible stories. I teach 1st and 2nd graders, so pictures help them pay attention more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-58605187345003376272010-12-28T13:17:38.668-07:002010-12-28T13:17:38.668-07:00Shoot, you're right. It should be 13.75 billio...Shoot, you're right. It should be 13.75 billion years old. I need a fact checker. Or to not write posts at 1:00 AM.oofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03131528154686495708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-66156154587383009702010-12-28T05:06:26.884-07:002010-12-28T05:06:26.884-07:00"I believe that the universe is 1.75 billion ..."I believe that the universe is 1.75 billion years old and earth is about 4.74 billion years old."<br /><br />I can't help but be a little bit skeptical about your claim here. :D<br /><br />BTW, embedding XKCD comics into your posts is really an effective way to get me to read them.Venture Freehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17667967894208257738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-15182987698753434152010-12-07T03:55:07.092-07:002010-12-07T03:55:07.092-07:00That was a fabulous post. The family, what a crack...That was a fabulous post. The family, what a crack up.Princess and A BYU Fanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07657108410709596908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-84693655510575771242010-12-07T03:51:59.322-07:002010-12-07T03:51:59.322-07:00I volunteer to try the higher tax bracket. Pick me...I volunteer to try the higher tax bracket. Pick me!Princess and A BYU Fanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07657108410709596908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-20401601991185949322010-12-06T14:21:59.852-07:002010-12-06T14:21:59.852-07:00I think that there is a misconception about who, e...I think that there is a misconception about who, exactly, it is that fits into the wealthy category and why it is that they are wealthy. Your example of the Dr. is a good one, I think, for two reasons:<br /><br />1) The doctor probably does not make 250k per year in taxable income. In fact, I would guess that very, very few doctors do.<br />2) Only in the US is it possible for a Dr. to make that sort of money. I think that's a pretty big benefit that he/she is receiving for his/her citizenship. A marginally higher tax bracket seems acceptable to me in light of the increased benefit.<br /><br />Fundamentally, I really don't think that most people in the wealthy category are more talented or work any harder than those that are not. Instead, I think they are are generally in that position through dumb luck, the hard work of many, many other people, or perhaps even taking advantage of system.<br /><br />Fundamentally, I think the problem that we are facing as a society is the loss of the social compact between the wealthy and the non-wealthy. We now view wealth as the measure of success, rather than one of the byproducts of it. CEOs and professional athletes seem to be the extreme example of this. Subsequently, we've reach the point that the poor despise the wealthy for their wealth, the wealthy don't acknowledge that their wealth is the result of the contributions and work of many, many individuals.<br /><br />The reality is that some of us will be wealthy, but must of us won't. I'm not going to begrudge someone their wealth, but I hope that they will acknowledge that they have that wealth because our system of government provides equal protection to us all. <br /><br />I don't want the government to be in the business of redistributing wealth, but if raising taxes on a few can reduce the pain of cuts on all of us, it seems to be a good idea.oofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03131528154686495708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-54918196844186659892010-12-06T13:12:09.934-07:002010-12-06T13:12:09.934-07:00Why is it those that are talented and work harder ...Why is it those that are talented and work harder than the rest should be responsible for supporting the rest of us?<br /><br />I'm not saying that those who earn less that 250k don't work hard, but for some reason I can't look a doctor in the eye that has just delivered my baby and tell him he should have to pay more taxes because he and his family made the sacrifices required to be a physician. <br /><br />The incessant whining from the government is getting old. Don't tell me that you're going to raise taxes and not curb spending. <br /><br />The idea we need to take more money from those that are working and give it to those that don't angers me. (Probably because I have fully capable relatives that are milking the system for all it's worth)Salt H2Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530132008817346271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-9899333310604583262010-12-05T19:58:48.172-07:002010-12-05T19:58:48.172-07:00Made me laugh even in my post-operative somewhat d...Made me laugh even in my post-operative somewhat drug impaired state!Momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-74670235984737912312010-11-28T21:20:56.619-07:002010-11-28T21:20:56.619-07:00Listening to John talk on the phone to Nathan in t...Listening to John talk on the phone to Nathan in the car:<br /><br />John: "I am not driving too fast for conditions!"<br />Later...<br />John: "Yes, once again I have cheated death."Stacinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-50265425697692144562010-09-24T22:03:15.978-06:002010-09-24T22:03:15.978-06:00You are famous!You are famous!Princess and A BYU Fanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07657108410709596908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-63223667071652014252010-08-07T10:33:54.791-06:002010-08-07T10:33:54.791-06:00Poor poor you...Poor poor you...mckarliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04868535345801240245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-47770150233950982582010-06-15T15:56:16.533-06:002010-06-15T15:56:16.533-06:00No child of the 80's can have proper respect f...No child of the 80's can have proper respect for a move that would put Bradly Cooper as face. <br /><br />I hate it when Hollywood thinks it can remake perfection.Salt H2Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530132008817346271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-76880030057188392072010-06-06T19:10:46.306-06:002010-06-06T19:10:46.306-06:00I do not like receptions. Not even my own. The onl...I do not like receptions. Not even my own. The only reason I went through with them was for the gifts/cash!Kelly Visserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625612677966445108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-44434054818512406022010-06-03T02:20:54.939-06:002010-06-03T02:20:54.939-06:00Hey, I've always know that was really gourmet ...Hey, I've always know that was really gourmet food!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-34636882698054769762010-06-02T10:48:49.496-06:002010-06-02T10:48:49.496-06:00One of Weston's favorites! (Mine too) :)One of Weston's favorites! (Mine too) :)Kelly Visserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625612677966445108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-4406820181760368912010-06-02T09:28:04.414-06:002010-06-02T09:28:04.414-06:00Dude...I saw those hot dogs boiling in the pot las...Dude...I saw those hot dogs boiling in the pot last night. That's sick man...just sick.The Professorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00712852431374218114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-75969501786648987752010-05-10T16:59:17.877-06:002010-05-10T16:59:17.877-06:00John...only you can put things into words that str...John...only you can put things into words that strike the funny bone in a way that makes one chuckle time and time again...long after reading the post...like at the grocery store when you see such individuals you have mentioned. Thank you John for the entertainment. May your marryable index stay high friend! :)Nikkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10977578219165209931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-34219545551495509012010-04-26T23:29:00.603-06:002010-04-26T23:29:00.603-06:00Thank you all, thank you. Try the fish.Thank you all, thank you. Try the fish.oofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03131528154686495708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-10965092740367698072010-04-22T11:10:22.473-06:002010-04-22T11:10:22.473-06:00Your blog is rampant badassery!Your blog is rampant badassery!Stacinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-81637294371565429902010-04-20T16:04:19.431-06:002010-04-20T16:04:19.431-06:00I just laughed really loud at this post, in the li...I just laughed really loud at this post, in the library no less.<br />I like you John.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10611916863884242850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-30182639500939185942010-04-17T10:00:13.054-06:002010-04-17T10:00:13.054-06:00Miguel!Miguel!Stacinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-84909027265077255292010-04-16T20:29:04.248-06:002010-04-16T20:29:04.248-06:00I saw some movie preview the other day and the mar...I saw some movie preview the other day and the married lady was looking for a man for her single friend, these were her prerequisites. "Are you single? Are you gay? Are you employed?" I think you are safe on all accounts.Princess and A BYU Fanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07657108410709596908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592770355903900038.post-8515488605232836712010-04-16T14:20:28.309-06:002010-04-16T14:20:28.309-06:00JohnVisser, I love this!! Great writing! Miss you...JohnVisser, I love this!! Great writing! Miss you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01393921649749024217noreply@blogger.com