I Give

I was contemplating the other day how great it was when I didn't care. When I didn't understand the importance of the Dow, Mortgage Rates were whatever they were and Presidential decisions seemed not to make any impact to my little world. I started in my company in the early 90's when we were in a significant recession, I remember boarded up homes in Moreno Valley and beyond and Real Estate "AT AN ALL TIME LOW".

I remember saying "It doesn't matter who's in charge, the fundamentals of opportunity in America don't change, work hard, aspire for much, and save your money." I have had many years of prosperity then, my 401k has grown, my home value (and unfortunately mortgage) is 4 times what it was and I am keenly aware of how people around me want me to believe that all we need is "Change." I hope we never change, I hope we continue to live in a country where no particular political leader no matter how unscrupulous, inexperienced, or even philandering can't change those fundamentals.

Fortunately in February whatever New American President takes office the fundamentals won't change, even if the color or sex does.

Tim

Party Welfare Plans

Democratic Welfare Plan:

Tax the Wealthiest Americans who have Capitalized most on being American to balance the budget and use that money to ensure health and welfare for the poorest Americans, who in turn use that money to buy goods and services stimulating the Economy . That money passes through all levels of income and ultimately ends up back in the pockets of the Rich. This creates jobs as more goods and services are REQUIRED by the Economy forcing companies to hire.

Republican Welfare Plan:

Reduce tax to the wealthiest .5% of Americans so they can keep more of their money and when that's not enough provide 300 Billion Dollars in Corporate Bailouts to the largest financial instutions in the country so the CEO's and Board of directors can keep ther multi-million dollar per year job. In turn those CEO's and World's elite re-invest their windfall in other Companies padding the pocket books of their rich friends. This is supposed to create jobs as companies have more money they may try to offset their tax burden by recapitalizing (putting money in other companies by building offices or buying products) and padding their workforce.

The ridiculous part of the system is we all pay 100% tax. Every dollar that is earned and then spent ultimately gets taxed at 100% and ends up back in the government pockets. All tax can be deemed unfair and all money (despite popular belief) is taxed multiple times not just once. Being on a bonus system myself I see the effects of a Varied income tax, on one check where I get NO Bonus and just earn my base I don't even pay Federal Taxes (SSI still bites). On another check I pay the countries maximum because I get my monthly income on that check and it's calculated as if I make insane money, that check netted only half of what I earned.
the above scenarios simply explain two terms we hear all the time but are never explained. The Dems believe in the Trickle UP philosophy and the more Popular Trickle Down is the Republican version.

You must decide which way you want it to work, 1 puts money in the hands of the poor who spend ALL OF IT passing the money through the hands of the entire country. The other puts more money in the hands of few hoping the y will spend it on the workforce. The problem as I see it is that the wealthiest americans although they spend a lot of money on what seems to be unimportant stuff, they KEEP MOST OF THE MONEY they get. If you don't understand this concept you must read "Richest man in Babylon."

The good news is that it doesn't matter what happens in Nov, right now the economy is in trouble and it will take some time to turn. Neither of the above are quick fixes.

- Undecided, still?

You must be RICH!

Beating Angel's Landing

This is me standing over 7,000 feet above sea level on top of Angel's Landing. I win the biggest guy on the hill contest, beat my fear of vertical drops over 1500 feet, and I even made it back down in one piece.

We had a great weekend, starting at Fremont street in Vegas. Where among other things I felt like the 1970's cheap vegas was back. I haven't been to this part of town in a long time, and a lot has changed since last time. 1st of all it was clean, 2nd it was cheap (rooms from as little as $25.00), and 3rd and best of all, the hookers made them selves obviously. Nothing much funner than playing Slug Hooker with your wife, kind of like slug bug but without the bugs, well you get it.

It was a great trip and I thoroughly enjoyed having my friends, Edgar, Lea and their sons Edgar Hayden and Justin, Armando, Jessica and their son Jessie and Jessica's Brother William. Thank all good times.