About Me
I said that I would tell you something about myself. So here it is.
I live in west central Florida and work as a secretary in a juvenile facility. I won't identify any of the kids (it's against state law and my own ethics) but I might tell the occasional story - without any identification, of course. I don't pretend to be an expert on juvenile behavior, but I've developed some opinions and some theories.
I'm married to Dale. We have no children, but we do have two furry felines that we call our kids. Dale is diabetic and disabled due to several amputations and poor circulation.
Our "kids" are Dollie and Oliver. Dollie is part Maine coon cat and part spawn of Satan. When she was a kitten, she was known as the Kitten from Hell. I'm not quite sure what Oliver is (aside from being a cat, of course). He's a short-haired gray with white socks. Oliver tries to be the alpha cat by intimidating Dollie, but she only lets him get away with it for so long. Then, he turns tail and runs. He's such a wuss. I'll tell you about how they met another time.
My age? I've said I was on the design team for dirt. I might not really be that old, but I can remember when TV was black and white and you could get only 3 channels. I remember when Kennedy (both of them) was assassinated. And I remember seeing Polaris missiles traveling by train south of Miami during the Cuban Missile crisis.
I prefer country music but I also like Big Band and some classical music. I like comedy in my movies but if I come out feeling good, it doesn't have to be a comedy. I started out fairly liberal, but I grew up, got a job, and found out what it's like in the real world. I'm still figuring out where I stand on some things and I might change my mind more than once before I finally have it figured out. I have some liberal tendencies, but am becoming more and more conservative as I get older. I am a registered Independent only because I have to register with a party affiliation. I'm leaning toward Libertarian, but not quite yet.
I hate credit cards and how easy it is to get them. I hate that we live in a credit-loving society that encourages getting into debt. Been there...paying for it now. As passionate as some people are about gun control and abortion I am about credit cards.
I am Yankee by birth, but Southern by heritage, geographical preference, and choice.
I think that's enough for now. Got to save something for later!
Friday, November 14, 2003
Thursday, November 13, 2003
FAIR TAX ACT
I seem to sort of have a clue as to what I'm doing here, so I'll share some thoughts on one of my favorite subjects: The Fair Tax Act.
This is a rather controversial issue with people wanting a flat tax, some wanting a consumption tax, and others wanting no taxes at all.
I think we can all agree that we pay too much in taxes! I've done some study on the matter and have decided that the Fair Tax Act is the way to go. It was introduced into the Senate by Senator John Linder of Georgia.
As I understand it, the FTA would eliminate the IRS, remove all payroll taxes (this will not eliminate health care, life insurance and the like that you purchase through payroll deductions) and return that money to you, the employee, the taxpayer.
Taxes will only be paid by the end user and only once. Meaning that if you make (for example) ball point stick pens, you will not pay taxes on what you purchase to make the pen. You will collect a tax when you sell the pen. If the purchaser resells the pen, there is no tax because it is a used product. Another example would be cars. The manufacturer will not pay taxes for the components to make the car, but will collect a tax when the car is sold. When the car is later sold as "used" there will be no tax.
Now, to take the car analogy a little further, a person who can afford to buy a (new) high dollar vehicle will pay tax on it, but you, who can only afford a used car, will pay no tax. This is a consumer tax where you pay taxes (or not) on what you can afford or what you choose to buy. Will people still buy new vehicles? Of course they will. If for no other reason than to show that they can afford to pay the taxes on this luxury vehicle. Me, I'll buy the used vehicle. Cheaper to begin with and no taxes!
You may not know, but because of taxes you are already paying about 23% in hidden taxes before the sales tax you pay is even added in! This is because (in our earlier example) the ball point pen manufacturer has to pay for the taxes that were charged for each part of the ball point pen. And each seller of the pen component had to pay taxes when they purchased their supplies to make their component of the pen.
Now for what sounds like the bad news: under the Fair Tax Act, when you buy that new car, you will pay about 23% in taxes. But remember....that's only if you buy new. Used items will not have a tax.
There is some good news however. All current programs that are funded by taxes will still be funded. Don't worry that Medicare and Social Security will go away. They won't. There will be plenty of money collected in taxes (on new items) to pay for these programs.
Some bad news and good news: items that were not previously taxed (such as food) will be taxed. Before you start wondering why I would support such a thing, read on. Because there would be more money coming in, the government would send every taxpayer a rebate check every month to cover the basic necessities of life. It's broken down in a chart on the FTA website showing just how much each family or single taxpayer would get every month.
You will not have payroll taxes taken from your paycheck, pay taxes only on what you choose to buy (such as luxury items), and get a rebate check every month. How much better can it get?
If you aren't convinced yet, or have questions, go to www.fairtax.org and check it out for yourself. That's the best thing to do anyway. Check it out and either convince yourself that FTA is the way to go, or that it's the most ridiculous thing you ever heard of.
I seem to sort of have a clue as to what I'm doing here, so I'll share some thoughts on one of my favorite subjects: The Fair Tax Act.
This is a rather controversial issue with people wanting a flat tax, some wanting a consumption tax, and others wanting no taxes at all.
I think we can all agree that we pay too much in taxes! I've done some study on the matter and have decided that the Fair Tax Act is the way to go. It was introduced into the Senate by Senator John Linder of Georgia.
As I understand it, the FTA would eliminate the IRS, remove all payroll taxes (this will not eliminate health care, life insurance and the like that you purchase through payroll deductions) and return that money to you, the employee, the taxpayer.
Taxes will only be paid by the end user and only once. Meaning that if you make (for example) ball point stick pens, you will not pay taxes on what you purchase to make the pen. You will collect a tax when you sell the pen. If the purchaser resells the pen, there is no tax because it is a used product. Another example would be cars. The manufacturer will not pay taxes for the components to make the car, but will collect a tax when the car is sold. When the car is later sold as "used" there will be no tax.
Now, to take the car analogy a little further, a person who can afford to buy a (new) high dollar vehicle will pay tax on it, but you, who can only afford a used car, will pay no tax. This is a consumer tax where you pay taxes (or not) on what you can afford or what you choose to buy. Will people still buy new vehicles? Of course they will. If for no other reason than to show that they can afford to pay the taxes on this luxury vehicle. Me, I'll buy the used vehicle. Cheaper to begin with and no taxes!
You may not know, but because of taxes you are already paying about 23% in hidden taxes before the sales tax you pay is even added in! This is because (in our earlier example) the ball point pen manufacturer has to pay for the taxes that were charged for each part of the ball point pen. And each seller of the pen component had to pay taxes when they purchased their supplies to make their component of the pen.
Now for what sounds like the bad news: under the Fair Tax Act, when you buy that new car, you will pay about 23% in taxes. But remember....that's only if you buy new. Used items will not have a tax.
There is some good news however. All current programs that are funded by taxes will still be funded. Don't worry that Medicare and Social Security will go away. They won't. There will be plenty of money collected in taxes (on new items) to pay for these programs.
Some bad news and good news: items that were not previously taxed (such as food) will be taxed. Before you start wondering why I would support such a thing, read on. Because there would be more money coming in, the government would send every taxpayer a rebate check every month to cover the basic necessities of life. It's broken down in a chart on the FTA website showing just how much each family or single taxpayer would get every month.
You will not have payroll taxes taken from your paycheck, pay taxes only on what you choose to buy (such as luxury items), and get a rebate check every month. How much better can it get?
If you aren't convinced yet, or have questions, go to www.fairtax.org and check it out for yourself. That's the best thing to do anyway. Check it out and either convince yourself that FTA is the way to go, or that it's the most ridiculous thing you ever heard of.
This is the beginning of a new chapter in my life. My first blog!
I must insert a qualifier before I go any further. What I write on these pages is my opinion. I am entitled to my opinion as are you. However, this is my blog and I reserve the right to say what I think at any point in time. If you don't agree, get your own blog! I respect your right to have an opinion, I just don't have to agree with it, nor do you have to agree with mine. All I ask is that you be courteous and polite when you email me to tell me what an idiot you think I am. I respond much better to courtesy than I do offensive behavior or language. If I offend you, and you feel that you have to use offensive language, I would prefer that you just take your business elsewhere. After all, you aren't paying for this, you are here at my invitation.
I am big on courtesy. I don't think there is enough of it in the world. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe that anyone should just roll over and do what someone else wants (unless you want to). What I do think is that more "please" and "thank you" would not be a bad thing in this world. And less of "what's in it for me?" would also be good.
Today is sort of to set my boundaries. My opinions may change from day to day or even moment to moment. After all, I am a woman and I reserve the right to change my mind! My opinions are subject to change because I may receive more information that causes me to revise my prior thought process on the subject.
On the other hand, I can be stubborn and may not be willing to change my mind regardless of the information I get.
And although I am not blonde and not a senior citizen, I was born blonde and am not a teenager. I am subject to moments of having either or both "blonde moments" or "senior moments." You choose the description you prefer.
And if you are offended by my blonde and senior comments, get over it! I don't deliberately offend, but I am not PC by any means either.
In the future, I'll tell you something about myself, my family, friends, and probably more than you ever wanted to know about me and my world.
That said, I hope that we can be friends and have a mutually pleasant and entertaining exchange of opinions, thoughts, and musings.
I must insert a qualifier before I go any further. What I write on these pages is my opinion. I am entitled to my opinion as are you. However, this is my blog and I reserve the right to say what I think at any point in time. If you don't agree, get your own blog! I respect your right to have an opinion, I just don't have to agree with it, nor do you have to agree with mine. All I ask is that you be courteous and polite when you email me to tell me what an idiot you think I am. I respond much better to courtesy than I do offensive behavior or language. If I offend you, and you feel that you have to use offensive language, I would prefer that you just take your business elsewhere. After all, you aren't paying for this, you are here at my invitation.
I am big on courtesy. I don't think there is enough of it in the world. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe that anyone should just roll over and do what someone else wants (unless you want to). What I do think is that more "please" and "thank you" would not be a bad thing in this world. And less of "what's in it for me?" would also be good.
Today is sort of to set my boundaries. My opinions may change from day to day or even moment to moment. After all, I am a woman and I reserve the right to change my mind! My opinions are subject to change because I may receive more information that causes me to revise my prior thought process on the subject.
On the other hand, I can be stubborn and may not be willing to change my mind regardless of the information I get.
And although I am not blonde and not a senior citizen, I was born blonde and am not a teenager. I am subject to moments of having either or both "blonde moments" or "senior moments." You choose the description you prefer.
And if you are offended by my blonde and senior comments, get over it! I don't deliberately offend, but I am not PC by any means either.
In the future, I'll tell you something about myself, my family, friends, and probably more than you ever wanted to know about me and my world.
That said, I hope that we can be friends and have a mutually pleasant and entertaining exchange of opinions, thoughts, and musings.
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