Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
'Tis Winter Solstice Eve
It's Winter Solstice tomorrow, and there's a total lunar eclipse tonight, and it's a full moon! It's the first time since 1378 that there will be a lunar eclipse for the Winter Solstice.
I'm thinking of getting up to see it. Shouldn't be too hard. The dogs wake me up between midnight and 4 am every morning anyway. Now if there will only be clear skies tonight!
Maybe that accounts for the Congress repealing DADT. Still can't quite believe they did that; especially with the Reps gaining more "power" come January.
Maybe it was part of a backroom deal to get the '01 and '03 tax cuts and unemployment continued, and that ridiculous payroll tax reduction (what were they thinking?). Not to mention the inheritance tax break. Gimme a break.
warning - political rant ahead
I really do wish someone would stand up and say "Hey. We know it bites big time, but we are going to have to go back to the tax levels before 2001. We know the economy is still fragile. That's why we are going to do this slowly over time."
They could have done that and saved face for all. Except maybe the Reps with the highest earners. But they could have negotiated it to extend the income tax cuts for everyone making less than $500k, instead of $250k, etc. And gradually lowered that to get us back to 2001 tax levels. But nooooo. We have to keep it going, and add stuff to decrease the money coming in even more!
It boggles my mind how they can cut the payroll tax 2% for the next year. Isn't social security hamstrung already? For Pete's Sake.
And this one Rep. I heard on the news. OMG. He brought up the usual talking point that the extension of uneployment benefits should be paid for first (fully funded), but when asked if that should apply to the continuation of the tax cuts, he said "No, it's not the same thing." Really? Then what the hell is it?
You're still reducing money the government has to function. Front end or back end, it is the same thing. And arguably the cuts of '01 and '03 helped place us in the current mess we are in. Reducing income while increasing or maintaining spending never leads to a positive cash flow. I can tell you that from personal experience. And don't give me that "It's not money the govt has anyway". Well, it is money the government used to have, until they gave it away without funding it.
I'm also tired of all the whining that comes when anyone tries to close loopholes for those making millions and so on. Let's face facts. The rich have a lot more opportunity to take advantage of tax shelters and loopholes than the average person. I can't hire Suz.e Or.man or her like to give me tax advice. But the rich can. There are so many ways to set up your money and estate to avoid taxes upon your death. Give me a break. They don't need that inheritance tax exemption for up to $5 million and a reduced rate!!!! They should have kept it at $1m and just reduced the rate to 35%.
I should stop now. I can feel myself tensing up. Which is why I haven't posted for awhile. Too much going on that I'm thinking about but makes me mad. On a local political level as well.
Repubs here gained advantages in our state legislature riding on the "economic woes" ticket. Their first stated agenda item? Eliminate ab.or.tio.n in this state. For the third session in a row, they're going to try to get a bill passed stating conception begins at birth. Even though the people of this state, by fairly decent margins, have voted no on two constitutional initiatives that tried the same thing. What the hell are they doing? The people of this state have said no twice already. Yet they are going to waste precious time and money on this issue, instead of facing the budget shortfall and economy. I'm going to pull my hair out.
Anyway. It all just drives me crazy. I'm going to stop now and think about the eclipse tonight, Solstice tomorrow, and the 3-day weekend coming up.
I'm thinking of getting up to see it. Shouldn't be too hard. The dogs wake me up between midnight and 4 am every morning anyway. Now if there will only be clear skies tonight!
Maybe that accounts for the Congress repealing DADT. Still can't quite believe they did that; especially with the Reps gaining more "power" come January.
Maybe it was part of a backroom deal to get the '01 and '03 tax cuts and unemployment continued, and that ridiculous payroll tax reduction (what were they thinking?). Not to mention the inheritance tax break. Gimme a break.
warning - political rant ahead
I really do wish someone would stand up and say "Hey. We know it bites big time, but we are going to have to go back to the tax levels before 2001. We know the economy is still fragile. That's why we are going to do this slowly over time."
They could have done that and saved face for all. Except maybe the Reps with the highest earners. But they could have negotiated it to extend the income tax cuts for everyone making less than $500k, instead of $250k, etc. And gradually lowered that to get us back to 2001 tax levels. But nooooo. We have to keep it going, and add stuff to decrease the money coming in even more!
It boggles my mind how they can cut the payroll tax 2% for the next year. Isn't social security hamstrung already? For Pete's Sake.
And this one Rep. I heard on the news. OMG. He brought up the usual talking point that the extension of uneployment benefits should be paid for first (fully funded), but when asked if that should apply to the continuation of the tax cuts, he said "No, it's not the same thing." Really? Then what the hell is it?
You're still reducing money the government has to function. Front end or back end, it is the same thing. And arguably the cuts of '01 and '03 helped place us in the current mess we are in. Reducing income while increasing or maintaining spending never leads to a positive cash flow. I can tell you that from personal experience. And don't give me that "It's not money the govt has anyway". Well, it is money the government used to have, until they gave it away without funding it.
I'm also tired of all the whining that comes when anyone tries to close loopholes for those making millions and so on. Let's face facts. The rich have a lot more opportunity to take advantage of tax shelters and loopholes than the average person. I can't hire Suz.e Or.man or her like to give me tax advice. But the rich can. There are so many ways to set up your money and estate to avoid taxes upon your death. Give me a break. They don't need that inheritance tax exemption for up to $5 million and a reduced rate!!!! They should have kept it at $1m and just reduced the rate to 35%.
I should stop now. I can feel myself tensing up. Which is why I haven't posted for awhile. Too much going on that I'm thinking about but makes me mad. On a local political level as well.
Repubs here gained advantages in our state legislature riding on the "economic woes" ticket. Their first stated agenda item? Eliminate ab.or.tio.n in this state. For the third session in a row, they're going to try to get a bill passed stating conception begins at birth. Even though the people of this state, by fairly decent margins, have voted no on two constitutional initiatives that tried the same thing. What the hell are they doing? The people of this state have said no twice already. Yet they are going to waste precious time and money on this issue, instead of facing the budget shortfall and economy. I'm going to pull my hair out.
Anyway. It all just drives me crazy. I'm going to stop now and think about the eclipse tonight, Solstice tomorrow, and the 3-day weekend coming up.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
DADT Repealed Finally!
It being Saturday I just now got around to checking the headlines. It's about damn time "Don't Ask Don't Tell" was repealed. It actually gives me hope for the future of this country. Now let's see how they implement it.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Gobble Gobble
It has been awhile, hasn't it? Need to get back to posting here. I've been distracted by Fa.ce.book, but really. I just can't condense my thoughts to the small postings they allow. I like this much better. Whether it's read or not!
Had a successful Turkey day this year. Mom & Dad flew in the Monday before, and left for home yesterday. I think they were secretly a little glad to head out as the weather has been a bit chilly. Below zero, snowy, windy. Not normal Thanksgiving weather. At least, not in the past 10 years I've lived here.
Cooked my first turkey ever, with Mom's expert guidance. Tried a new recipe that left me a bit disappointed. Put an orange, onion, celery, and thyme in the turkey cavity instead of stuffing. We made that separately. Rubbed butter all over turkey, sprinkled with salt & pepper, then roasted in oven bag. It was good, but I was expecting more of an orange flavor. I'm still in search of that recipe my Aunt N cooked one year. She said it was from Em.eril, but when I asked her about it several years later, she didn't remember it. It's the best turkey I've ever had.
Anyway. Hosted my little sis' family and a few friends. About 14 of us total. It was fun, and a good day. But exhausting. Shanni stayed the night at the last minute, because we were going shopping in the morning. Hit the stores around 9 or 10 am, which got us past the madness. Except Macy's and Joann Fabrics. But those 2 were bearable. Worst was the cash register line at Joann's. Small store w/only 2 cashiers. But got yarn at half price plus so it was worth it. We were home by 3pm, and I got half my Xmas shopping done. The rest online over the weekend. So just a few little items to finish up and I'm all set.
With Mom & Dad here we managed to finish a few house projects. Nothing major. Dad and I got my adjustable shelves installed upstairs. Love them.Two shelves 6 feet long and 12 inches deep each. Adjustable to whatever height I want. Now to get the books on them and the boxes emptied and papers sorted.
Had a successful Turkey day this year. Mom & Dad flew in the Monday before, and left for home yesterday. I think they were secretly a little glad to head out as the weather has been a bit chilly. Below zero, snowy, windy. Not normal Thanksgiving weather. At least, not in the past 10 years I've lived here.
Cooked my first turkey ever, with Mom's expert guidance. Tried a new recipe that left me a bit disappointed. Put an orange, onion, celery, and thyme in the turkey cavity instead of stuffing. We made that separately. Rubbed butter all over turkey, sprinkled with salt & pepper, then roasted in oven bag. It was good, but I was expecting more of an orange flavor. I'm still in search of that recipe my Aunt N cooked one year. She said it was from Em.eril, but when I asked her about it several years later, she didn't remember it. It's the best turkey I've ever had.
Anyway. Hosted my little sis' family and a few friends. About 14 of us total. It was fun, and a good day. But exhausting. Shanni stayed the night at the last minute, because we were going shopping in the morning. Hit the stores around 9 or 10 am, which got us past the madness. Except Macy's and Joann Fabrics. But those 2 were bearable. Worst was the cash register line at Joann's. Small store w/only 2 cashiers. But got yarn at half price plus so it was worth it. We were home by 3pm, and I got half my Xmas shopping done. The rest online over the weekend. So just a few little items to finish up and I'm all set.
With Mom & Dad here we managed to finish a few house projects. Nothing major. Dad and I got my adjustable shelves installed upstairs. Love them.Two shelves 6 feet long and 12 inches deep each. Adjustable to whatever height I want. Now to get the books on them and the boxes emptied and papers sorted.
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