I knew I should have gotten my calculator out.
85 billion divided by 200 million is $425 not $425,000. And that is before taxes with the 30% tax. That would make it $297.50. That would do about as much good as Bush's stimulus plan.. I bet that guy is wishing he hadn't put his name on that but hey, I put it on my blog so what can I say.
I still like the sentiment. It does seem like there has to be a better plan but the question is, do we have the time? The 7 hundred and something points that the stock market dropped yesterday probably cost more in the long run than the bail out would have.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Send it on to Washington!
Could this work? I received this forward from my friend Lorry today and I'm just wondering if this approach could actually work...
I want to preface it by saying this is in no way me endorsing any presidential candidate. I have no idea which candidate that he's referring to that is wanting to use a $1000 credit to "buy a vote". Which probably means it's inaccurate information. Still, this is interesting...
THE BIRK PLAN.... A WILD IDEA THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN/.....
The Birk Plan (The dream of a Private Citizen)
I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.
Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a "We Deserve
It Dividend".
To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S.
Citizens 18+.
Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child.
So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adu lts 18 and up.
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals $425,000.00.
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a "We Deserve It
Dividend".
Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends
$25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband
and wife has $595,000.00.
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage, housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans, what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college, it'll be there
Save in a bank, create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car, create jobs
Invest in the market , capital drives growth
Pay for your parent's medical insurance, health care improves
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean, or else
Re member this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who
lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting
back.
And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.
If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of
trickling out a puny $1000.00 (vote buy) economic incentive that is being
proposed
by one of our candidates for President.
If we're going to do an $85 bi llion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S
Citizen 18+!
As for AIG liquidate it. Sell off its parts. Let American General go back to
being American General. Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector
bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.
Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.
Sure it's a crazy idea that can never work. Maybe???
But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!
How do you spell Economic Boom?
I trust my fellow adult A mericans to know how to use the $85 Billion "We
Deserve It Dividend" more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC.
And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5
Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
I want to preface it by saying this is in no way me endorsing any presidential candidate. I have no idea which candidate that he's referring to that is wanting to use a $1000 credit to "buy a vote". Which probably means it's inaccurate information. Still, this is interesting...
THE BIRK PLAN.... A WILD IDEA THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN/.....
The Birk Plan (The dream of a Private Citizen)
I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.
Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a "We Deserve
It Dividend".
To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S.
Citizens 18+.
Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child.
So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adu lts 18 and up.
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals $425,000.00.
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a "We Deserve It
Dividend".
Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends
$25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband
and wife has $595,000.00.
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage, housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans, what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college, it'll be there
Save in a bank, create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car, create jobs
Invest in the market , capital drives growth
Pay for your parent's medical insurance, health care improves
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean, or else
Re member this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who
lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting
back.
And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.
If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of
trickling out a puny $1000.00 (vote buy) economic incentive that is being
proposed
by one of our candidates for President.
If we're going to do an $85 bi llion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S
Citizen 18+!
As for AIG liquidate it. Sell off its parts. Let American General go back to
being American General. Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector
bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.
Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.
Sure it's a crazy idea that can never work. Maybe???
But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!
How do you spell Economic Boom?
I trust my fellow adult A mericans to know how to use the $85 Billion "We
Deserve It Dividend" more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC.
And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5
Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
Monday, September 22, 2008
I'm Hidden Under a Pile of Laundry...
Have you ever let things pile up to the point that you ignored their existence? Adam was a youth minister for 10 years and during that ten years, we went to many weeks of camp. I would get home, throw everything in the laundry room, and go to bed and pretend that the heaps of soured towels, grainy sheets (you know what I mean by this if you've ever been to camp) and the mud covered clothes didn't exist. Well, my laundry is actually done right now. But my blog posts are piling up... So much I've had on my mind to cover.. Chloe turning one, Kindergarten updates, pictures, coupon information etc. I had a friend call today asking if I was ever going to post more pictures.. Maybe in a day or two or three or four but tonight, I've got a couple of announcements to make and the checkbook needs to be balanced. But, Adam keeps telling me that I have to make regular posts or I will lose my audience (if you follow Adam's blog, you'll know that this is the pot calling the kettle black. I update more often than he). But anyway, since I need to be doing other things, I'm going to throw this filler in tonight. A friend of mine is writing a devotional book for mothers. She asked me to co-write it with her but I just didn't feel like I could give her that kind of commitment. So, we pretty much decided that if I wrote something that I thought might work in her book, I would send it to her and if she could use it, then she would. Well, here is the latest insert. Hopefully, my posting this will help and not hinder her book when she gets it out there to sell.
So anyway, here it goes:
Isaiah 55:8 and 9
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
A few nights ago, I was cooking dinner and just as I was pulling a dish out of the oven, I caught a peripheral of Chloe rounding the corner and heading straight for the oven. With hands full of a steaming hot chicken casserole and oven door unlatched, I realized that she was only seconds away from said inferno. So, as any good mother would do, I kicked her… right in the stomach. It was actually just a quick, soft nudge of protection landing her right on her posterior but none the less, it broke her heart.
I left her there on the floor, with a downward lip and crocodile tears as I sat the dish on the stovetop and closed the oven door. I then scooped her up and covered her in kisses trying to explain to her that the blow she received was actually a result of my unending love for her and my maternal instincts…. Knowing that even though she understood very little of my explanation, I comforted her guilt free knowing, that as a parent, I made the best decision and chose the better course of action given the situation.
Thankfully, children recover quickly and have forgiving hearts because it wasn’t long before the tears were gone and she was returning my kisses. But as I held her, I began to wonder how many times I have perceived something from God as a blow to the gut when He was in reality, protecting me from a far worse fate. And I can only pray that I can put as much trust in my God that a one year old does in her mother, knowing that what He does sometimes doesn’t make sense to me but, He has fed me when I am hungry and comforted me when I am hurting, and is far wiser than I.
Lord, thank you for the blessing that you’ve given me in my children. They help me to see such a wonderful picture of you. Help me to have the trust in you that they have in me. Please help me to see that your love for me outreaches even the love that I have for them.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Blessings,
Dana
So anyway, here it goes:
Isaiah 55:8 and 9
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
A few nights ago, I was cooking dinner and just as I was pulling a dish out of the oven, I caught a peripheral of Chloe rounding the corner and heading straight for the oven. With hands full of a steaming hot chicken casserole and oven door unlatched, I realized that she was only seconds away from said inferno. So, as any good mother would do, I kicked her… right in the stomach. It was actually just a quick, soft nudge of protection landing her right on her posterior but none the less, it broke her heart.
I left her there on the floor, with a downward lip and crocodile tears as I sat the dish on the stovetop and closed the oven door. I then scooped her up and covered her in kisses trying to explain to her that the blow she received was actually a result of my unending love for her and my maternal instincts…. Knowing that even though she understood very little of my explanation, I comforted her guilt free knowing, that as a parent, I made the best decision and chose the better course of action given the situation.
Thankfully, children recover quickly and have forgiving hearts because it wasn’t long before the tears were gone and she was returning my kisses. But as I held her, I began to wonder how many times I have perceived something from God as a blow to the gut when He was in reality, protecting me from a far worse fate. And I can only pray that I can put as much trust in my God that a one year old does in her mother, knowing that what He does sometimes doesn’t make sense to me but, He has fed me when I am hungry and comforted me when I am hurting, and is far wiser than I.
Lord, thank you for the blessing that you’ve given me in my children. They help me to see such a wonderful picture of you. Help me to have the trust in you that they have in me. Please help me to see that your love for me outreaches even the love that I have for them.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Blessings,
Dana
Friday, September 12, 2008
God'll Pack You Up
I do have pictures to post but my memory card reader is malfunctioning and so I'm going to have to dig my camera box out of the closet and find the cord to attach the camera to my computer and upload them that way and I don't seem to be able to muster up the energy Kindergarten has aged me 10 years. They have to be in there seats ready to go at 7:30 which means I have to get up by 5:30 to be able to get myself ready before Chloe wakes to eat and then Emma to get ready.. It is seriously kicking my tail.. But if you're just dying to see some pics, visit Sara-Beth's blog and you can see some that I've recently taken of Maggie. Those are better anyway since she's the one that will sit still for me. Sara-Beth just started a blog and she needs a nice warm welcome into blogger world anyway ;).
But I do have a funny story to tell... And I'm loving it because Emma has gotten to the age where she's not messing up a whole lot and Chloe isn't quite to the age to be breaking out the funnies quite yet.. But this one cracked me up...
Tonight, the four of us were sitting at the kitchen table having a tea and scones party (complete with British accents). By tea, I mean water and by scones I mean apple newtons but it was called a tea party by the hostess (Emma). So she was sitting there passing out the napkins and pretending to put "sweetener" in our "tea". As she did her hostess duties, she joyfully sang a Veggietales song. Some of you other moms might be familiar with it. It's the song from "Rack Shack and Benny". The words go like this..
Stand For What you Believe In
Believe In, Believe In
God, he's the one to back you up....
Except Emma was singing, "God, He's the one to pack you up"
I of course started laughing with no regards to her ego or self-esteem. But Adam, being the gentle daddy that he is decided to investigate the meaning of her lyrics..
Being the great theologian that she is she explained that when you die, God comes and packs up your soul and takes it to heaven... :).
So stand for what you believe in, you might die doing it but then, God will be there to pack you up!
How boring life would be if there were no children!
Blessings,
Dana
But I do have a funny story to tell... And I'm loving it because Emma has gotten to the age where she's not messing up a whole lot and Chloe isn't quite to the age to be breaking out the funnies quite yet.. But this one cracked me up...
Tonight, the four of us were sitting at the kitchen table having a tea and scones party (complete with British accents). By tea, I mean water and by scones I mean apple newtons but it was called a tea party by the hostess (Emma). So she was sitting there passing out the napkins and pretending to put "sweetener" in our "tea". As she did her hostess duties, she joyfully sang a Veggietales song. Some of you other moms might be familiar with it. It's the song from "Rack Shack and Benny". The words go like this..
Stand For What you Believe In
Believe In, Believe In
God, he's the one to back you up....
Except Emma was singing, "God, He's the one to pack you up"
I of course started laughing with no regards to her ego or self-esteem. But Adam, being the gentle daddy that he is decided to investigate the meaning of her lyrics..
Being the great theologian that she is she explained that when you die, God comes and packs up your soul and takes it to heaven... :).
So stand for what you believe in, you might die doing it but then, God will be there to pack you up!
How boring life would be if there were no children!
Blessings,
Dana
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Judgement Strikes Again
Every now and then, this subject rears it's ugly little head. Here lately, I've spoken to a few different friends that are feeling judged about there mothering.. There are many different subjects that get mother's going whether it be working/staying at home, breast feeding/bottle feeding, spanking/not spanking..... the list goes on.
So, I thought it was time that I resurrect this little post I made a couple of years ago. The last time I posted it, I received quite a few e-mails asking me who ticked me off so bad. And a few from friends wanting to know if they had offended me personally. So before you ask those questions... It happens to me regularly that someone comments on my parenting..... I can make you a list if you really want to know. I've been corrected for everything from painting Emma's toe nails when she was a baby to carrying her when she was too old (and I would say that almost 5 years old is probably a little old to be carrying a child around unless THEY HAVE A BROKEN LEG) and though I haven't gotten any comments yet, I see them coming so I'm going to go ahead and get it out there. Chloe just turned one and she's still breast feeding. With Emma, I was so disciplined and I slowly tapered off feedings and gave her her very last one right before she turned one. Well, Chloe has been sick and is cutting a tooth and in an effort to comfort her, instead of tapering it off, we seem to be increasing feedings. I have always said that if they started to pull on my clothes that was it, I was going to cut them off cold turkey. Well, Chloe's pulling and you know what I do? I CAVE... Lesson one in motherhood.. Never say what you are not going to do... That's the surest way to insure that you do it! But honestly, this post isn't about someone offending me. If you don't think I'm doing something right, you're entitled to your opinion... Even if it is wrong :). I figure if I want to personally take Chloe a fresh, warm, snack to her classroom when she's in Kindergarten, then it's my prerogative.
This is just so those of you that are feeling the pressure know that I've got your back. Remember that this post pre-dates Chloe...
Ok, I just need to vent a little here. I love my daughter. She means everything to me. I feel confident in my parenting. I know that I will make mistakes but I also know that I have her best interest at heart and I want nothing more than for her to one day be the woman that God wants her to be. I pray daily for God to give me the wisdom to make the right choices in raising her. I also know that every child is different and that it is usually the mother that spends the most time with their child and therefore knows what is best for her child (at least children Emma's age). I believe that there are no pat answers and that every child is different. Like I said, I feel like I do a good job. However, I am not arrogant enough to think that I am qualified to raise someone elses child or tell them how to do so and frankly, that drives me nuts. From day one, moms (especially new moms) have people critizing if they let their babies cry or if they pick them up too often and not let them cry, whether they have a pacifier or not, how long they take the pacifier. Then their is how often you change your kids diaper. People critize if you take your child out of the house too early or accuse you of being an over protective parent if you keep them home too long. Then when the child gets older, it's what food you let them eat, how much TV you let them watch, or my favorite, how you discipline. The list goes on and on. Don't get me wrong, I'm very cautious about all of these things but I just don't think I have the right to judge a mom who is say overworked and needs a break and let's her child watch three hours of TV a day as opposed to the two recommended by the american pediatric association. Seriously, can people actually be taking care of their own children if they are so worried about how someone else takes care of theirs. If someone is truly concerned about the well being of the child involved, the best thing you can do is encourage the mom. Since day one, my family has made it a point to tell me what a great job I'm doing. I'm so thankful for that. A lot of my friends don't have that. It makes me confident in my approach and helps me to be consistant. The worst thing you can do to a mom is make her second guess herself. There is one reason that people criticize others, insecurity. Most mom's love their children more than they love themselves and that alone is to be commended. When you've gotten up several times a night to take care of a newborn, then you've earned the right to make choices for that child, THAT CHILD not any other. Come on people, mom's need support!
And back to the current... I don't think my feelings on this have changed.
Blessings,
Dana
So, I thought it was time that I resurrect this little post I made a couple of years ago. The last time I posted it, I received quite a few e-mails asking me who ticked me off so bad. And a few from friends wanting to know if they had offended me personally. So before you ask those questions... It happens to me regularly that someone comments on my parenting..... I can make you a list if you really want to know. I've been corrected for everything from painting Emma's toe nails when she was a baby to carrying her when she was too old (and I would say that almost 5 years old is probably a little old to be carrying a child around unless THEY HAVE A BROKEN LEG) and though I haven't gotten any comments yet, I see them coming so I'm going to go ahead and get it out there. Chloe just turned one and she's still breast feeding. With Emma, I was so disciplined and I slowly tapered off feedings and gave her her very last one right before she turned one. Well, Chloe has been sick and is cutting a tooth and in an effort to comfort her, instead of tapering it off, we seem to be increasing feedings. I have always said that if they started to pull on my clothes that was it, I was going to cut them off cold turkey. Well, Chloe's pulling and you know what I do? I CAVE... Lesson one in motherhood.. Never say what you are not going to do... That's the surest way to insure that you do it! But honestly, this post isn't about someone offending me. If you don't think I'm doing something right, you're entitled to your opinion... Even if it is wrong :). I figure if I want to personally take Chloe a fresh, warm, snack to her classroom when she's in Kindergarten, then it's my prerogative.
This is just so those of you that are feeling the pressure know that I've got your back. Remember that this post pre-dates Chloe...
Ok, I just need to vent a little here. I love my daughter. She means everything to me. I feel confident in my parenting. I know that I will make mistakes but I also know that I have her best interest at heart and I want nothing more than for her to one day be the woman that God wants her to be. I pray daily for God to give me the wisdom to make the right choices in raising her. I also know that every child is different and that it is usually the mother that spends the most time with their child and therefore knows what is best for her child (at least children Emma's age). I believe that there are no pat answers and that every child is different. Like I said, I feel like I do a good job. However, I am not arrogant enough to think that I am qualified to raise someone elses child or tell them how to do so and frankly, that drives me nuts. From day one, moms (especially new moms) have people critizing if they let their babies cry or if they pick them up too often and not let them cry, whether they have a pacifier or not, how long they take the pacifier. Then their is how often you change your kids diaper. People critize if you take your child out of the house too early or accuse you of being an over protective parent if you keep them home too long. Then when the child gets older, it's what food you let them eat, how much TV you let them watch, or my favorite, how you discipline. The list goes on and on. Don't get me wrong, I'm very cautious about all of these things but I just don't think I have the right to judge a mom who is say overworked and needs a break and let's her child watch three hours of TV a day as opposed to the two recommended by the american pediatric association. Seriously, can people actually be taking care of their own children if they are so worried about how someone else takes care of theirs. If someone is truly concerned about the well being of the child involved, the best thing you can do is encourage the mom. Since day one, my family has made it a point to tell me what a great job I'm doing. I'm so thankful for that. A lot of my friends don't have that. It makes me confident in my approach and helps me to be consistant. The worst thing you can do to a mom is make her second guess herself. There is one reason that people criticize others, insecurity. Most mom's love their children more than they love themselves and that alone is to be commended. When you've gotten up several times a night to take care of a newborn, then you've earned the right to make choices for that child, THAT CHILD not any other. Come on people, mom's need support!
And back to the current... I don't think my feelings on this have changed.
Blessings,
Dana
Friday, September 05, 2008
FREE FLAVORICE AT CVS
For you coupon shoppers, I just got home from CVS and along with the deodorant and the loreal cleanser, I got for free, I also got a huge 48 count box of flavorice for free.
This is how that worked. They are on clearance for 75% off and then you get 5 extra bucks back with your extra care card. Some have even reported making a couple of bucks off of this one but if I'm reading my receipt right, I just got them free. I'll take free though. BTW, they weren't marked 75% off so check at the counter to make sure.
Also, Walgreens has a ton of free stuff this month with rebates.
Blessings,
Dana
This is how that worked. They are on clearance for 75% off and then you get 5 extra bucks back with your extra care card. Some have even reported making a couple of bucks off of this one but if I'm reading my receipt right, I just got them free. I'll take free though. BTW, they weren't marked 75% off so check at the counter to make sure.
Also, Walgreens has a ton of free stuff this month with rebates.
Blessings,
Dana
Thursday, September 04, 2008
It's my party...
Some of you have asked me about the rest of the birthday pictures... Well, they're coming. But, I have to complete the package. It is not unusual for someone to say that Chloe is the most expressive baby they've ever seen. She has some of the funniest expressions that I've ever seen. She just hears music, any kind of music, and grins from ear to ear and starts dancing. It's not your normal, spin in circle dancing that you get from a child. It's a foot stomping, "oh my gosh, I think she's actually got the beat" kind of bring the house down, squeal with delight kind of dance. Adam comes in the door from work and she runs and throws her arms around his neck (I'm not exaggerating here, she RUNS). She often leans in for a full smack on the lips and pulls back with a sigh of satisfaction. You know the kind you have when your throat feels like a dusty dirt road and you finally treat yourself to the Pepsi you've been longing for but have denying yourself because you're fully invested in your plan to drink eight glasses of water a day? (Everyone has these cruel plans don't they?) So I just knew that the fully indulgent tradition of letting your child totally tear up a birthday cake on their first birthday was going to be right up her ally.
I'm sure she's going to kill me for this picture one day but just so we can get your full sympathies. Here's my girl on her birthday.
With the cold and waiting for all the family to get here, making it bedtime before we got around to the festivities (not a great plan on my part), it seems the situation got the best of her. Poor thing.
So I was a little depressed about the situation. I kept thinking that her first birthday only came around once and that this was not the way I pictured it. And then I thought to myself. We can have her first birthday twice if we want... So, this weekend, barring an ear infection from the cold, will be a re-do weekend. I will indulge her a second time and see if I can capture that life inside that is more true to our Chloe.
I'm sure she's going to kill me for this picture one day but just so we can get your full sympathies. Here's my girl on her birthday.
With the cold and waiting for all the family to get here, making it bedtime before we got around to the festivities (not a great plan on my part), it seems the situation got the best of her. Poor thing.
So I was a little depressed about the situation. I kept thinking that her first birthday only came around once and that this was not the way I pictured it. And then I thought to myself. We can have her first birthday twice if we want... So, this weekend, barring an ear infection from the cold, will be a re-do weekend. I will indulge her a second time and see if I can capture that life inside that is more true to our Chloe.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)