This Too Shall Pass

I realize that we all like to look at the "fat cats" and be angry that they have so much. I realize that there is serious corruption at the top. But those people we love to hate represent a very small group of Americans. If we increase taxes on those making over $200,000 who will really be affected? In this day $200K does not go very far, and for those small business owners in the over $200k category a tax increase could result in the end of their business and no more jobs for their employees. This subset of Americans, which could probably be considered upper-middle class as opposed to upper class, is what is keeping the economy alive. They spend money well, make investments, and pay a fair share of taxes. The majority are honest and ethical and will pay what is asked, but they will have to make cuts elsewhere. The economy is in the toilet right now because those people have had to lay off employees and are not spending what they used to.

I have a radical proposal: leave them alone! Why do taxes need to be lowered at all right now for anyone? Instead of lowering taxes and handing out welfare checks, how about just leaving well enough alone. If there is any need to increase taxes on the wealthy, then do it to the truly wealthy, maybe those making over 500k or 1M.

I am not wealthy, nor will my taxes increase under Obama's plan, but the idea of redistribution of wealth is the basis of socialism and I am against it. I come from a lower-middle class background and I work very hard to support my family and have a good life. I have no formal education and have managed to work my way up. I hope one day that I will have a six figure income and resent the idea that I will have to support someone else who did not have my ambition. Why is it my responsibility when they have the same opportunities available to them as I had?

America - telling you that your taxes will be cut and you will benefit from the economic plan is an election ploy. Remember when Bush 41 said "no new taxes"? Nobody can predict what the future economic needs of the country will actually be. Stop panicking. The economy will improve, it always does. Remember when Bush 43 took office? We had some extra money, so he decided to give some back. Then September 11 happened. We could have really used that money, but it was already gone. Doing something radical after taking office is not really a good idea and panicking when the economy is in the tank isn’t good either. Relax, this too shall pass.

Instruments of Torture

I had a dental appointment today to replace a filling I flossed out about six months ago. As I was laying there, exhausted and vulnerable, my mind began to wander as it is prone to do. The filling needed to be next to another tooth which required the use of a metal band around the tooth getting the filling. This band is placed by attaching it to another metal instrument, about 3 inches long, and wiggling it down over the tooth. The metal rod part stayed attached throughout the whole procedure, invading my peripheral vision. Meanwhile, the dentist asked her assistant for instrument after instrument, all of which resembled medieval devices of torture. I think this may be why the British seem to be a bit afraid of their dentists. Medicine has come a long way with all of the technological advances of this and the previous century. Surgeries can be performed with cameras, lasers, and minute incisions. I saw on the news that you can now get a virtual colonoscopy. Sure beats a camera snake up your butt. Dentistry doesn't seem to have had the same advances. My exams and cleanings have not changed much over my lifetime; the tools are the same and the fluoride treatment is even nastier since bubble gum is no longer a desirable flavor for anything. I suppose it would be hard to change anything though. There's not much need for lasers or laparoscopy. Although it would be very cool if a cleaning just consisted of a quick zap with a light.

Day One

Welcome to my new Blog. This is one of those things I thought I would never do, but with the upcoming election and an overdose of liberal media I have found myself with an abundance of thoughts and nobody in particular to share them with. You know what they say about opinions. If you don't know, too bad, I don't intend to explain. At this point I have no idea how often I will post or what exactly I will be ranting about, but I imagine it will be quite often as the aforementioned liberal media provides an abundance of blogging fodder. As you may have already noticed, I am not liberal and lately I have been a little more outspoken in my position on liberals. If you stumble upon this blog and disagree with me please post a comment. I have set it to accept comments from anyone, but please know that it is moderated and I will edit or choose not to post comments I find extremely offensive. I do not offend easily, but I do intend to try to keep this mostly clean. It is said that in conversation topics such as politics, religion, and sports should be avoided. Not here. Everything is free game. My hope is this will be cathartic and perhaps broaden my horizons.