Here's the link to my Facebook album. They're duplicates of what's at Picasa...
Steven and Jolee's Wedding Album 1
And Picasa...
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Friday, October 1, 2010
Steven and Jolee Wedding Pictures
OK... As promised, here's the links to the pictures that I took at Steven and Jolee's wedding. Some are a bit dark and tons are sideways, but enjoy them anyway!
Here's the link to my Facebook album. They're duplicates of what's at Picasa...
Steven and Jolee's Wedding Album 1
And Picasa...
Here's the link to my Facebook album. They're duplicates of what's at Picasa...
Steven and Jolee's Wedding Album 1
And Picasa...
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Dads are right
What!! Dads are right! Are you kidding me!
Nope! I'll get to the "why" in a minute...
I remember as a kid growing up that Saturday and Sunday afternoon was the time for sports on TV in my home. There was baseball in the summer and football and basketball in the fall and winter... and there was Dad all set to watch the game... Then, an hour and sometimes even less than that, ol' Dad is out like a light! Since I wasn't much into watching sports on TV (I think it's because of all the "talk") I would change the channel to a movie that was on, only to hear "Turn it back! I was watching that!" WHAT??? "Dad, your asleep!", "No I wasn't", says Dad, "I was resting"... RIGHT!
Well, guess what gentle readers of electrons! I recently came across an article at Newsmax Health that taking naps was good for your mind! Wait a minute! HMMM! So that's why Dad was so energized after the Dodger game (even when they lost!), Dad was ready to take on the world again... "Mike, did you mow the lawn yet?", "Steven, did you clean out Bridget's dog pen yet?"... etc, etc...
Well, the news article states that the ideal time for a nap is between 1pm and 3pm, right after lunch (that's when the ball game usually started!), but for an hour. The article equates your mind to an email in-box... take a nap so your mind's in-box can be refreshed of all the short-term memory that's stored there and your ready to go again.
So now you know why all the Dad's out there REALLY want to watch a game in the afternoon... it's really an excuse to take a nap... Unless you really want to watch the Dodgers!
Dad(s) are right... take a nap, you'll feel better, unless the Dodgers loose again, you might as well go back to sleep!
Nope! I'll get to the "why" in a minute...
I remember as a kid growing up that Saturday and Sunday afternoon was the time for sports on TV in my home. There was baseball in the summer and football and basketball in the fall and winter... and there was Dad all set to watch the game... Then, an hour and sometimes even less than that, ol' Dad is out like a light! Since I wasn't much into watching sports on TV (I think it's because of all the "talk") I would change the channel to a movie that was on, only to hear "Turn it back! I was watching that!" WHAT??? "Dad, your asleep!", "No I wasn't", says Dad, "I was resting"... RIGHT!
Well, the news article states that the ideal time for a nap is between 1pm and 3pm, right after lunch (that's when the ball game usually started!), but for an hour. The article equates your mind to an email in-box... take a nap so your mind's in-box can be refreshed of all the short-term memory that's stored there and your ready to go again.
So now you know why all the Dad's out there REALLY want to watch a game in the afternoon... it's really an excuse to take a nap... Unless you really want to watch the Dodgers!
Dad(s) are right... take a nap, you'll feel better, unless the Dodgers loose again, you might as well go back to sleep!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Rene Hanson
I wanted to publicly thank Rene Hansen and her husband for being at Steven and Jolee's wedding on 9/24/2010. From what I understand, Steven spent as much time at her house as her sons did at our house. Rene was "our mom" at the wedding and I am especially grateful that Mom has a great friend like Rene. Rene was at the wedding and was "mom" because Steven's Mom is in the Philippines serving a mission for the LDS Church. It's been kinda rough for Mom over there since they left when Steven and Jolee announced they were getting married. Well, Mom, you were well represented and I know that you and Dad were there in spirit and could feel the love and friendship emanating to you from Bountiful.
We can take this again when Mom and Dad get home from their mission. This will still be a keeper and one that will be cherished a great deal.
Thanks Rene!
Hit the mark!
Pilots. They train and train and train to fly. They train to put that little itty bitty front tire right on the white line that runs down the middle of the runway. They train so much, that I bet the pilot can do this with his eyes closed. They train and train and train to park the jet just right so the gantry (that narrow hallway that keeps the wind and the rain and the snow from getting to you) reaches the perfect spot on the airplane. Hmmmmm. Yesterday morning I flew to Salt Lake City to witness a remarkable event. More in a minute about that! Well, I think the pilot that was flying my plane practiced so much, that just after the plane landed and everyone is getting their stuff, the pilot asked everyone to sit back down, close the overhead bins and buckle up. Hmmmmm. Were we at the wrong gate? I know we flew into Salt Lake International Airport... I saw the Great Salt Lake! No, we were at the right gate, we were 2ft short! OOOPS! So everyone sat down, buckled up again and the plane moved. Barely. Well, for a jumbo jet 2ft isn't very far! Next thing I know, "thanks for flying Delta, hope to see you again, time to get off!"
Now where was I going with this?
Steven and Jolee!
What a wonderful day! They both looked like they had practiced and practiced for this day. Well, they did!
Now where was I going with this?
Steven and Jolee!
What a wonderful day! They both looked like they had practiced and practiced for this day. Well, they did!
I know they practiced for this big day, because the Moms and Dads were their coaches! I know they are proud of them!
Yep... Lots of "practice"!
They even know how to "work" the crowd. Presidential material?
But not enough practice! Steven still needs help with his tie! That's ok. He's got a lovely mirror to look at next time he needs "help" with his tie!
What did we learn? Practice makes perfect every time! No matter how much you practice, you're going to come up a bit short and when you do, you keep going and becomes perfect. Isn't that what we are all striving for? To become Perfect? Steven and Jolee have taken that next step to becoming Perfect.
Way to go Steven and Jolee!
I have more pictures from the wedding day. I am working on uploading them to my Picassa and Facebook accounts. When I'm done, I'll post the links!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
A change is always good....
Did you notice that the name changed? Probably not. But there has been a change.
The prior name just wasn't snappy enough. Little Brother is still on a quest for the BBB and another brother has a page for the family and one for his work and little sis has a nice family page too. But lately my page seems to be the "rants of an old man". I'm not that old... yet! I still bust a gut at watching Mel Brooks movies and don't bother me when I'm watching Casino. My older daughters sigh when I want to watch Star Wars for the "millionth time + 1".
Let's see, where was I going with this?? Not sure really. Hmmmm.
Oh yea... change is always good!
Recently I was able to remove myself from doing nothing all day long to doing something part of the day. For the last several years, I have been volunteering with the Sate of California Office of Emergency Services (now California Emergency Management Agency - CalEMA) with emergency communications. I have a hobby that centers around Amateur Radio. I learned in school from a wise instructor that the best job you can have should be similar to your hobbies. Well, I finally found it. Change. I work for that same agency that I volunteered for for so many years. I was busy as a volunteer, but I'm even busier now. Change.
My little brother is about to go through a change this week and that change will change his life and his best-est best friend (don't you just love the Beckstrand vernacular!). I think though, that he will have to change the description of his blogg too... like, the quest for the perfect crib! LOL!
Seriously, I wish my brother all the best and I'm looking forward to meeting his Best-est Best Friend!
Change. It's what we live for... It happens whether we want it to or not... We need to make the best of it anyway!
The prior name just wasn't snappy enough. Little Brother is still on a quest for the BBB and another brother has a page for the family and one for his work and little sis has a nice family page too. But lately my page seems to be the "rants of an old man". I'm not that old... yet! I still bust a gut at watching Mel Brooks movies and don't bother me when I'm watching Casino. My older daughters sigh when I want to watch Star Wars for the "millionth time + 1".
Let's see, where was I going with this?? Not sure really. Hmmmm.
Oh yea... change is always good!
Recently I was able to remove myself from doing nothing all day long to doing something part of the day. For the last several years, I have been volunteering with the Sate of California Office of Emergency Services (now California Emergency Management Agency - CalEMA) with emergency communications. I have a hobby that centers around Amateur Radio. I learned in school from a wise instructor that the best job you can have should be similar to your hobbies. Well, I finally found it. Change. I work for that same agency that I volunteered for for so many years. I was busy as a volunteer, but I'm even busier now. Change.
My little brother is about to go through a change this week and that change will change his life and his best-est best friend (don't you just love the Beckstrand vernacular!). I think though, that he will have to change the description of his blogg too... like, the quest for the perfect crib! LOL!
Seriously, I wish my brother all the best and I'm looking forward to meeting his Best-est Best Friend!
Change. It's what we live for... It happens whether we want it to or not... We need to make the best of it anyway!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Fighting Obamacare: Restore, Defeat, Defund, Repeal
By: Dick Morris
Let's begin our reaction to the passage of Obamacare by remembering Winston Churchill's famous formulation with which he introduced his war memoirs:
In defeat: defiance
In war: resolution
In victory: magnanimity
In peace: goodwill
Now is the time for defiance! Here's what we must do:
1. Restore the Medicare cuts mandated in this bill. Block the reduction of physicians' fees by 21 percent scheduled to take effect this fall. Override the cuts in Medicare that require annual approval by Congress. Challenge the Democrats over each and every cut. Try to peel away enough votes to stop the cuts from driving doctors and hospitals to adopt the course already taken by the Mayo Clinic in refusing to take Medicare patients.
2. Defeat the Democrats in the 2010 election! Start with the traitors who voted no in November and then switched to a shameful yes when it counted in March: Baird (Washington), Kosmas, and Boyd (Florida). Then go on to win the open seats in the House and Senate. And then fight to replace as many Democrats as possible. Remember:
Any Democrat who voted no would have voted yes if they had needed his or her vote. The only way to repeal Obamacare is to vote Republican.
3. Defund once we get the majority in both chambers, defund appropriations for the Obamacare program. The bill Congress passed and the president signed is simply an authorization measure. Congress must appropriate funds for it each year. Through zero funding these changes, we can cripple them before they take full effect.
4. Repeal, once we defeat Barack Obama, this disastrous plan before it can ruin our healthcare system. Then, we must replace it with a Republican alternative which relies on the marketplace, tax incentives, and individual responsibility to provide healthcare to all Americans.
Above all, we finally must learn the fundamental lesson this political process we have been through has to teach: That there is no such thing as a conservative or moderate Democrat. Blue dogs don't exist in real life. Only yellow dogs.
The days when there were Democrats who refused to follow their radical left-wing party line are over. There are no longer "state" Democrats who vote conservative as opposed to "national" Democrats who vote with the left. They are an extinct species. Some senators and congressmen capitalize on our memories of those days and pretend to be moderates. But they are just faking it.
Nancy Pelosi knew — as Harry Reid knew in the Senate — that she had the potential support of every single Democrat in her chamber if only the price was right. The sole difference between moderate and liberal Democrats is their asking price. Moderates require slightly higher bribes to assure their votes.
There are only two kinds of congressmen or senators: Democrats and Republicans. We have had a national education, and it's time to learn from it. In days gone by, intelligent people liked to say that they voted for the person, not the party. Now those who say this are fooling themselves. There is only party! The most conservative Democrat is way to the left of the most liberal Republican.
The Democratic victory on Obamacare will prove the most expensive in the party's history. It will lead to the eradication of their majority, the defeat of more than fifty of their Congressmen, the switch of Senate control, and Republican domination for decades. And, in the end, it will have done nothing to improve healthcare. But, fortunately, we can win the 2010 election to stop it from doing much damage.
© Dick Morris & Eileen McGann
Let's begin our reaction to the passage of Obamacare by remembering Winston Churchill's famous formulation with which he introduced his war memoirs:
In defeat: defiance
In war: resolution
In victory: magnanimity
In peace: goodwill
Now is the time for defiance! Here's what we must do:
1. Restore the Medicare cuts mandated in this bill. Block the reduction of physicians' fees by 21 percent scheduled to take effect this fall. Override the cuts in Medicare that require annual approval by Congress. Challenge the Democrats over each and every cut. Try to peel away enough votes to stop the cuts from driving doctors and hospitals to adopt the course already taken by the Mayo Clinic in refusing to take Medicare patients.
2. Defeat the Democrats in the 2010 election! Start with the traitors who voted no in November and then switched to a shameful yes when it counted in March: Baird (Washington), Kosmas, and Boyd (Florida). Then go on to win the open seats in the House and Senate. And then fight to replace as many Democrats as possible. Remember:
Any Democrat who voted no would have voted yes if they had needed his or her vote. The only way to repeal Obamacare is to vote Republican.
3. Defund once we get the majority in both chambers, defund appropriations for the Obamacare program. The bill Congress passed and the president signed is simply an authorization measure. Congress must appropriate funds for it each year. Through zero funding these changes, we can cripple them before they take full effect.
4. Repeal, once we defeat Barack Obama, this disastrous plan before it can ruin our healthcare system. Then, we must replace it with a Republican alternative which relies on the marketplace, tax incentives, and individual responsibility to provide healthcare to all Americans.
Above all, we finally must learn the fundamental lesson this political process we have been through has to teach: That there is no such thing as a conservative or moderate Democrat. Blue dogs don't exist in real life. Only yellow dogs.
The days when there were Democrats who refused to follow their radical left-wing party line are over. There are no longer "state" Democrats who vote conservative as opposed to "national" Democrats who vote with the left. They are an extinct species. Some senators and congressmen capitalize on our memories of those days and pretend to be moderates. But they are just faking it.
Nancy Pelosi knew — as Harry Reid knew in the Senate — that she had the potential support of every single Democrat in her chamber if only the price was right. The sole difference between moderate and liberal Democrats is their asking price. Moderates require slightly higher bribes to assure their votes.
There are only two kinds of congressmen or senators: Democrats and Republicans. We have had a national education, and it's time to learn from it. In days gone by, intelligent people liked to say that they voted for the person, not the party. Now those who say this are fooling themselves. There is only party! The most conservative Democrat is way to the left of the most liberal Republican.
The Democratic victory on Obamacare will prove the most expensive in the party's history. It will lead to the eradication of their majority, the defeat of more than fifty of their Congressmen, the switch of Senate control, and Republican domination for decades. And, in the end, it will have done nothing to improve healthcare. But, fortunately, we can win the 2010 election to stop it from doing much damage.
© Dick Morris & Eileen McGann
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
ObamaCare is unconstitutional!
Our elected officials have turned a deaf ear to the voices of a clear majority of Americans by railroading an unwanted government takeover of our healthcare system. The 111th Congress passed the ObamaCare bill with provisions that I believe are overtly unconstitutional. Liberty Counsel will fight the bill in courts of law. Their suit raises the concerns of individuals, private, nonprofit and for-profit businesses and organizations, and religious institutions. I just signed a Statement of Support encouraging Liberty Counsel to take legal measures to stop ObamaCare dead in its tracks! This bill contains infringements on our individual liberties, which will only continue to erode under our current government. I'm encouraging like-minded citizens like you to take a stand and sign Liberty Counsel's Statement of Support. Please join me. Go here to sign: http://www.libertyaction.org/310/petition.asp?PID=24044815&NID=1
Monday, December 21, 2009
We The People...
They voted for "Obamma-Care", we're going to vote them out-a-there! I had to share this with you all since I have nothing better to do right now!
Ray Stevens - We The People
Ray Stevens - We The People
Saturday, June 27, 2009
It's been a while....
Sorry that there has not been an update in a while!
Lets catch up shall we...
The kids have finished school... Kraig will be in sixth grade and Maggie will be in third grade next year.
Kraig is continuing his progress through Scouts. He will be getting his first merit badge at the next Court of Honor... He will be getting the Genealogy Merit Badge, along with his Scout and Tenderfoot advancements.
Cathi will start taking college courses this fall... I think she's nervous!
Katie is a Junior in High School and will finish up her studies next year.
Maggie is being cute and practicing her drawing and typing.
Sandy and I are still working hard at being parents (never ending isn't it!).
We spent the last week and a half in Panaca. Cathi went to girls camp with Karyn. Karyn had fun, but I think Cathi has convinced us that she's not a camper... only with an RV! LOL!
We went to Saint George and saw the Pine Valley Chapel, the Tabernacle and the Saint George Temple Visitors Center. Thought about going to Zion for a drive, but didn't want to pay the $25.00 entrance fee... just to stay a couple of hours... not worth it.
We also went to the Valley of Fire, visited Hoover Dam and saw the lights of Las Vegas.
On the way home we went to Lehman Caves and took the tour of the cavern.
I'll post some pictures soon.
Lets catch up shall we...
The kids have finished school... Kraig will be in sixth grade and Maggie will be in third grade next year.
Kraig is continuing his progress through Scouts. He will be getting his first merit badge at the next Court of Honor... He will be getting the Genealogy Merit Badge, along with his Scout and Tenderfoot advancements.
Cathi will start taking college courses this fall... I think she's nervous!
Katie is a Junior in High School and will finish up her studies next year.
Maggie is being cute and practicing her drawing and typing.
Sandy and I are still working hard at being parents (never ending isn't it!).
We spent the last week and a half in Panaca. Cathi went to girls camp with Karyn. Karyn had fun, but I think Cathi has convinced us that she's not a camper... only with an RV! LOL!
We went to Saint George and saw the Pine Valley Chapel, the Tabernacle and the Saint George Temple Visitors Center. Thought about going to Zion for a drive, but didn't want to pay the $25.00 entrance fee... just to stay a couple of hours... not worth it.
We also went to the Valley of Fire, visited Hoover Dam and saw the lights of Las Vegas.
On the way home we went to Lehman Caves and took the tour of the cavern.
I'll post some pictures soon.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
11 Year Old Scouts
Kraig recently went on his first 11 year old Scout campout. Here's some pics from the campout. He had lots of fun and is looking forward to more camping.
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Old Age...
Friday, March 6, 2009
A Letter From The Boss...
To All My Valued Employees,
There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job, however, is the changing political landscape in this country.
However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests.
First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a Back Story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You've seen my big home at last year's Christmas party. I'm sure all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.
However, what you don't see is the BACK STORY:
I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you. My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn't have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business -- hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the discount store extracting any clothing item that didn't look like it was birthed in the 70's. My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, someday, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.
So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden -- the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations... you never realize the Back Story and the sacrifices I've made.
Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bailout all the people who didn't. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for.
Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price I've paid is steep and not without wounds. Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why: I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don't pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time. On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my "stimulus" check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.
The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check? Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.
The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck, you'd quit and you wouldn't work here. I mean, why should you? That's nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy.
Here is what many of you don't understand. To stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn't need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now.
When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don't defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep.
So where am I going with all this? It's quite simple.
If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I'll fire you and your coworkers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child's future. Frankly, it isn't my problem any more.
Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I'm done. I'm done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.
So, if you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about.
Signed, THE BOSS
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." Margaret Thatcher
There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job, however, is the changing political landscape in this country.
However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests.
First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a Back Story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You've seen my big home at last year's Christmas party. I'm sure all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.
However, what you don't see is the BACK STORY:
I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you. My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn't have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business -- hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the discount store extracting any clothing item that didn't look like it was birthed in the 70's. My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, someday, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.
So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden -- the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations... you never realize the Back Story and the sacrifices I've made.
Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bailout all the people who didn't. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for.
Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price I've paid is steep and not without wounds. Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why: I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don't pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time. On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my "stimulus" check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.
The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check? Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.
The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck, you'd quit and you wouldn't work here. I mean, why should you? That's nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy.
Here is what many of you don't understand. To stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn't need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now.
When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don't defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep.
So where am I going with all this? It's quite simple.
If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I'll fire you and your coworkers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child's future. Frankly, it isn't my problem any more.
Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I'm done. I'm done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.
So, if you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about.
Signed, THE BOSS
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." Margaret Thatcher
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tough Economy
Today I added a couple of new features to my blog. You may have noticed them over here to the right side of my blog. I thought I would try what other people are doing to make a little change. I don’t mean change peoples ideas or anything like that. I mean some actual coin-age!
With the state of the economy right now… every little bit helps right? So, if you see something interesting, take look… please! Also, if you ever feel the need to search for something, there is also a Google Search box to use as well. Instead of opening up another window and using up precious computer resources to use Google, just use the one right here!
Go on… You know you wanna try it!
With the state of the economy right now… every little bit helps right? So, if you see something interesting, take look… please! Also, if you ever feel the need to search for something, there is also a Google Search box to use as well. Instead of opening up another window and using up precious computer resources to use Google, just use the one right here!
Go on… You know you wanna try it!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Mobile Blogging
Now maybe I'll post more... or not!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Video About Great Trials Lie Ahead
Thought I would share this video with you. It is originally posted on YouTube.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
And now for something completely different...
I thought I would use video for an entry to my blog... How's that!... that means you have to turn on your sound!
Friday, January 30, 2009
I need a new drug! Quick!
*Ask your doctor before starting any sarcasm relief program (like he cares). Side effects may include headache, bleeding from eyeballs, extreme apathy, uncontrollable rage, turret's syndrom, muteness and excessive drooling.
** From the makers of Damitol.
Friday, January 23, 2009
What You Ought To Know
One of my nephews told me about this neat web page that is run by a guy he went to school with (and is LDS too!) called whatyououghttoknow.com.
It's a quirky site that takes every day things that we all should know and adds a humorous twist to learning about something we all should know.
Take for example the following video...
I bet you didn't know that you can take a AA battery, a very powerful magnet and a piece of 12 to 20 guage wire and make the wire spin did ya!
WELL NOW YOU KNOW!
Here's our version...
Go on! You know you want to try too!... Just remember, they pinch! OUCH!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
New Year and Birthdays
The one thing I can always count on is that after Christmas and New Years is over, birthdays begin... like mine!
The family decided we would go sledding up at the Sierras for my birthday. We ended up on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe at the junction of Highways 50 and 28 (called Spooner Junction). There is a place to park near there where the hill come down to a nice slope for sledding. There's also Spooner Lake I'll need to check out for fishing this year.
Anyway, Maggie and Kraig and I did all the sledding while Sandy, Cathi and Katie watched.
Here are pictures of our trip to the snow...
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| Make a Smilebox photobook |
We had fun in the snow. We look forward to getting more snow this winter.
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