Your Taxes are going up in 2013 regardless of the Fiscal Cliff

At some point, the House of Cards will fall apart. 

America has been operating without a budget since 2011. During that year, the Congress, Senate, and President tried to negotiate a budget, but continually failed because President Obama and the Treasury Department wanted to raise the debt ceiling (Fear Not: the Federal Government has shutdown before and Social Security checks kept flowing). By August 2011, an agreement was reached. The debt ceiling was allowed to be raised to $16.3 trillion, and a "Super Committee" was formed to to address fiscal reform. In the event that the committee failed to agree on a solution, mandatory budget cuts in 2013 would take effect as a safeguard to our economy.

The Super Committee talks collapsed after a short while, and the economy has been running on auto pilot since then.

Now we are approaching the beginning of 2013 and the 2011 budget cuts, now called the Fiscal Cliff, are scheduled to go into effect. Although Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, and other economists were concerned that these cuts would trigger a new recession, our elected lawmakers have again failed to resolve this critical issue. President Obama's solution is to raise taxes on those individuals earning more than $200,000 per year and has requested the authority to increase the debt ceiling at his discretion, with an unlimited topside amount. Republicans in the House of Representatives do not want to raise taxes on anyone. And, conservatives want to limit entitlement spending.


In an attempt to bully the Republican Congressmen, the Democratic leadership has led a campaign against the Republicans, convincing the American public that it is the Republican Party who is responsible for failing to resolve the budget issue.

To complicate matters, the Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Geithner, warned that the U.S. budget ceiling would be reached on December 30th, 2012, just two days before the mandatory budget cuts are implemented. 

Needless to say, the Democrats are beginning to panic at the thought of being constrained by the required budget. This is why President Obama cut his Hawaiian Vacation short and returned to Washington DC yesterday. 

Mr. Obama had campaigned on raising the taxes on the rich. He carefully avoided informing the public that new ObamaCare taxes on all income earning Americans, regardless of income level, would also become effective in the beginning of 2013.

This means that everyone who generates income will be paying more in taxes beginning 2013. The only question is how much more will be paid. If the legislature fails to avert the "fiscal cliff", the Obama give-away program begin to come to an end while all those who are still working will help to reduce the national debt.

If a new budget agreement is reached, current taxpayers will begin to pay these new taxes in 2013 due to ObamaCare:

• Medical-device excise tax 2.3%, paid by elderly, sick, injured, needy
• Limited Flexible Spending Accounts (30 million working Americans) tax deductions for health care costs will be capped at $2,500 rather than unlimited
• Tax deduction for medical expenses exceeding 10% of annual income (up from 7.5 %)
• Increase in Medicare tax from 1.45% to 2.35%
• Tax increase of 3.8% on investment income for those earning $250,000 or more. Capital gains increase from 15% to 20%. Dividends tax rises from 15 to 39.6%. Plus, with ObamaCare, capital gains tax rate raised to 23.8% and dividends raised to 43.4%.
• Employer Payroll tax increase

However, if we do go over the fiscal cliff, all working taxpayers will be subjected to these additional taxes as well (see What falling ...)

• Income of $20,000 to $30,000: $1,064 average tax increase
• Income of $40,000 to $50,000: $1,729 average tax increase
• Income of $50,000 to $75,000: $2,399 average tax increase
• Income of $75,000 to $100,000: $3,688 average tax increase
• Income of $100,000 to $200,000: $6,662 average tax increase
• Income of $200,000 to $500,000: $14,643 average tax increase
• Income of $500,000 to $1 million: $38,969 average tax increase
• Income of more than $1 million: $254,637 average tax increase

So, in summary, our legislative and executive body struck a budget agreement in 2011 which will now become effective in 2013. Taxes are going up on everyone whether we go over the fiscal cliff or not. This goes beyond a Republican verses Democrat debate. The budget ceiling is reached and now the future is here for our President and congressional leaders to begin spending in a rational and responsible manner. The House of Cards is about to fall apart, but the only question is when it will collapse: Now or Later? 

Sources: ObamaCare Taxes

• Five major ObamaCare taxes that will hit your wallet in 2013
• Experts warn about impending Obamacare tax increases
• In 2013, Millions Of Americans Face Obamacare Tax Hikes
• Full List of Obamacare Tax Hikes
• The five tax hikes in Obamacare that most hurt seniors

Sources: Fiscal Cliff

• Reid: Time has run out on ‘fiscal cliff’
• Fiscal Cliff - News, Analysis and Opinion from POLITICO
• The Fiscal Cliff: A Primer
• What falling off the "fiscal cliff" means for you
• Fiscal Cliff 2013: A Timeline Of America's Long Stumble

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Is the Afghan Massacre Case being prosecuted faster than that of the Fort Hood Shooter?

Within 2 years and 4 months, two Army soldiers opened fire on innocent unarmed people, killing numerous and wounding others. On November 5, 2009, Major Nidal Hasan shot 43 people, killing 13 people and wounding 30. Now more recently, on March 11th 2012, Staff Sergeant Robert Bales assaulted innocent residents in 3 Afghan villages, killing 17 and wounding 6 others.

Because it is more recent, the news stories have filled their columns describing the rapid pace that justices have taken to move toward the speedy trial of Sgt. Bales.  After listening to many of these broadcasts, I wondered if Bales was being prosecuted  faster than Hasan.

Here we have Bales, thought to have committed these horrible Afghan murders, flown out of Afghanistan,  placed in confinement in Fort Leavenworth, and charged with the crimes within little more than a week.

While, Major Hasan, who committed his crime in November 2009, has yet to be tried. For him, it took 1 year just to be arraigned (Major Is Arraigned in Fort Hood Killings).

There are several similarities and differences between the two murderers:

• Both have been in the Army a long time
• Both were in their late 30s
• Hasan is an Officer, Bales an enlisted man
• Hasan is a Muslim, Bales a Christian
• Hasan killed in an American Military base, Bales killed in a foreign war zone
• Hasan has never been in war, Bales is on his 4th tour of combat duty
• Hasan killed mostly US soldiers, Bales killed Afghan civilians
• Hasan pursued radical beliefs, Bales seemed to have just cracked
• Hasan is portrayed as the "Fort Hood Shooter", Bales the "Afghan Massacre Suspect" (emphasis on Shooter and Massacre)

While we do not know the ultimate fate of these two individuals, we can agree that the crimes that they committed are equally horrendous. It is unimaginable to conceive of the acts they committed, and both should be punished. But, justice should treat both individuals equally, and judgement should not proceed rapidly for one individual while the other (although paralized) sits back and enjoys the comforts of confinement, similar to those in Guantanamo who are still awaiting trial by a sympathizing US Attorney General.

How the national debt increased by $1.6 trillion in 2011

In 2011, the national debt increased by $1.6 trillion.  This was amassed by the government's spending $3.8 trillion while only receiving $2.2 trillion in revenues.

Bill Whittle (BillWhittleChannel) has prepared and published a comprehensive video detailing the sources of all U.S. income and spending for fiscal year 2011. From it, we learn that of the $3.8 trillion spent, $2.2 trillion was used for entitlement spending (social security, medicare, unemployment, food stamps, etc). This is the same number received in revenues. This means that all the money we taxpayers paid was given directly to entitlement recipients. Since there isn't any money left over, the government must borrow the difference for it to operate (paying salaries, retirement, funding all agencies, NASA, the armed forces, cost of war, etc).


 While Whittle's message is intended to inform us how the massive entitlement spending could positively influence the re-election of the president, we believe the message more importantly highlights our economic vulnerability to potential collapse. The national debt is now at $15 trillion, and Mr. Obama will ask to raise the debt ceiling to $16.6 trillion. By adding this amount each year, the national debt will double in 10 years. And, if interest rates rise, the interest we pay for this debt will further compound the problem.

Could Obama be Impeached because of Cordray's appointment?

On Tuesday, January 4, 2012, President Obama knowingly and intentionally violated his Constitutional Oath to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States" by appointing Richard Cordray Consumer Financial Protection Bureau without the required consent of the Senate.

His decision and action is a very serious threat to his career which

Could lead to his Impeachment

for various reasons. At issue is Obama's assertion that the Senate is not in session and he therefore has the authority to make temporary recess appointments. However, as defined by the Constitution, the Senate is indeed in session which means that Obama cannot make a recess appointment. Although the President is frustrated by this constitutional provision, he (nor any other President) has the authority to decide when the Senate is in session.

Using a Washington Post newspaper article titled Call the Senate's bluff on recess appointments as grounds for his authority, Obama defied the Constitution and jeopordized his career by appointing Cordray.

Here are his statements on the White House blog regarding Cordray's appointment along with our comments.

Excerpts from The White House Blog: America's Consumer Watchdog

The President nominated Mr. Cordray last summer. Unfortunately, Republicans in the Senate blocked his confirmation. Comment: The Constitution grants the Senate sole authority to confirm appointments when it is in session (Art II Sec 2 CL 2) And we can’t wait for Republicans in the Senate to act. Comment: The President does not have authority to disregard Republican Senators (Art II Sec 2 CL 2) Now, you might hear some folks across the aisle criticize this “recess appointment.” Comment: The Senate is in session (Art I Sec 5 Clauses 1, 2 & 4) and therefore a recess appointment may not be constitutionally made. Here are the facts: The Constitution gives the President the authority to make temporary recess appointments to fill vacant positions when the Senate is in recess, a power all recent Presidents have exercised. Comment: True (Art II Sec 2 CL 2) The Senate has effectively been in recess for weeks, and is expected to remain in recess for weeks. Comment: Not True, this false statement misleads the public (Art I Sec 5 Clauses 1, 2 & 4). Senate sessions have been held and a Journal of its Proceedings have been maintained. In an overt attempt to prevent the President from exercising his authority during this period, Republican Senators insisted on using a gimmick called “pro forma” sessions, which are sessions during which no Senate business is conducted and instead one or two Senators simply gavel in and out of session in a matter of seconds. Comment: Disgraces the Office of President by labeling Senate sessions as a "gimmick" (Art I Sec 5 Clauses 1, 2 & 4) But gimmicks do not override the President’s constitutional authority to make appointments to keep the government running. Legal experts agree. Comment: False. The President does not have constitutional authority to make appointments to keep the government running when the Senate is in session (Art II Sec 2 CL 2). And, this statement again disgraces the Office of President by labeling Senate sessions as a "gimmick" (Art I Sec 5 Clauses 1, 2 & 4) In fact, the lawyers who advised President Bush on recess appointments wrote that the Senate cannot use sham “pro forma” sessions to prevent the President from exercising a constitutional power. Comment: The source for this statement is a Washington Post article written by two attorneys that advocate that the President "Call the Senate's bluff on recess appointments". Referring to "pro forma" Senate sessions as a "sham" indicates that Obama has no respect for the Constitution or the Oath he swore to.

Obama's problem is that the Constitution is "the supreme Law of the Land" (Art VI CL 2).

Like all other Presidents, Obama swore to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution" (Art II Sec 1 CL 8), and he is bound by that oath to support the Constitution (Art VI CL 3). By declaring that the Senate is not in Session, and disregarding its content regarding Appointments, the President committed perjury which is a high crime or misdemeanor as defined by the source quoted below.

This means that if indeed President Obama did commit perjury, then he is subject to Impeachment (Art II Sec 4).

Many news reporters and talk show hosts are claiming that the Supreme Court may be asked to determine if Obama's action violated the Constitution. However, Article I Section 3 Clause 6 states that the Senate has sole Power to try the President.

It will be interesting to see if the Senate follows through with its authority to ensure that the President abides by his Oath and determine whether President Obama did indeed violate his Constitutional limits and Oath. If so, then he must be Impeached.

Excerpts from Meaning of "High Crimes and Misdemeanors"

Perjury is usually defined as "lying under oath". That is not quite right. The original meaning was "violation of one's oath (or affirmation)". By Art. II Sec. 1 Cl. 8, the president must swear: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." He is bound by this oath in all matters until he leaves office. No additional oath is needed to bind him to tell the truth in anything he says, as telling the truth is pursuant to all matters except perhaps those relating to national security. Any public statement is perjury if it is a lie, and not necessary to deceive an enemy. When a person takes an oath (or affirmation) before giving testimony, he is assuming the role of an official, that of "witness under oath", for the duration of his testimony. That official position entails a special obligation to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and in that capacity, one is punishable in a way he would not be as an ordinary person not under oath. Therefore, perjury is a high crime. An official such as the president does not need to take a special oath to become subject to the penalties of perjury. He took an oath, by Art. II Sec. 1 Cl. 8, to "faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States" and to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" to the best of his ability. While he holds that office, he is always under oath, and lying at any time constitutes perjury if it is not justified for national security.

For Constitutional excerpts referenced above, please visit:
Excerpts of The Constitution that pertain to President and Senate


Additional Reading:
The ongoing 'recess' fight

Excerpts of The Constitution that pertain to President and Senate

In writing our next article, we will be referencing portions of the Constitution of the United States. Because these excerpts are rather lengthy, we have decided to publish this information as a separate post.

The relevant excerpts below summarize certain Powers of the President and Senate of the United States regarding duties, oaths, and sessions (see Source 1 below).

Excerpts from The Constitution of the United States
Article. I.	Section. 3.	Clause 6: The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present. Clause 7: Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
	Section. 5.	Clause 1: Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.  Clause 3: Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal. Clause 4: Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Article. II.	Section. 1.	Clause 1: The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows Clause 8: Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
	Section. 2.	Clause 2: He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.  Clause 3: The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
	Section. 4.	The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Article. VI.		Clause 2: This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.  Clause 3: The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Source:

1. THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

Unemployment History from January 2001 to November 2011 contradicts Obama's slowest job growth remarks

In his speech in Osawatomie last Tuesday, President Obama told the audience that tax cuts in early 2000 led to slow job growth:

Remember in those years, in 2001 and 2003, Congress passed two of the most expensive tax cuts for the wealthy in history. And what did it get us? The slowest job growth in half a century. Massive deficits that have made it much harder to pay for the investments that built this country and provided the basic security that helped millions of Americans reach and stay in the middle class -- things like education and infrastructure, science and technology, Medicare and Social Security. (Remarks by the President on the Economy in Osawatomie, Kansas)

However, my recollection of those years is one of lower unemployment and economic prosperity for most of us in the middle class. I wasn't sure if I was correct, so I visited the Bureau of Labor Statistics and found the following graph:

Source: Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey

This shows the unemployment rate from January 2001 through November 2011. As shown, the unemployment rate increased from 4.2% in January 2001 to a peak of 6.3% in June 2003. Then it declined to 4.4% in May 2007. It rose modestly to 4.8% in February 2008 when President Obama took office.

After this new administration took control, the unemployment rate more than doubled. The unemployment rate hit a peak of 10.1% in October 2009 and has since fallen to 8.6% in November 2011.

So my memory was correct. Since Congress passed the two tax cuts in 2001 and 2003, the economy picked up again. More people were employed and the job growth increased until 2008.

Reading President Obama's statement again, I realized the distortion in his words:

Remember in those years, in 2001 and 2003, Congress passed two of the most expensive tax cuts for the wealthy in history. And what did it get us? The slowest job growth in half a century. 

His message is misleading because it implies that the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts led directly to a period of slow job growth. This is false. As we can see, the tax cuts were followed by 5 years of job growth and lower unemployment.

It wasn't until 2008 when Obama took office that unemployment climbed and America began experiencing a 3 year period of slow and stagnant job growth.

Semantically and factually though, the President's comment is indeed truthful because:

• we are experiencing the slowest job growth in half a century, and
• it is after the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.

However, his conclusion "And what did it get us?" is factually incorrect and misleading. To be more accurate, President Obama should have concluded:

The slowest job growth in half a century after I took office!

Your military pension is not safe. It might not be paid or may be substantially reduced.

Military pensions are on the chopping block

and

you may lose all or part of your military pension.

The US Department of Defense Business Board (DBB), an advisory board whose mission is to provide independent advice and recommendations to the Department of Defense, has proposed the reorganization of current and future military pensions. In general, they have said:

• Military retirement is more generous and expensive compared to the private sector (meaning we are giving soldiers too much money).
• The current retirement plan is unfair because you have to be in the service for 20 years to be eligible.
• It is unaffordable and inflexible.

So, they want to replace it with a new Defined Contribution Plan in which:

• Soldiers will pay for their own retirement instead.
• Is not payable until 60 to 65 year of age (rather than after retirement)
• Will pay much smaller amounts ($3,600 compared to $24,000 per year for E7 age 40)
• Is mandatory
• Will be similar to a 401K plan (invested in the stock market)
• But, the government will pay some.

Their argument is that all soldiers would be eligible for a Military pension after the vesting period rather than being limited to only those soldiers who have 20 years of service.

However, they fail to highlight that the current pensions are:

• Currently 100% Free to All Soldiers.
• There is no risk of losing this benefit.
• Important factors in military retention.

A review of the credentials of the members of the DBB indicates that many are associated with the Mergers and Acquisition (M&A) industry, including the Chairman and Vice Chairman. The job of the M&A industry is to financially restructure and merge companies. In return, the M&A receives large sums of money. Many other members are associated with money management firms and investment banks. So, their proposal is based on their own self-interest goal of making money off the soldiers retirement income.

The DBB proposal advocates that both the government and soldiers contribute to the new Defined Contribution Plan. This means that someone needs to manage this amount of money. So, all or part would be managed by one or more private investment financial companies who would take portions of the contributions as payment for their services. Under their proposal,

• Career soldiers would receive much smaller pensions
• Money is at risk of being lost in the stock market
• Soldiers would get poorer
• The financial industry would get richer.

I believe that pensions for teachers, policemen, firefighters and soldiers are well deserved. Soldiers in particular do not earn a large amount of money. Making them pay for their retirement would be a financial hardship to them. If this plan was passed by our current administration, it would probably result in an immediate decline in the recruiting and retention of our military forces. Remember:

Soldiers put their life at risk every day

so that we can be safe.

They can be killed at any time.

Their retirement is the least we can do as Americans to say thanks!

You can learn more about this important issue by visiting and reading the sources listed below.

Sources

Military pension reform means an 85% cut for career veterans
Retiree Benefits for the Military Could Face Cuts
Modernizing the Military Retirement System (DDB - pfd)
Defense Business Board - The Members
Radical overhaul of military retirement eyed

911 WTC memories of family & friends - Oh, I wish you were here

Source: NYmag.com - Day of Terror: A Photo Gallery

September 11, 2001 was a beautiful day. The skies were blue and summer was over. People were returning to work after a long holiday weekend. Kids were going back to school. Seminars were being attended. Contractors were soliciting business. People were riding the elevators. Coffee was being brewed. Calls were being made. Pictures being developed. Folks were laughing and dreams of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were coming to mind. Oh, what a beautiful day.

Then suddenly, without warning, a plane flew into the World Trade Center. At 8:46 AM, Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower 1. Tower 2, the South Tower was attacked 16 minutes later at 9:02 AM. At 9:36 AM, Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. Heroically, the passengers of Flight 93 resisted the hijackers and forced the plane to crash in a Pennsylvania field.

The devastating damages resulted in the total collapse of both World Trade Center towers, killing thousands within seconds.

Ten Years Later

This Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of that fateful day. It will be commemorated by the families of victims at ceremonies held at the various crash sites. Now, the families and friends only have memories of those who were lost. Babies are now turning 10, children are teenagers and young adults. Mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives only have memories. Perhaps the lyrics of Pink Floyd captures their thoughts:

Wish You Were Here  lyrics by Pink Floyd

So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell, Blue skys from pain. Can you tell a green field From a cold steel rail? A smile from a veil? Do you think you can tell? And did they get you to trade Your heros for ghosts? Hot ashes for trees? Hot air for a cool breeze? Cold comfort for change? And did you exchange A walk on part in the war For a lead role in a cage? How I wish, how I wish you were here. We're just two lost souls Swimming in a fish bowl, Year after year, Running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fears. Wish you were here.

Lest we forget this horror and tragedy we are doomed to eternal suffering. May the videos below serve as a reminder of why we are free.


For me, I will never forget the smiling faces of many old friends. I will never see again. But I know that my pain is dwarfed by the agony of the suffering families who lost one or more of their loved ones that day.

To those who are searching for solace, remember you are never alone. I and many others will never forget your beloved. And every day I look at the sky, and I think to myself: I wish you were here!

Sources:
Days of Terror: A Photo Gallery
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here Lyrics

Where do my tax dollars go? Find out what the White House says.

In their commitment to bring more transparency to the American public, the White House recently launched its new taxpayer receipt calculator. The intention of the calculator is to help everyone understand where their tax dollars go after they are received. To access this calculator, you can visit their page:

Your 2010 Federal Taxpayer Receipt

To use it, you will need to enter 3 items from your 2010 tax return. These are your: Social Security, Medicare, and Federal Income Tax amounts. After entering, press the "Calculate Receipt" button and the distribution of your tax dollars will be displayed.

The receipt consists of three groups of data. The first two are: Social Security and Medicare Taxes. The output of the receipt for these categories simply duplicates the amounts you enter and provides no other information. So, it is not particularily interesting.

The meat of the calculator is in the Income Tax breakdown section. Using its predefined percents of income, the receipt calculator shows how your tax dollars are allocated across 14 different categories:

1. 26.3% - National Defense
2. 24.3% - Health Care
3. 21.9% - Job and Family Security
4. 4.8% - Education and Job Training
5. 4.1% - Veterans Benefits
6. 2.1% - Natural Resources, Energy and Environment
7. 1.7% - International Affairs
8. 1.2% - Science, Space, and Technology Programs
9. 2.0% - Immigration, Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice
10. 0.8% - Agriculture
11. 0.5% - Community, Area, and Regional Development
12. 0.4% - Response to Natural Disasters
13. 2.4% - Additional Government Programs
14. 7.4% - Net Interest

Based on our first impressions, we must commend the Administration for creating this valuable tool. It provides a great overview of where our dollars go. We encourage all of you who pay Federal taxes to take a look at this tool and get a little more clarity about your tax dollar distributions.

However, like all good things, it can be criticized. For example, there is at least one item missing, and not enough clarity as to many of their descriptions.

Next week, we will take a deeper look into some of the individual line items and explain what we believe is missing.

On the overall, we believe this is a great start and a valuable tool for the American taxpaying population.

Fairy Tales Do Come True - The Royal Wedding

As the Johnny Richards & Carolyn Leigh song Young at Heart begins:

Fairy Tales

Can Come True

It Can Happen to You

And so today we celebrate the Royal Wedding of Prince William & Catherine Middleton.

In a time with so much strife, unrest, and economic hardships in the world, it is a joy to join in the celebration of Prince William's wedding. We awoke early to watch the procession and service at Westminster Abby. The bride was absolutely stunning and certainly worthy of the handsome Prince.

Source: Royal Wedding - The Telegraph

We wish the couple all the happiness in the world, and hope that their days will be blessed with health, safety, pleasure, and children throughout their days as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

May the light of the Lord shine upon you each and every day of your lives.

Congratulations!

A Thanksgiving Wish to All - 2010

Image via Wikipedia

Another year has passed and the Thanksgiving Holiday is upon us. It is a day where families get together around a table. Turkeys are roasted, memories are shared, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade is watched, and everyone roots for their favorite football teams.

To some, it is a joyous time. To others, it is sad and lonely. But volunteers go out to the kitchens to help prepare and serve meals to those less fortunate.

This year, we have a lot to be thankful for. The economy is slowly improving. The Democratic stronghold has been broken. We have our health and our families.

But for me, it is a time of both sorrow and joy. My mother passed away the day before Thanksgiving two years ago in my presence. While it was hard to see her go, we rejoiced in knowing that she will be spending the holiday with my father, grandmother, nephew, and all other relatives.  But the time of her passing will always be etched in our memories when we sit at the table. Joyously, my nephew's first son was born a few days later on the day of her funeral. As a friend had told us:

One Goes and One Arrives in the Circle of Life

As we take this time to reflect on our year and prepare the holiday, our family wants to wish all our friends, readers, and associates a:

Very Happy Thanksgiving 2010

JL ............

Related articles

• Happy Thanksgiving 2010! (cathiefilian.blogspot.com)
• Kanye West to perform at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. What's your favorite parade memory? (popwatch.ew.com)
• Kylie Minogue to Perform in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (shoppingblog.com)
• Photos: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2009 (timeoutny.com)
• Macy's Unveils New Floats For Thanksgiving Parade (newyork.cbslocal.com)

Forty Years of Love - An Anniversary Poem

On this Eve of 911, we try to find solace in Remembering our Loved Ones whether living or past. 

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Background

Several years ago, my parents were celebrating their 40th Anniversary. We were hosting a huge family party and I was asked to give a speech. I tried to find something fitting but could not find the right words. So, I decided to write my own poem.

Then as I visited the CMF site today, I read a Featured Article titled:

2010: Jim and Carol Yates Wilkerson Wed 40 Years

With that good news, I decided that now is the time to publish my Poem. It is dedicated to all parents, grandparents, partners, and loved ones who have reached an important milestone in their lives together here on earth or in heaven.

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Forty Years of Love

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Forty Years of Love

Together Hand in Hand

As on the Day They Met So Young

Together Hand in Hand

They Talked of Love

They Talked of Life

Together Hand in Hand

They Had Their Kids

And Raised the Kids

Together Hand in Hand

Yet Through the Years

They Faced their Tears

Together Hand in Hand

Then with a Blink

And with a Flash

Forty Years Has Past

And Here they Stand

Before Us Now

Together Hand in Hand

With Forty Years of Love

---

Note

Two years ago, I modified the poem for my in-laws 50th Wedding Anniversary. You too can do this by substituting the word Forty with the word Fifty. Additionally, I believe that any "..ty" year will work, i.e. Twenty, Thirty, Forty, Fifty, Sixty, Seventy, Eighty, Ninety

Should you use this poem in one of your celebrations, please let us know. All we ask is that you always give us credit as being the author and mean the words.

JL.........

PS: Congratulations Jim and Carol on your 40th Anniversary.

Two NY Yankee Legends Lost

Image by Al_HikesAZ via Flickr

On this very morning of the 2010 All Star Game, the baseball world was shocked to learn of the death of George Steinbrenner at age of 80. For more than 30 years, the Boss became a household name, always building and ruling the team. In his blue blazer and white turtleneck, he always demanded excellence and expected championship results. His desire for winning was often controversial, but he could never be faulted for his ambitious goals. To George, we are going to miss you!

His death comes only 3 days after the legendary Yankee announcer, Bob Sheppard passed away at age 99.  For more than 50 years, Mr. Sheppard was the "Voice of the Yankees". His voice at the microphone was clear and concise. Both fans and players would cheer when the players were named.

Let us all take a silent moment to reflect on the loss of these two giants. Their presence will surely be missed, but never forgotten!

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How to Make Your Child a Math Wiz

Several years ago when our son was in 4th grade, we decided to enroll him in Kumon Math. This is a program that specializes in supplementing the child's learning by assigning a series of daily homework drills. In math, the student is asked to complete 2 to 4 pages of problems a day, and to calculate the answers in his head, without the aid of a calculator or finger counting. Then once a week, the child visits the Kumon center, and is asked to complete the daily assignment there. This session is timed and corrected.  Feedback is given to the child and the parents, and the cycle begins again.

When we first took our son, he complained that he was proficient in math and didn't need tutoring. But after spending a few sessions at the center, he realized that this program went beyond tutoring and advanced training, similar to what aspiring young athletes experience.  In our community, most of the other children were of Asian decent, whose parents expected them to excel in all academic areas.

While our son did not want to tell his friends that he was taking Kumon, he would pride himself in being the first to finish all the math tests and usually obtain a perfect 100% score.

The program is structured in levels. Depending on the age and aptitude, the child begins with simple single number addition. Gradually, this is expanded to 2 digit, 3 digit, and large number addition. Then, they move onto subtraction, multiplication, division, algebra, trigonometry,  and calculus.

This training really paid off when our son was accepted into the County Math & Science Magnet school.

He is now about to graduate from college with a degree in Chemical Engineering, and is one of the few lucky seniors to have been offered a well paying job upon graduation.

We are extremely proud of our son and what he has achieved.  Not only do we attribute his success to his own hard work and dedication, but also to the training programs that helped shape his career.

As I visit and read many of the fellow blogs that are in our various communities, I noted that many members are mothers and parents. Therefore I wanted to share my son's little secret that helped him become a mathematical wiz.

JL..............

Why Health Care Reform is a Bunch of Bunk

Background

When my wife was pregnant several years ago, her Obstetrician suggested that she have an amniocentesis test. He told us that the best person to perform this procedure was a Doctor at a teaching hospital in Newark, NJ because was both a teacher and pioneer in this area.

So, we made an appointment and drove off to Newark. When we arrived at the hospital before 8:00 AM, the waiting room was filled with 11 other families. What struck us was that we were the only white family there. Once the clock hit 8, each of the other patients were called and led out of the room.

Finally, a nurse came to get us. As she led down the corridor to the examination room, we noticed that all the other patients were now sitting in chairs in the hallway. Once inside the room, we asked who would be performing our procedure. The nurse told us that the Doctor would perform ours, because "We were the only paying customers. The residents would perform the others under the Doctor's supervision".

Why I Remember

This is one memory that always stuck out in my mind. I think the main reason is because of the contrasts.

• Black versus White
• Paying versus Free
  

What I Learned

But, more importantly, I learned that:

• The best health care available to everyone who wants it!
  

I always applauded those parents who visited the Hospital that day with me because they cared for the future of their child. They took the time to get the best treatment available, just as we did. Although they couldn't pay for it, it didn't matter! But, for a City of such size, very few of Newark's pregnant population bothered to obtain care. Only a very small subset of the people bothered to seek care.

Now when I listen to the politicians insisting on "Reforming Our Health Care System" so that it is affordable and available to everyone, I think back to that day and know that in my heart, America already offers and provides the best available Health Care to Everyone that Wants It!

• You don't need to be able to afford Health Care, because it truly will be provided.
• It is available now, but people must seek treatment!

Thus, I think Health Care Reform is a Bunch of Bunk because it will only increase costs to everyone. Those who desire health care now will continue to get it. But those who chose not to get it now won't get it in the future either. Our politicians should understand they can change laws, but not human behavior!