What is Fair?? Just a thought...

Ok, ok, so there has been A LOT of talk about taxes lately. I have heard frustrations like "We're paying too much" or "we're not getting what we paid for" or "We should have a flat tax, because our tax system is so unfair".

I recently had a discussion about this flat tax idea with a close family member.

It scares me that people think it is OK for citizens to lay out the idea of a Flat tax. I think that mostly, this concept is completely misunderstood, or not thought about enough. FLAT TAX is a very bad idea. Here's why for example...

Lets say that a Flat Tax rate of 20% has been applied...

Scenario #1: Janet is a single mother, making $26,000 dollars/year gross. She has 3 children, and very litte support from her ex. It's tax time, and she owes $5200 in taxes for last year and is wondering how she is supposed to support her family. She worries about paying her rent, childcare and feeding her children on a daily basis. She also pays for healthcare through her job, with a deduction from each month's paycheck of $195.00. Her rent is about average, $800/month for a tiny 3 bedroom apartment. She estimates that she can feed and clothe her children for about $100/week. Utilities, including phone & tv service are about $180. She figures that she will spend $50 on gas each week, and she has POS car and auto insurance costs about $85/month.

Monthly costs Monthly Income

$1860 $2166

In this scenario, Janet would have $306.00 left. Without paying taxes. If she paid her 20% tax by splitting it up over the course of the year, she would be in trouble, with a leftover monthly income of: -$127.00/month. Yikes.

Scenario #2: Gregory has worked his way up the corporate ladder. He is successful with a yearly gross income of $20,000,000. His mortgage payment on his 3rd home is $10,000/month and he has two sports cars that are completely paid off. He has a yacht, and his own private island off the coast of Florida. He doesn't worry about monthly bills or costs, he has people to do that. He is exicted about the decision to imply a flat tax rate. He will actually get to keep more of his income this year! In previous years, before the flat tax, he was practically giving away one-third of his money! now, he will only have to pay $4,000,000. Wow. What a difference! Greg is going to buy another Yacht, and he has his eye on some forclosed real-estate properties as well. What should he buy next?

Ok, so I know that these scenarios are extreme, but just to stimulate a little thought. A flat tax isn't fair, it isn't reasonable. Just think about it. What makes the most sense? Couldn't we apply that well known quote, "where much is given, much is required" to this? I know that it wasn't originally said about anything like this, but think about it. Some people say that a flat tax is the only fair way...but what is really fair?

Obviously 20% means A LOT more to the poor and middle class. A flat tax rate benefits the wealthy.

Just a thought. If there's anyone out there, What is your opinion??

Sure is a laod of $moke...

Have you noticed how literally every-other billboard off the road has something posted on it about fighting "big tobacco"? (the given name "BIG TOBACCO" is horrible. In my opinion.) I have to wonder if these giant expensive billboards are really worth it. How many people look at them and make the decision right then and there, to not or stop smoking?? A big fat NONE. I guarantee.

They look ridiculous.

NOW, I am not a smoker, I haven't ever tried. I guess that all the facts I know about the effects it has on a person's health deterred me from wanting to try. And it smells, It causes people to smell, and that is enough for me to not want to smoke. Ever.

I have to wonder if these ads really serve a purpose, or if they are just a giant waste of $$$$$$. It seems to me that there are other more useful things that this money could be used for. I do think, however that these anti-tobacco programs are useful in schools. That is true. I want it taught to my children, and I will teach them as well. But it just seems useless to spend so much money on TV advertisements, billboards, brochures etc. If you're going to smoke, then its your decision. You made it. Your choice. Everybody knows all the information about the repercussions.

I do however think that money should be invested in this... here. There are so many more horrible things to warn people of. Just like in this article. Junk food, Sexually Transmitted Disease, the entire world's garbage issue...just to name a few. Why don't people donate to recycling awareness, or "Junk food awareness"?? Sounds funny, but I think it is a much bigger problem than anyone thinks. Smoking is bad for you, but so is a steady diet of ho-hos and Coke; I haven't ever seen a billboard warning about that.

So think about that. That's just my two cents.

Reality Bites

Anyone who knows me, knows that I HATE reality TV, from the flooziness of The Bachelor women, to the fake-ness of Kendra and The Hills, and everything in between. I have been called uptight, and weird for not dedicating my life to these show BAH! There are however, some reality shows that are ok and even uplifting or educating, such as The biggest Loser and Iron Chef. This post is not about those.

I am sorry, but I simply DO NOT UNDERSTAND how some people can expose themselves to the mind-numbing gunk that is most reality TV. I have never heard of anything real or descent happening on the The Bachelor (*I am sorry, but those girls make me sick.) , or the Real Housewives of wherever. Those women can't possibly be proud of themselves. They don't care about or want anything important. They have to know that they are a joke...right? I don't understand how someone could think its ok to watch this garbage, I mean really?...You don't have anything better to do? Really???

Lately it looks like Good TV shows are on the outs, and reality is in, It's sad actually. There have got to be hundreds of good ideas for good shows out there, but they can't make it because of all the millions of people watching reality. Remember Arrested Development? One of the best shows on TV? C-A-N-C-E-L-E-D!!!!!

Please take a minute to watchi this video. It's hilarious!

It is terrible to me that people who watch this trash could be doing something to better themselves, people and they waste their life away watching these programs. If you're doing it, then literally, YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME AWAY! Get off the couch and play with your kids, do an art project, read a book, get involved in your community, or clean your house! You will be amazed what you can accomplish and how good you'll feel when you don't watch this junk! Find something worth your time.

That is all.

French Toast Slam... or Big Breakfast. Hmmm

Ok. We all love a good breakfast right? I mean, who doesn't love to go to a restaurant and eat breakfast? We can just sit , and relax, and enjoy, and not have to worry about a huge sticky/greasy mess to clean up after...or a hovering bacon smell (which seems to NEVER GO AWAY!).

I always used to think that Denny's was a good place for a fun and delicious breakfast getaway. Give me a French Toast Slam with an orange juice and I was set. Fast, easy and delicious, Right? WRONG!

I have recently discovered Jeremiah's Restaurant. It has literally saved my breakfast life. I cannot believe the crap that I occasionally "treated" myself, and my family to at Denny's. Go here to see the Jeremiah's breakfast menu. Here to see Denny's.

At Jeremiah's I can get the Jeremiah's big breakfast which includes two ginormous pancakes, two huge-antic sausages, two bacons, a heapin' serving of hashbrowns, and eggs for $7.99. (and believe me, that is WAY too much food for one person.) At Denny's for $7.99 I can get two processed-to-plastic eggs, two pre-cooked bacon strings, two barely-made-out-of-meat sausages, and two french cardboards.

Really? I mean...Really?? Denny's you should be ashamed of your corporate disgustingness. I guess it is true that the best things come in small doses. Jeremiah's is one restaurant, and Denny's is a giant corporation of many restaurants only concerned with getting food to people fast, and cheap. Shame on you Denny's for feeding people garbage.

SHUT UP Glen Beck

I just watched a video that my cousin posted on Facebook, of Glen Beck literaly freaking out on a caller during his show. If you don't already know, I do not like Glen Beck nor do I listen to his rantings, but I was flabbergasted by this. I have been thinking about writing a Glen Beck post for this blog, but hadn't previously because of tension on the subject between me, and some family members. This video was the straw that broke the camel's back. (Let it be known, that I don't agree with the video makers poking fun at Glen's previous addictions. I don't care about the rest of the video, because that guy himself is a dirtbag. I only wanted the recording of the call, but couldn't find just that FYI.)

It begins with a caller simply asking why Glen's views are the way they are, and from the begining, he acts like a child, mocking, and belittling her. Then she defends herself, and he just starts screaming, and screetching, and finally says "GET OFF MY PHONE...YOU YOU YOU...PINHEAD!

I cannot stand Glen, or his views on life, or politics. I think that he is completely wrong about the health care bill. I often think about what he would think if he had no health insurance. What if he lost his home, because he couldn't pay his medical bills. What would he think if he couldn't afford to pay for vital prescriptions? What if he had a pre-existing medical condition, and had been denied by a dozen insurance companies? I have co-workers and friends in this position. If something were to happen, and they lost their jobs, or got laid off, they would lose their insurance. And because of serious pre-existing conditions, they would go bankrupt, and lose everything.

There are two things that Glen is particularly talented at. One, he is extremely charismatic. He lures in listeners with his humor and personality. Two, he is extraordinarily good at arguing. But he is a sore loser. If someone argues with him, and it looks like he is wrong, and they are right, he takes to freaking out, and yelling. I am convinced that his arguing skills are why so many people think he is right.

If you think I am wrong, please do me this favor. If you are religious place all of you religious beliefs next to Glen's. Do they run parallel? ABSOLUTELY NOT. They are completely opposite. Glen Beck claims to be religious, but he doesn't care about his fellow man, which is the most important thing in his religion.

I am not saying that he health-care bill is perfect, (and I didn't vote, so no, I didn't vote for Obama, nor do I think he has all the answers) but we truly needed a change. The current healthcare system in this country IS NOT WORKING! Of course the healthcare bill isn't perfect, but the kinks will get straightened out, and we will all learn as we go. This bill is a light for so many who have to fear the darkness.

So Glen Beck, SHUT UP! And stop being so concerned with your fame, and fortune, and start thinking about those who don't have anything. That is all...

The customer is ALWAYS right...??

In my experience in retail customer service for over 10 years, I have learned that Managers love this sentence..."The customer is always right". They love to flaunt it with a big fake smile at large team spirit meetings, lunches, and even in casual work-related conversations. I swear, it is the most over-used and abused phrase in the grocery business especially, I know I hear it everyday, and so do my fellow retailers. Of course, we think of this phrase when we need to appease the exasperating whine of an annoying customer, and when someone is yelling in our face when they don't get their way, and yet, while we are recieving this abuse, gently think to ourselves, it's ok..."the customer is always right"...just for business sake...

THE CUSTOMER IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT DAMNIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so sick, and tired of spoiled downright rude people walking this planet. I DON'T CARE if we are out of the carrots you use for your family night casserole! THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WHO ARE STARVING!!! Carrots should be the least of your worries. I DON'T CARE if so and so didn't wait on you hand and foot while you were shopping today...SORRY YOU CANT THINK THINGS OUT FOR YOURSELF IDIOT!

Also, there is just something about the grocery store that brings out the absolute worst in people. I grew up in the area that I work in, and so naturally, I see many people who I either know, or know about, on a daily basis. People that seem to be nice and friendly people turn beastly the second they come to the store. The very second that something doesn't go their way, (ex. "there isn't a handbasket for me to put my groceries in, and I simply cannot just use a cart...I think I will throw a fit!") or they don't get exactly what they want (ex. "What do you mean you only have small medium and large olives in 5 different brands? I want jumbo olives in a brand you dont have, so I will never shop here again.") They turn into wild, insane animals full of rage.

SO here it is...If you have ever been or are one of these horrible people, SHUT THE HELL UP!!!! The world will not end because we only carry 8oz., 12 oz., and 32oz. ketchup and you want 20oz. Put away the insanity, stop, close your eyes and take a look at the big picture. You're alive, You have people who love you all around, and then realize that there are way more important things happening in the world than your condiment size. Be grateful that ketchup is avaliable to you instead of complaining about it. That is all...

***Fact, all these examples happened at my store, plus, many many more. I could write a neverending book about how poorly people behave at the store. Its disgusting.***

Wolves just do not belong? Umph!

Senator Allen Christensen should be ashamed of himself. I didn't mean for this blog to be all about animal rights, but my hell. I don't think a person could be a bigger jerk than this idiot. Somebody is paying him a lot of money, or using him because of his stupidity.

Sen. Christensen, from North Ogden, wants to "Outlaw" wolves from the state of Utah. He wants it to be a requirement, that if any wolf crosses state lines, it must be killed, or captured and re-located.

Sen. Christensen says "We don't have wolves here in Utah now, and we don't want them here" and "They (wolves) serve no useful purpose, and my bill simply says 'You're not welcome here', and he also said "We are willing to spend private money to take it all the way to the Supreme Court" What a loser, and whoever is willing to send wolves to the slaughter block and spend their private moneyto do so is a complete fool.

How long did people fight to protect wolves? Currently they are on the endangered species list, and yes, their numbers are growing, but they need to keep growing.

I cannot believe that I live in a world where people like this exist. And I will leave you with an all-time classic quote from a most beloved senator,

"I am at the top of the food chain, and I intend to stay there. That is an arrogant statement, absolutely. But I believe it wholeheartedly."

That is all. Over and Out