I’m here to tell you that they have it backwards – in more ways than one. While I don’t agree with how things have escalated recently at some of these meetings, that should serve as proof of how vehemently the Obama administration’s policies are opposed.

Just a tip for the President and his yes men: If you stop payment on the bloated and ineffective stimulus package and provide entrepreneurs the opportunity to build small business without taxing them to death, all of those people with the time on their hands to protest would be at work instead… where their insurance would likely be covered by the employer.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/07/30/business/business-us-autos-usa-clunkers-sales.html

Absolute power doesn’t only corrupt, it seems to drop the person’s IQ by 100 points. Hey Congress, SLOW DOWN!

Observations on the President’s Early Days:

1.  Offended the Queen of England.
2.  Bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia.
3.  Praised the Marxist Daniel Ortega.
4.  Kissed Hugo Chavez on the cheek.
5.  Endorsed the Socialist Evo Morales of Bolivia.
6.  Announced we would meet with Iranians with no pre-conditions.
7.  Gave away billions to AIG also without pre-conditions.
8.  Expanded the bailouts.
9.  Insulted everyone who has ever loved a Special Olympian.
10.  Doubled our national debt.
11.  Announced a termination of the space defense system the day after
the North Koreans launched an ICBM.
12.  Despite the urgings of his own CIA director and the prior 4 CIA
directors, released information on intelligence gathering.
13.  Accepted without public comment the fact that five of his cabinet
members cheated on their taxes and two others withdrew after they
couldn’t take the heat.
14.  Appointed a Homeland Security Chief who quickly identified as
“dangers to the  nation”, groups including veterans of the military, and
opponents to abortion on demand, and who ordered that the word
“terrorism” no longer be used but instead referred to such acts as “man
made disasters”.
15.  Circled the globe so he could openly apologize for America’s
greatness.
16.  Told the Mexican President that the violence in their country was because of us.
17.  Politicized the census by moving it into the White House from its
Department of Commerce origins.
18.  Appointed as Attorney General the man who orchestrated the forced
removal and expulsion from America to Cuba of a nine-year old whose
mother died trying to bring him to a life of freedom in theUnited States.
19.  Salutes as heroes three Navy SEALS who took down three terrorists
who threatened one American life and the next day announces members
of the Bush administration will likely stand trial for “torturing” a terrorist who
had played a part in killing 3000 Americans by  pouring water up their nose.
20.  Flew Air Force One over New York City.
21.  Sent his National Defense Advisor to Europe to assure Europe that
the US will no longer treat Israel in a special manner and they might be
on their own with the Muslims.
22.  Began the process of nationalizing the Auto Industry and the
Insurance industry.
23.  Announced that for all intents and purposes the Health Insurance
Industry will be nationalized.
1360 more days to go… God help us all!

My daily routine these days is to work from 8AM to 5PM, hop in my car and drive home, eat some dinner while watching the rest of ‘The Factor’ with Bill O’Reilly followed by a full uninterrupted hour of Sean Hannity’s TV show, uniquely named ‘Hannity’.

As much as I enjoy hearing editorial from right leaning talk show hosts (all the way tipped over in Sean’s case), I have to admit to getting bored at times listening to the same phrases and talking points from Mr. Hannity. So, in good fun, I present my Sean Hannity drinking game.

1. If Sean says something is ‘unbelievable’, take a drink.
2. If Sean mentions his Hummer Hybrid, take a drink. If followed up by, “It’s the best car/SUV I’ve ever owned,” take another.
3. If Sean says, “unrepentant terrorist” and “Bill Ayers” in the same sentence, take a drink.
4. If Sean says, “chickens have come home to roost” in reference to Rev. Jeremiah Wright, take a drink.
5. When Sean is introducing the “Great American Panel” take a drink for every “great” Sean utters.
6. Take a drink if Sean picks up and throws a Nerf ball before a commercial break.
7. If Sean says, “Let not your heart be troubled” in reference to the afore-mentioned “Great American Panel” take a drink. If the saying is in regards to introducing Greta Van Susteren, take two.

Good luck not passing out after playing this game. If you have other entries, feel free to add them in the comments.

According to the article, “…a top source in the Barack Obama team tells me the actress ”is not exactly the kind of high-profile star who would be a positive for us.”

Given Lohan’s past problems, plus ongoing brushes with controversy, I’ve learned the campaign quietly told the actress ”thanks, but no thanks,” but in far more diplomatic terms.”

When you add in the fact that Obama is on record as saying he would not repeal the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on his own, I think he might be someone who is afraid of ‘the gays’. Okay, that’s not entirely accurate of me, but it doesn’t seem to bother the Hollywood left when they do it, I don’t feel so bad about exaggerating things a bit myself. He’s also quoted as saying, “My first obligation as the president is to make sure that I keep the American people safe and that our military is functioning effectively.” That politician talk means that he realizes if his advisers say it’s probably a bad idea, that he will drop the matter.

Personally, I have a few lesbian friends that happen to own a few handguns, rifles, etc. I’ll just say I would trust them to watch my back more than I would Sen. Obama any day of the week.

In box 12a of my W-2, there was a fairly sizable number listed. I entered the dollar amount from box 12 in the appropriate field and read the code as being A (which I now know to be the code that designates the money as uncollected Social Security or RRTA tax on tips.) When I was done filling in all the fields, the program calculated that I owed over $2500 in federal taxes! I’m not one to swear a whole lot, but after not having breathed for a couple of minutes while staring blankly at my monitor wondering why I owed so much, I have to admit a couple of expletives parted from my lips.

Rational thinking finally took over and I went back through the form. Box 12a had a little letter ‘D’ to the left of it. This particular code means the dollar amount is a non-taxable elective salary deferral to a 401(k). Non-taxable is the operative part of the description. So, instead of owing $2500, I am getting around $350 back.

Next year I’ll be taking a closer look at line 12.

It’s been a while since I posted but it doesn’t actually feel like it has been that long. Time has been flying by! I can’t believe it is almost February already. There have been a lot of changes in my life and finding time to keep up with the website has been tough.

Fairly recently, I moved to a new company. I was working for a software developer with offices downtown. In early December, a friend whom I used to work with at that company told me there was an opening where she worked for a major luxury coach manufacturer. On a whim I decided to apply for the job. I sent them my resume on a Tuesday morning. A couple of hours went by and my friend asked me if I would come in for an interview. I told her that any day would be fine, except for that day since I was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt (the software developing company was a very casual environment).

She said that her bosses were very interested in meeting with me and they didn’t care that I was in jeans and a sweatshirt, they wanted to meet with me that day. So, I show up to interview feeling like a total scrub. The dress code at the coach manufacturer is business casual. The interview ended up going well. A day or two later they offered me the job!

I’ve been working there for around 5 weeks now and love it. It is nice to still be around technology (I’m working in their IS department), but working for a company with a different focus. It seems like every computer-focused company I’ve worked for has had layoffs or folded or… whatever. For the first time in many years I feel my employment status is relatively stable.

No one likes excuses, but the new job is one reason I haven’t been around here much. At my old job, I could browse the internet, post on the blog, etc. But those days are over. The coach company’s rules are quite a bit different and I don’t have as much freedom on the net – but I’ll take a good 401k and benefits package over that any day.

When I’m not at work, I’m generally at home playing my new guitar or trying to get my business off the ground…

I’m an independent distributor of a company who offers a juice whose main ingredient is the acai berry. The juice is high in antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatories. It is doing great things for people’s health. It is a whole food, not a supplement. With just 4 ounces a day, you get the equivalence of 13 servings of fruits and vegetables. It tastes great and the business opportunity is amazing too. Come learn more at my other website!

Have a safe one…