When a carpenter places his level on a piece of wood that is supposed to be horizontal, he looks for the bubble in the liquid of the indicator tube to be centered. If the bubble is off center to the left or right, obviously the piece of wood is cockeyed
Our whole financial system right now is a "bubble off center".
I received a coupon (credit card) from Grasshopper No.2 for a free converter box to be used when TV stations stop sending an analog signal and switch to a digital signal. The coupon was worth $40. Did I keep the economy going?
Our government just passed a stimulus package that gives money to everybody but admittedly changes very little. The banking system is still on life support. The auto industry doesn't have any answers and needs government money. A huge amount of the stimulus money is going to the States because they have been spending too much. When you get your $13 per week on your paycheck because of a change in Fed. Tax Withholding, remember it is taxable at the end of the year and you really are getting only $9-$10 more per week. Will that change your life?
The State of Kansas is threatening not to mail tax rebates to people who paid too much on their State Income Tax. They are short money!
Your Mom and I went to see "Slumdog Millionaire" last weekend. I recommend it very, very highly. It cost two seniors $13 total for several hours of entertainment. I bought a medium bag of popcorn and a small diet coke for $11.25. Enough is enough. I can survive for two hours without popcorn and soda. No more! How is that going to stimulate the economy?
Unemployment is approaching 8% and the trend seems to be downward.
Today I voted. On the ballot was a request for $15 million to hire more teachers to reduce class size. The schools have had to lay teachers off to meet their budgets. That puts more pressure on the "working" teachers. The solution is to float a referendum to hire the laid-off teachers back plus additional teachers. It is all wrapped in "motherhood, apple pie and children". Who can deny any child anything but the best? I refuse to tell you how I voted!
Who is floating a referendum to help your situation?
The lesson Grasshoppers is that we are all experiencing a financial minefield. Use common sense. Put on foot in front of the other and we will walk out of this financial mess! Long range financial plans should include anticipating higher taxes and incredible inflation. Dah!
Love,
Dad
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