August 4, 2009
When Gravity Fails
“We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.” Thomas Jefferson
Last summer marked the sesquicentennial anniversary of “The Great Stink” in London, when the normal stench emanating from backyard cesspits and the Thames River, intensified by draught, created a miasma that nearly overwhelmed the populace. After years of procrastination punctuated by outbreaks of cholera, Parliament collectively held their noses and approved construction of the city’s first sewage system.
Unlike their British peers, our own politicians celebrated this historic event by emitting their own feculence, thus adding to a malodor that has festered for years and also threatens to overcome the population. Last summer, another ‘housing rescue’ bill raised the cap on government borrowing to over $10 trillion for the first time in history. To raise this federal debt ‘ceiling’ is a trivial matter: it has been raised nearly 80 times in the last 50 years, most recently to over $12 trillion.
As a result of this ‘spend now, pay later’ policy, taxpayers are currently liable for $11.4 trillion in government borrowing, or close to $73,000 for every person that filed a tax return in 2008. If the national debt were exchanged for new bundles of one hundred dollar bills, the volume of required notes would fill 1,900 forty-foot shipping containers that, placed end-to-end, would stretch for 14 miles.
But there is no end. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the presidential budget over the next ten years will result in cumulative deficit spending of another $9.3 trillion. By the end of this proposed shopping spree, the national debt held by the public will reach $17.3 trillion, or more than 82% of gross domestic product (GDP), the highest level since the end of World War II. By then, government spending at all levels will account for close to half of our economy, crowding out over two centuries of private investment.
The government has also been writing chits against obligations that taxpayers have already paid for. These ‘intra-governmental’ loans totaled $4.2 trillion at the end of fiscal 2008, about half of which was borrowed from Social Security. Assuming this internal I.O.U. continues to grow as it has in the past, our total national debt may top $25 trillion, or an unprecedented 125% of projected GDP in fiscal 2019.
It has been a bipartisan effort. According to the CBO, government outlays have exceeded revenues in all but five of the last forty fiscal years. The Republicans recently accelerated this trend, as the national debt held by the public increased by $2.5 trillion under the two recent Bush administrations. Not to be outdone in terms of profligacy, the Obama administration has proposed to triple the pace of this historic asset-eating contest.
Both parties were culpable in the implosions of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac last summer, which left behind over $5 trillion in liabilities for taxpayers to contemplate. These government-sponsored entities were afforded the singular privilege of private profit coupled with socialized risk. The implicit backing of the government gave them competitive advantages in borrowing cost and the ability to assume risk. Their status as publicly-traded companies empowered management to share in reported profits. Thus empowered, Fannie Mae overstated earnings by over $10 billion earlier in this decade, triggering executive bonuses of nearly $250 million. Several attempts to restrain these models of government oversight were blocked in Congress and they were otherwise encouraged to assume even greater risks, just as the housing bubble began to deflate.
Former President Reagan may have summarized it best when he likened the government to a baby — “An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.” It is apparent that our 233 year old baby lacks responsibility and is in desperate need of toilet training. The foundations of our Constitution are being stressed to the point of failure, and only the voter can lighten the load.
Our nation needs a constitutional amendment that mandates a balanced budget, along with the appropriate means to enforce it. Since money is the stuff of which reelections are made, Congress has had no incentive to reduce spending to rational levels. Two previous balanced budget amendments failed to capture the necessary two-thirds vote, even without enforcement provisions.
A balanced budget at its simplest requires that government outlays not exceed expected revenues in any fiscal year. Should outlays unexpectedly spike, as in times of emergency, a simple majority vote in Congress must be reached that quantifies the expected deficit. During the succeeding fiscal year, outlays must be brought back into balance with revenues on a cumulative basis, either through spending cuts or additional taxes. This would help clarify the priorities of our elected officials, as well as the liabilities they have assumed on behalf of taxpayers.
To enforce a balanced budget, the ancient Roman military punishment of decimation, sans bastinado, merits consideration. The modern version would simply excuse ten percent of Senators and Representatives from office, according to seniority. All of the 53 politicians currently eligible for decimation have at least 22 consecutive years in office. This incumbency has rewarded them with strangleholds on the major appropriations committees, as well as oversight of the financial system. Clearly, they have prioritized longevity over leadership.
To commemorate this proposed purge, a retirement memento for our erstwhile rulers must be considered. Among the entrepreneurs that thrived in the wake of “The Great Stink” was one Thomas Crapper, a purveyor of fine water closet fixtures to Royalty and whose surname would evolve into a dysphemism for the common toilet. Thomas Crapper & Co. is still in business and has revived the Victorian practice of giving each of its period-style ‘wash-down closets’ a name.
Therefore, let us present to each of these lame duck legislators a classic hand-crafted china Crapper, artfully emblazoned with only the proper name — ‘Politician.’
~written by Dennis Fischer
May 30, 2009
Your Virtual Front Door
It has been said over and over again that you only get one chance to make a first impression. We all know that holds true. However, what we continue to do is to forget this fact in our personal life and many times in our business life as well.
As a website designer, I tell my clients that your website is your online front door. When a web surfer lands on your site either intentional or by happen stance the page they land on, which the majority of the time would be your home page, is like walking up to the front door of your home or business. In your home you make your front door welcoming, you have flowers on your front porch, you have a rug, which usually says “welcome”, you choose pleasing colors for your front exterior. You want to make your friends and family feel special when they arrive. As a business owner of a brick and mortal establishment you do the same, you want our clients and customers to feel welcome, wanted and that your are genuinely happy that they are there. So many business owners make the mistake of not carrying over this thought when they made the decision to step out in cyberspace and introduce their online presence. The generally thinking that I come across is “let me try this and see if it works”. I’ll throw together a do-it yourself site and see what happens.” Well that is certainly going about your online presence the wrong way. Remember you only have one opportunity to make a first impression. You wouldn’t go about designing your house or your business building that way. You put a lot of thought into this. What colors do I paint, do I want brick or vinyl siding, how much space do I need to allot for a reception area, what furniture will I place in that area? And the list goes on. So don’t make the mistake of just putting a website out there, just to have one out there. In most cases it’s just wasted your time and money.
As a design of your website, I will meet with you and help you along the way in choosing what will work best for your business. What is it you are wanting portray? Who are you wanting to attract to your website? What’s your niche? I have a team of graphic designers that have experience in pretty much every facet of design work. We work together to develop your website to represent you and your business…..We make your website “your virtual front door.”
March 21, 2009
Always Amazed By The Motion Pictures
Every now and again a movie comes along that will resonant deep within my being. Well that movie happened to be Factory Girl, directed by George Hickenlooper and staring Sienna Miller as Edie Sedgwick. I have been intrigued by the whole Warhol seen and have followed it for years. When I got word in 2007 of Factory Girl’s release, no cinema in our area was hip enough to show it. Then, I must admit it was pushed back in my mind. About a year ago the buzz began again. Whilst it was on my list of must sees I hadn’t had time for too many movies. So the other night while flipping through the plethora of cable channels we seem to possess I came upon this listing. My household had already retired for the evening, I took full advantage. It was one of the best movies I had seen in all times. It ranked up there with the original Willy Wonka, Godfather, 9 ½ Weeks, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sound of Music and The Doors. I know I am no movie critic by any means but I do hold an unusual list of favorites. And now Factory Girl has made it to that list. Sienna Miller was a spectacular Edie Sedgwick. She captured her soul as I had imaged in mind how Edie would have been. The vocal inflection, the mannerisms, the laugh….absolutely amazing. I will carry this movie within me for a long while.
Unbelievable! Twice in one week. Another movie has blown me away.
Milk. I am unsure if I even have words to describe this one. Sean Penn delivered a performance that I can attest that no other actor I know could have done. Brilliantly casted! I viewed this movie with my BFF’s, my beloved spouse and my very best friend. It captured my attention from the opening screen. Harvey Milk was a legend in his own right. He helped the gay community in a tremendous way. I was aware of Harvey Milk and proposition 6 when I was only 11 or 12. My parents were pretty strict in their beliefs but they always thought every person had a right to their own beliefs, no matter how controversial. It is hard to summarize a man’s life into 2 hours. But Gus Van Sant did it. And did it right. I recommend this movie to everyone I know. Even if you are hesitant, watch it. I know that you will understand the man and in turn understand the issue that plagued the homosexuals in the 70’s. I am not able to profess that I completely understand as I have not walked in their shoes. However, I can profess that I am supportive of all mankind no matter what their religious, sexual, or political belief may be. Our, United States of America was founded on such beliefs and freedoms. So, as the saying goes…Let Freedom Ring.
January 17, 2009
History Repeats Itself
Every corner you turn, every periodical you pick up is whining about the drop in our economy, the recession. Most forget that history repeats itself no matter how much we try not to face this fact.
Strong business plans and smart business people are the ones that will prevail. It is almost as if there is an evolution of sorts that occurs every few years. Making sure the strong will survive. Our country has for years put all their eggs in one basket and when the bottom falls out of that basket there is nothing to fall back on. Instead of taking those eggs fertilizing them, nurturing them into adult chickens that can in turn produce more eggs, greed has gotten the best of them and they just took the eggs and ran. Thinking there will never be a shortage, but ah ha. They were wrong.
Our country now has a major unemployment rate; foreclosures are at an all time high. If you were in the mortgage business back in the 90’s you just knew that it was not a sound idea to lower the qualifications for home mortgages. Yes, some individuals and families were really helped by this. But as we see now it was taken beyond, ‘let’s help first time home buyers live the American dream’. It turned into greed and gluttony. Bigger and more extravagant homes that couldn’t be actually afforded were needed. And as we all know gluttony is one the 7 deadly sins.
Every household and business that I know are now taking stock and re-evaluating where their dollars are going. Businesses are seeing if that $1000+ phone book ad is necessary. Where should I be spending my advertising budget? For years the internet has grown and has become increasing accessible. With our phones now able to browse the internet and pick up our email you can’t go wrong with website advertising. Having a website is equally important as having a phone number. We are a bunch of skeptics and like to investigate on the sly what we are about to embark on before we make person to person connections. If this weren’t the case why are so many online dating sites so popular? We want to check it out and then see if we want to get involved before making a personal commitment. My husband’s chiropractic website, www.drdemalio.com let’s perspective patients check him and his office out prior to making an appointment. This relieves the apprehension of the unknown. Patients that have reviewed his site before appointing are confident that chiropractic care is what they need and want for the health concerns they currently have.
If you have been pondering, if it’s time to create your internet presence or if this is the right economic climate, you better believe it is. There is no better time. Hesitation only breeds procrastination. Procrastination leads to missed opportunity. SliverWebDesign is a web development company that tailors to the small business person. We will help you every step of the way. Give us a call and see how we can help.
December 31, 2008
DreamWeaver
We all have had them at least once. A re-occurring dream that is.
Some have flying dreams, some have falling dreams and some have teeth falling out dreams. Dreams are probably one of most mystic elements we still have as adults.
Dreams can be interrupted in a multitude of ways. I find it best to assess what’s currently going on in your life and see if stress, carelessness, or excitement plays a related part in current life situations.
I have only had 2 re-occurring dreams thus far in my life.
One was when I was a child. I had a dream several times about a long, skinny box (a curtain rod box to be exact) coming up from the basement with plastic fruit coming out the one end. The box had a massive vacuum effect. It was coming to suck me up. In my dream I would sit on my bed and call for my mom, who never came, but I could hear her and my sister laughing in the next room. I would scream and cry but no one came to my rescue. And then I would wake up, right about the time the box was going to suck me in.
I have contributed that dream to…..
1. My had bought new curtain roads
2. I would have this dream when I was feeling neglected.
The other dream I have had more than once is as follows. I was in high school. I wouldn’t be able to find my locker and once I did locate my locker, I didn’t know the combination. In this same dream I knew I didn’t go to math or science class ever, and that I was going to fall these classes, hence making me fall my senior year and not being able to graduate.
Dreams can be so relevant to what’s going on in your life. They can also be so wacked out you have no idea how to apply it to your conscious state.
Oh…We can’t forget the pirate dream, not re-occurring but definitely one to remember.
December 24, 2008
Naming Rights
Naming Rights
What’s in a name? Well, if you are a soon to be parent and the decision is upon you for naming your child, you take great pride in this option. You weigh the choices. What does our name of choice mean? What’s the root of this name? What would a possible nickname be? What would a possible rhyming name be, (you know how cruel kids can be, adults too)?
A parent puts in a lot of thought and effort in choosing their child’s name, as you only get to do this once. The name last a life time.
What I am about to embark on is not quite the same, is doesn’t necessarily have to last a life time. However, is does need to make an impact, a positive presence so to speak.
What am I talking about? Domain names, of course. You are pondering establishing a website. You start to think about the best possible name for your site. You search one of the many sites out there for possible domain names. Only to find that the name you thought was perfect, ever so perfect has been already been taken. By whom, someone who thought before you that this domain name was perfect, ever so perfect. So, what to do, what to do?
Oh yeah, how about is my ever so perfect domain name available in .net, nope taken. How about .us or .biz? Yes, dot .us and .biz are both available. But wait, will the people I am looking to draw to my site be able to find me if I am not a .com. I will be second rated, wait second rated is .net. I am going to be third or fourth rated.
Well people, that is not true. Internet searchers will be able to find just as easy whether you are a .com, a .net or .us or .biz. It is all how you structure your website. Optimization can outweigh the domain name choice.
Yes, you want the right domain name that closely represents what your site is about, but that’s not everything. In the future as the internet usage gets even broader there may be a possibility to hone on your specialty or niche even more. Take a look at an article written in the Walls Street Journal. We might be able to customize our domains to specifically represent our business. Wouldn’t that be great? Oh, but wait, it’s not a .com, the holy grail of domain extensions.
Keep in mind site content can overrule the most coveted domain names. Don’t fear.
As you are looking for a company to develop your website, make sure they understand search engine optimization and how integral it is in site develop. You can have an orange on the outside but underneath be an onion.
Reading in Fundamental
Reading Is Fundamental
Being in web design. The rising trend towards video is amazing. Everyone wants video on their sites. They are wanting to capture the attention of the site visitor or viewer, as you might say. With the least amount of effort from the visitor. Draw them in and maybe they will read what’s on your site.
My husband and I had a conference with our daughter’s teacher and was given a report as to how well our 9 year in 3rd grade was reading. She was way above the average. She spends a great deal of time reading and has made the comment ‘she gets into the story and looses herself’. How awesome is that?
My point in providing this information, is to not just boost about my intelligent offspring, but also to bring to light the seriousness of our children’s reading level as a nation. An Act was brought by Congress to insure our children are reading and able to do math at an acceptable level. What happened to the parents making sure our children are reading and doing math at an acceptable level. Why does government need to make mandates for something we should be doing as parents.
Growing up we all had amazing teachers and not so amazing ones, we took what they gave us, added our own efforts and with the support of our parents made sure we were on the level needed to succeed.
We are a society of technological junkies, (I am included) who want to receive our information and news from videos, podcasts and any other way we can multitask and absorb the world around. But where is the time for reading? By reading you process information on a different level than you do via video or even audio.
I am an avid reader myself and have never ‘gotten into’ a movie the same way I have ‘gotten into’ a book.
Let’s shut off our podcasts, from time to time and pick up the newspaper, read a magazine, enjoy a good book. You just might ‘get into’ a story you might have missed out on.
Rising Cost Of Health Care Insurance
Rising Cost Of Health Care Insurance
I recently received a notice from our insurance provider, increasing our premium $60 a month. Let me lay the ground work for you as to why I think this is absurd. This is on a non-employer sponsored plan that we pay for out of our pocket to provide health care coverage for our family. We are a self employed family, my husband, a Chiropractor and I, a Web Designer.
We chose a very high deductible HSA plan, did I say a very high deductible, yes, yes I did. High not being $500 or even $2500, how about $10,000. That’s correct a $10,000 deductible. Now don’t go gasping at this, it was our choice. We chose this policy as we are a healthy family and wanted coverage in case of a major medical occurrence and we wanted to keep our premiums at a minimum.
My disgruntle attitude with the increase…. The insurance company has not had to pay for any of our care, except for a wellness visit for our 5 year old. (Wellness visits for minors are not subject to the deductible.) So they paid about $108 to our pediatrician over the entire term of this policy. WOW, now that justifies a $60 a month increase.
Here’s the kicker….
I called my insurance provided and was told that the rising cost of health care nationwide and the increase in provider re-imbursement was the reason for my increase. Hmmm, I said.
My husband is a provider for this insurance carrier. Did he get a raise from the premium increases? Of course not. Imagine that.
In closing, when and if your insurance premiums increase or your deductibles are raised, please don’t automatically believe your health care providers are reaping this benefit. They are not. Your deductible rises to cover what your insurance carrier is now passing onto you. And you premiums are increase for a reason unbeknown to me. Oh right the rising cost of health care nationwide.
