Freedoms & Rights from our Forefathers

Thoughts on Patriotism
Liking/agreeing with the government hopefully doesn't reflect on patriotism.. My hope is that our patriotic passion is derrived from the idea that we/citizens have rights/freedoms because of the sacrifice by our forefathers.

Trying to be Positive
On a positive note, I do like our highways/freeways, parks and military.

President Jake of the Internet Party
On another note, when I have the opportunity to change our tax code, I vouch that it will be reduced to 1 page and clarity will be one of the major goals. It will also be designed to be attractive and easy to read. I think it would be helpful for people to know what percent they pay in taxes each year. Most people only know 'their income tax percent' and maybe their sales tax percent but often forget that they pay tax after they work and after they spend and after they die and when they live in a home and when they own a car. In fact the government even has me pay an 'air tax' that is part of my annual car tax.

Beyond all of the tax percents that add up, I also get mad when people work off the books and do not pay taxes since that puts the burden on those that do. If everyone paid their taxes/bills, then many companies and our government would not be in a 'hurt'.

On a positive note, I heard that there is going to be or may be a porn tax and a lap dance tax !
http://www.foxnews.com/video/?playerId=videolandingpage&referralObject=1514309

Governmental programs/waste makes me really mad (regardless of the politician in power who spends our (tax)money). Everybody likes santa clause (free money/benefits from the government for those were unresponsible) and nobody says no to Santa Clause.. ..when in reality the help they get just makes them rely on the government for more help. Bad behavior being rewarded and good behavior being ignored makes me think hard about why I am trying to pay my mortgage off quickly.

Example of Frustration
I recently received a RFP for webhosting for the Texas Lottery and it included several unbelievable requirements, such as "prospective Proposers are required to attend one of the mandatory pre-proposal conferences". The RFP was 113 pages long and looked like it was written like the tax code. My guess is that it would take 10 hours to read and about 12 hours to reply.

I can't believe they wrote a 113 page document to ask for 'webhosting'... You can see this monstrocity here: http://esbd.cpa.state.tx.us/docs/362/81492_1.pdf

This governmental proposal just blows my mind with a lack of common sense for efficiency. This seems like a good example of governmental waste (of time for the preparers and the responders).

Initially this looked enticing and interesting. But I would rather 'not bid' and win/save my time/energy/travel costs instead of bet and potentially win a big contract. So I win every time by not spending money/time on a lottery ticket/proposal ;)

In essence the complication level of the RFP allows this government entity to preselect who they would like to use because 'who can comply' with insane amounts of requirements for a chance at getting a small amount of work. Their motivation is 'barrier to entry/bid'.

Last Day of the Year

Today is the last day to control where your taxes go by taking advantage of tax credit and to save some money on federal taxes by reducing your taxable income. Click here to save money in 2008.

You can call me if you need help: 520-881-8488

Direct Your Tax Money to Help My Family

This is a call for help. With the complicated tax system that we have as Americans, I need to explain how you can be proactive in it, to direct your tax money to help a good American family (who is asking for your help).

The good news. If you have a state tax liability in 2008, then you can control where a portion of your tax money will be spent. Talk to your accountant and/or spouse if you are not sure.

The not so good news. You need to make a donation before December 31st for $500 per taxpayer (assuming you have a tax liability of $500 per taxpayer). Then you will get 'paid back' with a 'dollar for dollar tax credit' in April of 2009.

Are you wondering, "How much may I give?"
A single person may give up to $500, assuming they have a tax liability of at least $500. A married couple may give up to $1000, assuming they have a tax liability of at least $1000. If your Federal Tax Liability is less than $500 per taxpayer, then you can donate an amount less than$500. So if you think your tax liability is going to be $400, then you could donate $350 to be safe yet still very helpful. It is important to get involved with how your taxes are spent, when you have the opportunity to do so.

$500 per taxpayer or $1000 per couple
So you have to have $500 (per taxpayer) today to save $500 (per taxpayer) in April. If you do this I will be very, very thankful. Couples may donate up to $1000 since they consist of 2 taxpayers.

Dollar for Dollar Tax Credit
A "dollar for dollar tax credit" means that you will literally save the exact amount that you donate (up to $500 per taxpayer, assuming you have a tax liability of at least $500 per taxpayer)

Benefit
Besides getting 100% of the donation back as a tax credit, your taxable federal income is reduced by the donation. So, if you are in the 28% Federal Tax bracket, the $1000 donation towards Kaylie's tuition will cost you <$280.00> (i.e. LESS than nothing!). In other words, you will save $280 in taxes beyond the tax credit.

In essence, you are gaining a tax savings and control over allocating a portion of your taxes. You are directing some of your tax money to a local Tucson family going to a local Tucson school instead of it going to Phoenix for the state government to spend.

Getting Started

The steps are easier than you may think.
It only takes a few minutes. To start, simply visit https://secure.acsto.org/donate_online.aspx by December 31st and choose the school "Cornerstone Christian Academy, Tucson" from the Recommendation drop down. Then please type my daughter's name, Kaylie Marie Barr, into the Student(s) field. Continue to complete the form by filling in your information, such as your name, address, credit card information, etc.
Step 2: Click Continue.
Step 3: Check the box and click Submit.

Thank you so much for taking the time and energy to help. We truly appreciate you taking the time to direct a portion of your tax money to do what you want.

Here are a few a pictures of my wonderful, hard working and just fabulous daughter Kaylie Barr:


To get started, just click here.

Cornerstone Christian Academy
My daughter is blessed to have the opportunity to go to Cornerstone Christian Academy. My wife, Heather and I are also very blessed to be apart of this wonderful school. My daughter's teacher is Mrs. Walick and she is absolutely the best at what she does.

This is our first year at Cornerstone and the moms in my daughter's class threw a surprise baby shower for my wife. We have been welcomed into this wonderful school by the parents, students, teachers and staff, beyond our expectations. We are very excited to be apart of this school and look forward to our other children (Jocelyn Joy who is 3 and Jacob Kenneth who is just a few days old) going here when they get to Kindergarten.

Some of the things that I find very important in education is absolute honesty. And like other Christian schools, the students learn the truth about creation and evolution while also learning math, reading, writing and comprehension. My daughter recently took home an Excellent ribbon in the ACSI District Speech Meet.

If you would like to help my daughter continue to attend this incredible school with excellent academics with a Christian education, please click here.

FYI: This blog has been updated and revised to try and make it as accurate and helpful as possible, after getting excellent feedback :)

Jacob Kenneth Barr (11-11-08)

On 11-11-08, my son Jacob Kenneth Barr was born! He was named after my first name and my dad's first name. Heather and I are very excited.

Bailout 2.0

I don't think we (the taxpayers and our representative government) should give any special treatment to any specific business, including those who are facing bankruptcy. I think the government is regulating too much and getting involved with too many things.

According to our US Constitution: Congress has the power to provide for the 'general Welfare of the United States' (Section 8 - Powers of Congress: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;). Bailing out GM, Chrysler and Ford does not help me or anyone I know, that I know of. So I don't think it helps the 'general Welfare of the United States'. And I think that if Congress spends our money to help certain businesses, then that is unconstitutional.

The following was reported on 11-11-08:

House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi sought legislation on Tuesday to bail out failing automakers, saying she was confident an emergency measure would be approved next week.

Pelosi aims to amend the government's $700 billion corporate rescue law that now applies to banks and other financial services firms. No figure was given, but General Motors Corp, Ford Motor Co and Chrysler LLC are seeking $25 billion in urgent assistance.

"Congress and the Bush administration must take immediate action," the California Democrat said in a statement, to prevent what she called the potential "failure of one or more of the major American automobile manufacturers."

Senate Majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada said in a statement that Senate Democrats are "determined to pass legislation" to aid the auto industry but cautioned "it would only get done" with the help of Senate Republicans and the Bush administration.

GM, Ford and Chrysler are burning through cash and losing billions monthly. The companies blame the global credit crunch for an accelerated decline in U.S. sales and severe limits on corporate and consumer borrowing. Most consumers finance their vehicle purchases.

The three have argued to Congress their health is crucial to the U.S. economy since they employ 250,000 people and affect more than four million other jobs nationwide in related industries or indirectly.

GM said last week it could run out of cash by early next year. Ford is considered the healthiest of the three but virtually all of its assets are leveraged and it burned through $7.7 billion in cash last quarter.

Privately-held Chrysler does not report financial information but sources familiar with the company's strategy have said it is also churning through cash rapidly.

SHARES FALL

The government last month rebuffed GM's bid for capital to help facilitate a possible merger with Chrysler.

GM shares fell 13 percent to close at $2.92 on the New York Stock Exchange after earlier hitting a 65-year low of $2.76. Ford shares dropped 6.7 percent to close at $1.80.

Ford and GM said they were grateful for the call for swift action.

The White House has indicated it would weigh any help for Detroit but said Congress would have to take the first step and has urged a different course of action. The Bush administration has long been reluctant to endorse a bailout for carmakers.

"If Congress wants to change the (bailout) law, we'll see how they intend to do it," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said.

Pelosi and Reid had appealed over the weekend for Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to act on his own to extend the corporate rescue program to automakers.

President-elect Barack Obama supports help for the industry. Obama and President George W. Bush discussed the industry at their Oval Office meeting on Monday, aides said.

Although Pelosi expects a measure to pass, Congress will have a narrow opportunity next week to act. The Senate is expected to meet for three days while the House has no formal session planned. House members, however, are expected to attend leadership elections.

Chief executives of Ford, GM and Chrysler met with Pelosi and Reid last week to discuss a comprehensive aid package of $50 billion - with half directed as emergency capital. The second $25 billion, to be considered later, would go to a retiree health care trust fund to free up cash for other priorities.

The White House has urged Congress to accelerate the availability of $25 billion in advanced technology loans approved by lawmakers in September to help automakers make more fuel efficient cars.

Industry officials have said the centerpiece of that financing program would have to be gutted and the money made available now with few or no strings attached in order to help address their problems.

Tax

Do you know how much you pay in tax? I think I pay 60%.

25% Federal Income Tax
15.3% Social Security Tax
4.72% Arizona Income Tax
5.6% Arizona Sales Tax
2% Tucson Sales Tax
1% Property Tax (based on my property tax and my income)
6% Other: vehicle registration tax, telephone taxes, cell phone taxes, school tax, medicare, unemployment tax, workers compensation Tax

I guess I won't need to worry about the 50% DeathStar Tax .. I mean the 50% Death Tax.


Now for my reflection: I think the tax rate is too high, but I also think there are two more important problems. 1: Taxes are too complicated and 2: there are alot of people who do not pay them.

A flat national sales tax that could be written in less than 80 characters is an attractive approach to me. Because right now the only tax that 'everyone' pays is the sales tax. I hear of people not paying their income tax, but who doesn't pay their sales tax?

Chicken or the Egg

So which came first, the chicken or the egg? Neither. Both a rooster and a chicken came first, because without a rooster and a chicken you won't get a fertile egg. If you only have 'the chicken' then you won't get a fertile egg. If you only have an egg, then you would only end up with 'one chicken or one rooster' which would not result in what is needed to make a fertile egg (a chicken and a rooster).

So which came first "the sale" or "the marketing"? "Marketing" but it is not as complicated as a chicken.