August 11, 2010
Beware the VAT: Why the consumption tax is coming – (Summary of article) A brief interview with a Congressman who has been right more often than wrong on what will happen in congress as far as taxes go. It then explains that, at the federal government’s current spending levels, they have no choice but to pass it. Income tax increases would not provide enough new tax income to keep the people who buy US Treasury bonds happy.
When the VAT comes, there are ways to get around it. Here are a few:
- Buy used items from individuals.
- Buy from as close to the source as you can. When buying produce, go to farmer’s markets or other locations where the growers are.
- Make it yourself. If you can make something yourself, do so.
- If something is not working, don’t replace it, get it fixed.
In my opinion, a VAT would be a staggering blow to the US economy. But, I also think it might lead to better spending habits.
August 7, 2010
Ann Coulter to headline Homocon party for gay conservatives next month in New York City
I’m including this as a way of making a point. A person’s race, gender, religion and sexual orientation do not determine their political ideology. The GOProud group actually believes in smaller government and less taxes. I wish they were in charge of the GOP.
Your Choice: Thomas Jefferson or the Status Quo
I like this one because of the idea behind it. It boils down to, if you do not like how powerful the federal government has become, do something about it. Don’t just write an e-mail to your congressman or senator. Resist the encroachment of the federal government in ever peaceful way you can.
July 28, 2010
I just ordered my seeds for fall planting:
- Broccoli (start seeds as soon as I get them and plant in September)
- Different varieties of lettuce and spinach (plant in mid-August for fall salads)
- Carrots (plant September 5th-10th)
- Garlic (plant in September for spring harvest)
- Onions (same as garlic)
The above information came from Survival Podcast #484.
July 17, 2010
Once again, I am making my version of enchiladas. Part of the purpose of this recipe is to use as many storable or home grown items as possible.
Ingredients:
- 1 large can or 3 small cans of canned chicken
- 1 small yellow onion
- 4 cloves of garlic
- Queso Fresco (a crumbly white mexican cheese)
- Paprika and Italian herd seasoning
- salt
- Corn tortillas
- 2 cans of enchilada sauce (I buy the cheap stuff)
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350
- Chop up and sautee the onion and garlic
- Drain the chicken and shred it (this should be easy)
- Crumble the queso fresco into a bowl
- Stir in the chicken, onions and garlic
- Season to taste with the paprika, italian herd mix and salt
- Spoon mixture into tortillas, rolling up each one and placing it ends side down in a 13″x9″ baking dish
- Once you have filled up the pan, cover the enchiladas with the enchilada sauce then cover them with the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 30-45 minutes. The cheddar cheese should be fully melted an bubbly.
June 10, 2010
Yesterday, I posted a link to an article on children and the outdoors to my LiveJournal. Today, I will give some more thoughts on this. While I don’t have children, I have friends who do. I have some friends who have kids in Cub Scouts. What I here about Cub Scouts today makes my sad. The soul and the mystery of the outdoors experience has been sucked the organization. Also, they have withdrawn the consequences of failure. They to have fallen to the belief that everyone must succeed every time (even if they really didn’t). This has resulted in many of the outdoor skills being lost from the program or watered down. There are important life lessons to be learned from failure and success. If a kid learns that he can succeed without adult interference, the child will gain more self confidence. Learning how to properly shoot a bow teaches concentration, patience and self discipline. The same goes for many other outdoor skills. Plus, these skills also teach the kids how to handle real life situations.
- Learning how to read maps and navigate in the woods can teach children how to find their way safely home if they wander away and get lost. It will also help them from panicking if they do get lost.
- Learning shooting skills (including safety) will teach them to respect projectile weapons (bows, air guns and firearms) and what to do if they (or one of their friends) find one.
In general, learning outdoor skills teaches your children about nature. It teaches your children about nature better than any book or video ever will.
For my friends who have children, if you want help teaching your kids outdoor skills talk to me. I will be more than happy to help or offer advice.
May 28, 2010
The BATFEces is at it again. They have changed a 40 year old interpretation of a law.
Reversing an interpretation of the Gun Control Act that has been on the books for more than four decades, ATF today posted a ruling declaring any shipment of a firearm by a manufacturer (FFL) to any agent or business (e.g., an engineering-design firm, patent lawyer, testing lab, gun writer, etc.) for a bona fide business purpose to be a “transfer” under the Gun Control Act of 1968. As a consequence, legitimate business-related shipments will now require the recipient to complete a Form 4473 and undergo a Brady criminal background check. In many instances, these requirements will force shipments to a third party, thereby lengthening the process and the time that the firearm is in transit.
What do I find troubling about this? It is not that this ruling will affect a large number of people. It is the arbitrariness (Is that a word? If not, it should be.) of it. There is no reason to have made this change. Not one firearm transferred under these conditions has been used in a crime. Yet, they feel the need to suddenly change the interpretation.
May 26, 2010
If killing off carbon production and/or energy independence is so important, why didn’t congress spend $800 billion on building solar and wind farms instead of “green” jobs/programs that provided hardly any jobs in the USA?
Why can’t a politician (Republican, Democrat or other) that is asked a simple yes or no question even start his/her answer with the word yes or the word no?
May 14, 2010
Yesterday, when I got home from work, there was a gentleman on my porch wanting me to pay him to trim the branches of the tree in my front yard. I realize this needs to be done (and done professionally). He had left a business card on my door. However, I don’t think I will be doing business with him. The reason is, I can’t communicate with him. I could tell he was trying to speak English. But, I just couldn’t understand him. Coming to a clear agreement in business transaction can be hard enough without a language barrier being in place. Don’t get me wrong, I respect the fact that he is hard working and trying to run his own business. But, I want to be sure we understand each other when we come to an agreement. Would he understand me when I told him which branches I don’t want cut? Would he be able to to tell me if his business is bonded and insured and who he is insured with?
When I lived in Germany and Saudi Arabia, my entire family made the effort to learn the dominant language of the countries we were in. This was to make things easier for us. It really is in the best interest of those in the USA to learn English. Those who don’t miss opportunities and are taken advantage of because they failed to learn.
BTW, I have had this gentleman leave cards on my door before (for several years). He has had enough time to at least become conversational in English.
May 11, 2010
If I do any canning this year, I will be getting some of these.
Tattler Re-Usable Canning Lids
April 24, 2010
“Is progressivism the opiate of the intellectuals? It makes them feel good, but has dangerous side effects.” – Ori Pomerantz in response to this thought provoking article.
