Monday, February 9, 2009

Not your run of the mill recession . . .

“This isn’t your run of the mill recession.” President Obama could not have said it more eloquently than he did tonight in his address to the American people. Our country is in a deep recession and it is not just those of us in business who are seeing the devastating affects it is having on the area economy. Many of our neighbors are out of work, in real fear of losing their job, or, in worst case scenarios, in fear of losing their homes. The reality is shocking. Just one year ago, the economy was humming along at a fairly brisk pace. The housing market was slumping, but not totally unexpected in an industry that cyclically has its ups and downs. The President’s message was one of hope that was well balanced with the sincere desire to do more than just throw money at problems. His recognition that the private sector is the engine that drives the train spoke of a realized need to jump-start the economy. Plainly stated, something must be done to get money flowing into the economy. The inertia that has taken hold in the spending habits of Americans, some out of necessity and some out of fear, needs to be broken. Obama’s economic recovery plan still must make its way through Congress before it is tested in the marketplace. Whether or not the finished product will help to break what he called a “vicious cycle” that is dragging our economy down is yet to be seen. For the sake of our country, let us all hope that the final product works.
_____________________________
I was surprised to read comments by some contributors to the blog who attributed the inability of some people to get jobs as a fault of living beyond their means. Can’t agree with that analysis. A good example is the ongoing shake-up in the telecommunications industry. There was a time when the Midwest was seen as the perfect place for call centers to be placed in America. Our lack of a distinct accent (Kansas Citians excepted!) made our voices easily understood across the land. Do I have to remind anyone where a lot of those jobs are today? The Kansas City Star has the typesetting and layout for its newspaper ads composed in a country on the other side of the world. It is hardly the fault of the people who lost their jobs due to that decision. Go visit your local Walmart and see how much of what you can buy is assembled, wove, cobbled or in any shape or form put together in America. Is it the fault of the people who once held those jobs in America that what they once did for a living has been exported to another land? I think not. It can be very hard to compete with nations who pay their workers by the day when we pay our people by the hour. Give the average American a break. Most work hard for the good life. The economic recession that is affecting America is being felt world wide. It is NOT the fault of the average wage earner.

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not everyone is hunkering down for this recession. Some people are taking steps to move forward despite the tight money.

The young man who re-opened the drive thru Raytown car wash at 350 Highway and Raytown Road is a good example.

If those long lines of cars waiting to get washed on Raytown Road are any indication his effort is a success story in the making.

He is running for Alderman in Ward 5. I hope he gets in. We need his kind of can do effort at Raytown City Hall.

If you live in Ward 5 think about voting for Michael Lightfoot for Alderman.

Pat Casady said...
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Pat Casady said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pat Casady said...

This is only my opinion and, you know what people say
About opinions.
I think most of our economic problems started with the rich
oil companies getting greedy and wanting more more money.
Raising fuel prices so high that some people couldn't afford
to even drive to work. Companies had to raise prices because
of delivery costs and so on. Then homes were foreclosed on.
Who does the media blame for this? The economy. Not the real
reason, greed, but a byproduct of the reason. They feel sorry for mortgage
bankers that thought they would make fortunes by hooking
young first time buyers with low interest loans that would almost
double after five years.
So what does our government do? Instead of bailing out the people
who need it, they give more money to the rich so they can still give bonuses,
buy planes and remodel their offices.
The only problem with the trickle down system is it doesn't trickle down.
Never has, won't this time.
What would have worked was a trickle up system. Give the people the
money to get out of debt, keep their homes and deposit the rest into the banks.
Both Democrats and Republicans can's see this. Just like any government
They, elected officials, think they know what is best for us. They keep throwing
money where it is needed the least instead of where it could actually do some
good. The sad thing is the people buy this way of thinking.
My personal feeling is, the rich bankers and money holders haven't done
such a good job in the past so why do they think they it be will better giving them
hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars that taxpayers will never see.
I guess common sense in government doesn't happen on any level.

Anonymous said...

That's not quite accurate about The Star: they shipped the production of some advertising overseas but the production of the actual paper is still done here. There's enough misinformation and cheap shots about the local paper floating around as it is, let's not go overboard with something you haven't verified please.

Anonymous said...

Actually it is very accurate statement about the Star. The typesetting is not being done here. Certainly you did not think I meant the actual "printing" of the newspaper!

Even your own statement, "they shipped the production of some advertising overseas but the production of the paper is still done here."

Your parsing of words would make Bill Clinton proud!

But if it will make you happy, I have added the word "ads" to my post.

The point is -- and the real story is -- that those jobs are gone and it is doubtful they will come back.

Andy Whiteman said...

Greg, I thonk you and Obomba are wrong. We are now in a depression but the It took them 2 years to admit to a recession.

The Red Star also has sent customer service to Manilla. It used to be in one of the Carolinas.

I was fired when my job was sent to India. There are no good jobs for Americans in America. Someone once asked if my company offered to transfer me to India with the job. They didn't.

As far as goods made in foreign countries sold at Walmart, just go to Radio Shack or WestLake and see where the stuff is made. It ain't only Walmart!

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

At one time I worked at a Medical Billing company. After I left they started sending their medical billing for coding out to India. The mistakes they made on people's medical billing was awful. This company made plenty of money and to send the coding out was nothing but greed on their part. Glad that company is part of my past as I would'nt want to work for a company that sends out American work to other companies when the economy is as such

Anonymous said...

I read this stuff and it just boggles the mind that there are people out there who think we should raise taxes when the market is like it is.

Unbelievable!!!

Anonymous said...

I read this stuff and it just boggles the mind that there are people out there who think we should raise taxes when the market is like it is.

Unbelievable!!!

Anonymous said...

I agree, no more new taxes until the economy gets better and people start getting their jobs back. I am just amazed at the govt. including Raytown's Govt. would even consider a tax raise at this time. A good reason to vote for Alan Adams for BOA since he is against new taxes at this time

Daniel Thode said...

Though I am with Greg that the current crisis/recession (Andy, I would not call this a depression yet. The 1930's saw unemployment reach upwards of 30 percent. We are currently only in the mid-7 percent range. Definitely bad, don't get me wrong, 4-5 times better than a true depression.) is not the fault per se of the average American, but they are not quite innocent. My personal belief is that the average American was lured in with "great deals" from more than just realtors. Take a look at, say, Best Buy. One can take home a big-screen television with no payments for a year and pay it off in five years! Not reading the fine print and astronomical interest rates, people don't hesitate to take the store up on this option. Afterall, the Super Bowl requires a big screen, right? When all these deferred bills came due, people couldn't pay for them and the bills added up, thus, leading to the defaulting on home loans, and the rest is history. This practice of deferred payment is as old as the department store, but what happened to layaway? You pay bit by bit and THEN you take your product home. No, the stores did not force individuals to sign these agreements, but they did advertise the process in a very misleading way.
Furthermore, it seems a bit odd that the casinos had such a great month in January considering the current crisis. Seemingly, supply and demand would tell you the casinos would take a hit, not make a hefty profit. There is clearly a smaller supply of dollars in people's pockets, thus the demand of casinos should be down as well. Not so. Granted, this could be due to recent changes in the maximum number of chips a person can purchase in one night, but it still does not coincide with the conservative spending seen in the rest of America.

Finally, and this is more of a calling/question for Greg/ individuals involved with the Raytown Chamber, the state legislature is expediting the legislation calling for the expansion of the Missouri Quality Jobs Program as well as another piece of legislation offering tax-credit incentives to start-up or seed companies that are Missouri-based. In speaking with the Raytown Chamber of Commerce and conducting research of my own, it appears Raytown receives very little, if any subsidies from the current MQJP and would continue to receive little from the state under the new programs. In such a widely popular bill, I think it would be wise for the city's elected officials and business community to communicate with our state legislators to bring these incentives to communities such as Raytown. Currently, rural-city areas similar to St. Joe or agricultural communities seem to be the target market to receive the most in funds. Am I wrong about Raytown benefitting from these programs?

Anonymous said...

All of you people complaining about new taxes and wastes of your money should turn your heads to the school board race. Did the schools really need a aritificial turf soccer field at Ray South and a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose football field at Raytown High? I read on the Raytown Post's site that the new football field drains ten inches of rain in like an hour. How many times a year does it rain ten inches, let alone ten inches that needs to be drained in an hour? How about we get some new blood on THAT board. Does anybody have any recommendations? I know Mr. Thode is the only new candidate for the one-year spot, but I don't know much about Ms. Bruflat. As for the the other election, Kyle White seems to be in it for the social position based on the Raytown Post article about him since he sees no real problems with the current board, but I may be wrong. Anybody know anything about those other new candidates?

Anonymous said...

I agree with the last writer. Mr. Thode seems to be the only one making an attempt to be known.

I could not tell you anything about any of the other candidates. Maybe someone who knows them my suggest the write some bio information and send to this site.

Anonymous said...

You must not be counting the unemployed people that have either exhausted their unemployment benefits or the ones that have never filed for benefits, and are not counted in the statistical data. How can you be sure that unemployment is a 7% when other factors have not been taken into consideration? And yes, it is a recession and has been! It apparently is not a recession if you are a republican!

Daniel Thode said...

Nobody is disputing that there is a recession. There clearly is. I was just saying the label of a depression is not yet merited. Regardless of what subgroups of people you add to the percentage, we are not yet in the Great Depression.
The point of my post was not to bicker about labels. It was also not an attempt to create some Democrat-Republican battle on this blog (not that I am saying a member of either party). The purpose is to create a united Raytown effort to bring jobs to Raytown. I think we all have the best interest of the community here, but bring different ideas to the table.

Anonymous said...

Fact is plain and simple we're in a bad way in this country...period. At least the President didn't sugar coat it, it's going to take a lot of pulling together as citizens to get this country back on it's feet. It's not going to happen over night.

As for the jobs going overseas, when I get a call from some Indian that I can't understand I hang up, I don't want to deal with them, they are always pressing you to buy something. If you're behind in your bills, get ready because they will call you day and night...at least they're getting paid. Too bad so many Americans aren't, and have a hard enough time keeping a roof over their heads or food on the table.

Wait a minute, there are thousands out there that can't, thanks to greedy banks and companies who send jobs over seas to line their pockets, while American people struggle. They are the ones who should be ashamed. Are they? No, they don't care one iota as long as they can get their bailout monies.

I applaud the government for putting a stop to the bank who was buying the jet, as the President said, now it's time to go after the Fat Cat CEO's. Give Americans what they have worked for for over 200 years, don't send jobs overseas and don't dip in the cash stash thinking you need to make more than $250,000 or more.

Hey, did the President ever get a raise? Last time I heard it was $250,000 a year.

Anonymous said...

Daniel,

I was at the retired teachers event today where all of the candidates spoke. Your father's speech blew away the competition. He has my vote. Those following this blog would be wise to vote for Rick Thode as well. He seems to have some great ideas for the school board.
He mentioned that you are currently in D.C. working with a Senator. I look forward to seeing what skills you bring to Raytown when you return.

Andy Whiteman said...

Daniel, You are correct that people don't read the the fine print on those "great" no interest deals. I am strange because I don't believe in monthly payments except on my house. To me everything else is really a cash purchase. I was critized on Darla Jaye's show because I still have old TVs and not a HDTV. Why should I buy new TVs when the old ones work perfectly fine? The new HDTVs don't impress me except they are made by slave labor in China.

I have been hearing that much of our recession problems were caused by government requirements to provide mortgages to people who couldn't afford them. These mortgages were really teaser rates on ARMS that jumped so high people couldn't make payments. The real problem is people living beyond their means.

Does it have to equal the great depression to be considered a depression? I hope it turns around soon.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

It is very ironic that the Republicans that defended the high pay and bonuses for bankers are the same ones that did not want to give help to GM unless they cut the pay of hourly union workers by $20 an hour.

Anonymous said...

That is why they dubbed the Republican Party, The Fat Cat Party.

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone.
I see some people are still in on this depression and resession stuff. Yes the economy is bad. We are all feeling the effects. But to throw the word depression around is a bit successive. Now that being said, if people don't get smarter with money then yes a depression is coming. We have people out there living off of unemployment, disability, and other government programs that inlist laziness. These people in reality do not need it. then we have people out there who are living outside there paychecks. We can throw the blame at Oil companies like Mr. Casady did above. We can blame the unions. We can blame large investment firms, mortgage companies and every thing else that you want. The truth here is that you need to blame your selves. You who do the things that i listed above, and you who allow people to do the things listed above. Everyone knows my stand point on the ever so popular topic Public safety sales tax. some of you true Anons who say; "HELL NO WE WON'T GO" to the tax. need to think about the stuff i listed above. before you consider why you are afirming the this tax. Pick one boys who are you. The one who lives off of the government, the one who lets live off the governemt and says nothing, or the one who will stand up to those and fix this economy, by saving money, instead of spending it, telling people that they need to grow up and live there lives instead of looking for hand outs, and momma feds to pay their mortgages. It discussed me that i know some people that feed off of the system, who don't need it. I am tierd of my tax dollars going to Ralph, Joe, Sam for their cigarettes instead of food. My taxes whatever way the government gets them be it sales tax, property tax or income tax. Should go towards making where i live better. Not sustaining the bottom feeders that won't grow up.

My words

The Hawk

Anonymous said...

Also. I thought I was done, but i guess not. I was driving through independence earlier today and saw by the Bass Pro. the Labor union boycot. This is the most rediculous thing i have seen. Labor union boycots. These guys getting paid the way more money than they need to be getting paid sitting around because some company decided to go cheaper. These people are the advicating the tough ecnomic times by extorting the funds of companies trying to build inturn causing the company to raise prices to cover those expenses. I know that bass pro does not matter to us. But i remember back to the new Hearndon when the labor unions were picketting that. Makes me sick that unions can extort like that. Unions, and i mean all unions, should have to fired. free service interprise. If you have a skill you do a job. you don't combine and make a union and then make rediculous standards for you and your members, to the point where you ask for crazy amounts of money to do simple jobs.
I went off i know. But that is what you guys like from me i think.

The Hawk

Anonymous said...

Hawk is a rat bastard! you are definately part of the problem, not the solution. You havent a clue as to quality versus cheap, and inferior, shoddy workmanship. You do not undercut everyones standard of living either. You guys want to bust your butts for say 5, 10, or 15 dollars an hour are really the problem as you are hurting everyone, including yourselves. You should be compensated accordingly for your skills and training. I would rather pay more for quality, American, Union Labor instead of shoddy, inferior Rat Labor that has to generally be corrected at a higher cost later when problems arise and the contractor is no longer around because the up and left town!

Anonymous said...

What bothers me the most about all the cut-backs, layoffs, etc., is that the public sector, the government continues to thump along like there is no recession.

They take more holidays, enjoy more perks, and work less than any other portion of Americans. And are still immune to the recession.

As for the city hall tax increase. When they start acting responsibly by taking care of our streets I will consider a tax increase. It seems like its been at least 3 years since I've seen any street upkeep in this town.

Until then, no way on any tax increase.

Pat Casady said...

I feel badly for the people that have lost their jobs to foreign
countries. One of the worst offenders in this area is Sprint.
They have eliminated over two thousand American jobs in the
Kansas City area alone and sent most to India, if I recall correctly.
That is why I would use two cans and a string before I would use Sprint.
We are in big trouble in this country and although I hate to agree
in part with the Hawk, he is right by saying we did this to ourselves.
We buy the cheap import crap that poisons our children and animals.
along with cars, trucks and clothing.
Puts us, as well as our neighbors out of a job and makes the big company CEO's rich.
But, people will line up for the grand opening of the new Wal-Mart and this
town's officials will be there at the ribbon cutting, making speeches about
how great it is. All the while other Raytown businesses are planning their
closing strategies.
I think about how good it would have been if companies would have had
more of an American mind set and was loyal to Americans first. We probably
wouldn't be in the shape we are in now.

Anonymous said...

The CHICKEN-HAWK is back!! He's just as clueless as before. I wonder what your salary would be today if it hadn't been for labor unions fighting for decent wages for ALL workers?

Andy Whiteman said...

There was an ad today in the Red Star that Coddingtons has a 20% OFF for changing location sale. But didn't state the new location. I guess it is now official--they are closing. Sorry to see them go.

I forgot to mention earlier that I saw on the news K-Mart has returned its lay-away program. I believe another store was also mentioned as having lay-aways again. Back to old times but I never saw the use for lay-away. I believe in SAVING the money and then buying the item. It doesn't make sense to have the store hold my money from day one when I could be getting interest on my money.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Unions at one time were needed, then they got greedy. The reason for unions was for the employer to treat the employees fairly. To pay fair wages, until things got out of control, with what the unions wanted the corporations to do as far as benefits and other perks. I seen the steel mills close in the 70's because of them, I remember Ford and the other auto corporations putting out inferior products, yet they were paying high salaries along with benefits. Japan was putting out a better product.

I worked at a Ford dealership, the body shop found a liquor bottle in one of he door panels. These employees were not afraid to lose their jobs, because the union would protect them.

It then turns around that if you screw up, you go crying to the union to save your job. I belonged to the IBEW when working for AT+T. I can tell you there were plenty of lazy employees who did nothing but collect a paycheck, let the manager say something to them and they scream union.

Unions ruin the auto industry during the 70's they also ruined the steel industry. I feel that the federal government has put enough laws on the books to cover employees and unions need to cease.

They were great as I said when needed, but now they have gone the way of the dinosaur.

This is coming from a former union steward

Anonymous said...

to the former union steward, seems to me the union must have worked out good for you as you held at least 2 union jobs. where would you be now without them.

Anonymous said...

Like I had said they were good when they were needed. I held only 1 union job up until the early 70's. I did not belong to the union when I worked at the dealership. I had no choice on if I wanted to join IBEW it was a closed shop. I was raised that the unions were a good thing. I could have not choosen to picket when the phone company went on strike, but at that time as I said I was brained washed that they were the working mans hero. Then I when saw the corruption with them I choice not to be a member, at any other place of employment.

Government has enough laws in place at this time to protect the average worker, if you research unions from the early 60's to the present you will see that there are not as many as there was in the past.

As a union steward, I got sick of fighting for people who deserved to be fired, I got tired of the EOE when it first went in. I got out of it. I would never join another one, or waste my money with the dues.

Now don't get me wrong there are good ones out there, but they are few and in between.

Anonymous said...

Hawk-English Translator

Disclaimer: These translations will only help with deciphering spelling errors and clear misuses of words. One should not look to this dictionary for translating endless grammar errors (e.g. “Now that being said, if people don’t get smarter with money then yes a depression is coming.”), improper homophone usage (e.g. “there” that should be “their”), or the spelling errors that the dictionary has deemed typos as opposed to blatant errors (e.g. “tierd” should be “tired”).

(Terms appear in alphabetical order for your convenience)

advicating= advocating
afirming = affirming
boycots= boycotts
discussed= disgusts
inlist= enlist (although the term doesn’t apply)
interprise= enterprise
rediculous= ridiculous
resession= recession
successive= excessive

Epilogue-
This publication was not created as an attack on those who do not type or write impeccably. Everyone’s voice should be heard. It is only to discourage individuals, particularly those who demean fellow “blogger’s” opinions and character, to reduce the usage of words one lacks the ability to spell correctly. Your clever thoughts and opinions may become muddled in your extirpation (look it up) of the English language. If necessary, please type your posts in Microsoft Word, click on spell check, and then paste your comment into the blog’s text box.

Anonymous said...

whatever

Anonymous said...

Who made CHICKEN-HAWK the English teacher?

Anonymous said...

i think he is just looking for someone to banter with.

Anonymous said...

Anyone else find it interesting that KCMO is considering the cutting of 250 or so cops while Raytown wants a sales tax increase to hire more cops? Should be a big pool or experienced officers living close by. So much for the old argument that Raytown can't pay enough to keep officers after they're trained.
Maybe Raytown might consider balancing its budget like KCMO is trying to do.
KCMO also reports that four 10 hour days will save 59% of the overtime for police. Where are our creative thinkers on the BOA, in the mayor's office or among that PROFESSIONAL (ie. overpaid) STAFF?

Andy Whiteman said...

The latest I heard is that Funk is agaist cutting the police budget. Unbelievable that a city with such a high murder rate would consider cutting police!

KCMO could easily cut the city manager and he wouldn't be missed.

I still advocate cutting Raytown Department head salaries as they leave and/or not replace them. The workers are needed, but NOT the fat cats to supervise them. I think the workers should receive wage increases which would come from management cuts.

Anon 2:33PM, thanks for the technical suggestion. Good idea!

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

"That is why I would use two cans and a string before I would use Sprint." - Pat Casady

Pat, you should ber writing for Jay Leno. That line is precious.

To the School Teacher, whoever you are, thank you. If most writers would slow down, I think they would have fewer mistakes.

Andy Whiteman said...

9:43PM. Good point, but we are all rushed for time. There are only 24 hours in a day and I need 36!

I try to check my grammar, spelling, and clarity, but when I read my own writing, I only read that i INTENDED to write, not what I actually wrote.

I would use 2 cans and a string before I would use AT&T (for long distance) but they forced their use on me (for local service) when the bought Southwest Bell or vice versa. What a corrupt, back stabbing, company. That is where the CWA is really needed, but their usefullness is limited.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Two years ago Jackson County Voters approved a 25 year sales tax increase. They were told the money such a tax raised would pay for the rebuilding of two sports places at the Truman Complex.
Major beneficiaries of new stadiums were two billionaires: Lamar Hunt and David Glass.

This tax will, more than likely, last longer than most of the people living in Raytown. A fine legacy to leave four our children and their offspring.

The average professional ball player makes over $1.2 million a year. I doubt there are many residents of this city who can say they make half as much.

This is certain. Regardless of what happens to our economy, the stadium sports tax will continue unabated.

What is the purpose of the preceding, one might ask?

Not to throw the tax in your face, by any means. Certainly not to lecture.Even the densest oaf should by now have figured that the stadium tax will benefit
only the wealthiest.

The Salamander wonders: How many of those who voted themselves this 25 year sales tax are now out of a job and, more than likely, will not have the money to attend any of the games at Truman Sports Complex?

On April 7 you will be asked to vote yourself another tax increase. This one is permanent. It will last forever. And you will pay it on every dollar you spend in Raytown (with the sole xception of selected food items).

If the new tax passes we will be one of the highest taxed cities in
Missouri. The tax, we are told, is for public safety.

The tax is not needed.

If it passe, dispatchers at city hall will earn a base salary of $54,000 per year. This does not include any of the endless fringe benefits city employees enjoy.
The same category of jobs such as dispatcher pay less than half as much in private industry.

The economy is down and more than likely will get worse. Everyone is
having to tighten their belt. The bunch at city hall, who live off our taxes, should not be an exception.

Andy Whiteman said...

The last time I spoke with a supervisor at 911 in Raytown, I was told they were paid $14,000 yearly. That was a couple of years ago so I hope the pay has gone up. I don't know where the $54K figure comes from unless it includes overtime and benefits.

The pay of major league sports players is outrageous. One makes more in one year than I will make in a life time! Actually one probably makes in a year more than all of the staff (not management) at city hall will make in a lifetime. Then with the high cost of tickets, parking, and food, wonder why people don't but tickets. The stadiums represent Socialism at work. The rich owners certainally aren't expected to invest their own money.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Tax his land, Tax his bed, Tax the table At which he's fed.
Tax his tractor, Tax his mule, Teach him taxes Are the rule.
Tax his work, Tax his pay, He works for peanuts Anyway!
Tax his cow, Tax his goat, Tax his pants, Tax his coat.
Tax his ties, Tax his shirt, Tax his work, Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink, Tax him if he Tries to think.
Tax his cigars, Tax his beers, If he cries Tax his tears.
Tax his car, Tax his gas, Find other ways To tax him fast!
Tax all he has Then let him know That you won't be done Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers, Then tax him more, Tax him till He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin, Tax his grave, Tax the sod in Which he's laid.
Put these words upon his tomb, Taxes drove me to my doom
When he's gone, Do not relax, It's time to apply The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog LicenseTax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Privilege Tax


Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Road Usage Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Use Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago,
and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt,
had the largest middle class in the world,
and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

Sure all of this isn't put in proper perspective...but it does give one a reason to pause and think...NO to anymore taxes we get to vote on, eh?

April ballot coming up folks.

Anonymous said...

Well one thing is certain is death and taxes.

Andy Whiteman said...

I heard there used to be a poll tax so you had to pay to vote.

I was at WestLake tonight and the sales tax on my receipt was 8.475%!

With taxes like that, will people who are passing through stop and shop or shop elsewhere?

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.