Tax Cuts
WASHINGTON (AP) – “The economy grew at a blistering 7.2 percent annual rate in the third quarter in the strongest pace in nearly two decades. Consumers spent with abandon and businesses ramped up investment, compelling new evidence of an economic resurgence.
The 7.2 percent pace marked the best showing since the first quarter of 1984. It exceeded analysts' forecasts for a 6 percent growth rate for third-quarter GDP, which measures the value of all goods and services produced within the United States.”
By JEANNINE AVERSA
Not since the first quarter of 1984 have we seen such a huge jump in our economy. President Reagan cut taxes two years prior to the 1984 jump. President Bush also cut taxes two years ago. This is not a coincidence. This tax cutting method has worked throughout history. But why have we seen such a strong resentment to tax cuts from the democratic side of the government? Why have the news agencies also posted such articles about how our children’s children will be paying for the “deficit”? I personally do not stay up all night worrying about the deficit because the deficit will take care of it’s self by creating more jobs for more taxpayers. I say that they should look at histories and not at the politicians for statements about the economy. The jobs will start coming soon as this is a lagging indicator. You will also see news articles about the poor job market soon if not already. Things are looking up! As a business owner, this news is huge!
Thanks to all who have stopped by and/or prayed for me. I rely heavily on this family of ours.
For those of you that read this, my family needs lots of prayer. Our finances are diminishing. I need this store to generate more than it currently is. The customer base is small and steady but it is not growing at all. I need you guys to help me pass the word out and get more customers in the store. So I guess that I need prayers and people. Here is my need.
On a lighter note….
The world will not hear from Tommy for another week as he is probably on Tantoine slicing up sand people by the droves playing Knights of the Old Republic. I am playing the game for the third time as a female scoundrel (who knew). It is addicting! Meghann – just bear with it and if you need any counseling, speak to my wife about X-Box. May the force be with you Tommy as it is with me.
I am excited to see that Jim has finally purchased a new SUV. Blaze new trails my friend. I have at least 5-6 customers a day asking about you. They want to know how you are doing and if you like your new job. I tell them that you are well considering the slave environment that you have found yourself in. Seriously, thank you Jim for everything that you did for us. The store wouldn’t be where it is today without you – that might sound like an insult but please understand that it is a complement.
If there is anybody out there or you might know somebody, locally, that really likes to walk and wants to get paid for it please e-mail me. I am looking for someone to pass out flyers for two days a week.
I look forward to being seven years old next weekend with the rest of you guys that are going on the retreat. Mostly, I love eating chocolate chip cookies with the Great Prince (if you don’t get it, ask Joe Boyd for a copy of “A Tale of Two Cities”).
Money, religion, politics
Of all the fore mentioned items, I do believe that I have a decent grasp on the latter two. Hopefully the money will come to me some day – soon I hope (all this hard work for nothing is a hard one to swallow).
For the most part, I usually discuss my thoughts on “religion”. This is my passion and it is what I live for – if for no other purpose but to serve my King. However, I have been studying politics, laws, history and society for most of my life. I had a teacher in high school and one in college that made these subjects intriguing for me and I have been hooked ever since.
Lately, I have been reading “Who is Looking Out For You?” by Bill O’Riley. I like Bill. He is very analytical and he doesn’t take one side of the argument and run with it. One of the things that I admire about him is that nobody is free from his inspection. Left and right sides of the arguments are scrutinized. He researches the subject and comes up with his own logical conclusion that is based on facts– this is a quality that, in journalism, you rarely see.
As I watch the local and world news, I see the media lean more to one side of the argument than the other. Examples: Israel and Palestine, the former race for governor of California and “global warming”: all of these have been slanted so far that you never hear the other side of the argument and therefore you can’t decide for yourself. I thought that the job of the media was to present the facts in a story and not to write their own story? Because of my skepticism of the media and politicians, I prefer to look at all sides of the argument and not take one side or the other. If I do end up going with one side, it will be based on facts not rage. Most of us will deny that the news events and political matters will shape our thoughts and life but it is truth. It shapes our society and even art and music.
I know that my thoughts on these subjects will piss some people off, but if is really makes you mad, get your own damn blog site.
Blah
I have had one of those weeks that I know in the future I will consider great joy but right now, it is painful. I have learned a lesson that is bitter sweet and in a heartbeat, I will do it again in a different way I’m sure.
The sad thing is that this experience has created a great distrust for others that I never had before. I find myself skeptical of every stranger that I meet; whereas before I would trust damn near everybody that I had a two minute conversation with. Maybe I am wrong but aren’t we, as disciples, supposed to have a more trusting heart than most? I know it exposes our flank, but how else are we to come close to others? I feel stupid, ignorant, and foolish. However, in the same breath, I feel loved, honored, and valued. I have a host of family that came in at a moments notice and worked at the store for me. You guys make me speechless. I’m sure I’ll come up with something to say, but in my heart I am unable to find words.
The preacher in training (Keith) said something profound! “We realized, why don’t we feel better, if in fact we are the church. We are leaving out many of the activities the church practices, so Allan and I read Corinthians to each other, it was amazing, it read like new, it revitalized me. Ramon and i prayed together. These things along with singing hymns and spiritual songs, confessing, memorizing scripture, all combine with the sharing of possessions we are trying to practice, the loving we are trying to do. Joe said yesterday, and alluded to Dietrich Bonhoeffer who said, the concerning my interaction with the community only works when the Christ in us, talks to the Christ in you, through Christ (due to our weakness and depravity). Kind of extreme, but a good point, and it has truth, we are bad at lovingly talking to each other, I’m bad at getting my point across at all with some people, I need Jesus to translate, and to help me know what to say, and know how to say it. Our weakness is his strength.”
Have you ever met someone that has similar passions as you do? Three years ago I met a man just like this. When we talked, our minds were in tune. When we searched for Him, we complimented our findings. We experienced the kingdom, life and joy together. It was strange. There has only been one other person in my life that has this similar attribute and I married her. This relationship, I think, is comparable to Paul and Silas, or David and Jonathon. Anyway, he went to Phoenix to learn how to make guitars and maybe further the kingdom along the way. It has been 2 months or so and it is safe to say, I miss him. I feel silent and contained. There is a great spiritual bond that we have and it seems like it is in hiatus. Although he is away, I still get to visit his beautiful family from time to time.
Gene I hope that you are doing well brother. Take comfort, our God is with your wife and daughter. I am praying for you. On our next meeting, we will have to share our adventures of late over a glass of 18 year old scotch.
Keith – keep up the profound statements but don’t limit it to once a week for 45 minutes on a stage ;)
Peace
The VILLAGE VOICE last week declared MIRAMAX/DISNEY's KILL BILL "The Most Violent American Movie Ever Made," and the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER warned it "oozes, drips, flows, gushes, splatters... scalps, limbs and heads are freely removed from characters' bodies."
If you are a "girl or boy you must go and see KILL BILL and you will have a damn good time," Tarantino said this weekend in London, "boys will have a great time, girls will have a dose of girl power."
When pressed about his KILL BILL recommendation for "girls and boys," Tarantino explained the film would be okay for kids starting at 12-years old.
"If you are a cool parent out there go take your kids to the movie," he told a reporter.
A top DISNEY source reveals chairman Michael Eisner has become concerned MIRAMAX is pushing the envelope too far with KILL BILL.
"Look, the movie is ultimately a WALT DISNEY concern, we've moved so far away from PINOCCHIO and BAMBI," a top DISNEY source said from Burbank. "[KILL BILL] has led to a deep reassesment of the situation and relationship [with MIRAMAX]." - drudgereport.com
samuri Mickey at last - a movie that will be worth watchig!! i'm all giddy about it. me thiks i got goods bumps.
i'm going to go take a cold shower.
Questions
I can’t think of any. Shit!
Oh wait, here is some.
These are in my head and my heart. I ask them out of wonder and out of deep love. These are asked not out of disrespect.
As disciples, are we supposed to ask for forgiveness for each and every time we cuss, lust and fuss or is it part of living in the kingdom and we are supposed to walk in His forgiveness knowing that it is our life’s work to turn from things of this world?
Is it wrong to be successful? Meaning is it wrong to have monetary success and have a nice house and a car? If yes is the answer, then why is heaven’s streets lined with gold? Why did Jesus have no problem with a woman pouring perfume over his feet that had a value of $50,000 (or a year’s wages)? If the answer is yes, why did God grant Solomon riches along with wisdom?
Do the rich need to be saved or are they doomed after $100k?
How does flipping off a Hummer further the kingdom of God?
How did Jesus hang out with hookers, drug dealers and the poor without talking like them (cut out the political correctives b.s)?
Why can’t I heal someone with cancer? Not pray for them, hug them and love them – I mean a genuine walk up and show the power of my God kind of healing?
Are we supposed to give to people who don’t work (2 Thes. 3)?
Frustration has set in.
I am at my wits end. I am tired. I have lost much hope in this store. There are days that I dread going to this place. If it wasn’t for the people that I have met here, it would have been over by now. Day by day I am still amazed that these customers seem to care so deeply for me. I care for them greatly but I never expected anything in return. There are others that just think that I am just a cheep bastard for not lowering the price of the product that they want so badly. But for the most part, I can’t begin to explain the connection.
I feel so lonely. It is my own damn fault too. I get so busy about futile things that I don’t spend time with the Master. I feel very similar to Tommy in that I suck at loving Him. I am deeply in love with My King. I think about the kingdom life often but I can’t seem to find time to spend with Him. I get frustrated at others when I see them pursue fruitless things and not stay the course but yet I hardly glance at my own life and see that it is clear that I am not following my Master. Forgive me.
