Why Should Congress Repeal the Bush Tax Cuts?

I want to put my two cents into this discussion. In short, I believe that the Bush Tax Cuts should be repealed. I don't earn over $250,000, therefore, I do not receive any benefit from them. I'll admit that. So you're probably thinking that I am just saying this out of jealousy. Well, you'd be wrong.

First, note that you must EARN over $250,000 per year to receive these tax cuts. In income tax terminology, to earn income you must DO something to get it. Investment income does NOT count as earned income. Look it up!

Second, what do you think people who DO earn more than $250,000 per year do with that money? They invest it. Where do they invest it? The stock market. That's the only place to invest. However, where does the money from the sale of stocks in the various stock markets go? That's right. That money goes to the brokers, brokerage firms, and the ones selling their stock. At no time does this money go to the company who's stock is being traded.

Those that want to continue the Bush Tax Cuts say that if these cuts are repealed this money will be lost for the creation of new jobs. However, as I just said, this money does not go to the company. Therefore, the company cannot expand production, research & development, or anything else associated with their jobs.

The only money that the companies receive from the sale of stock is from the company that agrees to underwrite the initial stock sale. This is during the Inital Public Offiering (IPO) phase. A company cannot receive any money except for the shares of stock that is actually purchased. And by SEC regulation, a company cannot just issue stock whenever it wants. It requires an action of the Board of Directors and an actual reason for the additional shares of stock to be issued.

Besides the IPO, the only way a company can receive additional money is through revenue generation or taking out a loan. So, if no one can buy the company's product(s) or the company cannot borrow more money, there is no way for them to receive any more infusion of money.

So the next time THEY tell you that the Bush Tax Cuts will create jobs, tell them to go to Target (or your favorite store) and actually buy something. Until faith in the economy can be re-established, we can keep begging for something to be done.

End of Civilization

As I write this, the United States is at the point of anarchy. The United States Congress has passed a healthcare reform bill. And the GOP thinks that it's the end of civilization as we know it.

As a cancer survivor, up until today I have had to live with the idea that my next job and any insurance I may be offered would deny me coverage. Luckily, in July 2009, my oncologist cleared me and stamped my file closed. I am cured...for now. In addition, I have issues related to other colorectal problems including a total colectomy performed in 2002. At least now I know that I cannot be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions.

I cannot say I totally agree with a government-centric healthcare system. But the previous system wasn't totally working either. Families were being forced into bankruptcy due to healthcare costs that their insurance refused to cover much less pay.

Thank you Democrats for passing this bill. It is a right move. As for the end of civilization, I think that happened when Dubya began a war in Iraq that he had no plan to end.

Getting Started..Again

In a little less than 8 hours, my second semester of graduate school at MTSU begins. I am enrolled in another three classes like I did last semester. This semester I have Seminar in Database Management, IT Project Management, and Case Studies in IT Project Management.

This year, the Info Systems Department at MTSU is implementing what I call a hybridization of the way their graduate courses are handled. All of my graduate classes are implementing online requirements. Many classes will meet "in class" biweekly. In between, students have an online requirement. Other classes are meeting 1-2 months in class and then going into an online environment.

Last semester was kind of fun. One of my classes did the biweekly approach. One class did the 2 months in class with 1 month online. The third class was a graduate-level credit version of an undergrad course. It met every week. And with what we cover, I'm certainly glad it did.

I only have one returning professor from the Fall semester. I look forward to his class this term. The other two professors are new to me. I have only heard a few things about them. But I'm sure that they "know their stuff" or they wouldn't be on staff at MTSU.

I established a bit of a personal benchmark for the coming semester. I earned straight As in the Fall Semester. So I have a personal goal to maintain that 4.0 average through the Spring.

Number 44

Today is my 44th birthday. To everyone that reads this, I thank you. For those that catch me of Facebook, thanks again.

Am I happy? I don't think I've ever been happy. I always seem to prefer the word content. I have always been particular about my choice of words. That's why when you talk with me, I will often say "I'm going to say this, but it isn't really what I would like to say. I just can't think of the right word."

So with that said, I am content. I walked out of a job in July that I was beyond disappointed with how it was going. You just know when you are up against a force that you can not make any progress. It was just time for me to leave.

I am now two days from my second semester in grad school. I have another three classes: IT Systems Development Project Management, Seminar in Database Management and IT Project Mangement Case Studies. After a perfect 4.0 Fall Semester, I have established a personal benchmark for the Spring term. :-D

Getting Started

I have been debating the idea of blogging for a few months. I just completed a course in my first semester of graduate school where the professor had us write very pointedly. I thought that maybe a blog would be a good opportunity to continue this and practice it further.