The Bail Out of Wall Street - Thought For Today

Yes. We need a solution for the crisis on Wall Street. A news paper article titled caught my eye this morning. It said, "...bail yourself out..." Those are my thoughts exactly.

As a rule when we "the working poor" find ourselves in a mess, we work it out or go under. The government is not likely to come along and bail us out. We don't make enough money for it to matter to anyone but us. AND, we have to pay taxes on the little that we do make.

Question: How many of the companies that want this bail out, actually pay taxes?

Possible solution: If the tax payers income are to be the basis for a successful bailout of Wall Street, how about EVERYONE pay a flat tax rate. I mean EVERYONE.

As an example: If I made $40,000 a year (a good year for me), and paid a flat rate of 10% of my earnings in income tax that would be $4,000 to the government. Though that is a drop in the bucket to them and may not do anything to help bail out Wall Street.
If my neighbor, raked in $400,000 and paid the same flat rate, he contributes $40,000 to the up-keep of our government/country. That's better
If Big corporations (who generally don't pay taxes, thanks to all the tax breaks) brought in $400,000,000. Our government gets a whopping 4,000,000 to help take care of our country's needs. That would help much more. There are a lot of big corporations out there.

Just a thought! Are you thinking? If you wait for the government to do it for you, you have too much faith in the nature of the beast. Sometimes (maybe) our representatives will look out for us(the working poor). But, a lot of the times, they just look out for themselves (themselves and those that will help them get more).

Oh. By the way. Who is buying up all that low cost stock now? Are foreign countries buying up America, one stock at a time?

Check out a blog by Joseph E. Stiglitz, a professor at the Columbia University. Here is a thinking man. http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS, ADS, ARTICLES, BLOGS, EARN BIG

>

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS WITH VIRTUAL TRAINING

LEARN TO WRITE: Ads, Articles, blogs and earn BIG!

I have been searching for a long time now। Trying to find a way to get a grip on how to use my computer affectively and what are the technical terms that I need to employ. I get so caught up. It feels like I live at the library. I keep looking for some book that makes since. My problem was, none of them made since. I needed step by step instructions with pictures, preferably, on how to write ads, articles, blogs and earn big money too!

I found my first great book. Its called “Publishing a Blog with Blogger” A Visual QuickProject Guide. Published by: Peachpit Press. You can find them on the web at www.peachpit.com. My husband use to say, '...you give'm book, you give'm books, and all they do is look at the pictures...' Well, when it comes to computers I need the pictures. I need words that help me to understand just what I am looking at. I need to know, what's the operation I'm performing. This book showed me the technical terms. Showed me how to put them into action. So now those terms are not just words on a page, put a piece of real applicable knowledge in my mind. You are looking at living proof.

When I first started off, the visual was everything. I finally got the basics down. I need books that explain in pictures. I need books that are so simple a 10 year old can understand them. Well, recently, I did get a book that was written by a 13 year old, that teaches you how to create web pages. The good part. It was written in a language that even I could understand. Ever see that show, 'Are You Smarter Than A 5^th Grader? Well, I shutter to think.........

I'm not stupid. Just ignorant. Thankfully I've found some books that are helping me through. I'm getting around on the internet a lot easier, with the help of these Books and Authors:

1. Publishing a blog on blogger. By Elizabeth Castro

2. Blogging with Moxie. By Joelle Reeder & Katherine Scoleri (an easy read and fun format)

3. The unusually useful web book By June Cohen. This book is more technical. But truly well put together.

4. A Kid's Guide to Creating Web Pages for Home and School. By Benjamin Selfridge and peter Selfridge (my latest acquisition)

If you are a true beginner with the internet, I hope you find a virtual teacher to help you along the way too.

Good Housekeeping Article 3/2008
Subject: "4 minutes to stronger muscles"

This article relates the benefits of stretching exercises. Primarily the thigh muscles (hamstrings). Studies conducted in Brazil concluded that exercises designed for the hamstring stretch not only lengthens but strengthens the muscles. The muscles became up to 12% stronger. This stretch also benefits the front of the thigh muscle. For more hamstring exercises check out goodhousekeeping.com/strength

Comments on American Idol Gives Back

For a fund raising event, American Idol Gives Back was a tremendous one. What I liked most about it was that, although it focused of the needs of Africa, It did not leave out our needs here at home. To all who where able to give in this event, Thank You. It was very American of you.

To those who wish to continue to make a difference, check out your local charities.

• As this one is close to my heart, I'll suggest this first. Visit the elderly. There are many that reside in a nursing home, or that are home bound, who would love just to have someone to talk to. Someone who they could share their collective knowledge with. Organize outings (where-ever possible), cook a meal, watch a movie, read to them, give them a hug. They have given to the community during their active years. As a community, lets give back to them.
• Find out if there is an orphanage near, or a local boys and girls club where you might donate time as a mentor.
• The Salvation Army often has help programs for the homeless, that could use volunteers.
• Many of the local churches have programs that provide meals to the elderly and homeless.
• The Aids Foundation in your town may need volunteers.
• The Department of Developmental Disabilities (helping individuals with disabilities learn practical living skills, and integration in to the community.)
• Your local news station may be able to provide you with ideas of programs that are helping individuals during some recent fire, accident, death, etc.

If you want to help, there is usually a way that you can. It doesn't all have to be a devastating situation that needs help. Think how much it might help your community just to get to know your neighbors. Be a part of the Neighborhood Watch, or Safe house program.

Introduction to: The Working Poor

Just who are the working poor? Most of us. The clerks at your grocer, the gas station attendant, the baby sitter, the waitress at your favorite restaurant. We are the minimum wage earners. The regular people, that keep this country moving.

We all have to have a starting place. If we want to ever get that great home, or car, etc. We have to begin somewhere. We begin as the working poor. Just out of high school with no clue as to what I was going to do with my life. I had the great opportunity to join the Army. What a great experience. I believe, one that help me to understand that I could achieve almost any thing. The exposure to many cultures, help me relate better to people. The attention to detail I was taught, helps me to organize and get things done. The necessity to work in tandem with others, helped me to become a team player. I learned how to take orders, I learned how to give them. I learned to be compassionate, and assertive. I learned how to take pride in myself and my country. As things go this was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I learned on foreign soil, just how much I loved being an American. I was in a difficult situation (out of work), when this revelation came to me. You could put me down, any where in the United States and I can make it. Homeless, or penniless, it wouldn't matter. As long as I was in the USA, I could and would survive. I have.

I worked may years, after my army tour, at all kinds of jobs. My goal though, was to own my own business. I didn't know what kind of business. Armed with a high school education, and the skills I learned in the Army, I asked myself what are my options. I can type, I'm good with people. Customer service work is probably what I do best.

I was working as a clerk/assistant manager at a gas station when it came to me. The assistant manager part was just words on a page as far as getting a bigger pay check was concerned. They were "OK" with giving me a title if it would keep me clerking. I also got to do some of the managers work with no extra pay. They did give me a minor raise, to be fair. 25 cents. For that I worked very long days, sometimes a couple of shifts a day. I got to see the manager once a week. The rest of the time I ran the station. Well, they closed the gas station and sent me to one closer to my home. It was at this second store that they informed me they gave me too much of a raise, and would have to adjust the error. That was it! After all that I had done. After the sacrifices to home and family that I made, I felt betrayed. While they needed me, it was smiles and pats on the back. I can't say for sure that they didn't know they were going to close my station, but they must have been talking about it. I was handy, available, and eager to advance to management. They got what they wanted, and in the end so did I. They didn't need an assistant manager any more, but they could still use a (dependable) clerk. They were going to demote me, and cut my pay. I did the only reasonable thing. I quit.

I started my own business Full-Time, with double the pay, that day. I thank them for the push out the door, so that I could get on and get pass them.

This could have been a sob story. But I viewed it as a great opportunity. The difference is, attitude. Throughout our lives we are given opportunities. What we do with them can be life changing. Know yourself, work within your limitations. Reach for the stars. You may have to take a different mode of transport to get there, but If you believe you can reach them, you can.

Well, That's a Wrap...
Nita