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How About A Christmas Tree Tax

It’s about time for the holidays and you should know that you will be paying a little more this year.  I call it the Christmas Tree Tax.  Each farmer who sells their Christmas trees will be taxed (in addition to the regular taxes) a 15 cent tax.  Sure you probably are saying well that isn’t very much and I agree.  You probably won’t even notice the difference but you should know that is it there.  I would categorize this tax as a poke just to see what they can get away with.  It’s not that this tax increase is going to put a dent in your pocket or anything it’s just the principal really.  It’s the continued poking and poking with the fees, taxes, registration, tolls, regulation etc that just gets on your nerves.  It’s the stupid stuff like this that are introduced just to see what they can get away with by poking you a little more and increase it down the road if needed (Oh and it will be needed).

Now for all the people saying its just 15 cents let it go.  Here is a fun fact: 83%+-  of the population are Christians in America.  In 2010, there were 302 million households – you do the math.

It Will Cost More To Send Mail By USPS

It shouldn’t be a surprise really I predicted this many months ago here.  The USPS is one of most pathetic and mis-managed entity.  A company that has always been the same and never evolves.  You would think overtime as a business they would adapt to changes in the economy and introduce innovated technologies and ideas to mail easier and smoother…, however, its the same system only more expensive now.  Each year, as rates continue to increase, customers find cheaper and more affordable options.  It’s almost not even worth it anymore – 50 cents to send a small letter is about 50% overpriced.

As customers sending mail declines the USPS continues with operations and fail to adjust their staff and vehicles to manage less mail.  The infrastructure of delivering mail has been established for many years now…. so how in the hell are you losing money USPS?  It’s all overpriced profit with billions of pieces of mail sent every year! Not to mention all the other revenue streams you have like mail boxes and expedite services.

Honestly, we as customers need to look at this and say when do we just say no and let them fail.  I just tired of hearing all the complaining when I can easily calculate all the profit they are making.  They are just taking advantage of the the people and the system by continually asking for a stamp raise every year.  Perhaps the best option is just to let is burn to the ground and let innovation and entrepreneurs create a new more profitable system.

FACT:  The USPS posted a 9 BILLION dollar lost last year.  The USPS is requesting a 5%+ postage rate increase.

Who Is Bill Bryant?

Bill Bryant is seeking to be re-elected to his job as Seattle’s Port Commission President. Forget any good things you might have heard that he has done. (I can’t recall any, but there might be something). It’s time to say NO to Port President Bill Bryant because he pushed for the largest raise possible for Port CEO Tay Yoshitani during this economic recession. Is he getting a whopping kick back or does he need a couple weeks at Western State for a mental evaluation? This gives the CEO a base salary of $366,825. God only knows how many thousands in perks he gets.

They call themselves public servants, I call them parasites. I have written other articles on this website about the obscene salaries and perks but this article is to alert you to NOT VOTE FOR BILL BRYANT.

The Governor says the state is broke, she may be right but his salary could be cut by $300,000 and it would still be $66,825. Lots of smart people would step right in for that salary. No wonder there are protests by people out of work or who are having their insurance cancelled when this stupid, stupid stuff is going on. Like they say Throw the Bums out. Let’s start with Bill Bryant.

When I voted this time, I voted against any incumbent that is holding office. You cannot reach them, they do not care what you have to say. A little legislative aide will answer for all of them. The King County Council is selling bonds based on tolls even though there is a vote coming up on that, but they will ram it through like they did the tunnel that no one can afford by saying contracts were signed so it has to go forward. If the city, state and fed government is broke none of these expensive things should be considered.

All monies for each branch of government is paid for by workers. None of these places including the port have a money tree but they will tell you it was allocated, or set aside, or approved by the voters ten years ago.

Can Governor Gregoire Create A Budget We Can Believe?

Remember last June when Governor was so upset working on the budget? She said she was cutting/slashing and she did not like what she was having to do at all. She said they worked with extremely low budgets and stream lined everything they did with no frills. Well you already know that is a crock of baloney, when you look at the salaries they pay the top managers, superintendents or whatever they are called. There are many stories in this Emerald City Journal about the superintendent of the school, the president of the University of Washington etc so wont list numbers here but since they are paid by “we the taxpayers” its should be a crime. The June budget she signed made massive cuts to education, including the reduction of teachers salaries of 1.9%. She said she did not like the budget but the state just has no money and there will be another larger cut across the board. BUT, the day after she gave that speech about the budget she left on a trade trip. She didn’t mention that in her speech. Why didn’t she say,” I am going on a very expensive trip, tomorrow with a huge delegation at taxpayer expense”? Before she headed out on her European trade trip with her delegation she said it would cost less than $40,000. But the actual cost(that we know about) is more than double that. Her hotel room in Paris was $500 a night. She had not included the cost of her security, which cost more than her estimate of $40,000. She had not included the wages of the people she took along on this vacation. They all got paid the same as if they were home working on whatever they are supposed to be doing plus per diem’s, $100 dinners , $56.00 lunches. They took in the Paris Air Show and as far as I know A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL. We paid for it. Things have gotten worse and she is going to call a special session to deal with the shortfall, and call for an additional 10% across the board cut. Why would anyone believe a thing she says about spending after that slap in the face with that expensive trip? What plans does she have now that she is a lame duck Governor? She better take all the taxpayer paid trips she can before she quits. For sure we the people should not get hit for a tax, fee, or anything else. Government(all of it) has to stop the spending. Look at Congress doing nothing but fighting with each other and cobbling agreements to keep the government from shutting down all the while spend, spend spend. President Obama has been doing nothing but campaigning since before he was elected. He travels all over in his little Air Force One and costs city’s fortunes by coming to visit, but when he arrived at Boeing field last month Governor Gregoire was right there giving him the thumbs up. She is not capable of creating a budget. She(and most of the politicians) do not have a clue what the word means. For sure it means you cant spend more than you have on hand. A fifth grader would know that. I hope someone really questions her budget numbers because she has proved she has no interest in keeping expenses down. She only wants them to figure out how to suck more money out of us people who are already hurting. I had to really talk to myself when I spent over ten bucks on fish and chips at Ivar.s the other day because it was from my social security check and believe me I know what cut and slash expenses mean. The governor obviously does not. It should be a crime to waste our money the way she did on her trip. She had to know she could not do it on $40,000 and even that was way to much in these hard times. Don’t believe the phony numbers she uses or the crap she says when she says how it hurts her to make these cuts.

Presidents Visit To Seattle, A/K/A Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town

President Obama will be in Seattle Sunday Sept 25th to attend fundraisers. No public events have been announced so why should this be funded by taxpayers? I think it should be paid for by the democratic party completely.

Former Microsoft Executive Jon Shirley is hosting a brunch at his Medina home. This event will cost $35,000 per couple. They are expecting 400 people. A larger fundraiser will be held at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. Tickets range from $100 to $7500. The more expensive the ticket the closer you get to the president. The VIP seating gets you a photo with the President.

I had suggested to Mayor McGinn and each City Council Member to decline his visit. We simply cannot afford him. He is not coming for the good of Seattle in any way. At a meeting of ask the Mayor, McGinn said it would cost between $100,000 and $150,000 for police protection for the president. That is just a drop in the bucket as to the cost. Think of the skies having to be cleared, streets where he travels closed down, all sorts of disruption to the entire city who will gain absolutely NOTHING. The Mayor and Council members say we are completely broke. Why didn’t they tell him we cannot afford to have him come? He has no official business to attend to here at all.

Not only can cities not afford to have him visit but the Federal Government is about to shut down AGAIN because it is trillions in debt. The president is telling everyone we are in this together, we have to cut down the Federal debt but every time Air Force one takes off it costs $214,768, and the cargo plane that flies with it costs $32,140. Then you have the per hour cost to come clear across the United States to ATTEND A FUNDRAISER. How much sense does that make? Every time Air Force One takes off it costs what a family could buy a nice house for, to say nothing of all the fuel he uses. It should be used only as official duties and then very limited. On valentines day he made two trips to Chicago. He attended a train opening 150 miles away but flew there on Air Force one. He could have taken a helicopter or better still bought a train ticket for $90.00. It would have made a better photo shoot. He has blown thru millions on his little private trips and we pick up the tab to hear him tell us times are tough. Time for him to stay home. He said he had visited 57 states(yes fifty seven). Wish the seven states that I cant seem to think of would host and pay for his visits and he stay out of Seattle. This time he is not even going to have time to tell us to tighten our belt. He is too busy attending fundraisers.

For sure we don’t need him to tell us to build more roads and bridges. Have you tried driving around Seattle and not having to detour or seeing something torn up. They have had Corson Ave shut down for over two months “repairing” it. To the naked eye no one could see a thing wrong with it. The street is 4 blocks long and still shut down. Its just like digging a hole and filling it with tax dollars, then wanting another levy passed so they can screw away more money all the while nothing is getting done that is worthwhile at all.

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Obama

Obama Keeps Blowing Money

As reported previously by Lilly, it is now official President Obama will be making a visit to the devastated OSO

Who Is Mayor Bud Norris?

Have you ever heard of Mayor Bud Norris? Didn’t think so. If you did it would be something to try to make you not like him. He makes the spotlight every once in awhile. Two years ago he declared a “Glen Beck” day and gave him a key to the city. Beck is a native son and famous now. Why shouldn’t the mayor invite a famous personality home whether you like Glen Beck or not? But the public had a hissy fit over it.

Now the Mayor is in trouble with the public and city council because he asked the state to deny a liquor permit for a proposed Mexican Restaurant. They want to serve 60 kinds of Tequila @ $8 to $10.00 a drink. There is an establishment directly across the street from this proposed restaurant that has had excessive 911 calls so the Mayor says its just too much booze served in that neighborhood. Public is having a hissy fit again.

The Library sign fell apart and they had to replace it but the Mayor left off one word. The word was “biblioteca”. This means Library in Spanish. He as asked that the phone system not include Spanish in their menu choices.  Another Hissy fit.

The public is calling him a racist. I call him the best prospect for President of the United States. What do you think? Please leave your comments. LLL

Washington State Liquor Control Board – Burning Money

With all the talk about making liquor sales private and them losing money, Washington State Liquor Control Board is now building more luxurious liquor stores.  45% larger than the normal liquor stores they also include in  televisions (broadcasting messages) and a very nice wine tasting bar.  The new liquor stores are very much luxurious.  The stores also feature twice as much liquor which is about 2000 options. 

Don’t believe us?  Got check it out today it is located at:
4100 S.W. Alaska Street

Here is the problem with the Washington State Liquor Control Board and the business they are in. First, they continue to lose money which makes sense because every business the Government tries to run – loses money. That is a given. Second problem with the Washington State Liquor Control Board is that they should only be in control of safety issues and regulations only. They shouldn’t be in the retail business. We need to liquidate the Government’s involvement in a lot of things and anything they do that loses money, over spends, and could be managed and ran better privately should be done as fast as possible. There is no reason to continue on this path. It’s a complete failure not to privatize the retail portion of liquor distribution.

Bridging the Gap Levy & The South Seattle Community College

The day the city council passed an emergency $20.00 car tab fee and the county council voted to put the $60.00 car tab fee on this falls election I emailed every Seattle council member. I got one reply from Sally Bagshaws aide. It shows they just steam roll ahead, spend every dime they can get their hands on whether times are good or bad. I am copying the only reply I had explaining to me how all of this work they are doing had nothing to do with raising the car tab fee. I am not faulting the little aide who’s job is to keep us “complainers” at bay. My point is and was at this point in time McGinn is saying they have no funds for basic maintenance of roads and the schools are even more flat broke. I pointed out that they are spending millions right here in Georgetown (see the Georgetown construction here) that could or should have been put off a long way in the future if they really were strapped for money. They are seriously digging up Corson Ave. I mean digging a couple feet deep, hauling the concrete away and now bringing more concrete in. I mean really rebuilding this road that did not have a pot hole or anything else wrong with it. There is pictures on this website of some of the work.

Friday they brought in a huge excavator and are doing major digging directly across from my house at the South Seattle Community College. The email from the city council is copied below. The Bridging the Gap Levy was passed for the purpose of street maintenance and other emergency work, not to tear up a whole perfectly good streets and leave other things that really need done.

Now all of a sudden they raised the car tab fee to save transit. Buses are running half empty. Drivers are paid the 3rd highest in the nation. They are constantly building big transit stations and on and on. This mess here in Georgetown will not improve driver, pedestrian and bicycle safety one iota.  I read in the paper that the average legislative aide has a salary of $53,400 for a full time worker. Never in your dreams will you find out how many aides we are paying salary’s to like that. These little aides would never in this lifetime understand the problem because they are part of the problem. They are overpaid compared to the private sector and get health insurance  etc, all paid for by our car tab fees, and the Bridging The Gap Levy.

We can’t keep throwing money down the drain.  Both of these projects were not required.  We have roads that are in bigger trouble and that is what the Bridging The Gap Levy was for.  It was voted on to be spent on projects without even a pot hole just to keep workers busy.  If the roads don’t need repair and we have workers sitting around for months then it’s time to get rid of some workers so the balance of supply and demand equals.  It’s the same with any business right?  Times are tough for everyone but that doesn’t mean we just throw money away on “projects”.   

Below is the first email I sent to all the Seattle Councilmembers:

Shame on you guys. You are not short of money at all. You take in billions for roads. You get revenue from buses, lite rail, sounder. $8.00 an hour for parking. Revenue from tabs and registration. 10% from everything we buy. Drivers license, traffic cams and speeding tickets and on and on and on. but its not enough. The transportation dept is totally out of control. Look what they pay their top dog. They are not doing basic maintenance like they should when things are tight like  you say they are. They have re-did East Marginal way, and Ellis Ave and now have Corson Ave shut down, this is the second month. It did not even have a pot hole. Now they fenced in the school across the street from my house and are digging up the beautiful landscaping they just spent a fortune on. I know you will say, the city kicks in such and such, the state kicks in such and such, then thanks to Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Jim McDermott you can always go to the Feds. Shame, you know that it comes out of productive workers pockets. All the same pocket. You think we don’t know but we do. If you are so broke why are you(or some other big spender) doing all this work in Georgetown? The state(we the people) owns the property across the street but you will say it’s the schools money. Attaching a picture I took this morning showing a huge digger in there. The place was beautiful and if the city is broke why are you allowing this to happen. You can see the barrels on Corson. Our street has been shut down for a month and they just changed the signs to say it will be closed until 9/17/11. No parking. I cant even have a cab stop for me, or have anyone stop to deliver anything. You know you cant afford to build the tunnel now too, but you will start it no matter what. Where is Tim Eyman when we need him. He will surface soon I hope. 

Lilly

It appears Holly Krejci answers all the emails when you email all the Seattle Councilmembers in one email. Here is her response:

Hi Lilly,

Thanks for the note.  The City of Seattle is investing in Georgetown roads via Bridging the Gap Levy dollars.  Corson, Ellis, East Marginal South and Airport Way South are being either repaired, restriped and/or repaved as a effort to improve arterial streets throughout the city.  These investments will improve driver, pedestrian and bicycle safety in neighborhoods.  For more information about the Georgetown projects, go to http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/pave_georgetown_streets.htm.

 With regard to the photo you attached, South Seattle Community College has had plans for quite some time to build a new building on that parcel.  It appears that they have started construction on it.  You should also be aware that the greenspace directly in front of your home is slated to become a parking lot.  If you have questions about either of these projects, you should contact Joe Hauth at the college – 206-764-5838 or joseph.hauth@seattlecolleges.edu

Best,
Holly

Well that was no help except for explaining another wasted program and more wasted money.  I figure I better email this Joe Hauth guy at the College and see what going on.  Maybe he can help provide more information.

Hello:

I was surprised to see a huge project being started the same day the city said they have no funds and slapped another car tab fee  but of course they are tearing up Corson when it doesn’t even have a pot hole. Anyway, I would much appreciate it if you could tell me who is paying for the work. I understand the field that you spent a fortune landscaping will be a parking lot. Who pays the property taxes on that property? They have raised my property tax so much I may not be able to even stay in my home so I am beginning to question a few things. If the city, county and state are broke, how can you be doing such an expensive project? Please enlighten me. The city council said to ask you.

Thank you so much,

Lilly

And here is the reply email below:

George Frost asked me to contact you in order to answer your questions about the funding source, scope and timing of the work on Corson Ave S. I am the communications contact for the project and work with the contractor on a daily basis. Your email asks a number of questions and I think it would be more fruitful if I could answer them for you in person or via a phone call. Please call me at your convenience to set up a meeting.
Sincerely
Bob Derry – CCO
Georgetown Streets Paving Program
206-250-2865

My goodness how many people do I need to contact before getting an answer? Who makes the decisions around here and does anyone actually answer any questions about their own projects anymore? I am unfortunately not able to hear well enough to talk over the phone or in person so I left it alone at this point. I wanted it in writing anyway. But he seems to be caught up by my questions that have no logical answer. They are so used to telling us “we are helping you”, “it doesn’t cost you a thing” that when they get painted into a corner they do the wise thing,  just wont answer.

Seattle DSHS…Hurting Or Helping Society

The Seattle Times had a picture of Gerry Ketchum, a Work First program supervision looking at the empty cubicles in his Belltown offices. He looks so lonesome. Maybe they can tape in some music like, “Are you lonesome tonight or something”. He says its like a ghost town and he just stops and wonders where all these people went. Well for sure they went on unemployment for the next year or so and they are not hurting. Obviously the world is still turning and the sun still keeps coming up so we will survive . He should realize DSHS has gotten so big that no one is accountable to anyone and it’s time to revamp the whole DSHS Agency.

I do not have a dog in this fight. I have never applied for welfare or food stamps. But when you look at people who you know that are on welfare and in subsidized housing it hurts. They are doing way better than I am in my old house and I worked all my life. That’s upside down to my way of thinking. You look at the gangs of young people hanging out everyplace and they certainly are not looking for a job. Who would hire them with their hat on sideways, pants on the floor, and ring in their nose. I live right beside a “welfare house” apartment. The residents are drunks and druggies and fairly young. They should not get a “stay at home check” so they can party 24/7. It’s a terrible dead end life but Seattle DSHS is making it possible. If these people had to get up every morning and go to a cafeteria type place for their breakfast, they would be way better off. Serve them up a good one. Make them help with clean up. Then they can go where ever they want until lunch and can come back and eat again. Have a dormitory type place where they can go sleep. The only requirement is they must be drug and alcohol free. You don’t help these addicts by giving them money. You do not feed their children. You simply are enablers.

The State has laid off 13% of their workers and said that was 4,700 job cuts. If that is the case then they had 36,153 workers. When you consider that only a few of these workers actually do something like repair offices or haul something the big majority just sits and decided who to hand taxpayers money to.  From many many stories the Seattle DSHS Agency is not following through on cases, and handing out money that can’t be accounted for, kids are being left in danger and more and more people are given checks and subsidized housing, with almost no questions asked. Look at the latest nightmare that DSHS created and now taxpayers will have to pay the damages, not the workers that caused it. (Read Here) It’s a horrible story about DSHS placing children in bad environments.  Wouldn’t you think the safest and most common sense approach would be a another family member (Grandma or Aunt Mary in Florida).  I know DSHS hears some terrible stories but every family has a good citizen and/or a couple happily married who would accept their own blood.   Did you know DSHS gets paid per investigated complaint and/or action?  Take note, DSHS is a messy Agency that needs a lot of work and as long as they are paid for complaints and doing action they will never care about the outcome.  It’s will always be in the best interest to find fault and spend our money on worthless programs that do nothing to correct society problems.

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