President Bush and the Economy

Warning: This is a bit of a rant.

This morning, President Bush addressed the economy. And I as listened, I couldn't help but feel the rage. Along with the usual fear mongering on the War on Terror, he also put in some pretty predictable jabs at Congress, insinuating that the economy issues we are facing are somehow the fault of the Democrats.

Anyway, some of the predictable highlights from President Bush on the economy:

• We need keep the bailout train moving with more de-regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
• ANWR is the answer to energy problems.
• The tax rebate will stimulate the economy.
• Corn ethanol is our innovative renewable energy.
• Tax cuts for the rich should be permanent.
  

I disagree on just about every point. After all, continuing to bailout bad decisions (by investors, home owners and mortgage lenders alike) will ultimate put taxpayers on the hook down the road.

And don't get me started on ANWR and ethanol. Whoops. I'm already started. ANWR would need at least 10 years to figure out if it's even viable, and cost billions. And corn ethanol is just a nod to Big Ag -- a nod that would take corn as food and turn it into a rather inefficient fuel source. Shouldn't that money be used to support American ingenuity in finding better renewable energy sources? If we developed current technology, by the time ANWR was ready to be drilled, we could have advanced beyond on the need to drill ANWR.

Tax cuts for the rich, and tax rebates aren't going to create a sustainable economy. All it does is ultimately cost more (that tax rebate is a loan, which will have to be paid back with interest) for the middle class -- which has been getting the shaft for years. "Trickle down" my foot. The middle class works harder than anyone else and gets the worst deal. That hasn't changed.

There are no quick fixes to this problem. During his first term, President Bush tried a tax rebate. You can see the result today. Easy credit, an emphasis on spending to drive the economy and continued deficit spending has taken its toll. Announcing drill in ANWR or de-regulating government chartered agencies aren't going to fix that. Not now. And not 10 years from now.

Tags: President Bush, President Bush economy, ANWR, mortgage,
economy

Professional Blogging Round Up: Earth Day Edition

Earth Day, of course, was earlier this week. And I went crazy blogging about it. SO, here is what I wrote for Earth Day:

1. Save the environment AND money. I tell you how over at Yielding Wealth and the All Business Personal Finance Corner.
2. You can save energy by changing how you do things in your home office (or computer room).
3. I talk about a product called Green Mortgages at LoanShak, Lending Leaves, and the Banks.com Mortgage Blog.
4. The Harlem Hip-Hop Tours Blog even got involved, with a post on what some involved in the hip-hop world are doing to promote a healthier Earth.
5. Want to MAKE money while going green? You can do so with some environmentally friendly investing ideas.

Tags: green mortgages, earth day, professional blogging, environmentally friendly investing,
hip-hop tours, save money

Spring Time and House Guests

I wish Spring would arrive. But it's snowing (and I mean blizzard snowing), and I'm not sure we'll see spring. It reminds of when I lived in Cedar City and we went straight from winter to summer in practically no time. Except that happened during the month of March. This hasn't happen the three years I've been here, so why now? (More proof that we should focus on air quality instead of global warming.)

But enough of that. This time of year is also when we see an increase in house guests. I like this. Josh's relatives (this year it's his cousin at BYU) generally stop here before heading back to New York for the summer. And if my siblings get bored (like my brother did last weekend) they'll come and visit for a couple of days.

This is fun because it gives us an excuse to eat out, stay up late and laugh loudly. And I feel "cool." I know I'm not, but it still makes feel "cool" that all these younger people want to hang out with us. Well, I guess we are cooler than parents...

So this weekend I'm excited for more people to visit. Just need to decide where I want to eat...

Earth Day: All This Focus on Global Warming Bothers Me

It may seem strange, but one of my environmental pet peeves is the focus on global warming. And this Earth Day, the focus seems to be especially strong on global warming.

This bothers me.

Why? Because it's so easy to turn global warming into a political issue. And that turns it into something debatable. Even if we establish that global warming is happening, debate turns to whether or not humans are causing it, and whether or not humans can do anything about it anyway. Then the debate ensues over whether anything really should be done.


Personally, I think the focus should be on air quality.

Instead of global warming, let's focus on air quality. No one is disputing that breathing bad air is bad for you. And there is no doubt that there are plenty of practices that pollute the air. Many of them involve burning fossil fuels.

Unfortunately, the Bush Administration has rolled back a lot of clean air requirements. But we don't focus on that so much because we're focused on global warming. There are solid steps that we can take to improve air quality, including requiring cleaner emissions and developing renewable energy, rather than relying on old-fashioned fossil fuels. And, of course, this will take care of global warming as well.

The environment should be a public health issue. Not a political issue. And as long as we keep the rhetoric focused on global warming, very little will be done.



Tags: global warming, Earth Day, air quality, global warming debate,
focus global warming

Professional Blogging Roundup: Tax Day Edition

Tuesday was Tax Day. Here are ALL of the posts I wrote:

1. Banks.com Mortgage blog.
2. Paying taxes on your investment earnings.
3. Tax Day is over. Get ready for the next Tax Day.
4. Lending Leaves mortgage financing blog.
5. File your tax return -- or no tax rebate.

And because these sad little ghost-written blogs need some link love, here is what I wrote about Tax Day on THEM:

1. Sedona Real Estate Blog.
2. Kapolei Real Estate Blog.
3. Baton Rouge Real Estate Blog.
   

Quick Reminder: You Need to File Your Tax Return

Just thought I'd wish you all a Happy(?) Tax Day! Remember that if you want your tax rebate, you have to turn a tax return, whether you need to or not.

Enjoy!

Gonna Pay My Taxes. But Not Til Tomorrow.

I owe all sorts of taxes. It's the joy of owning your own business. The good news is that last year I converted from a sole proprietorship to an LLC. This means that I don't have to try to come up with $15,000 for taxes (and even saving all year round, that's hard to do).

But the really tag end problem is the 1st quarter taxes I owe for this year. See, I went to an accountant this go, and the nice man prepared coupons so that I can pay quarterly. SO I still owe last year's taxes and I have to start paying on this year's.

This is, of course, my own fault. This is something I should have looked into better. You know, five years ago when I started freelancing.

So I'm waiting until the last possible minute. It doesn't change anything. But it makes me feel as though I'm keeping the money longer...

Tags: pay taxes, Tax Day, LLC, sole proprietorship,
freelancing, money

Professional Blogging Roundup: April 11

Another week gone by. I am a little bummed this weekend, since I was supposed to go to Boise. Not an exotic or especially fun destination, but my uncle lives there, and we were going to see some friends.

My husband went (he's presenting at a conference), but I'm staying home with The Boy. My first experience with being truly inconvenienced as a mother. But The Boy had the pukes yesterday, so we're taking precautions. If he does have something, we don't want the McDaniels' lovely baby girl exposed.

So, anyway, this week's goodness. And because I need the link love, there are four this go:

1. Rap meets ballet in Atlanta. Still amazing that I'm writing for this hip-hop blog...
2. Is your ARM due for a reset? Prepare now so that it doesn't ruin your family budget. (Please, please if you can -- give it a Digg!)
   
3. Are you afraid of investing? Here are a few simple investment strategies that can help you overcome that fear.
4. At Yielding Wealth we're having a "discussion" about the penny. Is it worth it to save them? Do you save your pennies? I'd love to know. Head on over and leave a comment with your two cents.

Tags: professional blogging, rap ballet, ARM reset, save pennies,
fear investing, investment strategies, family budget

New Baby (Not Mine!)

My brother's wife just had a baby. It's their first child. My brother seems sort of shell-shocked. I went to the hospital to visit. I walked in, and was encouraged to hold the baby. I did. Cute baby. Lots of hair.

No baby hungry emotions.

Sometimes I think that I should be baby hungry. You know, since The Boy is five and a half. But nope. Sometimes when I'm playing with my sister's baby (who is 9 months), I think it would be fun. And it's not like I'd mind having a baby (I mean, I do like The Boy better than I thought I would). I'm just not chomping at the bit.

Which is convenient. Because Josh is still traumatized from the year and a half he spent as primary caregiver...

I loved this cartoon. Great stuff!

And, as a professional blogger, I thought I'd let you know that it's not all fun and games. The New York Times recently did a story on how stressful blogging can be.

Professional Blogging Round Up: April 4

Another week gone by. The sheer joy of it all. Feeling frenzied, so here you are:

1. No one seems to know if we're in a recession. What IS a recession, anyway?
2. What should you do about money when you've gone through a divorce? This book has practical tips that work even if divorce isn't in your future.
3. Big oil gets big profits. Again. Do we really need to subsidize these companies with taxpayer dollars?
   

My Son Is Ready For Kindergarten -- Once He Learns to Rhyme

A couple of weeks ago, I took The Boy to register for kindergarten. "They," of course, did an evaluation. The evaluator was blown away by The Boy (as I frequently am), until it came time to rhyme.

He wasn't very good at it. The evaluator was puzzled. "He has all these sophisticated skills," she mused. "How is that he skipped rhyming?" I shrugged, trying not to let my incredulity show. The Boy can sound out and read simple words and she's concerned about his ability to rhyme on demand?

"It's obvious you read to him," she pressed. When I said nothing, she continued: "Well, he's definitely ready for kindergarten. Just make sure that you get his rhyming up to specs over the summer."

I'll tell you what I didn't tell her: The reason The Boy sucks so badly at rhyming is my fault. I never got into singing silly songs with him, or other such mothering standards. I like reading, and I'll read to him for hours, but I'm not into singing kids songs.

When The Boy listens to music, you can bet it's stuff like Glenn Miller (which he loves), The Killers, Sarah McLachlan, Mozart and another assorted big band, alternative and classical tunes. We sing Oingo Boingo's "Stay" together, but I'm not singing "Did You Ever" with The Boy.

But I don't want him to be put in some sort of "remedial" type kindergarten group, so I'm pulling out the suggested songbook from the kindergarten readiness packet I got. Looks like instead of enjoying REM's new album this summer we'll be rocking out to "Turtle Talk" and "We're Going To The Store."

I can't wait.

Tags: ready for kindergarten, kindergarten evaluation, kindergarten readiness, mothering,
rhyming skills

Socialized Capitalism

You all know I don't do this very often. But I'm really excited about my Yielding Wealth post on socialized capitalism. So, if you have Digg (or want to sign up) head on over and Digg the story on socialized capitalism. If you'd rather just look at the story instead, head over to Yielding Wealth and read the story on socialized capitalism. Leave comments, please. Even if you don't agree.

I want to know why we're okay with all sorts of socialism, but we get upset over universal health care...