Happy Tax Freedom Day!

Today, April 21st 2007, is Tax Freedom day. Today is the day when the average citizen has worked off their federal and state tax burdens for 2007. The government has contented its self this year with a mere 16 weeks of your earnings.

Aren't you glad you could work 16 weeks out of the year for "The Man"? Look around at all the splendor the government provides you in return. Well maintained and regularly cleaned streets; a foreign policy predicated on making friends and allies around the globe; a top notch ferderal disaster response team; protection from virtually all crime; a transparent government run by politicians of the highest moral fiber; a strong stable currency; a good trade balance with foreign nations; a strong labor market that rarely loses jobs oversees; unintrusive and highly effective airport security; courteous and helpful civil servants who are eager to handle your specific request at the DMV, IRS, TSA, ICE etc; and reasonably priced health care are just a few.

Oh. Um. that 16 weeks (i.e. 1/3 of your pay) doesn't included the hidden tax of inflation (which is caused by the federal reserve using play money to buy the bonds we use to cover the deficit. but thats a whole different topic). Thats an additional two weeks.

Oh and one more thing. April 21st is the Montanan Tax Freedom Date. If you live elsewhere it might be different. Californians (just as random example) will need to work 16 more days (May 7th) to achieve 2007 tax freedom. But its worth it, right?

Further Reading: Tax Freedom Day - The Tax Foundation

Labels: big government, California, economics, Montana, taxes

I'm back from my sojourn to California. I had some thoughts of skipping it this year and pleading busy. But a promise is a promise, so off I went. In hindsight, I am glad I did.

I very much enjoyed my trip. I got to spend a lot of quality time with friends and family. Thank you to all of you who made the time. I don't think I've ever has so little time to kill on a trip back. I miss you all.

For those keeping score at home this is my sesquicentennial post.

Labels: California, family, friends, vacation

On top of an active plate boundary is probably not the most ideal location for a major metropolitan area, Much less four (I'm counting Seattle, Portland, San Francisco Bay Area, and the Greater Los Angeles Area, your counting might differ). It's probably hypocritical of me to bash the Gulf States and not mention the doom and gloom that's eventually in store for some lucky location on the western seaboard. Though, at least the west coast can comfort its self in the notion that earthquakes aren't a yearly calamity.

Recently the active faults have given California a warning shot in the form of a mild 4.3-ish quake. Now is the time to check your earthquake kit; friends. If you have an earthquake policy make the payment on time this month.

Speaking of which, Yellowstone Park is up to some of its own unusual antics. Some normally clear water is getting discolored and normally dormant geysers are coming to life. Its going to be a mess when that volcano decides to be born. I hear FEMA loans are 3%. Yes! Construction money!

Here is a nifty USGS offering: Interactive map of California Earthquakes.

Well. That might have been the most pointless post ever.

Labels: California, earth science, opinion

I had some California observations and predictions; and since this is my damn blog I'll share them all mixed together to make it hard to tell fact from fiction.

• The water infrastructure needs to be replaced wholesale very soon Californians will be asked to pass what might be the biggest bond measure ever. I predict utter disaster.
• At some point there will be no more money to continually replace HWY 1. Which is the only thing keeping California from being claimed by the ocean.
• Like every other government initiative this immigration reform nonsense will prove to be a poor idea, and it will hit California the hardest.
• Californians still seem to have an unhealthy aversion to driving a car older than 5 years. Be it leased or otherwise.
• Its going to be ass hot for a few months. Better to ride it out in an oasis like Butte MT.
• California will shortly change (not repeal) Prop 13 to allow a higher increases in the property taxes.
• Livermore's schools system will eventually implode under its own managerial incompetence. This while Livermore spent 12 million dollars on a face lift of 1st Street that none of the business owners like.
• Meter Maids: Next time your about to give some poor guy a 20 dollar parking ticket, ask: "What would Jesus do?".
• Urban and suburban Californians have all lost 50K on their homes in the last 6 months and don't know it. So those that bought in the last 6 months and had 100% financing are probably upside-down on it. It's OK just besure that you can make that payment and be ready to live there for 7 years.
• The women still wont give me the time of day.
• A big earthquake is coming and California is denial. Considering what has happened to Houston after Katrina I'd be surprised if somewhere like Phoenix is going to be too hospitable.
• Only the tax revenue from big-time Vegas style gambling can save the bloated government now.
• California: Worst Wal-Marts in the nation.
• Most Californians live like blissful automatons unaware that their liberties have been so horrifically curtailed.
• Californians aren't enjoying the movie star governor thing as much as they used too.
• With all the stations going Spanish Butte MT might now officially have better radio.
• Concord: Trust me, by the time you manage to shut down your airport so you can build some condos on that land your home market will suck so bad you'll ban new building (and have no airport).
• Pacific storms are only getting stronger as the world heats. Good luck with those levees.
• Hey! Turbo Diesels get comparable (if not better) gas-mileage than hybrids. Do the earth and yourself a favor and buy your self a sweet ride. Yah know, like one that someone else might want in 3 years when you want a new one.
• If you can leave; do so. The following states don't have income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Two others, New Hampshire and Tennessee, tax only dividend and interest income. Trust me it wont kill you to live elsewhere (but avoid Texas they have weird booze laws).
• The Mexican food is still excellent, and worth the trip.

Wow, more cathardic than I thought. I love you guys.

Labels: California, opinion

Howdy all. Just back from my late Spring California trip-o-goodness. For the ones I got to see it was fantastic and for the ones I didn't I'll labor extra to catch you next time. I'd like to re-extend my invitation to all you to come visit me in Montana. This spring/summer would be an excellent time. Events of note:

• June 28th - My birthday.
• June 28th - July 4th - "Fireworks Week", the Independence Day Eve fireworks display and the 4th of July Parade. Yes I did say Independence Day Eve. Independance Day Post from last year. Be sure to check out the fireworks movie.
• July 27th - July 29th - Evel Kievel Week Kievel Week Posts from last year

Labels: Butte, California, Montana

Just got back from my Thanksgiving trip. A darn tooten' goodtime. Rocky enjoyed the constant attention but didn't eat much. I got to see mom and the family and that was great. Dave and Noelle threw a fantastic Friends Thanksgiving party as per usual. If you haven't already take a moment and shoot them an email telling them how awesome it is that they host that craven horde of beasts, and then do the clean up.

Robert stares down HWY 93 outside of Wells, NV.

My mom's neighbor's Jeep "Tail Heavy"

Labels: California, family, friends, image