Here’s
a depressing comparison of California taxes and economic climate with the rest
of the states. The news is breaking
bad, and getting worse, so I keep updating this
article.
INCOME TAX: California has the 3rd worst state income
tax in the nation. 9.55% tax
bracket at $46,349. 10.55% at
$1,000,000
Richard Rider Rant
Richard Rider Rant
One of the modern day rationales for bigger, more expensive public libraries is free Internet computers. Supposedly vast numbers of San Diegans lack Internet access. Maybe that was true 10 years ago – but not today. It’s sad to see library lovers flailing around for such silly reasons to justify not only maintaining but expanding public libraries.
Today, computers are a cheap commodity. A netbook computer can be purchased new for under $300. Fully functioning used desktop systems on CraigsList can go for under $100 -- about the price of one expensive video game for a PlayStation III.
Richard Rider Rant
The best solution is under our feet
Many folks look back fondly on FDR’s efforts to pull us out of the Great Depression. Killjoys point out that FDR’s deeply flawed policies didn’t work – we had the longest, most sustained depression since perhaps the Renaissance.
At least some solace is taken from the widespread assumption that WWII finally bailed us out. Perhaps some see today’s overseas adventures as serving a similar purpose in this economic tailspin.
But we don't need no new stinkin' wars to "stimulate" the economy. I have a FAR better plan.
Mr. Rider, I can see why you weren't elected for mayor. You obviously suffered from the Adlai Stevenson effect! Thank you for pointing out the absurdity of the money system.
Richard Rider Rant
Here is a depressing comparison of California taxes and economic climate with the rest of the states (version 1.37 of my report). The news is breaking bad, and getting worse:
California has the 2nd highest state income tax in the nation: 9.55% at $48,000 income, 10.55% at $1,000,000 income.
California has by-far the highest state sales tax in the nation, 8.25% (not counting local sales taxes).
California has the highest state car tax in the nation, at least double any other state: 1.15% per year on value of vehicle.
Great article I must say. California is where our home and business are. We are experiencing all of the above, BIG time. I don't know why I was urged to read your article, but I did. California is...
Richard Rider Rant
This recession is bad, but for men, it is REALLY bad. According to US NEWS & WORLD REPORTS (May, 2009), "Men account for nearly 80% of the jobs lost since February 2008."
There are higher job losses in manufacturing and construction, where far more men than women are employed. This recession is the opposite of what has been seen in past recessions, where women have often lost more jobs than men.
Richard Rider Rant
Where's the proof of price gouging?
Here are facts from a mostly-accurate email circulating the Internet. The emphasis is on the size and impact of Walmart.
The part that interests me most is the profit margin. When all is said and done –- including paying corporate income taxes, Walmart nets about 3.4 cents per dollar of sales, an amazingly low figure for a retail non-grocery store. And this is a consistent pattern year after year.
Richard Rider Rant
Funny how the TV news and headlines screamed "windfall profits" when gas prices soared, but now there's no mainstream pundits telling us why prices are now almost one third their peak a year ago. Did the Scrooge oil companies suddenly get visited by the ghost of Christmas Past and Future? Did altruism overcome greed?
It gets even more interesting when the numbers are adjusted for inflation. Gas is the cheapest it's been since 2002.
Richard Rider Rant
Government's actions to "fix" the financial situation are both amazing and disheartening. The magnitude of the nonsensical bailouts is simply breathtaking. I just can't keep quiet about it.
How you feel affects your desire for new things.
Here's research that hits close to home. Because when you're feelin' blue, home is where you want to be.
This is more than common -- it is behavior you can count on, say researchers at University of California, San Diego (UCSD).
An international team of social and cognitive psychologists devised experiments to confirm that a negative mood makes us seek the familiar. And the opposite: Feeling happy makes us want something new.
This article has some interesting points. Like the baby example is so true, my baby always wants to run away when he's happy. I should of known about this information all along. But good stuff, I...
Richard Rider Rant
- CEO's are now playing miniature golf.
- Even people who have nothing to do with the Obama administration aren't paying their taxes.
- Hotwheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM.
- Obama met with small businesses to discuss the Stimulus Package: GE, Pfizer and Citigroup.
- McDonalds is selling the 1/4-ouncer.
- Parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children's names.
- A truckload of Americans got caught sneaking into Mexico.
This list is awesome. Thanks for the laugh!!
Epic lol - Even people who have nothing to do with the Obama administration aren't paying their taxes.
Cheers,
Chris
Richard Rider Rant
One bad aspect of the current downturn is that politicians are desperate to collect "their" revenue from the hapless population. It looks like a major push is on at the federal level to require out-of-state vendors to collect sales tax from buyers. Fortunately y’all can afford it – and politicians assure us it is a FAR better option than actually reining in runaway government spending.
Richard Rider Rant
Casino indians receive enormous windfall profits from their government protected gambling monopoly. The actual dollar amounts are hard to glean -– the indians are no fools in this matter, keeping their cards close to the vest. Most tribes in California are rather small -– unlike their casinos. Of particular interest to me is the per-indian gambling profits.
From time to time a number leaks out -– an innocuous factoid in a story about tribal activities. Such is the case in a recent story on the Sycuan Casino in San Diego County.
Imagine a country where Vegas resort clones are just like any other business, and they can be opened anywhere there is space. The appeal of this is that casinos rarely fail - after you deal with the...
Reinvent yourself to survive and thrive.
An old joke is, "What kind of work are you out of?" Except maybe now it's not a joke. Another old line is, "What are you going to be when you grow up?" But I think, if you have the right attitude, that's still a good question.
One day soon (if it hasn't happened already) you'll wake up with a new goal: Find another way to have fun and make money.
Richard Rider Rant
Back in June of last year, I calculated the value of saving gas by driving slower. See http://www.advisor.com/boomer/blogs/richard-rider/putting-actual-dollar-...
We should look at the bottom line numbers again, since gas is now about 1/3 what it was then.
Assuming gas is $4.50 a gallon, if I drive 65 MPH instead of 75 MPH, the extra time driving translates to a fuel cost savings of $9.87 for each extra hour behind the wheel. Better than minimum wage, and tax free. But not a big savings.
It doesn't work for Poland - dollar is too expensive so petrol is not so cheap.
The Un-Comfort Zone
I was abruptly awakened and told, "The house is on fire. Go outside!" As I ran out of my bedroom and into the hall my socks slipped on the polished oak floor. A guiding hand helped me keep my footing and a frantic voice urged, "Hurry! Hurry!"
As I got to the door I looked over my shoulder and saw flames leaping out of the heating grate on the floor. The door was thrown open and I was shoved outside into the carport. "Go stand in the driveway and wait for me. And, DO NOT come back inside. Do you hear me? DO NOT come back inside the house!"
I totally agree with you that Fear is a powerful motivator. I fear I will not be able to pay for my loan so I have to work very hard everyday. I fear bad food will influence my health so I try to eat...
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