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
- 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
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.
Richard Rider Rant
For two years or more, an inflammatory anti-Mexican immigrant (legal and illegal) chain letter email has circulated the Internet. It lists a series of truly disturbing statistics demonstrating that these illegal immigrants (ALL people of Mexican descent are assumed to be illegal immigrants) are the number one problem in America -– raping, pillaging and welfaring their way across the land.
Richard Rider Rant
Public vs. private salaries, California business climate, Republican Party straw poll, make a will, fire fighter jobs, beach booze ban, Second Amendment, Omaha Mall shooting
My husband and I saw you on KUSI Sunday morning news and found your thoughts on San Diego's economy to be very informative. Please add us to your e-mail. Thank you
Richard Rider Rant
Six Items – Five on San Diego fires, last one on home prices.
Richard Rider Rant
This is devoted entirely to fire fighting in general, and the San Diego County fire disaster in particular. The good news is that -- at TREMENDOUS expense and tragic loss of life -- we had an opportunity to learn from the 2003 massive Cedar fire, with four years to implement needed improvements and reforms. The bad news is that, in some critical matters, our politicians and bureaucrats didn't seem to learn a damn thing.
(An interesting letter to the Editor I copied. This could also be applied to CalFire refusing to use the DC-10 Supertanker in the BEGINNING of the San Diego fire (wind or no wind)when the fire could...
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
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
My column in North County Times questioning the ancillary functions of public libraries brought a storm of protest from library lovers. Well, a squall at least.
http://nctimes.com/articles/2008/05/29/opinion/rider/doc483ee3f9b66bd295...
What struck me about the criticism is that many of these supposedly well-educated folks apparently read no further than the headline before firing away in the online comments section. Either that, or their vaunted reading comprehension remains at third-grade level.
Richard Rider Rant
The recession is upon us.
While still not official, most agree that we are in an economic downturn. Unemployment is rising, housing prices are plummeting and energy costs are soaring. As a result, in this election year, the federal government is offering tax rebates (admittedly ill-advised) to lessen the pain.
But in California, politicians think there are only two times to raise taxes -- good times and bad times. Oddly enough, this is one of those times.
Many of us predicted exactly what has happened to California, years ago.
Take Housing:
Back in 1998 and even as late as 2002 when everyone was saying to buy homes in places like Los Angeles and San...
Richard Rider Rant
Here's an inaccurate printed rebuttal column, written by a firefighter, responding to my North County Times op-ed on "Expanding our Firefighting Options."
Richard Rider Rant
Eight items, all related to the San Diego area fires. Interesting tales from folks affected by the blazes.
Don't let crooks take advantage of you.
When disaster strikes, crooks crawl out of their holes to "help". You can count on it happening, so you need to be on guard to protect yourself.
For instance, when San Diego was hit by a huge fire, San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis warned residents about scams and price gouging. "Unfortunately, some individuals use this time of crisis to take advantage of others," said Dumanis. "We want people to know the consumer rights and legal protections that are in place as they begin to rebuild their lives."
As an alternative to both the insurers damage assesment and that of an expensive public adjuster you can hire a certified appraiser who will provide an unbiased damage assesment that you can...
Please Feedback to the Editors
Do you have thoughts on an ADVISOR site, publication, or article? Do you have a Boomer Years story to share? Please click here to contact the Editors. You'll be helping us give you the information and advice you need. Also, you can discuss a specific story topic with other readers by using the article's Comment form.
If you must hold yourself up to your children as an object lesson, hold yourself up as a warning and not as an example.
What's YOUR Boomer Story?