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Richard Rider Rant
Save the Economy – Dig and Refill Holes
The best solution is under our feet
By Richard Rider, San Diego Tax Fighters chairman

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.

The man is a genius
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
The economy is so bad...
  • 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 just too funny
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
With Our Lower Gas Prices, Drive Faster

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.

Not in Poland
It doesn't work for Poland - dollar is too expensive so petrol is not so cheap.

Richard Rider Rant
False Illegal Alien Stats, and Why You Should Be Suspicious of Internet Chain Letters

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
Richard Rider Rant: Government Craziness

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
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
Richard Rider Rant: Fires, Home Prices

Six Items – Five on San Diego fires, last one on home prices.

Richard Rider Rant
Richard Rider Rant: San Diego Firestorm 2007

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.

Investigate CalFire & US Forest Service.
(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...

HawkTrek
Advisor's Experience in San Diego Firestorm 2007
We made it through, no thanks to politicians.
By John L. Hawkins

Boomer Advisor is published by Advisor Media at our office in San Diego. For several days we lived the nightmare known as Firestorm 2007, later called the Witch Creek Fire (though it was actually several fires in different places). Our office wasn't threatened, unlike the Cedar Fire of 2003, which burned to just a block from us. None of our San Diego-area staff was harmed and their homes all survived.

But it was a scary situation. Wild fires raged in various areas of the county, and they stopped more by luck -- a change in winds -- than by anything people could do.

Anatomy of a Disaster under the IRC
This link is to an article I wrote that might be very useful for victims of the wildfires. I wrote the article after the Cedar wildfires in October 2003. Your readers might have to register on SSRN...

Richard Rider Rant
Walmart Nets 3.4 cents per Dollar – Greedy?
Where's the proof of price gouging?
By Richard Rider, San Diego Tax Fighters chairman

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
To my library-loving critics

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
Thinking of leaving California? You're not alone.

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 more will be leaving...
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
Richard Rider Rant: Inaccurate rebuttal by a firefighter

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
Richard Rider Rant: Tales from San Diego Firestorm 2007

Eight items, all related to the San Diego area fires. Interesting tales from folks affected by the blazes.

Security.Advisor.com
Beware of Scams Following Fires
Don't let crooks take advantage of you.

San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis is warning residents about scams and price gouging in the wake of Firestorm 2007. "Unfortunately, some individuals use this time of crisis to take advantage of others," says DA Dumanis. "We want people to know the consumer rights and legal protections that are in place as they begin to rebuild their lives."

Damage Assesment Capabilities
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...

Health.Advisor.com
Coping with the Stress of Big Fires and Major Disasters
Tips for dealing with the immediate shock and facing the challenges.
By José A. Álvarez, San Diego Health and Human Services Agency

The October 2007 fires affected people for months to come, and will live in our memories for years. For those who lost homes in the fires, their lives will never be the same.

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I've been on so many blind dates I should get a free dog.