Measures 66 & 67 - Same ol BS

Robin's Commentary

when it comes to raising taxes in Oregon, my first inclination is to vote NO for several reasons.

#1 local and state government has not proven to me that they can manage money properly

#2 I am broke!

What really throws a red flag for me is any time that they mention a tax measure will

"These funds preserve class sizes, save jobs for teachers, provide seniors with in-home care, and provide health care for thousands of Oregonians through the Oregon Health Plan."

I don't want to just walk to the ballot box to vote no, I want to run.

how many times have we been fooled by this rhetoric?

It's for the kids...BS!

I also find it interesting looking at some of the flyers in favor of these measures. for example...

"It's simple: Corporations should pay more then $10 in Oregon income taxes"

"The Plan: Increase the $10 corporate minimum income tax to $150"

First of all the ads are making it sound like all business only pay $10 in corporate taxes. not true

It is true that Oregon's corporate tax rate is 6.6% and is subject to a $10 minimum tax.

secondly, they are throwing around the word "CORPORATION" to give the impression that we're only talking about businesses like Nike, Albertsons, Exxon, etc. and forgetting that there are a large percentage of corporations that GROSS under $100,000, which is not a lot of money in this day and age.

Heres a little bit of trivia, did you know that corporations and other business also pay any PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX IN THE STATE OF OREGON?

Oregon Department of revenue Oregon law requires all personal property to be valued at 100% of its real market value... listing should include items that have been fully appreciated, in storage, our expense... and must file a return by March 1 with a listing of all assets, data acquisition, cost, and a statement of real market value. [Believer or not, this does include toilet paper... seriously]

Back when I had my business that meant I had to include everything within the business to include sales counters, clocks, toilet paper [seriously] any inventory and test equipment, computers, store signs and the list goes on.

When I bought my business, the owner was anxious to sell before March 1 because after March 1 the new owner gets stuck with these taxes I've never heard of before. Basically, it blindsided me with a unexpected $5,000 bill and that was back in 1995.

One of the other arguments that I love, "97.5% of taxpayers will not see their taxes increased."

While that may be true, common sense says that any time that you increase taxes on businesses of any size, they will pass that increase to the consumer.

Oregon also has a self employment tax which covers all business in Oregon. Part of this self employment tax in Lane County is for LTD. [never have ridden the bus, but I sure I paid for it]

The only good thing that I can see in favor of these measures is that people on unemployment will get a tax break on the first $2400 that they receive in unemployment benefits.

I always thought that taxing unemployment was dumb in the first place, but then again we are talking about Oregon.

my opinion: bring a child across the border illegally, the parents should be jailed for child abuse

Robin's Commentary --
{based on Oregonian editorial December 23, 2009}

Immigration reform is in the news again, this time regarding a 21-year-old Rigoberto Padilla who was brought here at the age of six illegally by his parents and is now scheduled for deportation on December 16.Last week, he was arrested for driving under the influence.

Padilla has pleaded guilty to the charge of driving under the influence and is currently wearing an ankle bracelet. He is also working two jobs to finance his education at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

"But he's also working two jobs to finance his education at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Students know him as their friend and classmate. Professors know him as a smart guy with leadership potential, whose brain is simply too good to waste. Or to deport.

Shouldn't that count for something? "

So the issue comes down once again to the law versus emotion.

On one side of the coin, supporters of the amnesty movement argued that we should have amnesty because we are splitting up the families.

The other side is claiming, "what part of ILLEGAL do you not understand?"

Everybody has an opinion on how we should handle the illegal alien issue, including myself which I will discuss later in this posting.

For example,

"Last week, Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, D-Ill., introduced legislation that he called "C.I.R.A.S.A.P." (Comprehensive Immigration Reform As Soon As Possible). The bill would strengthen enforcement, provide a path to legalization for illegal workers, and also create a standing commission, similar to the Federal Reserve, to regulate labor flows."

The "dream act", which is a bill to amend the illegal immigration Reform and immigrant responsibility act of 1996 to permit states to determine state residency for higher education purposes and to authorize cancellation of removal and adjustment of status of certain alien students who are a long-term United States resident and who have entered the country as children.{Link}

And of course there are others who feel that we should just have open borders and just let anybody come and go as they please.

The latter of course is not practical. It would just be like leaving your front door unlocked and open to anybody that wants to come into your house.

Another argument for immigration reform is to keep families together. I relate this to the burglar that breaks into your house. They fully understand the consequences of getting caught. Entering a foreign country illegally is no different.

However, when you enter a foreign country illegally fully knowing the consequences of your actions and you bring your children into that country illegally you have started a whole series of events that affects a child's life forever.

CHILD ABUSE

And that brings me back to cases such as Rigoberto Padilla.

He did not have any choice or say in the matter of coming to the United States. Chances are he does not even remember his home country.
So deporting him is like exiling him to a foreign country. To me, that is what seems inhumane.

WE CREATED THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM

We as a country have turned our back to illegal immigration in exchange for slaves wage labor, and we only really started to complain when the numbers grew enough to be noticed in the mainstream which started threatening our culture and language.

So we have to take some of the blame and do something about it.

Well here's my suggestion...


the first thing that we have to do is close the door and start getting serious about enforcement.

Children like Padilla who were brought here at an early age with verifiable documentation should be allowed to become United States citizens.

Their IMMEDIATE FAMILY ONLY should be given the opportunity to apply for citizenship under the INS regulations currently in place which include speaking and reading English. Special allowances of course for the elderly and others as listed in the INS regulations for the English requirement could be waived. In other words, they have to earn their right to be here by making an effort to assimilate.

Everybody else would have one year to return home and to apply for citizenship, Visa or whatever to get back in line like everybody else.

After that one year, we start getting tough on immigration. The penalties for entering the country illegally change from a misdemeanor to a felony with the possibility of imprisonment.

Employers who hire people that "do not have the right to work here" may also face penalties and imprisonment.

This way in my opinion, we are in a sense apologizing for our lack of enforcement and giving the opportunity of families to remain together.

Not a perfect solution to a difficult problem, however, if we do not do something now, the problem is only going to get worse as the numbers increase.

as predicted like a hungry dog waiting on a bone Police are looking for people talking on the cell phone

Gazette Times --

Oregon State police had already begun stopping motorists for talking on hand-held cell phones however, most aren't given tickets yet according to an official on Monday.

It appears that most drivers are following the new law said Lt. Gregg Hastings of Oregon State police.

"The sense I'm getting is that it looks like we handed out three times as many warnings as we did citations during the first weekend," Hastings said.

Hastings and other law enforcement officials warn that the grace period will last long and talking on the phone without a hands-free device could cost you a $142 ticket.

I agree and I disagree with this law.

I agree with it because there are some people out there that can't walk and chew gum at the same time chatting on the telephone and are oblivious to everything else around them.

I disagree with the law because on the other hand there are people like myself who are used to using a communications device in a vehicle where it's not a distraction at all.

What I would rather see happening is to see somebody get a citation if they are involved in an accident or have caused an accident because they are chatting on the cell phone.

What I do not want to see happening is law enforcement officers now looking at people with cell phones as a source of revenue like they do with the seatbelt law AND I would rather see "law enforcement" officers focusing on crime and public protection.

Yes I can just see it now where law agencies are sending out patrols and roadblocks looking for people who are using cell phones like they do with the seatbelt law.

Here's a scenario... the scene, police roadblock.

Officer: ma'am, have you been using a cell phone without a handset?

Woman: no officer, I have not been on the phone at all.

Officer: ma'am step out of the car please and show me your left ear.

in some institutions, if you only speak English, your skills are "not strongly desired"

Robin's Commentary --

Follow-up on a previous article

In one of my previous commentaries, titled "this article should be interesting to follow..." in which I was talking about the unemployment situation and brought to light Lane community college's preference for a maintenance job in Florence that they are advertising in their job description as follows...

0600537
Job Title: Part-time, Temporary Maintenance Worker/Custodian Florence Center
Classification: Maintenance Worker {link}

"As a vibrant educational institution, Lane is continuing to attract and retain a diverse student population. We are seeking qualified staff and educators to meet this need. Preferred candidates will be able to demonstrate active dedication to enhancing diversity and the role-modeling of cultural competency. Bilingual skills in Asian and Spanish languages are strongly desired. "

An interesting turn of events is that one of my regular readers/commentators Bobkatt, sent an inquiry to the HR person at LCC asking exactly why knowing Spanish/Asian languages would be a condition for a custodial job.

Here's a reply that he got...

"Greetings,
I am not sure if this is a question or a statement. It is a very good inquiry. The Asian/Spanish language preference is not a requirement for a job unless specifically stated. Any preference listed in a posting, including bi-lingual skills, is a focused skill that would bring benefit to the students or position.

If you have not done so already, you may view a list of open positions by logging on to our "Employment Opportunities" website at https://jobs.lanecc.edu. To be considered for any open positions, applicants must submit their applications and required documents electronically. As you read the postings take special note of the Minimum Qualification sections. In order to be considered for a position ensure that your application and/or hiring materials demonstrate how you meet the minimum required experience and minimum required education listed.

Preferences are not required for you to apply to or be considered for a position."

that is a BS statement if I ever heard one.

IF YOU TAKE THE OPPOSITE OF THAT, IT IS LIKE SAYING THAT ENGLISH-SPEAKING IS STRONGLY UNDESIRED!

Think about it.

If you are a black person and you see an advertisement stating that "Whites are strongly desirable", are you going to apply for that job with any real expectation that you'll even get an interview. Probably not.

In fact, the NAACP would be all over this one. Without a doubt, this is outright discrimination based on skin color. So why do we tolerate with language?

"Preferences are not required for you to apply or to be considered for a position." That is correct. You can apply for any position you wish to. I could apply to be a brain surgeon at Sacred Heart Hospital. I would not have any chance of even being considered because I don't have any medical training, but I can apply for it.

I mean there are special circumstances where I could see a language requirement, same thing that there are some jobs that have a gender requirement. However, those are special circumstances and are normally very rare.

Additionally, if the business or institution is also promoting this type of language discrimination, just like with any other EEOC requirements, if they are federally funded than their funds should be withheld.

In the same manner, I don't think discrimination should be tolerated in any business.

So if you see a similar job posting somewhere else, send me a note and I'll post it here.

And let's let the marketplace decide by voting with our dollars.

this article should be interesting to follow...

Robin's Commentary

As I am doing my search on the web for news articles to post in the blog, I came across this little interesting segment in the statesman Journal blog page.

It's entitled, "EileenDiCicco's page", who is a former Statesman Journal employee now seeking employment and wishes to share her experience with others to hopefully be helpful to people in similar circumstances.

"I had hoped to have a job by Jan. 1. This is the longest stretch of unemployment I have ever experienced and no good prospects have materialized so far. Nevertheless, I have received some great training to improve my Microsoft Office 2007 skills; I've taken an online grant writing class and have begun utilizing what I've learned; and I've taken a Web design class. I have invested in computer software so I can continue to build upon what I've learned from home. I am volunteering my time and talents to several worthy organizations: Marion-Polk Food Share, Salem Leadership Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and Faith Evangelical Free Church. I have been blessed with some freelance writing and editing that has supplemented unemployment.

I am contemplating self-employment and seeking direction from the Lord and other resources in what that might look like. I know I have marketable skills and talent, I just have to discover how to persuasively present them to those who can benefit from them and are willing and able to pay a fair price for them. For years, I have been a faithful and diligent worker bee for others. Now I need to look at the option of working for myself in the service of others. It will be an exercise in planning, faith and empowerment. I welcome advice as I traverse uncharted waters during this season of my life."

Of course, I wish her the best in finding employment. I think that goes without saying. But I also think that she's going to get a little surprise that may open her eyes wide open.

For example, a letter to Lars Larson that he read over the air from a lady with 29 years experience in radio. In her letter, she commented that she had had several interviews where she was perfectly qualified for the job except for one little detail... SHE DID NOT SPEAK SPANISH!

She ended her letter stating that she is taking courses in Spanish just so she can get a job.

I have run into the same situation. Lane community college for example has a job opening for a maintenance person in Florence.

"SPANISH OR ASIAN SPEAKING PREFERRED!"

What I think is really interesting in all of this, and some will call it reverse discrimination, so be it. But what happened to the EEOC where they are not supposed to look at your race, gender, etc.

And before you shut out the race card... let me make one little point.

This is still America and the primary language here is still English. If we wish to cater to other languages as a courtesy, that is fine. I have no problem with that. I do however have a problem with people who have violated the sanctity of our borders and insulted the people who have spent the time, money and effort to come here legally and to be a part of our society.

But I digress.

The other issue that she's going to find difficult is that a lot of companies are only hiring over the Internet. In addition, these companies are using services like "Taleo" which utilizes keywords to filter out your resume before a human even looks at it.

All that talent and education that you may have now becomes a guessing game.

I don't know what the answers are, but I do know that if things don't change they are only going to get worse.

Hey Brain, what you want to do tonight? take over the world? No Pinky, Were Going to Map the Internet in Oregon.

Statesman Journal --

Pinky: what?

Brain: that's right pinky... I have a new plan?

Pinky: and what's that Brain?

Brain: the Obama administration created the American recovery and reinvestment act and were going to get $2.1 million of it.

Pinky: But Brain, that's an awful lot of money.

Brain: Absolutely Pinky. We will use $1.6 million of the funds to develop broadband service maps and $500,000 will analyze barriers and increase awareness of the technology and offer other digital literacy programs.

Pinky: that's wonderful Brain. Do you think they'll actually go for it?

Brain: they already have Pinky... they already have.



National Telecom and Information Administration American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009

"analyze barriers and increase awareness of technology..." like give me a break... this isn't some third world country out in the middle of nowhere. (well maybe, we are talking about Oregon with chief Kulongoski at the helm.)

And as for mapping the Internet... thanks to cellular companies such as Verizon I can connect my computer to the Internet just about anywhere in the state of Oregon.

and I would think that there is a pretty good chance that Verizon and others have already mapped the Internet in Oregon.

And finally the question that comes to mind... how many jobs is this going to create?

It's our money folks!

“the IRS is unable to verify eligibility for the majority of Recovery Act benefits at the time a tax return is processed.”

The New York Times
Obama's administration's economic recovery plan passed by Congress in February as a means of stimulating the economy provides $252 billion in tax breaks to individuals and $74 billion to businesses.

According to a 17 page report by a watchdog agency, thousands of American taxpayers incorrectly claimed more than $500 million in tax benefits for first-time homebuyers.

"The watchdog agency also said Tuesday in a separate report that an I.R.S. program that has issued more than 14 million taxpayer identification numbers to immigrants is plagued with fraud that costs the government billions of dollars in improper tax refunds.

The report found that nearly 70 percent of such numbers should not have been issued because their applicants provided murky documentation. The numbers, called individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITIN), are typically used by immigrants who are not American citizens or by permanent residents who have entered the United States legally. "

As of July 25, the report said that 73, 799 taxpayers had claimed over $504 million in credits for the first time homebuyers program.

ITIN numbers are valuable because they can be used to claim federal tax credit refunds and obtain certain child tax credits. They can not be used to claim so security payments or earned income tax credit.

need I say it?

What I will say however, I looked up my Social Security number today and it turned out that my new name is "Heidi".

Connie Hines from Mr. Ed, dead at 79

Statesman Journal--

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Actress Connie Hines, who played Wilbur’s wife on the popular 1960s television show “Mister Ed” has died. She was 79.
Her “Mister Ed” co-star Alan Young told the Los Angeles Times that Hines died Friday at her Beverly Hills home from complications of heart problems.

for those too young to remember, Mr. Ed was a talking horse and I thought it was a good series for what it was. Rest in peace Connie

the politically correct crowd loses another battle

posting number 900!

The Oregonian --

Lebanon Oregon --

After a single complaint from a parent in the fall regarding the song "silent night" being too focused on religion, Pioneer School Principal Mark Finch removed this song from the holiday programs list of songs.

After the students finished their concert Tuesday, Lebanon School Superintendent Bob Hess told the Albany Democrat Herald that about 100 out of about 700 people in the audience began singing "Silent Night" anyways.

sounds to me like the political correctness crowd is starting to lose its grip area, and just like with the example of the Christmas tree being replaced with snowmen, just because one person has a problem with it don't ruin it for the majority.

Bravo for the people of Lebanon!

ANOTHER NEW SEATBELT LAW-- Gad! when will it stop!

KOIN --
Well as we get ready to enter 2010, like with the beginning of each and every year, there is a bunch of new surprises in store for us and some of us are aware of it, while others is the first time we've ever heard of it.

Well this is the first that I've heard of this new law which requires all drivers and passengers to be wearing seatbelts in public areas, including parking lots and recreational areas.

Until now, you are not required to wear a seatbelt until the driver reached a public street.

the new law, which would be a Class B traffic violation of $142 for failure to use seat belts if anyone younger than 15 is not properly belted.

now gimme a break whose bright idea was this one?

Well let me point out just for the sake of argument, back in the days when I used to assist with traffic accidents that I have seen my share and there is no argument on my part that seatbelts can save lives. However, I think trying to regulate it in a parking lot is going a little bit too far.

I mean what is going to be next? Are we going to soon be required to wear a helmet while traveling in a motor vehicle due to the amount of head injuries resulting from accidents?

You know, it would not surprise me one bit that some idiot would actually propose that.

And why stop there, what about walking? Walking can be a very dangerous activity. Should we all be required to wear protective gear when we leave our house in case we fall? How many injuries do the hospital see every year from fall injuries due to walking?

Then maybe we should start regulating shoes. They did overseas. I believe in Japan, it is illegal to wear platform shoes while driving a car. But what about high heels. They are dangerous too. Especially the little spike high heels.

What about long hair? How many injuries has been caused because hair got tangled up in the machinery are like one article where a woman's got ripped off because her hair got sucked into a fan. And I think the one that I am referring to is actually in Eugene if I remember correctly.

I guess my point is, just how far are we going to go with this?

I grew up in an era where I could ride my bicycle with no helmet, no padding and yes I had accidents, got scrapes and bruises and maybe a few scars, but I learned from it.

Well, I can rant and rave for about five pages about something as stupid as this, but I will conclude by saying that it is really disappointing to me that in this RECESSION that laws like this are not only being introduced and passed an even more importantly with the public not being aware of it or even allowed to vote on it, it is no wonder why we are in such a disastrous economical situation as we are now.