Taxes

OK, so I've been thinking about taxes lately. Any politician that mentions raising taxes when they are running for public office has committed political suicide. Taxation is not the most important issue here. What needs to be considered is what the tax is being used for. Obviously, a tax that is used to increase our military force, and hypocritically, our "national security" is a tax that will fail miserably. On the other hand, if a tax increase will benefit 90% of the citizens of the country, then maybe the tax should be considered.

For instance, if increasing taxes would allow the country to implement socialized health care, a chance that would help millions of Americans, wouldn't that be something worth paying a little more out of your paycheck for? Personally, I think that doing something like this is our moral and ethical duty as Americans. I don't feel that this is a political issue at all to be honest. I really feel that the amount of extra tax dollars that we spend would be made up for with our saving on co-pays, office visits, etc. Plus, wouldn't it be nice to be able to go to the doctor when you're sick instead of worry about how much it will cost? I can't say that I've had to go to the doctor for an actual sickness since I've been on my own insurance, but I'm not anxious to deal with all the crap paperwork and nonsense that always goes along with it.

I'm anxious for the day that America notices the benefits of preventative medicine through a Universal Healthcare System. The beauty and simplicity of such a system to us would be mind-blowing. Just go over to Canada and talk with them. They have no concept of health care and money; the two just don't go together in their minds. Wouldn't that be great? Imagine the culture of a nation that doesn't put a value on health. Everyone has the right to be healthy, don't they? Shouldn't everyone have the right to be healthy at the same level? We shouldn't have to rely on the Emergency Room when the flu has progressed into Pneumonia. As Americans, we have work to do. In foreign countries, they protest, even riot to let their voices be heard. Today, what are you going to do to make your voice be heard?

Whatcha gonna do?

I just don't get myself lately. I'm such a girl about relationships. I think I've seen too many damn romantic comedies in my lifetime and now I think that all relationships should be perfect - and thats crap.

Sometimes I just wish relationships were easier. And, maybe they should be. Maybe the relationships that I've been in in the past were not right. Maybe the right relationship should just come easily to me.

Oh yea, so today my Mom calls me up and says "You wouldn't believe it. Stephanie caught Jason and Angie in bed together!" I nearly shit my pants. I was about to get in my car and go beat Jason's ass. Thankfully though, she followed this with "APRIL FOOLS!" My heart was racing like crazy.

Well, I hope everyones March was pleasant. Let's hope for a genuinely beautiful April.

Random Thoughts

1. "Hey ma, whats up? Lets slide. All right, all right. We gonna get it on tonight. You smoke? I smoke. I drink. Me too. Good, 'cause we gonna get high tonight."

2. Buying a house has gotten me to think a lot about other peoples choices regarding money. I've determined, and obviously this is my opinion, that there are a lot of dumb people in this world. Honestly, a guy I work with is looking to buy a bike for himself and his wife. Now, not that this is a big deal, because its great that he is looking to improve his fitness and get out... but let me give you a quick rundown. He hasn't ridden a bike recreationally in 10 years (according to him anyways so I believe it). So, he went to the local bike shop - Velocipede Peddler and picked out a bike for himself and one for his wife. Now, given that he hasn't ridden a bike in such a long time, you would think that he would be reasonable about starting with a quality bike, but to save some money in comparison to the most expensive bike since he probably isn't sure that he will love biking anyways. Well anyways, he is buying the $2,500 bike. Plus, he plans to spend $800 on the accessories (biking shorts, etc) to go with it. Now, I guess this shouldn't bother me at all, and maybe I should be happy that he is using his money *cough* to stimulate the economy. But, at the same time it irritates me in the biggest way. I honestly hope that I'm not jealous of him in any way, cause that is pathetic... but WHY DOES IT BUG ME?! DAMN IT! I just wish I didn't care sometimes. I just don't understand why people find the need to buy the most ridiculous stuff - it makes me hate being an American. We are such a consumerist culture that it sickens me. Maybe I'm just a big hypocrite though. I am the one buying the house. I guess I feel torn sometimes... fuck.

2. I've been listening to some kicking music lately too. Big fan of the Stereophonics, even though I haven't listened to them very much.

3. I felt such a sense of satisfaction today. The douchebags that live on the first floor of my apartment have gotten in the habit of kicking the apartment door in when they want to enter instead of using their key like decent people. So, having seen this multiple times, I called the office to complain about that, along with several other BS things that have been regular occurences in the complex since they moved in. None too surprisingly, nothing changed. UNTIL TODAY. The maintanence guy was working on the other side of the building when the aforementioned douchebags kicked the door. He bitched them out. I had the biggest sense of greed wash over me. I wanted to get that satisfaction over and over. Those fuck-butts deserve to be thrown out of here. I swear, if they don't have a meth lab going on in their apartment, I'd be surprised.

4. Kira and I haven't talked much this week. I haven't tried to call her at all, and it hasn't been all that hard to be honest. I'm not sure what to make of that, but I guess I will just figure that it has to do with how busy I've been all week. Buying a house takes a lot of extra time. I've learned a lot about home ownership already and I haven't even closed on the house yet (by the way, that should happen next Thursday!).

5. The NCAA tournament is on TV. I can't say that I have the same interest in it as I used to. I guess thats to be expected though. We're not in school anymore and a lot of friends are moving away. There obviously isn't as much of a connection to the college scene anymore. I do still want to have my college buddies come visit though. Maybe when I've moved in and am settled I'll invite them up for a house warming kegger or something. From my experience kegs usually get friends together... sometimes very close together ;-)...

Anyways, enough of my grumblings. Maybe I'll be able to devote more time to future grumblings. Oh yeah, probably about more politics because with the campaigns getting into the swing of things, I'm sure I'll have a lot to vent about. Yes, me venting about politics and stupid people - exactly what you want to read I'm sure. Oh well, its my journal and I do what I want.

Um, yea...

Again, posting bad news. Kira and I decided to take a break. We'll see where this goes... That being said, it looks like I'll have some more free time to hang out. Give me a call and we'll hit the town. I could use something to do to get my mind clear.

Peace.

HOLY CRAP!!!!

New pictures!