A new hero arises . . . . (Here we go again)

Okay, ENOUGH of the politically pushed praise articles about Elizabeth Warren praising her (FINALLY) common sense, no fear approach to the class warfare argument.  Please.  It's the same punish the rich song and dance just sugar-coated for the masses.  YES, the rich company owners/founders built their empire "moving their goods on roads the REST OF US paid for" (Did you see that?  Them vs. us?  What is that?  YOU used US? And oh, yes, those of us who AREN'T rich also use the roads WE and THEY paid for.)  "Safe IN YOUR FACTORY because of the police and fire forces THE REST OF US paid for."  I've heard that last bit before, word for word.  Oh, yeah, just the line before, and last I checked, the police and fire forces protected THE REST OF US as well.  In fact, they protect us ALL. Including the factory owners who ALSO paid taxes for that.  See, that's the point.  They DO pay taxes, and they DO pay a higher rate than MOST of us.  It's just that Obama, Warren, and their like minded politicians feel that they must be punished for being TOO successful and pay even MORE so they (the politicians) can give away more money to their own designated recipients.  Which probably DON'T include MOST of the "rest of us".

Now.  I'm probably going to be instantly and automatically classified by most of the folks who blindly go along with whatever their party or favorite political personality say I should be classified as.

Well, you're wrong. Completely.  I guarantee it.

While I don't think ANY tax increases are appropriate at this point in time due to the economy, that also DOESN'T mean I feel that "the rich" (Sorry for the quotes, but I'm fairly certain I don't agree with the current Administration and Power Structures definition of rich) should not pay taxes.  However, I also don't feel that it should be up to politicians to decide what the official dollar amount you become "the Rich" and what the "fair share" is.  Please.  from their perspective, the more money THEY get, the more votes they can buy. (Note:  I didn't mention political party here.  One party or the other MAY be more or less guilty at one TIME or another, but they BOTH do it.)

I'm nearly getting sidetracked.  Okay.  She's NOT saying anything that hasn't been said before regarding rich vs. poor.  She just says it more politely, and maybe even a bit less masked.  Still.  It's the same song and dance.

My thoughts?  (Not that EITHER side will go this way).  Leave the taxes exactly where they are.  If you want to TRULY cut the deficit, then STOP spending more than we take in.  Even with the 1.2 TRILLION tax increase Obama proposed and Warren is (Nicely) agreeing with, it's basically STILL increasing taxes AND increasing spending.  The proposed cuts are merely cuts in the amount of increased spending.  Not a true cut.  Heck, a FREEZE at current spending levels would be better.  But of course, it wouldn't create more GOVERNMENT SEIU jobs, thereby creating MORE dues revenue, thereby creating more money for political donations.  Connect the dots.

And yes.  The dots are there for the other side as well.  I'm working on those.

I just wish I didn't have to DO dot connection for either party.

I've come to the conclusion that in reality, the Washington politicians are (Most, not all) only intrested in job creation/saving for their OWN hide/party.

A friend posted a link to a "Rich" person's thoughts that AREN'T Buffet's own self serving rants. (Want to pay more taxes, there's a form for that that DOESN'T involve raising them for everyone.  Go ahead and fill it out for your OWN self. :)  )  While I don't agree with all of it, it's more reality based than anything Buffet, Warren, and Obama could even think.  Here it is (Thanks Dave!):  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-cuban/mark-cuban-government-taxes_b_974009.html

New challenges, new perspectives.

Life has a way of making you appreciate things in a new way.  Especially starting up a new job in a field you haven't been in before.  It's enough to think "Wow, I haven't done this before but they believe I can do this. (Not factoring in your OWN thoughts that you MIGHT be able to handle this, otherwise you wouldn't have applied).  It's that rush after the first day that you've gone through both stumbles AND successes that you see that  "Wow.  I thought I MIGHT have it in me, but it turns out I really DO!"   Sounds like an insignificant thing, but sometimes the direction you're headed is so far from what you've done it's more of a milestone.  It gives validation to the saying that if you believe in yourself, you can accomplish what you set your mind to and do it successfully.  I didn't do everything perfectly, heck, I stumbled MAJORLY in the first "trial by fire", but I held together, regrouped, and nailed the second one.

Never give up.  Push yourself.  If you want, TAKE a different path.  Experts will judge you both fit and unfit.  That's their opinion.  If you want to try the path, persevere and work.  Maybe it's ultimately where you don't want to go, maybe it is.  At least you put your full effort into it.

One day down.  Several successes and one "face plant".  Day two is coming up.  I believe it'll be a full success.   Confidence in learning from both the successes and stumbles.  That's the way to make the most of the challenge.  After all, life is boring without challenges.  And THAT'S really what people look for.  EVERYONE is going to trip up somewhere along the line.  It's how you learn and adapt to that that determines the true long-term successes.  Also, if I don't believe in success, I must be expecting FULL failure.  Really?  Is THAT any way to live?  It's the mistakes that make us stronger and better.  Be thankful when they are few and far between, but also, take note when they happen and learn from them.  Don't give up because of them.  Adapt.  Learn.  Improve.  Strengthen.  My GOD, I sound like one of those motivational "gurus" on that last one.  Still.  There's truth in those words.

Bottom line.  Stay with it for as long as you can.  You may surprise even yourself. :)

Okay, Roster settled, Championship season commences!

Well, okay, got the over the top fan hopefulness out of the way quickly.     The preseason CERTAINLY spotlighted a few, shall we say, WEAKNESSES.  I'm hoping the O-Line gels quickly.  Jackson can scramble and make plays that way, but come on, give the guy a break or two.  And as for his backup, well, Whitehurst looks better than before, but still, unless that line solidifies, he's toast too.  Nothing like finishing a season with your third-stringer (no matter how promising he is) to get that High first round pick!

I'm actually hopeful that while these guys probably aren't Super Bowl ready yet (HUGE understatement), being based in the NFC West, they could certainly make some noise.  Repeat division champs?  Maybe.  All the teams in there have issues.  I think some people will be surprised by the Hawks.  Obviously they're building for the future.  So are the other teams in the division.  They aren't the strongest division in the NFL by a long shot CURRENTLY, but I'd say look out in the next season or two.  The teams and their evolving coaching staffs are making for an interesting future.

And it's starting this coming week!

Go Hawks!!