Upping the limit.....cool

I read that Congress is trying to raise the limit from $100,000 to $250,000 on the FDIC insurance you receive on your bank deposits. Funny thing is....the $100,000 limit is really not $100,000 for most people. Let me explain, you can have multiple accounts ion different banks....all the money is covered....

Next you can have multiple accounts in the same bank and be covered for more then 100k. The issue is how you set up to the accounts. As long as the accounts are different, your covered 100k for each account. Let's say a married couple do not want to have their money in two banks....they can have a joint account and then have individual accounts...enabling them to be insured up to 300k in the same bank.

I am not sure how many people have millions in a bank account......so the raising of the insurance limit is just a lot of smoke and mirrors.

Credit card T's and C's are not cool

Before our big trip this year I set up electronic banking.....what a mess. The guy at the bank tells me that the payment will be electronically sent to the credit card companies. Well that's sorta right.....first I find out that my payments were late.....$35 late fee and $300 of interest fees!!!!! I have never paid dime on in interest on credit cards until this month! Come to find out....the electronic file takes 5 days to happen.....5 days? I send wires to China all the time and it takes a matter of minutes for my vendors to get the money! Then the real kicker comes in.....

Lets say you are 1 day late....the cc companies take the total balance for the next month....please note you still do not know that you were late.....and they base the interest on the full month on the full amount!!!! Then to really kick you in the face...this happens next,

So now you have this big interest bill on the new statement....you send in your payment....ON Time....the next statement comes and there is still more interest on your bill. I called and asked why since I was not late. The terms are that until the 2nd month comes in on time...they keep charging interest. It is so scummy.

Now the interesting thing. It happened on my two main credit cards, a southwest rewards Chase and a Citi AAdvantage MasterCard,

Chase visa had the rudest person manage the issue. So rude that I wrote a letter....my cuz Sherrie would be proud. The Citi Card was polite and gracious and took care of the issue. I have had my citi card for over 25 years. They are the best credit card people to deal with....period.

Who voted for what

Dow closes down 700...holy cow this is bad.

Here is a link to find out how you representative voted on the bill.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/house_rollcall_stimulus

My congressman voted "no" I'm glad...but I don't have an answer to this mess and I don't believe congress does either.

Time to double down in the stock market. Things are cheap right now!!

Bailout is a bust....cool????I guess?

Just read that the bailout was cut down in the house! The market is in a free fall, I heard it's down 500 points......Oh Boy! This is scary...please keep buying network cables.

I read that the Republicans are blaming Nancy Pelosi...she could not help herself to go Bush bashing right before the vote. This women is a nightmare.

Debate.....not that cool

I had to tape the debate to watch my daughter blast one in the net to help the Pumas get their first win 3-1. I'm glad I did. 7th grade girls soccer "under the lights" is WAY more exciting then these two guys.
BTW I have not finished watching the whole debate...I fell asleep. I guess I will skip Prison Break tonight and finish it.....NOT.

Two things....
Politicians hate to answer direct questions....Obama comes off as an interrupter and a little pissy. I just do not like this spendthrift. McCain came off....as well....McCain. He has history, he has been around....so there really was no surprises. He tries hard to be polite and he has history to use against his opponent.

I guess the big news has been the new welfare program the nit wits in Congress are discussing....the talking heads cared little of the debate. I guess I was not the only one.

Write your Senator and Congressman....cool

If you have an opinion on this "bail out" write your representatives in Congress.

Who are they you may ask? How do I contact them? Go to this link for your Senator
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Send them an email....remember to copy the body of the email so you can send it to both Senators and your House Rep.

Here is The House of reps link:
http://www.house.gov/zip/ZIP2Rep.html

Make a difference......

Politcal Activist....Me? not so cool!

I have become Mr. town politics in the past week. I have attended two town meetings. One was a public meeting on the closing of a ski resort here in St Louis. I use the term "resort" very loosely. This pl;ace is smaller then powder hill in CT....OK now it's called Powder Ridge.....CT readers....is that place still open?

Last night I went to what I thought was a public hearing on our new town hall. In a town of 40,000...a whopping 30 people showed up. We have more people watching 10 year olds play football! The hearing turned out to actually be a brainstorming session with residents. It was interesting hearing different people's views. I tried to keep quiet...until they asked about finance issues.....then the conservative soap box came out and I went wild. The group I was in was mostly fiscal conservatives so I had a receptive audience when I was blabbing on and on!

Nancy Pelosi is a jerk....not cool!

I was again lefting out yesterday and listening to NPR. Getting the full scoop so you, my readers, see that I am fair and balanced!! LOL

This lady is a jerk. Check out her interview with NPR. She comes off like a B%$&ch

Here are some of the things that made me mad:

BLOCK: Do you think that Congress also owes the American people an apology? Doesn't Congress share in the responsibility?
PELOSI: No, not at all.

Really??? Congress runs all the regulatory agencies....congress overseas all the budgets....they make all the laws....CONGRESS DOES NOT SHARE IN THE RESPONSIBILITY? idiot

Maybe it's me...but she did not come off well in this little chat.

Take a listen. click here

The Huckster....still cool!

I knew I liked this guy......conservative both fiscally and socially.

I am on the Huckabee email list and this was sent to me earlier today. Check out his blog. He writes his opinion on the "Bail out" Mike's Blog

Again, I am not sure what the answer is....but my gut says that we need to slow down a bit and really think through what this "bail out" will do to the economy and capitalism.

Paulson and Bernacki...3 page proposal...Not Cool

I haer dumb and dumber went up tom the hill and asked for 700 billion. The proposal was basically a 3 page proposal....filled with trust us .....

You have got to be kidding me?

The lousy thing about a democracy?.......nothing can get done very quickly...if anything does get done at all...


The good thing about a democracy?......nothing can get done very quickly...if anything does get done at all...

Really hoping that our process slows down the rush to become a socialist state. The big dogs risked and stepped over the line....let the big dogs die on the vine.

Can't afford it......Don't buy it....Cool

This is a funny video about spending money....


scary how true it is!!!!!!

http://consumerist.com/consumer/clips/snl-skit-dont-buy-stuff-you-cant-afford-252491.php

Bail outs.....not cool!

When there is no risk, there is no need to worry about your actions. Businesses need risk, they need to worry that their decisions could derail their organization. This makes for better decision making. I don't pretend to know the answer to the financial mess.....but bailing everybody out is just bad for a capitalistic society. The strong survive.....the stupid go the way of the doo doo bird!

NPR Interview.....cool

I try to listed to both sides of the issues on the radio. On the right there are plenty of choices...Rush, O'Rielly, Ingram, Savage, Levin, Hannity....just to name a few. On the left there is the sole voice in St Louis, NPR. Overall, NPR is very easy to listen to....calming voices with story telling technique news.

This morning they had an interview with Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran. It was so good that I stayed in the car in the parking lot to finish listening to it.

Here is the link:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94887472

The interview is 8 minutes long and you can listen to it from this link. It's amazing how people can look at things differently. I also thought Steve Inskeep did an excellent job. He was very forceful and in my opinion did not just loft softballs at the guy.

Take a listen.

Biden being dumped......Not so fast....Not Cool

People are starting to circulate the email that Biden will be excusing himself (what did he do, burp?) from the VP spot. The email also states that he will do this right after the VP debate.

I checked www.snopes.com and they say it's an "undetermined " story....meaning they don't know. Snopes is the Internet watchdog. The site tries to confirm or squash Internet chat. Click here to see the email and discussion on Biden:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/vpchange.asp

My take.....

If it does take place.....timing will be after the debate. They need to rip up Sarah Palin. Biden is the ultimate pit bull ....stupid and dangerous. Watch this debate...the nastier he gets....the more likely he will step aside and let her Thighness take the throne. If they were to do the switch, they cannot not the Hillster come off a s a mean bitch.....not again anyway...so they will allow Biden to do the dirty work.

I doubt they will change.....as the article points out, Obama would look like he could not make a decision and stick to it.

Interesting times ahead.

Addicted to Opium...that was funny....cool

Did you watch them all.......????

A great line I picked up was "that Washington is addicted to Opium"....

OPM .......Other Peoples Money.....

Now that is so funny that it hurts.

Truth hurts!

3rd and last clip of Hannity and Palin....cool

Clip # 3

Part 2 for all of you that are not getting the channel....cool

Here is the 2nd part of the interview.....

I don't get the fox channel.......NOT COOL

I get about 500 channels on that stupid dish....every crazy channel you can imagine. The one Channel I do not get is the Fox News Channel. I think the liberal media outlets want to squash that channel o they don't include it.

Anyway, Sarah Palin was on Hannity last night. OK...it's a bunch of softball pitches....but you do get to see the lady in action.

Here are some clips

Blogging Blues....not cool

I kinda have the blogging blues this week.....not sure why....maybe I have nothing to say?.....yeah right! We have been really busy at work and although there is a bunch of stuff to blog about...I'm a little tired.

Last night I stayed up and watched the movie, Blood Diamond It was very good. It was also really upsetting. Makes you appreciate our country. I was able to watch this movie due to Dish network running a special. Because I pay on-line they are charging me an additional PENNY per month to have 6 channels of Showtime.

I have been looking ahead and taping movies in the middle of the night. I probably will never watch all the ones I have already taped.

We are under attack by Socialism

Bear Sterns....then Freddie and Fannie....and now AIG. Not sure who Lehaman pissed off...big brother didn't feel that they needed them!

This whole corporate welfare program is very scary. I am not sure what to think on this issue. Is it good that we are bailing these idiots out? Are we taking the risk out of business for big business? As Obama said....this is above my pay grade. I do know that the 85 billion loan is putting us further in debt. My gut tells me to let the capitalistic nature of our economy do its thing.....let the strong survive. These companies made errors in judgements....and they should be made to pay the piper....

We do not want the government running private functions.....they now own a majority stake in an investment banker and an insurance company?????this is nuts. Freddie and Fannie were quasi gvt agencies....but that still is an issue.

It's pretty bad out there....let's just hope they keep buying network cables from yours truly.

Palin is getting grilled....not too cool!

I am OK with really investigating candidates....but let's make sure everyone gets grilled. Sarah Paline is getting grilled....now she being subjected to the tabloids....I want to know where the same "journalists" were when Obama came on the scene....and remember...that was not long ago.

I am surprised they are going after so hard on the experience issue. I am not saying she has tons of experience....but she does have more decision making experience then the democrats PRESIDENTIAL candidate.

I have been away from the rags, Internet, radio and TV for the past 3 days....can't wait to see what the next barrage of slights will be!

50 years....very cool

Congratulations go out to my in-laws. We helped them celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary over the weekend. We had the celebration in NYC. We had them picked up in a limo and drove them to Brooklyn. We started the weekend by having their vows renewed at the church they were married in 50 years ago. We then went to Tony and Tina's wedding. That was a little strange. It's an interactive play about an Italian wedding. What I didn't know was how dysfunctional the family was that was holding the wedding. It was "interesting" We had a great time.

It was a great time seeing everyone and my in-laws looked to have a fabulous celebration.

It was funny, over the past 2 weeks everyone that was there was celebrating an anniversary....50 years, 22 years , 20years (us) and 16 years.

We can only wish many more years of love for my in-laws!

Universal Health Care....not cool

This one of the scariest thoughts of these campaigns....overall I think it will never happen....but...

OK so you want Universal Health Care....Then everyone will have health care run by the government.....all of the people will be taken care of.....

A few thoughts.....

forget about choice...your free will to select where and when will be eliminated.....how do we know....I base it on the Universal Health Care the US GVT already has.....

The universal health plan that has been around for a long time is for veterans. They all are covered.....and look how that works.

Our health care system is not great. Many can not afford it...many companies do not offer it...but to put it in the hands of the bureaucrats.....crazy....

Marriage is cool.....

Today marks my 20th anniversary to Denise......wow....it's been a blink of the eye. We dated for 6 years...so she has been putting up with me for over 26 years....I can still remember that HOT freshman in the yellow sweatpants. The only thing she has lost over the years are the yellow sweatpants!!

We have had an outstanding 26 years.....we are truly blessed and thank God everyday for our good fortune and happiness. Marriage should never be taken to lightly.....it's not easy all the time...but it's the best game in town, especially when you have someone like I do.

Happy Anniversary FUP.

Love,
SUP

Hiring....not cool

In a growing company there is always hiring to do......it's a good problem to have, but it's still one of my least favorite things to do. The advertising for the position, the initial screening of resumes, the contact with the applicants, the interviews and then lastly the selection process.

Someone asked me just earlier this month what was the secret to hiring great employees.....I told her, after hiring probably a thousand people in my 23 year career...I had no idea. It's the most important piece of your company and it;'s the hardest to do. The most frustrating part is the part you cannot totally control....the success. It's amazing how the best candidate can turn out to be the worst employee.

I make most of my decisions on past success records and trying not to get emotional about a candidate. The success can be in anything.....but they must have a track record of success. Lastly...if any warning flags come up during the process....anything that gives you to think for a second.....delete the resume and move on.

Today, I have 3 screening interviews....the process begins......what fun!!

McCain did a great jon....cool

I am getting to know John McCain, and I like what I am learning.

His speech last night was relaxed. It felt like he was in my living room. I enjoyed the straight talk, the calmness and clarity in which he spoke.

Did I hear him same that he would pull 700 billion back from the support give away programs to other countries???? Did he actually say, lets stop funding other countries that do not like us?

Bottom line....this guy has the experience and character to be the President. Obama has almost no experience and we really do not know his character. McCain has proven it time and again...he is trustworthy and will try to do the right thing. Not all of which you may agree to.

I found myself saying "we need to get these two elected" Am I naive to believe that they will actually go to Washington and cut the crazy spending?
I hope not.....

NCR and the DCR are over........NC

It has been a great two weeks of television! I would hope Americans would watch both the conventions to compare the two candidates. I enjoyed the coverage.

Last night McCain gets the stage. First they put on a bunch of .....boring....speakers....even his wife. She is a fantastic role model and a great American....but like her husband...she is no...well should I say...Obama!!

I guess they put on people like Mutter and the rest of the "boring" people before McCain to make sure he did not follow guys like Rudy, Huckster and now Sarah.

Overall I liked McCains speech. Next post will explain why!

Pit bull with Lipstick.....cool

So another note about the republican love fest last night.

Sarah Palin- Overall the speech was great. It started out a little "cold" for me....but within the next few minutes she warmed up. The whole smaller government thing and lower taxes is right up my alley. She was smart, articulate and slammin Obama!!

Interesting fact from the liberals on NPR.....some said they thought she was shrill and a little too much on the slamming......come on...and they have Joe Biden who is not shrill....but he is boring...and he was out swinging from the first sentence. Funny how the libs now want to go after the Shrill thing.....wasn't that a republican thing to do???

The question....is she ready to be president? Well let's see......if you say no to her...then the community organizer is definitely not ready.....Biden is a blow hart...that leaves McCain. Tough decisions....although I am starting to better understand McCain's character....and not only do I respect it, I am starting to love it.

The Huckster....cool

Not sure if I told you, when Taylor was in Washington DC for the leadership conference she had the opportunity to see Mike Huckabee. He not only spoke to the conference, but played bass guitar at the function that night.

Anyway, his speech last night was great., He has a great way about him, very disarming.

Here is a link to his speech. It takes less then 10-12 minutes. If you missed it, check it out.

Click here for Mike's speech


here is another great quote from his speech.....

"Barack Obama's excellent adventure to Europe...

... took his campaign for change to hundreds of thousands of people who don't even vote or pay taxes here. But let me hasten to say that it's not what he took there that concerns me. It's what he brought back: European ideas that give the government the chance to grab even more of our liberty and destroy our hard-earned livelihood.
The fact is, my friends, most Americans don't want more government. They want less government."


ya gotta love the Lava story!!


Way to go Huckster!

RNC .....great night....cool

I spent some serious time in front of the tube last night. It was the big night for the republicans.
This is who I saw...
Carly Fiorna, Meg Whitman, Mitt Romney, The Governor of Hawaii (not a clue who , the Huckster...Mike Huckabee and lastly Sarah Palin.

The only one of these I didn't pay attention to was Carly's speech. Not surer why, the ADD was kicking in and I needed to see what else was on.

They all did a great job.....funny I see it that way right?

Best line of the night.....

"Let me make something clear tonight: I'm not a Republican because I grew up rich. I'm a Republican because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life poor, waiting for the government to rescue me."
Mike Huckabee, September 3, 2008 NCR

Fred Thompson's Speech .....cool

I have always liked Fred Thompson. Maybe it comes down to that I love Law and Order. His speech last night at RNC was almost great. The agenda, the content, the great digs on Obama....like "And we need a President who doesn't think that the protection of the unborn or a newly born baby is above his pay grade. " were excellent. He however at times looked like he lost his place in the speech and the constant clearing of his throat made me start clearing my throat.

I then listened to Joe Lieberman from my home state of Connecticut. Honestly, I fell asleep near the end. The democrats must just be seething. Here is a guy that is the Democratic VP choice in what 2004!! and now he is fighting for McCain.

After listening to all the "bull". I just wish that republicans would do what they preach....social conservatism and fiscal responsibility in Washington. I did not hear George W's speech, but I read that he was doing the talk on cutting pork......he id definitely not one to talk.

Baby out of wedlock....not cool

This political season has been a doozy.......

Now we have the GOP announcing that Sarah Palin's 17 year old daughter is 5 month pregnant. She will be marrying the boy......it was announced. A few things, I feel for her family. Trying to raise daughters in this society is brutal. The kid made a choice and that choice comes with repercussions. That decision will affect her entire life. She can forget the rest of a normal childhood, she will be thrust into motherhood before she leaves high school. I think everyone agrees that we need to prevent teenage pregnancies.....(lets be clear, I did not say terminate, I said prevent)

Now in regards to the Republican party....It has been reported that they were fully aware of the situation. Really? I am not really sure how I feel on this issue. I know that's hard to believe. This whole election....
We have a US senator with less experience than any other person in history running for president....He speaks to the Nation that we need change....that Washington needs to change...then he brings in a 30 year vet from the establishment.
On the other side we have this 71 year old Maverick...who is not always a conservative...he picks an unknown Governor, who now releases the fact about her pregnant teenage daughter.

Hollywood could not of come up with more of a soap opera plot line.

Sean Diddy....not cool

A friend of mine sent me this link to a story about how Sean "Diidy" Combs is being affected by rising oil prices. Take a read .....

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,413582,00.html

This is just a sad state of affairs.