Today in school, in my Current Affairs class, we watched a news story regarding teen sex offenders.
FACT 1: The most represented age of ALL sex offenders of ANY age is 14.
FACT 2: 88% of teen sex offenders were victims first, meaning an adult family member or adult friend molested or raped them long before the teen offended someone themselves.
FACT 3: All teens charged with a sex crime MUST register as a sex offender.
So let's talk about each fact.
Fact 1 - All teens experiment. Whatever happend to it being okay to 'show me yours and I will show you mine'? Is this a crime? Today it is if you are caught. Sexual curiosity is natural. It's going to happen. So it is no surprise that the most represented age of all sex offenders is the tender age of 14. The next most represented age was 15! To go along this line, the most represented age of being offended by an adult is the age of 13!
Fact 2 - Sex crimes are learned. Most teen sex offenders are victims first. Some adult in their life has molested or raped them first. They are quick to learn that trust is nothing more than a screen, something you use to gain trust of your victim. Once you gain a person's trust, it's easy to get them to let you offend them.
Fact 3 - Every teen sex offender must require to register as a sex offender. THIS IS SO WRONG! In the cases where the teen offender was the victim first, they shouldn't have to register. But today, the laws are so general, that is the way it is. Only after the offender receives treatment can they appeal having to register. So for a while they are registered. Fortunately in the cases where the teen offender was first a victim, the appeal usually overturns having to register. But the process we have today is wrong. Evaluate BEFORE making them register, they shouldn't have to register until after treatment and they are evaluated that they are still a risk to offend in the future. Treatment usually has a 85% success rate according to Starr Commonwealth. With that said 85% of those teens who have sexually offended were victims first, went through treatment, but still had to register as a sex offender, and THEN appeal in court.
The real underlying problem is lack of education. In the 70s and 80s sex education was taught in almost every school in America. My parents had it in school. Many of my adult friends say they had it in their school. All of them agree, it is something that should be put back in the curriculum.
The teen support group that I am a part of REQUIRES new members to take a sex education class. The first part of the class goes over the male and female anatomy. The second part covers the sexual acts. The third part covers safe sex. And the last part covers the current laws of teenage sex, and how to stay out of trouble when having sex. Everyone who takes the class has become more responsible and knowledgeable regarding sex. Yes, our parents know about this class and even are permitted to sit in on the class themselves. The parents all approve of the class and wish it was taught in the schools.
But in conclusion, today's society has created this taboo regarding teen sex. It's almost like if you have sex it's a crime. It's just a matter if you get caught.
In Ohio, this past summer our lawmakers passed a bill, where if a teenager exposes themselves online in pictures or on webcam, it is a crime and you will be arrested, charged, and register as a sex offender.
The first person arrested under this new law (14yo male) was charged with child pornography, performing a lewd act in public, and public indecency. He was required to go to a treatment facility and register as a sex offender. He completed his treatment in 90 days. His family then got an attorney and appealed having to register as a sex offender. Because he was not a victim first, the judge ruled this made him a predator, thus must register for the next 10 years as a sex offender, and not permitted to use the internet during those 10 years.
The second person arrested under this new law, a 15yo male, was charged the same, required to get treatment, and register as a sex offender. His parents immediately hired an attorney and tried to appeal before he got treatment. The judge denied the appeal and said he had to receive treatment before he would accept an appeal. So he got treatment. Here it was learned that his uncle had molested him numerous time from the age of 12 to 14. After treatment the attorney filed the appeal again, where it was explained he was a victim first, and the judge overturned having to register.
But do you see the flaw in the process? Immediately when arrested and charged, the judge should hear the circumstances including whether or not they are victims first. If they are a victim first, then get them counseling, do not require them to register as a sex offender until a counselor deems they may be a threat to offend in the future. If they were not a victim first, then the current procedure is probably correct.
I'm so sick and tired of our government overprotecting us teens. They basically are stripping away our rights and not letting us be teens. They are stealing our teenage years and forcing us to be adults long before we need to be adults. Laws such as teen males not being permitted to be shirtless in public, swim teams can no longer wear speedos in high school, and now this new law treating teens as adults when it comes to exposing themselves in pictures or on webcam online.
Are these new laws stopping teens from doing what normal teens would do? NO. You can log into a webcam chat every night and teens left and right are exposing themselves on cam. The problem is when a teen lets an adult watch, that is the only crime. Go after those adult predators, not the teens who are innocently having fun. After all, wouldn't parents rather have us having innocent and safe fun on a webcam than actually meeting in person with another teen and having sex? You'd think so.
Showing posts with label opinions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label opinions. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Issue 2, 3, and school issues
This November there are 2 issues on the ballot that are very important to the State of Ohio.
Issue 2 is an agricultural issue. It will reduce taxes on farmers, increase quality control of Ohio produce and foods, and help to keep Ohio farm products within the state. It also requires groceries to provide Ohio products only! Definitely want to vote FOR this issue.
Issue 3 is that casino issue. It just won't go away. Voters keep voting it down but it keeps coming up on the ballot. Each time it has failed by fewer and fewer votes. I guess they figure eventually it will get passed if they keep trying. I'm all for this issue. It will create jobs and generate $680 million in tax revenue. Our state deficit is $640 million. This issue alone will eliminate our state deficit and get our economy back on track. Opponents to the issue twist the words around to try and get this defeated.
Of course lots of school districts have issues on the ballot. Southwestern City schools have their issue again on the ballot. All sports were canceled this year since it didn't past the last time. So all the athletes transfered to other school districts. If this one passes they will restore sports beginning with Spring sports. But all the best athletes can't return until 2010-11, so their sports would suck this Spring. Several others may eliminate sports too if their issues fail.
The problem with these school issues is that so many people are unemployed and can't afford tax increases. And schools waste so much money. Did you know that administrative cell phone bills last year in Dublin City Schools cost almost $100,000! One school district contracted out for mowing the grass. WTF! Make the janitor do it. Geez.
Issue 2 is an agricultural issue. It will reduce taxes on farmers, increase quality control of Ohio produce and foods, and help to keep Ohio farm products within the state. It also requires groceries to provide Ohio products only! Definitely want to vote FOR this issue.
Issue 3 is that casino issue. It just won't go away. Voters keep voting it down but it keeps coming up on the ballot. Each time it has failed by fewer and fewer votes. I guess they figure eventually it will get passed if they keep trying. I'm all for this issue. It will create jobs and generate $680 million in tax revenue. Our state deficit is $640 million. This issue alone will eliminate our state deficit and get our economy back on track. Opponents to the issue twist the words around to try and get this defeated.
Of course lots of school districts have issues on the ballot. Southwestern City schools have their issue again on the ballot. All sports were canceled this year since it didn't past the last time. So all the athletes transfered to other school districts. If this one passes they will restore sports beginning with Spring sports. But all the best athletes can't return until 2010-11, so their sports would suck this Spring. Several others may eliminate sports too if their issues fail.
The problem with these school issues is that so many people are unemployed and can't afford tax increases. And schools waste so much money. Did you know that administrative cell phone bills last year in Dublin City Schools cost almost $100,000! One school district contracted out for mowing the grass. WTF! Make the janitor do it. Geez.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Ohio Governor, Ted Strickland, BAD for our state!
Ted Strickland, Governor of Ohio, recently worked on the State budget. He proposed cuts to: Schools, youth services, fire departments, police departments, lay off 100 state employees, parks and recreation, and to the homeless shelters and other organizations to help the elderly, sick, and unemployed. His budget also includes a tax hike of $100 a year for each $50,000 of income.
First, our schools. Schools can not make it on their own as it is. Many school districts in Ohio had tax levies on the last ballot and most failed. People can't afford more tax. Many schools in Central Ohio will eliminate ALL extra-curricular activies for the 2009-10 school year. This includes all sports. And several schools announced they can't even afford "pay to play". Our Governor now has cut state funding to all Ohio schools. Education is to me, the #1 thing that should NEVER be cut.
Second, cutting funding to youth services. Many of the private treatment centers rely on investments in order to survive. These private centers took a big hit when our economy collapsed about a year ago and they have not been able to recover. Several youth services treatment centers were forced to lay off workers or close down. Now with additional budget cuts by the State of Ohio, even more youth services will be cut. Ted Strickland says that DYS is better off using private facilities and renting space, rather than maintaining their own facilities. Well that is good I guess since now these struggling privately run youth treatment centers will have a huge income boost. However, now you are putting violent youth in low security treatment centers. AWOL's will increase and more injuries to other youth and the staff.
Ted Strickland is also cutting funding to homeless shelters, meals on wheels, and other services to help those in need. He's also cutting funding to elderly care. This means increased cost to families who have relatives in a rest home or retirement home. They can't afford the $3,000 a month as it is! This means the homeless shelters will close down. Meals on Wheels will need more private donations. And more rest home residents will have to return home where they can not get adequate supervision and care.
Worst of all, our safety is in jeopardy. With crime in Central Ohio at it's all time high EVER, our Governor wants to cut policeman and fireman jobs? Homicide in Columbus reached it's highest yearly total this year in just 6 months! Assault, rape and battery rates have increased to over 10,000 this year and previous highest yearly total was 12,000. Our streets won't be safe. It is also estimated by cutting back on our fire services that response time will increase from 5 minutes to 12 minutes. I'm sorry, but if your house is on fire, a 7 minute increase in response time means you are likely to lose your home. And guess what, many people have cut back on their home insurance because they are struggling to make ends meet. First thing most people cut is their insurance premiums, including their auto insurance. Here's another fact, in Ohio unisured motorist has risen from 12% to 28% in the past year! That is almost 1 in 3 chance that you will be involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist. While in Ohio it is law that you carry auto insurance, 28% choose not to because they can't afford it.
The cuts to Parks and Recreation isn't really as major of an issue, but this means that half of the community swim pools aren't open this summer. Of course their are other programs to help kids in the summer, such as youth baseball, soccer, etc, that will be cut.
Ted Strickland says he's about the people, but he's proving over and over again that he really doesn't care. FYI, he's increasing state employee salaries and benefits, when they are over paid as it is, and have like 18 paid holidays every year. We won't mention that he's increasing funding to fix up our roads, when our roads are in the best shape they have ever been and they don't need additional funding. Strickland says increasing funding to support our infrastructure will increase jobs and attract new business. I'm sorry but our roads are in good enough shape, he doesn't need to give them another $20 million a year.
First, our schools. Schools can not make it on their own as it is. Many school districts in Ohio had tax levies on the last ballot and most failed. People can't afford more tax. Many schools in Central Ohio will eliminate ALL extra-curricular activies for the 2009-10 school year. This includes all sports. And several schools announced they can't even afford "pay to play". Our Governor now has cut state funding to all Ohio schools. Education is to me, the #1 thing that should NEVER be cut.
Second, cutting funding to youth services. Many of the private treatment centers rely on investments in order to survive. These private centers took a big hit when our economy collapsed about a year ago and they have not been able to recover. Several youth services treatment centers were forced to lay off workers or close down. Now with additional budget cuts by the State of Ohio, even more youth services will be cut. Ted Strickland says that DYS is better off using private facilities and renting space, rather than maintaining their own facilities. Well that is good I guess since now these struggling privately run youth treatment centers will have a huge income boost. However, now you are putting violent youth in low security treatment centers. AWOL's will increase and more injuries to other youth and the staff.
Ted Strickland is also cutting funding to homeless shelters, meals on wheels, and other services to help those in need. He's also cutting funding to elderly care. This means increased cost to families who have relatives in a rest home or retirement home. They can't afford the $3,000 a month as it is! This means the homeless shelters will close down. Meals on Wheels will need more private donations. And more rest home residents will have to return home where they can not get adequate supervision and care.
Worst of all, our safety is in jeopardy. With crime in Central Ohio at it's all time high EVER, our Governor wants to cut policeman and fireman jobs? Homicide in Columbus reached it's highest yearly total this year in just 6 months! Assault, rape and battery rates have increased to over 10,000 this year and previous highest yearly total was 12,000. Our streets won't be safe. It is also estimated by cutting back on our fire services that response time will increase from 5 minutes to 12 minutes. I'm sorry, but if your house is on fire, a 7 minute increase in response time means you are likely to lose your home. And guess what, many people have cut back on their home insurance because they are struggling to make ends meet. First thing most people cut is their insurance premiums, including their auto insurance. Here's another fact, in Ohio unisured motorist has risen from 12% to 28% in the past year! That is almost 1 in 3 chance that you will be involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist. While in Ohio it is law that you carry auto insurance, 28% choose not to because they can't afford it.
The cuts to Parks and Recreation isn't really as major of an issue, but this means that half of the community swim pools aren't open this summer. Of course their are other programs to help kids in the summer, such as youth baseball, soccer, etc, that will be cut.
Ted Strickland says he's about the people, but he's proving over and over again that he really doesn't care. FYI, he's increasing state employee salaries and benefits, when they are over paid as it is, and have like 18 paid holidays every year. We won't mention that he's increasing funding to fix up our roads, when our roads are in the best shape they have ever been and they don't need additional funding. Strickland says increasing funding to support our infrastructure will increase jobs and attract new business. I'm sorry but our roads are in good enough shape, he doesn't need to give them another $20 million a year.
Friday, June 19, 2009
No More Nukes!
Today, our wonderful Govenor of Ohio announced that a new nuclear power plant would be built along the Ohio River, near Piketon. In the announcement he cited how many jobs it would bring and how it is wonderful for our enviroment and how it's a big "green" energy source.
First off, sure, it would create a couple hundred jobs for a county in Ohio that has a 9.2% unemployment rate. Okay, I can't argue with that.
But Ohio has 2 nuclear power plants, both of which were shut down over a decade ago for safety reasons. We shut them down because of the threat of meltdowns. And from my research on the internet, ANY nuclear power plant is a threat to the area surrounding it up to 100 miles. Our country turned away from nuclear power almost 12 years ago and experts say today's nuclear power plants are no safer than they were back then. Remember, Three Mile Island near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Does anyone want another Three Mile Island?
Now the real argument, nuclear power is a "green" energy source? Um, why not create wind turbines, solar panel plant, or since it's on the Ohio River a plant that uses the energy of the river to create power? Our country needs to take the lead on wind turbines and solar panel for energy sources. And the Govenor of Ohio wants to take the lead in energy? So why not get on board with Obama and get tax credits for creating a wind turbine or solar panel plant? AH, now there's the reason! Too much tax credit and not enough tax revenue coming into the State of Ohio pockets!
My uncle is in the process of building wind turbines on his property about 20 minutes northwest of Columbus. He's investing $1.2 million to build 10 turbines. He expects to make twice that back each year from the tax credits and income from leasing the energy it creates. And I know a couple adults who also are investing in wind turbines or solar panels on their properties.
It's time for our country to start investing and building safe and more efficient energy sources. Wind turbines and solar panel farms is what we need. Someone needs to go slap our Governor in the face and remind him how dangerous a nuclear power plant could be. Should it have a melt down, the Ohio River would be polluted and would filter all the way down the Ohio Valley into the Mississippi River, not to mention about a 100 mile radius of radiation poisoning.
There will be a protest at the Ohio Capital on Monday, June 22nd and I plan to be a part of it.
First off, sure, it would create a couple hundred jobs for a county in Ohio that has a 9.2% unemployment rate. Okay, I can't argue with that.
But Ohio has 2 nuclear power plants, both of which were shut down over a decade ago for safety reasons. We shut them down because of the threat of meltdowns. And from my research on the internet, ANY nuclear power plant is a threat to the area surrounding it up to 100 miles. Our country turned away from nuclear power almost 12 years ago and experts say today's nuclear power plants are no safer than they were back then. Remember, Three Mile Island near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Does anyone want another Three Mile Island?
Now the real argument, nuclear power is a "green" energy source? Um, why not create wind turbines, solar panel plant, or since it's on the Ohio River a plant that uses the energy of the river to create power? Our country needs to take the lead on wind turbines and solar panel for energy sources. And the Govenor of Ohio wants to take the lead in energy? So why not get on board with Obama and get tax credits for creating a wind turbine or solar panel plant? AH, now there's the reason! Too much tax credit and not enough tax revenue coming into the State of Ohio pockets!
My uncle is in the process of building wind turbines on his property about 20 minutes northwest of Columbus. He's investing $1.2 million to build 10 turbines. He expects to make twice that back each year from the tax credits and income from leasing the energy it creates. And I know a couple adults who also are investing in wind turbines or solar panels on their properties.
It's time for our country to start investing and building safe and more efficient energy sources. Wind turbines and solar panel farms is what we need. Someone needs to go slap our Governor in the face and remind him how dangerous a nuclear power plant could be. Should it have a melt down, the Ohio River would be polluted and would filter all the way down the Ohio Valley into the Mississippi River, not to mention about a 100 mile radius of radiation poisoning.
There will be a protest at the Ohio Capital on Monday, June 22nd and I plan to be a part of it.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Let Us Teens Alone!!!!!
Today I learned of a link to a "Police Blotter" where law enforcement are going after and prosecuting teenagers who take risque or inappropriate photos of themselves.
In January of this year, the Florida State of Appeals court upheld convictions of a girl they prosecuted for producting a photograph of her boy friend. The couple, for fun, took nude photogrphas of themselves. They never sent them or transmitted them to anyone, yet somehow local law enforcement got a hold of them and prosecuted the teen couple.
Though I could not find how long either were sentenced, I feel this is just another instance where law enforcement is going too far, and how our society has created such a taboo on teenage sex.
Now don't get me wrong, I feel sexual predators should be put away, or at least sent somewhere to get treatment, but this instance the law has gone too far.
Just how far is the law going? Well, today, a friend of mine name Noah, got called to the principals office and when he arrived found his principal, parents and law enforcement waiting for him. This new police sting operation found Noah's blog and found his profile "too revealing and inappropriate for a teenager". His profile picture is of him kneeling in his wrestling sniglet after a wrestling match.
Noah wasn't charged, but he is suppose to remove his photo from his blog. He refused and his parents support him on his decision. You see, Noah is one of Ohio's best wrestlers and he is only a sophomore. He is proud of his accomplishments and published his wrestling photo to express his pride in his accomplishments.
Earlier this year, a local community banned teen males from swimming shirtless in the public swimming pool. Last year, another public pool banned speedos. And just recently a watchdog group began a push to make high school teen male swimmers to wear less revealing swim suits during competition. And just recently in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, a law was passed banning any male under the age of 18 from being shirtless in public!
Why is our country, which is suppose to promote all these freedoms and concern for personal rights, suddenly so restrictive?
Sure, I understand the issues especially with all these child abductions, child predators, and child abuse, but isn't there better ways to solve these problems instead of taking youth freedom and expression away?
Fact is teens will be teens. All these issues would be dealt with much better by education, not restrictions!
Personally, I'm really starting to hate America. We preach how great our country is because of freedom, but what freedom do we really have today? Now any of you watchdog groups or law enforcement who reads this, I am not a traitor, and my comment is not meant as treason. It is MY RIGHT to express myself regarding our country and our laws. I just think a lot of these new laws affecting teens are BULLSHIT. I will protest these laws, peacefully. That is also MY RIGHT.
And you know something else? These laws are a result of things adults do to children and teens, not what teens are doing with other teens! It is another case of our country blaming teen problems on us teens instead of focusing on the real problems created by adults who molest and sexually abuse children.
That show "To Catch A Predator" also really irks me. Sure, it makes me sick, those adults who prey on teens. Those people need HELP. So what does our country do? We lock them away instead of attempting to treat or rehabilitate them. And as a result of that show, now teens caught in adult chat rooms, or engaged in instant messages, are also being arrested and sent to juvenile facilities as sex offenders. Excuse me, but we are the victims in most cases, not the offenders!
In summary, the problem is simple, and blame should go to our parents. Most of us teens are left unsupervised and not being educated on the issues. So many households are two income families or single parent homes. Back in the 70's, parents talked to their children about sex, and what was right and what was wrong. There was open communication between teens and adults. Sex was not taboo. We need to get back to those days. Right now we are heading the wrong direction and if corrective measures are not taken soon, our so called freedom will keep eroding away to the point we will have no freedoms.
In January of this year, the Florida State of Appeals court upheld convictions of a girl they prosecuted for producting a photograph of her boy friend. The couple, for fun, took nude photogrphas of themselves. They never sent them or transmitted them to anyone, yet somehow local law enforcement got a hold of them and prosecuted the teen couple.
Though I could not find how long either were sentenced, I feel this is just another instance where law enforcement is going too far, and how our society has created such a taboo on teenage sex.
Now don't get me wrong, I feel sexual predators should be put away, or at least sent somewhere to get treatment, but this instance the law has gone too far.
Just how far is the law going? Well, today, a friend of mine name Noah, got called to the principals office and when he arrived found his principal, parents and law enforcement waiting for him. This new police sting operation found Noah's blog and found his profile "too revealing and inappropriate for a teenager". His profile picture is of him kneeling in his wrestling sniglet after a wrestling match.
Noah wasn't charged, but he is suppose to remove his photo from his blog. He refused and his parents support him on his decision. You see, Noah is one of Ohio's best wrestlers and he is only a sophomore. He is proud of his accomplishments and published his wrestling photo to express his pride in his accomplishments.
Earlier this year, a local community banned teen males from swimming shirtless in the public swimming pool. Last year, another public pool banned speedos. And just recently a watchdog group began a push to make high school teen male swimmers to wear less revealing swim suits during competition. And just recently in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, a law was passed banning any male under the age of 18 from being shirtless in public!
Why is our country, which is suppose to promote all these freedoms and concern for personal rights, suddenly so restrictive?
Sure, I understand the issues especially with all these child abductions, child predators, and child abuse, but isn't there better ways to solve these problems instead of taking youth freedom and expression away?
Fact is teens will be teens. All these issues would be dealt with much better by education, not restrictions!
Personally, I'm really starting to hate America. We preach how great our country is because of freedom, but what freedom do we really have today? Now any of you watchdog groups or law enforcement who reads this, I am not a traitor, and my comment is not meant as treason. It is MY RIGHT to express myself regarding our country and our laws. I just think a lot of these new laws affecting teens are BULLSHIT. I will protest these laws, peacefully. That is also MY RIGHT.
And you know something else? These laws are a result of things adults do to children and teens, not what teens are doing with other teens! It is another case of our country blaming teen problems on us teens instead of focusing on the real problems created by adults who molest and sexually abuse children.
That show "To Catch A Predator" also really irks me. Sure, it makes me sick, those adults who prey on teens. Those people need HELP. So what does our country do? We lock them away instead of attempting to treat or rehabilitate them. And as a result of that show, now teens caught in adult chat rooms, or engaged in instant messages, are also being arrested and sent to juvenile facilities as sex offenders. Excuse me, but we are the victims in most cases, not the offenders!
In summary, the problem is simple, and blame should go to our parents. Most of us teens are left unsupervised and not being educated on the issues. So many households are two income families or single parent homes. Back in the 70's, parents talked to their children about sex, and what was right and what was wrong. There was open communication between teens and adults. Sex was not taboo. We need to get back to those days. Right now we are heading the wrong direction and if corrective measures are not taken soon, our so called freedom will keep eroding away to the point we will have no freedoms.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Big Government Big Spending
Columbus City Council announced yesterday that they will be increasing the local income tax rate by .25% which equates to about $150 per person over a year. While that doesn't seem like much, lets consider this..... The State of Ohio also wants to raise the income tax rate by about the same percentage. Now you are talking about $350 per person a year. Then our federal and state government is about to increase the gas tax by 50 cents a gallon. And many states are increasing taxes on tobacco products and other luxury goods.
When you put all of these things together, the Ohio Taxpayer could be paying almost $1500 more a year in all these increased taxes. (from Citizens For Ohio advocate group). This could mean a married couple could see an increase of almost $2500.
The idea of getting our economy is to put money into the taxpayers hands, not take more away.
Experts say today's high school students who are going to want to go to college won't be able to because scholarships are drying up and student loans are getting harder and harder to get. Most will have to work through college, but guess what, unemployment is at its highest rate since 1983 and projected to reach almost 10% nationally! I was out looking for a summer job and no one is hiring. The usual places for teen summer work aren't offering jobs this year. Most say it is because their priority is to give these jobs to unemployed adults who need the job to support their families.
This country is about to return to the 70's. You hear how an economy and social events are circular, history repeats itself. Many experts say we are about to return to the 70's era where families live in communes, citizens protest the government and war (as in Iraq currently), and long hair and tye dye is the craze.
Woohoo! Bring back Woodstock!
When you put all of these things together, the Ohio Taxpayer could be paying almost $1500 more a year in all these increased taxes. (from Citizens For Ohio advocate group). This could mean a married couple could see an increase of almost $2500.
The idea of getting our economy is to put money into the taxpayers hands, not take more away.
Experts say today's high school students who are going to want to go to college won't be able to because scholarships are drying up and student loans are getting harder and harder to get. Most will have to work through college, but guess what, unemployment is at its highest rate since 1983 and projected to reach almost 10% nationally! I was out looking for a summer job and no one is hiring. The usual places for teen summer work aren't offering jobs this year. Most say it is because their priority is to give these jobs to unemployed adults who need the job to support their families.
This country is about to return to the 70's. You hear how an economy and social events are circular, history repeats itself. Many experts say we are about to return to the 70's era where families live in communes, citizens protest the government and war (as in Iraq currently), and long hair and tye dye is the craze.
Woohoo! Bring back Woodstock!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Life Back To Normal?
Well, things seem to be back to normal after a chaotic month.
Coach Robinson got recalled to work and returned to work last night from his 30 day lay off. A few other parents of my friends also returned to work, or got a new job and started work this week. But there are still a lot of my friends who's parents are still unemployed.
The stimulus package that just passed..... a BIG shortfall for the American people. Sure, it helps big business but what does it mean to you and other taxpayers?
Yep, you take home more off of each pay check. My mom is grateful for that. BUT, and it is a big BUTT (no pun intended). If you take home more off of a paycheck that means at the end of the year when you file your tax return, you end up OWING instead of a refund. For those who make less than $45k a year, you probably will only owe $100 to $200. But anyone who is middle class, you will owe $500 to $1000. SO what does that mean? More people going into debt, and filing for bankruptcy, etc. This stimulus bill does not help the average or below average American. It helps only the middle class and the wealthy. And not to mention that big business. Barack has failed on his promise to the poor.
Coach Robinson got recalled to work and returned to work last night from his 30 day lay off. A few other parents of my friends also returned to work, or got a new job and started work this week. But there are still a lot of my friends who's parents are still unemployed.
The stimulus package that just passed..... a BIG shortfall for the American people. Sure, it helps big business but what does it mean to you and other taxpayers?
Yep, you take home more off of each pay check. My mom is grateful for that. BUT, and it is a big BUTT (no pun intended). If you take home more off of a paycheck that means at the end of the year when you file your tax return, you end up OWING instead of a refund. For those who make less than $45k a year, you probably will only owe $100 to $200. But anyone who is middle class, you will owe $500 to $1000. SO what does that mean? More people going into debt, and filing for bankruptcy, etc. This stimulus bill does not help the average or below average American. It helps only the middle class and the wealthy. And not to mention that big business. Barack has failed on his promise to the poor.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Election Crap
Well the Election has come and gone. Obama won heh? Not that I don't like him, just that I was real sick on election day when people were asked in exit polls who they voted for and you heard things like "I voted for Obama because its about time a brother gets into office" or "I voted McCain because I am not voting for some damn nigger".
I think for people to vote they should have to answer a random question about the candidates. Something like "which candidate supports pro-choice in regards to abortion?". Make voters show they know something about the candidates and not just voting because a candidate is of a certain color, or a candidate is male or female, etc.
Another real stupid thing this election. People bitching about having to pay so much taxes, but then they went out and voted for everything to RAISE taxes. And people complain that we are losing our freedom of choices but then vote to restrict pay day loans so that people who are struggling to survive no longer can get the help they need from time to time. The voters all voted without thinking about the consequences.
We are in a recession. It's only going to get worse over at least the next year. If Obama can fix things, it will take time. A new President usually takes two years for anything to start taking affect on the economy.
I hope Obama lowers taxes on the lower and lower-middle class. 80% of Americans make less than $40,000 a year and live pay check to pay check. We raised the minimum wage but never raised the federal poverty level, forcing more and more Americans to live in debt. These 80% need a big tax break. McCain said he wanted to eliminate income taxes on those making less than $28,000 a year. Obama won't do that. I'm willing to bet he'll raise taxes heavily on the middle class and give only a slight tax break to the poor.
I just want to thank our parents, adults, and the generation before me for screwing up this nation and our economy.
E
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