TODAY'S POLITICS--STRANGER THAN FICTION

For almost two years now, I've been a good citizen and kept up with almost every little tid-bit on both Obama and McCain so I could make a wise choice for president. Finally, in these last two weeks I see neither is what he says he is…they are just two politicians. Should I have known early on? Of course, but I'm an eternal optimist.

With the incredible turn of events in our economy in the past few weeks, the American people made it clear to their representatives how they felt. I'm stunned at the reaction of the two men we've chosen to represent us as our candidates for the next president. I would have thought that at least one of them would have stood up to lead in this crisis…neither of them heard the outcry of the people. I was so proud when the House voted down the Bailout Bill. I was sure our system of democracy had worked, but that was short-lived--our representatives hadn't listened either. Funny thing is, we'll reward them for not listening and vote them right back in.

Yesterday I received an email. I don't know who to give credit to for writing it, but it says everything concisely. You most likely found one in your mailbox as well.

What Exactly is a Billion?

• The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money. A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of it's releases.
• A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
• B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.
• C. A billion hours ago, our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.
• D. A billion days ago, no-one walked on the earth on two feet.
• E. a billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government
  is spending it.
  
  While this thought is still fresh in our brain...let's look at New Orleans. It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division.
  
  Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D) is presently asking Congress for 250 BILLION DOLLARS to rebuild New Orleans. Interesting number...what does it mean?
• A. Well...if you are one of the 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman and child) you each get $516,528.
• B. or...if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans, your home gets $1,329,787.
• C. or...if you are a family of four...your family gets $2,066,012.
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C., HELLO! Are all your calculators broken?
• Accounts Receivable Tax
• Building Permit Tax CDL License Tax
• Cigarette Tax Corporate Income Tax
• Dog License Tax Federal Income Tax
• Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
• Fishing License Tax
• Food License Tax
• Fuel Permit Tax
• Gasoline Tax
• Hunting License Tax
• Inheritance Tax
• Inventory Tax IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
• IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
• Liquor Tax Luxury Tax
• Marriage License Tax
• Medicare Tax Property Tax
• Real Estate Tax
• Service charge taxes
• Social Security Tax
• Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
• Sales Taxes
• Recreational Vehicle Tax
• School Tax
• State Inc ome Tax
• State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
• Telephone Federal Excise Tax
• Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
• Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
• Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
• Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
• Telephone State and Local Tax
• Telephone Usage Charge Tax
• Utility Tax
• Vehicle License Registration Tax
• Vehicle Sales Tax
• Watercraft Registration Tax
• Well Permit Tax
• Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago...and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt...We had the largest middle class in the world...What happened? Can you spell 'politician!' (END OF EMAIL)


What was really funny was taking the vote in the first place. They had already spent how many billions bailing out Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac, AIG and all those other banks on Wall Street without even asking. Now that 700 billion is just a drop in the bucket. I saw in the news today, we're going in the banking business. When is someone going to stand up and say THAT'S ENOUGH--STOP--NO MORE!

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not voting for either of the candidates. I'm writing in my vote. I'm voting for MIKE HUCKABEE. At least he's not a politician.