THE MIS-ADVENTURE OF FLYING

I was just reading about Alec Baldwin getting booted off an American Airlines flight. While I was amused at his statement that retired Catholic School teachers become AA flight attendants (not stewardesses anymore), he is wrong. Plain and simple – wrong.
With more than two million air miles under my belt or my butt, I have seen a lot on planes that look like fun. Candidates for the Mile High Club were very evident on late night flights. Those were the days when you could get a blanket. With DVD players I have spied people watching porn as I was returning form the lavatory. They didn’t mind my over the shoulder approach to viewing for at least three minutes then the lady got testy so I made my way down the isle to my too small seat.
One of the things I liked to do was get a sandwich at Carnegie Deli and keep half for the flight the next day. When they brought out the trays I would bring out the sandwich. Inevitably I would get the question, “Where did you get that?” I told my seat mate that I requested the deli special when I got on board. Always good for a laugh! Now they don’t bring out the trays – so the joke died with inflight service.

I have seen people duck under their seat to make a cell call while taxiing. Their call is so much more important that our safety – just ask them. I am not sure that items with on-off buttons could cause a problem. I don’t know. I have seen some documentaries that demonstrate that they could interfere with communications and navigation equipment. So, I have to defer to the airlines – which all have the same rules throughout the world. Who am I to say that my call, my game is more important than the flying of more than 150 people on $35 million aircraft – I guess if you are Alec Baldwin and/ or a famous restaurant owner that I saw almost sitting on the floor making a call, you have a false sense of importance. Go ahead and arrest Baldwin, I don’t watch his show – he won’t be missed.

I do love watching the new series Pan Am. That is how flying was and maybe how it should be again. The acting is not exactly top quality and the story lines are pretty weak . I started flying as part of my way of doing business way back in the late 60’s. It was a class experience in both first and in the coach cabins. Now it is welcome to Greyhound in the sky.

Most of the flight attendants are quite nice. Today, they are not the chic images that the Pan Am series promotes – actually, many are men. Can’t imagine men in those tight, blue uniforms and white gloves. I do recall PSA Airlines with the short shorts. That is while there was smile on the face of the planes and on the men that flew on them. In those days no-one would cross a flight attendant or argue with them or be rude. Well, almost no-one. I can’t recall anyone ever being disrespectful – even the drunks were cautious.

Those were days that the flight attendant said, “Eat something, you will feel better.” Today they say, “Buy something!” Recently, I had to fly home for six and a half hours with a bad headache. I didn’t have any medicine for the pain so I asked for aspirin. Don’t have I it on board. Tylenol – same answer and once again rebuffed when I asked for Advil. They can’t give it you anymore – you can’t even buy it on board.

Airlines say, “We know why you fly.” I fly because it is too far to walk! Or “Fly the friendly skies.” I am not sure where the friends are if they can’t feed you, offer you drinks or give you an aspirin.

Getting back to the seats. I agree with the airlines that when someone is big enough to sit in their seat and yours, too, is charged for two seats. I have had that experience and the flight attendant said, “Too bad!” Screaming kids, “Too bad.” Smelly lavatory, “Too bad.” So, while Baldwin was being a rude bore he was up against a trained cadre of flight attendants that have police power to eject you from the flight. But they can’t tell a parent to shut the kid up! (They didn’t from Philadelphia to Munich, they let the parent let the kid scream). What happened to the idea of safety and comfort? I am sure someone was close to opening the door at 35,000 feet and jumping out – me!

In the good old days before hi-jacks to Cuba, D.B Cooper and the 9/11 events, flying was fun. The lounges, the food, the stewardesses – all made the experience rewarding. Now the only reward posted is for the capture of the guy that didn’t turn off his cell phone. It is a Federal offence. Four ounces of shampoo, see in the pen!

That’s my take on it, you decide.

CLASS WARFARE – ARE YOU A SOLDIER?

According to Rush Limbaugh we are now embarking on Class Warfare because the president proposed that the people making a million a year pay 3% more in taxes. Now them there are fightin’ words! You millionaires better reinforce your property gates and the doors to the vaults as ”they” are acomin’ fer ya!

Leave it to Rush to put the spin on this so us poor people look like revolutionaries. I see images from the play Les Miserables playing out in the streets. What are “poor” people? Who are the “poor” people? We are, those of us making less than $1 million a year. Guess I am very poor!

Now the argument goes that many people don’t pay taxes. Yep, they don’t make enough to pay any. Just like Exxon-Mobil. They are sooo poor that even though their profits are in the several BILLIONS, they pay nothing – nada – no taxes – but they do get refunds and subsidies in the $4 BILLION range. Poor guys, they were hoping for more – they may have to go on food stamps. Who is paying that refund – we are – the bottom 99%.

Everyone pays taxes. Try to buy a Slurpee at 7-11 and not pay sales tax. The transient that lives on the street and goes into Starbucks for some hot coffee – he pays taxes. Check out how many taxes are in the price of a gallon gas. Not everyone pays income taxes, but everyone pays taxes. Get a meaningless job and a W2, you are tagged with FICA taxes – no matter how many “dependents” you claim, FICA is still paid.

No one wants to pay taxes, but asking the very wealthiest of the country to pay just a little more is not class warfare – it is just asking for them to pay their fair share to protect what they have. I guess it is not class warfare to ask the poorest of the country to pay to protect the wealthy – it is just aristocracy – like it was in the 19th Century England.

According to this Supreme Court, money is speech – so the more you have the louder you speak. That is why the top 1% is so much louder than the bottom 99%.

Did you hear the story of the franchise owner from Arkansas? He testified that he does $6 million a year in business. He has to feed his family and that costs $200,000 a year. He deducts that from his salary of $600,000 a year leaving only $5.4 million to pay 500 employees. What a great guy – he pays his employees a whopping $5.19 an hour. Is he is to be believed? His family gets to eat on a measly $4000 a week! With the other $400,000 he gets to enjoy his life. The sacrifices this guy has to make – makes you wanna cry!

He is a “job creator.” He creates poverty level employees. He is a “class warfare” creator. He is just lucky that the foot soldiers of this war do not carry guns – they carry signs, they carry time cards and they get to wear paper hats and smiles when they say, “Welcome to . . . !”

It is tiring to hear these billionaires crying that they have to pay taxes. I pay my fair share and I am confident that the top 1% pay proportionately less than I do. Ask Warren Buffett, he’ll tell you how he pays less taxes than his secretary. Mr. Buffett sees the inequity in the system. He wants to pay more. In fact, most people who are earning in the millions are willing to pay more, but the cadre of Congress people want to protect the wealthiest Americans to protect themselves. Ask Eric or John or Mitch – these legislators are protecting the” job creators” that haven’t created any jobs except those that attend to their lawns. (And many are illegals – just ask Romney and he is “running for office for Pete’s sake.”)

The bottom 99% is getting louder every day. We are hearing them across the country and yes, the world. The problem is that the public safety workers don’t realize that they are a large part of the 99%! Cops, fire, health workers and other public employees are going to lose their ability to collectively bargain – whose doing that to them – the 1% people.

Our society is being reflected in the political landscape – just two political parties and now just two classes – those that have and those of us that will have to give more to those that have. As stated by George W. Bush, the 1% is made up of “those that have and those that have more.”

That is my take – you decide.

THE NBA FIASCO IN MID-TOWN

When I was about nine years old I came home on a Saturday afternoon and turned on the TV. It took about two minutes to warm up and I flipped the channels with the channel selector knob. I had only three channels to choose from and all three were black and white. On channel seven I saw a bunch of guys in gym shorts playing basketball. Little did I know that I was watching the world famous Boston Celtics at the equally famous “Gahdin.”

I became hooked on basketball. These were my new heroes: Sharman, Cousy, McCauley and later K.C. Jones, Sam Jones and Bill Russell. These were great guys that played for the Celtics, the team and the Celtics were great! They were also good people!

I am not sure that the individual that plays the game today can equal the character of the people that played the game then. Jerry West for the Lakers, Irving for the 76ers, Frank Selby, Richie Guerin for the New York (hated) Knicks. These were players of character. They didn’t jump as high as the players of today. They didn't jump teams - they were loyal to the fans, the team and the city. They did pass better. They won without the three point shot, and they had to make the first free throw to get to the second.
The players I see today are not of great character. I am generalizing, but the few that set the stage for the rest are still NBA Players. Now what do they want? More. Just like Oliver, “More, please.” More of what? More diamond earrings, more gold chains, more groupies, more entitlements to bad behavior? Just more because they feel entitled by their size and sometimes, questionable skills that size hides their inadequacies.

There is a lock out. The owners have said enough is enough. More than 20 teams are losing money and the payers are insisting on a greater percentage than they had so the teams that are losing money could lose more. These are the “businesses” that employ the players and the employees that are making many millions of dollars are unhappy – they want more. They want to put their hands deeper into the pockets of the owners.

Imagine working for Sears and saying you won’t come to work because you want more. Or imagine Sears saying to the employees if you insist on more I am going to lock the doors. It is nuts. Until they hit the NBA most people didn’t know of any of the players unless they played in their hometown or home state college. Now they are stars and want to be paid accordingly. Accordingly to what? But what if they had no place to play – are they still “stars?” There are just so many players that are drafted from such a large pool are the stars still yet to be found?

I bet I could draft an NBA team from the courts at Venice Beach. But here is what will happen.
They will play well, draw TV audiences and stadium crowds, negotiate with the owners then they, too will be overpaid and they too will want more. Now whose fault is that? The owners. Because they paid!

They wanted the player to play for him/her and they said grab that wheel barrel of money and play on my court. So, the owners are responsible for their mess. Now they want to limit their expenses by capping the player’s share of income to a paltry 50%.

Have you bought a ticket to an NBA game lately? I am not so sure that the cost of buying those tickets didn’t cause the mortgage crisis. How much can you charge to watch guys in their underwear play for 48 minutes? And these are not nice guys (again, generalizing). These guys have histories of rape, wife beating, shooting people, carrying guns into a locker room, bedding more than 20,000 women who are not wives and so much more.

These guys are mostly inarticulate. They can’t string words together except to say, “more.” They make more money touting deodorants, sneakers and other overpriced stuff because the owners gave them a jersey and a number. Why can’t the owners ask for a percentage of that income?

This is a balanced problem – the owners pay more so the players think they owners can pay more. The players are insisting at looking at the books and the owners should have the same right to examine the benefits the player receives by wearing the owner’s jersey. They can each dip their respective hands into 52.5% of the gross – players and team.

It nothing more than greed. On both sides! But the owners have the key to the store. They made the investments, bought the jerseys with the numbers on them. Got the arenas built, negotiated the TV agreements that helped the “stars” become stars. The players invest in themselves – most of them received scholarships and other non-NCAA benefits to play at the college level so the pros could see them. Their investment seems minimal. They even got rewarded for becoming better at the “amateur” level. That made them worth “more.’

Take the 50%! How many more millions do the players need? Do the players intend to make up the lost income of the stadium employees – who make a few bucks short of a million. Does either side care? These are also casualties of this idiocy.

So, we won’t have NBA Basketball for a few weeks or maybe even months. I will live. Some fanatics will have hard time, but there is always college hoops, NFL and NCAA Football to keep us occupied. Many have said that college basketball is a better game. Can’t wait till March Madness. The October madness is happening now in a mid-town Manhattan hotel.

And where is the fan in all this?

That is my take on it – you decide.

THUMBS UP – THE NEW COMMUNICATIONS PROCESS

We are living in a Blackberry world! Until it goes down. That is. It wasn’t so long ago that I expressed regret that I did not take typing 101 in High School. Watching my wife cruise the keyboard like a stenographic super woman, made me jealous of the amount of text she could out put while I still, after all these years, have to look at the key tops to insure that my typing reflects what I am thinking. 

A short while ago I wrote about the difference between the thumb and the fingers in communications. I was right and I was also wrong! 

My first Smith Corona portable typewriter entered my life at age 14. More than a  half century later, I am only slight better at typing than I was at 14. It is not a matter of just speed, it is a matter of spelling, spacing, hyphenation, indents and so much more that makes written (typed) page a work of art! Be sure, I am among the vast majority who are NOT artists! 

But I got along just like so many others! When I hired my first secretary more than 35 years ago I asked two basic questions: How fast can you type? (I have a cousin that once hit 90 plus words a minute). And, do you take shorthand? Later, working for Dictaphone Corporation, shorthand was not a requirement as we had telephone like devices on our desk. We just picked up the handset and started talking. We could say whatever was on our mind into this device as it was called the “Think Tank.” Somewhere a stenographer was typing our thoughts at blazing speed on typewriters that had balls whacking away on the paper in a blur! 

Those were the good old 70sa and 80s! Stenography was a career! Need a stenographer - just dip into the “pool.” They did it all – took your thoughts converted them to scribbles (shorthand), then typed them on correcting typewriters and voila – your thoughts on paper, spelled correctly with the proper punctuation and in one of maybe seven typefaces that IBM has on balls! 

Now that we have desktop, laptop and note book computers along with iPhones, Thunderbolts, Droids and BlackBerrys and other devices that fin into a small bag, pouch, belt-clip or inside pocket, the world has changed - or has it? White Out gave way to Spell Check, ink erasers are extinct, 12 point type is a thing of the past just like the three cent stamp.  

“I am all thumbs” has a new meaning! Left and right thumbs are the new source of information. Left and right thumbs connect with the rest of the world. Just as Emperor Nero would put his thumb up or down to indicate whether the combatant would live or die, our thumbs do the same – will that deal live or die? We thumb are way through the process no matter where we are– will we have the meeting or not, we will have the date, is it a deal – so many questions rest on how well our thumbs communicate.

Even the worst typist can manipulate their thumbs – after all, it is just two of ten fingers. My thumb was once a proven method of transportation and now it is proven method of communication. My thumb got me all over the country, now I use it to get all over the world – instantly! My thumbs do not have to obey any posted speed limit! Thumbs take me to wherever I need to go with my thoughts and words.

Shorthand is back. Instant Messenger made thumb based communications even easier as words are not required. “cul8tr.” “50.” So many cryptic messages, “lol.” The new shorthand! You bet! After all, how much work can two thumbs do? There is a new etiquette or a lack of etiquette that is acceptable when using just thumbs. Spell check not required. In fact, it is distained. Buying vowels is a Vanna White service – not for Smart Phones. 

We had to know this was coming. So many states have vanity license plates these days. There have been some very compelling messages on these plates with just seven letters:“htgrdma.” “l8agn.” Hot grandma and late again – for those of you who are ‘Thumbish” Language challenged. 

For those of us that sort of miss the good old 70s and 80s where the English Language, and other languages of the world were all typed on a QWERTY keyboard, take heart.

Your left and right thumbs compete favorably to that stenographer who whizzed across the keyboard creating machine gun like sounds that would make a marine gunner proud! We have our thumbs to thank. Is it not our thumbs that separate us from primates?  

Pull out your Blackberry or iPhone and start creating information that will impact the world or your world, at least. Write that one great book that supposedly resides in us all. You can do it with just your thumbs. Imagine how fast you can create the tome of your life if you are using “u” for “you.” “l8t” for “late” or “st8” for “state?” get out the dictionary of Thumbish or get a teenager to assist, they have the latest “411.”

As you can see all this technology made the world an easier place to be, that is, unless you are all thumbs! 

That is my take, you decide – send me a thumb generated text!

WHO SAYS THE THUMB IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DIGIT?

Over the years we were told that the thumb was the most important digit on our hand – either right or left. Let’s face it we would not be able to write without it. Scratching your nose would be much more difficult. Shaking hands would be weird. But just what does thumb do besides indicate the direction you want to go?

OK – in Roman times it indicated life or death. I guess that was important then – especially for the gladiators. That signal hasn’t been used in centuries –  the thumb has given way to lethal injections, red buttons that say “Do Not Touch,” (so we touch them). The thumb is losing its importance in our lives. It doesn’t communicate much. It is too big for small smartphone keyboards. Maybe that is why my name comes through on a text message with 18 letters!

The thumb is gaining in stature with monkeys. That is how we differentiate ourselves – with the imposable thumb. Now that monkeys are starting to use their thumbs the thumb may be making a comeback.  But only with monkeys.

Nothing really positive is associated with the thumb. Thumb sucking is not a good thing. Hitting your thumb with a hammer only makes it bigger, brighter and brings out the worst in language. If you don’t want to read a book, you say, “I will thumb my way through it.” Want to look at a photo – look at a “thumbnail.” That is a small rendition of the picture. Don’t want the whole story, get a thumbnail version. The thumb is now a tool of indifference. I don’t want to be disrespectful to the thumb, I would be devastated without mine, but other digits now seem to communicate more and at a higher level.

For example, as I was driving down Reseda Boulevard,  at a safe speed, not racing to get anywhere, a car of vintage passed me and a middle finger was stuck out the window. Here is what that digit told me: It was a hot day and she didn’t have air conditioning. She indicated that she would be number one at the stop sign and she realized that this was information that I really needed to have – no point in my racing to the stop sign.

However, she had to make a left turn and was waiting as I proceeded through the stop sign. I lowered my window (I have air conditioning) and raised my finger indicating that I was actually number one through the stop sign. In my rear view mirror she was wildly moving her digit indicating that she was not taking this lightly. So, I put out three fingers hoping she would understand, “Please read between the lines.” Yes, it was a she!

So, here you have it! The index middle and ring fingers are the most important fingers. The middle finger has the most impact. The ring finger suggests commitment, the index finger points the way but the middle finger’s message is so forceful that they blur the raising of the digit when shown in news cast. But, the meaning is never blurred. Oh, the pinky finger, that is for effect!

The thumb, when put to use on a keyboard, only creates the spaces. The digits are the ones that create the words.

That is my take on it – you decide!?

PS - What do you think of this post? Thumbs up or thumbs down?

YOU WOULD THINK WITH THIS EMPLOYMENT MARKET . . .

. . . that those that hold jobs would do everything in their power to keep them. I am amazed at the lack of service that we are getting these days at local restaurants both high end (expensive) and middle of the road like delis – although have you seen the prices lately?

Not long ago my wife made a reservation at a very upscale Brentwood restaurant* to celebrate a family event. She called and made the reservation and asked for a specific table. In fact, a friend that is a very frequent diner also called on our behalf to make sure that the table was held for us. A few days before another call was made and we were assured that the table was ours. 

You guessed it – the table was occupied when we got there. “Someone else wanted it,” we were told. No apology. We even saw the notes in the reservation book and she could care less. We were given a smaller table by the bar.  

 Our waitress was, to be polite, the worst! Food came out at different intervals and was cold. No apologies. No attention. Could not get her attention.  The bill was extravagant and the service really sucked and the food failed on every level. Of course, we reported this to our friends who are or were very frequent diners there – a couple of times a week. They gave the restaurant a pass as it may have been a “bad night.” Guess what, they experienced similar attitudes after that and are no longer patrons.  My guess is, and I do not know, they may have spent up to $10,000 a year or more at that establishment. That is the equivalent of a half of a hostess. With their negative recommendations the other half is probably gone.

There is a new Italian restaurant in Encino. The first time we tried to get in we were told that because we had no reservation they could not accommodate us. I am OK with that. The place was full and that was the best recommendation. A few months later we tried to go again and were accommodated as it was early in the evening. The food was great, the service was good, so we felt we found a good eatery that is local. 

They say that the third time is a charm. It was about the same time in the early evening we stopped by to see if we could get a pre-movie meal. There was about four tables occupied and the rest of the restaurant was empty. We requested a patio table and the petite 17 year old hostess came back  pointing to her watch like an old schoolteacher, admonishing us that the table had to be available at 7:15 for another customer. We probably would have been gone long before the 7:15 time, but it was the attitude – so we said, “Good-bye.” 

From there we headed east to Van Nuys Boulevard where we revisited a restaurant that we ate at once a few years back. We were greeted in a manner that says we want your business. They provided a great table, great bread and a very good menu. The wait staff was friendly and welcoming.

 As we looked through the menu, we saw that they had a sister operation in Brentwood. Guess which one! That prompted a conversation with the waiter who told us that while management was related, they were two different restaurants. That fact was borne out by the ensuing service the quality of the food and the attention we got. Looking around, we were not alone as the restaurant filled and everyone seemed to be pleased. We will continue to frequent Oliva.

Not long ago, after a religious service four of us went to a local delicatessen that had a famous reputation. The place was two thirds empty. We were immediately seated and a table and promptly ignored. The waitress was non-existent and when she finally arrived she took our order.

Nate must have been off that night because it took forever to get the food. Our waitress was pleasant and friendly but we didn’t see her until the food arrived. It was not good.  

Here is the point: With unemployment so high and customers are hard to get due to the economy, you would think that business, especially service business, would take time to train their people.

 As a gesture of good will, I called the manager of the Italian restaurant in Encino and thanked him for the experience as his hostess caused us to find a better restaurant that we will continue to frequent. I expressed my feelings saying, “Sorry that our experience at your eatery was bad, but it led to a good thing and for that we are grateful. Thank your hostess for me.”

I am amazed at the attitudes. These people have jobs and are trying to lose them – maybe not intentionally, but by their attitudes. The business owners are somewhat lax as they are not training their people to protect their business. I see lack of caring – maybe basic training should be as a WalMart greeter. They always smile and say, “Welcome.” 

That is my take – you decide.

*Name of restaurant given by written request.

DETAILS OF THE TAXES AND FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE HEALTH CARE LAW.

A friend recently cited something that is in the Health Care Law. He said he knew or heard about the 1.5% tax on home sales to be paid by the seller. I hadn’t heard that. I had read much of the actual bill that was not one of the items that I could recall. Many friends have also told me about some items that are NOT in the law but they believe that these items are contained in the law. So, I did a little research and found a synopsis of all the taxes and fees on Kiplinger’s site.  Here is what I found out.
There are 13 taxes and fees associated with the Heal Care Bill. Some are ridiculous and are “so whats” such as the 10% tax on tanning services. These tanning beds can cause cancer so there has to be a price for vanity. Me, I am neutral on this, I lay by the pool, as I said, it is a so what!

There are tax credits associated with the law. Yep, I said CREDITS! This is a little complicated, but initially small businesses can receive up to 35% of their health care premium cost as a CREDIT. Later, that CREDIT can go to 50%. Now even though that the value of the health insurance an employee receives is on their W-2 form, it is NOT taxable. That can hurt business – how?

Play loose with the law regarding non qualified (I have no idea) distributions from health savings accounts (do you know anyone that has one?) then the fine is doubled to 20% (of what?). There is a cap on how much an employer can contribute to health care flexible spending accounts to $2500 per year, whatever that means. I do know that you can’t use these funds for Advil or any other OTC drug. Viagra, I am not sure.

Here is where it could hurt your earnings. ( it means having a job – a very well paying job) If you earn more than $200,000 per year or $250,000 for married couples there will be a .9% sur tax on the excess of the amounts stated. So, if you are earning $500,000 a year, your Medicare sur tax will be $2250, less than one half of one percent – that will stifle jobs, right, wrong!
There is actually more to this part of the bill that has high earners pissed off. It will apply to unearned income such as interest, dividends, capital gains, annuities, royalties and rents. Any interest that is tax exempt now will be then as well.

You will have to have 10% of your income allocated to medical deductions starting in 2013 rather than 7.5%. With the price of medications today, that increase of 2.5% to many will mean nothing.

A friend recently cited something that is in the Health Care Law. He said he knew or heard about the 1.5% tax on home sales to be paid by the seller. I hadn’t heard that. I had read much of the actual bill that was not one of the items that I could recall. Many friends have also told me about some items that are NOT in the law but they believe that these items are contained in the law. So, I did a little research and found a synopsis of all the taxes and fees on Kiplinger’s site.  Here is what I found out.

There are 13 taxes and fees associated with the Heal Care Bill. Some are ridiculous and are “so whats” such as the 10% tax on tanning services. These tanning beds can cause cancer so there has to be a price for vanity. Me, I am neutral on this, I lay by the pool, as I said, it is a so what!

There are tax credits associated with the law. Yep, I said CREDITS! This is a little complicated, but initially small businesses can receive up to 35% of their health care premium cost as a CREDIT. Later, that CREDIT can go to 50%. Now even though that the value of the health insurance an employee receives is on their W-2 form, it is NOT taxable. That can hurt business – how?

Play loose with the law regarding non qualified (I have no idea) distributions from health savings accounts (do you know anyone that has one?) then the fine is doubled to 20% (of what?). There is a cap on how much an employer can contribute to health care flexible spending accounts to $2500 per year, whatever that means. I do know that you can’t use these funds for Advil or any other OTC drug. Viagra, I am not sure.

Here is where it could hurt your earnings. ( it means having a job – a very well paying job) If you earn more than $200,000 per year or $250,000 for married couples there will be a .9% sur tax on the excess of the amounts stated. So, if you are earning $500,000 a year, your Medicare sur tax will be $2250, less than one half of one percent – that will stifle jobs, right, wrong!

There is actually more to this part of the bill that has high earners pissed off. It will apply to unearned income such as interest, dividends, capital gains, annuities, royalties and rents. Any interest that is tax exempt now will be then as well.

You will have to have 10% of your income allocated to medical deductions starting in 2013 rather than 7.5%. With the price of medications today, that increase of 2.5% to many will mean nothing.

Remember those GOLDEN PLANS that cover everything from rhinoplasty to breast enhancement, and the premiums are paid by an employer? That gets a real kick if the plan costs more than $27,500 for a family for a year. It is a 40% excise tax on the amount that exceeds the $27,500. Who generally gets these plans? CEOs making millions every year. This could be a real drag as the 40% could be as much as two start times  for foursomes at the country club! What a job killer!

We’ve covered one through ten – there are three more.

THE MANDATE. Here’s how that works for those of you that hate paying for someone else’s health care. Too bad we can’t get uninsured health care as we do for uninsured motorists on our auto policy (Mandated).  Starting in 2014 a minimum yearly tax of $95 is imposed or 1% of income rising to $695 or 2.5% of income by 2016. You don’t have to get insurance if the 2.5% is better than a plan that costs more. Here are some more MANDATES: You must have a passport to travel – costs about $100. You must have a driver’s license – cost about $25. You must have a gas shut off valve at your home – cost about $350. You must have a six foot fence if you have a pool – cost about $3000. Smog control and smog testing – MANDATE.  Nobody helps you with those costs! And even though there are no “declared” wars, you are mandated to register for Selective Service at age 18.

If you can’t afford the MANDATE then there are refundable tax credits if the family‘s household earnings are from $22,000 to $88,000 for families. Single tax payers can get a sliding scale credit based on income from $11,000 to $44,000.

The last of the 13 is the nondeductible fee charged to businesses with 50 or more employees that fails to offer adequate coverage. As I grew up my father, then me; we always had employer provided adequate coverage.  My dad was union and I was never union, but insurance was part of my employment. When I had employees I provided the coverage and I only had six employees at the time. That benefit helped me get the best employees.

I can see General Motors going out of business because they don’t want to provide health care coverage to their employees – Oh, yes, shut GM down because of health insurance? Health insurance is more than medical coverage. Train an employee, have them work for you for ten years and they get sick. What is more cost effective? Find another employee, train them to do the job, lose the productivity while they learn, OR make the employee well with adequate health coverage? I ask, which do you think is better?

Remember those GOLDEN PLANS that cover everything from rhinoplasty to breast enhancement, and the premiums are paid by an employer? That gets a real kick if the plan costs more than $27,500 for a family for a year. It is a 40% excise tax on the amount that exceeds the $27,500. Who generally gets these plans? CEOs making millions every year. This could be a real drag as the 40% could be as much as two start times for two foursomes at the country club! What a job killer!

We’ve covered one through ten – there are three more.

THE MANDATE. Here’s how that works for those of you that hate paying for someone else’s health care. Too bad we can’t get uninsured health care as we do for uninsured motorists on our auto policy (Mandated).  Starting in 2014 a minimum yearly tax of $95 is imposed or 1% of income rising to $695 or 2.5% of income by 2016. You don’t have to get insurance if the 2.5% is better than a plan that costs more. Here are some more MANDATES: You must have a passport to travel – costs about $100. You must have a driver’s license – cost about $25. You must have a gas shut off valve at your home – cost about $350. You must have a six foot fence if you have a pool – cost about $3000. Smog control and smog testing – MANDATE.  Nobody helps you with those costs! And even though there are no “declared” wars, you are mandated to register for Selective Service at age 18.

If you can’t afford the MANDATE then there are refundable tax credits if the family‘s household earnings are from $22,000 to $88,000 for families. Single tax payers can get a sliding scale credit based on income from $11,000 to $44,000.

The last of the 13 is the nondeductible fee charged to businesses with 50 or more employees that fails to offer adequate coverage. As I grew up my father, then me; we always had employer provided adequate coverage.  My dad was union and I was never union, but insurance was part of my employment. When I had employees I provided the coverage and I only had six employees at the time. That benefit helped me get the best employees.

I can see General Motors going out of business because they don’t want to provide health care coverage to their employees – Oh, yes, shut GM down because of health insurance? Health insurance is more than medical coverage. Train an employee, have them work for you for ten years and they get sick. What is more cost effective? Find another employee, train them to do the job, lose the productivity while they learn, OR make the employee well with adequate health coverage? I ask, which do you think is better?

Oh, I never found that 1.5% tax. That, like so many other myths that surround the health care bill, distort the facts. Everyone I ask hates the plan but loves what is in it. It is like watching your family taking a drive in a Yugo. Don’t like the car, but love what is in it. It will get you where you need to go.

That is my take on it - you decide!

WRITER’S BLOCK OR CTOS* – BUT THEN THIS CAME TO MIND

It is the 10^th year of remembrance of 9/11. My ideas may be crazy and off the chart, but facts of history do speak for themselves. That was a very tragic day and the loss of life will never be acceptable to any right thinking American or citizen of the world, for that matter. I want to honor those that fell that day and those that have fallen in the ensuing wars. By inserting some humor I am trying to say that we were not and are not defeated! They say that time plus tragedy is the formula for comedy – there is no comedy here, just some humor – as there is in all events.

I will sit for days thinking that I will never have another idea, opinion, philosophy or experience to write about that might engage a reader. Then it comes. I can’t tell you how many blogs have been written by me as the Ambien are kicking in. Decision time; get up and make a quick note and then try to go to sleep without the full effect of the Ambien or just doze off and hope that the idea has a shelf life of about eight hours.

In most cases either scenario works. That is how these ideas come. Someone asked so I thought I would tell. One came to me while shaving this morning. They were touting President Bush’s interview on some obscure channel regarding 9/11 and these thoughts popped up (along with my breakfast – too early in the morning for that kind of trauma). It was also dangerous because I was using a razor to shave, the kind with blades.

During the attacks on 9/11 George sat there in the Florida class room for seven minutes. Didn’t move a muscle. During those seven minutes he was debating  whether he should ask the smart kid in the front row, “What to do?”. He didn’t want to scare them so instead he looked like a startled deer in headlights frozen with fear. The deer at least has a look that asks, “What the f__k?”

Getting back to the ideas that have trouble coming, here is one set of ideas that came while the Barbasol was lathering my face.

Here is what I think GWB was thinking:

This is his stream of consciousness, if you will (he was awake – his eyes were open and looking down in the photo). I believe his first thought was, “OH SHIT.” His second was, “no not in these pants! I just had them cleaned. I will have to sit here until the spot dries!” His remaining thoughts went something like this:

Bet that guy Saddaam did it. He didn’t like my daddy, he tried to kill my daddy.  It was Saddam, even if it wasn’t Saddam. Condi told me something about an attack that was going to happen by Al somebody. That report was last month. Thought that Al was the guy that fixed her car- guess not.

Ok, who else could have done it? What , there were Saudis on those planes? I can’t say that, the royal family is family – they wouldn’t do that to me. Heck, the king spent time at my ranch. Wait, he could still be pissed because he stepped in some . . . nah we got it all off but it did stink for a while. These are kind people, the kind that like to beat their wives but they don’t ever try that on my momma or Laura. I would strongly threaten to kick their ass if they did or make them buy some cool weapons at some very good prices.

Osama ben Laden? No way. They are also family. The ben Ladens and the Bush families go way back. Heck we’ve been business partners for years. Ah, I do recall that they had a difficult son in the family. Nah, he wouldn’t do it – he swam in our pool, drank our coffee and snuck a beer every once in a while. He was a tall SOB!

So here is what we got to do: Get Dick to organize his old company so they can charge us extremely high prices for everything. Do a bombing raid on Baghdad- call it “Shock in the Box.” No that won’t do – awe shucks – I got it “Shuck and Awe!” Almost there --- SHOCK AND AWE, that’s it.

Let’s bomb the shit out of Iraq – even if the attack was carried out by Saudis. We will look for their Weapons of Mass Destruction. (W, like me, MD) Or, let’s pretend to go looking for them and anyone who says they ain’t there we will brand as being un- patriotic. Wow, I got the way to spend this country into economic ruin and then let the Democrats try to solve that problem.  I will declare that I am a dictator (as a joke, but I won’t be laughing).  No, he really wasn’t’ that smart!

That was a long seven minutes and I don’t know what was really in his head, if anything, but it lead to a  well concocted plan to screw the US for many years.

Speaking of seven minutes have you read the Sidney Sheldon book that describes seven minutes in another, more interesting way? Maybe that is what George was doing for those seven minutes, in either case, something got wet!

OK, Mr. President, we got to go and go - now! He thought, “Not till my pants are dry.”

That is my thinking – you decide!

*Can’t think of shit.

SINCE I WAS BORN

This is not exclusively about me. It is about all things that my friends, many of whom I haven’t seen or spoken with in decades have experienced – we experience these things together as we share the same generation. We all share this even though many of us are thousands of miles apart. And sadly, some of these friends that shared these events are no longer with us.

These series of thoughts were generated last evening over dinner when my wife and pined over the fact that our grandchildren will have to do exceedingly well in life to even approach their parent’s level of success. We have often heard that the generation of which I am referring to will be the first to not do as well as their parents. That is a two edged sword – we brought our kids up to succeed and they did. Did we set a standard that makes their situation with their children very difficult?

There are so many reasons for this. Part is what we experienced that gave us another world view. In my lifetime I experienced World War II. While I was a child could not fully understand the implications, I remember War Bonds that my parents bought to help out even though they were not of any wealth. I remember family members in uniform. I can recall my mother’s worry over her brother and her nephew – both serving in Europe. I recall asking what the stars on the windows meant. I recall being terrified of the answer.

I was nine when we went to war in Korea. That I do remember vividly and the TV speeches of President Truman. Our family just had our first TV installed! My friends, my family and my family’s friends were terrified of the draft. (Our government had and still does have a Selective Service where 18 year olds can be drafted into the military in time of need). Numbers like 1A and 4F were being spoken about daily. (I was a 1D because I was in the Army Reserve at the time I needed to register).

The draft brought the wars to our door steps. We all felt the impact of the war. It was real and it was in our houses, it was in our streets, it was in our houses of worship – the draft had people we know and were close to in navy blue, khaki or olive drab. The draft had a presence in our lives that did not turn off with the TV. And we knew some of the casualties of war, like the kid that delivered our groceries. But wars lasted just three and a half years at the most!

The next was Viet Nam. A war without reason that killed more than 58,000 young Americans – most` of them were drafted. WWII we fought Hirohito and Hitler. Korea it was the communists that wanted to overrun a peaceful country but we really didn’t know who or why we were fighting in Viet Nam. Selective Service cards got burned, rallies were initiated and a new word crept into our vocabulary, “deferment.” Some other guy got to fight in your place. Vice President Chaney sent five other guys to replace him.

After Viet Nam we had some peace until we stirred some crap up in South America. Remember Iran-Contra? What was evolving was a basic distrust of the government in the matters of war. They lied and we knew it and they know we knew it – but who cares. The draft was over. No one was going to protest – “hell no, we don’t have to go.”

Welcome to WMD, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. They lied and we knew it and they know we knew it – but who cares. The draft was over. No one was going to protest – “hell no, we don’t have to go.” Unlike WWII where it was illegal to profit from war, the opposite is now true. So, the very rich got very richer. The government decided to pay for the war with tax reductions for the ones getting richer and not budget the expenses. And there is no real end in sight. No protest. Makes sense – if you are nuts!

A  new guy comes into town and says we have to pay for these wars that kill people and cultures  and pay for other items that enhance our people and our culture. That makes sense until you hear how the richest of the rich or those that are supposed to represent them want us to pay for these expenses.  Raising revenues – no.  Creating infrastructure – no. Cutting military expenses – no.

They say that lowering the responsibility of those that can afford to pay and have the most to protect will enhance our ability to bring down what we owe.  That's nuts! So, what goes? Education – gone. College support – gone. Healthcare – trying to get it to go away. Social safety nets –about to go. Improved transportation – gone. All makes sense - if you are nuts!

Here’s the impact: When I went to college I spent nine semesters accomplishing what should have been done in eight – when courses became more demanding a four year program became five years. OK. My four and a half years, without books cost me about $231 in tuitions and fees – yes, books were extra.  Yes, two of those years were in a Community College. Until the Right came in to power school was basically free – that idea died with the Reagan era of 1981.

My kids got a great education for minimal cost, even out of town tuition was within reach of our budget – add living expenses,  that was within budget ,too. Yes, I had to get Stafford Loans, Pell Grants to make it – but they were there and affordable – not so much anymore.

My kids tell me they don’t know any different than what it is now. “It is what it is.” It is what it shouldn’t be. Since I was born my country was attacked twice – not one of my grandchildren were witness to either of these attacks.(Good thing) Since I was born we fought or are fighting five wars – I’ll bet that my grandkids and your grandkids under eighteen can’t tell you where we are fighting, or why. There is no public outcry - no draft – no “hell no we won’t go.” (Bad thing). The cost of these wars are creating a society that is exorcising everything we are supposedly fighting for. When these kids are ready to go to college will you or will they have the 1000 times what it cost then to pay now?

That is my take – you decide.

I AM TRULY A FAIR WEATHER FAN

Ok, I am a fair weather fan of the Dodgers – but in reverse. I love it that they are losing. Here’s the mind blower – because I like going to the stadium when they are losing. Did your head explode yet?

Let me explain: Vinny tells you how many people were at the game – that is actual tickets sold – not asses in the seats. That is how they report it. But the number of butts in the seats is considerably less than the tickets sold. It is reported that only 49% of these seats are being filled.  So, I buy the cheapest tickets I can get for that level and then sit where I want.

I love going to the park. The green grass, the organ music, the hot dogs and the ice cream, all make for a great day. I love the sound of the ball of the bat. I love the sound of the pop of the ball in the glove. I love sitting behind home plate when I actually paid for left field, near the foul pole, tickets. That can’t happen if they are winning. And the ushers let me do it!

When the Dodgers are losing I can see the best teams in baseball play against the Dodgers for the price of a very cheap Stub Hub ticket.  I can experience home runs, doubles and double plays. These experiences were very expensive before they were losing – now they are within budget and I can take grandchildren with me.  So we all experience championship baseball. But is the other team that is bidding for the championship. We are there to witness it.

What would four great seats behind home plate cost in Philadelphia? Even if they were playing the Dodgers? That is why people are losing their homes – to pay for season tickets in Philadelphia and other stadiums! But we can see the same teams play for a fraction of the cost because the Dodgers are losing. Go Dodger, or don’t go Dodgers.

Today it is Stand Up For Cancer day at the stadium. For the same low price we saw George Lopez and Tommy Lasorda along with some supermarket workers who were being honored.

I have gone to three Wednesday afternoon games this summer. The four tickets I bought were less than the price of one for that level. Parking is still expensive at fifteen dollars, but there are four of us in the car, so on average it is not bad. Then it is half price for food Wednesday. Believe me, it they were winning, hot dogs would be back at $5.50 but today, because they are losing, the hot dogs and everything else but beer is half price. My gandkids are all too young to drink beer and they don’t know how to get phony IDs yet. Love that losing record!

Since opening day 2011 Dodger Stadium is one of the most secure public venues in America. What happened that day is a shame and it will take years, if ever, for the Dodgers, to overcome that tragedy. Today,  going to the game is cheap and it is safe.

I walked up to an usher and pointed out that my three grandsons were sitting in the first row. I told him that they ran down to get those seats. The usher said that he hoped that they will get a foul ball sitting there. Now that is an usher attitude change! He never asked where my seats were actually at.

Let’s hope that the Dodgers can keep this record up for the next couple of years. I am counting on them to make my baseball experience at the park a continuing positive experience but they have to agree to keep losing. My formula for losing: Pitch Billingsley for six innings (he is only good for four) , put Loney in a clutch hitting situation (he can hit into a triple play for you) play Barajas every other game and continue to give Ethier ether. I may be too harsh here, but the record speaks for itself.

I just want to say, “Thanks Dodgers.” I appreciate your losing record – keep up the bad work.

Maybe I should come clean and tell you who I really root for. My favorite team is any team playing the Yankees that day. And since I can remember, and I can remember many years back, my all-time favorite team is the Boston Red Sox. When they lose I care!

They say that winning is everything. I kinda like when the Dodgers lose. You decide!

I HAVE BEEN HIT NEARLY 1000 TIMES

Ok, so Derek Jeter has 3000 hits. But it only took me 15 months to get close to 1000. At this rate I will reach 3000 much faster than Mr. Jeter. I just wish I was getting paid what he gets paid for each hit. Here is a statistical anomaly, I got nearly 1000 hits with just 30 “at bats.” I guess this where the analogy breaks down – but it was fun trying to make this work. Ah, let’s keep it going, one more shot: Some of my hits have been characterized as home runs, bunts, walks and even some strike outs. The goal, for me, was to get up to bat. That meant writing on some subject or idea was the goal not how far the idea would travel. And sometimes writing is also a therapeutic exercise, but the “at bat” still counts. I’ll get to more of about that later.

Watching the “hits” counter is very gratifying. It is like watching a stock go up – but unlike stocks, the hit counter cannot go down – so this is much better than watching stocks. In the “stats” area I can see how the blog site was accessed and from where and which of the blogs is getting the most reads.

It did take me a while to realize that the longer the blog has been published the more reads it will get, so the most read blog is the first one I wrote in May 2010. I can tell you that it was exciting and I really enjoyed kicking off Much Ado About Some Things. I discovered that posting is fun!

One of the blogs I posted was Who Reads This Stuff? I don’t have their names and addresses but I do know in which countries I am being read. At last count I have been read in 17 different countries. From Malaysia to Iran, from Malta to Latvia, from China to Kuwait – my words have been read. That is an ego trip. When I started this blog never gave it any thought as to who might read my stuff. It just never occurred to me that I would get almost worldwide attention. And, I only write in English!

I have been asked why I do I write a blog. I have advertising on the site. It is an advertising medium. And so far the income from the ads hasn’t been sufficient to cover the cost of the paper that I am typing this blog on. The point is that I do not do it for the money. The fun is knowing that you can get breast implants right here at Much Ado About Some Things. (If you want to buy something from Amazon log on to Amazon from here. You can open a bank account, get health insurance - if you can get health insurance- all from this site. You can buy some computer products as well.) As of now I have not seen a cent from any of the ads – so once again, I am not doing it for the money.

My photo is on the blog and so far I have had not one person come up to me and say they know me! Not even my kids. So fame, along with money as a motive is also out!

I like intellectual stimulation. I like to formulate thoughts and ideas and often I take an opposite position of my thinking to get some validation from the argument or acquire more points so validate my thinking. I do want to persuade with my writing, but it is not a paramount goal. I like providing some food for thought based on my point of view and my research. And yes, some of it is based on emotion. If I can change your mind, great. If I don’t, at least you know my thinking.

Writing is therapeutic. There was a time in my life that days were pretty bleak emotionally. So, when things got heavy, I took a break and stopped to write. I wrote how I felt, how I saw things and how I would like to see things. I wrote general reflections. It was an opportunity to express myself privately without having someone trying to reassure me. Sometimes you just have to get it out and that alone is reassurance. Recalling that positive outcome from just sitting down and putting words to paper (computer screen) I decided that while I don’t have the same emotional needs as then, it is fun to vent. So, why not do it again?

The exercise of writing is sufficient reward for the effort – but to be read nearly 1000 times in 17 different countries – that is special, at least to me. For all those reasons, and more, I decided to write a blog. I like what I write, now it s up to you to decide if you like what I write.

PS. I would really be remiss if I failed to report that the manager of my favorite Baseball team, the Red Sox, got his 1000th win today. Go Sox!

FACING LIFE’S DECISIONS

PART 1

It is one thing to make dire decisions for someone else. I know, I have had to do it many times in my life. They were never easy. They were always gut wrenching.

I had a pretty good idea of what those people that I made the decisions for wanted. Through many conversations that addressed issues, other than the life and death decisions I was able to create a fairly good idea of what they would have wanted. Sometimes they told you what their preferences were when faced with a similar situation but regarding someone else. These were days before “advanced directives” and “living wills.”

I can cite some examples of what I am talking about. Visiting my mother in ICU, when she was comatose, my late wife said to me that she would never want to be in that situation. The quality of life is more important than quantity. That was her position – and it never, ever waivered. Who wants to be remembered being tethered to tubes? She had very definite ideas about this subject and other related subjects. For example, attending a funeral she indicated that when it was her turn to go she wanted a view. Ironically, exactly one year to the day later she got her view. Her turn came too soon but when it did I was well informed and it made the decision process easier – not easy, it is never easy, just easier.

To make the process easier, she had a living will. At that time I believed in life no matter what. She understood my feelings so at the time so she appointed someone else to make those kind of decisions decisions if they needed to be made. Even though and in spite of the idea that I held at that time that life was to be maintained at all cost, I would have followed her wishes. I am not sure that that my idea of life being maintained was another way of saying I wasn’t prepared to let go –G-d knew I wasn’t!

My mother did not have any advanced directives so my father had to make the decision to create a DNR order for my mother. I witnessed how it tore him up. Fortunately, my mother succumbed without the need for the order to be invoked. Through the discussions we had, I now knew what my father would have wanted had it come to that. Again, he succumbed without the need for any directives. I knew where and how he wanted to be buried because we also had lengthy discussions regarding my mother’s internment.

I am about to have some surgery (this article will not be published till after I am out of the hospital). Today (June 28th) I spent the morning talking to admitting people, physicians assistants, anesthesia people, had an EKG and then tomorrow I finish my blood work (June 29th)before seeing my primary care physician to be cleared for the surgery. (June 30th). Just a week to go! Woweee!

Most of this is pretty routine except the seven page form entitled, Advance Health Care Directive that I was handed and instructed to bring to the hospital at the time of the surgery. My wife and I have Living Wills, but this is more specific. The questions that were asked really had me thinking and worse, disturbing my sleep. I had to make these decisions for myself. What do I want? First, elect someone to make these decisions based on the information that I specify on the form. Then it asks to name at least two other people if the first person designated can’t make the decision. The hospital realizes and knows that these decisions are gut wrenching even with the AHCD. So, unbeknownst to them, those people that I selected are elected and will find this out when and if the time comes – unfair yes, but I felt that these people could act out of love and understanding and I hope that in the event this it becomes necessary, they will act with love! Name two others just in case. Make sure they are not too anxious.

Then the form asks as you to determine when you feel that your life should be prolonged or when it should not be prolonged. How much pain do I want to endure? How much can I endure? I suggested that if the pain is so intense that pain medication be applied even if it hastens my death. This form is hastening my death.

I am sitting here filling out this form and I have to tell you that I am really scared sh-tless! I understand the need for such information. I have been there and I have done that – but for others – not me. I also understand that I want my loved ones to know what I want – I guess that is the most important part of this exercise. I am trying to not put the burden of decision making on anyone else but me – I am still responsible for me – even when I am not in a position to verbalize what I want. I guess this is my own version of the “Palin Death Panel!” I am a panel of one.

And lastly, do I want to be an organ donor? I said, “Yes.” But only for transplant and research purposes. Most of my parts are in good condition so why not! I have been an indirect recipient and beneficiary of organ donors and I cannot say no to anyone that will enjoy a longer life, a renewed life as a result of using my organs. I guess, as we say, it is a mitzvah. Even in death, you should try to do the righteous thing. Also, I am trying to pay it forward! I am hopeful that payday is a long way off.

Have I grossed you out? Need an antidepressant yet?

PART 2

I would say that I am being overly dramatic. I inherited it from my granddaughter who got an A in Drama last semester. And a grandson who is in Drama Camp this summer.

All went well. I am lucent and ready for the world once again. OK, I need to have device for picking up my clothes from the floor (wife doesn’t count), I have to wear a support brace – that is temporary, I need a good looking home health nurse to care for the surgical wounds. – but overall and all things considered I am doing great.

No, I haven’t thrown the paperwork away. It will sit in my safety deposit box until needed, if ever. It is there to reassure my loved ones that in the event of the need they have the information they need to satisfy my requirements, their needs and make my transition a seamless passing through one life to another.

Here is the positive side of this issue. No one has to guess. It is not that complicated. I want to be remembered in part as one who made everyone else’s life a little better. Hopefully, this will help - - - - along with a major inheritance. Since the inheritance IS NOT happening then the AHCD will have to do and the two hundred bucks you find in the socks, – hey, at least it is something! That is me – but when it comes to you, you decide.

HOW LONG IS TOO LONG?

Get your mind out of the gutter. This is not one of those e-mails that make false promises. I am talking about sports seasons. We are almost at the All Star break in baseball and the NBA finals just finished. I can recall watching the NBA Finals during Passover – that was in early April. I can still hear my mother lamenting that the soup is getting cold – turn off the TV. It was Lakers and Celtics – Passover had to wait!

Now the NBA winners parade almost coincides with local 4th of July Parades. That is a long season by any standard. They start with the pre-season games. OK, no-one really cares about the NBA pre-season. OK, the tickets to the games may be cheaper – but it is a “so what.” Come October first – the season is on! Let’s get excited and see who is going make the playoffs. Actually, it is who isn’t going to make the playoffs. That is the second season with almost all the NBA teams participating.

Now comes the first day of Spring and the NBA season is still in full swing. Almost six months from the start of the season and the playoff teams have not been determined as yet. Memorial Day marks nearly the end of the second round of playoffs. It is getting late in the year. All Star voting for the MLB is almost over and we are still in the NBA playoffs. My third installment of estimated taxes for the year is almost due and we are still playing basketball. These giants of men gotta be tired. It is eight and a half months of running up and down the court. I truly believe that it is not the best talent that wins, it is the last one standing that wins.

It is hard to get into the NBA season knowing that it is really the second season that counts. If the “Championship Season” was a little shorter – I may find more than passing interest. I save my energy for the playoffs! Maybe that is what is happening. They save their energy for the playoffs. Remind me to ask LeBron about that.

Now comes football. There is talk about expanding the season to 18 games. WOW! Less pre-season games in the summer – start the NFL season earlier, pay the players more (oh, that is still in negotiation). When will the season end? I remember Super Bowl being a January event – now it is played in February. The good news – the NFL season ends before the pitchers and catchers have to report for Spring Training. JUST before the players have to report. Of course, the NBA season is in full swing, so is Hockey. (Just a note: Hockey is a winter sport. The Stanley Cup finals are well after the NBA finals and it is almost July. A game being played on ice after the first day of summer, hmmm?)

The NFL season is still only five and a half months. The players need more recuperation and they need to train for Dancing with the Stars. The DWTS season is only ten weeks!

Baseball is another violator of the expected season. Since they went in to a playoff schedule to determine division winners, league winners and eventually the world championship the baseball season now ends in November! Wasn’t the World Series called October madness? Wasn’t Reggie Jackson called Mr. October? By mid October the series was done and won! Not now. I vision my mother yelling turn off the TV during Thanksgiving. But, Ma, it is the Red Sox and Dodgers (in my dreams).

Can you imagine playing on a field that had to be plowed to remove the snow along the baselines? I love baseball. My son loves baseball, all my grown children love baseball and their kids as well. But playing through Chanukah is a little much.

Is too much of a good thing a good thing? Not so sure. I would love to see basket ball end by April 30th. Baseball end by October 15th, and football by January 30th. Hockey is not my thing, so I don’t really care.

OK, I vented. I am a traditionalist when it comes to sports. I get a real lift February 15th when I see who reported for Spring Training. The weather is getting better, the days are getting warmer and I feel better just knowing the season is about to start. However, it is a little problematic not knowing when it will end.

What do I want for Christmas? Two tickets to tomorrow’s Dodger game! It could happen!