pic by getliberty

 I recently just got my grades back and it was crap. I relized that I needed to work harder and ask questions during class. If you don’t want to talk to a teacher for help, though that’s the best way, then talk to your parents because they would make you feel comfortable. Some reasons could be from lack of effort, fooling around, or not paying attention. When you do relize you must have made a mistake, don’t blame the teacher because your the one that’s responsible. (And pappa I don’t need a comment on this.)

 pic by cartoonstock

I went to a new school and didn’t know anyone, so I made new friends. Now I know everyone and I don’t feel uncomfortable. When  I tried a new sport, I didn’t know most of the people. If you want to try a new sport then go right ahead. You would be glad that tried and you would make new friends, so try out a new sport. Don’t be nervous and just have fun and set a goal for yourself.  Go out there and go try something you have not done and make new friends. 

From Papa:

Trying new things should not be driven by what everyone considers the norms.  The expansion of the means by which the organization promotes itself should be done in a manner to maximize the nonprofits impact and lasting message. 

 Pic by chumpysclipart

For the last three months  when school began, I attended three dances. Those were the best moments of my life. I went to my school dance and the other at another school. The first time I went; and yes I was nervous but I knew some people there from my old and new school. I did dance with some girls and some asked me to dance with them and come on I’m thirteen and I did decline a few because I wanted to dance with my friends. When it came to slow dances I helped a few kids get to dance with the girls and I did get some myself. So for you teens out there who want to go to dance then go ahead.  You should give it a try because it will blow your mind. This is Chris signing off and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

From Papa:

Making introductions and trying something new just might be easier if you partner up with another nonprofit.  While it may make you nervous, you never know unless you try.

 A story from James O

“I got my first piercing! My eyebrow now has a piece of metal through it, which is a little creepy to think about, but I really like it. This is a piercing that I’ve been considering since I was 15, but didn’t get until a week before my 19th birthday. I was always a little bit nervous… What if it became infected? What if I didn’t like how it looked? What if it hurt too much? I was plenty nervous walking into the piercing studio (Yankee Tattoo in Burlington VT) but I managed to calm the butterflies in my stomach and push through the fear.
     My sister recommended the place, and I’m glad that she did. It was very clean and professional, and the piercer was very gentle and kind, despite the dozen or so pieces of metal on his face and ears. He explained the procedure very carefully to me, and I didn’t even have to see the needle, which was a huge relief. There was a moment, while I was lying back on the chair waiting for him to prepare his needle, that I thought I wouldn’t be able to go through with it. I almost walked right out! But I overcame my fear. The needle hurt, yes, and my eyebrow was so bruised that I looked like I was wearing mascara for about a week, but it was worth it! I think it looks great.
     I really like how the piercing looks, but besides the visual aspect, I like the significance of the piercing. I was terrified to get the piercing done, but managed to conquer my fears. Every time I see it in the morning, I feel proud of myself, and when I feel discouraged or helpless, I can remember that pain and fear are only temporary obstacles to success that you can overcome.”

pic by bob canada

pic by glenfairchild

Life decisions rarely do not effect others, so let’s get serious about spending within our means.

For Revenue:

First, pass a law that states all current tax breaks and deductions end effective December 31, 2012.  No other language.  The purpose is to set clean slate for both sides to build on. 

Second, pass a law that sets the tax rate for individuals and businesses with no additional language to be effective January 1, 2013.

Third, pass a law that has all taxes like social security, Medicare, gasoline, etc required to be invested for their intended purposes.  Congress cannot borrow against it and have an IOU. 

Fourth, pass a law of exceptions to be effective January 1, 2013.  Each exception must be voted on as an amendment so that the merits of why it is important or not can be recorded.  This provides citizens and businesses with the intent.  Each exception must have measurable intent which shall be required to be tracked.  If said exception is difficult to track than it should not be an exception.  This requires each party to identify the benefit for the intended group and the result that is betterment for our society.  It provides for a more transparent government.  It provides for a means to measure the expected outcome and the reasoning for whether in the future an exception should continue or be abolished. 

For Expenses:

Every budget should be built on a performance basis.  What is the allocations intended mission and vision and what are the results that it will be measured by?

Every budget should have a mandate to identify areas where non government entities could be given the authority to run said mission and vision with no government funding and as a joint venture. 

Every budget should have an ability to create a retain revenue opportunity where its mission and vision is investing in the future such as infrastructure, education, energy, housing, environment, etc.  This should be similar to what the Federal Reserve and government was able to do with financial institutions and auto makers.

Any grant or subsidy granted under a bid process by a federal agency should be limited to no more than five years.  Any said grant or subsidy which is continued beyond said time should be required to show that there is a sustainability plan for when the funding ends.  The intent of said grants or subsidy should not be for operating of a current program but to implement, complete or expand an initiative. 

I would even go as far as saying that a bid process should allow adequate time for submitting parties to devise a sustainability plan, when it is not a one-time initiative. 

The answer can no longer be; “We have always done it this way”. 

pic from jczart 

While there is lots of arguing over who is right, it is the results that count.  When one talks about tax reform and spending let’s try to remember how many people are employed just by the complexity that Congress has created.  By starting over and scraping the exemptions, credits, and deductions one can bring about a trillion dollars to be used to lower the current deficit.  This does not mean increased spending.  There should be no increase in spending by Congress.

It seems sensible to be ride of the fight over taxes and move to a consumption tax. This means the more you consume the more you pay.  This means industry would be motivated towards more innovation of the most cost effective product and lower ones consumption costs.

This should include a serious conversation about an end to the sales tax exemption to nonprofits as well. 

pic by bradhallart 

If there every were financial institutions that deserved some positive sentiment it is the Community Banks and Credit Unions in the thousand communities throughout the United States.  These past few years have only reinforced their importance and underscored that their mission of a financial institution serving their community is the right one. 

It would seem to imply that financial reform should make large financial institutions accountable to those communities in which they reside. 

It would seem to show government that not having loose underwriting standards does not prevent home ownership.  It is really about knowing your customer and the community in which they live.  A computer or person acting like a robot processing paper is not the means to serve a community and build a strong financial institution.

So I congratulate the Community Bank and Credit Unions for not only providing its members with sound financial products but for providing better financial information as well. 

 pic from Sepponet

Heath Care care be a pleasant experience for employers and an employee or become the disaster that ruins the economy.  The means by which health care is delivered is a life style one is use to that just may have to change.  I question how close to the edge Congress is willing to bring the country to before it makes the math work.  

I had a good laugh the other day when my Governor said I am so proud of the action we took last year rejecting the double digit increases requested by the health insurance providers.  This year they all requested single digit increases.  Well Governor, a 9% increase last year and a 9% increase this year does not help my business grow or allow me to give my employees a raise.   As a small business it is my employees who are the most important asset that should be rewarded not the health insurers.  I want to hire more individuals, I want to pay each of us more but it is health insurers that are getting more of my revenues. 
Governor, I do not feel my employees are any healthier, I do not see them getting a better service, but I do see that the health insurers are making a profit and paying their executives large salaries.  My small business made a profit by me only drawing a salary that fit what the company could afford. 
So I ask, “When is health care reform going to control health care costs”?    I cut expenses during the recession for my small business to survive.  It is time that health costs are capped.  No more increases period. 
President Obama and Governor I request you create an opportunity for a health premium that is lower than what small businesses pay today.  If you make it affordable for my small business than you have made it affordable for many individuals.   Otherwise I suggest their costs and benefits be the same as the majority.  Yes, elected officials should place their own health care option in the trash since it is not available to most employees. 

pic by nemo academy 

I’m freaking out about my mind. I feel more responsible and that I want a job. I was on the Internet looking at websites and some of the websites were jobs. I snowboard at a mountain called Sunapee ( sun-a-pee) in New Hampshire. I’m almost fourteen in a year and the mountain has jobs for fourteen year old and above. I’ve been wanting to work there to make new friends and to be at the mountain.

From Bob:

The nonprofit industry is undergoing fundamental changes to its funding mechanism.  It is time for nonprofits to dream and execute their plans

 Pic by shorrbrad

Any time there is a prohibition against a government entity from entering into a business sector it reminds me of self dealing.  This prohibition is not like those patents that provide for so many years without competition to allow for a business to cover their costs of bringing to market the product. 

A fundamental right for communities to have access to affordable electricity, cable, Internet, and phone should automatically require the abolishing nationwide of any law that prevents local governments or cooperatives  from building an infrastructure when the private sector will not. 

If Congress is serious about creating opportunities for growth then it will take the hand cuffs off any entity that can create that opportunity.