Today's News (& Ramblings)
First off it's my 20th anniversary! Well, not just mine but 20 years ago today, Earth Day, Catch 22 released their first and only 6-song EP! You can check out most all of the tunes on my MySpace.com/VitoTunes site. Time files!!
Well, the past couple of weeks have been particularly busy ones with tax “season” coming to an end and I had some truck problems to deal with along with the “Tea Parties” that sparked my interest. [ Mainly because I favor the Fair Tax – FairTax.org]. All that and organizational tasks, routine things like going to the gym, taking care of things around the homestead, cooking out, washing clothes, cleaning, etc.... just packed the schedule. If you think about it, your schedule can get overloaded pretty quickly and if it involves other people you can get behind and miss appointments like you just knocked over a row of dominos. I really hate to have that happen so I've been trying to give at least 30 minutes between appointments if there isn't any travel involved and if there is I add the travel time and pad it about 30 to 40%, depending on the traffic, time of day, weather, etc... along with the xtra 30 and that seems to be working better. I suppose I understand why it takes so long to meet with a doctor or dentist now. Either way it's all good but ..... too much of a good thing!!
I've been hearing some chatter about BannedPromotions.com assembling their 1st annual jam. I'm going to be digging into that word a little more in depth to see what is amiss with that or if it's just a rumor. If it's a real deal it should turn out to be something good. I also have been getting some emails wanting to know if I had any jam sessions in the works and I have to say that this is usually when things like that start forming so I'll let you know if we decide to plan some outdoor get-togethers or even some club parties like we did last year over here and over in Missouri.
Man, we have had some pretty bad / good storms over this way the past few weeks. We had a bad one tear through Murfreesboro a couple of weeks ago that unfortunately killed a few people and destroyed some homes and property. We are still keeping those folks in our prayers. I was told you could contact the Red Cross in Murfreesboro @ 615.893.4272 if you are able to and want to help out those in need there.
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Don't know if you have seen this or not but it's a part from a fairly famous book..... a little long but a good read.
To All My Valued Employees,
There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country.
However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests.
First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a back story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You've seen my big home at last years Christmas party. I'm sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.
However, what you don't see is the back story.
I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you.
My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn't have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business -- hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the Goodwill store extracting any clothing item that didn't look like it was birthed in the 70's. My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.
So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden -- the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations... You never realize the back story and the sacrifices I've made.
Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bail-out all the people who didn't. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for.
Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price I've paid is steep and not without wounds.
Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why:
I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don't pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time. On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my "stimulus" check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.
The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check? Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.
The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you'd quit and you wouldn't work here. I mean, why should you? That's nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy.
Here is what many of you don't understand ... to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn't need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now.
When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don't defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep.
So where am I going with all this?
It's quite simple.
If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I fire you. I fire your co-workers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child's future. Frankly, it isn't my problem any more.
Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I'm done. I'm done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.
If you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about....
Signed,
Your boss
(Wow!! .... think about it!! )
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Links
Order Some Today!!
Order Some HERE Today!!
BBQ@SwiftonVito.com
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I'm now on Twitter.com!!
www.Twitter.com/SwiftonVito Tweet me!
I also play some music here occassionally: http://blip.fm/SwiftonVito
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Go here to check out some of my tunes!!
....www.MySpace.com/VitoTunes
Check out photos of some of my former groups and some of my
brushes with fame here! www.MySpace.com/SwiftonVito
Here's a link to an interview I did for Banned Promotions.
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Funnies!
KENTUCKY GHOST STORY
This happened about a month ago just outside of Owensboro , Kentucky , a
small town on the banks of the Ohio River , and while it sounds like an
Alfred Hitchcock tale, it's indeed real.
An out-of-state traveler was walking along the side of the road
hitchhiking on a dark night in the middle of a thunderstorm. Time
passed slowly and no cars went by. It was raining so hard he could
barely see his hand in front of his face.
Suddenly he saw a car approaching, moving slowly and appearing ghostlike
in the rain. It slowly and silently crept toward him and stopped.
Wanting a ride very badly, the guy jumped into the car and closed the
door; only then did he realize that there was nobody behind the wheel,
and no sound of the engine to be heard over the rain.
Again the car crept slowly forward the guy was terrified, too scared to
think of jumping out and running. The guy saw that the car was
approaching a sharp curve and, still too scared to jump out, he started
to pray and beg for his life. He was certain the ghost car would go off
the road and into the river, and he would surely drown!
But just before the curve, a shadowy figure appeared at the driver's
window and a hand reached in and turned the steering wheel, guiding the
car safely around the bend. Then, just as silently, the hand
disappeared through the window and the hitchhiker was alone again.
Paralyzed with fear, the guy watched the hand reappear every time they
reached a curve. Finally the guy, frightened nearly to death, had all
he could take and jumped out of the car and ran through the storm to the
nearby town...
Wet and in shock, he went into a lighted tavern and with voice
quavering, ordered two shots of whiskey, and then, shaken, he told
everybody about his supernatural experience.
A silence came over those listening and everybody got goose bumps. They
realized the guy was sober and was telling the truth. And the sounds of
the storm continued outside.
About half an hour later, two guys walked into the bar and one says to
the other, 'Look Billy Bob, there's that idiot that rode in our car
while we was pushin' it in the rain.
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Pastor's New Teeth
The Pastor just had all of his remaining teeth pulled and new dentures were being made.
The first Sunday, he only preached 10 minutes. The second Sunday, he preached only 20 minutes. But, on the third Sunday, he preached 1 hour 25 minutes.
When asked about this by some of the congregation, he responded this way:
'The first Sunday, my gums were so sore it hurt to talk. The second Sunday, my new dentures were hurting me a lot. The third Sunday, I accidentally grabbed my wife's dentures... And I couldn't shut up.
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The Bathtub Test
During a visit to the mental asylum, I asked the
"Director how do You determine whether or not a patient should be institutionalized."
'Well,' said the Director, 'we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon,
a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub.'
'Oh, I understand,' I said. 'A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup.'
'No.' said the Director, 'A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?'
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So, here's the story. . ...
Tired of constantly being broke & stuck in an unhappy marriage, a young husband decided to solve both problems by taking out a large insurance policy on his wife with himself as the beneficiary, and then arranging to have her killed.??A 'friend of a friend' put him in touch with a nefarious dark-side underworld figure who went by the name of 'Artie.'
?Artie then explained to the husband that his going price for snuffing out a spouse was $5,000.??The husband said he was willing to pay that amount, but that he wouldn't have any cash on hand until he could collect his wife's insurance money.??Artie insisted on being paid at least something up front, so the man opened his wallet, displaying the single dollar bill that rested inside.
Artie sighed, rolled his eyes, & reluctantly agreed to accept the dollar as down payment for the dirty deed.??A few days later, Artie followed the man's wife to the local Super Wal-Mart store. There, he surprised her in the produce department & proceeded to strangle her with his gloved hands & as the poor unsuspecting woman drew her last breath & slumped to the floor........??
The manager of the produce department stumbled unexpectedly onto the murder scene. Unwilling to leave any living witnesses behind, ol' Artie had no choice but to strangle the produce manager as well.??However, unknown to Artie, the entire proceedings were captured by the hidden security cameras & observed by the store's security guard, who immediately called the police. Artie was caught & arrested before he could even leave the store.??Under intense questioning at the police station, Artie revealed the whole sordid plan, including his unusual financial arrangements with the hapless husband who was also quickly arrested.
??The next day in the newspaper, the headline declared ......???????
(You're going to hate me for this .... )?
?????'ARTIE CHOKES 2 for $1.00 AT WAL-MART!
Oh, quit groaning! ?I don't write this stuff, I receive it from my warped friends and then pass it on to you!
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After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said: ?'Let me see if I've got this right. 'You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning?
?
'You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride?
?'You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job?
?'You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams?
?'You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card? ?
'You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps?
?'You want me to do all this and then you tell me....... I CAN'T PRAY?
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Quotes
Benjamin Franklin Quotes
- A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.
- A good conscience is a continual Christmas.
- A great empire, like a great cake, is most easily diminished at the edges.
- A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.
- A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one.
- A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. There will be sleeping enough in the grave.
- A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.
- A penny saved is a penny earned.
- A place for everything, everything in its place.
- A small leak can sink a great ship.
- Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it.
- Admiration is the daughter of ignorance.
- All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move.
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Today On This Date.....
Get your Daily Devotional here!!!
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Have you heard of the Fair Tax?
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There's a company called 'Clarion' that deals exclusively with insuring musical equipment, no matter where it is. Seems pretty good - $253.00 up front covers up to $15,000 worth of gear for a year - with NO deductible. They cover theft, accidental breakage, & other stuff.
For additional info, go to: http://www.clarionins.com
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ARE YOU IN DEBT?
WOULD YOU LIKE A PLAN TO PAY IT OFF IN 1/3 TO 1/2 OF THE TIME WITH NO CHANGE IN YOUR STANDARD OF LIVING?
INCLUDING YOUR MORTGAGE?
Check out these videos and then email KillDebt@live.com to get more information and answers to your questions.
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What is?.....Operation M.I.S.T.
Want more information? CLICK HERE
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Have a great week!
Swifton
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