CBS Evening News 8/3/11

Several Items on the news yesterday really grated on me.

First, President Obama is going on a "listening tour" about jobs.  He doesn't need to go on a listening tour about jobs.  Can there be anyone, anywhere that doesn't already know that unemployment is a huge problem??  What is needed is some LEADERSHIP: fire and brimstone, raise the roof, energetic LEADERSHIP.  Throw out ideas, plans, programs.  Use the vast 2008 database to bury, drown, and trample the opposition.

Next was the segment on spending billions on inventing an Afghan police force.  Is there anyone, anywhere who thinks that any police force in place when we leave will be there 15 minutes after the last troop transport leaves???

Finally, the segment on the dismantling of our educational system.  This segment focused on California's universities but it could have been any state's elementary, secondary, or university system.  We have to cut teachers, cut research, cut federal tuition aid while we pour money, lives, and limbs into Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia.

Why are we not marching on the capitol and burying our legislators with e-mail, phone calls, and letters??

Ben Bernanke tells it like it is...via The Onion

The Onion nails it again:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/drunken-ben-bernanke-tells-everyone-at-neighborhoo,21059/

The Budget

I like to be in control of my finances and the only way that I have found to have that control is to have a plan...better known as a budget.  People say that they try to budget but something always comes up.  It is understandable that it takes some time and practice to get the hang of making a written budget but it is also important to have an emergency fund so that when a true emergency happens, there is money to take care of it.  It is also important that if you are married that your budgeting includes your spouse so that neither feels their priorities are not being taken into account. 

The basic idea is to take the money that comes in (take home pay) and spend it all on paper--just write down all your expenses for the coming month.  It surprises many people that they will have money left over after writing down expenses.  Use that money to build the emergency fund or save for something special; I have a category for "mad money" for each of us to have some pocket money.

Being in control of our finances has allowed us to live debt free, in a paid for home, driving paid for vehicles, and have a good emergency fund.  I know that at the end of the year when property taxes, home owner's insurance, and Property Owner's Association fees come due, the money will be there to pay them because I've been saving $500 per paycheck all year long. 

There's less stress with no money fights because all is agreed on in advance.  There's less stress because expenses are planned and saved for in advance.

Wouldn't it be nice if Congress would sit down with a pad of paper and pencil, list what expected income is, budget anticipated necessary expenses, and put the remainder in a rainy day fund.  Then we wouldn't be having this national nervous breakdown over raising the debt ceiling and paying down the debt.

Fruited Chicken Salad

Perfect for summer lunch or dinner.

Fruited Chicken Salad

4 cups diced cooked chicken breasts ( about 6 breasts)

1 15 oz can pineapple chunks, drained
1 cup chopped celery
1 11 oz can mandarin orange section, drained
1 cup seedless grapes, halved
½ cup sliced, pitted ripe olives
½ cup chopped bell pepper (green)
2 Tablespoons sliced green onions

1 cup mayonnaise

1 Tablespoon prepared mustard

1 5 oz. Can chow mein noodles

In a large bowl combine first 8 ingredients. Blend Mayo and mustard. Toss gently with chicken mixture. Cover and chill several hours. Just before serving, mix in chow mein noodles. Serve on lettuce leaves on chilled salad plate.

Letter to my Congressional Representative

Dear Representative Olson,
The purpose of this letter is to encourage you to support a compromise of spending cuts and revenue increases in the legislation to increase the National Debt Limit.  We think that this compromise will serve our nation better in the short term by raising the Debt Limit to avoid defaulting on our debts and in the long term by lowering our national debt.  We sincerely appreciate your best efforts in this matter.

I sent the above letter to my congressional representative this morning.  Last night President Obama asked everyone to contact their representative to let them know what we want them to do.  So I did.

I am also praying for wisdom and peace for our members of Congress and our President.

3 Books at a Time

I seldom read just one book.  I usually have 3-4 going at the same time.  3 seems about right--5 is too many and 2 is just not enough.  I take a book with me almost all the time--the optometrist kept me waiting 30 minutes which could have been aggravating if I hadn't been deep In Siberia by Colin Thubron. (In the heat these days here on the Texas Gulf Coast, Siberia doesn't seem quite so bad...)
The 3 I have going right now are:
In Siberia by Colin Thubron
A Fruitful Vine by Carrie Bender
Amish Peace by Suzanne Fisher

I also have 3 books on machine applique because I want my next quilt to be appliqued cat faces but that's another post.

On the stack to be read:
The Greater Journey by David McCullouch
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett (Her book Bel Canto is one of my all time favorites.)
Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier (I've seen the movie several times but never read the book.)

I wonder if I should get a Kindle, Nook, or tablet.  I just don't know.

Drones versus Shuttles

I suppose it is just as well that the shuttle program is ending because we have no money for space exploration.  Of course, we have money for wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, and who knows where else.  Better drones anyone?? I think I'll go bang my head against a wall for a while.