2012-05-01

How to Use Money

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It's rare these days that I get moved to write. I used to write a lot about politics but soon learned that the quickest way to make an ass out of oneself is not to assume something (as the saying goes) but rather to spout off half-informed political opinions (aren't they all?).

Anyways, this morning I went through my RSS feed, as per my morning ritual, and came across a post by Fred Wilson entitled "Where's my billion dollar check, I wonder?"

It's a great post but what struck me was the following from the comment section (if you went to A&M you know what he's talking about):

Some time ago I was in a fancy restaurant with my wife.  We had a great meal and I had known the owner for decades. 
I saw a young Marine and his girl eating a couple of tables away.  Think small town Texas rock hard movie handsome blonde haired crew cutted stud and his girl as beautiful as Texas bluebonnets in a flowery dress just a bit off the current style. 
As packaging that frock contained a full blooded Texas high school cheerleader just a bit awed by the big city but gamely mixing with the beautiful people.  And her fellow was just home from war and belonged only to her.  It was poignant. 
I could read his medals and knew he had seen action, had been decorated for bravery and was freshly home from war. 
I couldn't take my eyes off them.  It was looking at real life dead in the eyes --- not New York Times life but real life where living and dying is real. 
My wife and I left the restaurant and she stepped outside to summon our car from the valet and I lingered ostensibly to say good bye to the owner. 
I slipped him some cash and and told the proprietor that the young Marine and his gal were now my guest.  It was $200. 
The proprietor smiled and looked me in the eye and thanked me. 
When I got into the car and my wife asked me what had taken so long, I hesitated to respond.
She laughed and said I know exactly what too you so long.  You paid for that Marine's dinner, didn't you? 
I didn't answer because if I had tried I would have broken into tears.  Not because I am a sensitive guy but because in that tableau I saw my own life reflecting back.
And, that, my friend is how the [eff] you use money. 
You make it celebrate life and you make it dance to your own memories and you pass it along.

Point taken.

2010-12-29

Guys I Might Vote For in 2012

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Mitch Daniels from Indiana says yes to prison reform:

Indiana’s prison population has spiked in recent years, and state officials realized that they were going to have to spend about $1 billion in new prisons over the next 7 years to fit all the prisoners in the state prison system. In response, Governor Daniels announced a plan to study the State’s sentencing laws, together with two non-profit groups, the Pew Center on the States and the Council of State Governments Justice Center, to see if the state’s criminal sentences had become too punitive. The groups published their report, which found that the drug laws had become too draconian and “one size fits all,” and that there wasn’t enough support for susbtance abuse treatment. The report recommended less punitive and more nuanced sentencing laws for nonviolent drug offenses as well as better substance abuse counseling as a way to lessen the prison population and avoid having to build new prisons.

2010-12-15

Look Who's Guest Blogging Now

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It's me!

The editors over at IliveinDallas.com tracked me down after posting this riveting account of the Bishop Arts District a few months back, and asked if I'd lend my expertise to their readership. Naturally I obliged.


The title is "Where Should I Live in Dallas? The Definitive Housing Guide for Life in the Big D". A ballsy title if ever there was one, but I like to think of it as a challenge if nothing else.

So if you have a few seconds, head on over there and check it out. And if you want to get me an early Christmas present, leave a comment or two as well.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-08

200 Years in 4 Minutes

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Amazing!



(via Greg Mankiw)

2010-11-24

Travel Safe

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Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-10-07

Who Is FICA and Why Does He take All My Money?

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Pretty sure those were the words of frustration I fumed as a 16 year old working at the mall for $5.70 an hour (minimum wage was $5.15 in 1998 so I felt like I was rolling) upon receiving my first paycheck.

Well my brother in law (the Quixotic Oklahoman) mentioned this over the weekend so I thought I should post it here. My only complaint is that this is broken down as a function of spending, and does not include the cost imposed by tax breaks like the ridiculous $105B mortgage interest deduction (2nd largest only to the employer health care deduction).

And just in case no one else cares to break out the old calculator, 51% of this tax bill goes to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Interest on the debt, and Military Spending. Therefore anyone claiming to be interested in balancing the budget without tackling these areas first should be ignored.

Enjoy!

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2010-09-29

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Obamacare But Were Afraid to Ask

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Whether you're for or against the bill, this video from the Kaiser Family Foundation is hands down the best 9 minutes you'll spend informing yourself about what is and what is not (e.g. Death Panels) in the bill. It's actually really well made, fairly entertaining, and worth watching in full.

Seriously, watch it.


(watch me)

Kaiser Family Foundation also put together this handy timeline neatly outlining each phase of the bill. 
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2010-09-22

Good Policy

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2010-09-10

Waiting For Superman

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Can't wait to see this...

2010-07-29

Good and Bad in Afghanistan

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(via TNR)
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