Ask TaxMama Issue 472 - Heroes and Hockey Moms

2008-09-05 by

California Statehood admission to the Union

Dear Family,

Last week, we talked about the Overwhelming Obama. This week, the Republican Convention monopolized the news – and America gained a new celebrity – Sarah Palin.

Wow. When I first heard the announcement that McCain had picked a woman as a running mate, my first thought was – brilliant strategy. As the week wore on, the more I heard about the Governor of Alaska, the more it seemed this was an impulsive, foolish choice, just grasping at straws. After all, there are so many accomplished, brilliant women to choose from!

On the other hand, Sarah Palin is definitely the kind of woman you’d love to have as a best friend. She’s admirable, pushy, persistent, stubborn, spunky, forthright – and frankly, fun. But do I want her to be president? (Remember that ‘heart-beat away’ concept?)

The crowds love her! Sarah Palin is probably THE most self-assured person I’ve ever seen in the political spotlight. She’s perfectly at ease with the cameras, the questions and the attention. And did I tell you this? The crowds love her.

In fact, the International Herald Tribune quotes Peggy Lambert, a delegate from Maryville, Tennessee, who said “But man, Sarah Palin! John is gonna have trouble keeping up with her.”

McCain’s big claim for the right to the presidency is that he’s a hero. When you listen to what he endured in Vietnam, there’s no doubt he is a man of stolid character and able to endure truly unbelievable levels of torture and abuse. Considering the battering of an eager press and political opponents…and the total lack of privacy for the next 4-8 years, hmmmm…. maybe that IS a quality a president needs.

On the other hand, did you see how many gold medals Michael Phelps just won at the Olympics? And do you have any idea the kind of personal character, strength and perseverence it takes for that achievement? Michael Phelps is a hero, too. Do you want him to be your president?

McCain’s speech put me to sleep a few times. He was mostly droning on about generalities. I will admit that I was annoyed at the rudeness and disruption of the proceedings by some protesters. This was a time to listen and give the presidential candidate the benefit of your attention – not to turn the proceedings into a circus. That’s counter-productive.

Frankly, if I had 25 years in the Legislature, I am sure that I could select 5 or 10 key pieces of legislation for which I was responsible. Legislation that I was proud to have passed. It disturbed me that McCain couldn’t produce a speech that covered specific accomplishments. Especially specific battles over issues he’d had that where he had prevailed – where he had been able to persuade his opposition to agree with him. Now, THAT would be an important presidential quality.
Video and Transcript of McCain’s speech.

Has McCain improved his chances of winning the White House? Yes.
Has he improved his chances enough?
I don’t think so.

Unfortunately, if you see the juxtaposition of their names on banners, you see McCain above Palin. Just watch what some vindictive person will do, creating banners that say
McCain/Pain (removing the L)!

Let’s see what happens at the debates.

So far, neither candidate impresses me as being the president for this time.
But I still think Obama has generated more support among the young and working voters who might not otherwise go to the polls.

Our Job Advice of the Week teaches you how to use your e-mail most effectively. Simple advice – but it can make the difference between having your e-mail or resume arrive – or losing it in spam filter limbo.
http://www.taxquips.com/index.php?cat=JobAdviceoftheWeek

For those of you feeling old, today’s Money Funny will help you remember some of the wonderful experiences we had along the way, that this generation will never experience. ‘Kids’, you don’t know what you missed by being born so recently!
http://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=MoneyFunnies

IRS News provides information about what to watch out for when you outsource your payroll – in plain English, when you hire a payroll service.
http://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=IRSNews

TaxQuips this week covered marriage licenses, loans from overseas and the retirement savers credit. Nothing to stressful, though the information was particularly helpful, as some folks told me.
http://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=TaxQuips

As always, we love your feedback, opinions and ideas.
You are what makes all this fun – and interesting!

Please use the Comments link online.
http://taxquips.com/index.php?id=961

And remember, when you buy any TaxNerd item, TaxMama will donate all the profits to the Central Asia Institute, where they are building schools for girls in Asia. The best way to achieve peace to earn the love and trust of people around the world by helping them improve their own lives.
http://www.ikat.org

Hugs from your favorite TaxNerd,

Eva Rosenberg, EA

Your TaxMama is watching…out for you.

www.TaxMama.com
www.TaxQuips.com
www.IRSExam.com
www.TaxNerd.net
————————————————————-

TAX CALENDAR 2008
————————————————————-

08.15.2008 Employers Make monthly Payroll tax deposit

09.15.2008 Employers Make monthly Payroll tax deposit

09.15.2008 Corporate Returns Due- FINAL DEADLINE

09.15.2008 3rd 2008 Estimated Payment – all entities Due

09.30.2008 Last day to establish SIMPLE plans
————————————————————-

SPECIAL GIFTS FROM TAXMAMA – FREE – REALLY!
————————————————————-

Keep your Resolutions:
Here’s a well-thought-out e-book to help you start the
year off properly. It contains a place for you to
list your promises to yourself – and lots of tools to
help you achieve your goals.

Download the book here (just use your e-mail address in this e-mail, so you can avoid subscribing to
my newsletters twice.)

Feel free to share this link with your friends, your clients and your mailing list.

http://www.simpleology.com/p/blogging/taxmama/ATM440

Explore Simpleology 101 - It includes set of step-by-step daily missions for you to follow to get more focused and become more successful this year.
You can check them off as you go.

Audio and Video Training
Is 2008 the year you learn to put use audio and video
on your websites or online? Here are some excellent
no-cost training opportunities. All you need is time.
Join David at AudioAcrobat.com

Join SuccessNet.org for free and learn the 10 Essential Success Keys You Need to Know for You
And Your Business to Grow
————————————————————-

GIFT IDEAS
————————————————————-

ThinkGeek has some wonderful, unusual stuff, including something very like a Dick Tracy watch – a touchscreen cell phone PDA watch. They also have the USB Memory watch that holds 2GB of data.

Open your own Zazzle account and create personalized
gifts to your family and friends.
You don’t need to use my designs – use your own photos and artwork.
http://www.zazzle.com/taxmama*
————————————————————-

SPECIAL DEALS
————————————————————-

Need a Corp, LLC, Registered Agent

Incorp Services Inc. in Nevada – DISCOUNT
20% off on formation services.
Similar discounts on Registered Agent services.
Call 800.2.INCORP – use coupon code – TAXMAMA – or
http://go.asktaxmama.com/incorp
(no code needed)

Summer Family Identity – 3 Choices:

Zazzle – Cafe Press – Queensboro

Since it’s summer, and you’re probably going to be traveling with your family, consider getting matching T-shirts and/or hats.

(DO NOT PUT ANYONE’S NAME ON THEM – you’re just asking strangers to kidnap your children!)

But do put everyone’s picture – so even if you don’t know the local language, you can point to a family member and ask if anyone has seen him or her. Or use a graphic or piece of art you all like. You’ll find three options right here in our SPECIAL DEALS section.

Use your art or others – and customize it

Zazzle your Imagination. Are you a TaxNerd?
Tell everyone – proudly!
http://www.zazzle.com/taxmama*

Create your own customized Zazzle Apparel, bags or more.

Get volume discounts on orders of 2 or more.

Get extra discounts for yourself and friends after you order.

Stuff for summer, travel and fun

Cafe Press is the home of TaxMama’s shops
http://www.cafepress.com/taxmama

But you can upload your own art and graphics and unify your family – even your pets.
http://www.cafepress.com/

Get extra discounts for yourself and friends after you order.

WOW DEAL! Embroidery

Wouldn’t you love to get your logo or family crest, or picture or whatever, EMBROIDERED on hats and T-Shirts?

Well, it costs a heck of a lot less than you think.
And there’s always a sale!
At the Queensboro Shirt Company

(They have a lot more than shirts – and all sizes)
They do a gorgeous job.

Ask TaxMama
Where taxes are fun and answers are free
www.TaxQuips.com
The number ONE free tax podcast online
Money Funnies
Wit and Wisdom from the great comedians on Hollywood Squares
IRS News
Hiring a payroll service
Job Advice of the Week
Understand how to use email
The 100% Home-Based Business Tax Solution
The evolving e-book and Tax MiniMiser
Three Cups of Tea
With the first cup you are a stranger. The second you are a guest
Central Asia Institute
Building schools for girls in the Middle East...and more!
TaxNerd at CafePress
50% of all TaxMama's earnings on sales goes to the Central Asia Institute
TaxNerd materials you can customize for yourself
50% of all TaxMama's earnings on sales goes to the Central Asia Institute


All Comments RSS

  1. Kevin Says:

    Eva:

    It was disappointing to see how judgmental you are regarding Sarah Palin and her daughter. I love America and the opportunity for voicing opinions, but I subscribe to your news letters for tax advice, not political rhetoric. My wife and I ended up in high school with a child – are you calling my parents and in-laws bad parents?

    I am now a parent of 3 (still married to the same great woman) and I can tell you as being a former teenager and now raising one that you can be the best parent, but free agency comes into play. Without locking your child up in a small room, he/she will still have opportunities to make tough decisions whether it be drugs, alcohol, or sex. Good parenting will help children make good decisions a lot of the time, but we all have our moments of weakness. Haven't you ever had a bad day and swore at someone in traffic or splurged on too much wine? Think about when you were a teenager struggling with peer pressures, raging hormones, and the need to be accepted. I appreciate your good and free tax advice, but please limit the political rants. FYI – I enjoyed both Palin's and McCain's speeches and find Obama to be two-sided and fake. Palin's challenges in life make her more palatable to me because she is like me – a human and not the type who likes to play royalty in Washington.

    Sincerely,

    Kevin

  2. Lloyd Hudson Says:

    I appreciate your comments, although I do not agree with them. I feel that McCain is not the same guy that I helped send to Washington many years ago but of the two contenders he has the most experience and is the better choice. He did not address any of his specific legislative accomplishments, as you stated, but he does have several including ones I do not agree with. And I do agree with previous poster, this is not an area where I wish to delve into politics, even though the outcome will affect our business.

  3. Becky Ramsey Says:

    Apparently you don't have any teen-aged children. If you did, you would never blame Sarah Palin's daughter's (by the way, she's 17 not 15) pregnancy on her parents. As the mother of three young adults, I can tell you that no matter how well you teach them, teenagers tend to act in ways that are contrary to their parent's wishes. So, please, refrain from judging. And maybe this isn't the place for political commentary—that's not what I subscribe to the newsletter for.

  4. Lyle Smith Says:

    Please don't go Michael Moore on us just because you are from California and have a "bully pulpit". Thankfully your tax advice is far better than your political observations.
    The point of John McCain's POW experience is that he stuck to his values under severe personal pain when he could have taken the easier way out. It also should indicate to you that he would not send our men and women in harms way without a plan (unlike GWB). To compare a POW to an Olympic swimmer is just too sad for words.

  5. Jim St Jean Says:

    For a tax advice specialist I would think you for one would avoid voting for Obama. He has a history of approving every tax increase that comes before him. His ideas will cost us all. And his shady Chicago past deserves closer inspection.

  6. Karl Says:

    Thanks for taking a stand, Eva. I wonder if high-level executives (business or political) can really be good parents, considering their work priorities keep them away from home so much. Here's an even more provocative take from career/life blogger Penelope Trunk: http://tinyurl.com/5o3t7q

  7. Shirley Says:

    Once again, I subscribe to your site for tax news, updates and ideas – NOT your advice on parenting skills. Apparently you are so far left that you cannot see what is "right." Please refrain from giving us your opinion on politics. God Bless America!

  8. Peter Says:

    Maybe you're right about Palin's lack of experience. Perhaps the choice was just a cynical ploy to lure some of those bitter, disaffected Hillary supporters who actually were able to recognize the woefully obvious: Barack Obama lacks the experience to be President.

    The attacks on Palin, coming as most of them do from people who seem to melt at the mere mention of Saint Barack's name, are so obviously hypocritical it boggles the beany.

    On the other hand, maybe the Palin pick was a trap. Maybe McCain chose Palin, who has limited experience, just to bait Barack Obama who has even more limited experience into raising the issue of experience.

    Seems to be working, huh?

    And they call Republicans the dumb ones?

  9. J T Reagan Says:

    Wow! If anything, the Palin pick brought out the prejudices of your members. I think each of those posting needs to read their postings with a clearer mind. All of you, including you Eva, are projecting/assuming motives to Palin, Obama, and McClain that I do not see.
    Finally, Eva's point of view is not limited to California. I have heard similar words right here in the Heartland-Missouri small town. This election isn't about red and blue states. It is about change-what kind and how.


Google Custom Search