No More Taxes and the IRS Sucks

So I haven't posted since the election. I know, I know. A political blog that doesn't even acknowledge the election? Get over it. I figured that there was no real analysis that I could do that would somehow change or alter anyone's perspective. Now looking back, we have something to talk about.

Why all the tax threats? I am all for keeping American jobs right here. However, threatening to tax the crap out of a company that leaves and then tries to send products back is not the answer. Lets simply reduce the tax burden on the company and the employees. Lets reduce the regulation and red tape. Lets incentivize the company to stay and invest locally instead of penalize for leaving. If the government would stay out of the way, businesses would want to invest. I know I would. But right now the amount of upfront costs to the government bureaucracy is prohibitive to get in the market. Which leads me to the IRS.

I spent 45 minutes on the phone today trying to reach someone to change my business address. The website said that I could do one of 4 options. Download and mail a form, send my own letter with some specific information, update when I file my next tax return, or call and have a representative take care of it over the phone. 

The download option seemed simple enough. Download, fill out, send. I am out of town for a few weeks and it would be simple enough, but I cannot get to it. Same goes for sending my own letter. I could wait till tax season, but I get regular mail from the IRS so this is too long to not get the information. Calling works perfect. Except, there is no phone number listed. So I search and find a dozen IRS numbers. I finally narrow it down to a business customer service number. I call. Automated message: Press or say 1 for English. Don't get me started. How about assuming English and only make me tell you otherwise? Next I get a list of business related services, but none of what I need. I don't have questions about my EIN, I don't have questions about employer taxes, I don't need to order IRS forms or publications, I don't need to know about Obama care, I don't need to know about how to file form 0394909023445902-B. I need to change my business address. There is no option to even get to a person. Dial 0 and it says "sorry you are having trouble, please call again later," and it hangs up on me. 

Repeat process. Okay, I need and EIN. I go through three more prompts to hear, "EINs are issued through our online portal. Go to www........... for more information. Good bye," and Click. I am hung up on again. Now I try to call for tax filing information. "We are sorry, but we are experiencing very high call volume for the issue you are calling about. Please try your call again tomorrow." Click. Are you kidding me? Finally, I want business publications. I don't really, but that is what I tell the machine. I get hold music. For once this is an improvement. After a brief hold (5min.) I get to a woman who is actually pleasant. However, she can only get me the form for change of address. It will take 10 business days to get the form, then I will have to fill it out and send it back. Again, I can do this, I just don't want to use this method. She tells me to call the customer service number so I can talk to someone. She tells me that she cannot do it because she can only take orders for publications, and I need to talk to some one in the correct department. 

As I am writing down the number she is giving me, I realize that it is the number I called every time I have been hung up on. It is the number I used to talk to her. So at this point I tell her I will download the form and send it back in a couple weeks. However, I have one question about filling it out. There is a section that I don't think applies, so how do I handle it? Leave it blank? She informs me that she cannot advise me on how to fill out any form and that I will have to figure it out for myself. Well, isn't that grand. 

Tell me why it is that we still fund this organization? Implement a national sales tax and eliminate all other income taxes and we can save 95% of what we are spending on the IRS. In fact, we can eliminate the IRS. Imagine the saved revenue to the people and increase the revenue to the government for important things like Military and the VA.

ARRRGH. It is time to get rid of income taxes and the IRS! Let people keep their funds and only be taxed if they buy something. More on that next time. 

God Bless,

Geoff

Master Debaters

So I watched the first Presidential debate with my eldest son. In the first 15 minutes, he asked if the moderator was voting for Hillary. Although it was rather boring, I'm glad I watched. The debate confirmed what I already knew. I don't like either candidate. Neither candidate is qualified to lead our great country. All in all, there was little if any value to me as a voter, and I certainly didn't see anything that made me feel that real freedom is going to be defended by either leading candidate.

For the VP debate this evening, Mr. Kaine was a great politician. He deflected well and failed to provide any direct answer to the initial question. Pence was a calculated politician as well but was definitely more calm in his demeanor. Both VP candidates appeared to be grounded in data and facts, but Mr. Kaine seemed much more fired up and irritated by the discussion that Pence led on several occasions. However, when Mr. Kaine spoke and tried to defend their "jobs" plan, there he offered typical generic government double talk. Anyone with any sense about business knows that the government cannot create jobs, even if it could, there is nothing in the constitution that permits the government to act. All government can do is provide an environment to encourage entrepreneurship. With tax cuts, the people will have funds to spend on staff and other jobs. I am a business owner. If I didn't pay as much in taxes, I could hire more staff. I would rather give the funds that are taken from my business as taxes and use them to provide more income to staff. But I digress.

Back to the debates. What is the purpose of these debates? When there are three people talking, no one can even hear what is going on. At least after the first half hour the moderator realized this and suggested that they let the other person talk. Obviously there is bias by the moderators. Regardless of which opinion you have of each moderator, I think a better idea might be to acknowledge the bias and let the talking heads that clearly are in the tank for either candidate moderate. For example, why not let Sean Hannity of Fox News (who is clearly in favor of Trump) and Rachael Maddow, (an open Hillary supporter) lead a debate. (this was not my original idea) Cut microphones and have clear times where only one person can speak. (this part is my original idea).

Can I just say that I think the debates have little to do with anything that matters and only has become a series of low impact train wrecks. The best use of the debates is to give fodder to the late night comedy shows and SNL. Shouldn't our political system be educational and useful? Is anyone actually swayed by the debates? I am sure they are, and I think we need debates. In this cycle, the people clearly know that neither candidate is a good choice for the country. Unfortunately, the debates in 2016 are an opportunity for candidates and their VP picks to try to show that the other candidate has more dirty laundry than themselves. No one I know is picking Trump or Clinton for the merits of their candidacy. Only because the fear of what will happen if the other candidate is elected.

I live in Ohio, where anyone who follows politics knows that Ohio is the political capital of the US during election cycles. I have never seen so few yard signs. The few that do exist are for local candidates. In a way, I am happy about that. In another, I am disappointed with the fact that in political Ohio, no one wants to vote "For" someone. It is almost unfortunate that I cannot simply put an "X" beside the candidates I don't want. I will be voting, and I have to vote for someone. But I don't want to vote "for" anyone who has a chance of winning this election. I know this happens for people in every election, but if you believe the polls, you know what I am saying is correct. This time around, no one wants either choice. No debate will change this.

And the Weiner is

So I have been spending many days in NYC as a part of my work. Today, the news is that Weiner and Abedin are calling it quits after yet another round of sexting by....any guesses? There are so many bad and inappropriate jokes here I don't know if I should spend my time working on my humor, or ignore it in hopes that it will just go away. Either way, all I know for sure is that everyone I speak to wants all new candidates on both sides. No one seems to be supporting either party. There is the least number of advertising and yard signs I have ever seen. At this point, I suspect that this may be the lowest turnout of any presidential election in history.

I don't know which candidate is actually a better choice. Let me restate that. I could never vote for Hillary, however, I don't know that I can vote for Trump. If you read my last post, you know that I too have no interest in either candidate. I just wish we could go back to voting for people who have morals, who have principles, who care about protecting constitutional rights over entitlements. My freedom is more important than my security. When it comes to security, I will handle it. I know how to protect my family. I know how to take care of myself. I don't need big brother to look out for me. Military, yes. Protect the country. Have police, but don't infringe my rights in the name of security for the masses.

Lets move on to the 49ers. Colin something is creating a stir over not standing during the national anthem. I figured he was too injured to get up. Its not like he gets up very quick after getting knocked down in the backfield. I can appreciate his stance. He is in favor of locking up Hillary for her scandals and for her email issues. I also heard that he wanted to bring attention to the police issues in black communities. For those of you who think I am a racist for not claiming "African American," instead of "black," just remember, that we are specifically talking about skin color, not Ancestry. I have white skin, but no one ever refers to me as a European American. Furthermore, Not all blacks are from Africa. Maybe their ancestors are, but that is presumptuous to claim African American without knowing their heritage. Also, what about the blacks who are not Americans. Believe it or not, there are black people who are actually African, or European or Asian. If political correctness prevails, God Forbid, then I expect that I will forever be considered a European American and better not hear about being a redneck, or white guy any more.

Enough for now. The news is depressing. At this point, the hurricanes threatening the US are less damaging than the two party candidates, and at least on the Democrat side, the storms are less likely to be deadly than the Clinton machine. Hey, that is catchy. The Clintons, we've killed more people than natural disasters.

I know bad me. Pray for your enemies. I try. Harder than it should be, and I am not perfect. Either way, I pray that God Bless this country, this president, and the next one, regardless of their politics. Who knows, maybe this is God's way of giving us what we asked for. Can't expect God to intervene when we are collectively abandoning Him.

God Bless,

Geoff

Reset Button

Is anyone else distraught that every time Hillary or Obama or frankly anyone in the DNC speaks it makes Trump look better. I don't like Trump. I don't want Trump. I am just as scared about the prospect of President Trump as President Clinton part deux. On the day they announce that President Reagan's attempted assassin is to be released in a few days, Obama makes me stay up late just to hear him dribble about the merits of Hillary. There are no merits. Not that Trump has any either, but what is going on?

Hillary famously referred to the "reset button" with the Russians, but when do we get to reset the entire field in DC? It appears that the "fundamental transformation of America" is complete, but I want a fundamental restoration of values and principles. I don't need to know how the government can take my hard earned money and use it to help others. I am active in my community. I use my own initiative to help those in need.

I have employed as many as 25 people at one time. I would pay my staff more if I could but the cost to employ often out weighs the benefit to the company and I value my staff too much to lower wages to compensate. I think most employers would raise wages if we could eliminate the expenses associated with it. I could raise the salary of my staff by 20% and simultaneously increase my own income by 10% if I didn't have to pay for the privilege (taxes) of being an employer. Most of my staff would gain an additional 15% if we simply eliminated income taxes. Imagine having 15% more in your pocket all year long.

Back to restoration. Life, Liberty and pursuit of happiness.....that is unless you live in a city, or own property, or use fuel, or have a firearm, or want to build a home, or want to help people. Yes, help people. I know several nonprofit organizations who spend much of their resources simply trying to maintain environmental permits and satisfy governmental agencies. Unacceptable. EPA=Enough Protection Already!

Why can't we all get along? Because the politicians succeed when we are attacking each other. If we are looking for someone to "fix" the problem, then both parties benefit, and the people lose. We don't have a government of the people, for the people and by the people. We have a ruling political class that is occasionally set back by the people's "intruder." It doesn't take much to change those who mean well once they reach DC. We need the people's reset button. It is beyond time to clean slate. But who will join me? With less than 50% of eligible voters showing up in an election, the non-voters could change the whole system by simply casting a vote.

If you have any ideas how to get registered voters who stay home to unite behind a real leader, let me know. Till then, I will wallow in self pity about the lack of leadership both parties have put as the best the USA has to offer.

Geoff

Welcome

Hello and welcome to Politicked. This is a blog I have long considered to start. With the spectacle that the 2016 Presidential election is, I think it is finally time to let loose. I don't know if Google will permit me to speak freely or not. I am often not politically correct.

Let me introduce myself by concept rather than name. I consider myself as a God Fearing Constitutional Libertarian, but refuse to be grouped into any particular ethos. My background involves Nature, Law Enforcement, USMC, Construction, Business, Non-profits, Farming, Education, Christianity, Firearms, Law, Celtic Heritage, International Travel, Writing and many other pursuits. I will reveal more about me throughout our journey together, and yes, I will use my real name because I stand by my beliefs. You may feel free to speak your mind here just as I do. I will screen for profanity and insults. Your definition of these terms may differ from mine. If you don't like how I handle it, write your own blog.

I hope our journey together is a long a prosperous one for each of us. You will hear me rant, comment and quote on current affairs and history as I understand it. I am very blessed to live in the USA and although it is not perfect, I still believe there is nowhere better to live, but we all play a role in creating the world we want to live in, so here is my small contribution. Won't you join me even if you disagree with my stance on issues?

God Bless,

Geoff