Just to let y'all know that a few of the car shows are already beginning to send in their info to be posted on the calendar. The first: The American Legion, in Naples ME. Wasn't much last year, but they seem to be doing it up right this time around, judging from the preliminary info they have sent.
Don't mind saying that those fine folks picked up a copy of our Complete Car Show Guide last fall, so I think we can look forward to a fine show in Naples this year.
As soon as info is specific and all settled, I will begin posting to the calendar. Meanwhile, if your club is getting their show info together, don't forget to let HotKarz.com know. We'll be happy to promote it.
See ya in the spring!
/
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Silver Lining
The current economic conditions have hurt many. But even in a recession there is a silver lining that should not be ignored. Here are a few examples:
Sure, recession hurts. But for those who can act on the bargains a recession creates, there is wealth ahead.
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- Fuel prices are way down
- Airfares are bargain-priced
- Vacations - there are thousands of destinations that are going for peanuts. Some cruises as low as $49 per day
- Stocks of good, solid companies are now easily afforded by almost anyone, and bound to go up
- Home prices are way down, for those in the market
Sure, recession hurts. But for those who can act on the bargains a recession creates, there is wealth ahead.
/
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Barstool Economics
Thought this was worth sharing....
Bar Stool Economics, simply but effectively explained !!!!
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.
'Since you are all such good customers, he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, based on what they pay, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay. And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before, with the poorest getting the most savings. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
'I only got a dollar out of the $20', declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10!'
'Yeah, that's right', exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!'
'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!'
'Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!'
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls , journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
David R. Kamerschen
Ph.D. Professor of Economics
University of Georgia
For those who understand, no further explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.
/
Bar Stool Economics, simply but effectively explained !!!!
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.
'Since you are all such good customers, he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, based on what they pay, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay. And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before, with the poorest getting the most savings. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
'I only got a dollar out of the $20', declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10!'
'Yeah, that's right', exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!'
'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!'
'Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!'
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls , journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
David R. Kamerschen
Ph.D. Professor of Economics
University of Georgia
For those who understand, no further explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.
/
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Reflections
As I grow older, I often find myself thinking back on past events, and even relationships. Today I was reflecting on some of the great gals I have known.
Margaret - ah, sweet Margie! So cross-eyed she could stand on Wednesday and see both Sundays.
And I'll never forget the wild times with Raelene. Rae was so fat that when she sat around the house, she sat AROUND the house. But a heart of gold, like none other.
And then, of course, there was Edna. Eddie was really something. She was so ugly that I took her with me everywhere I went, just so I wouldn't have to kiss her goodbye.
But those days are past. Now I am very happily married to an absolutely wonderful little gal. And since she is reading this over my shoulder, I will say no more, except that I never had it so good.
/
Margaret - ah, sweet Margie! So cross-eyed she could stand on Wednesday and see both Sundays.
And I'll never forget the wild times with Raelene. Rae was so fat that when she sat around the house, she sat AROUND the house. But a heart of gold, like none other.
And then, of course, there was Edna. Eddie was really something. She was so ugly that I took her with me everywhere I went, just so I wouldn't have to kiss her goodbye.
But those days are past. Now I am very happily married to an absolutely wonderful little gal. And since she is reading this over my shoulder, I will say no more, except that I never had it so good.
/
Resolutions
In 60 years I have never made a New Year's resolution. Us perfect people do not need to (^.-)
But this year I will make some resolutions, as follows:
1) I will be more tolerant of liberals, secular progressives and atheists
2) I shall not use profanity at any time, nor for any reason
3) I will exercise more and eat less
4) I will become more "green", and submit to the environmentalists
5) Most importantly, I will break each of these resolutions before the sun comes up
But here is one resolution I will keep - it is something I have always tried to live by, so it will come easy:
I will not go to bed at night until I have done at least one random act of kindness that day.
Imagine if everyone were to have such a resolution - and kept it!
/
But this year I will make some resolutions, as follows:
1) I will be more tolerant of liberals, secular progressives and atheists
2) I shall not use profanity at any time, nor for any reason
3) I will exercise more and eat less
4) I will become more "green", and submit to the environmentalists
5) Most importantly, I will break each of these resolutions before the sun comes up
But here is one resolution I will keep - it is something I have always tried to live by, so it will come easy:
I will not go to bed at night until I have done at least one random act of kindness that day.
Imagine if everyone were to have such a resolution - and kept it!
/
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
New Year...
Mentioned this evening on "The Fox Report" (FoxNews), the following quote by (guess who?):
"The optimist stays up to see the New Year in. The pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves."
Bill Vaughn
"The optimist stays up to see the New Year in. The pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves."
Bill Vaughn
Congress's Plan To Destroy Our Hobby
Under the guise of the Economic Stimulus Plan to be proposed on January 6, Speaker Pelosi will introduce the "Cash for Clunkers" proposal that will severely damage, if not destroy, our hobby. It is important for each and every person involved in our hobby to contact Speaker Pelosi's office (info below) to let her know that the "Cash For Clunkers" proposal is not a viable solution to anything, and will actually harm the economy, since so many individuals and businesses spend tens of millions of dollars each year in this hobby.
Please, folks - it only takes a minute or two for you to stand and be counted. If you do not, then it is likely that the source of parts for our cars will dry up, and at the very least, become far more expensive as supply dwindles. And to add insult to injury, they will use YOUR tax money to accomplish this travesty.
From the SEMA website at http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62498:
Washington lawmakers are drafting a large economic stimulus package to help create jobs and rebuild infrastructure. They want to include a nationwide scrappage program which would give U.S. tax dollars to consumers who turn-in older cars to have them crushed, as a misguided attempt to spur new car sales. The lawmakers need to scrap this idea.
The stimulus package is being drafted right now. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) wants to introduce the bill on January 6 and have it approved by Congress by January 20, so that President Obama can sign it into law after he is inaugurated. Contact House Speaker Nancy Pelosi IMMEDIATELY To Oppose Cash for Clunkers!Call: 202/225-0100Click here to send an electronic message: http://speaker.house.gov/contact/
__________________________________________
Talking Points Oppose the Use of U.S. Taxpayer Dollars for Cash for Clunkers
• I am [calling/writing] to urge lawmakers not to include a “Cash for Clunkers” provision in the economic stimulus bill. Owners who turn in vehicles for crushing would receive a "minimal" payment to purchase a new car. This is a misguided attempt to spur car sales and claim that the country’s air quality or fleet fuel mileage is being improved.
Please send a quick note and/or a copy of your message to Speaker Pelosi to: E-mail:
Please, folks - it only takes a minute or two for you to stand and be counted. If you do not, then it is likely that the source of parts for our cars will dry up, and at the very least, become far more expensive as supply dwindles. And to add insult to injury, they will use YOUR tax money to accomplish this travesty.
From the SEMA website at http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62498:
Urgent Action Alert
Oppose Federal Vehicle Scrappage Program
Oppose Federal Vehicle Scrappage Program
Washington lawmakers are drafting a large economic stimulus package to help create jobs and rebuild infrastructure. They want to include a nationwide scrappage program which would give U.S. tax dollars to consumers who turn-in older cars to have them crushed, as a misguided attempt to spur new car sales. The lawmakers need to scrap this idea.
The stimulus package is being drafted right now. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) wants to introduce the bill on January 6 and have it approved by Congress by January 20, so that President Obama can sign it into law after he is inaugurated. Contact House Speaker Nancy Pelosi IMMEDIATELY To Oppose Cash for Clunkers!Call: 202/225-0100Click here to send an electronic message: http://speaker.house.gov/contact/
__________________________________________
Talking Points Oppose the Use of U.S. Taxpayer Dollars for Cash for Clunkers
• I am [calling/writing] to urge lawmakers not to include a “Cash for Clunkers” provision in the economic stimulus bill. Owners who turn in vehicles for crushing would receive a "minimal" payment to purchase a new car. This is a misguided attempt to spur car sales and claim that the country’s air quality or fleet fuel mileage is being improved.
• “Cash for Clunkers” programs threaten enthusiasts nationwide with the loss of valuable parts and parts-cars for repair, restoration, and customization projects. The programs also risk destroying classic, historic and special-interest vehicles, our American heritage.
• Cars turned in for scrappage often barely run, or are rarely-driven second or third vehicles that have a minimal impact on overall fuel economy or emissions.
• “Cash for Clunkers” programs will reduce the availability of affordable transportation and repair parts used by low-income drivers. It will also compete with the Salvation Army, the Purple Heart and other charities that rely on vehicle donations to raise money.
• “Cash for Clunkers” ignores better policy options. If Congress wants to act, support for repair and upgrade is a better choice and a win-win for consumers, dealers, manufacturers and repair shops. Significant emissions and fuel economy improvements can be achieved in older vehicles through relatively simple and inexpensive means: repaired/replaced exhaust systems, tune-ups, etc.
• We hope we can count on you to reject “Cash for Clunkers.” Thank you for your consideration on this very important matter.
Please send a quick note and/or a copy of your message to Speaker Pelosi to: E-mail:
Fax: 202/783-6024
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