We have the best government that money can buy. - Mark Twain
"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy..." - Alexander Fraser Tytler, Scottish lawyer and writer, 1770
An earmark is an inclusion to a law, by a member of Congress, to specify funds for a particular purpose. Usually these earmarks have little or nothing to do with the main premise of the proposed bill. In order to vote against an earmark, a congressman would have to vote against the entire bill, thereby voting against a conceivably worthwhile program. Because of this, the lesser of two evils is practiced, voting for a good bill containing a bad earmark.
Approximately 9,000 earmarks costing about $8 Billion were included in the 2009 Omnibus Spending Bill. If the $8 Billion was excluded, the tax bill for 800,000 families would be reduced by $10,000 each, a real tax relief to America’s Middle Class. And that example was just for the Omnibus Spending Bill in 2009. In fiscal year’s 2008 Total Federal Budget, there were approximately 11,500 earmarks totaling about $16.5 Billion for the year. This means in 2008, 1 ½ million families could have saved over $10,000 each in taxes. Again, this would be meaningful tax relief for the middle class. A Billion here and a Billion there and pretty soon you’re talking serious money; if Congress only knew. Although the party in power gets the majority of earmarks included in a bill, earmarks do not belong to any one party alone. Each political party is guilty; a factual wakeup call for all the American public. The public hears of transparency, earmarks are an area where transparency would be appreciated. The larger the total budget, the less any one earmark becomes ‘meaningful.’ Therefore, Congress may have a selfish motive to continually spend and increase the budget. In 2008, the total Federal Budget was a little less than $3 Trillion. With earmarks at $16.5 Billion, they represented “only” 0.55% of the total, a little more than ½%. Now that doesn’t sound so bad. The larger the total budget, the less ominous each earmark. Congress has a way of using percentages instead of real dollar figures to fool the public. Of course they’ve had years and years of practice.
Earmarks should not be included in proposed bills. Each earmark should be reported to the public (transparency) and should include: The sponsor, the amount, the purpose and the local or national benefit to the public. Earmarks should be voted on separately, based on merits only. A bill coming before Congress should have a theme, an easily distinguishable commonality. Any proposals, additions, or amendments must match the theme of the proposed bill. If not, a separate vote is essential. Congressmen should not force millions of taxpayers to fund their pet projects by burying them in otherwise worthwhile legislation. It’s our money they’re spending, not theirs.
In the political system there is also a practice of adding special provisions to a bill to get one or more congressman’s support. These provisions are different than the earmarks discussed above and may actually benefit the Congressman’s state or district residents; however, the provisions are only being added to secure a vote and not to enhance the proposed bill. They do not add value to the entire country. In 2009, we saw this happen with the Health Reform Bill. Hundreds of millions of dollars were added so that a few areas of the country would benefit at the expense of the rest of the country. This was only done to get enough votes to pass the bill. Without these provisions being added, it is doubtful that the bill would be passed. In other words, on the merits of the bill alone, there would not have been passage. That does not speak well for the bill. If a bill can only be passed by adding special sweeteners, the bill should be allowed to fail. One such sweetener, to a southern state, was reported to be $300 Million. 30,000 American families will have to pay $10,000 each for one state to benefit. Another state received a promise that any increase in cost of one of the mandated programs, to that state and that state alone, would be, forever, paid for by the Federal government. How can the public put a cost on something that will never end? Would our Founding Fathers consent to our Federal Government treating one state differently than another? Hardly seems democratic!
This is an excerpt from my book: “Essays from a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American”
See more excerpts of my book at Amazon Books:
Amazon Books Preview: Essays from a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Some Thoughts on the Bush Tax Cut Debate
It is suggested that allowing the Bush Tax Cuts to continue for everyone EXCEPT those making somewhere over $200,000 ($250,000) is the right thing to do. It will reduce the deficit and the people it would affect should be paying more taxes. It is implied they do not pay their fair share. It will bring in (depending on who is speaking) $700 Billion to $1 Trillion over ten years.
Ten years is a convenient time frame for politicians. The numbers seem large when you express them over ten years. It might as well be a life time. It is hard to estimate next year’s numbers, let alone 10 years out. There will be many elections over that time and many, many things will change. One must wonder what kind of odds Las Vegas would place on that number being correct. If it is close, then we’re looking at over $70 Billion a year.
Will collecting this tax revenue reduce the deficit? It might if congress freezes the budget and does not allow our current deficit to increase. Has that been introduced? Has this new tax revenue been designated only to reduce the deficit and not for any new program or to fund an existing program? Has congress been successful in passing “a no earmark or entitlement” provision? In fiscal year’s 2008 Total Federal Budget, there were approximately 11,500 earmarks totaling about $16.5 Billion for the year. Don’t know what the 2009 number is. But $16.5 Billion is approximately 25 % of the expected revenue from the tax proposal. Do we really want to take that money out of the public’s hand so politicians can spend it at will?
Should families that struggled to start a business, borrow against their homes and credit cards, hire people from the neighborhood and give their employees benefits, and finally make over the magic number of $250,000, be put in the same category as multi-millionaires and billionaires? Our government makes it seem that all successful businessmen fall into that category. Should our country have the attitude that because someone becomes successful or their family has had success they should fund whatever programs congress decides on?
Most people don’t mind paying taxes. Most feel that the United States has given them the opportunity to earn a living and lead a good life. They realize that many services are needed and funding for those services should come from tax revenue. What is often objected to is the disregard that is showed by our government on how the money is spent. They throw around billions of dollars as if it’s a rounding error.
For every $1 billion congress spends 100,000 families have to pay $10,000 in taxes. Maybe those 100,000 families could use that money to benefit their own families. (Food, Education, Housing, Utilities, etc..)
It’s time the congress makes the first move before taxing anyone anymore. Freeze the spending, eliminate earmarks, eliminate new entitlements, examine all existing entitlements, cut all government budgets by some % (that’s what business does), examine all the benefit packages of government employees and the list goes on and on.
Let them do that before they take more of our money.
You can preview my book:
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=andy+strum&x=7&y=13
Ten years is a convenient time frame for politicians. The numbers seem large when you express them over ten years. It might as well be a life time. It is hard to estimate next year’s numbers, let alone 10 years out. There will be many elections over that time and many, many things will change. One must wonder what kind of odds Las Vegas would place on that number being correct. If it is close, then we’re looking at over $70 Billion a year.
Will collecting this tax revenue reduce the deficit? It might if congress freezes the budget and does not allow our current deficit to increase. Has that been introduced? Has this new tax revenue been designated only to reduce the deficit and not for any new program or to fund an existing program? Has congress been successful in passing “a no earmark or entitlement” provision? In fiscal year’s 2008 Total Federal Budget, there were approximately 11,500 earmarks totaling about $16.5 Billion for the year. Don’t know what the 2009 number is. But $16.5 Billion is approximately 25 % of the expected revenue from the tax proposal. Do we really want to take that money out of the public’s hand so politicians can spend it at will?
Should families that struggled to start a business, borrow against their homes and credit cards, hire people from the neighborhood and give their employees benefits, and finally make over the magic number of $250,000, be put in the same category as multi-millionaires and billionaires? Our government makes it seem that all successful businessmen fall into that category. Should our country have the attitude that because someone becomes successful or their family has had success they should fund whatever programs congress decides on?
Most people don’t mind paying taxes. Most feel that the United States has given them the opportunity to earn a living and lead a good life. They realize that many services are needed and funding for those services should come from tax revenue. What is often objected to is the disregard that is showed by our government on how the money is spent. They throw around billions of dollars as if it’s a rounding error.
For every $1 billion congress spends 100,000 families have to pay $10,000 in taxes. Maybe those 100,000 families could use that money to benefit their own families. (Food, Education, Housing, Utilities, etc..)
It’s time the congress makes the first move before taxing anyone anymore. Freeze the spending, eliminate earmarks, eliminate new entitlements, examine all existing entitlements, cut all government budgets by some % (that’s what business does), examine all the benefit packages of government employees and the list goes on and on.
Let them do that before they take more of our money.
You can preview my book:
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=andy+strum&x=7&y=13
Sunday, September 26, 2010
One 6 Year Term for Elected Officials
The member (of Congress) who is not making a career of politics looks quite differently at the world.-Robert Novak
In my book: "Essays from a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" I have a chapter "Question: What does a Congressman do for a living? Answer: Spends the days trying to get re-elected."
I make a case; In 1951, term limits for the President of The United States were enacted. It’s time to enact new term limits for the President and add term limits for Senators and House of Representative members. ONE 6 YEAR TERM FOR ELECTED FEDERAL OFFICIALS.
It is my contention that too many decisions are made for political reasons and not for the benefit of the country. That too much tax and other money is spent for political reasons. If a politician can only hold office for one 6 year term our country will be better served
You can preview my book on Amazon Books and Amazon Kindle at:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=andy+strum&x=7&y=13
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum http://www.createspace.com/3462397
In my book: "Essays from a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" I have a chapter "Question: What does a Congressman do for a living? Answer: Spends the days trying to get re-elected."
I make a case; In 1951, term limits for the President of The United States were enacted. It’s time to enact new term limits for the President and add term limits for Senators and House of Representative members. ONE 6 YEAR TERM FOR ELECTED FEDERAL OFFICIALS.
It is my contention that too many decisions are made for political reasons and not for the benefit of the country. That too much tax and other money is spent for political reasons. If a politician can only hold office for one 6 year term our country will be better served
You can preview my book on Amazon Books and Amazon Kindle at:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=andy+strum&x=7&y=13
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum http://www.createspace.com/3462397
Saturday, September 25, 2010
The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees... I don't feel threatened.. I don't feel discriminated against.. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities, and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc., I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then, someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it...no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein
Please see my new book:
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum http://www.createspace.com/3462397
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees... I don't feel threatened.. I don't feel discriminated against.. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities, and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc., I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then, someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it...no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein
Please see my new book:
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum http://www.createspace.com/3462397
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Camel's Back !!! Baloon Bursting !!! What about our Debt???
Our parents and grandparents were appalled when the Government’s spending and debts were put in numbers as Billions and Tens of Billions. Now our government expects us to accept Trillions as the norm. Make that Tens of Trillions!!!!
There is a straw out there and the camel's back is sagging!!!
Remember watching a child pushing a pin into a balloon. One second the balloon is filled with air and then, in an instant, it has burst. The child cries and apologizes. He can’t understand what happened. He didn’t mean to break the balloon. While he was pushing in the pin, the child felt in control. Everything was going his way. Only after the balloon burst did he realize he went too far.
Could our current debt be that balloon? Will we only know the mistake we made after the balloon breaks? If it does break, then what? Maybe it’s time to pull the pin away from the balloon!!!!!!
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum http://www.createspace.com/3462397
There is a straw out there and the camel's back is sagging!!!
Remember watching a child pushing a pin into a balloon. One second the balloon is filled with air and then, in an instant, it has burst. The child cries and apologizes. He can’t understand what happened. He didn’t mean to break the balloon. While he was pushing in the pin, the child felt in control. Everything was going his way. Only after the balloon burst did he realize he went too far.
Could our current debt be that balloon? Will we only know the mistake we made after the balloon breaks? If it does break, then what? Maybe it’s time to pull the pin away from the balloon!!!!!!
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum http://www.createspace.com/3462397
Friday, September 17, 2010
House of Representatives - December 12, 1995 - "...Mr. Speaker, how can America be bankrupt?
House of Representatives - December 12, 1995
"...Mr. Speaker, how can America be bankrupt? There are airport taxes, highway taxes, excise taxes, estate taxes, gas taxes, property taxes, income taxes, sales taxes, luxury taxes, nanny taxes, old taxes, new taxes, hidden taxes, inheritance taxes; there is even now a tax called a sin tax. I say to my colleagues, no wonder the American people are taxed off..."
"...The truth is that Congress as a Congress that taxes everything ultimately will tax freedom and will not balance anything. What is next? A budget tax? Is it any wonder that the American people are saying, kiss my taxes...?"
"...Beam me up, Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my taxes..." Jim Traficant
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum http://www.createspace.com/3462397
"...Mr. Speaker, how can America be bankrupt? There are airport taxes, highway taxes, excise taxes, estate taxes, gas taxes, property taxes, income taxes, sales taxes, luxury taxes, nanny taxes, old taxes, new taxes, hidden taxes, inheritance taxes; there is even now a tax called a sin tax. I say to my colleagues, no wonder the American people are taxed off..."
"...The truth is that Congress as a Congress that taxes everything ultimately will tax freedom and will not balance anything. What is next? A budget tax? Is it any wonder that the American people are saying, kiss my taxes...?"
"...Beam me up, Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my taxes..." Jim Traficant
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum http://www.createspace.com/3462397
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Bush Tax Cuts for the Wealthy; Who is the President Talking About?
When the President talks of repealing the Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthy; is he referring to those families that sacrificed to start businesses? Does he mean those that took out loans against their homes, borrowed on their credit cards and worked 15 hours a day for years? Could he be talking about the start up family businesses, that took a risk, knowing that a small percentage of small businesses are successful, to try to make a better life for their families? Are these the same business people that give employment to people in their neighborhoods; pay them wages, fund their 401(k) plans, contribute to workman’s compensation, unemployment compensation and FICA? Might he be speaking about people who pay federal, state and local taxes; as well as business taxes and real estate taxes? Don’t they provide additional tax revenue by paying wages to workers who then pay taxes? May he possibly be discussing individuals who donate their time and money to local organizations?
So after many years of hard work and taking risks they earn the President’s magic number of $250,000 a year. And in many instances, plow back money into their business to help it continue to grow.
Lumping these small business owners with multi-millionaires and billionaires might make a good sound bite from the podium, but maybe he might want to get down from that podium and visit these people that made a success of themselves. Most are viewed as role models and an asset to their communities.
Let’s stop vilifying them and congratulate them for their courage and success and hope our children have the same drive they have.
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum http://www.createspace.com/3462397
So after many years of hard work and taking risks they earn the President’s magic number of $250,000 a year. And in many instances, plow back money into their business to help it continue to grow.
Lumping these small business owners with multi-millionaires and billionaires might make a good sound bite from the podium, but maybe he might want to get down from that podium and visit these people that made a success of themselves. Most are viewed as role models and an asset to their communities.
Let’s stop vilifying them and congratulate them for their courage and success and hope our children have the same drive they have.
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum http://www.createspace.com/3462397
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Recieve a discount on my book
To all my friends, please enter the discount code HMNP5Q65 to receive a 20% discount on my book at the link below.
Hope you enjoy it!
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.createspace.com/3462397
Hope you enjoy it!
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.createspace.com/3462397
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Now You'll Know!
Where did Piss Poor come from?
Interesting History
They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families
used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken &
Sold to the tannery.......if you had to do this to survive
you were "Piss Poor"
But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't
even afford to buy a pot......they "didn't have a pot to
piss in" & were the lowest of the low
The next time you are washing your hands and complain
because the water temperature isn't just how you like it,
think about how things used to be.
Here are some facts about the 1500s:
Most people got married in June because they took their
yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by
June.. However, since they were starting to smell . ..... .
Brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor.
Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting
Married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man
of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then
all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the
children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so
dirty you could actually lose someone in it.. Hence the
saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water!"
Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no
wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get
warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs)
lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and
sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof...
Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the
house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs
and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence,
a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top
afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into
existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other
than dirt. Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had
slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet,
so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their
footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until,
when you opened the door, it would all start slipping
outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way.
Hence: a thresh hold.
(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big
kettle that always hung over the fire.. Every day they lit
the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly
vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the
stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold
overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew
had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence
the rhyme: Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas
porridge in the pot nine days old. Sometimes they could
obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When
visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show
off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home
the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests
and would all sit around and chew the fat.
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high
acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food,
causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with
tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were
considered poisonous.
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt
bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests
got the top, or the upper crust.
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination
would Sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days.
Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and
prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen
table for a couple of days and the family would gather
around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake
up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.
England is old and small and the local folks started running
out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins
and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the
grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins
were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they
realized they had been burying people alive... So they would
tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the
coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell.
Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night
(the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone
could be saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer.
And that's the truth....Now, whoever said History was boring!!!
So...SEE WHY I LIKE HISTORY
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.createspace.com/3462397
Interesting History
They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families
used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken &
Sold to the tannery.......if you had to do this to survive
you were "Piss Poor"
But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't
even afford to buy a pot......they "didn't have a pot to
piss in" & were the lowest of the low
The next time you are washing your hands and complain
because the water temperature isn't just how you like it,
think about how things used to be.
Here are some facts about the 1500s:
Most people got married in June because they took their
yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by
June.. However, since they were starting to smell . ..... .
Brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor.
Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting
Married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man
of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then
all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the
children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so
dirty you could actually lose someone in it.. Hence the
saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water!"
Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no
wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get
warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs)
lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and
sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof...
Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the
house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs
and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence,
a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top
afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into
existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other
than dirt. Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had
slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet,
so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their
footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until,
when you opened the door, it would all start slipping
outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way.
Hence: a thresh hold.
(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big
kettle that always hung over the fire.. Every day they lit
the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly
vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the
stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold
overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew
had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence
the rhyme: Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas
porridge in the pot nine days old. Sometimes they could
obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When
visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show
off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home
the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests
and would all sit around and chew the fat.
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high
acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food,
causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with
tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were
considered poisonous.
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt
bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests
got the top, or the upper crust.
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination
would Sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days.
Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and
prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen
table for a couple of days and the family would gather
around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake
up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.
England is old and small and the local folks started running
out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins
and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the
grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins
were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they
realized they had been burying people alive... So they would
tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the
coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell.
Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night
(the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone
could be saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer.
And that's the truth....Now, whoever said History was boring!!!
So...SEE WHY I LIKE HISTORY
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.createspace.com/3462397
Friday, September 10, 2010
See 9.11.2001 Pictures on my Facebook Page
9.11.2001 Pictures
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.createspace.com/3462397
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.createspace.com/3462397
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Positive Effects From The Economic Stimulus Program?????
This economic recovery
program has been great for my morning commute!!!!!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
The Letter of the Law Vs. The Spirit of the Law
When men are pure, laws are useless; when men are corrupt, laws are broken.- Benjamin Disraeli
The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17 NKJV)
1 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My Commandments.
3 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
4 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: You, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
5 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
6 “You shall not murder.
7 “You shall not commit adultery.
8 “You shall not steal.
9 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10 “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.”
We have fifty million laws trying to enforce Ten Commandments – Unknown Author
The Ten Commandments carry no punishment. They are simply to be lived by. It is only when individuals decide not to follow the rules that society declines. Although rules and regulations are set down in print, it is the spirit of a law that keeps a society strong; hiding behind the letter of the law leads to a society’s demise.
In our places of worship, each of us is taught the Ten Commandments or something similar. Unfortunately, too many people disregard the sermon when they step out in public. We do not need 50 Million laws, many which are never enforced, to make this a better place to live. We need only to abide to the spirit of 10 simple commandments, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
America can only get stronger if its citizens voluntarily follow the spirit of our written and unwritten laws. Our country will only progress when we accept responsibility for our health, finances and families. Hiding behind the letter of any law, amendment or the Constitution will only cause a weaker society.
Check out my book; "Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" Available at Amazon Books and Kindle Books and at the link below
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum https://www.createspace.com/3462397
The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17 NKJV)
1 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My Commandments.
3 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
4 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: You, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
5 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
6 “You shall not murder.
7 “You shall not commit adultery.
8 “You shall not steal.
9 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10 “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.”
We have fifty million laws trying to enforce Ten Commandments – Unknown Author
The Ten Commandments carry no punishment. They are simply to be lived by. It is only when individuals decide not to follow the rules that society declines. Although rules and regulations are set down in print, it is the spirit of a law that keeps a society strong; hiding behind the letter of the law leads to a society’s demise.
In our places of worship, each of us is taught the Ten Commandments or something similar. Unfortunately, too many people disregard the sermon when they step out in public. We do not need 50 Million laws, many which are never enforced, to make this a better place to live. We need only to abide to the spirit of 10 simple commandments, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
America can only get stronger if its citizens voluntarily follow the spirit of our written and unwritten laws. Our country will only progress when we accept responsibility for our health, finances and families. Hiding behind the letter of any law, amendment or the Constitution will only cause a weaker society.
Check out my book; "Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" Available at Amazon Books and Kindle Books and at the link below
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum https://www.createspace.com/3462397
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