The Money Heifer

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If you haven’t figured it out, we, ordinary Americans, are nothing but serfs, indentured servants or slaves (depending on skin tone). America is NO LONGER the land of opportunity.

College is too expensive. Don’t sacrifice your future. Pursue a trade instead. ☹️

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This has happened enough times that I need to bitch about this publicly.

Yesterday, I received a letter in the mail from the Government of the District of Columbia, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Tax and Revenue. Inside the envelope was a Real Property Tax Relief Reconfirmation Questionnaire and a self-addressed envelope (oddly, for North Carolina, NOT Washington, DC).

As a home owner, I receive a Homestead Exemption under DC law. The questionnaire sought answers to questions regarding my current residency (basically, to confirm I am still residing at the address I claim as my primary residence).

In completing this questionnaire, I had to provide my Social Security Number and my date of birth. This information is protected under the Privacy Act of 1974. This act is a federal one but there are comparable laws at the state level protecting this information.

I did not have a problem providing this sensitive information. My gripe concerns the Government of the District of Columbia providing a non-secured envelope to return the questionnaire.

To protect my sensitive information, I placed two Post It notes over the sensitive information. Further, I took a page from a magazine, divided it in half and placed one half of the page at the front of the envelope and the other half of the page at the back of the envelope.

I should not have to take all these measures to protect my sensitive information. If the Government of the District of Columbia requests sensitive information, the Government of the District of Columbia should provide tinted, secured envelopes.

www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-11-03/heloc-decline-americans-not-using-homes-as-piggy-banks

In a previous post I discussed my Blessing big. In response to that happening, I decided to thank the Associate in the Repair Department by sending a bag of Ghirardelli Chocolate Assorted Squares XL via Amazon. This thank you gift was delivered yesterday, on Halloween.

I sent this small token of appreciation because honestly, I don’t believe, Subaru would have paid to replace my car’s engine, at an $8,000 price tag, without some advocacy from the dealership and most likely that Repair Associate.

What was the impact of that small gift? The Repair Associate was blown away, so appreciative. He left a detailed voice mail message for me.

I was so grateful that I passed my blessing forward. 😇 Many of us never receive a thank you for doing our jobs, especially those working directly with the public. We are quick to complain (& I have been guilty of that). But, think of the positive impact by praising or recognizing an employee who serves you well.

Be appreciative. Express your gratitude. Be a positive force in your community.

Last Friday, I realized I forgot my charger for my phone. So I stopped at Walgreens & purchased one. Upon arriving at work, I opened the box but the charger was not connecting to my phone. Only then did I realize that I grabbed an Android instead of an iPhone charger. At lunch time, I revisited Walgreens and was able to return the Android charger. I then rushed to Bed. Bath & Beyond. I found an iPhone charger, more than double the price of that Android charger. No choice, I had to get it. When I gave it to the cashier, she was surprised that the register deducted half the price. I was too thrilled. Blessing small.

Last September I purchased a used 2011 Subaru Forester. I paid for it in full (following Dave Ramsey’s advice). Over a year later, the check engine light came on. I took it to a Subaru Dealer. Of course, lots of other issues discovered. Repair costs $3,500+. Painful but paid it. After driving for an hour, the check engine light came back on. Returned my car to the dealership. After a week, the dealership called me and told me the entire engine has to be replaced 😱😨. $8,000 🤯.

Then the dealership told me Subaru will pay to replace the engine. I had to pay for one part that costs $309. A miracle. 😇 Blessing big.

Thank you Lord for looking out for me.

apple.news/AmdJZQ_XQR9eDAj_AJpnrwg

www.politico.com/amp/story/2019/08/30/devos-forgiving-student-loans-1697959

www.npr.org/2019/07/11/739860400/broken-promises-teachers-sue-u-s-over-student-loans-that-werent-forgiven

Several years ago I wrote a blog post titled “Profitized Medicine.” Contrary to certain commentators who wail against socialized medicine, these commentators never acknowledge what America’s medical system truly is, i.e., Profitized Medicine.

I have started reading “Code Blue: Inside America’s Médical Industrial Complex”by Mike Magee, MD.”

On pages 3-4, Dr. Magee writes,

“Quite the contrary, our health care system’s focus, at every phase of its development, but especially since its expansion and increasing sophistication after World War II, has been on maximizing opportunities for profit and/ or career advancement for the players within it.”

The truth, not fake news!