Thursday, January 31, 2008

New Wood Stove!!!!!

We final got our new wood stove! It's soooooo nice. Nothing like heat from a wood stove.

Very out dated

Nice and new

Claire, Paige, and Grandma




Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Barroom Economics

This is real life math to understand our tax system.

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.

So, that's what they decided to do.

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, 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 pay $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. 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, ladies and gentlemen, 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.

-Sam Hall

http://pensacolad2.blogspot.com/2008/01/barroom-economics.html

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Thanks For Brunch Tammy & Ian

A few weeks ago Tammy and Ian had brunch for our family and the Williams. Thank you some much! The brunch was fantastic! Sarah and Paige always have a good time together.

Paige and Sarah taking a quick drink break.

The chefs hard at work. The brunch was sooooooo good.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Economic Stimulus Package

Hot off the Wall Street Journal Press. Of course the article ends with "I'm really proud we got a middle class tax cut," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, the Democratic Caucus Chair. "It wasn't what the Republicans wanted to do, and we made them do it." There's that poor pitiful me attitude. Become successful and you to will be looked down on. The government must rule your life!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120118687430813489.html

Let's Just Give Money Away

So our current government wants to stimulate our economy on a short term bases. On the table right now is a suggestion to give an $800 tax refund to single people who make under $75,000 a year and a $1200 rebate couples that make under $150,000 per year. This is kind of on the right track, but they are also going to give people who don't pay taxes an $800 rebate as well. For the life of me I don't understand this. So the way we stimulate the economy is by giving people who don't pay into the system free money? So if you’re someone who gets all their tax money back plus government assistance, you’re going to be setting pretty well. Wow....why would you ever want to get off of state of federal public assistance when the government will hand you free money? Why work when you can get a handout.

Hopefully they are going to give tax breaks to the businesses to help employee more people and expand. But then again why would anyone want a job if the government is going to hand them free money. Way to go Republicans.

I did just hear they are not going to go through with increasing the funding of unemployment and food stamps. I’m not the brightest cookie in the bunch but I could not see how increasing food stamps would have helped the economy. I just needed to release some steam.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Racing in North Carolina

This is the type of racing that goes on here in Western North Carolina. The new addition to the list is The Most Horrible Thing Ever. If you think you’re strong we'll see you at the start line.


http://pisgahproductions.com/

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Yea...Some Snow!!!

It finally snowed in Asheville. It didn’t last long but Paige and all the neighbors had a goodtime while it lasted.









Paige is always blurry. It’s hard to keep her still.

This Is My Way Of Thinking

Here are some things from the White House Press. These are things I personally agree with and I think are the proper way to build our economy for the future at this point in time.


To Be Effective, The Growth Package Should Bolster Both Business Investment And Consumer Spending, Which Are Critical To Economic Growth

1. An effective growth package must include tax incentives for American businesses – including small businesses – to make investments in their enterprises this year. Giving them an incentive to invest now will encourage business owners to expand their operations, create new jobs, and inject new energy into our economy in the process.
*Yes, this is a much better way to build our economy verses more government funds for unemployment, or taking away from business. What a concept...help business grow, people get jobs, they have money to speed, and they can make their mortgage payment.

2. An effective growth package must also include direct and rapid income tax relief for the American people. Americans could use this money as they see fit – to help meet their monthly bills, cover higher costs at the gas pump, or pay for other basic necessities. Letting Americans keep more of their own money should increase consumer spending and lift our economy at a time when people otherwise might spend less.
*We don't need more government we need this. Fewer taxes on you will stimulate growth. Its amazes me why more politicians cannot think like this. If you let us keep our money we will put it back into the economy.


President Bush Continues To Call On Congress To Make Tax Relief Permanent

While passing a new growth package is our most pressing economic priority, Congress needs to turn next to the most important economic priority for our country – making sure the tax relief that is now in place is not taken away. The President's tax cuts are set to expire in less than three years. If Congress allows that to happen, we will see an end to many of the measures that have helped our economy grow including the 10 percent individual income tax bracket, repeal of the Federal death tax, reductions in the marriage penalty, the expansion of the child tax credit, and reduced rates on regular income, capital gains, and dividends. This would mean that:

- A single mom with two children and $30,000 in earnings would see her taxes go up by 67 percent.

- An elderly couple with $40,000 in income would see their taxes go up by about 155 percent.

- Twenty-six million small business owners would see their taxes increase by nearly 17 percent or about $4,000 on average.
*What else is there is say. Its proven when you let the american people keep their money they will put it back into the economy. Looks to me like this directly effects the lower to middle income family. We need this and I hope our democrat partners in congresses can agree to this.

The Administration Has Taken Steps To Help Struggling American Homeowners
In September, the President and his Administration launched a new initiative at the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) called FHASecure.
FHASecure expands the FHA's ability to offer refinancing by giving it the flexibility to work with homeowners who have good credit histories but cannot afford their current payments. By the end of 2008, the FHA expects this program to help more than 300,000 families refinance their homes.
*Hillary you need to take some notes here. This is at least a more feasible way to work through the housing issues. I actually mentioned doing something on these lines in my last post. These will help families get into a fix rate mortgage and keep the banks in business and employees at their jobs instead of on the street.

You can read about these things at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/economy/

Thursday, January 17, 2008

The Governement Can Save You All!!!!

You all know I’m not the best writer in the world but I need to vent a little.

Wow...her she goes again. Let's blame everyone (small business, big business, successful people) but our own government on the bankruptcy issues. Hillary thinks it’s the banks fault people are foreclosing on homes. Do you realize the biggest, most powerful business in the US is our own government? Who do you think takes the most money from you when you get your pay check, go out to eat, fill up your car with gas, take a trip and stay in a hotel, fly somewhere, and so on. The government gets a piece of your money no matter where you spend it. Hillary for some reason doesn't mention anything about the Truth-n-Lending and HUD statements that are required by government law to be given to everyone who applies for and receives a mortgage. These forms are developed and implemented by our government. What other forms do the American people need to see from our government to decide if they can afford a home? Let’s just keep adding things to government programs so our government can keep spend money in useless ways.

People need to be fiscally responsible on their own. If someone bought a home for an investment and it went south…that’s their problem. If someone bought a bigger house and felt they would make more money in a few years and could handle the payment…..that was their decision. You pulled money out of your house to pay other bills and now you’re at 100% LTV on your home…that was your choice. How about the government and the banks come together and help people refinancing their homes onto fixed rates? Fixed rates are at a two year low right now. People might just have to eat at home more often. Maybe this is not the year to go on the annual family vacation. You might have to buy a used car instead of new one. It’s amazing how much a family can save if they take the time to restructure their finances and not spend money on useless crap.

Now before you start sending me hate mail think about this? If you don’t hold people accountable for their actions they will never learn or make the necessary changes in their life. Your only hurting people by always bailing them out, not helping them. No one was forced into these loans. The welfare system is a great example of what could happen if we all go in and bail everyone out. The reason I say “we” is because we are the ones that are going to pay for it. Remember the government gets its money from us.

If you leave the market alone it will take care of itself. Do you think bad loans are good for the banks? Citi just reported a 10 billion dollar loss. The largest loss in American history by a company. They are letting go about 4400 employees. This should help those 4400 people make their house payments. Hillary thinks this is ok and she wants to give more money to the unemployed workers. What is wrong with someone who builds a company that makes that person wealthy and they take 100’s possible 1000’s of people down the same road of wealth or financial freedom with them? Is that so bad? I don't think so. I’m so tired of the “poor me” attitude.

To stimulate the economy you need to help companies grow and employ more people. People that have jobs can pay their mortgages. Boosting up an unemployment fund is going to do nothing but make people fall into the government system.

Hillary wants to have no foreclosures for 90 days and “freeze” adjustable interest rates for 5 years? First….this is impossible and can never happen. She is obviously fishing for votes with the “poor me” community. Second…do you have any idea if this did happen what that would do to the banking and mortgage industry? It would destroy the mortgage industry. You don’t just do stuff like this as a smart business person. If this “freeze” happens it would turn into another welfare system and 10's of thousands of people will lose their jobs. Everyone would try to get aboard and ride the wave. The banks will have to make their money in other areas which means people that are fiscally responsible will pay higher rates on credit cards, school loans, new home mortgages, bank fees, and so on. Someone has to pay for all of this. If you’re an average middle class worker that has any type of investment in a 401K, IRA, ROTH, etc you’re going to see very little growth in your investment. These big banks play a huge roll in your ability to retire through other investments. We all know Social Security is dead and if you don't want to work until your 80 you need these other investments.

The funds Hillary is talking about sound great political but…. who pays for these? Money doesn’t just fall from the sky. If they are going to continue to beat up businesses and take their profits, who’s left to pay for all these funds? This to me is so obvious. They want government to run your life. They try to make it sound all sunny. We "the government" will take care of you. Some of the smartest, hardest working and community growth people I know are small business owners. I know plenty of people that have turned their businesses into profitable and stable forces in the market. That's the back bone of our country. Out of all the government programs currently running how many are failing? Medicare, Welfare, Social Security, and Education to only mention a few. These programs have been failing for years. There is no accountability when the government gets a hold of something. Do you really want more government involved in your life?

How about California trying to say the government should run your thermostat in your house? I also heard the Federal Government wants to increase tax on a gallon of gas. The report is .40 over the next 5 years. As gas prices go up who is going to get the hammer for it. The government will be the first to say “big oil” is making to much money. The truth is the government makes to much money.

How long are we all going to let the machine keep pointing fingers at everything else but the problem? There used to be this little empire that collapsed or basically imploded on itself. Remember something called the Roman Empire? Look at our country and read about the Roman Empire and how it failed. It should open your eyes.

All of you are smart people and I ask you to please do your research and vote for the right candidate in your eyes. Most of you know I’m a conservative but I have really moved to an independent thinking. I’m not going to just give a party my vote. I’m voting on who I think is the right person to get our beaten country back on path. I don’t care what color, gender, or party they are part of. I’m looking at the facts and their history. No candidate can count on my vote until election day.






"The question really goes to the heart of what we are trying to do here." No Hillary the question was about freezing rates "Are you aware of any long term affects on the housing market and our economy this my cause?" You once again did not answer the question. All the candidates answer these questions the same way. I wish I could walk into a room with my investors and never answer any of their questions and get applauded for my answers. Yea right….I work in the real world where I have to be accountable in order to keep my business / job.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

More trails in Bent Creek

I found a few more videos on youtube of the back yard trails we ride.

Ingles Feild



Wolf Branch

Green's Lick

Here's a decent video of Green's Lick in Bent Creek I got off of Nathans blog http://nathanjwyatt.blogspot.com/. This is one of the trails that got reworked a few years back. A lot of people have gotten hurt on this trail. Not because it's technical, but because you can get to much speed to fast. Most people find themselves out of control and flying off the trail. Ken you would love this trail. Not to brag but this is in my back yard. I never have to drive a car to ride trails like this. Amazing!

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

More Photos Of Our New Family

We are home and doing great! Lyn and Paige are beautiful and enjoying being home. Paige is enjoying her little sister in small doses right now. There is so much activity right now in our house Paige’s schedule is a little off.

I would once again like to say thank you to our family. Everyone has stepped in to help out. He will have someone at our house everyday for the next 5 weeks to help us out. Wow…family is amazing. Our friends are cooking food for us and our neighbor Melanie is heading up the schedule. Our friends are amazing. When you go through a tough time like this you realize how important it is to be surrounded by good people. Thank you everyone.

Of course the big thanks goes out to Mission Hospital. I will forever be their poster boy if they want. I can’t say enough about this hospital. All the doctors and nurses that pitched in to help. I’m not kidding when I mean pitched in. There were doctors from other private practices that heard what was going on and scrubbed in to be there incase they need them. This was a true look at the people who really do this type of work because they care. All the nurses who took care of me while Lyn was in the OR. I have never in my life seen the compassion of so many people. Lyn had hospital staff visiting her all the time saying things like “I wanted to come by and make sure you’re recovering and see if you need anything.” “I heard about you and I wanted to make sure you are ok.” “You don’t know me, but I heard about you and I wanted to come by and see how you are doing.”

I will forever believe in our heath care and the doctors we have in this country. I’m so glad we live where we do and thank you to everyone for all your prayers, and on going support. We are moving forward and not looking back.

Lyn with Dr. Robinson. She was the main doctor for the birth and the major surgery. A huge thank you goes out to Dr. Robinson

A little sushi anyone? Lyn's request....

Me and Claire

Claire is finally home.

Paige holding her new little sister

Paige and I driving up to the park

Paige and I need to spend sometime together.



Everyone at home relaxing. It's a great beautiful thing

Friday, January 04, 2008

Claire Has Enter Our World

Where do I start? We are proud parents of our new baby girl Claire Evelyn Bedsaul. She entered our life on Dec 31st at about 3:45pm. She weight about 8.5lbs and was 20inches long. Lyn tried having a regular birth but things didn’t go as planned. I’m not going to go in details but I’m sure most of you received the e-mails. It was a long New Years Eve for Lyn. I gain a daughter and almost lost my wife. I’m so thankful Lyn survived and is recovering so well. She and Claire should be home tomorrow. Here are a few photos and more to come.

First few minutes in the new world



Lyn and Claire meeting for the first time

Paige meeting her new little sister





Lyn washing her hair in ICU

Anut V holding Claire

Claire and a baby picture of Paige

The Beeson family



One of many doctors that saved Lyn life. Thanks you doctor Petal and the rest of the Mission Hospital staff.

Paige and Mommy

Ann Caroline (Lyn's Anut for Florida)

Lyn's Grandpaernts

Lyn and Aunt V