Tax Reform

Before the State of the Union address, GOP candidate Mitt Romney released his tax returns showing a 14% tax rate. While most people realize that this rate is on his investment returns too many, including President Obama, think this too little. In fact, Obama uses the example of Warren Buffet and his secretary to claim that rich people pay too little in taxes. But let’s take a step back and analyze this.

Many people, like Romney and Buffet, invested money into the economy years ago, and continue to do so. The money they earned and used to invest was originally taxed as the usual income tax rate (what the average American pays). But because their numerous investments have yielded high returns, they have become rich. These returns apply to a completely different kind of tax rules because they are called capital gains. The capital gains tax is around 15% and the reason for that is to incentivize people to invest and keep the economy going. Without investments, the economy would grind to a halt.

So Romney and many other investors out there are reaping the benefits of their investment returns and are paying “their fair share,” as Obama would put it. The real problem is with spending. While some federal aid is important to many middle class Americans, there are government-funded programs out there that have become a black hole for money. Instead of destroying the economy by increasing the capital gains tax, Obama needs to focus on cutting back spending on programs that aren’t helping anybody.

Education

Also during the State of the Union address, President Obama urged states to require students to finish high school, essentially banning them from dropping out. While this may seem like a great idea, there really is no way to enforce that requirement in the law. For example, if a kid were to drop out, would the state send them to jail? Fine them? Community service? Escort them to class with a cop? Yes, it would be great to keep our kids in school, but there is virtually no way to do this, not to mention it is against the constitution.

According to the constitution, everyone has the right to life, liberty, and happiness. States should require students to stay in school if they decide they are happier by dropping out. Though it doesn’t make much sense in the long run to drop out of school, each person has the agency and the right to choose to do so. Taking away that agency is against what our founding fathers fought for so many years ago.

Where would we draw the line? If we feel it is necessary to ban kids from dropping out of school, why not force them to go to college and get a job after they graduate? In fact, the government could even decide which job is appropriate for each person to better grow the economy. Oh wait, that’s what China does.

Conclusion

While Obama does deserve credit for proposing salary tax cuts and budget cuts, there are still some things that need to be changed if he wants to stay in the White House four more years. The Congress does carry quite a bit of the blame for the damaged economy and jobless rate, but President Obama needs to take some responsibility and try something new.

5. Tyrann Mathieu

Don’t get us wrong, Mathieu has been the most impressive defensive player on arguable the toughest defensive team in the country. He has come up big against big time competition and has shown sensational punt return abilities. However, because Mathieu is a defensive player, he will not win. The last and only defensive player to win the Heisman was Charles Wooodsen in 1997.

4. Montee Ball

Montee Ball has been a rock all season. His consistent play has helped lead Wisconsin to an 11-2 record and a conference championship win against Michigan State. Ball is averaging almost 6.5 yards per carry and has a total of 32 rushing TDs all season. However, those numbers are not as productive or impressive as SEC running back, Trent Richardson.

3. Robert Griffin III

RG3 has been up and down this season. Griffin has definitely shown value to his team throwing for almost 4,000 yards during the season and compiling dazzling play after dazzling play. However, opposing defenses have not been very impressive all season which hurts RG3’s Heisman hopes. That said, his QB rating is more impressive than fellow Heisman hopeful QB Andrew Luck.

2. Andrew Luck

Luck has been on the Heisman watchlist since last year when he was runner up to current NFL QB Cam Newton. Luck has been consistent all season and has been a huge value to Stanford’s offense. However, against his most difficult opponent, Oregon, Luck buckled a little under pressure thowing 2 interceptions and completing just 65.9 percent of his passes (still a high percentage, but subpar for Luck). Luck may be able to ride the wave from last year and pull out on top, but we don’t think it will happen.

1. Trent Richardson

Richardson has taken an Alabama offense that lost many key players to the draft and has kept that offense rolling. Against a defense heavy SEC conference, Richardson has still put up impressive numbers gaining an average of 6 yards per carry and totaling 20 TDs this season. But it’s the way Richardson runs the ball that makes him worthy of the Heisman. He not only can bowl people over and break any arm tackle that comes at him, but he can juke just about any defender.

So there you have it. Don’t be surprised to see point differentials in the single digits when it comes down to the final tally. This is how we think it will all shake up.

Thanksgiving has been losing more and more interest in the minds of many people considering the popular and ever-growing event that follows. No, I’m not talking about Christmas. The words “Black Friday” are virtually universal and mean “day of deals” or “day of mayhem” depending on who you ask.

Black Friday on Thursday?

Some retailers are taking advantage of the shopping holiday by lowering their prices two hours early. That’s right, Wal Mart will be starting their Black Friday at 10:00 PM Thanksgiving night. Does anybody else feel bad for those Wal Mart employees that have to leave their families the night of Thanksgiving to deal with an onslaught of customers running over each other to get their kid’s favorite toy?

Target, Best Buy and Macy’s are starting their Black Friday deals early as well.

The idea of Black Friday isn’t a bad one. It allows for shoppers to get a head start on Christmas shopping deals. I’m all for creating jobs and boosting the economy. But Thanksgiving should be a day in which we are thankful for what we have. We should not be squandering it away looking at coupons or ads and camping outside our favorite retail store.

In my opinion, Tim Tebow shouldn’t even be playing quarterback in the NFL. From the time he left college and entered the NFL he was criticized for his release. Here is a picture of how his release looks >>>>

Look at how far off to the side the ball is to his head. This side arm motion really affects his accuracy. Even in college, Tebow had struggles throwing the ball accurately. At Florida, his WRs made up for his mistakes. Now don’t get me wrong, Tebow is a great athelete. He just needs to completely change his release which is very difficult to do especially at his level.

Let’s use Peyton Manning as a reference. Manning has one of the prettiest balls in the league. You can see a huge difference where the ball is when it is leaving the hand. Manning’s arm is much more vertical which gives him more control over the ball. If you look even harder you can even see the direction in which the ball is headed. Without seeing the end result of the play, i could tell you that Tebow’s pass in that photo is going to soar higher that he intends by the way the ball is coming out.

Tebow’s inability to make a good release on the ball has shown up in the stats. He is currently completing just 46 percent of his and has a QB rating of 75.1. Which is why I bring up the question again, why not see what Brady Quinn has?

What is Newborn Modeling?

Newborn modeling may seem like a strange concept to some because when you think of modeling, what comes to mind? Tyra Banks. America’s Next Top Model on Bravo. Adults. We don’t usually think of babies. But the fact is, there is newborn modeling everywhere. Ever heard of the Gerber Baby?

So we decided to look into how baby modeling works. If you currently have a newborn or if a baby is in the future plans, you may want to consider newborn modeling.

What You Need to Know

Do your research. There are a lot of scams out there that are in it to take your money. The truth is legitimate agencies will make their money off commissions. You shouldn’t have to pay money up front for your baby to go into modeling.

The easiest way to get agencies to see your baby is by simply sending a portfolio that includes photos of the newborn and an introductory letter. Do not feel like you have to go to a professional photographer to get photos. Any simple camera will do. A good agent will be able to determine how photogenic your baby is no matter how fancy the photo is.

Do not send photos to an agency unless you know it’s reputable. Sadly, there are people out there that simply just want to get a hold of baby pictures. Try and find agencies that are local and physically bring your baby to visit them. That way they can develop that first impression that can be crucial and you can be assured they are legitimate.

There are other ways to get your newborn’s face out there. There are numerous baby contests that offer prizes and gigs. Contests allow you to build your baby’s resume and can also earn you a little extra money at the same time. Try and enter into as many contests as you can but again, be cautious of scams.

Is it Right for You?

Ask around. Pay attention to what others are saying about your newborn. If strangers are complimenting your newborn and comparing them to the Gerber Baby, they may be onto something.

Newborn modeling can be time consuming and is obviously not for everyone because of the competitiveness of the market. But without any upfront costs, it may be worth trying. In the end, you will at least have fun showing off your baby.

With Halloween right around the corner, there is no better time during the year to spook yourself out with a great scary movie!

Couch + popcorn + cuddling partner

Sure you can go to a Haunted House, haunted corn maze, and more, but there is nothing better than sitting on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and the lights dimmed while cuddling with a cute boy or girl….knowing that you’re about to get scared out of your mind.

If you’re looking for a great scary movie to watch this Halloween season, here is MSN’s “top-5 screamers list” of must-see movies, including:

No.5: ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ – This scary flic made in 1997, boasts of an all-star cast including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Freddie Prinze Jr.

Basically, four teens are haunted without end for the consequence of their actions just one summer before – the dumping of a stranger’s body into the sea after they hit and ran over the poor soul. And if you want to make your night a double feature, you can rent ‘I Still Know What You Did Last Summer,’ to add to your night of scare!

No.4: ‘Scream’ – Starring Drew Barrymore, ‘Scream’ is another classic that will have you under the covers in no time. With a killer known as “Ghost Face” targeting and killing only teens, this movie will surely have you paranoid the next time you’re alone in the middle of the night. ‘Scream’ has also given birth to three sequels that you may (or may not) enjoy watching as well.

No.3: ‘King Kong’ – Breaking from tradition, MSN chose the original ‘King Kong’ for their third slot. Although it may not be considered a classic Halloween movie, ‘King Kong’ is definitely full of screams from scared-out-of-their mind onlookers as they witness a giant gorilla ransacking Manhattan.

No.2: ‘Halloween’ – Made in 1978, ‘Halloween’ is one of the highest-grossing horror films ever made. Starring a sexy and young Jamie Lee Curtis in her film debut, the movie basically follows a psychotic killer who has escaped a mental institution as he wreaks havoc on a town while taking out people one-by-one.

No.1: ‘Psycho’ – Last but not least, the best Halloween movie/scary flic according to MSN is none other than Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho.’ Dating all the way back to 1960, this movie has been remade several times over the years…but the original may still be the best.

And if you can’t recall which scene made ‘Psycho’ popular, take a look at the image above. Lastly, if you want to make your night an “Alfred Hitchcock Night,” you could double your pleasure by watching ‘The Birds’ once you’re through with ‘Psycho.’

Man, the rich just keep getting richer don’t they? No wonder Obama is trying to raise taxes on these people swimming in money.

Forbes just came out with their, “Forbes 400” list which ranks the richest Americans today. Surprisingly, these 400 people are still making money – and lots of it – in this down economy. According to the report on MSN.net, collectively, those on the list have increased their wealth by 12% over the past calendar year.
12%! I’ve got to figure out how these guys are doing it.

Who is No.1?

Again, Bill Gates ranked No.1 on the list, making him the richest person in America for the 18th straight year. If you do the math, Bill has held the title of “Richest American” since 1993.

And guess who was No.1 in 1993? That would be Mr. Warren Buffet, the CEO of Bershire Hathaway (among many other notable positions and titles). Ironically, Buffet’s fortune plummeted $6 billion dollars this past year, making him the biggest money loser of the 400 people.

Of course, Buffet did give away half of that money…who just gives away $3 billion dollars? He probably did it in cash as well.

Other Headliners

Also, if you were wondering how Mark Zuckerberg is faring, a.k.a. Mr. Facebook, you probably be interested to know that he added $10.6 billion dollars to his fortune – making him the biggest money maker of this past calendar year.

That $10.6 billion dollars also vaulted Mark into the top 20 on the list.

Right behind Zuckerberg are Google co-founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, who actually gained in total fortune but dropped in the overall “standings” on the Forbes 300 list.

Page and Brin both grossed $1.7 billion dollars apiece this past year, but that was only good enough for No.15 on the list as they dropped five spots from their perch as No.10 in 2010.

Newcomer of the Year

Bob Parsons, the CEO of The Go Daddy Group’s, should be hailing Danica Patrick and flowering her with kisses right about now. That’s because Parsons made it onto the Forbes 400 list for the first time, making him one of the most “notable newcomers” to join the prestigious club.

The List

If you want to look at an online version of the Forbes 400 rankings, you can click here. Just don’t get to jealous as you scroll through the names.

After all, we can’t all have the last name of ‘Walton’ and own part of Wal-Mart.

Just ten years ago, the Twin Towers lay in ruin at Ground Zero as masses of rescue workers worked frantically to find those who may have miraculously survived the terrorist attacks of the day. Now ten years later, Ground Zero has a whole new inspirational look to it, marked by a memorial that will always help us to remember the events of September 11, 2001.

Yesterday morning, the World Trade Center Memorial Site was fittingly unveiled to the public on the 10th anniversary of the attacks for dedication and a commemorative ceremony. Those in attendance, including many family members who lost loved ones, were treated to a site that now includes two reflective pools, waterfalls, and oak trees where the Twin Towers once stood. Each pool is also surrounded by bronze panels which have all 3,000 victims and their names etched into them.

The Ceremony

President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and former U.S. President, George W. Bush, all attended the commemorative ceremony and shared their thoughts and feelings on the new Memorial Site.

“It will be said of us that we kept that faith; that we took a painful blow, and emerged stronger,” said Obama in his remarks.

“Never before in our history has America asked so much over such a sustained period of an all-volunteer force,” Bide said. “The 9/11 generation ranks among the greatest our nation has ever produced.”

Along with remarks and speeches given, the names of the fallen were also read out loud by their own children, some of which were unborn at the time of the attacks. Many of the children spoke of their desire to make their fathers or mothers proud as they moved forward in their lives.

Musical performances at the ceremony included Paul Simon, Yo-Yo Ma, and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus

A Whole Nation in Remembrance

New York was certainly not the only place on the planet who remembered the events of 9/11. People, schools, and business across the country flew the American Flag at half-staff in remembrance of the day. Sporting events all around the world including NFL games, Premiership games, the US Open, and more, also saw it fit to hold either pre-game or halftime ceremonies as athletes and sports fans around the world came together to honor the victims of 9/11.

What the Future Holds

Only 7,000 people were allowed onto Ground Zero for the commemorative ceremony, but another 40,000 have tickets to visit the site in the coming month. Once construction is fully complete, a much higher volume of visitors will be allowed to visit.

As for the National September 11 Museum, it is scheduled to open sometime next year according to reports.

For today’s poll question, MSN asked readers who had previously voted for Obama in 2008 presidential elections if they would do so again for the 2012 election.

About 62% of those who voted, voted that he was a “one and done” deal.

Only 32% voted that he should be given more time to turn the economy around, with another 6% saying they were not sure if they would vote for him again.

Indicative of Obama’s Current Approval Ratings

MSN’s poll results are almost a mirror image of the current presidential landscape at this time. According to an MSN report, President Obama’s approval rating is at an all-time low, as only 44% of the nation approve of the job he’s doing.

Even worse, when Americans were asked about the economic situation of the country and Obama’s handling of the problem, only 37% approved of the direction he’s heading with the economy.

All of this information leads up to Obama’s planned joint Congress session to be aired on national television this Thursday, September 8th. In the session, Obama will address his economic plan, and his strategy for turning the country’s current blight around. This address may be Obama’s last chance to win voters over before we get into the meat of the 2012 presidential election and race.

Republican Front-Runner

Along the lines of the 2012 presidential race, it looks like Perry has taken an early lead over Mitt Romney in a(n) MSN report. Among GOP voters, Perry would be the first choice for 38% of them, while only 23% of Republican Party voters listed Romney as their first choice.

Paul and Bachmann, the other two GOP presidential candidates at this time, sit a distant third and fourth place from the two front-runners. Paul garners 9% of the first-choice vote, with Bachmann coming in at just 8%.

Bachmann’s campaign manager recently left her post, saying that Bachmann was no better that a “third-place” candidate. This tidbit certainly does not bode well for Bachmann, who may be a little too eccentric in her opinions for many voters. As for Perry, he’s been picking up steam in the race to see who will face-off against Obama next year ever since winning the Iowa straw poll.

Lastly, Romney’s Mormon counterpart, Jon Huntsman, sits a very distant fifth in the GOP presidential candidate race at this time.

Who needs Big Brother when we have each other? And unfortunately, while we’re not going to be the ones calling the Thought Police, we’re doling out our personal information to those who will use it for their own profit.

Let’s face it: Facebook and other social networks are business. Their primary purpose is to make money: they do this by running ads. And where most mass ad campaigns get really spammy, Facebook looks at your personal information to figure out what ads will appeal to you the most.

Wait, “Personal Information”?! Yes, like your relationships and friends (big whoop, that’s why I’m on Facebook), your likes (And?) and your internet history. Ever wonder why your significant other keeps having those “dating sites” advertise to them? Because they keep visiting them!

With this sort of information, Facebook can figure out your very personal information. Like where you live and work (oh, wait, that wasn’t hard: you already told them), what you were doing last Friday (hey, that wasn’t hard either) and what when you’ll be on vacation and your house will be abandoned (Alright I get the idea).