My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on July 20, 2010

Politicians in Washington DC seem to spend more time looking to gain political points on the back of those who are jobless than fixing the problem … part of which they, big government, creates. The Republicans in attempting to turn the focus on fiscal responsibility want to see and extension of unemployment benefits ‘paid for’ – meaning cuts in other spending – while Democrats seem to have no problem borrowing more money and painting Republicans as heartless. Wasn’t it just last year the President Obama stressed that any unemployment benefit extension must be paid for?

I actually struggle to rationalizing extending benefits a total of an additional 53 weeks — the basic 26 weeks are known as Unemployment Insurance (UI). One of the interesting twists in the current legislation is that in addition, the bill will make benefits retroactive – meaning eligible unemployed people who have not received benefits since June 2 will now get what they would have received if the program had continued uninterrupted – a total of 99 weeks of unemployment if extended to November 2nd. (depending on the state) 

At what point does borrowing to fund unemployment slow our recovery or force us into a second recession? Maybe it’s a personal issue with me since my income has been severely impacted by near zero new sales and deep cuts in existing sales (I get paid only when jobs are sold at a profit). There isn’t a life-ring waiting to rescue me or much of a fallback position other than going deeper into personal debt, selling assets to pay bills or finding part-time work. Personally speaking, that means having to adjust and put a plan together … even if it means doing day labor for low wages. I’m not convinced that just extending unemployment benefits until November at a cost of $34 billion is going to change one’s work prospects … and having the government borrow more just slows the economy.

But I’m in the minority since today the Senate having little problem spending money they don’t have. They voted 60-40 to overcome a Republican filibuster, setting up a final vote for late this afternoon. If passed, the bill will return to the House and most likely will receive approval in that chamber.  The roughly $34 billion cost of the plan will be paid for by additional borrowing and add to our growing debt. What would have been so wrong with realizing our federal spending is out of control and finding a way to prioritized things in the existing budget if the highest priority is to extend the unemployment benefits another

Below is a discussion between Karl Rove and Bill O’Reilly Monday night on this subject.

Category: Politics | No Comments »
Tags: congress, house, obama, senate, unemployment

Posted By RichC on July 20, 2010

The stock OEM Goodyear Integrity tires on my Honda Pilot have giving me a good 109,000 miles of wear and I replaced them today since an ugly split started to show up. They have always driven well on everything but wet roads, especially heavy rain. Their flaw is that they seem to be unable to shed water fast enough to prevent hydroplaning; in my opinion they were not the safest rain tire at Interstate speed. That said, snow was not a problem and as far as a quiet highway tire and a solid 109,000 miles of driving, they were great.

After pricing a few brands and almost buying a new set of 60,000 rated Goodyear Fortera TripleTred tires at my regular tire dealer, I opted for a 70,000 rated Michelin LTX MX2 tires which were being marketed at a similar price.

There were two reasons I opted for the doughboyish tire: 1) Michelin had a $70 rebate, saving me a few dollars, and 2) the dealer who has always provided ‘appreciation’ service told me they were too busy this past weekend to replace the valve stem in my Kubota. It would have taken them all of 3 minutes to replace the valve stem allowing me to finish cutting the grass, but even after asking a second time politely they turned me away. It was a mistake on their part and it cost them the sale of four new tires ($800) since it necessitated my stopping at another tire dealer just 1/4 mile to the west. Although the TireDiscounter location looked equally as busy, they replaced my tire stem at no charge without even a hesitation. While waiting the entire three minutes for the tire stem, they priced a couple option for my SUV and it was enough detail to customer service that convinced me to schedule my appointment. Kudos to TireDiscounter on Tylersville Road in West Chester Ohio.

Tire for Pilot

Category: Automotive, Local, Personal | No Comments »
Tags: goodyear, michelin, tirediscounter, tires, west chester

Posted By RichC on July 19, 2010

Candidate for governor John Kasich would be smart to focus his campaign on what is impacting Ohio residents — focus on “smaller and local” needs: Jobs, Economy & Taxes.

As the Tip O’Neill saying goes, “all politics is local.”

There isn’t anything quite as local as a paycheck and a job … whether one is fortunate to be fully employed, unemployed or just underemployed due to economic circumstances. Our economic situation overshadows everything. First and foremost, we need jobs, ones that grow the economy. These are jobs that are created when the private sector is freed from overly burdensome regulation and taxes. If government is going to get involved at all, it should only be to remove disincentives not to locate or expand here. The current trend of adding taxpayer funded public jobs is putting a costly demand on companies and their workers and creating reasons (higher taxes) not to be in Ohio. As government expands, those in the private sector are taxed in order to pay for salaries and benefits of public sector workers (not to mention paying for those not working). It’s a downhill slide that needs to stop.

The current administration’s stimulus program expands public sector employment and the size of government. This bloating demands more from taxpayers and private industry and strips any incentive for new businesses to start or existing ones to expand. For Ohio to succeed, we need to create the best business environment … meaning reducing the size of our state government and stopping the taxpayer funded expansion we’ve seen over the past few years (and most likely longer – not all blame goes to the Strickland administration)

It is difficult for me to fathom stimulating jobs by adding more government? It isn’t working and where it may offer a short term ‘blip’ in employment data, it only saddles the public sector with more taxpayer funded jobs and entitlement programs for years to come. States that over-regulate and continue to raise taxes will flounder in the coming years … or at minimum will stagnate compared to those embracing lower taxes, fewer centrally controlled services and smaller government.

When money is tight and citizens have time to sulk and are less likely to want more taken from their paychecks, especially if they see what is being taken as squandered by politicians; it festers like an open sore and make close communities adversarial with each other. After voters in my community expressed frustration over a costly school levy in May, our school district “hired a firm for about $18,500 to conduct a survey of voters, asking about the failed May levy and the potential support for a November levy.” (See recent Pulse Journal article) Perhaps it is just me, but I could have saved them the money by referencing the 60% against/40% for election results? Cost containment folks.

The distaste for those elected to Washington DC is spilling over local and those on a spending binge are sure to suffer the wrath of the voters … so as long as the majority are still privately employed. As tax receipts wane and property values fall, those elected to keep services running will do what they always do … make a show of trimming the fat while they ask for more tax dollars. I’ve noticed the trend has been for public services and schools to put levies on local ballets – three request on our last ballot. If ‘no’ vote is the outcome, just put it on again … and in some cases again and again. By the way, do we really need this many employed in our schools? (Article link for graph below)

I recognize the challenges, but have difficulty in understanding the logic of continuing to expect more when homeowners are struggling to keep their heads above water and business face the real probability that the increased cost will force them to close their doors or sent them elsewhere.  I’m not alone in the struggle to vote to increase taxes during a down economy. I’ve seen our local school board makes some difficult cuts (just as most companies have), and I think putting a large request back on the ballot six months after one was turned down is to asking too much. For our area, this is especially hard since a significant portion of our local tax is siphoned away by the state to fund school districts declared less affluent. It creates yet another disincentive to support a school levy and choose an  increase in property tax;  most residents want to take care of our community’s needs – but the property tax structure needs to change. Take note Mr. Kasich … and consider keeping “politics even more local.”

Category: Education, Politics | 4 Comments »
Tags: kasich, lakota, ohio, school, strickland, taxes

Posted By RichC on July 18, 2010

Although the Cincinnati Reds came up short in Sunday’s Ohio Northern University alumni baseball outing against the Colorado Rockies (final 0-1), I enjoyed spending the day at the Great American Ballpark with my my son and my close friend Jeff from ONU dorm days. Jeff Pitts is someone who has been there through thick and thin and embarrassingly someone I often take for granted; he is always ready to lend a hand or offer his wise council – thanks for your loyal friendship Jeff. 

I’m also fortunate to have a socially busy son who happily makes time to spend with his dad (and seems to enjoy it) – thanks Taylor. We had a great day.

Category: Personal, Photos, Sports | 6 Comments »
Tags: baseball, cincinnati, college, family, friends, jeffp, reds, rockies

Posted By RichC on July 18, 2010

It is another hot summer weekend here in Cincinnati as my son and I tackled a few minor automotive maintenance chores on our cars before a planned Sunday baseball game (we are enjoying them this year). Oil and filter changes and basic inspections were the Saturday duties, as was cleaning out the garage. Of course the cleaning of the garage always comes with starting the MGB and making the excuse that it’s parts need to be moved and lubed by driving it around the backyard.
;-) 
True be told, I really should be spending some time finishing the body work and replacing the timing chain and camshaft so we can get it road worthy and really enjoy it. Oh well … another project that might just make it to retirement?

We’re also planning to spend Sunday afternoon at the Great American Ballpark watching the first place Cincinnati Reds play the Colorado Rockies. The game is an Ohio Northern University Alumni event which Brenda and I enjoy every year. Unfortunately this year she’ll be working and unable to come … but my son finagled his schedule at the golf course so he could be off for the game. It will be fun (but hot) and I’m sure we’ll have a good time.

Category: Personal, Photos, Video | No Comments »
Tags: gti, mgb, mp4, onu, reds, taylor, vw

Posted By RichC on July 17, 2010

My daughter was home with her little diesel from NEOUCOM for a few days and I took the opportunity to replace her Dunlop Sport A2 tires with a set of Goodyear’s (Eagle LS-2 – $408.00) hoping to get a little more even wear as she’ll be spending more time on the road interviewing for her residency this year. In talking with the tire guy, he felt the cupping was due to the Dunlop’s more aggressive tread design, lack of regular rotation and aging struts on a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Of course he quoted the magic $1000 for that project … nope, not happening at this moment.

Since I’ve had a few readers email and post questions in the past about my thoughts on an accelerated medical school program, I thought I’d update Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy’s (NEOUCOM) accreditation status. All good.

I am pleased to inform you that The Higher Learning Commission (a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools) has approved the extension of the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy’s (NEOUCOM) accreditation to include the Master of Public Health degree, a Master of Science degree in integrated pharmaceutical medicine, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in integrated pharmaceutical medicine. The Board of Trustees of the Higher Learning Commission validated this action on June 25, 2010, and the information is posted on its web site: http://www.ncahlc.org/decision-making-bodies/recent-actions.html. This decision follows the site visit to NEOUCOM in December 2009.

These degrees add to our existing M.D. and Pharm.D. offerings, and underscore NEOUCOM’s transformation as one of fourteen public universities within the University System of Ohio.  [personal acknowledgments removed]

Jay Gershen
President

EDIT: Adding a short video clip from my Palm Pre … just because I can! 🙂

Category: Automotive, Diesel, Education, Personal, Photos, Volkswagen | 2 Comments »
Tags: diesel, family, medical, neoucom, school, tdi, tires, volkswagen

Posted By RichC on July 16, 2010

The NetTalk VOIP device and service that I use at the house has been far from perfect (initial post), but then again the cost is peanuts compared to landline or many other VOIP services – our device is grandfathered with lifetime service. Usually I’d be smiling to have something like this, but the recent have updates to the company’s hosting technology was a major headache. Part of the planned upgrade was readying for a new piece of hardware call the NetTalk Duo. Although the old TK6000 hardware resembles the Duo being just as  small with a port for the phone (or phone network), USB/Power and router. It is somewhat unique in that it operates without a computer being connected to the device.

The new sleeker Duo also boasts a new core processor better suited for the intended voice application … according to NetTalk. The device also has a new ringing circuit, programmable LEDs and a new USB electrical interface – the USB was flawed on the TK6000 and doesn’t work with either a Mac or Windows 7 computer, so much for travel with the TK6000. There is also now a reset button, rather than unplugging to reboot and an indicator warning not to disconnect while the device is being programmed.

Probably the most noticeable difference is that the price has been reduced to $69.95 and includes one full year of service free ($29.95/yr there after). All is a fair price if the service improves … but for the record, NetTalk is not the Ma Bell landline service some of us might have grown to expect when picking up a wired telephone handset at home – buyer beware. My advice is for now, buy with an open mind and have a back up phone available. (The opinion above is from my experience is with the TK6000 and in dealing with the difficulties the company has had with their recent upgrades and the fact that the VOIP line it doesn’t work well as a fax line)

Category: Technology | 1 Comment »
Tags: nettalk, phone, voip

Posted By RichC on July 15, 2010

Unfortunately I’ve been forced to end my fax to email service after well over a decade. At one time I had several EFAX or JFax (J2/JConnect) phone numbers, but as business changed so did justifying ‘paying’ for service. I did appreciate receiving faxes to my email box and have used several other freebie sending options, but one of my JFax numbers remained free and worked flawlessly for many years. Unfortunately this week must have been cleanup week for the company as they without warning cut off service. After a brief chat session, it was time to give up on receiving free faxes from JFax.
🙁

Matthew: Welcome to our sales chat. How may I help you?

Rich: My acct isn’t working and I was unable to log in.

Matthew: Let me take a look at the account…

Rich: thx

Matthew: You have a free account and the number has been recalled. One of the primary limitations of the free accounts is the numbers can be reassigned at anytime. I have some options available for you. You will have to upgrade to a paid account, but I can give you a 30 day free trial to help you transition over.

Rich: I’m a very light user, but appreciate the voicemail and occasional fax. What options are available. Any free?

Matthew: You are using the voicemail functionality then?

Rich: Just a little bit. The automated answer use to come on and give an option.

Rich: Not necessary I suppose now that I could use Google Voice.

Matthew: Here’s what I can do on the pricing.

Matthew: This will be sans the voicemail.

Matthew: EFax Plus allows you to receive 130 pages per month and its 15 cents for each additional page.

Matthew: You can send 30 pages per month and it’s 10 cents for each additional page.

Matthew: The monthly cost is $16.95.

Matthew: I’ll also give you the first 30 days free, $10.00 off the second month of service, so the second month is only $6.95.

Matthew: This special pricing is ONLY available directly through Live Chat, and if I do the setup directly.

Rich: Hmm, really hard to justify since 90% of what faxes I still do are on the office fax. I travel one day a week and it was always nice to have a fax to email option … but can’t justify the $16.95. Suppose it is time to give it up?

Matthew: If you’re looking for the least expensive service and your usage is basic, I have a $9.99 per month plan. I can still give you 30 days free on that and have a number active in a couple of minutes.

Matthew: That would be with a different number…

Rich: Can’t keep same number?

Matthew: Not on the 9.99 plan.

Matthew: I can use the same number on the $16.95 plan.

Rich: I’m going to pass. I do wish there would have been a warning sent rather then just cutting it off. (a suggestion) Thanks for your help.

Matthew: Allright. Have a good one Rich…

Chat session has been terminated by the site operator.

Category: Computer, Technology | 6 Comments »
Tags: efax, fax, free, jfax, voicemail

Posted By RichC on July 14, 2010

Have you ever thought about how countries who drive on different sides of the road deal with the “switch” when cars and trucks cross the border? Interesting “swapsy” bridges are a solution.

An elegant solution to a problem I’ve often wondered about – what if two countries are next to each other and they drive on different sides of the road? We have avoided it in the UK by doing trains in the Channel Tunnel, but I don’t know if there are many landlocked countries that do actually have this problem.

I understand that most people used the left side of the road because it was the most practical if you carried a sword and were right-handed. Napoleon apparently changed the practice because he was left-handed, but another explanation is that the aristocracy used to thunder past the peasants, leaving them on the right side of the road. Come the revolution it was in your best interests to join the peasants on the right.

In any case, after that it was all a case of who could colonise the fastest from there. Interestingly – India, Bhutan, Nepal and Swaziland are all among the countries who still drive on the left.

And as bridges go, this one is quite handsome…

Category: Automotive | No Comments »
Tags:

Posted By RichC on July 12, 2010

The waste of money buying disposable razors moved me to an electric razor about a decade or so ago, and although the shave isn’t has close, the frustration of being down to my last razor has been worth the switch. Still, I enjoy the occasional freebee razor that shows up in my mailbox as a gimmick to try the “latest and greatest” razor … yet can’t quite justify the premium price to be on the “cutting edge.”

The WSJ had a fun article today that had me nodding in agreement. I too have found myself searching for my “cheap favorite” disposable razor if for nothing more than cleaning up my neckline or stubborn whiskers my Braun refuses to snag. Besides justifying that a two-blade disposable can shave almost as good as the more expensive 3, 4 and 5 blade premium heavy weights, I’m still cheap enough to hoard even them and find myself squirreling them away from the “razor robbers” in my home.
🙂

"If these disappear one day, I will be devastated," says Mr. Crowell, a 44-year-old professional golfer in Bedford Hills, N.Y.

He, too, keeps a stash at home. But he keeps it secret, lest his wife or daughters snag one. "I’m uncomfortable revealing my hiding spot," he says.

Mr. Crowell attributes his ability to achieve a good shave with a basic blade to his strong putting game. "People who have a good feel for the contours of the putting green don’t need a fancy razor," he says. "If you’ve got some degree of touch and feel, you can follow the topography of your face accurately."

http://www.icyte.com/saved/online.wsj.com/257140

Category: Humor, Personal | No Comments »
Tags: razor, shaving, wsj