Let's tax the working folks?

Many people in this country have been duped into believing changes in tax law benefit them, they don't. This country became a great nation because people were given the opportunity to succeed - or fail - through their own hard work. Yet the last 30 years have seen this decimated by people that are changing our tax code to focus on taxing Labor - the work that we do to earn money - and reducing taxes on Wealth.

Now, the average middle class voter might think that when I say wealth I mean money we have saved. No, this refers to the wealthy, a special class of people who live entirely off the capital gains of money that their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers worked hard to earn.

In his article describing the Son of Boss tax dodge, Robert L. Sommers writes:
"When one understands the tax code, it becomes apparent that the conflicts are not between liberals and conservatives, but rather the battle is between old wealth (both liberal and conservative) and new wealth – those living on investments verses those earning an income. Thus, the estate tax, capital gains, and tax-free bonds laws favor old wealth, while those earning large incomes (professionals, business owners, entertainers and athletes) pay the highest rates on their compensation income, as well as employment taxes."

Think carefully about this. You may be paying a few dollars, maybe a few hundred dollars less in taxes since the tax rate on capital gains has been cut, but if you still work for a living, whether you are self employed, work for a small company or a huge corporation, do you really want to shift more of the tax burden to working folks like yourself?

Clean Shaven

For the last couple of months I've been shaving my head. Let's be honest, my hair wasn't getting any thicker and I was wearing a hat to keep my head warm in the winter and to keep my scalp from sunburned in the summer.

The coolest part about shaving my head is that shaving my head is fun! The first couple of times I used the same four blade disposable razor I had been using for my beard, and it worked fine. But I was wondering if there were any good top of the head shaving products out there. I checked in the drug store and found the HeadBlade.

The HeadBlade looks likes a cross between a matchbox car and a razor! Just put the blade and the wheels on your skin and push the car over your skull, no need to apply any pressure. With the grain, against the grain, it's up to you to decide. In a matter of seconds I have a clean shaven head, no nicks, no cuts, no razor burn.

Now I know what your thinking, "Neal, why are you writing a testimonial for this product?" Well a couple of reasons. First, I haven't written anything in a while and I needed something to write about. Next, it's a product I really believe in and highly recommend. And finally, yes indeed, the kind folks at HeadBlade are giving me a discount on products when I refer customer.

Use the link below to checkout the HeadBlade online store. You'll see the referral code "65409" when you checkout, this entitles first time customers a 20% discount (and I'll get some store credit!).

When Bad Things Happen to Good People (me)

Sunday morning was my orientation and check out dive here at Divi Dive Bonaire, which of course meant checking out my new camera, housing and strobe. Everything was going smoothly until I noticed some tiny bubbles. No Don Ho did not move to Bonaire from Hawaii. The tiny bubbles were coming from the battery compartment of the strobe. When bubbles are coming out that means water is going in. Water does not belong in the battery compartment of the strobe. The strobe did continue to fire throughout the dive so I hoped for the best.

When I got out of the water I confirmed the worst. The battery compartment had flooded. Bad, but not tragic. The batteries were quite degraded, but they can be easily replaced. Unfortunately the guts of the batteries had eaten away at the contacts and one is missing altogether. No amount of cleaning, drying and fresh batteries is going to make this thing flash again. It can be repaired and is under warranty, but there's a limit to what can be done on the island.

I attempted using the camera without the strobe. But the particular housing I bought - yes the more expensive one - blocks most of the light from the camera's internal flash. It's specifically designed to be used with an external strobe. The housing is also specifically designed to be used with a strobe from the same manufacturer and isn't universally compatible, something I never really thought of before.

So I had planned this trip several months ago. I opted to keep the old TV that requires a solid daily slap to head to keep displaying a picture. And I spent hours researching the camera equipment I wanted to purchase. Apparently I had done all that for one (1) dive.

Now on that first dive I had gone to about 50 feet. At that depth divers and all there equipment are exposed to around two and a half atmospheres of pressure, and salt water is quit corrosive - though an excellent conductor of electricty - so things don't have to go terribly wrong before a small problem becomes a big problem. I understand this, so I wasn't nearly as angry as I was disappointed. Yes, I did indeed pout.

On Monday I dove without a camera for the first time in about 100 dives. It was still enjoyable and relaxing, but different. My mind was free to go on autopilot instead of contemplating thought such as "how can I get perfectly still in this current in order to get this shot in focus". Relaxing or not it didn't cure the disappointment, and my pout didn't make it to a smile.

Travel Day

Saturday March 21st

Chilly but sunny this morning in NYC. I was able to take care of the dogs, finish cleaning the house and get out the door a little ahead of schedule, a cab even pulled up as we went out the door. Four and a half hours of smooth flying and the pilot brought us in for a soft landing at Flamingo Airport. Twenty five minutes later we were checked into our room at Divi Resort. Our room is as far from the dive shop as possible, but it's close to the pool where I can get the wireless - sorry you New Yorkers it's upper 70's here with a nice breeze and maybe I'll jump in the pool for a while before bed.

Looks like everything on the packing list made it to Bonaire. I was able to check in at the dive shop before they closed so I'm all set for tomorrow morning. Diving in Bonaire requires that each diver pay a $25 marine park fee and go through an orientation class once each calendar year, so that'll be the first thing I do tomorrow. It's not a big deal, it mostly consists of being told "don't touch anything".

We walked into town for dinner at Salsa. Nothing really Latin about the place, I'm not sure why they chose the name. It's run by some young Dutch guys and the menu has as much Asian influence as Caribbean. As usual we had a great meal there, then chose to come back to the resort for dessert. We both opted for virgin pina coladas. I think you get more pineapple flavor without the rum but I couldn't prove it.

I was thinking how hard it must be for young folks here. The get all the US television networks and I'm sure they see all the toys, gadgets and fashion we have but the population is too small and shipping cost too high to bring a lot of those products here. I've heard many kids leave to go to school in Holand. I guess there are advantages and disadvatages to any location you choose to live.

Countdown to Bonaire

Dive Trip Packing Checklist

Scuba
Fins (2 pair)
Masks (2)
Snorkels (2)
Boots
Watches (4)
Dive Computer
AAA batteries
Regulators (2)
BCD’s (2)
Tank banger
Rattles (2)
Lights (2)
SMB’s* (2)
Knives (2)
Cable ties
Slate
Log book
C Cards
Hood(s)
Vest*
Wetsuit

Personal
Bathing suits
Rash guards
Swim goggles
Sunglasses
Cap
Sandals
Contacts
Saline
Sun block
Nail clippers
Passport
Wallet
Prescriptions
Room reservation info
Flight info

Camera
G10
Ikelite Housing
Strobe
Memory cards
Rechargeable AA’s
AA charger
Canon charger
Silicon
Absorbees
O Rings
Sony
Sony Housing
Memory sticks
Sony charger

Computer
Laptop
Power cord
USB cable

Day 1

Today is the first day of rest of my life. Yeah, that's about as cliche as it gets, but today is the first day of me blogging. I'm not sure why I would think anyone else wants to read the things that I'm thinking, but I suppose any author that chooses to publish hopes at least someone wants to read what they have to say.

Primarily I will be writing about scuba diving and the associated travel. I'm sure I'll throw in things about the books I'm reading and about how the Cubs are doing as well.

I'm leaving soon for a week of diving in Bonaire, I won't promise daily updates from there, but I do promise a significant summary when I get back to New York.