Follow up to “When is enough; enough?”

Ok so I now have a follow up to my previous post called “When is enough; enough”

The Illinois legislature has passed personal income-tax increases of 66 percent and corporate income-tax in creases of 45 percent, designed to address a $15 billion state budget deficit. Senate and House lawmakers had voted to raise the personal income tax rate from 3 percent to 5 percent and the corporate tax rate from 4.8 percent to 7 percent. The package was passed without a single Republican vote in either chamber.

The Democrats bristled at being blamed for the state’s financial problems, although they’ve controlled the governor’s office and both legislative chambers since 2003. To me that’s just garbage. Democrats have been controlling this state for over 7 years and they’ve also been over spending for that long as well. Speaking of spending, no one that voted for the tax increase has brought up a good way to cut spending. Shouldn’t they balance the budget by cutting back as well?

What about the corporate tax rate being raised from 4.8 percent to 7 percent. How do you think they are going to make up for that? Yep, you guessed it, by charging it to us.

They did not raise the cigarette tax, which was suppose to fund schools but isn’t that what the Lottery is doing? Maybe it’s about time to see where all that money is going. Lotto has been generating revenue since 1974.

Most people don’t know about the over 530 state pensions that are over 100k a year. 100k? For what?

Someone needs to take charge of this state and get things under control. People are going broke because goods, taxes and government spending keep going up. When is enough; enough?

2011
01/13
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When is enough, enough?

I heard on the radio that the state of Illinois plans on raising the income tax to 5.25% and the cigarette tax by another $1.00. Wouldn’t it be better to cut costs rather than continuing to raise taxes? The State continues to spend money and is not willing to make major cuts. How long can prices keep going up? I quit smoking in March of 2010 but I still think it’s wrong to keep taxing Cigarettes. A pack of Cigarettes in Illinois is between $4.10 and $9.00, depending on where you’re at. Gas in Illinois is at $3.48 a gallon again. How does anyone expect the economy to grow?

Over the last 2 yrs I received a 2.5% raise. But my health insurance went up 9% this year and my income taxes will be going up from 3% to 5.25%. That’s a 8.75% loss because the government that we put in place can’t manage our money. That loss doesn’t include the gas prices I mentioned before nor does it include the standard cost of living increase that they don’t believe exists. People that receive Social Security haven’t seen a cost of living raise. I don’t usually get mad at things like this but it becomes a little overwhelming at times. When is enough, enough?

2011
01/10
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A prayer worth praying

I haven’t blogged in a very long time. So long, that I forgot my password. I have been going through a major change in my life. I would say all of it’s for the good and it makes me really happy. I have been praying a lot. I am trying to figure out where I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to do. I’m going to allow you to sit in on this prayer. I hope that you can find time in your life to consider doing something like this. It may be a little scary for some…………but I am not afraid.

            God, I thank you for this day. I thank you for your son, the son you sent to die for me. God, I try to understand how you could do that for someone like me but I can’t.  I thank you .

God, I need you now more than ever. Please take control of my life. I need you to be first in my life God. You know what ‘s been going on in my heart Lord, I need you. I am giving my life to you God. Whatever you want to do with it I will accept. If I have to go through bad, I know you’ll be with me.  Lord, I will praise you in good times as well. I will pray that in those good times I keep my focus on you.

Lord, I know you’ve made everyone special and that you’ve given me a talent. Lord, help me to find my talent and learn to use it to further your Kingdom. Lord, I am willing to take on anything you give me. I really know and believe greater things are ahead for me, my family and my Church. Lord, please help me to find my role in all of this.

God,  You’ve blessed me in so many ways. Thank you.

You’ve help me to get my life on track. Thank you.

Lord, Thank you for making me a part of you as well.

God, I come to you as a sinner that needs guidance. Someone that hopes for a better future. I hope all of these prayers can be answered and I ask you in Jesus name Amen.

 It may be scary for someone to tell God to take control of everything but it really needs to be done. He knows what’s best for me. I challenge you to do this and see how your life will change. If you need me to pray for you or have any questions just send me a message.

2010
10/25
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Busy but good.

Wow I’ve gotten off track. One of my goals was to blog more but I haven’t. I have been focusing a lot of my time on other things.

First off I quit smoking. It’s been about two weeks and I’m feeling great. I started working out which is awesome. I was going every day but for some reason my left shoulder can’t handle it (it’s a wimp). It feels fine at the time but then I’m in pain for several days. I don’t feel like going back to the doctor yet but maybe soon.

My Grandma is real sick right now. We found out she cancer all over her body. She is going through chemotherapy but it’s stage 4 and to me it’s not looking to good. I am just praying that the Lord will keep her as pain-free as possible, the doctors will do everything in their power to make her comfortable and that she will turn to the Lord for strength.

I haven’t talked to my brother in a while. No job, phone or car doesn’t help things very much. I’ve always thought of him as best friend but it seems like he has set me aside like so many others have. It’s sad but I guess what can you do?

I’ve spent a lot of time getting closer with God lately. More time praying, reading the Bible and even sharing my Faith with others. I’ve been asking “what do you want from me Lord? What direction do you want my life to go?” I will get his answer soon I’m sure. (my answer is probably stuck in line at the airport, “Bobs answer” please take off your shoes) the problem is my answer doesn’t wear shoes, it wears sandals. Sorry little joke in my own head,  it just makes me laugh.

Scripture I read today.

(NIV) Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

I’m sure you can tell things have been busy. I hope I can get on here again soon. Maybe next time we will talk about all the cool music I’m listening too. God Bless.

2010
03/18
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Give Thanks

Every year in November people start thinking about what they are thankful for and it all leads up to the Holiday we call Thanksgiving. Many people ask God for help with things throughout the entire year but do they always give thanks?

How many times have you prayed for yourself or others and have asked God to help someone get over a bad habit? What about another day of work at that job you hate? Or have you asked God to help your loved one get over a sickness?

What we need to do more often as Christians is to thank God no matter the results of our prayers. Scripture calls for us to be thankful to God.

Ephesians 5:20 – always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ

Psalm 136:26- Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

1 Thessalonians- 5:16-18- Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

See we need to give thanks in all circumstances not just when we are asking or need help with something. Don’t only thank God when he answers your prayers. Thank God when he doesn’t answer them. If it’s not his will;  if it’s not best for you he won’t give it to you. Thank God when you wake up in the morning. Thank God when you are feeling a little down because you always know he will be there to pick you back up. Most important thank God for his son Jesus Christ. He was sent here to die for our sins.

Don’t just ignore that embrace it. Thank God from your heart for all the little things. The sun came out today here in Chicagoland. I am very thankful for that. I have a wonderful marriage, a great Church and spring is around the corner. Thank you God!  Spend some time today praying and really thanking God for what you have because it can be gone in a blink of an eye.

2010
02/18
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Caught me by surprise

The other night I had a strange situation happen and I need your opinion.

Every night I stop at the same gas station when I start work. I get my pop, sunflower seeds and usually some sort of snack. As I was looking for my snacks, a man approached me and said hello. As always I said “Hey how ya doing? ” Then he replied by telling me a story about how he drove here from Wisconsin and how he tried to meet up with an ”X” to get some furniture and she wouldn’t answer his call. The story went on and on. I tried to be nice and say ” Oh I’m sorry to hear that. I hope things get better for you.” Then he started telling me how he has no gas in his truck and he needs some money. I told him I’m sorry I don’t have much either and that I only have $10 to last me the rest of the work week. He replied by saying ” com’on how about just $1.25 that’s not very much.”

And this is when the suprising thing happened.

I always try to be nice but I guess he just caught me at the wrong time or something but I said ” I can tell you’ve been drinking, If you have money to drink you should have money for gas” He said,” Well my friends gave me a few drinks” and I replied with “well have your friends give you gas too.” He said, alright man I get it. God Bless you and he tried to bump my fist but he missed.   

I thought about this all night. What if I gave him gas money, he chose to drive around a little longer and crashed into someone.  I know he was drinking. I would even go as far to say he was drunk. I know as a Christian I am supposed to help people out. I’m suppose to look for opportunities to do it. But I don’t think this was the right opportunity. What do you think?  Did I make the right choice? Should I have been a little less blunt? I need your help with this. Thanks, Bob-

2010
02/05
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The winter blues.

With six weeks of winter remaining, I have cabin fever. I want to be outside enjoying nice weather, cooking out and tossing around a football. Do you ever feel like this? I wish these cold gloomy days would end. With the job I have, I spend about 10- 12 hrs a day outside. I have to put on many layers of clothing to stay warm.  I’m not complaining, I’m just telling you so we can both hope for warmer weather soon. I hope spring comes early. I really think it will turn peoples lives around. If you think about it, many people who are laid off for the winter will hopefully go back to work. I hope that people will be more willing to spend money as the weather gets warmer and are attitudes get warmer as well. That will hopefully create job growth and lead to a better economy. I just thought I would share this with you as I sit here sipping my coffee, looking out the window at the cold dark night.

2010
02/02
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Why can’t we say the “C” word?

I’m not sure of what word you were thinking of, but the word I’m thinking of is the word “Christian”.

The word Christian means, 1 a : one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ b (1) : disciple 2 (2) : a member of one of the Churches of Christ separating from the Disciples of Christ in 1906 (3) : a member of the Christian denomination having part in the union of the United Church of Christ concluded in 1961.

Why is such a simple word so offensive to others?

On January 12th 2010 I was listening to The Dan Patrick Show which broadcasts overnight on Sports radio  670am “The Score” in Chicago. He had a guest on the program named Brian Williams from the NBC nightly news. They were talking about Mark McGwire and how he admitted to using steroids. At one point in the interview after speaking about the Hall of Fame and what this does to baseball. Brian Williams says,

“look I’m a Christian guy and a good hearted guy and as a person I forgive Mark McGwire, he got trapped in something he didn’t set out to do”

shortly after that the interview wrapped up and they started taking phone calls. A caller from Knoxville, Tn. said

 ” I have a couple of things to say #1 Sports is entertainment, they’re not a religion, they’re not anything to live and die by. It’s entertainment. #2 Why is Brian Williams telling me and your listeners his religion, I don’t care what religion he is, and I never heard Mark McGwire ask for my forgiveness or his forgiveness”

A small statement became one guys hatred for any type of faith. All that Brian Williams said is that he is a “CHRISTIAN” He didn’t say people have to believe his way or else.

Think about all the people killed in China for being a Christian. Your not even allowed to have a Bible in China. People have been killed for standing up for God from the beginning and will til the end.  Is it so bad that in the greatest country in the world, we can’t even admit that we are Christians?

I love it when people (especially in sports) admit to being Christians. People like Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy and Kurt Warner just to name a few.

It seems like many other words in our society are accepted. Words like Homo-Sexual, Gay, Lesbian, the “N” word in which I won’t use. What about words like Atheist, Wicca, Wicken and Scientology. Whenever someone claims to be part of those so-called Religions no one complains about it. No even Christians.

The First Amendment protects my right to be a Christian and to speek freely about it. The First Amendment says,

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

As a Christian I’ve been taught not to deny God. I am called to spread his word. I won’t go preaching to people but I will feel free to say that ” Yes, I’m a Christian and I am living my life for God”

2010
01/29
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something small

I haven’t had too much going on over the last few days. I worked days last week. I love working days, it is a totally different life that my regular third shift lifestyle. I enjoy working days because of the job change. Whenever I work days I am working directly with my boss  or doing his job. I will be honest and say he is way better at it than I am  but I’m  learning from him. Will it ever lead to something else? I’m not sure but I really love the challenge.

Friday was nice. I spend the night with my son. We ate some food, played the Wii and then he wanted to watch me play my PS3.  He told me that he did everything he wanted too. That makes me happy. I need to spend as much time with him as I can. I want him to grow up to be a man and so one day when he has kids he will understand how important it is to spend time with them.

Church was awesome today. We talked about how we should do good things for others. I was actually very happy with myself because I try to do a lot for others. I may not always be able to help out with money but I’m willing to do almost anything for people. Sometimes I do find it hard but overall I do well. I know I can do more so hopefully I can make more time.

That’s it, I just want to post a little something so people don’t think I stopped writing again. God Bless-

2010
01/24
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Growing up and providing.

Do you know anyone that just won’t grow up? Someone that you’ve continued to try to help and it just won’t work?

I know many people like this and to me it’s sad. I see people all the time that won’t get a job and they love to use every excuse in the world not to have one. If you find them a job, they won’t take it. I have tried for a long time to figure out why someone would want to be like that. Why wouldn’t you want to provide for yourself? I love that I don’t have to ask anyone for money (besides my wife). You would think that one day a person would want to sit back, look at what they have, thank God for it and be proud that they earned it. It’s sad because I do know many people who could use a good job right now. The company they worked for closed down, layed people off or just eliminated their position due to age and wages.

1Timothy 5:8  says, If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (NIV)

We are told that we must provide. This world is full of dead beat parents and kids that take everything from each other. Many people try to lie, cheat and steal their way through life. I’m not saying all of this to be negative. I hope you can take some time to think about people in your life. Think about people who need jobs and about people who need to grow up. Please pray for them. Pray that God will open one door and close another. Pray that they will get their life in order and provide for themselves and their family.

2010
01/19
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