Wisdoma by Brian Kindsvater

The joke that Warren Buffett is unfortunately becoming continues to play out in the media. After challenging Congressional Republicans, but not Democrats, to voluntary pay more in taxes to pay down the $15 TRILLION US debt (about $50,000 for every man, woman, and child in the US, and about $135,000 for every taxpayer), Warren said he was writing a check to the US treasury to back up his challenge.

His check: $49,000.

Or about .001 percent of his $40 BILLION dollar net worth.

I, for one, am not impressed.

By the time it takes you to read this, the national debt will have increased by almost $100,000. Thanks Warren. Your check will save about 25 seconds off the national debt.

A story going around today is that Sears is closing about a hundred underperforming stores as holiday revenue comes up short for the company.

That is a pittance of the thousands of stores Sears has.

After a horrific experience buying a refrigerator, that left us over a month without a main refrigerator, let me say I’m glad to see a hundred stores closing, and may a thousand more close.

From top to bottom – literally – from the staff on the floor to local management at the company to regional management all the way up to corporate (yes, I had to deal with them all), a horrible company that deserves to die.

Of course, keep in mind that “Sears” today is not the Sears of decades ago. Kmart bought the company and renamed itself Sears.

I think Sears today is still living off that old positive image. Do yourself a favor – avoid Sears / Kmart. There really is no reason to shop there. Lower prices at Wal-Mart and better selection at big box specialty stores can be found.

ABC News is reporting that a mentally ill man with a fixation on the White House apparently fired a gun that hit a window at the White House.

According to the news story, D.C. police, police are concerned the man “may pose a threat to President Obama.”

May?

Please let the D.C. police know if you have any ideas about helping them figure out whether someone shooting a gun at the White House is a threat to the President or not!

There is a story today about Bill Clinton having a rare, near photographic memory. For example, he can remember a phone number of a friend’s parent, told to him a decade ago.

Where was that photographic memory when he was being questioned in lawsuits, asked about sexual harassment claims, ‘bimbo eruptions’ and Monica Lewinsky?

Here are the easy steps to turning off the annoying oil maintenance light – especially when the dealer forgets:

1. Turn the engine on. Full. Press brake and the start/stop button.

2. Press the trip odometer button until it goes to “A” mode.

3. Turn engine off.

4. Press the trip odometer button and hold it down.

5. Press the start/stop button twice. This is not a full engine on. Do not press the brake pedal.

You will see the maintenance sequence reset and a notice will appear when it is complete.

You’re done.

Only Yahoo would promote this headline all over it’s site:

Teen Gets Branded a Felon for Life for 7 Cents

Oh, how terrible.

Until you learn the facts of the story:

Anthony Stewart took a bb gun that looked like a real gun, beat down a 73-year old man, punching him in the face, and then robbed the man of everything he had on him.

Stewart then fought the charges instead of pleading to a lesser crime, and was ultimately found guilty by a JURY of first degree robbery.

The fact the victim only had 7 cents on him hardly lessens the malicious crime.

Because what the victim endured was made so much more pleasant because he was not carrying money on him.

As a result Anthony Stewart was sentenced to 2 to 6 years in juvenile detention.

Yahoo called it a “mere 7 cents”. I call it thuggery worthy of the punishment, and so did the jury and judge.

Maybe if the writer at Yahoo had their grandmother punched out, threatened, and robbed they might write a different story. Or they could read their story to their grandmother in the doctor’s office while getting treated, saying, it’s ok, you only had 7 cents on you.

As much as I like Mitt Romney, a story today from San Diego gives me pause about whether he is serious about running for President.

Romney has reportedly filed an application to level a 3000 square foot, $12 million dollar home be bought a couple years ago, so he can build an 11,000 square foot monster.

This story of the rich, deaf to the suffering masses, politician has been played out repeatedly. Especially in California. I cannot recall it resulting in political victory.

Reminds me of McCain not being able to remember how many houses he owned.

Mitt – you had to file that application now? Why now?

During a week fmajor news stories about the flat-lining economy and people concerned about the jobs and ability to pay for their mortgage?

One thing I know (and this is an issue with numerous ramifications which may have helped get this country where it is) is that compared to the number of super-rich where $12 million can be tossed aside to build a mega-mansion, there are a lot more who make a tad less. Who will never make a combined $12 million in their lifetime.

They vote. And more will vote for someone else.

If you want to be President, spend your money wisely.

Update: March 27, 2012

The mainstream press has finally found this story. Politico is reporting on Romney’s mansion where the cars have their own elevator.

Dear Warren Buffett,

If you do not believe you pay enough federal income tax, instead of seeking to increase the tax rate on others, why don’t you simply write the federal treasury a bigger check?

There is nothing preventing you from voluntarily paying more tax.

Perhaps you would feel better by going back to the 90 percent top tax rate.

Sincerely,

Other Taxpayers