Zak's Thoughts and Events

Why I'm Voting For McCain

If you don’t vote for McCain you will be handing all your money and liberty over to the Democratic Party. I’m beginning to think that Bonito Mussolini is the real “God Father” of the Democrats!

 

Key Economic Proposals:

 

H. R. Clinton:

 

• $60 Billion funding for new National Infrastructure Bank to finance large scale projects.
• $10 Billion funding for emergency Infrastructure Repair Fund.
• $150 Billion funding for green energy technologies over 10 years.
• Tax Credits to spur retirement savings, $20 – 25 Billion per year.
• $110 Billion to expand health insurance coverage per year.

 

Funding sources: Reverse income tax cuts on high income earners, maintain the death tax and increase taxes on oil companies.

 

Obama:

 

• $60 Billion funding – over 10 years through new National Infrastructure Bank to finance large-scale projects.
• $150 Billion funding for green energy technologies over 10 years.
• Making Work Pay Tax Credit of $500 per person.
• $65 Billion to expand health insurance coverage per year.

 

Funding sources: Reverse income tax cuts on high income earners, maintain the death tax, increase taxes on oil companies, increase the tax rate on long term capital gains and dividends, tax carbon pollution and he “promises” to end the war in Iraq. 

 

McCain:

 

• Cut corporate tax rate to 25% from 35%.
• Let business deduct 100% of the cost of equipment in the first year.
• Double the tax deduction per child to $7,000.

 

Funding sources: End earmarks, budget savings. 

 

My source for the above was Investor’s Business Daily, Monday April 21, 2008, page 1.

 

Working Out at L A Fitness

Maxicam_Leg_and_Calf_Press_Professional_Gym_Equipment_II

When my last major symptoms of Sciatica occurred in October of 2003 my right thigh was in a great deal of pain. I was having difficulty standing and walking. Within several weeks my right thigh had lost muscle mass and had visibly shrunk. After months of ineffective treatment I changed doctors. My new doctor sent me to a physical therapist to treat my Sciatica. This was July 2004. The PT gave me stretching exercises and advised me to join a gym.  Well after about 15 months I finally started weight training at an L A Fitness club near my home. 

 

The picture above is similar to the Seated Leg Press that I use on a weekly basis.  When I started using this machine in September of 2006 I could only press 90 pounds with both legs. Presently I can press 160 pounds with both legs and 70 pounds with my right leg only.  From inspection my right thigh is still smaller than the left and still weaker but slowly the right leg is gaining on the left. I am really encouraged by the fact that my right leg is near the capacity where both were in September of 2006.

 

I still must be mindful of my posture and can’t lift heavy loads especially in an awkward or off balance position. I can run now when before I had difficulty walking and have fewer instances of back pain.   

The Diva's Diva: Judy Wexler

I love Judy Wexler’s new CD: Dreams and Shadows, the title song has been one of my favorites and Judy does a superb job of capturing the feeling. There are turning points in everyone’s life. When I grew up in the Valley in the 50s and 60s I thought jazz was only Dixieland. Then I found KBCA on the radio (1966) and my whole world changed.  I remember hearing Dinah Washington on the radio for the first time, Carmen McRae singing “Midnight Sun” and Nina Simone singing “Four Women”. Hearing her sing, “Love is A Necessary Evil” [on her first CD- Easy on the Heart]  was one of those special moments. The band really shines and brings out the best of her talent. Ms. Wexler understands Jazz and captures all the musicality that the human voice can demonstrate and she is quite possibly the greatest living Jazz singer of today

 

 

Dreams&Shadows

Judy Wexler's Website