Question of the Month

“July” Questions of the Month

Letter from the Publisher

Publisher Ponders! June 2009

I have been very depressed lately over a series of events which are simply out of my control. As an owner of a GMC and Chrysler product I find myself grinding my teeth every time I turn on the radio or TV; wondering the fate of not only millions of jobs which may be lost, but also the warranties on both those vehicles and availability of parts which could be affected as well. Adding salt to the wound Tim Geithner announced last week Medicare will be broke by 2017, and Social Security will bottom out in 2034-37. Just about the time which I and millions of others can apply, but the well will be dry. The system will be broke. So this I ponder: why is the IRS continuing to take my money in addition to the employers who must match this tax? They are taking my money (and millions of others) and will not be there for me. I am not sure what most call this, but I call it stealing. You are stealing from me (and millions) and employers nationwide who are struggling to match these taxes. Gee, what happens to us when we don’t pay the IRS? I think we all know the answer that one. At what point does the silent majority get involved? One more ponder, I am confused as to why an individual would be in charge of the United States Treasury, who is not sure how his income tax error occurred, ie: not paying thousands of dollars in back taxes. Mr. Geithner told us months ago this “oversight” was a blunder of his accountant. Now Mr. Geithner tells us it was his error as he performed his income tax return himself on Turbo Tax. It is not that I ponder the fact he is an obvious liar, but why the person who controls the United States monetary system would be performing his own tax return and says he missed a line while using Turbo Tax. Mr. Geithner’s annual income is estimated at half a million dollars a year, wouldn’t you have someone prepare your return with that level of income? In addition, his resume full of academic achievement and accomplishments, seem to be lacking a finance degree which may not be required but probably should be in order to hold this diverse banking system postiton. I had three semesters of finance and was miserable the entire time, and still have one more to go, I just pray for a D, tough stuff! Does he have the experience to offset the finance degree? Yes, but according to my favorite economist Paul Krugman-he was not successful in those endeavors either.

How can you direct the U.S. Treasury Department with these faux pas continuing to surface? I am just not sure. Mr. Geithner, don’t blame Turbo Tax. Okay, with that said moving on. One good event did happen last week at the Preakness. The philly beat the stallion; way to go Rachel. Come on ladies, how many times when you were a kid would hear the boys say “you run like a girl” Okay, I was girl, and Rachel Alexandria-thanks for running like a girl! By the way, I dig Calvin Borel too!  I am pleased to announce beginning in June the Thurmont Times will be expanded to Fairfield. This is good news for our advertisers as well. Even better news, Rosemary McDermott continues to recover nicely from her heart transplant in March, and hopes to be back in Thurmont within the next several months. Chuck Walmer former Thurmont Times & WTHU owner received his kidney transplant in April at University of Maryland Hospital and is recovering and doing well at home. And yet another transplant from Thurmont this month; my friend Norman Gibat received his pancreas transplant this month at Georgetown and is recovering at home and I can’t wait to see you! Thanks once again to all of the Thurmont Times advertisers which allow good news like this and much, much more to come your way each month! Breathe deeply and remember: Buy Local!