It's Story Time!!!

Once upon a time there was a man. He was 20 years old. He was married and had a son. He had moved out of his parents house in GA and located himself in...oh say...Peoria, Illinois. This 20 year old man enjoyed the sport of marksmanship and exercising his right to keep and bear arms. So, being the model citizen that he was he decided to obtain his FOID card (or so he thought.)

He sent in his application and five dollar application fee that did end up getting cashed. And then he waited - and waited - and waited - and for a little change of pace, he waited some more.

Finally something comes in the mail from the IL State Police HQ in Springfield! "Ah ha" says the young man, "It finally came!" But to his dismay it was a notice that he must obtain his parents/legal guardians signature because the 20 year old man was not 21 years old. His parents don't live in Illinois and don't have an Illinois drivers license. He doesn't have a Illinois legal guardian because he himself is a guardian to his little man and he just doesn't see the point.

So the next day when the 20 year old man goes to church his funny friend points out a funny fact. "You could sign for your son (lets call him John the IV) and get him a FOID card because the application doesn't specify that the parent must be 21 - all the parent has to have is a valid Illinois drivers license," says the funny friend.

So, one day soon you may hear a headline news story about a little man that goes into a gun store with his youthful father and says to the store clerk, "I would like to buy some ammo. Here is my FOID card"

THE END

...now wasn't that a funny story!

Weather Channel Founder Wants To Sue Al Gore. Did I Predict This?

My friends, in an effort to be humble I simply want to link to a Fox story that was written this morning entitled, "Weather Channel Founder; Sue Al Gore." If you will remember gentle listener I wrote an article several weeks ago called "A Convenient Lie That Gave Some People A Lot Of Convenience" that predicted just this. So here we are ladies and gentleman - the gloves are coming off please start placing your bets!

Sorry Al, but I gave you fair warning.

Another Good Cato Read On Social Security

Go here to read Michael Tanner's editorial on Social Security. A very well written article. Some how I didn't realize that Social Security is the largest government program - taking up 23% of the federal budget!

By the way, for those of you who are editorial readers and you want to get some sensical and logical analysis on what is happening in the world and in this nation I would highly recommend subscribing for free to the Cato daily email updates. The topics that are talked about range from social/domestic issues to economic and legal editorials. I can't say that I agree with all of Cato's social and domestic issues, but they certainly are an overall good resource. To subscribe, click here.

Bush endorses McCain

Listen to what Bush and McCain have to say when it comes to national security.

An Interesting Read On Inflation

I came across this aritlce at work and thought I'd share it. Its by Gerald P. O'Driscoll Jr. and was published by the Cato Institute. Enjoy!

Inflation Alert

Save Now on your IL State Taxes!

Paying too much on your taxes?  Frustrated and looking for a way out?

Like me, you probably love finding new and innovative ways to save on your taxes! While recently filling out my IL-1040, I discovered a trick that will save everyone lots of dough. I decided to share it, free of charge. We first need to gather all materials needed for this totally legitimate tax saving technique. Here's a list:

All W2's
Completed Federal 1040, with a calculated AGI
A sharp, Number Two pencil
Towels and gauze

Now here are the steps:

1) Using your number two pencil, fill out the IL-1040 up to line 12d.

2) Now take your number two pencil, and stab your eyes out.  Go ahead, it'll be worth it.

3) Apply towels and gauze to your eyes.

4) Have someone who can read finish reading this blog post, and finish filling out your 1040 form.

Before you got to step 2, did you read the fine print on 12d?  "Check if Legally Blind"  If you performed all steps accurately, this should now apply to you!  Nobody reads this sweet option! The great, benevolent state of Illinois has provided a way for all of us to claim an additional exemption for up to $1000 per year!  Every year!

Now, some of you "math nerds" out there are probably saying, "a tax 'exemption' of $1000, doesn't that just reduce my taxable income by $1000, and therefore this is only saving me 3% of $1000, or $30?"

To you math nerds I reply, "Well...I...hadn't exactly thought of that way until after I stabbed my eyes out in an attempt to save on my taxes."

So alas, I am now blind - but I did save $30 more dollars than you on my taxes!  Suckers!  And yes, it's $60 for your spouse.  Sweet!