Ah, Love is in the Air

It's Valentine's Day!

This morning, I awoke to red roses, heart balloons and lovely sentiments from my husband. I appreciate that he took the time to prepare all this for me. Especially since he took that time last evening, which happened to be his birthday.

While this may not seem like a lot to some people (you lucky spoiled bunch), this is representative of my relationship with my spouse. He's not into things, but feelings and thoughts. So, when he goes out of his way to bring me my favorite flowers and to buy outward signs of his affection, I'm thrilled.

Now, I know people may think I'm letting him off the hook easy. Many of my friends expect to get jewelry, clothes, trips, dinners out, etc. on Valentine's Day. I'm not into making my man jump through hoops to demonstrate his love for me. I get that every day. He's loyal, trustworthy, open and honest, and he's always here for me. What else do I need? I certainly don't need a bunch of junk laying around the house. That's for sure.

I am really the lucky one. I found a life partner whose love runs deeper than surface showery. We have been together for nearly a lifetime - I met him when I was just 18 and it's no secret that I've passed the fifty mark. I'd be lost with him and today he let's me know he feels the same way!

Dump Daschle - Public Opinion Does Work!

I borrowed this from a friend who makes valid points - worthwhile reading. Guess pressure like this pays off - Daschle withdrew from his nomination today! Visit this site at: www.yetmo.com.

Too many straws break a camel’s back. Well over 100,000 of them in the form of unpaid federal tax dollars ought to break the Senate’s backing of former Senator and Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle’s quest to head the Department of Health and Human Services and serve as White House health czar.

Timothy F. Geithner was approved to serve as head of the Department of the Treasury, which oversees the Internal Revenue Service. He failed to report all his income and pay the required taxes, yet he received the Senate’s consent to be the nation’s Chief Tax Collector.

How then can I possibly suggest depriving the new president of his choice for changing the health care landscape in this country, especially if that pick is widely-known, well-liked, and effective in key Washington circles? Because at some point – and now would be a good one – a message of enough is enough should be sent by citizens and heard loudly by lawmakers.

Failure to end this seemingly endless cycle of high-powered, high-income, well-connected individuals being afforded breaks that the common citizen would never receive would be unpardonable.

We must speak out again. Just as I requested in my last column to contact your representatives and tell them to knock off the partisan games and get to work on solving our nation’s economic problems honestly and effectively, I ask again to call, write, or e-mail your Senator – or President Obama at 202-456-1111 – and say no to Tom Daschle.

Perspective is essential in this matter. IRS employees failing to report all their income risk immediate firing. In fact, stricter laws affecting employee behavior in general, not just for proper filing and paying of federal and state taxes, were enacted by Tom Daschle and other lawmakers in the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998. Provisions in that law struck fear into the hearts of these folks. I know. I was one of them for over 30 years.

Do you believe that one errant IRS employee, making $50,000 a year, could harm the integrity of the tax system or overall government operations more than a Congressperson who makes such laws or a cabinet member? This is not to excuse a renegade government employee. It is certainly also not to excuse elected or appointed officials from improper behavior.

Think, too, that Daschle’s unpaid taxes exceed the annual income of about 90% of all Americans. His unpaid taxes. Not his total tax bill, and certainly not his total income, which was reported to be in excess of $5 million since he left Congress. For the new Administration, which seems intent on extracting more taxes from higher income citizens, absolving Tom Daschle (and Timothy Geithner) seems oddly off message and bordering on hyperbolic hypocrisy.

This is not personal. This is not partisan. Daschle obviously possesses wonderful qualities and strengths as a person and deal-maker. His former colleagues are racing to his defense. It is about President Obama’s self-proclaimed “New Era of Responsibility.”

If those at the top cannot accept responsibility for their actions, how can they – or we – expect the same from the rest of us underlings?

If this nomination succeeds, it will not represent a double standard. It would be a double standard squared.

Fred W. Apelquist, III
Approximately 540 words.
© February 3, 2009