Russian Roulette Anyone?

I'm angry. Frustrated. Head-ready-to-explode, over-the-border vexed. Can you relate?

Here in Ohio we have a color-coded chart showing all of the counties and the level of Covid-19 cases. You have no color (no virus, but hey - there aren't any counties at that level), yellow, orange, red, and purple. As of this writing, only two are yellow, some orange, and the majority red. Many of the red counties have an "H" on them to indicate really high levels - borderline purple.

Now, this sounds like helpful information. You know, maybe we should change our behavior based on the level in our county. 

Yeah. No. 

Shortly after Governor DeWine started having weekly press conferences, he told us of a plan to start reopening the economy based on a tiered structure: if we go 14 days with no or decreasing levels, we would open certain things up. After another 14 days with no or decreasing levels, we would open more things up. If the numbers went up, we would shut things back down.

Good plan? Yeah. No.

This plan was ignored. As a matter of fact, it's not even mentioned anymore. Each time the level has gone up in the state, Governor DeWine tells us that now is the time to get serious; wear your masks and practice social distancing. Each time. So, what will he say when we go purple?!? "Now is the time to get serious; wear your masks and practice social distancing. I REALLY REALLY mean it this time."

My wife and I went to the church recently, where I have the wonderful opportunity to play in the worship team. It's a smaller church that has gone out of its way to make it as safe an environment it can according to recommended guidelines. They've moved the "pews" (chairs) to expand the distance between people. They've added high-filtration filters and have all of the ceiling fans on to move the air. They've added hand sanitizer stations and have someone to check temperatures as people come in. The worship team itself is spread out more, with fewer individuals on the platform. Me? I'm in my favorite spot: the back corner of the platform. 

From my spot I can pretty much see the entire congregation. What I saw added to the frustration I mentioned at the beginning. People came in wearing masks. Yet, some individuals decided to take them off once they got to their seats. It was really noticeable when everyone was singing. 

Now, I understand it is difficult to sing while wearing a mask. As a harmonica player I find it very difficult (that's a joke: I do take my mask off in order to play - but I play mostly with cupped hand and directly into a microphone). Yet, there is another name for singers: "super spreaders". When you sing you not only project more, but you have more, sustained air flow OUT of your mouth than normal breathing/talking.

Come on, people! God can hear you through your mask!

Needless to say, even though pre-pandemic my visits were about once a month, we are seriously reconsidering going back - especially since the county is in the red.

Imagine, if you will, that every time you leave you are playing a round of Russian Roulette. You know, you take a gun, particularly one of those Colt Single Action Revolvers - commonly called a "six-shooter", put a bullet into one chamber, spin the cylinder, point the gun to your head, and pull the trigger. Now, with one bullet, you have a 1-6 chance of blowing your brains out. Why would anyone play this? Because they see a ONLY a 1-6 chance of blowing their brains out. 

Okay, now add a bullet for every level of the virus. No color: one bullet. Yellow: two bullets. Orange: three bullets. Red: four bullets. Purple: five bullets. At what color would you refuse to pick up the gun?

"But J.P., I do wear a mask when I go out. I even make sure to cover my nose with it. So, I'm good, right?"

Let's change the game a little bit. You aren't holding the gun. Imagine that every person you are in contact with NOT wearing a mask (or, wearing it incorrectly) is holding the gun to YOUR head. At what color would you stop feeling comfortable going out in public?

I understand that the economy is important. I understand the virus is important. What I don't understand is why do our "leaders" think it is wise to not just "play footsy" with this pandemic, but "Russian Roulette"?

Remember, every ASSHOLE out there NOT wearing a mask and keeping their distance is holding the revolver to YOUR head. 

Want to play a game?

©Emittravel 2020

Taxing into Oblivion - Is That Even Possible?

It is funny to me that the environmentalists have been screaming that we need to find alternative sources of energy and that we need to cut back our energy use drastically, due to the limited amount of oil in the earth, but politicians believe that there is an endless supply of tax dollars to be had, and they think they need to spend more so that we don't run out.

Just let that (incredibly long sentence above) soak in for a minute. I guess that goes to prove that opposites do indeed attract; environmentalists and big-government politicians do seem to spend a lot of time together . . .

Now I do not consider myself an environmentalist. Heck, the way the city I live in got me to recycle was by a monetary incentive: the city pays (we pay via our tax dollars) for trash pickup by the pound - the company that picks up our recyclables does not charge the city, for they make their money in the processing and selling of said recycled materials - for every pound we recycle we save tax dollars - incentive!! But I do believe we are called to be good stewards (managers) of what we have.

(willing to save a buck!)

In MHBAO, fossil fuels ARE limited and we will EVENTUALLY run out - but not tomorrow. So, we SHOULD be looking at alternative energy sources, but without panic and ESPECIALLY without government mandates. And I also believe, and common logic verifies this, that eventually the feeding of government will exceed the sources of food (taxes).

During the last presidential election, the definition of what was considered "rich" was questioned. If the money to pay for everything was to only be taken from the rich, what, exactly, would make a person fall into that category? Would $500k? Or $250k? Maybe it was $150k? How about $100k? Is that combined income for couples, or is that for singles? And is that amount adjusted for inflation? But hey, as long as I make less (and resign myself to NEVER making more) they can punish those "evil" rich.

(the truly "evil rich" - who are exempted from most of what they dish out)

Just a quick look at Social inSecurity would tell you that the government is incapable of keeping their word on anything. Social inSecurity was designed for a tiny percentage of the population, and was to be paid for by a tiny percentage of the population - the most wealthy (a.k.a the "evil rich"). Today I'm not considered part of the "evil rich", according to the gyrations of the oh-so-wise-and-benevolent politicians, but when I look at my pay stub I see quite a large amount being taken for Social inSecurity. So, what am I?

Oh, and let's not forget that the "trust" fund that originally held the money put in, so that there was something to draw from upon retirement, has been sucked dry already. That's right folks, nothing but I.O.U.s. (Quick lesson: there is NO such thing as being taxed and having that money going ONLY for a certain purpose - it is all just one big pie to the politicians.) You and I are paying for those currently receiving it. Think about the effect unemployment has on that!

Before you think I'm just meandering in this blog article, I do have a point to make. The money for all of these "necessary" bailouts, stimulus, and other programs, is supposed to be coming from those "evil rich". We are told that is one of the reasons for eliminating those "evil" Bush tax cuts. But like Social inSecurity, what happens when that oil well runs dry? They start drilling in YOUR wallet. At one point, and we are darn close to it now, there will be more spending taking place than revenue sources.

The solution is simple: you can only raise taxes so much (before you cripple the economy and cause a major collapse). Politicians need to do the unpopular and cut spending. I know, I know - that is political suicide! After all, isn't that what they were elected to do? Spend your money better than you can? They say that if you rob Peter to pay Paul you are guaranteed Paul's vote. What happens when you run out of Peters? Will they decide we've spent enough at that point?

There is an old proverb: When your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep becomes your downfall.

©Emittravel 2010