USBA: Ultra-Small Business Alliance

     IS THIS A MESSAGE THAT REPRESENTS THE FEELINGS OF THE SILENT MAJORITY?  WHAT DO YOU THINK?

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=JVAhr4hZDJE&vq=medium#t=19

P.S. See how many hits it is getting -- it might just be going viral!

Please pray for the freedom of the United States, the land of the God given opportunity for human freedom. 

Do you really want more "takers" instead of "makers"?

     How does this recent observation by the Wall Street Journal make you feel about self-serving political agendas by political parties, any kind of special interest group, and the subtle linkages for pass-throughs beween entities, including some labor unions, that enjoy IRS 501(c)(4), IRS 501(c)(5) and IRS 501(c)(6) linkages with the more commonly understood 501(c)(3) organizations*?

     "Today in America there are nearly twice as many people working for the government (22.5 million) than in all of manufacturing (11.5 million). This is an almost exact reversal of the situation in 1960, when there were 15 million workers in manufacturing and 8.7 million collecting a paycheck from the government."**

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

o  How much longer will the "silent majority" be kept silent by the fear of consequences at the individual level?
 
o  Will more reflect as they sip their tea and finally realize that the megaphone of the media has failed to stick to reporting the facts, i.e. who, what, where, when, why and how, instead of presenting information in accord with an understated agenda?
 
o  Has the term "investigative reporter" been replaced by the "agenda reporter"?
 
o  Has the "truth and only the truth" been replaced by doing whatever gets more to be influenced by the prospects of personal gain at the expense of others? 

o  Have we been so "dumbed down" by our "education" that we have to have so many rules and regulations instead of core values of integrity, honesty, stewardship, reliability, and mutual respect as we pass through our individual cycle of life?
 
o  Have we considered that there are so many rules and regulations that ANYONE can be selectively silenced or prosecuted by the threat of the unknown (who has enough time in their life to read all of the government rules and regulations)?

o  Have we forgotten the basics of living life?

o  What are the basics that set our personal agendas?

     About my last question, please consider these few words that I now share with you, as I have with many others over the years (they all start with the same letter to make it easier for you to remember and use):

     "All things that are truly important to people seem to revolve around a simple cross-linked network of ten key words: Faith, Family, Friends, Freedom, Future, Fulfillment, Fun (the first three letters of funeral), Fitness (Spiritual, Social, Mental, and Physical), Financial, and of course, Food!"

     About the last item, "Food", a sign over the doorway out of the kitchen in the home I grew up within simply stated: "Kissing wears out, cooking don't".  A new book I am writing will expand on my list of these words a bit, needless to say.  I mention them in Mastering Your Marketing, my most recently published book (www.RGIofVa.com), and over the years in my Master Minder® Success System speeches, seminars, and workshops.

     Just keep these words in Focus as you develop the Foundation for how you use your time in this life, and be joyful always as you take guidance from the Christian Holy Bible.

     With my best wishes, in service to the community that understands the teachings of Christ, and the concepts from the words of the God that our currency states that we, the citizens of the United States, trust ("It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man", NIV, Psalms 118: 8),

          John
 
(John@cTc.tv)

* IRS information link about the many 501(c)'s that actually exist:

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p557/ch04.html#en_US_2010_publink1000200305

** Wall Street Journal Article worth reading now!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704050204576219073867182108.html

October 19, 2010
Is the expanding Federal Bubble the next one to pop?

     Do the tax-and-spend trolls inside the Federal Bubble comprehend the devastation to the ultra-small enterprise sector by their well-intentioned sound bites and gotcha legislation?

     How about a reality check?  Don't all funds spent by any government come from the time, energy, savings, investment, blood, sweat, and tears of the individual.  Aren't corporate entities just pools of individuals pulled together to efficiently use their time and the money provided by investors, lenders and hopefully, some after-tax profits, to meet needs that others willingly can pay for?

     Have excessive taxes, borrowing from other governments -- and now the considerations about running the money printing press -- created a false economy inside the primary media reach centered on Washington, DC?
 

     Consider the situation now reported from within the Federal Bubble:

"A $700 billion bank bailout and $814 billion economic stimulus bill helped push the federal deficit to unprecedented levels of more than $1.3 trillion in the past two years, and a disproportionate share of that tidal wave of money washed up right back in Washington."

"Washington suffered no more than a surface wound. It reported a loss of about 35,000 jobs, or 1.1 percent of the jobs available — mostly in real estate and construction businesses hurt by the housing collapse."

Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/oct/17/in-throes-of-recession-capital-stands-apart/

     The mindset inside the Federal Bubble calls government spending "investment" and taxpayers "customers".  It calls taxes "revenues".  It calls the employment head tax "social security".  There is not a real "trust fund" associated with that head tax (investigate this for yourself).
 

     Do you think the Federal Bubble mindset recognizes that real gains in worth come from value added work using after-tax funds that are applied to real capital investment, not more government?

     The reality is that those who accumulate wealth seek to grow it by wise investments in those enterprises that add true value to the use of raw materials, etc., and the time in life of the labor and leadership in those enterprises.  After-tax profits from the enterprise sector are used to pay for funds borrowed or provided by owners to foster true growth.  The challenge for true investors is to get the best return on their investment.  Don't taxes need to be applied wisely to foster this process (to assure our individual freedom and movement, not our slavery to self-serving, vote garnering, government debt)?

     Will the financial and tax shell games played to grab votes soon come home to roost inside the Federal Bubble?   Will the popping of the Federal Bubble be the Katrina for those who flock to the so-called recession-proof capital? 

     What do you think?

October 5, 2010
The headline says:
"U. S. Chamber of Commerce turns on past allies"

     The article is worth reading.  Just paste the following link in your browser or just click HERE:

     One brave journalist, Wayne Allyn Root, called him that on the Fourth of July 2010 -- and supported his position with a "must-read" article.  To quote a few words from the article:

"As far as the taxpayers -- the people who actually take risks with our own money to create small businesses and jobs and pay most of the taxes -- we require protection under the Endangered Species Act.  You won't find proof of the damage Obama is doing on Wall Street, but rather on Main Street."   Click or copy the source link into your browser:

http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/barack-obama--the-great-jobs-killer-97758294.html

     You do not make the trees grow by watering the tops, you must water the roots.  Main Street is the roots of our economy, not the printing presses used to print Federal money. 

      Has the lack of a voice for Main Street been the downfall of Main Street?  After all, most Main Streets are lined with small businesses, while the mega malls have the big chains as anchors.  Big cities have many little "main streets" and where is the voice of their small retailers and business operators?

     Also, remember that most all of our independent churches are also small businesses, and yes, non-profits.  But churches that have a staff are also employers and kick a lot of money into the tax bucket via employer and employee payroll taxes.  Many of our churches are now at risk as their members suffer from the Main Street business set backs.  Has the Church lost its political voice due to the muting impact of the Federal tax code?  Is this a good thing?  What do you think?
 

     So, I hope you had a Happy Independence Day -- and I hope it is not the last one.  Remember the roots of our country were based on the pursuit of individual freedom, our Constitution was written by those who understood the potential for abuse of power by government leaders, and that those who abuse rather than respect the lessons of human history and behavior also think they are above the real Law. 

     The assumption of the Founders was that leaders would show respect and responsibility in return for the trust and votes that put them in office.  What was not visualized was the ability of mass communications to influence the thinking of others, and what that power -- if abused -- could do to those who let others do their thinking for them. 

     Also, what was not visualized was the ability to use longevity in public office to gain control of key positions, and therefore, of funds distributions from the public coffers to foster re-election.

     One must ask, "Has statesmanship been totally lost into the hands of the professional politician, the staff that works for the politician, and the lobbyists?"
   

     Do you think the message on February 15, 2010 from Chicago's NBC TV station at the following link will also be ignored?

The headline says: "Stealth IRS changes mean millions of new tax forms."

The content includes a description of the burden.  Several quotes to get you interested: 

"Starting in 2012 ..... all business payments or purchases that exceed $600 in a calendar year will need to be accompanied by a 1099 filing. That means obtaining the taxpayer ID number of the individual or corporation you're making the payment to -- even if it's a giant retailer like Staples or Best Buy -- at the time of the transaction, or else facing IRS penalties." 

Yep, if I understand what I read in the article, you may even have to do a 1099 for the one person corporation, the sole owner of which keeps your business location grass mowed and plows the snow in your parking lot in the wee hours while the regulators are still snug in their beds dreaming of all the jobs they have created.  Sadly, it looks like he/she has to stop working and take the time to fill out forms too. 

The article goes on to say:

"extending 1099s just to services purchased from corporations would push that number to at least 200 filings per year for a typical small business -- adding an estimated $6,000 to the cost of preparing the average tax return. And that's without even accounting for the requirement that 1099s be filed for purchases of goods,"

The reality is many ultra-small business operators do not make a net profit equal to this burden, so one must ask, is this the poison pill for the ultra-small business owner? 

Read the full article by pasting the following link into your browser:

http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/21/smallbusiness/1099_deluge/index.htm?source=cnn_bin&hpt=Sbin

One can't help but wonder how many other bobby-traps were built into the legislation that the leadership was too busy to read?

P.S. This is not nice, but one must ask, "Where were the so-called small business lobbyists when this snuck through?"

     For example, will it be the "Federal Debt Bubble", the "Federal Entitlements Bubble", the so called "Social Security Trust Bubble (the ultimate Ponzi Scheme that makes Bernie Madoff's actions look like child's play)", the "Secure Federal Jobs Bubble", maybe just the "Federal Bubble", the "Hidden County Tax Bubble (your county real estate taxes hidden in your mortgage payment and fueling incredible growth of many county governments)", the "Buy Gold" push, etc?   

     Can you add to this list other situations to ponder in your mind?  How about in your own business sector?  Technology?  Civil or non-civil mind set?  Tolerance of unethical bahavior? 

     Blow away the smoke and polish the mirrors with common sense and plain talk.  Let us hear from you (rational thinkers that own and operate an ultra-small business only, please).

Off the wire news you might wish to use ...

     Competition to meet your phone needs has led to some interesting developments.  Take a moment to gain some insights by reading the news article presented at the following link on May 14, 2010:

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100514/D9FMI5700.html

     Long-term phone contracts are under a lot of pressure from pre-paid services providers, and the trend apparently favors pre-paid telephones without a contract.  The long-term contract providers are feeling the pressure.  Users can save money.

     Be alert for any regulatory responses and send us an e-mail with source for us to post accordingly, OK?    (May 14, 2010; older articles archived under Selected Reports Links tab)

March 24, 2010

HEALTHCARE BILL TOPICAL INDEX FOR GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT.

New Federal Bureaucracies Created in House Health Care Bill

The House Republican Conference has compiled a list of all the new boards, bureaucracies, commissions, and programs created in H.R. 3962, also known as the government takeover of health care (not independently confirmed, but 111 of them; see some reflective thoughts and questions at the end of the list as you consider your reaction and process of selection of elected government people):

NOT INDEPENDENTLY CONFIRMED, BUT HERE THEY ARE! COUNT ‘EM!

BY Section and Page!

1. Retiree Reserve Trust Fund (Section 111(d), p. 61)

2. Grant program for wellness programs to small employers (Section 112, p. 62)

3. Grant program for State health access programs (Section 114, p. 72)

4. Program of administrative simplification (Section 115, p. 76)

5. Health Benefits Advisory Committee (Section 223, p. 111)

6. Health Choices Administration (Section 241, p. 131)

7. Qualified Health Benefits Plan Ombudsman (Section 244, p. 138)

8. Health Insurance Exchange (Section 201, p. 155)

9. Program for technical assistance to employees of small businesses buying Exchange coverage (Section 305(h), p. 191)

10. Mechanism for insurance risk pooling to be established by Health Choices Commissioner (Section 306(b), p. 194)

11. Health Insurance Exchange Trust Fund (Section 307, p. 195)

12. State-based Health Insurance Exchanges (Section 308, p. 197)

13. Grant program for health insurance cooperatives (Section 310, p. 206)

14. Public Health Insurance Option (Section 321, p. 211)

15. Ombudsman for Public Health Insurance Option (Section 321(d), p. 213)

16. Account for receipts and disbursements for Public Health Insurance Option (Section 322(b), p. 215)

17. Telehealth Advisory Committee (Section 1191 (b), p. 589)

18. Demonstration program providing reimbursement for culturally and linguistically appropriate services (Section 1222, p. 617)

19. Demonstration program for shared decision making using patient decision aids (Section 1236, p. 648)

20. Accountable Care Organization pilot program under Medicare (Section 1301, p. 653)

21. Independent patient-centered medical home pilot program under Medicare (Section 1302, p. 672)

22. Community-based medical home pilot program under Medicare (Section 1302(d), p. 681)

23. Independence at home demonstration program (Sect Health Insurance Option (Section 322(b), p. 215)

17. Telehealth Advisory Committee (Section 1191 (b), p. 589)

18. Demonstration program providing reimbursement for culturally and linguistically appropriate services (Section 1222, p. 617)

19. Demonstration program for shared decision making using patient decision aids (Section 1236, p. 648)

20. Accountable Care Organization pilot program under Medicare (Section 1301, p. 653)

21. Independent patient-centered medical home pilot program under Medicare (Section 1302, p. 672)

22. Community-based medical home pilot program under Medicare (Section 1302(d), p. 681)

23. Independence at home demonstration program (Section 1312, p. 718)

24. Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research (Section 1401(a), p. 734)

25. Comparative Effectiveness Research Commission (Section 1401(a), p. 738)

26. Patient ombudsman for comparative effectiveness research (Section 1401(a), p. 753)

27. Quality assurance and performance improvement program for skilled nursing facilities (Section 1412(b)(1), p. 784)

28. Quality assurance and performance improvement program for nursing facilities (Section 1412 (b)(2), p. 786)

29. Special focus facility program for skilled nursing facilities (Section 1413(a)(3), p. 796)

30. Special focus facility program for nursing facilities (Section 1413(b)(3), p. 804)

31. National independent monitor pilot program for skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities (Section 1422, p. 859)

32. Demonstration program for approved teaching health centers with respect to Medicare GME (Section 1502(d), p. 933)

33. Pilot program to develop anti-fraud compliance systems for Medicare providers (Section 1635, p. 978)

34. Special Inspector General for the Health Insurance Exchange (Section 1647, p. 1000)

35. Medical home pilot program under Medicaid (Section 1722, p. 1058)

36. Accountable Care Organization pilot program under Medicaid (Section 1730A, p. 1073)

37. Nursing facility supplemental payment program (Section 1745, p. 1106)

38. Demonstration program for Medicaid coverage to stabilize emergency medical conditions in institutions for mental diseases (Section 1787, p. 1149)

39. Comparative Effectiveness Research Trust Fund (Section 1802, p. 1162)

40. Identifiable office or program within CMS to provide for improved coordination between Medicare and Medicaid in the case of dual eligible (Section 1905, p. 1191)

41. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Section 1907, p. 1198)

42. Public Health Investment Fund (Section 2002, p. 1214)

43. Scholarships for service in health professional needs areas (Section 2211, p. 1224)

44. Program for training medical residents in community-based settings (Section 2214, p. 1236)

45. Grant program for training in dentistry programs (Section 2215, p. 1240)

46. Public Health Workforce Corps (Section 2231, p. 1253)

47. Public health workforce scholarship program (Section 2231, p. 1254)

48. Public health workforce loan forgiveness program (Section 2231, p. 1258)

49. Grant program for innovations in interdisciplinary care (Section 2252, p. 1272)

50. Advisory Committee on Health Workforce Evaluation and Assessment (Section 2261, p. 1275)

51. Prevention and Wellness Trust (Section 2301, p. 1286)

52. Clinical Prevention Stakeholders Board (Section 2301, p. 1295)

53. Community Prevention Stakeholders Board (Section 2301, p.. 1301)

54. Grant program for community prevention and wellness research (Section 2301, p. 1305)

55. Grant program for research and demonstration projects related to wellness incentives (Section 2301, p. 1305)

56. Grant program for community prevention and wellness services (Section 2301, p. 1308)

57. Grant program for public health infrastructure (Section 2301, p. 1313)

58. Center for Quality Improvement (Section 2401, p. 1322)

59. Assistant Secretary for Health Information (Section 2402, p. 1330)

60. Grant program to support the operation of school-based health clinics (Section 2511, p. 1352)

61. Grant program for nurse-managed health centers (Section 2512, p. 1361)

62. Grants for labor-management programs for nursing training (Section 2521, p. 1372)

63. Grant program for interdisciplinary mental and behavioral health training (Section 2522, p. 1382)

64. No Child Left Unimmunized Against Influenza demonstration grant program (Section 2524, p. 1391)

65. Healthy Teen Initiative grant program regarding teen pregnancy (Section 2526, p. 1398)

66. Grant program for interdisciplinary training, education, and services for individuals with autism (Section 2527(a), p. 1402)

67. University centers for excellence in developmental disabilities education (Section 2527(b), p. 1410)

68. Grant program to implement medication therapy management services (Section 2528, p. 1412)

69. Grant program to promote positive health behaviors in underserved communities (Section 2530, p. 1422)

70. Grant program for State alternative medical liability laws (Section 2531, p. 1431)

71. Grant program to develop infant mortality programs (Section 2532, p. 1433)

72. Grant program to prepare secondary school students for careers in health professions (Section 2533, p. 1437)

73. Grant program for community-based collaborative care (Section 2534, p. 1440)

74.. Grant program for community-based overweight and obesity prevention (Section 2535, p. 1457)

75. Grant program for reducing the student-to-school nurse ratio in primary and secondary schools (Section 2536, p. 1462)

76. Demonstration project of grants to medical-legal partnerships (Section 2537, p. 1464)

77. Center for Emergency Care under the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (Section 2552, p. 1478)

78. Council for Emergency Care (Section 2552, p 1479)

79. Grant program to support demonstration programs that design and implement regionalized emergency care systems (Section 2553, p. 1480)

80. Grant program to assist veterans who wish to become emergency medical technicians upon discharge (Section 2554, p. 1487)

81. Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee (Section 2562, p. 1494)

82. National Medical Device Registry (Section 2571, p. 1501)

83. CLASS Independence Fund (Section 2581, p. 1597)

84. CLASS Independence Fund Board of Trustees (Section 2581, p. 1598)

85. CLASS Independence Advisory Council (Section 2581, p. 1602)

86. Health and Human Services Coordinating Committee on Women’s Health (Section 2588, p. 1610)

87. National Women’s Health Information Center (Section 2588, p. 1611)

88. Centers for Disease Control Office of Women’s Health (Section 2588, p. 1614)

89. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Office of Women’s Health and Gender-Based Research (Section 2588, p. 1617)

90. Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Women’s Health (Section 2588, p. 1618)

91. Food and Drug Administration Office of Women’s Health (Section 2588, p. 1621)

92. Personal Care Attendant Workforce Advisory Panel (Section 2589(a)(2), p. 1624)

93. Grant program for national health workforce online training (Section 2591, p. 1629)

94. Grant program to disseminate best practices on implementing health workforce investment programs (Section 2591, p. 1632)

95. Demonstration program for chronic shortages of health professionals (Section 3101, p. 1717)

96. Demonstration program for substance abuse counselor educational curricula (Section 3101, p. 1719)

97. Program of Indian community education on mental illness (Section 3101, p. 1722)

98. Intergovernmental Task Force on Indian environmental and nuclear hazards (Section 3101, p. 1754)

99. Office of Indian Men’s Health (Section 3101, p. 1765)

100. Indian Health facilities appropriation advisory board (Section 3101, p. 1774)

101. Indian Health facilities needs assessment workgroup (Section 3101, p. 1775)

102. Indian Health Service tribal facilities joint venture demonstration projects (Section 3101, p. 1809)

103. Urban youth treatment center demonstration project (Section 3101, p. 1873)

104. Grants to Urban Indian Organizations for diabetes prevention (Section 3101, p. 1874)

105. Grants to Urban Indian Organizations for health IT adoption Section 3101, p. 1877)

106. Mental health technician training program (Section 3101, p. 1898)

107. Indian youth telemental health demonstration project (Section 3101, p. 1909)

108. Program for treatment of child sexual abuse victims and perpetrators (Section 3101, p. 1925)

109. Program for treatment of domestic violence and sexual abuse (Section 3101, p. 1927)

110. Native American Health and Wellness Foundation (Section 3103, p. 1966)

111. Committee for the Establishment of the Native American Health and Wellness Foundation (Section 3103, p. 1968)

Like it or not, the insurance industry historically has been a major part of the flow of well managed capital in the United States. They are required to maintain assets to back their liabilities, and the assets include cash and select investments in arenas that yield a return. Those investments are an important part of the capital formation and growth process in the private sector.

Frankly, if the insurance industry managed its assets like the Federal Government has managed the so called Social Security Trust Fund, all of the insurance industry executives would be treated like Bernie Madoff. Conversely, if the Government had to manage the funds it has received over the years for Social Security and Medicare, the economy would be bustling instead of on its back (take a bit of time to find out for yourself about the Social Security Trust Fund. You will not be amused to find that it is not a Trust and is not a Fund, it just carries the name).

The problem, in my mind's eye, with health care costs, has been the trend towards smaller "selective risk pools", usually by employer (of which many are very small pools), with the rates based on the pool. The general concept is to have a large pool to spread the risks and cut the costs to all. The question is what is the optimal size of a pool, beyond which there are essentially no further cost savings from spreading the risk?

It gets complicated fast. CYA impact with many tests to be on the safe side, or face the risk of law suits. Payment for services provided being aligned with what Medicare will pay tends to reduce income of doctors and medical practices.

One could ask why chase a medical degree with all of the costs and time, when you are not going to get a fair and competitive pay for your services. For the most part, dentists and eye doctors are not captive to the third party pay system. It seems like there is a good supply of dentists and eye doctors, and their rates for normal services are quite reasonable relative to that aspect of one's health.

If there is a need that could be met with low premiums from a large payment pool, it is for major health disasters. This train of thought could go on for a long time, but perhaps you have some inputs.

The thing that is of most concern, and seems to be below the radar, is that another source for the growth and management of private capital is being quietly undercut.

Does this make sense to you? There are three ways that people will lose their freedom, the three powerful M's:

1. Might - i.e. take over by force.

2. Money - i.e. buy power to extract personal independence and freedom (the other Golden Rule: "Those with the Gold rule, but printed gold is fool's gold").

3. Mind - i.e. ignorance or misinform; simply dilute the ability to think and question (also known as brain washing by repetition of falsehoods until they become seen as truth).

Final question: How can the United States get honest Statesmen instead of professional politicians into leadership, so that decisions are made based on knowledge, principles, values, integrity, and truth instead of the growth and misuse of power by re-election to gain tenure and committee, etc., leadership roles for the redistribution of power and private assets?

Why not seek honest answers by thinking about your core beliefs, where they came from, etc., for yourself? Then act responsibly in accord with the real Golden Rule: treat others as you would like to be treated, i.e. with mutual respect and with an open and inquisitive mind.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9CPM7K80&show_article=1

     Have some ideas on how this type of thinking will impact your business?  Why not let your elected representatives know what you think, or find a candidate that will listen -- it is up to you.

     Debt situation?  Do you want to see a real time clock of data that you might find useful as you do your thinking: CLICK HERE

"Federal employees making salaries of $100,000 or more jumped from 14% to 19% of civil servants during the recession's first 18 months — and that's before overtime pay and bonuses are counted.

     Federal workers are enjoying an extraordinary boom time — in pay and hiring — during a recession that has cost 7.3 million jobs in the private sector."

     Read the full article by clicking opon or pasting the following link into your browser:
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20091211/1afedpay11_st.art.htm?loc=interstitialskip