Come play in my world for awhile!

Friday, February 20, 2009

I'm rollin' in the money, baby


It's hard to escape news of government stimulus packages and bailouts. I was reading an article that suggested that the bailout "...will cost about $6,500 per U.S. family, a little over $2,000 per person... and raise the public debt limit to $11.3 trillion dollars. That’s $116,000 per family, or $37,000 per person, in total governmental debt." These aren't new figures but every time I see/hear them they make my hair stand on end.

I honestly try not to spend (spend!! so punny!!) too much time agonizing over the numbers. Right now it feels as though a chain of events has been set into motion and the only thing to do is step aside and let it play out. But still... those numbers are haunting.

Don't ask me to explain the logic behind my thought processes, but the whole economic turmoil got me thinking about a letter to the IRS that flew across the Internet some years ago. I did a quick Google search, and voila:

Dear IRS,

Enclosed is my 1997 tax return and payment. Please take note of the attached article from the USA Today newspaper. In the article, you will see that the Pentagon is paying $171.50 for hammers and NASA has paid $600.00 for a toilet seat. Please find enclosed four toilet seats (value $2400) and six hammers (value $1029). This brings my total payment to $3429.00. Please note the overpayment of $22.00 and apply it to the 'Presidential Election Fund', as noted on my return.

It has been a pleasure to pay my tax bill this year, and I look forward to paying it again next year.

Sincerely,

Disgruntled of Oklahoma.

With the mind splitting logic that only applies in the world according to me I came to a brilliant conclusion. If Disgruntled in Oklahoma could pay with toilet seats and hammers, then I ought to be able to deduct my unused portion of the bailout from my income tax return. Tit for tat, right?! And since there are six members in my household that should give me a credit of roughly $222,000.

Now that's a nice way to end the week. Just as soon as I get that refund check I'm taking all of my bloggy friends out for dinner and drinks.

Anxiously awaiting the mailman,

KathyB!

30 comments:

Hccm said...

Follow Wenda!

Small House said...

Funny, and agree.
Came from SITS, and I have really enjoyed reading your blog. My kids are getting older to, and it's been quite something to reintroduce myself to me too.
Have a great day.
Sandra

Debbie said...

My word woman! You are genius. I will apply this same logic to my taxes.
Want to be locked up together?

Debbie said...

PS. I love the new look around here.

I am Harriet said...

HI!
I'm connecting from SITS.
Great post!

Crazee Juls said...

lol, that's awesome. Thanks for visiting my blog...please feel free to come back anytime, we do tend to get a lil' crazee around our place, so beware.

Crazee Juls said...

lol, that's awesome. Thanks for visiting my blog...please feel free to come back anytime, we do tend to get a lil' crazee around our place, so beware.

Anonymous said...

You are right, Kathy B!, that is a great way to end the week! I think I'm going to call Obama and tell him to give you a job. You make so much more sense than all of those other yahoos running our country into the ground!

Gabrielle Amanda said...

found wenda! I am glad I don't have to do taxes, my mother still handles that for me haha I guess i will have to eventually though

koopermom said...

I know! It's such a mess!! Stopping by from SITS!

Mary K Brennan said...

I'll drink to that!

Grand Pooba said...

Teach me your geniusness!

Niki said...

If only! *sigh* It'd be a great down payment on a new (to us) house.

Hccm said...

You seem like you would make an excellent buddy in jail. I'm in!

Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha

Stacy Uncorked said...

I think I'll be passing this information along to my accountant...maybe we'll get lucky this year! (grin!!!)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today - it's always fun to meet a fellow SITSta! ;)

Megan said...

Sounds good to me!

Visiting from SITS and following Wenda, who I see is right over there at the top. Woohoo! lol

Anonymous said...

You are too funny. I wonder if they could use some of my old unused junk? LOL! Welcome to SITS :)

debi9kids said...

OH! Amen and a BRILLANT post!!!!
Make sure you wastch Glenn Beck on March 13th at 5pm!
It's amazing!

PS thanks for stopping by on your hunt for Wenda :)

lynette355 said...

Well heck I should have known Wenda was here. She is checking out how to use her stimulas package too! LOL

Hccm said...

Day 2 of the Where’s Wenda? Contest is here. Today, I am visiting all of the SITStas that commented on Hot Chocolate Caramel Mocha. That means you! Thanks so much for stopping by and for being a great SISta! -Wenda

MsTypo said...

This is too funny! LOL I have often wondered whether pets (aka my children) can count as deduction on my returns. :)

jaquelyn {mama thoughts} said...

Stopping by from SITS--hello! =)

Jen said...

I am so confused. Save money, spend money, I just don't know.

Kristina said...

hahaha!! That is ridiculous! Only in America, right!?

Kristen said...

I love it! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Following Wenda.

Unknown said...

I LOVE that letter to the IRS! And look at your with 2 visits from Wenda!!

Tiffany said...

That is a great idea! I like your math and reasoning.

countryfriedmama said...

Oh, if only... All our troubles would be over!

Sarah J. said...

There you are Wenda!!! Ha ha ha that's funny. You are so right. First time on your blog, love it!

Anonymous said...

Great idea! I'm pulling for Jon Stewarts idea of the trickle up theory. Give the bail-out money to the citizens; let them buy things or pay off loans and eventually the big wigs will get the money :-)