"Cut Throat Society"

         Save your money because the way it is these days with all this greed we are being conned, scammed and what I call “Over informationized” < (new word) It means bombarded with useless information from everywhere. Knowledge in the form of confusion that we will never use or even think about is now planted in our minds. We are being flooded with fast talking hypestirs < (another new word) from all over the world watching us with bar codes and computers to study for any possible way to trick us, convince us, sell to us or even to play to our sympathy’s for donations and money. They will even pay publicists to start rumors that will make us want to give or confuse us enough so they can take our money…Each day, you will be hum drummed into listening to the countless commercials on the radio in your car or TV (if you can still stand to watch it) trying to convince you buy something you don’t need. From cars to the expensive cell phones with the high monthly payments to computers, lottery tickets and clothes. Once they hook you on these things its too late. They are like those sleazy back alley drug dealers doing everything they can to make you come back and spend. Its been going on for years only now its worse than it ever was. Advertising agencies thrive on the millions of dollars you spend on things you really don‘t need or thought you wanted. They will literally do anything to make you think you want and need things. They will use every dirty trick in the book and some that aren't written yet to convince you to use technology, look prettier, feel better, be stronger, slimmer, healthier while telling you constantly its OK to be good to yourself. What they really want you to do is think they care but all they want is for you is to spend that last nickel and max out your all your credit cards. All they want is your last dollar for their bottom line…
   Please, keep this in mind before you buy anything or spend any money. I had a good job and never had to worry. It was that way in the past and if you had a good job and if you did it well you could be reasonably sure that you would have it long enough to retire. Those days are gone and now there are no guarantees. I call it a "cut throat society" and I don’t care who you are, because of greed and selfishness you could lose your job tomorrow. Those charges you have on your credit cards will not go away. Interest will accumulate every day whether you have a job or not, you still have to pay for that. All the rules about bankruptcy have changed. Those mortgage payments, loans, health care, rent, car payments, federal and state taxes all still have to be paid…  No matter what the government says or how they word it, gas is still $4 dollars a gallon with the summer travel season just around the corner. If you can still afford it you mustn't forget that you will get that really high vacation bill. Miss one payment for anything and the constant phone calls, letters from creditors and lawyers will begin. They will take your car away.The police will come to evict you. You can't imagine how many kids had to move back to their parents house with the new baby... The only guarantee is, that you will have thoughts of suicide…. Save your money, don’t buy anything unless you absolutely need it. Never, never be afraid to say, "I can't afford it". A good rule of thumb is, if you don’t have the money to pay cash, don’t buy it…You will survive and today that’s about all anyone can expect...

"DWI - 4th of July"

The Fourth of July is almost upon us. It is the week that the cops check for drunk drivers and people who don’t use set belts. In Connecticut it’s $92 dollars for a set belt violation and handcuffs if you don’t pass the sobriety test. Its what happens after you are caught drinking and driving (DWI) that it gets really expensive. First after you are arrested they have your car towed away while you go to jail. No, they don’t bring the car to your house even if you ask them to. To get your car back you have to pay the wrecker charges at the impound lot. AAA does not work in these cases. Then there is your mug shot and finger prints. Yes, they do that to. That’s before you call someone to bail you out of jail or hire a bondsman to give them the money. Try to explain that to your wife, kids, parents or your best friend. At your first court appearance after about a month of worry and anxiety, you will need a lawyer which will cost you a retainer fee or the State will provide a lawyer for you. You are not a famous person so you will not get away with this crime. The lawyer will be there primarily to explain what will happen to you. These days that could cost you $5000 dollars. This is a routine arrest for the cops and they won’t make mistakes during your arrest. Don’t look for loopholes explaining these court appearances to your boss if you still have a job. To try and get time off is a whole other story. The first offense usually doesn’t mean jail but you never know how the judge will be feeling that day. He will send you to Alcohol school or he just might want to use you as an example. Putting your fate in someone else’s hands is not my idea of having a good day. A fine for a DWI is not cheap and if you can’t pay, guess what? Right, its off to jail with you in those handcuffs all over again. All this is only the beginning of the problems and issues you will have. This is a felony and if you are convicted, years later it will come back to haunt you. If you are looking for a job that has a security clearance and today with all the cameras and trust issues, what job doesn’t? I know you learn a lot a things by experience but this is one experience you don’t want to learn by. I don’t drink but I do have an issue with seat belts…Well, even I will hook up my belt this week because its getting too expensive not to. All this will happen and more even if its your first offense. If its your second don’t plan to get out of jail on this long fourth of July week any time soon. Happy Fourth…

 Because I ride a bicycle and have for years...I always think of the drunk driver or the drugged up driver that goes by me very close and too fast on a narrow road. Like its so important to get somewhere that fast. At least we have one off the road. This is dedicated to Tara Sylvester 22, of 22 Impala Drive, Enfield Connecticut who was charged with operating a car under the influence of alcohol after hitting a 53 year old cyclist Jay Albert, of 30 Hillside Street, Apt. C2, East Hartford. This happened in Warehouse Point Connecticut last Saturday....He is in critical condition this morning and needs your prayers...