Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Bar Stool Economics

I always enjoy reading Michael Patton's blog. Here is what he posted today. It takes a minute to read it through, but it is worth understanding.

Our Tax System Explained: Bar Stool Economics

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that’s what they decided to do.

The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. ‘Since you are all such good customers,’ he said, ‘I’m going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20.’ Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free.

But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his ‘fair share?’

They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody’s share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer.

So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man’s bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

‘I only got a dollar out of the $20,’declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,’ but he got $10!’

‘Yeah, that’s right,’ exclaimed the fifth man. ‘I only saved a dollar, too.

It’s unfair that he got ten times more than I got’ ‘That’s true!!’ shouted the seventh man. ‘Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!’

‘Wait a minute,’ yelled the first four men in unison. ‘We didn’t get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!’

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn’t show up for drinks so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn’t have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, ladies and gentlemen, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Moore Farms

Moore Farms - this is what really happened....

Friday, October 24, 2008

My Friday (10.24.08)


Everyone was up early this morning, off to school and then Katherine, Leslie and I went for breakfast. After breakfast Leslie had a long list of stuff to get done including working out what in the heck a mum looks like for a 6th grade homecoming. Come on... really? A mum for the 6th grade? I digress...

Katherine and I caught up on some PBS today. I saw he most unusual show today for the first time - Sid the Science Kid. I've never heard of it, but it was so fascinating. The animation was very good, the dialogue very informal, but the show was very propositional: brush your teeth, teachers are fun, eat healthy, exercise... etc. It was simple, but very well done. I was impressed.

After that, a short nap and then I put all the sheets on all the beds and then made them all up. Yes - I did it. I made all the beds, from scratch. Props? I thought so. On my day off... I made beds. And, to top it off, I mowed the yard after that. So, I am probably going to be in the running for husband of the year. I can feel it now.

After the yard, a quick shower and then we all met one of Maggie's friends and her family at Double Dave's for pizza before Maggie headed for the homecoming dance. Crazy huh? I thought so. From the pizza and hanging with a middle school family, we immediately travel back in time to elementary school where we rendezvous with Jay and his friend who have just arrived at the annual elementary school Harvest Festival. Bounce houses, climbing walls, games, candy, face painting, a jail, a medical clinic and lots of food, door prizes and silent auction. It was a great place to be. I love the vibe at this school. The morale is high among the teachers, and the families are great. Definitely a positive public school experience.

We arrived at home in time to meet my mom and stepdad as they are visiting this weekend and planning to stay for Jay's flag football game tomorrow and church at Bethel on Sunday. I didn't remember it this way, but my mom has not been to Bethel in about a year. It will be fun to have her there.

Leslie left about 9:30p to go get Maggie... about 11:05 they walked through the door. See, the tradition is to go to Whataburger and hang out and have a milkshake and hang out and talk about the dance with all your friends. All the parents sit together.

Leslie and Maggie are home - we are all home. It was a great day and looking forward to a good nights sleep. That is my Friday.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

An old saying...


"Be careful what you ask for..."

Saw this on Druge today.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Masquerading





I know... this really ought to be a serious post about how we all put on masks and pretend to be something we aren't... then I make some really deep spiritual point.

Well, the truth is... we were masquerading tonight - and it was a blast! Had dinner with a soon-to-be-married couple and they had these masks. We couldn't stop. It was so fun. Here are a few pictures of the evening... I will save some others for opportune times.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Uhmmm... this is disturbing


Disturbing in so many ways...

"Husband hacked wife to death with meat clever after she changed her Facebook status to single"

My Friday (and Saturday)

The weather is changing and it is so nice!
We woke up yesterday, Leslie and Katherine and I went to Starbucks and then to the usual spot for biscuits. Then Leslie went to a brunch and Katherine and I caught up on Sesame Street and morning naps. Spent some time reading in the afternoon, then the kids (Jay and Maggie) came home and we all hung out until the babysitter came.

Leslie and I went to a dinner for a couple getting married in two weeks. It was fun and fancy. After the dinner we went and sat at Starbucks and enjoyed the evening. All in all, Friday was very restful and refreshing.

Today (Saturday), Leslie was up before 7am to go stand in line for a flu shot. I hate flu shots. I hate them worse than the flu. In fact, the last time I got the flu was the year I got a flu shot. I have a "needle" issue. Always have and it prevents me from physically being able to drive to a place and willing let someone impale me with that thin, cold, sharp, hollow cylinder. I will not do it. (NOW... I know, I have totally set myself up for the flu this year and probably a couple of post whining about how bad it is - blah, blah, blah)

After Leslie got home we all loaded up and went to Jay's flag football game. It was fun. Chris and Mark Legg came out and cheered for Jay. He loved it. Mark Legg played on the same field immediately after Jay and we got to stay a little while and cheer him on. He had a great run around the end that brought the sidelines to their feet.

From the football game we went to eat hamburgers and then out to the Moore Family Pumpkin Patch. It was so fun. We all got a pumpkin, a hay-ride and lots of pictures. Leslie even shot some incredible footage that will be posted soon. She was remarkably creative today!

After the pumpkin patch we took advantage of the happy hour at Sonic (Cherry slushes and Cranberry Limeades). Maggie went to a middle school cooking party and the boys watched football. Currently Texas is killing Missouri, and it is almost hard to watch.

The drama of the day is the discovery of a rat that lives in our garage. He has survived the poison so far, we will see if he survives the night with Piper in the garage! Leslie is passionate about her hatred for rats. Actually... a depth of hatred that I have never witnessed. Just glad I am not a rat.

I'll probably watch the opening of Saturday Night Live and then be off to bed. It has been a great weekend and feel refreshed and excited about tomorrow. I love Sundays at Bethel.

How was your Friday (and Saturday?)

Friday, October 17, 2008

Matching study Bibles



Leslie and I have a pretty firm value about not having "matching" anything. We don't even like to wear the same color shirt on the same day. But, today we made an exception.

you can find out more about the ESV Study Bible here...

Thursday, October 16, 2008

30-3-3: An investment strategy for your marriage

The last couple of weeks we have been looking at the topic of marriage at Bethel.

This last week I talked specifically about having a strategy of investment for your marriage. We have strategies for so many of the temporal things in our life: money, education, career, retirement, fantasy football... etc. Very few people that I talk to have a strategy for their marriage. Most of the time couples are on auto-pilot until a crisis comes. Attention gets poured into marriages during crisis, but very little weekly, monthly and yearly investment is strategically made.

If you are looking for a strategy, let me offer the following for your consideration:
30-3-3

1. 30 minutes a week: have a conference one a week as a couple. When you come together ask each other these three questions. It is important that when the question is asked, the asking spouse remain completely silent - just listening. (Thanks to Chip Ingrim for these questions)

a. What are things you are concerned about?
b. What are the things you wish for?
c. What are you willing to do about it?

2. 3 hours a month: commit to a celebration once a month. So often we use our dates as times to discuss the things that are wrong in our marriage. A celebration is just that - a time to celebrate. Instead of focusing on the 5%, 10% or even 50% that is wrong in our marriage, take the time to celebrate what is right. (A good strategy here is to take turns planning these celebrations).

3. 3 days a year: this "camp-out" is designed for you to get away with your husband or wife and invest in a very specific and significant way. Whether it is a conference, retreat or just a long weekend with Tommy Nelson's Song of Solomon series, every year we need to step out of the routine of daily life and make a significant deposit in our marriages. (NOTE: I would suggest that when you can to be at a conference or retreat setting that will allow you the opportunity to both be encouraged by other couples as well as be an encouragement.)

So... what is your strategy? Let me know how your first conference goes. For Leslie and I, it has become the highlight of our week.

The Staff I Serve With

Bethel Bible Church has the most amazing staff!

My thoughts here...

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

blog sabbatical

Two weeks since my last blog... my last real blog. I have been on sort of a sabbatical.
I've been reading alot the last couple of weeks and have really enjoyed it. Let me know if you have read any of these and what you think of them. I am going to be trying my hand at a couple of reviews in the next couple of days.

What I've read lately:
Essential Church: Reclaiming a generation of dropouts (Thom S. Rainer)
The Age of Speed: Learning to Thrive in a More-Faster-Now World (Vince Poscente)
Winning (Jack Welch)
The Fred Factor (Mark Sanborn)
Reinventing Your Board (John Carver)

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Worship Confessional (10.08.08)

Ok... believe it or not, I actually have a worship confessional. I had the great privilege to be apart of the worship team tonight at the Youth Group "Gathering."
So, here is my worship confessional alongside Todd Wright's worship confessional about the same event. The accounts are similar... but not identical.

Todd's



Ross'




I'm looking forward to the next time!

.ross Retro (10.07.08)

If you are not familiar with S.M. Lockridge, then this is a great introduction. It is old, but very, very good!


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