HOW STUPID ARE WE? DO WE JUST FALL FOR ANYTHING?

An ex Senator from Tennessee, a noted conservative who was all for "shrinking government , is on your TV hawking (and by that I mean being paid boatloads of dollars) for you to have a "government" backed reverse mortgage. My favorite part is where he says, "If your anything like me...- 'cause Fred & have been so close. It was Fred & me co-starring on Law & Order.... tussling over policy during the Presidential debates in which he participated, sharing coffee in our Senate offices "Huh?

Or, Marie Osmond,  and some zillionaire ex-football player (Joe Theisman), or the like,  (again visualize the trucks pulling up with buckets of cash) hawking the "weight Loss program that "changed their lives". This includes those expensive wine-bottle juices and energy drinks - 'cause you can't just eat fruit or juice some veggies - NO - you must BUY THIS - and IT WILL DO FOR YOU - what you evidently can't do for yourself! This doesn't even count the fact that you pay money for tiny portions of FROZEN FOOD...delivered at no small cost to your door. Now, allowing for me being wrong, these already rich & famous people were contracted by the weight loss company, paid, aided and abetted in their weight loss program - at every step....but once again --- they're just like us. That would be the US that has agents, money managers, hair people, make-up people, and, lest I forget - life style coaches, and support staff, who do all the work we all do EVERY DAY - WITHOUT STAFF.   What's wrong with this picture?? 

Wait, how about during election time when we were buried in ads that asked us to just send $ 20 more dollars to defeat the Socialist Obama Agenda, or defeat the right wing attack machine? Yeah --- send that check for $20.00, 'cause political parties  don't have enough money from avaricious billionaires. You really thought that these were serious people ? They were only SERIOUS about separating you from your hard-earned money.Seen a fact sheet detailing how much of your $ 20 - went to "costs", or advertising....or salaries? If their lips were moving - they were lyin'.

Maybe it's the "secret to losing BELLY Fat" people who got your attention and you sent them $5, $10, $15 dollars for this incredible way to be slim with no effort. AND FOR EXTRA ADDED INCENTIVE - NO cost to you - just pay shipping. Did you check out these "shipping & handling" charges? YEAH, it MUST be true I saw in on TV.

I almost forgot, a personal favorite ....it's the refinance your mortgage clowns - from companies who have the answer to "underwater" mortgages....another government program....even though we all know the government is evil and does nothing.

 Well - GET A GRIP --- ANYBODY CAN SAY ANYTHING ON THE INTERNET.It's not a court of law...it's the internet STUPID. Or, should I say the STUPID internet. Or is is just you & me - allowing ourselves to be fooled, tricked, looking for EASY answers to complex questions. Maybe it just easier to BLAME - our government, our cities, our news media than look at how we choose to digest the information we get. There are soooo many of these, nipping at us, diverting attention, making money the old "snake oil" way, betraying fact, promoting falsehood, and we actually fall for it. Don't you get tired of it? Don't you get weary of being "conned", abused, and otherwise "MIS-INFORMED"? If we are so STUPID as to think that there's an easy way, a simple answer, a fast deal that will make us healthy, wealthy, or wise ---- then we deserve what we've got. DIVISION & DISTRUST  

ON LINE TRAVEL SERVICES - Waste of time? Exercise in futility? - "Bah Humbug! BRING BACK TRAVEL AGENTS! 

Good Grief Charlie Brown, my LOVE /HATE relationship with the internet is beginning to tip into less LOVE - more HATE. Maybe I mean aggravation or irritation, but the result is the same.

THAT"S IT FOR ME.....newer isn't always better. Internet sites are the 8th circle of hell in many cases. Just because you have a computer doesn't mean you always have to use it. People have spent their working lives becoming experts at their craft - I CAN LET THEM HELP ME - I DON'T HAVE TO TRY & BECOME A TRAVEL AGENT ON MY OWN! 
THAT"S IT FOR ME.....newer isn't always better. Internet sites are the 8th circle of hell in many cases. Just because you have a computer doesn't mean you always have to use it. People have spent their working lives becoming experts at their craft - I CAN LET THEM HELP ME - I DON'T HAVE TO TRY & BECOME A TRAVEL AGENT ON MY OWN! 

By the time I check EXPEDIA, HOTWIRE, Travelocity, CHEAPAIR, TripAdvisor, just to mention a FEW of the many, I realize there is such a thing as TOO many choices.
Where to stay - and it begins again....thousands of deals....all THE BEST. (Yeah, right) Then print it all out....check dates....recheck dates, recheck flights, check and recheck car rental - it never ends! My credit card is hot from typing in the numbers and still it's not turned out right. WORST PART - I have only myself to blame, cause when I tell a friend what a deal I got - they got a better one! EVEN WORSER PART - I have spent hours, days, of my limited life span doing this - using all the ink in the printer, losing phone numbers, and now I travel with a 3 ring binder the thickness of the BIBLE.

I liked it better when I simply called Alec Cross or MaryAnn Cross (Crossroads Travel), - their on FB and told them what I wanted, gave my budget, and let them do all the work. If I had a question - THEY did the research and gave me multiple answers. Change in plans - THEY did all the work - and it all had to meet my approval! Where to eat, what to see, how to commute on arrival - they had experienced answers. THEY DID IT ALL! I could change anything anytime and they were ready, willing & able. 

There......I feel better. By the way the picture here is from a trip they planned!!!! A wonderful time was had by ALL!!

Are the BIG BANKS "computerizing" CUSTOMER SERVICE to its death?

Just because some large corporation has a voice mail tree that make a sequoia look like a 3 gallon ficus doesn't mean they actually "care" about your business. Have you ever noticed that all the large banks, BofA, Wells Fargo, CitiBank, & Chase - yes I'm talking to you giants, are insanely advertising - on TV, radio, internet, and any electronic device you own, about how they want your business. 

They want you. They love you. They want to be your wealth managers. (They managed "our" wealth into "their" wealth - maybe that's what they mean) They are the answer to all your problems.
They contribute millions to various non-profits & charities....blah...blah...blah. 

It's kind of like being wooed by a suitor....wonderful until the reality of the "relationship" hits a "teensy" misunderstanding. You know how it bobsleds downhill from there.

It might go something like this; "I'm sorry, but that credit line we lured you in with,  is not available, or cut by 75%, due to your company's lack of obscene profits ---we're used to dealing with companies much larger than you."

"I'm sorry, but we can't take that service fee off the account because you had negative report on your credit rating 2 years ago". or, "I'm so sorry, but our POLICY is to only refinance home loans that meet our new stricter guidelines."

Where were these guidelines when these guys were absconding with BILLIONS in faulty loans, and buying private estates with fences to keep the riff-raff (that would be most of us) out?" 

"I'm as sorry as I can be, but our overdraft policy is to charge $ 35.00 - $40.00, for every time you screw up. We, however, do not need to be penalized for screwing up, we are "SELF REGULATING". Our screw-ups are YOUR problem. "Where do you think we got the money to make these generous donations to charity anyway?"

So, GET UP, GET IN YOUR CAR, and go to a small local bank, or customer owned credit union and you will be greeted with real smiles, honest discussions of policy, and you probably live within a couple of miles of the very people you see at the bank.

Here in Riverside, Corona, Norco and surrounding areas we have American Security Bank, Altura Credit Union , Citizens Business Bank, Premier Service Bank, and many  more. There are actual people there....Jim Verplancke of American Security Bank, a man with enormous knowledge of his industry and the and amazing ability to answer a straight question with a straight answer. 

Or Tim O'Brien at Premier Service Bank, same decency, smarts and ability to discern fact from fiction. He actually wants to help.

Maybe you know Steve Caseldine of Citizen Business Bank - another person who will not just slough you off to voice mail...he will return your call and answer your questions.

These are just a few of the many local bankers you might want to visit and trust with your money. Ask questions, have some goals in mind. At least if you have a problem, they LIVE here and you can probably see them at local charity events, Rotary's, Lions Clubs, and softball games. They & their companies also contribute to local events, non-profits and the like -- right here where you live!

ITS YOUR MONEY....put it a local bank!!! WATCH WHAT HAPPENS!! 

Do you know any other local bankers or bank associates who you want to recommend? "Share" & "like" --- it matters.

Laughter..the BEST medicine...

The Press Enterprise (9/26/12) had a question to a columnist who writes about employment issues, which gave me a HUGE Laugh Out Loud moment ! Really, it's Jon Stewart, Colbert Report,  funny...

So the person asks: "My boss recently called me in for a review (consult) about my being late for work. Now, the writer complains, my boss watches me very carefully, all the time, and I don't like it." 

NOW, the employee, who has been negatively reviewed for being late....frequently....asks the question no one would ever expect:

'Why should I be punished for my poor time management skills?'

Have you stopped laughing yet? Thank you Press Enterprise for a soul lightening moment! There's a reality show here somewhere.

It's better when you grow your own..or build your own

Think only the "BIG BOX" home improvement stores can help you with that patio, garden, lawn, and gravel or stone work? ... Well here's the LOCAL company that is 4th generation and can make your life not only simpler, but your project easier - or your yard more beautiful. Since 1929...we've been in the building materials business... and we know our stuff. Come on by...let's talk. I bet we can help...and we DELIVER! Whether you need to make a vertical garden or a water conscious stone walkway - we can make it happen for you. Plus...local business is business that cares about your satisfaction.

When you gotta have it....WE GOT IT

Think only the "BIG BOX" home improvement stores can help you with that patio, garden, lawn, and gravel or stone work? ... Well here's the LOCAL company that is 4th generation and can make your life not only simpler, but your project easier - or your yard more beautiful. Since 1929...we've been in the building materials business... and we know our stuff. Come on by...let's talk. I bet we can help...and we DELIVER! Whether you need to make a vertical garden or a water conscious stone walkway - we can make it happen for you. Plus...local business is business that cares about your satisfaction.

Need to "GIT 'er DONE...Fast. Friendly, Focused on YOU!

Tools, Trucks, Cement Mixers - or we can mix it for you. We got you covered. When you need to do a job the right equipment is under our roof... Ready for you. Come on in and we can make the work a little bit easier...after all the right tool for the right job makes it happen.We're here in Norco, CA - Horsetown USA....LOCAL & Ready to serve you!