Everybody's Fall "To Do" List
Everybody’s Fall "To Do" List
In no particular
order, here is a Fall checklist of “things to do” and/or be aware of in the
October 1st time frame. In this period of acorn gathering and inventory for
Winter, one cannot be too organized.
Obamacare begins to
kick-in.
Healthcare markets
begin to offer you a “virtual marketplace,” where those without insurance can
shop for and select their policy. This is a great idea for those without
insurance, as the government and the Internal Revenue Service will fine you if
you remain uncovered. This amount increases each year.
Poor people
especially are encouraged to take advantage of this, especially as fines to them
are waived, and, really, they’re just giving the stuff away.
Oh, and about that
“if you like your plan you can keep it” stuff, many companies with 50+ employees
will drop your plan and choose to pay a minor per-employee fine
instead.
[Exemptions and
waivers from the most insidious impact of the new national healthcare laws are
already enjoyed by your Congress, congressional staff, the military, McDonald’s,
Walmart, and many other savvy “players.”]
Pipes may
freeze
This is at least as
important as the above.
Don’t forget to walk
outside at least long enough to see if you have turned off your outside water
for the season – so the pipes don’t freeze. And then go downstairs to bleed the
water line so there is no residual standing water. Frozen pipes do
burst.
No, this has nothing
at all to do with Maryland’s “Rain Tax.”
Buy your last
guns
By October
1st – at least for Marylanders lucky enough to live under Gov. Martin
O’Malley’s watch – you will have many fundamental firearms rights reduced and
trampled. Buy your last handgun before mandated testing and fees and waiting
periods (some just because Maryland State Police can’t keep pace with more
stringent background checks) begin under law.
You will be in far
better shape going forward if you do. Owners of handguns are “grandfathered”
past some requirements if they are already in the club…
Owners of AR-15 style
(the semi-autos NOT used in the Naval Yard shootings) long-guns, should be sure
to buy one or have it legally transferred before it’s too late. Again, you will
be able to own, but not purchase after October 1, 2013.
How else can we be
prepared to “take it back” should the constitutional need arise?
Check your roof
gutters for blockages
Yes, leaves have been
falling, and birds have been nesting around your roof gutters and drains. Get on
a ladder – or find some illegal immigrants-supported lawn service – to check
this out for you. Ice damming along your roof can cause expansion and splitting
of your open roof gutters, potentially leaking inside your home during the worst
possible of timeframes.
In this case you
would need to hire a drywall company possibly comprised of more illegal workers
(who are NOT entitled to Obamacare so far, by the way...unless they are
poor?).
Double-check what
your government is up to
This is the time of
year that defense contractors typically encourage “wars of choice” and other
folly, especially in the Middle-East. You already know about the Arab Spring –
Egypt, Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc – now beware of Syria.
I just get that
strange sinking feeling (supported by troop movements, moving Navy fleets around
in the Med, and information from prestigious British tabloids) that despite all
the fine international humanitarian work by Russian President Vlad of Putin, we
still want to bomb something (anything?)....well, maybe at least 100 Tomahawk
cruise missiles worth.
Air-launched,
sub-launched, ship-launched, drone-launched. We have this great combo-deal going
now…
And make sure to
check the weather-strips around your doors and windows.
This could save you
hundreds in gas and electricity bills over time.
...Well, you get it.
Lots going on, and if you don’t make a list, and stick to it, some of this may
get by you.
And if so, you’ll be
sorry!
posted by Steven R Berryman at 12:58 PM
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2 comments
