For $132,900, I can buy a 29 foot ’07 Wellcraft with Twin 250 Outboards. A couple of thousand more will pay for a 2002 Luhrs 32 with a 330 hp Cummins and 340 gallon fuel tank. Then, I have to think about dockage, maintenance, and operating expenses, etc.
On the other hand, for the same price as the Wellcraft, I can buy an essentially new (04-09 Annual – Prop Time: “0”) Piper Lance II, with a range of 650 nautical miles. Picture and description
Can the plane actually be more practical? Since I know the owner, I know the plane is in excellent condition. Capable of cruising at 175 knots, I can make it to Key West in a little over an hour. Nassau would be an hour and 15 minutes. Jacksonville the same.
Hmmmm…
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Three Reasons Why A National Health Plan Is Doomed
What would an acceptable reduction in medical expense be? 10%? 15%? 50%? Would you be happy if your anesthesiologist reduced his bill from $2,200 to $2,000? What if the surgeon reduced his fee $122 to $1,098? Probably not. Now, if the hospital reduced their invoice $5,390, you would be ecstatic until you discovered that you still owed $48,589.
Clearly, any reduction in medical expenses would be appreciated, but a meaningful reduction for most people would have to approach 50%. Any reduction in medical expenses has to be accompanied by an equal reduction in income for the payee.
According to the US Department of Labor –Bureau of Labor Statistics, as reported in May of 2008, 3,353,110 wage earners with 15 Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Occupations job descriptions earned $288,721,888,800.
http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes_nat.htm#b29-0000
Imagine asking the entire working population of New York City to accept a 50% salary reduction so that your medical expenses will be reduced. Imagine asking those same people to reelect you to office after you made that request of them! Our elected officials have one objective: They want to be reelected. Their chances of achieving that goal are significantly diminished each time one of the legislative acts they endorse fails. It is far more beneficial for them to criticize the efforts of the opposition versus proposing legislation that might not succeed.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Average Effective federal income tax rate in 2005 for healthcare practitioners was 14.1%, plus 6.0% for Social Insurance Taxes, 4.9% for Corporate Income Taxes and 0.5% for Excise Taxes, creating an overall effective tax rate of 25.5%.
Those 3.3 million healthcare workers paid $73.6 billion in federal taxes in 2008. Imagine asking the federal government to take a $36 billion cut in tax revenues!
Finally, much of the cost of medical expense has been directly attributed to the cost of medical malpractice and product liability insurance. Our litigious society provides an opportunity for those who are injured to receive compensation through a circuitous process that incurs enormous legal expense in addition to actual compensatory payments. Clearly, significant reductions in the cost of medical care cannot be accomplished without commensurate changes in the insurance industry and the legal profession.
Clearly, any reduction in medical expenses would be appreciated, but a meaningful reduction for most people would have to approach 50%. Any reduction in medical expenses has to be accompanied by an equal reduction in income for the payee.
According to the US Department of Labor –Bureau of Labor Statistics, as reported in May of 2008, 3,353,110 wage earners with 15 Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Occupations job descriptions earned $288,721,888,800.
http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes_nat.htm#b29-0000
Imagine asking the entire working population of New York City to accept a 50% salary reduction so that your medical expenses will be reduced. Imagine asking those same people to reelect you to office after you made that request of them! Our elected officials have one objective: They want to be reelected. Their chances of achieving that goal are significantly diminished each time one of the legislative acts they endorse fails. It is far more beneficial for them to criticize the efforts of the opposition versus proposing legislation that might not succeed.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Average Effective federal income tax rate in 2005 for healthcare practitioners was 14.1%, plus 6.0% for Social Insurance Taxes, 4.9% for Corporate Income Taxes and 0.5% for Excise Taxes, creating an overall effective tax rate of 25.5%.
Those 3.3 million healthcare workers paid $73.6 billion in federal taxes in 2008. Imagine asking the federal government to take a $36 billion cut in tax revenues!
Finally, much of the cost of medical expense has been directly attributed to the cost of medical malpractice and product liability insurance. Our litigious society provides an opportunity for those who are injured to receive compensation through a circuitous process that incurs enormous legal expense in addition to actual compensatory payments. Clearly, significant reductions in the cost of medical care cannot be accomplished without commensurate changes in the insurance industry and the legal profession.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
An open letter to a Pontiac dealer...
The time has come to reach out to those around us who somehow make our lives more bearable. Our world poses challenges unheard of before. Every person we come in contact with is struggling with either a financial, health, interpersonal, or professional burden of some magnitude. We owe it to those who rise above it all and provide support to us. This is my start:
July 16, 2009
Mr. Carl E. Fischer
Carl’s Buick Pontiac GMC
2445 SE Federal Highway
Stuart, FL 34994
Re: A very singular occurrence
Mr. Fischer,
Nine. Nine Pontiacs have been part of my life over the past 60+ years, along with a number of Oldsmobiles (3), Chevrolets (2), Volvos (3), an Austin Healey 3000, and assorted Plymouths and Fords. One simply cannot own that many vehicles without logging a wealth of encounters with auto dealers on a variety of levels. Add to that several years spent selling and managing property & casualty insurance programs for auto dealers, and one could categorize me as an expert in auto dealer customer relations.
That knowledge and understanding has been thrown out the window. Whether you represent a “new breed” or a very “old breed” of auto dealer, my experience as a customer of Carl’s Buick Pontiac GMC over the past 1 ½ years can only be described as a very singular occurrence. Unlike any other auto dealer I have met, your entire team has shown me levels of professionalism, efficiency, empathy, and respect that were not anticipated.
There are now two places that I actually look forward to visiting: my barbershop and your automobile dealership. We all know that these are incredibly difficult times. Everyone is carrying personal and professional burdens that are immeasurable. Somehow, your staff has found a way to not only move above those challenges but to also assist me in achieving a similar result.
I would like to recognize Bob Lloyd today in particular. Bob’s integrity is an enormous value to your organization. I trust Bob with the care of my remaining two Pontiacs (an ‘06 Solstice and my G8 GXP). Actually, after shopping across the country for a GXP, my decision to buy from you was made on the basis of my anticipated experience with your Service Department and more specifically with Bob.
Mr. Fischer, the joy of auto ownership has been restored by the quality of the product and the support of your staff. It’s an awesome experience! I am deeply grateful.
Sincerely,
July 16, 2009
Mr. Carl E. Fischer
Carl’s Buick Pontiac GMC
2445 SE Federal Highway
Stuart, FL 34994
Re: A very singular occurrence
Mr. Fischer,
Nine. Nine Pontiacs have been part of my life over the past 60+ years, along with a number of Oldsmobiles (3), Chevrolets (2), Volvos (3), an Austin Healey 3000, and assorted Plymouths and Fords. One simply cannot own that many vehicles without logging a wealth of encounters with auto dealers on a variety of levels. Add to that several years spent selling and managing property & casualty insurance programs for auto dealers, and one could categorize me as an expert in auto dealer customer relations.
That knowledge and understanding has been thrown out the window. Whether you represent a “new breed” or a very “old breed” of auto dealer, my experience as a customer of Carl’s Buick Pontiac GMC over the past 1 ½ years can only be described as a very singular occurrence. Unlike any other auto dealer I have met, your entire team has shown me levels of professionalism, efficiency, empathy, and respect that were not anticipated.
There are now two places that I actually look forward to visiting: my barbershop and your automobile dealership. We all know that these are incredibly difficult times. Everyone is carrying personal and professional burdens that are immeasurable. Somehow, your staff has found a way to not only move above those challenges but to also assist me in achieving a similar result.
I would like to recognize Bob Lloyd today in particular. Bob’s integrity is an enormous value to your organization. I trust Bob with the care of my remaining two Pontiacs (an ‘06 Solstice and my G8 GXP). Actually, after shopping across the country for a GXP, my decision to buy from you was made on the basis of my anticipated experience with your Service Department and more specifically with Bob.
Mr. Fischer, the joy of auto ownership has been restored by the quality of the product and the support of your staff. It’s an awesome experience! I am deeply grateful.
Sincerely,
Monday, June 8, 2009
A Castle :: A Boat :: A Moat :: A Boat in The Moat
Did I mention A Dragon? It's all there. Where, did you say? Nowhere. Well, it seems like nowhere, and it takes forever to get there. You think this is a joke, right? Well, the joke's on you if you're a "Real Florida" buff and haven't visited Solomon's Castle in Ona. Ona, Florida. Well, it's not really in Ona. Ona is the name given to the nearest crossroad.
Solomon, Howard Solomon that is, tells a funny story about why he created a tin-clad castle and filled it with whimsical sculptures crafted from odds and ends he has collected over the past 30+ years. There is a delightful story behind each object he proudly presents during the course of a 45 minute tour. Many of the vignettes pass almost too quickly to catch as he moves from sculpture to montage, from concoction to contraption. By the time you are guided through the Boat in the Moat (restaurant) and into the gift shop by way of the Lily Light House, you realize that the real attraction is a warm, kind-hearted man with a vivid imagination, a self-deprecating style, and a vibrant sense of humor.
Everyone should have the opportunity to meet at least one Howard Solomon in their life. You will be energized by the experience.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Cafe' Copenhagen :: Nordic Cuisine in America
Remember this word: FRIKADELLER
At Cafe Copenhagen in Jupiter, FL these Danish delicacies are created according to a 200+ year old recipe with only the freshest ingredients. Light and tasty, frikadeller is a staple of a true Dane's diet. After a long hard day, we all look forward to the comforts of home, flavorful aromas filling the air, almost musical kitchen sounds ringing in the dinner hour. Our stomachs growl in anticipation of a hearty meal served in a family setting.
Christian Cotton has captured all those images in his friendly restaurant in the Driftwood Plaza on US 1. As owner and chef, the restaurant is a personal statement reflecting his Danish heritage and his years of training in the top restaurants in Copenhagen. More importantly, Christian's outgoing hospitality and attention to detail can be found in every aspect of this peaceful oasis
The food is extraordinary. The menu is extensive. The preparation and presentation is precise, but it's the atmosphere that will bring you back again and again. At Cafe Copenhagen, frikadeller is more, much more than a meatball.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Go Fish!
Fishing, photography, website design, sports, outdoor recreation, travel, you name it. Unless you choose to relegate your life to a darkened room, you will find something on Catch Magazine (http://www.catchmagazine.net) that will entertain you and bring a smile to your face. The quality of the imagery on this website is over the top. The magazine format is perfectly executed and intuitive. Each page presents a different perspective on fly fishing."Published" every other month, there is an abundance of content. I didn't know Snake River Cutthroat's existed until I studied Corey Kruitbosch's photo essay. A website of this caliber shows the true potential of the internet and justifies all the junk you have to wade through on a daily basis. Even the ads are professional and appealing. Perhaps fly fishing will be part of my future.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
It's time to get detailed!
What does it take to get someone to finally acknowledge mortality? That’s what is happening to a lot of baby boomers as they watch their friends and relatives battle debilitating diseases. While most resign themselves to a future filled with limitations, aches and pains, a small but growing group is discovering an exciting fact. Many, if not most, health issues are reversible. Sixty is truly the new thirty.
Now, if I owned a 60 year old something of value – a car, for instance, I would devote a lot of time to making sure the engine purred, all the systems (brakes, electrical, etc.) performed flawlessly, and the appearance was perfect. I would rely upon guidance from experts. It would be impossible to turn it into a show car without the help of a trusted, experienced auto mechanic.
That's Lee Cotton. Lee is a human mechanic. She has the experience necessary to fine tune and polish our bodies. It's no more mysterious than selecting the right motor oil, the right octane for your gas, or the right wiper blades. The terms she uses are unfamiliar, and the process is a little confusing at first, but stop and think about it for a couple of seconds: We put additives in our gasoline to keep the engine clean and improve performance. Doesn't it make sense to do the same with our bodies?
You can probably tell that I'm getting into this. I actually find it interesting. Well, here's Lee's website: http://www.pilatesandyourpalate.com
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