I SAVED THIS NATION A 1/4 MILLION DOLLARS OFF THE TOP

Congress meets day after day trying to solve a budget and the answer my friend is right beneath their nose.  Literally, right in front of their face and they can not even see where they can save millions and millions of dollars.  I can see the savings and hopefully this information, although already thought about by many, will start a revolution of sorts.  My solution only begins as such and could go much deeper keeping in mind these are only the department heads and Congress (those making decisions):
President - $400,000
Vice President - $230,700
Senator - $174,000 (@100 Senators: $17,400,000)
Majority Leader - $193,400
Minority Leader - $193,400
Represenative - $174,000 (@435 Represenatives: $75,690,000)
Speaker of the House - $223,500
Majority Leader - $193,400
Minority Leader - $193,400
Secretary of State - $186,600
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture - $177,000
Secretary of Transportation - $199,700
Secretary of Department of Defense - $199,700
Deputy Secretary of Education - $162,000
Secretary of Energy - $152,000
Deputy Secretary of Health & Human Services - $162,000
Secretary of Housing & Urban Development - $193,000
Average Politician: $200,459 (as individual department heads, not including the 100 Senators or 435 Represenatives)
Average American Citizen: $63,091
If the American people would push to reduce these salaries by 25% (including our Senators and Represenatives) you would be amazed at the results and how much we could reduce this national debt crisis that our government keeps speaking of.  We absolutely need to control our special interest groups, we absolutely need to control our spending...but, our government does not need to go after our Soldiers and our education!!  Here you will see that by our quote unquote leaders taking a 25% cut in pay, we would make a great dent in our our current national financial situation.  And keep in mind that these cuts could go much deeper in our spending.
President - $400,000 - 25% = $300,000 saving $100,000
Vice President - $230,700 - 25% = $173,025 saving $57,675
Senator - $174,000 (@100 Senators: $17,400,000) - 25% = $130,500 saving $43,500 (@100 Senators $4,350,000)
Majority Leader - $193,400 - 25% = $145,050 saving $48,350
Minority Leader - $193,400 - 25% = $145,050 saving $48,350
Represenative - $174,000 (@435 Represenatives: $75,690,000) - 25% = $130,500 saving $43,500 (@435 Represenatives $18,922,500)
Speaker of the House - $223,500 - 25% = $167,625 saving $55,875
Majority Leader - $193,400 - 25% = $145,050 saving $48,350
Minority Leader - $193,400 - 25% = $145,050 saving $48,350
Secretary of State - $186,600 - 25% = $139,950 saving $46,650
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture - $177,000 - 25% = $132,750 saving $44,250
Secretary of Transportation - $199,700 - 25% = $149,775 saving $49,925
Secretary of Department of Defense - $199,700 - 25% = $149,775 saving $49,925
Deputy Secretary of Education - $162,000 - 25% = $121,500 saving $40,500
Secretary of Energy - $152,000 - 25% = $114,000 saving $38,000
Deputy Secretary of Health & Human Services - $162,000 - 25% = $121,500 saving $40,500
Secretary of Housing & Urban Development - $193,000 - 25% = $144,750 saving $48,250
New Average Politician:  $150,344 (as individual department heads, not including the 100 Senators or 435 Represenatives)
Average Americon Citizen: $63,091 (STILL!!)
So, if one was to include all the department heads and each individual Congressman...by each one of them taking a 25% cut in pay this country would save....$24,037,450 per year (couting each individual Congressmen). 
Now, how much would this pay and they would still make on average more than 50% of that of the average American.  This is a one quarter of a million dollars!!  Providing this nation keeps our ASS out of any more debt commitments, this could go a long way - especially if this 25% reduction is applied from the top down which would provide for a much greater savings in our national spending!!  CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN!!

PETA - FULL OF FECES (S@#$)

    Hold the boat here you idiotic fanatics. PETA has taken their cause way beyond a useful, meaningful cause. With the current beliefs and ideals of PETA, they have more than outlived their usefulness. They have turned their cause into a cause that follows more closely in lines with the 1940’s Hitler movement. Yes, I refer to their frivolous, idiotic cause to Hitler like in nature as it seems to be controlling and manipulative…well, it doesn’t seem to be - it is. Ask yourself Mr. PETA, what is animal cruelty? Do you really even know? I don’t think you do, let me share with you the legal definition of animal cruelty: “the crime of inflicting physical pain, suffering or death on an animal, usually a tame one, beyond necessity for normal discipline. It can include neglect that is so monstrous (withholding food and water) that the animal has suffered, died or been put in imminent danger of death.”

    Am I saying there are people who are not cruel to their animals? I am not saying that at all. Go after those individuals. Am I saying there are not slaughter houses that are less than humane in their tactics? I am not saying that either. Go after the ones who do prior to slaughter, not all of them. Am I saying there are not tactics used to harvest wool that are not humane? No, I am not saying that either.  Go after the individuals, not the industry. I have read the stories of the Australian wool harvesting. See, the problem with the PETA cause, if that’s what you want to call it, is they stereotype. If one slaughter house uses questionable tactics, they claim “oh, we have to stop cattle from being slaughtered.” A prime example (although not related to beef production) is the production of wool in Australia. Yes, Australian farmers may have gone too far in their production process however, there are many sheep farmers in the world that produce their wool in a very humane manner. But “OH, NO”…by PETA standards, wool production needs to stop. So, let me ask this…it will take a crap load of cotton to replace all that wool. What about those cotton plants? Who is defending the poooooooor cotton plants?

    Now, for a moment let me get on your ignorant, idiotic, twisted band wagon. No more cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, deer, elk, or fish harvested or slaughtered. Whichever the case may be sounds great so you think. Now, the deer are in your front yard eating all your flowers and vegetables (remember I mentioned vegetables).  The pastures are now overflowing with cattle; they are getting out everyday into your yards. The pigs are getting out; remember they are had in litters like dogs and cats. Chickens, well there are now 20 to 30 in every yard and the numbers are growing day by day. Of course there is the same issue with turkey, tame turkey that is. Wild turkeys are now in the same category as deer and elk has joined the category. Fish, well that is a totally different situation. Oh, that’s right you PETA have the solution…control breeding. That works great with domestic animals, but not so well with wild animals which we harvest and I LOVE to eat. Now, wait…we are going to control their breeding through spaying, neutering, or separation - I have a GRAND idea. Let’s control YOUR (PETA members) breeding through the same efforts. We will separate your males from females, and when you cohabitate we will spay and neuter you so that you can’t reproduce (one thing is for sure, it would allow me to focus on other efforts). As you see, I have fallen off the ignorant, idiotic, twisted band wagon and it didn’t take long.

    Now remember the deer I mentioned earlier in your yard eating your vegetables, and PETA has this idiotic notion of everyone going vegetarian. Well, sorry the deer, cows, and pigs have eaten them all. Not to mention, what about the poor vegetables. I love vegetables, but I love meat too!! If you do away with meat, the average human would eat twice as many vegetables - then we would have PETV (People for the Ethical Treatment of Vegetables). A never ending cycle of estranged individuals who have fallen from a tall tree and bumped there head, but I would warn you PETA to not climb to high up that tree as you will have those tree huggers complaining that you broke a branch. While we are on being a vegetarian, let me share this with you “protein is a nutrient that is essential for life. Animal-derived protein such as meat, fish, milk and eggs provides the body with essential amino acids that are required for life, but are not produced by the body and must be eaten. Plant-derived protein such as nuts and beans are considered "incomplete proteins" because they are lacking in one or more of these essential amino acids. Vegans must combine foods carefully to ensure they are consuming all the essential amino acids in the proper proportions--for instance, rice and beans eaten together contain all essential amino acids. Eating quality meat is healthy and fulfills the body's protein requirements.” Now am I going to get this protein from eating nothing from vegetables…I DON’T THINK SO!! So, if you want to eat rice and beans every meal you go right ahead but I can assure you I love beans - but you don’t want to be around me every day.

    In my research for this article I took a couple of items of interest from the PETA website. First were the animal rights. PETA claims that “animals are not ours to eat”, well are we going to let them eat us? And I refer here to non-domesticated animals (deer, elk, coyote, etc.). PETA claims “animals are not ours to wear”, well if we are killing a cow just for the hide I might agree. But, if we slaughter a cow for beef give me the leather belt. PETA claims “animals are not ours to experiment on”, well this is an ongoing issue as with all this other propaganda I have been speaking of.  I am not going to say that I am a big proponent of animal testing, but I am definitely not a proponent of human testing. I got it, all you PETA idiots who have health problems please step forward we are going to test new drugs on you to see if they work. The lesser of two evils here the rat or the human, which will it be?

    Another item of interest was the “Meatless Monday in the Workplace”. I have a better idea “Meatball Monday”, “Turkey Tuesday”, “Wing (Chicken) Wednesday”, “Thigh (Chicken) Thursday”, “Flank Steak Friday”, “Salmon Saturday”, and “All You Can Eat Meat Sunday”.

    In closing I would say that if I ever hear of a PETA rally in my area I will attend. I will show up with my grill and serve steaks, hamburgers, hotdogs, and chicken wearing a leather jacket. I will also say “PETA stay the h@#$ out of woods, let us hunt”, “PETA focus on the inhumane treatment, let the rest be”, and most importantly “get your head out of your South end and get your priorities straight!!” I don’t deserve to have to hear your idiotic bull manure as I am an American and have the right to choose - and I choose to eat beef, deer, pork, chicken, and fish. I have also chosen to reclaim the acronym PETA…it is now PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS.  

A BITE IN THE BUTTE IS BETTER THAN, WELL IT'S NOT

I am unsure where to begin, which is not typical of me as I am a very opinionated person.  I only want to take an approach that will not make me out as a supporter of P.E.T.A., because I am not.  If you imagine a ball field, I am in right field and they would be best to not even be in the ballpark.  However, I do have a point to make - after the past three days I feel very compelled to share this point.  Then I would go hunting, but unfortunately for me the opportunity to go put 100 pounds of meat in the freezer has closed this year.  So, I will search another point to make at a later date…but for today.

If you would allow me this opportunity, I would like to first share a few versus from the Bible.  Once you have read these and then read my points to follow, you will understand that I am not a P.E.T.A. supporter, but I am only making a point that I feel that we should all be aware of as we step out the back door, the front door, the side door, the work door, or any door we may exit as we leave our comfortable, safe abode.

Let me first bring your attention to Jeremiah 7:33, “And the carcasses of this people shall be MEAT FOR THE FOWLS of the heaven, and for the BEASTS OF THE EARTH; and none shall fray them away.”  Next would be Jeremiah 15:3, “And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the DOGS TO TEAR, and the FOWLS OF THE HEAVEN, and the BEASTS OF THE EARTH, to DEVOUR AND DESTROY.”  I would then like to turn your attention to Ezekial 5:17, “So will I send upon you FAMINE AND EVIL BEASTS, and they shall bereave thee; and PESTILENCE and blood shall pass through thee; and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the LORD have spoken it.”  And last would be Leviticus 26:22 which says that “I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate.”  Now there are more referencing animals taking man, but these are just a few that I found in quick research.  I say all this to say this.

In the past 20 to 25 years locusts attacked in Australia, from one side of the continent to other.  Grasshoppers, reported to be 4”, had their way with Central Florida and killer bees attacked a one armed man and three of his children in Mexico, killing the man.  In the Soviet Republic of Georgia killer wasps killed five and hospitalized thirty, while in Massachusetts in 1997 a “pet” rabbit escaped and attacked three adults and a two year old child.

In Canada a homeowner had to be rescued by police after his cat went berserk and trapped him in a bathroom in 2003.  Only two years earlier, again in Canada, a man was hospitalized after being attacked by his cat in 2001.  While in San Francisco a lacrosse coach was killed by a dog and in 2002 a couple said their baby boy was left injured after a fox crept into their house while they slept.  In Nevada a mountain lion broke thru the window of home and then exited threw the same window.

Now in the past three days, I have seen similar incidents on the news.  One day after another.  Two days ago coyotes were coming into a neighborhood, bold enough to even go inside of a store and sit in the aisles.  Yesterday, tigers and elephants attacking those who undoubtedly attacked - oops, I mean moved into - the animals neighborhood, which brings me to a point I will touch on shortly.  And today a Llama, yes a Llama decided that he had enough.

Let me first touch on the point I was going to touch on a few sentences ago.  Reporters continuously report that animals are coming into “our space”.  Easy, hold the boat there Mr. I have no idea what I am talking about reporter!  These animals are not coming into our space!  This reminds me of the American Indian, I suppose they came into our space as well - wrong!  We are in their space.  Let me put it in terms that a 5 year old can understand, you have 200 wooded acres with raccoons, deer, snakes, coyotes, a bobcat or two, and a variety of other animals, you sell this land to a developer and he turns it into a sub-division.  This has punched these animals somewhere else; now how can you tell me they are invading our space…they are only protecting themselves, just as you would protect your family.

My millions and millions of fans have read all of this and by now are more than likely thinking than I am an animal advocate.  Let me assure you of this, you can keep reading and you have no fear - I am still your friend.  I am only bringing you to the realization that nature is getting tired of our s#$% and they are fighting back.

Don't get bit in the butte and Happy Hunting!!

Hicks Mason

CONSPIRACY OF HALLMARK

    Another holiday is upon us, yes holiday and no I didn't get the day off of work either.  I, just as many of you, and just as one my fellow blogger's spent the day with my blushing, beautiful boss.  Well, I wouldn't say that he is really blushing unless I really "t" him off and he is far from beautiful.  But, I can assure you this he feels the love...each and everyday!!
This holiday I speak of is the infamous, everlasting day that we call "Valentine's Day".  This blog surely should have been posted several weeks ago, in hopes that it would be read by the millions and millions of fans and that maybe a few of those millions would ask themselves, why one day?  And they would get on the "wait a minute there" band wagon.  Which if you are not already, it is a wagon worth riding.  Well, sorry if I am late, sorry if you have already spent $69.95 on a something that will die in a week, sorry if you spent $20 on that box of chocolates that you will probably eat 80% of, I have let you down and I will be more proactive in the future.
    Prior to posting this I researched the history of this costly Hallmark tradition and have discovered there is a variety of mythical legends concerning Valentine's Day.  The puzzling fact is that most legends have nothing to do with buying gifts for the one you love.  In fact one deals with a man who continued to conduct marriages against his emperor's rules and he was put to death, another says that Valentine was put to death for helping Christian's escape, some believe that Valentine's Day is in mid-February to celebration the death or burial of Valentine, and yet another...well, you get the point.  There is only one legend that I could found that remotely suggested that a "Valentine" greeting was sent and it was sent from prison.
    So, you see my point.  This is an everlasting effort by first and foremost Hallmark and in close following by Zales, Wal-Mart, Jared's, Sears's (huh, what about tools and lawn mower's), other major retailer's and yes - even the local grocery stores to make another dollar...well, you are not going to get anything for a dollar so let's try a few or a few hundred dollars.
    Now for you naysayers thinking "ahhhh, he's just an old hard butte!!"  No, really I am not!  Let's look at this in another way.  You love your significant other, right?  You love your family, right?  Let me propose this, June the 12th...wait a minute, September the 4th...wait a minute I am busy that day too, how about March the 21st.  My point is, why one day?  Why not everyday?  Buy a single rose here and there.  Treat that special person to a nice supper here and there.  Stop by the store on the way home sporadically and pick up a sweet card just to let them know that...you love them and you care year around.  Walk in the back door and suggest a big hug most days rather than hardly ever and an "I Love You" rather than a "what's for supper" most of the time rather than hardly ever.
    If you get nothing out of this post, get this...let the people that you LOVE know that you LOVE them each and everyday of your life...not that one day in February - you might not be here the 16th day of July and the inevitable (just like taxes) IS NOT going to wait until the day after the 14th of February.
Until next time....send your thought to hicksmason@gmail.com
Hicks Mason 

TAX MY A$%!!

Have you ever offered to pay a company to work for them? "Hey Mr. Company let me come work for you and I will pay you $1.25 an hour."  Of course not!!  Well, that is where income tax takes us.  We are paying for the right to work.  By statistics, we provide up 35% of our hard earned money to the government in income taxes - that relates to giving away money for the privilege to work.
And you think that only 23.5% of your income goes to taxes?  Wrong!!  For the average American I would venture to say that more than 50% of their pay goes to taxes.  Yeah, you paid your income tax for the year...but, you pay sales tax on the groceries you buy, the dinner out that you ate, the gas you buy, the candy bar that you bought, the gift you bought, and anything else that you paid money for.  So, think about this...you paid income taxes on the money you earned and taxes on everything you purchased day and day out.  So, where is you money going - to taxes!!
You remember that "fat free" ham we spoke of last week?  The company that makes the plastic wrap the ham is wrapped in pays taxes, the employees who make the plastic wrap pay income tax, and the company pays taxes to ship the plastic wrap.  The farmer pays tax to sell his hog, the slaughter house pays taxes, the processor pays taxes, and the company that packages said "fat free" ham pays taxes.  Then the buyer pays sales tax...there are several step left out here, but how many times does one slice of ham need to be taxed?
To put this in perspective, think of your car.  You pay taxes when you purchase your vehicle, you pay taxes every year for a tag on your car, you pay taxes every time you change the oil, you pay taxes every time you buy a replacement part, you pay taxes when you buy tires...how many times do you have to pay taxes for one car??
The average person does not think of how often they pay taxes, because it is built in to the price.  Not to mention - you will not get the product if you say "I will pay only the list price, but no tax!!"  But, if as a nation we stood up against this - I am sure we may make some progress!!  We are being taxed to death and don't even know it. 
Think about what was said earlier...if 30% of your income goes to income taxes, what percentage goes to taxes above and beyond in other taxes in day to day life.  I would be willing to bet that we pay at least 50% of our annual income in taxes!!
Hicks Mason

FAT FREE CONSPIRACY

Now, in the 1800's and early in the 1900's "fat free" did not exist. For breakfast "real" bacon, eggs (both the yolks and whites), biscuits (not from a can), sausage (pork, not turkey) gravy (made with real flour and milk), and hashbrowns (from the shredded taters in the pantry) was the norm. Lunch was big and supper might consist of Country Fried Steak, Greens (made with pork fat), Corn Bread (made with lard), and mashed potatoes (made from potatoes out of the pantry or garden).
What has happened? Everytime I turn around in the store I see two words I contest - "fat free". Go get a pack of ham...it takes an act to find a pack that is not "fat free". Yogurt, "fat free"...what the @#$% - yogurt doesn't have any fat to begin with. Milk...whatever happened to good old fashioned milk? Oh no, we have milk watered down, milk more watered down, milk more watered down and fat free. I think it relates to minus 10% milk...now, where is the nutrition in that. What? Fat free bacon...what the @#$%!!! And what is with the turkey thing? Turkey is meant to be 25 pounds and roasted in the oven, not made into bacon, this, that, and the other. For some reason that brings me to sour cream, "fat free" sour cream - what the @#$%? And don't even get me started on sausage!! I was in the store and saw "fat free" sausage...now, that is unnatural and definately not American!!
Which for some reason brings me to another point...."fat free" cookies, candies, and crackers. I really don't see the point in these items. If you can enlighten me...please do. Hmmmm, I want a good old chocolate chip cookie...but, it can't have any fat in it - what the @#$%?
I have a grand idea. If you don't want fat in your diet - eat a salad!!! Don't punish the rest of the world that wants to be normal!!! And if you don't want to eat just salads, but you think you are getting to much fat in your diet (that means you think you are getting fat) - try this novel concept...excercise. I for one don't need to suffer for the lack of fat due to lack of effort to get off of your fat @#$ and excercise.
Hicks Mason