Enough with the strikes


I’m finding it hard to sympathize with either the UAW or Hollywood strikes. Why? Because they both make crap. When was the last time you watched a great movie or TV show? I’m rewatching 15 year old movies and TV series because everything recent is crap. They’re poorly written and poorly acted. How about UAW cars? Do any GM, Ford or Stellantis cars make the top of any reliability lists? Ford doesn’t even make cars any longer. I have an 8 year old Lincoln MKZ. It has had 6 recalls – 3 serious ones – in the 5 years that I’ve owned it.

If you want more money or benefits, make better products. UAW will argue that it starts with executives and engineers. Really? The guys assembling this crap don’t have any outlets to call out the crap? Please. I spent a long time in manufacturing (not cars). There are opportunities where the people making stuff can help improve the products.

Movies and TV suck. Look at what they did to Star Wars, Star Trek and Indiana Jones. They’ve destroyed other franchises too. Does anyone want to see another superhero movie? Name a funny comedy from the last five years.

I had a new microwave installed yesterday. The guy came in, took out the old one and popped in the new one in about 15 minutes. It was nice – no muss or fuss for me. It was the best $139 that I’ve spent in a long time. He deserves more money because he does great work in a short amount of time.

Know who should strike? Dental Hygienists. They have an essential unappreciated job. Imagine staring into people’s mouths all day long while hunched over. They have to deal with halitosis, biters, screamers, whiners and staring at nose hair all day long. Do you think that the PE firms buying dental practices are going to give them raises?

So make better cars and better art. Yeah, capital has been screwing labor since we financialized everything 40 years ago. It still isn’t an excuse to demand more money for crappy work. Try going back to school and become a dental hygienist. See what real work and talent is like.

6 Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Person | Cracked.com


6 Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Person | Cracked.com.

Cracked.com professes to be a humor site but I see little evidence of humor.  However, they provide a valuable collection of pop culture and current attitudes.  The link above will take you to a vulgar but honest assessment of how to be successful.

 

IRS delays start of tax filing season to January 30


On January 8th, the IRS announced that it was delaying tax filing your 2012 tax return until January 30th.  However, certain forms won’t be available until late February or early March.  This means that most taxpayers can begin to file their 2012 tax returns on January 30th.  However, if you own a business or rental property, you probably won’t be able to file either business or personal returns until March.

How to determine when you can file:

  1. Did you start a business or buy rental property in 2012?  If yes, you can’t file until March;
  2. Did you own a business or rental property in 2012?  If yes, you can’t file until March;
  3. Are you a partner or S Corp shareholder in 2012?  If yes, you can’t file until March.
  4. If you answered no to all three questions, you can probably start filing on January 30th.

Forms 4562 Depreciation and 8582 Passive Activity Losses won’t be ready until late February or early March.  Just about every business and rental property owner uses Form 4562.  If your rental property generates losses, you also use Form 8582.  There are some other delayed forms like Residential Energy Credits ans Qualified Adoption Credits that might keep you from filing until late February.

Leave a comment or email me with any questions if you are unsure as to when you can file.  My clients will also receive a letter with their estimated filing date.