The Morning Rant

"Every year on April 15th, we're all reminded that the federal tax system in America is completely f*ed up. You know it, I know it, everybody knows it, but few really wants to do anything about it. The purpose of taxation was originally to fund the federal government, but that's not what it is any more. It has become a means by which money is extracted from Americans who do not have political connections and given to those that do. Too many people benefit from the status quo, and even those of us who get only crumbs want to keep getting our crumbs. That's why the tax code is such a byzantine mess: it has become a tool of social engineering and so therefore it has to insure that all the payoffs get made so the complaining will be minimalized. So, what to do? The first thing is to eliminate withholding. Make everyone write a check every quarter, or annually, and stop trying to hide the cost of government from American citizens. Then, move the tax day from April 15th to the second Monday in November - just before whatever elections are being held that year. So you pay your taxes on one day and then you go vote on the next day. That should help everybody stay focused on what's important. Third, *everybody* needs to pay taxes. I am actually no longer a fan of the GOP 'tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts' mantra. I don't care how poor or broke you are, you should pay something. Because just by living and breathing and being above ground in this country, the federal government has to spend money to protect your ass. We've all got skin in this game. And if we want the government to give us stuff, we need to be willing to pay for it. Some of us want the government to just patrol our borders and keep our country secure from foreign threats. Others want it to provide a whole smorgasbord of goods and services. Fine, but if that's what you want, you need to pay for it. So, you may ask, how much tax should poor people pay? Well, I don't know exactly, but they should pay some non-zero amount. Enough to remind them that government isn't free, and the more you want, the more it's going to cost you. And everybody else. And if there is some reason(s) why you can't pay taxes, you shouldn't get to vote. Because it is immoral for the non-payers to be able to vote themselves rich out of the public treasury. You don't get to order up a bunch of free sh* and put it on somebody else's tab. That's just insanity. That crap has got to end. In the old days, when we had no more money, we would have to tell ourselves, 'well, I guess I can't buy any more stuff.' That's the attitude Americans should have when we sit down to pay our taxes every year."

9 Reasons Tax Day Should Be A National Day Of Mourning:https://t.co/EBeoJteCAJ

— OregonMuse (@OregonMuse) April 15, 2019

The Democrat 2020 Presidential Campaign Is Off To A Roaring Start:

Leftists Demand That All Criticisms Of Trump Cease Until He Stops Getting Death Threatshttps://t.co/DLaFbF1Erp

— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) April 15, 2019

Good News:

French Billionaire family pledges over $100m to rebuild #NotreDame. God bless this family and Priez pour Paris. 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 https://t.co/kxyfhBTej0

— Alexander Bruesewitz (@alexbruesewitz) April 16, 2019

(click for bigger cheer)

Who Dis:

For the 'Ettes:

Monday's celebs: Cary Grant/Mae West (She Done Him Wrong) and Rudolph Valentino.

Ooops, forgot last Friday's celebs: Emmylou Harris (who is NOT Crystal Gayle's sister, contrary to what I may have said, heh...) and, of course, Butch and Sundance.

"Sir, That's Not What Al Dente Means..."

Florida man arrested outside Olive Garden after eating pasta belligerently https://t.co/JkFVEHF6yR pic.twitter.com/KbFEb2ZpLO

— FOX 61 (@FOX61News) April 13, 2019

AoSHQ Weekly Prayer List

For submission guidelines and other relevant info, please contact FenelonSpoke, who is managing the prayer list. You can contact her at

fenelon direction 18 circle 'a' gmail dot com

(All one word, no spaces)

If you see a prayer request posted in a thread comment, feel free to copy and paste it and e-mail it to her.

Answered prayer:

Fenelon’s son is doing better. He still has a ways to go, but his dad and I appreciate the prayers and kind words of support.

Fenelon’s congregant “D” now has a job, so thanks so much for the prayers. He still is facing eviction this month and has legal issues. so prayers would still be thankfully received

Updates:

4/4- Emmie’s mother has gone to be with the Lord. Emmie thanks the horde members for their prayers-they felt uplifted by them-and Emmie was grateful to God that they were able to care for her mother at home and that siblings and spouses were able to be with her when she passed. Prayers for comfort and strength for the and friends of Emmie’s mom.

4/14 OldDoginMO’s wife is back in the hospital after her Whipple procedure. There was some sort of problem. Please continue to pray for her for healing and for strength for she and OldDog and their family too

4/14 Jewell’s grandson’s GF, Carmen is continuing to do well and going for rehab for alcohol issues. Jewell’s said we can remove her from the list. Thanks for the prayers

4/14-OldRadarTech had extensive surgery including a “mushroom” to replace end of lower arm and also got thirteen screws and a plate to keep things in place. He appreciates the prayers and aks for prayers for healing for as much use of his arm and hand as possible.

Job Needs:

Kallisto has part-time job. She thanks everybody for prayers. Please continue to pray as she needs a full-time job.

Patrick and his girlfriend Lisa need jobs. Patrick would like a job as a technical writer or editor. Lisa is looking for a job in development or business process engineering roles.

Fenelon is again looking for a PT job and would appreciate prayers

Anonymous Poster needs prayer so that he not lose another job. Also needs peace of mind too as where he works in very noisy.

Continuing requests:

-Prayers for RickL tumor has grown Prayers for complete healing

-Cheribebe asks for “extra prayer boost from horde.” Insurance dragging heels about new chemo treatment and bills are rolling in and finances are snug. Prayers for healing and that situations and insurance may be worked for her benefit.

-Prayers for Slapweasel, Parents have moved in with him. Mom had stroke in June. Dad has dementia and doesn’t know where he is sometimes, Slap is caring for them so he needs prayer as well He also needs a donor for a liver transplant.

-BuckIV need prayer for his sister also has breast cancer which has metastasized to bones. Also, Buck himself asked for prayers that bladder cancer not progress to worse type.

-Renningantx asked for prayers for his uncle Jimmy who had been cancer free for 12 years but aggressive cancer has Prayers for complete healing.

-LadyL asked for prayers for healing for a dear friend, Jean, who has had a recurrence of Mantle Cell Lymphoma, which is an aggressive cancer and hard to treat

-JQ’s father has advanced prostrate cancer and has been having a lot of pain, JQ works full time and so needs to find a place where dad can be cared for.

-prayers of complete healing needed for Nora Elizabeth, great niece of Mrs. Leggy. Nora Elizabeth is a baby has brain tumors and will need a year of chemo at the least

3/6-Notsothoreau asked for prayers for friends’s grandniece ,Zoe who is 7 years old. Zoe had ruptured appendix and colon, but should be able to come home soon with a pic line for medicine. Thanks for prayers so far. Prayer for complete healing for Zoe well as strength for mom who has not left the hospital, dad who used up his sick time and for grandma who has been caring for other three kids.

3/7-Shibumi and Bozo Conservative newly married. Need rough places made smooth so that they can live together.

3/12-TonyPete’s wife is having rheumatology and neurology issues. Praying for a lessening of painful, difficult symptoms and a way forward with doctors.

3/12-NorthernLurker needs money and job. Also asks for prayer in area of new relationships. Niece’s son, Josh, needs healing. Very troubled boy with numerous behavioral issues. Pray also that authorities do what is right for the family.

3/13-Bicentennial Guy, mom and dad’s pug dog is very ill, has returning cancer. Has to be put down next week. Prayers for comfort and strength for his mom and dad and blaster who gave them the pug.

3/13-Josephistan, prayers for mom’s recovery and peace of mind and for strength for Josephistan so he can take care of her.

3/13-Lurker (Christian’s) father-in-law died Monday, March 11 after a battle with prostrate cancer which metasticized. Asked for repose of his soul and comfort for Christian’s wife Karrie and sister Jennie.

3/15-Bete in reflection had pain in neck after shoveling snow. Has cancer and one treatment but has some hope. Prayers for complete healing.

3/16-ibguy asks for prayers for Debbie K., wife of college roommate. She has early onset alsheimer’s. She is not yet 60. Needs prayers for healing.

3/19- Red’s young friend has GI issues. Was having a consultation with doctor on 3/20, probably getting a scope. Needs healing.

3/20-Hrothgar, aging sister-in-law, Elizabeth, failing physically and mentally. He doesn’t have resources to help her. Going day by day. Needs prayer for wisdom and direction for help for sister-in-law.

3/20-current-Prayers for people in NE and South other parts of the US dealing with terrible flooding and storms

3/20 Backwards Boy is having financial issues because of gigs being cancelled. Prayers are much appreciated for that situation.

3/23-Soc_rat_eeze still recovering after colonoscopy. Asked for prayers for clearance of pulmonary embolism, early and successful reversal of colonoscopy, general recovery of strength and fitness. Also, asked for prayers for Mrs. Eeze who is carrying the load while he recovers. Soc_rat_eeze is grateful for all the prayers which he felt were uplifting him.

3/26-Blaster asks for prayers for his 17 year old son and 13 year old daughter who are depressed, anxious, and not doing well in school Blaster’s son won’t talk to him. For healing and help for Blaster and children. UPDATE-Blaster’s son has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital for suicidal ideation and self harm but Blaster has been able to speak with him, Prayers for complete healing for his son.

3/31-Sock Monkey’s dad went to be with the Lord on March 22 after suffering from advanced Alzheimers. Sock Monkey wanted to thank the horde for their prayers. Please keep Sock Monkey’s family and friends in prayer for comfort after their loss.

4/2-Lurker Terri asked for prayer for her cousin’s adult son, DE, who has a condition called crypto for the last 6 months and has not responded to treatment. Can’t eat regular food and has been in the hospital. Prayers for healing for DE and peace for understandably distraught mom.

4/3-Prayers asked for Jane D’oh’s dear friend, SU. SU is dying after fighting years of various forms of cancer. Requested in-home hospice care and quit medications. Wants to die peacefully and as painlessly as possible. Prayers for peaceful passing and comfort for family, friends, church, and community. Also Jane asked for prayers for strength as she will be responsible for a number of big events (funeral receptions, Easter preparations and taking in friends for visits) and it all seems to be happening at the about the same time

4/7-Aviator is in hospital with blood pressure and other issues. Please pray for complete healing

4/8-Poster “Rarity” asked for prayers for her friend’s young adult daughter who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Surgery to remove it was unsuccessful and now additional tumor was found in lung, Prayers for healing and that family and friends be able to fight this.

4/10-Kitsabass’ stepdaughter had emergency appendectomy. Within a week Mrs. Kitsabass had to go to the emergency room for kidney stones. Needed surgery for parathyroid issues and has used up annual and sick leave. Prayers for healing and rough places made smooth.

4/10-Elisabeth G’s ulcerative colitis has worsened after food poisoning last fall, which has exacerbated other chronic health conditions. Also landlady has accepted offer on house Elisabeth is living in. Needs housing financing for something she can afford because she is only able to work part time teaching and writing and editing because of health conditions. Is under a lot of stress. Prayers for healing and that rough places be made smooth

4/16-Fenelon asks prayers for Karen, the daughter of a retired clergyman friend of hers. Karen-in her 30’s has a lump and pain in breast and is scheduled for a mammogram Thursday, 4/18.

4/17-Anon y mouse reports that Ms. Mouse has high BP related to cyst on kidney, pressure on kidney and adrenal glands. Also has arrhythmia. Doctor is very concerned and they have an appointment today. Prayers for skill and wisdom for doctor. And healing.

Wednesdays are days in which mothers in the horde and anyone else says special prayers for children of horde members. Please include the grandchildren as well.

Please note; Prayer requests are generally removed after five weeks or so unless I receive an update. This in NOT because we don’t care; It’s simply because of lack of space. Updates as well as thanks for answered prayer and new prayer requests are always welcomed.

Please feel free to copy requests which you see on the board and send them to me. I am unable to be on the board all the time, even though it seems like I am, and so if people don’t tell me about prayer requests I may have no way of knowing. Thx and God bless!

FenelonDirection18 at gmail dot com

Please remember the Prayer of St. Francis:

http://www.prayerguide.org.uk/stfrancis.htm

Today's Edition Of The Morning Rant Is Brought To You By Cinnabon:

posted by OregonMuse at 11:18 AM

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