Three stories about being financially prudent

Story #1:

So, I read that not only did Mike Lee sell his million dollar house after he was elected because he suddenly realized he would have to live on a Senator's salary for the next six years (you think that would be a consideration when deciding to run), but now it turns out that he is renting a house in the same neighborhood from the guy who bought his house.

No, you would think that if his family couldn't afford the mortgage, they might consider renting in a cheaper part of town.  Or maybe buying a new house in a cheaper part of town.  After all, Mike Lee is bringing home $174,000 a year.  Surely he could afford a home.  Seems like the financially prudent thing to do.  Then again, like I said earlier, it seems like making sure you can live on only $174,000 is something to consider BEFORE running for office.  THAT seems like the financially prudent thing to do.

Story #2

Senator Mike Lee, an expert in living financially prudently, wants to make sure we cut government programs to fund relief efforts in Oklahoma.

You know, cut programs that help people to pay for helping other people.

Heaven forbid we make companies pay their fair share of taxes.  Or the rich. Or, end subsidies for corporations making record profits.

But, that's another story, I guess.

Story #3

Man quits part time job.

Well, really, the story is about how West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder is not seeking re-election.  So, it's like he's turning in his two-weeks notice seven months early.

Mayor Winder says he is leaving not because of all the problems happening in his city, but because he needs a job that pays better. 

Mind you, this is a part-time job that pays $35,000 a year.  He also works as a freelance consultant and has written some books.

Oh, it's a part time job that pays $35,000 a year and likely has great health care and other benefits as well.  

All facts that he knew before he ran for the office.  Or should have known.  Or at least considered.  But, I digress.

It's like having a full-time job that pays $16.83 an hour, or double minimum wage.

I work two jobs -- one full time and one part time, and will probably make $30,000 this year, but with no benefits whatsoever.

Maybe I should be Mayor of West Valley.  Too bad I don't live there.

Utahn Tweeting Problems With Haiti Rescue

Sometimes, the reporting from the scene can help the restof us grasp just how bad situation can be. Even if that reporting is 140 characters or less.

Utah County developer (and owner of the NBADL Utah Flash) Brandt Anderson is traveling with a group of doctors to Haiti,bringing supplies with them. They were unable to get clearance to land in Haiti, so they flew into the Dominican Republic and drove the supplies to Haiti. Well, they tried to. Here's his posts on Twitter from this morning:

*in dominican republic driving to haiti. long trip. plans to fly into port au prince didnt come through.

*In DR. Shocking that aid is not lined up to get into Haiti. We are the only ones on the road. This is the way in and aid is not headed in

*We are close to the border. Almost into Haiti. We are starting to see refugees sleeping in te streets.

*I have spent several hours on the phone because the Dominican Army will not let fuel pass over to Haiti. It is a huge unreported problem.

*Without fuel we cannot power our hospital. I thought it was just us but at the border there are at least 10 furl tankers that can't leave.

*Just crossed into Haiti. The difference is evident.

*The border is a mess Understandable that the DR military wants to keep people out but they should let the aid and fuel pass through

This will be an interesting story to follow.

Greater Love Hath No Man Than This.....

Cave-in kills three rescuers, halts underground effort to reach trapped miners

HUNTINGTON -- A catastrophic failure deep inside central Utah's Crandall Canyon Mine killed three rescue workers and cast grave doubt on whether a rescue mission to find six trapped miners should resume.
Those killed and the six others injured Thursday night were part of a perilous operation to find the missing miners, who were caught in a similar failure 12 days ago. They were burrowing through a rubble-choked tunnel when they were caught in seismic "bump," which can cause the walls of a mine tunnel to implode, at about 6:35 p.m., said Dirk Fillpot, a spokesperson for the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).