Religion: Pope Francis still moving forward as the most cutting edge and liberal!
And happy Monday to you also, beloved readers! Let’s dive right in…. I am grateful Pope Francis is not slowing down. In December 2013, he won Time Magazine’s Person of the Year –exactly for these types of unprecedented decisions that he’s making. Literally unraveling the colossal knot of which Catholicism has woven into humanity (my opinion after committing a quarter of a century of my life to Roman Catholicism) …thank you Pope Francis for having the courage to change a system that’s long over due.
“Raymond Leo Burke, America’s highest-ranking cardinal at the Vatican, was officially removed from the Vatican’s Supreme Court, and demoted to chaplain of the Knights of Malta, where he will reign with much less responsibility. The ultra-Conservative and anti-gay cardinal, continuously challenges the jurisdiction of Pope Francis, and the Catholic Church’s new receptive stance on homosexuality.”
Fresh out of college at 22 years old, I quickly realized that the field of addictions counselling is a career path that will probably always have much job security, but the flip side is working with that population is incredibly challenging. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), has helped millions of people stop drinking since its inception in 1935. The reason I share this is because AA’s 12 Step Program was written in 1946 and was still being used –unmodified– in the 1990s when I was counselling within that community.
As such, there were many things about the 12 Steps which needed to be updated and changed to reflect the mindset and evolution of humanity which occurred over 50 years, especially the obvious event of WWII that drastically altered our hearts and minds as a collective.
Similarly, Pope Francis recognizes there are many outdated, antiquated, and archaic constructs and doctrines within Catholicism that should be brought up to speed. There’s something to be said for “living” the original messages; however, at the same time, one must accept that the only constant in our world is “change” itself. And to live in contemporary society by dogma from thousands of years ago effectively shoots ourselves in the foot, leaving no room to grow, adapt, and evolve as all species are intended to do –by definition.
Hip hip hooray… hip hip hooray… hip hip hooray! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The world is changing –right before our very eyes. Wake up, people, it’s time for you too to do your part.
Pssst, dear Pope Francis, one last little thing (as I lean over whispering in His ear): Open the vault and reveal all the secrets the Vatican’s been hiding for centuries!!
Politics: Playing with our emotions again by bringing back to the chopping block Social Security
“As a reminder, on the first day of this new Congress, House Republicans passed a rule that prevents Congress from allowing a simple transfer of funds from the retirement part of the Social Security trust fund to the disability part, unless Congress also takes up Social Security ‘reform’ legislation. Interestingly, The White House stated that disability program has a crisis looming in 2016, and that Congress has “a duty to act this year to fix this problem.” (1)
Sadly, in direct opposition to the rule stated above …the new Congress is now considering that “some 11 million people who receive Social Security disability benefits could see their benefits cut by 20% in 2016 and cuts to Social Security retirement benefits for everyone could also be in store.” (2) What in the world is going on? Sirius-ly! How does Congress say one thing, then do the opposite, and expect people to trust them? I guess the truth continues to unravel that Congress seems not to care …about us, about their verbal commitments, about their election promises, nor about integrity. That’s my conclusion: Being hypocritical just comes with the territory as a state representative, huh?
I don’t know about you, but I feel highly suspicious. Besides the obvious problem of saying one thing and doing another, I have some other concerns to highlight. Any time it’s stated that Congress will “fix” something makes me think this is more of Congress’ smoke & mirrors magic trick …of stating they will actually work and get something done but not really (recalling endless stalls and government shutdowns without significant changes in our livelihood).
Another red flag for me is the word “crisis.” If l’ve learned anything from the past 30 years, I’ve learned that media and/or our government uses buzz words to keep us in fear …either completely fabricating situations or exaggerating them to incite the maximum amount of fear possible amongst us. I can only say: “Hold your head up, keep the faith, and feel in your heart that this system they’ve created is unsustainable. It will be over soon!”
1. White House Responds to Republican Attack on Social Security by Joan McCarter. Daily Kos.
2. What Are Republicans After for Social Security? Cuts by Mike Hall. AFL-CIO.
Finance: Should you start an LLC or a corporation?
The primary message of this article is to avoid double taxation (up to 30% on exit fees) by improperly registering your business. It’s suggested to start an LLC and stay that way all the way through, unless you are one of those rare companies which actually go public, then there are other considerations… for another day.
Sticking with our focus, “The largest drawback of corporations versus LLCs is double taxation. In an asset sale of a corporation (acquirers often favor asset sales), the proceeds will be taxed once at the corporate level and then again at the individual level. On the other hand, LLCs offer pass-through taxation which means that the LLC passes gains through to its owners on a tax-free basis and the owners are solely taxed at a personal level.”
You can get creative with your LLC status. “Setting up an intermediate blocker entity allows a venture fund to invest in the blocker corporation, which then invests in the LLC. The blocker will capture and pay corporate taxes on any operating business income from the LLC, ensuring that no UBTI [unrelated business taxable income] ever reaches the limited partners.” If seeking venture capital, be sure to cross your “T’s” and dot your “I’s,” in order to research the best long term route for you and your company!
Don’t Let Venture Capitalists Force You To Convert To A C-Corporation by Ryan Feit. Inc.
While our news is hard to hear at times, please remember that this too shall pass!
We Are All One
Gavin