Wednesday, October 1, 2008

HOW MANY ZEROS IN A BILLION???

The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of it's releases.

A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.

D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.

E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

While this thought is still fresh in our brain... let's take a look at New Orleans . It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division.

Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D) is presently asking Congress for 250 BILLION DOLLARS to rebuild New Orleans . Interesting number.. what does it mean?

A. Well... if you are one of the 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, and child) you each get $516,528.

B. Or... if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans , your home gets $1,329,787.

C. Or... if you are a family of four... your family gets $2,066,012.

Washington, D. C <> Are all your calculators broken??

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Servi ce Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State a nd Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago... and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt... We had the largest middle class in the world... and Mom stayed home to raise the kids .. What happened? Can you spell 'politicians!'
We are talking about a billion here. Now, think about 700 billion! I just thought this was really interesting considering what is going on right now with the economy and the bailout.

21 comments:

Sylvia K said...

It's just so overwhelming that it's hard to wrap your mind around it. Then you look at the cost of the Iraq war on top of everything else, we're looking at trillions --not just billions and where do we go from here. I know something has to be done, but I sure hope someone comes up with better answers than I've heard so far. And even those are hard to really comprehend because it's politicians that are doing the talking?????

Margie's Musings said...

I heard on the radio last weekend that is we spent a million dollars a minute, it would take 32 years to spend 700,000,000,000.

Balisha said...

Hi Judy,
I've been trying to wrap my old brain around 700 billion. You did it for me. This was great!
By the way...love your new picture.

Nancy said...

It's mind boggling the amount of our money that the politicians can spend. I heard today that the $700 billion bailout has been increased by $150 million for earmarks to convince the senators to vote for it. When will it all end? That stuff about New Orleans was an eye-opener, too. Thanks...

June Saville said...

Thinking of you all Judy - we are in this together with you - although so far to a lesser degree.
Regards
June in Oz

Kate said...

Oh my word Judy, this situation is mindblowing and the world is so small now that it affects everybody. Lordie, what a world we live in... Cheers, Kate x.

Sweetie said...

Hi Judy, You have certainly given me something to think about. I have never thought about "a billion." The number is phenomenal as it relates to your common sense logic.
Sweetie

Anonymous said...

My goodness--reading those numbers certainly does put all this in perspective. I really have wondered just how Bush came up with that 700 billion dollar figure. I am appalled that so many in Congress were set to pass the bill so easily--I don't expect they knew just where that number came from either. I just wish I could figure out what the truth is in all this--it's all so overwhelming.

Thanks for this thought-provoking and revealing post, Judy.

Jeannie said...

Wow, I feel so poor now!

Thanks for giving me a way to grasp what 700 billion really means. Too bad the politicians won't do that.

Clara....in TN said...

WOW!!! Think how long we would have to work to earn 700 billion. Those numbers blow my mind.

Leigh said...

What a fantastic blog entry! Our government is so messed up. I can't believe that it has gotten to this point. Thanks for putting the 700 billion dollar buy out in perspective. Great post mom!

Leigh

Anonymous said...

Thanks, I needed that!

Charles Lister said...

Great post Mom!

Love,
Rob

Amber Star said...

We got back this afternoon and had a couple of things we HAD to deal with, but that is all for now. I'm still on island time for a few more days.

I'll do the meme you asked me to do when I get a little more back into all this, but for now...well, there is a book calling and my very own bed...oh yes...and it is good to be home too.

Looks like I have a lot to catch up on reading on your blog when I get back...to "work". Hatfields and McCoys...Oh my.

Oh my...Elvis is singing right now on your blog. I love that. It used to annoy me, but I've gotten to really like it so much. I'm glad to be getting to know you, too.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

A thought provoking blog, the money that is spent atthe tax payers expense is mind boggling both in your country and mine.
Thanks for an interesting read.


Yvonne:

Ugich Konitari said...

Judy,

In the US a billion is 1 follwed by 9 zeros (1000 million).

Just be grateful you are not Europe. A biilion there (and even here in India) is 1 fiollowed by 12 zeros (a million million).....

just trying to look for that little ray of sun on a dark cloudy night....

Kelly said...

It is mind straining trying to wrap my brain around the debt right now!! This puts it in perspective very well, sadly so! Can't believe our "leaders" have done this to us!! We sure need a change and soon, no matter who it is!!

Anne and Leigh said...

WOW MOM! Awesome post, it puts it even more into perspective than before!

-Anne

Rachel said...

Our leaders and big greedy companies have gotten us in a mess...big time!

Lilly said...

Great post - I learnt so much. It all comes down to greed doesnt it? Thats a lot of zeros. Politicians are the same all over the world - and bankers moreso.

Jamie Dawn said...

Very interesting information here.
I've not seen this explained anywhere else.
It is mind boggling!
I've about had it with Congress and politicians in general. What a mess they've gotten us in!!!