Out of personal experience, I would suggest that if you are in a position to be of assistance to someone who would need it - DO IT. There is no greater gratification than the satisfaction that you have done a good thing.
At the same time I would suggest that if and when you are being a good samaritan, do it willingly and don't expect anything in return.This will prevent disappointment down the road. Most decent people do recognize a good deed and would be at your site if and when needed.
BUT, there are also those who take, take and take but do little or nothing in return. If you come across such a person, don't expect him or her to be available. Being too busy may be one of the so often used excuses. While there are so many honorable people, there are also some shysters.
Talking about shysters - if a person lies to you again and again - write him or her off. Liars usually have bad memories. They tell you different stories at different times. A reasonable measure is to compare the track record of the person who constantly misrepresents his stories. You can save yourself a lot of aggravation by viewing his or her misadventures. Don't waste your time with a loser. If you don't - you wish you had!
Look around, the world is full of good people, don't waste your time on those who are not worth it.
A smile costs nothing, but gives much - it enriches those who receive,
without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of
it lasts forever.
None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it and none is so
poor but that he can be made rich by it.
A smile creates happiness in the house, foresters good will in the Business
and is the countersign of Friendship. It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the
discouraged , sunshine to the sad, and it is natures best antidote for trouble.
Yet, it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen, for it is something
that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired
to give you a smile - give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as
he who has no more to give.
"My time is eternity and is enough to do everything," God said, with a smile.
"What are your questions?"
"What surprises you most about mankind?"
God answered:
"That they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up and then
long to be children again.
"That they lose their health to make money and then lose
their money to restore their health.
"That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such
that they live neither for the present nor the future.
"That they live as if they will never die and they die as if they had never
lived."
After a moment of silence, I asked: "As a parent, what are some of life's
lessons that you would like your children to learn?"
God replied:
"To learn that they cannot make anyone love them. What they can do is to let
themselves be loved. To learn that it takes years to build trust and a few
seconds to destroy it.
"To learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives,
but whom they have in their lives.
"To learn that it is not beneficial to compare themselves to others. All are
judged on their own individual merits, not as a group on a comparison basis.
"To learn that a rich person is not the one who has the most but rather is
one who needs the least.
"To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in persons
we love and that it takes many years to heal them. To learn to forgive by
practicing forgiveness.
"To learn that there are people who love them dearly but simply do not know
how to express or show their feelings.
"To learn that money can buy everything but happiness. To learn that two
people can look at the same thing and see it in a completely different way.
"To learn that a true friend is someone who knows everything about them and
likes them anyway.
"To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others but
that they have to learn to forgive themselves."
I sat there for awhile enjoying the moment. Then I thanked Him for His time
and for all that He has done for me and my family.
"Anytime," he replied. "I'm here 24 hours a day. All you have to do is ask for me and I'll answer."
Let's talk about health concerns. One of the most common so called "Bad Habits" is SMOKING.
Smoking increases the risk of cancer of the lung, larynx, oral cavity, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas, as well as the risks of chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and stroke. Risks are also increased by environmental tobacco smoke when nonsmokers must share the same environment as a smoker. Considering the terrible consequences of inhaling tobacco smoke (among other substances) it is unbelievable that so many people are unwilling to quit this bad habit.
Most people would know by now that the possibility of having a serious illness due to cigarette smoking is great. The question would be then:
Most people at one time or another have bought a new or pre-owned (used)vehicle either from a dealer or from private sources.
Deciding on a Car Dealer could make a big difference. By screening the dealer and the sales personnel one can have a good idea what to expect.
When you approach a sales person of a dealership somehow you may be asked of your name. Even if you avoid giving your name, the dealer can find out your personal date within minutes by checking your license plate.
If you are known to the sales person or give your name, you will find that if you approach any other dealership within the same organization e.g. Ford, Chrysler, GM etc. Chances are the price quoted from the first dealer may already be in the data base. This would mean that your bargaining power is next to nil.
If you are interested in buying a used car - make sure you do that in bright daylight. Check on excessive body damage. Insist on a test drive. Since the possible problems with a used car are too numerous to list, you would be well advised to take the advice of an independent mechanic.
What about the much advertised "SAFETY CHECK". Well, that only pertains to certain parts of the vehicle - more oriented at road safety than the overall condition of the car.
If you decided to buy used, my own experience is that dealing with a small, independent operator is advantages in many ways. I have been dealing with a privately owned garage south of T., ON. and over many years of having repairs done, found this operator to be of the highest integrity.
I can also state that PARKWAY FORD" of Waterloo has my complete trust, both in their quality of service and their integrity in sales. Whatever I had done - some times very difficult repairs on pickups etc. - were performed to my complete satisfaction.
I would suggest that any person thinking of purchasing a vehicle, new or used, from a dealer or privately, should get an excellent pamphlet printed by the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations of the Government of Ontario.
To be well advised and prepared I would suggest that the reader would consult
with the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, 555 Yonge Street,
Toronto, ON M7A 2H6. (check to make sure that the address is correct).
A Broker normally represents the selling person or vendor in Real Estate
transactions
A Sales Person is employed or authorized by a Broker to trade in Real Estate
The procedures of buying and/or selling a property can be complicated. I
would suggest that either party - the buyer and the seller - seek the services
of an experienced Real Estate Lawyer. Just by looking at a contract, one can
appreciate the difficulties which could arise by not taking proper legal advice.
DO NOT EVER AGREE OR DEPEND ON ANY VERBAL PROMISES. Unless in writing and
properly, lawful presented, verbal agreements usually do not stand up in a court
of law. In regard to procuring a mortgage, it would be wise to approach several Banks
or Credit Unions. The rates can vary and even a 1/4% can make a difference in
the monthly payments.
I would suggest to take out insurance for any individualities arising out of a sale of a property.
Most buyers obtain the services of a real estate lawyer which should include the search of the title
of the property.
While it is not common, it has happened that the new purchaser has a nasty surprise to find that his
property is not really his. Problem: The title was not searched and the previous owner was not
verified.
Beware of Bait-and-Switch Deals. Some advertise abnormal low prices. When a
person would choose the low priced item, chances are the Sales person does not
sell that item but switches the customer to a higher priced item.
For many years I tried to support some local merchants. I did not even check
their prices against out of town establishments. One day, I ordered an item from
a local, reputable store. I got a written estimate but the warranty was
misrepresented (One year warranty). I could have bought the exact same item in
K. for $ 70.00 less and would have had a 6 year unrestricted warranty.
That was the last straw. I learned another lesson. I am now asking questions and
I am not supporting any business which is not in Compliance with standards of
decency and honesty.
Watch the Home improvement tactics of those calling at your front door
offering you to repair your roof, your chimney, your foundation etc.
You don't need to wait for someone to knock at your door for these services.
There are many registered and reliable business which do this work and will
offer a warranty. Chances are they will be at your service should you need it.
I had calls and mail offering correspondence courses, investment
opportunities, Stock options and many more. My advice is this:" Protect
yourself". Always deal with reputable businesses, ask questions, have it put
into writing. Compare with other businesses. Check with the Better Business
Bureau.
Slogans: "Buy at whole sale prices", "factory direct", "No middle man" etc.
may not be the true story. Very few people are able to buy at whole sale prices
or direct from the Factory.
If you sign a contract, read every detail carefully. A signed contract is
binding. a change of your mind will not get you out of a signed contract
The following items should be included in every contract:
if you require financing, you should shop around with banks, Credit Unions
and other reliable financial institutions. Find out the total Cost of borrowing
money including interest charges and the time span of the loan. It is vitally
important that you understand all items of the contract.
Money and greed can change their attitude. Those who are nearest and dearest
to us who we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors.
The money that a man has he may loose, it flies away from him, perhaps when
he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of
ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us
honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when
failure settles its cloud upon our selfish world.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, a man's Dog stands by him in prosperity and
in poverty, in health and in sickness.
He will sleep on the cold ground where the wintry winds blow and the snow
drives fiercely. If only he can be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand
that has no food to offer. he will lick the wounds and sores that result from
encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper
master as if he were a prince.
When all other friends desert he remains. When riches take wing and
reputation falls to pieces he is a constant in his love as the sun in its
journey through the heavens. If fortunes drives the master forth an outcast in
the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege
than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his
enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its
embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other
friends pursue their way, there by his grave side will the noble dog be found.
His head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful
and true even to death.
This Senator knew the world and what's in it.
The profession of a shaman has many advantages. It offers high
status with a safe livelihood free of work in the dreary, sweaty
sense. In most societies it offers legal privileges and
immunities not granted to other men. But it is hard to see how
a man who has been given a mandate from on High to spread
tidings of joy to all mankind can be seriously interested in
taking up a collection to pay his salary. It causes one to
suspect that the shaman is on the moral level of any other con
man. But it's lovely work if you can stomach it.
It is amazing how the gas prices are jumping from one minute to the next by
10 cents or even more. It is even more amazing how synchronized this happens. It
would appear that if one station changes the prices all other stations are
following within a short time.
How does that happen? Can anyone explain why this appears to be controlled by
a few? There was a time when one could figure that some stations would be less
(or more). Not anymore, they all change at the same time.
Your input would be welcome.
BUDDHA - Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta.
In regard to the ecological problems we have to admit that we ALL are responsible in varying degrees. We, as consumers, are
part of a society of waste makers. From the manufacturer of goods, down to the distributor, the retailer and to the consumer, we are all to blame for the dire situations we are in. We are putting the blame on big industry but a lot could be done by the individual citizen.
What can we, the little people, do to reverse the down slide? In regard to spending beyond our means, buying merchandize to
keep up with the Neighbors,we could ask ourselves a sensible questions: "Do we need it".
We are being bombarded with advertising to BUY, BUY, BUY. If those who are up to their neck in Credit card debts, would have the courage to cut up their cards and live a sensible life as our forefathers did, most of us would not be in this
predicament A lot of people were lured into buying a home because of attractive mortgage interest rates. A great number of
these people are stressed to the limit with their financial commitments.
In the meantime Billions of Dollars are being paid by Industrial and Commercial Institutions to their top managers. Most of
these bonuses are not earned they are at best obscene in there numbers.
Many citizens of the US and Canada (and other parts of the world) are in financial difficulties. Many are suffering because
they are ill or are otherwise handicapped. But for those who are able bodied and spending BEYOND their means it may be a rude awakening in the not to distant future. No one, not even Governments, can for ever spend more than they earn. People either don't care of can't afford to save any money. Many are stretched to the limit with Mortgage payments, vehicle payments and credit card obligations.
It is not impossible for the economy to slow down. This would automatically bring down the values of properties. This in turn will bring more unemployment and more grave consequences for the thousands and thousands who are having mortgages which exceed the value of their property.
On the other hand, Governments do what they do best inflate the money market which in turn escalates inflation. Very few people know the future, but one thing is almost certain, this life style we are used to, may not last too much longer.
Simple uprightness works in him that confidence which ofttimes wrongs
him, and gives advantage to the subtle, when he rather pities their
faithlessness than repents of his credulity. He hath but one heart, and that lies open to sight; and, were it not for
discretion, he never thinks aught whereof he would avoid a witness. His word is his parchment, and his yea his oath; which he will not violate
for fear or for loss. The mishaps of following events may cause him to blame his
providence, can never cause him to eat his promise: neither saith he, 'This I
saw not,' but, 'This I said.' When he is made his friend's executor, he defrays debts, pays legacies; and
scorneth to gain by orphans or to ransack graves: and therefore will be true to
a dead friend, because he sees him not. All his dealings are square and above the board: he bewrays the fault of what
he sells, and restores the overseen gain of a false reckoning. He esteems a
bribe venomous, though it come gilded over with the colour of gratuity. His cheeks are never stained with the blushes of recantation, neither doth
his tongue falter, to make good a lie with the secret glosses of double or
reserved senses: and when his name is traduced, his innocency bears him out with
courage: then, lo, he goes on the plain way of truth, and will either triumph in
his integrity or suffer with it. His conscience overrules his providence: so as in all things, good or ill, he
respects the nature of the actions, not the sequel. If he sees what he must do,
let God see what shall follow. He never loadeth himself with burdens above his
strength, beyond his will; and once bound, what he can he will do; neither doth
he will but what he can do. His ear is the sanctuary of his absent friend's name, of his present friend's
secret: neither of them can miscarry in his trust. He remembers the wrongs of
his youth, and repays them with that usury which he himself would not take. He
would rather want than borrow, and beg than not pay. His fair conditions are without dissembling: and he loves actions above
words. Finally, he hates falsehood worse than death: he is a faithful client of
truth; no man's enemy; and it is a question, whether more another man's friend
or his own. And if there were no heaven, yet he would be virtuous.
A second rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the minority.
A FIRST rate mind is only happy when it is THINKING!
Dear Ann Landers:
Recently I made out a will. In it I specified that 10% of my estate be set
aside in care for my three dogs if they should outlive me. The rest goes to
charity.
I mentioned this to a friend and she thought I was crazy. Her attitude
surprised me, but it didn't change my mind. I do have relatives, but NOT ONE OF
THEM has given me the loyalty and companionship I get from my Dogs.
I am writing to you for two reasons: First, to remind your readers whose pets
have given them comfort and pleasure over the years to provide for them in case
of death. And second, to ask if you think I am nuts. - Faithful Reader in
Florida.
Dear Faithful: I see nothing nutty about leaving money to ensure that your
pets will be cared for. It makes perfect sense to me.
We are living in an environment of ecological, economical and military upheavals. Our air, our water and our food supply is being downgraded by all kinds of circumstances. It seems that inflation has caused the diminishing of net income for most wage earners. Wars are being waged on several places of this globe. Ask yourself "Are you better off now than 10 years ago?". If you can answer that in the affirmative, you are a lucky person. Most suffer under excess burdens of mortgage, vehicle and credit card obligations.
In regard to the ecological problems we have to admit that we ALL are responsible in varying degrees. We, as consumers, are part of a society of waste makers. From the manufacturer of goods, down to the distributor, the retailer and to the consumer, we are all to blame for the dire situations we are in. We are putting the blame on big industry but a lot could be done by the individual citizen.
What can we, the little people, do to reverse the down slide? In regard to spending beyond our means, buying merchandize to keep up with the Neighbors.We could ask ourselves a sensible questions: "Do we need it".
We are being bombarded with advertising to BUY, BUY, BUY. If those who are up to their neck in Credit card debts, would have the courage to cut up their cards and live a sensible life as our forefathers did, most of us would not be in this predicament A lot of people were lured into buying a home because of attractive mortgage interest rates. A great number of these people are stressed to the limit with their financial commitments.
In the meantime Billions of Dollars are being paid by Industrial and Commercial Institutions to their top managers. Most of these bonuses are not earned, they are at best obscene in there numbers.
For those who are spending BEYOND their means it may be a rude awakening in the not to far future. No one, not even Governments, can for ever continue to spend more than they earn.
For example before "CHRISTMAS" The public is hyped into BUY, BUY, BUY until "drop dead". While we are at the subject of CHRISTMAS, let's examine the true spirit of Christmas.
Any one who takes an interest in history, by reading encyclopedias, serious and factual written documents, will come to the conclusion that "CHRISTMAS" and "NEW YEAR" festivities are going back to the time of "BABYLON". These days of celebrations by people who never heard anything of "CHRISTIANITY" and hundreds of years before "CHRIST" lived, were pagans. It was a great accomplishment of the Catholic Church to adopt this tradition as their own. It fitted into their doctrine. By adoption of these old practices of the pagans, Christianity was more attractive to those who did not (yet) belong to the new religion "CHRISTIANITY".
The celebration of what is now called "CHRISTMAS" predates CHRISTIANITY by at least 4000 years.
The festival of giving presents and merry making was common knowledge to the people of this period.
What is now IRAQ - formerly Mesopotamia - celebrated "NEW YEAR" with several symbolic actions.
Some would make New Years resolutions, others reflected on the past year. A wide variety of mystical believes were used to justify the 12 days of year end and the beginning of the New Year. People indulged in many customs and it is a fact that Mesopotamia could be called the CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION.
This region of the then known world was looked upon as the gospel and slowly the neighboring states imitated the customs of this land. The idea of this kind of FESTIVAL gained acception and spread through Greece to Rome. It also took the road through the Balkans into the heart of Europe. The FESTIVITIES as Mesopotamian's knew it , originating in Babylon, did have great consequences in the future.
The ROMAN EMPIRE, before the CHRISTIAN era, started the year-end festival and the beginning of the New year approx. December 17. December 25. was the shortest day, the sun was at it's lowest ebb. The time was not measured in "MONTHS" but rather by seasons. Festivals, generated by season changes, were supposed to appease the Gods. On December 25. when the sun was standing at it's lowest point in the heavens, the near future would bring longer days. December 25. was the heathen's festivities in workshop of the sun. Approx. March 20. when the sun crosses the celestial equator, day and night are of the same equal length. This was the time the Pagans would celebrate SPRING.
The Winter celebrations did include Bonfires in high places to strengthen the reviving sun in its course. Candles and green wreath were given as presents, the streets were crowded with noisy processions of men and women carrying lighted candles, and public places were decked with flowers and shrubs. The practice of giving and receiving presents was then almost as common as it is now at CHRISTMAS. What we call Christmas spirit is actually the spirit of this old Roman festival. By now, the Kalends of January, the day of the new moon and the first day of the month in the ancient Roman Calendar, was celebrated throughout the ROMAN EMPIRE.
Emperor Aurelian (212? - 275 A.D.) proclaimed Mithraism the official state religion of the ROMAN EMPIRE. Emperor CONSTANTINE adopted CHRISTIANITY as the new RELIGION.
Why and how was the birth of CHRIST getting importance ?
Why was December 25. chosen for this birthday ?
As I have already pointed out in my writings "CHRISTIANITY" very few people knew about Jesus or would be interested in his birthday. Not before the fourth century did the birth of JESUS get any particular attention by the followers of JESUS. By then, the idea to celebrate the birth date of Jesus, got more widespread consideration. The Pagans had their festivals but the Christians did not have anything to compete. December 25. was chosen because it co-incites with the Pagan festival and therefore could attract those who were not involved in this new religion, CHRISTIANITY. When was JESUS born ? I doubt that anyone has the inside knowledge on that one.I would challenge anyone to give a documented date and year.
The contemporary writers of the time of Jesus' birth do not mention him at all. It may be impossible to establish the proper day and year. However, that much is sure, the calendars have been changed and manipulated several times and it would be impossible now to determine the exact date.
Matthew wrote that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea in the days of Herold the king. According to available records Herold died a short time before the Jewish Passover 750 A.U.C.
(Calendar designed by Dionysius Exiguus, a Roman). This would place the birth of Jesus between the years of 748 and 747 A.U.C. , this is 5 or 6 B.C. Some historians even go back as far as
8 B.C.
The season, Jesus was born, could not have been during the winter. There are two reasonable arguments which dispute the birth of Jesus during winter time.
December is cold in Judea, the shepherds would not be out in the open to look after their herds. This is common sense.
You know the old saying : "If you can't fight them , join them". Well, that is exactly what the early Christian community did. Instead of fighting the old established customs of the Pagans, they went ahead and adopted their customs and RENAMED them. That was simple and it surely worked. The Catholic Church managed in taking over the merriment, the greenery, the lights and the gifts from old established patterns and incorporated them for their own purpose.
By choosing December 25. the Catholic Church grasped the opportunity to turn the people away from the pagan observance of the winter solstice to a day of adoration of Christ the lord. She simply made the old heathen Festival of the sun to the birth of Jesus Christ. The church by making the pagan festival also the Fest of the Nativity, "sanctified " it, and thus as Christianity gained ground slowly but surely changed its ancient worship for the material sun into that of the true light of the World.
In order to make the festival appeal to the Pagans the days between December 25. and January 6. were caught up into one "holy" season, with the birth of Christ at the beginning and the coming of the "Three wise men" at the end. The days between Christmas and Epiphany became known as the twelve Nights of Christmas.
The early Christian Church fought intensively the customs of the Pagans, but the old customs could not be uprooted and destroyed. So , the next best thing was for the Christian Church to incorporate some of the festive periods and named them to suit their purpose. The old traditions lived on (and still do today) and in order to make them presentable to their flock they "purified" the "labels" and applied their own. The fact remains that these Heathen contributions to the celebration of the nativity are what make Christmas what it is today.
Lighted candles, evergreens, fruits and nuts, feast and merriment, giving presents - these are the basic pagan principles which the catholic church could not destroy.
The Germans, the Gauls and Britons celebrated December 25. and the Norsemen held Yule feasts between December 25. and january 6., long before anyone heard of Christianity. Exchanging of Gifts and season greetings at or near Christmas began long before the Catholic Church started to incorporate the old customs of the pagans. Gift-giving was an important part of the pagan celebrations. During the first few centuries Christians did not practice the exchange of presents during the Christmas season.
Knowing that Christ was not born on December 25. - what is the excuse of the Christian Religion for celebrating "CHRISTMAS"?
It is not for me to say what anyone should believe. I would refer to individual thinking as a guideline.
Speeding is not the only cause of accidents, but it seems that it is a considerable contribution to injuries and death. I don't even mention the cost factor of repairing or replacing motor vehicles unnecessarily because of driving at high speed.
My wife and I are driving a highway, name it X # Z which is partly 2 lanes and eventually augments into a 4 lane highway. We normally set our Cruise control at approx. 3 - 5 km above the speed limit. On the 2 lane portion of the highway we observe cars and trucks passing an approaching hill (the solid yellow line on their side), with a speed conservatively estimated at 120 km and more.
Driving this highway 4 - 5 times a week this is happening every day without fail. People are annoyed if someone is staying within or a little above the speed limit, they blow their horn, make obscene gestures and pass regardless of risk.
On the 4 lane section of this highway, I have witnessed cars speeding at approx. 150 km and more. (Speed limit is 90km). We have seldom seen a police car. It seems that no one cares.
I offer following ideas:
There was a time when North American Car manufacturers were offering a standard 60,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. That were the good old times. Then slowly, but surely, Ford, GM and Chrysler limited their warranties to the point where a buyer of a vehicle was forced to buy extra "WARRANTY INSURANCE". This insurance is costly and just to cover 80,000 km, bumper to bumper, the cost is approx. $ 1,500.00 CA.
Most people would agree that during the first 100,000 km the odds, that major repairs are necessary, are remote. This means that the dealer/manufacturer is filling their pockets with extra revenue, which rightly should have been their responsibility.They know very well that anything major going wrong with the car or pickup within the first 100,000 km would be a manufacturing problem.
That's not all, in order to prevent premature rusting - not uncommon - one has to invest another $ 500.00 CA for undercoating.
But that is not the end of it yet. Since the paint is of questionable value, the customer is encouraged to buy paint maintenance. This can cost another $ 200.00 CA.
All of this is on top of an already highly inflated consumer price.
IF THE RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE IN THE IVORY TOWERS OF FORD, GM AND CHRYSLER WOULD HAVE LOOKED INTO THE FUTURE INSTEAD INTO THEIR POCKETS (Million dollar bonuses for mediocre performance) things would have turned out a lot different.
If the North American motorists would have gotten good value for their dollars instead of shoddy workmanship (among other items), chances are that none of the Asian Car manufacturers would ever have had the success they are enjoying now.
Last but certainly not least, they woke up to late to the fact that smaller cars were more desirable. They still were building big monsters of cars while the Asian competition had the foresight to appreciate the gas consumption and subsequently the cost of traveling.
The lack of confidence into North American produced vehicles is widespread and it will take many years to recover (if ever).
I, personally, never purchased a foreign made vehicle. Most of my life I went with FORD. I had a lot of problems with RUST , paint peeling off and items which would have been easy preventable. In defense of FORD I have to say that I never burned out a transmission. I never had a defective engine. Of course I always had a big transmission cooler installed and had all my vehicles serviced within the periods required by the manufacturer. I had oil changes done only with the best available oil. I also did not wait until something went terribly wrong, I had minor problems looked after before they got to be big.
I am still a faithful FORD customer and I am dealing with a decent dealership - PARKWAY FORD - in Waterloo, ON. I never had a bad experience with this dealership - both in sales and service.
I sincerely hope that the managements of the US and Canadian Vehicle manufacturers will wake up and smell the coffee.
Some of the comments were phrases as "Spinless politicians" who allow gas prices to rise when the Oil companies make obscene profits.
Politians are not spinless. While they are not intelligent (most of them) they are smart. They know that the memory of the public is very short. Every 4 years they lie to their constituents, promise anything they want to hear, knowing full well that they are in the pockets of big money.
Have you ever seen a retired politician out of a job? Of course not. They are usually in the board rooms of the big corporations for "services rendered"{.
That is what democracy is all about. The majority is always right - yet the majority has been proven to be less educated than the minority. This is why democracy is such a success. It is favored by the big shots knowing full well that the press, being owened by a select clique of the elite, is able at any time to swing the minds of these zombies.
I believe in free neterprise. I do not believe in a dictatorship. But this system which is totally controlled by BIG MONEY, is not democratic. By giving people the privilege of voting every so often for "pre-selected" Politicians, the power of BIG MONEY is equal to dictatorship. Only mentally challenged people would believe that any Government would be working for the interest of the common people. Not so at all. Big industry is getting all the tax breaks being paid for by the working class.
The justice system works the same way. You are literally getting away with Murder if you have the right amount of money, which in turn will buy the best lawyer money can buy. Look at the perverted justic system. A guy who rapes a female gets a very lenient punishment e.g. a few months in jail. A women who steals a lipstick gets 2 years. The difference being the woman could not afford a lawyer.
THERE ARE MANY MERCHANTS WHO DEAL IN GOOD FAITH
But there are also others.....
I had a very unpleasant experience with a Carpet dealer.
I paid hundreds of dollars more than the carpet was worth. I want to make sure
that there is no misunderstanding, it was not his fault that I fell for his
merchandize and his inflated price. It would have been my responsibility to
check quality and prices before I ordered the carpets. I wrote him a letter
which was pleasant and factual. He wrote a letter back which was vulgar and
unjustifiable impolite. I priced carpets of superior quality at several
shops and found that the same quantity were anywhere from $ 400.00 to $ 500.00
less (installed). We needed two more carpets and bought them at an outlet in K.
We learned a lesson. OTHER TRICKS
HAVE IT IN WRITING
UNDERSTAND THE CONTRACT YOU SIGN
If you are getting
repairs done to your home - take additional caution.
(This is an organization one can depend on)
EULOGY ON THE DOG
by George Graham Vest, a former Missouri Senator (1907)
The one that will never abandon him, the one that will never prove
ungrateful or treacherous, is his DOG!
HOLY PEOPLE
GAS PRICES AT THE PUMPS
We are living in an environment of ecological, economical and military upheavals. Our air, our water and our food supply is being downgraded by all kinds of circumstances. It seems that inflation has caused the diminishing of net income for most wage earners. Wars are being waged on several places of this globe. Ask yourself "Am I better off now than 10 years ago?".
If you can answer that in the affirmative, you are a lucky person. Most suffer under excess burdens of mortgage, vehicle and credit card obligations.
THE MOST COMMON ELEMENTS IN THE UNIVERSE ARE HYDROGEN AND STUPIDITY.
A third rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the MAJORITY.
A sober look at an ilusional Celebration
We are living in an environment where making money and time is on the foremost mind of many people. There is hardly a day when we do not hear about horrendous accidents caused by careless drivers. This seems to be a wide spread problem all over North America.
TOYOTA - worlds largest car manufacturer
One would have to ask - How did this happen?. I am sure the experts have all kinds of explanations which may or may not explain the real reasons.
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101 EASY WAYS TO SAY NO
I would love to, but......
Spineless Politicians?
May 20. 07. In one of yesterday's Toronto news papers was a front page editorial in regard to Gasoline prices
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