McDonald's Getting Sued - Toys Cause Obesity

Here's another one that fried my noodles. This nice watch dog group is keeping such a great care of the American public.

They are claiming McDonald's is participating in unfair and deceptive marketing practices because they use toys to entice children to eat a Happy Meal. Well, duh....that's the whole point of a freakin' Happy Meal.

Yes, Tucker gets a Happy Meal...he doesn't eat a Happy Meal every day. We have a Happy Meal as a special treat because they have a toy.

I wish people would just stay the hell out of my life. The government needs to stay out of my business and this watch dog group needs to stay out of my eating habits.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/22/news/companies/CSPI_sues_McDonalds/?iref=NS1

Let me know your thoughts.

Tales from the Tapletts

Afghans Go Missing From Air Force Base

WTF?

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/17/afghan-military-deserters-missing-air-force-base/

You gotta read it to believe it.

Emminent Domain

I can see this story turning very tragic.

http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/06/03/last-stand-battle-against-eminent-domain/

Can't Help But Laugh - Recent Arizona Political Cartoons

Warning: If you are a democrat, don't read any further because you are going to be upset with me that I posted these really funny but anti-democratic stance cartoons and I really don't want to hear from you because I just thought they were funny.

Woman Loses House Over Unpaid Water Bill

Here's a story that fried my cheese this morning. A woman in West Baltimore lost her house when she failed to pay her city water bill of $362.

The mortgage on the house was paid but she wasn't working and incurred a hefty water bill. The city actually sold her $362 debt to investors in a tax sale. A tax sale supposedly helps city governments recoup its losses. Valentine's costs, with legal fees and charges, grew to $3,600. So these investors kicked her to the curb. They say they are working with her but probably wouldn't have if this story never went to press.

What is interesting is the ability of a government to sell a lien on the property. In the old days, 20 years ago, cities would shut your water or utilities off until you paid the balance plus some interest. Now some cities keep it running allowing you to rack up huge bills. The other part of this story is that in Baltimore, these investors and people in the government are being investigated for bid rigging. It looks like Baltimore may be in more trouble than they bargained for.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/18/the-other-foreclosure-men_n_579936.html

Taplett in the News

Even though I promote companies for a living, from time-to-time, I like to promote myself. I recently gave an interview for CBS Money Watch on job negotiations during a down economy. Not only am I mentioned, but they named Tucker as well!

Here is a link to the article. Let me know what you think!

http://moneywatch.bnet.com/career-advice/article/pay-negotiation-how-to-get-a-better-offer-at-your-new-job/420352/?tag=content;col1

Tales From the Tapletts

Waste Management Strike - Are You Freakin' Kiddin' Me?

First, let me state, I don't oppose the Union. They have their time and place (God knows, I loved Norma Ray) but this one just pissed me off.

So the problem is that garbage truck drivers for Waste Management went on strike in the Pacific Northwest yesterday at 10:30 am (Great timing - my garbage gets picked up at 10:30am). I wanted to understand more so I read further. Here are a few of the reasons I found for the strike:

• The company refused to bargain, this is now the third attempt they've had in trying to bargain a fair contract
• Sanitation worker is the fifth most dangerous job
• Waste Management is on a public relations campaign to create labor disputes so that King County and the public perceive the union as being a difficult player.

After this strike is over and the union workers get what they want, drivers will be making close to $110,000 a year (salary +pension+health benefits).

I've been trying to figure out why I'm so mad over this whole deal and it comes down to these guys being so freakin' selfish.

First, it is a down economy. I was out of work for more than a year and would love to have been pulling in these kind of wages. I can't believe they are so ungrateful that they would really risk a strike. The sheer audacity makes me furious.

Second,  the union workers are affecting the general public. Not only is my garbage not being picked up but who in the hell do you think is going to pay for this pay raise they are going to get? I already pay too much for my garbage pick up as it is. And for what? I don't get special treatment, my cans are still all screwed up when I come home. I even found my can turned over in the street (can't officially blame this on WM drivers but I think he was mad when he didn't get a Christmas present).

Third, over a $100K a year for what? The truck does all the work. It is a rare occassion when I see the dude get out. Maybe when cans are too close together or there is extra garbage to throw in the bin. Maybe it's too hard to push a button and make the big arms lift the bucket into the back of the truck. Ohhh, while still sitting on my ass, I push another button and the garbage gets compacted. Ok, I drive to the dump and wait for it...I lift my pinky and hit another button to dump the garbage out. Seriously? Seriously? I am going to raise Tucker to be a Sanitation Engineer. He'd make a great living and wouldn't need to go to college.

I understand that they feel overworked and underpaid but they are not doing anyone any good by being selfish during this economic downturn. There are still thousands of people out of work and people losing their homes every day and they are concerned about making more. Give it up, guys. This just isn't right. Waste Management - fire them all and start over.

Let me know what you think.

Tales from the Tapletts