Congress may actually pass an economic stimulus bill this week, which is good news for the short-term needs of the country. There is no question the economy is tottering, and could easily tip over from recession to depression, so a bill that focuses on saving jobs and creating jobs is desperately needed. The good news is that the bill will definitely help achieve some of those aims. The bad news is that it will lay a crushing debt burden on taxpayers for the future, which can only be addressed if government becomes far more efficient in the use of tax dollars than it has in the past. That could very well force, down the road, what many of us have wanted for years, a smaller, more efficient government. But somehow, that doesn't seem likely. Because Congress hasn't figured out that the model for government is, and should be, changing. And the best example is the stimulus package. Despite billions of dollars in cuts, it still contains way too much pork. And some of the cuts (to make way for that pork) seem to make no sense, such as dropping $40 billion to help keep schools from having to fire teachers. That's counter-productive. The bill is supposed to save or create jobs, not leave them threatened. Both sides of the aisle bear the blame. The Democratic leadership rolled over on way too many pet projects among its members, losing sight of the long-term goal of the bill. And Republicans kept insisting on sticking to the same failed policies of the past, and playing the same old games where personal and party political power carried more weight than the needs of the nation. One GOP leader actually admitted his goal for the bill, and the amendments he introduced, were designed to divide the Democrats and make them look bad. So much for caring about the people of this country. Both parties should be ashamed. It is time for Congress to look up from its myopic and petty party power games, and its proclivity for pork, and look at the desperate state of the nation, focusing solely on programs that stand a good chance of meeting the goal of keeping people working. Making things work should be a bipartisan issue. This bill should be about America, not the Republican or Democratic parties. -- Kelly Everitt

Please shop a little at home

Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 8:12 AM

We're in the heart of the Christmas season and the next few weeks will be critical to local businesses who rely on the seasonal trade traffic for their annual profit margins.

Remember that the people who run these small "Main Street" businesses, and the employees they hire, are your friends and neighbors.

It's easy to run to the mall, or the "big box" retailers, but don't overlook those small little stores tucked away here and there that just may very well offer something truly unique.

Every year, the Chamber or the city's Economic Development Office launch shop local campaigns. Every year, we encourage people to shop local. And every year people run to Boise.

Considering the price of gasoline, and the traffic and the crowds, if you buy anything there you could have gotten here it wasn't worth it.

In Mountain Home, you can get from one side of town to the other in five minutes. You can almost always find a parking spot closer than the long walks through the acres and acres of asphalt at the malls. And when you get to that little store here in town, you'll probably find someone who knows you and is glad to see you, whether you buy anything or not. Old friends saying hi.

Beyond family, the greatest riches in the world are friends. So when you support your friends by shopping locally, you help them, you help the local economy, and every is richer for it in the long run.

Put an effort into shopping locally.

-- Kelly Everitt

Comments

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Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

Buckshot, I agree with Mr. Everitt, in that I would like to think we support Mtn Home Local Shops. I've always tried to do that. I know you do too. But, with things as they are, I have decided (for many reasons) that basically I"M NOT SHOPPING anywhere. There is a plethora of reasons, not the least of, is that i can't afford to ...plain and simple. Strangely, while costs have gone up, my income has remained pretty much the same. I can do that kind of math on my own! LOL

But really, also, not the least of my reasons, is I've also decided my time is of value, so, I"m giving of my time, and my abilities. I"m making gifts, and it's already enriching my life. In the evenings I've enjoyed planning and anticipating, and I hope my 'gifts' are received as they are intended. With Love.

I'm even having a "Sagebrush" Christmas tree/bush this year! And I"m loving it! Just about every minute of it!

The grand children are helping me craft things for our tree and house, and those memories are something we can all treasure for years to come.

So, (I digress) I agree with you both..... the money just isn't enough....

Merry Christmas to you! I enjoy your posts

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Thu, Dec 13, 2012, at 8:19 AM
I remember a sagebrush tree one year. Mom bought a new vacuum cleaner and it had a "flocking gun" accessory. Dad thought it would be cool to flock a sagebrush for a tree. The next year, he made a tree out of different sized tumble weeds (it was sort of a snowman tree) and flocked it. The year after that, it was an old dead sagebrush that he spray painted silver with a color wheel and single color ornament balls.

And we made craft presents, too. I made a wicked pot holder on my hand loom. Actually, I made dozens of them.

But we also shopped the local Western Auto, Demeyer and Sav-On Drugs stores.

Merry Christmas, all.

-- Posted by wh67 on Thu, Dec 13, 2012, at 9:31 AM
Buckshot, you missed the point of Mr. Everitt's post.

By the time you've paid for the gas to get to Boise and spent all that time in the mall and other stores, you have wasted it. You can get the same items around Mountain Home for the same or less than you would on a trip to Boise. The only difference is you'll have to go outside to get to the next store.

-- Posted by lilmissmelmo on Thu, Dec 13, 2012, at 10:57 AM
That's not necessarily true Lilmiss, if he has his day planned and does it all in one trip. If you make several trips to Boise, yes, that could be a waste.

When I go to Boise I take my truck and trailer and make sure i get all my stops done in one trip. It torments me, because I do prefer to spend my money in Mtn Home, and I do when I can, but like Buckshot, I'm determiined to make it stretch as far as possible, and sometimes, that involves a trip to Boise. If the end result is less money out of my acct, that's what has to happen.

And sometimes, I just do without.

We are remodeling our home, and a 100$ here and !00$ there add up fast.

I mean this respectfully to you, but I just want to say, I don't think he missed the point at all.

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Thu, Dec 13, 2012, at 11:25 AM
I envy you the sagebrush Christmas Tree, they make the best ones.

supporting your local businesses is something everyone should consider doing year round. Although, I live in a big city now, I try to shop the local grocery stores that are small and not as convenient as a superstore.

I can remember my sister and I making all the rounds to the shops in Mountain Home. We enjoyed it so much.

I might suggest one more thing, supporting those who are locally selling gently used items at a fraction of the cost. That way we are passing on the pleasure of a gift to yet another individual. I don't think that there is any shame in that.

Times will always be hard for some, but being creative about the season is what makes things fun and inviting. Like having a white elephant party where everyone exchanges a "gift" that didn't quite suit them for another gift.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Thu, Dec 13, 2012, at 11:38 AM
My wife made a pine cone wreath using pine cones we'd gathered along the So. Fk of the Boise below the dam at Anderson. That was over 20 years ago. I'm looking at it right now.

I love that section of the river. Our family has good memories rooted there. From the time our kids were old enough to steer the van, we'd let them take turns behind the wheel driving to the bridge. I'd operate the pedals. They sure got alot of surprised smiles from people when they realized there was a four year old behind the wheel.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Thu, Dec 13, 2012, at 5:15 PM
And government. Lots of government.

-- Posted by wh67 on Fri, Dec 14, 2012, at 8:51 AM
http://americanresearchgroup.com/holiday/

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Fri, Dec 14, 2012, at 10:26 AM
http://pulse.chasepaymentech.com/season_to_date.html

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Fri, Dec 14, 2012, at 10:30 AM
It depends on what your expecatations are for the holidays. Keeping it simple and joyful is one option.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Fri, Dec 14, 2012, at 2:56 PM
I'll have to agree with you Mr. Buckshot that being frugal is the best way to go in times of a poor fiscal forecast. It's been a long time since we started this downward slide and with this administration is will get worse.

As long as I can remember it has been the need for more taxes from the left and more spending. Spending cuts are only good for the left if it involves the military.

We had both father Bush and son Bush spend too much and only encourage the left. At least they liked the military and thought of them as honorable people.

-- Posted by skeeter on Fri, Dec 14, 2012, at 5:04 PM
There is no reason for anyone to think the economy is getting better when very few new jobs have been created, gas and food prices have about doubled in the last four years etc. So you've found some obscure poll that showed Americans are going to spend more on XMas presents this year than in years previous. Wow, that says it all! The economy must be getting better, by george! All I know is everyone I talk to says that they have much less discretionary income than they've ever had and they have cut out most activities they used to enjoy like cable, eating out etc. To me, talking to "real" people in the community gives me a better perspective on how the economy is than reading a link to some obscured national poll. Polls have a way of being skewed and innacurate. Can any of you out there say you've talked to people who say they are actually better off now than a few years ago? Maybe the ones getting the free entitlements will say that but I doubt that anyone else does.

I hope many Mtn Home News subscribers got a chance to read the two editorials in last week's newspapers by Jim Binnell and Doug Traubel. These were two expertly written LOEs that summed up the state of the economy. I guess some people who read these letters would say "more gloom and doom". I say these letters were accurate and realistic predictions of where we're headed.

-- Posted by Second Wind on Fri, Dec 14, 2012, at 6:10 PM
Second Wind: I know everything I buy has gone up in price. I had one of my friends declare bankruptcy this year. He had a business in both Mtn. Home and Boise. Another family, who are friends have sold their business after 40 years.Their reason was the new health care problems that will make it almost impossible to make a living.

I have three engineers in my family, one son, one daughter, and a son in law. They have not had a pay raise in almost four years. I have another son who is also a professional in another field and he has three jobs, but no pay raises.

With real unemployment over 10 percent the monies will not be there for this over spending administration to do anything but break the country.

With projections of 20 to 22 trillion in debt being in the forecast, unemployment that is still going to be what it is now in 2015, foreign countries buying up US land, taxes going up on all people what's to be concerned about?

SW I like the way you write but don't see your comments much. Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas.

-- Posted by skeeter on Sat, Dec 15, 2012, at 7:17 AM
Hi BS I hope you have a prosperous New Year....

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sat, Dec 15, 2012, at 11:08 AM
"Since Inspector Clouseau Buckshot is already calling you, me and Observer, Wayne,..."

OOO, oooo, can I be a Wayne too? Come on everyone else gets to be a Wayne.

-- Posted by Pale Ale on Sat, Dec 15, 2012, at 4:20 PM
Bronco I put it out here before if you want info about Wayne you could email me Crookmaa@aol.com

Observer Very Cleaver lol!

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sat, Dec 15, 2012, at 5:30 PM
Wow! Been out Xmas shopping.

Who's on first?

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Sat, Dec 15, 2012, at 6:40 PM
Skeeter,

Any wonder why I don't comment much on this blog? It's been taken over by idiots (or maybe just one idiot) who have (has) some personal agenda.

Bronco Tommy, Tom IDK Allen, Observer and whatever else your pseudonyms are, whatever you people's beef with Buckshot is, take it somewhere else. I see you've already done that with your own blogspot (that you're pretending is BS61s.). Jeez, you people really need to get a life - you're pathetic.

-- Posted by Second Wind on Sat, Dec 15, 2012, at 6:43 PM
Proxy addresses are used also. Someone can appear to be logging in from a completely different place than they are.

Just thought I'd throw that in to such antics. So ridiculous

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Sat, Dec 15, 2012, at 9:30 PM
"I'm sure the authorities will know exactly what to do with this"

Now that's funny!

Saw bucksshot61 blog. There are only a few degrees of separation between bucksshot's posts on blogspot and buckshot's posts on here.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Sat, Dec 15, 2012, at 10:03 PM
Merry Christmas Buckshot. Good positive attitude

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Sat, Dec 15, 2012, at 10:31 PM
Mr Buckshot: Merry Christmas to you and your family and a Happy New Year.

Second Wind: I'm not sure why you don't post more but from reading what CJW, BS61, and others have written something has been said that is immature and offensive.

I don't know what it is, as most on the left, or those that don't add anything have lost their first amendment rights with me. I just don't read them. I scroll to the end of the blog and read names first and decide who I read and who I don't read. That's just me.

-- Posted by skeeter on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 6:55 AM
You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 9:25 AM
What of that rightwindage fellow? He's a relative newcomer isn't he?

All fragments of one's personality may not necessarily present with identical traits.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 9:45 AM
I expect he's waiting on the authorities in blue helmets to begin enforcing internet discipline, respect and most importantly a single mindset.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 9:52 AM
Good morning BroncoTommy.

The wife (whom I've been married to 25 years longer than the first) and I wrapped up our Christmas shopping yesterday. In our shopping experience (ordeal) we didn't find that prices were out of reach.

We bought a washer and dryer for our son and his family and paid about $200 more for the set than we paid for our washing machine 15 years ago.

Our decisions whether or not to purchase have really been most affected by our confidence in the quality of products. Washers and dryers are durable goods and I have my reservations about the durability of the set we bought; not from any bad experience with the brand we bought, but just based on some other purchases. Kind of a "don't build 'em like they used to" thing.

We bought a pickup in 2000 and another in 2002. Same trucks, it's just that one is bigger than the other. The '02 model has many areas I can see where the manufacturer made changes (deletions) in an effort to save costs. So far so good though.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 10:42 AM
Merry Christmas to you and yours MsMarilyn and all the aka's.

Not to be exclusive in the blessings of the season, Merry Christmas to all the God fearing folk on the blog. You know who you are.

Don't be so stingy with the blessings! What would we be doing at this time of year if God had been so stingy?

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 10:58 AM
re: "get together" ... and it's by another guy named Tom! Creepy!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/100...

That sales tax is a killer.

With regard to internet sales, the legislatures way to level the playing field is to tax internet sales. Makes no sense to me. It seems to me there's no burden on the state at all when it comes to internet sales.

The other son is attending college in Oklahoma. (Oklahoma is OK. Not great, just OK.) I understand their state tax people also expect taxpayers to inform them of their internet purchases (there's a question on the state tax form) so that the taxpayer can pony up the sales tax when they file their state income tax.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 11:49 AM
I've been called Wayne by many people, introduced as Wayne, by people I had known for years, Why I even hunted and fished with a Wayne. Warren ... Wayne, what the hay!

The sudden appearance of the blogsite (and I do believe it's bogus), the comments made by the supposed "owner" and the rude and crude theme are, IMHO, out of character for anything I've ever seen BS61 post.

-- Posted by wh67 on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 12:23 PM
I made sure this link is complete. Sometimes links are truncated when I post them.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021541974

Re: shopping & crowds: My father in law gave my wife a call yesterday. She heard alot of noise in the background and asked him where he was.

He told her he was at the mall, sitting at a table in the food court. My wife was surprised to hear he was at the mall as he'd been sick all week, and his fever had really been getting the best of him, and he had suffered a bit of delirium.

When he told her he was in the mall at the table in the food court, she asked if it was packed, meaning the mall.

He said, "No, there's nobody at this table."

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 12:33 PM
Sounds good to me, Zook.

My second cousin twice removed passed away early this week. He was a rock and roll disc jockey, manager and promoter around the Pacific Northwest for over half a century. His sign off was:

"Keep smiling tiger, it will make everyone wonder what you've been up too".

-- Posted by wh67 on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 1:37 PM
Wow! I've been busy all week and just now catching up on the blogs.

What a bunch of little school girl antics.

I've had my share of blowups, i'll admit but, have usually apologized shortly after. To keep this crap going like this is some of the most childish stuff I have seen on these blogs. And I should know, i've said some pretty childish stuff on here.

Way to go guys. Feels pretty good to put down people over the internet, huh?

I'm surprised yall aren't out kicking kittens too.

-- Posted by KentuckyTransplant on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 1:59 PM
Zook's estimate of 15 alias identities for the mysterious "blogger" may be dramatically understated, but his MO and materials were extremely consistent.

Sign up with a new screen name on Friday evening, after business hours; blast away at most everyone and everything all weekend long (BS61 was a favored target, but a few were exempted); get booted off on Monday mornig, if not before.

Oddly enough, the early weekend posts frequently followed the topic and could at times be relatively reasonable. But sooner or later, the poison penmanship started and it was all downhill from there.

-- Posted by wh67 on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 2:21 PM
It's funny that the "tolerant" left are the ones that are condoning that blogsite and the name calling. The ones, who supposedly, don't name call and insult are the ones who keep it going.

Kind of reminds me of the Chick-fil-A deal. The gays want you to be toloerant of their views and beliefs but, don't give a rats a-- about yours.

Observer, how can anyone take you serious now? BTW, you do know that kids read these blogs also, right? If you don't believe me, just scroll back through some of the archives. Check out the ones about the school levy.

I hope EVERYONE has a Merry Christmas!

PS. Tommy, MsM was wrong. Aside from a restraining order, there is no way to keep Wayne from posting on their site. One can just make up an infinite number of email addresses and come as they please. If MHN gets a little tricky and goes by IP addresses, one could just do ipconfig, release their old IP address, and have a new one.

-- Posted by KentuckyTransplant on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 2:43 PM
MsM, what advice of mine should I take? I don't believe I handed out any advice. And those insults that you say I flung your way, most of the time, came right back at me from you.

Again, read my comment, the part about me, myself, acting childish and having blowups.....

And if I ever made you feel sad or hurt, I'm sorry.

-- Posted by KentuckyTransplant on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 2:48 PM
KT What do you figure I said wrong?

There was something I think I have said wrong which was said about 2 years ago. If you don't catch it I will tell you what it was. I put it out there for a reason, as I was writing that email to Tommy.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 2:51 PM
KT Of coarse I flung insults right back at you. What you think I'm a little old whimpy lady? lol! Nope not me. I had to set my ground a long time ago....

And thank you for saying your sorry! That means a lot to me. And I am sorry for flinging them back at you.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 2:54 PM
Tommy, I'm not labeling you at all. But at some point you have to admit, this all does get a little old. I mean, here we are, complaining about OUR elected officials doing the same crap we are doing. Hahaha, it's kind of funny when you think about it. The people "WE" elected to represent us, are just like us. A bunch of little school girls who can't get along.

Again, you haven't thrown any insults my way so, I won't label or insult you. I value stimulating conversation just as much as the next guy. But, you have to admit, these blogs have turned into a conversation you would hear from the girls cheerleading squad up at Northside High.

-- Posted by KentuckyTransplant on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 2:54 PM
..she said that if Markinson doesn't want to be found, we're not gonna find him. She said I could be Markinson and you wouldn't know it.

v

v

v

Are you Markinson?

v

v

v

No.

v

v

v

I'm not Markinson... that's two down.

v

v

v

Oh yeah, I Shop locally for the most part.

-- Posted by Pale Ale on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 3:59 PM
Congrats MsM on making the "LIST". However, now you are on "DOUBLE SECRET" probation. The "sewing circle" was silent when you were attacked with the rum references. Their collective silence on that and the rape comment by BM.......is ..well...VERY TELLING.

I have not yet been to that new store in town. Do they have any lacy curtains that would look good in...say...a dorm room? I would love to shop local.

-- Posted by Pale Ale on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 5:03 PM
Observer! Stop peering into our souls!

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 5:16 PM
Pale Ale - are you looking for something in any particular color scheme?

http://www.soonersports.com/trads/crimson-creme.html

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 5:25 PM
Couldn't help it. I am a supporter.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 5:25 PM
Zook and Buckshot, Second Wind, CJW, KT, Skeeter, etc.---

Merry Christmas to you and yours. May your respective holidays be filled with love, joy, family and close friends.

I find the recent antics of creating a FAKE website disgusting. It is sad that adults behave this way. At some point, I suspect, the MHN will grow tired of the "sickos" and just pull the plug on the ability to comment. This is a shame, IMHO. At any rate, Zook, if there is a meet up, I would love to do so.

Merry Christmas!

-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Sun, Dec 16, 2012, at 6:51 PM
Hi OM

Merry Christmas to you and your family and the horses.

-- Posted by skeeter on Mon, Dec 17, 2012, at 6:15 AM
Dave,

You have excellent taste in color schemes.

The rest of this thread has turned rather awful. So I'm out.

Merry Christmas everybody. Maybe some decency will be found in your stocking.

-- Posted by lilmissmelmo on Mon, Dec 17, 2012, at 6:45 AM
I've got friends and family that are accurate shots at long distances. If someone sat 1k yards out and shot people, would we call for all long range weapons to be banned? Scopes? Rests? Very powerful air rifles?

Granted, back on the day when the Founding Fathers decided to give us the nod and allow us to pack heat, the heat that was being packed was slow burning, smoky heat.

The Constitution says what it says. We all get a gun. Putting up barriers to the possession of weapons is futile and goes against our natural desire to protect ourselves from danger.

My attitude toward that even extends to permits. Permit my butt. If I want to carry it, I carry it. Having a permit is just one more way for the .gov to be in your tactical vest.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Mon, Dec 17, 2012, at 9:57 AM
And to you Zook Merry Christmas to you and Donna.

I'm sure we will see you up at the store before Christmas. There's always something we need to go up there for. lol!

We had a water leak at our rental house the other day. A pipe in the ground between the water meter and the house broke. It took 5 hours digging to find the broken pike which we hired someone to do. Now I'm waiting for the bill to come in for the repair of the pipe.

Always something with that house, but at least money was spend locally.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Mon, Dec 17, 2012, at 11:19 AM
But an enslaved one will.

-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Mon, Dec 17, 2012, at 6:02 PM
Happy holidays to you guys too - Opinion Missy, Zook, Buckshot, CJW, KT, Jessie, KH gal and skeeter. Hope you all have a good Christmas and New Year. You are voices of reason in an insane world and I thank you for that. If a meet-up is ever arranged, count me in too. It would be an honor to meet any of you. Until then, stay safe and hope for better days. I still believe in the good of this country and know you do too.

-- Posted by Second Wind on Mon, Dec 17, 2012, at 6:47 PM
Would love another meet up. Maybe later the week after Christmas?

Second Wind, thank you very much, & Merry Christmas to you & yours!

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Mon, Dec 17, 2012, at 8:14 PM
SW, if God is good, I am going to make another trip back to ID in April or the end of March.

Merry Christmas to you!

-- Posted by KH Gal on Wed, Dec 26, 2012, at 12:43 PM

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