If you’ve spent any time with numerically gifted people, like you’ll find at Bourke Accounting, you’ll notice that they have one universal commonality: they can’t stomach clutter. Unsurprisingly, detail-oriented bookkeepers and tax preparers can’t help that their meticulous natures cross over to the physical. For example, Bill, our fearless leader, nonchalantly checks out our desks each morning. His subtle assessment goes unnoticed until he asks, offhandedly, if you can remember what the surface of your desk looks like. The mathematically inclined like order, pure and simple.
If, out of the blue, Bourke Accounting experts were forced to downsize to smaller homes, they could easily make the transition. However, this is not the case for most of us (normal) people and sadly, getting good at downsizing fast is just what many across the country are attempting to do right now.
In July, CNBC predicted that the coronavirus could lead to up to 40 million Americans losing their housing – which is four times the amount seen during the Great Recession (CNBC.com). Besides the devastation of losing dream homes, this housing catastrophe is also capable of making the pandemic worse; keeping a strict social distance regiment when moving in with family is difficult. While trading a familiar home for a more affordable, scaled-down version is also difficult, it doesn’t have to be the traumatic experience many expect. Although it may be hard to believe, a move, forced or not, could lead to a better life.
One positive aspect to downsizing is letting go of unneeded items. A lot of us tend to include the same boxes of “treasures” with every move we’ve made since high school – most of the time we never even get around to unpacking these things. When you’re moving, you ought to critically look at this stuff and question if you really need to move it again. For example, reading all of your essays from grade school is fun the first time, but how many times do you need to examine your younger self’s take on Sounder? No one is suggesting that you throw away the quilt your great-grandmother made, but not everything in your boxes has such sentimental value. As Chuck Palahniuk wrote, “The things you own end up owning you. It’s only after you lose everything that you’re free to do anything.”
Another good thing about downsizing is that when you decide to let go of an item, you can then reduce your environmental footprint by donating it to someone in need (Home Builders Insights, Issue 2). Your donation could be the finishing touch on a first apartment or give a needy family a feeling of security and home. Never underestimate the power of a good toaster, guys.
Finally, downsizing offers absolute proof that “things” are just that and nothing more. You are not a blend of high-end appliances. Rather, you are a unique entity that is worth more than the aggregated value of your toys. Downsizing or not, it’s a good idea to go through your closets once a year in order to let go of the past. If you haven’t worn or used something in the last 7 months, chances are that you won’t and you also won’t miss it if it’s gone.
Streamlining your environment, whether by choice or by necessity, is difficult. If you keep a positive outlook and acknowledge that some changes, while hard, can mean favorable outcomes, maybe it won’t seem so bad. We can either stoically hang in there or cry in the corner. As we learned in diapers, tantrums very rarely get anything accomplished.
If you want to see some uncluttered offices, stop by Bourke Accounting. Bourke Accounting reps know that a clean workspace makes work, well, easier. Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers keep things organized so that they always know what’s going on. Talk with a Bourke Accounting pro and see how their love of order can benefit you.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
The television in Bourke Accounting’s waiting room is usually tuned to bucolic forest stream scenes or gently swaying flowers amid rolling fields. However, last week was a little different. Last week, Bourke Accounting’s TV took a break from the peaceful and entered the anxiety-inducing world of election coverage – and whether you voted for That Guy in The White House or The New Guy, we all know that serenity won’t descend on our country anytime soon.
2020 has behaved like a spoiled, ill-mannered high schooler, mean-drunk on a bottle of Boone’s Farm. With each new outrage, we assure ourselves that, while this is bad, at least it can’t get worse…and then we are quickly proven wrong. Although most of us can’t wait to see 2020 in the dust, it seems that this blighted year is ensuring that we all receive our parting gifts.
After every election, there is always a small, but vocal, side that cries “foul.” Whether it’s “hanging chads” or “Russian interference,” we’ve seen groups reluctant to simply admit defeat and move on. Even before this year’s election officially took place, there was fear. Voters on both sides worried that there would be violence at polling facilities and widespread fraud. Thankfully, we showed our better natures and there were only “very isolated and sporadic reports of…intimidation at polling places” (USAToday.com). As far as fraud goes, yes, there were reports of postal carriers dumping ballots. Also, some brainiacs have been charged for trying to vote for their deceased relatives. In normal years, prolonged voter fraud discussions become an irritant and, eventually and finally, background noise. However, in a year like this, continued election litigation and protests could prove dangerous.
In instances where the outcome is very close or the losing side requests it, a vote recount is justified (NCSL.org) and hardly unprecedented. What makes this year different is that That Guy accused Democrats of stealing the vote before the election even happened. Barbara Perry of the University of Virginia points out that we have never seen a losing leader encourage his followers to say that an entire election is fraudulent (MercuryNews.com). In addition, there has never been concern that an ousted president will refuse to leave office.
Obviously, voter fraud allegations must be investigated. America must protect our institutions and uphold the dignity and validity of the election process. However, these procedures should not be dragged out for years and years. When the courts have decided that all is on the level, it can only be hoped that losing is done gracefully. When That Guy concedes, we can only hope that he tells his followers “to stand down.”
The election is important, but we must realize that we have bigger concerns right now. Last Thursday, America saw Coronavirus cases reach to over 121,000 in one day (NPR.org) with no signs of slowing down. Our economy is on shaky ground, to say the least, and we’ll be paying for Corona aid for decades to come. We don’t need armed militias in the streets, chanting debunked conspiracy theories. We don’t need a divided country, only good for shouting accusations at each other. We need to come together as one people. We have a very hard road ahead of us and we will need each other. It’s time to get to work.
Bourke Accounting understands the changes you have experienced this year. Mentally and physically, Bourke Accounting experts realize the stress that you’ve been under. When you get tired of the televised rhetoric, sit down with a Bourke Accounting tax preparer or bookkeeper and make sure your financial needs will never be cause for concern. And don’t worry, we’ve turned off the news and calming beach scenes have returned to our waiting room.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
The way things are going, wouldn’t it be nice to leave the corporate world behind? Have you ever considered buying a little farm, waking to the sound of roosters each morning and filling your days with the good, honest work of teasing a living from the land. Sure, your muscles will ache, but clean dirt is easier to get off of your hands than cyan ink from exploded printer cartridges. If this is your dream, then you’re in luck; not only do Bourke Accounting experts know their way around corporate tax returns, they also know what to do with a farmer’s return.
As with other businesses, farms are eligible for tax breaks. However, if you think you can just start deducting because you have a few rows of corn in your backyard, please believe that the IRS might get curious. The differences between a “hobby” farm and a business farm are actually the same as any other hobby and self-employed business. For example, you have to show that you’re operating your farm in a businesslike manner, you depend on the income from your farming, you change your methods to make the farm more profitable and the farm makes money in some years (Agfax.com). In addition, the IRS expects you to have a business plan, profit and loss statements, “daily activity logs and financial records” (Chubb.com). Obviously, growing and selling some tomatoes after your office job isn’t quite going to meet these standards.
Also like in other businesses, farmers are allowed to deduct expenses. Wages paid for farm workers, utilities, insurance and equipment are all examples of deductible expenses (IRS.gov). In addition, depreciation regarding equipment is also available for farmers. In an odd turn that makes sense, even livestock are depreciable “assets.” According to Beef Magazine, a cow should be considered a “current asset that is not depreciated” until that cow has her first baby. After that, she is “transferred into the breeding stock as a fixed, depreciable asset” (BeefMagazine.com). The University of Nebraska advises that the number of productive years for most cows is between 3-5 years. If a farmer uses five years for each cow, the general depreciation would be “$250 per head per year” (Beef.unl.edu).
Although some rules benefit farmers, there is one that seriously does not. If farmers suffer crop damage or loss, they can receive insurance payments – which is great. However, that money has to be counted as income on tax returns and the farmer still has to pay taxes on it (Money.com). Also, crop disaster payments, given by the federal government, are counted as income, too (Money.com)! It would seem that some rules make hard times even harder.
And then there are rules that can only be described as shady loopholes. Under the Greenbelt Law in Florida, for instance, land used for agricultural activities are taxed “on the current ‘use’ value…versus its development value” (SaundersRealEstate.com). This amounts to much lower property taxes. What land developers (who aren’t quite ready to build or are in the process of building) do is rent a few cows, let them wander around the property and avoid high property taxes (TheAtlantic.com). Walt Disney World has reportedly saved $1.5 million by employing some of the happiest cows on Earth for this purpose (TheAtlantic.com). Unscrupulous developers save about $1 billion a year in property taxes (UnusualInvestments.com) and it’s completely legal.
When you’re ready to quit your 9-5 and live off the land, remember that there are programs and breaks to help. And let’s all keep in mind that, while technology is amazing, we can’t eat computer code. Love to the Farmers!
As we said above, Bourke Accounting tax preparers and bookkeepers know how to handle a farmer’s return. Your Bourke Accounting pros will do everything they can to help make your hard-working fantasy a reality. With a Bourke Accounting expert on your side, all you have to do is keep an eye on the sky and Bourke Accounting will do the rest.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
Even during these chaotic times, The Bourke Accounting Book Club is still reading. Recently, the selection was Sara, Book 1, by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Basically, the premise is that if you put positive vibes out into the world, good things will happen to you. Instead of telling yourself what you don’t want in life, focus on the things you do want and, eventually, “The Law of Attraction” will bring these special gifts to your doorstep in a nicely wrapped package. Finally, we are meant to appreciate things, rather than waste time gloomily mired in the unpleasant.
As far as self-help books go, this one wasn’t too out of control and some of the advice made sense. However, with the 120-year prison sentence of Keith Raniere, founder of NXIVM, we’ve seen how self-help can become very dangerous. Like other ideas that start innocently, Raniere’s teachings didn’t originally focus on sex trafficking and forced labor. One of Raniere’s beliefs revolved around the concept that a person’s “past experiences affect their current decision-making” (Insider.com) and, by following his plan, people could let go of the past and live freely and happily. So, how did a bit of pseudo psychology devolve into women being branded and held against their will?
It could be argued that Raniere was always a narcissistic sociopath who simply had to wait for enough followers to manifest these personality traits on a large scale. While this is most likely the case, his condition was exacerbated by The Cult of Self-Help. Self-improvement is commendable. When we use positive thinking techniques to quit smoking or to motivate us to exercise, we are helping ourselves. However, when we begin to lose ourselves to the whims of others or begin to believe things that don’t make rational sense, that’s where the problem lies.
For example, Esther Hicks of Sara fame doesn’t write her books. No, her books are actually written by “Abraham.” Abraham is a “group consciousness from the non-physical dimension” (Wikipedia.org) who Ms. Hicks is able to channel. For $250, you, too, can attend a workshop and listen to the weird voice coming out of the unassuming, heavily hair sprayed matron. A former member of this group warns that, if your loved ones don’t believe in “Abraham,” you are to stop talking to them because “your past doesn’t matter” (AbrahamHicksFraud.com). In addition, this same member alleges that the group “took over $11K [from her mother] in less than a month for spiritual healing sessions” (AbrahamHicksFraud.com). Well. That’s one way to keep those positive vibes flowing.
At this point, we know that self-help is a lucrative business. Between books, videos and workshops, the self-help industry rakes in about $9.9 billion per year (FreedomofMind.com). When we are graced with a late-night infomercial featuring that old schooler Tony Robbins, it’s easy to see that he’s a happy man. It’s also easy to see why: tickets to his one-day workshops start at $1,095 (Blog.100am.com). While everyone has to make a buck, charging the confused and sick that amount of money is distressing, to say the least.
Whether it’s a 12-step program or an I’m OK-You’re OK scenario, it’s important to keep everything in perspective. To turn a self-help journey into your whole life is dangerous and expensive. Your personality should not exist solely as a reflection of a “guru’s” mindset, no matter how innocuous it appears. Letting self-help get you through a traumatic experience is lovely, but anyone who encourages disowning your family or spending all of your money is not to be trusted.
Although Bourke Accounting’s bookkeepers and tax preparers can certainly help you, they’re not into the brainwashing game. In addition, Bourke Accounting pros will be more than happy to meet your loved ones. Finally, Bourke Accounting experts don’t want all of your money. Financial matters are important, but they shouldn’t take up your life – see a Bourke Accounting rep and let someone else help with the numbers.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
The above meme made the rounds on social media a while back (variations of it still show up, often including threats of rotary phones, as well). After reading it, maybe there’s a little chuckle, a flicker of superiority and perhaps a muttered, “Millennials are useless,” before scrolling on to the next image. Obviously, memes aren’t great examples of intellectual thought and philosophy, but they are solid evidence of popular mindsets. So, what does the above say about all of us?
A few years ago, there were a lot of condescendingly written articles about the growing popularity of “adulting classes.” If you’re unaware, an adulting class is pretty much what it sounds like: young people learning how to function in the world. These classes teach basic skills like “personal finance, cooking, home repair, job interviewing and even etiquette” (Parade.com). One of the first adulting class founders, therapist Rachel Weinstein, noticed that her younger clients were struggling with even the most rudimentary adult requirements. These young people were overwhelmed when trying to manage money or even clean out kitchen pantries (Bloomberg.com). Weinstein started up her class in 2016 and now, the concept is so sought-after that colleges, like UC Berkeley, have to turn kids away from their adulting courses (KTVU.com).
While many laugh at young people for taking a class on how to change a tire, the indictment should be laid at the feet of the elders; it was the responsibility of the older generations to say, “hey, kid, lemme show you how this works.” Clearly, there was a failure in the education of the upcoming generation. Although studies show that Millennials “may be the most educated generation in history” (Study.com), it seems that some pretty important stuff was left out.
When parents pushed their kids to excel at academics, they seemed to have forgotten that not all of life occurs within the classroom. In addition, helicopter parents attempted to “shield their children from the harsh realities of life by doing everything for them” (Parade.com). Rachel Flehinger, principal of the Adulting School, recently attested that parents are still making doctor appointments or calling college professors to contest grades for their Millennial children. Basically, if you never allow a kid to walk, don’t complain when the kid relies on a wheelchair.
Although Millennials aren’t entirely to blame for the flaws of their generation, sometimes they make it easy to shake our collective head in exasperation. For example, Millennials are three times more likely to suffer from narcissistic personality disorder (Time.com). In addition, and maybe as a result of those participation trophies, 40% of Millennials think that, in the working arena, they should be “promoted every two years, regardless of performance” (Time.com). There is no doubt that Millennials really, really like themselves.
Every generation has a problem with the one trailing at its heels. As a Gen Xer, my own people were accused of not caring about anything (we did, we were just taught not to show it) and being too slackerish to make money a priority (as Sinead said, “I do not want what I haven’t got”). Generations don’t happen in vacuums – every other generation has a hand in its creation. So, the next time we laugh at a snotty meme regarding a younger generation, we ought to save some derision for ourselves.
It’s okay if you don’t know how to complete a tax return – your Bourke Accounting tax preparer does! And if you don’t know how to manage your money, your Bourke Accounting expert will be more than happy to give you some pointers. While not as fun as adulting classes, Bourke Accounting can put you on a path to a better financial future and teach you some neat things along the way.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
Although I’ve said it a million times, I’ll say it again: Bourke Accounting is very pet friendly. If my dogs were to get sick, my bosses would allow me time off – without repercussions – to care for them. That’s because Bourke bosses acknowledge that my ill-mannered puppies are family; you will never hear a Bourke boss say, “Get over it. It’s just a dog.”
When we hear a story of animal abuse, most of us cringe. We get angry. We threaten crazily about the things we’d do to the perpetrator if given ten minutes alone. Decent human beings understand that animals are living things with the capacity to feel pain. In addition, most household pets are virtually defenseless and normal people don’t want to intentionally hurt innocent, weaker creatures. Deliberate pet beaters are easily and righteously hated; the lockdown, however, introduced a new strain of offenders. For want of a better term, let’s just call these people the “accidental abusers.”
When people first started getting laid off or working from home amid lockdown, a lot of them had the great idea to adopt a pet. They figured that they’d finally have the time to lavish a pet with training and love. A CNBC report from April told us, with breathless excitement, that shelters were having “a hard time meeting demand” (CNBC.com) from all the would-be adopters. Applications for adoption and animal fostering went up nearly 70% compared to last year and one Chicago animal shelter ran out of animals for the first time ever (CNBC.com). USA Today was equally optimistic when reporting that shelter euthanasia was down 43% as a result of all these pound puppies leaving for their forever homes (USAToday.com).
It certainly seemed like the perfect time to be a shelter animal. But then, amid the happy stories of wagging tails and full bellies, sadder stories started to bleed through. For example, there was the account of the highly esteemed doctor who set his Rottweiler “free” in the suburbs because, without his domestic help, the dog turned out to be a lot of work (DeccanChronicle.com). By September, animal shelters started to see an increase in surrender requests; one animal rescuer stated that the most common reason given for surrendering an animal lately has been that the owners “just don’t have time” (TheJournal.ie).
Just as adoptions went up 70% during lockdown, there was almost a 70% increase in pets surrendered back to shelters by October (TodayFM.com). Apparently, these new dog owners are just now realizing that dogs and blenders are different (well, not too different – both can be returned). While their furry, comfort animals were awesome when working from home, taking morning walks and cleaning up accidents after a long day is obviously too much. There is a reason shelter workers repeat, numerous times, that animals mean a commitment of years.
Unfortunately, it’s not just lazy, impulsive people who are giving up their animals. Shelter employees have seen animals surrendered as a result of escalating numbers of owners experiencing mental illness, poverty, incarceration and drug abuse (Today.com). It’s sad that those who would benefit the most from animals can’t have them.
Caring for animals is good for us; animals have a calming, anti-depressant effect that greatly enriches our lives. We need to work harder to make sure that we deserve these fuzzy, nonjudgmental critters. Animals are people, too, guys.
When you visit your Bourke Accounting bookkeeper or tax preparer, you will be treated better than a shelter dog in his new, forever home. Bourke Accounting reps want to ensure that you’re in a good place both financially and emotionally. Bourke Accounting experts will work hard for you, even if they don’t scratch you behind the ears.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
We learned all about Social Security in elementary school. As a kid, it seemed like a pretty sweet deal: you work hard all your life, you contribute some of your check each week and, years later, Big Daddy Government gives everything back; it sounds like a safety net mixed with a gently forced retirement plan. Although we were taught this stuff, it seems that there is still some confusion regarding the whole concept.
For example, a few months ago, that Guy in the White House ran an ad accusing Joe Biden of “promising your benefits to illegal immigrants” (Politifact.com). Not only has Biden been trying to systematically dismantle Social Security, the ad claims, but he wants to give all of your hard-earned money to ineligible people who haven’t even paid their dues!
It would be a disturbing story – if it were remotely based in reality. In actuality, a vast amount of working illegal immigrants pay into the system without ever seeing a dime of Social Security upon retirement. It goes like this: “many immigrants who aren’t authorized to work in the US buy fake Social Security cards.” Then, the employer takes out tax payments and sends them along. When that number isn’t associated with an actual citizen, the federal government holds onto the taxes and, later, drops the cash into the Social Security trust funds; this money then ends up in the hands of retired Americans. (TheAtlantic.com). In 2010 alone, the payments from falsely documented workers “contributed roughly $12 billion” (TheAtlantic.com) to Social Security.
Another thing we get wrong is thinking that what we put into the system will find its way back to us, in full. The Social Security website promises that benefits are calculated based on your “lifetime earnings” (SSA.gov). That sounds just like what we were taught! Wait, though, what’s that next sentence? The SSA continues (as if that “lifetime earnings” thing never happened) by admitting that they only count the “35 years in which you earned the most” (SSA.gov). Some of us have been working on the books since the age of 16, and if we continue to work until 72, that means that there’s 21 years of payments that just go Poof – lost in the ether. Since more than “three out of five retirees” (Fool.com) depend on Social Security for about half of their income, that missing 21 years would come in handy for a lot of people.
Cavalierly ignoring years of work history freed up plenty of time for the Social Security Administration to write rules for uncommon situations. For example, if you’re responsible for your spouse being the opposite of alive, don’t expect those nice survivor death benefits to appear in your bank account (CNBC.com); you won’t even be eligible for the $255 lump-sum death benefit (CNBC.com)! Minor kids playing Norman Bates with Mom and Dad are likewise banned from receiving survivor benefits (CNBC.com). While this makes senses – bad behavior should never be rewarded – it’s frightening to think how many times the situation came up before guidance finally had to be written.
Social Security is a nice program with limitations. These limitations are to be expected, as the Social Security Administration itself warns that the payments were “never meant to be the only source of income” (SSA.gov) for retirees. Social Security helps, but it’s important to understand exactly what to expect upon leaving the workforce. We can’t depend on a partial program to meet all of our Golden Year needs – it’s up to us to make sound financial choices and save as much as we can for the rainy season.
Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers understand the subtleties of Social Security. Not only can Bourke Accounting pros counsel you on the best time to retire, they can also discuss ways in which to make the transition painless. Talk to a Bourke Accounting expert for advice on what to do now in order to ensure the best retirement ever.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
Considering our current viral interloper, health care and health insurance are more important than ever. We hear reports of parents too afraid of the specter of homelessness to seek medical attention for sick children. Anecdotal stories of entire families struggling through Corona infection, without doctor involvement, have become commonplace. If we didn’t know that health care was important in 2019, 2020 has shown us how devastating being without it can be.
The employers at Bourke Accounting know that healthy workers are productive workers. It’s because of this that Bourke employees are offered decent insurance; besides some copays and deductibles here and there, our insurance is paid 100% by the bosses. All we had to do was sit on our butts and make doctor appointments. Yes, it certainly was the good life. Oh, did you notice the past tense? Recently our insurance premiums went up and Bourke employees were given an option to take some of the financial pressure off of our fearless leaders. Being team players, we all agreed to said option, but now it’s clear that the Devil invented the Fitbit.
Wellness incentives are nothing new in the workplace – perhaps the crew decides to engage in a healthy eating contest or a weight loss competition with the winner getting a day off. Our new Fitbit-adorned incentive is sort of like that, but a lot more intensive. By synching our Fitbits to a certain insurance carrier’s application, we earn points for things like daily workouts and getting enough rest. Oddly, more points are awarded for dental exams and annual physicals than actually getting physical. Theoretically, the premiums get lower as we get healthier; this is, of course, a good thing, as preventative treatment now avoids heartache (and heart attacks) later.
However, this program is not without its drawbacks. In 2018, the West Virginia Public Employee Insurance Agency (PEIA) attempted to force all of its school workers to participate. Anyone who refused was “charged an additional $25 per month, up to a $300 yearly burden” (NewRepublic.com). That’s a pretty big punishment for teachers with close to the lowest salaries in the US. After the teachers and bus drivers went on strike for nine days, the PEIA canceled the contract with the insurance company and found another way to save money.
Another issue with this sort of insurance program is that could prove detrimental. Those with disabilities or eating disorders could end up hurting themselves in order to meet their “goals.” In addition, larger employees might feel discriminated against in the event that they can’t perform the physical challenges (NewRepublic.com). Finally, a study by the American Journal of Managed Care found that there “were no significant changes in clinical measures of health, absenteeism or work performance” (AJMC.com) as a result of these programs. Since those rubrics are the reason for these programs, that’s a bit of bad news.
Most people don’t want to engage in work when they leave the office. Most people don’t want to be tracked like an exotic animal in a nature preserve. These programs are simply intrusive; furthermore, it’s distasteful to have to dance like a trained monkey in order to afford a doctor’s visit. However, needs must when the Devil drives and my Devil-driven Fitbit is telling me it’s time to walk another 25 steps.
Whether voluntarily or in, Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers are on the road to wellness! When you see your Bourke Accounting rep, don’t be surprised if you notice a lot of marching in place. Naturally, you’re welcome to join! However, even with a Fitbit secured, your needs are even more of a priority than 250 steps an hour. Wish us luck, please and thank you…
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
Bourke Accounting has nothing but respect for our postal carriers. We understand that they perform a hard and physically demanding job. We also understand that mail delivery is vital and postal carriers must be held to a higher standard than other types of workers. Americans must be able to trust that the civil servants with the well-muscled calves are accurately distributing documents and packages. Because of the obvious import of the mail, recent incidents are scary, to say the least.
Back in the 1980s, Americans learned a new phrase: Going Postal. This is a gallows humor term to describe an employee who is two steps away from shooting up the office. Sadly, as there was a string of homicidal postal workers who attacked customers and co-workers, the expression was based in reality; between 1970 and 1997, more than 40 people were killed by current or former postal employees (En.Wikipedia.org). Thankfully, this postal practice appears to have declined and we don’t read about Mailman Matt taking his frustrations out on the interns quite so much.
However, while post office violence has gone down, it seems that other avenues for postal maleficence have opened. For example, last week in Louisville, 112 ballots were found in the dumpster outside of a house undergoing renovations (WDRB.com). The carrier has been fired and could face federal charges as a result. In addition, a New Jersey worker has already been charged by federal authorities for ditching about “1,875 pieces of mail…including 99 general election ballots (NewsNationNow.com).” Finally, also last week, two Pennsylvania postal workers have been charged with delay or destruction of mail. If convicted, both men “face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000” (Brehambanner.com). One of the men, Sean Troesch, had been leaving multiple, large garbage bags on the curb for trash pick up for months. When a neighbor discovered that Troesch worked for the postal service, the law was called. After authorities searched the bags – which included 1,311 pieces of political mail – Troesch clearly had no choice but to ‘fess up (Triblive.com).
Generally, these stories haven’t reported the motivations behind the offenses. This could be to minimize fear that postal workers have become politicized, as that Guy in the White House has been squawking about voter fraud for most of the year. However, the Pittsburgh City Paper has reported that Troesch is an avid supporter of QAnon (PghCityPaper.com). QAnon believes that the Guy in the White House is single-handedly fighting baby-eating, pedophilic, Satan-worshipping Democrats. Seriously. While the paper is careful not to equate dumping mail with Troesch’s political affiliations, the implication is fairly obvious.
Unfortunately, there are criminals hiding in every profession. With elections coming up, destruction of mail is an important topic, but it’s not a new one. If you google “Postal carriers who threw away mail,” you’ll see thousands of articles spanning the decades. Sometimes, a bad mail carrier is just lazy and not a political provocateur. For the most part, our postal carriers are hardworking, dedicated people – don’t let a few idiots crush your faith. However, if you still haven’t received your requested ballot, check the status by visiting the Kentucky State Board of Elections at vrsws.sos.ky.gov/VIC/.
Like the best postal workers, Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers are dedicated. Whether it’s snowing or after-hours, Bourke Accounting pros won’t rest until their work is done. In addition, Bourke Accounting experts will never just throw documents out with the trash – Bourke reps answer to you and the IRS and neither enjoy security breaches.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
After watching a vampire movie, do you spend the next hour smiling mysteriously and secretly believing that you would look great in a cape? What about when you view a good old-fashioned bullet, punch-‘em-out, tough guy action flick like The Doorman? Do you walk down the street with a new swagger, just wishing that some bad apple would try some of that bad apple stuff on you?
When you find yourself mildly affected after seeing some little bit of fantasy, you are not alone – many of us find ourselves in the same exact place. For example, The Crow was released over 25 years ago and, every year around Halloween, armies of Eric Dravens can still be seen descending upon bars and parties. If you’ve ever been around someone dressed like this, you’ll have noticed that personalities seem to change slightly with the addition of the Alice Cooper make up: usually gregarious folks become more subdued and voices deepen to octaves much lower than normal. It’s both funny and harmless fun.
But is it possible for someone to become influenced by violent media to the point of criminality? Take, for instance, the 2006 murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart. Cassie Jo was a high school girl stabbed to death by two of her friends, Torey Adamcik and Brian Draper. After watching the teen slasher film, Scream, multiple times, the boys decided that they wanted to engage in homicide, too.. When the boys learned that Cassie Jo would be housesitting alone, they cut the power and played a sick cat and mouse game with the 16-year-old girl before ultimately taking her life (Ranker.com). Both boys cited a desire to be famous, along with admitting that they were heavily influenced by the film.
Through the years, popular media has often been blamed for society’s ills. Perhaps the belief that violent images cause violent behavior can be attributed to psychiatrist Fredric Wertham. In 1948, Wertham began a crusade against comic books. It was his argument that blatant homosexuality and savagery in comics such as Wonder Woman and Batman caused young people to become sexually aggressive criminals. While the people trusted Wertham as a leading authority, it turned out that he had fabricated some of his findings and, at times, outright lied regarding his research (Vox.com).
While it makes sense that continuously wallowing in brutal programming could lead to antisocial acts (thanks, Doc Wertham), legitimate research doesn’t support this. When studying increased violence in PG-13 movies, researchers found that, between 1985 and 2015, “overall rates of murder and violence actually fell” (Consumer.healthday.com). In addition, researchers at the Friedman Brain Institute, using PET brain scanners, discovered that violent images “enhance aggression only in those already prone to it” (NBCnews.com). If you’re a reasonably balanced citizen, watching House of 1000 Corpses will make you question nothing more than how such an awful movie received funding.
Constantly immersing oneself in violent content might cause depression, but it doesn’t cause killers. With that being said, however, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to watch The Princess Bride this week.
Hanging around with Bourke Accounting tax preparers and bookkeepers won’t lead you into a life of crime. However, your Bourke Accounting pro will most certainly influence your financial future for the better. Call now for an appointment with a knowledgeable Bourke Accounting expert and see how much better off you are with Bourke in your corner.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.