Crabby Fat Guy

Can anyone explain the president’s logic in wanting to reduce the tax benefits (effectively killing) 529 college savings plans and at the same time wanting to have taxpayers pay for community college to anyone that wants it? 

Is there a war on self reliance?

Fortunately, there was a backlash against the president’s plan to dismantle the 529 plan and the president has dropped that.  A significant part of the backlash came from the Democrats.

I went to the grocery store today and was reminded about some things that really piss me off there.

• Anti-bacterial wipes – I know people are germaphobes and it is OK to use the anti-bacterial wipes where you pick up your cart but when you are done with it THROW IT AWAY.  Don’t throw it in the cart for the next person to use.  I hate pulling out a cart and finding what looks like a used Kleenex in the bottom of the cart.
• Unit Pricing – Many stores now provide shelf tags that show unit pricing.  The problem however is there is no consistency in what units that are used.  You can try to compare two similar products and you will see one product with unit pricing of 19.6 cents per ounce and the other product will be $5.99 per quart.  What is the better deal?
• The Aisle Blocker – I am referring to those people that park their cart in the middle of the aisle while trying to pick out the best deal on canned green beans.  Of course they have to stretch their arm out so nobody will steal their cart.  Of course the entire aisle is blocked until they decide to move.
• The Surprise Payment – After the cashier rings up all of this customer’s stuff it seems like a surprise to the customer that he/she has to pay.  This customer starts rummaging through his or her wallet or purse trying to come up with a payment method.  Everyone in line waits.  How about having your debit card (or whatever) ready.  It always seems like everyone is in a big hurry until they are the one being checked out.  Then they are in no hurry whatsoever and everyone else should just chill.
• The Exact Change Hunter – For some reason a lot of older women will dig in their purse for what seems and eternity looking for the last two cents to make exact change.  And then after spending what seems like twenty minutes looking for exact change she doesn’t have it anyway.
• Words to Watch Out for – Watch out for words and phrases like gourmet, premium, all natural, organic and home style.  All those words mean is that you are going to pay more for the same old over-processed high sodium, high fructose corn syrup laced factory made food.
• Ubiquitous Cheese – Why do they need cheese in the deli AND across from the deli AND in dairy AND by the pasta.  Kind of makes comparison difficult.  I usually end up shuttling back and forth across the store looking for a particular cheese.
• Kids Running Amok – Need I say more?  People just do not have of their kids under control anymore.
• One Bag per Item – On multiple occasions I have brought home six items and seven bags.  Won’t these bags hold more than one item?

What drives you crazy at the grocery store?