Page 4 - Mid Valley Times 12-16-21 e-Edition

Serving the Readers of the Reedley Exponent, Dimuba Sentinel and Sanger Herald.
A Mid Valley Publishing Newspaper
Founded March 26, 1891, in a two-story building on the corner of 11th and F streets, by A.S. Jones
In my OPINION Nothing is free about
'Build Back Better' plan
Peña leaves long trail of success in football coaching career at SHS
Fred Hall — Publisher
Jon Earnest — Editor
Dick Sheppard — Editor Emeritus
Thursday, December 16, 2021 | A4 | Mid Valley TiMes Editorial & Opinions
QUOTE
“Lying increases the creative faculties, expands the ego, and lessens the frictions of social contacts.”
— Clare Booth Luce (1903-1987)
Strange how, given the fact that much of our lives center around the earning and retention of wealth, most of us find it boring to discuss the un- derlying minutia involved in the man- aging of money in such a way as to maximize its value and impact. I’d like to discuss the subject today, hop- ing not to be too boring in the discus- sion of national budgetary matters.
Another primary reason for Sanger High's football excel- lence the past three decades- plus won't be roaming the side- lines next fall, after head coach Jorge Peña announced last week that he's stepping down after five seasons of guiding the Apaches program.
It's safe to call Peña a coach- ing "lifer" when it comes to SHS football. He spent an impres- sive 33 seasons with the pro- gram, starting as on assistant on staff with Hall of Fame head coach Chuck Shidan. He had two highly successful years coaching the Apaches' junior varsity program, but it was his 16 years as Shidan's offensive coordinator where the program truly flourished. There were four Central Section champi- onships and two second-place finish, and the peak was a 13-1 record and Northern Califor- nia Regional semifinal berth in 2016. Peña then took the reins when Shidan announced this
retirement, and posted a 34-18 record in five seasons includ- ing the "2020" CMAC champi- onship in Spring 2021. Sanger rolled off four straight wins to capture the title.
Brian Penner, Apaches ath- letic director, praised Peña's accomplishments. "Coach has given his all to the program for over 30 years," he said. "We are saddened that he is stepping away from coaching but we understand and respect his de- cision. He will be able to spend more time with his family and with other interests."
Penner specifically praised Peña for his work and dedica- tion to the program during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and early 2021. "Our student- athetes continued to work hard to maintain their physical fit- ness and football skills all the while following guidelines and protocols. The CMAC cham- pionship season in the spring of 2021 will always be memo-
rable," he said. I personally had the oppor- tunity cover the Apaches in the 2013 and 2014 seasons, along with the past two seasons.
Jon Earnest
Fred Hall
Undoubtedly, Peña's coaching and dedication were a big part of those successes.
Congratulations on a great coaching career, Coach!
•••
Just a reminder, anyone who
wants to volunteer to help at the Saturday, Dec. 18, Wreath for Reedley Veterans wreath laying event can contact Susan Lusk at (559) 859-2865. The an- nual event to honor the veter- ans interred at Reedley Cem- etery returns this year after being canceled by the COVID pandemic in 2020.
Jon Earnest is news-sports editor for The Times.
There isn’t a single one of us who
doesn’t understand how financially detrimental it is to spend more money than we earn and yet, government leaders lie to us everyday about how deficit spending is good for the country’s economy. Basic economics and, in many cases, practical experience, have taught us of the fallacy of such claims. With all of that in mind, why do so many buy into the idea that government’s wasteful spending is somehow good for us?
Let’s begin with one simple basic fact. This coun- try’s debt has now reached $28.4 trillion, Providing some perspective is the fact that number exceeds the national economic output or GDP of the entire coun- try. Tax collections that currently are expected to sup- port that monstrous figure amount to $3.3 trillion. That number is derived from earned income (51 percent, or 1.7 trillion), payroll taxes (35 percent or $1.2 tril- lion), corporate (6 percent or $205 billion). There can benodispute. Taxeswillhavetoberaisedtocoverthe spread between revenue collections and expenditures.
You’ll notice that I refuse to call it income to the government because it appears they do nothing to earn it. Government’s biggest job is to defend our borders and keep the constituency safe. It’s become obvious that this administration can do neither. Look at the hun- dreds of thousands of undocumented, untested, unvac- cinated people who are pouring across our Southern border completely unabated.
Joe Biden, it must be said is not the only bad actor down through the years, but he is the president now seeking unprecedented amounts of money while telling the taxpayers that it will cost them nothing, Govern- ment produces nothing, except what they extract from the public sector; meaning that nothing is free to the hard-working citizens of America. Washington is like a gigantic black hole which swallows up everything it touches.
Deficit spending poses a real threat to national se- curity, because much of the borrowed money comes from countries who are hostile to the American way of life and cultural differences. China, in particular, holds much of that American debt and, if they so desired, could technically “call the loan” at any time. Imagine, if you will, the turmoil that would ensue when the Unit- ed States could not repay that large amount.
The disadvantages of our government injecting it- self is a manner in which they can provide socialist- style largesse to citizens who prefer to stay home in- stead of doing real labor for their existence.
Deficit spending increases public debt to a point where it has become unserviceable; it creates inflation, making the dollar less valuable; buying power is dra- matically reduced; and money must be extracted from the economy because of government access to private capital and our indebtedness to foreign governments grows to unsustainable levels.
One of the great lies being spread by our leadership about the “Build Back Better” plan costing nothing — they say it is free! Nothing, particularly from the gov- ernment, is ever free. Remember that the only money they have to spend is taken from the private sector. They generate nothing! Because of the sleight-of-hand accounting used when spending bills like this are pro- posed, we believe the Congressional Budget Office will find that the true cost of this Build Back Better Plan is closer to $5 trillion to Americans.
But, of course, that’s only one man’s opinion.
How to end dependence on credit cards and spend money wisely for the holidays
By George Williams III
Guest columnist
‘Tis the season to spend, and forecasts indicate that many consumers won’t be holding back on their holiday shopping this year. Retail sales are an- ticipated to grow substantially and eclipse last year’s record- breaking holiday season.
During November and De- cember of 2020, nearing the end of the first year of the CO- VID-19 pandemic, retail sales grew 8.3 percent over the same period in 2019. The result was a record $789.4 billion in holiday spending. Almost half of those surveyed in a CreditCard.com poll said they will spend about the same amount as last year.
What these numbers say is that we love to give and make others happy, and for many, a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic hasn’t and won’t curtail this holiday tradition. But the trick is to shop without adding debt, and that’s where many consum- ers complicate their financial situation.
According to the CreditCard. com poll, about 40 percent of U.S. adults are willing to go in- to debt, or deeper into debt, to purchase gifts. The fact is some people overspend this time of the year, and it impacts them well into the new year. The problem can increase when you consider rising inflation; having
less to spend on other things could lead to increasing credit card balances for the holidays and down the road.
I offer these tips to avoid getting into debt — or more debt — during the holidays:
Set and stick with spending limits — Rather than be con- sumed by the moment and think of the short-term satisfaction of buying everybody all that you possibly can, think about the long-term implications of that mindset on your new year fi- nances. Promise yourself this: Limit what you buy for the hol- idays to what can come out of your bank account. Give your credit cards an extended holi- day. Devise a budget and decide how much money – only out of your bank account – that you can afford to spend.
Limit your gift list — People overspend when they deem it necessary to give several gifts to each person on their list. Forget about quantity and focus on meaning. Too many gifts, besides costing you too much money, dilute and distort the meaning of giving, because it becomes about “how many” rather than “how special.”
Creatively keep your shop- ping budget down — Use re- wards cards, unused credit card points or gift cards to fund your purchase. Or think of ways to give homemade items, such as a wreath, jewelry, ornaments,
decorations, or a candle. Give personalized gifts or reasonably- priced household or work-related items that they could really use.
Give the gifts of time and service — ou could consider teaching someone a craft or skill or offering other services that reflect the spirit of the season. Baking holiday treats, taking family photos, hosting a meal or a gathering for family/friends — all of these actions show as much meaning and affection as giving any expensive gift would.
Avoid buy-now, pay-later deals — While some of those deals offer 0 percent interest, others do not. Adding multiple monthly bills by purchasing several items this way can cripple your budget.
Spending on gifts for your family, friends and loved ones adds joy during the holiday sea- son, but remember, overdoing it can make the following months difficult on you financially. Give yourself the long-term gift of financial stability by starting smart spending habits during the holidays and sticking to them.
George Williams III (wil- liamsfinancialllc.com) is the founder and president of Wil- liams Financial Group. He has more than 20 years of experi- ence in the insurance and fi- nance industry. Williams has earned top producer awards with multiple carriers and is an elite advisor for AARP.