Like automobiles, the Golf Cart comes in a variety of models, colors, and configurations. I am seriously considering the purchase of one, if I can find a model that is equipped with four wheel drive and has a winch on the front bumper. I figure, I could have a "great time" driving my cart to my favorite fishing spot on Anchor River while other fishermen are having to walk. Although, practical; they are expensive pieces of equipment. However, I just recently discovered that you can get one free!I was made aware of the advantages of the Golf Cart from friends that reside in Florida during the dark, cold, months of the year. They made me aware that everyone has a couple of these carts in their driveways. They are not always used on the golf course. These little carts are also utilized as primary transportation devices to the local shopping malls, restaurants, and those equipped with back seats are often seen at the drive in theatres. They are comfortable enough that my friends utilize their carts to drive between Illinois and Florida as the seasons change.
In my pursuit to purchase a "standard" Golf Cart the average price was $6,800.00 for a stock model. I have found it difficult to find one in Alaska. If I purchase one I will also need to pay freight or at a minimum of a "one way" airline ticket south and drive it back to Alaska via the Alcan Highway. However, since I have airline miles, that is also free. Driving backup the highway is also "free", having to stop at night for lodging, I will just plug it into an outlet in my room. So, now I have a "free" Golf Cart, "free Airline Ticket" and "free" power for my machine.
Now you are wondering how I am going to get a "free" Golf Cart". Unknown to me, however, I assume everyone in Florida knew about it. The "Golf Cart" is considered by the government as hybrid vehicle. This was a highly advertised promotion in "Golf Cart" states. Using the base sticker price of $6,800 per unit. Most of the golf cart manufacturers were giving a $2,500 rebate during the current economic conditions. That drops the price down to $4,300 per unit. Since the golf cart is considered a "hybrid vehicle" by the government and you are converting from a "fossil fuel" vehicle, the cost is deductible item on your federal taxes. So, you write off the $4,300 and reduce your gross annual income. Sweet deal! However, as usual, I procrastinated and this tax law incentive expired on December 31, 2009.
AIR FORCE ONE
Please be advised; prior to going online and searching for "official" information about Air Force One, you may have someone knocking on your front door, wearing suits and sunglasses. If you do search, I do hope you have greater success than I did.
There are 365 days in a year. During the year of 2009, Air Force One flew 160 days or 44% of the year during the first year of the Presidency Barrack Obama. Actually, when you discount the day that Air Force One buzzed New York City for a photo opportunity it only flew 159 days with the President embarked. In the first year of office, President Obama visited 23 foreign countries, three of them he visited three times. After his first year in office, he set a new record as being the most traveled first year President in our history.
It is very difficult to find out the expense account of Operating Air Force One. When doing so, you also have to consider that a minimum of one C117 also travels to haul the limousines and chase vehicles utilized in the motorcades as well as associated equipment including the teleprompters, security surveillance equipment, and furniture. On some flights, especially those involving foreign countries, a minimum of two fighter jets can also join as escort aircraft.
I did locate in several spots that the cost of operating Air Force One is $300,000 for a three day trip. Using that figure, I am assuming the average cost per day is $100,000. Keep in mind that is just for the "big" Boeing 747. The average cost for the operation of support aircraft is $30,000 per day. Disregarding the cost of the manpower that travels with the President as well as the "advanced" crew that travels several days in advance. Taking just the estimated cost of daily operations of Air force One and one support aircraft the cost is staggering. The 160 days that President Obama flew in 2009, the cost of Air Force One is $16 Million. The cost of the support aircraft, $4,800,000, for a total cost of air transportation of $20,800,000! The shortest route that Air Force One flew this past year was 150 miles. This trip consisted of a flight from Washington D.C. to Virginia so the President could address a Democrat Retreat.
Regardless of how you cut it, although it nice to see Air Force One touching down on some foreign runway, the yearly budget for this travel has to exceed $100,000,000 per year, when you include all of the minor details. However, I do understand that they are looking for ways to cut some of these costs, henceforth, all passengers, excluding the "First Family", will be paying $100.00 for each piece of checked baggage.
There are 365 days in a year. During the year of 2009, Air Force One flew 160 days or 44% of the year during the first year of the Presidency Barrack Obama. Actually, when you discount the day that Air Force One buzzed New York City for a photo opportunity it only flew 159 days with the President embarked. In the first year of office, President Obama visited 23 foreign countries, three of them he visited three times. After his first year in office, he set a new record as being the most traveled first year President in our history.
It is very difficult to find out the expense account of Operating Air Force One. When doing so, you also have to consider that a minimum of one C117 also travels to haul the limousines and chase vehicles utilized in the motorcades as well as associated equipment including the teleprompters, security surveillance equipment, and furniture. On some flights, especially those involving foreign countries, a minimum of two fighter jets can also join as escort aircraft.
I did locate in several spots that the cost of operating Air Force One is $300,000 for a three day trip. Using that figure, I am assuming the average cost per day is $100,000. Keep in mind that is just for the "big" Boeing 747. The average cost for the operation of support aircraft is $30,000 per day. Disregarding the cost of the manpower that travels with the President as well as the "advanced" crew that travels several days in advance. Taking just the estimated cost of daily operations of Air force One and one support aircraft the cost is staggering. The 160 days that President Obama flew in 2009, the cost of Air Force One is $16 Million. The cost of the support aircraft, $4,800,000, for a total cost of air transportation of $20,800,000! The shortest route that Air Force One flew this past year was 150 miles. This trip consisted of a flight from Washington D.C. to Virginia so the President could address a Democrat Retreat.
Regardless of how you cut it, although it nice to see Air Force One touching down on some foreign runway, the yearly budget for this travel has to exceed $100,000,000 per year, when you include all of the minor details. However, I do understand that they are looking for ways to cut some of these costs, henceforth, all passengers, excluding the "First Family", will be paying $100.00 for each piece of checked baggage.
TOYOTA RECALL
No doubt, by now you have heard that Toyota Motors are having to recall a zillion of their automobiles, both fossil fuel and hybrids due to faulty equipment. Nothing to serious except some of them have a mind of their own and when you take your foot off the gas pedals, it fails to respond and you just keep going, faster and faster. Now they have discovered several other minor imperfections in the Toyota. Since the time these little cars showed up in America, seeing one on the road I wondered to myself what the word Toyota meant. On the pick up models I have seen the "ota" removed from the name to make it read "Toy".
Since the skirmish over the recall, I finally discovered the answer to my question of so many years. I still do not know the meaning of the word, Toyota except it is Japanese. However, I now know the origin of the word. In a recent press conference pertaining to the recall of the Toyota, the President of Toyota Motor Corporation made a formal apology to the consumer for the minor defects in his automobiles. His name is Akio Toyoda, grandson to the founder of Toyota Motors. Evidently, in their marketing analysis it was concluded that they should drop the "D" in Toyoda and substitute a "T" in it's place.
Henry Ford was proud enough to put his name on all of his cars and trucks! "Edsel" even emblazoned his name on his famous car, although they were ugly and a marketing catastrophe. Today, they are highly prized by the collectors. After the "Edsel" market collapsed, no one knows what happened to Edsel! He retired from the assembly line and retired to Florida, I think!
Since the skirmish over the recall, I finally discovered the answer to my question of so many years. I still do not know the meaning of the word, Toyota except it is Japanese. However, I now know the origin of the word. In a recent press conference pertaining to the recall of the Toyota, the President of Toyota Motor Corporation made a formal apology to the consumer for the minor defects in his automobiles. His name is Akio Toyoda, grandson to the founder of Toyota Motors. Evidently, in their marketing analysis it was concluded that they should drop the "D" in Toyoda and substitute a "T" in it's place.
Henry Ford was proud enough to put his name on all of his cars and trucks! "Edsel" even emblazoned his name on his famous car, although they were ugly and a marketing catastrophe. Today, they are highly prized by the collectors. After the "Edsel" market collapsed, no one knows what happened to Edsel! He retired from the assembly line and retired to Florida, I think!
THAT IS ALL
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