Smiling Anyway

Braking Through Inertia – Alternative Office Applications: Docs, Spreadsheets, Presentations

Steve — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 16:18:27 +0000

My journey to minimize by use of big tech tools, find alternatives or just do without, elevated the question, “what about office documents; Doc writing, spreadsheets, slides, etc?” I’ve been hooked on Google Office for well over a decade, mostly because its free. But, are there options that provide similar capabilities and a reasonable cost… …

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Lower 40% Pay No Income Tax. Here’s Why

Steve — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 23:53:59 +0000

As the push for a tax system that reintroduces higher taxes on the very rich gains steam, there are those who push for more taxes on the lower 40% of income earners. They will say that the bottom 40% pay no taxes. To be clear, the lower 40% pay Payroll taxes. They pay Social Security …

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Bucking Inertia, Finding Better Browsers

Steve — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 23:15:33 +0000

When Google and Apple caved on the Lake Ontario naming for maps, I moved to MapQuest. I know this will not make a bit of difference to the big tech firms. But, it’s a personal response to the sycophantic march of big business to a leader for whom I have no respect. As I opened …

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The Real Reasons The Social Security Trust is in Trouble

Steve — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 21:28:03 +0000

The reality of capitalism, whatever its strengths, is that it can be brutal on individuals. Our history is marred by mistreatment, exploitation, and abuse by companies against their workers and communities. These abuses are as well-documented as they are disturbing. Early last century, companies writ large discharged workers when they became too old to continue …

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Minneapolis shooting in a broader perspective

Steve — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 16:51:03 +0000

The body cam footage from the ICE agent doesn’t change the underlying issue in this shooting. As I mentioned in the original post, this may be intentional or it may be because of bad training. The character of the person shot, Good, is not the issue. When I voiced concern about the shooting, it was …

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Private Equity’s Real Strategy

Steve — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:08:16 +0000

The theory behind capitalism and free markets is the better allocation of resources based on supply and demand. It can be rough and painful at times, but with proper guardrails, it has worked well for us. The key to the social benefit of capitalism is that it is balanced with regulations. It is hard to …

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Social Programs vs Socialism and The Political Lies

Steve — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 21:27:39 +0000

We have a funny confusion in our country. People vote as if the President controls the economy. We hear candidates make promises to reopen the coal mines, keep family farms open, lower the price of gas, and on and on. While they have no control over these things, we vote as if they do. A …

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Anger: It takes a great deal of energy, but no effort.

Steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 17:52:50 +0000

We see people getting angry everywhere. From road rage to social media, to news channels, anger is everywhere. Perhaps it’s because it takes no effort to be angry. We don’t have to think. So many others are angry, even egging us on the be angry too. It’s very easy to get angry. Being angry takes …

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We’re not being tested. We’re being taught.

Steve — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 01:01:59 +0000

For years I’ve struggled with the western perspective that we are being judged or given a test by a divine being. A test where passing means heaven and failing means eternal damnation. A test for which we are (all) wholly unprepared. Indeed, those who adhere to their religions will say that we are taught through …

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Work for yourself, even if you’re in a big company

Steve — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 14:56:36 +0000

Google is looking to cut the pay of remote workers. No, not hire remote workers at lower pay. But, those workers who went remote during COVID and they and their bosses realized they can do the work just as well if not better. The workers who had an agreement with Google about their …

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