On the most difficult day, I woke to the news that my only son was killed in Afghanistan. He was due home in just 2 weeks. I already had his birthday present, planned to go to a baseball game like old times, cook his favorite foods, joke and tease and make up for lost time, but in the blink of an eye, we lost him. The denial and shock were crippling.
My first rational thought was, “Who will remember him when I’m gone”? He was just 21 with no children, and the notion that he might be forgotten brought an anxiety that I can’t articulate. Our family was grief-stricken and we learned in one moment what Memorial Day is truly about.
Jake was a Christian, a comedian, an athlete, a huge dog lover, an artist and the best son and friend.
I genuinely hope you all enjoy your long weekend, and if you don’t have a hero to remember, please remember mine. This is all we can do for him now.
If prompted to do so, please share him with the world. It would be a gift.
PFC Jacob H Wykstra
KIA May 28, 2014
Maruf, Afghanistan
He is forever loved and missed ♥️🇺🇸
Property taxes should be outlawed.
And before someone says “aLL tAxEs sHouLd be ouTlaWed” yes, but property taxes in particular are the most unjust.
Every other tax is based on a share of a transaction. You always know upfront what this share will be.
Property taxes, on the other hand, are based on a “value” assessed by the same entity levying the tax. Your town or county literally “decides” what your property is worth (assessed value) and then demands a share of it, regardless of your ability to pay. Fail to pay and they take the property for themselves.
The model is actually worse than an unrealized gains tax; you aren’t just paying the tax on the gain, you are basically paying a percentage of whatever they decide the value is, every year in perpetuity.
That’s why it’s is the most unjust tax. That’s why it should be abolished.
All the hospitals that got kickbacks from the government to give patients Remdesivir, vent them and then say they died of COVID should be forced to give that money back to the loved ones of those patients who they murdered.
Never forget: We are spiritual beings having a physical experience, not the other way around. If you live to be 120 years old it's nothing but a blink of an in the Lord's eyes. Remember who "YOU" actually are. Made in God's image, powerful, limitless, forever. Can I get an Amen?