Most people agree that everyone should pay their ‘fair’ share of taxes. The disagreement starts when we attempt to define “fair”. Webster’s dictionary defines ‘fair’ as a situation in which everyone is treated equally and in a reasonable way, and states further that ‘fair’ is reasonable and morally right. President Obama raised the issue of fairness in his 2012 State of the Union address, with the implied message that our tax rate tables are unfair because Warren Buffet is paying a lower income to tax ratio than his secretary.

Our current tax code doesn’t treat each taxpayer equally. That would be a flat tax where each taxpayer pays the same percentage of their income in taxes, including the income received from investments and capital gains. Our tax code is knee-deep with exemptions, credits, and deductions that reduce the amount of taxes we pay from the full amount owed based on our gross income, and capital gains are taxed differently than wages. It’s not equal; it wasn’t designed to be equal. However, unequal doesn’t necessarily mean unfair. A taxpayer with a large mortgage paying higher amounts of interest will pay less in taxes than another taxpayer with the same income and no mortgage. Many self-employed taxpayers take full advantage of the deductions available to them, reduce their taxable income and pay far less in taxes than the employees. When President Obama compared Warren Buffet’s tax rate to his secretary, far too much detail was omitted to fully understand the comparison. Does she have a spouse with taxable income as well? At close to 36% tax rate, she is likely to have income greater than 97% of the population. Not bad for a middle class secretary. They call it spin for a reason and it’s disappointing to me that our President would attempt to mislead our nation on such a transparent issue.

I think we can all agree that millionaires and billionaires should pay their fair share of taxes. The top 1% of taxpayers pays more taxes than the entire bottom 95% combined. Should they pay more? What is a ‘fair’ share? Fundamental tax reform may be necessary, but it will take fundamental change in how our government, Federal and State, operates and functions. In the meantime, I’ll finish my tax return and send in my fair share.

For the first time ever, the Kauffman Foundation will run a PSA during the Super Bowl on Feb. 5. The announcement will lead viewers to a website featuring entrepreneurship resources. The ad will feature many of Kauffman’s key messages about entrepreneurs’ contributions to the economy, to job creation, and to fostering innovation.
Here’s a preview of the spot, which will be posted on YouTube next week.

For release January 10, 2012 Contact: Deborah White, 816-943-3989

St. Mary’s Medical Center Butterfly Ball

Scheduled for March 3

Blue Springs, Missouri— On Saturday, March 3, at the Adams Pointe Conference Center in Blue Springs, the St. Mary’s Medical Center Foundation will give the annual Butterfly Ball some Hollywood glamour and glitter. This year’s theme—Hollywood---begins with cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. followed by a live auction and dancing. The attire for the evening is black tie and “red carpet” optional.

Celebrating its 26th year, the St. Mary’s Medical Center Butterfly Ball proceeds will help purchase critical medical equipment that will advance the medical center’s cardiology, women’s services, rehab and stroke, surgery, emergency and orthopedic programs. Chairs for this year’s Butterfly Ball are David Blick, MD, FACC, with Kansas City Cardiology, Adam Kramer, DO, with Advanced Surgical Associates and Leanna Mosher, MD, with Healthcare for Women (physician co-chairs), Dana and Gary Showalter (auxiliary co-chairs) and Missouri State Representatives Sheila Solon and Jeanie Lauer (community co-chairs).

Make your reservation early to guarantee a seat. Individual tickets are $125 and sponsorship opportunities are available starting at $500. Contact the St. Mary’s Medical Center Foundation for more information and to reserve your seat. Call 816-655-5363 or visit stmaryskc.com.

St. Mary’s Medical Center is an acute care facility of Carondelet Health, which also includes St. Joseph Medical Center, three long-term care facilities and home care services. Carondelet Health (www.carondelethealth.org) is a member of Ascension Health (www.ascensionhealth.org). Ascension Health is transforming healthcare by providing the highest quality care to all, with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. Ascension Health, which provided $808 million in care of persons who are poor and community benefit last year, is the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit health system. Our Mission-focused Health Ministries consist of 106,000 associates serving in 20 states and the District of Columbia.

For release January 10, 2012 Contact: Deborah White, 816-943-3989

Dr. Patricia Hatley to Receive Imelda Farmer Friendship Award at Friends of St. Mary’s Annual Dinner

Blue Springs, Missouri—Patricia Hatley, PhD, has been selected as the seventh Imelda Farmer Friendship Award recipient and will be honored at the Friends of St. Mary’s Annual Dinner on Friday, February 3. Imelda Farmer was known for giving 100 percent of herself to her family, her community, her profession and her friends. She believed two things: people should always keep learning and they should use what they learn to help others.

A resident of Blue Springs since 1967 and a retired educator/school administrator, Dr. Hatley can be found on the volunteer rolls in numerous organizations in the area. As a member of the St. Mary’s Medical Center Auxiliary for more than 25 years, a board member for 10 years, and the board president in 1998-99, Dr. Hatley has been a stalwart supporter of St. Mary’s.

“Blue Springs has been called the city of cooperation,” says Dr. Hatley. “Everyone works together to make our city something special.” Those who have worked with Dr. Hatley think she exemplifies this very motto.

Throughout her thirty-year professional tenure with the Independence, MO; Blue Valley, KS; and the Blue Springs School Districts, Dr. Hatley nurtured her hometown ties by volunteering for the Career Central of Blue Springs, the Blue Springs School of Economics, the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce “Taste of Blue Springs” and Fall Fun Fest, the Rainbow Center, St. Mary’s Medical Center’s Butterfly Ball, the St. Mary’s Holiday Fair and the St. Mary’s Golf Classic.

After her early retirement from the Blue Springs School District, Dr. Hatley served as the Executive Director of the Eastern Jackson County Business/Education Partnership for six years; her role in working with area school districts was to create joint learning opportunities for students, teachers, parents, and the business community in six EJC districts. As the EJCP Director, in cooperation with St. Mary’s Medical Center, St. Mary’s Manor, and St. Joseph Medical Center, she created the Summer Health Career Institute for Students, introducing high school students to a variety of health care career options. This week-long program thrived for five years under her leadership.

Constantly reaching out and meeting new people, Dr. Hatley always keeps St. Mary’s in her repertoire of volunteer activities. She will once again be organizing the large number of volunteers needed to help with the 2012 Paul Splittorff Memorial Golf Classic, benefiting SMMC. Pat also currently serves on the board of the Blue Springs Education Foundation and is a co-founder of W.E.E. (Women Endowing Education.) “Fun times, camaraderie, and cooperation,” says Dr. Hatley, “and my network of acquaintances keep me active with a community I love.”

The Friends of St. Mary’s supports the mission of St. Mary’s Medical Center by promoting a better understanding of the healthcare services St. Mary’s provides. Members, both individual and corporate, enjoy exclusive social and networking events throughout the year. If you are interested in joining Friends or would like to attend the annual dinner, contact St. Mary’s Medical Center Foundation at 816-655-5363.

Colbern Road & Highway 7 intersection

Mayor Ross saying a few words at the ribbon cutting.

MoDot Area Engineer Matt Killion saying a few words at the ribbon cutting.

City Administrator Eric Johnson, Mayor Carson Ross and MoDot Area Engineer Matt Killion cutting the ribbon.

February 18th & 19th   ,   February 25th & 26th

Saturdays 10:00am to 5:00pm

Sundays     Noon to 4:00pm

At the White Oak Plaza Galleries of the Blue Springs Art Council .

SouthWest of 40 & 7 Hiways

just to the West of Beauty Brands

Blue Springs , Missouri .

Framed prints , Matted prints & greeting cards for viewing and for sale .    

contact Carolyn Fox @ 229-1209 for further  details .

http://bit.ly/yclfWd