JFife

Sup JohnT!! Yeah, I know, The Fife Plan isn't fully thought out, nor do I have the time to mess with it. But the main premise is that I think we should have the voting done by the people that are actually going to PAY for where the money is going. Would you let your children vote in your household on whether or not they get an allowance, and how much?? No, I'd say Mr. and Mrs. T, the people actually paying the money are the ones that give the "yes or no". The point about women is that this would be a way to get them out of the booths all together, without The Fife Plan being labeled 'sexist', etc. It's fair to everyone-----who pays taxes. Women vote bad, so this would be a way to get them out. This is "kind of" in jest, but I really would like to see restrictions put on voting. How about ammending The Fife Plan with this JohnT: Based on what you pay in, you get additional votes. Say, for every 5K in taxes you pay in, you get a vote. I just think it's crappy for some loser's vote to weigh as much as a guy paying a fortune in taxes.

Nice! Mitsubishi's and Sony are the best imo. That's a really good price for that tv.

Fiscally you'd make a great candidate that I'd support---and that means as much to me as the moral stuff. Personally, I think the moral questions should be dealt with on a more personal level--like in the home, church, etc. Not really politics, or it shouldn't so much be. Re: your military service---you could go down and try to get in, and have them decline you based on your weight, eyesight, or something like that. Then you can go into your debates and answer with all the sincerity you can muster: "I did everything I could to be a United States Marine, but I had some physical limitations that prevented it." On the Scumbag Scale, that would actually probably score quite low compared to most politicians:)

You see things very black and white. I'd tend to see a gray area in there every now and then. Regarding "caught lying" etc......my thought is, "Don't ask them the question in the first place." I think a big problem we have is that really high-quality people are afraid to run for office because they'll get smeared and every skeleton they've ever placed in a closet will be brought out.

Ant, ......I am standing!! Unfortunately most would call me a radical, fanatic, hawk, fascist (though incorrect), or some other term for the people on the "right" side of the issues. Remember my Amendment I want to make to the Consti.......the one where you not only have to be 18 to vote, but also are not allowed to vote until you have paid a certain amount (40K-75K) into the tax system?? Think how many problems that would solve!! No more people voting for entitlements that will actually receive the entitlements......the people paying the money will have the say. You'd keep people that don't work out of the voting booths. You'd cut down on women voters....as many would be on "maternity leave" before they hit the 40K-75K taxation amount. This would be the solution to our current dilemma of moron lawmakers. People that would actually be functional and effective would start running for offices. Fife in 2012:)

Well done!! The CL Coupe is definitely my favorite MercBenz ride!! Kind of a combo of classy/luxury/sporty. Congrats on the buy, Carlos!

Great to see you back Diamond!! So what did the doctor do?? Open you up and brush a little WoodTux around that leaky valve to create a film and give it a nice, tight, seal??:)LOL (JUST KIDDING!!!!! Please no infractions!!) Did you try that move I was telling you about with the nurses.......the "oops, I accidently put my gown on backwards" trick??:) Sure is good news that you are well!!

I disagree---hopefully he'll spend his remaining days at Potosi State Pen. in GenPop learning the true meaning of "Predatorial Love".

Wesley, There is a bbs: www.fordtrucks dot com. I've never seen a bbs like it in my life. Literally, must be a few thousand posts a day (well, is the only non-trade bbs I've ever played on). Anyway, there is more info on there than you'd care to read. EGR valves?? Probably 20,000 posts on the subject, all relating to early model 6.0's. Those guys on there are maniacs----you'll learn more about a 6.0 than you want to know. But the EGR problem is a common one; and you could find what the guys on there say about it. Hotshot slinks around over there a bit as well I believe, in the F150 forum.

Wesley-- I'll try and answer some of the questions presented--I'm not an expert, but occasionally speak with some guys that are, and I'll try and pass on some of the info. IMO, there is a lot of "luck" involved when buying a diesel. I have an '06 lariat 6.0PSD w/ 18K miles that's never done better than 15gpm, F250, 3.73 gears. Same truck, different guy will get 20gpm. At 18K miles, it is JUST starting to get broke in a little. The gpm is constantly improving, but I don't think I'll be one of the 20gpm guys.....it just goes truck-to-truck from what I've seen, no rhyme or reason. Also have a 7.3 PSD F250 w/ 150K, and a 7.3 F450 w/ 125K. 7.3's are great, and you can "chip" them to running really well. As far as getting a dually goes, theoretically, that and the 350/3500 shouldn't affect your gas mileage (I've been saying gpm, LOL) that much. Here's the deal: if you get a Ford 6.0 you MUST get an '05 or '06. They finally worked out the kinks. Since the new model/new motor is coming out, and is being anticipated, you can get pretty good deals on trucks on the lot. Thing is, who'd wanna be the guinea pig on the new 6.4???? As well, predictions are that the price tag for a diesel truck is getting ready to spike about 4K. Ant mentioned "why get rid of the 6.0, finally doing well". Thank your SanFrancisco tree huggers for that one. New, stricter, EPA laws come into effect in '08, and everyone is scrambling to get their motors up to snuff. A new diesel fuel is actually at the pumps as of Jan. 1, 2007. But, I actually believe it is a higher cetane fuel so it is cleaner AND better. Personally, I'm going to hold onto my '06 until the new trucks roll out at the higher price, and then try to sell mine used for a decent amount. Diesels are great---unless you have a problem. True story--my cousin has an '03 Duramax, at 105K miles he blew the tranny. Went with a stouter, 100K warranty aftermarket tranny: total bill: $7,000.00. Within ONE WEEK of having it out of the garage, the motor blew (it had no relation, just a fluke). Found a junkyard Duramax w/ 30K, installed, total bill: $11,000.00. Sure that is extreme, but it puts a diesel into perspective.

....total novice to this subject. But can't you buy clorine/bleach in pellet form?? Seems like that would be handy. Obviously, if this is possible I'm sure it's been thought of, so please tell me why it won't work.

....but wouldn't that only be applicable if you had existing/active contracts?? In the example of "Jeff", I am assuming he doesn't have active contracts--they call when he is needed/or visaversa. In that scenario, I don't see why disclosure would be necessary?? Just like if you sold out this year, and a deck you did last year called for a recoat. There isn't a reason to disclose that Rod Rodriquez is no longer present.....or is there??? I didn't read the link, perhaps it would answer this question, but I am a lout:)

Re: Jeff's work, which to me (assumption) would fall in a catagory somewhere between residental and commercial. My guess is that he doesn't have signed contracts to come back at repeated intervals, like RonM. would have for cleaning a KFC for instance. So the way for Jeff to start adding VALUE (per Ken's post) to his biz would be to back off of the driver's seat, and get his PM's to start getting familiar with some other faces/names. Your dream should be for a PM conversation with the HO's to go like this: "We need pressurewashing done. We are going to call JL Powerwash. The guy down there we deal with is named Herschel, I'm not sure if he's the owner or not, but he takes great care of us whenever they do work here." So long as people say, "oh, we need to call Jeff and get this cleaned!!" You'll never have a biz that can sell for anything but Current Assets. Certainly, that isn't everyone's goal. Some like to stay personal and on top of things. Personally, if my customers forgot that I existed tomorrow it would be the happiest day of my life!! Not just because of the "re-sale" thing---but because they are now purchasing my business, not purchasing "me". In Rod's last paragraph, he said that "some customers may stay on if properly introduced to new ownership, Jeff stays on to manage, etc". My point is that the customer should have no reason to EVEN KNOW that this took place!! All they know, is Herschel handles things, and it works well for them. The ownership transfer would take place mainly in the office. I'd be more concerned about having a #2 guy on the jobs that the PM's were learning to know/trust in case something happened with Herschel. People that can AFFORD to buy a business with some intangible assets aren't looking for something where they're going to be friends w/ the client. They want something that is running smoothly.....all they have to do is change the name on the paperwork, watch the books, etc. and make a pre-determined percent profit on their investment. Nothing else. Was talking to a guy that had a small Holdings Co. that would buy small businesses.....getting advice on how to build a biz that will sell well. Two things he cared about: 1) Can he make this certain amount of profit he seeks, and 2) How easy would it be for him to come in a run the biz without knowing anything about it, and were people in place to operate everything??

I sadly agree, with the exception of a commercial-based biz that has accounts to throw into the mix. Even that isn't a fortune.....seems I remember grasscutters were getting about "three cuts" as the sale-price on their accounts.

Jim--that does sound interesting. Got a link to the guys website?? I'd love to see what that looks like.

Good post Don....so you know, I completely agree with you, just used your name as an example since you are the figurehead, and are new to the biz as well. Mo' power to ya, good job taking the bull by the horns.

What's wrong with it?? If I knew nobody involved, heard of it, that's the first thing I'd want to know......WHO ARE these people I'll be learning from?? Don't think Jarrod was implying that you'd have to show your gross/net numbers, but name, background, education, useful learning (seminars, etc), years in biz, specialties, special projects, etc. If this info isn't impressive--state THIS INFO ISN'T IMPRESSIVE!! Like Don M. for instance....first year full-time, etc....what does he have to teach me?? I dunno, maybe nothing, maybe lots, but there is no reason for him to hide from those credentials. Could say, "I'm new, but I've spent months accumulating the best info I can on product branding to do a 30min lecture". Great!! I like the credentials idea.

I indeed have, very good book. Definite "must read" for anyone.

Michael Kriesle hit it out of the park! Well said. And NEVER worry about the glamour factor of your job. My best friend is a VP at a major bank, heads up commercial lending. He said, you can almost bank on it, the Co's he goes and visits that have nice, trendy offices, etc. will be showing a weak bottom line. Their exterior is glamourous, but the books read otherwise. He said the Co's that would blow you away are the ones that have a run-down warehouse, "Smith Bolt and Screw" etc., looks like they haven't done anything to improve their Co. in 20 years. Look like they are about to fold. He said when he looks at these Co's, he'll regularly see a net profit in the multi-million dollar range for a personally owned biz. He told me the facade of Law Firms, ad agencys, etc. don't hold a candle to this type of biz when it comes to real profit. Just found that interesting coming from a commercial lender.....I always think on that when I am bothered by being in a less-than-professional career.

...Or don't wait for this...contact some folks you know that bank there and have them make the comment!! C'mon Jeff!! You're way too Guerrilla to let then sneak away without a fight! .....Or your guys "accidently" clean it one Sunday--you go in Monday and sincerely apologize, "they were just so used to it being on their route":)

Carlos, This is because the new group (IAWCC whatever) is going to absorb all of the main Pwashing industry, especially commercial. KEC has their own thing going......so the PWNA got left with the red-headed stepchild (wood). That's why they are desperately trying to attach to NADRA---to solidify their stature in the wood community. Be interested in hearing any suggestions that I am wrong about this.

How about "None of the Above"??? How about, "Anyone that can teach successfully and educate their students correctly". If that's Tony Szabo or Tony Soprano.....who cares??? As a "student", all I care about is what I learn that's applicable. A successful PW Co. does not equate to a good instructor of coursework, or even the ability to create good coursework. I'd even go so far as to say that you (you, personally) would probably have a lot to offer in the realm of business that might not be that valuable to many in other markets (I'm assuming this from the fact you appear to be located in farm country, where marketing, positioning, etc. would be different than it would be for someone in Ft. Lauderdale. Again--assumption--but the point would remain either way).

.....And remember, one doesn't have to have "experience" or "first-hand" to make a good teacher/instructor. Ask any History teacher. One can teach expertly merely from reference.

Just smear a bunch of PureTexture all over them, LOL

Go girl!!LOL:)