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|> Sermon Archive > Sermons by Author > Rev. W.B. Slomp > The Prayer of a Righteous Man, Just like the Prayer of Elijah, Is Very Powerful and Effective.
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Order Of Worship (Liturgy)
Sing: Psalm 115: 1, 4, 6
Sing: Psalm 68: 1, 8
Read: James 5:13-18; Deuteronomy 11:13-21; 1 Kings 16:29-34.
Sing: Psalm 74: 11, 12, 13
Text: 1 Kings 17:1
Sing: Hymn 8: 1, 7, 14
Sing: Hymn 10:1, 9, 10
Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, brothers and sisters,
Once in a while a newspaper article will appear wherein the power of prayer is ridiculed. They will say that those who pray are not any better off than those who do not. Miracles just don't happen. Some will even supply so-called scientific proof. In order to prove their point they will conduct studies of groups of people, diagnosed with some terminal illness, which they divide into two groups: those who prayed for healing and let others pray for them, and those who do without prayer. The inevitable conclusion is that the two groups are not any different from each other. The one group did not have an advantage over the other. And so, according to them, prayer is worthless. You might as well pray to your dead grandfather or to a rock. It's all the same.
They will also come to the conclusion that none of the other claims of the effectiveness of prayer can be scientifically verified either. Take, for example, the simple claim that prayer connects us with God. A recent article in a newspaper stated, "While this claim may have religious or philosophical implications, it doesn't specify any effect that we could measure in the physical world. How can we tell when someone is more connected to God?"
How do we deal with such attacks? There may be some among us who think that there is some truth to these claims. They will think about those people who have prayed for certain things, especially for healing, and whose prayers were not answered.
And so does God really hear prayer? Is prayer really effective? Does it really have the power that James claims it has? Or is it all a fraud?
Brothers and sisters, this morning we will see that prayer is indeed very powerful and effective. We will even see that without the prayer of the righteous by faith, God will not act; without the prayers of the church, God will not fulfill his promises and He will not execute His wrath.
The theme for this morning's service is as follows:
The Prayer of a Righteous Man, Just like the Prayer of Elijah, Is Very Powerful and Effective. We will see:
1. Ahab's ungodly rule;
2. Elijah's powerful prayer.
If there ever was a time for the need of God's intervention, it was during the reign of Ahab. It was a very wicked time. And it greatly troubled the righteous soul of Elijah the Tishbite. It was only 57 years since the time of the split of the kingdom of Israel, at which time Jeroboam rebelled and broke with his brothers of Judah and Benjamin. But a lot had happened since then. The 10 northern tribes had seen many civil wars wherein several hundreds of thousands of people were killed. The one king was murdered by the next and so during those years two dynasties were eradicated altogether through murder. The northern kingdom, by and large, had also ceased to serve the Lord. It was in constant rebellion against him.
But now with Ahab things go from bad to worse. Whereas the former kings of Israel only perpetuated the sin of Jeroboam, that is the sin of calf worship, the worship of the Lord under the image of an ox, Ahab was not satisfied with this. He went much further.
Ahab was the son of Omri who was a wicked King. Omri was an ambitious man and politically astute. He built the city of Samaria and made it more beautiful than Jerusalem itself. Isaiah, in chapter 28:1, calls Samaria "a glorious beauty, set on the head of a fertile valley." Omri also had great ambitions for the northern kingdom beyond its borders and made all kinds of alliances with foreign nations and also with his brother Judah in order to achieve that end.
One of the alliances that he made was with Ethbaal, the king of the Sidonians, also known as the Phoenicians. This was very astute for the Phoenicians, who were a seafaring nation, had influence and power all over the world of that day. In order to advance that cause, Omri had his son Ahab marry the king's daughter Jezebel. She was as pagan as they come and wanted nothing to do with the God of Israel. She would like nothing better than that the worship of God be totally eradicated.
The Sidonians were a particularly idolatrous people. They made Baal their principal deity. He was worshiped as the Sun-god, as the god of life and fertility. Originally this pagan god was symbolized by a pagan tree. The Sidonian king Hiram, who was a contemporary of David and Solomon, went one further and built the Golden pillar in the Temple of Tyre, the capital of Phoenicia. The Golden pillar is much more flattering to the god than a tree trunk.
Ahab made a duplicate of that pillar and erected it in the city of Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom. Furthermore Ahab set up an Asherah pole. That was in honour of the goddess Astarte. After all, Baal also needed a wife. To add injury to insult, he also appointed numerous priests to maintain the worship of Baal.
Another thing that Ahab did was to rebuild Jericho. The Lord God had mentioned to Joshua that that city was not allowed to be rebuilt. Ahab took no notice. He went right ahead. But then we see fulfilled the curse mentioned in Joshua 16:7 that the builder loses both his oldest and his youngest sons.
By rebuilding Jericho, Ahab wanted to rewrite history. The ruins of Jericho served as a reminder to God's people how the Lord had rescued them from Egypt and brought them into the promised land; how he had miraculously defeated the enemies before them. Ahab wanted to erase that memory. For that reason he wanted Jericho to be rebuilt. By rebuilding Jericho, he would also have a fort to protect Israel from the Moabites.
That is what those who lead unrepentant lives do. They do not want to deal with the past. They want to forge ahead on their own. For if you examine your past that would mean that you have to examine yourself. That would mean that you would have to evaluate your own motivations.
And that's true in our own lives as well. Those with psychological problems have difficulty with their past. They want to forget. They want to pretend certain things didn't happen. But you cannot erase the past. If you want to function as a person, and even as a nation for that matter, then you have to deal with where you came from, with your roots, with your history. Ahab wanted nothing to do with Israel's past. He wanted to forge a new path. And that was his undoing.
It is not that Ahab was totally against the worship of the Lord, the God of Israel. He also paid lip service to him. That is clear, for example from the names that he gave to his children. He did not give his children pagan names but rather they were Israelite names that included the Lord's name.
As we can read in 1 Kings 18:3 he also had Obadiah in his employ as the one in charge of his palace. Obadiah, it says in the passage, was a devout believer of the Lord. Ahab at times even asked the advice of the prophets of the Lord.
No doubt Ahab was pricked in his conscience as he thought about the things he was doing. He knew too much about the Lord God. And so he was a conflicted man. But, it was especially Jezebel who, according to 1 Kings 21:25, urged him on. But as he pursues his political ambitions, he suspends his conscience. Ultimately religion did not interest him. He was interested in achieving his own ends by hook or by crook.
The problem with Ahab was that he was in love with the things of this world. He was in love with the beauty that this physical world has to offer. That is why he built an opulent palace in Samaria, which was inlaid with ivory. He loved to be the centre of attention and to be a major player in the world. He loved his comforts. It is those things that drove him. It is those things that made him suspend his conscience. Earthly splendour was much more important to him than divine splendour. He was there to create his own glory, rather than to reflect upon and seek the glory of God.
Outside of Israel, Ahab had a good name. In 1 Kings 20:31 we read that the king of Aram refers to him positively as a merciful king. He was admired. He was going places. The northern tribes were becoming a nation to be reckoned with. And it was all due to the clever machinations of Ahab. He was on top of the world. Or so he thought.
2. It is at this point that the prophet Elijah enters the picture. He appears unexpectedly. 1 Kings 17:1 is the first time he is mentioned. Normally a prophet is first introduced. We are given a bit of background about his family or other details. That is not the case here with Elijah. We do not know anything about him except that he is a Tishbite from Gilead. Perhaps the Holy Spirit wants to indicate by the abruptness of his appearance the urgency of the situation.
We read in the text that he spoke directly to Ahab. That was something quite daring. He went, as it were, right into the lions' den. For he knows he is not welcome there. On the contrary, anybody who speaks against the king puts his life into danger. But nevertheless he goes to Samaria, the centre of rebellion against God, and presents himself at the opulent palace of the king of Israel. He rebukes Ahab in no uncertain terms.
He begins by stating, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives." Every word he uses here is significant. He first of all uses the word "LORD." Please note that every letter is capitalized. Whenever you see that, then you know that the Hebrew word "Yahweh" is used. The name "Yahweh" is used to accentuate God's covenant relationship with his people. It is the name he used when he spoke the first time to Moses in the burning bush. The name means "I am". The name refers to his presence in the past, the present and the future. It refers to the fact that he is alive. It refers to the fact that he alone is the eternal God.
Ahab had treated God as if he did not exist. He believed that it did not matter what god you believed in as long as it furthered your own ambitions. But Elijah says God is alive. He is present now. To underscore his point, Elijah states "He lives".
There stands Elijah before the King of Israel who is attired in all his glory, and who is surrounded by his priests to Baal dressed in all their glory in their silken expensive robes. Elijah however, as we know from other Scripture passages, is dressed in a simple hairy animal's skin with a leather girdle. He comes from the back country of Gilead. Gilead was a territory on the other side of the Jordan. It was rugged mountain country. It was not the land of the sophisticated. It was a country of hunters and fishermen and farmers. Elijah did not appear as a refined man.
However, inwardly he was more refined than the opulent King and all his entourage with all its splendour combined. Elijah was full of confidence that the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, was with him all the way. That is clear from what he says, for he states that he serves the God of Israel. Other translations have that he stands before him. In other words, Elijah knows himself to be in God's presence. He is one of his servants that does his bidding. When he speaks, it is as if God himself speaks.
How can Elijah be so confident? It doesn't say anywhere that the Lord spoke to him directly and commanded him to bring these words to Ahab. That is usually the case when prophets come with their proclamations. Elijah, however, knows the Word of God. He knows his Scripture. He knows what the Lord said just before they came into the promised land, namely that he will provide for them and send them rain in its season. But he also knows that if they do not obey the Lord God, that then, as he says in Deuteronomy 11:17, his anger will burn against them and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain, and so that the ground will not yield its produce.
When he speaks his judgement upon Ahab, all Elijah is doing is speaking the word of God. All he is doing is stating unequivocally what the Lord God himself has said in his Word. Elijah basically had no choice. He had to act as he did. How could he do otherwise? For normally you would pray for God's blessings, including the blessings on the crop. That is what we would do for God promises to give blessings to his people. But, he promises that only if you are obedient.
But how could Elijah pray for blessings under these circumstances? How can you pray for blessings when the leadership of the nation, and the vast majority of the nation itself, is in rebellion against God? Elijah had to pray for the execution of God's justice for he wants repentance. He wants God's name to be honoured.
This was a critical time in the history of God's people. The northern kingdom was about to totally sever their relationship with the Lord God. There are only a few people who were still serving the Lord. For indeed there are those still alive who lived during the reign of Solomon, before the kingdom was split. People in their late 60s and older would have observed how far the northern kingdom had fallen. If things continued the way they were going, then there would be no one left in Israel to serve the Lord.
That is why Elijah was compelled to go to Ahab to come with God's curse. He told them that within the next few years there would be neither dew nor rain. That is what God has said, and therefore Elijah knew that this would also happen.
And that, brothers and sisters, is what prayer is. It is recalling the word of God as it applies to any specific situation. And God will hear such a prayer. There is no doubt.
That's also the way it is for us. For it says in James that Elijah was a man just like us. He is not any different from you and from me. When you pray, then you do so keeping in mind what God has said in his Word. You keep in mind his promises to those who want to serve him and who believe in him. But, you also keep in mind the curse that is upon those who do not want to serve him. An effective prayer can only be done by those who are in tune with the Word of God, by those who believe.
It was Elijah's hope that Ahab and the rest of God's people would repent. But sometimes drastic measures are needed in order to bring others to repentance. That was certainly the case here. Ahab thought that God was impotent, that he would not act. He thought that he could do whatever he wanted without incurring God's wrath. And so he had to realize that God does act; he had to realize the implications, not just for himself but also for God's people; that if they continue to go on the way that they were, God's final curse would come upon them and they would be totally alienated from the Lord God, not only in this life, but in the life to come. The Lord God only wants a people around him who want to glorify him.
Brothers and sisters, our prayers have to do with our covenant relationship with the Lord God. When we pray then we are in direct communication with him. Prayer is an expression of the covenant relationship that exists between us. We pray on the basis of what God has told us in his Word what would take place. Just look at what has taken place. The church prayed for hundreds and hundreds of years for the coming of the Messiah and he came and he is now seated at the right hand of God to intercede for us. Through him we have the forgiveness of sins. You can be sure of that. The prayer of a righteous man is very effective. Without our prayers, this world would cease to exist. For that is why he made this creation in the first place. It was made to his honour and glory. And when man does not acknowledge that, then his purpose has been thwarted. And that may never happen. Indeed, that cannot happen. For whatever God has in mind for this world will take place.
When Elijah prayed that it would not rain, that is indeed what happened. And we may be sure that whatever we pray for will also be fulfilled. We can trust in God that he will hear us as long as we pray in accordance with his will. It may not happen at the exact time that we want, or in a manner in which we ourselves expect but God promises that he will hear our prayers.
But can we put ourselves on the same level as Elijah, Elijah the great prophet of the Old Testament? We cannot expect that God will hear us in the same way, can we?
Yes brothers and sisters, we can. Without a doubt. As a matter of fact, God will not execute his justice without the prayers of the saints. That is clear, for example, from Revelation 8. We read there that God executes his judgment only because of the prayers of the saints. For it says that the angel of the Lord offered up the prayers of the saints together with the incense and that he filled the censer with fire from the golden altar before the Lord, and that he hurled it upon the earth. At this time there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. It was God's judgment upon those who did not want to repent from their sins. And it was because of the prayers of the saints that God acted.
Does that mean then that whatever we pray for, as long as it is promised in God's Word, will immediately happen? No, it doesn't necessarily mean that. It is true that God only listens to the prayer of believers. Just like with Elijah. And the church has to know that when she prays, that then her prayer is very powerful. That is also the case with individual believers.
With Elijah, God's Word was immediately executed. Elijah was completely in tune, not only with God's plan, but also with God's timing. God worked his prayer in his heart. Elijah was inspired by the Holy Spirit. But when we speak about inspiration today, we speak about the inspiration of all of God's Word. And the prophecies in God's Word have their fulfillment in different stages and at different times. We don't know when God is going to execute his plan. We don't know either in what way God is going to save us from calamities. It may be that we want certain things to happen right now, but that does not mean that God's time is ripe yet. For we also have to leave open the possibility of repentance. The Lord God is patient.
The same thing is true with regard to our personal prayers for healing. God is the God of miracles. He can, if he wants, save us from impending death when we are terminally ill. He can and he does perform miracles. But that does not necessarily mean that that will happen at a specific point in time according to our schedule. Paul also prayed for the removal of the thorn in his flesh, but that did not happen. That did not mean however that God did not save him, and that he did not keep Paul from harm. That did not mean that he did not hear his prayer. He did. Paul is now experiencing indestructibility. He now tastes eternal life with his Father in heaven. Ultimately God fulfills his promises. But he will do that in his time.
Unbelievers do not understand the power of prayer. As a matter of fact they have no clue what prayer is all about. Prayer is only for those who believe and who are in a covenant relationship with the Lord their God.
The statistical data of secular scientists are bunk. They base their scientific data on preconceived conceptions. They only prove what they set out to prove. They start out as unbelievers and they are confirmed as unbelievers. Because they do not want to listen to the voice of God, their methodology is flawed from the very start.
Such flaws are seen in their analyses wherein they include all kinds of people, those who pray to Buddha or to Allah; and those who pray for silly things such as the winning of a football game. Does God hear those prayers? How can you scientifically prove prayer? It's impossible. It is a matter of faith. It is a matter of understanding and of applying God's Word.
Brothers and sisters, boys and girls, the Lord our God is the God full of purpose. He rules all things. And he is going to bring this world to its final destination. All those who have not repented from their sins, who have ridiculed God and his people and who have persecuted them, they will experience God's wrath.
The Lord God is a God of justice. He will not allow his name to be blasphemed. He will vindicate himself. And he also will vindicate his children. He will punish those who blatantly and deliberately go against him and who do not want to repent.
But in the midst of all this, we as children of the Lord God will be preserved. Just like he preserved Elijah. Elijah was not afraid. And we do not have to be afraid either. The Lord God will rescue us.
And so, pray to him when you are afraid. Pray to him when you are in difficulty. He will hear you. And he will answer your prayer. There is no doubt about it. Amen
* As a matter of courtesy please advise Rev. W.B. Slomp, if you plan to use this sermon in a worship service. Thank-you.
The source for this sermon was: www.edmontonimmanuel.ca
(c) Copyright 2010, Rev. W.B. Slomp
Please direct any comments to the Webmaster


text:
Croft, Amy (2012) A bark worse than its bite? An examination of the law relating to dangerous dogs - past, present and future. In: Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA) Annual Conference 2012; 3 - 5 Apr 2012, Leicester, U.K.. (Unpublished)
With an area which is constantly given mass media attention, any change in the law relating to dangerous dogs will undoubtedly provoke heated public debate. As, under the current law, any breed of dog can be found to be dangerously out of control, any change in the law is likely to cause strong feeling amongst thousands of dog owners and anyone who has been, or fears being, the victim of a dog attack. The paper seeks to examine the current legislation on dangerous dogs and highlight the problems which have been caused by its application. The paper will then go on to explore the content and possible ramifications of the two proposed Bills which are currently before Parliament. It will be argued that the current Bills do not go far enough to address the problem of dangerous dogs and their regulation, as the measures contained in the Bills are mainly reactive with little thought to any proactive measures, to try and reduce the need for prosecution of these categories of offence. The paper will conclude by suggesting possible measures which could be considered by Parliament for inclusion in any future legislation to try and limit the number of dog attacks.
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Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 12:00 AM
Town Square
Letter: Time to reform Proposition 13
Original post made on Mar 6, 2012
Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 12:00 AM
Comments (49)
a resident of Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park
on Mar 6, 2012 at 8:55 pm
Not only does Prop 13 discourage companies from settling or expanding in California -- it makes it harder to attract employees. Who wants to move for a job and double their property tax payment? Who wants to be forced to spend $30,000 a year on private schools for their kids?
It's time for Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Apple and other dynamic companies to step forward and say, 'enough!' Property taxes pay for the services we all (companies and residents) touch every day -- entitlements to a free ride need to be thoughtfully granted.
Instead, we just hear mouthpieces for real-estate investors screaming, "Just stop spending!" It's a lot like a guy telling you, "well, buy rib eye instead of filet mignon" -- since all he's paying for is ground chuck.
a resident of Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park
on Mar 7, 2012 at 9:23 am
Prop 13 rewards long term ownership and provides predictability in taxes. In CA it really controls local jurisdictional spending unlike most of the country.
It is not designed to be equitable or fair.
I would recommend a careful look at alternatives before leaping.
a resident of Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks
on Mar 7, 2012 at 9:34 am
"It is not designed to be equitable or fair."
True American values?
What's wrong with a fair playing field for California businesses? Making a fair playing field for businesses to relocate to the great state of California?
Seems like common sense.
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Mar 7, 2012 at 11:12 am
Completely equitable and fair is very hard to do. This discussion has been going on for a long time. I have not heard (or thought of) a proposal that makes it more fair for the general population without re-inflicting the harm Prop 13 was originally intended to relieve. If we can't be equitable, at least we can as a society protect the vulnerable.
Those who were around when Prop 13 were voted in recall that property appreciation combined with nothing to curb local government spending created a situation that was really unfair to a group of homeowners that were often helpless and unable to save their homes or stay afloat financially - those retired and living on a fixed income in the home they bought and expected to house them in their old age. Given a fixed (and often reduced) income, rising property taxes threatened to boot the retired out of homes they had paid for and sunk their life savings in.
Price appreciation is a double-edged sword - good for those whose assets appreciate but, as one CFO I worked with said, "I want my kids to be able to buy a home in this community". Prop 13 provided some insulation against the growing tax burden that directly resulted from appreciation. Equitable? No. Fair to a group that is often the least able to absorb the rising cost? Yes.
The multiplier effect was that as cities and counties wanted to increase their budgets there was little that the group most impacted could do to prevent the increase of tax rates and fees. Prop 13 addressed that.
Now, am I happy that about 4 families on my street are paying more property taxes than the other 12 combined? Absolutely not. I also don't like it that it creates exclusive neighborhoods of the wealthy. Some folks like the social isolation, but I don't think it is a good thing.
My question is: do any of you criticizing Prop 13 have an alternative to propose that does not result in the retired being forced out of their family home, or having their circumstances greatly reduced because their property tax bill grows to be a higher percentage of expense in retirement than their mortgage was when they were still working?
And sure there are the very wealthy among us that can afford increased property taxes without blinking. Most of us are not. Let's make sure we design a system that works for the majority, not a tiny minority.
a resident of Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks
on Mar 7, 2012 at 11:45 am
"My question is: do any of you criticizing Prop 13 have an alternative to propose"
Yes, leave the residential portion the same and revisit the massive tax breaks to commercial landowners that make California inherently unfair for new businesses.
Remove the sections of Prop 13 that keep commercial property from being reassessed.
As has been outlined in most forums that get into any depth on the commercial side of prop 13:
Prior to Prop 13, commercial property accounted for 60% with residential accounting for 40% of the property tax burden. It has since pulled a Romney and flipflopped to 60% residential and 40% commercial.
Where is the inherent fairness in moving the burden over to residential property owners from the largest commercial property landowners in the state?
a resident of another community
on Mar 7, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Most of you who oppose Proposition 13 act as if they want to turn the Peninsula into a world for the rich only.
The richest person on the Peninsula, is not only pro proposition 13 and doesn't mind paying, out of her billions, higher taxes because she HAS the ability just like all you rich gripers.
She also is determined to get education for illegals who qualify and set up housing and grants and scholarships, in order to prevent this class war.
If you do not have a mansion in Woodside or Hillsborough, you may just be seeing a more American way of life and who wants factories and businesses ruining your lovely views anyway?
Removing prop. 13 will only make this area desirable for those who wish to make money as their sole mission in life and all that does is bring in greed and more attorneys who will bring in more corruption.
Most of the aging population will pass it on to their progeny who mostly lost their investments and will end up not selling the land and move out of this artificial atmosphere of greed.
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Mar 7, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Debra, you somehow imply that those mean nasty commercial landowners will simply absorb their increased taxes and solve all the state's budget problems. Have you considered that you as a customer will be paying that bill? Landlords will pass their increased taxes on to their tenants, who will have to raise prices on their products and services.
"The people" of California have to figure out how to pay for our state government. Whether through sales, or income, or property, or any other taxes, we have to pay the bill. And there's no magic "someone else" to pay it for us.
a resident of Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks
on Mar 7, 2012 at 12:31 pm
David B "Have you considered that you as a customer will be paying that bill?"
Any evidence that they've reduced what they charge as their percentage of the tax burden lessened over the years?
You also did not address the fairness issue of moving the burden to residential owners: "Where is the inherent fairness in moving the burden over to residential property owners from the largest commercial property landowners in the state?"
a resident of Atherton: West Atherton
on Mar 7, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Prop 13 keeps control away from the politicians who only know how to spend there way out of a situation, why not cut spending. We own a home on the East Coast and the politician's just re-asses anytime they need more money, to bad for the older people on fixed incomes, it does force them to move.
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Mar 7, 2012 at 1:05 pm
This is a good & necessary discussion. I realized I knew little about Prop 13 so went to Wikipedia Web Link and found the following information:
Proposition 13 contributes to an inefficient housing market because it provides disincentives for selling property in favor of remaining at the current property and modifying or transferring to family members to avoid a new, higher assessment.
California has more rigidity and friction in both its housing market and in renting than other states; one study comparing California's market to that of other states found that between 1970 and 2000, tenure of owned homes increased by 10% and in renting by 19%, and attributed this change to Proposition 13.
Local governments now use imaginative strategies to maintain or increase revenue due to Proposition 13 and the state's attendant loss of property tax revenue (which formerly went to cities and counties).
Most California localities have recently sought their voters' approval for special assessments . . . for services that used to be paid for entirely or partially from property taxes: streets, water, sewer, electricity, infrastructure, schools, parks, police protection, firefighting units, and penitentiary facilities.
Cities and localities have become more dependent on state funds, which has increased state power over local towns and cities.
Local governments have become more dependent on sales taxes for funds, which some maintain has resulted in poor land planning, and has made cities encourage more retail stores and "big box" outlets. Sales tax rates have increased from 6% (pre-Prop 13 level) to 8.25% and more.
a resident of another community
on Mar 7, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Just as I said, Steve.The only difference is that I put in "the progeny WILL sell the property" and move out of here.Big profit and then go spend their final days, if any, in the South Pacific.
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Mar 7, 2012 at 1:28 pm
Earlier MenloFamilyMan asked if anyone had a solution to the problem was intended to fix: that of an elderly person on a fixed income who couldn't afford the increased property taxes as property values zoomed upwards beginning in the 1970's.
One option that wasn't available in the 1970's that would help if Prop 13 were to be overturned is the REVERSE MORTGAGE. As the value of the property increased the amount the elderly owner could receive in a reverse mortgage would also increase. If they limited the mortgage they took out to just enough to pay their property taxes, they'd retain full equity that could then be passed along to their children, less the cost of interest & fees.
Thus for a small cost, the scourge of Prop 13 could be eliminated without forcing elderly homeowners to sell to meet their taxes. And in the meantime, their children would have been much more able to afford to buy their own homes since they wouldn't be burdened with excessive property taxes that Prop 13 currently imposes on them.
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Mar 7, 2012 at 1:33 pm
The first line of my previous comment was supposed to read:
Earlier MenloFamilyMan asked if anyone had a solution to the problem that Prop 13 was intended to fix:
a resident of Menlo Park: Sharon Heights
on Mar 7, 2012 at 1:43 pm
The turn over in property has been significant over the past several years. This market dynamic provides for a new market value and subsequent increase in property taxes. For those that are now seniors, let them enjoy the benefit of long term ownership. They no longer can afford an adjusted property tax bill.
Less we forget, values declined and the assessor lowered all property values reflecting the 3 year decline and prior declines in the 90's. Government has taxed and enforced fees which have cause the bloating of salaries, pension benefits and created a horrific burden on the citizens. Frankly, the extraction of property taxes has no public benefit if misused and placed in the beauracrates greedy hands. The shift of citizen funds to government is creating a new wealthy class of government employees.
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Mar 7, 2012 at 2:01 pm
W Patterson
You wrote: "For those that are now seniors, let them enjoy the benefit of long term ownership. They no longer can afford an adjusted property tax bill."
They could afford an increased property tax bill if they took out a Reverse Mortgage based on the equity in their property that has likely at least quadrupled in the time they owned it. Then when they died or sold, the bank would be paid back with no money out of their pockets, other than interest & fees. It seems a reasonable solution that wasn't available in 1979 when Prop 13 was passed. If it had been, Prop 13 likely would not have been needed and our governments - state & local - wouldn't have been so starved for necessary funding. And our schools, which were among the best in the country in 1979, wouldn't have slipped to 48th place, among other things.
As for your comment "The shift of citizen funds to government is creating a new wealthy class of government employees", do you have any references to support this statement?
I know from public records that the number of employees employed by Menlo Park is almost exactly the same today as it was 11 years ago. And as I understand it, these employees have been working under a salary freeze for the past couple years while having to increase their contributions to their retirement fund (ie. a net decrease in real dollars). I know several city employees personally, none of whom could be described as wealthy, especially in a community like this where wealthy folks abound.
It's fashionable to dump on public employees these days (they're just bureaucrats right?) but from what I've seen & read, it's not fair.
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Mar 7, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Prop 13 was passed to limit the spending of local governments. At that time the headlines would read "tax rate lowered X%", what was not said was that assessed values were increased at a greater percent resulting in continuing increases in tax revenues that supported increased governmental spending. Officials were elected who claimed that they would reign in spending but never delivered. An outraged citizenry passed prop 13 to limit the amount available to spend. Until our elected officials have the discipline to provide citizenry only with the services that they can not provide themselves, and provide them on a long-term cost-effective basis, the only recourse we have to limit spending is to limit what these free-spenders have to spend.
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Mar 7, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Ron -
That kind of thinking is what took California schools from 1st place to 48th place. Keep it up and we can look forward to replacing Alabama & Mississippi at the bottom of the heap.
a resident of Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks
on Mar 7, 2012 at 2:32 pm
"The turn over in property has been significant over the past several years. "
Which means the commercial property owners ahare of the property tax burden lessens while residential increases.
From 60/40 to 40/60. What is fair? Shall we let commercial owners get away with 25% instead of the current 40%?
I'm sure there are a few who post here think it should be zero. Let Granmama pay it all.
a resident of Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park
on Mar 7, 2012 at 3:05 pm
My taxes are twenty times my surrounding neighbors, is that good?
a resident of Menlo Park: Felton Gables
on Mar 7, 2012 at 3:07 pm
Keep 13...for seniors. Kind of like with the school parcel taxes, where they can ask for an exemption. That way, grandma gets to stay in her house and the greedy corporations have to pay their share. Problem solved.
a resident of Portola Valley: Ladera
on Mar 7, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Prop 13 was needed to keep politicians from just increasing property taxes to pay for their favored projects. Its failure was when their proponents exempted commercial properties and allowed a system of selling commercial sites without reassessment. Individual homes would sell on and eventually be reassessed. It prevented long time residents from being forced to give up their homes because of tax increases.
My home has increased in value during the 42 years I have lived in it. I could afford it then, could never manage it now. Inflation takes its toll without increasing incomes proportionally.
Prop 13 proponents had commercial real estate interests and convinced the general public to fix things for their own benefit.
The solution: Change the provisions that protect commercial property sales from being being exempt under any condition.
a resident of Menlo Park: Sharon Heights
on Mar 7, 2012 at 6:10 pm
$407,000.00 to a PA police officer. Please review the salary structure of the fire department and law enforcement. Surely you must recognize the transfer of wealth from us and our young people who perhaps make a $100,000.00 with BS and MBA from Yale. Think about it. High school graduate works for MPFD at $130,000.00. Wow,
something is very wrong here. God bless those young workers who struggle to get there degrees and contibute to society while public employee unions with low barrier to entry steal from those young folks.
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Mar 7, 2012 at 7:02 pm
Debra has it right, separate the commerical from the residencial. When Prop. 13 was passed, it was intended to protect people, yes some elderly, who were getting 'taxed out of their life-long homes, once they were on a fixed income and Calif.'s taxes kept going up & up. I don't think anyone who voted for it, realized what a boon it was going to be for big, commerical land owners.(not all of whom are big, bad commercial land holders, Mr. Dave B.!)Take, for example the old Co-Op Store, on Menlo Ave. I was told that it passes, from generation to generation, within a family trust, who don't even live in Calif. but I am sure that, regardless of the tax burden, the owners always seek the maximum in lease negotiations and Trader Joe's always hopes to negotiate it down to as low as they possibly can. Neither thinking one bit about the taxes! Meanwhile, we're left holding the empty bag. Business is BUSINESS! Individual, homeownership was not always an option to everyone, until after the "wars". Now, we think it should be, along with a good, free education. The middle class is disappearing again, and if you think it's a good idea to have a middle class, then home ownership and education are absolute cornerstones in that society. The more one has, the more they should try to elevate others in their community! "A rising tide lifts all boats"
a resident of Menlo Park: Sharon Heights
on Mar 7, 2012 at 7:59 pm
What about renters who would be paying through the roof (no pun intended) if commercial properties are exempt from Prop 13's effects? Why on earth should somebody who had enough money to buy a place to live benefit more that those who rent? Either Prop 13 is for all or for none....and that's fair.
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Mar 8, 2012 at 8:22 am
Honestly, you people make me laugh. Fair. HA! What's "fair" in this world?
The fact that we sit here and argue about property taxes while other people in the world starve to death.
The fact that in the evening you go to the mall, while in other countries they huddle in the bathroom and hope their house doesn't get shelled.
Fair, in this world, is a big fat joke, it's a pipe dream, it does not exist as anything more than an ideal that will never be attained.
a resident of Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks
on Mar 8, 2012 at 10:11 am
"What about renters who would be paying through the roof (no pun intended) if commercial properties are exempt from Prop 13's effects?"
What is the difference in rent at apartments in buildings that have been owned by 1 owner for 40 years and a building that transferred ownership last year and was reassessed?
Not much. The market will set the price for similar 2 bedroom apartments. The one with the lower tax burden is immensely more profitable. Put that in a business setting and you see how it hinders businesses that wish to relocate in California.
Throw in the myriad of ways that Prop 13 loopholes let businesses transfer without reassessment and that's whee you get the shift from 60/40 to 40/60.
I asked before - can anyone document how the savings have been passed on to renters thus far?
Can you show me cheaper rent on a building that has not transferred in 40 years vs a recent transfer? 2 apartments, both for rent now, the massive difference that you discussed - "through the roof"
No. The owners are using current market rates, not giving discounts out of the goodness of their hearts. Pocketing the profit and letting others pay their fair share of property taxes to keep California great.
a resident of another community
on Mar 8, 2012 at 12:33 pm
This converation was had about a year ago wasn't it? I still believe that keeping prop 13 for current homeowners is fine. No one wants to kick seniors out of their home for rising tax rates.
For Commercial and inherited properties though, that is another story. Like many have mentioned, some of the commercial properties have property tax rates from over 40 years ago. When you throw in the inheritance part as well, why would anyone want to sell their parent's house in Menlo Park when they could just lease it longterm and collect the payments for years.
Like several have also mentioned, these property owners for business/rentals are not discounting their rent because they have a low property tax, they are just pocketing more than their neighbor is.
a resident of Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks
on Mar 8, 2012 at 12:57 pm
The most blatant abuse of Prop 13 in Menlo Park is the landlord of the Trader Joe's building .. they live in a leafy street on Cape Cod, MA and pay a pittance in property tax ! I am sure they charge a premium rent to TJ Inc. and benefit from the prosperity of Menlo Park while laughing all the way to the bank !
Since when did a private sector employee get to cash out SO much vacation pay .. its obscene, immoral, unethical and plain wrong .. Most cops and firefighters spend their days sitting around planning their next 'days off' (I know for a fact !)
a resident of Menlo Park: University Heights
on Mar 8, 2012 at 1:06 pm
"That kind of thinking is what took California schools from 1st place to 48th place. Keep it up and we can look forward to replacing Alabama & Mississippi at the bottom of the heap."
If we win the race to the bottom do we at least get a #1 draft pick?
a resident of Menlo Park: Sharon Heights
on Mar 8, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Keep Prop 13 intact. No more tax increases! Resist it! Let those who want higher taxes donate their own money now, let them send their personal checks to their local city hall. I'm sure it will go to good use, like straight into some retiree's pension payment.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 8, 2012 at 2:19 pm
You undermine the arguments in favor of Prop 13 reform when you invoke the performance of our public schools.
Argue reform on its merits. Is it fair or not?
I remember the reasons Prop 13 was so popular when it passed by a near 2 to 1 margin the late 1970's. Families who had purchased their homes for $50,000 were paying $500 in property taxes. With California's frothy real estate market, they were reassessed to market, perhaps at $300,000, and they simply couldn't afford to pay $3,000 in taxes. What do you tell these people? That's a legitimate concern.
And be careful of unintended consequences. In the event property values fall, so will those tax revenues.
There is no perfect system.
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Mar 8, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Peter Carpenter is a registered user.
Also, remember that simplicity and equity are mortal enemies.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 8, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Those with an agenda that favors Prop 13 are quick to point out the inherent unfairness of tying property taxes to home valuations when the market is rapidly escalating. Ok, fine but those same advocates pretend that there is no reasonable middle ground between Prop 13's 2% or less increase and wholesale market based price escalation increases.
The fact is that every year that inflation increases government budgets beyond 2%, existing property owners are inherently shifting the burden of that inflation based increase to new owners entering the market. This inequity could easily be corrected by limiting the tax increase to no more than the CPI in a given year rather than the number 2% which happens to be an arbitrary (but happy number for existing owners).
Secondly, the issue of residential property truly is a red-herring designed to distract from the free ride that commercial owners are getting. At least with a residential property, one might reasonably anticipate a sale of the property once once or more per generation.
But today we have a situation in which commercial owners have assigned the ownership of their property to a corporation. And although the ownership of shares in the corporation might change hands on an annual basis, the actual legal entity does not ever change nor will it ever change. The result plain and simply results in an ever increasing percentage of the tax burden being shifted other forms of taxation (such as personal income tax or sales taxes).
The positive elements of Prop 13 can be retained without throwing the baby out with the bath water.
Of course those who control the commercial real estate in this state will have some other thoughts on that....
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Mar 8, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Beware unintended consequences!!!
Such as the burden shifting from 60/40 to 40/60?
What do you think of the consequences of giving large landowners break after break and shifting the burden to residential?
Where is the fairness?
Notice how whenever commercial tax breaks are brought up, everyone switches to Granny suddenly?
Very few have a reason against reform of the commercial side, just BEAWARE!!!!!!!
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:00 pm
I still say beware of unintended consequences... especially misuse by our legislature - which I think bears the majority of the blame for California's mess.
Remember when CALPers said that it would be no problem to raise the pension multipler to 3.0? What about that high speed rail that would be so popular, cost $35 billion and go fast? How about all those temporary taxes that never sunset? Or tolls on bridges that will expire when they're paid off? How about all that lottery money that will go to schools?
These examples were just off the top of my head.
Yes, we need more taxes - not enough lottery winners getting food stamps.
a resident of Menlo Park: Stanford Weekend Acres
on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:06 pm
"Yes, we need more taxes - not enough lottery winners getting food stamps."
Noted without comment. Though the temptation is getting the better of me.
a resident of Menlo Park: Sharon Heights
on Mar 9, 2012 at 3:40 pm
Kudos to "Curious," you have recapped the previous extensive discussions on this issue perfectly, boiling out the rancid, heated, special-interest rhetoric and reducing the recommendation to the common sense conclusion any honest observer would arrive at:
"This converation was had about a year ago wasn't it? I still believe that keeping prop 13 for current homeowners is fine. No one wants to kick seniors out of their home for rising tax rates.
For Commercial and inherited properties though, that is another story. Like many have mentioned, some of the commercial properties have property tax rates from over 40 years ago. When you throw in the inheritance part as well, why would anyone want to sell their parent's house in Menlo Park when they could just lease it longterm and collect the payments for years.
Like several have also mentioned, these property owners for business/rentals are not discounting their rent because they have a low property tax, they are just pocketing more than their neighbor is."
Hooray for Curious!
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Mar 9, 2012 at 5:21 pm
Lest we forget Prop 13 was put into place because local taxing agencies were willy-nilly raising taxes because they could. People would know about the increases when they got their annual tax bill. This especially hurt retirees who had no added income to pay these taxes.
The state legislature had a few chances to remedy this situation but they either refused or there was gridlock. In any event our elected representives could not pass any legislation frustrating almost all Californians. In stepped Gann and Jarvis with Prop 13. This was a bill that the people voted on at the time. The vote was a wallopping 65% to 35%. The five tax increase props that Schwarzennegger tried to finess by Calif voters lost by this same margin. So complain all you want to about the inequities of Prop 13, which there are, but voters will not pass it. They know that if they do they will be now subject to the willy-nilly increases in taxes that California pols, Democratic all I'll say, want to foist on the citizens.
The current misgoverning that is going on is reminiscent of 1975, Prop 13's time. They want more money. What else is new? They want to build that stupid High Speed Railway which everyone knows will be a huge deficit producer, still they go on.
In California we vote social causes but we don't trust these same people on economic matters. Just look at High Speed Rail to see how frivolous they can be with our money to say nothing of how they take money from the unions and give them huge benefits that we have to pay for. No, our pols do not represent us on these types of issues.
a resident of Menlo Park: The Willows
on Mar 10, 2012 at 9:43 am
I had children in school in Cupertino when Prop 13 passed. What a sad day it was. My children and I got to witness the decline in their schools first hand. I think they began to feel that kids were not important to their state. When one of my sons went to interview at Northwestern, his interviewer could not believe that there were no guidance counselors at his high school.
I recall that then Governor Jerry Brown had proposed a solution to the high property tax
rates for seniors, but by then the "Jarvis Gann " fervor had taken hold and so now, 34 years later, my grandchildren go to school in a state which still ranks near the bottom of the entire country.
a resident of another community
on Mar 10, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Hey Steve,
The words "Cherry Picking" come to mind when you state ONLY the negatives on Prop 13 from Wikipedia. TO BE FAIR, here are the Wikipedia positives for Prop 13 that YOU conveniently left out...
Positive effects
Advocates argue that Proposition 13 has provided predictability for property owners, and increased community stability. They argue that, while progressive income tax structures affect higher incomes, property taxes take a higher percentage of lower incomes, for those people who own a highly valued property but have lower incomes. It is pointed out that state income tax and sales tax were started during the Great Depression,[11] when taxpayer resistance began due to property taxes that unemployed workers could not pay. According to the Center for Governmental Analysis, between fiscal years 2000 and 2005 property tax revenue has increased 22.11%, while personal income per capita has increased 13.80% and general per capita revenue 21.93%.[12]
Estimates are that Proposition 13 has saved California taxpaying citizens over $528 billion (value retrieved 5/31/2009).[13]
Other groups, such as the California Taxpayers Association, citing "The Future of Proposition 13 in California," California Policy Seminar, March 1993, University of California, authored by Arthur O'Sullivan, Terri A. Sexton, and Steven M. Sheffrin, argue that the tax is progressive, and that acquisition-value assessments seem to provide property tax equity.[14]
Advocates of Proposition 13 argue that the restriction of tax increases for previously owned property has decreased the volatility of funding for municipalities. They claim that pre-Proposition 13 property tax revenue was almost three times as volatile.[14]
During 2009, the State Board of Equalization noted that only five times since the passage of Proposition 13 was the annual increase less than the permitted 2%, and that the estimated adjustment for 2010 would be negative, for the first time since the passage of Proposition 13.[9]
David Doerr argues that the "acquisition value system" acts as a control to overspending due to high real estate values, while permitting a source of revenue growth in times of recession. Local governments would then have to decrease spending more severely when the housing market decreased.[15]
According to the California Building Industry Association, construction of a median priced house results in a slight positive fiscal impact, as opposed to the position that housing does not "pay its own way". The trade association argues that this is because new homes are assessed at the value when they are first sold.[16] Additionally, due to the higher cost of new homes, the trade association claims that new residents are more affluent and may provide more sales tax revenues and use less social services of the host community.[17]
Proposition 13 remains popular among Californian likely voters, who are mostly homeowners.[18] Among likely voters, 53% described Prop 13 as "mostly a good thing" while 33% responded that it was "mostly a bad thing" in a 2006 Public Policy Institute of California survey. For adults who are not likely voters (mostly renters), Prop 13 was unpopular—- only 29% approval to 47% disapproval. Among California adults, overall approval was 47% approval to 38% disapproval.[19] Periodic newspaper accounts report high voter approval.[20]
Others argue that the real reason for the claimed negative effects is lack of trust for elected officials to spend their money wisely.[21] Business improvement districts are one means where property owners have chosen to tax themselves for additional government services. Property owners find that these targeted taxes are more palatable than general taxes.[22]
a resident of another community
on Mar 10, 2012 at 5:22 pm
It totally amazes me that people STILL use this lame argument of cut school funds to attack prop 13.
All my relatives where teachers, one is now a school board member in a major district. His main problem it trying to get RID of bad teachers, since the union protects them. Bad teachers take funds away from hiring new teachers and supplies for schools and the kids. He knows the problem first hand since he WAS a TEACHER for 35 years! Plus teachers are some of the highest on the U.S. retirement charts now. Things are SO out of whack. Teachers now put their platinum plated retirements and benefits WAY ahead of the kids in the classes. This is the MAIN reason why most retired and working teachers are STILL against Prop 13. They want that tax money to keep their fat entitlements rolling in, the kids can lump it! My city has cut critical maintenance and city summer kid programs, expansion, park hours, and cut city staff and outsourced work, since they have to pay the huge entitlements.
I see a lot of city bankruptcies ahead. And it is NOT AT ALL the fault of prop 13. These huge entitlements are NUTS and unsustainable. I and others won't be voting for tax hikes since it will ALL go to prop-up these entitlements that need major trimming. Prop 13 will not be touched since people know what the real problems are. That is a cold hard fact. Gaze at the real problem and solve this first before you go drooling over prop 13...
Web Link
a resident of Menlo Park: The Willows
on Mar 12, 2012 at 10:16 am
Dear Chris of another neighborhood,
I am talking about California being at the bottom of all the states in how much it spends per pupil on education.
Hard to tell what you're talking about, although I gather you are very angry at unions, teachers and public servants. I probably share some of your outrage. But these things have all happened while Prop 13 has been in force. So Prop doesn't seem to be the answer.....
PS, I do not drool!
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Mar 12, 2012 at 12:50 pm
2 proposals
1) Change the increase limit to long term inflation for everyone = 3%
2) Remove commercial properties from prop 13 protections, or mandate reassessment every 3-5 years.
I'd vote for that.
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Mar 12, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Chris -
You wrote: "It totally amazes me that people STILL use this lame argument of cut school funds to attack prop 13."
What's lame about the statement that California was #1 in education when Prop 13 passed and it's now #48 and on track to displace Alabama & Mississippi at the bottom of the pack? This is what "starving the beast" looks like. Though Prop 13 isn't entirely responsible for the current state of California finances, it started the trend and still contributes much to the underfunding of our state services.
Thanks however for providing the web link to the monthly pension payments to CA teachers, though I have to say that I don't know what you're so upset about - the pensions seem pretty reasonable to me. The range of pension payments is about what I'd expect, given the range of professional accomplishments represented by this group of retired educators. And remember, these payments are mostly not coming from you the taxpayer - they come from the $145 Billion CALSTRS fund which was funded by contributions from the teachers themselves, their school districts, and earnings on the CALSTRS fund investments (25% return in 2011, 12% in 2010).
Yes, because of fund losses in 2008 and 2009, the taxpayer contribution has temporarily increased to cover the current underfunding but this will change if, as looks to be the case, the fund sees a third year of gain at the end of the state fiscal year on June 30. And remember, during the boom years of the late 90's the CALSTRS investment were performing so well that the state contribution was effectively $0 for several years.
The bottom line however wasn't provided in your web link, though it is easy to calculate: the average monthly pension for all our retired state teachers is $3,585, or just over $43,000 per year. This hardly qualifies as an exorbitant retirement, especially when you realize that most teachers don't qualify for Social Security since they paid into a defined benefit plan during their teaching careers.
What platinum plated retirements are you talking about? Your own numbers show that that simply is not the case.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 12, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Other states don't have Prop 13 and they seem to be challenged by their finances, too.
In California, we fund a lot of things that other states do not. For instance, we have decided that we want our own EPA and our own FDA. We also just passed our own "cap and trade bill" and our own disability acts which aren't exactly business friendly. Other states say the federal programs are acceptable.
You may like those things, but they sure aren't free.
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Mar 12, 2012 at 6:10 pm
Averages can be misleading, and heavily skewed by extremes.
"The average monthly pension for all our retired state teachers is $3,585, or just over $43,000 per year."
That seems to be current retirees, some of which retired decades ago and may receive very little, and others recently retired and may be receiving amounts far, far over $43,000 per year. We don't know. What matters is the future obligation, and how it will be paid for.
I know I will only receive $2-3000 per month from Social Security which will not remotely cover living expenses around here. I also am lucky enough to have a 401k for which I've always contributed the max, which also is unlikely to cover living expenses when I retire (if ever).
Teachers and other public workers should expect some level of pension, but should not expect it to cover retirement in its entirety, as the rest of us are in the same boat. I don't want to fund other people's retirement beyond what I am able to save for myself.
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Mar 12, 2012 at 6:15 pm
When it comes to schools and funding, you have to admit it is completely crazy that the MPCSD receives funding for ~17 teachers from the Education Foundation. The budget from the state, city, county needs to be enough to cover the cost of teachers for god's sake. They can't today, even with the extra parcel taxes.
Who thinks that situation is acceptable? Not me.
Thank heavens for the foundation, but I'd rather have their dollars go to 'extra' programs/services, not for teachers, librarians, etc, that are required to run a school at a certain student population.
a resident of Portola Valley: Los Trancos Woods/Vista Verde
on Mar 12, 2012 at 6:47 pm
Until spending on the part of government entities returns to some form of sanity any law that acts to keep our money out of the hands of politicians can only be looked at as a good thing. Think about some of the spending decisions that you see all around you every day. Recently for example every local high school suddenly needed a performing arts center. They were popping up like mushrooms in the fall. Everyone of them were going to return profit for their district. The most recent addiction seems to be pedestrian overpasses - more mushrooms. How about solar panels at schools and other public buildings. Still more mushrooms. Oh for sure they are green as the grass in Ireland. But there's probably not a one that returns the capital investment in less than 10 years. That just plain lousy financial decision making.Then there's public employee salaries. Yes they used to be low but not any more and they are bolstered by all but free medical insurance and out of this world costly defined benefit pension plans. These two things were dropped by by private enterprise beginning more than two decades ago. Any actuary that deserves continued employment could see that these things were time bombs. We have governor moonbeam that somehow thinks that we should go ahead and spend 0.1 $trillion on high speed rail. It might be a nice idea if someone could pull a rabbit out of a hat that looked like a workable business plan. And keep in mind that that number really becomes more like 0.2 $trillion when the interest on the bond debt just happens to get tossed into the equation. It goes on and on. Another atrocious decision is the statement to self aggrandizement also known as the self stayed suspension span that is the last quarter mile of the Bay Bridge replacement.This is about a $2 billion extra cost over just continuing the simple structure that makes up the rest of the east span. We have the 2 Browns - Willy and Moonbeam to thank for this one.
These and innumerable other examples of poor planning and poor prioritization of spending decisions just keep on coming from people who should not be trusted with our money.
Flop a few other things into the hat. For example there are a lot of teeth chipped over "we should spend more on eduction." Maybe - but there are significant studies that demonstrate a rather poor correlation between $ per pupil year and educational performance. In fact the best correlation for educational performance is personal wealth of the parents. Yet another argument to not give more of your hard earned money to governments.
Then you can begin to throw in some other problem decisions. Why, for example are we buying performing arts centers and not science labs. We aren't producing enough scientists so we have to turn to China and India to import people who stay around for a few years and then take there job creating inventions back home. Or why build pedestrian overpasses over roadways that are so poorly maintained that pretty soon the pedestrians could just jump from car roof to car roof.
Good governance is in part an issue of good fiscal management. Until we have governance that can demonstrate that capability I say keep our money away from these spending drunkards.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 13, 2012 at 9:37 am
For a bit more color about California's problems, there is a superb review of our history in today's Wall Street Journal. It's hard to refute the evidence.
Web Link
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text:
R: "The Kingdom of God." It is a phrase Jesus used often, especially when he was teaching the people in parables, those short stories or analogies he told in language and examples very familiar to his audience. "The kingdom of God is
like . . ." he would begin. Like a banquet. Like a farmer who went to sow some seed. Like ten bridesmaids with lamps. The kingdom of God was an important theme for Jesus.
So we, as followers of Jesus, should probably try to understand what he meant when he discussed it. What is this "kingdom of God"?
First of all, it is not a synonym for heaven or our afterlife or what happens to souls after death. Even though Jesus often used the phrase "kingdom of heaven" interchangeably with "kingdom of God," he was not just referring to life after death. These are not parables specifically about heaven, about what happens to us after we die.
Second, the emphasis in not on a particular territory, or piece of land. In our fairy tales and fantasy stories, we often think of a kingdom as a place: "she sent messengers throughout the kingdom", throughout all the land she ruled. But Jesus' emphasis is not on land.
Rather, the primary focus of the phrase "kingdom of God" is the fact that God is king, that God reigns.
When Jesus uses the phrase "the kingdom of God," he is saying, in effect, "when God is in charge." "Kingdom of God" means the fact that God reigns—God's kingness or kingship, God's rule. It's sort of like the way we use the word "presidency": when we speak of the presidency, we're not describing the territory of the United States, and what the land looks like, but the office of the President, what the President has the power to do, the fact that we have a President in charge—more or less, given our balances of power. "Kingdom of God" means "God's being in charge." So Jesus would say "God's being in charge is like" a banquet, a farmer sowing seed, ten bridesmaids with lamps.
L: Now the idea of the kingdom of God did not begin with Jesus. In fact, we can see it develop as we go through the Old Testament. In the earliest books, the books of history including the exodus and the coming to the Promised Land, the kingship of God is presented as God being sovereign over the people of Israel: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord is your God, and you shall worship no other." Other countries and other peoples might be following some other god, but for you, Israel, the Lord is in charge. The Lord is your ruler.
Later in the Old Testament, however, the notion of God's kingship expands, beyond Israel, so that by the books of the prophets, we see God described as ruler over all nations, not just Israel. Not only are other gods not to be acknowledged by Israel, the fact is, it's now explained, that they don't really exist at all; there is no such thing as Baal or Astarte or Moloch or any other. Only God is real and has real power—power over Israel, power over all other nations, power over all of nature itself. The kingship of God includes everywhere. This is the idea we found in our Psalm today: There may be some other beings in heaven, it says—angels or seraphim or whatever—but you, Lord God of hosts, are the mighty one. "You rule the raging of the sea . . . The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it." The kingship of God includes everywhere.
And the time will come, the later prophets would write, some day, when God's rule will be seen by all, and acknowledged by all. "In days to come," Micah wrote, "many nations, many peoples, shall stream to God's house, saying "Let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, that we may be taught God's ways and walk in God's paths." By the end of the Old Testament period, God's kingship was recognized as being over all the earth . . . and it was foretold that someday all the earth would recognize that kingship.
R: This was the idea of "kingdom of God" with which Jesus began, then: God is in charge, and someday everyone will realize it.
A new twist begins, however, as the New Testament does; John the Baptist says it first: "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand." At hand. Close. Imminent. That "someday" is coming very soon. Jesus appears on the scene very shortly thereafter, and Mark summarizes his teaching with these words: "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near." Has come. The new dimension in the gospels' kingdom of God is that humanity's recognizing it is no longer just something that will happen someday, way out there in the future, but that that time of recognition is beginning now; all people are starting to see God's kingship now.
But we all don't discover important truths at exactly the same time, do we? The fact that humanity's acknowledgement of God's being in charge was beginning in Jesus' time doesn't mean that the whole world would come around in a matter of a couple days. The news takes a while to spread.
So we find in Jesus' discussion of the kingdom of God a mixture of time frames: sometimes he speaks of the kingdom as being present already, since the process has begun of humanity's recognizing God; and sometimes he speaks of the kingdom as being in the future, since the word hasn't spread everywhere yet. Humanity's recognition of God's rule had begun, but was not yet complete.
And one image Jesus uses to describe this developing recognition of God's rule is that of a growing plant: a plant which has begun to grow, but is not yet its full size. And this is why we get kingdom parables about plants – about farmers sowing seed, about crops and weeds growing together, about tiny mustard seeds becoming big plants. A growing plant is a picture which says that the recognition of God's lordship has begun, but still has a ways to go before maturity. The kingdom is both "now" and "not yet," not full-blown.
L: So let's look at a couple of these kingdom-as-growing plant parables, and see what they tell us about God's kingdom. One of them is the mustard seed parable: "The mustard seed," Jesus said, "is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, putting forth large branches, so large that birds can make nests in their shade."
The kingdom of God may start small, Jesus says, but in that seemingly-small thing there is a great deal of power, and a great capacity for spreading out. The tiniest of seeds can become a very large shrub. That which begins as very small can become very large and significant.
Sometimes humanity's recognition of God's rule, of God's being in charge, seems a bit too small, doesn't it. Why don't more people acknowledge God, and what God can do for them? Why don't more people have faith, and treat one another as God wants? As we look for evidence of God's being in charge, sometimes that evidence may seem small, even as small as . . . well, a seed. As we get impatient, we may want to see change happening faster than we do in the growing of a plant.
But don't underestimate the power in a small start, Jesus reminds us. Don't despair, as you look around, if you can't see much evidence of God's being in charge, or of people paying attention. The kingdom will grow, it will spread, it will become very large and significant, no matter what its size now—in its due season.
R: The other parable of growth began with verse 26: the kingdom of God, Jesus said, is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would then go about their other business, and the seed would sprout and grow, the sower not knowing how. The earth produces of itself the plant, as the sower sleeps or goes off in other directions. The plant develops on its own.
There is general agreement among writers about this parable that the key phrase is that one in verse 28 – "of itself." The Greek word is "automate," from which we get, of course, our word "automatic" – something which happens on its own, which we don't have to do: the automatic transmission, shifting from gear to gear without our touch; the automatic timer, turning our lights on whether we're in the house or not. The seeds grow, in this parable, without human effort; the sower has scattered them and then moved on to something else. The seeds, left alone, sprout and grow, he knows not how. Or as our closing hymn begins, "We plow the field and scatter the good seed on the land, but it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand." God makes the seeds grow without our help.
Well the kingdom of God is like those seeds, Jesus said. The sower scatters them, but it is God who makes the kingdom grow; it happens automatically, apart from human action. The kingdom grows, we know not how.
L: So there is also general agreement that this is a parable of great encouragement, that if we understand it correctly it will really cheer us up! First of all, it's encouraging to those of us who don't have much faith in human nature to create things which are lasting and good and widespread. We don't have to rely only on other people to bring about the recognition of God's being in charge; it will happen through God's effort, providing the seeds are sown. We don't have to worry about our fellow human beings messing it up, or not following through. The Kingdom's coming doesn't depend on human capabilities.
R: And second, it's encouraging because it means we don't have to worry about every little step of growing God's kingdom ourselves. We don't have to take responsibility for the day-to-day, minute-to-minute management of the growth of the kingdom. It's not on our heads. It will happen through God's work, apart from us. Our part is to sow the seeds, but then we can trust God to make them grow. We don't have to initiate each little step along the way – to personally crack open the seed, pull the beginning sprout out of its shell, push it up from under the earth. It will grow, we know not how; we don't have to worry about that part.
We don't have to micromanage the project, overseeing every little step. We don't have to say "if I don't make it happen, it just won't happen." We don't have to be afraid to look away, that it will collapse without our attention. We don't have to be workaholics or control freaks, with our hands on the project all the time, adjusting, twisting, shaping, handling.
The surgeon doesn't keep reopening the incision to check on the patient's progress. The carpenter doesn't pull two pieces of wood back apart to see if the glue is working. We can step back and wait a bit for progress. God will provide the growth.
L: So when we make a contribution to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering to help spread the news of God's kingdom, we don't have to personally accompany our check its whole journey – to stand over the person counting the offering, to make sure it's deposited in the bank, to make sure the Treasurer has noted it in the right category, to watch her write the check to the denomination, to go with her to mail it, to call there and make sure it has arrived, to obtain proof that it did in fact get credited to the mission account. We can drop our donation in the offering plate, and trust that it will be put to work.
R: When we bring in a guest preacher, we don't have to stand over her as she chooses her Scripture passage, personally approve each commentary and other resource she uses in her research, supervise every step of her notetaking and writing, question her on her selection of examples, and listen as she rehearses. We can arrange for the preacher, and wait for the results.
L: We can tell someone about our faith, or invite them to come to church with us, without calling them up four times a day saying, "Well what do you think now? Do you feel any faith stirring yet?" Without showing up at their house every mealtime asking "Don't you think you should pray over that food before digging in?" Without getting inside their head somehow and watching to see if they're mulling over our invitation. We tell them the good news, and extend the invitation periodically, and let the Holy Spirit work on them.
R: Our Sunday School teachers don't have to call their students every night to remind them what last week's lesson was about, to see if they remember its point, to hear about how they applied it today, to ask again if they'll be back next week. They can teach the lessons, and let God develop them in the listener.
L: As we think about our own faith, we don't have to find: a Bible study to attend on Monday, a prayer group on Tuesday, a midweek service on Wednesday, a class on Thursday, a church dinner on Friday, and church services three times on the weekend. We don't have to ask ourselves every minute of every day "What am I doing this instant to increase my faith?" We can conduct a regular schedule of worship, prayer, Bible-reading and service, and trust that God will grow our faith.
R: As a congregation, we don't need to set out a day-by-day, hour-by-hour schedule of how we're going to accomplish church growth, a list of new chores for each member each day, if—big if—we are being faithful in our prayer, our worship, our participation in programs, our inviting others to join us, and our service to the community. We have been told that God will grow the kingdom.
L: The good news is: we don't have to control every step, anticipate every possibility, guard against every possible misstep, never sleep, worry 20 hours a day – to bring the recognition of God's kingship into being. The growth part will happen, Jesus says, we know not how. We can trust God to accomplish that part.
R: Now before you relax too much, we do still have to sow. There will be no growth if the seed is not scattered. So the check to the mission fund still has to be written, the preaching of the Word provided for, the friend invited to church and told about our faith, the Sunday School lessons taught, the regular worship and prayer conducted. Those are the seeds; they won't jump out of the seed packet and into the ground themselves. We do have to sow.
But when we do, God's kingdom will grow, Jesus assures us. And the
result . . . well, the result is described in another plant parable: "Other seed fell into good soil, and brought forth fruit, 30 and 60 and a hundredfold." If we do our sowing, we can trust, God will make the kingdom grow.
Thanks be to God.
Let's pray: God we thank you for Jesus' parables of encouragement to us about the coming of your kingdom. Help us to do our part, to sow our seeds. And then give us confidence that you are working to make them grow, to bring about our faith in your sovereignty and our love of our neighbor. Amen.


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Patrick Cotter introduces this year's Cork International Short Story Festival (formerly the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Festival) featuring: readings, public interviews and seminars.
The 16th annual Cork International Story Festival will take place on 22 – 26 September, 2015 at Triskel Christchurch and at various locations throughout the city.
For further details: corkshortstory.net/index.html


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Ontotext are pleased to announce the release of *OWLIM version 4.0* (beta). This is a major development for the OWLIM family of RDF Databases and offers a number of fundamental changes aimed at better differentiation between the editions of the product as well as some important new features and enhancements. With this release, Ontotext have rebranded their line of OWLIM editions <http://www.ontotext.com/owlim/editions> and introduced a new member of the family: * *OWLIM Lite* is the new name of SwiftOWLIM * *OWLIM SE* (Standard Edition) is the new name of BigOWLIM; it is positioned as a single-server product, * *OWLIM Enterprise* is an extension of *OWLIM SE*, which includes the Replication Cluster <http://www.ontotext.com/owlim/replication-cluster> capabilities. It is priced and sold as a separate product intended for scalable, high-resilience, mission-critical installations, offering extended online re-configuration and other features which improve manageability *Scalability to 1 trillion nodes:* A brand new indexing mechanism has been developed for OWLIM SE that uses a configurable bit-size for internal identifiers of nodes in the RDF graph (URIs, blank nodes and literals). For very large datasets, the bit-size can be set to 40 bits, allowing up to 1 trillion unique entities to be stored. *Faster SPARQL 1.1 Query support:* Thanks to Ontotext's investment in development resource for the Sesame project, all OWLIM editions now boast support for this evolving SPARQL standard. While handling of SPARQL 1.1 through Jena was fast enough to allow OWLIM to get excellent scores in the latest BSBM evaluation <http://www.ontotext.com/owlim/references>, using SPARQL 1.1 through Sesame makes it even faster and available in all editions of OWLIM. SPARQL 1.1 Query specification offers new features such as: Aggregates, Subqueries, Negation, Expressions in the SELECT clause, Property Paths, Assignment, Short form for CONSTRUCT and an expanded set of functions and operators. Federation will be supported in a subsequent release. *Easy server deployment: *every edition of OWLIM includes re-packaged Sesame Web applications for easy deployment of OWLIM servers. Now OWLIM can be deployed simply by copying a WAR file. New OWLIM repository instances can be created using the Sesame Workbench UI administration tool. There are number of other new features for specific editions: * OWLIM SE now provides a remote notification mechanism that includes transaction information. * Performance analytics: OWLIM SE provides information on cache utilization and behaviour through a JMX interface. This feature can be useful when investigating loading behaviour and query performance. * OWLIM Lite is now packaged as a single jar file, with a simpler free-for-use licensing scheme. Note: This beta release can not be used with existing OWLIM storage files. The full release due in couple of weeks time will include an automatic upgrade facility for updating files created using previous versions. The OWLIM team.Received on Tuesday, 7 June 2011 01:41:30 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Tuesday, 5 July 2022 08:45:25 UTC


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IM Capital provides Qualified Investors (angels and institutions) with a partial guarantee on investments in Early-Stage Businesses and on Venture Capital Syndicated Pooled Investments, thus mitigating associated risks and encouraging increased capitalization.
For a single investment, the guarantee will be of different percentages depending on the investment bracket, with an overall ceiling of USD 500,000.
The main criteria for approving any guarantee is the involvement of a solid and experienced management team who have identified a creditable market niche with significant growth potential.
As for the Venture Capital Syndicated Pooled Investments, eligibility will be contingent to the relevant Information Memorandum, the investment team and investment process.
Investments can be undertaken in Lebanese Pounds, US Dollars, or any other convertible currency.
Only Qualified Investors, angels and institutions, aware of the investment risks, will be eligible for the equity guarantee, and should sign a Protocol of Collaboration with IM Capital.
For angel investors, alongside the « Know Your Customer » documentation, investors will be required to fill up a detailed due diligence questionnaire which reflects their track record, intentions in investing and their associated risk level.
For institutional investors, eligibility will be contingent to the investment team experience and investment process.
Click here to view Eligibility Criteria for beneficiaries.


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Demand planning is an increasingly important, functional necessity in business models, acting as the lever that transforms companies from operating as a supply chain to a demand chain. When deployed effectively, it has the potential to bring a competitive edge to your business by understanding, shaping, and predicting customer wants and needs.
Capgemini's Demand Planning service is part of our comprehensive Digital Supply Chain portfolio. It covers demand-planning tasks from Sales Load and Cleaning to Demand Release for Supply Planning and is already delivering business value for our clients.


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Samsung could have serious plans to annex the Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry. There was a bid of $ 7.5 billion, converted almost 6.4 billion euros, have come on the table. It would be especially Samsung to be doing the patent portfolio.
There were talks going on between top executives from Samsung and BlackBerry, as reported by sources of Reuters. The talks were according to these sources are ongoing, but there would be on the part of Samsung already offer ready that leads to $ 7.5 billion, almost 6.4 billion euros. Although neither company would confirm the possible acquisition, Reuters states have recognized documents that confirm the talks. Previously decided Samsung and Blackberry to go all together to work for the business market.
According to the sources, the Samsung applies in particular to the large patent portfolio that BlackBerry possession. Allows the Korean company would make himself stronger in the smartphone market: many manufacturers are involved in legal disputes, including Apple. Samsung and Apple do have the intention expressed their lawsuits against each other to terminate.
Or BlackBerry sympathetic to an acquisition by Samsung is not clear. It is also not the first time that there are rumors about a possible imminent acquisition of BlackBerry. Would have had several companies interested in the company, or parts of it. These may include going to Microsoft, IBM, Lenovo and Samsung.BlackBerry decided , however, after a difficult period still continue to go on their own, according to the rumors. Despite struggling Canadian company still declining sales.
Update, Thursday 08.00: According to Samsung, the message "unfounded." BlackBerry late Bloomberg know to be aware of media reports about a possible bid from Samsung to take on BlackBerry, but says: "BlackBerry is not in talks with Samsung over a possible bid to acquire BlackBerry." The statement leaves open the possibility that there is a bid made, but it is not known whether this is the case.
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Check in at the front desk and you will be directed to the locker rooms and the pool.
What do I need to bring?
You will need a swimsuit that will tolerate exercise and keep you decent, non-white shorts or tee shirt are acceptable as long as the edges are not frayed. You will need to bring a towel. If you have sensitive feet or poor balance water socks/shoes are recommended. There are also water workout shoes you can purchase for foot support if needed, you can find them at sprintaquatics.com or at your local athletic store.
Where do I need to change?
The Spokane Club has locker rooms and showers but you may also come dressed and ready to go. If you desire, you may pick up a lock at the front desk to use the lockers for your belongings during your session, or you may bring your bag onto the deck of the pool. Please shower before entering the pool.
How warm is the pool?
The pool is kept at 86 degrees, 4 degrees warmer than lap swim pools. There is also a hot tub kept at 103 degrees.
General Program Information: All programs are individualized and created for you so that each person will be doing different water exercises. In general, the first day will typically last 30-45 minutes, to make sure you do not get sore, and then progress to 60 minutes. Depending on your comfort level and injury, your individualized program will consist of a mix of shallow and deep water exercises with and without equipment.
About Amber Nelson: All sessions are conducted by Amber Nelson- MPT, OCS, ATRIC. Amber earned her BS at Washington State University, where she also competed for the WSU swim team and was honored as a NCAA All American Academic Athlete. She then earned her Masters in Physical Therapy from Eastern Washington University in 1999. Amber has been working in aquatic therapy since 2002 and is a Certified Aquatic Specilist (ATRIC). Amber provides individual, research based therapy with a focus on functional movement, returning her clients to their high levels of activity. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call us at 458-7686 or email Amber at email@example.com.


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How I select new shows to watch for each new season of Anime?
Choosing Which New Series To WatchMarch 25, 2011
2011 Winter Season RecommendationsJanuary 26, 2011
It's the new year and the new season of Anime is moving along at full speed. After watching the first few episodes of most of the current series, here is how I would rank them according to my preference.


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Join Radio Presenter 'Grantly' for The Gospel Sunrise' on the first Sunday morning of each month from 6-8 am on Solar Radio.
Each month you can expect to hear your favourite artist, song, and new gospel tunes all within the genres of RnB, Jazz, Funk, and Soul.
Check out my Mix-cloud page for a chance to listen again to programs you may have missed whenever you like. Click the Mix cloud button. Search for Grantly Solar, also favourite/heart button to receive notification of new shows.
Every first Sunday of the month you get the chance to listen back to Grantly on 'Solar Radio' 'Gospel Sun Rise'. 6 till 8 am. If you love your gospel music on that sweet soulful r&b tip then save this as your favourite and share this link with your friends. firstname.lastname@example.com I'd love to give you a shout-out on the next show and you can enter my 'Sounds Familiar' quiz.


text: Download new patient forms, pay your bill and access our Patient Portal. Forms Forms to bring with you on your first visit. BROWSE OUR FORMS Billing and Insurance TexomaCare accepts most major insurance carriers. REVIEW OUR LIST OF PROVIDERS Patient Portal Enter your username and password provided by TexomaCare. LOG INTO THE PORTAL


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Clouds Brewing opened it doors up in 2014 in Raleigh and is proud to now be part of historic Brightleaf Square. Our large open space is very accommodating for larger groups and our staff is always eager to deliver an amazing experience every time you step in the door. Whether you want to enjoy a delicious meal, dive into your favorite craft beer or watch your favorite team play, Clouds has you covered.
Just a few of the things we offer
-40 craft drafts behind the bar and Durham's first self-serve beer wall with 10 more drafts available.
-5 of our own crafts beers available year round.
-An amazing menu that ranges from a Beer-ger, to a blackened Mahi dish that melts in your mouth
-Full service bar just in case you aren't in the mood for beer
-32 TV's for wall to wall coverage of whatever sporting event your heart desires.
-Very large and accommodating space for just about any size group of friends.
Whatever the event may be, come check out Clouds for a wonderful Craft evening.


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About Marci Lock
Marci Lock focuses on the TRUE Components to create life long results and has the the credibility to prove it. RESULTS DON'T LIE and not only has she gone through the journey herself, but assisted thousands in their transformation.
As a TV & Radio Nutrition & Fitness Expert, Life Transformation Coach, Show Host, Author and Motivational Speaker, Marci travels the world sharing her passion and purpose in transforming lives, and creating health from the inside out. She thrives on the "hands on" transformational process experienced in her Bootcamps, Retreats and Seminars. She is the Mother of two amazing little boys and she seizes life through living what she teaches.
The Power of Choice Is Yours,


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Top 10 Beauty Products That Will Enhance Your Beauty!
Makeup is not at all different than the clothes and accessories rather it's an adornment to your face, and also it makes you creative. Making yourself beautiful is essentially a self-love. Everyone loves to have a natural beauty and also thinks that it's the best beauty but doing makeup sometimes becomes transformative. Makeup is that every female has it on top consideration for every single day. Every female needs to do some or little makeup, regardless of what we are saying. Wearing the adorable makeup adds more charm to the beauty of the female and also adds shine to their face. So there can be the products that does not seem essential but can add beauty and new look. That is only the reason every female needs a good quality and long-lasting beauty products for their makeover.
Here are some top 10 face beauty products for makeup.
- M.A.C Pro Long Wear Foundation
M.A.C prolong wear foundation is an everlasting foundation that can last up to approx. Ten hours in any of the environmental conditions. It is far better than any of the other M.A.C base products. The texture of these products is neither runnier nor too much creamy. Its foundation is a bit thicker than other foundations. The products definitely prove a complete finish to the skin. The feel of the foundation is very light on the skin also doesn't oxidize on the skin and is not transferable. The coverage is provided by this is almost sheer in the medium
- Inglot Loose Powder
Inglot loose face powder is too much fine and mild talcum powder which may blend very smoothly. Its weight is light and translucent in appearance. It is free of paraben and also it is not tested on the animals.it doesn't obstruct or choke the pores. The product is well built so that you can keep in your travel bag. It comes in a transparent box with a puff. Its finish is completely natural and matte.
- L'Oréal Paris Infallible 16 hours Concealer
L'Oréal Paris infallible 16 hour's concealer comes in a sleek twist up packing. The concealer is very much easy to apply on the face and it long last for ten to twelve hours. The texture of the concealer is thick, soft in touch and smooth.it can be blended off easily .the coverage being provided is medium. It can cover the dark circles on the face and its pigmentation is good.
- Garnier BB Cream
Garnier BB cream comes in a coloured tube pack. The consistency of the product is thick and also doesn't feels heavy on the skin. It gets blended off easily and no patches are left behind. The coverage being provided by this product is sheer in the medium. It can be perfectly used for daily wear.
- A.C Blushes
M.A.C blushes are available in wide range of shades. The medium of some blushes are sheer and some of them are being moderately pigmented. Some blushes have metallic finish and while some of them have shinning shimmer. It has smooth textures than other brand blushes and all the shades are easily blendable and buildable. The finish of the blushes are quite sheen.