Can't Own a Word!

 

Can't Own a Word!

I find it interesting that some people believe that they can trademark a word and get away with it. Well, I’m here to tell you that you can’t legally own a word in the English Language or in any language. However, you can trademark a company name such as American Airlines, but it won’t be a trademark on the words themselves since they are simply words, but The airlines can trademark the words to ensure they are not used in connection with any other airline services.

In recent years Meghan Markle tried to trademark the word Archetypes as being hers and only hers, however, that application was shot down by the United States Patent Office of Trademarks because she tried to trademark the word instead of clarifying the application to be the use of the word in connection with a podcast as she was using it. The reason for this was because the definition of Archetypes is actually derived from Latin and Greek Mythology and can mean many things.

An archetype can be any of the following:

 

1)      “a statement, pattern of behavior, prototype, "first" form, or a main model that other statements, patterns of behavior, and objects copy, emulate, or "merge" into. Informal synonyms frequently used for this definition include "standard example", "basic example", and the longer-form "archetypal example"; mathematical archetypes often appear as "canonical examples".

2)      the Platonic concept of pure form, believed to embody the fundamental characteristics of a thing.

3)      the Jungian psychology concept of an inherited unconscious predisposition, behavioral trait or tendency ("instinct") shared among the members of the species; as with any behavioral trait the tendency comes to being by way of patterns of thought, images, effects or pulsions; unlike personality traits, it is collective, not personal; and the tendency represents the evolutionary adaptation to specific cues from the environment: survival and thriving in the physical environment, the relating function, acquiring knowledge, etc. It is communicated graphically as archetypal "figures".

4)      a constantly recurring symbol or motif in literature, painting, or mythology. This definition refers to the recurrence of characters or ideas sharing similar traits throughout various, seemingly unrelated cases in classic storytelling, media, etc. This usage of the term draws from both comparative anthropology and from Jungian archetypal theory.” (Wikipedia, 2024)

So by Ms. Meghan trying to trademark the word Archetypes, she not only wasted her money for the filing fee but also learned the hard way that you can’t own a word. Has she refiled her trademark application, according to my sources at the USPatent Office she has not. Maybe she found an attorney who knew the law of patents and trademarks and educated her on the law. Who knows. But if she wants to file a trademark application, she better find lawyers who actually know the law and are willing to educate her before wasting thousands of dollars to apply for a trademark in the future.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Graduating with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University in Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week. 

 

 

 

 

Senate Pension Plans

What do  Senators get paid once they retire

Working in Congress may seem like a breeze compared to the drama-filled world of Hollywood movies or shows or even bad press. Filibusters and government shutdowns dominate the headlines, but in reality, the House of Representatives and Senate only worked 174 out of 261 days in 2023. Despite receiving hefty salaries, representatives don't get to cash in on their full pay after retirement. They do, however, receive some income post-retirement. Representatives typically earn an annual salary of $174,000, with leadership positions earning a bit more. They also receive allowances for staff, office, and travel expenses. While their salaries may seem high, they are on par with other professionals in the private sector.

Additionally, members of the House have yet to receive a raise since 2009. Retirement benefits for representatives are based on their plan, age, and length of service. To collect their full pensions, they must meet specific age and service requirements. Despite the generous retirement benefits, representatives still need to save for retirement like everyone else.

The question is are they worthy of their salary and better yet, any type of retirement pension for their service? After all the Founding Fathers only received $6.00 per year for travel expenses and salary for their service to the country. I for one don’t think the current representatives either in the House or the Senate deserve the pay they receive for not doing their job for the citizens of America.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Graduating with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University kin Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.  

Bug Out Bag Time

 

Bug Out Bag Time

Good day my fellow Americans, it’s that time of year again when we have to face hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters across the country. So in order to prepare for any of these devastating situations, I’ve created a Bug Out Bag Essential listing to ensure you are never caught in a situation of “anything can happen” and you’re caught without certain things for survival. My Father always said that prior planning prevents piss poor performance and he was right. Every time I didn’t plan ahead I got caught in trouble, but when I was prepared, nothing ever happened. So now I believe in being prepared to just ensure I won’t need anything on the list at the last minute. So, let’s put that bag together now and have it ready for the unexpected.

No matter the situation or the emergency, it’s always good to have the following on hand and ready to escape the danger:

Food: You’ll want at least 5 days of non-perishable food, mostly canned and shelf-stable goods such as rice, energy bars, cookies, and perhaps military grade MREs (meals ready to eat).

Cash: The stores will have the ability to ring up items electronically or allow you to use your debit or credit card to pay for items due to no electricity, which also means ATMs won’t be working either so be sure to have hard cash on hand, at least $300 in the 20s and 10s to cover any immediate purchases should you find a store open with supplies.

Water: A minimum case of large, bottled water per person. Plus 3 gallons of water per person (2) for cooking and (1) washing up purposes.

Portable Stove: be sure to also include fuel for the stove (Waterproof matches, solid fuel, fire starters)

Ziploc Bags, Multipurpose utility utensils such as knives, forks, spoons, can openers, screwdrivers, and multipurpose tools.

Clothes: Don't forget the various changes of clothes for each person in your family. At least 5 days worth of clothes and remember the socks, hiking boots, and sneakers. 

First Aid:

First Aid Kit with bandages: plus, other essential items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, toiletries as needed for all involved in your emergency plan, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes and ointments, and prescriptions.

Essentials: Don’t forget the toilet paper, paper towels, tampons or pads, wet wipes, splint, condensed soap, don’t forget your glasses, and maybe a spare set just in case.

Animals: Don’t forget to pack for the  fur babies such as prescriptions, heart guard, food, water, feeding bowls, and a crate if you have one, plus their favorite blanket.

Safety and Communications:

Whistle

Walkie Talkies

Compass

Watch

Hand Cranked Radio

Flashlight with extra batteries or get a hand-cranked operated flashlight

Glow sticks.

Cell phone with solar charger and maybe a small generator to help recharge the battery

Don’t forget charging cords for all devices including your laptop

Important Documents:

Any and all deeds or titles to home and vehicles

Bank Info: checkbook and savings book

Insurance policies

Health Records and doctor information

Will

Passports

Any and all legal documents

Social security card

Leases

Rental agreements

Family photos

Printed list of friends and family along with addresses to contact should you need to contact them.

Place all these items in a waterproof large Ziploc bag to ensure they don’t get damaged during the emergency.

Improvised items

Sewing Kit

Duct Tape is always helpful.

Zip Ties

Super Glue or E6000 glue

Garbage bags

Once you have your action plan and supplies in one place, be sure to go through them every 6 months and ensure you have what is needed for you and your family.  Remove anything that has expired such as batteries and canned foods (these should be rotated for safety reasons).  Remember that once things get chaotic, you’ll want to know that you are prepared to get up, grab your stuff, and boogie down the road to safety.

Also make sure that everyone in the household knows the plan of action and if not at home, knows where to go to to join you and the rest of the family during the emergency. Whether it be someone’s home, a hotel, or a shelter, you’ll want to know that your family is safe and with you during the emergency. Saves on the stress of not knowing. 

 

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Graduating with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University kin Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week. 

 

House Pension Plans 4/25

Congressional Retirement Pensions

A Congressional pension was designed to help retired representatives financially survive upon leaving their elected office, it was not meant to bankrupt the United States of America and its citizenry. As we’ve seen over the years, many representatives who do nothing for this country except cause serious trouble for its citizens remain in office due to voters who keep electing them into office every two years because of either ignorance, lack of education on the issues, or political party affiliation. This pension plan is as Ron Paul stated, Immoral due to its ability to bankrupt the country by shady individuals who only serve in Congress for the financial benefits it affords the member.

As of 1983, the Social Security Administration required all members to contribute to the Social Security system. Unfortunately, representatives saw the chance to line their own pockets further in 1986 when they designed the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) which now covers all new members of Congress. This new system offered previously elected representatives to either continue with the CSRS system or switch over to the FERS program, the majority of them switched over to the new plan as it was more lucrative than the old one.

According to the Civil Service Retirement System, the benefit package designed for the members of Congress was established to entice a “larger number of younger members with fresh energy and new viewpoints” to join the House after World War II with the passage of P.L. 79-601.

Its one thing for the FERS pension plan to pay out a pension to a federal employee who has worked for the federal government in a specific agency or position, but for a member of Congress who is paid a pension for doing truly nothing while in office to enhance the Country in some way, is truly immoral and detrimental to the future of this country. When we look back on history in this country, we will see that the founding members of Congress didn’t get paid large sums of money per year to further the future of this country, instead, they were paid a per diem amount for their service because they felt it was a moral obligation to serve, unlike those who serve nowadays because they can’t find a job in the private sector.

As of 2002 the average pension for any congressional representative is now ranging between $41,000 to $55,000 per year. However, if a senior member has been in office for 32 years or more can expect a pension of $139,000 per year. This means Nancy Pelosi gets the $139,000 per year at retirement because she’s been in office so long. But does she deserve it? This author doesn’t believe she does.

The only good thing about this new program is that as of 2003, any previously elected representative can decline the pension program they are offered whereas any new member coming into the House cannot. Is this pension plan a scam, this author thinks so. What do you think?

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Graduating with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University kin Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week. 

 

Presidential Retirement Plans

 Presidential Retirement Plans

Presidential Retirement Benefits

 Ever wonder what type of retirement benefits a former president receives, once he leaves office? Well you’ll be surprised what they get. The benefit package came about due to former President Harry S. Truman complaining to former House Majority Leader John McCormack that he was going broke due to excessive postage in responding to all the correspondence he received. The year was 1957 and by 1958 the Former Presidents Act (FPA) was created in Congress to help maintain the dignity of former Presidents by allotting them $25,000 per year for postage and office expenses. Truman never received any the FTA funding, but President Eisenhower was the first to benefit from it.

The FTA is administered by the General Services Administration (GSA). The FTA begins the minute the President leaves office and is paid out yearly until said President dies. Each President received not only the lifetime federal pension is between $210,700 per year to $230,000.00 per year. This figure is taxable, but each president also received non-taxable funds to cover office leases, cleaning services, office staffing, and office supplies. This amount does not include secret service costs for the protection of the former president. There is also a widow's pension for the surviving widow of any former president should she outlive the president. That costs the taxpayer $20,000 per year for the lifetime of the widow along with free postage unless the widow waives the offer of help.

Total overall benefits cost the taxpayer over $5.6 million per year for the following: Remember we have former Presidents Carter, Clinton, Bush, Obama, and now Trump.

Office Space and Staffing Allowances: Beginning six months after a President leaves office, the General Services Administration (GSA) provides funding to establish, furnish, and staff an official office anywhere in the U.S. For the first 30 months after leaving the office the GSA pays out $150,000 per year to help offset the costs of establishing their office. Staffing allocation is another $150,000 yearly, anything above that is paid for by the former President personally.

Travel Expenses: For travel that is related to U.S. Federal Government business, the GSA pays for the former President and up to two staff members for expenses that are at most up to $1 million in costs annually. Spouses of former Presidents also are eligible for up to $500,000 per year for security and official travel. All personal travel is at the cost of the former president and not compensated by the GSA.

Health Benefits: Many believe that former Presidents receive lifetime healthcare once they leave office, but that is not true. In fact, unless they hold the Presidential office for two terms or hold another federal position such as Congress/Senate or federal employment position, they are not eligible for lifetime health benefits under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. Former President Carter is the only living former president who is not eligible for lifetime healthcare benefits. 

Funerals: Presidents are guaranteed a ceremony with full honors and the option to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Secret Service Protection: Presidents are eligible for lifetime protection. The related costs are classified under the Former Presidents Protection Act of 2012. Prior to the enactment of the FPPA of 2012, former Presidents only received Secret Service details for 10 years after leaving office. Security after that time would be paid by the former President. In 1985 Former President Richard Nixon gave up his Secret Service protection and paid for his own security. He thought the expense was too much for the taxpayer to burden, at that time it was $ 3 million per year.

Surprisingly enough Congress decided in April 2015 to introduce a bill titled The Presidential Allowance Modernization Act that would cap the pensions of all former and future presidents at $200,000 per year and reduce current provisions in the FPA that would link pensions to the annual salary of cabinet secretaries. The bill would also reduce allowances to be paid to no more than $400,000 per year.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Graduating with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 various blogs from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.