Last week, the conservative movement had something to smile about. If you had asked me earlier in the year if I thought this was in the cards, I would have said no. However, voters never cease to amaze me. Last Tuesday, in the New Jersey and Virginia governor races, republican Chris Christie knocked off incumbent Jon Corzine (D) in New Jersey and GOP nominee Bob McDonnell pummeled state Senator Creigh Deeds (D) in Virginia with a 17 percentage point victory. What does this mean for 2010 and our chances to win back the House and Senate? Let's review the current
circumstances:
New Jersey: This is a troubled state. It made the list of the top 10 troubled states in the country. NJ is plagued by years of mishandled funds and spending more than it collects in revenue. Residents are riddled with an exceptionally large tax burden and owns an unemployment rate that hovers around the same as the national average of 10.2%. Christie won over Corzine by 4 percentage points last week - that's the largest victory by a New Jersey Republican in nearly a quarter-century. Why?
Virginia: This laundry list will read much like my own home state of PA. Virginia has a budget deficit and is facing even higher taxes. The state's Rainy Day Fund has been raided and run dry. VA has shorted K-12 education and it's own retirement system by billions. The state's gimmicks and short term fixes that robbed Peter to pay Paul are coming back to haunt Virginia. McDonnell won the governor's position by nearly 59% of the vote. How did this happen when Obama was the first Democratic presidential candidate to win in Virginia since 1964 just one short year ago?
It all came down to the Independent vote. The same voters that helped Obama carry the presidential election by large numbers, fled the Democratic party to vote for the Republican candidate. But still...the question is WHY? Could it be that voters are starting to become nervous about the amount of spending by the Obama administration? I know I am. When you look at all the legislation that could be coming down the pike such as Health Care, cape and trade, climate change, and the war in Afghanistan combined with the monstrous stimulus bill passed earlier this year...It becomes more than a little daunting. How can we afford all the tax dollars this is going to cost with a national unemployment rate of 10.2%? By the way, wasn't the stimulus bill suppose to keep that number in check? Something like under 8%? Yet, I digress..
There's much to consider here. How will this sit with moderate Democrats who sit precariously on the fence on such issues as listed above? As they say, time will tell but it has to have them thinking. And don't get me wrong...just because McDonnell and Christie were elected doesn't mean they still don't have to prove themselves. If they don't contain spending and turn their state's problems around, they should be held accountable. However, if they are able to make progress, the 2010 elections should prove to be very interesting. We'll be keeping a close eye on this one and I'm sure the Independent voters will be too.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Company You Keep
Late Saturday night, on September 5th, a man by the name of Anthony "Van" Jones handed in his resignation to the White House. Even though he only served six months as the White House's Special Advisor for Green Jobs, he left quite an impression. Never heard of the guy or his resignation? Let's just take it one step at a time......
Jones had a seemly normal childhood. He graduated High School and went on the receive a BA from the University of Tennessee at Martin. Things started to change upon entering law school at Yale. Reflecting back at that time, Jones admits that he considered dropping out of Yale but decided to stay because an ivy league education would gain him legitimacy. He has been quoted as saying "...if I'd been in another country, I probably would have joined some underground guerrilla sect but as it was, I went to an ivy league school.". While still at Yale, Jones was arrested during a protest of the Rodney King case in San Francisco. Although the charges against Jones were later dropped, it was at this time he met other young radicals immersed in the beliefs of communism and anarchy. He says he felt like he had found something he needed to be a part of.
After graduating for Yale in 1993, He founded the group STORM (Standing Together to Organize a Revolutionary Movement). This group was devoted to the teachings of Marx and Lennon. Each member was to develop a basic understanding and commitment to revolutionary Marxist policies, Third World Communism, revolutionary feminism, revolutionary internationalism, the central role of the working class, and revolutionary democracy. By this time, Jones was a self-proclaimed rowdy nationalist and communist.
In 1999, Jones led a group that tried to get arrested while rallying to free convicted Philadelphia cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal. In 2005, The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, of which Jones is the founder and long time director, produced an anti-Iraqi war album entitled: Wartimes: Reports from the Opposition. This album was a compilation of tracks hosted by none other than Mumia Abu-Jamal himself.
In January of 2002, Jones' Ella Baker Center organized a march in San Fransisco, CA in order to raise their concerns over the "War on Terrorism" and demand an investigation into the events of 9/11. In 2004, Jones signed a petition from the group 911Truth.org that questioned whether officials in President's George W. Bush's administration "may indeed have deliberately allowed 9/11 to happen, perhaps as a pretext for war.".
In 2007, Jones founded the group Green for All which is dedicated to "building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty". He released his first book, The Green Collar Economy. In March of 2009, he was appointed by President Obama to the newly-created position on the White House Council on Environmental Quality...which brings us back to the beginning.
In July of 2009, Jones became so weighted in controversy over his past political activities, he was forced to resign his post by early September due to "..a vicious smear campaign against me.". Smeared....maybe....but with his own deeds and words. Here we are at the heart of the matter concerning Jones.....How did he ever get a job in the White House in the first place? If you or I apply for any position requiring special clearance, we would be subject to a background check. And, had we the same political ties in our backgrounds, we would have been denied. Considering the embarrassment the administration has already suffered due to lacking procedures in the vetting process, how was he able to pass through without being properly investigated? I'm just an average citizen. I do not have the powers of the FBI and CIA to gather information. Yet, I was able to obtain loads of background information concerning Mr. Jones. How did this administration not?
Yes, Van Jones is entitled, under the protection of our Country's constitution, to say and believe anything he wants. If wants to join the communist party...so be it. If he wants to lend his support to a death-row cop-killer....so be it. If he believes the past administration was a part of a conspiracy on 9/11....he can. As a kid, my parents used to tell me to be careful of who my friends were because I may be judged by their actions. Isn't that the truth! Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers, ACORN...fool me once, shame on you....fool me twice, shame one me. How long will the American public be made fools?
"You have to be creative how you engage the enemy, because if you do it on his terms, the outcome is already known." - Van Jones
Jones had a seemly normal childhood. He graduated High School and went on the receive a BA from the University of Tennessee at Martin. Things started to change upon entering law school at Yale. Reflecting back at that time, Jones admits that he considered dropping out of Yale but decided to stay because an ivy league education would gain him legitimacy. He has been quoted as saying "...if I'd been in another country, I probably would have joined some underground guerrilla sect but as it was, I went to an ivy league school.". While still at Yale, Jones was arrested during a protest of the Rodney King case in San Francisco. Although the charges against Jones were later dropped, it was at this time he met other young radicals immersed in the beliefs of communism and anarchy. He says he felt like he had found something he needed to be a part of.
After graduating for Yale in 1993, He founded the group STORM (Standing Together to Organize a Revolutionary Movement). This group was devoted to the teachings of Marx and Lennon. Each member was to develop a basic understanding and commitment to revolutionary Marxist policies, Third World Communism, revolutionary feminism, revolutionary internationalism, the central role of the working class, and revolutionary democracy. By this time, Jones was a self-proclaimed rowdy nationalist and communist.
In 1999, Jones led a group that tried to get arrested while rallying to free convicted Philadelphia cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal. In 2005, The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, of which Jones is the founder and long time director, produced an anti-Iraqi war album entitled: Wartimes: Reports from the Opposition. This album was a compilation of tracks hosted by none other than Mumia Abu-Jamal himself.
In January of 2002, Jones' Ella Baker Center organized a march in San Fransisco, CA in order to raise their concerns over the "War on Terrorism" and demand an investigation into the events of 9/11. In 2004, Jones signed a petition from the group 911Truth.org that questioned whether officials in President's George W. Bush's administration "may indeed have deliberately allowed 9/11 to happen, perhaps as a pretext for war.".
In 2007, Jones founded the group Green for All which is dedicated to "building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty". He released his first book, The Green Collar Economy. In March of 2009, he was appointed by President Obama to the newly-created position on the White House Council on Environmental Quality...which brings us back to the beginning.
In July of 2009, Jones became so weighted in controversy over his past political activities, he was forced to resign his post by early September due to "..a vicious smear campaign against me.". Smeared....maybe....but with his own deeds and words. Here we are at the heart of the matter concerning Jones.....How did he ever get a job in the White House in the first place? If you or I apply for any position requiring special clearance, we would be subject to a background check. And, had we the same political ties in our backgrounds, we would have been denied. Considering the embarrassment the administration has already suffered due to lacking procedures in the vetting process, how was he able to pass through without being properly investigated? I'm just an average citizen. I do not have the powers of the FBI and CIA to gather information. Yet, I was able to obtain loads of background information concerning Mr. Jones. How did this administration not?
Yes, Van Jones is entitled, under the protection of our Country's constitution, to say and believe anything he wants. If wants to join the communist party...so be it. If he wants to lend his support to a death-row cop-killer....so be it. If he believes the past administration was a part of a conspiracy on 9/11....he can. As a kid, my parents used to tell me to be careful of who my friends were because I may be judged by their actions. Isn't that the truth! Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers, ACORN...fool me once, shame on you....fool me twice, shame one me. How long will the American public be made fools?
"You have to be creative how you engage the enemy, because if you do it on his terms, the outcome is already known." - Van Jones
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Style of Common Sense
Our Country's Founding Fathers really knew how to say what they meant. What is even more amazing is how their essays were written hundreds of years ago but are still very much relevant. Common sense never goes out of style.
I would like to share with you an excerpt of an essay written by Benjamin Franklin:
...and there will always be a party for giving more to the rulers, that the rulers may be able to in return to give more to them. Hence, as all history informs us, there has been in every state and kingdom a constant kind of warfare between the governing and the governed, the one striving to obtain more for its support, and the other to pay less. And this has alone occasioned great convulsions, actual civil wars, ending either in dethroning of the princes or enslaving of the people. Generally, indeed, the ruling power carries its point and we see the revenues of princes constantly increasing, and we see that they are never satisfied, but always in want of more. The more the people are discontented with the oppressions of taxes, the greater need the prince has of money to distribute among his partisans, and pay the troops that are to suppress all resistance, and enable him to plunder at pleasure.
There is great distrust of government leaders mounting....storms are brewing. The PEOPLE want their Country back. The average American may not know the words of The Founding Fathers but they know in their gut when something isn't quite right. I encourage you to look around at what is going on around your community, township, state, and federal government. Be Bold. No time like the present to steer this thing back around to our founding principles. Investigate your Senators and Representative and know what they stand for. We have a very important election coming up in 2010. If your elected representation is not representative of you, do something about it.
I would like to share with you an excerpt of an essay written by Benjamin Franklin:
...and there will always be a party for giving more to the rulers, that the rulers may be able to in return to give more to them. Hence, as all history informs us, there has been in every state and kingdom a constant kind of warfare between the governing and the governed, the one striving to obtain more for its support, and the other to pay less. And this has alone occasioned great convulsions, actual civil wars, ending either in dethroning of the princes or enslaving of the people. Generally, indeed, the ruling power carries its point and we see the revenues of princes constantly increasing, and we see that they are never satisfied, but always in want of more. The more the people are discontented with the oppressions of taxes, the greater need the prince has of money to distribute among his partisans, and pay the troops that are to suppress all resistance, and enable him to plunder at pleasure.
There is great distrust of government leaders mounting....storms are brewing. The PEOPLE want their Country back. The average American may not know the words of The Founding Fathers but they know in their gut when something isn't quite right. I encourage you to look around at what is going on around your community, township, state, and federal government. Be Bold. No time like the present to steer this thing back around to our founding principles. Investigate your Senators and Representative and know what they stand for. We have a very important election coming up in 2010. If your elected representation is not representative of you, do something about it.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
A Full Plate
I admit. I'm getting more than a little nervous. Unemployment is still rising, the markets are still rolling around, we are borrowing 50 cents of every dollar we spend and our government is STILL trying to ram more spending projects....BIG SPENDING PROJECTS...down our throats. In a recent interview with CNN, Colin Powell has also expressed concerns with President Obama's spending agenda. He has cautioned the administration against taking on too many things that we can't afford while debt is piling up. He believes "We can't absorb it all". Powell has asked the administration to take a hard look at the cost of Obama's initiatives and determine if the effectiveness justifies the cost. Here are a few more things I wish the President would apply that same effectiveness vs. cost analysis to:
1. His first executive order as President: Shutting Gitmo down. I'm willing to spend the money to keep this baby afloat. Where are all of these prisoners going to go? Obviously, my backyard since Senator Murtha is one of my go-to-guys. It was just in the news, a few days ago, a recently released detainee has resumed his place in the al Qaeda network and is working on opposing US lead campaigns yet again. The costs are high and the prison is set to close in 6 months. Feeling any less nervous yet?
2. The Stimulus Plan: As of the first of the month, less than 10% of this alloted money has been spend. Really? How is it that a second stimulus plan is already being talked about? Our Country is facing mounting national debt that has never been heard of before and is looking at a multi-trillion dollar budget. Joe Biden remarked earlier in the week that perhaps they had underestimated how badly damaged the economy was. And he thinks a second stimulus bill is going to fix it? He better hope China likes to throw buckets of money away on his crap shoots.
3. Cap and Trade: Obama is looking to overhaul our whole energy systems through a carbon tax. When has new taxes ever achieved it's intended goal? I've said this before and I'll say it again....cap and trade is going to kill jobs, business, and industry. It's going to chip away at the poor and middle class who will not be able to afford their energy costs. I'm all for developing new innovations and new sources of power but let's not limit ourselves. Let's use everything that is on the table...wind, solar, natural gas, oil, coal, nuclear, etc. Let the markets push the agenda and not the lawmakers in Washington, DC that would like to dictate our lifestyle to us.
4. Universal Healthcare: We already have a universal healthcare system in our Country that doesn't work....Medicare and Medicaid. We simply can not afford to keep saddling the average taxpayer with more entitlement programs that are mishandled. Why has the government been recommended for the job when they clearly do not have the resume for it. What else can I say about this initiative that hasn't been said already?
What about you? What has gotten the hairs on your arms standing on end in the past 6 months? I am proud to say that between our blogspot and Facebook followers, we are almost 70 strong and growing by the week. Keep introducing friends to The Rising Patriot....you never know where the next great idea may come from.
1. His first executive order as President: Shutting Gitmo down. I'm willing to spend the money to keep this baby afloat. Where are all of these prisoners going to go? Obviously, my backyard since Senator Murtha is one of my go-to-guys. It was just in the news, a few days ago, a recently released detainee has resumed his place in the al Qaeda network and is working on opposing US lead campaigns yet again. The costs are high and the prison is set to close in 6 months. Feeling any less nervous yet?
2. The Stimulus Plan: As of the first of the month, less than 10% of this alloted money has been spend. Really? How is it that a second stimulus plan is already being talked about? Our Country is facing mounting national debt that has never been heard of before and is looking at a multi-trillion dollar budget. Joe Biden remarked earlier in the week that perhaps they had underestimated how badly damaged the economy was. And he thinks a second stimulus bill is going to fix it? He better hope China likes to throw buckets of money away on his crap shoots.
3. Cap and Trade: Obama is looking to overhaul our whole energy systems through a carbon tax. When has new taxes ever achieved it's intended goal? I've said this before and I'll say it again....cap and trade is going to kill jobs, business, and industry. It's going to chip away at the poor and middle class who will not be able to afford their energy costs. I'm all for developing new innovations and new sources of power but let's not limit ourselves. Let's use everything that is on the table...wind, solar, natural gas, oil, coal, nuclear, etc. Let the markets push the agenda and not the lawmakers in Washington, DC that would like to dictate our lifestyle to us.
4. Universal Healthcare: We already have a universal healthcare system in our Country that doesn't work....Medicare and Medicaid. We simply can not afford to keep saddling the average taxpayer with more entitlement programs that are mishandled. Why has the government been recommended for the job when they clearly do not have the resume for it. What else can I say about this initiative that hasn't been said already?
What about you? What has gotten the hairs on your arms standing on end in the past 6 months? I am proud to say that between our blogspot and Facebook followers, we are almost 70 strong and growing by the week. Keep introducing friends to The Rising Patriot....you never know where the next great idea may come from.
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Big Cheese
On Tuesday, I went to a doctor visit with my Dad. He had a heart attack several years ago and is seen regularly by a cardiologist to stay on top of things. Before being seen by his doctor, we spent some time in the waiting room. Instead of reading a magazine or newspaper, I did a little people watching. All around me sat older individuals. Most of them were well into their sixties and seventies and, I presume, part of the current universal healthcare system we currently have.....Medicare. Then I got to thinking, what if these people lived in Canada or England? Would they even be in the position of eligibility to receive the kind of treatment and care they are receiving now in this country?
For example, in England, there is a health board that decides if you are worthy of the treatment you seek. They consider your age and disease verses your presumed life expectancy and cost of treatment to determine if you're worth the expense. If you are too old and the treatment is deemed to costly......you are SOL.....simply out of luck! Then where do you go and what do you do? If the government controls all the healthcare, there are no other choices....no other options. Even if your course of treatment is approved, how long do you have to wait for it? Ask the citizens in Canada that have crossed our borders for heart surgery. Many claim that would have died on the waiting list and chose to come to the United States and pay out of pocket for care.
Let's not forget the cost of research and development. This is a big one to consider. New medical breakthroughs take money and LOTS of it. Is the government ready to take on that expense too? Since I've just visited a cardiologist this week with my Dad, let's talk about bypass surgery for example. When the medical community first started performing bypass surgery, it was a very risky procedure and very costly because it was experimental. Many times the surgery resulted in death. But, as the years went by, the surgeons got better and better at it and improved upon the procedure. Fast forward decades later to present day and bypass surgery is almost done like an outpatient procedure. The patient is out of the hospital in days time with significantly less cost and risk than earlier years....but it has taken time and money to get to this point. What will happen with drug research? New breakthrough procedures? Cancer treatments? Talk to anyone in the medical or drug field and they can enlighten you on the costs associated with research, development, and clinical trials. For every win, there are dozens of failures left on the killing floor.....and even the failures cost money.
Who recommended the government for this job anyway? They have already butchered Medicare and Social Security to the point where it's going to implode. Do we really think we can trust them to be the Big Cheese on Healthcare? We teabaggers will have to fight this one tooth and nail because if they can pull this off and pass the legislature....GOD HELP US ALL.
For example, in England, there is a health board that decides if you are worthy of the treatment you seek. They consider your age and disease verses your presumed life expectancy and cost of treatment to determine if you're worth the expense. If you are too old and the treatment is deemed to costly......you are SOL.....simply out of luck! Then where do you go and what do you do? If the government controls all the healthcare, there are no other choices....no other options. Even if your course of treatment is approved, how long do you have to wait for it? Ask the citizens in Canada that have crossed our borders for heart surgery. Many claim that would have died on the waiting list and chose to come to the United States and pay out of pocket for care.
Let's not forget the cost of research and development. This is a big one to consider. New medical breakthroughs take money and LOTS of it. Is the government ready to take on that expense too? Since I've just visited a cardiologist this week with my Dad, let's talk about bypass surgery for example. When the medical community first started performing bypass surgery, it was a very risky procedure and very costly because it was experimental. Many times the surgery resulted in death. But, as the years went by, the surgeons got better and better at it and improved upon the procedure. Fast forward decades later to present day and bypass surgery is almost done like an outpatient procedure. The patient is out of the hospital in days time with significantly less cost and risk than earlier years....but it has taken time and money to get to this point. What will happen with drug research? New breakthrough procedures? Cancer treatments? Talk to anyone in the medical or drug field and they can enlighten you on the costs associated with research, development, and clinical trials. For every win, there are dozens of failures left on the killing floor.....and even the failures cost money.
Who recommended the government for this job anyway? They have already butchered Medicare and Social Security to the point where it's going to implode. Do we really think we can trust them to be the Big Cheese on Healthcare? We teabaggers will have to fight this one tooth and nail because if they can pull this off and pass the legislature....GOD HELP US ALL.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Paper or Plastic?
You hear the statistics every day. And they're NOT encouraging. The majority of Americans are swimming in credit card debt. The most consistent figure I've heard is that the average household carries $10,000 - $12,000 in credit card debit. What has happened to us? Credit has become too cheap and way too easy. Millions of Americans, once again, have bit off more than they can chew, just as they have done with real estate, and we are all going to end up paying for it.
President Obama signed the most sweeping credit card reform bill in the Country's history on May 22, 2009. The bill's intent is to rein in the penalties and fees banks can charge, prohibit raising of rates on previous balances, establish minimum time periods for "teaser rates", impose age limits, and etc. It's a long laundry list of reforms that is intended on preventing the middle class from being ripped off. And, yes, it all may look good on the surface but that gold plated finish doesn't look so pretty after you scratch the surface.
Once this bill takes effect, nine months from now, what do you really think is going to happen? Or, better yet, who do you think is really going pay for all the lost revenue the credit card companies are going to have to suck up? Not a hard one to answer if you are one of the few that have been responsible with your use of credit cards. Please step to the head of the class! Say "Bye-Bye" to reward programs, cash back, frequent flyer miles, 30 days grace periods, and no annual fee cards. The credit card companies will seek to make up lost cash by putting the screws to you. In a year from now, will it be worth having a credit card? Once again, you will be answering the age old question of "Paper or Plastic?".
Like you, I'm assuming, I've been notified about changes concerning my credit cards. I actually took the time to call one of the companies about the informed changes because I'm a very responsible customer. Frankly, I was angry about this particular card changing my interest rate because I consider myself a good credit risk and it's really the only one we ever use. The customer service agent on the other end of the line reassured me the changes wouldn't be forever (Right!!), things would get "back to normal" after we get through this economic downturn, and she was willing to allow me to keep my locked in low rate for 10 more months.....because I threatened to drop them after a 12 year relationship!
People need to wake up and make some changes in habit. We are doing this to ourselves. There are choices to be made and life is all about making choices. We see if over and over again. A select few are being tapped on the shoulder and receiving a bailout. And you have to ask.....is this really going to help? My hunch is that those who are already up to their necks in debt are going to end up defaulting with or without the government putting their spoon in the soup. Which leads you back to the Forgotten Man who will end up paying the greatest price when it's all said and done.
As for me, I view credit cards as a convience not a necessity. If things change drastically enough, due to government regulations or otherwise, I will no longer be a "card" carrying member of society. Paper, please!
President Obama signed the most sweeping credit card reform bill in the Country's history on May 22, 2009. The bill's intent is to rein in the penalties and fees banks can charge, prohibit raising of rates on previous balances, establish minimum time periods for "teaser rates", impose age limits, and etc. It's a long laundry list of reforms that is intended on preventing the middle class from being ripped off. And, yes, it all may look good on the surface but that gold plated finish doesn't look so pretty after you scratch the surface.
Once this bill takes effect, nine months from now, what do you really think is going to happen? Or, better yet, who do you think is really going pay for all the lost revenue the credit card companies are going to have to suck up? Not a hard one to answer if you are one of the few that have been responsible with your use of credit cards. Please step to the head of the class! Say "Bye-Bye" to reward programs, cash back, frequent flyer miles, 30 days grace periods, and no annual fee cards. The credit card companies will seek to make up lost cash by putting the screws to you. In a year from now, will it be worth having a credit card? Once again, you will be answering the age old question of "Paper or Plastic?".
Like you, I'm assuming, I've been notified about changes concerning my credit cards. I actually took the time to call one of the companies about the informed changes because I'm a very responsible customer. Frankly, I was angry about this particular card changing my interest rate because I consider myself a good credit risk and it's really the only one we ever use. The customer service agent on the other end of the line reassured me the changes wouldn't be forever (Right!!), things would get "back to normal" after we get through this economic downturn, and she was willing to allow me to keep my locked in low rate for 10 more months.....because I threatened to drop them after a 12 year relationship!
People need to wake up and make some changes in habit. We are doing this to ourselves. There are choices to be made and life is all about making choices. We see if over and over again. A select few are being tapped on the shoulder and receiving a bailout. And you have to ask.....is this really going to help? My hunch is that those who are already up to their necks in debt are going to end up defaulting with or without the government putting their spoon in the soup. Which leads you back to the Forgotten Man who will end up paying the greatest price when it's all said and done.
As for me, I view credit cards as a convience not a necessity. If things change drastically enough, due to government regulations or otherwise, I will no longer be a "card" carrying member of society. Paper, please!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
And The Next Entitlement Goes To.......
Over the years, I've reminisced about my college years. Those were some of the most fun times of my earlier days. What would you say to this offer: Do it all over again and have it paid for by your Uncle Sam? Sounds like a great time, right? This may become a reality if President Obama's upcoming budget is passed as it now stands. Obama is urging the government takeover of the college loan system. The cradle to grave mentality lives on............
Here is the plan: Obama wants to make the Pell Grant Program an entitlement like Social Security and transfer control of the lending business to the government. He is calling on Congress to expand the availability of the grant for poor students by increasing the loans from 1 Billion/year to 6 Billion/year. Furthermore, Obama wants to make this program a mandatory part of the annual budget. Am I getting your attention yet?
Consolidation of the loan program may save 94 Billion over a period of 10 years BUT will boost yearly spending over that same 10 year period by 293 Billion.....this is according to the numbers released by our Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Not to mention the limit on loan options, loss of jobs, and the large increase to our deficit. The private bank industry has built this entire industry and now the government wants a piggyback ride.
Putting aside all the other concerns from the above, here is want makes my spine tingle when I think about this proposal.....what does this do for a student's freedom of choice. What is being proposed is a cradle to grave school system. What happens, down the road, when a student is "rewarded" with a government loan......does the government have a choice in the student's chosen major? Will a certain career path need to be chosen in order to have the "privilege" of going to school? What if the student has difficulty paying the loan back after graduation? Will the National Call To Service Act be brought around and we, the taxpayer, be asked to "forgive" part of the loan in exchange for the student's participation in public service?
All the "what ifs" are a little alarming to me. The Forgotten Man already struggles to pay for our current public school system through increasing property and school taxes.....can he really afford this too?
Here is the plan: Obama wants to make the Pell Grant Program an entitlement like Social Security and transfer control of the lending business to the government. He is calling on Congress to expand the availability of the grant for poor students by increasing the loans from 1 Billion/year to 6 Billion/year. Furthermore, Obama wants to make this program a mandatory part of the annual budget. Am I getting your attention yet?
Consolidation of the loan program may save 94 Billion over a period of 10 years BUT will boost yearly spending over that same 10 year period by 293 Billion.....this is according to the numbers released by our Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Not to mention the limit on loan options, loss of jobs, and the large increase to our deficit. The private bank industry has built this entire industry and now the government wants a piggyback ride.
Putting aside all the other concerns from the above, here is want makes my spine tingle when I think about this proposal.....what does this do for a student's freedom of choice. What is being proposed is a cradle to grave school system. What happens, down the road, when a student is "rewarded" with a government loan......does the government have a choice in the student's chosen major? Will a certain career path need to be chosen in order to have the "privilege" of going to school? What if the student has difficulty paying the loan back after graduation? Will the National Call To Service Act be brought around and we, the taxpayer, be asked to "forgive" part of the loan in exchange for the student's participation in public service?
All the "what ifs" are a little alarming to me. The Forgotten Man already struggles to pay for our current public school system through increasing property and school taxes.....can he really afford this too?
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The Forgotten Man
I've taken on a stack of reading lately. History is fascinating. I really wished I would have paid attention to the subject so much more when I was younger. I am currently in the middle of 3 or 4 books....all having to do with past events. It seems as though it would do our leaders good to go back to review historical points in our Country's history. I came across something in a book about the Great Depression called, "The Forgotten Man" by Amity Shlaes that has really stuck with me this week. Since it has stayed so close to the surface, I figured it was the idea to pass along this time around.
The following is from a lecture written by a Yale philosopher in 1883. It was his way of warning against well-intentioned social programs that are paid for by the unknown average citizen.
"As soon as A observes something which seems to him to be wrong, from which X is suffering, A talks it over with B, and A and B then propose to get a law passed to remedy the evil and help X. Their law always proposes to determine what C shall do for X, or in the better case, what A, B, and C shall do for X.....What I want to do is to look up C. I want to show you what manner of man he is. I call him the Forgotten Man. Perhaps the appellation is not strictly correct. He is the man who never is thought of....He works, he votes, generally he prays - but he always pays....." --William Graham Sumner
In the past several months, we have been put on the line for countless bailouts to banks and companies too big to fail. And in the years to come, they are trying to put us on the line for trillions more.....going to spending programs, to take care of "X", the Forgotten Man can not afford. You and I will always be the Forgotten Man if we continue to stand still. April 15, 2009 was only the starting line. We have miles left to run. Don't be afraid to grab the baton.
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. --Thomas Jefferson.
The following is from a lecture written by a Yale philosopher in 1883. It was his way of warning against well-intentioned social programs that are paid for by the unknown average citizen.
"As soon as A observes something which seems to him to be wrong, from which X is suffering, A talks it over with B, and A and B then propose to get a law passed to remedy the evil and help X. Their law always proposes to determine what C shall do for X, or in the better case, what A, B, and C shall do for X.....What I want to do is to look up C. I want to show you what manner of man he is. I call him the Forgotten Man. Perhaps the appellation is not strictly correct. He is the man who never is thought of....He works, he votes, generally he prays - but he always pays....." --William Graham Sumner
In the past several months, we have been put on the line for countless bailouts to banks and companies too big to fail. And in the years to come, they are trying to put us on the line for trillions more.....going to spending programs, to take care of "X", the Forgotten Man can not afford. You and I will always be the Forgotten Man if we continue to stand still. April 15, 2009 was only the starting line. We have miles left to run. Don't be afraid to grab the baton.
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. --Thomas Jefferson.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The Heat Is On
April 24, 2009 was set to be the biggest head to head match-up to date. You could almost hear the Rocky themed music playing in the background.
Every issue should have it's debate and the stage was set. The Subcommittee on Energy and the Environments was having hearings on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The House Democrats boasted about a unnamed "celebrity" witness they had lined up to testify in front of the subcommittee in support of global warming, "green" jobs, and the carbon cap program. This turned out to be, none other than, Al Gore. In turn, the House Republicans lined up their own unnamed "star" witness. This being a person, perhaps not as well known here in the United States, but someone who is no stranger to Mr. Gore.......Lord Christopher Monckton.
Monckton is a former science policy adviser to Margaret Thatcher during her years as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He has been quoted as saying, "A careful study of the substantial corpus of peer-reviewed science reveals that Mr. Gore's film, An Inconvenient Truth, is a foofaraw of pseudo-science, exaggerations, and errors, now being peddled to innocent schoolchildren worldwide.". Monckton issued a challenge to Gore on March 19, 2007. It was a challenge to "step up to the plate and defend his advocacy of policies that could do grave harm to the welfare of the world's poor. If Mr. Gore really believes global warming is the defining issue of our time, the greatest threat human civilization has ever faced, and then he should welcome the opportunity to raise the profile of the issue before a worldwide audience of billions by defining and defending his claims against a serious, science-based challenge.". Monckton and Gore have clashed heads before but only in print. Monckton never did succeed in getting his nationally televised debate with Al Gore concerning the threat of global warming back then but what would happen now? Fast forward two years:
The joint appearance of Mockton and Gore was scheduled to take place before the Subcommitte on Energy and the Environments. Lord Christopher Monckton's plane touched down in DC from London the day before the April 24th hearings. Upon his arrival, he was told there would be no joint appearance with Gore. Old Al had chickened out. When the House Democrats found out who the GOP had flown in to give testimony, they refused to allow Monckton to testify alongside of Gore because of their fear of humiliation. Why would that be? Shouldn't the American citizens (and the world for that matter!) have the right to hear both sides of the issue? Their refusal to allow the public debate can only lead to one conclusion.....The House Democrats were afraid of real science blowing holes all through the global warming scam! But, hey! Gore was allowed to rant and rave about the effects of global warming and liken the pending "Clean Energy" legislature to the civil rights movement. I really believe this is one of the greatest swindles of our time.
Did you know, according to applied environmental ecomonics, the following can be said about the effects of "green jobs" on our economy:
1. On average, for every 1 "green" job created, 2.2 regular jobs are lost.
2. Only 1 in 10 "green" jobs are permanent.
3. In the wind turbine industry: For every 1 "green" job created, 4.27 jobs are lost. And this is the industry that the Enviromental Defense Fund claims is the largest job creator?!
4. For every 1 "green" job created in the solar power industry, nearly 13 jobs are lost.
I will continue to drive my SUV with pride until they come and remove me by use of force.
Every issue should have it's debate and the stage was set. The Subcommittee on Energy and the Environments was having hearings on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The House Democrats boasted about a unnamed "celebrity" witness they had lined up to testify in front of the subcommittee in support of global warming, "green" jobs, and the carbon cap program. This turned out to be, none other than, Al Gore. In turn, the House Republicans lined up their own unnamed "star" witness. This being a person, perhaps not as well known here in the United States, but someone who is no stranger to Mr. Gore.......Lord Christopher Monckton.
Monckton is a former science policy adviser to Margaret Thatcher during her years as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He has been quoted as saying, "A careful study of the substantial corpus of peer-reviewed science reveals that Mr. Gore's film, An Inconvenient Truth, is a foofaraw of pseudo-science, exaggerations, and errors, now being peddled to innocent schoolchildren worldwide.". Monckton issued a challenge to Gore on March 19, 2007. It was a challenge to "step up to the plate and defend his advocacy of policies that could do grave harm to the welfare of the world's poor. If Mr. Gore really believes global warming is the defining issue of our time, the greatest threat human civilization has ever faced, and then he should welcome the opportunity to raise the profile of the issue before a worldwide audience of billions by defining and defending his claims against a serious, science-based challenge.". Monckton and Gore have clashed heads before but only in print. Monckton never did succeed in getting his nationally televised debate with Al Gore concerning the threat of global warming back then but what would happen now? Fast forward two years:
Al Gore, the Nobel Peace Prize and Oscar winning global warming supporter
verses
Lord Christopher Monckton, former science advisor to Prime Minister Margret Thatcher
verses
Lord Christopher Monckton, former science advisor to Prime Minister Margret Thatcher
The joint appearance of Mockton and Gore was scheduled to take place before the Subcommitte on Energy and the Environments. Lord Christopher Monckton's plane touched down in DC from London the day before the April 24th hearings. Upon his arrival, he was told there would be no joint appearance with Gore. Old Al had chickened out. When the House Democrats found out who the GOP had flown in to give testimony, they refused to allow Monckton to testify alongside of Gore because of their fear of humiliation. Why would that be? Shouldn't the American citizens (and the world for that matter!) have the right to hear both sides of the issue? Their refusal to allow the public debate can only lead to one conclusion.....The House Democrats were afraid of real science blowing holes all through the global warming scam! But, hey! Gore was allowed to rant and rave about the effects of global warming and liken the pending "Clean Energy" legislature to the civil rights movement. I really believe this is one of the greatest swindles of our time.
Did you know, according to applied environmental ecomonics, the following can be said about the effects of "green jobs" on our economy:
1. On average, for every 1 "green" job created, 2.2 regular jobs are lost.
2. Only 1 in 10 "green" jobs are permanent.
3. In the wind turbine industry: For every 1 "green" job created, 4.27 jobs are lost. And this is the industry that the Enviromental Defense Fund claims is the largest job creator?!
4. For every 1 "green" job created in the solar power industry, nearly 13 jobs are lost.
I will continue to drive my SUV with pride until they come and remove me by use of force.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
You Might Be A Right -Wing Extremist If...................
One of my favorite ladies on the hill has seemed to really hit it out of the park with this one. Our Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet- from- another- planet, seems to be rounding the bases and heading for home. On April 7th, the Department of Homeland Security issued a memo to law enforcement offices across the country titled: "Right-Wing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment". That's a mouthful but what would you expect from the woman who renamed the War on Terror, "Man-Caused Disasters". Let's follow along with the theme of "Say What You Mean" and "Mean What You Say" attitude: If you vote for Life, favor strict immigration policy, defend the 2nd amendment, protest big government, and are a returning Veteran......You may be a Right-Wing Extremist. Or, in the eloquent words of Jeanne Garofalo, during an NBC interview, a tea-bagging racist. Nice. And you wonder why NBC's ratings are in the tank.
Let's take this memo one step further. I find the timed release of this memo more than a bit suspicious. The memo was released on April 7th with all of the "Tax Day Tea Parties" scheduled to take place just one week later on April 15th. Things that make you go..... Hmmmm. Part of the DHS' official definition of a Right-Wing Extremist is "...those that are mainly anti-government and reject federal authority in favor of State or local authority". What a convenient way to paint all of the protesters last week as crazed neo-nazis. If the protesters were such extremists, how is it that over 300,000 people across the country assembled together, from all backgrounds, united in one cause, and I have yet to find any reports on any violence that occurred or arrests.
Makes you think about where the DHS received their information from in order to compile this report. Well, that would be the left leaning Southern Poverty Law Center. As if the above I've already spoken of isn't bad enough, they did they greatest disservice to our country's veterans. The SPLC even went as far as labeling the American Legion as a hate group because of it's stance on immigration enforcement. How is that for a "Thank You" for serving the country honorably. But yet, Secretary Janet Naplitano defends the report.
Another key concern in the DHS report is the stockpiling of weapons and ammo in anticipation of restrictions and bans. This may be one of the only talking points in the memo that has any validity. Have you been to a gun store lately? My husband is a hunter and I've been hearing from him about the lack of stock in both of the above categories. So, the last time we were in such an establishment, I decided to peruse the isles and check things out for myself. Honest to Abe! It was amazing to see empty shelves where ammo should be. And, in some cases, firearms that the gun shop owner would not even bother to order for an individual because the backlog was too incredible to even bother with. But, here is my absolute favorite discovery. At a local shop near my home, there is a picture of President Obama on the door with a sign that reads "Salesman of the Year". I defend the 2nd amendment.....PERIOD. More than anything, from gun owners that I know personally, it is the fear of believed bans to come which is fueling the upswing in sales of firearms and ammo. Not a conspiracy to commit extremist acts.
FYI: I will continue my weekly blog for as long as I possibly can. However, being as I "chatter on the Internet about the country's economic downturn", the FBI may be showing up at my door to take me away. I may very well fit the mold of a Right-Wing Extremist. And, as many of you would say to me........Welcome to the Club.
Let's take this memo one step further. I find the timed release of this memo more than a bit suspicious. The memo was released on April 7th with all of the "Tax Day Tea Parties" scheduled to take place just one week later on April 15th. Things that make you go..... Hmmmm. Part of the DHS' official definition of a Right-Wing Extremist is "...those that are mainly anti-government and reject federal authority in favor of State or local authority". What a convenient way to paint all of the protesters last week as crazed neo-nazis. If the protesters were such extremists, how is it that over 300,000 people across the country assembled together, from all backgrounds, united in one cause, and I have yet to find any reports on any violence that occurred or arrests.
Makes you think about where the DHS received their information from in order to compile this report. Well, that would be the left leaning Southern Poverty Law Center. As if the above I've already spoken of isn't bad enough, they did they greatest disservice to our country's veterans. The SPLC even went as far as labeling the American Legion as a hate group because of it's stance on immigration enforcement. How is that for a "Thank You" for serving the country honorably. But yet, Secretary Janet Naplitano defends the report.
Another key concern in the DHS report is the stockpiling of weapons and ammo in anticipation of restrictions and bans. This may be one of the only talking points in the memo that has any validity. Have you been to a gun store lately? My husband is a hunter and I've been hearing from him about the lack of stock in both of the above categories. So, the last time we were in such an establishment, I decided to peruse the isles and check things out for myself. Honest to Abe! It was amazing to see empty shelves where ammo should be. And, in some cases, firearms that the gun shop owner would not even bother to order for an individual because the backlog was too incredible to even bother with. But, here is my absolute favorite discovery. At a local shop near my home, there is a picture of President Obama on the door with a sign that reads "Salesman of the Year". I defend the 2nd amendment.....PERIOD. More than anything, from gun owners that I know personally, it is the fear of believed bans to come which is fueling the upswing in sales of firearms and ammo. Not a conspiracy to commit extremist acts.
FYI: I will continue my weekly blog for as long as I possibly can. However, being as I "chatter on the Internet about the country's economic downturn", the FBI may be showing up at my door to take me away. I may very well fit the mold of a Right-Wing Extremist. And, as many of you would say to me........Welcome to the Club.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Change is Brewing
What a triumphant day! There are hundreds of Tax Day Tea Parties taking place across the country today. People from all party lines are joining forces in their disgust of government spending. Unfortunately, my little one is sick and I was not able to get out and join in the fun. Even though I'm homeward bound today, I can still feel the excitement of the day through news reports and pictures from friends. And they said it couldn't be done! I congratulate all the organizers and participants across the country for a job well done.
Here are a few of my favorite protest sign sayings:
* For the first time in my adult life, I'm afraid of my government.
* It's "We the People" not "We the Government".
* I'll keep my money and my guns.......you can keep the "CHANGE"
* From a child in the crowd.......Mr. President, I'll be paying your bills for the rest of my life.
* Yes We Can: Take Our Country Back!
* Get Barney Frank's Dirty Hand Out Of My Pocket!
* Give Me Liberty Not Debt!
* King George Didn't Listen To Us Either.
* T.E.A. = Taxed Enough Already
Send me your favorites. It seems like our brothers and sisters on the front lines got their creativity on. But this is only the start of what needs to come. We need to keep talking and doing. This is what will lead to true change and accountability for "We the People".
Don't Tread On Me
Here are a few of my favorite protest sign sayings:
* For the first time in my adult life, I'm afraid of my government.
* It's "We the People" not "We the Government".
* I'll keep my money and my guns.......you can keep the "CHANGE"
* From a child in the crowd.......Mr. President, I'll be paying your bills for the rest of my life.
* Yes We Can: Take Our Country Back!
* Get Barney Frank's Dirty Hand Out Of My Pocket!
* Give Me Liberty Not Debt!
* King George Didn't Listen To Us Either.
* T.E.A. = Taxed Enough Already
Send me your favorites. It seems like our brothers and sisters on the front lines got their creativity on. But this is only the start of what needs to come. We need to keep talking and doing. This is what will lead to true change and accountability for "We the People".
Don't Tread On Me
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Say What You Mean
Here is a phrase to consider:
Say what you mean and mean what you say.
These are words I've been trying to live by more and more these day in all aspects of my life. Whether it's dealing with friends, my kids, or my political adversaries....*wink, wink*. We are so concerned about being perceived a certain way or being politically correct, we lose the true meaning of what we are saying. I've grown tired of it. Whatever the case may be, I am committing myself to just "SAYING IT".
There has been a move to change the phrasing of things by the Obama administration. We are no longer to use the title "War on Terror". It is now recognized as "The Overseas Contingency Operation". And don't call what happened on 9/11 an "act of terror" because it now being called a "Man made Disaster". Why is Washington trying to diminish what has happened in the past and what is still currently taking place? We are in the middle of an ugly, uphill battle and we should call it by a rightful name that stands as a testament to the war being fought. We should never forget what happened on this country's soil almost 8 years ago, the people who laid down their lives because of it, and those who continue the fight today.
While I'm on the subject, here are a few more things that do not convey their true meaning:
The Employee Free Choice Act: This bill being circulated through the House and Senate is aimed at taking away an employee's right to a secret ballot. The right of a secret ballot has been a cornerstone to our American society. Without it, employees face increased intimidation and pressure by union organizers. Unions come in, get 50% of the employees to sign union cards, and then the union is recognized. No secret ballot vote......bye-bye small business. I have several friends who are small business owners and I'm sure you do too. Talk to them and see how they feel about this pending legislature.
Making Home Affordable: This is the government's answer to the failures of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. If you are a homeowner who finds themselves behind on your mortgage from one of these government entities, you're in luck!!! You get to lower your interest rate....in some cases to as low as 2%...and you can earn as much as $5,000 towards your principle over the next 5 years. Sah-weet!!! I would feel so much better if we could just call this what it truly is....welfare. Most of these people did not deserve loans in the first place and now are going to be given $5,000 bonuses towards their mortgage principles. Yep, that makes home more affordable....for some of us.
Making Work Pay: You may have noticed a small uptick in your paycheck this April. Obama's tax relief has officially taken affect and is withholding up to $400 less for singles and $800 for married couples. Before you go out and spend your new found wealth too fast, consider the consequences. Come April 15, 2010, you may very well being paying your tax relief back to the very same man who gave it. With all of the out of control spending going on in Washington, you should just consider the "Making Work Pay" a loan that will, inevitably, have to be paid back.
Last but not least......my favorite......the undocumented worker.....illegal immigrant.....you know the one.....who goes by so many names.....but all boils down to the same.......the Illegal Aliens. To my knowledge, you can not be an "immigrant" to our country unless you have come through the front door, the legal and right way. Let's say what we mean and mean what we say. These people are not here legally, they are not immigrants (yet), and they should not be allowed to stay here undocumented.
A friend of mine sent me this quote earlier in the week and I think it's the perfect tie-in for this subject.
"... Political Correctness remains just what it was intended to be: a sophisticated and dangerous form of censorship and oppression, imposed upon the citizenry with the ultimate goal of manipulating, brainwashing and destroying our society.." -- NewsMax.com
I think that pretty much says it all.
Say what you mean and mean what you say.
These are words I've been trying to live by more and more these day in all aspects of my life. Whether it's dealing with friends, my kids, or my political adversaries....*wink, wink*. We are so concerned about being perceived a certain way or being politically correct, we lose the true meaning of what we are saying. I've grown tired of it. Whatever the case may be, I am committing myself to just "SAYING IT".
There has been a move to change the phrasing of things by the Obama administration. We are no longer to use the title "War on Terror". It is now recognized as "The Overseas Contingency Operation". And don't call what happened on 9/11 an "act of terror" because it now being called a "Man made Disaster". Why is Washington trying to diminish what has happened in the past and what is still currently taking place? We are in the middle of an ugly, uphill battle and we should call it by a rightful name that stands as a testament to the war being fought. We should never forget what happened on this country's soil almost 8 years ago, the people who laid down their lives because of it, and those who continue the fight today.
While I'm on the subject, here are a few more things that do not convey their true meaning:
The Employee Free Choice Act: This bill being circulated through the House and Senate is aimed at taking away an employee's right to a secret ballot. The right of a secret ballot has been a cornerstone to our American society. Without it, employees face increased intimidation and pressure by union organizers. Unions come in, get 50% of the employees to sign union cards, and then the union is recognized. No secret ballot vote......bye-bye small business. I have several friends who are small business owners and I'm sure you do too. Talk to them and see how they feel about this pending legislature.
Making Home Affordable: This is the government's answer to the failures of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. If you are a homeowner who finds themselves behind on your mortgage from one of these government entities, you're in luck!!! You get to lower your interest rate....in some cases to as low as 2%...and you can earn as much as $5,000 towards your principle over the next 5 years. Sah-weet!!! I would feel so much better if we could just call this what it truly is....welfare. Most of these people did not deserve loans in the first place and now are going to be given $5,000 bonuses towards their mortgage principles. Yep, that makes home more affordable....for some of us.
Making Work Pay: You may have noticed a small uptick in your paycheck this April. Obama's tax relief has officially taken affect and is withholding up to $400 less for singles and $800 for married couples. Before you go out and spend your new found wealth too fast, consider the consequences. Come April 15, 2010, you may very well being paying your tax relief back to the very same man who gave it. With all of the out of control spending going on in Washington, you should just consider the "Making Work Pay" a loan that will, inevitably, have to be paid back.
Last but not least......my favorite......the undocumented worker.....illegal immigrant.....you know the one.....who goes by so many names.....but all boils down to the same.......the Illegal Aliens. To my knowledge, you can not be an "immigrant" to our country unless you have come through the front door, the legal and right way. Let's say what we mean and mean what we say. These people are not here legally, they are not immigrants (yet), and they should not be allowed to stay here undocumented.
A friend of mine sent me this quote earlier in the week and I think it's the perfect tie-in for this subject.
"... Political Correctness remains just what it was intended to be: a sophisticated and dangerous form of censorship and oppression, imposed upon the citizenry with the ultimate goal of manipulating, brainwashing and destroying our society.." -- NewsMax.com
I think that pretty much says it all.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Shaking the Tree
Acorn is a group everyone should be familiar with at this point. After their involvement with the 2008 Presidential election, you would have to be living under a rock to not know. They are supposed to be a grass roots nonpartisan activist group that champions the underdog. In my view, Acorn succeeds by promoting the welfare state and undermines capitalism and personal responsibility.
In February, it was announced that Acorn would partner with The U.S. Census Bureau for the 2010 census. A census is an official count of the population as stated by the constitution. It is used to determine distribution of taxpayer money and the appointment of the seats in the House of Representatives. Every U.S. household unit, including those occupied by illegal aliens, must be counted!! Whose else do you think Rahm Emanuel would hire to run his census?
For a nonpartisan group such as the Census Bureau, Acorn's political connections are a little more than troubling. The group's activities were frequently questioned in the 2008 Presidential election. President Obama's campaign paid Acorn $800,000 to register voters and perform other political work. As to date, 15 states have charged Acorn with voter fraud. Washington State experienced the greatest act of vandalism from Acorn. The error rate of voter registration was at 17 percent. 17 percent!!!! Other groups working to "Get Out the Vote" come in with an error rate of under 5 percent. Let's not forgot this is a supposed nonpartisan group who receives 40% of it's revenue from taxpayer money. Now that's good use of your tax dollars, isn't?
They have also had their hands in our current housing crisis. This is the group that lobbied for the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) in order to bully banks into giving less than deserving credit risks a home mortgage......no matter if they were a U.S. citizen or illegal alien. The ball starting rolling with President Jimmy Carter and continued to be played by Presidents Clinton and George W. President Carter signed it, President Clinton put it on steroids, then George W hit it out of the park. Each time, with each subsequent signing, the CRA built more momentum until 57% of mortgages (by 2007) were required to service low income mortgages. And we wonder how we got into this mess with Freddie and Fannie? Now, to correct the situation, Acorn advocates civil disobedience by "Defending a family's right to stay in their home". In essence, the group mobilizes people to squat at homes that not longer belong to them in order to prevent foreclosure. Once again, those are your noble tax dollars.
It appears as though we will be shaking the Acorn tree yet one more time. They have been tapped to assist with the recruitment of 1.4 million temporary workers needed to go door-to-door in order to count every person in the country. Will you be opening your door?
In February, it was announced that Acorn would partner with The U.S. Census Bureau for the 2010 census. A census is an official count of the population as stated by the constitution. It is used to determine distribution of taxpayer money and the appointment of the seats in the House of Representatives. Every U.S. household unit, including those occupied by illegal aliens, must be counted!! Whose else do you think Rahm Emanuel would hire to run his census?
For a nonpartisan group such as the Census Bureau, Acorn's political connections are a little more than troubling. The group's activities were frequently questioned in the 2008 Presidential election. President Obama's campaign paid Acorn $800,000 to register voters and perform other political work. As to date, 15 states have charged Acorn with voter fraud. Washington State experienced the greatest act of vandalism from Acorn. The error rate of voter registration was at 17 percent. 17 percent!!!! Other groups working to "Get Out the Vote" come in with an error rate of under 5 percent. Let's not forgot this is a supposed nonpartisan group who receives 40% of it's revenue from taxpayer money. Now that's good use of your tax dollars, isn't?
They have also had their hands in our current housing crisis. This is the group that lobbied for the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) in order to bully banks into giving less than deserving credit risks a home mortgage......no matter if they were a U.S. citizen or illegal alien. The ball starting rolling with President Jimmy Carter and continued to be played by Presidents Clinton and George W. President Carter signed it, President Clinton put it on steroids, then George W hit it out of the park. Each time, with each subsequent signing, the CRA built more momentum until 57% of mortgages (by 2007) were required to service low income mortgages. And we wonder how we got into this mess with Freddie and Fannie? Now, to correct the situation, Acorn advocates civil disobedience by "Defending a family's right to stay in their home". In essence, the group mobilizes people to squat at homes that not longer belong to them in order to prevent foreclosure. Once again, those are your noble tax dollars.
It appears as though we will be shaking the Acorn tree yet one more time. They have been tapped to assist with the recruitment of 1.4 million temporary workers needed to go door-to-door in order to count every person in the country. Will you be opening your door?
Sunday, March 22, 2009
And the Oscar goes to......
Did anyone else feel like they were watching a drama filled with bad actors being telecast from Washington DC? Anyone who was within spitting distance of a microphone was going on and on about how outraged they were about the AIG bonuses. Really? Really??!!! Looks like more than a few politicians, who are up for reelection in 2010, have been paying attention to their polling numbers. In the words of my kids, "What a bunch of Phony Baloneys!".
First, let's take a look at the numbers. In total, AIG has received over 170 Billion dollars of our taxpayer money. Do you know how that money was used? For starters, through AIG, billions were funneled to other financial institutes such as Meryl Lynch, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and other Wall Street failures. Even more interesting, over 62 Billion dollars was shipped overseas to help bailout banks in the UK, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Some of the tally sheets that I have seen put the amounts of money being sent overseas larger than the amounts of money staying here in The United States. But I don't remember seeing any outrage in Washington over this.....do you?
Now the question on everyone's lips is who knew what and when did they know it? Poor Timmy Geithner......he has alot of explaining to do. This issue touches the previous and current administration but Timmy was the chief cook and bottle washer at the New York Federal Reserve that negotiated the terms for the AIG bailout. He had a very intimate understanding of the executive compensation and bonus structure. Senator Christopher Dodd, the #1 receiver of AIG campaign contributions, was also caught with his hand in the cookie jar. His amendment in the Stimulus Package, called "The Dodd Amendment", paved the way for executives bonuses to be grandfathered in in the event of executive pay limitations in the future. Starting to think we have a bunch of weasels in Washington?
Am I angry about the payout of the AIG bonuses.....absolutely! However, the 165 Million is ashes in the wind compared to what you and I have already shelled out. At this point, I'm more outraged over the following facts:
1. Geithner knew about these bonuses (and others!!) and did nothing but sit back and try to look innocent once the American people got a hold of the information......but Obama is standing by his man.
2. Christopher Dodd tried to protect his campaign contributors....no backlash from those in his party.
3. The House and Congress passed a Omnibus Bill with over 9,000 earmarks that totaled more than the AIG bonuses but no outrage there. Senator Chuck Shumar went on live TV and said the earmarks were no big deal and the American people should just get over it.......waste is waste, isn't it?
4. Over 62 Billion, that we will never have a prayer of seeing paid back, went to fund overseas bailouts. Bonuses to other bailout companies, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, have been paid. Not so much as a peep was made!
5. Right or wrong, a contract is a contract and if there were no strings attached to the bailout money, we should honor the contract. Once the government steps in and targets a small group of people in order to manipulate or break a contract, then we are all in jeopardy.
6. Taxing the AIG bonuses at some astronomical amount is like eating fat-free jello after a loaded steak dinner with all the trimmings.......what's the point!?!?!?!
The American people are starting to rally and aren't buying the packaged smoke coming out of Washington. Perhaps there is a way to make up for the 165 Million in bonuses paid out. The House and Senate voted themselves a nice pay raise in the Stimulus bill. They could do the right thing, as they are asking the AIG bonus recepiants to do, and give that money back. In the words of our own Vice President, Joe Biden, it would be the patriotic thing to do.
First, let's take a look at the numbers. In total, AIG has received over 170 Billion dollars of our taxpayer money. Do you know how that money was used? For starters, through AIG, billions were funneled to other financial institutes such as Meryl Lynch, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and other Wall Street failures. Even more interesting, over 62 Billion dollars was shipped overseas to help bailout banks in the UK, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Some of the tally sheets that I have seen put the amounts of money being sent overseas larger than the amounts of money staying here in The United States. But I don't remember seeing any outrage in Washington over this.....do you?
Now the question on everyone's lips is who knew what and when did they know it? Poor Timmy Geithner......he has alot of explaining to do. This issue touches the previous and current administration but Timmy was the chief cook and bottle washer at the New York Federal Reserve that negotiated the terms for the AIG bailout. He had a very intimate understanding of the executive compensation and bonus structure. Senator Christopher Dodd, the #1 receiver of AIG campaign contributions, was also caught with his hand in the cookie jar. His amendment in the Stimulus Package, called "The Dodd Amendment", paved the way for executives bonuses to be grandfathered in in the event of executive pay limitations in the future. Starting to think we have a bunch of weasels in Washington?
Am I angry about the payout of the AIG bonuses.....absolutely! However, the 165 Million is ashes in the wind compared to what you and I have already shelled out. At this point, I'm more outraged over the following facts:
1. Geithner knew about these bonuses (and others!!) and did nothing but sit back and try to look innocent once the American people got a hold of the information......but Obama is standing by his man.
2. Christopher Dodd tried to protect his campaign contributors....no backlash from those in his party.
3. The House and Congress passed a Omnibus Bill with over 9,000 earmarks that totaled more than the AIG bonuses but no outrage there. Senator Chuck Shumar went on live TV and said the earmarks were no big deal and the American people should just get over it.......waste is waste, isn't it?
4. Over 62 Billion, that we will never have a prayer of seeing paid back, went to fund overseas bailouts. Bonuses to other bailout companies, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, have been paid. Not so much as a peep was made!
5. Right or wrong, a contract is a contract and if there were no strings attached to the bailout money, we should honor the contract. Once the government steps in and targets a small group of people in order to manipulate or break a contract, then we are all in jeopardy.
6. Taxing the AIG bonuses at some astronomical amount is like eating fat-free jello after a loaded steak dinner with all the trimmings.......what's the point!?!?!?!
The American people are starting to rally and aren't buying the packaged smoke coming out of Washington. Perhaps there is a way to make up for the 165 Million in bonuses paid out. The House and Senate voted themselves a nice pay raise in the Stimulus bill. They could do the right thing, as they are asking the AIG bonus recepiants to do, and give that money back. In the words of our own Vice President, Joe Biden, it would be the patriotic thing to do.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Dr. Do-Good
It appears our economic crisis has been averted because our fearless leader is now on to bigger (spending) and better (even more spending) things. The wheels have already been set in motion for the coming of socialized healthcare. This is what we heard on the campaign trail, in the President's inaugural address, and his recent "State of the Union" address. We knew this "change" was coming...it's just the details that have been left blank.
One innovative American may have beaten the government to the punch.....and they are not too pleased. Dr. Muny, a doctor in NY state, has come up with a cost effective way to provide affordable heathcare to many patients who find themselves without jobs and health insurance. He has drafted a contract between himself and his patients that provides unlimited office visits, some tests (such as mammograms) , and in-office surgeries (such as mole removal) for one monthly fee of $79 and a $10 co-pay. Dr. Muny is not offering an insurance policy to his patients...just the services that can be performed in his office. How can he afford to do this? By cutting out the insurance companies, it relieves the burden of processing mountains of paperwork, claims, and hours spent on billing. Cutting bureaucracy = Lower costs.
But not so fast, the New York State Insurance Department is trying to shut him down. The NYSID is arguing that Dr. Muny is offering an insurance policy; therefore, he has to adhere to the pricing guidelines set by the Department. The NYSID is pushing the Doctor to charge more for unplanned procedures - such as an ear infection- because the $10 copay is under the current fixed rate set by the Department. Does the government have the right to set prices for goods and services rendered by private business?
You'll be happy to know, Dr. Muny is not giving up this fight. He does not want to be forced to charge his patients any more than he already is. In fact, he is hoping to sign up additional patients in order to lower the monthly cost even more.
Here are a few things to consider:
+ Look at how much cheaper healthcare is when insurance companies are cut out of the loop.
+ Look how the government's involvement is screwing things up for the people it's supposed to be helping.
+ Look at what the government has done to the Social Security System. Do you really want them in charge of your healthcare?
One innovative American may have beaten the government to the punch.....and they are not too pleased. Dr. Muny, a doctor in NY state, has come up with a cost effective way to provide affordable heathcare to many patients who find themselves without jobs and health insurance. He has drafted a contract between himself and his patients that provides unlimited office visits, some tests (such as mammograms) , and in-office surgeries (such as mole removal) for one monthly fee of $79 and a $10 co-pay. Dr. Muny is not offering an insurance policy to his patients...just the services that can be performed in his office. How can he afford to do this? By cutting out the insurance companies, it relieves the burden of processing mountains of paperwork, claims, and hours spent on billing. Cutting bureaucracy = Lower costs.
But not so fast, the New York State Insurance Department is trying to shut him down. The NYSID is arguing that Dr. Muny is offering an insurance policy; therefore, he has to adhere to the pricing guidelines set by the Department. The NYSID is pushing the Doctor to charge more for unplanned procedures - such as an ear infection- because the $10 copay is under the current fixed rate set by the Department. Does the government have the right to set prices for goods and services rendered by private business?
You'll be happy to know, Dr. Muny is not giving up this fight. He does not want to be forced to charge his patients any more than he already is. In fact, he is hoping to sign up additional patients in order to lower the monthly cost even more.
Here are a few things to consider:
+ Look at how much cheaper healthcare is when insurance companies are cut out of the loop.
+ Look how the government's involvement is screwing things up for the people it's supposed to be helping.
+ Look at what the government has done to the Social Security System. Do you really want them in charge of your healthcare?
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Responsible Irresponsiblity
This past week, our government launched the new "Making Home Affordable" initiative. It's a 75 Billion dollar loan modification program to help struggling homeowners keep their home. Are you as unhappy about this as I am? "Don't worry!", we are told. The government is not seeking to reward the irresponsible people in our society who bought more than they could afford. This initiative is aimed at the "responsible" irresponsible people who bought more than they could afford. And what do you have to do to qualify for a little "help" with your mortgage payments? Just present your 2 latest paychecks, last year's tax returns, and a signed declaration of financial distress. Really? Isn't that what should have been required of the potential homeowner when they originally applied for their home loan?
Speaking from experience, of having gone through the mortgage process twice, sometimes documented information was required and sometimes not. When dealing with our local community bank, my husband and I had to present paychecks, a few years of tax returns, and the promise of our first born child....OK, not our child, but you get the idea. When we purchased another home with a large national bank, we were asked for NOTHING! No verification of income, assets, tax returns...not even a valid identification. Now, maybe I could understand the lack of information we were asked to supply if we were downgrading or even purchasing a home comparable to our first mortgage. But this was not the case. We were taking on a mortgage that was at least twice the size of our first. Whatever happened to the caution of banks only lending to people who were a good risk? People deemed a good risk after the examination of their assets, income, and ability to pay? Needless to say, the second bank that I am referring to is one of the giants with toxic assets and had to take bailout money from taxpayers. Since my husband and I are part of the tax paying community, it's like paying the bank way more than we signed up for.
But let's not get too carried away from even the greater point in all of this....personal responsibility. The majority of homeowners, who are now facing foreclosure, knew they were biting off more than they could chew but went ahead and did it anyway. I do not feel the American taxpayer should be put on the hook for generations to come because of someone else's bad personal choices.
There is much talk about our rights as American citizens. In this country, you have the opportunity to own your own home if you can afford it. But it is no where written, in the constitution of this great land, that homeownership is a guaranteed privilege of every citizen. When immigrants from all over the world flocked to our shores in search of something better, do you think they were coming with the following guaranteed rights in mind: socialized healthcare, free college tuition, paid retirement from the government, expanded welfare, a home to live in.....the list could go on and on. Immigrants were looking for freedom and opportunity. The opportunity to do great things and the freedom to pursue them. Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness....now those are the guarantees of this country.
Speaking from experience, of having gone through the mortgage process twice, sometimes documented information was required and sometimes not. When dealing with our local community bank, my husband and I had to present paychecks, a few years of tax returns, and the promise of our first born child....OK, not our child, but you get the idea. When we purchased another home with a large national bank, we were asked for NOTHING! No verification of income, assets, tax returns...not even a valid identification. Now, maybe I could understand the lack of information we were asked to supply if we were downgrading or even purchasing a home comparable to our first mortgage. But this was not the case. We were taking on a mortgage that was at least twice the size of our first. Whatever happened to the caution of banks only lending to people who were a good risk? People deemed a good risk after the examination of their assets, income, and ability to pay? Needless to say, the second bank that I am referring to is one of the giants with toxic assets and had to take bailout money from taxpayers. Since my husband and I are part of the tax paying community, it's like paying the bank way more than we signed up for.
But let's not get too carried away from even the greater point in all of this....personal responsibility. The majority of homeowners, who are now facing foreclosure, knew they were biting off more than they could chew but went ahead and did it anyway. I do not feel the American taxpayer should be put on the hook for generations to come because of someone else's bad personal choices.
There is much talk about our rights as American citizens. In this country, you have the opportunity to own your own home if you can afford it. But it is no where written, in the constitution of this great land, that homeownership is a guaranteed privilege of every citizen. When immigrants from all over the world flocked to our shores in search of something better, do you think they were coming with the following guaranteed rights in mind: socialized healthcare, free college tuition, paid retirement from the government, expanded welfare, a home to live in.....the list could go on and on. Immigrants were looking for freedom and opportunity. The opportunity to do great things and the freedom to pursue them. Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness....now those are the guarantees of this country.
Friday, February 27, 2009
personal revolution
This is the story of my own personal revolution. I've become passionate about my country in the past couple of years. I'm embarrassed to admit it took me until my thirties to wake up and care about the events unfolding around me. I've taken the freedoms and ways of my daily life for granted. Just went along my way, like most others, not giving much thought to how I would feel if it all started falling in. Crazy how life twists and turns and makes you examine the very core of your beliefs. This is where I am at.
I have been closely following the events transpiring in this great land.....and it sickens me. When did we become a nation that looks to our government for every solution? And when did our government become so arrogant to think it is the solution to every problem? America's way of living is undergoing a change. The day is coming when the good people of this Nation will have to make a stand. I've finally gotten to the point where I'm not concerned about what collective society thinks. I'm ready to stand on the ideals and principles that America was founded on.
Day to day, I get very frustrated in my thinking that I'm the only one who feels this way. But I know that can not be. Over the past few months, I've had this nagging feeling there is something more I can do and this is what led me to this blog. Today, I've made the commitment to read and research about our Founding Fathers. This weekend, I am going to dive into "The 5000 Year Leap" as my starting point. I'm hoping to continue to blog about the events unfolding in this country and the ideas of our Founding Fathers left for us to learn and build on.
I hope you will join me............
I have been closely following the events transpiring in this great land.....and it sickens me. When did we become a nation that looks to our government for every solution? And when did our government become so arrogant to think it is the solution to every problem? America's way of living is undergoing a change. The day is coming when the good people of this Nation will have to make a stand. I've finally gotten to the point where I'm not concerned about what collective society thinks. I'm ready to stand on the ideals and principles that America was founded on.
Day to day, I get very frustrated in my thinking that I'm the only one who feels this way. But I know that can not be. Over the past few months, I've had this nagging feeling there is something more I can do and this is what led me to this blog. Today, I've made the commitment to read and research about our Founding Fathers. This weekend, I am going to dive into "The 5000 Year Leap" as my starting point. I'm hoping to continue to blog about the events unfolding in this country and the ideas of our Founding Fathers left for us to learn and build on.
I hope you will join me............
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