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?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
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.
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