Who is the largest contributor to the 2010 campaign cycle? Many would think conservative PACs such as Romney's or Rove's since these get media attention. Wrong! The largest contributor by far is the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees or, AFSCME. Their President reports that This Union's 2010 contributions will be $87,500,000 going almost entirely to Democrats.
In the 2008 cycle this Union contributed $400,000,000. again to Democrats.
Franklin Roosevelt said, "The process of collective bargaining as usually understood cannot be transplanted into the public service, a public employee strike, looking toward the paralysis of government by those who have sworn to support it is unthinkable and intolerable."
In 1975, New York union leader Victor Gotbaum said "We have the ability, in a sense< to elect our own bosses."
public employee union dues and contributions to union PACs come directly from taxpayers. So if you live in a state or city with strong public employee unions, you are paying a tax that goes to elect Democratic candidates.
Is it any wonder that the Obama 2009 stimulus contained $160,000,000,000. (yes Billion) in aid to
to state and local governments? This was intended to and did insulate union members from the ravages of the recession.
Now many states are facing enormous budget deficits and much, much greater pension liabilities. Much of the life of their private sector economies has been sucked out by the public employee unions, with a resulting flight of middle-income citizens unable or unwilling to bear such burdens.
My source for the above comments is Columnnest Michael Barone as printed in "Highlands Today".
Now think about recent ballot machine problems. In one state district the electronic ballot automatically ran the board for the Dems! How about Nevada? In that state Harry Reed was checked on the ballots.
What is not widely known is that the Unions have the contract to install and set up the machines. Guess who was instrumental in voting to award the contract to the Unions? Answer, Rory Reed. Harry's son. Coincidence? I think not.
The Private sector middle class working people are being quietly buried by those who would have a Socialistic, all powerful government control their lives and take away their constitutional rights. We, all of us, must be ever vigilant or we will eventually all wear gray suits and march in a straight line.
Gov Gone Nuts
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
A LESSON IN DIRTY POLITICS AND DUMB LATINOS
So, Meg Whitman hires a Latino Lady to work for her. She finds her through an agency. When interviewed, the Latino Lady produces a Drivers License, Social Security Card and an official affidavit swearing that she is in the US legally. Whitman did all she could or should do by law. By the way, the Latino Lady was paid $23.00 per hour. I can think of thousands of people working for major chains across this Country who do not make half that pay but the poor Latino was used?
Years later, a month before Whitman's election campaign against Jerry Brown is to be decided, Gloria Alred goes on the news and says she is defending the poor helpless Latino who was used and abused by Whitman. It turns out the Latino lady lied at her interview, used her sister's Drivers License and Social Security Card and falsely swore she was here in the US legally. In other word, she committed purgery and is an illegal alien. Just how is that Whitman's fault who did everything right?
What is dirty is that Alred is a Jerry Brown supporter and friend. Jerry Brown is a political hack looking for one more shot at fame before he goes into Talk Show heaven.
Whitman's poling numbers fell in the last few days due to this really stupid ploy by Brown's surrogate who is nothing more than a legal Grandstander. I think it is the Latino community that is largely responsible for the dip in poling and that is a shame. After all, Whitman employed one of theirs, paid her twice the going rate and thought all was good in the hood. What exactly do the Latinos want? Maybe no "LEGAL" Latinos should be hired? Is that what they want? The legal Latino community should be full out against this obvious use of an illegal to get their favor.
If this stupid political stunt is all it takes to get voters off the subject of jobs, the economy and deficit spending, God help us all. This is an example of what is so very wrong with the whole system and how self serving people can screw things up in an already tough situation. Hey California voters, you need to pay attention to this and get angry. This is not the debate on your future representatives you need to be having. Don't let the Press and Alred's spinning take you off point. Your State and our Country need to have better debates than this if we are to get Government back working for us and not itself.
I really don't know which candidate would ultimately be better. I do know this sham is not the way to find out. Any wonder why I call this Blog GOVGONENUTS?
Years later, a month before Whitman's election campaign against Jerry Brown is to be decided, Gloria Alred goes on the news and says she is defending the poor helpless Latino who was used and abused by Whitman. It turns out the Latino lady lied at her interview, used her sister's Drivers License and Social Security Card and falsely swore she was here in the US legally. In other word, she committed purgery and is an illegal alien. Just how is that Whitman's fault who did everything right?
What is dirty is that Alred is a Jerry Brown supporter and friend. Jerry Brown is a political hack looking for one more shot at fame before he goes into Talk Show heaven.
Whitman's poling numbers fell in the last few days due to this really stupid ploy by Brown's surrogate who is nothing more than a legal Grandstander. I think it is the Latino community that is largely responsible for the dip in poling and that is a shame. After all, Whitman employed one of theirs, paid her twice the going rate and thought all was good in the hood. What exactly do the Latinos want? Maybe no "LEGAL" Latinos should be hired? Is that what they want? The legal Latino community should be full out against this obvious use of an illegal to get their favor.
If this stupid political stunt is all it takes to get voters off the subject of jobs, the economy and deficit spending, God help us all. This is an example of what is so very wrong with the whole system and how self serving people can screw things up in an already tough situation. Hey California voters, you need to pay attention to this and get angry. This is not the debate on your future representatives you need to be having. Don't let the Press and Alred's spinning take you off point. Your State and our Country need to have better debates than this if we are to get Government back working for us and not itself.
I really don't know which candidate would ultimately be better. I do know this sham is not the way to find out. Any wonder why I call this Blog GOVGONENUTS?
Monday, September 20, 2010
UNIONS NEED REFORMS BUT POLS ARE AFRAID TO TOUCH THIS
There are two types of Unions, those that represent Government employees where the "COMPANY" does not produce profits and, those that represent employees of for profit companies.
In the case of Government employees i.e.: Police, Firefighters, Teachers, Postal workers, etc. benefits have spiraled out of anything even remotely fair to Taxpayers. The problem is that the Government knows it can not withstand a prolonged strike or slowdown in these areas. The result is benefits and retirement funds far beyond anything that rewards performance and seniority. I do support our police and firefighters who do a risky job for all of us. However, I do not believe they deserve pensions that are in the 5 and 6 figure range. I also believe pay raises should be based on performance, not years on the job.
We the Taxpayers are now strapped with pensions at all levels of Government that were neither deserved nor earned. On the contrary, they were obtained through GUN TO THE HEAD negotiating tactics. No increases, no police, no mail, no firemen, etc.
The pensions for Government workers must be reformed. We can freeze any already in place but we must devise a new system. I think these workers should get Social Security just like all other workers. I also think they should be subject to performance minimums to get a raise. This fix would save Taxpayers Billions.
As to Union workers in for profit Companies, we should do the same thing. Social Security should be the pension.
Once these reforms take place, the Social Security system itself can be revisited. With the savings from the Government Pensions the base rates for social security can be increased for all. The retirement age also must be changed. I would support the following retirement age changes for Social Security:
For those currently 50 or older, no change.
For those 49 or younger:
In 2014 the age goes to 67
In 2018 the age goes to 68
In 2020 the age goes to 69
These changes would save taxpayers money, bring Social Security back into solvency and increase the benefit to all.
As to complaints about lost Pensions, I think people who make over $60,000 can afford to save about $100. per month to supplement their Social security.
I know this fix would be wildly protested. It is not the only fix but a fix is surely needed. The problem we face as a country is nobody is willing to give an inch. Sooner or later the message that we are out of money will get through. I hope not too late.
Just look at the situation in Greece. The Government was bankrupt and only survived through loans from the EU (Germany). Yet Government workers were protesting and rioting in the streets! What could they possibly hope to achieve? That could happen here too. People are brainwashed to believe that the Government can bail them out in every case. That is just no longer true.
In the case of Government employees i.e.: Police, Firefighters, Teachers, Postal workers, etc. benefits have spiraled out of anything even remotely fair to Taxpayers. The problem is that the Government knows it can not withstand a prolonged strike or slowdown in these areas. The result is benefits and retirement funds far beyond anything that rewards performance and seniority. I do support our police and firefighters who do a risky job for all of us. However, I do not believe they deserve pensions that are in the 5 and 6 figure range. I also believe pay raises should be based on performance, not years on the job.
We the Taxpayers are now strapped with pensions at all levels of Government that were neither deserved nor earned. On the contrary, they were obtained through GUN TO THE HEAD negotiating tactics. No increases, no police, no mail, no firemen, etc.
The pensions for Government workers must be reformed. We can freeze any already in place but we must devise a new system. I think these workers should get Social Security just like all other workers. I also think they should be subject to performance minimums to get a raise. This fix would save Taxpayers Billions.
As to Union workers in for profit Companies, we should do the same thing. Social Security should be the pension.
Once these reforms take place, the Social Security system itself can be revisited. With the savings from the Government Pensions the base rates for social security can be increased for all. The retirement age also must be changed. I would support the following retirement age changes for Social Security:
For those currently 50 or older, no change.
For those 49 or younger:
In 2014 the age goes to 67
In 2018 the age goes to 68
In 2020 the age goes to 69
These changes would save taxpayers money, bring Social Security back into solvency and increase the benefit to all.
As to complaints about lost Pensions, I think people who make over $60,000 can afford to save about $100. per month to supplement their Social security.
I know this fix would be wildly protested. It is not the only fix but a fix is surely needed. The problem we face as a country is nobody is willing to give an inch. Sooner or later the message that we are out of money will get through. I hope not too late.
Just look at the situation in Greece. The Government was bankrupt and only survived through loans from the EU (Germany). Yet Government workers were protesting and rioting in the streets! What could they possibly hope to achieve? That could happen here too. People are brainwashed to believe that the Government can bail them out in every case. That is just no longer true.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
IT'S SPIN TIME AGAIN ON THE PATOMIC!
Here we go again. Mr. Obama is on the campaign trail telling all who will listen how his and Palosi/Reid's policies have really helped us. The audiences he selects are mostly Union groups and the locations are mostly at the few places where stimulus dollars have fixed a bridge. No question we need to fix the bridges but using that premise to distract us from reality is what we must be aware of. I can say Obama is one of the best Motivational speakers I have ever heard, a mix of Dale Carnegie and Reverend Wright. Now more than ever we must not be fooled by the rhetoric. I am most concerned that lots of people believe what they hear without looking into the facts. That is dangerous in these difficult times.
I do not claim Republicans have the answers. However, I do claim what has been going on in Washington for the last two years has hurt this Country badly in Respect, Power, Finance and quality of life. Frankly we can not continue on this path. Please, anyone who reads this, study the qualifications of people who you vote for. Be careful of rhetoric!
Obama claims the things he did to fix the Economy are working. They are not. Unemployment is up, foreclosures are up, bankruptcies are up, GDP has gotten worse. No part of Obama's plans has worked at all.
Now Obama wants to get our votes by creating another Stimulus for fixing infrastructure. Temporary jobs at best. Again. Fixing what we are not asking for.
Obama has extended his hand to Iran more than once. Iran is poking us in the eye every day.
The costs of all Obama's spending are being funded by loans from China. Meanwhile, China has built new Nuc Submarines to control the Pacific, Developed a Satellite killer, developed an Aircraft Carrier killer and is now building a super aircraft carrier of its own. Again, we are asleep at the switch.
What we need is cost cutting. We need to stop all foolish spending through earmarks. We need to cut back all spending that goes out of the Country to every Country in the world be at least 25%. We need to repeal the Health care Bill. We need to stop the Cap and Trade bill, we need to tie extended unemployment and food stamps to work. Instead of using Union workers for everything, we need to use those people on unemployment who are already getting paid by us.
We need to start thinking about the real ways to get us moving again. Create jobs by creating a motivated small business climate and keep the Bush tax cuts in place. Either send enough military might to Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan to get that job done or, get out. We can not win anything fighting with one arm tied behind our back. We won the Cold War through strength. To the people who say we should not have the strongest military and should not seek peace in distant Countries i say get a life! The US has not only won the Cold War through its strength, it has helped to build strong Democratic societies i throughout Europe and in Japan. Us citizens paid dearly for the people of those Countries to be free and have a better quality of life. We never took one square inch of their land and we never messed with their right to govern themselves.
In Washington today Politicians are focused on the wrong things. They are caught up in endless partisan bickering about stuff we really don't care about and getting nowhere while we all suffer. The problems we face can not be fixed by spending, only by cutting spending. The Unions do not create jobs, they retain overpaid obsolete jobs and drive up costs. The Banks don't need bail outs. The Auto companies don't need bail outs. What is needed is jobs that will give people money to spend on Home mortgages, autos and other things made in America.
It is really sad that with all that is happening, the only message from Obama is that he wants to spend more money we must borrow to fix Bushes problems. We are way past that bull.
I do not claim Republicans have the answers. However, I do claim what has been going on in Washington for the last two years has hurt this Country badly in Respect, Power, Finance and quality of life. Frankly we can not continue on this path. Please, anyone who reads this, study the qualifications of people who you vote for. Be careful of rhetoric!
Obama claims the things he did to fix the Economy are working. They are not. Unemployment is up, foreclosures are up, bankruptcies are up, GDP has gotten worse. No part of Obama's plans has worked at all.
Now Obama wants to get our votes by creating another Stimulus for fixing infrastructure. Temporary jobs at best. Again. Fixing what we are not asking for.
Obama has extended his hand to Iran more than once. Iran is poking us in the eye every day.
The costs of all Obama's spending are being funded by loans from China. Meanwhile, China has built new Nuc Submarines to control the Pacific, Developed a Satellite killer, developed an Aircraft Carrier killer and is now building a super aircraft carrier of its own. Again, we are asleep at the switch.
What we need is cost cutting. We need to stop all foolish spending through earmarks. We need to cut back all spending that goes out of the Country to every Country in the world be at least 25%. We need to repeal the Health care Bill. We need to stop the Cap and Trade bill, we need to tie extended unemployment and food stamps to work. Instead of using Union workers for everything, we need to use those people on unemployment who are already getting paid by us.
We need to start thinking about the real ways to get us moving again. Create jobs by creating a motivated small business climate and keep the Bush tax cuts in place. Either send enough military might to Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan to get that job done or, get out. We can not win anything fighting with one arm tied behind our back. We won the Cold War through strength. To the people who say we should not have the strongest military and should not seek peace in distant Countries i say get a life! The US has not only won the Cold War through its strength, it has helped to build strong Democratic societies i throughout Europe and in Japan. Us citizens paid dearly for the people of those Countries to be free and have a better quality of life. We never took one square inch of their land and we never messed with their right to govern themselves.
In Washington today Politicians are focused on the wrong things. They are caught up in endless partisan bickering about stuff we really don't care about and getting nowhere while we all suffer. The problems we face can not be fixed by spending, only by cutting spending. The Unions do not create jobs, they retain overpaid obsolete jobs and drive up costs. The Banks don't need bail outs. The Auto companies don't need bail outs. What is needed is jobs that will give people money to spend on Home mortgages, autos and other things made in America.
It is really sad that with all that is happening, the only message from Obama is that he wants to spend more money we must borrow to fix Bushes problems. We are way past that bull.
Friday, August 27, 2010
What is the absolute dumbest, most moronic thing ever?
Answer: Air Guitar!
Now there's a contest to select the best Air Guitarist. There was an was an Air Guitar group on America's Got Talent!
Are we so far gone that we honor make believe imitators of real guitarists who spend years to become proficient on the instrument? Should some person be honored if he copies Santana's moves without a whit of talent or even a guitar?
OK, I know it is a fad and maybe tongue in cheek. I get it. It is still a sick way for no-talent dummies to get ill deserved attention. Losers are losers no matter how they pretend otherwise.
Now there's a contest to select the best Air Guitarist. There was an was an Air Guitar group on America's Got Talent!
Are we so far gone that we honor make believe imitators of real guitarists who spend years to become proficient on the instrument? Should some person be honored if he copies Santana's moves without a whit of talent or even a guitar?
OK, I know it is a fad and maybe tongue in cheek. I get it. It is still a sick way for no-talent dummies to get ill deserved attention. Losers are losers no matter how they pretend otherwise.
The Fair Tax? Can it work?
I have studied up on the Fair Tax. I was skeptical but wanted to check it out. The Fair Tax is being presented as a stand alone that would not be piggy backed on to any income tax but replace income taxes altogether. It would also abolish the IRS and repeal the 16th Amendment.
The Fair Tax is not the same as a Flat tax but has some similarities. It is very simple and extremely transparent. The tax proposed is 23% on all purchases with lower rates for people below the poverty line (about 11%). It would have no effect on Social Security or Medicaid but would help them become more solvent.
I think this deserves some more study because it appears to me to be a way to help the US economy in many ways including spending, trade, jobs and business. The details are available on the Web. You can search by "Fair Tax" and find a wealth of information.
I suggest everybody do their homework and decide for themselves how they feel. Better that then to have another major change shoved down our throats. Go ahead, take a few minutes and check this out for yourself.
The Fair Tax is not the same as a Flat tax but has some similarities. It is very simple and extremely transparent. The tax proposed is 23% on all purchases with lower rates for people below the poverty line (about 11%). It would have no effect on Social Security or Medicaid but would help them become more solvent.
I think this deserves some more study because it appears to me to be a way to help the US economy in many ways including spending, trade, jobs and business. The details are available on the Web. You can search by "Fair Tax" and find a wealth of information.
I suggest everybody do their homework and decide for themselves how they feel. Better that then to have another major change shoved down our throats. Go ahead, take a few minutes and check this out for yourself.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Correction re: previous Blog
In item 1 of my previous Blog I mentioned the growing Deficit. The Deficit is growing by $4.13 Billion per day (about $40 Million per minute).
Dems Claiming They Did Everything Right ?
Let's see, Hmmmm, Dems are on the Campaign trail and telling us everything is OK and George Bush remains the problem. It's been almost two years since Obama and the Dems were enshrined and the US became a Democratic Dictatorship so lets see where we are;
1. Our Deficit is growing by about $45 Million per day.
2. Iran is poking us in the eye every day.
3. The Taliban are growing stronger.
4. Our borders are worse than ever.
5. Foreclosures are still up.
6. Bankruptcies are up.
7. Unemployment is up.
8. Racism is rearing its ugly head again.
9. Stimulus did not work.
10. Taxes are going up.
11. Admitted Marxists and Socialists were made Tsars.
12. States are fighting each other (i.e. Cal boycotting Ariz)
13. States are suing Government and Government is suing states.
14. Health Care is worse than before the New Plan.
15. Cost of prescription Drugs is still out of control.
16. China has grown stronger with a Military that now has Super Submarines and satellite Killers.
17. Russia is flexing its muscles again and helping Iran.
18. Home values are down.
19. States are broke.
I can go on, the list keeps getting longer and the political fortunes of the US keep looking pretty bad. How long will this stuff continue? When do we see some reality from our law makers?
I can think of many ways to cut the deficit right now. Why can't they? I hope voters will educate themselves on the issues and vote for people who will listen to us and act on our wishes, not theirs.
1. Our Deficit is growing by about $45 Million per day.
2. Iran is poking us in the eye every day.
3. The Taliban are growing stronger.
4. Our borders are worse than ever.
5. Foreclosures are still up.
6. Bankruptcies are up.
7. Unemployment is up.
8. Racism is rearing its ugly head again.
9. Stimulus did not work.
10. Taxes are going up.
11. Admitted Marxists and Socialists were made Tsars.
12. States are fighting each other (i.e. Cal boycotting Ariz)
13. States are suing Government and Government is suing states.
14. Health Care is worse than before the New Plan.
15. Cost of prescription Drugs is still out of control.
16. China has grown stronger with a Military that now has Super Submarines and satellite Killers.
17. Russia is flexing its muscles again and helping Iran.
18. Home values are down.
19. States are broke.
I can go on, the list keeps getting longer and the political fortunes of the US keep looking pretty bad. How long will this stuff continue? When do we see some reality from our law makers?
I can think of many ways to cut the deficit right now. Why can't they? I hope voters will educate themselves on the issues and vote for people who will listen to us and act on our wishes, not theirs.
Friday, August 20, 2010
First Amentment Folly, Part Two, The Right and Wrong
I want to give you all a bit more information about the previous post. You see, I happen to believe our legal system has become wrapped up in itself and no longer understands the idea of WHAT IS RIGHT! Legal decisions in my humble opinion must look at the right and wrong of an issue as well as the Legal grounds. If judges only rule on the written word and totally dismiss the Right and Wrong of an issue, God help us all.
I say that 99.9% of people in this country know it is wrong to go to a funeral burial service and protest in the ugly way described below and in my previous Blog. None-the-less, Courts spend millions on debating the words, the previous trials and each other and arrive at decisions that have absolutely nothing to do with the Right and Wrong of the issue. It is Legal for the sake of Legal, not Legal for the sake of Right.
Here is a bit more information on this sad subject:
March 8, 2010
9:22 am
The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide on the outer limits of free-speech protection for public protests and to rule on whether a dead soldier’s family can sue fringe religious protesters who picketed near their son’s funeral with signs that said, "Thank God for dead soldiers."
A Maryland jury awarded $10 million in damages to Albert Snyder, whose son Matthew was killed in Iraq in March 2006. He had sued Fred Phelps, the founder of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., who has traveled the country for 20 years leading controversial protests at funerals for American soldiers.
He claims that God hates America because of its tolerance of homosexuality. He and his small group of followers carried protest signs at the funeral in Westminster, Md., that said, “Fag troops,” “God hates the USA” and “God hates fags.”
But a lawyer for Phelps said his protests were not targeted at Lance Corp. Matthew Snyder, the soldier, but more generally at America and the U.S. military. The protesters were kept at a distance from the church and the burial service. Nonetheless, the jury awarded damages to the Snyder family on the grounds that the funeral protests invaded their privacy and intentionally inflicted emotional distress.
In September, however, the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the entire award on free-speech grounds. “Notwithstanding the distasteful and repugnant nature of the words being challenged in these proceedings, we are constrained to concluded that the defendants’ signs are constitutionally protected,” the appeals court said.
Snyder’s family appealed to the Supreme Court, saying the protests had “tarnished” their son’s funeral. “Matthew deserved better. A civilized society deserved better,” they said.
The court announced it had voted to hear the appeal in Snyder vs. Phelps and to rule on whether the right to free speech extended to the right to intrude on a solemn ceremony. The justices will hear arguments in the case in the fall.
David G. Savage, reporting from Washington
I know many people who would react rather violently at an intrusion such as this in the burial service of a loved one. Yes, that would be wrong. That is why I say we need our Courts to add Right and Wrong to their basis for decision making. My heart goes out to Hero Snyder's family for having to endure this Legal Abomination.
I say that 99.9% of people in this country know it is wrong to go to a funeral burial service and protest in the ugly way described below and in my previous Blog. None-the-less, Courts spend millions on debating the words, the previous trials and each other and arrive at decisions that have absolutely nothing to do with the Right and Wrong of the issue. It is Legal for the sake of Legal, not Legal for the sake of Right.
Here is a bit more information on this sad subject:
March 8, 2010
9:22 am
The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide on the outer limits of free-speech protection for public protests and to rule on whether a dead soldier’s family can sue fringe religious protesters who picketed near their son’s funeral with signs that said, "Thank God for dead soldiers."
A Maryland jury awarded $10 million in damages to Albert Snyder, whose son Matthew was killed in Iraq in March 2006. He had sued Fred Phelps, the founder of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., who has traveled the country for 20 years leading controversial protests at funerals for American soldiers.
He claims that God hates America because of its tolerance of homosexuality. He and his small group of followers carried protest signs at the funeral in Westminster, Md., that said, “Fag troops,” “God hates the USA” and “God hates fags.”
But a lawyer for Phelps said his protests were not targeted at Lance Corp. Matthew Snyder, the soldier, but more generally at America and the U.S. military. The protesters were kept at a distance from the church and the burial service. Nonetheless, the jury awarded damages to the Snyder family on the grounds that the funeral protests invaded their privacy and intentionally inflicted emotional distress.
In September, however, the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the entire award on free-speech grounds. “Notwithstanding the distasteful and repugnant nature of the words being challenged in these proceedings, we are constrained to concluded that the defendants’ signs are constitutionally protected,” the appeals court said.
Snyder’s family appealed to the Supreme Court, saying the protests had “tarnished” their son’s funeral. “Matthew deserved better. A civilized society deserved better,” they said.
The court announced it had voted to hear the appeal in Snyder vs. Phelps and to rule on whether the right to free speech extended to the right to intrude on a solemn ceremony. The justices will hear arguments in the case in the fall.
David G. Savage, reporting from Washington
I know many people who would react rather violently at an intrusion such as this in the burial service of a loved one. Yes, that would be wrong. That is why I say we need our Courts to add Right and Wrong to their basis for decision making. My heart goes out to Hero Snyder's family for having to endure this Legal Abomination.
First Amendment Folly
Here it is:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Bear with me for a few minutes please.
That is the First Amendment which is part of the Bill of rights to the Constitution.
It speaks about freedoms related to religion, assembly, press, etc. It was added because the original document did not sufficiently protect Civil Liberties.
Here's the problem; the First Amendment did not intend Hate Speech" nor did it intend speech designed to hurt or intimidate others.
If you look at the Court decisions affected by the First Amendment you will find them full of LEGAL SPEAK that twists and bends all over the place and over time the Court has become increasingly more expansive in applications of The First Amendment than was originally intended. The Courts no longer see this amendment as originally drafted. The founders wanted government out of religion to avoid the issues that were rampant in Europe at that time.
OK, if you stayed with me this far, here is why I am writing this Blog.
People are attending funerals of our fallen heroes carrying banners that say: "THANK GOD FOR DEAD SOLDIERS". The court has ruled under the First Amendment that they have the right to do so but that they must be in a designated area. I am disgusted by that.
The Judges who made that ruling need to step down, burn their robes and go practice law in Iran.
The display of those signs is Hate Speech pure and simple. It is hurtful, inappropriate, disrespectful and only for effect since the people know full well that the media will show their sick signs to the world. In most of these sick demonstrations, if the press was absent there would be no demonstration.
Those opposed to the wars we fight certainly do have the right to protest. But protest should be about alternatives and objections with reasons and results. Name calling, blasphemy and hate speech are, in my humble opinion, not covered by those few simple words at the top of this Blog.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Bear with me for a few minutes please.
That is the First Amendment which is part of the Bill of rights to the Constitution.
It speaks about freedoms related to religion, assembly, press, etc. It was added because the original document did not sufficiently protect Civil Liberties.
Here's the problem; the First Amendment did not intend Hate Speech" nor did it intend speech designed to hurt or intimidate others.
If you look at the Court decisions affected by the First Amendment you will find them full of LEGAL SPEAK that twists and bends all over the place and over time the Court has become increasingly more expansive in applications of The First Amendment than was originally intended. The Courts no longer see this amendment as originally drafted. The founders wanted government out of religion to avoid the issues that were rampant in Europe at that time.
OK, if you stayed with me this far, here is why I am writing this Blog.
People are attending funerals of our fallen heroes carrying banners that say: "THANK GOD FOR DEAD SOLDIERS". The court has ruled under the First Amendment that they have the right to do so but that they must be in a designated area. I am disgusted by that.
The Judges who made that ruling need to step down, burn their robes and go practice law in Iran.
The display of those signs is Hate Speech pure and simple. It is hurtful, inappropriate, disrespectful and only for effect since the people know full well that the media will show their sick signs to the world. In most of these sick demonstrations, if the press was absent there would be no demonstration.
Those opposed to the wars we fight certainly do have the right to protest. But protest should be about alternatives and objections with reasons and results. Name calling, blasphemy and hate speech are, in my humble opinion, not covered by those few simple words at the top of this Blog.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Race Card? Bull, Get over it!
I haven't talked about race, ever! Why? Because I believe our society has grown past such distinctions. Think about it. The halls of Congress, Sports, Business, Media, Religeon and finance are all populated with Blacks who were supported by Whites. Yet, the first thing Charlie Wrangle and Maxine Waters scream when their ethics are challanged is RACE. Shut up!
Want to talk about Race Cards? OK. What the hell is the Congressional Black Caucus doing in Washington on our nickle? If that aint Racial I aint Italion. Here are a bunch of elected official lawmakers who are supposed to represent all the people gathering together under the CBC to discuss Black Issues and support them as a block. Reverse racism right in Congress and they have the nerve to call whites racists? There is no Congressional Italian Caucus, no Congressional Jewish Caucus, no Congressional Irish Caucus, get my meaning?
Yup, there are still pockets of bigotry. However, it is not the exclusive domain of Blacks. All ethnic groups have their share. I do not see the Immigration issue as racial but the Hispanic community cries Race. I do not see Mosques as a threat but the Muslim community cries anti Muslim.
Hey Blacks, it is not about you all the time. You have talented, professional and honorable Americans setting standards for all of us throughout our society. Condaliza Rice, Colin Powel, Will Smith, Morgan Freeman, Mahilia Jackson, Martin Luthor King, Barak obama, etc. The problems are no longer racial, they are political and financial. All of us, Black, White, Brown, Yellow, Green, Blue, etc. face extremely difficult times TOGETHER. It don't only rain on Blacks!
I am keenly aware of the road Blacks have traveled and the terrible history of Slavery and Segregation. But somehow we got past those ugly issues TOGETHER. Slavery and segregation were abolished by Whites and Blacks together. Perhaps if we should try to stop the nonsense and work together to lift all Races out of the getto, not only Blacks.
Finally, a message to Black commedians, "YOU AINT HELPIN!". You know dam well, you speak Street on the stage for effect but regular English when with your wife and kids.
Want to talk about Race Cards? OK. What the hell is the Congressional Black Caucus doing in Washington on our nickle? If that aint Racial I aint Italion. Here are a bunch of elected official lawmakers who are supposed to represent all the people gathering together under the CBC to discuss Black Issues and support them as a block. Reverse racism right in Congress and they have the nerve to call whites racists? There is no Congressional Italian Caucus, no Congressional Jewish Caucus, no Congressional Irish Caucus, get my meaning?
Yup, there are still pockets of bigotry. However, it is not the exclusive domain of Blacks. All ethnic groups have their share. I do not see the Immigration issue as racial but the Hispanic community cries Race. I do not see Mosques as a threat but the Muslim community cries anti Muslim.
Hey Blacks, it is not about you all the time. You have talented, professional and honorable Americans setting standards for all of us throughout our society. Condaliza Rice, Colin Powel, Will Smith, Morgan Freeman, Mahilia Jackson, Martin Luthor King, Barak obama, etc. The problems are no longer racial, they are political and financial. All of us, Black, White, Brown, Yellow, Green, Blue, etc. face extremely difficult times TOGETHER. It don't only rain on Blacks!
I am keenly aware of the road Blacks have traveled and the terrible history of Slavery and Segregation. But somehow we got past those ugly issues TOGETHER. Slavery and segregation were abolished by Whites and Blacks together. Perhaps if we should try to stop the nonsense and work together to lift all Races out of the getto, not only Blacks.
Finally, a message to Black commedians, "YOU AINT HELPIN!". You know dam well, you speak Street on the stage for effect but regular English when with your wife and kids.
Friday, August 13, 2010
The New $26 Billion Stimulus Saving Teachers! The ugly truth.
Like most of us, Teachers are facing tough employment times. In the private sector businesses have layed off people and jobs are scarce. NO BAIL OUTS HERE! So where the states budgets are making it necessary to possibly cut some Teacher positions the Democrats rush to provide a safety net.
We are talking $26 Billion dollars here which we do not have. So what's the real deal?
First, it is interesting to note that four states, Alaska, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Dakota, had no plans to cut any Teachers but MUST TAKE THE MONEY! Further, the legislation prohibits these states from saving the money, they must spend it now. So in these terrible times we have four states looking for ways to spend money they don't need and did not ask for. Go figure.
Now to the ugly truth. 1.5% of Teacher's salaries go to Union dues. More Teacher's pay resulting from this stimulus means the Unions stand to gain an estimated $100 Million. That money is than used to support Democratic candidates come November. I wish all candidates all the best in November but I do not think this scenario passes the smell test. It is a slick way to assure Democratic campaign funding by duping us into thinking the Stimulus is a noble cause.
Finally, I find it interesting that from 1990 to 2007:
*Student enrollment grew by____ 22%
*Teacher employment grew by __41%
I do not know the answers but I do try to get into the details and every time I do, I find pretty sick political tricks. The Washington crowd is as crooked as a coat hanger.
It all comes down to States losing tax revenue from Homes either devalued or in foreclosure. If we are to get back on track, what is needed is jobs which will save homes and create tax revenues. Rregretfully, all the stimulus and all the rhetoric over the last 18 months have done nothing but hurt the Businesses that create the jobs. Unemployment is getting worse, not better. It is kind of like going to the Doctor with a broken arm and having therapy prescribed for a swollen ankle. Ankle might feel a little better but the arm is still broken!
We are talking $26 Billion dollars here which we do not have. So what's the real deal?
First, it is interesting to note that four states, Alaska, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Dakota, had no plans to cut any Teachers but MUST TAKE THE MONEY! Further, the legislation prohibits these states from saving the money, they must spend it now. So in these terrible times we have four states looking for ways to spend money they don't need and did not ask for. Go figure.
Now to the ugly truth. 1.5% of Teacher's salaries go to Union dues. More Teacher's pay resulting from this stimulus means the Unions stand to gain an estimated $100 Million. That money is than used to support Democratic candidates come November. I wish all candidates all the best in November but I do not think this scenario passes the smell test. It is a slick way to assure Democratic campaign funding by duping us into thinking the Stimulus is a noble cause.
Finally, I find it interesting that from 1990 to 2007:
*Student enrollment grew by____ 22%
*Teacher employment grew by __41%
I do not know the answers but I do try to get into the details and every time I do, I find pretty sick political tricks. The Washington crowd is as crooked as a coat hanger.
It all comes down to States losing tax revenue from Homes either devalued or in foreclosure. If we are to get back on track, what is needed is jobs which will save homes and create tax revenues. Rregretfully, all the stimulus and all the rhetoric over the last 18 months have done nothing but hurt the Businesses that create the jobs. Unemployment is getting worse, not better. It is kind of like going to the Doctor with a broken arm and having therapy prescribed for a swollen ankle. Ankle might feel a little better but the arm is still broken!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Imam Travels On Our Nickel? It gets nutier every day.
In my August 5 post I discussed the Imam behind the New York Mosque location at the 9/11 site. In that post I asked you to read an article about the Imam so you know what the truth is.
Now I learn that our Government is paying to send this closet terrorist, Imam Faisel Abdul Rauf (or at least a terrorist recruiter and sympathiser) around the world to talk to Muslims about life in the US.
Is it only me or, can we find a better use for our money? Wow! Talk about a slap in our collective faces!
Now I learn that our Government is paying to send this closet terrorist, Imam Faisel Abdul Rauf (or at least a terrorist recruiter and sympathiser) around the world to talk to Muslims about life in the US.
Is it only me or, can we find a better use for our money? Wow! Talk about a slap in our collective faces!
Monday, August 9, 2010
The Great Oil Spill Disaster and the fickleness of the American media.
Yup, BP was negligent in its inspections and testing of the Blowout Preventer that failed and caused the disaster. Yup, Tony Haywood, BP's CEO made some poorly conceived statements. Yup, the Gulf suffered from the spill.
I am pretty sick of the Government taking credit for stopping the leak and cleaning the oil from the Gulf. Thad Allen, the government's point man has done his best and I do not fault him. However, Mr. Obama has said "WE" plugged the well, "WE" cleaned up the oil. "WE" are providing aid to the workers, etc.
No sir, with all due respect, it wasn't "WE". it was 100% "BP".
Mr. Obama stopped all drilling in the Gulf when other Countries are drilling away only miles away. Yes there was a terrible accident but when an airliner crashes he doesn't stop all flights for 6 months! There has been drilling in the Gulf at hundreds of rigs for years and years without a major disaster. We need that oil, we need those jobs and we need a bit more honesty from Obama. The reason he ordered the moratorium on drilling was to help his move away from fossil fuels and his Cap and Trade bill. This administration does nothing that is not political even in the face of disaster.
I would like to see two things right now:
1. Release the moratorium and get back to producing much needed oil.
2. Thank BP for a job well done in the aftermath of the well failure.
Lets not forget that BP said on day one that it would pay for all necessary actions involved in the capping of the well and the clean up. They did. Lets stop talking about 100 days like it took too long. The technology BP used to cap that well a mile below the ocean surface, in the dark, using robots was nothing short of astounding. No other physical damage on that scale has ever been done in a little over three months.
The media keeps reporting that the workers are not getting paid. BP has paid over $300,000,000. Million so far to aid the workers. However, it is the Government appointed Lawyer that is responsible for getting the money to the people. Not a word about that? The workers who have been paid by BP for their boats and labor in the clean up are now complaining that those earnings should not be deducted from lost wages. You gotta love it. Double dipping while complaining.
Finally, though BP was at fault, lets not forget that Government inspectors were approving their well inspections all the while. No reporting of that either.
So while Mr. Obama does all he can to villainize BP and demand money they already committed to anyway for show, we still don't drill. Each day we do not drill, we but oil from our friends in OPEC providing them with a multi-billion dollar windfall.
It is sad that truth just can't get out in a fair way anymore. So again, I say BP, you did make a giant mistake but you also did a magnificent job afterward so Thank You.
I am pretty sick of the Government taking credit for stopping the leak and cleaning the oil from the Gulf. Thad Allen, the government's point man has done his best and I do not fault him. However, Mr. Obama has said "WE" plugged the well, "WE" cleaned up the oil. "WE" are providing aid to the workers, etc.
No sir, with all due respect, it wasn't "WE". it was 100% "BP".
Mr. Obama stopped all drilling in the Gulf when other Countries are drilling away only miles away. Yes there was a terrible accident but when an airliner crashes he doesn't stop all flights for 6 months! There has been drilling in the Gulf at hundreds of rigs for years and years without a major disaster. We need that oil, we need those jobs and we need a bit more honesty from Obama. The reason he ordered the moratorium on drilling was to help his move away from fossil fuels and his Cap and Trade bill. This administration does nothing that is not political even in the face of disaster.
I would like to see two things right now:
1. Release the moratorium and get back to producing much needed oil.
2. Thank BP for a job well done in the aftermath of the well failure.
Lets not forget that BP said on day one that it would pay for all necessary actions involved in the capping of the well and the clean up. They did. Lets stop talking about 100 days like it took too long. The technology BP used to cap that well a mile below the ocean surface, in the dark, using robots was nothing short of astounding. No other physical damage on that scale has ever been done in a little over three months.
The media keeps reporting that the workers are not getting paid. BP has paid over $300,000,000. Million so far to aid the workers. However, it is the Government appointed Lawyer that is responsible for getting the money to the people. Not a word about that? The workers who have been paid by BP for their boats and labor in the clean up are now complaining that those earnings should not be deducted from lost wages. You gotta love it. Double dipping while complaining.
Finally, though BP was at fault, lets not forget that Government inspectors were approving their well inspections all the while. No reporting of that either.
So while Mr. Obama does all he can to villainize BP and demand money they already committed to anyway for show, we still don't drill. Each day we do not drill, we but oil from our friends in OPEC providing them with a multi-billion dollar windfall.
It is sad that truth just can't get out in a fair way anymore. So again, I say BP, you did make a giant mistake but you also did a magnificent job afterward so Thank You.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Re my previous post:
In the post prior to this one I mentioned things about the situation with the Taliban in Afghanistan. I failed to state my source for some of the information was an article by Aryn Baker writing from Kabul and published in the8/9/2010 issue of Time.
Do we know who we're fighting or, for that matter, where we are fighting?
We fought in Bagdad great expense in blood and money and than Mr. Obama declared when we would leave. Anybody notice how the bombings and killings have increased? Anybody wonder why? The enemy, whomever that is correctly figured out that the new administration would cut it losses and get out. Now we fight in Afghanistan and we do not send enough troops and weapons to win, only to barely hold on. Sound like our US border situation? Seems to me this administration is not in it to win and that is what signals the enemy to keep fighting.
As to the enemy, who might that be? Sure we say its Al-Qaeda but that is a simple minded statement and one that provides fodder for the Liberal Media i.e.: We haven't caught Osama Bin Laden, blah, blah, so we lost the war! Bull pockey!
It is my opinion that we need to define who it is we are fighting and why and do it quickly. I believe we are fighting the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and Iran. The Taliban is the core and Al-Qaeda's enabler. Iran is the sponsor providing money and weapons and Al-Qaeda is the face.
As to the Taliban, it is important to know who they are which is difficult at best. If we are to define what we are fighting and why, we must include stopping the Taliban from gaining any political footholds or power anywhere, especially where that power can spill over into our country. I do not really understand these people, but when I look at what they do in the name of their Muslim and Shari'a beliefs I become convinced that we must fight them with all our might. That said, President Karzai who is only there because of our blood and money is considering giving the Taliban a seat in government. Our supposed ally, Pakistan is home turf for the Taliban and so far not much in the way of progress.
If we can not figure out who and what they are, how about looking at what they do in the name of their cause;
*Beautiful young women runs away from abusive Husband and In laws. Caught. Taliban brings her to the mountains, husband and brother-in-law cut off her nose to the bone and cut off her ears than leave her for dead.
*Women accused of adultery (adultery by their definition) are stoned to death.
*Flash a bare ankle from under a burqa and get whipped.
*Forget to remove your nail polish after your wedding? get beaten in the street.
*Women's voices banned from radio and T
*Family finds itself shamed by a daughter sometimes sells her into slavery, or worse subjects her to an honor killing.
*New bill passes Afgan Parliment: Husbands in Shi'ite families are authorized to withhold money and food from wives who refuse to provide sex, limited inheritance and custody of children in the case of divorce and denial of freedom of movement without the permission of their families.
*Catch a Non-Muslim Soldier, reporter, Aid worker? Cut their heads off.
*Burn down girls schools and throw acid in the face of students.
*If a woman leaves the home she must be accompanied by a male relative.
*Women who dare to work in the south of Afghanistan where the Taliban is strong receive "Night Letters" under the cover of darkness. One says "We warn you to leave your job as a teacher as soon as possible otherwise we will cut the heads off your children and shall set fire to your daughter." Another one says "We will kill you in such a harsh way that no women has so far been killed in that manner."
*Finally;
A female Afghan athlete says now runs in the stadium where the Taliban used to play football with women's heads and fears life for women will go back to that if the Taliban return to a position in the government.
So that is who we are fighting plain and simple. These are barbarian masochists who do horrible things in the name of the Koran and Shari'a. I can not find any religion that condones murder, disfigurement, stoning and other human abuses. I only find sick cowardly zealots who have absolutely no respect for life, mothers, sisters, nuns, nurses or any other women who has a brain.
That is who we are fighting and what they are capable of as a part of everyday society!!!! Already there have been honor killings here in our country. So the question is, do we want to stop these people or not? You decide. For me, I believe we need to get real, stop this barbarism get involved in Pakistan and use our considerable might to get this over with or, get out and let the chips fall where they may. We seem to be always half way in with one arm behind our backs and expect our valiant military to do the job anyway.
As to the enemy, who might that be? Sure we say its Al-Qaeda but that is a simple minded statement and one that provides fodder for the Liberal Media i.e.: We haven't caught Osama Bin Laden, blah, blah, so we lost the war! Bull pockey!
It is my opinion that we need to define who it is we are fighting and why and do it quickly. I believe we are fighting the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and Iran. The Taliban is the core and Al-Qaeda's enabler. Iran is the sponsor providing money and weapons and Al-Qaeda is the face.
As to the Taliban, it is important to know who they are which is difficult at best. If we are to define what we are fighting and why, we must include stopping the Taliban from gaining any political footholds or power anywhere, especially where that power can spill over into our country. I do not really understand these people, but when I look at what they do in the name of their Muslim and Shari'a beliefs I become convinced that we must fight them with all our might. That said, President Karzai who is only there because of our blood and money is considering giving the Taliban a seat in government. Our supposed ally, Pakistan is home turf for the Taliban and so far not much in the way of progress.
If we can not figure out who and what they are, how about looking at what they do in the name of their cause;
*Beautiful young women runs away from abusive Husband and In laws. Caught. Taliban brings her to the mountains, husband and brother-in-law cut off her nose to the bone and cut off her ears than leave her for dead.
*Women accused of adultery (adultery by their definition) are stoned to death.
*Flash a bare ankle from under a burqa and get whipped.
*Forget to remove your nail polish after your wedding? get beaten in the street.
*Women's voices banned from radio and T
*Family finds itself shamed by a daughter sometimes sells her into slavery, or worse subjects her to an honor killing.
*New bill passes Afgan Parliment: Husbands in Shi'ite families are authorized to withhold money and food from wives who refuse to provide sex, limited inheritance and custody of children in the case of divorce and denial of freedom of movement without the permission of their families.
*Catch a Non-Muslim Soldier, reporter, Aid worker? Cut their heads off.
*Burn down girls schools and throw acid in the face of students.
*If a woman leaves the home she must be accompanied by a male relative.
*Women who dare to work in the south of Afghanistan where the Taliban is strong receive "Night Letters" under the cover of darkness. One says "We warn you to leave your job as a teacher as soon as possible otherwise we will cut the heads off your children and shall set fire to your daughter." Another one says "We will kill you in such a harsh way that no women has so far been killed in that manner."
*Finally;
A female Afghan athlete says now runs in the stadium where the Taliban used to play football with women's heads and fears life for women will go back to that if the Taliban return to a position in the government.
So that is who we are fighting plain and simple. These are barbarian masochists who do horrible things in the name of the Koran and Shari'a. I can not find any religion that condones murder, disfigurement, stoning and other human abuses. I only find sick cowardly zealots who have absolutely no respect for life, mothers, sisters, nuns, nurses or any other women who has a brain.
That is who we are fighting and what they are capable of as a part of everyday society!!!! Already there have been honor killings here in our country. So the question is, do we want to stop these people or not? You decide. For me, I believe we need to get real, stop this barbarism get involved in Pakistan and use our considerable might to get this over with or, get out and let the chips fall where they may. We seem to be always half way in with one arm behind our backs and expect our valiant military to do the job anyway.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
where is our stimilous money? Helping creat jobs? Guess again.
A perfect example of how the Government is lost in its own world with not no concern whatsoever for what we sent them to do and how much we need responsible people in Washington to act on our behalf. The following is a partial list of items that some Senators or Congressmen actually put into the stimulus package.
*Money to study frozen rat sperm.
*Money to study monkeys on cocaine.
*$16 Million to Boeing to clean up an environment that they dirtied.
*$89,000. for a new sidewalk that leads to a ditch.
*$1.5 Million for international ant research.
*$564,000. to the Forest Service to replace windows in a closed building.
$700,000. for scientists to create a joke machine.
*185,000. to Siberians to help them study how to lobby Government.
There are hundreds more! You can not make this up. If it wasn't such a devastating slap in the face of taxpayers like you and me, it would almost be funny.
The serious part is, what jobs were created? None. Why does Washington keep insisting things are getting better? We are really being duped on a daily basis by these people.
*Money to study frozen rat sperm.
*Money to study monkeys on cocaine.
*$16 Million to Boeing to clean up an environment that they dirtied.
*$89,000. for a new sidewalk that leads to a ditch.
*$1.5 Million for international ant research.
*$564,000. to the Forest Service to replace windows in a closed building.
$700,000. for scientists to create a joke machine.
*185,000. to Siberians to help them study how to lobby Government.
There are hundreds more! You can not make this up. If it wasn't such a devastating slap in the face of taxpayers like you and me, it would almost be funny.
The serious part is, what jobs were created? None. Why does Washington keep insisting things are getting better? We are really being duped on a daily basis by these people.
Equity in your home? Once again we get slammed by Bank and Gov rules
Most of us have counted our home equity as part of our worth and retirement funds. Sadly, the rules used by banks to provide mortgages are so onerous and corrupt, our equity no longer can be counted on.
The real issue which, regretfully, all the talking heads and experts seem to leave out of any discussion of the housing market is APPRAISALS. Lets say you own a home that appraised for $300,000. last year and you owe $235,000. on your mortgage at an interest rate of 7%. The current lie is with interest rates now around 4.7% it would be an ideal time to refinance and get lower payments.
Lets also say that you have improved your property by adding additional square footage or a new bathroom, etc. You would think that the appraisal you got last year of $300,000. would be at least that much or a bit more, right? WRONG.
First, property values have gone down and your appraiser will adjust your property's value downward accordingly. WHY? It is the same house in the same place and even improved. How did its value decrease? I do know the patent answers, supply and demand, neighborhood issues, distance to job availability, shopping, schools, etc. and I accept them as a necessary evil.
Here's where we get screwed royally. Lets now say that on your street or block there is a home very similar to yours which goes into foreclosure. You and all your neighbors just lost a big chunk of your equity. Bingo! No change in anything but now the appraisal will list that foreclosure as a comp and ding and adjust your appraisal downward because of it. That is criminal. Now your home will probably appraise for under $200,000. and you are upside down. Kiss any chance at a refinance goodbye.
This Banking policy and appraisal method is archaic and wrong. Just because one or two people in a community have a problem, every home owner should not suffer loss of equity for it. So, there we have the fallacy of the current housing market you are not being told about. Sure you can refinance but only if your appraisal holds up. No homes today can appraise at what the value was when the original home was purchased and if there was a foreclosure in the local vicinity it is worse. So the appraisal is low balled and the bank will not refinance at the lower rate because the loan to value is to high!
I say when a home is appraised, that is the value for the loan. If the banks want to have the loan to value in good times so they can safely dispose of foreclosed property without a loss ( make no mistake, that's what it is all about) plus have government insurance as well (that we pay for), than they should honor the original appraisal for lending purposes in bad times as well. remember they still have government back up.
It seems everyplace I look, there is a Regulation designed to protect everything but the hard working citizen who works and pays the taxes that allow these crooks to continually stick it to us.
The real issue which, regretfully, all the talking heads and experts seem to leave out of any discussion of the housing market is APPRAISALS. Lets say you own a home that appraised for $300,000. last year and you owe $235,000. on your mortgage at an interest rate of 7%. The current lie is with interest rates now around 4.7% it would be an ideal time to refinance and get lower payments.
Lets also say that you have improved your property by adding additional square footage or a new bathroom, etc. You would think that the appraisal you got last year of $300,000. would be at least that much or a bit more, right? WRONG.
First, property values have gone down and your appraiser will adjust your property's value downward accordingly. WHY? It is the same house in the same place and even improved. How did its value decrease? I do know the patent answers, supply and demand, neighborhood issues, distance to job availability, shopping, schools, etc. and I accept them as a necessary evil.
Here's where we get screwed royally. Lets now say that on your street or block there is a home very similar to yours which goes into foreclosure. You and all your neighbors just lost a big chunk of your equity. Bingo! No change in anything but now the appraisal will list that foreclosure as a comp and ding and adjust your appraisal downward because of it. That is criminal. Now your home will probably appraise for under $200,000. and you are upside down. Kiss any chance at a refinance goodbye.
This Banking policy and appraisal method is archaic and wrong. Just because one or two people in a community have a problem, every home owner should not suffer loss of equity for it. So, there we have the fallacy of the current housing market you are not being told about. Sure you can refinance but only if your appraisal holds up. No homes today can appraise at what the value was when the original home was purchased and if there was a foreclosure in the local vicinity it is worse. So the appraisal is low balled and the bank will not refinance at the lower rate because the loan to value is to high!
I say when a home is appraised, that is the value for the loan. If the banks want to have the loan to value in good times so they can safely dispose of foreclosed property without a loss ( make no mistake, that's what it is all about) plus have government insurance as well (that we pay for), than they should honor the original appraisal for lending purposes in bad times as well. remember they still have government back up.
It seems everyplace I look, there is a Regulation designed to protect everything but the hard working citizen who works and pays the taxes that allow these crooks to continually stick it to us.
Friday, August 6, 2010
GM Expands We get screwed again!
I couldn't let this one pass without honorable mention here in my Blog. General Motors is expanding with an overhall of one of its factories. It would appear a good thing. Maybe the leaner, meaner Company is finally on the path to restoring its market position.
No No No good reader. GM is in fact investing 568 Million dollares in a factory expansion BUT the factory is in Mexico! The money we lent them is not paid back but oh well, Mexico labor needs the stimulous I guess.
More importantly, we (the US Gov) own over 60% of GM. In other words we (you and I) are the majority shareholders. So whoever is on GM's board representing us, US taxpayers has agreed to go ahead with this multi-million dollar invertment in the Mexican economy!
I swear, you can't make this stuff up.
No No No good reader. GM is in fact investing 568 Million dollares in a factory expansion BUT the factory is in Mexico! The money we lent them is not paid back but oh well, Mexico labor needs the stimulous I guess.
More importantly, we (the US Gov) own over 60% of GM. In other words we (you and I) are the majority shareholders. So whoever is on GM's board representing us, US taxpayers has agreed to go ahead with this multi-million dollar invertment in the Mexican economy!
I swear, you can't make this stuff up.
A P.S. to my last post
In my last blog which talks about the auto bail out I listed foreign auto makers. I left out Honda, Suberu, Mazda, Cooper and others. Only wanted to make the point that we have three American Auto Companies left competing with over 15 foreign companies who, by the way received no bail outs.
US Automobile Industry saved by Obama?
The primary problem with the Title statement is that some actually buy into it. Comedian Ron White"s famous statement "You Can't Fix Stupid" comes to mind. Yesterday, Mr Obama gave a rousing "We Saved the Industry" speech at, of all places, a Ford plant. The Ford people actually applauded! Ford did not get any bail out money so what were they applauding? Could it be support of their Union?
The US now has three auto companies left, Ford, Chrysler and GM. It is interesting that during the bail out the Union ended up owning a chunk of GM. I imagine collective bargaining just got much easier for labor at GM plants.
At the same time and throughout the US, more than 12 foreign auto companies, Volkswagen, Kia, Hundai, Nisson, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Bmw, Mercedes, Infinity, Porsche, Audi, Saab and others are selling cars at dealerships all over the US. Hmmmmm, all still around, still selling cars and without bail out money.
I do not buy in to the fact that the bail out saved anything except Union jobs. Our auto companies lost their way for a while in design and competition but they were coming back on their own. The financial melt down was the perfect opportunity for Obama and company to help the Unions, take control of business and claim to save us from disaster.
I will say it took some real nerve to give a speech at a Ford plant where the Company survived pretty well all on its own!
Oh well, I guess we should be good little citizens and be thankful to our saviors.
The US now has three auto companies left, Ford, Chrysler and GM. It is interesting that during the bail out the Union ended up owning a chunk of GM. I imagine collective bargaining just got much easier for labor at GM plants.
At the same time and throughout the US, more than 12 foreign auto companies, Volkswagen, Kia, Hundai, Nisson, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Bmw, Mercedes, Infinity, Porsche, Audi, Saab and others are selling cars at dealerships all over the US. Hmmmmm, all still around, still selling cars and without bail out money.
I do not buy in to the fact that the bail out saved anything except Union jobs. Our auto companies lost their way for a while in design and competition but they were coming back on their own. The financial melt down was the perfect opportunity for Obama and company to help the Unions, take control of business and claim to save us from disaster.
I will say it took some real nerve to give a speech at a Ford plant where the Company survived pretty well all on its own!
Oh well, I guess we should be good little citizens and be thankful to our saviors.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
A Mosque at Ground Zero? It is actually being discussed! That is really nuts!
This is a complicated subject and there are many angles that can be debated. However, before I give you my humble (OK, not so humble) opinion on this I need to ask you, since if you are reading this you must have a computer, to do two quick homework assignments, please humor me, its important.
1. Go to Time.com and take a look at the cover of the August 9, 2010 issue.
2.Go to "Family Security Matters", locate an article dated July 16, 2010 by Ms. Alyssa A. Lappen under the tag line "Exclusive: Ground Zero Imam's radical connections".
Now to my opinion.
Is Mayer Bloomberg correct in supporting the construction of the Mosque at Ground Zero. Yup. What else can he do as a Politician who needs to uphold the Laws and Constitutional dictates about Private Property rights, Freedom of Religion, etc. So to argue that point as many are doing is a waste of time. That dog don't hunt.
On the other hand, I think we need to make a very public mass appeal to the sensibilities of Moderate American Islamics to resist this Mosque because it is contrary to their own appeals for tolerance and understanding of their own sensibilities by Americans. I read in my research the following; "Ground Zero is not just a place. It is sacred ground. In effect, it is the resting place of over 2700 people who died on 9/11. This point needs to be hammered by all of us to the point that Moderate Islam will see that supporting Americans in stopping the Ground Zero Mosque could be a milestone in American/Islamic relations far greater than any to date.
Second, and of significant importance is the Imam who is heading up the New Mosque's construction and will lead it, Faisel Abdul Rauf. This is one smart dude. Very well educated, respected by academia and someone who commands the language and can articulate page after page of carefully worded dialogue that will almost convince you that Islam, Christianity and Hebrewism are really all the same. SLICK as butter this guy. Don't be fooled, Rauf does have links to Hamas, does believe Shariah law has a place in the US and justifies Jihad and Fatwas against "infidels".
If you did the homework I asked of you at the beginning of this post you learned two things:
1. The 8/9/2010 cover of Time will show you what Shariah law can do to a beautiful young women.
2. The article in Family Security Matters will indicate that what Imam Rauf tells Arabs and what he tells Americans is quite different. HE IS NOT A MODERATE, HE IS A RADICAL DRESSED AS A MODERATE.
For these reasons I am absolutely against the Mosque and beg all who will listen to run, do not walk, to the nearest exit from any discussion of this specific Ground Zero Mosque led by this specific Imam.
1. Go to Time.com and take a look at the cover of the August 9, 2010 issue.
2.Go to "Family Security Matters", locate an article dated July 16, 2010 by Ms. Alyssa A. Lappen under the tag line "Exclusive: Ground Zero Imam's radical connections".
Now to my opinion.
Is Mayer Bloomberg correct in supporting the construction of the Mosque at Ground Zero. Yup. What else can he do as a Politician who needs to uphold the Laws and Constitutional dictates about Private Property rights, Freedom of Religion, etc. So to argue that point as many are doing is a waste of time. That dog don't hunt.
On the other hand, I think we need to make a very public mass appeal to the sensibilities of Moderate American Islamics to resist this Mosque because it is contrary to their own appeals for tolerance and understanding of their own sensibilities by Americans. I read in my research the following; "Ground Zero is not just a place. It is sacred ground. In effect, it is the resting place of over 2700 people who died on 9/11. This point needs to be hammered by all of us to the point that Moderate Islam will see that supporting Americans in stopping the Ground Zero Mosque could be a milestone in American/Islamic relations far greater than any to date.
Second, and of significant importance is the Imam who is heading up the New Mosque's construction and will lead it, Faisel Abdul Rauf. This is one smart dude. Very well educated, respected by academia and someone who commands the language and can articulate page after page of carefully worded dialogue that will almost convince you that Islam, Christianity and Hebrewism are really all the same. SLICK as butter this guy. Don't be fooled, Rauf does have links to Hamas, does believe Shariah law has a place in the US and justifies Jihad and Fatwas against "infidels".
If you did the homework I asked of you at the beginning of this post you learned two things:
1. The 8/9/2010 cover of Time will show you what Shariah law can do to a beautiful young women.
2. The article in Family Security Matters will indicate that what Imam Rauf tells Arabs and what he tells Americans is quite different. HE IS NOT A MODERATE, HE IS A RADICAL DRESSED AS A MODERATE.
For these reasons I am absolutely against the Mosque and beg all who will listen to run, do not walk, to the nearest exit from any discussion of this specific Ground Zero Mosque led by this specific Imam.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Blame Bush? Excuuuuuuse me!
It would be great if Liberals would just step up to the plate and claim at least some of the blame for the current dismal financial and job situation.
Unemployment June 08___ 5.6%
Unemployment June 2010_ 9.6%
Or, 14,6 Million people out of work. So why do we hear Obama, Biden, Pelosi, Reid, etc. telling us the stimulous is working and that we need to do another one? That's sick!
By the way, another 1.2 Million are unemployed but not counted because they are categorized as Discouraged Workers (those who are currently not looking for work because they believe no jobs are available).
Than we have the National Debt which is being hung around the necks of these non-working people and their kids and grandkids because of reckless spending.
As of Aug. 4, 2010 the Debt is $13,303,929,651,828. or, 13.3 Trillion.
It is increasing at the rate of $4.13 Billion each Day. (about 40 Million a minute!)
So was it G.W. Bush that did this? Maybe a little. But do not let Obama off the hook. Tarp, Stimulous, Bail Outs, Health Care Bill, Government Expansion and more are all on Obama's watch. God help us if Tax cuts are let to expire and Cap and Trade goes through. That, without exageration could put us in the same boat as Greece. Because of the absolute power of Liberals (read Progressives) these last 18 months our Country is at real risk of becoming a failed state in just a few years.
Worse, in general, the majority of people wanted none of these Albatroses but were made to swallow them by a Democratic Congress and Administration.
It is sadly a nasty time in our Great Country where two party rule is non-existant. The last year and a half could have been a dictatership given the total shunning if any input or ideas from concerned Conservatives or Republicans.
Yet Dictaters (read Democrats) still feed us FEEL GOOD SLOP and expect us to believe it. For the first time in my 72 year life, I am ashamed of my Government's conduct. I do not know how to get the people in Washington to understand that we do not want endless committee hearings, debates, name calling, spinning, lies and mud slinging. We need bold, decisive, courageous, patriotic, intelligent, informed servants in Washington who put the American people ahead of political grandstanding with a great sense of urgancy. I am not sure it can ever happen short of a major overhaul but at least I can express it and hope there are like minded folks out there who share my frustration. I welcome any followers to comment on this or any of my ramblings.
Unemployment June 08___ 5.6%
Unemployment June 2010_ 9.6%
Or, 14,6 Million people out of work. So why do we hear Obama, Biden, Pelosi, Reid, etc. telling us the stimulous is working and that we need to do another one? That's sick!
By the way, another 1.2 Million are unemployed but not counted because they are categorized as Discouraged Workers (those who are currently not looking for work because they believe no jobs are available).
Than we have the National Debt which is being hung around the necks of these non-working people and their kids and grandkids because of reckless spending.
As of Aug. 4, 2010 the Debt is $13,303,929,651,828. or, 13.3 Trillion.
It is increasing at the rate of $4.13 Billion each Day. (about 40 Million a minute!)
So was it G.W. Bush that did this? Maybe a little. But do not let Obama off the hook. Tarp, Stimulous, Bail Outs, Health Care Bill, Government Expansion and more are all on Obama's watch. God help us if Tax cuts are let to expire and Cap and Trade goes through. That, without exageration could put us in the same boat as Greece. Because of the absolute power of Liberals (read Progressives) these last 18 months our Country is at real risk of becoming a failed state in just a few years.
Worse, in general, the majority of people wanted none of these Albatroses but were made to swallow them by a Democratic Congress and Administration.
It is sadly a nasty time in our Great Country where two party rule is non-existant. The last year and a half could have been a dictatership given the total shunning if any input or ideas from concerned Conservatives or Republicans.
Yet Dictaters (read Democrats) still feed us FEEL GOOD SLOP and expect us to believe it. For the first time in my 72 year life, I am ashamed of my Government's conduct. I do not know how to get the people in Washington to understand that we do not want endless committee hearings, debates, name calling, spinning, lies and mud slinging. We need bold, decisive, courageous, patriotic, intelligent, informed servants in Washington who put the American people ahead of political grandstanding with a great sense of urgancy. I am not sure it can ever happen short of a major overhaul but at least I can express it and hope there are like minded folks out there who share my frustration. I welcome any followers to comment on this or any of my ramblings.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Our Bed Is Made By Votor Apathy
Though both Parties suffer from the same malady, I am using a Democratic example here because it is apathy to the ninth degree. In Nevada, there are extremely troubling issues:
*Unemployment is 0ver 14% and if adjusted for those who gave up looking, it is about 23%
*Foreclosures are at 1 in 14 homes which is 3.5 times higher than the National avg.
*The FY11 budget shows a $1.8 Billion dollar shortfall which is 54% of the Fy11 budget.
In the face of these disasterous facts, Harry Reid (D) is polling in a dead heat with his GOP opponent. Who are these prople that are willing to re-elect Mr. Reid given the Nevada and National situation to a third term? DUH! Think maybe something should change? Isn't there at least one other Democrat to put up? I can not understand how anyone who looks at the facts could re-elect Mr. Reid. Vote for a different Democrat, a Libertarian, a republican, or an Independent for God's sake, not the guy who has been at the helm and played a significant role in getting you into this disaster!
(I do not reside in Nevada and wish the Residents of that State all the best.)
*Unemployment is 0ver 14% and if adjusted for those who gave up looking, it is about 23%
*Foreclosures are at 1 in 14 homes which is 3.5 times higher than the National avg.
*The FY11 budget shows a $1.8 Billion dollar shortfall which is 54% of the Fy11 budget.
In the face of these disasterous facts, Harry Reid (D) is polling in a dead heat with his GOP opponent. Who are these prople that are willing to re-elect Mr. Reid given the Nevada and National situation to a third term? DUH! Think maybe something should change? Isn't there at least one other Democrat to put up? I can not understand how anyone who looks at the facts could re-elect Mr. Reid. Vote for a different Democrat, a Libertarian, a republican, or an Independent for God's sake, not the guy who has been at the helm and played a significant role in getting you into this disaster!
(I do not reside in Nevada and wish the Residents of that State all the best.)
NEWS ALERTS FROM THE YEAR 2029
(I AM NOT THE ORIGINATOR, NOT SURE WHO IS)
Some things are humerous but wierdly unsettling. Here are some news alerts from the year 2029:
*Ozone created by electric cars now killing millions in the seventh largest country in the world, Mexifornia, formerly recognized as California.
*Baby conceived naturally! Scientists stumped.
*Iran still closed off; physicists estimate it will take at least 10 more years before radioactivity decreases to safe levels.
*Castro finally dies at age 112; Cuban cigars can now be imported legally, but President Chelsea Clinton has banned all smoking.
*Postal Service raises price of First Class Stamp to $17.89 and reduces mail delivery to Wednesdays only.
*Average weight of Americans drops to 250 pounds.
*Global cooling blamed for citrus crop failure for third consecutive year in Mexifornia and Floruba.
*Abortion clinics now available in every High School in United States.
*Massachusetts executes last remaining conservative.
*Supreme Court rules punishment of criminals violates their civil rights.
*Government authorizes tatooing of Senior Citizen' arms with bar codes to give Government Health Care administrators easier way to decide when to eliminate them.
*Residential Home prices fall to Negative value. Now bank will pay you $15,000. to take one. However property taxes are now $1,450,000. per year.
Some things are humerous but wierdly unsettling. Here are some news alerts from the year 2029:
*Ozone created by electric cars now killing millions in the seventh largest country in the world, Mexifornia, formerly recognized as California.
*Baby conceived naturally! Scientists stumped.
*Iran still closed off; physicists estimate it will take at least 10 more years before radioactivity decreases to safe levels.
*Castro finally dies at age 112; Cuban cigars can now be imported legally, but President Chelsea Clinton has banned all smoking.
*Postal Service raises price of First Class Stamp to $17.89 and reduces mail delivery to Wednesdays only.
*Average weight of Americans drops to 250 pounds.
*Global cooling blamed for citrus crop failure for third consecutive year in Mexifornia and Floruba.
*Abortion clinics now available in every High School in United States.
*Massachusetts executes last remaining conservative.
*Supreme Court rules punishment of criminals violates their civil rights.
*Government authorizes tatooing of Senior Citizen' arms with bar codes to give Government Health Care administrators easier way to decide when to eliminate them.
*Residential Home prices fall to Negative value. Now bank will pay you $15,000. to take one. However property taxes are now $1,450,000. per year.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Illegal Immigrant craziness
This morning I heard a statement by President Obama to the effect that People urging action on Illegal Immigration are doing so to make a name for themselves. Wow! There is a perfect example of spins and lies. Hey Obama, there really is an Illegal Immigration problem that your administration is sweeping under the rug. Certainly it should be a Federal issue but the citizens of states getting raveged by Illegals should have the right to protect themselves in the absence of Federal action. Obama expects us to believe that numerous state Governors, Attornies General, Police Officers and Members of congress who want the Borders secured and are taking action in their respective States are just trying to make a name for themselves and here is why. Latino votes. Its that simple and no amount of spin will convince me otherwise.
It is fact that our borders are being crossed illegally every day. It is fact that Illegals cost us billions of tax dollars. It is fact that Illegals take away jobs. It is fact that even with promises of troops, nothing has been done and the troops are not on the border. It is fact that there is a cartel war going on and people are being murdered just miles from our border with Mexico and, it is fact that it is spilling over into the US border states. By law, people who do not get a work visa, a temporary visa or application for citizenship do not belong here under any, repeat any, circumstance. Hey protesters, what part of this don't you get?
Millions upon millions of people from countries worldwide have legally immigrated to the US, had families, started businesses and paid taxes. That is the majesty of our country. Why are these people not screaming for Immigration control instead of looking for free passes for Illegals?
The nay sayers are worried about profiling. What a joke. Everybody profiles every day. It is human nature to do so. If a flock of Orange birds poops on your driveway every day, you will profile Orange birds, not all birds, that is the way it is. Than they say the profiling leads to asking for papers. The fact that even the court says this is not constitutional is just plain nuts and a perfect example of where what is right and what is legal are not the same! I must carry my Driver License, my Social Security card, and other forms of ID if I want to navigate my way through a day in this Country. If you are not a citizen you should have documents with you all the time and be happy to show them. What's the big secret? Hey judge, get your head out of the sand.
What is perhaps the most sick part of the entire Illegal Immigrant issue is how much debate it gets. What is debatable? You sneek in you get thrown out, period. No debate, no court decision, no constitutional issues, out, out, out, period, done.
It is fact that our borders are being crossed illegally every day. It is fact that Illegals cost us billions of tax dollars. It is fact that Illegals take away jobs. It is fact that even with promises of troops, nothing has been done and the troops are not on the border. It is fact that there is a cartel war going on and people are being murdered just miles from our border with Mexico and, it is fact that it is spilling over into the US border states. By law, people who do not get a work visa, a temporary visa or application for citizenship do not belong here under any, repeat any, circumstance. Hey protesters, what part of this don't you get?
Millions upon millions of people from countries worldwide have legally immigrated to the US, had families, started businesses and paid taxes. That is the majesty of our country. Why are these people not screaming for Immigration control instead of looking for free passes for Illegals?
The nay sayers are worried about profiling. What a joke. Everybody profiles every day. It is human nature to do so. If a flock of Orange birds poops on your driveway every day, you will profile Orange birds, not all birds, that is the way it is. Than they say the profiling leads to asking for papers. The fact that even the court says this is not constitutional is just plain nuts and a perfect example of where what is right and what is legal are not the same! I must carry my Driver License, my Social Security card, and other forms of ID if I want to navigate my way through a day in this Country. If you are not a citizen you should have documents with you all the time and be happy to show them. What's the big secret? Hey judge, get your head out of the sand.
What is perhaps the most sick part of the entire Illegal Immigrant issue is how much debate it gets. What is debatable? You sneek in you get thrown out, period. No debate, no court decision, no constitutional issues, out, out, out, period, done.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Union Members Wake Up-- an RX for failure !!!!
I am not anti- union, never have been. On the other hand, I have never been a Union member and never had any employer related issues. Years ago I believed there was ample reason for unionization. Long working hours, abuse, child labor and unsafe conditions to name a few. It was a noble cause when workers banded together to get collective barganing power to change these onerous conditions. Regretfully, what evolved was greed and corruption at the expense of Members who gave money and power to their leaders in exchange for ever escalating wages and benefits. The Leaders than negotiated with management using Gun To The Head tactics to increase wages, expand benefits, create enormous pensions, etc. Most Managers knew but couldn't really admit that their Companies could not withstand a prolonged strike and, in fact, many that resisted (newspapers, breweries,etc.) did go out of business.
Today, Unions donate enormous amounts of money to political parties and have significant financial resources. However, here's where the Members shot themselves in the foot. The cost of Automobiles, Government, Police and fire protection, teachers and everday goods has gone ballistic. Result? Higher taxes on homes, higher cost of everything American made, billions to foreign manufacturers. Hey Member, ever thought why the Batteries for the Chevy Volt are not made in the US (I will not even talk about the fact that our stimulous money went to the foreign Company that makes the Batteries)? Is it any surprise that the Turbines for our wind farms are not purchased in the US? Is it any wonder that Wal-Mart has become the giant it is with low prices? What is sad is many Union Members blindly purchase the very same stuff that takes their jobs. Go figure!
Now we have an administration symphathetic to Unions because of campaign donation payback. However, jobs are now scarce or non-existant and may never come back in some cases because there is no demand for high priced Union made merchandise. OK it is not the only reason i.e. the Economy, but it surely is a huge reason. Yet Union Members continue to entrust their leaders, who stand firm and refuse to give up anything at all to help, with money and power . If benefits are not reduced (with care), pensions are not pared down (with care) and wages become more competative, there is no possibility for Union Members to grow and prosper. Their numbers will shrink as foreign competition out prices them and more jobs will go.
This can only be fixed if Members of Unions get smart and understand the results of their placing blank checks in the hands of their Leadership. No, I am not anti-union. I am against greed, corruption and lack of educated decision making. Union Members need to get educated, look at the global affects of their actions and create reasonable and effective ways to partner with management to help make US made products competative (bottom line is a good secure job is better than no job at all). If not, I fear Union Members are a dying breed, victoms of their own actions.
Today, Unions donate enormous amounts of money to political parties and have significant financial resources. However, here's where the Members shot themselves in the foot. The cost of Automobiles, Government, Police and fire protection, teachers and everday goods has gone ballistic. Result? Higher taxes on homes, higher cost of everything American made, billions to foreign manufacturers. Hey Member, ever thought why the Batteries for the Chevy Volt are not made in the US (I will not even talk about the fact that our stimulous money went to the foreign Company that makes the Batteries)? Is it any surprise that the Turbines for our wind farms are not purchased in the US? Is it any wonder that Wal-Mart has become the giant it is with low prices? What is sad is many Union Members blindly purchase the very same stuff that takes their jobs. Go figure!
Now we have an administration symphathetic to Unions because of campaign donation payback. However, jobs are now scarce or non-existant and may never come back in some cases because there is no demand for high priced Union made merchandise. OK it is not the only reason i.e. the Economy, but it surely is a huge reason. Yet Union Members continue to entrust their leaders, who stand firm and refuse to give up anything at all to help, with money and power . If benefits are not reduced (with care), pensions are not pared down (with care) and wages become more competative, there is no possibility for Union Members to grow and prosper. Their numbers will shrink as foreign competition out prices them and more jobs will go.
This can only be fixed if Members of Unions get smart and understand the results of their placing blank checks in the hands of their Leadership. No, I am not anti-union. I am against greed, corruption and lack of educated decision making. Union Members need to get educated, look at the global affects of their actions and create reasonable and effective ways to partner with management to help make US made products competative (bottom line is a good secure job is better than no job at all). If not, I fear Union Members are a dying breed, victoms of their own actions.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Hero Abuse
This is sort of old news but it still agonizes me so it gets a spot in my new blog. We prosecuted three American Heros for giving an enemy a fat lip! (fortunately, good sense prevailed and they were acquited)At the same time we gave the same enemy all legal rights, legal representation and a trial in New York City (maybe not if the public is heard) near the site of 9/11. Somewhere along the line the Justice Dept has forgotten whose blood made it possible for it to sit in Ivory Towers and pontificate on the rights of enemies while disrespecting the valor of our soldiers. Nice going, huh. This is why I am making posts here. The Government at all levels has become too wrapped up in what the ACLU might think, what is politically correct and playing to constituancies while losing the most important thing law can and should consider in our behalf which is, "WHAT IS RIGHT?".
Unions and the Government
It is no secret that the current White House and congress populations were largely funded by Union Campaign contributions. OK I guess. But now the pay back at our expense. There is a bill moving through Congress to bail out Union Pension funds at taxpayers (read all taxpayers) expense. The Union pension fund is underfunded by 165 Billion dollars. Union members on average receive a third more pay and double the benefits than non-union workers. So why do non-union workers now have to subsidize Union pensions? Why don't the Unions bail out the Unions? They seem to find big bucks to give to campaigns don't they. Unions are busing people from LA to Phoenix to interfere in Arizona's illegal immigrant issues. Why? Illegal immigrants take away jobs! It would seem Unions would be against using dues to support illegal immigrants. How about hundreds of union teachers in NY sitting in rubber rooms doing nothing for years and receiving full pay? By the way, state, city and local union pensions are underfunded by 312 Trillion! Is that the next bail out? This is really out of control. Enough pay back with money we do not have by folks who do not benefit. Keep an eye on NJ Gov Chris Christie who has stepped up to the plate on this issue at the risk of losing his Job. A courageous guy.
Our Comander In Spin
Do I care if our President makes an appearance on The View? Not sure. It is the last place I would like to see him but I guess in his infinite wisdom he found the appearance good for the Country. More importantly, during that same precious time in the New York studios of The View, there was a Boy Scout Jamboree celebrating the 100 Year Anniversary of that uniquely American instution. I do care about the President's decision to travel about an hour North to the View Studios in NY as opposed to traveling about the same distance South to the Richmond, Va area to make an appearance Honoring the Boy Scouts of America's hundredth anniversary. I just can not make that decision come out as anything but stupid, senseless and insulting. Perhaps the Boy Scouts are too American?
That kind of senseless decision making troubles me a lot.
That kind of senseless decision making troubles me a lot.
Friday, July 30, 2010
About my blog
I decided to create this blog because I no longer believe our Government is "By the People" and "For the People". In my view, there is way too much actionless debate in Congress, constant spinning and half truths from the White House, spending on foolish, unnecessary things, making policy with no regard to what the people want and need and, above all, all of us being treated like uneducated sheep who will just lay down and say OK to everything that is done.
Here is an example just to get the tone of this blog set:
Some who make school policy feel, kids who pray should be sent home but kids under ten years old should receive explicit sex education. They conjur up all kinds of legal, liberal and constitutional garbage to make their case. However, this is just plain stupid. We are now tenth in the world in math and science and these buffoons are concerned if one of our kids prays? They want time spent on sex ed rather than math and science? Where are their heads?
I will comment on much, much more in this blog and hope some will find my comments of interest.
Gov gone Nuts
Here is an example just to get the tone of this blog set:
Some who make school policy feel, kids who pray should be sent home but kids under ten years old should receive explicit sex education. They conjur up all kinds of legal, liberal and constitutional garbage to make their case. However, this is just plain stupid. We are now tenth in the world in math and science and these buffoons are concerned if one of our kids prays? They want time spent on sex ed rather than math and science? Where are their heads?
I will comment on much, much more in this blog and hope some will find my comments of interest.
Gov gone Nuts
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