Friday's Political Vent

Many moons ago, I instituted and copyrighted this date in honor of those behind the front wheel and on the CB of all those 18 Wheelers, give or take, making sure we get what we need.  Thus, I say unto them---10-4!!!

As for those supposedly "running the country," and actually running it into the ground, I offer THIS:

You have to be out or your &#+@#! minds!!!  You have lost any sense of honor, dignity, truth, justice and all the other accolades you people swore to uphold, being elected based on your promises...ALL OF YOU!!!

You KNEW the economy was in dire straits L-O-N-G before you went on that collective and insidious 5 week vacation.  How Effing stupid was THAT???  What it told me and many others is that you flat out did not give a damn about anything other than yourselves!!!  "Country, be damned---I'm going home to raise money for re-election and any other benefit I can accrue, based on my self-appointed/anointed entitlements."

You are worse than a room filled with bickering 5 year old children.  If the man in that office had any spine at all, he would have called you into a large room and told you that no one goes any damned where until a workable budget is established.  Seems to me that no one is in charge and even less of you give a big fat rat's patoot when none of you consider anything other than your sick selves!

Don't respond with any cheap, self-serving rhetoric.  When in corporate America, we department heads convened at least twice yearly to review/revise the initial 1 year and sometimes, 5 year Long Range Plans.  Do YOU do that?  Sure doesn't seem so, begging the question...Would you know HOW?  It would be very interesting to know how many of you actually have experience working in a profit driven environment.  How many of you actually participated in managing a department, division, subsidiary or even a total company?  You probably began as a local "gofer" for a councilperson, filled with grandiose idealism.  As time passed, you learned or were taught about "the system" and how to make it work for you.  Climbing the socio-political stairs and as your wealth and power increased, it resulted in an equal amount of minimal representation of your constituents' wishes and needs.

Oh yeah---Most of us in the working world, have been exposed to annual reviews.  (That's where you sit with a manager and discuss how/if you were successful the previous year and how you intended to improve in the NEXT 12 months.)  If you showed NO improvement, most often, your next appearance would be at the employment bureau.  You don't have to do that, now DO you?  You are content knowing, pretty much no matter what, you have privilege in guaranteed employment for the length of the elected term.  While there, you take it upon yourselves to restructure the laws, constitution and all other methods to ensure your comfort during and after your time in office.  You've re-written the meaning of "ways and means."

You wrecked a good percentage of our economy by allowing banks and corporations to swindle the living hell out of America's citizens.  Do not even THINK of telling me none of you were aware of it!  To make it WORSE, you bailed out the very perpetrators, allowed bonuses and, in your arrogance, did not prosecute or jail one single one of those irresponsible bastards!  bernie made-off vacations in a 4 star hotel, where the only bars are probably seen at happy hour.  Those cheats are fully aware of what they planned and knew what their "consequences" would be.....hell...they either wrote the laws or paid off those who DID!  Instill some fear by closing every single white collar detention center!!!  Each and every one of them needs to be in Leavenworth, guarded by unhappy veteran Marines!

I could go on and on, yet, I hope you see what I see.  A friend in Florida sends emails, ending with, "Re-Elect No One."  It's not the total answer, but perhaps it might straighten the arrow, so to speak.  Our beloved country began a major "sell a soul to the devil" parade about the time Ike departed the white house and the gates of hell are getting closer and closer.  It took approximately 200 years to make this a beautiful country and in approximately another 50 some, we've been able to chop the heck out of it.  Fix THIS country FIRST and THEN go help others, before it all goes to that proverbial hell in a hand-basket!

Do you REALLY wish our streets to look the same as in Egypt, Sudan, Syria, et al???

By the way, if we indeed DO find ourselves in hell............I don't want to share a room with a damned one of you!!!

Have a nice weekend...

ET TU, Walmart?

Hmmm.  Walmart ditches American jobs for overseas labor where employees/slaves are locked in for lousy pay and conditions.  Walmart forces small businesses OUT of business to minimize paperwork and deal with only large suppliers.  Shortcuts are taken in food that jeopardize the health of millions.  Many other yet undiscovered ways of increasing the Walmart family fortunes at the suffering of others continue, yet they immediately judge Paula Deen for a not so nice incident, yet super minor when compared to the deeds of Walmart.  Same for all the retailers who immediately cut ties while they continue to lie, cheat and steal until they themselves get caught and then proclaim innocence.  Is ANYONE watching what is happening in this once proud country???

2-23-13 Rantz-N-Rave

I no longer see the hairy pig commercials from GEICO.  Thanks to those who helped get them off the air.   Now, if someone can do the same for ads that insist on thinking drumbeats are cool in the background of nearly every TV ad.  All they do is cause people to change the channel or leave the room.  Several years back, those drumbeats were everywhere.  They did stop for awhile, but I noticed a resurgence in the past several weeks.  I surveyed numerous contacts and couldn't find any people who had positive thoughts about them.  In fact, they all questioned the sanity of those who submit and those who pay for them.  C'mon, ad agencies...where's the originality? Cars are getting better mileage.  Just this week, gas shot up 30 cents per gallon in my neighborhood.  A man on the news told the nation that gas is more expensive because we don't have enough pipelines and refineries.  What the ----? All the panic about 1 week remaining before the federal budget goes bazonkers.  YOU MEAN NO ONE SAW THIS COMING?!?  GEEZISS PETE, ALREADY!!!  WHAT THE H--- ARE YOU PEOPLE DOING IN D.C??? Outsourcing = job losses = unemployment and all that goes with it, being taxes, etc.  See federal budget woes in previous paragraph. On the bright side:  Major League Baseball played the 1st game of spring training yesterday and hope springs eternal.  Will this be YOUR team's year?

Unending Soapbox

I've "preached" forever about learning as much as one can prior to making an intelligent decision, regardless the situation, person, and yes, even a teevee program! That in mind, I'm introducing you to Mr. Niel, (That's the way he spells it), Young.  Niel has a radio program and writes a column for The Weirs Times in New Hampshire.  He presents a view of our nation that you might not have yet considered.  Neither am I pulling his wagon, nor am I suggesting you hop on, rather, it's an invite to read what others take the time to offer. I tried to copy the article, but it seems today that one must "log on" to most everything prior to forwarding, etc.  I shy away from social sites and the like.  As I told the friend next door, "I don't even like that my neighbor knows where I live!"  Anyway, if you'd like to read the article, kindly use your address bar to type in: www.weirs.com  Once there, you'll see the current edition, whereupon you can use the page-turning arrow on the right, until you reach page 13.  You can also enlarge the page...directions are easy. Thanks, and, Have a Nice Country!

Charities

When there's such an abrupt denial as shown below, I can't help but wonder how many back pockets are being filled from those who lost the class action suits.  Oh well, just another case of arrogance by those who were elected.  Obviously, this is Ohio, but I'm certain other states could use the help. By the way, might there be other instances?  By: Sarah Buduson, newsnet5.com COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio lawmakers have no plans to reintroduce a bill that could make millions of dollars available to charities and non-profit organizations. "We've been told we shouldn't waste our time on something that's dead on arrival," said Pat Perotti, an attorney with the northeast Ohio law firm Dworken & Bernstein, who helped draft the legislation. The legislation would change state rules regarding settlement funds from class actions lawsuits. "We asked for the legislation to be passed in the state of Ohio that would require that every single class action settlement have specific language that indicates what happens to unclaimed funds, and if it does not say what happens to them, then they automatically revert to charity," said Perotti. Currently, when class members cannot be located, unclaimed settlements funds revert to the defendant. For example, International Precious Metals Corporation, a commodity futures brokerage firm, paid approximately $22 million out of a $40 million settlement resulting from a 1990 lawsuit that accused the firm of defrauding its customers. "That's simply not fair, it's not right and it's not honest -- because that's not what the court understood and intended," said Perotti about defendants keeping unclaimed funds. When the legislation to spell out what happens to the funds was introduced in 2010, Perotti was optimistic. The bill had bipartisan support. But HB 427 went nowhere. There were no house or senate committee votes. Former Ohio Rep. Mark Okey (D) was chair of the house committee reviewing HB 427. Okey said members liked the idea, but disagreed on the details, like which charities would be eligible to receive funds. "I couldn't get a majority of votes. I certainly wasn't going to bring it to a vote and then just have it fail," he said. There was also strong opposition from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. "They did not want to see the bill go forward at all," said Okey. During a two week period in December, NewsChannel5 tried repeatedly to schedule an interview with Linda Woggon, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce executive vice president who lobbied against the bill, but she declined our requests to talk on camera. Perotti said he believes some of the chamber's members feared the legislation would affect their bottom lines. "Certain of their members were parties in our lawsuits, they were defendants, and they had committed fraud against our customers and they frankly didn't want to pay the money out," said Perotti. Dworken & Bernstein avoids allowing unclaimed class action settlement funds to revert back to defendants by using a little known legal rule called cy pres. "It's a legal doctrine which means 'as nearly as possible' and it makes sure that when there's an intent to pay out a certain amount of money that if you can't give it to the intended recipient, as nearly as possible, you give it to that person's benefit," said Perotti. Dworken & Bernstein founded Ohio Lawyers Give Back in order to promote cy pres. The organization has given more than $24 million to dozens of charities and non-profits operating in northeast Ohio. The Arc of Greater Cleveland, an advocacy group for developmentally disabled individuals, was on the verge of shutting down when it unexpectedly received a $74,000 donation from Ohio Lawyers Give Back in 2011. "I was looking at becoming unemployed and so were the rest of my staff. I mean, it was that dire of a situation," said Cindy Norwood, the executive director. Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital Division of Pediatric Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery received a $250,000 donation. The donation helped the hospital maintain the team of specialists that treated Westlake resident Meredith Farrow's 2-year-old daughter, Presley. Presley was born with a cleft lip and palate. "It was very difficult. I cried. I wasn't prepared for that," said Farrow. "The pediatric plastic surgery unit at Rainbow Babies made me feel like it's going to be OK," she said. "About three months of age, she was operated on for almost four hours to correct her nose, her lip and her gumline. She's a completely normal, healthy child now," said Farrow. Both Farrow and Norwood were surprised no Ohio lawmakers plan to reintroduce HB 427. "I'm here to say, as a charity, that people don't always choose to give to charity," said Norwood. "There would be so many more people helped. Just seems like a no-brainer," said Farrow Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/no-ohio-lawmakers-plan-to-reintroduce-bill-that-could-mean-more-money-for-charities#ixzz2IoJd63gE

There IS a morning after!

You win a few...You lose a few...or maybe just one

It seemed like the campaigns lasted 500 days or more. Oh, wait.....they DID!!!
I was right about one thing. I wrote that I had filled my gas tank because the local price in northeast Ohio was $3.069 per gallon. I predicted that the prices would hold until the election was over, because no one wanted to be blamed for any increase. TA DAH! While driving today, through several communities, the post-vote prices were anywhere from $3.22 up to $3.49 for the regular grade. My money says the increase isn't over. Funny, that last night's computer check showed that crude was on the way down. Explain, please? By the way, if you didn't know, you can check local prices by merely typing in gas prices and your zip code into the top address block on your screen.
What really irked me is the northeast rape. I checked prices in New Jersey and they were listed as high as $4.69 at some stations. Our current/new officials need to stem the tide on this non-consensual screwing tossed upon the storm victims. If you like getting involved, phone YOUR reps and get the ball rolling!
Honest to Godness, I just did see this while on my way home. On the tree lawn front of the local post office, was a table with a person bearing a placard that stated, "Impeach Obama." Holy Moley, Batman...talk about impatience!
I truly hope dems and reps can reach across that aisle and get this country on the road to recovery. Hey Guys/Ladies...that aisle isn't all that wide! Another stalemate as referred to last Sunday on "60 Minutes" will tell me that parties are holding party lines. If all they're going to do is a bunch of nya-nya, get the hell out of Washington and let someone in there who gives a damn! Congress and Senate members are elected to represent what the constituents need. Not what 400 plus individuals want for their own pockets. YOU WORK FOR US, SO, GET TO WORK!!!
On a "lighter" note, a convicted murderer in Ohio has been given the death penalty. He's been claiming that it would be inhumane, as he weighs 480 pounds and the gurney would collapse, causing pain. The man has been on death row for approximately 10 years. What the ---- are they feeding him?!? Meanwhile, the warden said he tested the gurney with a corrections officer who closely matched the convict and the gurney held up. What the ---- is that guard eating and why are we paying his medical?!?

Finally.....
The election is over. Tomorrow is Thursday, signifying the traditional start of weekly garage sales. Please eliminate unnecessary driving and guesswork by removing all election signs. A good way to increase revenue is to levy a $5 fin for each sign still up at 6 AM, local time on Thursday.
Thanks for voting! If you didn't vote, trust me from experience...your local bartender doesn't care to hear your gripes. If you could make it to Joe's Chug-n-Hurl, you could have made it to the voting booth. (My local is at an elementary school and the PTU Moms always have yummy cookies and fudge for sale. So, THERE!)
We now return to some new and less boring commercials..................

You still have time!!!

On my honor, I will not attempt asking you to vote for anyone in particular.  Please keep in mind that 11-06-12 means electing more than a president.  It means you will be voting for practically a whole new set of people in congress.  Those are the representatives elected to carry out the wishes of those whom they represent, which, of course, is why I chose to overuse the word, representative.  It's rather obvious they aren't, nor have they been, listening to us.  If you care about your country and if you weren't able to see "60 Minutes" last night, you can see it on your computer, for free.  Therein, you'll get to watch some fine interviews.  I'm not referring to the one with a football player.  Steve Kroft tried to elicit some intelligence from both Demorat Harry Reid and Revulsivecan Mitch McConnell as to why compromises could not be made.  Their answers combined might have reached 40 on an I.Q test.  The two of them couldn't even look into each other's eyes!  I now officially love Olithia Snow, Republican Moderate from Maine, who announced that she will not seek re-election.  Why?  She's had it with those who won't even consider playing nice.  I challenge all the voters in Maine to write her in and keep her intelligence at the forefront.  There were other notables with equally good comments.  I recommend you watch that episode in hopes you vote and vote with a clear conscience.  Those chambers need a good housecleaning, and, tomorrow is a good time to begin, by not re-electing those who are in it for the money or a high paying job when they retire.  Kindly keep in mind that there are independents running for many of those seats and you are allowed to vote for them.  Shoot, I'd vote for my Gramma, if she were alive...she couldn't do any worse than some of those money-mongers currently occupying a nice leather chair!

I hope I'm wrong, but-----

If you think there's no control over the price of gasoline...If you think big brother isn't involved in the price of gasoline...Watch what happens to the price of gasoline after the election on Tuesday.

History shows, when tragedy strikes, as in the northeast, gasoline prices shoot skyward very quickly. As yet, they haven't. Someone might say they insisted on cooperation from refiners and suppliers so that folks who lost their homes could at least cook, stay warm and get to their jobs. That's a nice thought.

I filled my tank today at the probably soon to be forgotten price of $3.079 per gallon.

By the way, it's reported that the majority of the congress will be re-elected.   As Riley would say at the end of the old teevee show, "What a revoltin' development!"

Debating the Debates...Part II

Debate #1 on 10-3-12 was nothing short of fantastic.....until they spoke.  Jim, the moderator, was overcome with overrun.  Hardly in control.  Incumbent, at certain points, looked as lost as a Chevy man at a Yugo dealership.  Contender...reminiscent of previous contenders...just a different face.  Non-stop salvos of accusation fly across the stage, causing me to ask, "If each candidate were guilty of half the charges, why the h--- do we vote for ANY of them?"
If you watched the debate on democracynow.org, you learned how the 2 major(?) parties formed a commission which ultimately forced the League of Women Voters out of the process and prevented any alternative party contenders from participating.  You also would have learned how the debates are controlled and what questions would be allowed.  Do the words, rehearsal and choreograph come to mind?  Speaking of come to mind, have you noticed the TV/Radio/Newspaper lack of coverage given to any other candidate?  Have you taken the time to wonder why?
The next few weeks will be filled with ads ad infinitum, ad nauseum, causing you to thank the remote gods for a "Mute" button.  Regardless of what you are promised, know that if the White House gets a new occupant, the true 1st priority will be redecorating.  Then, and ONLY then, will the task of business as usual begin.  If the incumbent incumbs, well, you pretty much know what's in store.  (I wonder if any of these people ever watched, "The West Wing?")
Now that I've upset the apple cart, again, I leave you something to consider.  Since Mr. Eisenhower departed the White House, are you REALLY satisfied that YOUR well-being has been at the forefront?

Debating the Debates

Without going into a lengthy diatribe, I'll say that we have been slowly conditioned into believing that there should be ONLY a 2 party system. Why? It's what has been designed by those with money and power. It's called "control." Allowing at least 1 more party threatens the comfortable existence they now enjoy, paid for by we the people. I therefore encourage you to watch what is explained below and give consideration to write-ins. Yes, a write-in dilutes the vote for the 2 main candidates, (My, how convenient), but...done enough times, more people will exercise this option and cause incumbents to do what we voted them to do, as opposed to doing what they can/will get away with.  (You might have to copy/paste the below noted site)


From my great friend in Georgia: Yesterday I found out that democracynow.org is going to be live for the debate tonight and doing something no other channel will (as far as I know). They will pause between the questions to allow both the candidates for the Green Party and Justice Party to answer. This is important to me because I am considering writing in Jill Stein of the Green Party in on my ballot in November and casting my vote for her. Both her and the Justice party are legal write in on the GA ballot.
I think it is important for people to "tune in" online for another reason too. It is becoming increasingly clear that the Democratic and Republican Party are both being run by the corporations and money holders. Although they scream their differences neither stray far from the beliefs of those handing out the cash. In many ways they are casting the vote for the same old same old no matter which way they talk. So, I think it is important for third, fourth and more parties to become a part of the scene. How many people even realize that there are other parties in this country? Not since Perot (Did I spell that right?) I would imagine and only because he was allowed to be present in the debate. So, if enough people watch on democracy now tonight just maybe the media and the Giants of decision making will see that it would be beneficial to their pockets to add variety to the debates. Even if you watch via tv on a media station perhaps you could tune in via computer on to democracynow.com? En joy.

Timely Followup to Yesterday's Post (From a Friend)

Charley Reese's final column for the Orlando Sentinel...


He has been a journalist for 49 years.

He is retiring and this is HIS LAST COLUMN.

This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be. The article below is completely neutral, neither anti-republican or democrat. Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day. It's a short but good read. Worth the time. Worth remembering!

545 vs. 300,000,000 People---By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations.. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? John Boehner. He is the leader of the majority party. He and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan ...

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Tax his land, tax his bed,
Tax the table, at which he's fed.
Tax his tractor, tax his mule,
Teach him taxes are the rule.

Tax his work, tax his pay,
He works for peanuts anyway!
Tax his cow, tax his goat,
Tax his pants, tax his coat.

Tax his ties, tax his shirt,
Tax his work, tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco, tax his drink,
Tax him if he tries to think.

Tax his cigars, tax his beers,
If he cries tax his tears.
Tax his car, tax his gas,
Find other ways to tax his ass.

Tax all he has then let him know
That you won't be done till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers; then tax him some more,
Tax him till he's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin, tax his grave,
Tax the sod in which he's laid...
Put these words upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me to my doom...'

When he's gone, do not relax,
Its time to apply the inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax

Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax

Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax

Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes

Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax

Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax

School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax

Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax

Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax



STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the heck happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'

Be afraid...Be Very, VERY Afraid

Call me Ishmael, call me paranoid, but I feel it must be said...


I don't know who said this post's title. The source, for the moment, is irrelevant, but, the statement makes a ton of sense.

It matters not if you're republican, democrat, independent, left, right or whatever the buzz word of the day might be. Our nation is being molded into a "machine" that will produce enormous wealth for the very few. That they already have more than they or their ensuing progeny will be able to spend is not the point. Money and the power it brings has become the "drug of choice" for the greedy. They will step on whomever and whatever gets in the way, namely, our middle class.

Pensions have been eradicated, speculators raise gasoline prices at will, no bankers were jailed for fleecing your savings, there are no penalties for outsourcing, to name just a few.

We have been gifted with an overflow of devices that have "changed our lives forever." Social media and instant access to movies, music and the like fills our needs to be entertained. Newspapers and books are the new dinosaurs. Radio is losing local content, being replaced by the streaming of repetitious tunes ad infinitum and ad nauseum. Where there was banter about local politics and current events, there is now a robotic voice telling us the title of the song just played...as if we were too incapable of remembiering the past 2 minutes and 37 seconds. Talk shows fill our brains as would an auctioneer, thus keeping us way too occupied to sort the barrage of words and make a wise decision. These radio heads all began innocently and caring, but with endorsements, TV appearances and a carpetbagger style of road trips, they've fallen under the spell of what money can do to a person. (Thankfully, subscription radio offers an intelligent selection of airwave entertainment and enlightenment)

Electronic games, social media and a plethora of brain-sucking reality(?) TV shows, coupled with sodium and fat filled foods that are programmed to weld us to the sofa, keep us occupied while the uber-riche devour whatever might remain of our ability to protest. All these "gifts" are, in a way, a reminder of gun control in Europe's pre World War 2 days. The probable thinking is...since so many Americans own guns...if they're too fat to assemble and fight, the rest will be easy! Ergo, "The Girth of a Nation."

For those who are fit, the current game of war will keep selected economies growing.

Does anyone track the percentage of campaign promises that are fulfilled? Doesn't it bother you that people such as bernie madoff laughs in his letters how he bilked so many of you? Doesn't it bother you that he's not in a hard labor federal prison? Doesn't it bother you that the Nevada congressman, when confronted about the subsidized airline flying vacant planes, dismisses the reporter? Doesn't the arrogance of dick cheney and his new millions piss you off? (Incidentally, upper case in the names of some people is no longer deserved) Doesn't it bother you that Malia Obama took an entourage of her friends to Oaxaca, Mexico, using 2 planes and 25 secret service agents for her spring break? And, doesn't it bother you that the story was kept from the media, save for 2 foreign reports? I wrote the local newspaper, TV investigative reporter and my hopefully former congressman regarding the issue and, you guessed it, no reply.
By the way, it's not the first incident of no replies or condescending responses.

I could go on and on, but even the American attention span might be too short for this diatribe. I implore any and all to read, "The Betrayal of the American Dream." Should the thought of reading a book scare the hell out of you, at LEAST read the below noted site for an abridged portion. If the site won't open, please Google the title.

Have a nice day...........they might be numbered.

http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/inq_BarlettSteelePart1.html

Once A Leg Man..............

Once a "leg" man.....



I try to stay away from political commentary because it negates the chuckles I read in the daily comic section of my newspaper, but, some are SO "ignernt" that you have to stop and wonder.


WHUTT?!? 1.  Our local, (loco?), lawmakers just enacted the Teen Text Law.  I guess they figure texting drivers older than 18 don't get bigger boo-boos. Has anyone contacted the wacko gecko actuaries?
WHUTT?!? 2.  The since deposed Cuyahoga County sheriff was convicted for using election money to bolster his campaign via using his deputies. In short, he "retired" and there followed some of that good ole boy taking care of another and he then used campaign funds to pay the fine. A judge simply blew it off with words to the effect, "These things happen" and that was the end of that!  As an untrained CPA, I'd venture to say he'd have to claim that money as income, dontcha think.........IRS?
WHUTT? 3.  Last week marked the opening of a gambling casino in Cleveland. In an effort to empty wallets without delay, an extension to East 9th Street is being constructed. In the meantime, 2 local hospitals were closed, thereby increasing response times for EMS personnel.

Didja Know? Dept: While visiting some of my favorite Kentucky people earlier this month, I was told that some schools no longer teach cursive writing. AUGH!


As parents, we can oh so easily upset the kids with "put the foot down" directives. My 2 sons, not the old teevee show, grew to be close to self-inflicting eclipse makers. Well, not THAT huge, but big enough to scare some wash machines. When they asked to play football, I absolutely refused, reason being that the human body was not designed to run into each other, at a high rate of speed, from opposite directions. I suggested meteorology broadcasting, as they tend to earn a lot while being wrong more often than Homer Simpson. A recent news item is telling us that Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is more pronounced than anyone had envisioned. In short, concussions are to be taken seriously, as shown in studies conducted on brains of former football stars. In fact, the possibilities exist in virtually ALL sports having body contact. (You're welcome, M & M)


Can't recall if I mentioned this in an earlier missive, but, since we're being schooled to sneeze or cough into our elbows, don't we then pass the germs when we put that same arm around our companion at the local cineplex?


Have you seen that commercial where a speed dater is caught for saying, "until I met you?" Closely watch the girl. Right after he hears that, her lower back snaps as if someone zapped her with a cattle prod.....Jussayin


Separated at birth 1: Los Angeles Angels pitcher, Irvin Santana and Detroit Tigers shortstop, Jhonny Peralta
Separated at birth 2: Most political candidates and nobody smart


Just for kicks: When you quickly move your index finger in an up-and-down motion on your lips as you hum, you'll hear a staccato sound. Go ahead...try it! Got it? Good! The sound you heard explains why your butt crack isn't horizontal when you scoot down the sliding board!


Given a choice, what music do you suppose a dog would choose?


If it totally passed you by, this month, Friday the 13th was on a Sunday.


Drum Roll Super News Dept: Son of a great lady I know just graduated from med school...a feat unto itself. I think he opted for pediatrics. May he someday soon find a cure for an illness or two.

Random Acts of Thought

Today's photo of Japanese Iris comes courtesy of Paula, from Louisville, Kentucky. She said I gave them to her eons ago, but I can't remember. According to Paula, they didn't bloom for several years and she considered tossing them. They must have read her mind and decided to make her happy last week. Ya see? Good things DO happen when you put your petals to the mettle!

The Big Guy in the sky was kind enough to provide a weather break for parts of the Midwest in March. There was a 10 day span of temps in the 70-some to 80-some...can you BELIEVE?!? A bit like Florida, without the cost of getting there! People were wearing shorts---and SMILING! My back yard is approximately 15 miles in a direct line south of Lake Erie and for those who've never been here, it's normally a cold, gray time of year. Flowers popped early...so pretty! It was fun to watch the confused robins. I could just imagine their thoughts of, "I know I should be building something and filling it with something, but I don't know what or why!" Speaking of wildlife, I'm still happy with getting to see the Cadbury Bunny commercials on teevee.

Separated at birth: "Pawn Stars" Rick Harrison and Billy Joel

Who allows this?!? Did you ever read the small print at the bottom of cell phone ads on the boob tube? (How long since you heard THAT description?) "$350 penalty for early cancellation, plus other fees." Isn't that a lot like the 9000% interest on those quickie loan places? And...what about being forced into a new 2 year contract just because you upgraded your phone?

While we're still in Wuddup Widdat land, who authorized all the fees at whitepages.com?

The face you save will be your own: I don't know where it came from, but, I see tons of drivers making turns that begin with an upside-down grip on the steering wheel, that is, a left turn beginning with the right hand palm facing upward. If you have to suddenly reverse direction, you can't! Most importantly, your arm is covering the inside part of the steering wheel...SO...if your car gets hit and the air bag opens at that high rate of speed, your forearm will smash into your face and break all those pretty, little bones. However, if you'd prefer the equivalent of being sucker-punched by a bowling ball dropped from a very high bridge, so be it. For the rest of you........you're welcome!

Electioneering: Why must voters declare a party affiliation before getting a ballot? Isn't that a bit prejudiced? Why can't a republican vote for a democrat if he/she feels one is more qualified than the other?

If you haven't heard, "Silent Stella" Kowalski, from Chuckalock, Oklahoma, went home to her maker on 2-30-12. In honor of her life, radio station KPASA will air previously recorded segments of her Saturday morning broadcasts of, "Mime Your Own Business."

Things you see when you're not looking

Toss aside all panic regarding the Mayan calendar. It was announced several days ago that Levin Furniture is offering a sale, with no interest payment until 2017. (The man must have connections)

What the heck is in Cialis that causes a need to sit in a bath tub, deep in the forest?

If the car company advertises what they call a "Limited Editon," why are there so many of them?

Arrogant condescension: Sherrod Brown, when asked about commercials warning against Obamacare, "Oh, that's all just background noise." And, if memory serves, after the defeat of issue 5 in Ohio, he stated, "The vote doesn't really mean anything."

An anti Rick Santorum campaign ad stated that "He never ran a company, never ran a state..."
So...Rick wants to copy what we have NOW?!?

"I Stand Firmly On" Dept: Regarding Rap, If you can't whistle to, hum along with or line dance to it......IT AIN'T MUSIC!!!

What if? In order to recoup the huge amount of money spent in sex offense payoffs, I heard that the Vatican is considering its own line of cosmetics. Initial offering will be, "Embarass," a deep red shade of the brand to be known as, "Apostlelipstick."

Andy Rooney might have asked: "Why don't we have lower case numbers?"

Daylight Savings time starts tomorrow, the 11th. Remember to change the battery in your sundial. No adjusment necessary on the kitchen timer.

Things I Think About When I'm Not Thinking...

Imagine a conversation between Ducky, the Medical Examiner on "NCIS" and Cliffie, the Mailman from "Cheers."

He said WHAT?!? On yesterday's news, (11-30-11), Congressman Trakas from Ohio said he was not going to back Mr. Cain's run for president. Reason? He opined, "If Cain lied about an affair, who knows what else he might have lied about?" Now, ain't THAT a hoot!

Ever so slowly, our communication skills are becoming extinct. There's talk of eliminating longhand penmanship lessons from schools. I always marvel at some styles of handwriting that unintentionally resemble calligraphy. Gone will be that beauty. Texting, Twitter, Tweet and God knows what else has abridged most words...no wt ahm sayn? We're losing words because humans are more lazy. Example: classified ads and craigslist say, "Needs moved." I think they mean, "Needs to be moved." Needs fixed, needs cleaned, ad nauseum. As short as it is, et cetera is now being typed "ect."

While I'm on that rant, "And also" is effing redundant! Seems as if there's a new "tag" with each season. The current cutie is to end many sentences with, "as well." Did the schools move English and Composition to the tailgate parties?

Remember when you'd be on a date or a family trip and get lost? Remember dad's refusal to ask for directions? Remember the ensuing arguments? Remember how they became table topics of laughter after filling up on the Sunday supper? As Bobbie in Sebastopol says, "You're making memories." Well, you can kiss THOSE memories good-bye in a generation or two...GPS has pulled the trump card. Robotics eliminate emotion, people!

Whose 3 watt idea was it to build white collar prisons? When I get to be king, right after outlawing stairs, amongst other things that rile most people with common sense, we'll cancel the IRS; every lobbyist will be drafted to manually dredge the Panama Canal; limit political commercials to 15 seconds that may be aired no sooner that 30 days prior to the election; all elected officials and appointees with terms of 2 years or more MUST undergo an annual performance review. I could go on and on...couldn't I? Seems we've allowed the dumbocrats and repulsivecans too much leeway.

I like to read the comics section in the morning. Odds are something will strike the giggle bone and get your socks on the right feet for whatever slams you during the day. Some comics aren't funny. It's just that they're on the same page and that's not a bad thing. They're a lot like Aesop, fast forwarded. One question though...is there anyone more nosy than Mary Worth? She just can't leave anyone or anything alone!

Can anyone exhale more profoundly than Tom Selleck? God, he does that so well!

By the way, all these entries and photos on all my blogs and emails are copyrighted, so, you may not use them without my explicit, written authorization and approval.

Gotta run...people to see and things to do...."as well." (SHEESH!)

Rhetoric and Other Political Stuff

Evolution, as defined, intones a very slow process. In politics, the process is on fast-forward because there’s not a ton of time in each run for office, although, sometimes, it certainly can feel that way!

In the beginning, all the candidates brandish their very best behavior, as if they’re wearing new clothes for the Easter church service, knowing there’ll be the devil to pay if they get dirty before going to Gramma’s. Usually, through the first debate, they swoon over and make nicey-nice to each other as if Noah were on his way to make a final decision for cabins on the ark.

There’s no preset schedule, but somewhere, one candidate makes a statement that upsets another, and like a horse race…they’re OFF! It’s truly hilarious, because you KNOW it’s coming…you envision their gritting teeth and holding breath, just itching to be the first and hoping to not get caught. Identification means having to deny any knowledge, followed by trying to convince us that it was taken out of context and finally firing the individual responsible for issuing the statement, along with a profound apology, of course! As the election draws closer, digging is deeper and finger pointing becomes more abrasive. It’s a never-ending search. If they can’t find any, sometimes they invent some! How am I doing so far?

In our age of instant dissemination of data, I get oh so very tired of the emails begging me to “forward to as many people as possible” information that has not been verified. Occasionally, I get riled and fire off a response, making certain to hit the “reply to all” button, hoping someone understands. I gently advise them to check with snopes.com and other sources for credence. I bite my e-tongue as I advise all that very little will be accomplished by forwarding to a bazillion friends. Finally, I get miffed and offer instructions on obtaining results.

Trace each candidate’s record. Follow their progress. Compare promises vs. results. Go to the meetings. Question why the results differed from the promises. (Hint. They rely on your loss of memory). Monitor how they vote. Some newspapers publish all votes. If yours doesn’t, make a request or you can get the info on line. Good Lord, don’t vote for someone because, “he looks like a nice boy!” Too quickly, too many citizens have become lemmings. Look up the word and you’ll remember the meaning.

Read, watch and learn! We can access mountains of information by pointing a mouse and hitting a button. (Hint. They know many are too lazy). There are many journalists who follow the candidates and issues. Here are but a few: Pat Buchanan, Froma Harrop, Michelle Malkin, John Metzler, Oliver North, Leo Sandy, Mark Shields, Thomas Sowell and John Stossel. All are accessible in print and on the web. Type in a name and follow directions to the articles. Also at your disposal are the many programs on television and radio. I’m not here to endorse any program, journalist or commentator. I merely offer these choices wherein you can study what they offer. Form your own educated opinion and vote accordingly. Oh yeah, you’ll have to vote because that entitles you to complain to the bartender the day after the election!

If you’re in the mood for an ulcer or two, visit the site I recently found. Type in www.cagw.org Called Citizens Against Government Waste, it defines much of what you always wanted to know and get sick about your dollars becoming the comical(?) but sick, pork barrel funding.

They are your employees. You elect them to pass along your wishes and needs. Someone said, “The people should not fear the government. It is the government who should fear the people.” If you are dissatisfied, by all means, do not elect or re-elect them. Most of you get a performance review at your place of employment, right? If you don’t perform up to expectations, you get a bad “report card” or a warning or the boot. Why should they be any different?

I could go on and on, but understanding the human factor, I know that some folks haven’t even read this far! It’s your country, so, Wake Up, America!