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Showing posts with label Elections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elections. Show all posts
Friday, January 25, 2013
Unending Soapbox
Thursday, November 29, 2012
When David Muir talks, Bob listens.....sometimes
ABC Evening News...Wednesday...11-28-12
David Muir did a nice feature on how buying American at Christmas time can create American jobs. His take was, if everyone spent $64 of their Christmas shopping budget, a large quantity of jobs would be created in the USA. Forgive me, as I can't recall the exact number, but it was substantial. KUDOS, Dave!
I spend a fair number of hours throughout the year attending moving sales, downsizing sales, garage sales, estate sales, garage sales that are advertised as estate sales, swap meets, flea markets, antique malls, thrift shops and whatever other titles humans conjure up in their attempt to separate you from your dollars. Nothing wrong with any of them. After all, that's how many a company began. It's also the basic form of social media, which means, you actually can look someone in the eyes, forming complete words that they'll understand, make new friends, exchange referrals, and....have some fun! Sadly, the current economy has forced many sellers to depart with personal goods, including heirlooms, in hopes of paying a mortgage, utility, insurance or grocery bills. But I digress.
What I saw at those aforementioned sales was an IMMENSE amount of non-USA manufactured goods. Folks, I'm talking TONS!!! One needn't be an alum of Wharton or MIT to see/understand what has been happening. Not in any particular sequence...Greed caused facilities to close as manufacturing headed out of the country and Americans lost jobs. Shareholders quickly made increased profits. (Keep in mind that snowballs don't go uphill.) One money person saw how rich another was becoming, so HE sold HIS company and had those goods produced in a lower labor market outside of the USA. HE made higher and quicker profits. More Americans lost jobs. (Can you see the snowball now?) As more snowballs are grown, more Americans are losing jobs. A handful of money people are making more money and in a very short period of time. In time, a great many Americans will not have jobs, causing the inability to afford the cheaply made products that now fill the racks and bins of American stores. Are you getting the picture?
Back to the sales venues mentioned above. The seller needs to raise money and has little room to haggle. The prospective buyer has little money and wants a bargain. The twain are having difficulty reaching an agreeable price. The buyer moves along. The seller makes no sale, but must pay rent if he is at a privately owned facility. The facility owner has less vendors than in years past. To make up, he raises the rental fees. The sellers have to raise prices to pay the rent, but the buyers are still short on funds. The sellers pull their wares because sales are dwindling. The privately owned venue closes when the dwindled rental income is not enough to cover the overhead. The local municipality loses tax revenues. Safety and fire forces are cut. Public assistance is pared. Unemployment payments run out. Less jobs are available. Food lines increase. More Americans are having garage sales and are setting up at flea markets. No one has money to spend. The sellers paid rent, but made no sales. The venue owner didn't make enough to cover overhead and shuts down his property. He has a garage sale the following week but no one came because there was no spendable money. Remaining "professional" vendors are overstocked with imported items and complain to each other about the lack of sales. I asked why they didn't sell American made goods. They told me that the costs were too high. I suggested they combine and buy American after negotiating better prices. They gave me weird looks. I asked if they were to go to a garage sale in China, might they see items made in America? More weird looks.
SO...great advice from David Muir. However, when the Christmas season is over, what then? Well, I'LL tell you what then! Go to your local establishments. Trust me...when you look, you'll find many. Explain how you'd love to keep them in business by purchasing their American made goods, but because your income is shaky at best, you'll need a discount. If he can understand that he'll stay in business by allowing an equitable discount, as opposed to closing down from zero sales, it can catch on! Ask your friends to do the same. Know ye this: You MUST CONTINUE the practice to make it successful. You can actually do without something once in awhile. In a recent interview, I heard a man ask, "If you had to leave your home in 30 minutes, what would you take?" That's a good start. In time, jobs CAN return! I fully realize I'll be branded insane, but the collective stance is what got this country going in the first place and made it a success for more than 200 years! Don't let the power driven take what is yours.
The rich are rich partly due to the risks they took and the long range sight they had and continue to have. They shouldn't have to pay for everything. After all, it was their money that made a lot possible. Our government must look inside the monstrous house they allowed to grow and begin trimming therein. With a computer driven world, the government keeps adding people to the payroll, making it the largest employer in the land. Stop voting for people who truly don't care about you. Vote for those with proven financial success. I could go on, but don't wish to veer too far off track.
David Muir did a nice feature on how buying American at Christmas time can create American jobs. His take was, if everyone spent $64 of their Christmas shopping budget, a large quantity of jobs would be created in the USA. Forgive me, as I can't recall the exact number, but it was substantial. KUDOS, Dave!
I spend a fair number of hours throughout the year attending moving sales, downsizing sales, garage sales, estate sales, garage sales that are advertised as estate sales, swap meets, flea markets, antique malls, thrift shops and whatever other titles humans conjure up in their attempt to separate you from your dollars. Nothing wrong with any of them. After all, that's how many a company began. It's also the basic form of social media, which means, you actually can look someone in the eyes, forming complete words that they'll understand, make new friends, exchange referrals, and....have some fun! Sadly, the current economy has forced many sellers to depart with personal goods, including heirlooms, in hopes of paying a mortgage, utility, insurance or grocery bills. But I digress.
What I saw at those aforementioned sales was an IMMENSE amount of non-USA manufactured goods. Folks, I'm talking TONS!!! One needn't be an alum of Wharton or MIT to see/understand what has been happening. Not in any particular sequence...Greed caused facilities to close as manufacturing headed out of the country and Americans lost jobs. Shareholders quickly made increased profits. (Keep in mind that snowballs don't go uphill.) One money person saw how rich another was becoming, so HE sold HIS company and had those goods produced in a lower labor market outside of the USA. HE made higher and quicker profits. More Americans lost jobs. (Can you see the snowball now?) As more snowballs are grown, more Americans are losing jobs. A handful of money people are making more money and in a very short period of time. In time, a great many Americans will not have jobs, causing the inability to afford the cheaply made products that now fill the racks and bins of American stores. Are you getting the picture?
Back to the sales venues mentioned above. The seller needs to raise money and has little room to haggle. The prospective buyer has little money and wants a bargain. The twain are having difficulty reaching an agreeable price. The buyer moves along. The seller makes no sale, but must pay rent if he is at a privately owned facility. The facility owner has less vendors than in years past. To make up, he raises the rental fees. The sellers have to raise prices to pay the rent, but the buyers are still short on funds. The sellers pull their wares because sales are dwindling. The privately owned venue closes when the dwindled rental income is not enough to cover the overhead. The local municipality loses tax revenues. Safety and fire forces are cut. Public assistance is pared. Unemployment payments run out. Less jobs are available. Food lines increase. More Americans are having garage sales and are setting up at flea markets. No one has money to spend. The sellers paid rent, but made no sales. The venue owner didn't make enough to cover overhead and shuts down his property. He has a garage sale the following week but no one came because there was no spendable money. Remaining "professional" vendors are overstocked with imported items and complain to each other about the lack of sales. I asked why they didn't sell American made goods. They told me that the costs were too high. I suggested they combine and buy American after negotiating better prices. They gave me weird looks. I asked if they were to go to a garage sale in China, might they see items made in America? More weird looks.
SO...great advice from David Muir. However, when the Christmas season is over, what then? Well, I'LL tell you what then! Go to your local establishments. Trust me...when you look, you'll find many. Explain how you'd love to keep them in business by purchasing their American made goods, but because your income is shaky at best, you'll need a discount. If he can understand that he'll stay in business by allowing an equitable discount, as opposed to closing down from zero sales, it can catch on! Ask your friends to do the same. Know ye this: You MUST CONTINUE the practice to make it successful. You can actually do without something once in awhile. In a recent interview, I heard a man ask, "If you had to leave your home in 30 minutes, what would you take?" That's a good start. In time, jobs CAN return! I fully realize I'll be branded insane, but the collective stance is what got this country going in the first place and made it a success for more than 200 years! Don't let the power driven take what is yours.
The rich are rich partly due to the risks they took and the long range sight they had and continue to have. They shouldn't have to pay for everything. After all, it was their money that made a lot possible. Our government must look inside the monstrous house they allowed to grow and begin trimming therein. With a computer driven world, the government keeps adding people to the payroll, making it the largest employer in the land. Stop voting for people who truly don't care about you. Vote for those with proven financial success. I could go on, but don't wish to veer too far off track.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
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..................
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..................
Monday, November 5, 2012
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!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
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!"
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!"
Saturday, November 3, 2012
I couldn't come up with a "fitting" word...
Today was a pretty nice day. A week of nearly steady cloud wringing came to an end. The spare sump pump was unplugged. The sun struggled and managed to pop out for a bit. (Near Lake Erie, we get a lot of gray skies this time of year.) I solved most of the New York Times crossword puzzle...Saturdays are toughies! Got a great book at a garage sale for 25 cents and found a nearly new keyboard to replace the one onto which I spilled water and had my desktop doing things Bill Gates never could imagine.
In the past 11 years, very few events have had a continuing pull on my attention: The Twin Towers, 2 Tsunamis and Sandy Storm. So much damage and so many lives lost/affected in such a short amount of time.
When mass tragedy strikes, Americans pull together...without any prompting whatsoever. They just do it! It's who we are. Income, political persuasion, ethnicity, team loyalty, schooling, etc., matter not. People merely grab anything that will help and take it to those who lost out. There are no introductions and no prejudices. There are no language barriers. The eyes tell the stories. The eyes display the loss. They eyes convey the need. In turmoil, there are the sufferers and the bringers. No borders. Just helpers. Life must go on. It will. It always does. I could quickly fill several pages, but don't need to. You know of what I speak. At one time in your lives, you needed and received, no matter how small or large. At one time in your lives, you gave, no matter how small or large. Possessions were/are not always exchanged. Times such as this tells us why God invented hugs.........yep, 'nuff said there, eh?
All that in mind, I caught a portion of the ABC news on my local affiliate. That particular segment centered on the New York Marathon's cancellation. Mayor Bloomberg, in my opinion, made the correct call. Few, if any, residents were involved in the running. They were busy in their own races against shock of loss, wet, hunger, cold, missing family and all that accompanies tragedy. Yet, the camera happened to focus on what appeared to be a nice looking blond lady that I guessed might have been in her early thirties. Her words were very close to, "We're upset, we're extremely mad that the race was called off. We traveled many miles, brought families and reserved hotel rooms." She was upset and vehement in her delivery of those words. (Here's where I couldn't come up with a "fitting word" to describe her audacity). In lieu of that, I will stifle the urge to introduce her neck to my knuckles. One wonders what could be done to satisfy this obviously self-entitled ------, ------, ------, ------. Even if the race COULD have been, the entrants would all have to run over, around and through the rubble. Did she consider that? I have to stop here, as I could go on for pages, but don't need to. All I can suggest is that she sue God and may she hope to never experience what she was so put out by.
God bless America.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
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?
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?
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Debating the Debates
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.
Monday, August 13, 2012
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?'
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?'
Sunday, August 12, 2012
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
Sunday, March 16, 2008
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!
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!
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