- According to the Federal Reserve Board, the money supply in the U.S. has increased 271% over the past 5 months. Have prices for goods increased such as cars, homes, investments? No. All this money will hit the streets at one time someday and we'll see double-digit inflation. Example- Diamonds have a high value because of scarcity. If we tripled the amount of diamonds we have in the world, this would drive the price for diamonds down. Same goes for the dollar. Triple, as we have, the amount of dollars, it drives the value of the dollar down.
- January 6, 2009 Obama says "there will be no more earmarks."
- Obama himself is listed in $7.7 million for earmarks (for spending by/on the president?).
- 9,287 earmarks in the omnibus bill (bill to keep the government running) come to $12.8 billion. Earmarks include-
- $713,625 for woody biomass at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- $951,500 for “Sustainable Las Vegas”
- $24,000 for the “A+ for Abstinence” program
- $300,000 for the Montana World Trade Center
- $950,000 for the Myrtle Beach International Trade and Convention Center
- $200,000 for the Oil Region Alliance
- $190,000 for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, for digitizing and editing the Cody collection
- Omnibus increases discretionary spending by 8% ($31 billion more) over last fiscal year's levels, dwarfing the rate of inflation.
- We the tax payers (government) paid $25 billion for Citigroup stocks at $3.25 per share. As of Friday, March 6th this stock is now worth $1.02.
- So far the government has dumped $50 billion into Citigroup. Meanwhile, Citi's market capitalization is less than $6.5 billion. In other words, taxpayers could have bought Citi eight times over.
- The government has also dumped $180 BILLION into AIG. Roughly half the amount of last years defense budget.
- The private sector has no incentive to create new jobs because of a $1.3 TRILLION tax hike that's looming over the next decade.
- We will all see a $646 billion tax hike for energy because of Obama's carbon capping plan. To promote wind energy, solar energy, etc. he will raise the prices on current energy sources to drive down the price of wind and solar.
- The top 2 to 3 percent of wage earners in the U.S. will see a 20% tax hike.
- The capital gains tax rate will be raised to 20%, discouraging investing.
- Those who earn $200,000 or more account for a third of disposable income but will pay for 60% of America's income tax bill.. These spenders and investors are likely to spend less and invest less.
- The last stimulus bill was 1,079 pages long. Senators voted to pass this without reading it.
- Obama's "tax cuts" amount to $13 per week for 2009 and will be $7.70 per week in 2010.
- Obama's budget, by his own admission, redefines the role of government in our economy and society.
- Obama's budget calls for $4 TRILLION for spending, a $1.75 TRILLION deficit, and allows for another $750 BILLION bank bailout. Today we’re talking about adding another $500 BILLION to the pot to prop the FDIC.
What do you see in the media? Obama is cutting spending. Obama could only find a measly $1.164 billion in annual saving in the entire Federal budget (not including his defense cuts).
- The budget more than doubles the national debt held by the public, adding more to the debt than all previous presidents -- from George Washington to George W. Bush -- combined.
- Obama's budget reduces defense spending to a level not sustained since the dangerous days before World War II, while increasing nondefense spending (relative to GDP) to the highest level in U.S. history. And it would raise taxes to historically high levels (again, relative to GDP).
- New and expanded refundable tax credits would raise the fraction of taxpayers paying no income taxes to almost 50% from 38%.
- In the Ukraine, the government has nationalized the banking system. Last week, Ukrainian's stood in massive lines in an attempt to withdraw some of their money to pay expenses. They were told at the window, "Sorry, we simply don’t have the money now and can’t help you."
- Obama's budget will call for $634 BILLION over 10 years as a down payment. Independent experts say the cost will easily exceed $1 TRILLION for the DOWN PAYMENT.
- Canadian's are losing faith in their healthcare system. There is a shortage of doctors in Canada.
- Obama reversed the Abortion Funding Policy. Meaning the U.S. will send $100's of millions overseas to other countries for abortions.
- The DOW has dropped 3,000 points since Obama was elected President. It seems investors don't approve of his stimulus package or budget.
- $7.8 TRILLION in total bailout money has been committed, more to come.
- Since 2000, China has invested over $1.5 TRILLION eating up the US trade deficit. If China, (who has economic problems of their own) stops investing in the U.S., what happens? Interest rates will skyrocket and the dollar will slide. In other words, big trouble.
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Saturday, March 7, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Reagan vs. Obama
“The worst crisis since the Great Depression.” – Barack Obama
How did we come out of the Great Depression during the 1930’s? Some argue it was the New Deal implemented by FDR. I’ll tell you that wasn’t the case and that the actions taken, actually made the economy worse. Seven years into the New Deal, unemployment sky-rocketed over 20%. Henry Morganthau, Roosevelt’s Treasury Secretary, stated the following-
“We have tried spending money. We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work. And I have just one interest, and if I am wrong . . . somebody else can have my job. I want to see this country prosperous. I want to see people get a job. I want to see people get enough to eat. We have never made good on our promises. . . I say after eight years of this Administration we have just as much unemployment as when we started. . . And an enormous debt to boot.”
We made it out of the Great Depression despite the New Deal. In the late 1930’s, before we entered World War II, we were selling mounds of weapons to other countries; guns, planes, tanks, etc. . American people went to work and were paid for creating these goods because of the wars in other theatres. These were not “New Deal” jobs, they were private sector jobs. When the government tries to create jobs, as the New Deal did, it hinders the private sectors ability to generate and sustain jobs.
How did we come out of the Great Depression during the 1930’s? Some argue it was the New Deal implemented by FDR. I’ll tell you that wasn’t the case and that the actions taken, actually made the economy worse. Seven years into the New Deal, unemployment sky-rocketed over 20%. Henry Morganthau, Roosevelt’s Treasury Secretary, stated the following-
“We have tried spending money. We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work. And I have just one interest, and if I am wrong . . . somebody else can have my job. I want to see this country prosperous. I want to see people get a job. I want to see people get enough to eat. We have never made good on our promises. . . I say after eight years of this Administration we have just as much unemployment as when we started. . . And an enormous debt to boot.”
We made it out of the Great Depression despite the New Deal. In the late 1930’s, before we entered World War II, we were selling mounds of weapons to other countries; guns, planes, tanks, etc. . American people went to work and were paid for creating these goods because of the wars in other theatres. These were not “New Deal” jobs, they were private sector jobs. When the government tries to create jobs, as the New Deal did, it hinders the private sectors ability to generate and sustain jobs.
As suffocating as the credit crisis is today, it’s not the worst since the Great Depression (another scare tactic from our President). Ronald Reagan was elected President in 1980 when this country was economically worse off than it is today. Unemployment was 10.7%, as opposed to 7.2%,. inflation was 14.76%, as opposed to .03% and interest rates were over 20%, as opposed to 5%.
FDR and Barack Obama (Obama on a MUCH LARGER scale) did the opposite of what Ronald Reagan did. Reagan cut the income tax for the top bracket from 70% to 28%. He passed the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, which provided the largest tax cuts ever enacted. Many economists call this “Trickle-down economics.” The more money a restaurant owner has, the more willing he’ll be to open a new restaurant…creating more jobs. He also decreased non-defense government spending during his two terms. The net job increase was 16 million jobs while inflation and interest rates dramatically decreased. With the decrease in taxes and government spending, revenue to the government increased! Reaganomics.
So far we’ve established the New Deal (increased government spending and increased government intervention) failed and Reaganomics (decrease government spending and decreased government intervention) succeeded. Unfortunately we haven’t learned from past successes and past failures. Our government has decided to spend more money than it ever has in the history of our country, without proof it will work, and has taken direct ownership in private companies. Obama disagrees with “Trickle-down economics”. If he disagrees with “Trickle down” please explain what giving billions of dollars to banks to have them provide credit to people represents. That’s trickling down through corrupt companies on Wall Street after being siphoned off by government bureaucracy! If fifty cents out of every dollar would have made it from the top of the private sector to the bottom, you can bet we’ll be lucky to get a nickel down through the money grabbing filter of the federal government.
Two different philosophies. The American way…or the government way. What would Ronald Reagan do if he were President today? You decide.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
King Porkulus
The invisible hand of government has been replaced by the iron fist of control. The free market has been replaced by wealth distribution and socialist democracy in which the government dominates the economy because that is apparently what the American people want. Private sector priorities are now dictated by the government and now pay to private sector employees is controlled by the government.
Where do we draw the line? Where is the end of the line? What is the end-game in the now prevalent question in the greater public thinking that asks; what can the government do for me? Soon, your kids won’t be deciding where to school, instead they’ll be waiting for the government to tell them. When you have a President saying “there will be a time for profits and a time to make bonuses, now is not that time.” Can you believe this? I can’t believe the President of the United States of America would say such a thing. When the government acts it’s never greed, it’s compassion. When private enterprise act, it’s greed. Greed is good in private enterprise! Greed is what produces profit and jobs.
This country has a $53 trillion obligation in unfunded Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, VA, the Shift program, etc. $53 trillion we’re passing to people that haven’t been born! This number is going up every year. If you nationalize every dime in this country it won’t pay for this…the economy today is $14 trillion! Did the private sector drive up this $53 trillion debt?
"So then you get the argument, 'well, this is not a stimulus bill, this is a spending bill.' What do you think a stimulus is? That's the whole point," Obama said.
When has this way of thinking ever worked for the government? Democrats are trying to capitalize on fearful Americans, made more fearful by our leaders. Obama said it would be a “catastrophe” for American’s if this stimulus plan doesn’t pass immediately. He also said the situation today is worse than the depression. Joe Biden compared this economic crisis to 9/11.
Why?
So they can jam through a $1 trillion stimulus package…that won’t stimulate a thing! Fearful American’s will do anything for a “better tomorrow” but have lost sight of the expense since it is difficult to realistically comprehend the amount of money that “billions” and “trillions” represents.
Currently on the table for Obama’s stimulus plan-
$50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts
$380 million in the Senate bill for the Women, Infants and Children program
$300 million for grants to combat violence against women
$2 billion for federal child-care block grants
$6 billion for university building projects
$15 billion for boosting Pell Grant college scholarships
$4 billion for job-training programs, including
$1.2 billion for “youths” up to the age of 24
$1 billion for community-development block grants
$4.2 billion for “neighborhood stabilization activities”
$650 million for digital-TV coupons;
$90 million to educate “vulnerable populations”
$15 billion for business-loss carry-backs
$145 billion for “Making Work Pay” tax credits
$83 billion for the earned income credit
$150 million for the Smithsonian
$34 million to renovate the Department of Commerce headquarters
$500 million for improvement projects for National Institutes of Health facilities
$44 million for repairs to Department of Agriculture headquarters
$350 million for Agriculture Department computers
$88 million to help move the Public Health Service into a new building
$448 million for constructing a new Homeland Security Department headquarters
$600 million to convert the federal auto fleet to hybrids
$450 million for NASA (carve-out for “climate-research missions”)
$600 million for NOAA (carve-out for “climate modeling”)
$1 billion for the Census Bureau
$89 billion for Medicaid
$30 billion for COBRA insurance extension
$36 billion for expanded unemployment benefits
$20 billion for food stamps
$4.5 billion for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
$850 million for Amtrak
$87 million for a polar ice breaking ship
$1.7 billion for the National Park System
$55 million for Historic Preservation Fund
$7.6 billion for “rural community advancement programs”
$150 million for agricultural-commodity purchases
$150 million for “producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish”
For all you liberals out there, explain to me how this is a “stimulus package”. By spending $87 million for a polar ice breaking ship we’re creating jobs right? There’s a crew on the boat, there’s the captain. (What happened to global warming?) The examples above don’t scratch the surface. Billions of dollars will be given to states to dole out as they see fit. States like California, where the Jerkinator and his posse have made so many poor decisions that they have driven the state into budgetary black hole. States like South Dakota and Wisconsin will be paying for irresponsible choices made by states like California.
But hey, let’s redistribute wealth! How much is $1 trillion? Senator McConnel (R) said it right, “if you spent $1 million PER DAY since the day Jesus was born you wouldn’t have spent a trillion dollars!”
While we’re redistributing wealth and deciding salaries for pirvate sector employees- actors make way too much money, we should cap their pay too…uhhh…let’s say $120,000 (George Clooney will be limited to $80,000 since I can’t stand him). Sounds reasonable. Also, there are too many American’s that drive a nicer car than I do. Obviously not fair, so let’s put a cap on how much someone can spend for a car. $15,000 sound reasonable to you? A lot of employees for the federal government only have a 4 day work week, completely not fair, I’m doing it too! Don’t get me started with professional athletes or lawyers.
Where in the United States Constitution does it allow the President to be King? Where in the United States Constitution does it empower the government to bail out private enterprise?
What do the liberals think? Do agree with the increasing power of the government?
Call and tell your senator no to the stimulus bill- (202) 224-3121.
Where do we draw the line? Where is the end of the line? What is the end-game in the now prevalent question in the greater public thinking that asks; what can the government do for me? Soon, your kids won’t be deciding where to school, instead they’ll be waiting for the government to tell them. When you have a President saying “there will be a time for profits and a time to make bonuses, now is not that time.” Can you believe this? I can’t believe the President of the United States of America would say such a thing. When the government acts it’s never greed, it’s compassion. When private enterprise act, it’s greed. Greed is good in private enterprise! Greed is what produces profit and jobs.
This country has a $53 trillion obligation in unfunded Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, VA, the Shift program, etc. $53 trillion we’re passing to people that haven’t been born! This number is going up every year. If you nationalize every dime in this country it won’t pay for this…the economy today is $14 trillion! Did the private sector drive up this $53 trillion debt?
"So then you get the argument, 'well, this is not a stimulus bill, this is a spending bill.' What do you think a stimulus is? That's the whole point," Obama said.
When has this way of thinking ever worked for the government? Democrats are trying to capitalize on fearful Americans, made more fearful by our leaders. Obama said it would be a “catastrophe” for American’s if this stimulus plan doesn’t pass immediately. He also said the situation today is worse than the depression. Joe Biden compared this economic crisis to 9/11.
Why?
So they can jam through a $1 trillion stimulus package…that won’t stimulate a thing! Fearful American’s will do anything for a “better tomorrow” but have lost sight of the expense since it is difficult to realistically comprehend the amount of money that “billions” and “trillions” represents.
Currently on the table for Obama’s stimulus plan-
$50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts
$380 million in the Senate bill for the Women, Infants and Children program
$300 million for grants to combat violence against women
$2 billion for federal child-care block grants
$6 billion for university building projects
$15 billion for boosting Pell Grant college scholarships
$4 billion for job-training programs, including
$1.2 billion for “youths” up to the age of 24
$1 billion for community-development block grants
$4.2 billion for “neighborhood stabilization activities”
$650 million for digital-TV coupons;
$90 million to educate “vulnerable populations”
$15 billion for business-loss carry-backs
$145 billion for “Making Work Pay” tax credits
$83 billion for the earned income credit
$150 million for the Smithsonian
$34 million to renovate the Department of Commerce headquarters
$500 million for improvement projects for National Institutes of Health facilities
$44 million for repairs to Department of Agriculture headquarters
$350 million for Agriculture Department computers
$88 million to help move the Public Health Service into a new building
$448 million for constructing a new Homeland Security Department headquarters
$600 million to convert the federal auto fleet to hybrids
$450 million for NASA (carve-out for “climate-research missions”)
$600 million for NOAA (carve-out for “climate modeling”)
$1 billion for the Census Bureau
$89 billion for Medicaid
$30 billion for COBRA insurance extension
$36 billion for expanded unemployment benefits
$20 billion for food stamps
$4.5 billion for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
$850 million for Amtrak
$87 million for a polar ice breaking ship
$1.7 billion for the National Park System
$55 million for Historic Preservation Fund
$7.6 billion for “rural community advancement programs”
$150 million for agricultural-commodity purchases
$150 million for “producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish”
For all you liberals out there, explain to me how this is a “stimulus package”. By spending $87 million for a polar ice breaking ship we’re creating jobs right? There’s a crew on the boat, there’s the captain. (What happened to global warming?) The examples above don’t scratch the surface. Billions of dollars will be given to states to dole out as they see fit. States like California, where the Jerkinator and his posse have made so many poor decisions that they have driven the state into budgetary black hole. States like South Dakota and Wisconsin will be paying for irresponsible choices made by states like California.
But hey, let’s redistribute wealth! How much is $1 trillion? Senator McConnel (R) said it right, “if you spent $1 million PER DAY since the day Jesus was born you wouldn’t have spent a trillion dollars!”
While we’re redistributing wealth and deciding salaries for pirvate sector employees- actors make way too much money, we should cap their pay too…uhhh…let’s say $120,000 (George Clooney will be limited to $80,000 since I can’t stand him). Sounds reasonable. Also, there are too many American’s that drive a nicer car than I do. Obviously not fair, so let’s put a cap on how much someone can spend for a car. $15,000 sound reasonable to you? A lot of employees for the federal government only have a 4 day work week, completely not fair, I’m doing it too! Don’t get me started with professional athletes or lawyers.
Where in the United States Constitution does it allow the President to be King? Where in the United States Constitution does it empower the government to bail out private enterprise?
What do the liberals think? Do agree with the increasing power of the government?
Call and tell your senator no to the stimulus bill- (202) 224-3121.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
A Matter of Principle
An overwhelming majority of American’s are showing their support for our new President, Barack Obama. I am also in support of our new Commander in Chief as any American should be however the question is; what it is exactly that we are supporting?
I think it’s fair to say American’s would like to see this financial crisis end. It’s also fair to say that American’s would like to see an end to military conflicts around the world. Ultimately, American’s feel the need to come together as one people and with this President address our looming issues over the next 4 years so we can reach a positive economic environment and improve our situation in matters of foreign policy and our nations security. The country is fractured into so many constituent interest that people want to feel unified in a common direction.
The problem with the desire for unification in ideology is that the people with the power define the playing field and everyone else becomes fearful (a very real fear also experienced by the people in opposition to the Bush administration policies) of being branded as traitors to the cause or unpatriotic.
Now conservatives are not only fearful of this branding, but have to go against the emotional fervor whipped by the new Presidents rock star status. Conservatives who purport to support limited government, free market capitalism and keeping money in the hands of the people that earned it,now lack the courage to stand up for their principles.
Blindly supporting anyone, let alone the President with a Democratic Congress as his cane, is rife with historical land mines. I believe American’s support Obama blindly with the “hope” that our daily lives will “change”. This support will prove to be costly. In no way do I believe you or I should support many of our new Presidents policies. President Obama will take us further down the dark path away from our all important and seemingly forgotten American principles. We can’t forget how we’ve reached this point in our short history as a country. Our Founding Father’s said it right in the Constitution-
“WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, Insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Prosperity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Our country has been racing down this dark path since FDR pulled us blindly so far down the road years ago. We need to get back to the basics. The government needs to limit itself to our constitutional restrictions.. Do you believe in individual liberty or big government? Those are the principles we’re talking about here. I won’t give up my principles and neither should you.
Without stepping foot in the Oval Office, Obama has already pushed a new $1 trillion bail out package. Do you support the biggest rip off in American history? Obama said himself “Even with spending this money, the economy is likely to get worst and then better.” What happened to all the money we’ve been spending for the past year? The truth of the matter is if success is defined as nationalized health care, the biggest redistribution of wealth in our history, continued government ownership in private companies, the biggest government this world has ever seen, the ongoing stripping of personal liberties then I don’t want success. Obama and his thugs (see Rahm Emanuel) want to continue this massive push towards socialism. Obama won't raise taxes initially because Congress has given him a credit card with an unlimited line to charge up. Our kids and our children's kids will have to pay this credit card! Obama WILL raise taxes. If you destroy profit and wealth, you destroy jobs. Wait…Obama said he would create jobs…600,000 new government jobs!!!
All of this is harmful for our nation. We NEED to voice our concern. Obama’s message is clear, “Only the government can.” Stand up for your principles and this country’s principles. America will turn things around in spite of Obama. Liberty will prevail.
I think it’s fair to say American’s would like to see this financial crisis end. It’s also fair to say that American’s would like to see an end to military conflicts around the world. Ultimately, American’s feel the need to come together as one people and with this President address our looming issues over the next 4 years so we can reach a positive economic environment and improve our situation in matters of foreign policy and our nations security. The country is fractured into so many constituent interest that people want to feel unified in a common direction.
The problem with the desire for unification in ideology is that the people with the power define the playing field and everyone else becomes fearful (a very real fear also experienced by the people in opposition to the Bush administration policies) of being branded as traitors to the cause or unpatriotic.
Now conservatives are not only fearful of this branding, but have to go against the emotional fervor whipped by the new Presidents rock star status. Conservatives who purport to support limited government, free market capitalism and keeping money in the hands of the people that earned it,now lack the courage to stand up for their principles.
Blindly supporting anyone, let alone the President with a Democratic Congress as his cane, is rife with historical land mines. I believe American’s support Obama blindly with the “hope” that our daily lives will “change”. This support will prove to be costly. In no way do I believe you or I should support many of our new Presidents policies. President Obama will take us further down the dark path away from our all important and seemingly forgotten American principles. We can’t forget how we’ve reached this point in our short history as a country. Our Founding Father’s said it right in the Constitution-
“WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, Insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Prosperity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Our country has been racing down this dark path since FDR pulled us blindly so far down the road years ago. We need to get back to the basics. The government needs to limit itself to our constitutional restrictions.. Do you believe in individual liberty or big government? Those are the principles we’re talking about here. I won’t give up my principles and neither should you.
Without stepping foot in the Oval Office, Obama has already pushed a new $1 trillion bail out package. Do you support the biggest rip off in American history? Obama said himself “Even with spending this money, the economy is likely to get worst and then better.” What happened to all the money we’ve been spending for the past year? The truth of the matter is if success is defined as nationalized health care, the biggest redistribution of wealth in our history, continued government ownership in private companies, the biggest government this world has ever seen, the ongoing stripping of personal liberties then I don’t want success. Obama and his thugs (see Rahm Emanuel) want to continue this massive push towards socialism. Obama won't raise taxes initially because Congress has given him a credit card with an unlimited line to charge up. Our kids and our children's kids will have to pay this credit card! Obama WILL raise taxes. If you destroy profit and wealth, you destroy jobs. Wait…Obama said he would create jobs…600,000 new government jobs!!!
All of this is harmful for our nation. We NEED to voice our concern. Obama’s message is clear, “Only the government can.” Stand up for your principles and this country’s principles. America will turn things around in spite of Obama. Liberty will prevail.
Monday, December 1, 2008
The "Sell Out"
"The policy of the American government is to leave their citizens free, neither restraining nor aiding them in their pursuits. " - Thomas Jefferson
Come on everyone! Jump on the gravy train! Everyone in and belted snugly against their seats...we're on the road...to hell. Bad decisions. Greed. Vulnerability. Don't call it a Bail Out...call it what it is…a Wipe Out.
A Sell Out.
The constitutionally authorized purpose of our government is to provide for the security of the people as we pursue happiness through individual liberty.. The government was constitutionally constructed with checks and balances to represent the people. It is now become increasingly difficult to ascertain who has control of this country since the government has become so disconnected from the constitution AND the people.
In a period of unusual turmoil “we the people” should step back and ask ourselves what the Constitution enumerates and what are the values incorporated in it’s construction? It is inarguable that it expresses the passionate cautions of our founding fathers to strictly limit the size, scope and interference of government in the peoples lives. The Constitution is a set of principles to govern the Government, not the people.
The government governs as if the Constitution wasn’t there. There’s no accountability. Politicians have free rain to fulfill personal aspirations to help further their own personal interests. There’s been a counter-revolution in this country. We’ve been taken over without a shot being fired. Let’s look at what our government spends our hard earned tax money on…and this is just the tip of the iceberg-
- The federal government spends $23 billion annually on special interest pork projects such as grants to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, or funds to combat teenage “goth” culture in Blue Springs, Missouri.
-The federal government cannot account for $24.5 billion spent in 2003.
- The Conservation Reserve program pays farmers $2 billion annually to not farm their land.
- Washington spends $60 billion annually on corporate welfare, versus $43 billion on homeland security.- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) over payments cost $9 billion annually.
- So far, over $3.45 TRILLION for the "Sell Out".
Obviously these politicians are experts in banking, farming, goth, etc. Politicians are so disconnected with every aspect of America. We haven’t learned from history. The 13 colonies seceded from Great Britain for reasons like this.
If you can't balance your check book, are you fiscally responsible? In 2007, the Government spent $2,730 billion while tax revenue was only $2,568 billion. President-Elect Obama stated last week that we won’t worry about the deficit through these hard times. Spend money now and worry about the deficit later. Are we all just drones? The heck with the Constitution then! Why even have it?!
The credit crisis has exposed the government. Government’s involvement in the auto industry has helped sink the industry. Why did the Government put a cap on how many cars the over-seas automakers could send over? The Government wanted to guarantee market share for U.S. based automakers. Also, the Domestic Content Law make it so overseas companies had to use a certain amount of American parts in their cars if they sold here in the U.S. The Big 3 (U.S. automakers) are guaranteed market share no matter how poor their product is. Free market is about competition, which in turn drives advancement and innovation. Our country has excelled because of the free market.
The Big 3's average wage per worker is almost 150% more than overseas automakers and 300% more than the average American worker!
Chrysler’s average wage per worker is $76/hour, Toyota's average wage is $48/hour, and the average wage for any worker in the U.S. is $25/hour. Why do the Big 3 have to pay so much money to their employees compared to other companies? The UAW (United Auto Workers). The Big 3 made collective bargaining agreements in the 1930’s that gave auto workers gold plated benefits and higher wages. Toyota can produce 3 different products in one plant. Here in the U.S., each plant focuses on one product because the Union prevents workers from working on multiple products. Unions also make it so auto workers have some of the best pensions in the world. Where else can you make 90% (other than in Congress) over your income after you retire? Who pays for this? Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler do. Throw on government restrictions and fines, such as fuel efficiency (C.A.F.E.), and we handcuff a vital industry in our country rendering it completely inefficient.
The Big 3 have been hindered by the government and their own poor decisions. The Big 3 have fallen so far behind the rest of the market, they’re asking for $25 billion of tax payer money to help survive next year. The government bailed out Chrysler in 1979, what does that say to other automakers? Too big to fail? Are all industries in our country too big to fail? Our monetary system isn't too big to fail! Let these idiots fail!
I'm completely against "Sell Outs" of any kind but if it's going to happen here is an idea that would solve everything; Instead of giving my money to all these people who don’t deserve it so they can use it to make money for themselves, let's bail the people out. We've already handed over $3.45 trillion in precious tax money so let's use $1.8 trillion of the amount we'll steal from the American people to directly give it back to them. For 300 million Americans, give everyone $6,000. Only the people get the money. People that made stupid decisions don't get bailed out. Politicians that don’t know how to spend other peoples money, wouldn’t corrupt the system further. People would put the money in the bank and...presto! Banks now have more money to lend. People have more money to spend on goods and services and have more money to spend on stocks.
While I argue the government should be small and have little influence in our daily lives, others want the government to help and want the government to have control of this country. The Constitution was established to give control to the people. This country is staring history down so which side of the fence are you on?
“This is the backbone of our country: Americans helping themselves, and each other. Reaching out and finding solutions- solutions that governments and huge institutions can’t find.” – Ronald Reagan
Come on everyone! Jump on the gravy train! Everyone in and belted snugly against their seats...we're on the road...to hell. Bad decisions. Greed. Vulnerability. Don't call it a Bail Out...call it what it is…a Wipe Out.
A Sell Out.
The constitutionally authorized purpose of our government is to provide for the security of the people as we pursue happiness through individual liberty.. The government was constitutionally constructed with checks and balances to represent the people. It is now become increasingly difficult to ascertain who has control of this country since the government has become so disconnected from the constitution AND the people.
In a period of unusual turmoil “we the people” should step back and ask ourselves what the Constitution enumerates and what are the values incorporated in it’s construction? It is inarguable that it expresses the passionate cautions of our founding fathers to strictly limit the size, scope and interference of government in the peoples lives. The Constitution is a set of principles to govern the Government, not the people.
The government governs as if the Constitution wasn’t there. There’s no accountability. Politicians have free rain to fulfill personal aspirations to help further their own personal interests. There’s been a counter-revolution in this country. We’ve been taken over without a shot being fired. Let’s look at what our government spends our hard earned tax money on…and this is just the tip of the iceberg-
- The federal government spends $23 billion annually on special interest pork projects such as grants to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, or funds to combat teenage “goth” culture in Blue Springs, Missouri.
-The federal government cannot account for $24.5 billion spent in 2003.
- The Conservation Reserve program pays farmers $2 billion annually to not farm their land.
- Washington spends $60 billion annually on corporate welfare, versus $43 billion on homeland security.- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) over payments cost $9 billion annually.
- So far, over $3.45 TRILLION for the "Sell Out".
Obviously these politicians are experts in banking, farming, goth, etc. Politicians are so disconnected with every aspect of America. We haven’t learned from history. The 13 colonies seceded from Great Britain for reasons like this.
If you can't balance your check book, are you fiscally responsible? In 2007, the Government spent $2,730 billion while tax revenue was only $2,568 billion. President-Elect Obama stated last week that we won’t worry about the deficit through these hard times. Spend money now and worry about the deficit later. Are we all just drones? The heck with the Constitution then! Why even have it?!
The credit crisis has exposed the government. Government’s involvement in the auto industry has helped sink the industry. Why did the Government put a cap on how many cars the over-seas automakers could send over? The Government wanted to guarantee market share for U.S. based automakers. Also, the Domestic Content Law make it so overseas companies had to use a certain amount of American parts in their cars if they sold here in the U.S. The Big 3 (U.S. automakers) are guaranteed market share no matter how poor their product is. Free market is about competition, which in turn drives advancement and innovation. Our country has excelled because of the free market.
The Big 3's average wage per worker is almost 150% more than overseas automakers and 300% more than the average American worker!
Chrysler’s average wage per worker is $76/hour, Toyota's average wage is $48/hour, and the average wage for any worker in the U.S. is $25/hour. Why do the Big 3 have to pay so much money to their employees compared to other companies? The UAW (United Auto Workers). The Big 3 made collective bargaining agreements in the 1930’s that gave auto workers gold plated benefits and higher wages. Toyota can produce 3 different products in one plant. Here in the U.S., each plant focuses on one product because the Union prevents workers from working on multiple products. Unions also make it so auto workers have some of the best pensions in the world. Where else can you make 90% (other than in Congress) over your income after you retire? Who pays for this? Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler do. Throw on government restrictions and fines, such as fuel efficiency (C.A.F.E.), and we handcuff a vital industry in our country rendering it completely inefficient.
The Big 3 have been hindered by the government and their own poor decisions. The Big 3 have fallen so far behind the rest of the market, they’re asking for $25 billion of tax payer money to help survive next year. The government bailed out Chrysler in 1979, what does that say to other automakers? Too big to fail? Are all industries in our country too big to fail? Our monetary system isn't too big to fail! Let these idiots fail!
I'm completely against "Sell Outs" of any kind but if it's going to happen here is an idea that would solve everything; Instead of giving my money to all these people who don’t deserve it so they can use it to make money for themselves, let's bail the people out. We've already handed over $3.45 trillion in precious tax money so let's use $1.8 trillion of the amount we'll steal from the American people to directly give it back to them. For 300 million Americans, give everyone $6,000. Only the people get the money. People that made stupid decisions don't get bailed out. Politicians that don’t know how to spend other peoples money, wouldn’t corrupt the system further. People would put the money in the bank and...presto! Banks now have more money to lend. People have more money to spend on goods and services and have more money to spend on stocks.
While I argue the government should be small and have little influence in our daily lives, others want the government to help and want the government to have control of this country. The Constitution was established to give control to the people. This country is staring history down so which side of the fence are you on?
“This is the backbone of our country: Americans helping themselves, and each other. Reaching out and finding solutions- solutions that governments and huge institutions can’t find.” – Ronald Reagan
Monday, November 10, 2008
Proposition 8
California's Proposition 8 has recently captured the attention of our Nation. The campaigns for and against Proposition 8 raised $35.8 million and $37.6 million, respectively. The Proposition passed narrowly November 4th, 52% to 48%. The title of the ballot language was "Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry." Whether you agree with it or not, I believe the decision for the change was handled correctly. I believe this should be a state decision, as opposed to federal, and that the people should vote on it. Though I believe the process was correct, I don't agree with the decision of the majority.
The political disagreement that touches on both religion and human rights, has only intensified since the proposition passed. Reasons for support vary from restoring the definition of marriage (between a man and woman), protecting children from being taught about same-sex marriage in schools, and the social issues that come along with same-sex couples raising kids. The other major reason lurking behind the bedroom door, is outright homophobia. I'm sure this plays out in many different ways in many peoples minds.
I find most religious people express the definition of marriage as being between a man and woman. So religion and past societal norms play into these positions. This definition may be fine for some but it is certainly not for others. To the religious issue, the constitution provides for the separation of church and state and the right of individuals to pursue happiness as long as they are not harming others. Relative to societal norms, from 1850 until it was overturned 1948, the law for marriage was defined as "all marriages of white persons with negroes or mulattoes [were] declared to be illegal and void". “Slavery" was a “societal norm” and I think we can all agree these laws were wrong and against what America stands for. There is nothing in the constitution that limits any group freedoms.
Most proponents of Prop 8 say this is not an attack on gay lifestyles, you can call it a "civil agreement" or anything but marriage. Legally, the definition of marriage provides more rights for the couple. For marriage, there are over 1,049 federal and state benefits compared to only 300 state level benefits for civil unions. These benefits range from tax relief to medical decisions to death benefits. Again, there's a difference in equality in the two definitions.
So here in the United States we revel in our acceptance of diversity and the integration of all of the different cultures in our great country yet seem to stumble here.
When I saw a commercial saying if you don't vote yes for Prop 8, our kids will be taught about same-sex marriage in schools, I thought to myself "Doesn't sound like something I want taught to my kids." Marriage should be taught in my house period. The California Education Code Section 51890 states-
(a) For the purposes of this chapter, "comprehensive health education programs" are defined as all educational programs offered in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, in the public school system, including in-class and out-of-class activities designed to ensure that:
(1) Pupils will receive instruction to aid them in making decisions in matters of personal, family, and community health, to include the following subjects:
(A) The use of health care services and products. (B) Mental and emotional health and development. (C) Drug use and misuse, including the misuse of tobacco and alcohol. (D) Family health and child development, including the legal and financial aspects and responsibilities of marriage and parenthood. (E) Oral health, vision, and hearing. (F) Nutrition, which may include related topics such as obesity and diabetes.
Frankly I have to wonder what the public school system is doing leaving it to thousands of teachers to decide how to explain “the responsibilities of marriage and parenthood” in the first place. I think every teacher can interpret this or any other article in their own way and this should be removed regardless of which side of the issue you’re on. This code does not state “same-sex marriage” will be taught in schools and Prop 8 has no mention of schools in the legislation.
I realize most of our culture centers around generalizations- who the bad drivers are, who the bad dancers are, who has larger feet, etc. There are actually facts to back up a lot of the generalizations but at the end of the day, they're still generalizations. You may think it's wrong for two men to raise a child because the chances of that child having a social disorder are higher. There are good parents and there are not so good parents regardless of their sexual orientation. I would venture to say most parents need to worry about how they're going to raise their kids better instead of someone else's. Basing laws on generalizations is a dangerous road we don't want to go down.
We should not be changing the constitution to take rights away from anyone. Though you may not agree with how someone chooses to live their lives, we're all Americans and we're all free. Leave religion and definitions out of the debate. Agree or disagree, marriage is a right for everyone.
The political disagreement that touches on both religion and human rights, has only intensified since the proposition passed. Reasons for support vary from restoring the definition of marriage (between a man and woman), protecting children from being taught about same-sex marriage in schools, and the social issues that come along with same-sex couples raising kids. The other major reason lurking behind the bedroom door, is outright homophobia. I'm sure this plays out in many different ways in many peoples minds.
I find most religious people express the definition of marriage as being between a man and woman. So religion and past societal norms play into these positions. This definition may be fine for some but it is certainly not for others. To the religious issue, the constitution provides for the separation of church and state and the right of individuals to pursue happiness as long as they are not harming others. Relative to societal norms, from 1850 until it was overturned 1948, the law for marriage was defined as "all marriages of white persons with negroes or mulattoes [were] declared to be illegal and void". “Slavery" was a “societal norm” and I think we can all agree these laws were wrong and against what America stands for. There is nothing in the constitution that limits any group freedoms.
Most proponents of Prop 8 say this is not an attack on gay lifestyles, you can call it a "civil agreement" or anything but marriage. Legally, the definition of marriage provides more rights for the couple. For marriage, there are over 1,049 federal and state benefits compared to only 300 state level benefits for civil unions. These benefits range from tax relief to medical decisions to death benefits. Again, there's a difference in equality in the two definitions.
So here in the United States we revel in our acceptance of diversity and the integration of all of the different cultures in our great country yet seem to stumble here.
When I saw a commercial saying if you don't vote yes for Prop 8, our kids will be taught about same-sex marriage in schools, I thought to myself "Doesn't sound like something I want taught to my kids." Marriage should be taught in my house period. The California Education Code Section 51890 states-
(a) For the purposes of this chapter, "comprehensive health education programs" are defined as all educational programs offered in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, in the public school system, including in-class and out-of-class activities designed to ensure that:
(1) Pupils will receive instruction to aid them in making decisions in matters of personal, family, and community health, to include the following subjects:
(A) The use of health care services and products. (B) Mental and emotional health and development. (C) Drug use and misuse, including the misuse of tobacco and alcohol. (D) Family health and child development, including the legal and financial aspects and responsibilities of marriage and parenthood. (E) Oral health, vision, and hearing. (F) Nutrition, which may include related topics such as obesity and diabetes.
Frankly I have to wonder what the public school system is doing leaving it to thousands of teachers to decide how to explain “the responsibilities of marriage and parenthood” in the first place. I think every teacher can interpret this or any other article in their own way and this should be removed regardless of which side of the issue you’re on. This code does not state “same-sex marriage” will be taught in schools and Prop 8 has no mention of schools in the legislation.
I realize most of our culture centers around generalizations- who the bad drivers are, who the bad dancers are, who has larger feet, etc. There are actually facts to back up a lot of the generalizations but at the end of the day, they're still generalizations. You may think it's wrong for two men to raise a child because the chances of that child having a social disorder are higher. There are good parents and there are not so good parents regardless of their sexual orientation. I would venture to say most parents need to worry about how they're going to raise their kids better instead of someone else's. Basing laws on generalizations is a dangerous road we don't want to go down.
We should not be changing the constitution to take rights away from anyone. Though you may not agree with how someone chooses to live their lives, we're all Americans and we're all free. Leave religion and definitions out of the debate. Agree or disagree, marriage is a right for everyone.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Cloudy Waters...
One great thing...sooo many bad.
I think it shows a lot about our country that we've elected a black president. It's impressive how far we've come so quickly. Just over 50 years ago, blacks were considered second class citizens in many parts of the country. As Americans, we've come a long way in short period of time...very impressive.
Political parties, the election process, and the election of Barack Obama should be alarming to all of us. Is anyone else disgusted with our country during this election process? It has exposed many cracks in our core values.
The two party system is a broken system. On the left hand, we have the Democratic Party. On the other left hand, we have the Republican Party. Both have abused the constitution on which this country was built. The Republican Party is a cheap imitation of the Democratic Party. We're talking about our elected representatives...people that are supposed to represent the people...a concept that seems, unfortunately laughable. Republicans got what they deserved in this election. We nominated the most liberal republican and he got caught up in the middle of independents and true republicans. Obama exposed McCain with a masterful campaign that really focused on running against Bush. This is a better time than ever for the Libertarians or some other party to make some noise. I don't think the Democratic or Republican Party represents Americans. It's time for more choice. I'm done with voting for the best of the worst. America is the land of the free. People need to realize freedoms are snatched from us everyday...and that it's not OK.
The media coverage during this election has been embarrassing. It's concerning that television organizations donated over $25 million (75% of all television organization contributions) to Obama's campaign. 79% positive coverage for Obama compared to 29% for McCain. How can we trust these people? How can we trust new organizations when the lean one way or the other? Isn't their job to report news in a fair and balanced way? Isn't a disinterested press considered to be an important aspect in the defense of our Democracy?
I believe the demographic that is most easily swayed by the skewed media coverage are the young voters, 18-29 years old. This showed in the exit polls- 66% for Obama and 32% for McCain. The rest of the voting public came out at about 50/50. News coverage for all candidates should be fair across the board. Question now is, what are these television organizations going to want in return for their $25 million?
For a country already heading in the wrong direction, the election of Barack Obama will further bury America. The $700 billion Sell Out the government has already illegally passed and will be followed up by a $300 billion "stimulus" (Sell Out) pushed by Obama and Pelosi. Obama will want to stay in the middle but it will be impossible. Democrats and others that donated to his campaign will come to collect. Obama will have to follow his party or be destroyed...he'll follow. There is no way Obama will be able to honor the promises he made (and constantly changed)during his campaign. Economists will tell him it's impossible to raise capital gains taxes. The stock market, after a good couple of weeks, will be hammered over the next couple of months because of the realization of things to come. Obama said he would delay rescinding Bush's tax cuts on wealthy Americans if there is a recession, suggesting such an increase would further hurt the economy. "I think we've got to take a look and see where the economy is," he told ABC News. "I mean, the economy is weak right now." Hasn't the economy been in a downward spiral for the last 2 years? He won't honor cutting taxes for people under $150,000 (like some "whackamole" at the carnival, I'm guessing this is the number now). He won't be able to cut taxes for 95% Americans (IMPOSSIBLE if he tried yet people still hang on this number) and he won't honor the great programs he's boasted about bloating planned spending by an additional $1 trillion on top of the mountain of debt we've already created.
A black person being elected proves opportunity…which brings us back to the tax issue. Obama is not where he is today because he or his family received tax credits or hand outs. He’s not where he is today because the government took money from someone else and gave it to him. The government is not supposed to take or give money…the government is there to help by assisting equal opportunity for each citizen.
One year ago, Obama was saying we would have a specific date for withdrawal from Iraq. Over the past 6 months he's completely backed off of it...because John McCain was right. Obama will not just "pull out" of Iraq like promised. He's smarter than that.
Our country has been taken from us. We need to focus on core principles- Limited government, less government intrusion, fiscal responsibility, energy independence, open market business and health care. Let's see what "change" brings us beyond the only sure thing it has always brought us...less freedoms. Anyone else nervous? Oh...and someone please tell Obama to stop saying Amerrrricaaa like a preacher.
I think it shows a lot about our country that we've elected a black president. It's impressive how far we've come so quickly. Just over 50 years ago, blacks were considered second class citizens in many parts of the country. As Americans, we've come a long way in short period of time...very impressive.
Political parties, the election process, and the election of Barack Obama should be alarming to all of us. Is anyone else disgusted with our country during this election process? It has exposed many cracks in our core values.
The two party system is a broken system. On the left hand, we have the Democratic Party. On the other left hand, we have the Republican Party. Both have abused the constitution on which this country was built. The Republican Party is a cheap imitation of the Democratic Party. We're talking about our elected representatives...people that are supposed to represent the people...a concept that seems, unfortunately laughable. Republicans got what they deserved in this election. We nominated the most liberal republican and he got caught up in the middle of independents and true republicans. Obama exposed McCain with a masterful campaign that really focused on running against Bush. This is a better time than ever for the Libertarians or some other party to make some noise. I don't think the Democratic or Republican Party represents Americans. It's time for more choice. I'm done with voting for the best of the worst. America is the land of the free. People need to realize freedoms are snatched from us everyday...and that it's not OK.
The media coverage during this election has been embarrassing. It's concerning that television organizations donated over $25 million (75% of all television organization contributions) to Obama's campaign. 79% positive coverage for Obama compared to 29% for McCain. How can we trust these people? How can we trust new organizations when the lean one way or the other? Isn't their job to report news in a fair and balanced way? Isn't a disinterested press considered to be an important aspect in the defense of our Democracy?
I believe the demographic that is most easily swayed by the skewed media coverage are the young voters, 18-29 years old. This showed in the exit polls- 66% for Obama and 32% for McCain. The rest of the voting public came out at about 50/50. News coverage for all candidates should be fair across the board. Question now is, what are these television organizations going to want in return for their $25 million?
For a country already heading in the wrong direction, the election of Barack Obama will further bury America. The $700 billion Sell Out the government has already illegally passed and will be followed up by a $300 billion "stimulus" (Sell Out) pushed by Obama and Pelosi. Obama will want to stay in the middle but it will be impossible. Democrats and others that donated to his campaign will come to collect. Obama will have to follow his party or be destroyed...he'll follow. There is no way Obama will be able to honor the promises he made (and constantly changed)during his campaign. Economists will tell him it's impossible to raise capital gains taxes. The stock market, after a good couple of weeks, will be hammered over the next couple of months because of the realization of things to come. Obama said he would delay rescinding Bush's tax cuts on wealthy Americans if there is a recession, suggesting such an increase would further hurt the economy. "I think we've got to take a look and see where the economy is," he told ABC News. "I mean, the economy is weak right now." Hasn't the economy been in a downward spiral for the last 2 years? He won't honor cutting taxes for people under $150,000 (like some "whackamole" at the carnival, I'm guessing this is the number now). He won't be able to cut taxes for 95% Americans (IMPOSSIBLE if he tried yet people still hang on this number) and he won't honor the great programs he's boasted about bloating planned spending by an additional $1 trillion on top of the mountain of debt we've already created.
A black person being elected proves opportunity…which brings us back to the tax issue. Obama is not where he is today because he or his family received tax credits or hand outs. He’s not where he is today because the government took money from someone else and gave it to him. The government is not supposed to take or give money…the government is there to help by assisting equal opportunity for each citizen.
One year ago, Obama was saying we would have a specific date for withdrawal from Iraq. Over the past 6 months he's completely backed off of it...because John McCain was right. Obama will not just "pull out" of Iraq like promised. He's smarter than that.
Our country has been taken from us. We need to focus on core principles- Limited government, less government intrusion, fiscal responsibility, energy independence, open market business and health care. Let's see what "change" brings us beyond the only sure thing it has always brought us...less freedoms. Anyone else nervous? Oh...and someone please tell Obama to stop saying Amerrrricaaa like a preacher.
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