tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82625994993172162162024-03-12T16:43:31.963-07:00Americans For AccountabilityAn average American trys to sort out the politics of the day and encourages the accountability of our politicians.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-65351615502982871862010-01-17T12:59:00.000-08:002010-01-17T12:59:35.316-08:00The Truth About Illegal AliensThe year is 1947<br />
<br />
Some of you will recall that on July 8, 1947, a little over 60 years ago, witnesses claim that an unidentified flying object (UFO) with five aliens aboard crashed onto a sheep and mule ranch just outside Roswell, New Mexico .. This is a well known incident that many say has long been covered up by the U.S.. Air Force and other federal agencies and organizations.<br />
<br />
However, what you may NOT know is that in the month of April 1948, nine months after that historic day, the following people were born:<br />
<br />
Albert A. Gore, Jr.<br />
Hillary Rodham<br />
John F. Kerry<br />
William J. Clinton<br />
Howard Dean<br />
Nancy Pelosi<br />
Dianne Feinstein<br />
Charles E. Schumer<br />
Barbara Boxer<br />
<br />
See what happens when aliens breed with sheep and jackasses?<br />
<br />
I certainly hope this bit of information clears up a lot of things for you. It did for me.<br />
<br />
Thanks to whomever collected this info and spread it around the internet. Not sure the birth years are even true, but it was good for today's laugh!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-20185007659188390752010-01-15T15:16:00.000-08:002010-01-15T15:18:21.852-08:00Pick a Dot...any Dot: Your Stimulus Tax Dollars are Not At WorkI have decided to lighten up on the weekends. But to me, weekends officially mean Saturday and Sunday. <br />
<br />
So today being Friday, I get one more rant for the week. Today, we get to vist our federal government's proud website announcing the jobs saved/created with our hard earned money.<br />
<br />
Just go to <a href="http://www.recovery.gov">www.recovery.gov</a>. On this website, you can click on any state to see how much has been committed so far and how much has been spent from the Stimulus package. But for more fun, click on your own state. It takes a minute to upload, but it's worth it.<br />
<br />
You will see a galaxy of dots. Most of the ones I clicked on, are evidence of others who know a good thing when they see it. Free money. No accountability. Self-reported job creation numbers. Goodie goodie. <br />
<br />
In ten random dot clicks, how many 'jobs' can you find that were actually created? (Wonder how many will still be around after the money runs out?)<br />
Do a quick calc to see your average cost per job. <br />
<br />
Sorry to turn your stomach at the end of the week. Current debt per citizen is around $360,000...This. Must. Stop.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-29811947992183771052010-01-14T13:40:00.000-08:002010-01-14T13:40:00.985-08:00NYT editorial has me seeing RED!There was an odd editorial in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/opinion/13wed1.html?th&emc=th">New York Times </a>yesterday which advocates Obama's idea to impose a windfall tax on those bad banks that made record profits, even those that have paid back the TARP funds. Here's an excerpt:<br />
<br />
<i>The White House is talking about levying a tax or fee on large banks to recover the $120 billion it spent to bail out the financial system. That is a good place to start, but it shouldn’t stop there. President Obama and Congress should also impose a windfall tax on the huge bonuses that bailed-out bankers plan to pay themselves over the next few weeks.<br />
<br />
This is an issue of fairness and sound public policy. The Treasury needs the money. A fee may also get banks and bankers to rethink the way they do business — something the much-promised, far-too-delayed and increasingly watered-down financial regulatory reform effort is unlikely to do. A permanent tax or fee imposed on the nation’s largest banks could reduce future risks by discouraging big banks from getting even bigger. </i><br />
<br />
How is penalizing the banks an issue of "fairness and sound public policy"? Let's say you are self-employed. If your uncle lent you $1000 to bail you out of a messy situation at work, and then you paid him back <i>with interest </i>(and in some situations, your uncle 'forced' you to borrow the money), then you went on to have a banner year the following year, wouldn't you hope that your uncle said "Bravo! Glad you turned your business around!"?<br />
<br />
In our free market system, where does the government get off changing tax laws <i>after the fact</i>? How does making the rules of commerce completely unpredictable (and these days apparently dependant on friends in high places) make for "Sound Public Policy". <br />
<br />
The kicker is the line, "The Treasury needs the money". Who doesn't? Is the NYT editor suggesting that "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs?" Seems like I heard that one before. Oh right, Lenin and Marx. <br />
<br />
And just to make sure that banks realize how naughty they are to dare to be successful and outcompete other banks, the editor continues, let's penalize them and cap their ability to grow. That will teach them. Bad Banks!<br />
<br />
The editorial continues to recommend coordinated global banking regulation and taxes on big banks. Let's just pooh-pooh that little thing called sovereignty.<br />
<br />
And editor concludes by saying that a windfall profits tax on the big banks would be an excellent way for the Obama administration to start plugging the budget gap. Sounds like stealing to me. Like Capone, we gotta steal from where the money is.<br />
<br />
What has this country come to when the supposed premier national newspaper spouts such marxist nonsense? I guess I shouldn't say nonsense, as these viewpoints appear to be widely held at the Whitehouse.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-37850043433506855752010-01-12T16:03:00.000-08:002010-01-12T16:03:53.016-08:00PETN! Underwear Bomber Explosives Rock Coastal NCSomeone punctured a shipment of Panty Bomber explosives at our local <a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local_state/story/280496.html">port </a>today. <br />
<br />
Until a couple of weeks ago, I had never heard of PETN. Now it's everywhere. Even spilled a couple of miles from my house this morning.<br />
<br />
The good news (a) no one really got hurt, and (b) I got a robo-call announcing the hazardous waste spill shortly after the accident that alerted me to avoid the area and which told me roads were anticipated to be closed for the day.<br />
<br />
Turns out a forklift driver punctured the PETN container while off-loading. Could have happened to anyone. <br />
<br />
This is the first real time example I ever saw of a potential disaster response from our local government. I think the system came about from dollars from either the Katrina fiasco or the War on Terror (I live near a major supplier of our warrior heros).<br />
<br />
If ever they call to say a dirty bomb was released in our area, the duct tape and plastic sheeting they told us to buy might not do us any good, but I have to say I was impressed by the quick response from the little old Carteret County, NC government today.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-45249379574347307812010-01-12T07:00:00.000-08:002010-01-12T16:08:03.309-08:00O does not equal A in TransparencyIt's ironic, but not the least bit funny, that just when organizations are gathering petitions to demand that President Obama stick to his campaign promise for open, transparent debate of bills on the Hill, and in particular with the 1/6th of our economy Health Care Bill, that the Whitehouse posts a Tweet bragging about an "A" grade for its <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/01/11/very-high-grades-changeon transparency."></a> transparency.<br />
<br />
I looked into the three sponsors of the report: Common Cause, Democracy 21 and the League of Woman Voters. I'm sure it's purely coincidental that Tim Geitner's wife has been involved with Common Cause, and that these firms have heavy lobbying budgets. I would never accuse any non-profit of ulterior motives. Just happened to notice.<br />
<br />
If you are interested in signing a petition to demand that C-Span be allowed to tape the deliberations of the Health Care Bill as promised by candidate Obama, please click <a href="http://americansforprosperity.org/011110-petition-pres-obama-and-congress-let-cameras">here</a>. Only takes a moment. The fight is not over until the Bill is signed, so keep up the pressure.<br />
<br />
As a reminder of the "Change" we were promised, here's candidate Obama promising <a href="http://bit.ly/8gJIrb. ">transparency</a>. Or maybe he agrees with <a href="http://bit.ly/8m7lrV ">Pelosi</a>, and thinks that what you say on the campaign trail doesn't <i>really </i>count. Check out her look that assures us that we must have been morons to ever think so.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-41757858806309595552010-01-11T09:57:00.000-08:002010-01-11T09:57:43.391-08:00Who's the Putz with Obamacare?I feel like a putz. <br />
<br />
I have been self-employed for more than two decades, and thus have purchased my own health insurance. I always bought the highest deductible allowed to minimize my premiums, so in effect, self-insured for all but catastrophic illness or injury.<br />
<br />
I have not filed a single health claim since the mid-80's -- until recently -- and boy did I ever get an education in the health care industry.<br />
<br />
Typically I spent several thousand dollars a year on health care. A complete blood work up ran me close to $400. An unexpected injury visit to the doc could run $200-$250. Regular doctor visits typically cost $160 -$185. <br />
<br />
To save everyone a lot of paperwork, I just handed over my credit card after each visit, figuring if I should ever hit my deductible one year, I would file everything then. In the meantime, look how considerate I was to save the doc's and insurance company all that unnecessary work.<br />
<br />
I don't even remember why I finally handed over my insurance card, but did I ever get a "Stupid Tax" education. As a cash payer, with no paperwork to file, I paid full retail all these years. Now that I am filing, here are a couple of recent bills:<br />
<br />
1. Annual checkup - Billed $225.00: Insurance company lopped off $87.62, paid $128.63 (which I didn't realize they would) and my bill came to $8.75. Savings: $216.25, or 96%.<br />
2. Lab bill - $95.00: Insurance company refuses $62.32 and paid the $32.68 balance, though I don't know why since I didn't hit my deductible. Savings 100%.<br />
<br />
Summary: last two medical bills totalled $320, which I would have paid back when I was the nice, considerate cash payer. Now that the doctors have to do all the paperwork and wait for the money, I only paid $8.75, or only 2.7%, even though I never came close to hitting my $3500 deductible last year.<br />
<br />
Conclusions:<br />
Let's set aside the lunacy of financially punishing the cash payer for a moment. Let's instead consider the fact that by using my insurance card, I felt virtually no financial pain for seeing the doctor. Sounds like what's being promised with the Obamacare bill. Everyone gets fabulous health coverage for less money. The only problem with the numbers, is that since <i>everyone </i>has to sign up, there won't be any putz's like me to subsidize the rest. The numbers simply cannot add up without either skyrocketing rates or rationed health care.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-60770809215704360782010-01-08T11:47:00.000-08:002010-01-08T11:47:11.659-08:00The Real "Man-Made Disaster": Napolitano and Brennan via ObamaWhat kind of experience do you want as your head of Homeland Security during our War on Terror? Oh, excuse me, I forgot it's now "Overseas Contigency Operation". <br />
<br />
Janet Napolitano <i>does </i>have government experience as former gov of AZ and previous Attorney General. But don't you think someone with a background in Intelligence might be better suited? Yes, she was involved in the OK bombing incident--<i>after the fact</i>-- but most of her work involved consumer protection and overall law enforcement. Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy about her capabilities.<br />
<br />
I doubt the fact that she endorsed Obama early 2008, and was then named to his transition team had anything to do with the appointment, you know, as the person in charge of keeping America safe from terrorists? <br />
<br />
Napolitano avoids using the word terrorism, preferring to call them "man-made disasters". Kinda like Obama never utters "Islamic radicals" or "extremists", or re-naming the war the "Overseas Contingency Operations". Maybe if we don't call them scary names, they will all go away?<br />
<br />
Alongside Napolitano, we have John Brennan, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Adviser for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. Brennan has considerable <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_O._Brennan">intelligence experience</a>, and was once considered for the head of the CIA. Of course, he too was on the Obama transition team. <br />
<br />
In yesterday's <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0107/John-Brennan-We-failed-on-Christmas-Day-terrorist-intelligence">mea culpa </a>about the Panty Bomber on Christmas Day, he admits that he needs to do better. You mean he didn't bring his "A" game to the task already? <br />
<br />
Detroit Customs, during it's pre-arrival checklist, found the terrorist on a watch list and was prepared to do heavier screening when the plane landed. Too bad it never crossed their mind to notify the pilot that a potential terrorist was on the plane so that they could keep a better eye on him. It is Brennan's job to oversee plans to protect the US from terrorism. <br />
<br />
So despite Brennan's experience, and closing in on a decade since 9-11, while under his watch, he didn't notice that the agencies weren't communicating effectively amongst themselves?<br />
<br />
So instead of both parties losing their jobs for the "systemic failure" as would have happened in the real world outside of the Washington, they will no doubt be able to do a better job "if only they have more money and more power". Definitely. Let's reward the incompetent.<br />
<br />
Seems to me that the only "man-made disaster" in this close call was Obama's appointments of these two.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-37771054954249420142010-01-05T11:57:00.000-08:002010-01-05T11:57:31.603-08:00Beware of that Terrorism ThingyA couple of years ago, I was trying to fly home from a vacation in Italy. I had a changeover in Paris for the flight back to JFK. My first plane was late, which caused me to miss my connection. The unexpected change in plans triggered me as a possible terrorist. <br />
<br />
I was inspected, poked and proded. I was pulled out of the regular security lines for yet more inspections and reviews of my passport, and even tested once for explosives. It is inconceivable to me that after all of these additional checks that I could have gotten anything untoward onto the plane. The security agent in NYC even asked me what I had done to cause whatever tagged me as high risk. <br />
<br />
I realize I must have looked pretty dangerous as a mid-40's, blonde haired woman who had not had a passport stamp in twenty years. In the aftermath of 9-11, I had no problem with this, though I thought that my change in plans could be readily verified as a matter out of my control, thus freeing up the security detail so they could inspect more likely suspects. <br />
<br />
Fast forward to Christmas Day 2009: A young man, pays cash for a ticket on the flight date, is allowed to board with no passport, his father has notified authorities that he has become radical, and he has traveled to Yemen <i>(OK, you got me...since he didn't have a passport, security would not have known this. Thus a really good reason why they check your passport when you first enter secure areas, and then again, just as you board the plane, which begs the question: how did he get through the initial screening to be allowed to enter the gate?). </i><br />
<br />
<i>I </i>trigger a red alert for missing a connection that was out of my control, but this turkey, with several red flags manages to board a US plane with explosives.<br />
<br />
Can someone please explain to me how it took security no time to flag me as a possible terrorist, but couldn't pick up that this guy needed a second look? I can only attribute the change in security to a new attitude and the inane political correctness that has been imposed by the White House. <br />
<br />
<i>Footnote:</i> Why aren't they releasing the video of the man that talked the agent into allowing him to board without a passport? A witness describes him as approximately 6', well-dressed, with no accent (so he sounds American) that looked to be of Indian or Palestinian descent. Wouldn't the administration want to find and question this man, and wouldn't blasting his photo on the news and internet make identifying him a virtual certainty?<br />
<br />
I am puzzled why the Nigerian with the panty bomb who wanted to kill hundreds of Americans was arrested only as a common criminal instead of as an enemy of the state which would let the military interrogate and handle him. No, the administration doesn't like to call him a terrorist...this is only another isolated incident. So now we taxpayers are paying for his lawyers and giving him rights like he is an American, including Miranda Rights, so naturally he's clammed up. <br />
<br />
Let's do the math: Don't show us the video <b>+</b> Don't allow the military to handle the interrogation and prosecution = Doesn't look like the administration takes this terrorism 'thingy', as Bush might've called it, very seriously. But I bet Bush's team would've nailed him.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-81964725625745382072010-01-03T11:54:00.000-08:002010-01-04T07:12:08.342-08:00Somali Ass-lym PolicyI read in today's paper how a Somali man, with possible ties to al-Qaeda, broke into the home of the Danish cartoonist who drew Muhammad with a bomb exploding out of his turban. The jihadist was armed with an ax and knife, and was fortunately shot by police before he had the opportunity to use them.<br />
<br />
Three pages later, I read about a large influx of Somalis trying to circumvent traditional immigration channels by traveling to Mexico and taking a cab to the US border agents in San Diego, and then asking for political asylum.<br />
<br />
According to Mark Hetfield, senior VP for the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, "The US has closed most of the doors for Somalis to come in through the refugee program, so they've found alternative ways to get in. This is their new route." Somalis made up the largest percentage of people asking for asylum in the US for 2009.<br />
<br />
The article's subject claimed Islamic militants threatened him. However, he could offer no one to corroborate his testimony, not even via email to friends and family in Somalia. <br />
<br />
The terrorist group, al-Shabab, linked with al-Qaeda, and other militant groups now control most of Somalia outside of Mogasishu.<br />
<br />
So despite the fact that we know nothing about this man, and he comes from a country where many people want to destroy the US, the judge ruled, with only the man's testimony, that he could move to the US.<br />
<br />
I feel for people who are suffering just like everyone else, but for Pete's sake, could the government PLEASE use some common sense? Gee, do ya think the bad guys might lie to the nice judge?<br />
<br />
I smell a Detroit airplane incident brewing. And then Mr. O will order a full investigation in the tragic breakdown in our Homeland Security system. Again.<br />
<br />
Update on 1-4-10: On yesterday's <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/74097-counterterrorism-adviser-no-smoking-gun-to-have-thwarted-plot">CNN's "State of the Union</a>", Obama's lead counterterrorism advisor John Brennan said there was no smoking gun that would indicate that we should have prevented Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to board a plane destined to the US. If they couldn't see a smoking gun, I'd like to know what they were smoking.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-87195467479357965202009-11-03T15:09:00.000-08:002009-11-03T15:09:17.319-08:00Health Care MonstrosityHave been out of town and am playing catch up with a rental remodeling job,so haven't been posting regularly. But I wanted to make sure as many people as possible read the following <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052748703399204574505423751140690-lMyQjAxMDA5MDAwMzEwNDMyWj.html"> WSJ article </a>on the Health Care bill. Please read it, forward it to your contacts and also contacts your legislators.<br />
<br />
Don't forget: a grassroots effort to contact and/or visit your legislators about the Health Care bill is scheduled for noon this Thursday. Please contact him/her to ask for a 'no' vote, and spread the word. This monstrosity must be stopped!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-90430430796016334502009-10-31T14:51:00.000-07:002009-10-31T16:03:46.328-07:00Well Done Washington! Stimulus Package a Hit (to the Taxpayer)The White House is thrilled to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/31/us/31stimulus.html?th&emc=th">report </a>today that the $787 billion dollar Stimulus Package is responsible for creating or saving 640,239 jobs. Well done Washington! <i>Uh oh</i>. I just did the math...that works out to $1,229,228 and 40 cents a job. <i>Hope those were well paying jobs it created. </i> Yes I know that not all of the money has been spent yet, BUT STILL!!!<br />
<br />
Of course it gets worse: Chris Johnston, Director of the Government Efficiency Division of the Indiana state budget office admits that the state can't really say whether the jobs it reported 'saved' <i>would actually have been lost. <br />
</i><br />
I am traveling today, so I don't have the article in front of me, but my fine state of NC used some odd phrase that sounded suspiciously Orwellian about describing the jobs it had 'saved' via the Stimulus Package. (I'll post it when I return).<br />
<br />
Leave it to Washington to crow about the success of a failed program, yet <i>still</i> need to embellish the figures in an attempt to make things look brighter.<br />
<br />
<i>Meow.</i> Maybe I'm being a tad catty. Obama says his Stimulus Package will create 3.5 million jobs by the end of the year.<br />
<br />
Let's see (in just 61 days,) that works out to a mere $224,857.14 a job. One question: where do I apply?<br />
<br />
<i>7 pm Postscript:</i> Jake Tapper of ABC news is doing his job (unlike most of the main stream media): Here's his <a href="http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/10/160000-per-stimulus-job-white-house-calls-that-calculator-abuse.html">take </a>on today's announcement. <i>Bad news:</i> turns out I'm a 'Calculator Abuser". I guess I just don't understand Washington math.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-91256750755372946982009-09-24T13:07:00.000-07:002009-09-25T04:53:24.641-07:00"Suddenly, We're Connected" and Connecting the DotsIn a govenment program announced in June, we give away free cell phones and 68 minutes a month to just about anyone who gets a federal handout of some kind. This program is called <a href="http://www.safelink.com">Safelink</a>. <br />
<br />
From the Trac Phone press release:<br />
"By approving the SafeLink Wireless program, the FCC took action to enhance its Lifeline program and keep the <i>right to communicate</i> (emphasis mine)in pace with technology." I didn't know we had this unalienable right. "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and communications" is not how I remember it from school. Can't find it in the Bill of Rights, either.<br />
<br />
But, according to the <a href="http://newsblaze.com/story/2009061605002700003.bw/topstory.html">release</a>, taxpayers don't pay for this boondoggle. No, that becomes the curse of the <i>taxpaying </i>cell phone users. Ever wonder what the "Universal Service Charge" is that appears on your monthly cell phone bill? That's it, plus a kick in from the cell phone provider. Bet they don't pass that cost on to us paying customers. <i>Right</i>.<br />
<br />
TracPhone, a subsidiary of a Mexican based company, (nope - sorry, a US company wasn't the beneficiary of this new FCC enhanced program) gives the phones for free to the poor people. Surely none of them are using up all of the free 68 minutes. Surely none of the poor people are buying additional minutes for as much as $33.3 cents a minute. The cheapest rate, assuming a poor person has $79.99 is $17.7 cents a minute. Me thinks I would give them a free phone in order to get that lucrative revenue. I bet most of their sales are the $9.99 for 30 minutes plan. The company has enormous gross margins of about 68%. I am a small business person. I love large gross margins. But not on the back of a poor person and not hyped as a "free government program" to help the poor.<br />
<br />
This program looks to me like a taxpayer-funded bonanza to a foreign corporation. <i>Question</i>: Who snuck this bill in the budget and can we take a look to see if a lobbyist from TracPhone paid him or her a visit beforehand?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-52603074625517835402009-09-23T12:19:00.000-07:002009-09-23T12:19:54.473-07:00Americans For ProsperityLast night I attended a local <a href="http://www.americansforprosperity.org/national-site">Americans For Prosperity </a>(AFP) meeting and I wasn't quite sure what to expect.<br />
<br />
So far, I have been a solo worker bee and traveled independently to the Tax Day Tea Party in DC and the September 12th March on Washington. But earlier in the week, I signed up for a <a href="http://defendingthedream.org/beta/">Defending the American Dream Summit </a>in DC sponsored by AFP on October 2-3. This time I would be traveling with this local group, so I thought it would be good to see who they were.<br />
<br />
Turns out they were just like me: concerned citizens who are deeply worried about the direction this country is heading in and the massive deficit spending that may well bankrupt our country.<br />
<br />
They weren't kooks or crackpots. I didn't hear people bemoaning the president; rather they bitched about the waste and spending from both parties. These were just ordinary folks who gave up an evening with the family to see what they could do to help get this country back on the track intended by our forefathers. I left the meeting impressed with the group and its sincere efforts to make a difference, and am glad to be riding on the bus with them for the summit.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-11127056572497353172009-09-22T06:36:00.000-07:002009-09-22T06:36:25.086-07:00Americans Take to the Streets: The Real PictureI received an email that I thought you'd find interesting:<br />
<b>MORE DC Tea Party pictures not seen on national news</b><br />
<br />
Be sure to also check out a <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1213056/Up-million-march-US-Capitol-protest-Obamas-spending-tea-party-demonstration.html?ITO90 ">UK write u</a>p on the number of protesters...not bad for a self-described liberal writer. I like that he also made note that this was a more gentle crowd than he is used to seeing at protests he covers. Too bad most US media downplayed the story. <br />
<br />
"This is the first great conservative anti-status manifestation in American history. The conservative movement, which developed in the post-WWII, Cold War environment has now fully matured into the most significant political movement of the 21st century. I believe that this day could be referred to in the not too distant future as the day that changed America. This was the day the great silent conservative majority finally found its voice. <br />
<br />
Many of the attendees were quite meek and timid and were unsure of exactly what to expect, this being the first time in their lives they’d been involved in a protest movement. Their fears evaporated early in the day and I saw people reveling in the camaraderie , the joy and sheer civility that was exhibited at the entire event. Chants of “Freedom, freedom, freedom”, “No more czars! No more czars!” carried through the air without the slightest hint of rancor or incivility which is the norm at the leftist rallies I have photographed over the years. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The two photos above show a tiny fraction of the two million ABC estimates attended. I saw signs and heard lots of comments comparing this event to Woodstock. At the time this photo was taken, around 1:00 p.m., Pennsylvania Avenue was still jammed completely, and the mall was packed from the Capitol Building past the Washington Monument. See aerial photos here.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Protesters came from every state in the union. This man came from San Antonio, TX. He said that he was really sorry he hadn’t brought his family. He stated that being a black conservative he was afraid to expose his children to what he expected would be a lot of liberal abuse. He was thrilled with the tenor of the event and the fact that no liberals were present to harass him. He spoke about how incredibly intolerant the left is to black individuals who don’t bow to the party line.<br />
<br />
The commentary continues. Email me for photos and complete essay.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-19388294907899342322009-09-19T07:13:00.000-07:002009-09-19T07:13:11.654-07:00Health Care Reform: What's the hurry and why all at once?I have two questions about the Health Care reform debate: why the rush and why does it have to be in one massive bill?<br />
<br />
There have been numerous breakdowns of the reported 47 million uninsured, most narrow down the actual number of American citizens needing help at about 12 million. Why can't we simply help these folks now so we can take our time to get health care reform right? If 80% of us are happy with our insurance, why do we have to upend the entire system?<br />
<br />
Why can't we tackle reform one piece at a time so that everyone has a chance to read and understand what is being proposed instead of these massive 1000+ page bills?<br />
<br />
Tort reform is an obvious place to start. Is the fact that so many trial lawyers supported candidate Obama make him hesitant to add tort reform in the reform bill? Is the fact that most legislators are lawyers another obstacle? <br />
<br />
Reducing administration costs by having a single form that all insurance companies use would also save countless dollars. This is an easy no-brainer. Why can't this be done immediately while the harder issues are worked out?<br />
<br />
I just get the sinking feeling that the health care reform bill is going to be another hack job to help special interests at the expense of the taxpayer. Only this time, it may make America too sick to resuscitate.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-39822753222356760372009-09-18T06:14:00.000-07:002009-09-18T09:40:48.074-07:00Turnabout on Anti-Ballistic Program: Will Poland and Czech Republic go ballistic?Obama's dramatic about face on our long-range <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/world/europe/18shield.html?th&emc=th">anti-ballistic program </a>yesterday hopefully is the right thing for the USA. No doubt Poland and the Czech Republic are having a few twitches and are wondering if we are abandoning them in capitulation to the Russians. <br />
<br />
In ironically unfortunate timing, the announcement was made on the 70th anniversary of Russia's invasion of Poland. <br />
<br />
I have to believe that Defense Secretary Gates, who while under Bush supported the previous program, is correct in saying that the facts have changed and that Iran's greater threat is short and mid range missiles which are better thwarted by this new program. <br />
<br />
Question: President Obama meets with Russian president Medvedev next week. Russia had vocally opposed our previous plan. If the decision was already made to switch strategies, why not use this as a negotiating tool next week in order to get Russian support on deflecting the Iranian threat? Seems like we threw Russia a bone, buried our allies, and could have tweaked the timing of the announcement just a tad.<br />
<br />
<i>Postscript 9-18-09 12:30pm</i> Just read this <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204518504574418563346840666.html#mod=WSJ_hps_sections_opinion">column </a>in the WSJ. If the writer is correct and Obama worked up an argument to complement his pre-ordained conclusion, I cannot print the words I feel.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-55128713799772771622009-09-17T11:44:00.000-07:002009-09-17T11:44:14.274-07:00Why Doesn't the President Shun ACORN and SEIU?Since ACORN emerged into our national consciousness last year during the presidential election, smarmy stories continue to erupt, most recently the videos of a "pimp and prostitute" seeking a low interest housing loan for their brothel from assorted ACORN offices.<br />
<br />
Earlier this year, the House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr., concerned about all of the corruption within ACORN, called for hearings, but by his own admission, he was told to back off by the "<a href="http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/conyers_acorn_probe_nix/2009/06/26/229239.html">powers that be</a>"...that ACORN was untouchable. After being questioned as to who were these powers, the White House, Pelosi, contributors...he said he was refering to himself. <i>Right</i>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://biggovernment.com/2009/09/16/seiu-is-one-of-the-pillars-of-the-acorn-family/">ACORN and the SEIU</a> are two peas in a pod, with cross polinating management. <br />
<br />
The <a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2009/08/06/seiu-and-the-persuasion-of-power/">SEIU </a> apparently uses a mobster mentality in its search for more members -- more members equals more money. If they run into any problems trying to unionize a company, they have boasted that they will destroy the company. <br />
<br />
President Obama, proud of his community organizing background with ACORN, promised after the election that ACORN would help shape his agenda. He was a keynote speaker at the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al8yw_E0Vm8">SEIU 2008 convention </a>after securing the Democratic nomination and gave them credit for his nomination. <br />
<br />
The current expression in vogue is to throw someone "under the bus" when repudiating a connection to a person or organization. With all that is now known about these two groups, why hasn't our President thrown them under the bus and disowned them as he did his long-term preacher Jeremiah Wright after his radical racist views and hatred of America became common knowledge? The silence is deafening.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-11573674507730927722009-09-16T12:02:00.000-07:002009-09-16T12:02:18.437-07:00Grassroots Effort to Pass a Constitutional AmendmentScanning my niece's Social Studies text last weekend, I came across a heartening section. It seems the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-seventh_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution">27th Amendment</a> was passed in large part because of the efforts by a University of Texas student by the name of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Watson">Gregory Watson</a>.<br />
<br />
In 1982, Watson was doing research on the ERA when he came upon the proposed amendment from 1789 that some states had already ratified. Some 202 years later, his grassroots letter writing campaign helped pass this amendment to help keep corruption from our legislative branch.<br />
<br />
Despite the lengthy delay in ratification, legislators did not want to be on the wrong side of the fence on voting for their own pay come the next election.<br />
<br />
Perhaps that's what will be the motivation for our politicians to vote for the proposed <a href="http://www.ecoroot.com/28">28th Amendment </a>to prohibit them from excluding themselves from any mandate they require for the rest of us Americans.<br />
<br />
The petition is gaining momemtum, with signatures from one out of every five states so far. Please consider <a href="http://www.ecoroot.com/28">signing </a>it if you haven't already, and encourage others to do so.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-56017593291791169482009-09-15T10:27:00.000-07:002009-09-15T10:27:37.359-07:00Can You Hear Us Now?I am proud to have been a part of the March on DC on September 12th. Those "tens of thousands" were actually hundreds of thousands...by some reports even over a million.<br />
<br />
We knew it was going to be big when we got to the Metro station to catch a train to the Capital. A passing 'blue' line, taking the longer north route passed us by and it was packed like a can of tuna with people holding their signs. My 'yellow' line train required a change and it was all we could do to squeeze in. One poor guy who got out on an earlier stop managed to get his body out of the crowded train, but his arm got stuck in the door, so he had to leave his bag behind.<br />
<br />
Exiting the Metro was interesting. We had to shuffle along because there were simply too many people. Everyone was polite and orderly...not exactly an 'angry mob'. Once up the escalator, we exited the station and were shocked. Even though we were there an hour before the march was due to start, we discovered that they had to start it earlier because there simply wasn't enough room for all of the people. <br />
<br />
When we joined the march, people already filled up and down Pennsylvania Avenue(a mile's worth) and into the Capital lawn. There were people of all ages, from infants to elderly, and abilities, from severely handicapped to fit military (not in uniform) there to protest excessive government spending and intervention into our lives.<br />
<br />
I would describe the mood as jubilant, not angry. We all seemed to be glad that we weren't the only ones feeling betrayed by our government. I must confess that we weren't the best 'protesters', as we weren't very good at chanting. However, when someone started singing the national anthem, the crowd did a fine rendition, and those sitting stood and sang as well.<br />
<br />
I would say that 80% of the signs were directed against our government as a whole, not just Obama, and for the most part were in good taste. I would guess that less than 5% were borderline tasteful, but I saw none that crossed the line. Most of the signs were hand-made and not pre-printed. Deficit spending was the major concern, along with a US shift towards socialism, especially with Health Care.<br />
<br />
I met people from all across the country who traveled on their own nickel (as I did) to attend. Several I met flew in from CA, and the couple in front of me drove non-stop from TX. There was a man wearing a surgeon's coat that I met while waiting for a porta-toilet. He was trying to find someone from each state to sign his coat. By 11am, when we met, he'd already filled up most of his coat with signatures. I heard that 450 buses were chartered, which means that about 23,000 people came by bus. The rest of us, the vast majority, came there on our own. I don't think it gets any more grass roots than that.<br />
<br />
While most people I met were republican or independant, I did meet some democrats. There were some people of color, but frankly not many I am sad to say. A black man walked against the crowd in the march taunting us with, "white hoods for $2". He just didn't get it that this movement has nothing to do with race, and everything to do with liberty. His and mine.<br />
<br />
I imagine the politicians were shocked at the size of the crowd. Here's a link to some <a href="http://www.ecoroot.com/912">photos</a>. Hopefully our efforts will not be in vain.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-13842228252178789602009-09-13T16:13:00.000-07:002009-09-14T14:22:29.053-07:00Who knew?When I sent out the email blast to my contact list about the petition I was starting, I was well aware that easily half of my friends were on the opposite side of the political spectrum than myself. I was frankly worried that they would think that I was trying to impose my political beliefs on them, and I didn't want to offend them.<br />
<br />
Was I ever wrong! If my friends are any indication, both Democrats and Republicans are fed up with the ever growing weight of our federal government. So it turns out we do indeed have common ground, probably more than we realize. We might be a little right or left of center, but we mostly seem to believe in the same general goals for our country.<br />
<br />
The consensus I am seeing from the petition is that we want the government to listen to us and not dictate to us. And we want them to be on the same playing field as us.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-6171283111176839152009-09-12T15:54:00.000-07:002009-09-12T15:54:00.631-07:00Yes We CanWhere did I hear that slogan before? Oh, right: last year's election. But you know what? He was right, "Yes We Can".<br /><br />I am a quiet little property manager in Eastern NC. I have zero political clout. I have no friends in high places. All I've got going for me is that I believe in the republic that is America. I believe that most of us believe in the American Dream and the tenets our forefathers espoused. I have also come to believe in the power of the internet to level the playing field for those of us without clout.<br /><br />Two days ago I had the crazy idea of starting a petition to hold our politicians accountable. I sent an email to that effect to my email contacts. They sent it to their email contacts, and now my inbox is flooded with emails from complete strangers who also believe in what I hold dear... fellow Americans who believe that we need to yank the chain of our federal goverment (and our state governments, too, but that's another petition!).<br /><br />In just two days, over 20% of the states have had at least one patriot sign the petition. Individually we may have no clout. But together we can form our <em>own </em>special interest group -- one that is looking our for the well-being of the average taxpaying American who is deeply concerned about politicians who seem to care only about themselves and doing right by the special interest groups that fund their re-elections.<br /><br />So individually we may not be able to get through to them, but I have no doubt that together, Yes We Can.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-69166823341846955812009-09-10T13:52:00.000-07:002009-09-10T14:23:53.830-07:00Where's the Beef?Maybe I missed it, but I haven't seen much ink on taking personal responsibility for one's health. Don't get me wrong: if you want to eat a 3/4 pounder double bacon cheeseburger, I certainly don't want to take that pleasure away from you. But for those of you that do so daily, should the folks that take that same lunch hour to go to the gym be paying for your excessive health care costs?<br /><br />An <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/opinion/10pollan.html?th&emc=th">article </a>in today's New York Times talks about how one reason our health care costs are so much higher than other countries is because we are fat. My neighbor, a refugee from Serajevo, said his family was shocked when they arrived in America. In movies, everyone was thin and there is no doubt that here in Eastern NC, we are a large lot. <br /><br />I personally believe that in order for us to reduce health care costs, people need a combo carrot and stick approach. You get a better rate for certain behavioral activities like working out or maintaining a decent cholesterol, etc., and maybe a higher copayment if you smoke.<br /><br />The fact of the matter is that we cannot afford to give everyone all of the health care they want, and hard choices have to be made. A free market system is, in my mind the way to go, but perhaps we can add some personal accountability to the equation.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262599499317216216.post-22686586847008391032009-09-09T06:44:00.000-07:002009-09-10T14:08:23.799-07:00Hold Them AccountableYesterday while working, I was thinking about how our Senators and Congressmen these days seem to hold themselves up on an elevated level above other Americans. <br /><br />They routinely vote themselves nice perks and pensions, and now as they debate the most important bill in our lifetime, the Health Care Reform Bill, most have decided that they will not vote to forgo the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program that so richly covers them and their families and instead join the plan they deem good enough for us taxpayers. THIS IS WRONG! They should live under the same standards that they hold us accountable to <em>and </em>live under any mandates that they dictate for us.<br /><br />I propose that Americans petition our Senators and Congressmen to add a 28th Amendment to our Constitution that reads:<br /><br /><strong>"Senators and Congressmen must include themselves in any mandate required of American citizens."</strong><br /><br />Those of you that agree, I encourage you to sign a petition I've started stating:<br /><br /><em><strong>I want my federal representatives to pass a Constitutional Amendment that ensures that Senators and Congressmen must include themselves in any mandate required of American citizens. I commit that I will not vote to elect or re-elect any member who refuses to support such an amendment.</strong></em><br /><br />Here's the link to the <a href="http://www.ecoroot.com/28">webpage </a>I set up. Sign it and send the link to all of your email contacts and ask them to consider signing it. Let's use the power of the internet to raise our collective voices to corral our politicians and make <em>them </em>accountable to <em>us</em>. <br /> <br />When I was in college, my professor said that the "Sleeping Giant" was China. He was wrong. It is the <em>American People</em> and we are starting to wake up.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0