It's always a little tough to make up for lost time if we take a couple of days off and this week is no exception. The biggest problem is "finding your place." It's like putting a book down and trying to figure out exactly where you left off and to pick up the story line.
First-a blogger's confession: I'm sure you all know that we are served by a "host" who gives us a daily/weekly count of how many folks visit the site. What gets me is the inverse relationship between the reaction (comments) and visitors. In other words, I would expect that in the weeks when the numbers of visitors are down in the low hundred range, there would be few, if any, comments. Not so. Those posts usually generate the most reaction although even I don't think they are all that interesting or motivating. This past couple of weeks we've had only two comments from the 500, give or take, visitors. I just don't get it. Unless the questions from candidates are just absorbed and put in your data banks. Oh, well.
Maybe it's the summer doldrums, but I'm just kinda bored with the repetitive news on the national level and the only "exciting" state news has to do with taxing soda pop. Maybe it's an age thing--I drink iced tea.
I was hoping to be able to attend a couple of events during the summer recess and look for Mark Schauer to try to defend his record at a Town Hall or Congressman on the Corner as he usually does, but last week we all rec'd a big card with all his contact information on it so we could call his various offices which was followed by a blurb in the paper a few days ago indicating he would be so very, very busy that he wouldn't be holding any public meetings.
I'm thinking that after he was almost laughed out of the Jackson library earlier this year he knows that he can't get away with lying to this constituency like he did when he was a state rep. The folks in Jackson are holding his feet to the fire. It doesn't do any good, of course, he asks "how high and which way" whenever Pelosi or Obama snap their fingers and say 'jump.' A letter to the editor yesterday figured that San Francisco was benefitting by getting Schauer plus Pelosi to represent them and we get nothing.
Maybe things will look better tomorrow--
God bless..............
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Charlie Rangel has no right to use the term: Moral
And why not? Let's start at the beginning. Congressman Rangel, Chmn. of the House Ways and Means Committee, is leading the fight for a 5.4% income tax surcharge and calls it "the moral thing to do."
Most of us have heard the stories about his resort property in the Dominican Republic's luxury Punta Cana Yacht Club which he purchased in 1987. He has failed to report the income from the property for a number of years with a number of excuses. Now that he has been caught, he has said he would amend his tax returns and pay the arrearage by May 15. That date has come and gone and as of a few days ago he had not filed nor had he paid. The amount in dispute was suspiciously low at $75,000 over the years, but apparently the IRS accepted it.
Note: It is reported that this desirable property rents for $500 off season and $1100 at peak times and last year it was fully booked from December 15 to April 15. Now, remember these numbers. At the high end that would be $132,000 and the lower figures would work out at $66,000. So take your pick.
Here's where it gets interesting. Old Charlie undoubtedly wants to keep his income low since he is the tenant of four rent-stabilized apartments in Harlem and needs to keep his income below $175,000 to remain eligible for hardship rent control. (He uses one of the apartments for an office which is against the rules, but let's just shrug our shoulders at that one.)
And like Chris Dodd, he "didn't know that the developer had changed his $52,000 mortgage to an interest free loan" in 1990. Doesn't that violate the House rules on gifts (loans) which are not available to the general public?
There's one more piece to this puzzle. The National Legal and Policy Center says that Mr. Rangel owned or owns a home in D.C. on which he claimed a homestead exemption so he could save money on his property taxes. Guess what? The New York rent-stabilized apartments in New York have the same requirement for his "homestead" apartment.
Remember the numbers on renting the Yacht Club property? The New York apartments require that tenants NOT earn more than $175,000 to qualify. How much does he earn as a Congressman? Base pay for all Congressmen is $174,000 with additional remuneration for those who are committee chairs, etc. Even if he refused extra pay for the chairmanship, which he is free to do, he could only rent the villa for one night without going over the limits in New York.
Oh, what a tangled web----
God bless...........
Most of us have heard the stories about his resort property in the Dominican Republic's luxury Punta Cana Yacht Club which he purchased in 1987. He has failed to report the income from the property for a number of years with a number of excuses. Now that he has been caught, he has said he would amend his tax returns and pay the arrearage by May 15. That date has come and gone and as of a few days ago he had not filed nor had he paid. The amount in dispute was suspiciously low at $75,000 over the years, but apparently the IRS accepted it.
Note: It is reported that this desirable property rents for $500 off season and $1100 at peak times and last year it was fully booked from December 15 to April 15. Now, remember these numbers. At the high end that would be $132,000 and the lower figures would work out at $66,000. So take your pick.
Here's where it gets interesting. Old Charlie undoubtedly wants to keep his income low since he is the tenant of four rent-stabilized apartments in Harlem and needs to keep his income below $175,000 to remain eligible for hardship rent control. (He uses one of the apartments for an office which is against the rules, but let's just shrug our shoulders at that one.)
And like Chris Dodd, he "didn't know that the developer had changed his $52,000 mortgage to an interest free loan" in 1990. Doesn't that violate the House rules on gifts (loans) which are not available to the general public?
There's one more piece to this puzzle. The National Legal and Policy Center says that Mr. Rangel owned or owns a home in D.C. on which he claimed a homestead exemption so he could save money on his property taxes. Guess what? The New York rent-stabilized apartments in New York have the same requirement for his "homestead" apartment.
Remember the numbers on renting the Yacht Club property? The New York apartments require that tenants NOT earn more than $175,000 to qualify. How much does he earn as a Congressman? Base pay for all Congressmen is $174,000 with additional remuneration for those who are committee chairs, etc. Even if he refused extra pay for the chairmanship, which he is free to do, he could only rent the villa for one night without going over the limits in New York.
Oh, what a tangled web----
God bless...........
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Explanation of Pension Benefits Guarantee Corp
I apologize for making the assumption that younger folks all know what PBGC is and does. And what was happening with Delphi relative to their pension fund as a part of the bankruptcy action. Since the pension funds, if not fully funded, cannot be considered assets, they become liabilities and whoever buys the company necessarily buys both assets and liabilities. Logically, who wants to buy liabilities? With GM's relationship with Delphi it was necessary to come to an agreement which would put Delphi into the PBGC arena making the bankruptcy of GM move along as quickly as it did.
The Pension Benefits Guarantee Corp. was enacted into law in the mid-seventies and the largest, so far, has been the United Airlines debt. This fund has saved many a family who had depended on a pension as a part of their retirement income and continues to do so. When a company or union pension funding falls below 80% they are usually considered "endangered" and if below 65% are considered in the "critical" status and are required to come up with a plan to get off probation within ten years. Many companies have shown declines in recent years which cannot all be blamed on the stock market and therefore we have many who are in trouble. And, as you know, bankruptcy has become commonplace recently, so guess what? PBGC is underfunded and will add to the deficit in relatively short order.
That's where the part of the post having to do with the unions came in. We were talking about retirement benefits, not wages/salaries. The union hierarchy having so much better benefits than their members was the point of the SEIU story and yes, I guess I was telling two stories at the same time and it may have been confusing.
Again, sorry. (I don't know enough about SEIU to explain the connection between them and ACORN. Perhaps someone can clue us in.)
Tomorrow we'll talk a little about Charlie Rangel's brush with the IRS, but not all of it has to do with the resort property. His Harlem property and its uses are as scandalous or more so.
See ya tomorrow-
God bless............
The Pension Benefits Guarantee Corp. was enacted into law in the mid-seventies and the largest, so far, has been the United Airlines debt. This fund has saved many a family who had depended on a pension as a part of their retirement income and continues to do so. When a company or union pension funding falls below 80% they are usually considered "endangered" and if below 65% are considered in the "critical" status and are required to come up with a plan to get off probation within ten years. Many companies have shown declines in recent years which cannot all be blamed on the stock market and therefore we have many who are in trouble. And, as you know, bankruptcy has become commonplace recently, so guess what? PBGC is underfunded and will add to the deficit in relatively short order.
That's where the part of the post having to do with the unions came in. We were talking about retirement benefits, not wages/salaries. The union hierarchy having so much better benefits than their members was the point of the SEIU story and yes, I guess I was telling two stories at the same time and it may have been confusing.
Again, sorry. (I don't know enough about SEIU to explain the connection between them and ACORN. Perhaps someone can clue us in.)
Tomorrow we'll talk a little about Charlie Rangel's brush with the IRS, but not all of it has to do with the resort property. His Harlem property and its uses are as scandalous or more so.
See ya tomorrow-
God bless............
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Union Pensions in the Red
The headline is taken from the WSJ of yesterday and was probably written in response to that part of the bankruptcy of Delphi resulting in the government taking over and paying off the pensions of Delphi so GM doesn't have to absorb them in their takeover. The kicker of the article, however, is when it segues into a story on labor unions as follows:
"Only last week, the country's largest union local re-opened the contract for its 145,000 members two years early and gave up raises and reduced retirement benefits for future hires." Apparently they are talking early so they can "fix" the problem of their under-funded pension funds. It goes on
"....bigger mystery is that the unions do a far better job with funds created for their officers and employees than for mere workers. The SEIU Affiliates, Officers and Employees Pension Plan--which covers the staff and bosses at its locals--was funded a of 2007 at 102.2%. The plan for the folks at SEIU international headquarters was funded at 84.8%.
Union officer benefits are also far more generous than anything dues-paying workers enjoy. Consider again the SEIU, probably the country's most powerful union. Their officers and employees get a yearly 3% cost of living increase, but SEIU members get none; officers qualify for an early pension at 50 or after more than 30 years of service, but workers can't retire early with a pension; officers qualify for disability retirement after a year's service, but workers need 10 years. In the land of union retirement, some workers are more equal than others."
The conclusion was that no doubt most workers have no idea of this kind of discrepancy. Also concluded was that this should be of great interest to the 93% of the private workforce that doesn't belong to a union, but may be forced into it if The Big Labor's agenda becomes law under card check or whatever they are calling their "plan for the future" now.
Sleep well-
God bless..........
"Only last week, the country's largest union local re-opened the contract for its 145,000 members two years early and gave up raises and reduced retirement benefits for future hires." Apparently they are talking early so they can "fix" the problem of their under-funded pension funds. It goes on
"....bigger mystery is that the unions do a far better job with funds created for their officers and employees than for mere workers. The SEIU Affiliates, Officers and Employees Pension Plan--which covers the staff and bosses at its locals--was funded a of 2007 at 102.2%. The plan for the folks at SEIU international headquarters was funded at 84.8%.
Union officer benefits are also far more generous than anything dues-paying workers enjoy. Consider again the SEIU, probably the country's most powerful union. Their officers and employees get a yearly 3% cost of living increase, but SEIU members get none; officers qualify for an early pension at 50 or after more than 30 years of service, but workers can't retire early with a pension; officers qualify for disability retirement after a year's service, but workers need 10 years. In the land of union retirement, some workers are more equal than others."
The conclusion was that no doubt most workers have no idea of this kind of discrepancy. Also concluded was that this should be of great interest to the 93% of the private workforce that doesn't belong to a union, but may be forced into it if The Big Labor's agenda becomes law under card check or whatever they are calling their "plan for the future" now.
Sleep well-
God bless..........
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday evening - Attorney General Wrap-up
Question #9 - Do you have a pet peeve about state government in general or the Attorney General's office in particular which we have not covered?
Bill Schuette: I believe that our next AG needs to be a tough fighter for job providers, businesses that issue paychecks. Michigan needs more paychecks. Economic development need to be an additional tool in the Attorney General's toolbox. For example, I support Attorney General Mike Cox's efforts to support clean coal technology which would mean power plants would be built in Michigan, providing thousands of new jobs for workers in Michigan. I am sick and tired of people leaving our state and having to seek employment opportunities elsewhere.
Bruce Patterson: In general, state government is cursed with a lack of "Risk-Reward" structure. The concept of being BOLD, heaven forbid Visionary, is nearly non-existent. Thus, proposed Solutions are too narrow and generally driven by politics Rather than policy. Moreover, actions are implemented too late to do any real, meaningful good for We the People."
Mike Bishop: I have experience in several businesses and have held numerous administrative positions in the private sector. My biggest pet peeve with government is that it functions at a snail's pace, and many times, without common sense and reason. The "politics" of government can be very frustrating. I have a genuine problem with those who put "politics" over people or over doing what's right.
Question #10 - If you could be King for a Day what would you do- on a professional level and on a personal level.
Bill Schuette: On a professional level, my desire is to have secure and safe streets, neighborhoods and schools for Michigan families. Lawbreakers need to serve their time in jail. We must operate our prisons more efficiently instead of releasing criminals from jail.
On a personal level, I would hope to foster reconciliation and understanding between and among groups and people who may have differing attitudes, perspectives and philosophies on key issues of the day. While agreement on every contentious issue may be difficult, if not impossible, civil discussion and understanding of differing views would help build a stronger Michigan.
Mike Bishop: In the immediate future, I would pass the Senate Republican plan for the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget and right-size our state government, balancing our budget with cuts alone and no tax increases.
On a personal level: Spend an uninterrupted day with my wife and children.
Bruce Patterson: Abdicate!! As a Conservative/Republican, someone who truly believes in a limited, republican form of government, I have no desire or willingness to serve as King, even for a single day.
And there we have it! And now I am looking at the Attorney General's race in a totally different light. Why you ask? Because even though I've always been fascinated with the law and the expertise and the need to investigate from all angles and the necessity of thinking logically and methodically and actually have always thought I look at problems in that way, I see that I'm WRONG!
Because the one thing that is absolutely necessary to me in myself and generally in my friends and associates is a sense of humor. And I always expect just a little hint of humor in my King/Queen for a Day question. But these guys are serious!
Really, really serious. And now that I think about it, that's undoubtedly a good thing in this job. But let me tell you, fellas, you need to giggle now and then.
I always consider that a day I can make God laugh, has been a success.
God bless..........
ps-I'll be away tomorrow-see you Tuesday evening.
Bill Schuette: I believe that our next AG needs to be a tough fighter for job providers, businesses that issue paychecks. Michigan needs more paychecks. Economic development need to be an additional tool in the Attorney General's toolbox. For example, I support Attorney General Mike Cox's efforts to support clean coal technology which would mean power plants would be built in Michigan, providing thousands of new jobs for workers in Michigan. I am sick and tired of people leaving our state and having to seek employment opportunities elsewhere.
Bruce Patterson: In general, state government is cursed with a lack of "Risk-Reward" structure. The concept of being BOLD, heaven forbid Visionary, is nearly non-existent. Thus, proposed Solutions are too narrow and generally driven by politics Rather than policy. Moreover, actions are implemented too late to do any real, meaningful good for We the People."
Mike Bishop: I have experience in several businesses and have held numerous administrative positions in the private sector. My biggest pet peeve with government is that it functions at a snail's pace, and many times, without common sense and reason. The "politics" of government can be very frustrating. I have a genuine problem with those who put "politics" over people or over doing what's right.
Question #10 - If you could be King for a Day what would you do- on a professional level and on a personal level.
Bill Schuette: On a professional level, my desire is to have secure and safe streets, neighborhoods and schools for Michigan families. Lawbreakers need to serve their time in jail. We must operate our prisons more efficiently instead of releasing criminals from jail.
On a personal level, I would hope to foster reconciliation and understanding between and among groups and people who may have differing attitudes, perspectives and philosophies on key issues of the day. While agreement on every contentious issue may be difficult, if not impossible, civil discussion and understanding of differing views would help build a stronger Michigan.
Mike Bishop: In the immediate future, I would pass the Senate Republican plan for the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget and right-size our state government, balancing our budget with cuts alone and no tax increases.
On a personal level: Spend an uninterrupted day with my wife and children.
Bruce Patterson: Abdicate!! As a Conservative/Republican, someone who truly believes in a limited, republican form of government, I have no desire or willingness to serve as King, even for a single day.
And there we have it! And now I am looking at the Attorney General's race in a totally different light. Why you ask? Because even though I've always been fascinated with the law and the expertise and the need to investigate from all angles and the necessity of thinking logically and methodically and actually have always thought I look at problems in that way, I see that I'm WRONG!
Because the one thing that is absolutely necessary to me in myself and generally in my friends and associates is a sense of humor. And I always expect just a little hint of humor in my King/Queen for a Day question. But these guys are serious!
Really, really serious. And now that I think about it, that's undoubtedly a good thing in this job. But let me tell you, fellas, you need to giggle now and then.
I always consider that a day I can make God laugh, has been a success.
God bless..........
ps-I'll be away tomorrow-see you Tuesday evening.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Winding Down - Attorney General Q & A Numbers 7 and 8
Question #7 - If the Governor and the Attorney General are from differing political parties, should provision be made for personal counsel for the Governor?
Mike Bishop: No. The Attorney General is legal counsel to the Governor and all state agencies, regardless of political affiliation. While the Governor traditionally has personal legal counsel, the Attorney General's constitutional role is not diminished. I would vehemently oppose any effort to circumvent our constitution by allowing the Executive to hire an independent attorney for counsel on issues that are constitutionally delegated to the Attorney General.
Bill Schuette: As the State's attorney, the Attorney General must prosecute and defend all actions in which the people of the State are a party or interested. The Attorney General may also intervene in actions when the people of the state are interested, as determined by the Attorney General or requested by the Governor or either branch of the legislature. As an example, I support the decision of Attorney General Mike Cox to defend our 2nd Amendment rights in a recent legal matter. I have an excellent record working with members of different parties, and as Attorney General will work with a Governor from the GOP or a different party to appropriately and steadfastly represent the people of the State of Michigan to the best of my ability.
Bruce Patterson: As the head of the Executive Branch of our Constitutionally-mandated Tri-Partite form of government, the Governor may choose to create staff positions to assist in the discharge of sworn duties. (see Article V, section 1)
Question #8 - What particular experience would you be bringing to the office and what is its importance?
Mike Bishop: I bring broad work experience from the private sector, strong political credentials as a statewide Republican candidate and record of principled, tough leadership.
As a private practicing attorney, I represented people and businesses. I wrote briefs and argued cases in court. I've negotiated settlements and complex legal matters. I've been in the trenches fighting for people and the constitution. I also served as a local prosecutor where I learned the skill of enforcing state law and protecting citizens from dangerous people-drunk drivers, domestic abusers, and other violent criminals. I know what is means to protect people and I know what it means to ensure that justice is done.
From my private practice to my role as Senate Majority Leader, I have a strong record of conservative leadership and a strong resume in the private sector, where I represented people, businesses and even governments.
Bill Schuette: I have served our state and our nation in all 3 branches of government, as a U.S. Congressman, as Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, as a Michigan State Senator and as a Judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals.
As a Judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals, I made decisions on over 800 criminal cases. As a Judge, I stood with the sheriffs, prosecutors and police officers. As a Judge, I protected the Constitution of the State of Michigan when partisan, Democrat interest groups attempted to hijack the Constitution, eliminate conservative Justices on the Michigan Supreme Court and impose one party control of the legislative re-districting process during the summer of 2008.
The depth and breadth of my experience, my set of credentials, has prepared me to help lead Michigan in the years ahead. I will be ready on day 1, to be part of a new team, with a fresh approach to realign Michigan. I have a strong record of leadership being tough on crime, cutting taxes and reducing spending and supporting families in my service to Michigan and America.
Bruce Patterson: I am the most senior attorney in the Michigan Senate. I was sworn in to practice law in Michigan courts some thirty-seven years ago. That is approximately the age of certain aspirants for the position being discussed.
My state Bar assigned practitioner number is 18701. As an indicator of experience it connotes far more background and preparation than any other person thus far indicating an interest in being Attorney General. This statement includes Republicans and Democrats.
Over two decades of trial practice saw me rise from clerk to associate to partner to President of a multi-member law firm. In 2001-2002 I was considered for Presidential appointment to the position of U. S. Attorney.
We'll wrap this up tomorrow evening. Have a good Sunday.
God bless................
Mike Bishop: No. The Attorney General is legal counsel to the Governor and all state agencies, regardless of political affiliation. While the Governor traditionally has personal legal counsel, the Attorney General's constitutional role is not diminished. I would vehemently oppose any effort to circumvent our constitution by allowing the Executive to hire an independent attorney for counsel on issues that are constitutionally delegated to the Attorney General.
Bill Schuette: As the State's attorney, the Attorney General must prosecute and defend all actions in which the people of the State are a party or interested. The Attorney General may also intervene in actions when the people of the state are interested, as determined by the Attorney General or requested by the Governor or either branch of the legislature. As an example, I support the decision of Attorney General Mike Cox to defend our 2nd Amendment rights in a recent legal matter. I have an excellent record working with members of different parties, and as Attorney General will work with a Governor from the GOP or a different party to appropriately and steadfastly represent the people of the State of Michigan to the best of my ability.
Bruce Patterson: As the head of the Executive Branch of our Constitutionally-mandated Tri-Partite form of government, the Governor may choose to create staff positions to assist in the discharge of sworn duties. (see Article V, section 1)
Question #8 - What particular experience would you be bringing to the office and what is its importance?
Mike Bishop: I bring broad work experience from the private sector, strong political credentials as a statewide Republican candidate and record of principled, tough leadership.
As a private practicing attorney, I represented people and businesses. I wrote briefs and argued cases in court. I've negotiated settlements and complex legal matters. I've been in the trenches fighting for people and the constitution. I also served as a local prosecutor where I learned the skill of enforcing state law and protecting citizens from dangerous people-drunk drivers, domestic abusers, and other violent criminals. I know what is means to protect people and I know what it means to ensure that justice is done.
From my private practice to my role as Senate Majority Leader, I have a strong record of conservative leadership and a strong resume in the private sector, where I represented people, businesses and even governments.
Bill Schuette: I have served our state and our nation in all 3 branches of government, as a U.S. Congressman, as Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, as a Michigan State Senator and as a Judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals.
As a Judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals, I made decisions on over 800 criminal cases. As a Judge, I stood with the sheriffs, prosecutors and police officers. As a Judge, I protected the Constitution of the State of Michigan when partisan, Democrat interest groups attempted to hijack the Constitution, eliminate conservative Justices on the Michigan Supreme Court and impose one party control of the legislative re-districting process during the summer of 2008.
The depth and breadth of my experience, my set of credentials, has prepared me to help lead Michigan in the years ahead. I will be ready on day 1, to be part of a new team, with a fresh approach to realign Michigan. I have a strong record of leadership being tough on crime, cutting taxes and reducing spending and supporting families in my service to Michigan and America.
Bruce Patterson: I am the most senior attorney in the Michigan Senate. I was sworn in to practice law in Michigan courts some thirty-seven years ago. That is approximately the age of certain aspirants for the position being discussed.
My state Bar assigned practitioner number is 18701. As an indicator of experience it connotes far more background and preparation than any other person thus far indicating an interest in being Attorney General. This statement includes Republicans and Democrats.
Over two decades of trial practice saw me rise from clerk to associate to partner to President of a multi-member law firm. In 2001-2002 I was considered for Presidential appointment to the position of U. S. Attorney.
We'll wrap this up tomorrow evening. Have a good Sunday.
God bless................
Friday, July 24, 2009
AG Questions 5 & 6
#5 - Please describe any changes you have in mind for staffing and budget emphasis.
Bill Schuette: We need to realign Michigan government to do more with fewer people and to eliminate the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) and reduce government spending. As Michigan's next Attorney General, I will review closely how to continue efforts within the Attorney General's office to streamline its operations and enhance the efficiency of the organization.
Bruce Patterson: My staff will be comprised of professionals. Persons serving in the department will be dedicated to lean, effective government operation all the while aggressively seeking to protect and defend citizen's constitutional rights.
Mike Bishop: In this contracting economy, state resources must be marshaled with great care. As the Leader of the Michigan Senate, I have asked every department to do more with less. The Attorney General's office is no different. Immediately upon assuming office, I will assess the budget of the office to reassess priorities and ensure the office is properly and efficiently administering essential services. Staffing and resources will be focused in areas consistent with primary responsibilities of the office - protecting the citizens of our state and our constitution.
#6 - How do politics influence the choices of the Attorney General in making staffing decisions?
Bill Schuette: Politics should have no role in determining personnel decisions within the Attorney General's office. Performance, quality, individual initiative and a strong work ethic will be the keystones of personnel decisions when I am Michigan's next Attorney General.
Bruce Patterson: Attorney General Bruce Patterson won't allow it.
Mike Bishop: I am a firm believer in finding the best person for the job. As the Republican Attorney General, I will focus on finding the most competent people who share my beliefs in the role of the office and who respect the law and the constitution.
Paranoia is setting in again--
If we had the details of the costs of ObamaCare would we find that the reason he says those costs will not add to the deficit be due to 1) hundreds of thousands of babies aborted rather than needing a lifetime of medical attention, 2) the fact that there is a compulsory counseling session for every senior citizen once every five years stressing the benefits of palliative and hospice care with the underlying message being we have a duty to die, and 3) [I know this is far out] but maybe next winter's epidemic of swine flu will knock off a whole bunch more.
We should be asking our Democrat congressmen if they really plan to vote for a bill which will force all of us to pay for abortion on demand at the early stage of life and use rationing and "counseling" for senior citizens at the later stages of life. I'll let you know what Mr. Schauer says.
We need all the prayers we can get-
God bless........
Bill Schuette: We need to realign Michigan government to do more with fewer people and to eliminate the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) and reduce government spending. As Michigan's next Attorney General, I will review closely how to continue efforts within the Attorney General's office to streamline its operations and enhance the efficiency of the organization.
Bruce Patterson: My staff will be comprised of professionals. Persons serving in the department will be dedicated to lean, effective government operation all the while aggressively seeking to protect and defend citizen's constitutional rights.
Mike Bishop: In this contracting economy, state resources must be marshaled with great care. As the Leader of the Michigan Senate, I have asked every department to do more with less. The Attorney General's office is no different. Immediately upon assuming office, I will assess the budget of the office to reassess priorities and ensure the office is properly and efficiently administering essential services. Staffing and resources will be focused in areas consistent with primary responsibilities of the office - protecting the citizens of our state and our constitution.
#6 - How do politics influence the choices of the Attorney General in making staffing decisions?
Bill Schuette: Politics should have no role in determining personnel decisions within the Attorney General's office. Performance, quality, individual initiative and a strong work ethic will be the keystones of personnel decisions when I am Michigan's next Attorney General.
Bruce Patterson: Attorney General Bruce Patterson won't allow it.
Mike Bishop: I am a firm believer in finding the best person for the job. As the Republican Attorney General, I will focus on finding the most competent people who share my beliefs in the role of the office and who respect the law and the constitution.
Paranoia is setting in again--
If we had the details of the costs of ObamaCare would we find that the reason he says those costs will not add to the deficit be due to 1) hundreds of thousands of babies aborted rather than needing a lifetime of medical attention, 2) the fact that there is a compulsory counseling session for every senior citizen once every five years stressing the benefits of palliative and hospice care with the underlying message being we have a duty to die, and 3) [I know this is far out] but maybe next winter's epidemic of swine flu will knock off a whole bunch more.
We should be asking our Democrat congressmen if they really plan to vote for a bill which will force all of us to pay for abortion on demand at the early stage of life and use rationing and "counseling" for senior citizens at the later stages of life. I'll let you know what Mr. Schauer says.
We need all the prayers we can get-
God bless........
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Attorney General Questions 3 and 4
#3 - Would you be more concerned with consumer protection or the prosecution of fraud and corruption in the public sector or something else?
Mike Bishop: The responsibilities of the office of Attorney General are not specific to any one area of the law. The key is effective management of state resources to properly address the multitude of issues within the jurisdiction of the Attorney General's office. Violations of the public trust are unacceptable and require swift and decisive action by your Attorney General.
In addition, the Attorney General must be prepared to answer the call and stand up for the consumer who has been victimized or the job provider that is being unfairly treated. In the end, the Attorney General's wise management of state resources and stern enforcement of the law will serve as a deterrent to abhorrent behavior by predators from both the public and private sectors.
Bill Schuette: Balancing Responsibilities. As our next Attorney General, I will be an aggressive leader to prosecute those who violate the public trust and misuse public offices. Further I will ensure that consumer protection laws are adhered to properly. Our next Attorney General needs to be a part of a new approach to realign Michigan as to lower taxes, reduce spending and direct a more efficient, leaner state government. We will need to do more with fewer people and fewer resources.
Bruce Patterson: The priority of my concern would lie in the facts and circumstances of each issue confronted, not some certain preconceived notion. Thus, my final determination would rest with enforcement and defense of rights.
#4 - Is it mandatory or common practice for legislation to be screened by the office of the Attorney General for possible legal problems? If not, why not and or in your opinion should it be?
Mike Bishop: It is neither mandatory nor common practice to have the Attorney General's office screen legislation. In fact, each chamber of the legislature has its own legal counsel assisting in the drafting of all legislation. While the Attorney General's office may serve as a resource in the legislative process, as a practical matter the legislature assumes its independent, constitutional role without the intervention of other political bodies and offices.
Bill Schuette: As a former Michigan State Senator and United States Congressman, I thoroughly understand the legislative process. As Attorney General, I will review legislative initiatives and effectively communicate with legislators on how the initiatives will impact the citizens of the State consistent with my role as Attorney General. I will also issue opinions regarding legal issues associated with legislative initiatives as requested from time to time by legislators. I commit to having an open door to members of both political parties to assist on legislative matters.
Bruce Pattrson: The Legislative Service Bureau (LSB) is a non-partisan operation of state government. In pertinent part, its staff is made up of professionals. Thus, when a request is made to draft a bill/resolution/legislation there is an eye to basic legality. Beyond that, there is not a "screening process." Proactive, initiated micro-management of Legislative activities would seem inappropriate interjection/interference by the Executive Branch. Only if a request were sought by an interested Legislator officially seeking/requesting an opinion would it seem appropriate.
And there we have Day Two - and that sigh you hear is me thinking that it would sure be nice if we had a U.S. Attorney General of the caliber of any one of our Michigan candidates.
God bless...........
Mike Bishop: The responsibilities of the office of Attorney General are not specific to any one area of the law. The key is effective management of state resources to properly address the multitude of issues within the jurisdiction of the Attorney General's office. Violations of the public trust are unacceptable and require swift and decisive action by your Attorney General.
In addition, the Attorney General must be prepared to answer the call and stand up for the consumer who has been victimized or the job provider that is being unfairly treated. In the end, the Attorney General's wise management of state resources and stern enforcement of the law will serve as a deterrent to abhorrent behavior by predators from both the public and private sectors.
Bill Schuette: Balancing Responsibilities. As our next Attorney General, I will be an aggressive leader to prosecute those who violate the public trust and misuse public offices. Further I will ensure that consumer protection laws are adhered to properly. Our next Attorney General needs to be a part of a new approach to realign Michigan as to lower taxes, reduce spending and direct a more efficient, leaner state government. We will need to do more with fewer people and fewer resources.
Bruce Patterson: The priority of my concern would lie in the facts and circumstances of each issue confronted, not some certain preconceived notion. Thus, my final determination would rest with enforcement and defense of rights.
#4 - Is it mandatory or common practice for legislation to be screened by the office of the Attorney General for possible legal problems? If not, why not and or in your opinion should it be?
Mike Bishop: It is neither mandatory nor common practice to have the Attorney General's office screen legislation. In fact, each chamber of the legislature has its own legal counsel assisting in the drafting of all legislation. While the Attorney General's office may serve as a resource in the legislative process, as a practical matter the legislature assumes its independent, constitutional role without the intervention of other political bodies and offices.
Bill Schuette: As a former Michigan State Senator and United States Congressman, I thoroughly understand the legislative process. As Attorney General, I will review legislative initiatives and effectively communicate with legislators on how the initiatives will impact the citizens of the State consistent with my role as Attorney General. I will also issue opinions regarding legal issues associated with legislative initiatives as requested from time to time by legislators. I commit to having an open door to members of both political parties to assist on legislative matters.
Bruce Pattrson: The Legislative Service Bureau (LSB) is a non-partisan operation of state government. In pertinent part, its staff is made up of professionals. Thus, when a request is made to draft a bill/resolution/legislation there is an eye to basic legality. Beyond that, there is not a "screening process." Proactive, initiated micro-management of Legislative activities would seem inappropriate interjection/interference by the Executive Branch. Only if a request were sought by an interested Legislator officially seeking/requesting an opinion would it seem appropriate.
And there we have Day Two - and that sigh you hear is me thinking that it would sure be nice if we had a U.S. Attorney General of the caliber of any one of our Michigan candidates.
God bless...........
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Attorney General Interviews - Ready, Set, Go!
But before we do I want to make one observation on the same old, same old Obamaspeak we heard tonight. When he said medical treatment needs to be defined as something which makes you healthy, that sure sounded like shorthand for the end-of-life care to keep the elderly comfortable will be a thing of the past, since there is no cure for old age and terminal illnesses. We'll point out one item per post this week.
Now--on to the project at hand.
Question #1: Is it possible to briefly describe the duties of the Attorney General? Please try.
Bruce Patterson: Yes. To do so one must begin with our Michigan Constitution. Fundamentally, Article V (Executive Branch) section 3 (Single Heads of Departments) describes the position of Attorney General as being one of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of State government. (The other single executives heading principal departments shall include the Secretary of State and the State Treasurer.) Further, Schedule #1 of the Constitution of 1963 as amended, sets forth: "The attorney general shall recommend to the legislature as soon as practicable such changes as may be necessary to adapt existing laws to this constitution."
Practically, the position of Attorney General is intended to defend, interpret and enforce the laws applicable to our state and uphold our Constitution.
Mike Bishop: The office of the Attorney General is specifically created under Michigan's Constitution. In short, the Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer in the state and as such serves as the general counsel to the Governor and all state agencies. The Attorney General's top priority must be the protection of the Michigan Constitution and the rights of the people.
Bill Schuette: The Attorney General of Michigan is the chief law-enforcement official of our State and our State's attorney. I believe that working with local law enforcement leaders across Michigan to protect our streets, keep our neighborhoods safe, and maintain our schools as places of learning, not violence, is a key responsibility of the Attorney General.
In addition, past Attorneys General have worked effectively to assist in child-support-enforcement activities, cyber-crime initiatives, and various consumer-protection and consumer-regulatory roles. I also believe that the Attorney General should be an advocate for economic development in Michigan to ensure that job providers have an opportunity to create jobs, issue paychecks, and obtain regulatory permits quickly while protecting our natural resources.
Question #2: What would be your top priority as Michigan's Attorney General?
Bruce Patterson: To protect 'We the People' from infringement of Constitutional rights, especially by the government. I am reminded of Thomas Jefferson's thought: "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."
Mike Bishop: My top priority will be to expand consumer protection and to pursue greater accountability for government and elected officials who hold the public trust. In addition, I would make it a priority within every function of the office of Attorney General to ensure we uphold the constitution and not allow any individual, entity or government itself, to delude or infringe upon the rights of the people.
Bill Schuette: My top priority is to be Michigan's tough and strong law enforcement leader, keeping our streets, neighborhoods and schools safe and secure for our citizenry. I will work closely with local law enforcement officials across Michigan.
I think we'll do just two a day unless there are a few questions on which all the answers were short. Or, unless there is some breaking news and I need to scream about it.
Thanks to the candidates for their cooperation in helping us do this in a timely fashion.
God bless............
PS-I heard Mark Schauer had made an announcement taking credit for a HUD grant earlier in the week. Today I heard the City Manager of Jackson indicate they had been working on it before he was elected and it has been in the pipeline for quite some time. Back to his old tricks.
Now--on to the project at hand.
Question #1: Is it possible to briefly describe the duties of the Attorney General? Please try.
Bruce Patterson: Yes. To do so one must begin with our Michigan Constitution. Fundamentally, Article V (Executive Branch) section 3 (Single Heads of Departments) describes the position of Attorney General as being one of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of State government. (The other single executives heading principal departments shall include the Secretary of State and the State Treasurer.) Further, Schedule #1 of the Constitution of 1963 as amended, sets forth: "The attorney general shall recommend to the legislature as soon as practicable such changes as may be necessary to adapt existing laws to this constitution."
Practically, the position of Attorney General is intended to defend, interpret and enforce the laws applicable to our state and uphold our Constitution.
Mike Bishop: The office of the Attorney General is specifically created under Michigan's Constitution. In short, the Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer in the state and as such serves as the general counsel to the Governor and all state agencies. The Attorney General's top priority must be the protection of the Michigan Constitution and the rights of the people.
Bill Schuette: The Attorney General of Michigan is the chief law-enforcement official of our State and our State's attorney. I believe that working with local law enforcement leaders across Michigan to protect our streets, keep our neighborhoods safe, and maintain our schools as places of learning, not violence, is a key responsibility of the Attorney General.
In addition, past Attorneys General have worked effectively to assist in child-support-enforcement activities, cyber-crime initiatives, and various consumer-protection and consumer-regulatory roles. I also believe that the Attorney General should be an advocate for economic development in Michigan to ensure that job providers have an opportunity to create jobs, issue paychecks, and obtain regulatory permits quickly while protecting our natural resources.
Question #2: What would be your top priority as Michigan's Attorney General?
Bruce Patterson: To protect 'We the People' from infringement of Constitutional rights, especially by the government. I am reminded of Thomas Jefferson's thought: "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."
Mike Bishop: My top priority will be to expand consumer protection and to pursue greater accountability for government and elected officials who hold the public trust. In addition, I would make it a priority within every function of the office of Attorney General to ensure we uphold the constitution and not allow any individual, entity or government itself, to delude or infringe upon the rights of the people.
Bill Schuette: My top priority is to be Michigan's tough and strong law enforcement leader, keeping our streets, neighborhoods and schools safe and secure for our citizenry. I will work closely with local law enforcement officials across Michigan.
I think we'll do just two a day unless there are a few questions on which all the answers were short. Or, unless there is some breaking news and I need to scream about it.
Thanks to the candidates for their cooperation in helping us do this in a timely fashion.
God bless............
PS-I heard Mark Schauer had made an announcement taking credit for a HUD grant earlier in the week. Today I heard the City Manager of Jackson indicate they had been working on it before he was elected and it has been in the pipeline for quite some time. Back to his old tricks.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
No Excuse--Just a Reason and a Promise
I did so want to start the Attorney General interviews this evening so we could do two each day and finish the week. Unforeseen circumstances in the form of two back to back funerals for which I was acting sacristan - each of which took 3 hours out of my day - simply left me too darn tired to do justice to the posting this evening.
I apologize and hope that everyone gets to make a mistake once a year or so. And this is mine, right?
It occurred to me today and I shared with my husband that I must be in my second childhood (the teenage years) because this must be what every teen does--tunes out the voice of authority just as I am tuning out Obama. He keeps repeating the same old rhetoric over and over and over again. He never gets out of campaign mode and nothing is ever his responsibility--someone else is at fault. This, too, shall pass.
See you tomorrow-
God bless..........
ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING
NOW I'VE HEARD EVERYTHING!
THE PRESIDENT IS CALLING FOR A MEETING WITH THE SUPPOSEDLY UNBIASED CBO WHOM WE'VE COME TO TRUST TO A POINT. NOW, AFTER HE SAYS ABOUT THE HEALTHCARE BILL "IT ISN'T ABOUT ME" AND "IT'S NOT POLITICAL," HE CALLS HIS OWN BLUFF, AS IT WERE. THE POOR STAFF OF THE CBO HAVE TO GO TO THIS MEETING WHICH MAKES THEM ACCOMPLICES TO ANYTHING TO COME FROM IT AND IF THEY DON'T GO ALONG WITH HIS "SUGGESTIONS" HE WILL PROBABLY FIRE THEM AND REPLACE THEM WITH LIBERAL IDEOLOGUES WHO WILL DO HIS BIDDING AT THE SNAP OF HIS FINGERS. THIS IS A LOSE, LOSE SCENARIO FOR ALL INVOLVED, INCLUDING EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD NOW LIVING AND THOSE WHO WILL FOLLOW FOR GENERATIONS.
G-I-V-E U-S A B-R-E-A-K!
I apologize and hope that everyone gets to make a mistake once a year or so. And this is mine, right?
It occurred to me today and I shared with my husband that I must be in my second childhood (the teenage years) because this must be what every teen does--tunes out the voice of authority just as I am tuning out Obama. He keeps repeating the same old rhetoric over and over and over again. He never gets out of campaign mode and nothing is ever his responsibility--someone else is at fault. This, too, shall pass.
See you tomorrow-
God bless..........
ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING
NOW I'VE HEARD EVERYTHING!
THE PRESIDENT IS CALLING FOR A MEETING WITH THE SUPPOSEDLY UNBIASED CBO WHOM WE'VE COME TO TRUST TO A POINT. NOW, AFTER HE SAYS ABOUT THE HEALTHCARE BILL "IT ISN'T ABOUT ME" AND "IT'S NOT POLITICAL," HE CALLS HIS OWN BLUFF, AS IT WERE. THE POOR STAFF OF THE CBO HAVE TO GO TO THIS MEETING WHICH MAKES THEM ACCOMPLICES TO ANYTHING TO COME FROM IT AND IF THEY DON'T GO ALONG WITH HIS "SUGGESTIONS" HE WILL PROBABLY FIRE THEM AND REPLACE THEM WITH LIBERAL IDEOLOGUES WHO WILL DO HIS BIDDING AT THE SNAP OF HIS FINGERS. THIS IS A LOSE, LOSE SCENARIO FOR ALL INVOLVED, INCLUDING EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD NOW LIVING AND THOSE WHO WILL FOLLOW FOR GENERATIONS.
G-I-V-E U-S A B-R-E-A-K!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Tying up some Loose Ends
The lists will have to wait--
Just have to get some things off my chest before we start the Attorney General interviews tomorrow.
#1 - The topic for conversation on this morning's call in radio show on WKHM had to do with carrying weapons openly and weren't we apprehensive if not down right scared to see this. I couldn't help myself. I phoned in and said that I was much more frightened of my Congressman and the vote he will cast on the Healthcare bill than I could ever be of a guy legally carrying a gun in the open.
Why? You might ask? Even if the guy went berserk he could only kill or maim a few people, but the numbers of abortions allowed in the healthcare bill will number in the hundreds of thousands and your tax money and my tax money will be paying for them. This is unconscionable!
#2-Saw an ad on television today supporting the healthcare bill paid for by the pharmaceutical researchers lobby. You've got to be kidding? There will be no more research as we know it because the cost cutting measures will make darn sure their research will not be funded. And the medical leadership and one of the reasons our costs are a higher is that we get first crack at the newest and best drug treatments.
#3-We're being told that doctors approve of the healthcare bill. Really? They can not possibly have thought the consequences through to their logical conclusions. If they had, they would realize that just as the poor military guy whose doctor "made a mistake" and the guy lost his legs because of it, he has no recourse. That doctor is part of the government and can't be sued. So what do you think Obama is going to do with his promise to the tort lawyers? Not only will the doctors be working for peanuts and as semi-government employees, you can bet there will be a loophole so they can still be sued.
#4-The Secretary of Commerce is offering to pay the Chinese carbon footprint costs out of our treasury because we are the ones buying their products so we should be responsible? Give me a break!!!
#5-Hillary and Obama are still apologizing for America's over use of the world's resources. Something is wrong with that picture. Our footprint is larger, in part, because we developed pesticides, insecticides and pharmaceuticals that have allowed the citizens of underdeveloped nations to lead longer more comfortable lives. And the amounts of foreign aid both from the government and private institutions and people reach astronomical heights. We need not apologize for helping freedom spread as well.
#6-And last, my math must be off, but is it possible that the population of the world has more than doubled in 40 years? I heard it said that 500 million people or 1/6 of the world's population watched the first moon walk in 1969. I'm sure all of us were counted in that number. But given that there are now over 600 billion people in the world, doesn't that mean that 1/6 of today's population is 100 billion?
Tomorrow we will work on the Q & A from the Attorney General candidates.
God bless...........
Just have to get some things off my chest before we start the Attorney General interviews tomorrow.
#1 - The topic for conversation on this morning's call in radio show on WKHM had to do with carrying weapons openly and weren't we apprehensive if not down right scared to see this. I couldn't help myself. I phoned in and said that I was much more frightened of my Congressman and the vote he will cast on the Healthcare bill than I could ever be of a guy legally carrying a gun in the open.
Why? You might ask? Even if the guy went berserk he could only kill or maim a few people, but the numbers of abortions allowed in the healthcare bill will number in the hundreds of thousands and your tax money and my tax money will be paying for them. This is unconscionable!
#2-Saw an ad on television today supporting the healthcare bill paid for by the pharmaceutical researchers lobby. You've got to be kidding? There will be no more research as we know it because the cost cutting measures will make darn sure their research will not be funded. And the medical leadership and one of the reasons our costs are a higher is that we get first crack at the newest and best drug treatments.
#3-We're being told that doctors approve of the healthcare bill. Really? They can not possibly have thought the consequences through to their logical conclusions. If they had, they would realize that just as the poor military guy whose doctor "made a mistake" and the guy lost his legs because of it, he has no recourse. That doctor is part of the government and can't be sued. So what do you think Obama is going to do with his promise to the tort lawyers? Not only will the doctors be working for peanuts and as semi-government employees, you can bet there will be a loophole so they can still be sued.
#4-The Secretary of Commerce is offering to pay the Chinese carbon footprint costs out of our treasury because we are the ones buying their products so we should be responsible? Give me a break!!!
#5-Hillary and Obama are still apologizing for America's over use of the world's resources. Something is wrong with that picture. Our footprint is larger, in part, because we developed pesticides, insecticides and pharmaceuticals that have allowed the citizens of underdeveloped nations to lead longer more comfortable lives. And the amounts of foreign aid both from the government and private institutions and people reach astronomical heights. We need not apologize for helping freedom spread as well.
#6-And last, my math must be off, but is it possible that the population of the world has more than doubled in 40 years? I heard it said that 500 million people or 1/6 of the world's population watched the first moon walk in 1969. I'm sure all of us were counted in that number. But given that there are now over 600 billion people in the world, doesn't that mean that 1/6 of today's population is 100 billion?
Tomorrow we will work on the Q & A from the Attorney General candidates.
God bless...........
Sunday, July 19, 2009
A FAVOR, PLEASE-
This is the only thought for the day:
Please pray for Pfc. Bergdahl --
God bless.......
Please pray for Pfc. Bergdahl --
God bless.......
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Obama Fatigue, Granholm Irrelevancy, Schauer Samd old, Same old---
It has finally happened. We need a fishbowl with all the issues being tackled by the White House at the same time with so many Lieutenants and Czars and Assistants and Deputies and Secretaries and media apologists that we can't tell one from the other without a program. I'm going to take tomorrow off and try to sift through the subject matter and try to come up with an organizational type chart or make a check off list so we can "see at a glance."
As for Granholm it appears that she is the poster child for the kind of lame duck that Sarah Palin was referring to. It's almost as though there is a vacuum in Lansing and no one knows who is filling it on any given day. But everyone is trying to take a turn.
And Schauer is playing the game that he was so good at in Lansing and Griffin and Simpson learned at his knee. On any given vote the leadership can count how many they need and any time they have enough, if a certain district rep can be helped by voting against the Dem leadership, they are allowed to vote like a renegade to impress the folks back home and represent them now and then. His vote for the GM and Chrysler dealership deal has to be one of those.
I'll see you Monday, hopefully with a chart that will hit at least enough topics to put some rhyme and reason into the Washington melting pot.
God bless..........
As for Granholm it appears that she is the poster child for the kind of lame duck that Sarah Palin was referring to. It's almost as though there is a vacuum in Lansing and no one knows who is filling it on any given day. But everyone is trying to take a turn.
And Schauer is playing the game that he was so good at in Lansing and Griffin and Simpson learned at his knee. On any given vote the leadership can count how many they need and any time they have enough, if a certain district rep can be helped by voting against the Dem leadership, they are allowed to vote like a renegade to impress the folks back home and represent them now and then. His vote for the GM and Chrysler dealership deal has to be one of those.
I'll see you Monday, hopefully with a chart that will hit at least enough topics to put some rhyme and reason into the Washington melting pot.
God bless..........
Friday, July 17, 2009
53,000 Jobs in Michigan? Right! I've Got It! PLUS--HAPPY FRIDAY!
Go with Happy Friday first. I'm apparently always going to be a day late on this, but there's no way you can stop smiling if you access Evian.com and watch those really cute babies on roller skates rappin'.
On a semi-serious side. I figured out how the Dems are going to put 53,000 people to work. It's only a one day job, but they're really good at parsing words and being technically correct. Here's how they are going to do it:
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, right? Well, when cap and tax kicks in and my energy bill goes sky high this winter I will call a handy man from the Day Labor Pool to come over and help move a couple of chairs and the computer plus a few other odd things from the lower level up to our bedroom where we will live for the coldest months of this winter. Hot air rises and we won't have to set the thermostats so high. It is really difficult to heat the lowest level of a tri-level so we'll just let Mother Nature in the guise of physics help out.
Then next spring we will call another helper to take things back downstairs. And there you have it! If 53,000 people move upstairs we can employ a worker about 53,000 half days in the fall plus 53,000 half days in the spring and voila! 53,000 jobs. Is that working for you, Mr. Schauer?
And being totally serious, I may be old school but anytime an announcement as large as a Presidential Address to the Nation is sent to businesses (television stations and news rooms) via Twitter my first instinct is to treat it as though it were an anonymous letter or phone call and pay absolutely no attention to it.
Have a good weekend!
God bless.............
On a semi-serious side. I figured out how the Dems are going to put 53,000 people to work. It's only a one day job, but they're really good at parsing words and being technically correct. Here's how they are going to do it:
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, right? Well, when cap and tax kicks in and my energy bill goes sky high this winter I will call a handy man from the Day Labor Pool to come over and help move a couple of chairs and the computer plus a few other odd things from the lower level up to our bedroom where we will live for the coldest months of this winter. Hot air rises and we won't have to set the thermostats so high. It is really difficult to heat the lowest level of a tri-level so we'll just let Mother Nature in the guise of physics help out.
Then next spring we will call another helper to take things back downstairs. And there you have it! If 53,000 people move upstairs we can employ a worker about 53,000 half days in the fall plus 53,000 half days in the spring and voila! 53,000 jobs. Is that working for you, Mr. Schauer?
And being totally serious, I may be old school but anytime an announcement as large as a Presidential Address to the Nation is sent to businesses (television stations and news rooms) via Twitter my first instinct is to treat it as though it were an anonymous letter or phone call and pay absolutely no attention to it.
Have a good weekend!
God bless.............
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Beginning of the End for the Supreme Court-
During my lifetime I have seen many changes in the High Court. And I had serious disagreement with a few of the appointees, but the cause was that of differences in opinion or philosophy. This time is different. This time I have serious reservations as to Sotomayor's stance on issues because I frankly don't know what her opinion is on some topics, but worst of all, she sits in front of the world and tries to say she didn't mean what she said. That is a break in integrity and it bothers me more than any difference of opinion ever could.
She knows that she will be confirmed. The fix is in. Not to worry, Sonia. You have a job for life. Whatever could make you turn away from your firmly held beliefs and opinions? That is unbecoming when one is "interviewing" for a job that requires total honesty from the men and women on the bench in whose hands are held the laws on which this country is predicated. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Never in my wildest imagination did I think that the weakest link would be the judiciary. Our prayers are with the Court.
On to healthcare, the topic of the day. Obama must be getting a little concerned. He has started yelling and making confrontational remarks. The next thing he'll probably do is challenge someone to a duel. And I'm sure Mark Schauer is right there urging him on--maybe he wants to be his second. Maybe Mark should give this a second thought. His PACs and special interest groups don't have as many individual votes as Joe Sixpack and his family--he is representing a minority of his constituency on cap and tax and healthcare. How long does he think we're going to ignore his true colors?
And by the way, remember a few weeks ago I wrote him asking for the Congress to try out the healthcare system for a couple of years before it is foisted on us? Haven't as yet heard from him, but there is one Congressman who is taking signatures from those who are willing to switch to the public option. I need to find out who it is and send him Mark's name as a prospect. Will let you know.
See you tomorrow--
God bless...............
She knows that she will be confirmed. The fix is in. Not to worry, Sonia. You have a job for life. Whatever could make you turn away from your firmly held beliefs and opinions? That is unbecoming when one is "interviewing" for a job that requires total honesty from the men and women on the bench in whose hands are held the laws on which this country is predicated. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Never in my wildest imagination did I think that the weakest link would be the judiciary. Our prayers are with the Court.
On to healthcare, the topic of the day. Obama must be getting a little concerned. He has started yelling and making confrontational remarks. The next thing he'll probably do is challenge someone to a duel. And I'm sure Mark Schauer is right there urging him on--maybe he wants to be his second. Maybe Mark should give this a second thought. His PACs and special interest groups don't have as many individual votes as Joe Sixpack and his family--he is representing a minority of his constituency on cap and tax and healthcare. How long does he think we're going to ignore his true colors?
And by the way, remember a few weeks ago I wrote him asking for the Congress to try out the healthcare system for a couple of years before it is foisted on us? Haven't as yet heard from him, but there is one Congressman who is taking signatures from those who are willing to switch to the public option. I need to find out who it is and send him Mark's name as a prospect. Will let you know.
See you tomorrow--
God bless...............
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Will the Healthcare Bill and Schauer's vote be Deja Vu All Over Again?
Will he have the chutzpau to pretend he hasn't really made up his mind until the last minute like he did on the cap and tax bill? Or will he start fighting for his position early? He had a stacked panel discussion at the library last week which brooked no opposition. The Dems, the liberal PACs and Stryker are really getting their money's worth from Mark.
The Blue Green Alliance and the Building Trades Union have gotten together to do TV ads asking folks to "call and tell Mark what a great job he is doing representing his district." You just have to know that identical ads are going up all over the country.
And Obama is just getting worse and worse. First everything was George Bush's fault. Now he is actually saying that anyone who doesn't agree with him might as well be charged with treason. Not in those words, of course, but he makes it sound as though anyone who disagrees with him is just plain stupid and doesn't care about what is happening in the healthcare field. Juan Williams, an Obama apologist, says "he doesn't see any movement in any foreign country to do away with their socialized or nationalized medicine." My view? Those who can afford it after paying the taxes for a socialist system vote with their feet and come here for their medical treatment needs.
How long do you think that it will take for him to spin the Pope's words to tell all Catholics they should be willing to pay more taxes and use fewer resources in order to be practicing their faith? That he and the Pope agree that capitalism should be curtailed-----
Rest well.
God bless..........
The Blue Green Alliance and the Building Trades Union have gotten together to do TV ads asking folks to "call and tell Mark what a great job he is doing representing his district." You just have to know that identical ads are going up all over the country.
And Obama is just getting worse and worse. First everything was George Bush's fault. Now he is actually saying that anyone who doesn't agree with him might as well be charged with treason. Not in those words, of course, but he makes it sound as though anyone who disagrees with him is just plain stupid and doesn't care about what is happening in the healthcare field. Juan Williams, an Obama apologist, says "he doesn't see any movement in any foreign country to do away with their socialized or nationalized medicine." My view? Those who can afford it after paying the taxes for a socialist system vote with their feet and come here for their medical treatment needs.
How long do you think that it will take for him to spin the Pope's words to tell all Catholics they should be willing to pay more taxes and use fewer resources in order to be practicing their faith? That he and the Pope agree that capitalism should be curtailed-----
Rest well.
God bless..........
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Eureka! A New Way for a Pay Off
The other day we spoke about an ad from "Getworking" which was 12" x 4 columns "thanking" Mark Schauer for his great vote which will amount to 53,000 jobs in Michigan. No timetable, no area breakdown, no details of any kind. Guess what.
There was an identical ad the next day. But the latest, I was going to say they saved the best for last but there may be more to come, was a two-color full page ad with another thank you for jump-starting Michigan's economy.
I ran out of time today so I didn't go to the websites to double check to see if the signatories had donated to the Schauer campaign and I'm not sure there will be a trail anyway. These folks are getting pretty shifty and instead of making contributions in their own names they donate to a PAC or another organization and the dollars are shifted that way. It's the way the Stryker machine spends millions in the state and more than allowable amounts are funneled to the liberal Democrats who need it especially in targeted races.
During the last election cycle it was obvious that Stryker gave, I think it was $80,000 to Mark Schauer's PAC which then sent on hefty donations to several House candidates and this happened all over the state so the crossed lines looked like those maps you see of airline routes across the country that intersect all over the place.
Now these thank you ads are a new wrinkle. The folks who are thanking Schauer for his vote (which he said he was not sure which way he was going until the last minute) ARE WORKING TOGETHER to pay for the full page ad. Included are America's Building Trades Unions, League of Conservation Voters, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, VoteVets.org, Clean Economy Network and the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund. Now what's the word for that? Oh, yeah-collusion.
It would be interesting to see how many of the other Democrats in Michigan had similar support and thanks. In fact, it would be interesting to see how far across the country this actually traveled. Some of you really savvy cyberspace guys or gals may be able to find out and share a little detective work with us. How about it?
Have a great day! No traffic tie-ups on Wednesday.
God bless............
There was an identical ad the next day. But the latest, I was going to say they saved the best for last but there may be more to come, was a two-color full page ad with another thank you for jump-starting Michigan's economy.
I ran out of time today so I didn't go to the websites to double check to see if the signatories had donated to the Schauer campaign and I'm not sure there will be a trail anyway. These folks are getting pretty shifty and instead of making contributions in their own names they donate to a PAC or another organization and the dollars are shifted that way. It's the way the Stryker machine spends millions in the state and more than allowable amounts are funneled to the liberal Democrats who need it especially in targeted races.
During the last election cycle it was obvious that Stryker gave, I think it was $80,000 to Mark Schauer's PAC which then sent on hefty donations to several House candidates and this happened all over the state so the crossed lines looked like those maps you see of airline routes across the country that intersect all over the place.
Now these thank you ads are a new wrinkle. The folks who are thanking Schauer for his vote (which he said he was not sure which way he was going until the last minute) ARE WORKING TOGETHER to pay for the full page ad. Included are America's Building Trades Unions, League of Conservation Voters, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, VoteVets.org, Clean Economy Network and the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund. Now what's the word for that? Oh, yeah-collusion.
It would be interesting to see how many of the other Democrats in Michigan had similar support and thanks. In fact, it would be interesting to see how far across the country this actually traveled. Some of you really savvy cyberspace guys or gals may be able to find out and share a little detective work with us. How about it?
Have a great day! No traffic tie-ups on Wednesday.
God bless............
Monday, July 13, 2009
Leonard Pitts Revisited--
from June 24th, as you may recall, was a report on Mr. Pitts painting Republicans with a very broad brush of bigotry to which I responded with a letter to the local paper. At the time I did not tell you that the publisher had sent me a short email indicating that Mr. Pitts has the freedom of speech. The other side of the coin is that I received two calls from complete strangers who were in agreement with my position.
Well, yesterday there was a response to the original letter from an acquaintance of mine. We both belong to the NAACP and have worked on a couple of projects together. But she wrote in defense of Mr. Pitts. You could have knocked me over with a feather! She noted that she really enjoyed reading the opinions of Mr. Pitts. I cannot tell you how disappointed I was that she actually holds such a low opinion of me--my husband sometimes teases me about leading a sheltered life--well, I'd never been called a bigot in public before so he won't say that again.
Anyway, this lady had a bout with cancer and she was in my prayers at the time and I trust she is healthy now. And, incidentally she is Caucasian. She is a staunch Democrat so maybe that has something to do with her opinion because we are both pretty open about our politics. She accused me of vilifying Mr. Pitts. Frankly, I think he did it to himself.
BUT THAT IS NOT REALLY THE POINT...
Both the publisher and Carol did not pick up on my message--perhaps I wasn't clear. The point is that Mr. Pitts is PAID for his words and he is more than an unknown writer=--he is an opinion maker and by publishing his messages and paying for them the paper is certainly by extension approving of what he says. This puts, in my mind, an extra burden on the paper.
To paraphrase Edmund Burke "evil survives when good men do nothing." I'm still hoping the paper does a survey and if more people agree that they want to keep his column in the paper I'll just have to learn to read it or another daily on line.
Anyway, thought you'd be interested in what's going on in little old Jackson.
God bless........
Well, yesterday there was a response to the original letter from an acquaintance of mine. We both belong to the NAACP and have worked on a couple of projects together. But she wrote in defense of Mr. Pitts. You could have knocked me over with a feather! She noted that she really enjoyed reading the opinions of Mr. Pitts. I cannot tell you how disappointed I was that she actually holds such a low opinion of me--my husband sometimes teases me about leading a sheltered life--well, I'd never been called a bigot in public before so he won't say that again.
Anyway, this lady had a bout with cancer and she was in my prayers at the time and I trust she is healthy now. And, incidentally she is Caucasian. She is a staunch Democrat so maybe that has something to do with her opinion because we are both pretty open about our politics. She accused me of vilifying Mr. Pitts. Frankly, I think he did it to himself.
BUT THAT IS NOT REALLY THE POINT...
Both the publisher and Carol did not pick up on my message--perhaps I wasn't clear. The point is that Mr. Pitts is PAID for his words and he is more than an unknown writer=--he is an opinion maker and by publishing his messages and paying for them the paper is certainly by extension approving of what he says. This puts, in my mind, an extra burden on the paper.
To paraphrase Edmund Burke "evil survives when good men do nothing." I'm still hoping the paper does a survey and if more people agree that they want to keep his column in the paper I'll just have to learn to read it or another daily on line.
Anyway, thought you'd be interested in what's going on in little old Jackson.
God bless........
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Counterfeit Shoes Makes for a Sunday Smiley Face
Taken from last week's "Our Sunday Visitor" --
"Even if the goods are counterfeit, the rights holder has final say on whether or not items seized on U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Imigration and Customs Enforcement raids are given to charity.
In the case of shoes, the government agencies have made several donations to charities this year. For example, in February, Customs and Border Protection announced the agencies had seized 254,240 counterfeit shoes worth an estimated $8.1 million from seaports in Los Angeles and Long Beach, CA., and donated them to two charities, including the relief agency that works with Food for the Poor. CBP confiscated another $1 million worth of shoes at the Port of San Francisco in April.
Knockoff shoes are among the top commodities seized, with a domestic value of $102.3 million worth confiscated in fiscal year 2008, according to CBP."
How 'bout that?
God bless............
"Even if the goods are counterfeit, the rights holder has final say on whether or not items seized on U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Imigration and Customs Enforcement raids are given to charity.
In the case of shoes, the government agencies have made several donations to charities this year. For example, in February, Customs and Border Protection announced the agencies had seized 254,240 counterfeit shoes worth an estimated $8.1 million from seaports in Los Angeles and Long Beach, CA., and donated them to two charities, including the relief agency that works with Food for the Poor. CBP confiscated another $1 million worth of shoes at the Port of San Francisco in April.
Knockoff shoes are among the top commodities seized, with a domestic value of $102.3 million worth confiscated in fiscal year 2008, according to CBP."
How 'bout that?
God bless............
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Millions of Jobs? THAT DOES NOT COMPUTE!
We're talking wind turbine farms tonight. Mark Schauer said his vote for the cap and tax bill would result in 53,000 jobs, but didn't say exactly where. Well, I just accessed the websites of the organizations who are tooting their horns for Schauer--Getworkingnow.com and AmericansUnitedforChange.org.
I'll let you in on a little secret. They had forms for sending messages to your legislators, so I filled them out and told Levin and Stabenow that no "comprehensive" plan is complete without nuclear power--that has to be a surprise coming on the letterhead of that outfit. Also sent one, of course after the fact, to Schauer indicating that he should consider the unemployed and retirees on fixed incomes if he has another bite of the apple.
The AUFC site had a video which touted Millions of jobs to be gained by going for wind power. Whoa! I'm not an expert, but common sense goes a long way. There are finite numbers of locations where it is feasible and possible to install turbine farms. Once those locations are all up and running, which I realize might take some years, but after that the only manufactured parts will be maintenance and replacement parts from things like lightning strikes, etc.
Note: the Valero farm in Texas, which is in installation mode now, will need a total of four (4) people to run the site. So please don't tell me that millions of job are in the offing!
If anyone tosses out that number, puh-leeze ask them to break it down. How many areas such as Beaver Ridge are there in the U.S., how many turbines will it take to cover the areas, how many manufacturing facilities will be needed to make X number of parts in a specified amount of time, what is the plan for being sure that most of those facilities will not be obsolete within a short time after filling the initial need, and who has control--private enterprise or the government? I'm sure business men and women out there can come up with all of the other questions that need to be asked before any ivestment is made in a new industry.
I wonder if Mark Schauer every thought to ask these kinds of questions.........
Yeah, right--
I can't handle any more of this, sleep well-
God bless...........
I'll let you in on a little secret. They had forms for sending messages to your legislators, so I filled them out and told Levin and Stabenow that no "comprehensive" plan is complete without nuclear power--that has to be a surprise coming on the letterhead of that outfit. Also sent one, of course after the fact, to Schauer indicating that he should consider the unemployed and retirees on fixed incomes if he has another bite of the apple.
The AUFC site had a video which touted Millions of jobs to be gained by going for wind power. Whoa! I'm not an expert, but common sense goes a long way. There are finite numbers of locations where it is feasible and possible to install turbine farms. Once those locations are all up and running, which I realize might take some years, but after that the only manufactured parts will be maintenance and replacement parts from things like lightning strikes, etc.
Note: the Valero farm in Texas, which is in installation mode now, will need a total of four (4) people to run the site. So please don't tell me that millions of job are in the offing!
If anyone tosses out that number, puh-leeze ask them to break it down. How many areas such as Beaver Ridge are there in the U.S., how many turbines will it take to cover the areas, how many manufacturing facilities will be needed to make X number of parts in a specified amount of time, what is the plan for being sure that most of those facilities will not be obsolete within a short time after filling the initial need, and who has control--private enterprise or the government? I'm sure business men and women out there can come up with all of the other questions that need to be asked before any ivestment is made in a new industry.
I wonder if Mark Schauer every thought to ask these kinds of questions.........
Yeah, right--
I can't handle any more of this, sleep well-
God bless...........
Friday, July 10, 2009
MARK SCHAUER-THE SPIN STARTS WITH HIM
I'm sorry Nick, I'm finding it impossible to put on a smiley face for Friday. Not after there was an ad in the local paper today paid for by the Getworking.org coalition praising Mark Schauer for his yes vote on the cap and tax legislation.
He really thinks we are buying the "creation of jobs and reducing energy bills" he and that group are trying to sell. This is the same bunch who thanked him in the paper a couple of days ago.
Do they really think we are so naive that we can't see that for their contribution to Schauer's campaign he has made at least a partial payment by that vote? I'm not sure what the going rate is for a vote these days, but they must figure they have gotten their money's Worth by paying for a newspaper display ad 4 columns wide by 12inches and that's not cheap!
You guys are not fooling anyone. On Monday after the vote when Schauer so coyly kept saying he hadn't made up his mind, yeah, right-- On the WKHM morning call-in show there were about 30 calls from angry constituents to one who agreed with him.
He even sent a letter to a constituent who had urged a no vote which was a propaganda piece from beginning to end. She sent me a copy and was outraged!
The other thing that makes me sad rather than smiling is the news that the International Planned Parenthood Foundation pays its CEO $480,000 a year and their income is mostly derived from government grants. As upset as Obama is about the exorbitant salaries of some of the TARP recipients wouldn't it be more consistent if he put these "non-profit" money grabbers in the same category?
On top of that the Planned Parenthood gang in the U.S. is so anxious to steer 14 year olds to abortionists that they found ways around the fact that they broke the law by not reporting cases of statutory rape because the minor told the "counselor" that her boy friend was 31. There are no words to describe what we should be feeling at hearing this news.
This is certainly an example of using the blog as therapy--now that I have gotten this off my chest, perhaps I'll be able to sleep tonight.
God bless.........
He really thinks we are buying the "creation of jobs and reducing energy bills" he and that group are trying to sell. This is the same bunch who thanked him in the paper a couple of days ago.
Do they really think we are so naive that we can't see that for their contribution to Schauer's campaign he has made at least a partial payment by that vote? I'm not sure what the going rate is for a vote these days, but they must figure they have gotten their money's Worth by paying for a newspaper display ad 4 columns wide by 12inches and that's not cheap!
You guys are not fooling anyone. On Monday after the vote when Schauer so coyly kept saying he hadn't made up his mind, yeah, right-- On the WKHM morning call-in show there were about 30 calls from angry constituents to one who agreed with him.
He even sent a letter to a constituent who had urged a no vote which was a propaganda piece from beginning to end. She sent me a copy and was outraged!
The other thing that makes me sad rather than smiling is the news that the International Planned Parenthood Foundation pays its CEO $480,000 a year and their income is mostly derived from government grants. As upset as Obama is about the exorbitant salaries of some of the TARP recipients wouldn't it be more consistent if he put these "non-profit" money grabbers in the same category?
On top of that the Planned Parenthood gang in the U.S. is so anxious to steer 14 year olds to abortionists that they found ways around the fact that they broke the law by not reporting cases of statutory rape because the minor told the "counselor" that her boy friend was 31. There are no words to describe what we should be feeling at hearing this news.
This is certainly an example of using the blog as therapy--now that I have gotten this off my chest, perhaps I'll be able to sleep tonight.
God bless.........
Thursday, July 9, 2009
T. Boone Pickens vs. Al Gore?
Do you remember when we talked about old T. Boone's website and how he hornswoggled all those people into writing letters to the editor to convince the public that wind power is where it's at? And because of his stature in the energy field, you have to wonder how many of his followers may have lost some of their remaining nest egg following his lead and investing in wind turbines and wind farms------
So today he's all over the news telling anyone who will listen that there is this glut of natural gas and we should all be buying the only car that's on the market now, and by the way, you need to live in California or New York to be able to buy the fuel for it.
And according to the WSJ he is trying to peddle 687 wind turbines he ordered just over a year ago to other countries or other investors. His project in Pampa, Texas is pretty much belly up at this point. Also, the transmission of the energy from the wind farms to the market plus the difficulty in finding financing are presenting problems for his projects. Would you believe that Congress is working on the problem? Really? More government assistance?
A quote: "The Senate is working on legislation that would give the federal government greater authority to authorize new transmission lines, which could help overcome some delays caused by state-level planning." But I'm sure if we asked him the President would say that he really doesn't want to control the energy/power industry, right? Is there nothing he doesn't want to control?
Item-Mark Schauer was complimented for his Cap 'n Trade/Tax vote by a lobbying group so now he has paid them back, at least in part, for their support. Also, a friend shared a letter from Schauer responding to her comments on that issue. Wonder what it takes to get a timely response? I'm still waiting for my questions on the Chrysler deal and a healthcare suggestion.
Item-The ninth question for the Attorney General Candidates will be: Do you have a pet peeve about state government or the Attorney General's office which we didn't ask about that you would like to address?
Sleep well-
and God bless........
So today he's all over the news telling anyone who will listen that there is this glut of natural gas and we should all be buying the only car that's on the market now, and by the way, you need to live in California or New York to be able to buy the fuel for it.
And according to the WSJ he is trying to peddle 687 wind turbines he ordered just over a year ago to other countries or other investors. His project in Pampa, Texas is pretty much belly up at this point. Also, the transmission of the energy from the wind farms to the market plus the difficulty in finding financing are presenting problems for his projects. Would you believe that Congress is working on the problem? Really? More government assistance?
A quote: "The Senate is working on legislation that would give the federal government greater authority to authorize new transmission lines, which could help overcome some delays caused by state-level planning." But I'm sure if we asked him the President would say that he really doesn't want to control the energy/power industry, right? Is there nothing he doesn't want to control?
Item-Mark Schauer was complimented for his Cap 'n Trade/Tax vote by a lobbying group so now he has paid them back, at least in part, for their support. Also, a friend shared a letter from Schauer responding to her comments on that issue. Wonder what it takes to get a timely response? I'm still waiting for my questions on the Chrysler deal and a healthcare suggestion.
Item-The ninth question for the Attorney General Candidates will be: Do you have a pet peeve about state government or the Attorney General's office which we didn't ask about that you would like to address?
Sleep well-
and God bless........
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Do You Have Additions or Fine Tuning of Questions for Atty General?
Rough Draft
The questions will be prefaced with: Please assume that most people have only a foggy notion of the duties of the Attorney General.
1-Is it possible to briefly describe the duties of the Attorney General? Please try.
2-What would be your top priority as Michigan's Attorney General?
3-Would you be more concerned with consumer protection or the prosecution of fraud and corruption in the public sector?
4-Is it mandatory or common practice for legislation to be screened by the office of Atty Gen for possible legal problems? If not, why not or in your opinion, should it be?
5-Please describe any changes you have in mind for staffing and budget emphasis.
6-How do politics influence the choices of the Attorney General in making staffing decisions?
7-If the Governor and Atty Gen are from differing political parties, should provision be made for personal counsel for the Governor?
8-What particular experience would you be bringing to the office?
9- This question to be determined by comments or suggestions from readers
10-If you could be King for a Day what would you do--
a-on a professional level
b-on a personal level
Please let me know what question(s) you think I may have missed and thanks.
God bless.........
The questions will be prefaced with: Please assume that most people have only a foggy notion of the duties of the Attorney General.
1-Is it possible to briefly describe the duties of the Attorney General? Please try.
2-What would be your top priority as Michigan's Attorney General?
3-Would you be more concerned with consumer protection or the prosecution of fraud and corruption in the public sector?
4-Is it mandatory or common practice for legislation to be screened by the office of Atty Gen for possible legal problems? If not, why not or in your opinion, should it be?
5-Please describe any changes you have in mind for staffing and budget emphasis.
6-How do politics influence the choices of the Attorney General in making staffing decisions?
7-If the Governor and Atty Gen are from differing political parties, should provision be made for personal counsel for the Governor?
8-What particular experience would you be bringing to the office?
9- This question to be determined by comments or suggestions from readers
10-If you could be King for a Day what would you do--
a-on a professional level
b-on a personal level
Please let me know what question(s) you think I may have missed and thanks.
God bless.........
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Al Gore: The most Incredible or to coin a new word, Uncredable Man!
I just made that up because I can't think of a word that really describes how unbelievable that man really is!
For him to compare Global Warming with Nazism logically leads comparing God to Hitler and that's just going too far, even for Al, the inconvenient fearmonger.
Man may be responsible for a certain amount of global warming or climate change as some folks now call it, but given the overall results of human behavior, I can remember digging up an old statistic which was written by one of Al Gore's buds for a letter to the editor some time ago which admitted that if we completely stopped using all fossil fuels of any kind, coal and oil, it would have a net effect of less than 5% of the total problem.
Given that we have had alternating hot and cold weather patterns over millions of years with no fossil fuels being used during much of the time it would appear that these are natural phenomena and man has little influence on them. It is nature, God, if you will, controlling the climate changes and varying lengths of time involved.
One can only presume that Al's stake in this is the total of all his investments in selling this crap, for lack of a better word, to the public. It's the old "follow the money" picture come to life again. We can only hope that cooler heads prevail before a huge segment of the population goes from broke to bankruptcy in a effort to go green in this country while China and India with close to half the world's population sit on the sidelines and watch and grow economically.
Time to rest-
God bless.........
For him to compare Global Warming with Nazism logically leads comparing God to Hitler and that's just going too far, even for Al, the inconvenient fearmonger.
Man may be responsible for a certain amount of global warming or climate change as some folks now call it, but given the overall results of human behavior, I can remember digging up an old statistic which was written by one of Al Gore's buds for a letter to the editor some time ago which admitted that if we completely stopped using all fossil fuels of any kind, coal and oil, it would have a net effect of less than 5% of the total problem.
Given that we have had alternating hot and cold weather patterns over millions of years with no fossil fuels being used during much of the time it would appear that these are natural phenomena and man has little influence on them. It is nature, God, if you will, controlling the climate changes and varying lengths of time involved.
One can only presume that Al's stake in this is the total of all his investments in selling this crap, for lack of a better word, to the public. It's the old "follow the money" picture come to life again. We can only hope that cooler heads prevail before a huge segment of the population goes from broke to bankruptcy in a effort to go green in this country while China and India with close to half the world's population sit on the sidelines and watch and grow economically.
Time to rest-
God bless.........
Monday, July 6, 2009
Happy Birthday, Republicans!
Yes, we celebrated the 155th birthday at Under the Oaks park in Jackson this evening. We had a jam packed program, both the printed one and the actual event.
We met an up and coming young African American Representative from the 51st District whose home is in Grand Blanc and who comes from a GM family and who knows leadership issues and problems and is the youngest and first black Republican House member.
He was inspirational.
As was Keith Butler, who is the Republican National Committeeman from Michigan and whose day job can only be described as bringing out the best in his parishioners as he works and prays his way through educating young people and inspiring all he meets with the kind of real, practical advice and leadership plus faith in themselves and their God.
We had short biographies of the five "firsts." Jessica Blackfort, a sophomore from Jackson attending Butler University told us about Jeannette Rankin, the first woman Congressperson who pushed through the women's vote in Montana, and was elected to Congress before all women in the country had the right to vote.
A 15 year citizen, Mai Vu from Vietnam, told us about the first Vietnamese Congressman, Joe Cao of Louisiana who beat out William Jefferson (the guy with $90,000 in his freezer) just last November. Mai and Joe's fathers both spent many years in North Vietnamese prisons.
Congressman Tim Walberg told us about Kingsley Bingham, the first Republican Governor of Michigan who had been nominated at the first Republican convention, here in Jackson in 1854.
Michael Cox (who really didn't have to tell us that if we were expecting the candidate for Governor, it wasn't he) a young African American from Jackson who has worked at the local YMCA where we met, but who is now working with Youth at Starr Commonwealth just west of Albion. He told us about the first black Congressman, Hiram Revels who was first a chaplain in the military after divinity school and then a pastor and teacher for many years balancing his political and religious life in admirable fashion.
And last we met Jose Paz, a young Hispanic man who has lived in Jackson County and took his oath as an American citizen just last week. His love for our country truly shines forth whenever he talks about it. He told us about Romauldo Pacheco, the first Hispanic to go to Congress. This guy's father died when he was five weeks old, his mother remarried and he was send to Honolulu to school and at 12 was apprenticed with a shipping agent and became an accomplished seaman. He then worked on a ranch and his talent with a lasso made him the only Governor of California to ever lasso a grizzly bear! He held several state jobs-Lt. Governor, Treasurer, warden at San Quentin, moved up to Governor and started two colleges before going on to the U.S. Senate. After his service he turned to ranching in northern Mexico before returning and being named as Extraordinary Minister Plenipotentiary to the several Latin and South American countries. That proved to be too much for any one man, so they divided up the job from then on. What a guy!
The approximately 70 folks who attended surely went home with just a few tidbits of learning something they hadn't known before. It was truly an enjoyable hour and worth all the effort which goes into putting together such a program. I'll try to put up some photos tomorrow.
Sleep well, I surely will........
And God bless.......
We met an up and coming young African American Representative from the 51st District whose home is in Grand Blanc and who comes from a GM family and who knows leadership issues and problems and is the youngest and first black Republican House member.
He was inspirational.
As was Keith Butler, who is the Republican National Committeeman from Michigan and whose day job can only be described as bringing out the best in his parishioners as he works and prays his way through educating young people and inspiring all he meets with the kind of real, practical advice and leadership plus faith in themselves and their God.
We had short biographies of the five "firsts." Jessica Blackfort, a sophomore from Jackson attending Butler University told us about Jeannette Rankin, the first woman Congressperson who pushed through the women's vote in Montana, and was elected to Congress before all women in the country had the right to vote.
A 15 year citizen, Mai Vu from Vietnam, told us about the first Vietnamese Congressman, Joe Cao of Louisiana who beat out William Jefferson (the guy with $90,000 in his freezer) just last November. Mai and Joe's fathers both spent many years in North Vietnamese prisons.
Congressman Tim Walberg told us about Kingsley Bingham, the first Republican Governor of Michigan who had been nominated at the first Republican convention, here in Jackson in 1854.
Michael Cox (who really didn't have to tell us that if we were expecting the candidate for Governor, it wasn't he) a young African American from Jackson who has worked at the local YMCA where we met, but who is now working with Youth at Starr Commonwealth just west of Albion. He told us about the first black Congressman, Hiram Revels who was first a chaplain in the military after divinity school and then a pastor and teacher for many years balancing his political and religious life in admirable fashion.
And last we met Jose Paz, a young Hispanic man who has lived in Jackson County and took his oath as an American citizen just last week. His love for our country truly shines forth whenever he talks about it. He told us about Romauldo Pacheco, the first Hispanic to go to Congress. This guy's father died when he was five weeks old, his mother remarried and he was send to Honolulu to school and at 12 was apprenticed with a shipping agent and became an accomplished seaman. He then worked on a ranch and his talent with a lasso made him the only Governor of California to ever lasso a grizzly bear! He held several state jobs-Lt. Governor, Treasurer, warden at San Quentin, moved up to Governor and started two colleges before going on to the U.S. Senate. After his service he turned to ranching in northern Mexico before returning and being named as Extraordinary Minister Plenipotentiary to the several Latin and South American countries. That proved to be too much for any one man, so they divided up the job from then on. What a guy!
The approximately 70 folks who attended surely went home with just a few tidbits of learning something they hadn't known before. It was truly an enjoyable hour and worth all the effort which goes into putting together such a program. I'll try to put up some photos tomorrow.
Sleep well, I surely will........
And God bless.......
Sunday, July 5, 2009
On the Seventh Day He Rested and
I'm following suit.
I just took out the reminder of the Under the Oaks July 6th event and replacing it with http://www.youtube.com/V=hfGPHMtyEMM which is where you can see 4 minutes of the Fourth of July parade in Ann Arbor.
God bless......
I just took out the reminder of the Under the Oaks July 6th event and replacing it with http://www.youtube.com/V=hfGPHMtyEMM which is where you can see 4 minutes of the Fourth of July parade in Ann Arbor.
God bless......
Saturday, July 4, 2009
A FEW GOOD MEN?
I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July, Independence Day experience whether it included firewords, a baseball game, a picnic, a parade or a marathon. As for me, I read a good book.
One thing I'd like you to think about: This morning at Bible Study we discussed the appropriateness of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and the consensus was that our country as we know and love it could not have happened without the men who not only wrote the living words we should continue to live by, but they fought as well to be sure and they did it all as believers in a loving God and giving Him the credit due.
And then, this question: Can you think, quickly--off the top of your head, of anyone alive today who fits the description of those men 233 years ago?
Not enough to get the job done, right?
God bless........
One thing I'd like you to think about: This morning at Bible Study we discussed the appropriateness of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and the consensus was that our country as we know and love it could not have happened without the men who not only wrote the living words we should continue to live by, but they fought as well to be sure and they did it all as believers in a loving God and giving Him the credit due.
And then, this question: Can you think, quickly--off the top of your head, of anyone alive today who fits the description of those men 233 years ago?
Not enough to get the job done, right?
God bless........
Friday, July 3, 2009
SARAH SPEAKS FOR HERSELF, NOT ALASKA and
has enough character, integrity and honesty to not use the office or the people of Alaska when she is unable to give 100% to the job she was elected to do. Now she is free to go where and when she wants to, to say what she wants to and to be able to be herself without being concerned as to how it might reflect on her beloved state of Alaska.
It's almost funny to see the pundits falling all over themselves saying she is running away from the tough situation. No way! She is opening the door to be as honest as she needs to be. She doesn't know how to act any other way.
Now one of the big questions will be to see whether the McCain campaign staff with all their negativity will shut up. The rest of us, even through the primary, had to be careful of what we honestly thought and said about John McCain because we didn't want to hurt him or the ticket if he got the nomination. It's time for his followers to do the same for the good of the party and the country. John McCain lost that election and his staff are largely responsible. Stand up and take responsibility. Sour grapes doesn't make it and if John McCain doesn't stand up like a man his legacy will suffer even more.
I have no clue as to what Sarah intends, but whatever it is, it isn't because she is running away from a problem. That is not her style. She lives to fight another day.
Before the Palin announcement I had intended to talk just a little about the movie out called "Food, Inc." which is apparently a hit piece against the food industry similar to Roger Moore and Al Gore's efforts with their pet money makers.
This guy pulled out a couple of statistics: When he was a boy, people spent 18% of their wages on food and 5% on healthcare. Now, the reverse is true. We spend 18% of our budget on healthcare and 9% on food. He comes up with all the reasons this is a bad deal, but doesn't mention the reasons that jump out to anyone looking or listening.
Frankly, I think it's a great thing that food is plentiful and crops are not lost to bugs both above and below the ground. We have many more people to feed both here at home and world wide so we'd better have made some improvements.
On the healthcare side would you like to go back to the life expectancy of a generation or two? That's part of the price we pay for going from average age of 62 in 1935 to 77 now. We have all kinds of medications and medical procedures to make life pretty comfortable through the years and most of us are willing to pay the price. It isn't just inflation or high prices, it's a better product.
When my kids were in school, all the way through, from elementary on up, we always tried to teach them to question the sources of information from the textbook to the teacher (nuns included) to the news and current events and to always think for themselves. None of my kids were debaters, but trying to defend both sides of a question is the best training any of us had.
So-called "leaders" depend on being able to spin a fine yarn, snow the folks with statistics and "feel their pain" as ways to get elected. Don't be fooled. Obama and Schauer can be described as "nice" and "smooth" and "caring" but that isn't going to put food on the table.
What a week this has been--
Have a very happy and patriotic Fourth!
God bless..........
It's almost funny to see the pundits falling all over themselves saying she is running away from the tough situation. No way! She is opening the door to be as honest as she needs to be. She doesn't know how to act any other way.
Now one of the big questions will be to see whether the McCain campaign staff with all their negativity will shut up. The rest of us, even through the primary, had to be careful of what we honestly thought and said about John McCain because we didn't want to hurt him or the ticket if he got the nomination. It's time for his followers to do the same for the good of the party and the country. John McCain lost that election and his staff are largely responsible. Stand up and take responsibility. Sour grapes doesn't make it and if John McCain doesn't stand up like a man his legacy will suffer even more.
I have no clue as to what Sarah intends, but whatever it is, it isn't because she is running away from a problem. That is not her style. She lives to fight another day.
Before the Palin announcement I had intended to talk just a little about the movie out called "Food, Inc." which is apparently a hit piece against the food industry similar to Roger Moore and Al Gore's efforts with their pet money makers.
This guy pulled out a couple of statistics: When he was a boy, people spent 18% of their wages on food and 5% on healthcare. Now, the reverse is true. We spend 18% of our budget on healthcare and 9% on food. He comes up with all the reasons this is a bad deal, but doesn't mention the reasons that jump out to anyone looking or listening.
Frankly, I think it's a great thing that food is plentiful and crops are not lost to bugs both above and below the ground. We have many more people to feed both here at home and world wide so we'd better have made some improvements.
On the healthcare side would you like to go back to the life expectancy of a generation or two? That's part of the price we pay for going from average age of 62 in 1935 to 77 now. We have all kinds of medications and medical procedures to make life pretty comfortable through the years and most of us are willing to pay the price. It isn't just inflation or high prices, it's a better product.
When my kids were in school, all the way through, from elementary on up, we always tried to teach them to question the sources of information from the textbook to the teacher (nuns included) to the news and current events and to always think for themselves. None of my kids were debaters, but trying to defend both sides of a question is the best training any of us had.
So-called "leaders" depend on being able to spin a fine yarn, snow the folks with statistics and "feel their pain" as ways to get elected. Don't be fooled. Obama and Schauer can be described as "nice" and "smooth" and "caring" but that isn't going to put food on the table.
What a week this has been--
Have a very happy and patriotic Fourth!
God bless..........
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Healthcare on Trial? What About Cap and Tax?
It seems that I just want to stand up and scream at the liberals telling them that it is against the law to commit perjury which is the American Way with dealing with liars and the "cover up" which is always worse than the actual crime. The only thing is--they haven't taken an oath so they think they can lie with impunity. They have been getting away with it for so long they just don't get it. Or else they, like Clinton, actually believe what they are saying, they've said it so often.
I always get pathological and sociological mixed up, but you know what I mean.
Spent some time the other day looking up some statistics on longevity around the world and there are a few places where folks live a little longer than Americans, but it makes one wonder if they are miserable and in pain or are truly enjoying the extra time. From what we hear if it takes a year to get a knee replacement that's a long time to be painfully immobile. I doubt anyone truly believes that's a benefit.
Do you remember the Aesop Fable about the crawdads in the barrel trying to get out and just when it looks like they are getting smart by standing on one another they start pulling each other down? That's what I'm thinking nationalized healthcare is really like: instead of reaching up to new discoveries we are slowly being brainwashed into thinking we should take the wealthy down with us and we can all be miserable -- sorta like aiming for the lowest common denominator. No one is going to toil in a lab for a discovery to cure disease if there is no reward waiting.
Ran some errands today and stopped at the feed store for dog food. One of the guys who works there was cracking wise as usual and I commented that he was in a particularly jovial mood today. His response: "No, I'm just trying to get myself out of a bad mood. I must be watching and listening to too much news. How can anyone spend so much money so fast and not worry about what is happening and will continue to happen to future generations?" We've never talked politics before so it surprised me. Then it gave me hope. Maybe the ordinary people are getting as fed up as we are.
The other thing was that a radio show asked the question about taking California prisoners for fees which would help keep our guards employed. My thought was that we don't need any Mexican gangs, skinheads and such infiltrating our prisons and fostering the "home grown terrorist" syndrome. Imagine my surprise when a local Commissioner addressed the problem and said we already have gangs in prison so we should go for the money. I'm thinking that's terribly short-sighted. I doubt that gangs are all the same and we don't need any new ideas and methods from them.
So the feed store guy gives me hope and the commissioner brings me down to earth again. Oh, well, what else is new? Now, I'm going to have to shake off a bad mood.
No, I'm not! Just went out to bring in the flag and the fireflies or lightning bugs, whichever you call them, are out having a ball! And I love to see them!
See ya tomorrow--
God bless............
I always get pathological and sociological mixed up, but you know what I mean.
Spent some time the other day looking up some statistics on longevity around the world and there are a few places where folks live a little longer than Americans, but it makes one wonder if they are miserable and in pain or are truly enjoying the extra time. From what we hear if it takes a year to get a knee replacement that's a long time to be painfully immobile. I doubt anyone truly believes that's a benefit.
Do you remember the Aesop Fable about the crawdads in the barrel trying to get out and just when it looks like they are getting smart by standing on one another they start pulling each other down? That's what I'm thinking nationalized healthcare is really like: instead of reaching up to new discoveries we are slowly being brainwashed into thinking we should take the wealthy down with us and we can all be miserable -- sorta like aiming for the lowest common denominator. No one is going to toil in a lab for a discovery to cure disease if there is no reward waiting.
Ran some errands today and stopped at the feed store for dog food. One of the guys who works there was cracking wise as usual and I commented that he was in a particularly jovial mood today. His response: "No, I'm just trying to get myself out of a bad mood. I must be watching and listening to too much news. How can anyone spend so much money so fast and not worry about what is happening and will continue to happen to future generations?" We've never talked politics before so it surprised me. Then it gave me hope. Maybe the ordinary people are getting as fed up as we are.
The other thing was that a radio show asked the question about taking California prisoners for fees which would help keep our guards employed. My thought was that we don't need any Mexican gangs, skinheads and such infiltrating our prisons and fostering the "home grown terrorist" syndrome. Imagine my surprise when a local Commissioner addressed the problem and said we already have gangs in prison so we should go for the money. I'm thinking that's terribly short-sighted. I doubt that gangs are all the same and we don't need any new ideas and methods from them.
So the feed store guy gives me hope and the commissioner brings me down to earth again. Oh, well, what else is new? Now, I'm going to have to shake off a bad mood.
No, I'm not! Just went out to bring in the flag and the fireflies or lightning bugs, whichever you call them, are out having a ball! And I love to see them!
See ya tomorrow--
God bless............
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
I Shopped at a Walmart Once - in 2001
We were traveling and had forgotten toothpaste and it was across the street from the motel. Don't mean to start WWIII, but I just can't put my head (or my debit card) around shopping at a store which has such great economies of scale that they can mandate pricing and business practices for everyone else.
I know all the arguments for and against, but now it's become a matter of looking for a parking space and walking a half a mile to the store and then another half a mile or more in the store and then back. Even on days I have that much energy, I don't want to waste that much time. Anyway,
Now that Walmart has climbed onto Obama's healthcare bandwagon I do believe that makes one more place where they would have an unfair advantage against smaller chains and individual stores. Don't kid yourself, there's no way they would do this unless it enhanced their bottom line. Mandating the government insurance does not give the individual purchaser nor the private insurer an opportunity to cut their own deals and do the cost/benefit needed for individuals to tailor policies to their own needs and wants. One more freedom bites the dust.
IDEA; It seems there are news stories every day about the deplorable condition of Michigan's roads. How about this: Let the State forgo their windfall profit when gas fluctuates toward $3 and up. Put a floor on the amount that goes into the general fund at $2, $2.25 or wherever they decide and when it goes over that, the sales tax should be shifted to the DOT for road construction ONLY. Maybe some bridge repair, but for Pete's sake, nothing for highway beautification or rest area upgrades.
Just heard that Obama wants to mandate that all sellers of homes shall now spend whatever it takes to make the house "green" such as weatherizing and other energy saving projects and it needs to be done before the house can be sold. Another way to stifle individual choices. Such as, making a deal with a buyer to cut a few hundred dollars off the price to a guy who is handy and would like to put some sweat equity into his new home. Original and creative thinking could accomplish the same thing, but Obama doesn't trust the American public to make their own decisions.
One last thing-we have a new building going up with stimulus money that will be of great benefit to many families both in convenience and economy. Of course, Mark Schauer made the announcement within a couple of days of stories in the local paper about the latest loss of 200 jobs and a plant in our community. Do you think they wait to make these announcements to distract the public from the bad news on the economic front? Just a though--timing is everything.
For tonight-
God bless.........
I know all the arguments for and against, but now it's become a matter of looking for a parking space and walking a half a mile to the store and then another half a mile or more in the store and then back. Even on days I have that much energy, I don't want to waste that much time. Anyway,
Now that Walmart has climbed onto Obama's healthcare bandwagon I do believe that makes one more place where they would have an unfair advantage against smaller chains and individual stores. Don't kid yourself, there's no way they would do this unless it enhanced their bottom line. Mandating the government insurance does not give the individual purchaser nor the private insurer an opportunity to cut their own deals and do the cost/benefit needed for individuals to tailor policies to their own needs and wants. One more freedom bites the dust.
IDEA; It seems there are news stories every day about the deplorable condition of Michigan's roads. How about this: Let the State forgo their windfall profit when gas fluctuates toward $3 and up. Put a floor on the amount that goes into the general fund at $2, $2.25 or wherever they decide and when it goes over that, the sales tax should be shifted to the DOT for road construction ONLY. Maybe some bridge repair, but for Pete's sake, nothing for highway beautification or rest area upgrades.
Just heard that Obama wants to mandate that all sellers of homes shall now spend whatever it takes to make the house "green" such as weatherizing and other energy saving projects and it needs to be done before the house can be sold. Another way to stifle individual choices. Such as, making a deal with a buyer to cut a few hundred dollars off the price to a guy who is handy and would like to put some sweat equity into his new home. Original and creative thinking could accomplish the same thing, but Obama doesn't trust the American public to make their own decisions.
One last thing-we have a new building going up with stimulus money that will be of great benefit to many families both in convenience and economy. Of course, Mark Schauer made the announcement within a couple of days of stories in the local paper about the latest loss of 200 jobs and a plant in our community. Do you think they wait to make these announcements to distract the public from the bad news on the economic front? Just a though--timing is everything.
For tonight-
God bless.........
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)