Let's clear up a few things...
#1 If we are angry it is the result of extreme frustration due to our Congressman and the Democrat majority who have the "We won, get over it" mindset and vote the party line no matter what we say.
#2 We are tired of hearing we are against health care reform. Not true. We want coverage for all who cannot afford it, have a pre-existing condition, change jobs, or are considered the "working poor," but we do not want to pay for the "20 somethings" who would rather drive a fast car and party.
#3 Please quit making the blanket statement that everyone's premium has more than doubled in ten years. (Aside, ours actually added a dependent to the policy and still costs less than if doubled.)
#4 Stop playing Catch 22 with Medicare. Seniors had NO CHOICE but to accept Medicare and have dealt with it. That does not mean we would not have preferred to maintain our private insurance at 65, but now we're trapped. So please leave it, and us, alone. Please do not take $500 billion from Medicare to balance a budget.
#5 We are weary of robo calls which are full of lies, then connect us to Schaur'e office to tell him to vote for the bill. They don't identify themselves nor inform Cong. Schauer. And Schauer doesn't care enough to find out.
#6 Should it really take 700 Senate pages or 1000 House pages to rectify a problem affecting less than 10% of the population and CBO costed at $2-3 trillion? It is distressing that all the special interests involved plus the sections having to do only with methods to control our lives, finances and behavior makes one wonder at the true goal of this legislation.
Use it as a template if you wish. It's difficult to write 300 words when there is enough to fill a book--
God bless............
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
FROM IRAQ TO THE NOVITIATE
The following is from a column by George Weigel in the CATHOLIC TIMES and which was meant to be widely distributed so I'm sure it's not copyrighted. Mr. Weigel, who is a senior fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D. C., struck up a friendship with this young man and agreed to help him publicize his message which is a thank you to the American people.
On his homecoming: "We were slowly coming together in a mass formation, rather numbly, in a dark parking lot. The usual chitchat and murmur of sidebar conversations was conspicuously absent. We had just spent the last couple of days in a series of hangars and airfields and airplanes traveling back from the Middle East and it was now almost 2 a.m.: that was certainly one of the reasons for our numbness.
All several hundred of us seemed to know where to go and what to do without being told. Nobody was saying anything. It was silent, except for the dull roar coming from the large building in front of us. We had rejoiced when we heard them say that our date of departure from the theater of operations was finally known and now our feet were standing once again on beloved American soil.
The first row of soldiers started moving once the buses were empty and the bags were all put in a certain place. I was further to the back. Someone apparently had said the first row to face to the left and start walking. The rows behind them were following suit as the walking turned into a jog. It appeared that all of us were going to run single-file into the gym...
As we ran through the main doors, through the smoke from the smoke machine and out onto the gym floor, we were plunged into sensory overload. Bright lights, booming music, mobs of people cheering and shouting and waving at somebody. Homemade signs, 'Welcome home' banners, and red, white and blue bunting were everywhere. Someone was on the microphone stirring up our families and loved ones even more. And we just stood there in the middle of it -- not knowing quite what to do or where to look or what to think. And it went on and on and on. Then I saw the American flag...
I remember everything about the Welcome Home ceremony very clearly until the national anthem began, at which point the details of the festivities and sequence of events turned into a watery blur. For a thousand reasons I could no longer look at that flag while hearing that song unemotionally, partially because I was raised an American patriot who loves his country dearly, but mainly because of what our band of brothers had experienced over the past year. I didn't know why I was tearing up. Was I happy or sad? It was all jumbled up together: the good, the bad and the ugly.
So thank you for supporting us, praying for us and welcoming us home. It makes a difference."
He writes that he is learning how to put down tile and will be learning how to refinish wood floors. He says "we do all our own maintenance, cooking and cleaning. We get to know each other in a different light."
Mr. Weigel says, "So what's my pen pal, the Iraq veteran doing now, down on those floors? He found something even tougher than the training he received in the armed forces and he's in love with what he found, even though it took him to the hard streets of Newark.
He's a novice in the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement."
And, as always, God bless...........
On his homecoming: "We were slowly coming together in a mass formation, rather numbly, in a dark parking lot. The usual chitchat and murmur of sidebar conversations was conspicuously absent. We had just spent the last couple of days in a series of hangars and airfields and airplanes traveling back from the Middle East and it was now almost 2 a.m.: that was certainly one of the reasons for our numbness.
All several hundred of us seemed to know where to go and what to do without being told. Nobody was saying anything. It was silent, except for the dull roar coming from the large building in front of us. We had rejoiced when we heard them say that our date of departure from the theater of operations was finally known and now our feet were standing once again on beloved American soil.
The first row of soldiers started moving once the buses were empty and the bags were all put in a certain place. I was further to the back. Someone apparently had said the first row to face to the left and start walking. The rows behind them were following suit as the walking turned into a jog. It appeared that all of us were going to run single-file into the gym...
As we ran through the main doors, through the smoke from the smoke machine and out onto the gym floor, we were plunged into sensory overload. Bright lights, booming music, mobs of people cheering and shouting and waving at somebody. Homemade signs, 'Welcome home' banners, and red, white and blue bunting were everywhere. Someone was on the microphone stirring up our families and loved ones even more. And we just stood there in the middle of it -- not knowing quite what to do or where to look or what to think. And it went on and on and on. Then I saw the American flag...
I remember everything about the Welcome Home ceremony very clearly until the national anthem began, at which point the details of the festivities and sequence of events turned into a watery blur. For a thousand reasons I could no longer look at that flag while hearing that song unemotionally, partially because I was raised an American patriot who loves his country dearly, but mainly because of what our band of brothers had experienced over the past year. I didn't know why I was tearing up. Was I happy or sad? It was all jumbled up together: the good, the bad and the ugly.
So thank you for supporting us, praying for us and welcoming us home. It makes a difference."
He writes that he is learning how to put down tile and will be learning how to refinish wood floors. He says "we do all our own maintenance, cooking and cleaning. We get to know each other in a different light."
Mr. Weigel says, "So what's my pen pal, the Iraq veteran doing now, down on those floors? He found something even tougher than the training he received in the armed forces and he's in love with what he found, even though it took him to the hard streets of Newark.
He's a novice in the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement."
And, as always, God bless...........
Saturday, August 29, 2009
CIA / IHS (Intelligence and Indians)
I'm thinking that someone ought to call the Obama/Holder bluff (it either is or it isn't but at least then we'd know for sure) by writing and submitting a bill which would call for the dissolution of the CIA. Since the President and Attorney General are hell bent on destroying the CIA why not make it a clean break? Why go through all the agony of trials and letting terrorists pick off agents one by one? If they are going to do it, just do it.
More on this later, but equally important this evening is:
The Indian Health Service. If ever there were a perfect example of government vs private health services this is it. American Indians have received federally funded care via treaties, court cases and acts passed by Congress for decades. Interestingly enough they fall into two categories. The first is federally provided hospitals, doctors, etc. while the second gives the money and the tribes provide their own systems and the differences are just what you would expect.
The IHS spends about $2100 per person about on a par with many of the top 20 industrialized nations (but less than the average of $6000 in the U.S.) and Obama points to them with pride. However their incidence of shortfall indicates that infant mortality is 1.4 times higher, hiv/aids 30% higher, heart disease 1.2 times higher, liver and bowel diseases twice as high and diabetes 4 times as high as the second with life expectancy 4 years less than the U.S. average.
Rural Indians are even worse with 20% more diabetes,heart disease 12% higher and lung cancer 67% higher. The above figures are from Montana and Wyoming while a recent Harvard study showed a South Dakota reservation with life expectancy of 58 years vs U.S. at 77 years.
Personal horror stories are just that with a 5 year old dying of cancer when diagnosed with depression causing stomachaches and "don't get sick after June" because that's when the money runs out. Sen. Baucus (D.Mont) declared a "health state of emergency" for one Montana reservation.
In the second instance it is enough better with the Chippewa Cree Band opting to provide their own health care with funding from the IHS. There are still problems, but they run their own hospital with health education programs and the Indian communities are convinced that the new health care plan would indeed eliminate any services for the "nation's first people."
And, as we all know, it wouldn't be the first time a treaty with the American Indian has been broken by the American government. This time they are far ahead of us in being able to demonstrate how inept the government is at running businesses. Why open up 1/7 of the economy to more of the same?
Have a good Sunday--
God bless..............
More on this later, but equally important this evening is:
The Indian Health Service. If ever there were a perfect example of government vs private health services this is it. American Indians have received federally funded care via treaties, court cases and acts passed by Congress for decades. Interestingly enough they fall into two categories. The first is federally provided hospitals, doctors, etc. while the second gives the money and the tribes provide their own systems and the differences are just what you would expect.
The IHS spends about $2100 per person about on a par with many of the top 20 industrialized nations (but less than the average of $6000 in the U.S.) and Obama points to them with pride. However their incidence of shortfall indicates that infant mortality is 1.4 times higher, hiv/aids 30% higher, heart disease 1.2 times higher, liver and bowel diseases twice as high and diabetes 4 times as high as the second with life expectancy 4 years less than the U.S. average.
Rural Indians are even worse with 20% more diabetes,heart disease 12% higher and lung cancer 67% higher. The above figures are from Montana and Wyoming while a recent Harvard study showed a South Dakota reservation with life expectancy of 58 years vs U.S. at 77 years.
Personal horror stories are just that with a 5 year old dying of cancer when diagnosed with depression causing stomachaches and "don't get sick after June" because that's when the money runs out. Sen. Baucus (D.Mont) declared a "health state of emergency" for one Montana reservation.
In the second instance it is enough better with the Chippewa Cree Band opting to provide their own health care with funding from the IHS. There are still problems, but they run their own hospital with health education programs and the Indian communities are convinced that the new health care plan would indeed eliminate any services for the "nation's first people."
And, as we all know, it wouldn't be the first time a treaty with the American Indian has been broken by the American government. This time they are far ahead of us in being able to demonstrate how inept the government is at running businesses. Why open up 1/7 of the economy to more of the same?
Have a good Sunday--
God bless..............
Friday, August 28, 2009
Your Life is an Open Book
A couple of days ago our "household" rec'd a letter from Michigan State University announcing that we would be called to answer a 20 minute survey which is a combined effort of MSU and the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (Center for Disease Control connection.)
In the letter it stated "Your privacy will be protected to the maximum extent allowable by law." That phrase was repeated when the lady called to conduct the interview. Since I was at home alone at the time I became the interviewee. I asked her what it meant and she said she had no clue but gave me a toll free number to call to find out--which I did. That really nice young lady also told me she wasn't sure of the meaning but that she had questioned it and would call me when she rec'd an answer. Of course, I will then relay the information to you.
That was just the beginning!
Today one of the news items had to do with the IRS sharing our financial information as a way to determine who might or might not be eligible for health care insurance subsidies. Oh, really? Why in the world would the government need to make all our information available when only a percentage of folks would be asking for a subsidy?
In fact, when folks ask for help now, isn't it common practice that they make out a few forms and probably give copies of income tax forms to help determine eligibility?
Have they no sense of security? Have they not heard of hospital staff people selling information to the tabloids? What makes them think that there is anything at all sacrosanct about personal financial information? Is it because we're all just a bunch of numbers? What happened to privacy? (As I recall, it was "privacy" that allowed women to get to the point of abortion on demand--guess it depends on whose privacy we're talking about.)
I just have this gut feeling that a Freedom of Information Act request would be all it would take for just about anyone to learn whatever they want about your personal health and your personal wealth or lack of it.
Talk to you tomorrow-
God bless.............
In the letter it stated "Your privacy will be protected to the maximum extent allowable by law." That phrase was repeated when the lady called to conduct the interview. Since I was at home alone at the time I became the interviewee. I asked her what it meant and she said she had no clue but gave me a toll free number to call to find out--which I did. That really nice young lady also told me she wasn't sure of the meaning but that she had questioned it and would call me when she rec'd an answer. Of course, I will then relay the information to you.
That was just the beginning!
Today one of the news items had to do with the IRS sharing our financial information as a way to determine who might or might not be eligible for health care insurance subsidies. Oh, really? Why in the world would the government need to make all our information available when only a percentage of folks would be asking for a subsidy?
In fact, when folks ask for help now, isn't it common practice that they make out a few forms and probably give copies of income tax forms to help determine eligibility?
Have they no sense of security? Have they not heard of hospital staff people selling information to the tabloids? What makes them think that there is anything at all sacrosanct about personal financial information? Is it because we're all just a bunch of numbers? What happened to privacy? (As I recall, it was "privacy" that allowed women to get to the point of abortion on demand--guess it depends on whose privacy we're talking about.)
I just have this gut feeling that a Freedom of Information Act request would be all it would take for just about anyone to learn whatever they want about your personal health and your personal wealth or lack of it.
Talk to you tomorrow-
God bless.............
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Mark Schauer! En Garde!
The Seventh District held their monthly meeting tonight after the third protest in front of the Congressional Field Office. Again, there were no hired or bussed in mercenaries from outside the district and the Sheriff's department didn't even have to have even one car at the ready. They must have already figured out that there will be no unruly behavior if the Dems are absent. Schauer's staff invited folks to make individual appointments last week, but this week they were more arrogant than usual and just hid inside.
We reported a total of 8 Town Hall meetings already held with several yet to come. There were also seminars which were held beginning in Saline and Jackson with another scheduled in Jackson next week. A rally is scheduled in Jackson at the Cascades in conjunction with the Tea Party Express which is traveling across the country. They are starting on the west coast Friday and will finish September 12 in Washington, D.C. with what promises to be one of the largest gatherings on record.
We have an embarrassment of riches as far as candidates are concerned. Tim Walberg has been taking part in the Town Hall meetings with both sides of the question being respectful and open to his positions. His potential challenger, Brian Rooney, visited the meeting this evening and outlined his credentials which are impressive. If you have not heard as yet, his son Blaise, is to undergo surgery the last of September. Assuming that all goes well, he will start campaigning at that time.
We are looking forward to a an exciting election year in 2010, but we need to elect Mike Nofs first. So get ready for the final push in the next couple of months. This could probably be called a dress rehearsal for the election which will bring Michigan back to a healthy state next year. It can't come soon enough.
God bless............
We reported a total of 8 Town Hall meetings already held with several yet to come. There were also seminars which were held beginning in Saline and Jackson with another scheduled in Jackson next week. A rally is scheduled in Jackson at the Cascades in conjunction with the Tea Party Express which is traveling across the country. They are starting on the west coast Friday and will finish September 12 in Washington, D.C. with what promises to be one of the largest gatherings on record.
We have an embarrassment of riches as far as candidates are concerned. Tim Walberg has been taking part in the Town Hall meetings with both sides of the question being respectful and open to his positions. His potential challenger, Brian Rooney, visited the meeting this evening and outlined his credentials which are impressive. If you have not heard as yet, his son Blaise, is to undergo surgery the last of September. Assuming that all goes well, he will start campaigning at that time.
We are looking forward to a an exciting election year in 2010, but we need to elect Mike Nofs first. So get ready for the final push in the next couple of months. This could probably be called a dress rehearsal for the election which will bring Michigan back to a healthy state next year. It can't come soon enough.
God bless............
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Kennedy and Healthcare
My first thought when I heard of Kennedy's death was "May God have mercy on his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed-may they rest in peace." But before he rests in peace I would hope that he is met at the Gate by the 55 million souls aboarted since Roe v Wade in 1973 and Mary Jo Kopeckne. And I can only hope and pray that the other 16 Catholic pro abortion Senators have a similar reaction.
Coincidentally I attended a meeting this evening and was speaking with a friend who is taking part in a clinical trial at the Jasper Clinic in Kalamazoo. Just before I started to post I checked the Right Michigan blog and a fella there told of his wife who works at Jasper where they had just laid off 11 workers. The consensus of opinion at my meeting and the blog was that should Obamacare become law it will have a detrimental effect on the work that is done in that kind of facility. My friend, who is trying to stave off any more damage from macular degeneration would have no opportunity to assist in the research and development which would make her life and thousands of others much more pleasurable. And that will be compounded over and over again when there ceases to be any profit involved. Not to mention the loss of jobs involved in R & D.
How can the American government demand, coerce or force people to buy healthcare insurance? Seems to me that we would have the same problem that we have with auto insurance in Michigan-can't speak for other states. There are always a certain number of scofflaws who would buy insurance so they get a drivers' license and an automobile license and then cancel the insurance, right? Isn't that why we have an Uninsured Motorists Fund? So how would that work with healthcare insurance? That group always finds a way around the law. So what happens if they get sick? I mean really sick where they have thousands of dollars in medical bills. I haven't heard anyone address this potential problem. Wonder why not........
Random thought for the day: Turned on a movie while getting lunch to escape the all day all the time Kennedy coverage and noticed that old pet peeve of the volume increase for advertising which is so exasperating that you hit the mute button. Makes me wonder if the advertiser doesn't think we're smart enough to ignore them.
Or does it say something about their opinion of the audience of the Hallmark channel? Just wondering........
See you tomorrow, sleep well--
God bless..........
Coincidentally I attended a meeting this evening and was speaking with a friend who is taking part in a clinical trial at the Jasper Clinic in Kalamazoo. Just before I started to post I checked the Right Michigan blog and a fella there told of his wife who works at Jasper where they had just laid off 11 workers. The consensus of opinion at my meeting and the blog was that should Obamacare become law it will have a detrimental effect on the work that is done in that kind of facility. My friend, who is trying to stave off any more damage from macular degeneration would have no opportunity to assist in the research and development which would make her life and thousands of others much more pleasurable. And that will be compounded over and over again when there ceases to be any profit involved. Not to mention the loss of jobs involved in R & D.
How can the American government demand, coerce or force people to buy healthcare insurance? Seems to me that we would have the same problem that we have with auto insurance in Michigan-can't speak for other states. There are always a certain number of scofflaws who would buy insurance so they get a drivers' license and an automobile license and then cancel the insurance, right? Isn't that why we have an Uninsured Motorists Fund? So how would that work with healthcare insurance? That group always finds a way around the law. So what happens if they get sick? I mean really sick where they have thousands of dollars in medical bills. I haven't heard anyone address this potential problem. Wonder why not........
Random thought for the day: Turned on a movie while getting lunch to escape the all day all the time Kennedy coverage and noticed that old pet peeve of the volume increase for advertising which is so exasperating that you hit the mute button. Makes me wonder if the advertiser doesn't think we're smart enough to ignore them.
Or does it say something about their opinion of the audience of the Hallmark channel? Just wondering........
See you tomorrow, sleep well--
God bless..........
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
High Speed Rail through Jackson?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Governor Jennifer stopped in Jackson to laud increasing the speed of Amtrak from Detroit to Chicago with a stop in Jackson. I'm not sure, but isn't really high speed like in Japan upwards of 200-300 mph? Well, whoopee! Jen's plan is to go at speeds "up to" 120. At present top speed is about 90. So all those modern young people and business folks will save all of 15 minutes on a trip to Dearborn and assuming Jackson is the only stop (but I doubt it,) you could get from Detroit to Chicago in about 3 hours and 20 minutes with no stops and at 90 mph it would take just over 4 hours.
Playing around with the numbers I came up with 280 miles from Detroit to Chicago and since Jenny wants to hire 10,000 people and give or take 25% for management types that would pay an average of $40,000 a year for two years--of course, then they would all go on the unemployment roles again.
Further those 7500 workers would be able to build 280 miles in 116,928 man hours over the two years. That would be 27 workers per mile. They would be working a 5 day week for 2 years. Think they could do a mile in 2 years? I certainly hope so.
As far as the ridership is concerned, I have no clue how many people use the train presently, but if the number ended up at 1,000 per day with each saving 45 minutes it would amount to a total of 45,000 minutes, 750 hours or 31.25 days. At the rate of 25,600,000 per year it would take 70,137 years of subsidy per rider to use up that $800,000,000. Are we having fun yet?
CHANGE THE SUBJECT!
Just wondering--do they do background checks on czars? How could Van Jones pass?
60% of insurance companies are non-profit. So how do they figure that the government can do better than that?
People keep asking if we're satisfied with Medicare and then are quick to say, "well, that is a government run, single payer entity." I beg to differ. We had no choice. We were forced into the program. And the program is for seniors only. So the big difference would be that Docs will be forced into charging the same for all age groups (at present they have a patient list of varying ages many or most of which are not seniors, depending on the type of practice.) Then the definition becomes distinctly different.
Heard the following: Why don't Democrats see the dangers inherent in the end of life counseling especially in view of the handbook for veterans? Allow me to make an observation. When Democrats devalued life 36 years ago and now believe that there is a right to abortion on demand with no restrictions which have resulted in the loss of 55,000,000 over that period of time, should anyone be surprised at any loss of the value of life?
It's time to rest-
God bless............
Playing around with the numbers I came up with 280 miles from Detroit to Chicago and since Jenny wants to hire 10,000 people and give or take 25% for management types that would pay an average of $40,000 a year for two years--of course, then they would all go on the unemployment roles again.
Further those 7500 workers would be able to build 280 miles in 116,928 man hours over the two years. That would be 27 workers per mile. They would be working a 5 day week for 2 years. Think they could do a mile in 2 years? I certainly hope so.
As far as the ridership is concerned, I have no clue how many people use the train presently, but if the number ended up at 1,000 per day with each saving 45 minutes it would amount to a total of 45,000 minutes, 750 hours or 31.25 days. At the rate of 25,600,000 per year it would take 70,137 years of subsidy per rider to use up that $800,000,000. Are we having fun yet?
CHANGE THE SUBJECT!
Just wondering--do they do background checks on czars? How could Van Jones pass?
60% of insurance companies are non-profit. So how do they figure that the government can do better than that?
People keep asking if we're satisfied with Medicare and then are quick to say, "well, that is a government run, single payer entity." I beg to differ. We had no choice. We were forced into the program. And the program is for seniors only. So the big difference would be that Docs will be forced into charging the same for all age groups (at present they have a patient list of varying ages many or most of which are not seniors, depending on the type of practice.) Then the definition becomes distinctly different.
Heard the following: Why don't Democrats see the dangers inherent in the end of life counseling especially in view of the handbook for veterans? Allow me to make an observation. When Democrats devalued life 36 years ago and now believe that there is a right to abortion on demand with no restrictions which have resulted in the loss of 55,000,000 over that period of time, should anyone be surprised at any loss of the value of life?
It's time to rest-
God bless............
Monday, August 24, 2009
Mackinac Center's "Capitol Confidential"
It's hard to choose which story to share so we'll try to give a bit on most of them.
1-Seems everyone tries to make political hay by singing the "no more trash from Canada" song. This is the first time I have heard that the agreement with Canada is temporary, expiring in 2010, while the Canadians were building facilities to take care of the type of waste sent here. By the same token, we send more hazardous waste to Canada than they send here and it falls into the category for which we do not have the facilities to handle. Also, the volume of trash has steadily been declining. Basically Michigan has enough land connected to present facilities to last us for at least fifty more years. So let's back off this sacred cow--it's really just a lot of bull.
2-No Worker Left Behind. This is a long story, but briefly let's just say that there have been attempts to spend money we don't have (so we use stimulus funds) to train people for fields anticipated to result in "robust growth" which is apparently an art, not a science, and very few jobs have been provided or matched to applicants. I think it's usually called a boondoggle.
3-Detroit's "First Class Schools" means that the system must have at least 100,000 students enrolled. Now that the student population is less than that it should open the opportunity for charter schools. The Teacher's Federation doesn't want any competition, of course, so there is pending legislation to let them have First Class status until July of 2010. Remember Mr. Thompson who was willing to donate $200 million for 15 new schools and guarantee a 90% graduation rate? He was stymied by the teacher's union. Now they want a little more time to plan their strategy to keep the graduation rate low and the dropout rate even lower.
4-Bills are pending that will make your jaw drop such as--
Mandate an education course on "the importance of recycling" as part of Drivers' Ed.
Mandate public school African-American history teaching in ALL grades.
Require state to pay off Detroit schools deficit when it was under state-imposed reform.
Reward gas stations with subsidies if they increase ethanol sales.
Authorize state money for school solar and wind systems.
However, give credit where credit is due:
BAN DRIVING WHILE USING HAND-HELD CELL PHONES
Gives one a glimmer of hope, doesn't it?
God bless..............
1-Seems everyone tries to make political hay by singing the "no more trash from Canada" song. This is the first time I have heard that the agreement with Canada is temporary, expiring in 2010, while the Canadians were building facilities to take care of the type of waste sent here. By the same token, we send more hazardous waste to Canada than they send here and it falls into the category for which we do not have the facilities to handle. Also, the volume of trash has steadily been declining. Basically Michigan has enough land connected to present facilities to last us for at least fifty more years. So let's back off this sacred cow--it's really just a lot of bull.
2-No Worker Left Behind. This is a long story, but briefly let's just say that there have been attempts to spend money we don't have (so we use stimulus funds) to train people for fields anticipated to result in "robust growth" which is apparently an art, not a science, and very few jobs have been provided or matched to applicants. I think it's usually called a boondoggle.
3-Detroit's "First Class Schools" means that the system must have at least 100,000 students enrolled. Now that the student population is less than that it should open the opportunity for charter schools. The Teacher's Federation doesn't want any competition, of course, so there is pending legislation to let them have First Class status until July of 2010. Remember Mr. Thompson who was willing to donate $200 million for 15 new schools and guarantee a 90% graduation rate? He was stymied by the teacher's union. Now they want a little more time to plan their strategy to keep the graduation rate low and the dropout rate even lower.
4-Bills are pending that will make your jaw drop such as--
Mandate an education course on "the importance of recycling" as part of Drivers' Ed.
Mandate public school African-American history teaching in ALL grades.
Require state to pay off Detroit schools deficit when it was under state-imposed reform.
Reward gas stations with subsidies if they increase ethanol sales.
Authorize state money for school solar and wind systems.
However, give credit where credit is due:
BAN DRIVING WHILE USING HAND-HELD CELL PHONES
Gives one a glimmer of hope, doesn't it?
God bless..............
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Regaining Trust
Remember when you were a teenager (a long time ago for some of us) or perhaps having the trust discussion with your own children? After an infraction of the rules such as staying out after curfew, etc., it went something like this: First you were grounded for X number of days, weeks or hopefully not months. Then you had the earnest "discussion" and did a lot of growing up when you got the message and realized that once you had broken trust, it would be a long time rebuilding the relationship with your parents.
I think our President is finding himself in that uncomfortable position. First he gave the responsibility of writing legislation to the House and Senate so it would not come back to haunt him--his hands would be clean. He intentionally did not read HR 3200 so that when he made any statement it was his own opinion so that even if it differed from the bill, we couldn't say he "lied." Now that there has been enough time for lots of people to have either read the bill in its entirety or been directed to parts of it, we can see that there is a world of difference between what the Congress believed the President wanted and what he is saying, and sometimes changes from day to day. Trust has disappeared for many.
When he described his grandmother not being eligible for a hip replacement and that he would have paid for it himself, how can he say then that there is no rationing of care based on age?
How about him saying there will be no funding for abortions when there is no way he is unaware that 9 amendments were presented and defeated specifically calling for that clarification?
Another place trust is hard to find is in the Department of Justice with Eric Holder deciding what is right and wrong and the total politicization of that department is unreal.
If there is no hidden agenda to assist in growing the unions, how should we explain 1200 new hires who will be union members to facilitate Cash for Clunkers?
And by the way, tort lawyers, this is for you. What makes you think you will be free to sue the federal government/health care business when they have most of the business? Unintended consequences? You really have to see this one coming.
And the Congress--since we can see that Obama really doesn't care about the 80% of us who have good health coverage what makes congressmen and women think that he cares whether or not they get re-elected? He wants a bill and he will get a bill either by splitting or reconciliation. After all, he won----
Wonder what the week ahead will bring--
God bless................
I think our President is finding himself in that uncomfortable position. First he gave the responsibility of writing legislation to the House and Senate so it would not come back to haunt him--his hands would be clean. He intentionally did not read HR 3200 so that when he made any statement it was his own opinion so that even if it differed from the bill, we couldn't say he "lied." Now that there has been enough time for lots of people to have either read the bill in its entirety or been directed to parts of it, we can see that there is a world of difference between what the Congress believed the President wanted and what he is saying, and sometimes changes from day to day. Trust has disappeared for many.
When he described his grandmother not being eligible for a hip replacement and that he would have paid for it himself, how can he say then that there is no rationing of care based on age?
How about him saying there will be no funding for abortions when there is no way he is unaware that 9 amendments were presented and defeated specifically calling for that clarification?
Another place trust is hard to find is in the Department of Justice with Eric Holder deciding what is right and wrong and the total politicization of that department is unreal.
If there is no hidden agenda to assist in growing the unions, how should we explain 1200 new hires who will be union members to facilitate Cash for Clunkers?
And by the way, tort lawyers, this is for you. What makes you think you will be free to sue the federal government/health care business when they have most of the business? Unintended consequences? You really have to see this one coming.
And the Congress--since we can see that Obama really doesn't care about the 80% of us who have good health coverage what makes congressmen and women think that he cares whether or not they get re-elected? He wants a bill and he will get a bill either by splitting or reconciliation. After all, he won----
Wonder what the week ahead will bring--
God bless................
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Football-
I wouldn't know a running back from a left tackle and I don't really care. The only reason I ever root for a team is because someone in the family has a favorite and I go along so we're on the same side--except when my two Michigan grads gang up on their sister who favors MSU.
However, there are sports figures that interest me quite a lot. The ones who think they're God's gift to whatever or whomever they want to impress like Michael Vick.
Accidentally caught the interview on 60 Minutes last week and it's been bugging me ever since. This guy had Tony Dungy at his side, a fine fellow who usually brings out the best in those he counsels. It was almost painful to listen to Vick as he attempted to tell the audience how he knew he had done something wrong and that he has learned a lesson.
Oh, yeah? Then why was it all about him? Everything was I, I, I. Had he said, just one time, "Those poor animals" or something akin to that thought it may have been more believable, but it wasn't.
We've talked about judgments before--that it is the act, not the person who should be judged. Well, that's not hard. No one will ever know his motivation so we are not in a position to judge, but we can wait a good long time to see if anything about him has changed. So far, it is not apparent. Put him on your prayer list of real hard cases if you have one.
Have a good weekend.
God bless...........
However, there are sports figures that interest me quite a lot. The ones who think they're God's gift to whatever or whomever they want to impress like Michael Vick.
Accidentally caught the interview on 60 Minutes last week and it's been bugging me ever since. This guy had Tony Dungy at his side, a fine fellow who usually brings out the best in those he counsels. It was almost painful to listen to Vick as he attempted to tell the audience how he knew he had done something wrong and that he has learned a lesson.
Oh, yeah? Then why was it all about him? Everything was I, I, I. Had he said, just one time, "Those poor animals" or something akin to that thought it may have been more believable, but it wasn't.
We've talked about judgments before--that it is the act, not the person who should be judged. Well, that's not hard. No one will ever know his motivation so we are not in a position to judge, but we can wait a good long time to see if anything about him has changed. So far, it is not apparent. Put him on your prayer list of real hard cases if you have one.
Have a good weekend.
God bless...........
Friday, August 21, 2009
Fun Friday -
Forgot to tell you that last evening a few "rules" from Saul Alinsky were read without us knowing the origination. The one that really piqued my curiosity was the advice to use ridicule as a tool to control people. I was not a bit surprised to find out where it came from since it really answered a question I have had for quite some time. The question? Why does Barak Obama ridicule people who don't agree with him? It must be a hold-over from his old "community organizing" days and his work with ACORN and other such groups.
That wasn't the fun part unless you consider learning trivial stuff fun. Here are the fun emails I rec'd today. I know everyone eventually gets all these, but just in cast you haven't heard them yet, here goes:
Subject: Do I Understand the Health Care Plan?
Obama's health care plan will be written by a committee whose head says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn't read it and whose members will be exempt from it, signed by a president who smokes, funded by a treasury chief who did not pay his taxes, overseen by a surgeon general who is obese and financed by a country that is nearly broke.
What could possibly go wrong?
&
Cash for Clunkers worked so well, there will now be a new program called Cash for Codgers.
CASH FOR CODGERS WORKS LIKE THIS.........
Couples wishing to access health care funds in order to pay for the delivery of a child will be required to turn in one old person. The amount the government grants them will be fixed according to a sliding scale. Older and more prescription dependent codgers will garner the highest amounts.
Special "bonuses" will be paid for those submitting codgers in targeted groups, such as smokers, alcohol drinkers, persons 10 pounds over their government-prescribed weight, and any member of the Republican Party. Smaller bonuses will be given for codgers who consume beef, soda, fried foods, potato chips, lattes, whole milk, dairy products, bacon, Brussels sprouts, or Girl Scout cookies.
All codgers will be rendered totally useless via toxic injection. This will ensure that they are not secretly resold or their body parts harvested to keep other codgers in repair.
Good night--
God bless.........
That wasn't the fun part unless you consider learning trivial stuff fun. Here are the fun emails I rec'd today. I know everyone eventually gets all these, but just in cast you haven't heard them yet, here goes:
Subject: Do I Understand the Health Care Plan?
Obama's health care plan will be written by a committee whose head says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn't read it and whose members will be exempt from it, signed by a president who smokes, funded by a treasury chief who did not pay his taxes, overseen by a surgeon general who is obese and financed by a country that is nearly broke.
What could possibly go wrong?
&
Cash for Clunkers worked so well, there will now be a new program called Cash for Codgers.
CASH FOR CODGERS WORKS LIKE THIS.........
Couples wishing to access health care funds in order to pay for the delivery of a child will be required to turn in one old person. The amount the government grants them will be fixed according to a sliding scale. Older and more prescription dependent codgers will garner the highest amounts.
Special "bonuses" will be paid for those submitting codgers in targeted groups, such as smokers, alcohol drinkers, persons 10 pounds over their government-prescribed weight, and any member of the Republican Party. Smaller bonuses will be given for codgers who consume beef, soda, fried foods, potato chips, lattes, whole milk, dairy products, bacon, Brussels sprouts, or Girl Scout cookies.
All codgers will be rendered totally useless via toxic injection. This will ensure that they are not secretly resold or their body parts harvested to keep other codgers in repair.
Good night--
God bless.........
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Second Schauer Protest & CTV Seminar
All in one day!
It's uplifting to see so many people getting excited about something that has been a major part of one's life for such a long time.
Today Wyck Seelig, 7th District Chair, joined us for the protest at Mark Schauer's Jackson office, took some great photos, estimated the crowd at about 140 and dubbed the corner "Reagan's Corner" since there were so many conservatives present. The four Sheriff's patrol cars sitting silently in a row toward the back of a nearby service station certainly weren't needed. We have one more week to go so we'll see what next week brings.
Now that the newspaper finally wrote that indeed there were folks bused in from points west to Muskegon and east to Detroit to pad the crowds they might be a little embarrassed to try to fool the public again. Although, sometimes I get the feeling, especially when listening to Mark Brewer, that nothing comes close to embarrassment with them.
Capping the day was a two hour (no break) concentrated political education for folks of all levels of experience who feel the need to become active in the process.
Tim Walberg opened the event with a few introductory remarks followed by a former state legislator whom I didn't know--I think his name was Alan Lowe. He shared a very practical tale of how as a total neophyte politically he defeated a 20 year incumbent. It can be done! He was very persuasive and we couldn't help wondering why he didn't stay in politics. Perhaps he believes in citizen legislators.
James Muffett of Citizens for Traditional Values gave a 30 minute tutorial which an ordinary mortal would have taken 45-50 minutes to tell. He really talks fast, but there is no problem understanding him. He was followed by Scott Hagerstrom, State Director of Americans for Prosperity which is a relatively new national organization. Again, extremely practical information on another level of getting started and how to network.
The last half hour was a Q&A and the audience asked some astute questions which meant to me that they were really paying attention. Attendees came from some distances such as Muskegon, Traverse City and Port Huron area. One little note: Amy Hawkins was the emcee and about 5-6 years ago when she hosted the first event of her first job out of Spring Arbor University she admitted to a bit of stage fright. Not so this evening--a comment was made, in fact, that perhaps she should be thinking about running for office. That would really be a good demonstration of everything the evening laid out.
If you have an opportunity to attend any event put on by these folks, it would be worth your while. In the meantime you can access www.ctvmichigan.org and www.afpmi.org.
Sleep well-
God bless...........
It's uplifting to see so many people getting excited about something that has been a major part of one's life for such a long time.
Today Wyck Seelig, 7th District Chair, joined us for the protest at Mark Schauer's Jackson office, took some great photos, estimated the crowd at about 140 and dubbed the corner "Reagan's Corner" since there were so many conservatives present. The four Sheriff's patrol cars sitting silently in a row toward the back of a nearby service station certainly weren't needed. We have one more week to go so we'll see what next week brings.
Now that the newspaper finally wrote that indeed there were folks bused in from points west to Muskegon and east to Detroit to pad the crowds they might be a little embarrassed to try to fool the public again. Although, sometimes I get the feeling, especially when listening to Mark Brewer, that nothing comes close to embarrassment with them.
Capping the day was a two hour (no break) concentrated political education for folks of all levels of experience who feel the need to become active in the process.
Tim Walberg opened the event with a few introductory remarks followed by a former state legislator whom I didn't know--I think his name was Alan Lowe. He shared a very practical tale of how as a total neophyte politically he defeated a 20 year incumbent. It can be done! He was very persuasive and we couldn't help wondering why he didn't stay in politics. Perhaps he believes in citizen legislators.
James Muffett of Citizens for Traditional Values gave a 30 minute tutorial which an ordinary mortal would have taken 45-50 minutes to tell. He really talks fast, but there is no problem understanding him. He was followed by Scott Hagerstrom, State Director of Americans for Prosperity which is a relatively new national organization. Again, extremely practical information on another level of getting started and how to network.
The last half hour was a Q&A and the audience asked some astute questions which meant to me that they were really paying attention. Attendees came from some distances such as Muskegon, Traverse City and Port Huron area. One little note: Amy Hawkins was the emcee and about 5-6 years ago when she hosted the first event of her first job out of Spring Arbor University she admitted to a bit of stage fright. Not so this evening--a comment was made, in fact, that perhaps she should be thinking about running for office. That would really be a good demonstration of everything the evening laid out.
If you have an opportunity to attend any event put on by these folks, it would be worth your while. In the meantime you can access www.ctvmichigan.org and www.afpmi.org.
Sleep well-
God bless...........
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tim Walberg Town Hall Meeting
A real Town Hall meeting -- where out of a crowd of maybe 75 or so perhaps twenty of them walked to the mike and gave their opinions of healthcare reform. It just seems a shame that we probably should say that there was not a raised voice in the bunch.
After the Walberg introduction and update on his intentions and reminding us that he had presented rather detailed healthcare reform legislation of his own last year which didn't make it out of committee he invited and opened the meeting to anyone who wished to make a statement.
Just about every topic you can think of was covered and there was total agreement that reform in some areas is needed but Tim quoted a friend whose constant opinion was that one shouldn't destroy the house to remodel the bathroom. There were three women who were in favor of the presented HR3200, but I had the feeling that if any one of us had a chance to sit down with two of them for a real conversation they would see that destruction of the present system would not be necessary. (The third woman was Brenda Abbey, staunch Democrat in a leadership position and representative of the AFL-CIO.)
It was a totally rewarding experience to see such a cross section of mostly Jackson residents with three coming from Chelsea and Mason where they had no meetings scheduled and a couple from Adrian who missed the meeting there last evening. It was the proof of the pudding that the American public is well educated and well informed and even though many were out of their comfort zone speaking in public they rose to the occasion and gave each other and those who didn't speak hope for the future.
So, thank you, Tim. And Sue as well for joining us. This is middle America. This is the segment of the population who know what is important and as the woman in Pennsylvania said "we are the sleeping giant who has been awakened." We will speak out.
Sleep well--
God bless............
After the Walberg introduction and update on his intentions and reminding us that he had presented rather detailed healthcare reform legislation of his own last year which didn't make it out of committee he invited and opened the meeting to anyone who wished to make a statement.
Just about every topic you can think of was covered and there was total agreement that reform in some areas is needed but Tim quoted a friend whose constant opinion was that one shouldn't destroy the house to remodel the bathroom. There were three women who were in favor of the presented HR3200, but I had the feeling that if any one of us had a chance to sit down with two of them for a real conversation they would see that destruction of the present system would not be necessary. (The third woman was Brenda Abbey, staunch Democrat in a leadership position and representative of the AFL-CIO.)
It was a totally rewarding experience to see such a cross section of mostly Jackson residents with three coming from Chelsea and Mason where they had no meetings scheduled and a couple from Adrian who missed the meeting there last evening. It was the proof of the pudding that the American public is well educated and well informed and even though many were out of their comfort zone speaking in public they rose to the occasion and gave each other and those who didn't speak hope for the future.
So, thank you, Tim. And Sue as well for joining us. This is middle America. This is the segment of the population who know what is important and as the woman in Pennsylvania said "we are the sleeping giant who has been awakened." We will speak out.
Sleep well--
God bless............
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The VOLT - synonym for Unintended Consequences?
First thing: consider, please, that Volt is the generic name here for hybrids of all the companies whether it be Prius, Escape or whatever. (It'll be like Kleenex on these pages.)
Anyway, after writing about it last night, there was an editorial in the local paper today talking about the need for more electricity when the time comes that we would have hundreds of thousands of them on the road. For the rest of the day the topic of conversation in our home was a game of "what if."
What if they really do become ubiquitous by 2016 as Obama decrees? How do we make up for the gasoline taxes that won't be collected at the pump? And when those reveues decrease, where will the money come from to build and repair roads? And how do we tax only the drivers of Volts when some drivers are still driving gasoline powered vehicles? And if they decide to put a "car tax" on energy bills, how will it be a fair and progressive tax so folks who don't drive won't have to pay?
And will there have to be a special type plug so folks can't just plug into their neighbor's power supply whenever they are away? If so, how much will it cost? And will hotels have to have special adapters so just anyone can't park in their lot and steal energy? And how much will they cost? And will they be interchangeable? No way-that means travelers can use the adapter from the Holiday Inn when they go to the Ramada or the Crowne Plaza. Every time a guard has to be put on duty or an adapter has to be supplied it is another cost increase. Service stations and car repair businesses and after market stores plus others I can't think of right now will all have extra expense. And how will it be passed on?
The opportunity for just plain cheating and criminal activity is just waiting to be exploited. Right now there aren't enough of them to make crime pay, but if they become really prolific we're just asking for trouble.
Michigan, the land of the automobile. Sure hope someone has the answers to these questions and starts sharing the answers.
God bless...........
Anyway, after writing about it last night, there was an editorial in the local paper today talking about the need for more electricity when the time comes that we would have hundreds of thousands of them on the road. For the rest of the day the topic of conversation in our home was a game of "what if."
What if they really do become ubiquitous by 2016 as Obama decrees? How do we make up for the gasoline taxes that won't be collected at the pump? And when those reveues decrease, where will the money come from to build and repair roads? And how do we tax only the drivers of Volts when some drivers are still driving gasoline powered vehicles? And if they decide to put a "car tax" on energy bills, how will it be a fair and progressive tax so folks who don't drive won't have to pay?
And will there have to be a special type plug so folks can't just plug into their neighbor's power supply whenever they are away? If so, how much will it cost? And will hotels have to have special adapters so just anyone can't park in their lot and steal energy? And how much will they cost? And will they be interchangeable? No way-that means travelers can use the adapter from the Holiday Inn when they go to the Ramada or the Crowne Plaza. Every time a guard has to be put on duty or an adapter has to be supplied it is another cost increase. Service stations and car repair businesses and after market stores plus others I can't think of right now will all have extra expense. And how will it be passed on?
The opportunity for just plain cheating and criminal activity is just waiting to be exploited. Right now there aren't enough of them to make crime pay, but if they become really prolific we're just asking for trouble.
Michigan, the land of the automobile. Sure hope someone has the answers to these questions and starts sharing the answers.
God bless...........
Monday, August 17, 2009
General Motors, Chrysler, Fiat, Fiasco---
Wasn't it back in February when we first started talking about how Fiat was going to own 50% of Chrysler without spending a dime? It's getting closer and closer all the time and on top of that, it appears that there is a very good chance Taluca, Mexico's 2180 workers will be the ones to benefit. And speaking of dimes, how many U. S. taxpayer dimes are going into the deal?
Not to mention that Fiat is working as fast as they can to get a foothold in China. Wonder if the Chinese will be a little more difficult to manipulate than we were.
Then we can look at GM's plans to make a compact car for $4000 for sale in India and Asia with the plant to build them probably located in Asia as well. Now it's just possible that in order to sell a car in that part of the world those countries are smart enough to say build it here or you can't sell it here like China does with a policy for most products. However, what are the UAW and the taxpayer getting for their ivestment?
And don't tell me the Volt will make up for it. Even with a $7500 tax credit it remains unaffordable for much of the American car buying public. We'll have to wait and see, won't we, if the American car makers can truly compete.
I have no idea what the final tally will be, but since foreign cars, even though they may be assembled or manufactured here and give work to some Americans, there is still the little issue of the profit going back to Japan or Korea--a couple thousand dollars at a time right off the top of the Cash for Clunkers donation.
So while all the talk has been about healthcare this month don't forget that isn't the only problem we face. Not to be preachy, but it wouldn't hurt to say a little prayer that Taluca loses out to someplace in Michigan. We could use a boost right about now.
God bless...........
Not to mention that Fiat is working as fast as they can to get a foothold in China. Wonder if the Chinese will be a little more difficult to manipulate than we were.
Then we can look at GM's plans to make a compact car for $4000 for sale in India and Asia with the plant to build them probably located in Asia as well. Now it's just possible that in order to sell a car in that part of the world those countries are smart enough to say build it here or you can't sell it here like China does with a policy for most products. However, what are the UAW and the taxpayer getting for their ivestment?
And don't tell me the Volt will make up for it. Even with a $7500 tax credit it remains unaffordable for much of the American car buying public. We'll have to wait and see, won't we, if the American car makers can truly compete.
I have no idea what the final tally will be, but since foreign cars, even though they may be assembled or manufactured here and give work to some Americans, there is still the little issue of the profit going back to Japan or Korea--a couple thousand dollars at a time right off the top of the Cash for Clunkers donation.
So while all the talk has been about healthcare this month don't forget that isn't the only problem we face. Not to be preachy, but it wouldn't hurt to say a little prayer that Taluca loses out to someplace in Michigan. We could use a boost right about now.
God bless...........
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Self-Inflicted Punishment - UAW?
Am I the last person in Michigan to find out that the definition of overtime by union members starts with an extra minute after an 8 hour day? Not the minute after 40 hours in a week?
So theoretically they could work 3 twelve hour days and be credited for 54 hours? I'm not sure of my math, but you get my drift---So the auto companies gave up the right to manage and the unions drained the treasury and look what we ended up with.
That bit of news was so depressing that I just sat down and other than church and a funeral on Saturday I read a couple of books. I just didn't want to even think about or listen to or read about healthcare for one minute. Back to work tomorrow.
Sleep well-
God bless.............
So theoretically they could work 3 twelve hour days and be credited for 54 hours? I'm not sure of my math, but you get my drift---So the auto companies gave up the right to manage and the unions drained the treasury and look what we ended up with.
That bit of news was so depressing that I just sat down and other than church and a funeral on Saturday I read a couple of books. I just didn't want to even think about or listen to or read about healthcare for one minute. Back to work tomorrow.
Sleep well-
God bless.............
Friday, August 14, 2009
Nancy's Bullet Points
Apparently she has more clout that I thought--Both members of Congress such as Schauer and the President sound like they have been programmed by the same guy. They could drop their scripts on the floor, pick up each other's and never miss a beat.
The WKHM Town Hall half hour this morning was more satisfactory than the pseudo phone call/town hall last evening. At least the questions were more astute, but the guy just can't answer a yes or no question. Example:
Would you formulate a poll and distribute questions by internet, mail, phone or any other method and then commit yourself to voting as your constituents ask? After a very convoluted description as to giving enough information (which he could do according to the questioner) and talking about polling in general he just couldn't say yes or no, he was just stuck at the method of getting the opinion.
Any time the question didn't fit his mindset it became a "myth," "misinformation," or off topic. And by the way, I'm told the LA Times blog had a web ad for "volunteers" to be paid $10 to $15 an hour to help Obomacare get good reporting from Town Hall meetings by the Fund for the Public Interest.
I hope all the folks talking about falling support polls aren't just whistling past the graveyard. It's a long way down when your expectations exceed reality.
Received an email yesterday alerting us to the www.USdebtclock.org. Haven't looked at it in quite awhile--if you haven't looked lately, you might want to check it out.
This is the end of County Fair week in Jackson which reminded me to dig around for an interview I did last year about Brad's Lunch Bunch. I had lost it when I changed to Comcast and found it recently. Now if I can get it on YouTube I think you'll find it a good story.
Have a good weekend-
God bless...........
The WKHM Town Hall half hour this morning was more satisfactory than the pseudo phone call/town hall last evening. At least the questions were more astute, but the guy just can't answer a yes or no question. Example:
Would you formulate a poll and distribute questions by internet, mail, phone or any other method and then commit yourself to voting as your constituents ask? After a very convoluted description as to giving enough information (which he could do according to the questioner) and talking about polling in general he just couldn't say yes or no, he was just stuck at the method of getting the opinion.
Any time the question didn't fit his mindset it became a "myth," "misinformation," or off topic. And by the way, I'm told the LA Times blog had a web ad for "volunteers" to be paid $10 to $15 an hour to help Obomacare get good reporting from Town Hall meetings by the Fund for the Public Interest.
I hope all the folks talking about falling support polls aren't just whistling past the graveyard. It's a long way down when your expectations exceed reality.
Received an email yesterday alerting us to the www.USdebtclock.org. Haven't looked at it in quite awhile--if you haven't looked lately, you might want to check it out.
This is the end of County Fair week in Jackson which reminded me to dig around for an interview I did last year about Brad's Lunch Bunch. I had lost it when I changed to Comcast and found it recently. Now if I can get it on YouTube I think you'll find it a good story.
Have a good weekend-
God bless...........
Thursday, August 13, 2009
TYPICAL MARK SCHAUER CONFERENCE CALL
He can call it a Town Hall meeting if he wants to, but that's just another example of him stretching the truth. The logistics of modern communications are really impressive. I didn't even know you could do this:
Dial up 11,000 people at one time and feed them to a common number!
I talked about how he planned to speak with 100,000 constituents in a month and tonight I found out. Minding my own business after dinner and the first call was a survey asking who I was planning to vote for next year. The second call, however, was a recorded message at 8:35 asking me to stay on the line and "take part" in the Town Hall meeting with Cong. Schauer. I clicked on the tape recorder and took a few notes for the next half hour--the end of the call which I found out started at 8:00.
He also indicated there were 11,000 people in attendance.
During the half hour I listened, there were 8 questions which of course were of the "friendly" variety. Assuming there were no less than 8 in the 35 minutes before I was invited to "take part" and wanting to be generous, how about we say there were 20 questions in the hour and 5 minutes of the call.
The ratio of calls is laughable! 20 out of 11,000. If anyone else heard the first half hour and can tell us if there happened to be a question which disagreed with his position, we'd love to hear what it was.
And by the way, he either wasn't informed or hadn't listened to any news in the last few days, but AARP is back tracking as fast as they can and denying that they ever endorsed the bill. They just agreed with a few of the topics.
He also repeated the endless lie about all insurance policies have more than doubled in the last ten years. Well, I have said it before and I'll say it again. My premium has not only NOT doubled, I even added my husband to my policy and he has two pre-existing health problems. The time period started in 1997 when I retired and the premium had increased by only 50% for both of us.
If his constituents let him get away with thinking that satisfied us, we deserve what we get, but I'm hoping they can see through the sham.
He did disuss the demonstration in Jackson this afternoon and talked about the noise. Guess what? The noise came from the Schauer supporters who gathered two hours before our announced time and were using a bull horn and constant chanting of slogans. I was there for about 45 minutes and didn't hear any shouting from our side of the street.
I do admit that they out-foxed, out-numbered and out-spent us. We had made a few public announcements that we would be there at 4:30. On Tuesday the word went out with a huge assist from the newspaper (front page) that the Dems would have a counter demonstration at 3:30. The DNC and the new Obama campaign group-called something like Organizing for America probably paid for the professionally done signage--they were extremely well organized. They never left so our folks were on the remaining 3 corners. Admittedly not a huge success.
Live and learn. Hope I have better news next week.
God bless...........
Dial up 11,000 people at one time and feed them to a common number!
I talked about how he planned to speak with 100,000 constituents in a month and tonight I found out. Minding my own business after dinner and the first call was a survey asking who I was planning to vote for next year. The second call, however, was a recorded message at 8:35 asking me to stay on the line and "take part" in the Town Hall meeting with Cong. Schauer. I clicked on the tape recorder and took a few notes for the next half hour--the end of the call which I found out started at 8:00.
He also indicated there were 11,000 people in attendance.
During the half hour I listened, there were 8 questions which of course were of the "friendly" variety. Assuming there were no less than 8 in the 35 minutes before I was invited to "take part" and wanting to be generous, how about we say there were 20 questions in the hour and 5 minutes of the call.
The ratio of calls is laughable! 20 out of 11,000. If anyone else heard the first half hour and can tell us if there happened to be a question which disagreed with his position, we'd love to hear what it was.
And by the way, he either wasn't informed or hadn't listened to any news in the last few days, but AARP is back tracking as fast as they can and denying that they ever endorsed the bill. They just agreed with a few of the topics.
He also repeated the endless lie about all insurance policies have more than doubled in the last ten years. Well, I have said it before and I'll say it again. My premium has not only NOT doubled, I even added my husband to my policy and he has two pre-existing health problems. The time period started in 1997 when I retired and the premium had increased by only 50% for both of us.
If his constituents let him get away with thinking that satisfied us, we deserve what we get, but I'm hoping they can see through the sham.
He did disuss the demonstration in Jackson this afternoon and talked about the noise. Guess what? The noise came from the Schauer supporters who gathered two hours before our announced time and were using a bull horn and constant chanting of slogans. I was there for about 45 minutes and didn't hear any shouting from our side of the street.
I do admit that they out-foxed, out-numbered and out-spent us. We had made a few public announcements that we would be there at 4:30. On Tuesday the word went out with a huge assist from the newspaper (front page) that the Dems would have a counter demonstration at 3:30. The DNC and the new Obama campaign group-called something like Organizing for America probably paid for the professionally done signage--they were extremely well organized. They never left so our folks were on the remaining 3 corners. Admittedly not a huge success.
Live and learn. Hope I have better news next week.
God bless...........
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
THE REAL COST OF GOVERNMENT
Does anyone really know? Looked up a few numbers today and I'm not sure anyone really knows how to look at the big picture. A few numbers to throw around:
1/7 of the economy (you know, the part we spend on healthcare) is something over 14%.
The cost of running the government takes another 18% (this taken from a chart showing the last 50 years) with the last 10 years the average being approximately 18%.
The CBO projects that the cost of running the government (without healthcare) will be around 40% by 2075, but only our grandkids and great grandkids will have to worry about that, right?
Anyway, put the healthcare and government costs together and that's about 1/3 of the monies available at current rates which I suspect will only go up.
One little known or publicized point: Back in 2002 the unfunded liabilities of Social Security were "off budget" and amounted to $15 trillion. Today we learn that Geithner asked to have the debt ceiling raised to over $13 trillion but still no one is talking about unfunded liabilities. Where is the transparency? What are the real numbers?
A couple of observations: The President, at his scripted Town Hall meeting yesterday said Medicare is working just fine because we are all wanting to keep it. Well, get this, Mr. Obama, the reason it is working is because we pay out of pocket for MediGap insurance which under HR 3200 would be unlawful and $330 billion will be cut from Medicare. So where will be the satisfaction with that? Also heard him say that FedEx, UPS and the Postal Service are getting along just fine. The only problem, my words not his, is that the Postal Service is in perpetual deficit--as they say, how is that working for you?
There is no way to remedy either the stubbornness or stupidity of legislators. Sen. McCaskill (D-MO)had a Town Hall meeting and announced "Do you really think you can convince anyone of your position by shouting?" The answer came back, "No, we're just trying to convince YOU" and she just doesn't get the message. She was interviewed this evening and she quite proudly pointed to herself as being cool headed with no sense of what her constituents were saying to her.
The worst part of all of this is that all pretense of bipartisanship will be swept under the rug when the August recess is over and Congress passes whatever they darn well please because they won, remember? I'm afraid the Blue Dogs don't stand a chance. Maybe they stand a prayer, if so
Let's just remember the old adage "work as though everything depends on us and pray as though everything depends on God." It's all we can do.
God bless............
1/7 of the economy (you know, the part we spend on healthcare) is something over 14%.
The cost of running the government takes another 18% (this taken from a chart showing the last 50 years) with the last 10 years the average being approximately 18%.
The CBO projects that the cost of running the government (without healthcare) will be around 40% by 2075, but only our grandkids and great grandkids will have to worry about that, right?
Anyway, put the healthcare and government costs together and that's about 1/3 of the monies available at current rates which I suspect will only go up.
One little known or publicized point: Back in 2002 the unfunded liabilities of Social Security were "off budget" and amounted to $15 trillion. Today we learn that Geithner asked to have the debt ceiling raised to over $13 trillion but still no one is talking about unfunded liabilities. Where is the transparency? What are the real numbers?
A couple of observations: The President, at his scripted Town Hall meeting yesterday said Medicare is working just fine because we are all wanting to keep it. Well, get this, Mr. Obama, the reason it is working is because we pay out of pocket for MediGap insurance which under HR 3200 would be unlawful and $330 billion will be cut from Medicare. So where will be the satisfaction with that? Also heard him say that FedEx, UPS and the Postal Service are getting along just fine. The only problem, my words not his, is that the Postal Service is in perpetual deficit--as they say, how is that working for you?
There is no way to remedy either the stubbornness or stupidity of legislators. Sen. McCaskill (D-MO)had a Town Hall meeting and announced "Do you really think you can convince anyone of your position by shouting?" The answer came back, "No, we're just trying to convince YOU" and she just doesn't get the message. She was interviewed this evening and she quite proudly pointed to herself as being cool headed with no sense of what her constituents were saying to her.
The worst part of all of this is that all pretense of bipartisanship will be swept under the rug when the August recess is over and Congress passes whatever they darn well please because they won, remember? I'm afraid the Blue Dogs don't stand a chance. Maybe they stand a prayer, if so
Let's just remember the old adage "work as though everything depends on us and pray as though everything depends on God." It's all we can do.
God bless............
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Jackson County Fair
The Jackson County Fair booth is a major success this year as it usually is. We are around the corner from the triumvirate of the UAW, Democratic Women's Caucus and Democrat Party booth - all in a row. We are having constant traffic with everyone wanting to stop and chat about the issues of the day while, at least what we notice when we leave the building to the north entrance, there appears to be only sporadic and isolated visitors evident at the Democrat booths.
Rick Snyder, Republican gubernatorial candidate, stopped by this evening after patronizing the Boy Scout hamburger trailer and pronounced it very good. It's always a stop for me and my husband as well and never disappoints. Mike Nofs has a booth and his staff and supporters are a major presence also.
We hear that the Democrats are having a counter-rally Thursday afternoon in support of Obamacare. It's strange to me that give or take 50% of the population can read HR3200 and find specific problems, list them, try to talk to their legislators about them, perhaps get a little noisy and be labeled unAmerican by the other 50% of the country who accepts 100% of all the problem areas. They accept 100% change and demolition of healthcare as we know it when give or take only 25 million of us affected. Can we just give them the public option and leave everyone else alone?
To have the leadership of the Congress and the President united in trying to divide the country and engage in name calling such as Nazi would seem to be cause for questioning someone's sanity, patriotism or the second step after the financial and automotive nationalization. Wonder which business area will be next.
God bless.........
ps-Now that Sotomayor has been sworn in as a Supreme Court Justice we will have to wait and see just how truthful were her answers at the hearings. She probably didn't give too much thought to the responsibility facing her now which is that she will have to adhere to her testimony. If she doesn't, the next nominee made by Obama will have a really tough time with credibility given her example. We wish her well and we pray that her Latina wisdom continues to develop -- perhaps she will be able to live up to her billing.
Rick Snyder, Republican gubernatorial candidate, stopped by this evening after patronizing the Boy Scout hamburger trailer and pronounced it very good. It's always a stop for me and my husband as well and never disappoints. Mike Nofs has a booth and his staff and supporters are a major presence also.
We hear that the Democrats are having a counter-rally Thursday afternoon in support of Obamacare. It's strange to me that give or take 50% of the population can read HR3200 and find specific problems, list them, try to talk to their legislators about them, perhaps get a little noisy and be labeled unAmerican by the other 50% of the country who accepts 100% of all the problem areas. They accept 100% change and demolition of healthcare as we know it when give or take only 25 million of us affected. Can we just give them the public option and leave everyone else alone?
To have the leadership of the Congress and the President united in trying to divide the country and engage in name calling such as Nazi would seem to be cause for questioning someone's sanity, patriotism or the second step after the financial and automotive nationalization. Wonder which business area will be next.
God bless.........
ps-Now that Sotomayor has been sworn in as a Supreme Court Justice we will have to wait and see just how truthful were her answers at the hearings. She probably didn't give too much thought to the responsibility facing her now which is that she will have to adhere to her testimony. If she doesn't, the next nominee made by Obama will have a really tough time with credibility given her example. We wish her well and we pray that her Latina wisdom continues to develop -- perhaps she will be able to live up to her billing.
Monday, August 10, 2009
MARK SCHAUER - SUPERMAN?
According to his spokesman, Zack Pohl, Cong. Schauer "will be hosting office hours across the district and talking to over 100,000 constituents about this issue (healthcare) on the phone," per email to the CIT PAT. So how 'bout we figure that out?
Let's just give him 33,000 contacts through the first 10 days of August--that even includes two Sundays. And how about giving him weekends off for a little fund raising? That leaves 66,000 contacts in fifteen days. That gives us 4400 per day. We'll give him 7 hours to sleep and 3 hours to eat, take a shower and dress, leaving 14 hours per day. That gives us 314 per hour so he can reach 78.5 constituents in a 15 minute conference call. This should be adequate to accomplish his usual scripted conference calls. Doesn't give any time for Q & A, but hey, it is "talking" to his constitutents.
It also gives no time at all for any office hours and appointments or travel.
This should give him just enough time to go through the Pelosi bullet points and it's just too bad that we can't get his opinion on abortions being healthcare, the choices open to senior citizens who will be denied procedures and asked to take a pain pill instead, big cuts in Medicare, full coverage to illegals, penalizing small business owners 8% if they don't provide insurance (and if they do and it doesn't measure up to the "bureau" standards a fine of 8%,) the government having access to all personal financial and health records, the government having control of end of life decisions including how and when, a public option plan which can undercut private coverage and put private insurance companies (who are on the Congressional and White House "enemies" list and preferred scapegoats) plus any number of other problem areas in HR3200.
I realize this isn't a final bill, but unless we can get our Representative to listen to us, we have no input at all as to how we live our lives as far as this issue is concerned. And of course one of the worst aspects is that it is such a bad bill that no self-respecting Congressman would consider signing up for it.
Does the Congressman's press release give you a warm, fuzzy feeling? Do you really think he gives one hoot what his constituents want or need? Or, as they say, is his main focus to curry favor with his leaders, Pelosi and Obama? I opt for the latter.
Try to sleep well tonight-
God bless.............
Let's just give him 33,000 contacts through the first 10 days of August--that even includes two Sundays. And how about giving him weekends off for a little fund raising? That leaves 66,000 contacts in fifteen days. That gives us 4400 per day. We'll give him 7 hours to sleep and 3 hours to eat, take a shower and dress, leaving 14 hours per day. That gives us 314 per hour so he can reach 78.5 constituents in a 15 minute conference call. This should be adequate to accomplish his usual scripted conference calls. Doesn't give any time for Q & A, but hey, it is "talking" to his constitutents.
It also gives no time at all for any office hours and appointments or travel.
This should give him just enough time to go through the Pelosi bullet points and it's just too bad that we can't get his opinion on abortions being healthcare, the choices open to senior citizens who will be denied procedures and asked to take a pain pill instead, big cuts in Medicare, full coverage to illegals, penalizing small business owners 8% if they don't provide insurance (and if they do and it doesn't measure up to the "bureau" standards a fine of 8%,) the government having access to all personal financial and health records, the government having control of end of life decisions including how and when, a public option plan which can undercut private coverage and put private insurance companies (who are on the Congressional and White House "enemies" list and preferred scapegoats) plus any number of other problem areas in HR3200.
I realize this isn't a final bill, but unless we can get our Representative to listen to us, we have no input at all as to how we live our lives as far as this issue is concerned. And of course one of the worst aspects is that it is such a bad bill that no self-respecting Congressman would consider signing up for it.
Does the Congressman's press release give you a warm, fuzzy feeling? Do you really think he gives one hoot what his constituents want or need? Or, as they say, is his main focus to curry favor with his leaders, Pelosi and Obama? I opt for the latter.
Try to sleep well tonight-
God bless.............
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Thunderstorm/Tornado Warnings
Just to be safe I'm turning this thing off. Can't afford either the time or money to replace this in case of a lightning strike.
Sleep well--
God bless......
Sleep well--
God bless......
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Bill O'Reilly, Panderer Extraordinaire
This is a guy who really chooses the easy battles--you know the kind. In the old days we called apple pie and Motherhood off limits--everyone agreed. Today the subject agreed on by just about everyone is pedophilia and states who just can't bring themselves to legislate against certain poor behaviors. Those are the kinds of crusades O'Reilly takes on. He leaves the controversial ones to others so they get the criticism and flak that he doesn't want to. Guys and gals like Blenn Beck, Limbaugh, Coulter, etc. You'll notice I didn't mention Hammity--he's a lot like O'Reilly. Wants to be everybody's buddy.
This weekend's PARADE magazine features an article by old Bill stroking Obama and indicating to modern day youngsters how to grow up in a dysfunctional family.
First, you have to learn to forgive those who deserted you which sounds reasonable. But instead of pointing out that his being the "center" of his mother's life made it possible for him in his younger years to conclude that he made no mistakes and it was easy to become narcissistic. On top of that no credit or mention was made of the extraordinary job his grandparents did in rearing him through what are usually the tumultuous teenage years. His appreciation for that appears to be missing in that he refers to his grandmother as a typical white person in her reactions to race.
Second, not being a psychiatrist, I shouldn't argue with her conclusions that he intentionally decided to respect his parents. However, it occurs to me that for many youngsters who are pretty smart they figure out early on that they get more out of being outwardly respectful rather than obstreperous. Just a thought.
Third, the Persistence factor can be explained in many ways. By the time he starts his public life he has learned that he can talk his way through just about any circumstance and is smart enough to face adversity with backing off and learning and planning and using past experiences to do better the next time.
Fourth, working hard is an interesting concept. Most of us don't think of doing something that we really enjoy as work and depending on the mentors, political contacts plus college experiences in his life before campaigning for his early tries at public office I am sure he truly enjoyed what he was doing. (If I were truly cynical I would mention those who were advising and teaching him politics Chicago-style, as a part of the plans and goals.)
And fifth, Bill says he teaches children that anything is possible. And that is true, but not necessarily because of Obama's example. One thing I think children can learn from both Presidents Bill Clinton and Barak Obama is that a glib tongue and attaining high status allows one to lie and walk over people with impunity. It's like we read in the book I recommended a few month's ago THE OUTLIERS which attributes much success to luck, being at the right place at the right time and practicing thousands of hours at one task rather than a few hours at many.
Have a good Sunday-
God bless............
This weekend's PARADE magazine features an article by old Bill stroking Obama and indicating to modern day youngsters how to grow up in a dysfunctional family.
First, you have to learn to forgive those who deserted you which sounds reasonable. But instead of pointing out that his being the "center" of his mother's life made it possible for him in his younger years to conclude that he made no mistakes and it was easy to become narcissistic. On top of that no credit or mention was made of the extraordinary job his grandparents did in rearing him through what are usually the tumultuous teenage years. His appreciation for that appears to be missing in that he refers to his grandmother as a typical white person in her reactions to race.
Second, not being a psychiatrist, I shouldn't argue with her conclusions that he intentionally decided to respect his parents. However, it occurs to me that for many youngsters who are pretty smart they figure out early on that they get more out of being outwardly respectful rather than obstreperous. Just a thought.
Third, the Persistence factor can be explained in many ways. By the time he starts his public life he has learned that he can talk his way through just about any circumstance and is smart enough to face adversity with backing off and learning and planning and using past experiences to do better the next time.
Fourth, working hard is an interesting concept. Most of us don't think of doing something that we really enjoy as work and depending on the mentors, political contacts plus college experiences in his life before campaigning for his early tries at public office I am sure he truly enjoyed what he was doing. (If I were truly cynical I would mention those who were advising and teaching him politics Chicago-style, as a part of the plans and goals.)
And fifth, Bill says he teaches children that anything is possible. And that is true, but not necessarily because of Obama's example. One thing I think children can learn from both Presidents Bill Clinton and Barak Obama is that a glib tongue and attaining high status allows one to lie and walk over people with impunity. It's like we read in the book I recommended a few month's ago THE OUTLIERS which attributes much success to luck, being at the right place at the right time and practicing thousands of hours at one task rather than a few hours at many.
Have a good Sunday-
God bless............
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thie is Like Watching a Serial Mystery
We really will just have to be patient and see how this plays out.
Did you ever in your wildest imagination think that there was a chance that your own government would try to trap you into supplying them with your name and address for their "enemies list?" We all thought that went out with J. Edgar, Lyndon Baines and Tricky Dick, right?
Well, I think I can tell you with great certainty that just sending something to the flag@whitehouse.gov isn't going to put you on that list. Assuming that such a list exists, there can be no doubt that they have other methods of completing their efforts. The sophistication of cyberspace good guys, bad guys and all other types is mind boggling and I'm sure they already know all about most of us if not all.
So, not to worry.
There might be cause to worry, depending on how old you are, about the AARP. There is a video taken at an event they put on to "inform" their members which should be extremely embarrassing to them. A woman, probably in her forties at the podium and speaking for the AARP, made erroneous remarks and when called on them, became very rude and ultimately walked out of the event. The conversation continued in a civilized manner and she came back in to pull the plugs on some equipment and she grabbed the microphone to proclaim "AARP does not endorse the healthcare bill."
Oh, yeah? Many of us have personally witnessed spokespersons for AARP who have sat on panels representing the pro healthcare bill side. There they go again. They haven't changed their ways since 1992 when they wanted to have their cake as well as eating it. Do not ever join that outfit. There are other groups who represent seniors much better. We'll supply you with information soon.
God bless............
Did you ever in your wildest imagination think that there was a chance that your own government would try to trap you into supplying them with your name and address for their "enemies list?" We all thought that went out with J. Edgar, Lyndon Baines and Tricky Dick, right?
Well, I think I can tell you with great certainty that just sending something to the flag@whitehouse.gov isn't going to put you on that list. Assuming that such a list exists, there can be no doubt that they have other methods of completing their efforts. The sophistication of cyberspace good guys, bad guys and all other types is mind boggling and I'm sure they already know all about most of us if not all.
So, not to worry.
There might be cause to worry, depending on how old you are, about the AARP. There is a video taken at an event they put on to "inform" their members which should be extremely embarrassing to them. A woman, probably in her forties at the podium and speaking for the AARP, made erroneous remarks and when called on them, became very rude and ultimately walked out of the event. The conversation continued in a civilized manner and she came back in to pull the plugs on some equipment and she grabbed the microphone to proclaim "AARP does not endorse the healthcare bill."
Oh, yeah? Many of us have personally witnessed spokespersons for AARP who have sat on panels representing the pro healthcare bill side. There they go again. They haven't changed their ways since 1992 when they wanted to have their cake as well as eating it. Do not ever join that outfit. There are other groups who represent seniors much better. We'll supply you with information soon.
God bless............
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Raining on the Healthcare Parade
I am not suggesting that we give up the fight, in fact, it is vital that we do as much as possible to stop the roller coaster of the Democrat majority from mowing down everything in its path and reach some kind of acceptable legislation. It appears that our best hope lies in the hands of the Blue Dog Democrats. Some of them are Pro-Life as well as fiscal conservatives and we can only hope they stand strong.
The lines have been drawn with ACORN and the SEIU aligned with AARP (which I'll never understand, but am not surprised at) against Republicans who want to stop the destruction on the way to something that will help people as well as the economy rather than destroying the future of the country.
Lost in the rhetoric and raised voices of the past couple of days and the shouting matches at the Town Hall meetings where the Congressmen who have safe seats are holding forth is the comment by Chuck Schumer that on September 15 they will have a vote on a Democrat bill which will pass because they have the majority and they don't need to reach across the aisle.
One can only hope that they are surprised enough to lose just a little arrogance and consider the public they are supposed to be representing. If nothing else, they may decide they could lose their majority if they aren't careful which speaks to them when nothing else will. Don't forget, it wasn't that long ago that Nancy Pelosi echoed Barak Obama's message of "We won. Deal with it."
On the local level in the 7th District Mark Schauer has vowed that he will not hold any Town Hall meetings. We will entertain any suggestions to change his mind such as having our own Town Hall meetings with visiting speakers invited as well as Mr. Schauer. If he doesn't show, he doesn't show, but there will be a symbolic empty chair and undoubtedly there will be plenty of media commentary. Just a thought. (Just a guess on my part, but I figured part of the reason he was avoiding confrontations is that he had planned to do some major fund raising this month--now I wonder just how successful he will be other than the Stryker fund and other PACs.)
Here in the 19th, which is Marty Griffin's home, Mike Nofs won the Republican primary with 87% of the vote while Marty garnered about 64% in his race. (I don't know the reason, but his opponent, Sharon Renier, is quitting the Democrat party.) Having worked with the Board of Canvassers yesterday and all day today I haven't had time to look at the entire district, but will get back to you. So keep up the good work in the 19th--it's a great place to start the comeback.
Time to rest up for tomorrow-
God bless.............
The lines have been drawn with ACORN and the SEIU aligned with AARP (which I'll never understand, but am not surprised at) against Republicans who want to stop the destruction on the way to something that will help people as well as the economy rather than destroying the future of the country.
Lost in the rhetoric and raised voices of the past couple of days and the shouting matches at the Town Hall meetings where the Congressmen who have safe seats are holding forth is the comment by Chuck Schumer that on September 15 they will have a vote on a Democrat bill which will pass because they have the majority and they don't need to reach across the aisle.
One can only hope that they are surprised enough to lose just a little arrogance and consider the public they are supposed to be representing. If nothing else, they may decide they could lose their majority if they aren't careful which speaks to them when nothing else will. Don't forget, it wasn't that long ago that Nancy Pelosi echoed Barak Obama's message of "We won. Deal with it."
On the local level in the 7th District Mark Schauer has vowed that he will not hold any Town Hall meetings. We will entertain any suggestions to change his mind such as having our own Town Hall meetings with visiting speakers invited as well as Mr. Schauer. If he doesn't show, he doesn't show, but there will be a symbolic empty chair and undoubtedly there will be plenty of media commentary. Just a thought. (Just a guess on my part, but I figured part of the reason he was avoiding confrontations is that he had planned to do some major fund raising this month--now I wonder just how successful he will be other than the Stryker fund and other PACs.)
Here in the 19th, which is Marty Griffin's home, Mike Nofs won the Republican primary with 87% of the vote while Marty garnered about 64% in his race. (I don't know the reason, but his opponent, Sharon Renier, is quitting the Democrat party.) Having worked with the Board of Canvassers yesterday and all day today I haven't had time to look at the entire district, but will get back to you. So keep up the good work in the 19th--it's a great place to start the comeback.
Time to rest up for tomorrow-
God bless.............
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Please -Skip the long post and read the short one first--
It explains why this is split up this evening. Thanks
The email address is: flag@whitehouse.gov
The email address is: flag@whitehouse.gov
Letter from Barak Obama about Healthcare-Sounds Fishy to Me
From: President Barack Obama
Subject: This is the moment
To: Tony
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2009, 12:49 PM
Tony-
This is the moment our movement was built for.
For one month, the fight for health insurance reform leaves the backrooms of Washington, D.C., and returns to communities across America. Throughout August, members of Congress are back home, where the hands they shake and the voices they hear will not belong to lobbyists, but to people like you.
Home is where we're the strongest. We didn't win last year's election together at a committee hearing in D.C. We won it on the doorsteps and the phone lines, at the softball games and the town meetings, and in every part of this great country where people gather to talk about what matters most. And if you're willing to step up once again, that's exactly where we're going to win this historic campaign for the guaranteed, affordable health insurance that every American deserves.
There are those who profit from the status quo, or see this debate as a political game, and they will stop at nothing to block reform. They are filling the airwaves and the internet with outrageous falsehoods to scare people into opposing change. And some people, not surprisingly, are getting pretty nervous. So we've got to get out there, fight lies with truth, and set the record straight.
THAT'S WHY ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA IS PUTTING TOGETHER THOUSANDS OF EVENTS THIS MONTH WHERE YOU CAN REACH OUT TO NEIGHBORS, SHOW YOUR SUPPORT, AND MAKE CERTAIN YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS KNOW THAT YOU'RE COUNTING ON THEM TO ACT.
But these canvasses, town halls, and gatherings only make a difference if you turn up to knock on doors, share your views, and show your support. So here's what I need from you.
Can you commit to join at least one event in your community this month?
In politics, there's a rule that says when you ask people to get involved, always tell them it'll be easy. Well, let's be honest here: Passing comprehensive health insurance reform will not be easy. Every President since Harry Truman has talked about it, and the most powerful and experienced lobbyists in Washington stand in the way.
But every day we don't act, Americans watch their premiums rise three times faster than wages, small businesses and families are pushed towards bankruptcy, and 14,000 people lose their coverage entirely. The cost of inaction is simply too much for the people of this nation to bear.
So yes, fixing this crisis will not be easy. Our opponents will attack us every day for daring to try. It will require time, and hard work, and there will be days when we don't know if we have anything more to give. But there comes a moment when we all have to choose between doing what is easy, and doing what is right.
This is one of those times. And moments like this are what this movement was built for. So, are you ready?
Please commit now to taking at least one action in your community this month to build support for health insurance reform.
http://my.barackobama.com/commitAugust
Let's seize this moment and win this historic victory for our economy, our health and our families.
Thank you.
President Barack Oboma
Donate Box
Disclaimer:
Paid for by the Democratic National Committee
etc., etc.
Subject: This is the moment
To: Tony
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2009, 12:49 PM
Tony-
This is the moment our movement was built for.
For one month, the fight for health insurance reform leaves the backrooms of Washington, D.C., and returns to communities across America. Throughout August, members of Congress are back home, where the hands they shake and the voices they hear will not belong to lobbyists, but to people like you.
Home is where we're the strongest. We didn't win last year's election together at a committee hearing in D.C. We won it on the doorsteps and the phone lines, at the softball games and the town meetings, and in every part of this great country where people gather to talk about what matters most. And if you're willing to step up once again, that's exactly where we're going to win this historic campaign for the guaranteed, affordable health insurance that every American deserves.
There are those who profit from the status quo, or see this debate as a political game, and they will stop at nothing to block reform. They are filling the airwaves and the internet with outrageous falsehoods to scare people into opposing change. And some people, not surprisingly, are getting pretty nervous. So we've got to get out there, fight lies with truth, and set the record straight.
THAT'S WHY ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA IS PUTTING TOGETHER THOUSANDS OF EVENTS THIS MONTH WHERE YOU CAN REACH OUT TO NEIGHBORS, SHOW YOUR SUPPORT, AND MAKE CERTAIN YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS KNOW THAT YOU'RE COUNTING ON THEM TO ACT.
But these canvasses, town halls, and gatherings only make a difference if you turn up to knock on doors, share your views, and show your support. So here's what I need from you.
Can you commit to join at least one event in your community this month?
In politics, there's a rule that says when you ask people to get involved, always tell them it'll be easy. Well, let's be honest here: Passing comprehensive health insurance reform will not be easy. Every President since Harry Truman has talked about it, and the most powerful and experienced lobbyists in Washington stand in the way.
But every day we don't act, Americans watch their premiums rise three times faster than wages, small businesses and families are pushed towards bankruptcy, and 14,000 people lose their coverage entirely. The cost of inaction is simply too much for the people of this nation to bear.
So yes, fixing this crisis will not be easy. Our opponents will attack us every day for daring to try. It will require time, and hard work, and there will be days when we don't know if we have anything more to give. But there comes a moment when we all have to choose between doing what is easy, and doing what is right.
This is one of those times. And moments like this are what this movement was built for. So, are you ready?
Please commit now to taking at least one action in your community this month to build support for health insurance reform.
http://my.barackobama.com/commitAugust
Let's seize this moment and win this historic victory for our economy, our health and our families.
Thank you.
President Barack Oboma
Donate Box
Disclaimer:
Paid for by the Democratic National Committee
etc., etc.
Barak Obama Wants "Fishy" E-mails
I'm going to split this evening's post in two parts to make it easier for you to do as he asks. He wants any "fishy" email which talks about the healthcare bill to be sent to him at flag@whitehouse.gov. I don't know what he intends to do with them, but he thinks there is a vast right wing conspiracy which is trying to deep-six his universal healthcare plan.
I would hope that we can swamp him with the kind of thing that will be posted on the other half. Maybe even shut him down. I don't know what he could do with the addresses of all the people who will be answering his call, but if you are apprehensive, don't worry about it.
I am using an alias for my friend's name who rec'd this message from the DNC, don't want him to get any mail because of this.
I'm told that you folks who are knowledgeable about all things electronic will be able to do the usual cut and paste or whatever it takes to just send a copy of the letter to Mr. Obama at the White House.
Thanks a bunch--
God bless............
I would hope that we can swamp him with the kind of thing that will be posted on the other half. Maybe even shut him down. I don't know what he could do with the addresses of all the people who will be answering his call, but if you are apprehensive, don't worry about it.
I am using an alias for my friend's name who rec'd this message from the DNC, don't want him to get any mail because of this.
I'm told that you folks who are knowledgeable about all things electronic will be able to do the usual cut and paste or whatever it takes to just send a copy of the letter to Mr. Obama at the White House.
Thanks a bunch--
God bless............
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Used Car Market--
I scanned the old posts and couldn't find my prediction from a few weeks ago when I advised readers to "take good care of your cars!" And this was before the grandiose scheme called "cash for clunkers."
My prediction was based on the fact, as I recall, that in the fairly close future the price of gasoline would probably sky rocket due in part to tax increases plus the fact that we would be forced into the hybrid or battery operated car market which are priced way beyond the average price of a car today. And now we have lost a good share of cars which fill a niche for those who need cheap transportation just to get them to work, the grocery, church and the doctor's office.
It just seems kind of sad to see perfectly good older autos being smashed beyond recognition. I can remember going to the junk yard looking for a cheap part some years ago when the after market and OEM (original equipment manufacturer or maker) were both out of my price range. One could get both engine parts and body parts which was pretty handy if you had a fender bender that didn't hit the deductible.
Yes, I know, my age is showing again.
Anyway, cyclical sales, supply and demand plus the need for a good, safe auto for our teen-agers made for a viable used car market. We can only hope that the cliche "unintended consequences" or "teachable moments" doesn't jump up to bite us as seriously as it could. The cost of going "green" seems to be escalating.
Change of subject: Remember when Hillary talked about the "vast right wing conspiracy?" Today I heard Chris Matthews (the guy whose leg tingles when he thinks of Obama) talk about the conspiracy responsible for the folks who are shouting out at Town Hall meetings with their Congressmen. That this could not just be a simple spontaneous reaction to the fear their constituents have of nationalized or socialized medicine in this country. And then, if conservatives define any activity as a possible conspiracy we are "reaching" and looking for someone to blame.
I can tell you from personal experience that if the governmental "suggestions" that PSA counts or tests for prostate cancer are unnecessary for anyone over age 70+ (not sure of the exact number) we would not have known a close family member had this disease. It is being treated with non-invasive methods (which are less expensive) and the PSA numbers are lower than they have been in 15 years. Under Obamacare we would have been worrying and anxious through these years until it would have been too late to do anything about it. Puh-leeze do not tell me there is no rationed care in whatever you want to call it-single payer or whatever.
Enough for tonight--
God bless...............
My prediction was based on the fact, as I recall, that in the fairly close future the price of gasoline would probably sky rocket due in part to tax increases plus the fact that we would be forced into the hybrid or battery operated car market which are priced way beyond the average price of a car today. And now we have lost a good share of cars which fill a niche for those who need cheap transportation just to get them to work, the grocery, church and the doctor's office.
It just seems kind of sad to see perfectly good older autos being smashed beyond recognition. I can remember going to the junk yard looking for a cheap part some years ago when the after market and OEM (original equipment manufacturer or maker) were both out of my price range. One could get both engine parts and body parts which was pretty handy if you had a fender bender that didn't hit the deductible.
Yes, I know, my age is showing again.
Anyway, cyclical sales, supply and demand plus the need for a good, safe auto for our teen-agers made for a viable used car market. We can only hope that the cliche "unintended consequences" or "teachable moments" doesn't jump up to bite us as seriously as it could. The cost of going "green" seems to be escalating.
Change of subject: Remember when Hillary talked about the "vast right wing conspiracy?" Today I heard Chris Matthews (the guy whose leg tingles when he thinks of Obama) talk about the conspiracy responsible for the folks who are shouting out at Town Hall meetings with their Congressmen. That this could not just be a simple spontaneous reaction to the fear their constituents have of nationalized or socialized medicine in this country. And then, if conservatives define any activity as a possible conspiracy we are "reaching" and looking for someone to blame.
I can tell you from personal experience that if the governmental "suggestions" that PSA counts or tests for prostate cancer are unnecessary for anyone over age 70+ (not sure of the exact number) we would not have known a close family member had this disease. It is being treated with non-invasive methods (which are less expensive) and the PSA numbers are lower than they have been in 15 years. Under Obamacare we would have been worrying and anxious through these years until it would have been too late to do anything about it. Puh-leeze do not tell me there is no rationed care in whatever you want to call it-single payer or whatever.
Enough for tonight--
God bless...............
Monday, August 3, 2009
Mike Nofs for 19th District Senate Seat
If there are any Jackson or Calhoun county readers out there who live in the 19th Senate District please do not forget to vote Tuesday for Mike Nofs!
Now that the Fix Michigan office is open in Jackson, we have a more efficient system to work within in order to accomplish our goals. It is in downtown Jackson, around the corner and south from the City Hall on Jackson St. just a few steps from Michigan avenue. Mike Marzano will be tickled to death to greet you and give you an opportunity to spend some time on the campaign.
One of our efforts this month includes visiting Mr. Schauer's office on Thursday afternoons beginning with next week. Since he won't hold Town Hall meetings we will at least let him know how much we would appreciate his representation of the district rather than the more liberal areas of the country. Perhaps some of you could make an appointment to have a personal encounter with him, preferably on a Thursday?
Has anyone heard the real story of why the Justice Department is not going to investigate/prosecute the Black Panthers in Pennsylvania who stood in the doorway wielding billy clubs in last November's election?
And does anyone have any thoughts on how we can force transparency to find out where the 53,000 jobs in Michigan will be plus the "millions" throughout the country on the "shovel ready" projects which we all presumed would be started within a month, or at the most two months after passage of the stimulus package? They have repeated those figures frequently enough by now that most folks are appearing to accept them. NO WAY! We need to know!!
After spending most of the day reminiscing with my husband of 59 years on our anniversary today there's not a boatload of new information this evening. We'll do better tomorrow.
God bless.............
ps-Has it occurred to anyone else that the surviving dealers of cars have benefited twice? First they legally stole the dealerships of their competitors and now they have the "best sales" since Hector was a pup. There would be no sales records if those sales were spread over the number of dealers from last year. Think about it.
Now that the Fix Michigan office is open in Jackson, we have a more efficient system to work within in order to accomplish our goals. It is in downtown Jackson, around the corner and south from the City Hall on Jackson St. just a few steps from Michigan avenue. Mike Marzano will be tickled to death to greet you and give you an opportunity to spend some time on the campaign.
One of our efforts this month includes visiting Mr. Schauer's office on Thursday afternoons beginning with next week. Since he won't hold Town Hall meetings we will at least let him know how much we would appreciate his representation of the district rather than the more liberal areas of the country. Perhaps some of you could make an appointment to have a personal encounter with him, preferably on a Thursday?
Has anyone heard the real story of why the Justice Department is not going to investigate/prosecute the Black Panthers in Pennsylvania who stood in the doorway wielding billy clubs in last November's election?
And does anyone have any thoughts on how we can force transparency to find out where the 53,000 jobs in Michigan will be plus the "millions" throughout the country on the "shovel ready" projects which we all presumed would be started within a month, or at the most two months after passage of the stimulus package? They have repeated those figures frequently enough by now that most folks are appearing to accept them. NO WAY! We need to know!!
After spending most of the day reminiscing with my husband of 59 years on our anniversary today there's not a boatload of new information this evening. We'll do better tomorrow.
God bless.............
ps-Has it occurred to anyone else that the surviving dealers of cars have benefited twice? First they legally stole the dealerships of their competitors and now they have the "best sales" since Hector was a pup. There would be no sales records if those sales were spread over the number of dealers from last year. Think about it.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Homework/SEIU and ACORN
Last week under a totally different subject--ie., the Pension Benefits Guarantee Fund which mentioned the service union SEIU which a couple of days later referenced ACORN and SEIU together and then yesterday afternoon while channel surfing I saw a Glenn Beck segment which was explaining The Apollo Alliance linking both of them with a Green/environmental group.
No way am I able to explain this to anyone, but I did access GlennBeck.com and on the search line typed The Apollo Alliance which apparently describes the connection.
I didn't take the time to watch it, but will try to get at it tomorrow and you may want to give it a try as well.
See ya,
God bless...........
No way am I able to explain this to anyone, but I did access GlennBeck.com and on the search line typed The Apollo Alliance which apparently describes the connection.
I didn't take the time to watch it, but will try to get at it tomorrow and you may want to give it a try as well.
See ya,
God bless...........
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Conyers/Detroit/Bailouts
You've probably heard Conyers quoted as saying that no one should be expected to read a bill that weighed 14 pounds and that would take 2 days and 2 lawyers to even begin to understand it, so he might as well sign on. You know, I can almost understand what he means.
When I look back on the 40 years I've lived in Michigan times have really changed. Back in 1969 we lived in Cadillac so Detroit was an unknown which we respected as the largest city in the state and the entire area was dedicated to the automotive industry, so it felt like "we were all in this together."
Then we moved to Albion and there were opportunities to go to Detroit for occasional outings such as for ball games, theater, the DIA, etc. and we were really surprised when folks told us to be careful. There were "dangerous" areas. Ultimately we settled in Jackson and by that time, 1976, we felt we pretty much knew our way around.
We also had learned that the school system in Detroit left a lot to be desired as did the political/government systems. We've gone through being willing to pay extra taxes to help the city and the disadvantaged to realizing that no amount of money will help a situation if ocrruption and crime are a way of life. We've watched a number of new leaders try to make things better only to find that the circumstances are stacked against them.
And that's why I felt my first pang of sympathy for Mr. Conyers this week. I still think he is part of the problem rather than part of the solution, but sort of understand where he is coming from.
It's because when I think about our mess in Washington with Mark Schauer being so obstinate in his persistence to follow the Pelosi liberal machine rather than even try to represent his constituents it is getting more and more difficult not to just break down and shed tears. Not gonna happen. I feel a few tea parties coming on.
God bless............
When I look back on the 40 years I've lived in Michigan times have really changed. Back in 1969 we lived in Cadillac so Detroit was an unknown which we respected as the largest city in the state and the entire area was dedicated to the automotive industry, so it felt like "we were all in this together."
Then we moved to Albion and there were opportunities to go to Detroit for occasional outings such as for ball games, theater, the DIA, etc. and we were really surprised when folks told us to be careful. There were "dangerous" areas. Ultimately we settled in Jackson and by that time, 1976, we felt we pretty much knew our way around.
We also had learned that the school system in Detroit left a lot to be desired as did the political/government systems. We've gone through being willing to pay extra taxes to help the city and the disadvantaged to realizing that no amount of money will help a situation if ocrruption and crime are a way of life. We've watched a number of new leaders try to make things better only to find that the circumstances are stacked against them.
And that's why I felt my first pang of sympathy for Mr. Conyers this week. I still think he is part of the problem rather than part of the solution, but sort of understand where he is coming from.
It's because when I think about our mess in Washington with Mark Schauer being so obstinate in his persistence to follow the Pelosi liberal machine rather than even try to represent his constituents it is getting more and more difficult not to just break down and shed tears. Not gonna happen. I feel a few tea parties coming on.
God bless............
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