I know, you are tired of hearing me complain about GM, but they just can't quit. Did anyone else catch the new ad during the NFL games where there is lovely piano music in the background and beginning with a boxer being knocked to the canvas? The next scene featured a space vehicle starting to rise and then settling back down, followed by Popeye falling (or drowning.) Next we see Evil Knievel missing a stunt and a guy holding him, then a guy on his hands and knees in sepia colors (to make it look like an old classic) apparently being watched by a room full of dejected guys -Popeye still falling, and Harry Truman holding up a newspaper featuring the headline touting "Dewey beats Truman." (For you younger people, he didn't.)
Ta da! Popeye magically pulls out his can of spinach, kicking his way to the surface, the boxer on the canvas shakes it off and gets up and screen black with the words: We all fall down - followed by something about needing help to get up and finally, "Thank You from GM" (Big difference, except for Knievel, there was no evidence of anyone else getting any help.)
To begin with, Obama didn't give us any choice in the matter, they profess to have paid back every penny and their spokespersons last week again lied by saying that the preferred stock holders and bond holders have been made whole, and they are the beneficiaries of $45 gazillion in tax credits over the next 20 years. All in all it gives me real heartburn to know that they have fooled the American public once again. Oh, and I still get letters from them thanking me for my loyalty and don't I want to come in and check out the new models.
A couple of topics we may want to dig into a little more deeply:
1-A friend who is undergoing chemo and has been getting a $1000 shot on a monthly basis has been told, through (not by) her doctor that the FDA says she now needs two shots instead of one. No government control?
2-Since there is no excess Social Security in the pot for the government to take and replace with a worthless IOU, they are just not going to pay the interest due on all the so-called loans they have taken thus far.
3-Wouldn't it be really easy for there to be a box on the IRS form for those making over $250,000 to check if they are a business? Then the really rich could go on to pay more--just like Warren Buffet, Ted Turner, Bill Gates, etc. Just do it without forcing their guilty consciences on others.
4-Still need to address earmarks as stand alone items. What's so hard about that?
5-Russia has finally admitted to it being Stalin who was responsible for the 1940 massacre of 22,000 Poles in the Katyn Forest--not the Nazis as they have been saying all along. (Nazis have more than their share of that kind of behavior.)
One wonders if the Japanese will ever admit to their own people, let alone the rest of the world, that they attacked Pearl Harbor and other South Pacific outposts on Dec. 7, 1941. That's a date which is coming up next week lest we forget.
What with all of the problems abounding we still had much for which to be thankful last week and which we should praise God the rest of the days. God bless......
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
A Slight Change of Focus
Since the Jackson County Republicans have seen the need for new blood I have been relieved of my duties on the Executive Committee which opens up new opportunities including what I started talking about last week.
We will be starting a group comprised of folks who are intensely interested in the issues of the day. You know, the kind of thing that we only briefly address on a blog which by necessity cannot be long enough to cover any subject in its entirety.
If any of you readers out there are local and would like to participate, you are more than welcome. Perhaps the best way would be to post a comment and we can exchange contact information.
This will be a casual group--no dues, meeting when we decide to, choosing our topics as we go, but really researching and sharing information. Perhaps an occasional speaker may join us--we are fortunate to have some experts in various fields living around us. We may even evolve into being able to give our legislators information that would take pressure off their staffs. At the very least, we'll give it the old college try.
Other than the lame ducks which are actually pretty crippled as I see it and the flap over the new TSA methods of screening passengers which is again a reactive position rather than being proactive we've been treading water lately. The shakeups in the political parties are probably more exciting than politics at this point with challengers beginning to line up against Michael Steele.
Not that there aren't any other topics to talk about, it's just that it looks like we might have exciting times of learning and sharing ahead of us and I'm anxious to see how many folks agree.
So God bless and have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We still have an overabundance of most everything in this fantastic place we call our homeland.
We will be starting a group comprised of folks who are intensely interested in the issues of the day. You know, the kind of thing that we only briefly address on a blog which by necessity cannot be long enough to cover any subject in its entirety.
If any of you readers out there are local and would like to participate, you are more than welcome. Perhaps the best way would be to post a comment and we can exchange contact information.
This will be a casual group--no dues, meeting when we decide to, choosing our topics as we go, but really researching and sharing information. Perhaps an occasional speaker may join us--we are fortunate to have some experts in various fields living around us. We may even evolve into being able to give our legislators information that would take pressure off their staffs. At the very least, we'll give it the old college try.
Other than the lame ducks which are actually pretty crippled as I see it and the flap over the new TSA methods of screening passengers which is again a reactive position rather than being proactive we've been treading water lately. The shakeups in the political parties are probably more exciting than politics at this point with challengers beginning to line up against Michael Steele.
Not that there aren't any other topics to talk about, it's just that it looks like we might have exciting times of learning and sharing ahead of us and I'm anxious to see how many folks agree.
So God bless and have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We still have an overabundance of most everything in this fantastic place we call our homeland.
Monday, November 15, 2010
It's Just About Time......
Now that we're past the "same old, same old" and things are beginning to sift out, there are getting to be more topics than can be addressed once a week. Consider:
If Rolls Royce can fix those engines as fast as they indicate, doesn't it mean that they knew there was a problem and they've already been working on it and perhaps they should have grounded fleets earlier? Just thinking...
Obama's "Get Outta Dodge" trip was the most obvious, cowardly move ever, even for him.
When is this government going to get over the fact that subsidies have no place in a capitalistic society? If Tyson and others want to sell their chicken fat to extend bio diesel, let them, but don't ask us to pay to make it happen.
Does anyone know whether or not the bankruptcy laws in states such as Florida which protect a family homestead can also prevent foreclosure?
When visiting India, did it appear unseemly to anyone else that it was way too familiar a gesture to Obama to have his arm around the shoulders of Prime Minister Singh?
If the new Tea Party Congressmen start to trade off tax increases for cuts, we'll know it was all for naught. Let's remind all our newly elected representatives that what we're looking for is CUTS FIRST! Ad even if, by McConnell's definition earmarks are a minuscule part of the budget (my word, not his, but that's what he meant) it's the symbolism and honesty involved.
The next message: If it's important enough to be in a bill as an earmark, it should be important enough to STAND ALONE!
China is now making deals for coal with Australia. Their usage is skyrocketing and where does that leave us with our EPA trying to single-handeddly destroy businesses who need that kind of energy.
Speaking of energy, some time has elapsed since we visited the costs of solar and wind power and how much we spend in subsidies for those two. You just can't turn around without running into another way to spend our money or anything they can borrow.
One to two year old second hand cars cost more than new ones? Maybe it's because a whole bunch of "used" cars got smashed to smithereens during the Cash for Clunkers program. That's not the entire story, but it needs investigating.
Quotes heard during Obama's Asian trip:
"The Fed's mandate, my mandate, is to grow our economy. And that's not just good for the United States, that's good for the world as a whole." Obama
"The last time there was a competitive devaluation of currencies it ended up where it did, in the Second World War." Brazils President-elect, Dilma Rouseff
"It doesn't add up when the Americans accuse the Chinese of currency manipulation and then...artificially lower the value of the dollar." Wolfgang Schluble, German Finance Minister
Russia's president will insist "such actions (as pumping cash into the U.S. economy( are taken with preliminary consultations with other members of the G-20." Arkady Dvorkovich, Russian G-20 negotiator
"The U.S. decision does not recognize, as a country that issues one of the world's major reserve currencies, its obligation to stabilize capital markets." Zhu Guangyao, Chinese Vice Finance Minister.
And all the people said, "Amen" because they couldn't argue with any of them with the possible exception of our President.
I'm thinking my future includes beginning a monthly program with speakers and participation research which can then be shared with membership, legislators, the public and any other audiences we can serve. It's a big job which needs more than my personal input. I generally have a biased opinion. What do you think?
God bless.......
If Rolls Royce can fix those engines as fast as they indicate, doesn't it mean that they knew there was a problem and they've already been working on it and perhaps they should have grounded fleets earlier? Just thinking...
Obama's "Get Outta Dodge" trip was the most obvious, cowardly move ever, even for him.
When is this government going to get over the fact that subsidies have no place in a capitalistic society? If Tyson and others want to sell their chicken fat to extend bio diesel, let them, but don't ask us to pay to make it happen.
Does anyone know whether or not the bankruptcy laws in states such as Florida which protect a family homestead can also prevent foreclosure?
When visiting India, did it appear unseemly to anyone else that it was way too familiar a gesture to Obama to have his arm around the shoulders of Prime Minister Singh?
If the new Tea Party Congressmen start to trade off tax increases for cuts, we'll know it was all for naught. Let's remind all our newly elected representatives that what we're looking for is CUTS FIRST! Ad even if, by McConnell's definition earmarks are a minuscule part of the budget (my word, not his, but that's what he meant) it's the symbolism and honesty involved.
The next message: If it's important enough to be in a bill as an earmark, it should be important enough to STAND ALONE!
China is now making deals for coal with Australia. Their usage is skyrocketing and where does that leave us with our EPA trying to single-handeddly destroy businesses who need that kind of energy.
Speaking of energy, some time has elapsed since we visited the costs of solar and wind power and how much we spend in subsidies for those two. You just can't turn around without running into another way to spend our money or anything they can borrow.
One to two year old second hand cars cost more than new ones? Maybe it's because a whole bunch of "used" cars got smashed to smithereens during the Cash for Clunkers program. That's not the entire story, but it needs investigating.
Quotes heard during Obama's Asian trip:
"The Fed's mandate, my mandate, is to grow our economy. And that's not just good for the United States, that's good for the world as a whole." Obama
"The last time there was a competitive devaluation of currencies it ended up where it did, in the Second World War." Brazils President-elect, Dilma Rouseff
"It doesn't add up when the Americans accuse the Chinese of currency manipulation and then...artificially lower the value of the dollar." Wolfgang Schluble, German Finance Minister
Russia's president will insist "such actions (as pumping cash into the U.S. economy( are taken with preliminary consultations with other members of the G-20." Arkady Dvorkovich, Russian G-20 negotiator
"The U.S. decision does not recognize, as a country that issues one of the world's major reserve currencies, its obligation to stabilize capital markets." Zhu Guangyao, Chinese Vice Finance Minister.
And all the people said, "Amen" because they couldn't argue with any of them with the possible exception of our President.
I'm thinking my future includes beginning a monthly program with speakers and participation research which can then be shared with membership, legislators, the public and any other audiences we can serve. It's a big job which needs more than my personal input. I generally have a biased opinion. What do you think?
God bless.......
Monday, November 8, 2010
Of Course We are Grateful-
At 1:45 Wednesday morning I posted on Facebook something like: I have a Congressman! I have two Representatives from Jackson County as well as two Senators! I have a conservative Supreme Court! And of course we have good representation on the college boards...
However, when we all awoke from our euphoria we realized that the work is just beginning. So Praise God for what we have, but now we have to keep and build on it.
This will be difficult with a President who considers Republicans his enemies. And please don't consider this a mistake. I believe the real description is a Freudian Slip which means that what he really meant slipped out without his thinking. Can't help wondering why he is campaigning in India. No joke, doesn't it sound like he is running for something over there?
We also have to watch the Fed. What is Bernanke thinking? Printing more money so the value and interest rates go down? How low can they go? Pretty soon they may pay folks to borrow money. This is scary stuff and we need to remind people that this is counter productive.
However, the week ended on another bright note. My husband came home just glowing with the story of liberal University of Michigan's incredible win on the football field, but more so because of the patriotic flavor of the day at the Big House. Honor was given to veterans all through the afternoon, all branches of the military along with a flyover originating in Texas with pilots who were grads of U of M and patriotic music throughout. Again, who could ask for anything more?
God bless.......
However, when we all awoke from our euphoria we realized that the work is just beginning. So Praise God for what we have, but now we have to keep and build on it.
This will be difficult with a President who considers Republicans his enemies. And please don't consider this a mistake. I believe the real description is a Freudian Slip which means that what he really meant slipped out without his thinking. Can't help wondering why he is campaigning in India. No joke, doesn't it sound like he is running for something over there?
We also have to watch the Fed. What is Bernanke thinking? Printing more money so the value and interest rates go down? How low can they go? Pretty soon they may pay folks to borrow money. This is scary stuff and we need to remind people that this is counter productive.
However, the week ended on another bright note. My husband came home just glowing with the story of liberal University of Michigan's incredible win on the football field, but more so because of the patriotic flavor of the day at the Big House. Honor was given to veterans all through the afternoon, all branches of the military along with a flyover originating in Texas with pilots who were grads of U of M and patriotic music throughout. Again, who could ask for anything more?
God bless.......
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Is he kidding? "A CREDIBLE TERRORIST THREAT?"
Call it what it was and is: A THWARTED TERRORIST ATTACK! Is the man nuts or is this one of Obama's many denials? He just doesn't get it. Or at least he pretends so he can go out flying around the country on Air Force I doing what he loves best: Campaigning. Undoubtedly on our nickel, right? What a guy...
The other bit of news or maybe it's not new to you and I've been asleep at the switch, they even have a name for those unemployed citizens who are nearing the end of their unemployment: 99ers because their 99 weeks are coming to an end in the near future.
The first million will be hitting the wall in December and another 3 to 4 million by the end of April.
What will that do to the economy unless the private sector can get some straight answers on tax structure and necessary changes in Obamacare?
Even if it seems like a lost cause, please call anyone you know and plead with them to vote Tuesday. Do you have relatives or friends or even business associates in Nevada, Washington or California? Call them, please.
I somehow ended up on a mailing list for the Democrat Senatorial Committee and you would not believe the pressure they are putting on the millions of people who get their emails. And every big name you can think of has been signing letters and asking for anything from $5 to $10 to $25 every time. Sometimes as many as 2-3 a day. They are really working to move their base and we need to keep up our pressure also. Personal contacts are the best. Emails, cards, letters and robo calls just don't get the job done.
And a few prayers asking for guidance for all of us to do the best for our country.
God bless.........
The other bit of news or maybe it's not new to you and I've been asleep at the switch, they even have a name for those unemployed citizens who are nearing the end of their unemployment: 99ers because their 99 weeks are coming to an end in the near future.
The first million will be hitting the wall in December and another 3 to 4 million by the end of April.
What will that do to the economy unless the private sector can get some straight answers on tax structure and necessary changes in Obamacare?
Even if it seems like a lost cause, please call anyone you know and plead with them to vote Tuesday. Do you have relatives or friends or even business associates in Nevada, Washington or California? Call them, please.
I somehow ended up on a mailing list for the Democrat Senatorial Committee and you would not believe the pressure they are putting on the millions of people who get their emails. And every big name you can think of has been signing letters and asking for anything from $5 to $10 to $25 every time. Sometimes as many as 2-3 a day. They are really working to move their base and we need to keep up our pressure also. Personal contacts are the best. Emails, cards, letters and robo calls just don't get the job done.
And a few prayers asking for guidance for all of us to do the best for our country.
God bless.........
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Patriot Post
If you are not already a subscriber, I highly recommend The Patriot Post at www.patriotpost.us which always has interesting, informative and just plain common sense articles ranging from cartoons, to Founder's Quotes to inspire and commentary which will stand anyone in good stead. I must admit that I am not a follower of blogs like the Drudge report, Rush Limbaugh's thoughts and other extremely well known commentators. I fear that they are more interested in the numbers of readers and in some cases, their advertisers needs.
As most of you know, I have always looked for stories that will have an effect on the economy of our state and nation and above all, the ultimate effect on our own pocketbooks and bank accounts. The personal influence on the way we think and the way we act toward our friends and neighbors is not to be found on the web, but in what we are taught or glean from our studies on and attitude toward moral law, natural law and even eternal law. (This from a few weeks of attending a seminar fostering discussions on putting together our personal religious viewpoints plus the influences and benefits of living in a country where we have the freedom to do so.)
This was an opportunity to put a few things together at a critical point in history given that the election to be held next week will either confirm the loss of certain freedoms or open the door to the knowledge that we have time to save ourselves from further loss and reinstate previous and precious freedoms--both God given and those fostered from the beginnings of our Republic.
It is an absolute imperative that we use our rights as citizens and recognize that we need to put forth that little bit of extra effort in encouraging (in any way from push to shove) your friends, neighbors and relatives to vote. As one of the early church fathers put it, it is a moral obligation to exercise the rights of a good citizen ie., one who studies issues and candidates. Not only that, but that it is very "difficult to be a good Christian without being a good citizen." And all the people said "Amen."
God bless.......
As most of you know, I have always looked for stories that will have an effect on the economy of our state and nation and above all, the ultimate effect on our own pocketbooks and bank accounts. The personal influence on the way we think and the way we act toward our friends and neighbors is not to be found on the web, but in what we are taught or glean from our studies on and attitude toward moral law, natural law and even eternal law. (This from a few weeks of attending a seminar fostering discussions on putting together our personal religious viewpoints plus the influences and benefits of living in a country where we have the freedom to do so.)
This was an opportunity to put a few things together at a critical point in history given that the election to be held next week will either confirm the loss of certain freedoms or open the door to the knowledge that we have time to save ourselves from further loss and reinstate previous and precious freedoms--both God given and those fostered from the beginnings of our Republic.
It is an absolute imperative that we use our rights as citizens and recognize that we need to put forth that little bit of extra effort in encouraging (in any way from push to shove) your friends, neighbors and relatives to vote. As one of the early church fathers put it, it is a moral obligation to exercise the rights of a good citizen ie., one who studies issues and candidates. Not only that, but that it is very "difficult to be a good Christian without being a good citizen." And all the people said "Amen."
God bless.......
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Is Everything Redundant?
It just seems that everything political has been said before and not just once but many times over. It's just plain scary that pounding on the same misinformation is productive when mining for votes. At this point in time I only want it finished.
Maybe because I started this blog 2 years ago last August and wrote daily until our recent primary?
Some of the issues that have much to do with the global economy and the future of not only America, but other countries as well are still pertinent. Some recent headlines:
How to Reform Obamacare
Document Questions (re Foreclosures) Cloud Recovery
The U.S. Will Lose a China Trade War
Goodbye, Free Trade?
China Sharpens Its Steelmaking Game
Why Liberals Don't Get the Tea Party Movement
and my personal favorite--
Japan Scrambles for Rare Earth
The whole concept of rare earth minerals is fascinating and can make or break specific companies and even countries. We've discussed it before, and will do so again since we can't be sure if our readers are up to speed.
I am really looking forward to a weekly posting concerning issues rather than the personalities and politics of the elections. If you have suggestions for topics you'd like me to research, please feel free to comment.
In the meantime, it's time to swap out summer and winter clothes closets. And, if you're a little lazy like me, run those washable gloves and scarves through the laundry.
The colors are absolutely gorgeous!
God bless........
Maybe because I started this blog 2 years ago last August and wrote daily until our recent primary?
Some of the issues that have much to do with the global economy and the future of not only America, but other countries as well are still pertinent. Some recent headlines:
How to Reform Obamacare
Document Questions (re Foreclosures) Cloud Recovery
The U.S. Will Lose a China Trade War
Goodbye, Free Trade?
China Sharpens Its Steelmaking Game
Why Liberals Don't Get the Tea Party Movement
and my personal favorite--
Japan Scrambles for Rare Earth
The whole concept of rare earth minerals is fascinating and can make or break specific companies and even countries. We've discussed it before, and will do so again since we can't be sure if our readers are up to speed.
I am really looking forward to a weekly posting concerning issues rather than the personalities and politics of the elections. If you have suggestions for topics you'd like me to research, please feel free to comment.
In the meantime, it's time to swap out summer and winter clothes closets. And, if you're a little lazy like me, run those washable gloves and scarves through the laundry.
The colors are absolutely gorgeous!
God bless........
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)