I accessed the PBS website today and watched a video of Drew Western, a clinical psychologist, who has written a book "The Political Brain" during which he indicated that Obama should use the term 'a doctor for every family' rather than 'universal health care.' Remember the other day when we spoke about the AARP bemoaning the shortage of doctors and how they really wanted a national (Hillarycare) health system? This is just a continuation of that topic so we need to be aware that it is now coming at us from all sides.
Please always remember that socialized medicine is rationed care.
A couple of other stories which are uplifting rather than the reverse. Today at a McCain campaign stop a grieving mother who had just lost her son in Afghanistan spoke to him as did an injured military man back from Iraq who had lost three of his friends. It's amazing to me that in those trying circumstances they felt it important to attend a political rally and approach a politician. It certainly speaks to how heroes find common ground.
And last, a pretty simple story of common sense and American ideals. I was in the barber chair this afternoon and a young fellow came in to wait his turn. He got up and left to go outdoors to answer his cell phone. When he returned I noted, loudly enough for him to hear, that his parents must have taught him good manners and that I'm not sure that my kids who are scattered over the country do the same thing. One thing led to another and I learned he was a firefighter. I thanked him for his service and must say left feeling that the future is in some pretty good hands.
See you tomorrow
Thursday, September 18, 2008
7th District, Michigan
I hope you never hear his name again, but we have a challenger of our 7th District Congressman known as Mark Schauer. He's your old school political machine type who knows how to take big PAC dollars, put it in his own "educational" PAC and then re-distribute it to other Dems so he has paid for their allegiance and they do his bidding.
Right now he is defending one of his many votes for increasing taxes by saying it wasn't his vote, but the Democrat Lt. Governor who broke the tie who is guilty. Does he really think his constituents are so stupid they can't figure out that had he not voted for the increase, there would have been no reason for a tie breaker? Duh!
This is a guy who does nothing but attend meetings, schmooze and then take credit for the work that the locals have spent months and months putting together for the development of plans for jobs, education, roads and any other effort you might think of.
This is a dangerous man when you put him in the machine with Obama, Pelosi and all the others in Washington. He never met a tax he didn't like, votes for late term abortions--you know, all the liberal ideas in the box.
See you tomorrow
Right now he is defending one of his many votes for increasing taxes by saying it wasn't his vote, but the Democrat Lt. Governor who broke the tie who is guilty. Does he really think his constituents are so stupid they can't figure out that had he not voted for the increase, there would have been no reason for a tie breaker? Duh!
This is a guy who does nothing but attend meetings, schmooze and then take credit for the work that the locals have spent months and months putting together for the development of plans for jobs, education, roads and any other effort you might think of.
This is a dangerous man when you put him in the machine with Obama, Pelosi and all the others in Washington. He never met a tax he didn't like, votes for late term abortions--you know, all the liberal ideas in the box.
See you tomorrow
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Saturday Night Live???
They always say that if candidates can't face up to some of the small events, how will they face up to the big ones? Such as Barak sitting down for one on ones with world leaders whose propensity to kill Americans is well known.
The sketch last Saturday with "Hillary" and "Sarah" must have hit too close to home for Hill. If she can't be on the same platform as Sarah for what should be a common goal, she will never be able to stand up when times get tough, right? Wouldn't it be amusing if she lost the support of her New York friends and lost her "home" state while running next time whether it be for Senate or President?
This had to be such an easy decision if she had not reneged. She would have shown her support against Iran and at the same time shown how strong and open-minded she could be when bi-partisanship would enhance the world's view of America.
Don't put words in my mouth. Frankly, it doesn't matter to me whether Europeans and others think highly of us when we know we are on the good and righteous side of any issue. Appeasement is never the answer.
See you tomorrow
The sketch last Saturday with "Hillary" and "Sarah" must have hit too close to home for Hill. If she can't be on the same platform as Sarah for what should be a common goal, she will never be able to stand up when times get tough, right? Wouldn't it be amusing if she lost the support of her New York friends and lost her "home" state while running next time whether it be for Senate or President?
This had to be such an easy decision if she had not reneged. She would have shown her support against Iran and at the same time shown how strong and open-minded she could be when bi-partisanship would enhance the world's view of America.
Don't put words in my mouth. Frankly, it doesn't matter to me whether Europeans and others think highly of us when we know we are on the good and righteous side of any issue. Appeasement is never the answer.
See you tomorrow
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Running out of Daylight
This post is for Michigan readers and is actually just a teaser since I don't have the answers but plan to do some research in the next couple of days about:
The tax on services!!!
I know I would never make a good witness since unless there is a good reason given me in advance I am not a detail person. It should come as no surprise then that I just noticed the state tax on my Consumer's bill this week. Wow! No one wrote about this one. Now I'm wondering just how much money it raises since if industrial and commercial businesses also pay the full tax, it must be astronomical! And guess what--as might be expected it is a pass through to the customer. Duh!
Will let you know what I find out or if you happen to have some insight into this tax or the service tax in general, we'd appreciate hearing about it.
See you tomorrow
The tax on services!!!
I know I would never make a good witness since unless there is a good reason given me in advance I am not a detail person. It should come as no surprise then that I just noticed the state tax on my Consumer's bill this week. Wow! No one wrote about this one. Now I'm wondering just how much money it raises since if industrial and commercial businesses also pay the full tax, it must be astronomical! And guess what--as might be expected it is a pass through to the customer. Duh!
Will let you know what I find out or if you happen to have some insight into this tax or the service tax in general, we'd appreciate hearing about it.
See you tomorrow
Monday, September 15, 2008
UAW + Democrats = Problems for Michigan
I really don't want to paint with too broad a brush, but don't know how to differentiate between those inherently responsible for our unhealthy business climate especially in the automotive sector. Whatever the percentages are, my beef is with the leadership of the union and their political connections with the left. So, if you're an Independent and can look at the situation objectively, you are NOT part of the problem.
So many things have come together at this particular time. Such as: why is it that the foreign auto makers who have plants in this country can be healthy and profitable but Ford, GM and American parts of Chrysler are going to Washington hat in hand looking for assistance? Could it be that they aren't held hostage by the union?
Now, don't give me a history lesson-I realize how necessary unions were and some of the advantages to all workers gained through their activities, but they have long since superseded their general usefulness. The leadership is much like a tail wagging a dog so they can maintain their 6 figure salaries and the teachers and public employees have gone to school on their methods so that the general membership really has little influence or options.
Just as some years ago I drove through a couple of automaker parking lots and was horrified to see nearly as many, and in some cases more, foreign made cars than American made I'm now wondering what the count is at the parking lot of the UAW head-quarters.....or the MEA lot...........or the various service sector lots.
And as an aside that probably not too many people know: when Lee Iacocca got government money, took his $1 a year salary and made a big show of paying back the government on time, there just wasn't enough interest in the fact that Hotshot Lee put many small Chrysler suppliers out of business because they couldn't wait for 90 to 120 days and more for payment of their invoices.
So there's enough blame to go around (yes, perhaps the automakers should have taken strikes through the years rather than capitulate for things like GM having folks go to "work" which includes sitting in a room reading newspapers, doing crossword puzzles or just shooting the breeze) but one character is missing.
While the UAW and the Democrats are still working hand in hand and support Obama's "economic justice" (his euphemism for redistribution of wealth)concept while trying to change the State Constitution via a ballot proposal, they just can't seem to get enough power to satisfy themselves.
The one place which is pretty much blameless in this scenario is the Republican Party. If Independents can't see what is happening and work to stop this conspiracy, Michigan will be hard pressed to recover.
See ya tomorrow
So many things have come together at this particular time. Such as: why is it that the foreign auto makers who have plants in this country can be healthy and profitable but Ford, GM and American parts of Chrysler are going to Washington hat in hand looking for assistance? Could it be that they aren't held hostage by the union?
Now, don't give me a history lesson-I realize how necessary unions were and some of the advantages to all workers gained through their activities, but they have long since superseded their general usefulness. The leadership is much like a tail wagging a dog so they can maintain their 6 figure salaries and the teachers and public employees have gone to school on their methods so that the general membership really has little influence or options.
Just as some years ago I drove through a couple of automaker parking lots and was horrified to see nearly as many, and in some cases more, foreign made cars than American made I'm now wondering what the count is at the parking lot of the UAW head-quarters.....or the MEA lot...........or the various service sector lots.
And as an aside that probably not too many people know: when Lee Iacocca got government money, took his $1 a year salary and made a big show of paying back the government on time, there just wasn't enough interest in the fact that Hotshot Lee put many small Chrysler suppliers out of business because they couldn't wait for 90 to 120 days and more for payment of their invoices.
So there's enough blame to go around (yes, perhaps the automakers should have taken strikes through the years rather than capitulate for things like GM having folks go to "work" which includes sitting in a room reading newspapers, doing crossword puzzles or just shooting the breeze) but one character is missing.
While the UAW and the Democrats are still working hand in hand and support Obama's "economic justice" (his euphemism for redistribution of wealth)concept while trying to change the State Constitution via a ballot proposal, they just can't seem to get enough power to satisfy themselves.
The one place which is pretty much blameless in this scenario is the Republican Party. If Independents can't see what is happening and work to stop this conspiracy, Michigan will be hard pressed to recover.
See ya tomorrow
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The Dog Ate my Homework or The Power Went Out
Yes, I need an excuse as to why there was nothing on yesterday. Maybe I should change my schedule and put blogging in earlier in the day. Power went out for about 3hours last evening so we just went to bed. It's not easy reading by candlelight and impossible to post a blog.
So today I have a few more random thoughts......
My question for those who will vote for Obama because of charisma or skin color: knowing that any liberal abortion legislation will pass, how many babies are you willing to forfeit for having a "cool" president or one of color?
Has anyone done the arithmetic on using all the money being "wasted" in Iraq and which should be spent domestically? Now, factor in how much he needs to spend to accomplish his goals in Afghanistan.
Where are the details????? The Obama need for change includes education, socialized health care, energy, and those are his top three. What about his tax cuts? The redistribution of wealth from the top 5% who pay the high tax rate to the 40% who pay nothing at all and will in effect receive a stipend or subsidy makes one wonder who is really going to end up paying the cost of all the other programs it takes to run a socialist state. During the primary, before all the totals were in, it was estimated that the Obama programs would cost over $750 million and if the rich were taxed at a high rate it would cover about $250 million of it. So where would you think the remainder would come from?
For a good many years the Democrats have talked the talk to blacks and women, but they aren't treated any differently ie., walking the walk. Promises, Promises. I suppose it is a matter of pride not to have to admit that you were wrong so you keep hoping that they will finally keep a promise. Visualize this: shaking my head in disbelief.
In talking with a friend this morning we decided that some young people who haven't started families as yet and have always been on the taking end of a relationship are the ones who can continue to be idealistic with no reservations. But those who have married and/or have children have come to realize that there is something much more than self-gratification at stake here. This group truly has put themselves in the position of sacrificing anything from a new pair of shoes to their very lives for the betterment of another person. (There is another group of givers who somehow have learned early on that they might be called on to sacrifice for someone else. These are the young people who have signed up for the military, law enforcement and public protection such as firefighters. God bless them all.)
We have a little over 7 weeks to separate the wheat from the chaff what with all the "stuff" being thrown at us over the radio, TV, YouTube, plus all our internet sources and distill it down to the basics and help anyone else we can to make the most important decision of our lives thus far. I know it's difficult, but please just go for the facts and their effects on our country's future. Emotions can be ugly or beautiful, uplifting or depressing, but we all need to try to exercise our intellect as well as our sympathy.
See ya tomorrow
So today I have a few more random thoughts......
My question for those who will vote for Obama because of charisma or skin color: knowing that any liberal abortion legislation will pass, how many babies are you willing to forfeit for having a "cool" president or one of color?
Has anyone done the arithmetic on using all the money being "wasted" in Iraq and which should be spent domestically? Now, factor in how much he needs to spend to accomplish his goals in Afghanistan.
Where are the details????? The Obama need for change includes education, socialized health care, energy, and those are his top three. What about his tax cuts? The redistribution of wealth from the top 5% who pay the high tax rate to the 40% who pay nothing at all and will in effect receive a stipend or subsidy makes one wonder who is really going to end up paying the cost of all the other programs it takes to run a socialist state. During the primary, before all the totals were in, it was estimated that the Obama programs would cost over $750 million and if the rich were taxed at a high rate it would cover about $250 million of it. So where would you think the remainder would come from?
For a good many years the Democrats have talked the talk to blacks and women, but they aren't treated any differently ie., walking the walk. Promises, Promises. I suppose it is a matter of pride not to have to admit that you were wrong so you keep hoping that they will finally keep a promise. Visualize this: shaking my head in disbelief.
In talking with a friend this morning we decided that some young people who haven't started families as yet and have always been on the taking end of a relationship are the ones who can continue to be idealistic with no reservations. But those who have married and/or have children have come to realize that there is something much more than self-gratification at stake here. This group truly has put themselves in the position of sacrificing anything from a new pair of shoes to their very lives for the betterment of another person. (There is another group of givers who somehow have learned early on that they might be called on to sacrifice for someone else. These are the young people who have signed up for the military, law enforcement and public protection such as firefighters. God bless them all.)
We have a little over 7 weeks to separate the wheat from the chaff what with all the "stuff" being thrown at us over the radio, TV, YouTube, plus all our internet sources and distill it down to the basics and help anyone else we can to make the most important decision of our lives thus far. I know it's difficult, but please just go for the facts and their effects on our country's future. Emotions can be ugly or beautiful, uplifting or depressing, but we all need to try to exercise our intellect as well as our sympathy.
See ya tomorrow
Friday, September 12, 2008
AARP/Socialized Medicine
Rec'd my AARP monthly bulletin this week and of course they are bemoaning the fact that there are not enough general practitioners available to those of us who need medical attention. I haven't read the entire piece, but I don't have to in order to make the point that they need to take some of the responsibility such as: don't they remember when Hillarycare was attempted early in the first Clinton term? AARP couldn't get on board fast enough, but guess what. Their "membership" caused such a ruckus that they backed off. They figured if they lost many of the threatened memberships it would hurt their bottom line. So, they lived to fight another day and this is that day.
I'm not sure what the exact amount is at this date, but generally AARP is the recipient of nearly $100 million per year from the government, yes, your tax dollars at work. They apparently do just enough research to justify this as a government service. Right.
Don't get me wrong. AARP actually does a good job on their primary business: insurance. But how is it that they are still considered a non-profit? And how is it that they can spend the kind of money they do in advertising and lobbying efforts? Any other business would consider much of what AARP does as co-mingling. Not a flattering description of their business practices.
So those of you who are entering that phase of life where you are looking forward to getting senior discounts should be looking at any organization you join with a clear view of their goals and what you will get for your money.
See you tomorrow.
ps-wondering why I belong to the organization? I'm as mercenary as many. The company from which I retired pays a portion of my medical program, but the company they deal with is AARP and I need to belong to AARP to have their insurance. That's also how I know that the insurance program is good.
I'm not sure what the exact amount is at this date, but generally AARP is the recipient of nearly $100 million per year from the government, yes, your tax dollars at work. They apparently do just enough research to justify this as a government service. Right.
Don't get me wrong. AARP actually does a good job on their primary business: insurance. But how is it that they are still considered a non-profit? And how is it that they can spend the kind of money they do in advertising and lobbying efforts? Any other business would consider much of what AARP does as co-mingling. Not a flattering description of their business practices.
So those of you who are entering that phase of life where you are looking forward to getting senior discounts should be looking at any organization you join with a clear view of their goals and what you will get for your money.
See you tomorrow.
ps-wondering why I belong to the organization? I'm as mercenary as many. The company from which I retired pays a portion of my medical program, but the company they deal with is AARP and I need to belong to AARP to have their insurance. That's also how I know that the insurance program is good.
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