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Wealth, taxation and wealth envy in the US

2010-02-24T15:51:00.006-05:00

The following is a response to my friend Will, who struggles with what he apparently perceives as inequality in income and taxation in the US. This came out of a wall post he made on my facebook page:

Remember when we were talking about the highest tax bracket. It appears they pay less than 17 percent taxes on their income. Most of it was from capital gains which is a maximum 15 percent tax.

Personally I'd like to see progressive capital gains after data like this. 400 people in the united states make up 30 percent... of the total wealth in the US, but only pay 17 percent taxes, and since the poorer pay more like 20-30 percent taxes when you take into account social security, medicare and other capped taxes too. So how much medicare social security and such before it's capped?

Ya know, it's possible they didn't teach statistical analysis in high school, or that you can look at one small area and miss the whole picture. So, first, the data quoted is for 2007, it fails to take into account current stats. The current data isn't yet available except as estimates. The IRS typically runs 2 years behind in getting this data out; I've followed it for several years. So let’s just dive deeper into the numbers.

When you look at all the IRS statistics for the 2007 tax year in question, you may want to notice that the top 1% of income earners paid 40.42% ($450,926B) of all income taxes. The top 50% paid 97.11% (%1,083,243B) of all income taxes. This means that the bottom 50%, those with an annual AGI of $32,897 or less paid cumulatively 2.89% ($32,261B) of all income taxes. That kinda blows that old liberal mantra that the wealthy don't pay taxes, doesn't it.

According to IRS statistics, in 2007 the average tax rate for the top 50% of income earners was 14.03%, for the top 1% of income earners it was 22.45%. Now that is just income tax, not total payroll taxes lest you start getting your panties in a wad.

One thing that isn't clear in the data is how much negative tax payments, i.e. earned income tax credit, and other "entitlement" payments such as food stamps, welfare, etc were received by those in that bottom 50%, effectively a wealth transfer from the top 50% to the bottom 50%. There was $371.9 Billion in means tested entitlements which includes Medicaid, food stamps, family support assistance (AFDC), supplemental security income (SSI), child nutrition programs, refundable portions of earned income tax credits (EITC and HITC) and child tax credit, welfare contingency fund, child care entitlement to States, temporary assistance to needy families, foster care and adoption assistance, State children’s health insurance and veterans pensions. You can be pretty certain that all those "payments" went to the bottom 50%. (The Budget For Fiscal Year 2007)

There was $581.2 Billion in Social Security payments which would include payments to those above and below the 50% threshold so for simplicity, let's just say the bottom 50% got half, or $290.6 billion of Social Security payments.

After combining both categories together, we can extrapolate that there was a wealth transfer of about $662.5 billion to the bottom 50% who cumulatively paid in 2007 $32.261 billion in income taxes.

Now you said that "the poorer pay more like 20-30 percent taxes when you take into account social security, medicare and other capped taxes too." Actually, the Medicare tax rate is 1.45% and the Social Security part is 6.2%. By my rudimentary math skills that comes to 7.65%. If you assume that the bottom 50% paid an average of 2.89% in income taxes (IRS figures), that totals 10.54%, a far cry from your 20-30%, and that's before those pesky negative tax payments that brought the real rate for much of this group to zero, or less.

Now, I'll grant you that when it comes to payroll taxes, i.e. social security (I use that term advisedly) and Medicare, the lower income percentiles pay a greater portion of their income than the higher percentiles. That is a function of the tax code and Congress, not the income earners. But one thing that isn't clear in the Tax Analysis statement is whether their analysis takes into account only those payroll taxes paid by the income earner, or if they also include those paid by the employer, which effectively double the tax payroll tax paid.

I'll also have to say at this time that I would support a change in the law that would means test both social security and Medicare, provided that those who didn't receive the benefit were not required to make the contribution (sic).

The other thing that must be considered is the source of some of the analysis. Professors Emmanuel Saez and Thomas Piketty are economists at the University of California at Berkeley, an institution well known for it decidedly liberal bias.

Nevertheless, I was somewhat surprised to see the opening hypothesis of their 1998 study "Income Inequality In The United States" (pdf) make the statement, "...steep progressive income and estate taxation may have prevented large fortunes from fully recovering from these shocks (the Great Depression and WWII).

They go on to predict that "...the decline of progressive taxation observed since the early 1980s in the United States could very well spur a revival of high wealth concentration and top capital incomes during the next few decades."

The apparent despair of Messes. Saez and Piketty isn't limited to the "income elite." They also bemoan the increasing wealth disparity of the working class in "The Evolution of Top Incomes in the United States"(pdf).

"The labor market has been creating much more inequality over the last thirty years, with the very top earners capturing a large fraction of macroeconomic productivity gains...We need to decide as a society whether this increase in income inequality is efficient and acceptable and, if not, what mix of institutional reforms should be developed to counter it."

So it would seem that the authors would have issue with even working class individuals who aspire to escape the bounds of their entry level hourly incomes and seek higher incomes and personal wealth. That apparently doesn't fit into their paradigm of the Marxist dogma, "From each according to their ability, to each according to their need."

Now, the bottom line is, are you a victim of wealth envy. Of course "victim" is a misnomer. The term victim implies there wasn't a choice in the matter, but, wealth envy is a choice.

So is it your choice that that higher income earners should be penalized for their success? If so, where will you make the cutoff? Or will there be a cutoff? You just decide that everyone makes X amount, say $20K, a year.

The Soviet Union and other communist/socialist based economies used this methodology. Only those in power and position, or in the favor of those in power, were able to enjoy the wealth of the nation. The rest of the bourgeoisie lived a subsistence existence, waiting in bread lines, stores had minimum amounts of inventory, families living squeezed together in tiny apartments waiting on a list for years for the opportunity for a larger apartment, or a separate one for adult children.

And what happens when you take away the incentive for entrepreneurship, for individuals taking risk to chase their dreams and goals? What happens is, dreams die. Goals go unrealized, and with them jobs, income for those who would have been employed, innovation and economic growth.

You see, this is not a zero sum game where you can penalize an achiever on the one hand and not see a change in behavior or income or success on the other. There is a penalty. It may not be at 20% or 30% or 40% or even 50%, but at some point, the achiever says, why should I continue to work so hard if I'm not going to be compensated for it.

Think of it in your own life. If you were going to have the opportunity to double or triple or quadruple your income if you contributed another 30% of your time would you do it? Would you want the opportunity even if you decided not to? How about giving another 30% of your time if you could only increase your income by 10%? I dare say you'd laugh at them, if not in their face, behind their backs.

So what makes you think penalizing the entrepreneur for his time and effort and intellect would have no effect on what he is willing to do?

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Distention in the Ranks?

2010-02-17T14:48:00.002-05:00

"..Germany’s harsh experience with runaway inflation after World War I should be remembered.

"When named president of the Kansas City Fed in 1991, (Thomas) Hoenig said his 85-year old neighbor gave him a 500,000 German mark note. The neighbor told him that, in 1921, the note would have bought a house. In 1923, it wouldn’t even buy a loaf of bread. The neighbor said, “I want you to have this note as a reminder. Your duty is to protect the value of the currency."

"That note is framed and hanging in my office," Thomas Hoenig CEO the the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank as quoted by the Wall Street Journal.

Hoenig was the lone dissenter in the Jan 26-37 FOMC report that called for maintaining the Feds policy of artificially low interest rates for an undetermined period. Hoenig and many others believe this can lead to runaway inflation, destroying our currency, and our economy.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

The Reid Plan, or a Better Way?

2009-12-23T12:01:00.002-05:00

I had barely posted my previous submission and headed out the door for my 5 mile run/walk when the thought occurred to me, “I had failed to fully analyze and develop my thoughts regarding the cost of Reid’s plan.”

So, in an effort to correct that failure, I offer this update.

In my original post I discussed the addition of $518 billion in taxes associated with the Reid bill. I my rush, I didn’t consider that that $518 billion is over 10 years, not per year as stated. With that, the cost of “insurance” averaged per family of the “uninsured” is reduced to about $5,412 per year. On its face that’s a reduction, for those “families,” in the cost of their “health care insurance” at least as it relates to the American taxpayer when compared to the “average” cost of private insurance.

Score one for Reid.

But the Reid plan is not going to cost merely the $518 billion in new taxes. Democrats talk about a $1 Trillion cost over 10 years. Reid claims to pay for about half the cost of his plan through “found savings” in Medicare and other areas of health care.

That $1 Trillion expense, amortized over the “30 million uninsured” results in a cost per family of $10,477 per year, back above the cost of private insurance by 66%. So Reid’s plan will cost far more than it would to simply have the taxpayer foot the bill for private insurance for the targeted group.

But there’s one more step. While Reid’s plan calls for taxes starting in 2010, the “benefits don’t actually begin until 3 years later in 2014. So the cost of the Reid plan is actually amortized over 7 years, not 10 years. That means the cost of insuring the “uninsured” rises to $14,952 for each of our hypothetical families in the so called “30 million uninsured.” That’s an overrun of $8,624 per year, or 136%, above the average cost of private health insurance.

(Disclaimer, I do not advocate forcing taxpayers buy insurance for 30 million people, many who don’t have insurance by choice. I merely make the statement for the sake of the argument.)

No one who has observed Washington politics for any length of time believes the costing of Congressional legislation. There has never been a bill come out of Congress that cost what the legislation originally stated and never has it cost less. But let's give them the benefit of the doubt and say their cost projections are spot on.

Here’s where it get’s interesting. If, for the sake of argument, the taxpayer footed the private insurance bill for the 30 million “uninsured” to the tune of $60.46 billion, and Reid achieved his claim of $500 billion is savings from Medicare, et al, there would be no need for heaping $518 billion in new taxes on the American people.

In addition to letting Americans keep that $518 billion in their pockets to invest and spend in this economy, with the savings realized from his plan, Reid could cut taxes by $439 billion. That would be a huge shot in the arm for the economy and would serve to fuel economic growth and investment, creating jobs and reviving growth in all areas, including the struggling housing market.

On the other hand, if Reid followed true to his nature and didn’t trust the taxpayers with their own money, he could use the surplus to pay down the national debt. Now the following assumes that Congress will grab its collective self by the “neck” and make hard decisions, do away with waste, pork, gratuitous entitlements and unconstitutional programs that are better run by local and state governments. I know, that’s a huge assumption but let’s enjoy the fantasy for a moment.

For the sake of argument, let’s say they do it. They balance the federal budget, then take the $439 billion saved after buying private insurance for the “uninsured” and begin paying down the national debt, you know, that $12 Trillion behemoth that hangs over the head of every American like a guillotine and threatens our national security.

If they could bring themselves to do it, that is, pay down debt instead of creating more, after 13 years it would be cut nearly in half. By the time my young nephews and nieces were getting close to retirement 28 years from now the national debt would be history and they could enjoy a retirement free of the worry of a government that would tax away their savings and compete for the investment and interest earnings they should be receiving on their hard earned money.

As a further benefit, my family, along with the progeny of all Americans would be able to live in a world where their country and by extension themselves, could not be held hostage by the political aspirations of a foreign nation, i.e. China, Japan, OPEC, that is bent on threatening to collapse the US economy by demanding immediate repayment of debt held, or simply refuse to buy more.

That alternative reality, paying down the national debt, the US becoming a creditor rather than a debtor nation, would allow them to enjoy a prosperous and peaceful retirement in their “golden years.”

In either case, the “savings” that Reid claims to find would filter through to the rest of the health care system, resulting in decreased costs which in turn would mean insurance companies, with decreased exposure could lower the cost of health care premiums. That in turn would decrease the cost to taxpayer for both their own insurance plans and those of the formerly “uninsured.”

Taking those newly found dollars, individual Americans would begin investing them in the economy through direct investment or through spending for goods and service. That in turn would add even more fuel to the engine of economic growth.

So I stand by my original conclusion, there is a better way to accomplish providing health care insurance for Harry Reid’s target group. Again, I don’t agree with his premise, but using his premise and tools, there is a better way that would strengthen and grow the economy. Not become an anchor around our necks and drag us into a deep, dark abyss.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Health Care For Less?

2009-12-22T15:07:00.004-05:00

So, the Harry Reid health insurance bill going through the Senate will increase taxes by $518 billion initially. I refer to it as the “Harry Reid” bill because it has no resemblance to the bills that came out of the Senate committees and was concocted under the cover of darkness over this past weekend.

Anyway, it will increase taxes by a reported $518 billion for the purpose of insuring the “30 million uninsured.” That comes to $17,266 per individual to insure all of these allegedly uninsured. Or, with the average family consisting of 3.14 persons according to the US Census Bureau, $54,217 per family.

So, I wondered, how does that compare to the average health insurance premium in the United States. Just how much do these “unaffordable” health insurance premiums the Democrats have so vilified as “too expensive” for the average family actually cost?

According to an article on About.com:

In a report (Individual Health Insurance 2009: A Comprehensive Survey of Premiums,Availability, and Benefits) made public in October 2009, America's Health Insurance Plans (a trade group representing health insurance companies) presented some interesting information that gives a sense of what health insurance policies cost when purchased by an individual.

Across the country, the annual premium was $2,985 for a single person and $6,328 for a family.

The annual premium was very different from state to state. For example, the premium for a family health plan in New York was $13,296, while a similar plan in Iowa was $5609.

The annual premiums for health plans were also very different depending if the annual deductible was high or low. For example, family plans with no deductible had an average premium of $12686 each year, while plans with an annual deductible of $10,000 had an average premium of $5380 each year.

So while the premiums obviously vary widely according to the options a family selects, the average family health insurance premium costs $6,328 per year. Those “outrageous” private health insurance premiums actually cost $47,889 per year less than the “affordable” health insurance plan that Harry Reid has concocted when prorated over his target audience of an allegedly 30 million uninsured.

It seems that the Democrat plan to “lower the cost” of health care is actually going to cost eight and one half times more than what those nasty private insurance companies charge. Perhaps the citizens need to be investigating the excesses and illegal practices of Congress. It appears that the health insurance industry is actually doing a good job holding down the cost of health insurance.

If Reid had thought to simply buy insurance from the private companies for the alleged “uninsured” it would have only cost the taxpayers $60.46 billion. So it makes you wonder, what is this really all about? Is it about insuring the “uninsured” or is it about giving more power to Washington and socializing our national economy? The data would suggest it certainly isn’t about “cutting the cost of health care” as these bozos in Washington continually repeat.

Anybody ready for a tea party?

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Like A Thief in the Night

2009-12-20T17:16:00.003-05:00

The Senate, led by Harry Reid, is planning a preliminary vote on Reid's "health care" legislation at 0100, that's 1AM on Monday morning, December 21.

A vote in the middle of the night is very indicative of the nefarious nature of those trying to push this bill through. If it was good for the nation and had the support of the American people this vote would take place in the light of day, in full view on C-Span and in time to make the next day newspaper headlines.

That the Democrat leadership is sneaking around in the middle of the night like cockroaches speaks volumes.

Among other things, to get this bill this far Reid and his cronies has had to tighten rules against funding abortion, rules that will no doubt be stripped in conference. He also, apparently in a nod to his Hollywood supporters, stripped a tax on cosmetic surgery while throwing the youth who supported Obama under the bus by adding a 10% tax on tanning bed services.

This bill will add an additional $1 Trillion to the federal budget and while it is supposedly budget neutral, that is because the collection of new taxes will begin immediately, in some cases retroactively, while "benefits" won't start until 2014.

So while on paper the bill is "neutral" for the first 10 years, no one, at least on the Democrat side, is talking about what happens after that. Anyone with a 5th grade education can see that after 10 years, this bill will produce at minimum 30% annual deficits. That's before the inevitable excess costs inherit to every spending bill that has come out of Congress begins producing massive deficits.

If this bill passes, our government will have set in place the tool of its fiscal destruction and the collapse of the American economy. It may not be 5 or 10 or even 15 years away, but with this kind of reckless spending, no individual, business or, yes, even government can even hope to keep its financial head above water.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

A Different Christmas Poem (UNCLASSIFIED)

2009-12-16T14:43:00.002-05:00

by Michael Marks

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
"My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile."

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

See Snopes for more on the origin of this poem.

At this Christmas season, take time to remember those men and women who stand guard protecting our freedom. Those on the battlefield overseas and standing a vigilant watch everywhere, giving up time with their families to ensure our safety and freedom deserve our gratitude and appreciation.

Merry Christmas!!
"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Call and Write Your Senators About Harry Reid's Health Care Plan

2009-12-09T16:42:00.004-05:00

Letters to my Senators regarding Harry Reid's "health care plan."

Dear Senator Nelson,

I implore you to respect the wishes of your constituency and vote against the pending health care legislation before the Senate. While the intentions of some may be good, the end result will be long term massive costs, increases in taxes and health care costs, and loss of services as budget restrictions force rationing of services.

The American people are far better at determining their own personal health care needs than 100 Senators and 435 Congresspersons who have little regard for the well being of their constituency.

To foist these overbearing measures on the 80% in order to supposedly provide for the 20%, a dubious justification at best, is not only wrongheaded, but indicative of the need for term limits to return elected officials to the states they hail from and limit political inbreeding in Washington.

We do not need the kind of health care reform Washington politicians are proposing, we need new representative who are more interested in statesmanship and the will of the people. Not a group of lemmings who blindly follow the party leadership.

Vote no on the Harry Reid led charge to decimate our health care system.

Dear Senator LeMieux,

Thank you for remaining steadfast in opposing the wrong headed and dangerous health care legislation pending before the Senate.

If our economy has even a possibility of recovery, this legislation will at best delay it, at worst, plummet us into a miserable decline.

The damage this legislation will inflict on the delivery of health care, on the health of individuals, and the economic health of families has been sorely underestimated.

Medicare currently costs many multiples of the originally stated cost. Senate Democrats have had to, in similar fashion to the University of East Anglia Climate "researcher", fudge the numbers and creatively skew them to show a "balanced" bill.

The truth is the ever increasing costs will result in massive deficits and/or unbearable taxation of American families that will be required after the stated 10 year “balanced” projections.

Thank you again for your stalwart opposition to this attempt to destroy our health care system, our economy and our nation.

I you haven't written and called your Senators, do so now, the time is short and the future of our nation and our economic well being is at stake.

Senate Directory: Look up your Senator and email him or her via the web mail application on their Senate website. Also check their Senate website for phone numbers or use the directory at TheOrator.com to call them. TheOrator weblinks to email your representatives may be broken. Try it before using the multistep process on the US Senate website.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

EID Stamp Issue A Non-Issue

2009-11-29T19:46:00.004-05:00

A friend recently forwarded a chain letter that was all in a huff about the current re-issue of the USPS stamp commemorating EID. The Snopes article reprints the letter and some of it's variations. After thinking about it, I responded with the following:

I've seen this letter and it's assertions often since the first issue in 2001 (34¢). Unfortunately, the first issue was on August 1, 2001, a month prior to the 9/11 attacks. It has been reissued several times since, each time there is a rate adjustment many stamp designs are reissued in the new rate. The EID, in addition to the 2001 issue was reissued in 2002 (37¢), 2006 (39¢), 2007 (41¢), 2008 (42¢) and the latest reissue this year. Each time these chain letters go around trying to get people to "forward" in protest. All it ends up becoming is an ego trip for those behind the email.

The assertion that the US is a "Christian" nation, in these times, is, in my humble opinion, a stretch. While the US had it's birth and founding rooted in Christianity and Biblical principals, I would have to say, despite the assertion of many, we are not a Christian nation, or even a nation of Christians. We are a nation of many who claim the name of Christ, but do not follow His principals or base our lives on His.

That desire to follow Him and live our lives according to His principals is the basis of Christianity, not any historical connection to the past. Let's face it, nations cannot be "Christian," only individuals. Jesus didn't come and die to save a nation, he came to bring eternal life and relationship to each of us "individually." And, it is His coming to become the conduit of that provision of eternal life and relationship with the Father that we celebrate at this time of the year.

Relatively few US citizens truly follow Jesus as He would have us. Were we to suffer the same persecutions and challenges to our faith that our fellow believers overseas suffer, I dare say most of us who claim His name would fail miserably. Not unlike Peter we would curse Him and "save our skins."

But back on subject. There are a number of holiday stamps issued and sold each year at this time. The two new issue Christmas stamps are the Madonna and Sleeping Child based on the 17th century art of Giovanni Battista Salvi, and the Winter Holidays stamps. Reissued are the EID, Kwanza and Hanukkah stamps. There are also several older stamps series still available. See: USPS Holiday Stamps

So, in my opinion, the issue of the EID stamp is of about as much significance as the issue, and reissue of Elvis stamps (the record holder of the most stamps purchased), Star Wars or The Simpsons.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Heaviest Element Yet Known to Science

2009-11-18T03:19:00.002-05:00

This was sent to me by a friend and though I've yet been able to source and vet it's authenticity and accuracy, I thought I'd pass it on for you all to ponder. Consider...

"Lawrence Livermore Laboratories has discovered the heaviest element yet known to science.

The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons, and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.
These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.

Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A tiny amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second, to take from 4 days to 4 years to complete.

Governmentium has a normal half-life of 2 – 6 years. It does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places.

In fact, Governmentium’s mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.
This characteristic of morons promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass.

When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons."

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Hold onto your shorts!

2009-11-12T16:34:00.004-05:00

"The administration projects the deficit will remain above $1 trillion in 2011. In fact, according to the estimates it made in August, the deficit will never drop below $739 billion over the next decade." AP Business writers Martin Crutsinger And Daniel Wagner

Hold onto your shorts, this means that in 10 years the national debt, which today is $11,986,954,033,520.56, will soar to about $22 TRILLION! That's almost double what it is now and at that level, interest alone on the national debt will be north of $700 Billion!

The interest that we will be required to pay will be not all that short of the $1.116 trillion collected in 2007 income taxes, the latest year those figures are available. Most calculate receipts for 2008 and following will be less, considering the current and near term future economic picture.

So, why should you "hold onto your shorts?" With that amount of federal debt, lender nations, i.e. the Japanese, Chinese and Saudi Arabia among others, will be getting very nervous (reality check, they already are starting to fidget) about purchasing our debt and the interest rate we consumers will pay will go through the roof.

Consider it an embedded tax, courtesy of the generosity of your elected officials who have yet to see a spending plan they didn't love, an election they didn't think they could buy.

Hope and Change? Let's hope, and vote, for change, a political sea change in Washington. Starting with my congressman and senators.

How 'bout yours?

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Veteran's Day

2009-11-11T12:17:00.003-05:00

As one of the "minor" holidays, for most Americans, Veteran's Day goes by with little notice. I dare say that even most young people now serving in our nation's military barely gave this day a nod prior to their enlistment.

For the many who have forgotten the roots of this day and why it is important, I bring to your attention the following:

"Thanks to heavy and successful lobbying from the travel and leisure industry many "federal" holidays are now celebrated on Mondays. That's great if you work for the government, or in a bank. Not so great if you work retail. Or in a restaurant or supermarket.

But Christmas, New Years, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Veterans Day are not guaranteed Monday holidays. For good reasons.

Monday holidays make a lot of sense: especially if you have the day off, someplace to go and money to make it all work. But for some events that are date/tradition specific, the date, not the day of the week, is the big deal.

Very few people who are still alive remember the original event, World War I, that led to Armistice Day, the original name before it was legally changed to Veterans Day. At one point it too was celebrated on a Monday until somebody said, "hey wait a minute!" Turns out November 11 is an important date, a date to remember, even if it was (as many self-centered people say) before before they were born. Still, it happened.

World War I ended, by an armistice, that was to take effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Tragically, more than 10,000 men died that day even though their commanders knew well in advance that it was over and there was no point in fighting anymore.

Many students of history think the war shouldn't have happened. That it could have, and should have, been avoided. They say it was a "bad" war that set the stage for even more bloodshed in a good-as-in-necessary war, World War II.

Understanding World War I, what happened and why, is important if you want to understand what's happened since. President John F. Kennedy once told a friend that every world leader should be forced to read about it at least once a year. He recommended Barbara Tuchman's book, The Guns of August. Not a bad idea from a bona fide veteran of World War II.

My own favorite book on the subject is 11th Hour, 11th Day, 11th Month, by Joseph Persico. He points out that more people died that day, a day when no one needed to, than on D-Day, the Allied Invasion of Normandy. That also happened before a lot of you were born, but it still happened.

Pardon the quickie history lesson. Just thought it would be nice if all of us, whether working or not today, gave it some thought. This is not a fun holiday. But is an important one." by Mike Causey

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Extra Ordinary Times

2009-10-31T07:17:00.006-04:00

I came across the following written by a member of a financial forum I'm part of. The passion and sentiment of the writer are matched by the strength and accuracy of his reasoning. Ponder the following...

"We need extra ordinary men and women who are not afraid to step forward to call out the criminal justice system as it implies "Criminal Justice System, Justice for the Criminal". We need an advocate for the forgotten the Innocent it should be noted that it should be the "Innocence Justice System", as it implies "Justice for the Innocent".

Will you be the one who is not afraid of its citizens to have guns and to use them when criminals violate their family or property? Who will not hold them responsible for not protecting their neighbor when a crime is committed against their neighbor who does not feel one should own a gun. Will you be that extra ordinary individual who will call out the unelected cynical judges who have re-defined our constitution and have re-interpreted the laws to suit their own philosophies?

Will you be the monumental one who not only demands but expects the oversight of the federal reserve and demands accountability? A federal reserve that has burden the taxpayer by allowing over two trillion dollars to disappear and has no intention of telling the citizens of this great Nation who got the money or the discloser of the terms regarding our money. Will you be the one who champions changes and has a solution not rhetoric.

Extra ordinary times calls for those who have real solutions going into office not devising and trying to galvanize the solution after entering the office. We need extra ordinary men and woman who will put the UN in its place by telling them the UN will no longer be in the United States, were we are responsible for the upkeep and security at the expense of the taxpayer. We will continue to be a part of the UN but it will have to be another country that will have to be financially responsible for the world and not the piggy bank of the American taxpayer.

No more free aid in the billions of dollars that we have been sending for more than fifty years or so to governments just like our own old government who can not manage the money and just hoard up the cash for its political cash cows while its people starve and are in need of medical attention. We will however be glad just one more time to show them one more time what and how to do; then they can get it right or deal with the chaos that follows.

Yes we need someone who is not afraid to bring our jobs back home; because of NAFTA we have lost jobs in all fifty states roughly around 800,000 since inception in 1993 till around 2000. We have spent the last two decades de-industrializing our economy. Add to that our unemployment figures given at 9.8 which in reality is really 11.8. It is almost more than one can comprehend. Try a disappointing roughly three million jobs maybe more lost since 2008 due to the recession. Now we have an inefficient government trying to rush a health care plan through how come they just can't get it right. Will you be the one to speak out are you the extra ordinary individual we so desperately need?

We need the highly educated professionals the professors the Harvard graduate, but we also need the hard working everyday Americans. The one who sweats in the heat and shivers in the cold with callous hands and a weathered brow. We need the truck driver, the waitress, the carpenter, the stay at home mom, the iron worker and yes we need the plumber. The ones who discuss their disdain of an out of touch with reality government while on their working break or when talking with family and friends. You have a voice but our present government fails to acknowledge you. Will you please step forward; will you be what we know you can be that extra ordinary person who has and opinion and even has some solutions?

Will you be that extra ordinary individual that demands a responsible government to the citizens of America? Someone who is not afraid to use the word illegal and enforce all the laws pertaining to that word; illegal is just as it implies illegal whether it is a crime or immigration. We need those who understand we are living in extra ordinary and perilous times in America and will use whatever means at our disposal to secure our borders.

Are you that extra ordinary man or woman who will step forward and speak proudly of America and its contributions to the world rather than making apologies about the arrogance of America? We understand America has made mistakes but every other country has made them as well. Yes we need some extra ordinary individuals who believe in the greatness of America and its hardworking people and make no apologies Someone who has the resolve to stand up to the world and remind them once again just how much we have sacrificed on their behalf.

We need extra ordinary men and woman who can and will balance and operate on a balanced budget. Are you the one who is not afraid to demand term limits minimum of eight but no more than twelve? Hard working Americans who understand that it is a privilege to serve this great Nation and its citizens; it is not a right bestowed on them.
Once again where are the George Washington's and the Patrick Henry's who will stand up against tyranny as they did when this country fought and died for liberty.

Our leaders of today call us out on the tea parties one of the things that led us to fight for our freedom now they say we are trying to start sedition. Is that not what our founders did when they wanted freedom from the mother country yet we are somehow called unAmerican for the cause. America is tired of the insanity, of the minority (I'm talking numbers not race) shouting down the majority. Will you be the one to champion the cause and shout with the rest of us we are tired of paying for that DAMNED TEA!

Can we cross party lines and stop affiliating ourselves as republicans or democrats? We need someone who is not afraid of what politicians think about third party's; their only concern is the party and getting re-elected. Will you be that voice in the wilderness who is warning our great Nation? Let the government think what they will. Patrick Henry said it best "If it be treason then let us make the most of it". Will you step forward to lead us? Once again will you shout we are tired of paying for that DAMNED TEA! We need extra ordinary men and woman in these extra ordinary times if you do not come forward you may miss your true calling. If you will not stand tall and stand proud and lead this great Nation, then Suffer America you ain't had enough yet"

Blogged on the TSPTalk forum under the pseudonym ezmoney who lives in Greenville, NC.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

The cost of "my rights"

2009-09-20T10:19:00.003-04:00

"A privilege is something we receive when someone else pays. The police and firefighters whose deaths we will remember this month on Sept. 11 in part purchased my "right" to walk the streets of New York terror-free." - Mindy Belz

Some might include "the home children live in, the bed they sleep in, the food they eat, the clothes they wear, ad nauseum." Sadly, many have put forth the argument that these "privileges" are "rights."

Many of yesterday's children have grown to become today's young adults who confuse "privileges" with "rights" and in the end determine it is their "right" to shove their hand, or better stated have government shove it's "hand," into the pockets of their friends, family, neighbors and fellow citizens to pay for what they erroneously believe to be "rights."

That's not only wrong; it's pure and simple, selfish, self-centered and self-destructive. No one has the "right" to someone else's property, wealth (great or small) or time unless there is an expectation of remuneration. Few have an understanding of the value of what other's have, that is especially true in children who are always demanding of their parents the latest in clothes, toys, electronics, entertainment, food with little understanding that there is a price to be paid for all and the source of that payment is finite.

Sometimes parents, in an attempt to please their children, quiet them, assuage their need to conform to their peer group or just feel like they are being good parents, will give into their child’s demands. That can lead to an unhealthy expectation on the part of the child that all their expectations are equally important and must be equally met. They may then extend that expectation to their adult expectations of what government and the taxpayer should give them, limiting their own social, moral, and financial personal responsibilities. They think it is their "right" to have what they want with no understanding of the cost.

Other times, a parent may be unable to provide for a child's demands for his "rights," or see those demands as unhealthy, and withhold some of those "privileges." The child may in young adulthood grow to think he was "abused" by his "unfair" parents and in rebellion turn to government as the "sugar daddy" to fill what he may see as "rights" but are really "privileges." Thus he demands from government, becomes a dependent of government, and ultimately becomes a slave to government to which he has ceded his power of freedom, and, perhaps, even life and death.

Much of the demand for "rights" in today's ongoing debate finds its root in the erroneous understanding of "rights" vs. "privilege" and the teaching our children have received in much of their education about the role of government in their lives. They have been taught that government is their source of everything and it is in government that they will find complete fulfillment of their needs.

Sadly, they have not learned that what government gives with one hand, it takes away with the other. There is no "zero sums" formula where there is no cost for added service. They have also not had the historical perspective of seeing that government rarely meets the promises it makes, nor does it create a program, policy, bureaucracy, benefit or entitlement that ends up meeting cost projections. Rather, without fail, legislative cost projections are exceeded by many multiples. What was sold as costing $100 million ends up costing $300 million. What was budgeted for $1 billion ends up costing $3 billion.

In the 1960's when Medicare was being debated in Congress, then President Lyndon Johnson, as a strong advocate of Medicare, counseled legislators that if they were to win the debate, and thus the vote, they had to move the debate off the subject of cost. He told them don't let the costs get projected too far out because it will scare other people:

"A health program yesterday runs $300 million, but the fools had to go to projecting it down the road five or six years, and when you project it the first year, it runs $900 million. Now I don't know whether I would approve $900 million second year or not. I might approve 450 or 500. But the first thing Dick Russell comes running in saying, 'My God, you've got a billion-dollar program for next year on health, therefore I'm against any of it now.' Do you follow me?"

That $300 million program now costs $408,000,000,000 in fiscal year 2009. That's $408 billion, 1,360 times its original projected cost and 14% of the federal budget. Medicare and SCHIP add another $224 billion to the current budget. Those plans have no incentive to hold down costs, in the twisted world of government budgeting, if an agency cuts costs and comes in under budget in one year, they are not rewarded but penalized.

Government also has no incentive to hold costs down, because it has the power of the legislative and judicial system to demand more and more taxation from the citizens it is supposed to protect. Yet, today's young adults, in their focus on perceived "rights" and "entitlements" fail to consider the ultimate cost of their demands for more and more government intervention in their lives.

We as individuals have a right to demand quality health care services from those we pay. We have the ability to go to a different provider when we are not served properly. We have that right because we are paying the bill, either directly or via individual or employer provided insurance plans. We pay for those plans either directly or as part of our compensation package. We have, not perfect control, but control nevertheless, over the direction of our health care.

Health care in the US is about 1/6th of our economy, which is 16% or $2.404 TRILLION dollars. That is 77% of the total US government outlay for FY2009. And some want to turn over control of that portion of our economy, no, our lives, to a faceless government bureaucrat.

Under a plan of "privilege" where my neighbor, friends and family pay for my health care via government controlled plans, whether the so called "public option" or government mandates, I become dependent on and responsible to that other party and the whims of bureaucracy to meet my very personal health care needs. To a people who know of the struggle of running up against a government bureaucracy like the IRS or Social Security or Medicare, where faceless individuals have near unlimited power over your income, your finance, your freedom, your health care and even your life, the thought of more invasion by government into the intimate area of personal health is an fearful affront.

Those who have no understanding or experience in these matters merely see it as a relief from the responsibilities of life. That's a relief they may one day come to regret.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Constitution Day

2009-09-17T18:29:00.003-04:00

Constitution Day

The basis of our form of government, the document our President has called "fundamentally flawed" and spawned the longest continuous democracy (democratic republic) in modern history.

In their wisdom, the founders crafted not a "pure" democracy, which would be little more than chaos, but a republic that, with it's "warts," has produced a society to which people the world over long to come and enjoy the freedoms, economic, financial, political and social, protected by those words and ideas 222 years later.

Even as some detour around the methods of amendment built into the document to circumvent the protections embedded therein, we continue to honor the strength of that document, the the foresight and wisdom of the men who pondered, debated, fought for, gave their lives and fortunes and ultimately wrote these sacred words.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Stand-by time?

2009-09-17T09:15:00.003-04:00

I just responded to a segment on Fox & Friends about a Federal Times story about excessive Postal staffing being required to sit around doing nothing waiting for work.

Due to rigid union work rules and employee contracts that have been negotiated and agreed to by both labor and management, full time employees must come to work and if there is no work to perform, instead of being sent home and tailoring the workforce to the available work, they will sequester employees pending incoming mail volume.

That is resulting in an average of 45,000 hours of idle "stand-by" time. I don't approve or condone the practice, but in perspective, it amounts to 16/100 of one percent of total USPS work hours and less than 1/10 of one percent of the Postal Services $80 Billion annual budget.

In these difficult economic times $65 million is nothing to sneeze at, I could sure do great things with it, but if the impact is spread over the entire workforce it amounts to about 4 minutes a day in lost productivity for every employee.

The greater problem is the impact on the morale of effected employees, the opening to criticism from the public, politicians and unions, the latter who have collaborated in making the policies that have created this problem.

Here's my response:

I've worked for the Post Office for almost 20 years and have never heard of "stand-by time." In our branch office we are rapidly reducing the staffing levels. While this is long overdue we've never had employees just standing around. I, personally would go "nuts" doing so and have made a career of constantly learning more and doing more to be able to work in a wide variety of areas and become of greater value to my employer.

The current VER plan has been accepted by 2 employees in our office of 10 clerks while a third will no longer be working for the local office, in total, a 30% reduction. This will require a realignment in working hours and days off for the remaining employees, but we will do what needs to be done to serve our customers. Our only concern is that while the reductions are needed to accommodate the reduced mail volume and increased use of automated equipment, what will happen when the economy turns and mail volume increases again.

I don't anticipate volumes will ever return to the heydays of the late '90's and early 2000's of over 200 billion pieces a year, but it will return. When it does, we will be a workforce that is 35% leaner with 500,000 employees projected by 2015, down from a high of over 800,000 and a current level of 698,000.

Many of the problems of the Postal Service have to do with the government oversight and legislation that limits it's ability to respond to changes in the business climate and fiscal demands. Instead of making sound business decisions based on conditions, we have to go to Congress, hat in hand, and get permission to do what any other business has the right, and responsibility, to do. We have the burden of intrusive government oversight, while being a wholly self-supporting agency fully funded by sales of our products, no tax-payer dollars budgeted, funded or accepted.

It is that Congressional "meddling" that worries me when it comes to the current health care debate. Congress has historically proven itself to be inept in it's ability to direct good business practices through-out government, and the American people have spent decades deriding their politicians for their failure to do so. Now, all of a sudden, we are supposed to have a "come to Jesus" moment and believe that Congress can do what it has never had the will or ability to do before, run an efficient business? And this one doesn't just get your mail across the country or half-way around the world for 44¢, it will intimately impact our very health and lives.

I don't represent the Postal Service, my words are my own and represent my own concerns. Many of my fellow employees, who buy into the union atmosphere, would disagree with me on many issues. Yet there are many others who feel as I do and think the media and politicians exploit the few irregularities while ignoring and diminishing the overwhelming majority of employees who take pride in the service we provide the American people. That pride is reflected in the approval ratings we receive from our customers. With one and two day delivery scores of 96% and 94% respectively, our customers continue to give us satisfactions ratings north of 92%.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

What is happening to our Republic?

2009-09-02T16:31:00.005-04:00

"Treacherous leaders", "propaganda network." When one hears or reads these words it usually comes from the political apparatus of some third world dictator, not the president of the United States. But that’s exactly where they came from, and it wasn;t some harsh words for the leader of Iran, North Korea or Venezuela.

The Obama apparatus used these terms to demagogue his political opponents. This kind of language has never been used in the history of American politics. This organization is calling on its apparatus to call on their Senators on September 11 to pass the so called "Pubic Option" and "fight back against our own Right-Wing Domestic Terrorists." An amazing affront to the American people on the day we remember and mourn those whose lives were lost in the worst terrorist attack in this nations’ history.

His political apparatus is sending lesson plans to teachers to "guide" the classroom discussion both before and after the broadcast. This has all been characterized as message to "challenge students to work hard in school, to not drop out and to meet short-term goals like behaving in class, doing their homework."

Yet, what is the hidden goal? To build a relationship with children to disarm them and perhaps even divide them and their parents? We’ve seen this happen in other totalitarian societies. Nikita Kruschev warned America that communism would destroy her “from within.” Gain control of the classroom, and you have control of the nation.

"The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next," opined Abraham Lincoln. That works both ways. Obama’s guide, Saul Alinsky, and his friend, William Ayres, both taught that the battle is won in the classroom.

Now, with the battle for the future of America enjoined by the right, Obama and his minions are reaching for our very soul as they make a bold grab for our children. The question for us is, "will we stand idly by and allow this disgraceful and undemocratic, yes, un-American, political ploy in our children's classrooms go unchallenged, or will we stand and declare, 'Enough!'"

The administration already has a program to use the classroom to spread their message to children about the 2010 census. Some would say the purpose is more sinister, to spy on their parents. They have already called on American citizen to spy on each other and report "fishy" email and conversations to the White House.

They have taken bold measures to nationalize part of our finance and manufacturing sectors through "bail outs" and seek to take hold of 15% of our economy through nationalization of health care. In November 2008 the majority of voters succumbed to the sweet elixir of “hope and change.”

Is this the "hope and change" they wanted? To turn the world’s most successful democracy towards a socialist dictatorship? These may seem to be harsh words. But are we willing to speak soft platitudes while our nation is destroyed "from within." I pray not.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

An open letter: I oppose the president's healthcare reform

2009-07-27T15:09:00.002-04:00

Dear Representative Grayson:

I strongly urge you to oppose the government take over of the health care industry. Rationing of health care, implementing euthanasia and denying services to the elderly are not acceptable. In addition, we should not add another two trillion dollars to our national debt which is already taking us toward financial chaos.

Frankly, government, from either side of the political spectrum, has proven that it cannot run healthcare programs, exhibit 1, Medicare, exhibit 2, Medicade.

Both of these programs are racing towards fiscal collapse, doctors are at best reticent to participate, patients are denied services by Medicare/Medicade in the name of saving costs while fraud is rampant, as much as 10% of program costs.

Why would Congress even think government could run a nationwide health program when it has shown that it cannot run these? Simply because Congress ignores the problems, keeps throwing money at it while clammoring for more power over the lives of American citizens.

It's time Congress woke up and realized that Representatives and Senators are not the sole embodiment of intellect and wisdom. Those attributes lie in the people. It is up to Congress to listen to the will of the people and if you are doing so, you must know the people are calling for an end to this insanity called "healthcare reform" and "spend more to avoid bankruptcy."

Intelligent people know both of those, as proposed by Congress and this Administration, are dead wrong. The polls prove that even average Americans know the direction Congress and this Administration are headed in down a path to destruction.

It's time for you to begin listening to your constituency, not simply giving lip service, and act in accordance with the wishes of your constituency.
Vote no on the health care legislation before this Congress. You voted wrong on "Cap and Trade," don't make the same mistake on healthcare.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

An open letter to the President

2009-07-22T20:54:00.002-04:00

Dear President Obama,

The current attempt by this administration to socialize the medical system is a blatant power grab for 17% of the US economy. The majority of Americans are beginning to see this for what it is and to understand this administration's desire to wreck our free market economy.

I do not support this move by this administration nor do at least 51% of the American people. The more we know about this scheme the less support it engenders. This is a tribute to the intellect of the American people.

That your administration in collusion with the Democrat majority rushes this to a vote before the American people learn more is a testament to your callous disregard for the will of the people.

We will not be dissuaded by high sounding words and misinformation. Stop this insanity, NOW!

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

They Call Her Blessed

2009-07-01T00:30:00.002-04:00

This is a re-posting of an article I wrote for Mother's Day 2003. Mom really appreciated it and had asked that it be included as part of her funeral service. As things transpired, it wasn't, there was, in our family's opinion, a much more appropriate statement needed.

In tribute to Mom, on this what would have been her 81st birthday, I'm again offering it for review. Mom, as the first time, this is offered in love to honor, and now remember, the person you were.

Nearly 75 (can you believe it!) years ago a little girl was born to T.O and Edna Evans in the small southern village of Darlington, South Carolina. She was the 9th (I think) of what would be 12 children to this Pentecostal Holiness preacher and his wife. They supported his ministry and their family by farming cotton in the post-depression and World War II south.

This little girl, Mildred they called her, found joy on the farm as she grew and matured in the shadow of her strong willed father, nurtured by her gentle mother and guided by her sister Ruth. Millie loved to please her brothers and believed anything they told her, even to the point of jumping from the hayloft, flapping her arms as she tried to fly like her brothers told her she could.

Her childhood was filled with days in the fields, evenings playing with the imaginations of a farm child, cold nights warmed by hot bricks, and field trips which included natures call to the outhouse out back. The kitchen was filled with the aromas of the farm bounty and the tables filled with the wonders of the visitations of traveling preachers and missionaries. As she grew up, she grew strong in character and will and when the time came she was sent to school in Greenville. It was there she met her love, her promise, in the person of Bill and in time they were married.

After the wedding in June 1950 they headed out into the ministry armed with the surety of their calling and the adventure and abandon of youth on a mission. In just under 10 months, despite the best efforts of "the book", their first born, Billie came into the world. As they continued to minister and travel, a few short years later a second, Steve came along and they decided that a family needed a place to call home so they entered the pastorate, ministering first in Oklahoma, then Illinois, Missouri, Iowa and back to the Carolinas.

As life and God carried them on, she grew strong in her faith and sure in her virtue. A third son, Dan came in Oklahoma, and a daughter, Jana, in Illinois. Through the struggles of life, the loss of her beloved parents and in-laws, the financial setbacks, the toil and joy of raising a family, she never lost her trust in God, her determination and strength of will.

The loss of her first born, Billie, was heartache. Yet still in that heartache, she saw God's love and lessons to be learned and lessons to be shared. Neither gall bladder nor oral surgery would take her smile. A heart attack and subsequent bypass surgery would not diminish her love of life. Knee replacement would not stop her from running the race of life and eye surgery did not diminish her ability to see the best in others.

As she raised her children, she always loved them, even when they failed to follow her guidance. As they struck out on their own, she continued to love and support, encourage and comfort as they to struggled with life, trying to find themselves and finally finding God on the road to destruction. Lifting them up in prayer, counseling and supporting and loving and admonishing as they married and failed in marriage. Married and won in marriage then lost in death that beloved spouse. They struggled with the imponderables of life and living and not just knowing about God, but knowing God…and truly finding Him. Her children knew that Millie would always love them, and pray for them, laugh with them and cry with them. Give, and sacrifice, and hold and support and never fail to be honest with them, even when it hurt. Because even in the hurt, there is love.

Even now as she approaches 75, Millie is still giving to her family. She works so that the healthcare costs don't ravage the retirement of her beloved and herself. She, in spite of her own bodily struggles, gives more than she physically has to help and care for her children and grandchildren. Does she complain? Perhaps some, but rarely to anyone other than her Lord. She simply puts on a smile and keeps moving forward, loving and living.

Has she lived a wonderful, exciting, successful life. Many would look and say, "not really." But they don't measure with the same stick as her friends, family and most importantly her Lord. She has the joy of a life well lived, she has four children who love the Lord and honor her, one who has attained the goal. She has a husband who worships her, loves her, adores her and would give all he has and all he is for her. In the words of Solomon in Proverbs 31:

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Mom, the words of Proverbs were written about you. No, you are not perfect in all things, but you are perfectly...MOM.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Milie's Crockpot Apple Butter

2009-05-14T18:18:00.005-04:00

I had one of those moments today. One of those moments where I very nearly lost it. I felt the sinking feeling of loss, the aloneness, the end of a tradition, the tears began to well up.

It all started with at peanut butter sandwich. I went to the kitchen, opened the bread, grabbed the jar of peanut butter, took a table knife from the drawer and lathered on that glorious concoction of little more than crushed, smashed, ground…peanuts.

As I started to close the jar, I remembered a jar of apple butter in the fridge. It’s not just any apple butter, it’s my mom’s own home made crock pot apple butter. For years she has made this sweet treat each fall, canning multiple pints of it, and giving away most of it to friends and family.

Every Christmas we would look forward to opening our goody box from home and tucked among the date nut balls, the Chex Party Mix (mom’s own recipe), the ice box fruit cake, cookies, date nut bread, fresh pecans in the shell and more, there would always be a jar of crock pot apple butter.

In the early days mom and dad would go to the orchard in the fall and gather from that fresh crop bushels of apples. Bringing them home she would wash, peel and core, all by hand. Cutting them up she began cooking them slowly while mixing in the special spices that made this sweet treat her own.

As time went by, all that manual peeling and cutting became too difficult for mom's tired hands, but she giggled like a school girl when she found an apple peeler that did all the work, peeling and coring. And she found a special joy in her task.

Of course what really made it her own was the love and personal effort that went into making every pint which was labeled “Millie’s Crockpot Apple Butter” and often decorated with a colorful square of patterned cloth, tied on with a bit of matching yarn.

Each time I would dip a bit of that sweet, tart treat, it took me back to mom’s house, the smell of the apples cooking, and mostly to her hugs. Those hugs that usually ended with her standing back, holding me at arm’s length, looking up squarely into my eyes and declaring, “I believe in you.”

Wrapped up in that bit of apple butter I peered at in the bottom of that glass jar was all those things, all that love, all that history. And this was the last of it. The end. I had been carefully measuring out the little bits and tastes of it since she left us in March, but this was the end.

Yes, I have somewhere in storage mom’s special recipe, she gave all of us a copy. She was good about that, preparing, looking ahead to the inevitable. If I can’t find it my sis or brother have their own copy of the recipe, but it just wouldn’t be the same.

What really made mom’s apple butter special was mom. The love and effort, the special care she put into each batch, into each jar. And now, with this last dollop, it was over, there would be no more…

And as the tears began to rush to my eyes, the flush of blood to my neck and cheeks and ears. As I began to despair over this yet one more loss of something so precious, so dear, so…so…mom. A sudden thought came to my mind.

I rushed to the pantry and desperately scanned the shelves and then, finally, there, on the third shelf, tucked in between the Parmesan cheese and the Bush’s Best Honey Baked Beans, I spied a flash of color. The red cloth square was cut with Pinking shears, the pattern of crossed candy canes tucked among holly leaves dancing across with holiday while red and green yarn double wrapped around the lid and tied off in a bow. Classic mom.

And just peeping out from under all that holiday cheer, a label declared, “Millie’s Crockpot Apple Butter.”

Tears, despair, you’ll have to wait for another day.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Determining value...

2009-01-22T14:27:00.006-05:00

Every individual has intrinsic value. When we get in the business of assigning value to an individual based on an arbitrary standard we come perilously close to adopting the standards of regimes such as Hitler’s Nazis who viewed the sick, homosexuals, and non-Arians as undesired objects to be destroyed.

Next came those who opposed his philosophies. They met their deaths simply because they didn’t agree. Millions gave their lives to bring that regime to its knees.

The idea of human value came up in our own constitution where a black man was only worth 3/5th that of a white man. That awful determination was legally corrected at the end of the Civil War with the 13th and 14th amendments. Though socially things have improved dramatically, there is still struggle in some hearts and minds.

The concept of superiority of one individual over the other, and thus of superior value, is not new. Margaret Sanger’s writings stated the purpose of her 1939 Negro Project that ultimately became the Planned Parenthood of today was that it be a vehicle of “discouraging ‘the defective and diseased elements of humanity’ from their ‘reckless and irresponsible swarming and spawning’.”

When we as a society devalue one segment where their destruction is preferable, it becomes a simple matter of extending that valuation to other “unwelcome” elements.

Healthcare, is it too expensive for everyone to receive healthcare in a government administered program? Triage those desiring help by a standard that determines their worth.

Under that system, those needing the most help, the elderly and chronically ill, will be at a severe disadvantage and the cheap “cure” is sodium pentobarbital. It’s called eugenics.

For those of lesser health issues, perhaps mitigating factors such as political philosophy or income level could be factored in. If you don’t agree with the current ideology in power, if you are of minimal productivity, you’re manic/depressive, you’re outta here.

I know those on the pro-abortion side will say that can never happen. Well, it did, Sanger proved it could happen. Hitler made it part of his party platform. Any time we begin to rationalize our actions we are on the cusp of serious personal moral decline.

And make no mistake; this is a personal issue even more than a social/political issue. It is a matter of what we as individual value. What we consider important. It is individual beliefs that eventually become policy, not the other way around.

Yes, I can justify abortion from a purely economic vantage point, but that places me in a position of arrogant superiority, not compassion. For if you can’t “afford” a child, the burden is placed on society and on me as a taxpayer.

Why would I want that burden? Because a child is more that a bit of tissue whose value hangs in the balance of emotional stress. That “tissue” has the power to become an important individual with all the possibilities afforded him/her in this nation. That “tissue” can achieve any goal desired if given the chance. His or her importance is determined not by what they become, but that they can become what they desire.

In April of 1822 there was a bit of “tissue” growing in a French woman’s womb that grew to study immunology and eventually Louis Pasture discovered vaccines for anthrax, cholera, smallpox and rabies.

In August of 1878 a 20 year old German Jew had a bit of “tissue” growing inside of her. She may have preferred to study the arts or piano, but her focus was on raising her family. Eventually that tissue grew and among other things invented a refrigerator that uses principals still used today in RV and mobile refrigeration.

Had he not moved to the US in 1932, Albert Einstein, who is celebrated as one of the greatest minds of the last century and developed his theory of relativity and unified field theory would probably have fallen to Hitler’s ovens.

In December 1960 another bit of “tissue” began to grow in the womb of a 19 year old single girl. She could have sought out an abortion; it certainly would have been more convenient. The baby’s father was a black man and such a liaison was unacceptable in society at the time. Few would have faulted her, abortion would be the lesser of two “evils.”

But she married the father, kept her child and later raised that child alone after being abandoned by her husband. On January 20, 2009 that child, that bit of “tissue,” Barack Obama, became the 44th President of the United States.

In February 1986 another bit of tissue began to grow. This time in the womb of a young girl from Illinois. She had lived across the mid-west United States, her father was an itinerate worker. She had graduated with honors from college and had a bright future ahead of her. Part of that future included marriage and she and her husband moved to Virginia where he was stationed in the Navy and she worked in a local bank.

Yeah, raising a family was hard work, and would get in the way of plans, but that bit of “tissue” was vastly more important than her original plans and desires. She kept it, raised her son when he was born, struggled through broken marriages where it would have been simpler to not have to deal with children.

Eventually that “tissue” grew into a magnificent young man with more potential and possibilities before him than even he could imagine. Yes he struggled through experiences that no young man should have to, but grew out of them to become talented with multiple abilities even as he struggled to find himself.

No one really knows what this bit of “tissue” will do with his life, he’s not really sure. But one thing is certain, he will have the opportunity to pursue whatever course he desires because his mom, that young girl with so many possibilities, put her life on hold to bring him into the world and give him the opportunity that 30 million other “bits of tissue” have been denied since he first appeared in his mom’s womb. She saw in that bit of “tissue” a value far above her own plans and circumstances.

He may become an engineer, a chef, a General, a titan in business, a politician, perhaps even a President. But one thing is certain, Billy Montgomery has the opportunity to do so because his mother didn’t simply consider him an inconvenience, an unwanted expense, a barrier to her future, a…a bit of tissue.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Just say NO!

2009-01-14T16:23:00.005-05:00

We must demand our Senators and Representatives vote against any more bailout of private businesses and individuals with government, taxpayer money. It is time for us to bite the bullet and face the consequences of our irresponsible financial behavior. It is immoral for us to pass on to our grandchildren and great-grandchildren this debt.

The American people were sold a "bill of goods" last October, and it's happening again now. Throwing more taxpayer debt at the economic problems our nation faces will only at best delay the inevitable while piling up unconscionable debt on our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Our government now owes more money than all of us in the country put together possess. We now owe nearly $57 trillion while our total net worth is only $56.5 trillion. President-elect Barack Obama has said, "We've got trillion-dollar deficits for years to come even with the economic recovery that we are working on at this point."

Obama's plan, being promoted by Democrats and Republicans alike, is to pass out money, running up debt that our grandchildren will be forced to pay. Their solution is simple. Throw more money at the problem. Many of the projects clamoring for a piece of the "pie" at best are poor investments. Others just don’t make sense or amount to funding of projects no one else wants or sees a legitimate need of.

Where will the government get these trillions of dollars? They will go to the printing press and print more, which means that dollar in your pocket will be worth less. It also means the government will borrow more. From whom? Try China and the rich oil producing countries. At the rate we are going, China will never have to fight us. They will own us.

We don’t need to keep digging the hole deeper and deeper. Where will the bailouts end? We need some leadership from Congress, and we need it now. In the vacuum of statesmanship out of Washington, the American people must show that leadership. We know that in the real world there is no such thing as a free lunch; we must make sure oblivious Washington insiders know that as well.

They must stop feeding the American people a line of $&#@!. Democrats railed against Republicans over federal deficits during the Bush years. Now they are set to allow nearly as much deficit spending in one year than was incurred during the entire Bush administration, and yawn while doing so.

Stop the bleeding now! Just say NO to any more bailouts, "taxpayer investment" and government wealth transfers of all kinds. I for one am sick of the enormous transfer of wealth from this nation to China and the oil producing nations. Every dollar of deficit spending means more for them.

Write your Representatives, Senators and the President-elect. Tell them, "Stop it...NOW!"

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Andy

2009-01-12T17:18:00.004-05:00

While there haven't been any recent updates on Andy's condition on the blog, Andy's Journey, by his sister Kristen, I wanted to let you know what current info I have.

The ventilator tube is out and he has sensation below his waist that was unexpected by the medical professionals. He is very positive and looking forward to returning to full function. His family is very excited about the future and are trusting God for a complete recovery.

They are looking for rehabilitation facilities to transfer Andy to when the time comes to leave the hospital. Be in prayer that God will lead them to the best one. Facilities that specialize in the type of injuries Andy has are limited in number and they are considering locations near and far.

Continue to keep Andy and his family in your prayers.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Ending thoughts of 2008 at our house....

2009-01-08T14:57:00.004-05:00

It's been close to a month since my last post and much has happened, most mundane, ordinary stuff, but a few important items.

Christmas at the Post Office has changed dramatically since I started in 1988. At that time an employee's life during December was consumed by the demands of work. Seven day weeks, 12 hour days were the norm. It didn't end with Christmas. January brought sale catalogs and a boost in advertising that ran through May when volume would tail off until the back-to-school sales began, then the process started again with the first Christmas sale mailings in September.

With automation of the mail stream much of that work is now performed by machines and what took 10 employees 10 hours to do, now 1 employee can complete in two and a half. The only part of the mail stream not impacted by machines at the delivery office level is parcels.

They still must be sorted individually by hand, but this year with the weakening economy, even that is suffering reduced volume. I don't have any hard numbers to substantiate it, but past experience and just the "feel" of the mail flow tells me times have changed.

Even as little as a couple years ago in our office I worked straight through, 7 days a week, from Thanksgiving to Christmas. This year the change is so dramatic, my manager was entertaining approval of leave during that time, something never before considered during December.

Overtime was needed only in the case of personnel shortages, i.e. sick leave, out of the office for other duties, etc. There were only a few instances of OT required due to mail volume, and that only in the case of processing parcels.

To those who think of the Postal Service in terms of a stodgy old government bureaucracy, over populated with excess employees, outdated practices and costly inefficiencies, you are out of touch with today's business.

While there are certainly areas needing improvement, as in every business on the planet, cost cutting and service improvement is the name of today's game. Employment is down some 100,000 from it's peak according to 2007 figures and 2008 has seen even deeper cuts with 50 million fewer work hours used compared to 2007.

There are several early retirement offerings currently in process and depending on the results other measures are being considered to cut costs and employee levels. From what I'm hearing, everything is on the table.

Mail volume is down overall with a total of 202.7 billion pieces delivered in 2008, or an average of 675 pieces of mail for every man, woman and child in America. Still that's a decline of 9.5 billion pieces, or 4.5 percent, compared to the previous fiscal year. That is substantial and these numbers are for the FY ending September 30, before the worst of the economic decline began to settle on business and individuals.

In the midst of this the service is deploying a new Flat Sorting System that will automate even more of the mail stream, further reducing the need for clerk craft employees (that's my area) and heavily impacting delivery employees who will receive a substantial amount of their mail ready to go to the street.

While I'm trying to secure a transfer to South Carolina in the midst of this changing business environment, I really have no idea what all this could mean for my future. Even with a 20 year work history, transferring into a new plant could put me in a precarious position if that plant is required to reduce it's "complement" (that's "employee levels" to the rest of you).

Finding out where I would stand as a transferee has been pretty tough to ascertain. Still, the fact that I need to be in South Carolina has not changed simply because the economy or my employers business model is changing.

So you can see there are some challenges ahead for those of us at the Postal Service just like the rest of the nation. We are not exempt. Even while we move the mail (40% of the world volume), bringing people together via their written communications and packages we are constantly looking for ways to reduce costs.

Unlike other delivery services we don't add surcharges for fuel or economic hard times. It cost the same to send a letter across town or across the nation. From the US Virgin Islands to Guam, from Chicago to a soldier serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, it still costs only 42¢ to mail a letter.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Big 3 Bailout thoughts

2008-12-16T14:31:00.004-05:00

I wrote the following to Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida on his "No" vote to on the "Cloture Motion; Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008". A yes vote would have allowed the Senate to move forward on this bill, to which leaders intended to attach auto financing and restructuring legislation

Thank you for voting "No" on the Cloture Motion to the "Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008."

While I am fundamentally opposed to government intervention in free markets, that's in large part what got us into the financial and housing meltdown to begin with, if there is going to be government intervention, there must be concessions on "all" sides.

That the unions refused to even consider concessions to help their employers to become more competitive and preserve blue collar jobs is case in point of the arrogance they have fostered.

In tough times everyone needs to be willing to do what is necessary to keep their business viable, unions included.

That said, the very best method for the big 3 to deal with the problem of mismanagement, poor market prognostication and burdensome union contracts is the very Darwinian yet efficient method of Chapter 11 reorganization.

With good decisions they will come out stronger, more competitive and positioned for future growth and profitability without eating at the public trough.

I need my blue collar, Postal Service, earnings to support my family, not those of mis-managers and unionized extravagance.

I wrote a similar note to Sen. Bill Nelson who voted "Yes" on the motion. Except I extended my disappointment at his vote.

We must each become involved in the political process and tell our representatives what we think of their actions. Our Senators and Representatives are in Washington to "represent" each of us, the voter, the constitutent, not their own self interests and personal philosophies.

They must listen to us and seriously consider our wishes on the issues. If not, we have the responsibility in our Republic to go to the voting booth and replace them.

But if we fail to provide guidance and feedback, the onus falls on each of us for the actions they take with which we disagree. So take time to get involved, learn about the issues and write your political representatives, it's your future, and that of your children and grandchildren.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Life's Priorities

2008-12-08T11:52:00.005-05:00

Ellie laid in intensive care for 3 days while her doctors stabilized her injuries and allowed her body to adjust to the shock of her extensive injuries. Her son, John, was already planning on visiting before the accident. Ellie wasn’t even supposed to have worked that day; her vacation was to have started so she could prepare for his visit.

Now those plans were scrapped and all focus was on Ellie’s precarious medical condition. The doctors had repaired her punctured lungs, the fracture of her spine would heal itself if she remained stationary, which was no problem because her shattered legs wouldn’t allow her to walk and her broken ribs hurt too much to sit or even move.

Ellie was so medicated for her pain that she lived in a semi-conscious stupor, barely knowing where she was, much less who was around. While she lay in ICU, her friends began the work of caring for her animals.

For years Ellie had enjoyed loving people, setting up regular outings to places like the Arabian Nights dinner show in Orlando, FL. She made the arrangements, secured group rates, and invited as many friends and co-workers as would come. Memories were made, relationships bonded, life’s priorities readjusted.

Now it was time for her friends to return the love she had so unselfishly shown. Her friend Lisa went by Ellie’s home and scooped up her miniature Dobermans, Billie and Bo, and took them home to her own menagerie of dogs, cats and birds. Friends and her stable girls oversaw the care of Ellie’s four horses, an Arabian, a Miniature horse, a Lipizzaner mare and her son, a stallion with potential to become a show horse.

Ellie’s stables boarded several horses that needed immediate relocation while her own horses required daily care, feeding and training. Those that could be relocated were, the Arabian and Mini were easy to care for, the high spirited Lipizzaners were another story. They required a trainer with special knowledge of the breed and someone willing to take on the liability of these beautiful but potentially dangerous animals.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Halfacre, the driver of the car that hit Ellie’s vehicle, had initially been brought to the same wing of the Orlando Regional where Ellie was. To protect her from the possibility of crossing paths with him, Ellie was kept in ICU two extra days until a private room was found in another wing of the hospital.

She was still heavily medicated and barely aware of her surroundings. John, his father, and Ellie’s ex-husband, remained by her side, advocating for her with her doctors and the medical staff. It would take weeks before she would be allowed to even sit and her legs would have to remain stationary even longer.

The weeks would roll by before Ellie could leave the hospital. Finally, by the end of March and after an extended search for facilities that could support her physical therapy and healthcare needs, and would accept federal workers compensation, Ellie was relocated to Florida Hospital Oceanside in Ormond Beach. This would become her home for the next two and a half months.

At Florida Hospital Ellie slowly began her recovery and rehabilitation. She worked to strengthen her broken body and regain mobility in legs that had been so long immobilized. It was hard, painful work. Limbs that had been strong enough to work with and train spirited horses themselves now needed training to move but a few inches.

But move they did. Ellie was relentless in her therapy and set goals that she achieved to the amazement of her nurses, therapists, doctors and caseworkers. The day she stood and walked the parallel bars in Physical Therapy was celebrated as a huge milestone. When she began using her walker to navigate the hallways, there was no stopping her.

But Ellie’s recovery wasn’t limited to her physical body. In many ways her spirit and psyche had been damaged. She struggled with the emotions of knowing someone had died in the impact with her car. Logically, she knew it wasn’t her fault and there had been nothing she could have done. But emotions don’t rely on logic, they don’t do fault analysis. And Ellie, being a loving, caring people person struggled mightily.

Even as she struggled with her own emotions, Ellie reached out to those around her at Florida Hospital. Those who were struggling with their own loss of independence and mobility, many of them elderly, found in Ellie a friend who would quietly listen, encourage and support them until they were themselves able to begin moving forward with their lives.

Finally, by the middle of June she was able to walk with her walker far enough that she was able to leave Florida Hospital. Though she couldn’t yet return home because needed to be able to get out of her home without a wheelchair in an emergency, Ellie could go to the home of another friend in Port Orange for the few weeks it would take to reach that point.

Ellie was ecstatic to be able to return to a real home, sleep in a real bedroom and help with the cooking. It was the next best thing to heaven! Friends could come by and she would be dressed in street clothes, she could go to church, the store and help, in a limited way, around the house.

A few weeks later she finally achieved her goal of moving home with her dogs. During this long wait they had lived with Lisa and made visits to Ellie at Florida Hospital, but having them home with her was the best therapy for both Ellie and her animals.

She mourned the loss of her beloved Lipizzaners, but she had found a home with a reputable and knowledgeable trainer who knew the breed well and had trained many champions. The Arabian mare and the Mini were still stabled and she would be able to keep them. Ellie’s goal is to use her Mini to draw a carriage, perhaps even in shows. Her horses would be well cared for and that brought her joy and satisfaction.

Ellie had a series of appointments with a psychologist to help her with the pain of her loss of physical health, and especially that emotional struggle with the loss of life in her accident. She also scheduled several lessons with a driving instructor to help her regain her confidence in returning to driving.

Her doctors continued to find areas of her broken body needing attention. Glass from the windshield embedded in her hands that had caused so much pain worked its way to the surface and fractures to her fingers that had gone undiagnosed were discovered and corrective surgery performed.

The biggest surgical procedures required would be knee replacement in both legs. Ellie’s right leg had been shattered and her left leg suffered compound fractures. When those bones had healed enough to make surgery possible Ellie opted to have knee replacement on both knees at the same time. She figured she had got used to a wheelchair and she might as well get the pain over with at once.

When she awoke from surgery the evening of November 12 she began to question her decision. The pain was awful, but in some ways it didn’t matter because her doctor kept her heavily medicated for pain and in a drug induced stupor.

By the end of the next week though Ellie was doing much better. Her pain was manageable, she was able to reduce the medication to a level where she felt more normal and she was moving to Lucerne Rehabilitation Center.

There she remained until December 1. Ten and a half months after her accident, Ellie left Lucerne with son John driving and headed home; hopefully for the final time for accident related hospital stays. She still has a long path of rehabilitation ahead of her. She may never be able to return to work in the job she was in at the time of her accident, but she has plans, and a future ahead of her.

While there remain many uncertainties, she wants to work with horses and people. Riding is out of the question, but training and teaching still remain possibilities, and of course there’s that carriage for her Mini.

Ellie loves to cook and has entertained the idea of a business where she could teach others how to make easy, nutritious meals on a budget. Most of all, she want to help others. So many have sacrificed for her and she want to pass that gift on.

So Wednesday, December 3, was a coming out of sorts for Ellie. Dressed in her sequin applicade western style blouse and a jaunty white gambler style hat, she rolled her wheelchair into Chi-Ling’s Japanese Steakhouse like the life of the party she is.

Friends gathered and while they demonstrated their love and appreciation for her, it was obvious the night wasn’t about Ellie, it was about her friends and bringing people together to allow them to refocus, make memories and deepen relationships.

Adults, children and teens all mixed with at casual familiarity of people who though they may not know each other, trust the friend who brought them together knowing that if they all are loved by Ellie, they have passed the important test already.

There will be more therapy, more attention by medical professionals, more struggles with emotions, jobs, finances, but Ellie is back, she’s bringing people together again and she has never forgot her most important life rule, it’s all about people. Work, jobs, things all come and go, but family, relationships, they go on forever and that’s the most important part of life and living.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Heros...

2008-12-04T10:12:00.005-05:00

Last night I had dinner with a hero. A co-worker, Ellie Celeste, had her “coming out” of sorts, 2 days after returning home from her hospital and rehabilitation for the 2nd time. Eighteen friends gathered to celebrate with her and celebrate we did. But first, some background.

Ellie is a sixty something lady, originally from New York City, who loves horses, dogs and people. Not always in that order. For years she has bred and trained horses, mostly Lipizzaners, some of which have made their way into well known shows featuring these beautiful animals.

Additionally, she operated stables and a carriage ride business in New York City, and after moving to Florida about 10 years ago she again boarded horses and offered riding classes for kids, specializing in therapeutic riding. Her dream was to do this full time when she retired from the Postal Service.

That all changed on February 16, 2008. On that day Ellie was returning from the Lady Lake Post Office about noon after conducting a test on the mail. Traveling across Florida on Highway 42 east of Weirsdale, a trip she had made many times, Ellie was ever alert.

Though this route is the shortest path from her home office in Daytona Beach to Lady Lake, it is also wrought with potential peril. Twisting through the rolling hills of central Florida, Highway 42 is loaded with blind turns, unseen roads and driveways emptying into it and traffic snarled by the slow pace often punctuated by impatient drivers taking terrible chances.

This particular February Saturday was bright and sunny; the temperature was in the low 70’s, the rolling countryside covered with scrub oaks in their winter dormancy punctuated with the deep greens of pine and cedar. It was a perfect example of Florida’s best time of the year. As Ellie drove she thought of her plans later that day. Caring for her horses, riding classes, it was a great to be alive!

Little known to Ellie, at that moment, Jeremy Halfacre and his passenger Ray Jenkins were racing her way. Halfacre was at the wheel of a borrowed lease car which he wasn’t authorized to drive on his suspended license.

Halfacre had minutes earlier rolled through a stop sign in Eustis. A sheriff’s deputy, observing the violation, gave pursuit until he saw the reckless manner of Halfacre’s driving. Little did the officer know that in addition to the minor traffic violation, Halfacre was wanted on a drug charge, that’s why he sped from the officer’s pursuit.

Halfacre merged off of County Road 450 onto Highway 42 and was headed her way at over 90 miles per hour. While the officer had long since stopped his pursuit, the driver of a forest service truck, listening to the officer’s exchange with his dispatcher, observed Halfacre’s car as it passed and followed at a distance to keep him in sight.

Halfacre, thinking he was still being pursued, sped away, swerving in and out of traffic. He came up behind some motorcyclists out for a leisurely ride and cut into the oncoming lane just as Ellie’s car rounded the curve. Halfacre swerved and his car, sliding sideways at 70 miles per hour, slammed into Ellie’s postal car at a combined impact speed of 130mph. Jenkins was killed instantly.

The impact crushed the 2006 Chevy Malibu Ellie was driving, ramming the steering wheel into her chest, breaking 3 ribs and puncturing her lungs. The seat frame slammed into her spine fracturing it. As the floorboard collapsed, her legs had nowhere to go and the bones in her legs and her knees were shattered, her right femur breaking through the skin and jamming itself into the console.

Glass from Jenkins’ car and her windshield peppered her with lacerations, embedding itself such that months later Ellie was still finding pieces rising to the surface of her hands, arms and face. Through it all, she remained conscious and alert.

If not for the air bag, Ellie would have died. There were times in the coming weeks when she wished she had, but right now she was trapped and just wanted out. The forest service employee probably saved her life by staunching the blood flow from torn arteries.

Miraculously paramedics were nearby the location of this deeply rural accident scene and they rushed to provide immediate care while other emergency workers raced to dismantle the Malibu with the “Jaws of Life.” The doors and roof had to come off the crushed car before Ellie’s mangled body could be extracted and air lifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center.

While the doctors at ORMC worked feverishly to save her life, Ellie lay in a semi-conscious state and down the hall, the man who had inflicted this insult to her body was himself receiving medical care.

Come back in a few days for the rest of the story.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Giving thanks...

2008-11-27T04:30:00.002-05:00

Eph 5:20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" (KJVA)

If you’re reading this Thanksgiving Day, I was scheduled to work today, but flexibility being the watchword, that has changed, YEAH!!.

I had originally planned to be off this week and was considering making the trek to be with my parents and siblings this day, that or spend the week working on a failed shower pan.

Well, things didn’t work out where I would be able to work on and complete the shower, but neither was I able to make the pilgrimage north. One of our employee’s heart problems revisited and for the second time in 3 weeks he had to undergo a cardiac stent procedure.

With the downsizing the Postal Service is undergoing, we no longer have the redundancy of employees for which the service was once legitimately criticized. That redundancy is no longer the case and the reductions continue with voluntary early retirements taking effect in January ’09.

Two strong healthy people can distribute mail in our office for a short period of time, I know because I did it the first time this employee went into the hospital. But now, if I were to take the time off, the two people left are both near or past retirement and neither are in the best of health themselves. Attempting to run the office for a week would most likely, for them, result in their needing to take sick leave to recover from the physical damage they’d incur.

So, I find myself working this week, the first time I would have had Thanksgiving week off in 20 years of working for the Postal Service. Additionally, the little known secret is that even though there is no window service or mail delivery on a holiday, many larger offices still must staff to one degree or another otherwise the mail the following day would be overwhelming and most likely delays would occur.

However, with the overwhelming changes occurring in the Postal Service, we are downsizing our staffing across the board and extending dependency on automation processes to increase productivity and further reduce staffing.

The Postal Service is not immune to the shrinking economy. Our business depends on mail volume and that volume is dropping. Many factors come into play, the rise of the Internet and electronic billing and remittance being primary.

We learned Wednesday that except in the major processing centers, there will no transportation running to delivery offices on Thanksgiving Day and thus no need to provide even minimal staffing in those office. I have no doubt that this seeming minor change will save millions of dollars in avoided costs on this holiday.

And with that additional bit of knowledge, I no longer am required to work this Thanksgiving Day, and that's a good thing.

So, with all this change and uncertainty am I complaining, Nope. I’m thankful. Thankful for so many things. Thankful for my job. It’s been a source of income security for 20 years and provided for my family in many ways.

I’m thankful for my family. For their love and patience with me, even in those times when I challenge their patience.

For my parents, for their nurture, their provision, their guidance, their love. For being an example to follow and a source of strength in times of trial. For their expression of love and in doing so were an example of God’s love to me.

For my brother and sister. I left home before we developed those close relationships so often depicted in film and book. But then, I’m a different kind of independent individual and those kind of relationships would be difficult for me to maintain for any length of time. Still, I know their love is secure and when I have needed their support, they have been there for me, without fail.

For my wife, Karen. For the same reasons listed above, I’m not an easy person to live with. I can often be distant, quite, uncommunicative, and stubborn and sometimes exhibit unloving behavior. Still, she is patient and continues to love me, even after these past 8 years of ups and downs. She really deserves a medal.

I’m thankful for my health. The past two years has really brought this home with the cycling accident I had in February ’06 and the subsequent two surgeries. The long rehabilitation and just in the past few weeks returning to my bike. It’s a joy to be able to physically challenge myself. Many my age are unable to do so, their bodies failing them either due to genetics or abuse.

I’m thankful for my home. Yes, even with the damaged shower. Our home is a blessing and a refuge. In the six years since we built we’ve realized it is probably too small for this time in our lives and there are things I miss, like a two-car garage. But many have no garage, live in an overcrowded home with several generations under one roof and, recently, a significant percentage of homeowners are losing their home. Some due to imprudent financial decisions, some simply victims, oh how I hate those words, of our present economy.

I’m thankful for our grandchildren. Don’t see ‘em often enough, and frankly, when we do I’m often ready for their parents to pick ‘em up before their parents are ready to do so. Still, Camron and Katie are great kids, healthy, active, energetic, imaginative, inquisitive and intelligent. What more could you ask for.

I’m thankful for technology, though sometimes I’d like to take that technology and toss it out the window. Technology helps keep us closer. Families that would barely know each other develop cyber-relationships when there would have been little contact otherwise. Some of you are reading this on Facebook where I have recently had the pleasure to reconnect with friends thought lost years ago.

Speaking of those friends, I’m thankful for each of you. The imprint you’ve had on my life is indelible and while some more than others, each friendship and relationship has served to mold and shape me in ways that has made me the person I am.

Most of all I’m thankful for the love, grace and mercy of a loving God who really does love me. Some folks think of God as a stern, judgmental, unforgiving master who seeks their obedience, respect and fear. The God I know loves me; he really does, and seeks his best for my life. It’s my duty to seek out his will and conform my life to it, not out of fear but out of love and devotion to him.

So on this Thanksgiving Day, as I work, I will do so with thanksgiving in my heart and a song on my lips. For I truly have much to be thankful for.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

In the Shadow of the Moon

2008-11-23T10:31:00.012-05:00

I’ve always had an interest in space and space exploration. The idea of what lies beyond planet Earth, what wonders exist in the heavens above has occupied my thoughts in varying degrees since childhood.

I remember as a child watching TV while the Gemini and Apollo space capsules blasted off into that great unknown, then returning in a fiery reentry and splashdown, Navy ships, helicopters, rafts and divers rushing to the scene to secure the capsule and extract the astronauts before their craft was claimed by the waters.

Living in Florida these past 20 years I’ve had opportunity to exercise that interest to a greater degree than otherwise possible, and with the coming of the Internet, the availability of information and imagery is like manna, or perhaps a needed “fix” for this addiction that oft runs hot and cold. The Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral are located on the central Atlantic Florida coast, a short drive from our home, and excite the imaginations of children and adults, myself included.

One of the cool things about living here, for me, is that under the right atmospheric conditions I can view launches from my home. They vary in degrees of visibility; some day launches are a mere contrail arching through the sky with a faint orange flame at its head.

Night launches are the best, recently on November 14 STS-126 (that’s Space Transport System number 126) launched at 7:55pm into partly cloudy skies of an early evening. As the shuttle accelerated in speed and altitude she suddenly appeared over the trees between the clouds suspended in the air on a tail of flame quickly rising on her rendezvous with space and the International Space Station.

The most amazing and beautiful night launch I viewed was STS-33 in November 1989. At the time I lived in a semi-rural area and that evening our overhead skies were clear but there was high altitude overcast at the launch pad. As the shuttle engines ignited the fireball lit the undersides of those clouds and with them the whole horizon. It was an indescribable sight of beauty and power.

No matter how many times they launch there’s always a crowd of people of all ages lining our streets and staring into the heavens hoping for a glimpse of the start of this most recent of adventures. Perhaps some of it is the spectacle syndrome, hoping against hope to be there if another shuttle launch fails in the manner of STS-51L, Challenger, which, with her crew, was lost 73 seconds into the launch in a huge fireball seen across the state.

No one wants to see that ever again. But space is a harsh mistress and space exploration is, at its essence, a process of discovery that is built on taking high risk. Each shuttle and launch vehicle contains millions of components, each critical to the mission. Failure of even the seemingly most innocuous of parts could have disastrous consequences.

One of the most awesome of experiences you can have is to be at KSC when the shuttle launches. I’ve viewed it twice, once from Titusville with my nephew and a second time from across the Banana River at the Merritt Island launch viewing spot for the general public. Even though it’s 8 miles away, when the shuttle launches the roar and blast of the engines rolls across the water and physically shakes your body. (Google Map)

I’ve said all this to introduce these few words about the 2007 documentary “In the Shadow of the Moon” directed by David Sington and introduced by Ronnie Howard. This film follows the space program of the 1960’s from the lofty goal set by President Kennedy in 1961 through the achievement of that goal in 1969 and beyond.

While this is not a scientific overview of the race to the Moon, it succinctly captures the mood, challenges, achievements and failures of the space program during this time.
With overwhelming odds and technology that by today’s standards was less than primitive, this nation set its collective eye on the goal and through determination, unrelenting effort, innovation and even dumb luck achieved that target in a manner that was acclaimed around the world.

The film is based on interviews with the men who risked their lives to attain that objective. Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Mike Collins, Ed Mitchell, John Young and many more of these adventurous risk takers tell the story in their own words, in the process providing wonderful insights to the space program and the men behind it.

If you have any interest in science, history, space exploration, technology or human nature, this is an important study that you simply must see. It’s available on DVD and if you subscribe to Netflix you can add it to your queue. You’ll thank yourself for doing so.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

How progressive taxes work...

2008-11-12T15:01:00.015-05:00

Came across a paraphrase of the following on another networking site I regularly visit. Snope's can't verify attribution so I'll leave that part off.

Still, the analogy is sound and clearly explains the fallacy of a progressive tax system and especially one geared towards wealth envy, such as ours.

How Taxes Work . . .

This is a VERY simple way to understand the tax laws. Read on — it does make you think!!

Let's put tax cuts in terms everyone can understand. Suppose that every day, ten men go out for dinner. The bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men — the poorest — would pay nothing; the fifth would pay $1, the sixth would pay $3, the seventh $7, the eighth $12, the ninth $18, and the tenth man — the richest — would pay $59.

That's what they decided to do. The ten men ate dinner in the restaurant every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement — until one day, the owner threw them a curve (in tax language a tax cut).

"Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily meal by $20." So now dinner for the ten only cost $80.00.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes. So the first four men were unaffected. They would still eat for free. But what about the other six — the paying customers? How could they divvy up the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his "fair share?"

The six men realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would end up being PAID to eat their meal. So the restaurant owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so the fifth man paid nothing, the sixth pitched in $2, the seventh paid $5, the eighth paid $9, the ninth paid $12, leaving the tenth man with a bill of $52 instead of his earlier $59. Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to eat for free.

But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings. "I only got a dollar out of the $20," declared the sixth man who pointed to the tenth. "But he got $7!"

"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man, "I only saved a dollar, too . . . It's unfair that he got seven times more than me!".

"That's true!" shouted the seventh man, "why should he get $7 back when I got only $2? The wealthy get all the breaks!"

"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison, "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night he didn't show up for dinner, so the nine sat down and ate without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered, a little late what was very important. They were FIFTY-TWO DOLLARS short of paying the bill! Imagine that!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college instructors, is how the tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up at the table anymore.

Where would that leave the rest? Unfortunately, most taxing authorities anywhere cannot seem to grasp this rather straightforward logic!

Sadly, in America today, according to a recent Gallup poll 46% of those polled would prefer to be the first 4 or 5 guys. They approve taking from the others, only they don't want it done voluntarily, they want it under the threat of government coercion.

That says much about the state of their self motivation and one might even say moral depravity. What happens when government gets into the business of wealth redistribution? Well, I'm talking more than we currently have and more like has been proposed by the incoming powers of our government, both legislative and executive branches.

In the mid '90's I was in Hungary, a nation that lived under Communism. In 1989 she came out from under that heavy handed rule and while the Budapest was thriving, outside the city the people still labored in a state of despair.

Old world horse carts still traveled the roads as people moved themselves and the fruits of their backbreaking labor in their gardens and fields. Once the socialist economic principles of Communism took hold, breaking their grasp on those weaker, poorer victims of it's failed policies was near impossible.

This is what some in power want for our nation. I have no doubt they don't wish the wearying daily struggle, but we have already seen the results of unintended consequences of well intended government intervention gone wrong.

The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, at the heart of our current financial crisis. I've written much about that. The 2005 Energy Bill, expanded in 2007, mandating ethanol production. That short-sighted, well intended legislation resulted in dramatically higher grain prices and ultimately grocery prices, with little to show in energy production. There are currently calls to freeze its mandates at the current levels.

Social Security, a well intended product of the Roosevelt era, has had progressively steeper demands placed on it, disability benefits, survivors benefits, constantly increasing the meager monthly payments. All the while the population of those drawing SS checks grows as our population lives longer and the pool of those worker paying in continues to decrease as the birth rate declines.

I have two nephews, a niece, two step sons and two grandchildren who will be footing the bill for my Social Security payments, assuming it is still in force 12 years from now. Currently the estimated benefit for myself and my wife is $2489 in today's dollars. In 2020, at the current rate of growth, its estimated that for every recipient there will be 2.4 workers, and the ratio gets smaller every year. (More info)

That means, on average, out of each of their monthly paychecks, about $520 will be taken off the top to pay the social security for me, my wife and every other recipient. That, my friends, is wealth redistribution.

But for those currently coming into power in Washington, its a non-issue. The wealth redistribution they are pushing takes this much further and in the process the Ponzi scheme known as Social Security, Medicare, National Healthcare, Welfare, Child Credit ad nausem will end up breaking the back of the American economy.

Good intentions? Certainly, though some more skeptical will argue its merely buying the vote of the lower economic classes. But good intentions do not make good policy.

We've already seen in microcosm the results of human nature in the financial bailout. Companies are repositioning themselves to become eligible when they weren't before. Companies not related to the financial crisis are demanding a bailout for their sectors. Citizens are concocting schemes, dreaming up ways they think they should get a piece of this action.

What everyone forgets is that it isn't government who foots the bill. Government doesn't create wealth, it only takes it. Government doesn't produce a salable product. The current model seems to be redistribution.

According to the Tax Foundation analysis of 2006 tax data, if you earned $153,542 you were in the top 5% of income earners and paid 60% if income taxes. If you earned a modest $64,702 you were in the top 25% of income earners and one of the wealthy. You and your group paid 86.27% of all income taxes.

What does this tell us? For starters, the idea that the wealthy don't pay income taxes is a myth. Perpetuated by a political class with an agenda of riding wealth envy to power. Secondly, you could have confiscated the total incomes of the top 5%, those making %153,542 in 2006 ($2.43 trillion), and the total going to the government would come close to to paying the $2.7 trillion budget for that year, but only once.

The only answer to this is to reduce spending. In 2006 the federal government spent $248 billion just on interest on the national debt, that is more than twice the $117 billion spent on the Iraq war that year and $22 billion more than the federal deficit that year.

Confiscating wealth, nor redistribution of wealth, is the answer. A fair review of the data is convincing. The only answer for the fiscal dilemma our government is in, less government.

The only problem with this is the current and the incoming leadership on both sides of the aisle seem committed to more government, more intrusion into the private sector, more spending, more and increased entitlements, more deficits, and a higher national debt.

I've oft repeated this quote from Alexis de Tocqueville, "The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money."

Our legislators discovered this long ago, the people are swallowing this hook into their collective gut and it will eventually rip us all inside out.

I want more for my nephews, niece, step sons and grandchildren. They deserve more, yet sadly, I'm afraid their generation may have fallen victim to the elixir of wealth envy and may well be bringing to power those who will orchestrate their own fiscal demise.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

The cyclist rides again!!

2008-11-09T18:21:00.000-05:00

And on a lighter note, WooHoo! For the first time since February 24,2006 I climbed on my bike and took off on a exhilarating ride! While my shoulder will most likely never be 100% of what it was, it was great getting back to the sport I love!

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Time to come down off the "high"

2008-11-09T17:46:00.005-05:00

With the election over, journalists, pundits, commentators, most politicians and most importantly, the President-Elect, Barack Obama, have all begun to scale back the rhetoric. These professionals, for the most part, understand there is an important distinction between campaigning for political office and holding that office.

The words, thoughts and ideas expressed in a campaign are idealistic, crafted to appeal to a candidate’s constituency’s hope and dreams. A political candidate also knows the rhetoric of campaigning will rarely become policy. Therefore he or she must scale back the expectations of their constituencies otherwise those who carried them to office will turn on them when they realize their idealized hopes will not be attained, or at least to the degree they were led to believe during the campaign.

To his credit, President elect Obama began lowering expectations in the final week of his campaign when it became clear that barring unforeseen and hugely inaccurate polling, he would most likely become this nation’s 44th President. The difficulty for Obama is that most of the constituency he has courted, the youth vote and the wealth envy vote, do not understand the difference between campaigning and governing.

Political candidates have since the beginning of politics promised far more than they can deliver. In the form of government in this nation, that fact is inherent in our Constitutional Republic. You see, this is not a democracy, despite the misguided belief perpetuated by the educational system and the media.

Sadly, the constituencies of President-Elect Obama have drunk the “Kool-aid” of “Change” and truly believe that their candidate and our soon to be President will enact all that he has promised. Many remain in “campaign mode” ravenously attacking anyone expressing ideas and opinions even slightly different from their own. They look for attack and disparagement in even the most benign of comment.

Their youthful idealism and expectations, their lack of understanding of the American political process, will lead them to disillusion and disappointment. At the same time, their inability to tone down their rhetoric and attacks will serve only to alienate them from both those who may agree with them as well as those who don’t.

Their friends, families and fellow employees will all soon tire of the constant argumentative attitude and newly empowered political groupies will soon find themselves not only disappointed in their expectations, but distanced from those who would have otherwise been there for them when they finally realize their candidate cannot fulfill the all promises made and their government has failed them despite their hope for change.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Change, Obama's positions vary minute by minute

2008-10-31T00:01:00.002-04:00

As recent news events and the current political cycle has demonstrated, disgusting images of anyone on the left are hate speech and those committing such acts must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Arguments, ideologies and even general statements that differ from the leftist “party line” are deemed at their core racist, intolerant, disgusting, lies and without basis. Even when it is shown that those statements are rooted in fact backed up with quotes and even recordings showing the statements to be factual.

Barack Obama was only 8, so the story line goes, when Bill Ayres committed his heinous acts, there for he cannot be held responsible, I can accept that. But Obama was in his 30’s when he sat on committees and boards with Ayers, conceding to and helping to promote Ayres views of America while accepting Ayres help in launching his own political career. The Obama campaign would have us believe the candidate barely knew Ayres.

For 20 years Obama sat in the pews of the Chicago Trinity United Church while Jeremiah Wright spewed hate for the principles of America and directed that hate towards 74% of Americans who are white. Obama counseled with Wright and calls Wright his spiritual mentor. Yet during all that time Obama claims he knew nothing of the racist views and hatred espoused by Wright. When confronted with it, Obama conveniently threw his mentor of 20 years “under the bus.”

Now the story line goes that it was 7 years ago when Obama made statements of support for PLO spokesman Rashid Khalidi calling Khalidi his "friend and frequent dinner companion." That was so long ago and now the Obama campaign spins out, “he does not share Khalidi's views.”

Of course, he didn't mean "spreading the wealth" when he said those words so clearly to Joe "the Plumber" Wurzelbacher. What he really meant was tax fairness.

He doesn't promote or support socialism or Marxism. But, as stated in a 2001 interview, equal outcome for all is desirable and even, in his view, a basic societal right that the US Supreme Court has failed to ensure. According to Obama our nations highest court failed to "break free from the essential constraints" of our Constitution. Therefore the Constitution itself is, in his view, fundamentally flawed and should be "thrown under the bus."

The Obama campaign dismisses the socialist characterization of such statements as a "distraction." The spokesperson says Obama was speaking of the "civil rights movement – and the kind of work that has to be done on the ground to make sure that everyone can live out the promise of equality" and "has nothing to do with Obama's economic plan."

Excuse me. His 2001 statements are fundamental to his current tax and wealth redistribution policies.

I recently heard Obama campaign spokesperson Bill Burton excuse a statement by the candidate as inconsequential because it occurred 2 weeks previously. Next we’ll be told to forget what was said in the previous sentence because it just didn’t happen that way.

So we are required to make excuses for and accept a new story line a day for candidate Obama who refuses to defend at face value even one of his controversial stands. If we fail to accept his views we are characterized as racist, intolerant, dysfunctional and without merit.

I suppose in an Obama administration free speech will still reign as long as it mirrors their party line. If not, you may well end up in an gulag, Obama style.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Profits, profit margins, get the whole story

2008-10-30T16:38:00.003-04:00

With 58% Jump in Profit, a Record Quarter for Exxon

As usual the NYT, like most of the rest of the media fail to put oil company profits in perspective.

The "record" was set with the highs in oil prices back in the summer. I want to know what the profit "margin" was. The numbers are impressive, but most Americans don't differentiate between "profit" and "profit margin" or the net earnings to revenue ratio.

That is the real telling figure. Microsoft averages 28-29%. Coke averages 18%. Most people think a 10% margin is acceptable. Historically, oil companies earn 7.5-8.5%, even during the recent "astronomical highs." Exxon's net margin is 9.21%. Coke 18%, Microsoft 28%, Exxon 9.2%. Who's really raping the consumer?

In this quarter they spent $7 billion on research and development, nearly $33 billion on taxes (that's before the Obama "windfall" profits taxes) and had earnings of $14.8 billion.

And those earnings are returned to the investors, i.e. pension funds, mutual funds, 401-K's, individual investors, institutional investors. If you have a retirements fund or mutual fund, you may very well be a beneficiary.

All I want to see is perspective in these articles but they are determined to demonize these companies without which our economy would come to a screeching halt. No energy to run it, no economy, no jobs, no home, no retirement, no food, clothes, goods etc.

Do they make a lot of money, Sure do! Is that bad? Let 'em go bust and see what happens. Do they earn excessive profits, not even.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Hangings in America

2008-10-29T16:44:00.003-04:00

The recent degeneration of political discourse in the form of effigies of Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin and now twice reported effigies of Democrat Presidential candidate Barack Obama are a sad commentary on the state of America.

Chad Michael Morrisette, the creator of the Palin effigy that has hung since the weekend, says its art and humor. At the same time he acknowledges that such an image is distasteful and offensive, "The image of a hanged black man is a lot more intense than the image of a hanged white woman, for our country and the history of our country," he told a local station.

Yet the effigy remains despite outcry from local official as well as across the nation. The local sheriff says there’s no law against “bad taste” while the FBI responded, "It's clearly distasteful, but it doesn't appear to be a violation of federal civil rights statutes." A special agent with the Secret Service says, “incident seems to be a harmless, though unusual, Halloween display.”

Meanwhile, effigies of Obama have had brief appearances at the University of Kentucky in Lexington and at George Fox University in Oregon. Both effigies were immediately taken down, there were no references to free speech or art, only offered apologies and disgust.

The students who allegedly confessed responsibility for the GFU incident will be punished according to school officials while the president of KU, Lee Todd, “says that he plans to personally apologize to the Obama family on behalf of the university and that he is ‘personally offended and deeply embarrassed by this disgusting episode.’"

Why the disparate difference in response to these equally despicable acts of feigned violence? Do we in America, in the interests of “tolerance” fail to understand the significance of the act of hanging someone in effigy? Is good taste, or conversely abhorrent behavior, solely dependent on the political position of the one so depicted?

Perhaps so. The Islamic world well recognizes the power of the image of hanging one in effigy. We have seen images almost ad nauseam of President Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Many Americans have found these images disgusting and disturbing, yet we have never heard outcries against them from those on the left who now find such images of Obama offensive.

From this lack of response one can infer that as far as the left is concerned, it is just fine and even acceptable practice to disparage, demonize, and disgustingly depict anyone on the right, or for that matter anyone who disagrees with the left.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

2008-10-12T18:35:00.007-04:00

I just finished watching a DVD I heard about on Steve Brown Etc. several months ago and had put on my list of must see videos. It is Sophie Scholl: The Final Days.

If you have never heard of this story, or haven’t yet taken time to view it, you must do so. It is a lesson, first in the strength of character of those who truly believe in their cause and secondly, a treatise on the dangers of a government that believes it alone has the right to determine what ideas are proper and must destroy those whose ideas oppose it.

In a nation where government becomes so powerful that it invades the private economy, nationalizes industry, socializes its education and humanitarian sectors, that power is an elixir to the population and a source of control for those in power. The people become either emasculated through fear or gratitude, or a few rise and speak out against the iron claw of those in power.

Sophie Scholl, her brother Hans and a group of others known as the White Rose chose the latter. When they saw, either with their own eyes or through reports from others, the abuse of a government self-described as Nationalist Socialism, they knew it was their duty to speak out, even in the face of possible death.

That death came at the end of a kangaroo court where the laws and constitution of Germany were suspended for the sake of expediently dispatching those who opposed Hitler’s Third Reich.

The lessons for today are many. Throughout the film, which was created after interviews with many who were witness to the events as well as uncovered court records, Sophie, Hans and Christopher Probst were interrogated and harangued for defying the state in spite of their state provided educations.

How could they rebel against Germany after all Germany had done for them? With the continued intrusion of federalism in the United States into the educational system, the attempts to criminalize home schooling in California, and the control of the public (read “government”) education system by such liberal organizations as the National Education Association which allies itself with the Democrat party, our children may soon be asked the same question.

The education system envisioned by “Obama and Biden will create Early Learning Challenge Grants to promote state "zero to five" efforts and help states move toward voluntary, universal pre-school.” It was Kruschev who in 1960 declared before the United Nations General Assembly ”America will fall without a shot being fired. It will fall from within.”

He was referring to the Communization of America, extolling the bullet points of the Communist Manifesto. What we are interested in here specifically is plank five, “Free education for all children in public schools.” An Obama nation would provide “free” education to all children, starting at birth; to indoctrinate them in the glories of a government controlled society.

It’s not surprising that Obama would promote such a scheme in that his college years included a plethora of socialist connections that have continued in one form or another to today. Black Liberation Theology, espoused by Rev. Jeremiah Wright whose Trinity United Church of Christ Obama attended for years, is rooted in Marxist philosophy.

But getting back to Sophie Scholl, it is important, even more so as we approach this coming election, that we remind ourselves of the dangers of empowering one who lifts himself up as the answer to all societal needs and will administer those remedies via the power of the state.

When we assign to the state our right of self-determination, we assign to the state our freedom as well. Freedom is not easy; moreover, it is difficult to determine ones course for ones life and family. When government assigns to the people certain entitlements, with each entitlement comes a loss of freedom.

Incrementally since Roosevelt’s New Deal we are assigning our freedom and liberty to an increasingly socialist government. With Social Security, the expansion of government education, the welfare system, Medicare and Medicaid, now with the advent of corporate welfare in the recent bailout of Wall Street and the intrusion of government mandating private industry rewrite legal contracts and looming on the horizon the specter of national healthcare, the American electorate is blindly and ignorantly reducing themselves to wards of the state.

Alexis de Tocqueville, who lived from 1805-1859 stated, “The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money.”

Sophie Scholl, as she headed to the guillotine said in part, "How can we expect righteousness to prevail when there is hardly anyone willing to give himself up individually to a righteous cause.”

de Tocqueville’s prediction is now coming true in America. The question is, is there anyone left who is willing to ascribe to Sophie Scholl’s admonition? I pray there is yet a remnant who will rise up stand. If not, it may soon be illegal to publish a dissenting article such as this.

Other sources:

Accuracy in Media - Obama’s Communist Mentor
Accuracy in Media - Obama’s International Socialist Connections
The New York Times - The Mask Slips
The Conservative Voice - Barack Obama Lauded by Marxists
American Thinker - Another Obama Marxist

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

SNL Update

2008-10-08T21:34:00.005-04:00

YouTube has taken down the video link in the last post.

NBC has stated that the skit failed to meet standards. The question is, whose standards? SNL has never been afraid to lampoon anyone and specifically anyone on the right of the political divide.

They used their editorial commentary skits to skewer most recently Sarah Palin and her family, even going so far as to suggest incest. So I don't understand what the problem is here unless some very powerful people, i.e. the Sandlers or George Soros, has threatened NBC with lawsuits, or even with buying them and firing them all.

Michelle Malkin is following this closely, visit her site for the latest info.

Here's the link to the edited version just posted on the NBC Saturday Night Live site. On my first viewing the differences seem minor. The most prominent is the absence of an identifying tag under the Herb and Marion Sandler characters that states “People who should be shot."

Maybe they were afraid that some of the people they took advantage of in their quest for billions of dollars would see that not as a satirical statement but a suggestion that should be followed up on.

I just located a site with the original unedited version of the skit along with an outtake of the edited portion and a video embed of the edited version from Hulu.

SNL Bailout C-Span Video Clip

Thanks to the internet, NBC can run but they can't hide. Hmmm, I wonder if someone at NBC, some free thinker, is actually helping to keep this alive as a snub to whomever is trying to shut it down in original form? Ya think?

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

The missing SNL video...

2008-10-08T05:30:00.001-04:00

The current brouhaha among political watchers and commentators is the disappearance of a video on the NBC/SNL website of a skit broadcast this past Saturday night.

This skit is a surprisingly honest commentary on the events surrounding the recent bailout, the complicity of the Democrats, the amazing availability of easy money for mortgage loans to people that could in no way qualify without the intervention of the Community Revitalization Act, and the gross greed of those in the mortgage industry who took advantage of the situation.

While the politicians depicted are real, the "victims" are fictional, except for Herbert and Marion Sandler who are real life individuals who profited hugely by focusing of sub-prime mortgages then selling their business to Wachovia in 2006 just before the mortgage meltdown began.

The only primary missing ingredient is a direct reference to the collusion of Congressmen, specifically Barney Frank though he is depicted in the video, to prop the doors to Freddie and Fannie open even while the Bush administration and members of the Republican Congress raised warning flags and tried to reign them in.

I’ll say no more but post links to pertinent articles and say that I’ve downloaded the video, so if it goes missing again, I and many others who’ve done the same will work to keep it alive.

This video, in satire, tells the story that many in the mainstream media won’t touch, and apparently NBC is to dishonest, and apparently frightened by someone, to remain public.

Links:
YouTube – Freddie and Fannie
LA Times – Self-censorship? "Saturday Night Live" pulls bailout skit
Michelle Malkin – The missing SNL bailout skit — and the Soros connection
RedState – NBC Yanks SNL Skit From Internet To Help Democrats
Wikipedia – Herb Sandler
Winston-Salem Journal – Ex-Golden West banker defends his mortgage actions

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

An open letter to Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL),

2008-10-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

While I am appreciative of your negative vote on H.R. 1424, I question whether your reasons were the same as mine.

The socialist shifts legislated in 1424 are an affront to our Republic and I fear that Section 110 will cause more damage to our nation and our economy than even the provisions of Section 101.

Short-term relief to mortgage holders who made poor decisions will result in undermining confidence in our nations banks and financial institutions even more so than current events have.

The underlying cause of the current financial and mortgage crisis originated in a Congress which, putting politics over the nations good, created legislation, the Community Reinvestment Act, that served to embolden activist groups to badger, sue and force institutions into making loans that were imprudent and unjustifiable.

It encouraged individuals to purchase homes far beyond their ability and means. Not unlike a Ponsi scheme, when the bubble burst, those caught in it’s midst found a hell hole where there should have been a castle.

Members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, voted to encourage and allow Freddie and Fannie to dangerously expose their portfolios to these sub-prime notes in an effort to further expand home ownership by many who could not afford the responsibility of such.

While the individuals were certainly to blame to letting their greed and dreams overcome commonsense, and the lenders are to blame for not resisting the dangers of making such loans on the promise of increasing profitability, it is squarely on Congress where the blame must fall for creating the social engineering scheme that created this mess.

While Democrats demonize the current administration and Republicans, and there is blame to go around, the record clearly shows that this administration and certain Republican members raised a clarion call several times since 2001. It was the Democrat members who, though in minority, used procedure to kill these efforts to reign in those out of control entities.

Mr. Barney Frank was a primary contributor to killing these attempts and he should be a primary target of investigation for deliberately ignoring his fiduciary duty to the American people.

But Mr. Frank is not solely to blame. Every member of Congress who participated in this social engineering scheme is a fault and in my opinion should be turned out of Congress.

It is imperative that if this Republic, this great American experiment in democracy, is to survive, the People need representatives who truly represent the interest of the people. I fear this Congress is enamored with their own selves, with their quest for power, and have lost that vision, assuming they ever subscribed to it.

Write your Representative: How did they vote?
Write your Senators: How did they vote?

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

An open letter to Sen. Bob Martinez (R-FL)

2008-10-06T15:23:00.003-04:00

I am very concerned by your vote in the affirmative for H.R. 1424. This bill was rushed through the legislature and little time was given to investigate alternative solutions that would be more effective and less costly to the American taxpayer.

Even now our President and other leaders are backing off their urgent pleadings, telling us now that this bill will not be implemented for several months and will have little effect on our economic crisis.

I am very disturbed by the legislation provided in Section 110. It appears to me that this Congress has created provisions that, even more than Section 101, will advance socialism in the United States and the federalization of our financial markets.

I am surprised that your college, Mr. Nelson (D-FL), voted against this bill despite on its language that socializes the US financial markets and our banks via:

1) Government ownership of financial institutions, and
2) Unwarranted government intervention into private mortgage contracts.

This slippery slope will only become steeper if Democrats, now encouraged in their agenda, retain their majority.

I plead with you to set aside political considerations and make a stand for the future of our Republic.

Alexis de Tocqueville said, "The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money."

Our legislators discovered this long ago, the people are swallowing this hook into their collective gut that will eventually rip them inside out.

Write your Representative: How did they vote?
Write your Senators: How did they vote?

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

The 10 most feared words

2008-10-03T16:49:00.003-04:00

The 10 most feared words, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you.” - Ronald Reagan

I missed this in my quick perusal of H.R. 1424 yesterday. Had I taken more time, looked closer and realized the greater implications of the following, I would have been even more adamantly against this piece of legislation.

The very important section is as follows:

10 (b) HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE BY AGENCIES.—
11 (1) IN GENERAL.—To the extent that the Fed-
12 eral property manager holds, owns, or controls mort-
13 gages, mortgage backed securities, and other assets
14 secured by residential real estate, including multi-
15 family housing, the Federal property manager shall
16 implement a plan that seeks to maximize assistance
17 for homeowners and use its authority to encourage
18 the servicers of the underlying mortgages, and con-
19 sidering net present value to the taxpayer, to take
20 advantage of the HOPE for Homeowners Program
21 under section 257 of the National Housing Act or
22 other available programs to minimize foreclosures.
23 (2) MODIFICATIONS.—In the case of a residen-
24 tial mortgage loan, modifications made under para-
25 graph (1) may include—
1 (A) reduction in interest rates;
2 (B) reduction of loan principal; and
3 (C) other similar modifications.

This section of 1424 in essence gives the US government the authority to modify the terms of any mortgage over which it has control under H.R. 1424. Since that includes Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, this provision extends to the majority of mortgages in the United States.

This means that if you are unhappy with the terms of your mortgage and it is in a security under the authority of the US government, you can petition the appropriate authority and they can have the holder of your mortgage lower the interest rates, reduce the principle amount owed, change the length of the note, lower the points, or what ever they determine will make you happy.

One can infer that the opposite could also happen. If you are not a constituency of what ever party is in power, if you petition the government in your behalf, it is possible they could use their authority to punish you for not having the correct political leanings. Raising your rates, increase your principle, shorten the length of the note or what ever they wish to convince you to see it their way.

This is a gross violation of both the rights of the property owner and the mortgage holder. If you are holding a note in the sale of property while you have a mortgage covered under this section, while you may be able to secure a reduction in the terms of the mortgage you owe, you may be required to reduce the terms to the individual to whom you are selling the property as well. In effect, reducing the income you receive from the sale of the property.

This is a huge socialization of the mortgage industry that very well may have implications far beyond the $700 Billion bailout of the financial markets. If you think this analysis is overblown, consider that lines 15, 16, and 17 state that “…the Federal property manager shall implement a plan that seeks to maximize assistance for homeowners and use its authority to encourage…”

That is a mandate, not a suggestion, to federal officials to secure the very best situation for the homeowner. There is no mandate to ensure a fair process, to take into consideration the costs, risks or profits of the holder of the mortgage.

And that last part, “use it’s authority to encourage.” As we all know, the federal government doesn’t “encourage” anything. They “mandate, direct, require.” Does the IRS “encourage” you to pay your taxes?

Does the State Department “encourage” you to get a passport if you wish to re-enter this country after you visit a foreign nation? Does the military “encourage” you to serve you full term of enlistment?

While many parts of this bill are legislated to expire at a date certain, and there are provisions to extend the authority set in the bill, there is no sunset provision of the authority given in Section 110. Therefore, without specific legislation by Congress, this authority will extend for as long as the federal government holds interest in any mortgages, either directly or by proxy via an institution in which it holds interest.

No, our representatives have not voted for a bailout of the financial system, they just voted in a far more sinister move to socialism than the original bill rejected by the House on Monday.

We all need to take a very jaundiced look at our Washington legislators and put them and the legislation they consider under the microscope of democracy. The actions they are taking, some with cunning and guile, others by misguided counsel and poor oversight, is taking us in a direction where we will lose the ability to live our lives in freedom.

With freedom comes responsibility. When we accede responsibility to a higher authority, we also give up our freedom.

Download and read the full text of Section 110
Read the full text of H.R. 1424

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

H.R. 1424 remains step toward socialism

2008-10-02T17:02:00.003-04:00

Dear Representative Keller,

Thank you for taking the time to listen to your constituency. I’ve written previously about the “bailout” legislation for the financial markets. Specifically, I’ve been decidedly against any such legislation.

I want to reiterate that I remain so. I am a small investor, a postal worker who lives frugally and saves and invests about 20% of my gross income. I have a pretty fair exposure to the markets and have in the past year watched the value of my investments go down considerably.

The negative reaction, some would say temper tantrum, of the markets the past few days has in no way changed my take on the so-called “Emergency Economic Stabilization Act.” I remain convinced that government intervention in the private markets is dangerous and ultimately will have negative repercussions in the US economy.

Because of the nature of politics, government cannot intervene without distorting the marketplace to try to gain some political advantage for one party or the other. It’s the nature of the beast.

The current legislation sent over from the Senate remains a piece of legislation that I think if approved will one day will be looked upon as the day the United States took a great leap into socializing the US financial markets and industry as a whole.

Still, I know that the art of politics is compromise. If there is anyway that this bill can be stripped of it’s socialist underpinnings while keeping the legislative changes insuring troubled assets (Sec 103 ), Mark to Market (Sec.132), FASB 157 (Sec.132), and increases in FDIC insurance to $250,000 (Sec.132) it has the makings of a decent bill that addresses the problems that created the stagnation in the financial markets.

I would also like to see repeal of some of the provision of the Community Reinvestment Act that have resulted in a situation where many who truly cannot afford the responsibilities of home ownership are now finding themselves strangled with unaffordable mortgages. The result of which is the sub-prime “meltdown” we are now seeing.

Sec. 124 addresses some changes in the HOPE program, but I have neither the resources nor the expertise in legislative language to cross-reference and discover the implication of these changes.

I am glad to see codified in the legislation that all proceeds from the sale of the purchased assets will be returned to the Treasury for the purpose of reducing the public debt. I can only hope that future administrations and Congresses will not find a loophole around this provision.

The inclusion of sunset provisions for the aforementioned legislative changes is distressing. If we recognize that the original adoption of these provisions was a precursor to the current situation, that we would even consider returning to them a some future time demonstrates an amazing lack of foresight and stewardship with the public trust.

The addition of “sweeteners” to this legislation makes it even more distasteful to me. Inclusion of important legislation on energy issues, a plethora of random tax provisions and Title V Subtitle B are acid to me. They should stand on their own without being thrust though on the coattails of H.R. 1424.

The provisions of Title V Subtitle B alone will most likely result in further increases in health insurance costs, for benefits many would not opt for, during a time when costs are escalating on their own at intolerable rates.

While I don’t support this bill in it’s current form, it’s preferable to the original legislation defeated on Monday. I am concerned that with a new administration coming, depending on their political leanings may migrate more towards the provisions of Sec. 101 rather than those of Sec. 102. That would be a tragedy for the American people and the long-term health of US economy.

Download H.R. 1424 as passed by the Senate October 1, 2008 from FoxNews

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Congressional statesmen hold the line for the people.

2008-09-30T14:49:00.004-04:00

An open letter to Florida Rep. Ric Keller:

Thank you for your vote against the flawed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 - H.R.3997. It was and remains deeply flawed and fails to address the fundamental problems underlying the current weakness in the credit markets.

It seems that many in Congress have the mindset that the only solution to a problem is to “throw” money at it. You cannot fix is problem caused by bad legislation with more bad legislation.

There is a much better solution that will be less costly to the American taxpayer. According to William Isaac the Fair Value Accounting rules, better known as mark to market, are a prime culprit in the current crisis.

According to Isaac, “This is contrary to everything we know about bank regulation. When there are temporary impairments of asset values due to economic and marketplace events, regulators must give institutions an opportunity to survive the temporary impairment. Assets should not be marked to unrealistic fire-sale prices. Regulators must evaluate the assets on the basis of their true economic value (a discounted cash-flow analysis).”

One Rep. John Linder has said that were this rule returned to mark to par almost every financial institution that is now in trouble would be back on solid footing. Mark to par served our nations financial institutions well for 220 years. FAS 157 and mark to market has resulted, in conjunction with other flawed legislation such as the Community Reinvestment Act, in the current crisis in our financial markets.

The CRA requires banks and lending institutions to make loans to that were otherwise fiscally indefensible. Many of the loans made under CRA form the basis of the current sub-prime mortgage foreclosure problem.

Community organizers have used CRA to force banks to make loans they otherwise would not have extended. A.C.O.R.N., for one, is well know for its methods of “shaking down” lenders and requiring them, under the auspices of CRA, to make “exotic” loans to unqualified applicants.

Contrary to assertions by Democrats, deregulation by Republicans has not been a factor in the current crisis in the financial markets. To the contrary, Sarbanes-Oxley, voted into existence by a Republican Congress in response to Enron, WorldCom, Tyco, et. al., was a buzz saw where a scalpel was needed.

This should be revisited and repealed in part or, better, in whole.

Additionally, updating F.D.I.C. insurance to cover up to $250,000 in deposits will ensure small businesses that the money they need for payrolls and operating expenses will be there when needed despite the turmoil in the credit markets.

I’m not financial wiz, but I do understand that when government gets involved in the private sector, the primary result is chaos and disruption. There is a place for prudent regulations and laws to punish abusers.

But government manipulating the private sector for the purpose of advancing “progressive” policies that fly in the face of common sense and good business practice must stop.

Further reading:

Wikipedia - Mark to Market

Talk Gwinnett - 10 Reasons Why Republican Oppose the Bailout

TMP Cafe - William Isaac's quote

Wikipedia - Community Reinvestment Act

Michelle Malkin - The A.C.O.R.N. Obama knows

Wikipedia - Sarbanes-Oxley Act

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

An open letter to Congress...

2008-09-28T10:16:00.003-04:00

I am very concerned about the legislation currently being drafted to socialize the US financial markets. The primary reason for the current financial crisis is the manipulation of the financial system by Congress through entities such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

An additional primary factor is the decade old legislation such as HOPE IV promoting home ownership by all that provided stiff penalties to “unfair” practices in mortgage lending. Those unfair practices were left ambiguous enough to force banks and institutions to make unsound loans to unqualified applicants in a bid to protect themselves from lawsuits.

Secondarily, giving taxpayer funds to activist agencies such as A.C.O.R.N. is a travesty. A.C.O.R.N. has been a major player in creating this crisis taking advantage of the aforementioned legislation. Included in recent drafts of the bail out legislation is language giving them 20% of any profits. This is like allowing a convicted murderer to profit from books written about his crime.

A major initial concern of my was what Congress would do with any "profits" from this supposed "investment." I had no faith they would actually return it to the people from whom they took it. There is no precedence for that. Now we know what their intent is.

Ayn Rand said, "One of the methods used by statists to destroy capitalism consists in establishing controls that tie a given industry hand and foot, making it unable to solve its problems, then declaring that freedom has failed and stronger controls are necessary."

The Congress has done that to our financial systems through demands for housing loans to many who cannot afford it, in the process encouraging the "cooking of the books" and fraudulent application and approval process that Congress now rails against.

The creation of GSEs Freddie and Fannie, then failing to provide strong rules to prevent them from buying up weak mortgage packages while allowing them to enrich members of Congress through lobbying and contributions has only created an incestuous and disastrous relationship.

Instead of a rush to create another monster that may address the short term "crisis" but in the process create unintended consequences that will irreparably damage our financial systems for decades to come and take us dramatically into socialism, the Congress needs to step back and breath deeply.

The American people in their intuitive grasp of this problem has said, "slow down and back off!" Congress needs to do just that. The major players in the financial system are sitting back to see what Congress is going to do.

If Congress stands down, the financial players will step up to the plate. But why should they if there is a socialist Congress willing to commit the wealth and treasure of ordinary Americans to the task.

I'll do my own investing; I don't need Congress to do it for me.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

We need term limits, now!

2008-09-26T16:41:00.004-04:00

The following is an excerpt from an article I came across on Gas Buddy:

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers enjoy a perk not available to their colleagues in any other state: unchecked use of gasoline charge cards that stick taxpayers with the bill.

Through the first seven months of the year, California taxpayers have spent $220,000 to pay for lawmakers' gasoline, according to a review of records requested by The Associated Press. That includes July, when lawmakers already were past their deadline to approve a budget and the state faced a $15.2 billion deficit."

Makes term limits look more inviting. I used to believe the ultimate term limit was the best way, vote 'em out. After all, are we not as a nation of voters supposed to understand that the politicians work for us and we hold the ultimate authority?

Now it seems the voter is more interested in the promises politicians make to them but cannot or will not fulfill. You know, tax the evil business that employ us or the evil rich who own the evil business that employ us. Promise to send our kids to college or preschool, pay for our health care with no cost to us, oh, and put a chicken in every pot and free cable with HBO.

We know they cannot or will not do what is promised, but continue to fool ourselves into believing it. When will we wake up and realize that the politicians, with few exceptions, are in it for only one thing, the power to control our lives.

You may say, "but that's California, not my state." Well, you better wake up, historically what happens in California will sooner or later spread to the rest of the nation. Do you want to wait until its too late, or act now while we still have a chance to stop it before it starts?

Once a politician gets a taste of power, unless he is exempt from the human condition, he will crave more and more until his primary interest is maintaining power, not the betterment of the nation.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Is YouTube saying life begins before birth?

2008-09-24T19:30:00.010-04:00

While I’m an a strong supporter of allowing a child the choice to reach full term and have every opportunity to engage in the life that God has breathed in him or her, I’ve often been uncomfortable with some of the tactics of Operation Rescue.

Too often it seems that they engage in practices that in the end may do more harm than good to the progress of creating an America where abortion is not only undesirable but also unavailable. Still, this is America and we have a constitutional right, and some will say duty, to express our views as individuals and groups.

Some will argue that such expression needs to be respectful, reasoned and responsible. I would agree with that sentiment. But there are times when a bold statement is the only way to shake someone enough to truly look at the core issues.

YouTube recently removed a video uploaded to its site that strongly and graphically stated Barack Obama’s historic positions on the issue of abortion. The video contained images that are painful to view, yet convey a message that cannot be ignored.

The producers did not distort Mr. Obama’s positions, just stated them in such a way that the results of those votes were graphically depicted. YouTube said it failed to meet “Community Guidelines.”

Apparently those standards are subjective to the sensibilities of YouTube and it’s corporate owners, Google. As Google’s motto is “do no evil” it seems that they believe it is evil to tell the truth about the beliefs an individual who aspires to the highest political office in the land, the most powerful office in the free world.

But if the censorship of this video by Google means they believe that in the case of Barack Obama freedom of speech should be suspended if it depicts him in a negative light, then they, Google, through their surrogate YouTube are themselves violating constitutionally protected speech and in doing so committing “evil.”

Some might argue that the graphic nature of the depiction is offensive or over the top and removal was justified. But a perusing of the YouTube site will reveal a plethora of video ranging from near pornography to graphically depicted violence. So one is left with the reasonable assumption that the only “Community Guidelines” offended were those of the “Obama Community.”

Of course if YouTube removed the video because the depiction of an aborted fetus violated their policy against viewing dead bodies they then have another problem. If by pulling it they are saying they will not show images of a dead body, they are tactically admitting that an aborted fetus, rather than a “mass of tissue,” is in fact a human being.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Wow Crowds in The Villages Frighten Dems

2008-09-23T18:00:00.007-04:00

Sunday we headed south to The Villages to be part of the crowd welcoming Republican V.P. Nominee Sarah Palin. We left early because the crowds were anticipated to be in excess of 30,000. That estimate was based in part on the 30,000 event tickets that were snatched up by Florida residents who were anxious to see this charismatic candidate.

However, on Friday before the event, the Republican Party of Florida announced that all comers would be welcome; no one would be turned away. With that, the doors swung wide and the thousands who couldn’t get to a local party office to retrieve their free tickets stormed this small but growing retirement community 65 miles northwest of Orlando and 85 miles northeast of Tampa.

We arrived about 3 hours before the event was to begin and after waiting in traffic for an hour, only to learn that the parking for that area was closed, we turned around and headed back to another access. When we discovered we were in stopped traffic moving at a pace that would easily give a turtle first place, and finding ourselves 3.5 miles away we decided to reevaluate.

I needed to be back home to get some rest before getting up at 1:30 am for work and realizing, with the crowds and traffic, it would be hours after the event before we were able to get out of the heavy traffic and begin the drive back home. So we made the hard decision and turned around and left.

It was disappointing to miss being a part of this event, but duty called. When I learned the following day that the crowds were estimated to be 60,000, I wasn’t’ surprised. Though I had in no way got close enough to get a visual, and when we left it was still 2 hours before the event, the number of folks already there was amazing and there was no apparent end that we could see.

I’ve read a number on online accounts of the event but really not that many. It was heavily covered locally, but national coverage was limited. Newspapers close to The Villages reported the crowd at 60,000 estimated by the fire chief whose job it is to know such things.

There are anecdotal stories of people traveling in excess of 100 miles to be part of this event, the first by Mrs. Palin out from under the wing of Senator McCain. The crowd was hoping for a glimpse of this energetic and engaging newcomer to the US political scene. The media was hoping for a gaff.

A number of liberal papers and news sites disputed those numbers citing unnamed individuals in the crowd or pitting their reporters estimate of the crowd as low as 20,000 against the numbers cited by the professionals. They questioned the validity of the estimates and on Washington Post columnist suggested that the McCain campaign released the numbers provided by the Secret Service, which the columnist offered doesn’t provide numbers.

I think they are trying to diminish the welcome Florida gave to Palin because of the poor showing for Obama earlier in the week. The Miami Herald described Obama’s visit to Jacksonville, a metropolitan area of 1.3 million and heavily Democrat as attended by an “overflow crowd…capacity 13,000.

Oh, by the way, The Villages is a community of roughly 70,000 with the much larger metropolitan areas of Orlando and Tampa 1 ½ to 2 hours away. So it seems that even in something a benign as crowd estimates, the bias of the media shows through.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

POM, PCP and DRS, dangerous mental diseases

2008-09-19T03:30:00.002-04:00

In a recent interview by Sean Hannity, Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin referred to an addiction to OPM (say opium) when asked about the causes of the meltdown of Wall Street and the financial markets. She was referring to Other Peoples Money.

I think she also should have mentioned another addiction, that of the Washington politicians to PCP. So many of our politicians are controlled by this addiction as evidenced by their inability to separate themselves from the Washington power structure.

They keep returning year after year, election after election. Each time they complain about the corruption of Washington and vow to clean it up, but in the end they, year by year, election by election, become increasingly tainted by their addiction.

That addiction? PCP, also known as Personal Consolidation of Power. Except for the very strong and disciplined, they all fall into its grasp. The grasp of its tentacles and the tantalizing purr of its disarming voice more often than not overwhelm the good intentions of freshmen politicians.

Its most prominent symptom is the complete lack of acknowledgement of their addiction. As we all know, especially those whose life work is in addiction counseling, until an addict acknowledges his addiction, there’s no hope for him/her.

For those who are in the grasp of this addiction, usually their only hope is the good will of their constituents who, though not an easy task, must force themselves to think of their representative over themselves, and issue a massive dose of anti-incumbentadosis.

On November 4 of this year, voters across this nation have the solemn obligation, as they go to their polls, to vote for a candidate other than the incumbent.

I know, in some cases, this may be a very difficult task. It’s hard to think about what you are doing and consider your vote intellectually rather than by rote. But for the health of your representative, you must do so.

If you find you cannot, it may be a strong symptom that you are infected with an incurable case of DRS or Disassociative Responsibility Syndrome. Other symptoms are an insane belief that your politicians are actually telling you the truth as they campaign, that you want to get your fair share of the money the candidate is promising to dole out, and you think you must punish the greedy rich and big business by increasing taxes on them to transfer their money to your bank account.

If you exhibit any of the symptoms of DRS, it is vital that you isolate yourself immediately. Do not go out of your house until after November 4th. It is especially important that you stay away from your polling place and avoid at all costs absentee balloting.

Extracting yourself from the political process is the only hope for you to regain your sense of self responsibility and for your country to regain it’s equilibrium and return to the greatness for which it is known.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Hey buddy, want some cheap gas?

2008-09-18T08:35:00.003-04:00

While I haven’t written here in a few weeks, it isn’t because I’ve been doing nothin’. Back in August I got reacquainted with a website called GasBuddy.com. It’s a social networking and information site focused on the local price of gas.

Each state has a unique version and when you register you can participate by entering the prices of local retail gas and diesel fuel in your area. There are also gas related news article links that provide opportunity for commentary that ranges from blah to spirited.

Forums for a variety of subjects are available, a log book where you can track mileage on your personal vehicles, resources for researching historical gas and crude oil prices and much more.

The primary benefit is being able to access readily available, up to date information on local gas prices, or if traveling, the prices in the areas you will be going through or to.

Recently the site has closed a contest where you “purchased” entries from points accumulated as you post prices, read articles, participate in polls and comments. You just daily check the site, post and every few days redeem points for contest entries.

The prizes, which have yet to be rewarded, are four $250 gas vouchers awarded to winners determined by random drawing from the entries. Not bad for posting some info and keeping yourself aware of the economics of oil and gasoline.

If you have yet to visit the site, check it out. But I must warn you, it can get addicting and end up taking anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour of more of your day. So use a bit of discipline and get only involved as you can afford.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Toga party!

2008-08-28T17:36:00.004-04:00

OK, I had to add this real quick after I got the email. The RNC and the McCain campaign are capitalizing on the Obama choice of stage set at Invesco Field and the commentary floating around the media regarding it.

Let's face it, Obama laid himself wide open to this one. Perhaps in buying into the "Messiah" thing he, and/or his campaign, failed to connect the connotations of the Greek style set. Maybe it just evoked too many good memories for Obama of his days at Harvard. The frat parties, togas and all.

Well, Republicans and McCain can't afford to miss such an opportunity. At the same time, they need to be careful and not react so fast they miss the downside. There may not be one this time, everyone likes satire, but at some point, they will step in it if not very alert.

McCain Camp Mock 'Temple Of Obama'

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

You are being manipulated...

2008-08-28T16:27:00.004-04:00

...and you probably don't even know it. Of course that's the whole purpose of advertising, to manipulate you into buying the advertised product or service. But what about politics? Are you being manipulated there as well?

According to a recent broadcast on NPR's Science Friday, you are and have been for a long time. I think the difference this political cycle is that the candidates and their campaigns are getting a better understanding of the science and using it to their advantage.

According to "The Science of Getting a 'Yes'" there is a proven relationship between the method of displaying an apparent large group of like minded people, and an individual's decision, conscious or otherwise, to go along with the group.

Obama is using this concept tonight to, for the first time ever, filling Denver's Invesco field with some 70,000 people, hoping those in attendance will use their cell phones to bring others there as well, at least in a virtual reality sense. If you are part of the group, well...if all these people believe it must be true. Right?

Of course, if you are armed with information, you can inoculate yourself from the manipulation, well, at least to the degree you want to be immune. So take 20 minutes or so and take a listen to the podcast by clicking on the player below.

If that doesn't getcha thinkin' maybe this will. Is Obama the Messiah? Of course you've heard it mentioned on talk radio for weeks, even months. But there are true 'believers'. Check out the following:

Is Barack Obama the Messiah?
The Obama Messiah Watch
Barack Obama's Messiah Complex
Obama, The Anointed ONE
AP Photo Evokes Obama as Christ at His Baptism

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has declared him "a leader that God has blessed us with at this time." Of course conservatives need to be careful about this. Many declared the same thing about George W. Bush.

But Bush didn't march around acting as though he was the answer to the worlds problems and that it was "our time." Obama acts as though he believes he is "the ONE" and the scripting of his campaign carries out that message both overtly and subliminally.

Of course thinking people know that anyone who thinks he has all the answers to the worlds, or even America's, problems doesn't. But then, it appears that those who support Obama have either checked their brains at the door, or have agenda that is supplemental (race) to or tangentially related (consolidating power) to an Obama presidency.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Fay rains...

2008-08-21T18:17:00.010-04:00

Haven't posted much lately, been kinda consumed with work, GasBuddy.com, computer "challenges" and so on. My immediate attention right now is towards the sky and TS Fay.

She just turned and crossed the coastline a couple hours ago and is headed west. We are on the south side of the center of the storm, as it passes by we will be about 30-50 from the center.

That's just about where the worst of the weather is on the south and southwest side as she passes by. Right now the winds are picking up and the rain started increasing in intensity. I suspect we'll be getting a good toad strangler out of her.

'Course, only time will tell. Depending on the high pressure front to the north, Fay may continue to track just slightly north of west, or she may angle further south toward us.

In either case, by this time tomorrow she should be mostly past us. Current speed is 5mph, so in 24 hours she will have traveled about 120 miles, that's pretty much across the state and into the Gulf.

Meanwhile, duty calls and I'll be at work tomorrow helping to get the mail delivered. Come rain, sleet, hail, dark of night, or Fay, we'll be there.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Windfall profits?

2008-08-08T15:59:00.003-04:00

Microsoft reports a net profit of 29.3% (5 year average of 27.9%) Industry 5 year average 16.3%
Coke reports a net profit of 18.4% (5 year average of 21.2%) Industry 5 year average 16.2%
Gannet (Newspapers) reports a net profit of -22.8% (5 year average of 15.8%) Industry 5 year average 7.2%
BP reports a net profit of 7.3% (5 year average of 8.2%) Industry 5 year average 10.9%
Exxon reports a net profit of 9.2% (5 year average of 9.6%)
Conoco-Phillips reports a net profit of 7.6% (5 year average of 6.7%)

So who's making more on their investment and which company are you going to invest in? Who is making more off the consumer? The "profits" are distributed to the investors, the stockholders. I.e. Mutual Funds, 401-K's, Pension funds and individual investors. Tax these "excess" profits and who are you taking the money away from? Vanguard, Washington Mutual, College Retirement Equities, Fidelity and 1624 more mutual funds and institutional funds hold 52% of Exxon alone.

Research the other oil stocks and see who is holding them, the majority holders include your next door neighbor, maybe even yourself. So before you demonize, know what it is you're demonizing.

The politicians are merely playing into the ignorance of the American, public school educated, people. It takes work to know the facts. Try it, it's empowering.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Gas Buddy

2008-08-07T15:53:00.004-04:00

Just joined GasBuddy.com. Interesting way of keeping track of gas prices, getting current and historical data on gas and petroleum prices and viewing what other folk are saying about stuff relating to fuel costs, petroleum drilling/exploration, politics relating to petroleum, etc.

There's some tools for keeping track of you own fuel purchases that automatically calculate your mileage. The forums, like most ever where, are all over the map with opinion, but that's good too. Keeps you in touch with a variety of opinion and thought.

The key part of the site is the ability to track the prices of fuel in your area using real time member entries. As you drive around town take note of the prices of fuel and where. Then just enter the data when you return home or, if you have a web enable phone, immediately on site.

We all work together to keep the data current. You get the benefit of other folks eyes and they get the benefit of yours. It's a community thing, everyone doing a bit to help each other find the best prices. In today's fuel price climate, that's good stuff.

I also added a widget to my desktop via Yahoo Widgets for GasBuddy so every day I have the latest prices in my area. Cool tool.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

What's your Issac?

2008-08-04T14:41:00.011-04:00

After listening to the August 1st edition of Steve Brown etc. I had to share it on this blog. So often we get caught up in our lives and our struggles, forgetting that we, that I, am not all there is.

I, we, forget that there is a world of people out there struggling to live their lives and very often they get slammed with events that don't come near our, my, own distractions and disturbances to our routine.

The trash didn't get out, horrors! The dog wet on the carpet, life ends! The car breaks, I'm ruined for the rest of the month! The routine at work changes, I'll pull my hair out! The kids get the sniffles, my whole plan for the day is finished.

Carol Kent was living a life most Christians look to and consider an ideal. She was a writer and speaker. She traveled with popular Christian singers like Point of Grace, Sandi Patty and Nichole C. Mullen.

She was sought after for her insights, humor and biblical perspective on life. She was president of a Christian speakers bureau and traveled the world sharing her insights and faith with crowds of people.

Then came the call that changed her life. I don't want to give it away and lessen the impact of what she has to say. Just let me say listening to her caused me to pause and rethink the stuff I was upset about, the stuff that made me so mad and I had to conclude my distractions were merely dung.

What about you? Do the things that bother you really matter that much? If the events that happened to Carol happen to you, what would your response be?

Maybe those disturbances in your routine aren't really that bad. If that's your conclusion, maybe you need to take a moment and thank God for your blessings. Who knows, it may be harder to do so in just a few minutes or hours or days.

But then, maybe, like Carol, in the horrors or life, you too, will find God's blessings. Listen in...

Amazon.com Widgets

Now that you've heard the interview, get the books. Carols book, "When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances" tells the agonizing story of the event that changed the life of her family.

"A New Kind of Normal: Hope-Filled Choices When Life Turns Upside Down" is the sequel that tells the rest of the story. Building on her story she will help you see how you can make hope-filled choices.

Through the eight chapters in this book, Carol will use her story, the story of Mary mother of Jesus, and stories of women who have experienced their own "new normal" to share how God has led them to choose life, gratitude, vulnerability, involvement, forgiveness, trust, and action.

If you are struggling with the circumstances of your own life, you need the teaching in these books.

Carol Kent website...

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

OK, not to inflate your expectations, but...

2008-08-02T17:10:00.006-04:00

I listened to this today on my iPod and had to share it. It's a humorous tale, made more so in that it was told by a 94 year old woman as she related a story of her youth.

Sometimes we tend to create these fanciful ideas about our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, that they were prudish and cared little about the attractions of male and female. That discussions of love, sex and relationships were at most minimal.

Granted, they were much less graphic and "in your face" compared to today's mores. Still, in their own way they went about the task of attracting the attention of the opposite sex in ways not so dissimilar to today's youth.

Betty Jenkins tells a tale that, except for the technology of the times, could very well be any young woman's story today, except that today it probably wouldn't have blown up in her face.

Read about it on NPR's Story Corp website and listen here...

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Politics, power and pocketbooks...

2008-08-02T16:25:00.008-04:00

It’s been a few days since posting. Lot’s of personal responsibilities clamoring for attention drew my attention away from the computer, but not the news. Still, in the coming days it will be a balancing act to write while continuing to take care of business at home.

Of interest is the today’s story on the draconian measures of House Democrats to shut down Republican efforts to pass legislation to deal with the current rise in prices digging into the pocketbook of American families.

The House leadership, without debate, passed a resolution Friday to adjourn that legislative body for the next five weeks. In doing so they effectively turned a deaf ear to the cries of Americans seeking relief from high gas prices.

Democrats are reticent to enact any legislation that brings relief to high oil prices, preferring to play on the American distrust of oil companies that has been perpetuated by their rhetoric and media misinformation.

The ban of offshore drilling will expire September but it is still a toss up whether Democrats will chance angering voters by extending the ban.

After the adjournment, Republican held a protest on the House floor with Representative Thad McCotter (R-Michigan) proclaiming, “he believes part of the reason Congress is so hated by the American people is because they ‘care more about politics than about working people.’"

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind, declared, "Republicans will not go quietly. Let us demand that the president of the United States ... call a special session of this Congress on energy."

So what’s up this Democrat Congress? Why won’t they address the issue of high oil prices? I believe, like many others, it’s because they want oil and gas prices to remain high, at least through the November elections. What better tool to demonize Republicans than to paint them and the Bush administration with the false colors of complicity with “big oil.”

The ignorant voter base of the Democrats who will not educate themselves on the facts of the issues will blindly fall in line. Many other Americans who remain more interested in entertainment and celebrity than arming themselves with the facts will follow along.

Meanwhile, Barack Obama has flipped and now supports drilling offshore. That’s a 180-degree flop from his strongly held, immovable and principled position of only a few weeks ago. One would have to believe that his principles can be bought and the change we can believe in it the changing nature of Mr. Obama’s positions.

And the beat goes on. Meanwhile, while the American people struggle with high fuel prices, spiraling grocery prices and an economy that seems to be faltering, succumbing to the efforts of the Democrats and their media crony’s, Democrats and Republicans go on a spending spree.

The spending bill passed on Friday included 510 earmarks. These spending measures are stuffed into legislation, most going unnoticed until after the final vote. Most of the money spent goes to pet projects in the representatives’ district and much of it isn’t even requested or lobbied for by the recipients. Their primary purpose is to memorialize the representative or senator who lassos it.

Meanwhile, weighed down by the aforementioned increasing cost of living, American families are paying for the vanity of their representatives $17 Billion addiction. According to Citizens Against Government Waste, politicians spent $17.2 billion on 11,610 pork projects in 2008. It cost’s every American family $153.57. That’s more than a week’s worth of groceries for most families, money they could sorely use in their own budget yet Congress persists in pilfering the pockets of the public for their own pernicious practices.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Drill here, drill now...

2008-07-17T17:46:00.007-04:00

American Solutions' Dave Ryan presented a petition with the signatures of 1.3 Million American voters today to the Republican Congressional leadership.

The petition demands Congress take action now to Drill Here, Drill Now and tap our American petroleum resources. This is too important an issue to stand-by and let Congress do nothing.

And they will do nothing if the voters don't act. Americans are now struggling under the burden of high petroleum prices brought on by legislators who have done nothing to prepare for this crisis since the last time oil prices shot up in the 1970's.

We do have a few leaders, statesmen, in Washington who will take the lead, but the majority party will continue to point fingers and blame all the way to the fall elections. All the while the American people will be the ones struggling under these high prices while our congressmen and senators drive around in luxury paid for by our tax dollars.

We need to tell them to act now, not out of politics but because as our representatives they are required to act in our, the voters interests. Not in the interests of the environmental cartels that have ruled the liberal agenda in Washington for so many decades.

If you have yet to sign the petition, do so. It's not too late to let your voice be heard.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Big flaw in the internet

2008-07-17T13:10:00.003-04:00

Quick note, there is a major flaw in the servers that make web surfing possible. With out getting into the geek stuff, it's so dangerous that the flaw was kept quiet until the major software companies were able to craft a patch.

The security community is up in arms because this bypassed the normal protocol of peer review, but those brought into the circle have confirmed the veracity of the methodology of Dan Kaminiski, web DNS guru, on this one.

If you want more information, view the video on this page and go to his site, doxpara Research, where you can test your DNS to see if it's vulnerable.

Look for the utility in the upper right corner of the page. Most importantly, be sure you keep your computer up to date with security patches. Make sure Microsoft Updates is set to check and download new updates and make sure you install them.

Microsoft isn't perfect and rarely an update will cause an unintended problem, but it's better to deal with that than have your computer dangerously vulnerable.

If you want to verify the security of your other software, visit Secunia and run their software scanner. If you have outdated software on your computer you will be alerted and provided a link to the latest versions.

Secunia doesn't check all your software, just the majors. But that's better than nothing, right? Now get to it!!

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Global warming leaves me cold...

2008-07-12T21:43:00.005-04:00

We’re in the regular summer cycle here in Central Florida. Typically, we get thundershowers nearly every afternoon during the summer.

About mid afternoon the bright sunshine gives way to fast moving isolated thunder cells that provide a great light and sound show and dump lots of rain in a short period of time. Then, just as suddenly, the clouds move off and the bright sunshine returns, bringing with it a jump in humidity.

In recent years that cycle has been not so regular. The summers have been dryer with sometimes weeks going by without rain. That results below average rainfall, low water tables, our usually lush lawns drying up, water restrictions and wildfires burning the tender dry forests and grasslands.

This year though, it seems like those showers are back, albeit with some variation on the theme. The rains seem to come more in the evenings and at night than usual and the cloudiness tends to last longer, sometimes all day. Its more like what you expect in parts north of here.

I’m not complaining, we need the rain and honestly, I really enjoy hearing the rain on the rooftops and pouring through the trees. There’s nothing like sitting in the swing on the back porch and enjoying a good thunder-boomer. It’s kinda relaxin’, really!

I guess the change in the weather must be due to global warming. After all, isn’t everything else? I mean, we had regular afternoon summer showers, then we didn’t and now again we do, with some changes.

Isn’t global warming responsible for every perceived change in our lives? In our surroundings? In our world?

But wait, didn’t I hear the other day that the earth is not getting hotter. It’s now documented to be cooling down? Algore is wrong? The pictures of melting glaciers and ice caps in “An Inconvenient Truth” are...untrue? A fabrication?

Gosh.

See more voices contrary to the mantra:
Watts Up With That?
Is Global Cooling Next?
There IS a problem with global warming… it stopped in 1998
Global Warming: The Cold, Hard Facts?
World Climate Report
Global Warming: A Chilling Perspective

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Independent musings

2008-07-04T09:31:00.004-04:00

As I sat in our porch swing overlooking our backyard garden this morning, I reflected on this 4th of July holiday while observing the activity in my neighborhood. It seems that for many, the day our nation celebrates her independence from the tyranny of the crown holds little value.

While in our town such days as Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday are observed and workers are given time off to celebrate, Independence Day garners no such honor. Specifically, while Christmas, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Labor Day and New Year’s Day and the afore mentioned Martin Luther King, Jr. holidays are honored by closing the sanitation department, on Independence Day it’s business as usual.

Now I’m not so much opposed to honoring a man who did much for the advancement of the dreams, hopes and civil rights of many of the citizens of this nation who were thought by some to be of lesser importance simply due to the color of their skin. What I am opposed to is the failure to recognize and promote the importance of the seminal event in history that made Dr. King’s ambitions possible.

Were it not for those brave men who placed not only their signatures, but their very lives on the line, there would be, in all likelihood, no United States of America today. With all its faults, the US remains the leader in democracies around the world. Since her establishment in 1776 and with her the beginnings of modern representative government, more than 120 nations have followed.

We are not perfect; indeed it is our imperfections, and our understanding of and tolerance of them that makes us great. We are a Republic that recognizes the importance of the individual freedom of our citizens and celebrate their right to be so.

We celebrate our ability to freely become the people, the individuals we choose to become. We celebrate when others achieve their dreams and aspirations, honoring them for pursuing their goals when all hope seemed lost.

It is and was that ability to chase his dream, and a nation that, despite some detractors, supported his dream, that allowed Dr. King to make his mark in the history of this nation. But without the freedom to do so, exemplified in our Declaration of Independence, bought and paid for with a terrible price in the blood of brave souls, and protected by our Constitution, he would not have been allowed to reach for his dream.

That is why I find it so counter-intuitive that our city would honor the man, Dr. King, but not the very Declaration that allowed him to act on his dream. Perhaps it is another sign of the shifting of a society and education process where the shallowness of celebrity overshadows the deep principles of democracy and the lessons of history.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Will new energy technology be defeated by old power?

2008-06-26T17:41:00.005-04:00

Inventors: Solar Dish Could Revolutionize Energy Production

Just read this article on a new solar collector technology that is simple, inexpensive and efficient. American ingenuity is at work trying to find new, better ways of dealing with our energy needs.

Come on Washington, get out of the way and let the American people do what they do best, meet problems with innovative answers. We have some 300 million people in this nation and if turned loose, they can accomplish far more than 535 representatives in Washington who are so stricken with themselves they think only they have the answers.

Our leaders seemed to have forgotton that power corrupts, and truly, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Rarely attributed, the latter phrase is a quotation from Lord Acton, in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, 1887.

That quote succinctly describes the political leadership in America 120 years later. And we the people will pay dearly for their corruption if we fail to take serious interest in and responsibility for our nation and return America to a Republic formed "for the people and by the people."

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

The charge of the light...uh...er...police!

2008-06-22T11:30:00.002-04:00

CFLs, Compact Florescent Lights. One of the latest technologies in lighting is making a strong showing as the technology matures. I have a few around my home. In some ways I like them. Long life, low cost to use.

Though they are much more expensive, the 3-way I bought was about $9.75 compared to $2.85 for a comparable incandescent 3-way, the longer life and lower cost to operate make them a good buy in the long run.

Of course there are downsides. Due to their size, especially the base, not all lamp receptacles will accept them. I have one 3-way floor lamp that won't. To use a 3-way CFL in that location I'll have to buy a different lamp. But hey, it's good for the economy, isn't it?

They are also considered hazardous waste by the EPA and require special methods for cleanup and disposal, especially if broken. What about the long term "unintended" consequences. We Americans are good about that. Rush out to the latest, greatest, best thing, only to find out months or years later there's something terribly wrong with it.

But wait, these things are made in China, only China. Let's send more trade deficit to the nation that in 2007 brought us lead paint in children's toys, industrial chemical poison in pet foods, antifreeze in toothpaste and more.

OK, all that aside, now comes along Congress and they want to tell us we "MUST" stop buying incandescent bulbs and switch everything over to CFLs. Looks like the CFL manufacturers lobby made some campaign contributions.

I'm all for conservative use of energy. After all, I AM a conservative. But what I don't want is Congress telling me what I WILL do, especially in the privacy of my own home.

Liberals rail against those who have strong convictions on abortion and homosexuality. Their primary argument is no one should tell anyone what they should do in the privacy of their homes or even bedrooms.

But now this Liberal congress wants to invade the privacy of my home and mandate I use a technology that they dictate. Doesn't this smack of hypocrisy?

Just for the record, I don't want government telling me I have to wear a seat belt either. Should I wear one? Yes. Do I wear one? Of course. Do I wear it because the law requires it? Absolutely not!

I wear a seat belt because it's stupid not to. Years of tests and studies have proven seat belts save lives. Two weeks ago I came upon a rollover accident moments after it happened where both occupants were thrown 10's, perhaps 100's of feet because they had no seat belts.

In the same way, CFL's have benefits. But one thing they don't have the benefit of is years of research. Do we really know how they will perform and what dangers they may impose years down the road?

So to Congress, get out of my personal life, quit telling me what I should buy to light up my life. CFL's are OK and have many uses, but it's not up to Congress to tell me to use them.

But, wait a second. I have a thought on how we can use them and maybe clean up Congress at the same time. Rep. Poe mentioned something that may help. Lets all grab a few CFL's and toss them into Congress! According to the EPA, they will have to evacuate!

If we throw enough of 'em, maybe the cleanup will take so long they'll be out of session for several years and "we the people" will be able to take our country back from the career politicians and we can do something positive for this nation.

How 'bout it!

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Curing cancer...and our energy problems

2008-06-18T17:35:00.006-04:00

I've been "covered up" the past few days with work obligations making it difficult to even think about posting. Not that there's a lack of stuff to comment about.

One thing caught my attention though. As mentioned before, I listen to podcasts when I'm able to at work. I control what I listen to, it's stuff that interests me, I'm not at the whim of some radio station and it's more mentally engaging than just music.

On that note, I'll have to post a list of my favorite podcasts sometime. But that's for another time.

On my list of listening material is "Cranky Geeks," a tech podcast that discusses all things technology.

On a recent podcast there was mentioned just in passing an item about an inventor, John Kanzius, who has discovered a way to attack cancer with radiowaves. It's done by attaching minute metallic particles to the cancer cells and directing RF energy towards them, heating the metal and the cells, killing the cancer cells.

According to other researchers working in the next stage of the project, it holds great promise. The procedure has already been proven to work in animal subjects and the hope is to soon begin human trials. As it goes into further research and probably medical trials, Mr. Kanzius hopes he will be able to see the procedure used to help a cancer patient. Oh, he's a cancer patient himself, he has leukemia.

But I said the mention on the podcast was in passing. The panel pretty much panned the idea, questioning if it could be done and how would they get the metal particles to the cells. If you weren't paying attention you might have even missed the whole thing.

What really caught my attention though took place a few days later. A friend was over and she mentioned she had heard of a guy who had discovered a way to make fuel out of seawater. Huh! Like that's been the "holy grail" for years! Making fuel out of water? Wow!!

While she was here I did a search and low and behold I found the article. It was a CBS news item, but the focus of the item wasn't fuel from seawater, but killing cancer cells with RF waves.

It seems that in his RF/cancer research, Mr. Kanzius discovered that if he directed radio waves at seawater the chemical bonds of the seawater were weakened and the result was hydorgen. The same stuff others are wanting to use to make hydrogen fuel cells to power cars. Wow! Fuel from water!

To my knowledge, the energy angle to this has barely made a ripple in the news. The 5 and a half minute CBS broadcast of Mr. Kanzius' cancer discovery didn't mention it. It was the A/P print article along side that carried that part of the story.

Local Kentucky TV station, WKYC, produced a story on the energy angle that is heavily viewed on YouTube.

I'm just amazed that as big a story as energy has become in recent months, this discovery hasn't received more air time. But then, hydrogen isn't the "darling" of the environmental cartels. They are true believers in solar, wind, tidal. Anything that is even remotely linked to petroleum is anathama to them.

As I've mentioned before, to work our way out of this energy problem, we must employ all resources. We cannot depend on any single source. Hydrogen is a clean fuel. When it burns it gives off CO2 and H2O. That's Carbon DiOxide and Water. For a fuel that's as clean as it gets!

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Bella, making a difference

2008-06-14T14:00:00.005-04:00

A few months back while in Tampa on other business we went by the University theater and viewed the movie Bella. I was somewhat reluctant because my wife wanted to see it, had heard great reviews and I, prejudging, wasn’t all that interested in seeing a “chick flick.”

I gotta tell ya, I was wrong. It was a story with a deep plot line, plenty of suspense and twists and just when I thought I had it figured out, a surprise ending. All wrapped up in a story with an uplifting and positive message of life and relationships.

The really sad thing about this movie is that it was so narrowly distributed that the closest place we could find it was Tampa or Orlando. Ocala certainly isn’t a big town, population 46,000 with a metropolitan area of 316,000. Not huge, but nothing to sneeze at either. We have 24 indoor screens in Ocala and not one of them gave us a viewing of Bella.

What brings this subject to mind now is an interview with Eduardo Verástegui I just heard. I subscribe to a number of podcasts and regularly listen to them weeks after the fact. Recently I heard Steve Brown interview Eduardo on his May 23 podcast and was again impressed with not just the movie and the message, but the man.

Here’s someone who has so much going for him. Looks, talent, intelligence, he has it all and has used it in his entertainment career to go places many would only dream of. That coming from an obscure background in a backwater area of Mexico.

Yet, he one time thought to walk away from it all to pursue a path he thought to be less challenging to his values. Thankfully, wise friends and advisors counseled his otherwise. He makes no bones about it; his mission and life priorities have changed. His desire is to make movies that make a difference in the life of those who view them.

Many people make that kind of statement. They want to make a difference. In this case, Eduardo is fulfilling it.

If you want to hear the podcast just click the player below.

If you want to buy the DVD, get it on Amazon.com. If you want to save a few bucks buy it used. Many times I prefer to rent rather than buy a DVD, but this is one that it would do well to view repeatedly.

View the Bella trailer on YouTube where you can also view his Today Show interview.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Congressional windfall profits grab...

2008-06-11T18:48:00.003-04:00

The rising price of gasoline is hurting nearly every family in America. We are tired of Congress doing nothing but bowing down to the environmentalists.

It is time for Congress to develop a program that allows the exploration of America's energy sources without materially affecting our environment. Congress should put our families first, ahead of the environmentalists!

Recent actions by Congress to demonize oil companies while Congress does nothing of substance are deplorable. Senator Claire McCaskill castigates oil companies for earning $83,000 a minute in profits in 2007.

At the same time, for every minute of 2007 and 2008 Congress spends $5,137,000.00 of the American taxpayers hard earned money, and continues to ask for more. That's over $5 million a minute with nothing of substance to show for it.

As a nation our problem is not the oil companies, who produce a needed product and earn a reasonable 8-10% profit margin for their efforts. Our problem is a Congress who is in the pockets of the environmental cartels that are bent on the destruction of the American economy while Congress aids and abets the ruin.

It's time Congress acted with substance, not throwing fodder to the masses in the form of an oil company "windfall profit tax" "trust fund" that will be raided by this do nothing Congress in the same way the Social Security trust funds are.

If this is the best our elected officials can do I suggest they do the American people the greatest service a politician can and just get out of the way and allow the American economy and private industry go to work and fix this problem that by it's very nature Congress cannot.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Island life, ahhh!

2008-06-10T16:24:00.005-04:00

Back in May we spent 3 days in a little town off the North Carolina coast, in the Outer Banks called Ocracoke. Its on Ocracoke Island and separated both by water and in some ways by time from the mainland.

We spent 3 days there and in that short time the stresses of life fell away as our contact with the world was limited by lack of cell phone service and limited Internet.

It’s not that these modern conveniences aren’t available on the island, they’re just available in very limited amounts. Our cell service, T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile, were both “barless” and while our hosts at The Island Inn, the oldest functioning business on Ocracoke, said they had wireless Internet, I could barely get a signal.

To connect my Palm T|X wirelessly I could go to a local coffee/smoothie shop. The Ocracoke Coffee Company on Back Road offered great coffee, suburb smoothies, and a selection of fresh bagels and pastries daily. Grab your drink choice and a pastry if you want and relax on the deck to chat with locals and visitors. If you prefer, find a seat on the lawn in one of the Adirondack chairs or the rope hammock swing and enjoy you paper, or just watch the world go by.

If you want to surf the Internet, come early. The shop closes for the day at 1:00PM. A wireless connection after that can be found across the street at the town library after 2:00PM. You have to wait until that time because the town shares the shelves with the local school, K-12, and is reserved for their use until school is out for the day.

This town of about 800 has plenty to offer in restaurants. For dining on the Silver Lake harbor off Pamlico Sound try the Jolly Roger. The dining room is on a covered deck overlooking the docks where you can watch the boats cruising in and out of the harbor while the Ocracoke Lighthouse stands guard as it has since 1823.

The food is good and is a favorite of locals looking for a good hamburger. That’s not to say their seafood offerings are anything other than great, it’s just that many islanders tire of seafood, if you can believe that, and like a good ole slice of beef from time to time.

At about a mile square, you can walk just about anywhere you want to go in Ocracoke. If you’re not up to that, grab a bicycle from one of the several shops that rent them. Our hotel has them available at a rate that makes the regular shops “see red” according to owner Cee Newell who shares this tidbit with a twinkle in her eye.

I’ll chat a bit more about our experience on Ocracoke Island in another post, perhaps the next one. I’m still feeling the lingering effects of island life and I’m not too motivated right now to….

Later!

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

D-Day musings

2008-06-06T16:02:00.007-04:00

D-Day. Remembering the day when the Allies stormed the beaches of Normandy, France and began the surge that eventually turned the war in Europe around and defeated Nazi Germany.

Today, 64 years later, many have forgotten the sacrifice, the loss of life, the horror that was D-day. If you wish to honor those brave men who made up that force, find a copy of "Saving Private Ryan" and take the time to watch what many who were there call the most accurate portrayal every of this day.

Most, too, have forgotten, or never heard, the June 6 comments of President Roosevelt, his prayer, for the troops and the nation. If you haven't, click the link below to listen and view some photos of that time and day. If you have never heard this, do so now, it's only about 6 minutes, but time well spent.

I have to wonder, if a President of the United States were to present these words today, what would the response be? Would some rise up and rail against this fusion of "church and state," this attempt at "establishment of religion?"

Would some demand for a prayer calling on the gods of other belief systems to bolster a sense of plurality. A prayer to the gods of Hinduism, Wicca, Islam? A prayer to Buddah?

Surely we in this great nation have forgotten the importance of prayer in the public square. On D-day even those who gave religion scant attention took time, were reverent and focused on, rather than themselves, those troops fighting and dying on those sandy shores for the cause of freedom, their freedom.

Why do we find that such a difficult thing to do today?

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

A comprehensive solution needed

2008-06-05T10:06:00.009-04:00

Finally, a major factor in the rising cost of crude oil and fuel is the decline of the dollar. Having lost about a third of its value since 2001, this loss of value has weighed heavily on the cost of foreign goods imported into the US. Taken another way, all else being equal, a barrel of oil that sells on the futures market for $133 would, with the dollar returned to its former strength, cost only about $90. That would result in a corresponding drop in the price of gasoline back to about $3.00 - $3.15 per gallon, just on the strength of the dollar.

Of course the question is, “how do we do this?” The short answer is, “we don’t.” The rise and fall of the dollar is a response to US monetary policy. In the US the Federal Reserve, a non-governmental group that wields huge control over the money supply, drives monetary policy.

In it’s attempts to thwart a slowing economy, fight inflation, stabilize the stock market and generally reassure everyone from Wall Street to Main Street, the Fed raises and lowers interest rates and increases and decreases the availability of money.

As it relates to the value of the US Dollar (USD), low interest rates, while good for business and consumers, decrease the investment potential of US currency, increase the investment potential and therefore demand of foreign currencies, and in the process lower the value of the dollar as it relates to the world currency market.

When the Fed increases the money supply, and the US Treasury increases the amount of dollars in the economy, the value of the dollar is diminished as well. The value of the dollar in your pocket is not fixed. It is based in the perceived value of that dollar as relates to the integrity of the US government to back it.

Many think the basis of the value of the dollar is the US Gold Reserves. They couldn’t be more wrong. The US total Gold Reserves is reported to be 8,133.5 tonnes valued at $256 billion, the largest in the world but a mere fraction of the total gold ever mined.

At the same time, the US M2 money supply as measured by the Federal Reserve is $7676.1 billion, or 30 times the total of US Gold Reserves. In practice this means that faith in the US government and economy are by far the driving factors in the value of this fiat currency called the US Dollar, not the objective value of an underlying treasury reserve.

Why does the value of gold go up in terms of US Dollars? In short it’s because the USD is seen as having less value. The same goes for the price of crude oil. Supply and demand being as they are, they affect the day-to-day price fluctuation of this commodity. The longer-term price is impacted by the value of the USD in the world.

The lower it goes, the less it buys and more of it is required to purchase a particular item of value.

To increase the value of the USD the Federal Reserve and US monetary policy should begin to take steps to normalize interest rates and money supply. While that may have a negative effect in the short term on the US economy, the short term pain would result in longer term gain.

Secondly, the US policy towards business should be less restrictive in terms of tax policy. As noted before, businesses do not pay taxes but merely collect them from consumers embedded in the cost of goods and services, from investors in lowered investment value and passes it on to government.

Corporate income taxes and such issues as the Lieberman-Warner “Cap and Trade” scheme currently before the US Senate saddle business with costs and expenses that strangle it in the world economy, often driving business and the attending jobs away from US shores to nation with more friendly tax policies.

Voters must demand that politicians get control of government spending, cutting back budgets and reducing spending to minimal levels and enact a transparent and balanced budget. The US has over $9 trillion in Public Debt having a devastating effect on the national economy, interest rates and exposure to the whims of overseas investors.

The Fair Tax put forth by Congressman John Warner would create a transparent US tax policy, replacing all federal taxes, Income, Social Security, Medicare ad infinitum, with a single sales tax. While there is plenty of discussion over this proposal, and it’s attendant misrepresentation, there remains difficulty in gaining traction in Washington.

So in summation, the problems facing the energy crisis are multifaceted in nature and require a comprehensive response. There is no one “magic bullet” solution. Rather, in the interests of long term solutions and national security, answers must be long thought out, deeply researched, span a variety of technologies and energy sources to protect against vulnerability to single source attacks like we’ve seen on crude oil.

As a nation we should:

Immediately begin using those resources and technologies we currently have including opening blocked areas for oil exploration and drilling and rapidly expand the use of nuclear power.

We should focus effort into development of proven resources and technologies like Hybrid cars, CSP and Shale Oil to bring these rapidly on line in providing diverse energy to the nation.

Third, we should encourage private research in a variety of way to expand research into new, exciting technologies needing further development. Wave power, wind power, battery technologies, fuel cell technologies and many others perhaps not even thought of should be fully vetted as to their feasibility and contribution to the energy needs of this nation without unintended consequences elsewhere.

Finally, we need to close down those technologies that, while begun with good intentions, have proven to have disastrous consequences. Ethanol is one of these.

It’s not a matter of finding answers to the current pain nor is it simple environmental, economic or security in nature. In the long term it’s a matter of providing a sustainable future for the nation and our children and grand children. To think less is nothing more than selfish.

This series:
1. Gas prices, taxes and politics
2. Crude, profits and big government
3. Dealing with petroleum production
4. Optimizing petroleum
5. Is there a single solution?
6. Monetary policy and energy

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Lieberman Carbon Tax a Dangerous Idea

2008-06-02T17:56:00.005-04:00

The Lieberman-Warner carbon tax scheme before the Senate is a dangerous grab for power, tax dollars and control.

It's put forth as a marketplace to help business deal with carbon emissions. What it will end up being is another tax on the consumer. Don't be fooled. A tax on business is a tax on the consumer. In all business the cost of doing business is passed on to the consumer.

There are no corporate taxes, only corporations that collect for government taxes embedded in the price of their product or service.

Roy Cordato-NRO

More power will be vested in Congress and the Lobbyists will have a field day working your Senator and Congressman for perks, loopholes, and breaks on the tax.

The loser will be the consumer, again. Anytime Washington comes up with a "great idea" its the taxpayer, the consumer, the citizens who pay. Make no mistake, this is a bad idea.

Even Canadians are concerned about carbon taxes and "cap-and-trade", and they have data to back it up. Never forget, government will never miss an opportunity to remove income from the pockets of it citizens.

The question is, will the citizens allow it to continue or will they rise up and say "NO MORE!"

We better decide quick or there won't be anything left to keep.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Is there a single solution?

2008-06-01T07:48:00.009-04:00

In my previous post on this topic I talked about the need to expand the development of petroleum-based answers to the energy problems facing America. Today I want to take a look at alternative solutions.

Certainly alternative fuel vehicles, including hybrid, electric and fuel cell, are important resources to develop. But transportation only accounts for about 28% of US energy consumption. A comprehensive plan will address energy consumption in industry (33%), residential housing (21%) and commercial buildings (18%) as well.

The greatest hurdle to overcome in electric car technology has to do with the batteries. For decades auto manufacturers have used the tried and true lead-acid battery. It’s rechargeable, relatively long lasting and inexpensive to produce. But the greatest downfall of lead-acid batteries is their weight.

One of the latest technologies on this front is the zinc-air battery. These use oxygen in the air to react with cathodes to produce electricity. They have a high power to weight ratio, are safe and environmentally responsible. Several companies are working on moving the technology to the automobile arena.

Fuel cell technology is rapidly improving. Used for some time in a variety of exotic, static and military applications, in recent years researchers have working hard to develop technologies for automotive application. The intent is to either fully replace the petroleum fueled vehicle or to replace batteries in hybrid vehicles.

Hybrid vehicles are coming on strong and while they are relatively new, the technology is rapidly improving. Combining improved battery technology with small, efficient gas engines and powerful electric motors, hybrid vehicles look to have great prospects for long range, fuel-efficient vehicles.

Just about everyone has heard of solar power or wind power. Both seem to have great potential for generating large amounts of electricity using the right technologies.

When we hear "solar," most of us think of solar cells, i.e. photovoltaic, energy production. The technology with the greatest potential for producing electricity though is in Concentrating Solar Power (CSP). This technology produces electricity by concentrating the suns heat to generate huge amounts of steam that in turn is used to power electricity generating plants.

It’s estimated that arrays of these concentrating plants covering a combined area of only 100 by 100 miles square could generate enough electricity to supply the electrical power needs of the whole United States (Listen to an NPR story on this). One company, Arusa, is building a 177 megawatt plant in southern California to power 120,000 homes while Abengoa is building similar plants in Europe and South America.

Tidal generators are another up and coming technology using the action of waves and tides to generate electricity. While most of these have no direct application to transportation, they can relieve some of the environmental burden and produce electricity to charge electric vehicles.

Nuclear energy has been used around the world to produce electricity for decades. France, for one, has 59 nuclear plants producing 75% of its electricity, exporting much of that.

On the other hand, the US’s 100 nuclear plants produce only 20% of total electricity generated. After the Three Mile Island incident in 1979 plant construction came to a screeching halt. Now, nearly 30 years later, we are beginning to revisit nuclear energy. But the environmental lobby continues to roadblock plans along with the need to overcome lingering public fears whipped up by the media.

The technology has improved way beyond TMI and the US has never build any plants using the same technology as those in Chernobyl. Another recent development is the change in some of the leadership of the environmental lobby. Patrick Moore, a founder of Greenpeace, is now promoting nuclear power as an important part of solving the climate problem.

These are only some of the better-known technologies under research and development. Anyone of them has potential to impact the US energy need, working together they can provide a comprehensive solution to our current and future energy needs. But they require time for further development and to explore their potential affects on our economy and society, both pro an con. When we rush new technologies out too often the impact of unintended consequences is missed. By taking time to fully vet the technology we can hopefully anticipate and discover ways to diminish those negatives.

The greatest asset we have as a nation is our ability to innovate and develop new answers to the problems that trouble us. Our greatest enemy is jumping to quickly to a quick fix without dealing with the root problem. That is the nature of politics and while it didn’t used to be, is becoming the cry of the American people.

As a society we must begin to again take the long view to the challenges that face us. The “microwave mentality” works fine for cooking, but for serious problems we need to put it in the oven and let it “slow cook.” We must find full, comprehensive solutions that use every asset and resource available to us. The stakes are too high to do otherwise.

My next and final post in this series will discuss the impact of economic policy on the price of crude oil fuel at the pump.

Further reading: A Blind Man's Guide to Energy Policy

Interested in holding your politicians "feet to the fire?" Follow the link below to American Solutions where you can join others petitioning Congress to act now to expand use of our domestic resources.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Let them know how you really feel......

2008-05-30T15:20:00.005-04:00

I received an email from "The Freedom Project" making available a petition/protest to Congress regarding the current energy debacle. I wrote as follows:

Respectfully...

If you want to add your "two cents worth," Visit The Freedom Project.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Optimizing petroleium

2008-05-28T20:16:00.004-04:00

One of the more promising new energy sources being researched and even now coming into production is Oilage or growing algae and using it to produce a high-grade crude oil. PetroSun is now producing in Texas and though researchers don’t think they can produce enough to replace crude oil, the resulting product can be blended with low grade crude to where it can be processed without retooling refineries and extend our supply exponentially

The recent rush to ethanol has proved the error of moving too rapidly to embrace a supposed alternative without exploring all its consequences, intended and unintended. The demand corn ethanol has put on this food crop, taking 20-25% of last years production, has fueled the rise in all grain prices raising fears of food shortages and bread lines around the world. This in a year of record crop yields. What will happen during a low yield year.

Now the multi-million dollar commitment investors and industry has made to this failed plan has politicians wringing their hands and instead of doing the right thing, backtracking this policy, they blunder ahead.

A better source of biomass would be switchgrass, but that wasn’t immediately available and would have required a season to plant and grow the source. That small delay would have staved off the drain on the food supply and the rampant run up in grain prices. But in the rush to deal with this problem in a short-term political way, another long-term problem has resulted.

And don’t forget the powerful agricultural lobby. Their strangle hold on Congress continues to funnel tax dollars in the form of crop subsidies, loans and more to these large corporate farm operations.

We must, in addition to finding new economical, reliable energy sources, continue to discover new ways to conserve energy in socially and economically friendly ways. One of the big problems with the environmental lobby is the constant call for actions that will harm the economy of industrialized nations and in the process bring hardship to the citizens of those nations.

Truly at its core, the underlying philosophy of environmentalism is to return industrialized nations to agrarian societies like the third world. Technology, industry and development must go to make way for the forests, the snail darter and spotted owl, and the grassy plains. To their way of thinking there is blight on the face of the earth and Humanity is its name.

Next post, new and old technologies visited.

If you haven't done so, visit American Solutions and sign the petition to let Congress know you want action on allowing exploration and production of our domestic resources. It's a national security as well as an econonmic issue.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Remembering their awful gift

2008-05-26T08:20:00.004-04:00

Reflecting on Memorial Day, quick thought. How many of us truly understand what this day is about? Too often we get consumed with picnics, watersports, auto racing, et al, forgetting this day is set aside to remember the sacrifice of those who have died to protect our freedom we take so lightly.

Originally Decoration Day came out of a day set aside by Southern communities to honor those Confederate Soldiers who died in the American Civil War. In 1868 a proclamation was issued to observe this day nationwide, and in 1967 Congress officially renamed it Memorial Day and moved the observance to where it is today.

More importantly than the history of the day though, are the people whose sacrifice we remember. Those who died of battle fields foreign and domestic, so that we can have the freedom to eat burned food outdoors, get wet, watch cars run in circles and act foolish and noble.

The freedom to do as we please, to think as we please, to speak as we please.

It was their sacrifice that makes this possible, surely we can take a few moments on one day out of 365 to remember their gift to us, the living, the free. Surely for just a few moments we can not take their sacrifice for granted.

Mendy Belz of World Magazine wrote a thoughtful piece, Blood That Speaks, in the May 17th issue. It ends as follows:

"Their blood cries to us from the ground like the blood of Abel: Tell us your story, we ask, so we won't forget. It leaves us weak and ready for the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word."

Let us, on this day, tell their story and not forget their awful and precious gift to us.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Dealing with petroleum production

2008-05-23T12:15:00.007-04:00

One of the most immediate and difficult predicaments facing the American people and their political and business leaders is the problem of energy. Where to get it, how to conserve it and how to use it effectively throughout our economy.

Please understand that I am not an expert on these matters. I'm simply a layman who looks at these things, is curious about the facts, and analyzes them with a basis in common sense. The latter part seems to be pretty scarce in American society, politics and the educational system.

Proceeding on the premise that the current energy troubles we face are at their root problems with supply and demand, both current and future, mitigated by geopolitics and certain economic realities as the decline of the dollar, there is no one simple solution to this problem.

Lets deal with the problem of supply first.

US proven reserves as of January 2007 totaled 21,757 million barrels or enough to fully replace foreign imports for just 10.8 years. So that alone isn’t the answer. But when you consider our largest trading partner for crude is Canada from which we import 15% of our need has reserves totaling 179,210 million barrels the situation doesn’t look quite so dire.

The problem with accessing the US reserves is one of political policy. The US Congress and the Administration, both past and present, Republican and Democrat, have gotten in bed with radical environmentalists who have convinced them that our crude oil reserves cannot be accessed without doing damage to the environment. That is patently wrong.

While it can be demonstrated that done improperly, oil production and transportation can cause harm, we have the technology and know how to do it right. ANWR and the continental shelf have huge untapped oil deposits that have been deemed politically inaccessible. That must change if America is to regain energy security.

Another huge source of petroleum for the US is found in shale oil. The US has reserves of 2 Trillion barrels of shale oil, nearly four times that of the rest of the world. Because of the difficulty in extracting and processing it, until now to do so hasn’t be profitable. But with crude prices in excess of $130 per barrel, it can now be a viable source of energy.

At current levels of consumption, that would provide crude oil for 280 years. Allowing plenty of breathing space for technology to develop and test alternative energy sources without rushing them out to unintended consequences.

The problem now is again, the environmental lobby who rail on about the potential damage that may be caused by extraction. Enter Raytheon Corp. which has developed a way to do this in a much more environmentally friendly way. Still, politicians and environmentalist will persist in blocking this resource that would provide a major foundation of US energy security.

Also, the US is an exporter of crude oil, 1,317,000 barrels every day. That amounts to fully a quarter, 25% or total US crude oil production. If we diverted that flow to domestic markets we could extend our total crude oil supply an additional 10%. To continue to export crude oil in the face to the energy security crisis we face is unthinkable.

If the US seriously committed to any of or preferably all the above the effect on the crude oil futures market and the petroleum producing nations would be immediate, even though it would take time to ramp up production.

Remember, it’s a futures market. The price is based on anticipated supply and demand. If the marketplace understands there is truly going to be substantially greater supply, traders will factor that in, producers will recognize the increased competition for their product and the price per barrel will shrink accordingly.

That will have a very quick impact at the pump. And it will be long lasting as opposed to quick fix fuel tax holidays and wrong-headed suspension of deposits into the SPR proposed by politicians who refuse to think out of the box.

House Republicans have already begun to answer the call with a proposal to increase production. But it needs to be more than merely a proposal and House Democrats need to join in.

OK, so is increased domestic production the answer. Not in and of itself. We need to actively pursue alternative energy sources. I’m not talking simply solar or wind technologies though they are a part of the matrix.

The next post will discuss some of the alternatives to petroleum.

Statistics taken from:
The Energy Information Administration-Dept. of Energy

Interested in holding your politicians "feet to the fire?" Follow the link below to American Solutions where you can join others petitioning Congress to act now to expand use of our domestic resources.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Support your candidate, pin him down, er, up, er whatever

2008-05-20T09:51:00.007-04:00

A short aside from the current topical line. There’s a new campaign tool out for the Obama campaign. Acknowledging BO’s deep knowledge and understanding of the US political geography one company has created a lapel pin for his supporters.

This is a great way to show your unwavering support of Obama, regardless of his knowledge, or lack thereof, of the country he’s campaigning to run. He's really a great guy who we know little of, but he’s talks real good and looks nice. That’s enough, right?

On the other hand, if you are not a supporter, get one, or several as a way to telling others you are not blinded by his charisma. This tongue-in-cheek slap will raise questions and perhaps give opportunity to explain why he actually isn’t the best candidate.

Of course, then you have to decide who is. Hmm, tough choice.

Get yours here:

View a larger image

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Crude, profits and big government

2008-05-20T00:21:00.011-04:00

At the end of my last post I said I’d give my personal take on the solutions to the energy crisis. But as I thought about it, I realized most people swallow the line put forth by the media and the left as to the cause of the rising price of crude oil and subsequently the price of gas at the pump.

They (the media and the left) would have you believe that “big oil” and its billion dollar profits along with inept policy on the part of the Bush administration is the reason you are paying nearly $4.00 per gallon for gas.

I’m gonna have to disagree with them, and I’ll tell you why in this post.

The price of crude oil is not determined by the oil companies. While they may affect it to some degree, the price of crude is subject to the same laws of supply and demand that govern the rest of the US and free world economy.

The prices seen on a daily basis that has the media whipping up a froth of alarm is actually the bidding in the oil futures market. Those prices quoted are for crude oil to be delivered the next month. It’s actually a little more complicated than that, but for our purposes that’ll work.

There’s also a spot market that is even more volatile for crude available for immediate delivery. What determines the pricing in these markets is not “big oil” or even market demand. What drives it is what the traders think demand will be compared to what they think availability will be at that time.

Geo-politics plays a huge role in this. The current major unknown (traders hate unknowns) is the condition of the Nigerian oil fields. In recent years these production facilities have been under constant siege by militants, action that may result in the closing down of Nigeria’s 2.16 million-barrels-per-day production. That’s about 7.2% of OPEC’s production and nearly 3% of total world output.

Normally that wouldn’t seem to be a problem, but with producing nations shipping near capacity, demand from developing countries increasing and some analysts predicting a peak in production in a few years with ongoing declines thereafter, the current pressure on prices doesn’t look to be temporary. Many analysts predict an upward march to near $200 per barrel of crude within 2 years or sooner. At the current rate, it may well be sooner.

China, India, Russia and other rapidly developing nations are competing with the US for the finite supply, exploring and drilling in areas either geographically inaccessible to us or off limits due to the environmental lobby. China, Cuba and Mexico are planning to drill in the Gulf of Mexico while China bids on pipeline services in Alaska.

Bit by bit our resources are sold off or abandoned to foreign competitors while we complain and do little else.

But what about “big oil” and their “billion dollar profits?” Aren’t they making a killing off the consumer? As it turns out the answer to that is…No! The table below compares the 2005 profits of several major companies including oil and you can easily see that while amounts are large, “big oil” exacts a margin much lower than other large US companies in other sectors.

Oil company profits: A perspective Earnings, Revenues, Profits (Billions) for selected companies, recent quarter, 2005 Source: Bloomberg News, reported in AAPG Explorer Dec. 2005
Company	Net Profit	Revenue	Profit Margin
Citigroup (banking)	$7.1	$21.5	33%
Microsoft	$3.1	$9.7	32%
Coca-Cola	$1.3	$6.0	21%
Procter & Gamble	$2.0	$14.8	14%
General Electric	$4.7	$41.6	11%
ExxonMobil	$9.9	$92.6	11%
ConocoPhillips	$3.8	$48.7	8%
IBM	$1.5	$21.5	7%
Chevron	$3.6	$51.1	7%
Wal-Mart	$2.8	$76.8	4%
Oil industry average profit margin is about 8.2%; (3rd Q. '05) for all US industry, the average is about 6.8%. Profits in the oil industry were easily outpaced by those of the Pharmaceuticals, Banks, Household Products, Software, Telecommunications, Semiconductors, Consumer Services, and Food, Beverage and Tobacco sectors.

Should you think that is an anomaly, early figures for the first quarter of 2008 have Exxon, Conoco and Chevron earning .0857% on their total revenues of $235.5 billion dollars. That’s a net profit of $20.2 billion. But don’t worry; at the same time they paid $47.86 billion in taxes.

Let’s put that in perspective. You have a, say, widget you sell for $100. It costs you $71.08 to design, produce and sell that widget. After you collect your $100 from the sale you cheerfully give $20.32 to the government to spend any way they please and they let you keep $8.58 to do with what you wish.

In the case of “big oil” that $8.58 goes to the share holders who risked their money to invest in their future via the stock market while the government, which risked nothing took away nearly 2 and a half times what the investors received. And now Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and other Democrats want even more. (Psst..companies don't really pay taxes guys, it get's passed on to the consumer via cost of goods. Always has, always will. It's under the table taxation of the public.)

If the oil companies were to cut their profits to zero the most that would be saved at the pump would be .91.5¢/gallon. But in reality only .46% of a barrel of oil goes into gasoline so you might in reality see only a .424¢/gallon reduction. But how long do you think that would last? No company is in the business to break even. And no investor will willingly put his hard earned money into an investment when he knows his return is zero.

So the company goes out of business or is sold to an off shore investor, either way people are out of work and either the new owner or other international oil companies pick up the business and they earn the profits. And the government, they lose their cash cow.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

Gas prices, taxes and politics

2008-05-18T21:32:00.007-04:00

I just returned from a 13-day trip to Ocracoke Island and Myrtle Beach. While the destinations and itinerary of that trip will be the subject of future posts, my current interest is my observations on the ongoing debate over the soaring price of fuel.

In January of this year unleaded regular gasoline cost an average of $3.085/gallon and we all were crying the blues. Now, four and a half months later, the average price of a gallon of unleaded regular in Florida is $3.814, an increase of 23.6%. Annualized that’s an increase of 62.9%.

That hurts everyone and affects every part of our economy from food to transportation, from stock prices to entertainment; everything we do is connected in some way to the cost of fuel and crude oil.

The burning question on most people’s minds is, “who is to blame?” The media and the Democrat party will tell you its “big oil” and the Bush administration who are at fault. Most people go along with that assessment because it makes a neat little package and easy to understand.

I find it interesting that when asked a hard question, liberals (i.e. Democrats) will counter that the answer is not so simple, nuanced with many variables that must be addressed for one to understand their answer. But when it comes to the price of fuel, they simply pin the blame on “big oil” and the current administration.

But is it really so simple, and is the fix so simple as well?

They want to divert the deposits into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to the marketplace for the rest of the year and eliminate the federal gas tax for 15 weeks during the upcoming summer driving months. Sounds good, but will it really make a serious impact?

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) amounts to 70,000 barrels per day, about one tenth of one percent of world consumption and 0.0056% (that’s just over one half of one percent) of daily US imports.

If the SPR were full and we were to be cut off from the world oil supply, there would be only about 58 days of reserve before we would need to drastically cut back on consumption. In practice though, we would need to make those drastic cutbacks immediately.

The US is dependent on foreign crude oil for 60% of its consumption, the largest portion of which is refined into gasoline (9.253 million bpd). However, if the 12,000,000 barrels per day we import was interrupted not only would fuel supply be scarce, but manufacturing of most goods would grind to a halt.

Not only is crude used to make plastics, which permeate every part of our economy, but the machines which produce them and make every item we produce more affordable would stop for lack of lubrication and maintenance parts.

But returning to the immediate issue of the price of gasoline and the effect of the congressional and administrations band-aid approach. It’s estimated that diverting the SPR to domestic production will result in a reduction of about .03 - .05¢ gallon. That works out to about $53 in savings over 6 months of the diversion. Excited?

The moratorium on the 18.4¢ federal gas tax will save motorists an estimated $28 - $30 on average over its limited lifespan and in the process reduce available revenue for highway maintenance by $6.4 billion, affecting 10’s of 1000’s of highway related jobs.

So for the sake of saying they did something, our congressmen/women and the administration are going to save you about 83 bucks, expose a weakness in our national security, expose motorists to unsafe roads as they go unmaintained and throw thousands of highway workers into the unemployment lines.

In the end, who's gonna notice anyway? In 38 days at the current rate of increase the pump price of gasoline will be right back where it was before the "cuts" took place. At the end of the summer when the "tax holiday" ends and the price suddenly rises 18.4¢, do you really think the American people will remember they've been enjoying the largess of the US Congress for 3 months?

Sounds like a great plan to me.

My next post will include some of my ideas on what we should do to deal with this problem and the wider issue of the US energy supply.

"We are all in the same boat on a stormy sea and
we owe each other a terrible loyalty." - G. K. Chesterson

How long do we have to wait?

2008-03-19T20:05:00.004-04:00

Come on Dems, get with the program, how long do we have to wait? Until another 9/11?

Now, ya curious about this and more, get a different take on Washington politics. Visit the Freedom Project.

The crash and political realities

2008-03-02T17:06:00.008-05:00

The past few weeks have been consumed with life events. A friend and co-worker was involved in a head-on collision with a man who was fleeing police after a traffic violation. She was working, returning from a facility we had the previous day discussed switching with one I was to visit that same day. I had decided to let things remain in situ.

Our friend was severely injured, in ICU for 5 days and is now in a rehabilitation center where she will learn to live independently while her shattered legs heal. While her doctors say she will be able to return to her love of horses, riding and teaching others, especially children, to ride and love them too, I cannot imagine such injuries will not leave her without permanent physical and emotional scars,

The passenger in the offending driver’s car was killed in the accident; the driver was injured (and temporarily housed on the same hospital wing as our friend) and while there is no doubt as to his fault, the local media chose to focus on the deceased’s family complaints of law enforcement being to blame for the accident, their reasoning, there should have been no pursuit.

There was no mention of our friend’s injuries, no reference to her decades of work with children and therapeutic rider training. No acknowledgement of her selfless efforts to organize multiple yearly group outings for her co-workers and families to “help them see there’s life outside work.”

Ellie will be OK, it will be a long, difficult journey, but she will be OK.

In the process of the past few weeks I come to know her son, John, who has come from his New York City home to oversee her care. What a great guy and loving, caring son. Ellie, ya done good!

On the political front, I’ve been loathe to write much, while the Dems duke it out for the nomination, McCain marches on, the Republican rules of engagement preventing a reoccurrence of the Democrat brawl.

The “winner take all” rules of the Republican primaries make for a quick leap to the front for a candidate who can consistently squeak out state by state wins, that growing tally in electoral votes can mask a much closer popular vote and disparity among Republican voters.

The apparent desire to keep that disparity masked is held up by the lack of available information on popular vote tallies. A search of an hour and 30 minutes yielded no information on the Republican side.

RealClearPolitics.com does a great job of polling the polls and even has a matrix of the Democrat popular vote totals, but a click on the link where the Republican popular vote totals should be yields only delegate counts and polling results.

I suspect that were the popular vote results available they would reveal that among Republican voters, the split between McCain supporters and the other candidates supporters would be much wider than the current delegate count would indicate.

I’m not a huge McCain fan; he’s too much politician, too willing to negotiate, too willing to make deals with the “devil” to lay a strong claim to conservatism. Make no doubt, I’m a conservative first, the Republican Party just lies closer to my philosophies than the Dems.

Still, I cannot, like Ann Coulter, say I’ll vote for Hillary before McCain. If he’s the nominee, and it looks like he will be, I’ll have no choice but to hold my nose and pull the lever. Unlike Dr. Dobson who said he’ll not vote for the first time in his life, I think not voting is a vote for the Democrat nominee, I just can't do that.

What are we celebrating after all?

2008-02-18T07:00:00.001-05:00

Today is President's Day, created by Congressional law in 1968 by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act that moved most US Federal holidays to a Monday. Originally it was to combine both Washington's Birthday and Lincoln's Birthday into one holiday, but as most things Washington (the town not the man), stuff fell through the cracks. When signed, the act only applied to Washington's Birthday.

The first designated Federal holiday to honor a citizen, Washington's Birthday was so ordered by Congress in 1880 for the District of Columbia and expanded to the states in 1885. Its purpose was to honor the man who was our first President and is regularly referred to as "the Father of Our Country."

George Washington was commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary forces who overthrew England, presided over the convention that created the US Constitution, unified our nation and after unanimous choice of the Electoral College became our first President, setting the standard for all subsequent Presidents to attain.

For decades on this day our citizens were reminded of this great man and his accomplishments and took time to honor his important and vital place in our history. However, in recent years it has become little more than a reason to have a retail sale.

Outside of government and banks, few take leave of work, fewer remember the man, and even fewer remember that without him, this great nation may well have never come into existence. Today, it's all about a day off work or school and another reason to compel people to spend.

On the other hand, a recent addition to the Federal holiday calendar, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day came into existence in 1983 to celebrate the life of this man who undoubtedly had a great impact on the United States civil rights movement. Still, one would be hard pressed to say his impact on the US and her citizens was as far-reaching as that of George Washington.

Even so, were one to imply that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day be observed in the same manner as the President's Day observance has become, there would be great cries of "heresy" and disrespect for this man. If one were to suggest celebrating "King Day" by holding a sale he would no doubt be venerated as having ill will towards the Black community.

It took about 20 years from it's inception to when business began to accept President’s Day as a "non-holiday" and no doubt there were many who cried out at this dishonor as it turned into a retail sale day. Yet today we allow it as acceptable and expected practice, many looking forward to the possibility of finding a good "deal".

I have little doubt that sometime in the future, certainly not as quickly as it took President's Day for there was substantial prior history to that day of remembrance, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will, too, become another little recognized day where most forget the man and his accomplishments and turn their attention to the discounts of the retail sector.

People will cease demanding the day off from work to honor the man, memorials will be forgotten, parades no longer organized and the words so often quoted, "I have a dream…" will take their place in obscurity along side Washington’s "…reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

Medias campaign to disuade Republican voters

2008-02-08T17:03:00.001-05:00

With Mitt Romney now out of the race, the media can now start their attack on the leading Republican presidential candidate. Up to this point they’ve nearly had a “love fest” with John McCain, essentially defending him against the concerns of conservatives.

For weeks the media has disparaged Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity as the "goon squad" for their, ah hem, lack of support for candidate McCain. Flying false flags and characterizing the concerns of conservative pundits more as personality issues and ignoring the real ideological and policy issues these commentators have postulated.

Now, after the Romney withdrawal, the national media suddenly begins its attack on McCain, the AP enumerating his failure to show up for “half” the Senate votes in the past year. All the while demonstrating that while Sens. Obama and Clinton’s failure to show records were less than stellar, they still recorded more Senate votes than McCain.

That is just the initial salvo. Reporting on McCains’s speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Zachary Coile reported some of the specifics of conservatives disagreements with the front runner.

"It's not just that he voted against the tax cuts - he rallied moderate Republicans and Democrats to oppose the tax cuts"

“… his McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill, which they called an affront to the First Amendment.”

“…McCain is too eager to compromise with Democrats.”

“…his vote against the 2001 tax cuts…”

“…his immigration bill, which failed in the Senate last year…”

“…the Gang of fourteen.”

Suddenly, these and other issues, that conservatives contend reveal McCain’s liberal mindset, are making headlines. This worry, along with McCain’s propensity to link arms with liberal Democrats like Russ Feingold and Ted Kennedy, and even more moderate Democrats such as Joe Lieberman, rankle conservatives who have watched McCain abandon them repeatedly over the years while championing liberal causes.

When the details of the pundits’ disagreement with McCain may have been educational to and had an effect on Republican primary voters, the media was silent. Now, with McCain the frontrunner and presumed nominee, these issues become headlines.

It seems to me this is the beginning of the liberal medias effort to discourage the Republican voter and dissuade them for casting a vote come November. I think their strategy is, if Republicans flee the voting booth, no matter who the Democrat nominee is, Hillary or Obama, they will have smooth sailing to the inauguration.

I have to say I was having problems thinking positively about our now presumed nominee any way. I didn’t support him in our Florida primary, and working up support now is going to be real tough.

James Dobson, Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingram, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage all have come out against McCain. But they aren’t the only ones. Conservative voters across the nation have serious problems with John McCain. Those who don’t probably haven’t studied his record.

Granted there are varying degrees of conservativism, and even conservatives will disagree on various issues, but all will find in John McCain to have abandoned them in many of the issues they hold dear. I place myself firmly in their camp.

Winning the Future

2008-02-05T16:02:00.001-05:00

I’m asking you to take a moment to visit the website “American Solutions for Winning the Future" and read the document, "Platform of the American People."

While I have disagreement with some of the specific items listed, the overwhelming majority of this "Platform of the American People's" action items are right on!

This platform is the result of 6 national polls of the American people, asking their opinions of the serious issues facing our nation and the proposed solutions. The polling results are available for review and next to each plank in this "Platform of the American People" the polling results for that plank are displayed.

The broad categories are:

This isn't a Democrat, Independent or Republican document, it is the result of the sincere opinions of a broad representation of Americans of every political stripe. Visit the website, read the platform, make your own decision about this document and how it aligns with you personal values

I can imagine every one of us can find something to disagree on, but I can also imagine that everyone, if we take the time to listen to and understand each other, will find we have more values in common than points of dissimilarity. Visit the website or download the petition to your computer. Download now (You will need Foxit Reader or Adobe Reader)

I have little doubt that except for the most virulent partisan among us, most will agree to most of the agenda of "Platform of the American People." Therefore I'm recommending that everyone take a moment to visit the website, read this treatise on American ideals and if you too can agree with the majority of its tenants, follow through, sign the petition.

The future of our nation it too important and, in the end, we are all really not that different in the values we hold dear.

Who's gonna tote the load?

2008-02-04T18:40:00.002-05:00

This Sunday, when asked in an ABC interview about her plan to enforce universal health care if elected, dodged the question of imposing fees and/or garnishing wages to do so. She specifically mentioned enforced enrollment and higher taxes.

Now one could ask, how could she do that to the poor and low income families. The most likely answer is, she wouldn’t. That’s how she would press the issue through and gain broad support of the masses. If they don’t have to pay for it, of course they’ll support it.

So who would she tax and or garnish? Those who are already paying the bill. The middle class and up. Currently the top 25% of income earners pays 86% of income taxes.

You may respond, well, that leaves me out. Think again. If your household has an annual income of $62,000 or more, you are in the group of those paying the bill (2005 Tax Foundation Data). Just as an FYI, the top 50% of income earners ($31,000 and above) pay 96.93% of all income taxes.

So who do you think Hillary or anyone else wishing to garnish wages, impose additional fees and increase taxes on the taxpayer to fund a giveaway to the lower 50% will appeal to? Do you think she’ll have any difficulty getting their support?

NOW! What was your income last year? Which of the above groups will you fall into? The upper 50% of income earners, or the lower 50%? Are you ready to increase the amount of your income you send to the federal government? Think, know the facts before you decide. Free heathcare doesn’t mean free, someone has to tote the load, the short odds are it’ll be you.

On the road with the nuvi 350

2008-01-16T18:09:00.000-05:00

We received a Garmin nüvi 350 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator this Christmas and took it on our trip to South Carolina. I've used a Garmin eTrex for several years and like a lot of the features and the huge amount of information available from it's simple format. But its use on a trip was limited by it's lack of internal memory and difficulty to route away from the computer.

The nüvi 350 solves those problems, automatically routing and having enough memory to load the full map and POI (Points of Interest) for the US and Canada. In practice it is easy to setup and use. When we deviated from it's recommended route it would recalculated and offer alternative routing from our present location. When we needed to detour around Atlanta due to traffic tie-up, a press of the on screen button sent us on our way.

Preferring a more scenic return route, we selected the "shorter distance" option and came down US 441 from I-85 to I-10 north of Lake City, FL. On that route a few of the shortcomings make their appearance.

While the nüvi 350's database is the 2008 map, it failed to have the changes in the roadbed due to fairly recent construction. Now that construction wasn't totally new but had be opened, I'm guessing here, within the past year or so. In those areas the nüvi went off trying to route us back to a road that didn't not exist. The same problem appeared in Greenville along a new stretch of road I know is over a year old. Getting past those areas, it recalculated and went on as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Additionally, some of the POIs were off or non-existent. Apparently these businesses closed or moved and the changes didn't make the database. That kind of error is to be expected.

Another negative, at least for me, is the inability to pre-determine your route. I like sitting down at the computer with mapping software and plan my trip. This isn't possible with the nüvi 350, any nüvi or Street Pilot that I'm aware of. You can determine a series of interim waypoints and insert them as you go along, but to completely preplan and setup you trip, nope.

Some of the nüvi 350's weaknesses are common to most if not all mapping products, software and hardware. Most of these use the same map database, and this database is flawed in some areas. In Ocala we have a stretch of road that no matter what I use, Garmin, Mapquest, Google Maps, Streets and Trips; they all read this 2 mile strip off from as little as a block to as much as 2 miles. So, as the on screen disclaimer advises, be aware that it, like any other product is imperfect and don't bet your life on it.

Just the same, the Garmin nüvi 350 was fun and easy to use, very helpful in getting around situations, and contains a very good POI database. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes to travel while appreciating the benefits of modern technology.

One over, another begun!

2008-01-09T16:36:00.000-05:00

That title could apply to many things. The years, interests, books...OK, let's talk about books. My holiday break gave me time to finish two I've been working on; Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity by John Stossel, and Exile by Richard North Patterson. Both books were entertaining and educational in their own way.

Stossel's book tackles and summarizes many of same subjects covered in his ABC 20/20 broadcasts. He piles head-on into many of the basic misconceptions many Americans have about their government and the media. Additionally he raises the covers on many "common knowledge" beliefs ranging from prescription drugs, relationships, parenting and so on. I a few areas I think he fails to fully/fairly cover the subject, preferring to focus on a portion of the misperception while ignoring the validity of the opposing argument. Not every subject can be boiled down to "either/or" "black and white."

That takes me to the next book on the list, Exile by Patterson. Talk about a complex subject, the complexity of the Middle East can be summarized in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Fully nuanced, villains and heroes, victims and oppressors on both sides. We often hear in the news about the Palestinian suicide bombers and the Israelis are constantly characterized as oppressors in their response to these and in their attempts to protect against further bombings.

Were it was so simple to parse. There's plenty of blame to go around on this matter, and it doesn't end with the primary participants. Syria, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and then even the west all play a role in the destruction and the bigotry. Most of all, the inability of both Israelis and Palestinians to move away from entrenched positions of hatred and perceived privilege to compromise, tolerance and honest negotiation.

Will it happen in our lifetime, in any lifetime? Patterson leaves you doubtful, yet, if enough real people begin to think like the few mentioned in the book, who knows...