test feb 25

Fw: Do you remember January 3, 2007??????

THOUGHT PROVOKING FORWARDED MESSAGE

A history lesson you will not find in the news, TV or Print. You won't find it in our schools either, I wonder why? DO YOU REMEMBER JANUARY 3, 2007? Your history lesson for today. Some people have short memories….. I've been saying this for years, but this email probably explains it better and more clearly. This is NOT a political message, but rather a clarification to remind us all of the correct facts. Remember that on October 9, 2007, 11 months before our "economic crisis" occurred (that was actually created), the Dow hit its highest point ever, closing at 14,164.53 and reaching 14,198.10 intra-day level 2 days later. Unemployment was steady at 4.7%. But things were already being put in place to create the havoc we've all been experiencing since then. And it all started, as this email explains, on January 3, 2007. I'm sending this to each of you regardless of your party preferences because I believe it is something you may not have considered. This tells the story, why Bush was so "bad" at the end of his term. Don't just skim over this, it's not very long, read it slowly and let it sink in. If in doubt, check it out!!! The day the Democrats took over was not January 22nd 2009, it was actually January 3rd 2007, which was the day the Democrats took over the House of Representatives and the Senate, at the very start of the 110th Congress. The Democrat Party controlled a majority in both chambers for the first time since the end of the 103rd Congress in 1995. For those who are listening to the liberals propagating the fallacy that everything is "Bush's Fault", think about this: January 3rd, 2007 was the day the Democrats took over the Senate and the Congress. At the time: The DOW Jones closed at 12,621.77 The GDP for the previous quarter was 3.5% The Unemployment rate was 4.6% George Bush's Economic policies SET A RECORD of 52 STRAIGHT MONTHS of JOB GROWTH Remember the day... January 3rd, 2007 was the day that Barney Frank took over the House Financial Services Committee and Chris Dodd took over the Senate Banking Committee. The economic meltdown that happened 15 months later was in what part of the economy? BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES! Unemployment... to this CRISIS by (among MANY other things) dumping 5-6 TRILLION Dollars of toxic loans on the economy from YOUR Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac FIASCOES! Bush asked Congress 17 TIMES to stop Fannie & Freddie - starting in 2001 because it was financially risky for the US economy. And who took the THIRD highest pay-off from Fannie Mae AND Freddie Mac?        OBAMA And who fought against reform of Fannie and Freddie?  OBAMAand the Democrat Congress. So when someone tries to blame Bush. REMEMBER JANUARY 3rd, 2007.... THE DAY THE DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER!" Budgets do not come from the White House. They come from Congress and the party that controlled Congress since January 2007 is the Democrat Party. Furthermore, the Democrats controlled the budget process for 2008 & 2009 as well as 2010 & 2011. In that first year, they had to contend with George Bush, which caused them to compromise on spending, when Bush somewhat belatedly got tough on spending increases. For 2009 though, Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid bypassed George Bush entirely, passing continuing resolutions to keep government running until Barack Obama could take office. At that time, they passed a massive omnibus spending bill to complete the 2009 budgets. And where was Barack Obama during this time? He was a member of that very Congress that passed all of these massive spending bills, and he signed the omnibus bill as President to complete 2009. If the Democrats inherited any deficit, it was the 2007 deficit, the last of the Republican budgets. That deficit was the lowest in five years, and the fourth straight decline in deficit spending. After that, Democrats in Congress took control of spending, and that includes Barack Obama, who voted for the budgets. If Obama inherited anything, he inherited it from himself. In a nutshell, what Obama is saying is I inherited a deficit that I voted for and then I voted to expand that deficit four-fold since January 20th. There is no way this will be widely publicized,unless each of us sends it on!

 

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE

Recently a nephew reposted a blurb on Facebook that suggested there is no difference between Governor Mitt Romney, the Republican Presidential candidate, and the sitting US President, Barak Hussein Obama. I believe that anyone who subscribes to this thought process  lacks enlightenment and most certainly, lacks an understanding of the principles upon which our country was founded.  Further, I believe that they may lack clearly defined principles in their own life.

While there are many areas in which I can agree that there is similarity and that the differences may be miniscule, there is, I believe, a difference in vision competence, leadership  skills and principle. 

VISION Obama clearly believes that government is the answer and to that end he is on record as favoring redistribution of the wealth, and big government as the final “nanny” of our independence.  Romney is a “free enterprise” capitalist and believes in the power of free enterprise.  His comments and positions reflect a belief in a “safety net” but not a reliance on  big government to provide our daily “bread”. 

COMPETENCE.  There is clearly a lack of understanding, organization and good judgment in the Obama administration.   The President has failed to seek and assimilate common goals, find common ground or project an ability to listen, all necessary to competence.  President Obama has approved of and empowered his political base i.e.,  bailout of General Motors,  funding of Solyndra,  implementation of job killing regulations and failed to follow through on what he promised  would be "the most transparent" administration ever at a significant cost to all of us.  The President's vision for the country is his dream and our nightmare. Governor Romney has a record of success and competence both in business, government and public service.  His past reflects a commitment to our Constitutional ideals.  Granted, we cannot know how competent someone will be until we see their performance. However, both the President and the Governor have a record  on which we can decide who is the most competent for the future of our country and  most able to preserve our values.  It is time to bring the power of the boardroom to the Presidency and fire the incumbent.

LEADERSHIP.  Good leadership seeks ideas, conciliates, negotiates and compromises.  The President dictates, mandates and orders.  He has surrounded himself with “yes” people who simply applaud his “brilliance” and empower his arrogance.  His choice of “critical” cabinet members and his willingness to stand by their flawed decisions suggests a lack of principled leadership. Cabinet members who have exhibited less than stellar performance are,  Attorney General Eric Holder, whose Department bears responsibility for misjudgment and cover up of Fast and Furious; Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, who was cited for violation of the Hatch act for making "extemporaneous partisan remarks" in a February speech in North Carolina;  Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu,  who was responsible for the grants to bankrupt Solyndra and similar missteps in his “quest” to lead us into “green power”;  former Secretary of Commerce,  John Bryson whose health issues suggest a flawed and under supervised key strategist; the ongoing spectacle of Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano and the recent debacle of Susan Rice’s Sunday talk show appearances are a few examples of poor leadership and a failure to exercise oversight by this President.    By contrast, Governor Romney co-founded  Bain Capital, a highly successful private  alternative asset management firm;  turned a severely flawed business plan  for the 2002 Winter Olympics into a successful and profitable endeavor and served as Governor of Massachusetts where he applied first hand the principles of leadership for dealing with people of diverse political philosophy and ideas.  Governor Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan as his running mate suggests a good first step in his exercise of good leadership judgment.

PRINCIPLE.  The President has failed to reflect strong principles on anything beyond his reelection and commitment to his political base.  His ideas and certainly the decisions that he has rendered, seem to suggest that he is a principled socialist in ideology, unwilling to compromise and lacking in moral principles.  By all accounts, he is a good father, husband and  a good person.  He is, I believe, a Teflon man.  Anyone who attends a church for 20 years and professes he did not hear the message from the podium is morally severely flawed. President Obama does not reflect principles in which I believe.  While Governor Romney’s character has not yet faced the test of Washington's reality, there is a striking difference in the two men.  I believe Governor Romney has illustrated his commitment to family, faith and country and that thee is a strong distinction between him and the President’s actual performance. 

There is an ongoing thread of belief within our society that we are controlled by an underlying force of conspirators who are “pulling the cords” to our life and choices.  They believe that no matter what we do,  an anonymous “boogey man” descendants of the Rothschild, Rockefeller and Zionists theory control our ultimate destination. This preamble is as old as Christ who  threw the money changers out of the church.   To those who would suggest that there is an all powerful “one world government” or conspiracy of the elite super rich that makes our independent vote and choices  void, I say “OH YE, OF LITTLE FAITH”.  This suggests a disbelief in the religious principles of our fathers, lack of a compelling faith in the goodness of man and a total denial of the existence of “God” and/or a stronger force that controls our universal existence.   

While we may differ on who or what controls our destiny, there is adequate assurance that the combined “power” of the people can and does make a difference.  For many, faith in the principles of an “unknown” force is not only necessary but instrumental to their lifestyle.  Individually, we have an obligation to be good citizens, honor our commitment to principle, practice our faith and respect those with whom we differ. But, above all, we have an obligation to make our voices heard and for most of us, that is  a simple vote for change or continue with the same. You see dear nephew, I believe there is a difference and one that is significant to your future and that of your children and our country. 

FREE SPEECH

How many of us really think about our questions, the answers we get or give, the value of free speech and what it means to us? 

Maybe it is time we thought about it more and apply ourselves to preserving it.

testing to epochreflections.com

Fw: Fwd: Stimulus money at work

Elect a Chicago politician, and you get stuck dealing with Chicago politics!              THE STIMULUS AT WORK!   Some have said that the stimulus hasn't saved any jobs,   but here is a case where at least one job was saved       Take for instance Oregon State University Athletic Director   Bob DeCarolis.        Now Mr. DeCarolis was considering firing their   Basketball Coach.......   Craig Robinson       after an   8 -11 start (2-5) in the Pac 10 conference).   When word reached Washington ,   Undersecretary of Education    Martha Kanter       was dispatched to Corvallis with $17 million   in stimulus money for the university.   Thankfully,Craig Robinson's job is   safe for another year       Now comes the interesting part of our story....   For those of you unfamiliar with   Coach Robinson,.        he just so happens to be the brother in law   of none other than our country's   beloved President,        NOW YOU'RE CATCHING ON......   that's right he is the brother of   Michelle Obama!        But hey, can't we all come to the conclusion   that Coach Robinson's job security   was all just a coincidence?   I'm sure of it .... Aren't You?   Thank Goodness For The Stimulus!!! But $17 million for one job?  I wonder what mine is worth?   If this doesn't anger you, nothing will...  remember to vote this fall !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                   The information contained within this message is for the designated recipient only and may contain proprietary, confidential, attorney-client communication, and/or privileged or otherwise private information. If you have received this message in error, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Additionally, if you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and deleting it and all copies and backups thereof. Thank you.

IN SUPPORT OF THE TEA PARTY CONCEPT

I would like to enlighten POTUS, all politicians and especially, the Democratic (as well as any or all of those who consider the “tea party” insurgents or terrorists) about what is going on in the real world of the American people. Certainly, some of us are more acutely aware than others of what has been created, developed or permitted to evolve in this country. But, please take it from a real life senior citizen it is a mess out there!

I am not a member of the tea party (whatever membership in that organization involves) but I certainly subscribe to the validity of their complaints and support their motives. We all need to be on the street pointing out to all who can see and listen how truly “mismanaged” (the F word should have replaced truly but that might offend someone)we really are. It seems to me that an over educated group of mass ignorance is running our country. Did someone put something in the water that turned the masses into whimpering, blubbering idiots? Is it terrorism under the guise of intellectual superiority?

I am not sure whether our problems are a result of the “dumbing down” of our society or whether everyone is simply incompetent, over regulated or educated beyond their intelligence. Whatever the reason, it has become next to impossible to get anything done in any format that is, in any way, intimidated by the political scene. It is time that our elected officials wise up and listen to the voices of the tea party and others who are “mad as hell and not gonna take it any more”. We must confront the dreadful disease of incompetent malaise that is overcoming every facet of our daily lives. Contrary to what the Democratic Party (and those elected to office with similar views that I choose to call dirty liberal Republicans) would have us believe, the tea party is not the problem. Our elected officials (President, Congress and the political thought process that conceived them) are the problem.

My husband and I are 80 and 78 years old respectively. We have a home loan that we would like to repay but to do so, would create another tax burden as a 401K disbursement. In an apparent effort to be good stewards of our personal finances, we decided to take advantage of better loan rates that were offered to us by a home loan mortgage broker who offered us a desirable lower interest rate. Our existing company said they could give us the same rate with only an update of financial information provided to them just one year ago. Nothing of significance had changed since then so we elected to go with our existing company. We were not concerned, our credit rating is pristine. What problem could we have?

That was in June. In the ensuing months, we have had to provide documentation that we have never had to provide before in connection with any loan application and we have had many. They required details from my pension fund, a life insurance annuity in lifetime payout, pension data and term, proof and reason for every bank transfer, every financial transaction that we have entered into over the year, from whom it came, what it was for and why it was made) and the list goes on and on. For every delay, updates of previously submitted documents had to be provided until we have been inundated with paperwork and related costs and still the simple renewal has not closed.

We have become so disenchanted with the bank and what we have been through that we are considering canceling our loan and, once a new loan has been negotiated, we will move all of our business to another bank.

I understand the need for checks and balances. Certainly, if we had ever engaged in illegal activities or had a history of defrauding our business associates their concerns would be relevant. However, it is apparently not politically correct to check one person more thoroughly than another – so everyone must be treated as criminals?

We are told the increased scrutiny is as a result of new finance regulations. We understand that the new regulations were implemented because people did not do their job in the past. However, instead of enforcing the laws that existed or tightening the enforcement process, more rules and regulations were enacted to assure protection from the people who didn’t violate the previous laws. Really makes a lot of sense, don’t you think?

I personally feel that we are over regulated and micro managed to the point that we are left feeling like crooks. In the past only those with questionable credit and background were subjected to endless scrutiny into their personal affairs. During that process those people learned how to “beat the system”. Now, everyone is a crook until proven otherwise. Is this the change that we can believe in? Rather than enforce laws already on the books, our politicians want to micro manage with more laws, regulations and oversight. As a consequence nothing gets done and our country remains stagnant and without heart. People lose confidence, become depressed and we have a “Catch 22” syndrome. Let’s face it – laws are written to assure that the most jobs that can be created will be created to support the reason for more dysfunctional government. And in the process, dysfunction will kill the goose that lays the golden eggs just as unions and government regulations have contributed to companies removing their manufacturing overseas in order to be competitive Sort of makes you feel all warm and fuzzy about our future doesn't it?


It seems to me that the real terrorists are those we elected to serve as our representatives. It is time for all of us to take a good look at just who we are selecting to serve us both on the local, State and Federal level. We have earned our current mess but isn’t it time that we paid them back with what they deserve – defeat???

I know that I am old and that I tend to live in the past, but I remember when you went to your local banker who knew you, knew your family and knew first hand your personal business strengths and weakness. He could tell you face to face what he could and couldn’t do. He didn’t have to worry that you might sue him for one of the innumerable counts of “protectionism” that has been put on the books to curtail business and manage our affairs. In those days,my parents and perhaps, yours, stood on their own record and that was sufficient. No endless paperwork, no large staff of accountants, no team of lawyers and no review board to determine whether you were worthy of a companies trust. With our laws and the endless efforts by incompetent politician’s to help us avoid malfeasance, we no longer have a free society. We have a “free loading” society.

Why would any of us criticize the good citizens who are members of the tea party? They are exercising that in which they believe. If we don’t act now and change the way things are done, a mid-east spring may be in our future and it may be led by senior citizens like me who are simply fed up. We have a mess. Our laws are so confused, complicated and inept that we need to wipe the slate clean and start over with only the constitution as our guide.

Whatever is happening in our government today isn’t working. More power to the tea party, less power to our elected officials and perhaps, YOU need to remind them of just how fed up YOU are. Write your Senator, Congressman or woman, the President and every news bureau and let them know that you are FED UP AND NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANY MORE.

ROCKING CHAIR COMMENTARY

Perhaps the people who are protesting in Wisconsin should be introduced to the old fashioned paddle that my teacher used when I was a kid?

RIGHT OF DISSENT

During President George W. Bush's administration, the attacks on his
policies were never ending. It was alleged that President Bush was lacking
in IQ. (We learned after the Kerry-Bush campaign that Bush' college grades
equaled or exceeded John Kerry's, but the negative point had been made.).
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/columnist/benedetto/2005-06-10-benedetto_x.htm
August 10, 2005, Richard Benedeto wrote

While the general impression during the 2004 presidential campaign was that Democrat John Kerry was the intellectual superior to President Bush, it turns out that their grades
while undergraduate students at Yale were remarkably similar. In fact, Bush's were a tad higher. His four-year average was 77; Kerry's 76. Both were C students. Kerry graduated from Yale in 1966;Bush in 1968

President Bush was criticized for being a liar because no weapons of mass
destruction were found in Iraq, ridiculed for his lack of communication
skills and every mispronounced word was headlined. As a person who supported
the Bush presidency, I accepted these outbursts of dissatisfaction as
necessary to credibility. Dissent promotes an examination of truth.

Today, disagreements with the administration incites verbal attacks that
accuses those who dissent of flawed thoughts and inferior IQ. Dissent abuse
has become particularly loud against Sarah Palin and the tea party movement.
Intimidation of those who disagree with the preconceived ideas of elitist
is practiced freely. Both the verbal left and right seem to believe
that free speech should be limited to their speech. Personally, I am
offended by those who would attack dissenting views. My disdain is not
limited to those who may disagree with me. We do not have to agree with the
view of others, but good manners requires that we respect them. Dissent is
a two way street and should be equally cherished and protected by all.

Many of my friends do not share my political philosophy or my personal
values. They are not flawed. They see the world through a different prism.
They judge with a different yardstick. Because I know these people to be
good, well intentioned, compassionate and caring people, Irespect their concerns, ideas and beliefs. I may even agree with some of their concerns but I want to hear their reasons, their logic and explore their motives.Although I may disagree with them, they need to hear themselves make their own case. I have found that our positions can best be understood when we personally communicate them.
Sometimes the mere exchange of ideas causes us to glimpse the vulnerability
of our position. We need the insight that debate provides but that debate
needs to be logical, reasoned and spoke in a spirit of learning. I do not
want to be intimidated into accepting truth where truth does not exist.

The media should be asking the questions, probing the positions and
enlightening our understanding, but it does not. Thus, we must rely on
people who have the courage to ask the questions, suggest alternatives and explore
the possibilities. Free speech is key to survival for our way of life.

My mother who had only an elementary education had a favorite cliché that
she often shared with me. "THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SKIN A CAT". Today her simple cliché would undoubtedly raise an outcry from PETA (mind you, I do not recommend skinning a cat) but the phrase suggests there may be
alternatives. That, it seems to me, is an application for American
ingenuity. Those who think they have answers should welcome and
encourage debate and welcome authentication of their ideas. The debate of
ideas should be recognized as a combined exercise of free speech and a
search for wisdom. The Obama administration and its supporters should
welcome discussion and questions of their positions. In fact, shouldn't the
questions raised by those who site the dissenters as educationally
challenged take precedence for analysis and, thus, reveal the value of the concept and the soundness of its premise?

test

Testing for blogs via e mail

 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

I never cease to be amazed at the audacity of people who choose to believe that they have the right to say and do anything in defense of their positions, but that others should lie down, be quiet and abide by the will of others. Such is the State of our country and it is not a good State.

A PROPER RESPONSE TO ANOTHER INCOMPETENT BUREAUCRAT

 

Ms. Cindy Williams, Assistant Director for Natrional Security in the Congressional Budget office. wrote a piece for the Washington Times, denouncing the pay raise(s) coming service members' way this year. She stated that the 13% wage increase was more than they deserve.

A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a bonus for  this.


"Ms Williams: I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GIs earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account.   Checking my latest earnings statement I see that I make $1,117.80 before taxes per month. After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and  $10,490.40, after.

I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host computer network. I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment. A quick check under jobs for Network Technicians in the Washington, D.C. area reveals a position in my career field, requiring three years experience with my job.   Amazingly, this job does NOT pay  $13,413.60 a year. No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per  annum........... I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.

Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in her armed forces. Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN; I leave the choice of service branch up to you. Whatever choice you make, though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will  guarantee you the longest possible time away from your family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience."

As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet while the primary breadwinner is gone - obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the government has been giving  them.

Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving  are perennial favorites. And when you're actually over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night; and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE  (meal-ready- to-eat) you manage to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor.

Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't nearly be long enough or often enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it.  You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you present in your opened piece.

But, tomorrow  from KABUL , I will defend to the death your  right to say it.

You see, I am  an American fighting man, a guarantor of your  First Amendment rights and every other right you  cherish. On a daily basis, my brother and sister  soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people  like you can thumb your collective nose at us,  all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful  and under conditions that would make most people  cringe.  We hemorrhage our best and   brightest into the private sector because  we can't offer the stability and pay of civilian  companies.

And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve? You can kiss my royal red a**!!!  

A1C Michael  Bragg Hill AFB AFNCC

IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN.  THANK YOU No comments:

TRIP ITINERARY AND E MAIL CONTACT

Ken and I depart for Wales, Ireland and Scotland Thursday, October 15.  We plan to keep you updated on our experiences and adventures with regular blogs posted to patsgazette.com and we will monitor mail sent to pat@patsgazette.com.  If you wish you can direct your e mails to us from patsgazette.com.   

 

We request that you do not send any forwarded messages of non essential information to pat@patsgazette.com.  All forwarded mail or FYI enlightenment of political ,entertainment or commentary on the state of incompetence posed by the public in general should be sent to: korpburns@att.net or burns-kenneth@att.net. We look forward to catching up with the realitys posed by those gems of nonsense when we return but we hope to be too busy enjoying the countryside and sights of the United Kingdom to deal with the lighter side of life while on the road. 

 

Keep us in your thoughts as we wander  through the castles and see the countryside of the United Kingdom with a view predominately from the left (at least from the road!)

 

p

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANOTHER LETTER TO MY REPRESENTATIVES IN WASHINGTON DC

I am one of those irrational people against health care reform as it is presently known. I believe in the views and support the people who appeared at town hall meetings all over the country during the summer. Those people expressed their opposition to the current health care bill and their general distrust and discontent with their political representatives. In my opinion, they reflected the majority views of my age group and my sphere of friends. They were not remotely “turf”. They were frustrated individuals who want their representatives to listen to us to our views and act with wisdom and concern. They expressed my feelings and reflected my personal negative views on health care, the energy tax, tarp and the state of incompetence that you and your fellow representatives have practiced to date. We are fed up, frustrated and unable to stand quietly by while the current administration and its followers put nail after nail into the coffin of my beloved country.

I am a disgruntled constituent. I cannot believe that our elected representatives are voting on and passing legislation that they have neither read or understand. That absolutely “blows my mind”. Any politician who votes for a bill that they have not personally read and understand should be removed from office. We, the American people have an obligation to let you know that the current level of accrued debt and the out of control spending must be stopped. We cannot afford the bills that are being submitted, approved and passed. We are broke!!! My opposition has nothing to do with race, right wing extremism or whatever symbolic language that your latest focus group might label me. I believe that the current opposition is based on different visions, beliefs and commitments. It is time you listened to the other side and heard our plea. The opposition is not right on all matters. Neither are you!! I can assure you that I can hardly wait for next year’s elections because change is needed and badly in both parties.

I continue to hear that the opponents have no plan. I happen to like many of the amendments that the opposition has put forth and that have been rejected by the majority party. My major concerns for health care are as follows:

1. Let’s fix what is broken in our health care and gradually implement changes that will make a difference.
2. Whatever plan is ultimately agreed upon, it should also apply to every government worker, member of Congress and the vast governmental bureaucracy. If it isn’t good enough for the government, it isn’t good enough for our citizens.
3. All bills should be posted on the internet at least 72 hours before a vote is conducted;
4. No government plan. I believe firmly that once the government gets involved business will “opt out” of health care as a benefit. No matter what assurances you or the president or anyone in the government gives me, I believe this will happen;

These are but a few of my health care considerations, but I will not bore you with a detailed account because I am “worldly” enough to realize that you really don’t give a dam and that it is a hopeless effort on my part. I have written this only because I think I need to be on record, not that I think it will be read by the addressee in spite of what I expect will be your regular canned chain response with “focus group” phrases.

THE STATE OF OUR HYPROCRISY

Where is our honesty? Is there no commitment to justice or fairness? We give lip service to being a country run by the “rule of law”. This week, in an area where our forefathers fought for the principles of democracy and freedom, the political process stretched this premise to the limit. The State of Massachusetts passed a provision that permitted a sitting Governor to appoint a temporary Senator to replace the late Senator Ted Kennedy. This law was passed to directly contradict a law passed to deny a sitting Governor of an opposing political party that same right. When our politicians “stoop” deliberately and in full public view to act in this manner in open disregard for fairness and the people look on in approval why should ordinary American citizens take to seriously the “rule of law”? Have we no shame?

HEALTH CARE

 

A lot is being said about the necessity to pass health care now.  It seems to me that the most important thing is to get it right and rushing through a long drawn out version of legal nonsense that no one understands (including the authors) is a terrible disservice to the American people.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH DEBATE?

When I was a child our family gatherings were opportunities for family discussions and vigorous debates. After a family noon day meal,shared in close family unity, the conversation would turn from family orientation and family topics of mutual interest to politics and issues of the day. These discussions would be healthy, heated and varied. My older brothers and sisters disagreed on many issues not only among themselves but with my father, whose political positions were strong and well known to family, friends and enemies alike. The debates were lively. Though these discussions would not see the “light of day” in the halls of Congress or in any arena of decision making consequence, it helped everyone formulate their position, reaffirm or question his or her own belief and prepared them for the decisions that they would make at the ballot box. Most of all, we learned to respect that differences of opinion provides the roots to the freedoms that makes our country special. We learned at a young age to question, analyze and by doing so, we learned to make decisions based on merit as we saw it.

I am shocked that the Democratic left and the news media cannot and does not encourage this kind of expression of ideas. Oh, they might say that they certainly encourage family debate -- but what about public debate with their elected officials? That anyone should think that one man or one parties proposed solution should be above analysis and disagreement is beyond my comprehension. Yet that seems to me to be the message forthcoming from our President and his Administration. Although I am very concerned about the socialization of America that seems to be the intent of many of the ideas coming from the current administration, I am more afraid of the failure to accept debate as a necessary American reaction to political ideas. Further, the seeming lack of appreciation by the news media for the simple thought process of our citizens who disagree with the President and the administration is to me simply traumatic. Where is the basic root expression that our journalists and news media are supposed to research and dispense?

What has happened to our country when the President of the United States condemns disagreement and wants to stifle debate? When the President himself attacks a news media that dares express debate about current events, should we not be up in arms? I am shocked that every newsperson in our country is not concerned and condemning the President and his political cronies. Few are doing so and those who do, are condemned by Pelosi, Reed, Obama and their Democratic comrades who were elected to serve the citizens of our great country.

America – it is time we all woke up and recognized that the change that you thought you were getting is not change at all, it is a war on our American principles and the American dream. My mother, father and siblings have all passed away. They were life long Democrats and they surely must be turning over in their grave as the very spirit of our country has turned from one of individual responsibility to unearned dependence”. The party in whom my family placed their loyalty now empowers dependence on the Government and the principles and values that I learned at those family gatherings so long ago, are no longer applicable. I think that they, as religious, dedicated believers, would also be disappointed to know that their faith is under attack as well.

We need to wake up!!! We need to make our voices heard!!! And we need to just say NO to Obama’s plan to further burden us with his plan for a socialized America. And – in case you are wondering – I am not beholden to any lobbyist, insurance company or political party in any way. I am just a freedom loving American citizen who is scared for the plight of my country.

MR PRESIDENT ARE YOU MISGUIDED OR BIASED?

Mr. President you misspoke regarding the Cambridge incident and you should apologize to Sgt. Crowley, the American people and all reputable police organizations. You involved yourself in this matter and now you are accusing the news media of obsession with your remarks. They are doing their job. They are covering your friend's claim of racial profiling and you wrongly chose to get involved, without knowing the facts.

Would you want the police and/or the news media to avoid covering an incident that reflected true racial profiling? Once again, Mr. President, you are trying to control the news media. You have put your loyalty to a friend above your elected position. This is wrong. Mr. President you violated the trust of the American people. Your comments were not Presidential. Further they could even be called "stupid" a phrase that I believe you can appreciate.

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

AND THOSE IN WHOM WE HAVE PUT OUR TRUST
EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON?

Mr. President and Congressional Representatives: A mammoth budget breaking stimulus bill was passed earlier this year. Many of you admitted that you did not read the bill before you voted on it. The “Cap and Trade” bill, now languishing in the Senate, was similarly rushed through the House without proper review or analysis. Now Mr. President, you are demanding that Congress pass a health care bill by a date certain. Again, you are sitting the stage for passage of bills that have not been read, debated or properly vetted by the American citizens. In short, you are engaged in an effort to dupe the American public by keeping them unaware and uninformed of what is within the bills that are being passed by Congress and that you are signing into law. I feel like I am being “sold down the river” by you and those who are supporting your agenda, Democrat or Republican.

Mr. President you were elected on a platform for change. Change should herald improvement and progress. It needs to be debated openly, reviewed with due diligence, implemented with care and understood by those who must pay the bill. Its impact and cost must be justified. This is not happening. So far your programs not only seem ineffective in their overall provisions but they are a burden to our already crisis ridden economy and will burden our children for more than a lifetime. In my view, your vision and that of your Democratic controlled Congress is flawed and jeopardizes our freedom, independence and ability to engage in American ingenuity. Personally, I feel that I am surrounded by an incompetent and defunct political system that is supposed to protect my country and serve the best interests of all our citizens.

I wish to be on record as opposing passage of the “cap and trade” bill. Further, I am opposed to any health care program that has not been read by every person who votes on the bill and that has not had proper debate, analysis and review by those who would vote on it and the citizens who will pay for it. Mr. President, if education is so important to you, it is time you and our elected officials let the American people practice their reading skills. This seems to me to be “elementary” Mr. President.

I also believe that the final health care program and its provisions should apply to all members of the government and its hierarchy without prejudice. In short, whatever program that is available to you and all who serve in a government capacity, should be the same program that you and Congress has developed for me and my fellow citizens. . Only then will I feel that I may be getting a “fair shake” in the reorganization of our health care system. At least, I will feel that I am an equal.

In closing, I wish to advise you that I am fed up with your socialistic agenda. Further I sadly question your loyalty and that of the Democratic party to the America that I love. The country of your vision is not the country that my parents taught me to believe in. They and my family were life long Democrats. My heart cries out for them and that in which they believed.

GOVERNOR MARK SANFORD - HEEL EXTRAORDINAIRE

It is painful to watch our politicians fail so hopelessly. Governor Sanford comes to mind as the latest disappointment along with Senator John Ensign and before them, there have been a “slew” of politicians and people in high places who have fallen victims to what seems to be misplaced testosterone.

Let’s review. – Stories abound of the endless escapades of the Kennedys, starting with the patriarch, Joe, President John, Senator Bobby and last but not least, Senator Teddy. This was the family commonly thought to be highly endowed with liberal intellect on whose word we all clung shamelessly. In fact, they may have been a shade above the rest of us in charisma but common sense, principles, values and simple commitment were not well represented in their character. They all brought pain and suffering to their spouses.

Let us not forget the many rumors of “interests” by other persons of high repute i.e., Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower and who can forget the most notable of recent fame, Bill Clinton? Were there others? -- Certainly, notably Thomas Jefferson and wasn’t Benjamin Franklin accused of having a roving eye? Of course, no one can forget Prince Charles and his former paramour and now wife or the myriad of similar stories from other countries that abound. Unlike we Americans, many other countries throughout the World see the issues relating to illicit sex as nothing more than the “expected antics from an ‘old boys network’” that is alive and well. However, in addition to the recent tearful expressions of contrition by Senator Ensign and Governor Sanford, there is the prior conduct of fellow politicians such as Gary Hart, John Edwards, Elliott Spitzer, Larry Craig, Mark Foley, David Vitter to name those of fairly recent reporting As far as I can tell, the stories of adultery seem evenly distributed between Republicans and Democrats. I suppose that we can assume that simple stupidity and an over engaged sexual magnetism by deprived egos seeking satisfaction outside the parameters of accepted values is not limited to one party or another.

This is a long list of philanders, but I feel sure that these are just the “tip of the iceberg”. How many people have committed similar acts and seemingly “got away with it” or simply ended an existing relationship by means of divorce and moved on? In today’s world there is hardly a family that is the product of one marriage but increasingly, there is the current spouse, the ex spouse and sometimes several ex’s both male and female. There are his children, her children and their children. Who knows, maybe there are also the “unnamed children”? There are the spouses, mates, friends and “significant others”. What will we think of next? In fact, maybe we will embrace the mid east stereotype of several wives?

Unspoken for the most part, are the many examples of women who are guilty of the same acts of adultery as those herein outlined. In short, our society today is filled with unkept promises, unfaithfulness, lack of principle and no moral character. Increasingly in today’s society women are “opting out of marriages” on their own. Just a few years ago women were stuck in bad marriages and thought that they had no alternative to “making do” with what they had. Today, they are electing to end a “bad marriage” and are insisting that husbands share not only the responsibility for support but also share equally in the day to day events of child rearing. Good for them!!!

I was deeply impressed with Jenny Sanford’s response to her husband’s infidelity. She did not attempt hypocrisy by standing beside her husband while he made excuses for his “love story”. She rightly left him to turn in the heat from the “fire pit” that he, personally, had stoked.

His comments have served only to reassert the degree of his total selfishness and his lack of love or caring for his wife or the children he sired. He is a man who I would judge as having been on the receiving end of total unselfish and devoted love. A wife who gave up her career, abandoned her pivotal role in a life style of comfort and security, moved to South Carolina to be a wife, mother and political partner and who worked endlessly to help him achieve his ambitions. He has repaid her with his uncomplimentary remarks about his “love story” for another. In my judgment, this is not a love story. It is the height of selfishness and ego? If there is a love story here – it is not Mark Sanford’s. It is Jenny Sanford’s traditional commitment to her mate, family values, devotion to duty and belief in the potential and future of “her man” who, in the end, completely abandoned her in an act of selfish ego.

I hope that Jenny Sanford throws the beast out and accepts that the husband she loved and did everything for has fallen in love with another. In the process he handed his wife and his children the deepest humiliation that a husband and father can give those who unselfishly loved and trusted him. He discarded any symbolic expression that might otherwise have suggested that he ever was a responsible husband, father or person of family values. Only Mrs. Sanford can decide what is right for her and her children. In my opinion Mark Sanford should be put on the next ship to Argentina where he might live ever after with his paramour and write his great “love story”. It will undoubtedly be a mythical vision of an enlarged organ that briefly replaced his brain.