Jimmy Bonz; Old school thoughts on current events motorcyles, pets and women

Thin human herds not animals

2012-01-23T13:51:00.000-08:00

Why do we always have to thin out animal herds in their own area? Humans are the ones causing the problem by constantly reproducing when there aren’t enough natural resources to support more humans. We are the ones destroying the environment not the animals!

Don’t you think it’s time to start thinking quality rather than quantity for human life? My living will and health care proxy clearly states if I am paralyzed, in a permanent vegetative state and so on can’t feed myself (the big A) pull the plug. Living like that is not life, in my mind it is hell on earth!

Oh can one of you Christians out there who believes in and praises heaven as fantastic beautiful and the best there explain why you and your religion want to keep alive a loved one who is clearly not living a true life but rather just kept alive on machines? I think that’s cruel and inhuman, but what do you expect of a religion that treats women as second class?

Government job titles

2012-01-13T15:18:00.000-08:00

American politicians have become increasingly confused about their jobs and powers in recent years. Perhaps this could help straighten out the confusion, look at the job titles; President, Vice-President, Senator, Congressman all these titles are followed by, “The United States of America”. The titles are not followed by “The World” though they seem to think so.

Our politicians have lost their way, they have forgotten the sacred trust they inherited from those who came before and that simply is, the protection and betterment of the United States of America and her legal citizens called Americans. They are not responsible for bettering the quality of life or the governing any other nation. Especially, when the bettering of the other nation lowers the quality of life for Americans.

They have forgotten that in a republic the government derives its powers from the people. Its job is to serve the people it is not the people’s job to serve the government.

It is time to vote out all the politicians who think their title ends in “The World” and elect officials who understand the title ends in “the United States of America”. People who understand the legacy left them by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and the like who envisioned not a ruling elite class of politicians but rather common men coming together for a short period not a career to best help govern their friends and countrymen to make and keep America free and the best country in the world.

I'm Tired

2011-11-05T05:54:00.000-07:00

I’m tired of hearing about the rights of illegal aliens who have no right to be here.

I’m tired of hearing about the rights of prisoners who are incarcerated because they violated the rights of others.

I’m tired of hearing about the rights of welfare recipients who never contributed to society yet expect society to take care of them.

I’m tired of the rights of politicians to receive retirement from an elected position and better health care and pay then the average taxpayer.

I’m tired of my tax dollars going to other countries when they should take care of themselves.

I’m tired of America playing the world’s policeman and wasting the lives of American youths and tax dollars with no benefit to America.

Now I have questions.

When did I and tens of millions of taxpayers lose the right to keep the money we earn?

When did I and tens of millions of taxpayers lose the right to better ourselves and our families financially and materially?

When?

America was built on the American dream of building a better and more comfortable life for ourselves and our families through hard work, when did that change? Maybe when people who were too lazy to work for themselves started electing politicians who would steal from the working taxpayers under the guise of taxes and give it to themselves and the lazy? I read that one major sign of the death of a great nation/civilization was when people started voting themselves money. I think we’re there.

What incentive do I or any taxpayer have to work harder, more hours, go for a promotion anything that we use to do in the past to better ourselves? None, not when all that will happen is more money will be taken out of our pay to better the lives of those I mentioned earlier. What inventions are being lost, what great strides in life are not happening all because people who are lazy feel they are entitled to the same lifestyle as people who work for what they want and they keep electing politicians who take from the workers and give to the shiftless.

This needs to stop or America is dead.

Save Halloween

2011-10-25T14:15:00.000-07:00

In regards to Rep Tim Larson (d) suggestion to enact a law mandating Halloween be celebrated on the last Sat in the month of Oct rather than the 31st of October as has been for centuries I have one question? When was the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution repealed?

This is the amendment that allows freedom of religion and the separation of church and state. I guess what Mr. Larson didn’t know was that Halloween is Samhain (pronounced Soween) and is a Holy day in the Wiccan religion. Wicca is a legally recognized religion in the US so to my understanding it would be protected by the Constitution. His suggestion is the same as suggesting Christmas be held on the 3rd Sunday in Dec.

The other interesting point is that the press also protected in this same amendment did not raise a hue and cry, but rather asked what people thought. I’ll grant they were probably not aware of the religious significance of Samhain/Halloween.

Unless the 1st Amendment is repealed this law can not be, since it is unconstitutional from the beginning.

I would strongly suggest the media pay more attention to the different laws that are proposed since a change in the 1st Amendment could adversely affect them.

RIP American dream

2011-09-16T13:30:00.001-07:00

The American Dream has died. It did not die a natural death it was murdered. It was murdered not by a terrorist organization or foreign government, Al Qaeda did not cause its demise. It was murdered by the people whose job was to protect it, the elected public servants in the American Congress. The men and women who swore an oath to protect and defend America and its citizens failed to uphold that oath. They gave away American jobs to foreign countries. They allowed corporations to form "almost" monopolies that drove American mom & pop stores and businesses across the country out of business. They allow oil speculators and monopolistic American and foreign oil companies to destroy the American economy. They waste trillions of American tax dollars in wars in foreign countries that have no benefit to the American taxpayer. They give trillions of tax dollars and medical aid to illegal immigrants. Yet nothing is done to help the Americans who have worked their whole lives and contributed to America and Social Security. There is no raise for Social Security recipients no help with medical, no help with mortgages or rent.

They give themselves raises and the best medical in the world for life as well as a retirement from one term in office. The taxpayers who pay for this need to work for decades to hopefully be able to retire.

It is time to vote them all out of office. When the government ignores the Constitution and the needs and the desires of American citizens the Declaration of Independence guides us in what we need to do.
It is time to resurrect the American Dream, to vote in people who will "provide new Guards for their future security". It is time to end unjust taxation with questionable representation it is 1776 again. It is time to put in term limits, end their retirement and medical, set their pay and medical to that of an average American. We need to elect public servants who will pass laws that will protect America and make her great again.

End Foreign Aid

2011-07-11T05:45:00.001-07:00

These questions are mainly directed at Senator Lieberman since he is leading the charge to change Social Security in a way that hurts the American Taxpayers who have contributed to it all their lives. It still is answerable by all our other elected federal officials.

Senator Lieberman you took an oath as did I when I enlisted and part of that oath read "to support and defend the Constitution". The Constitution referred to is the Constitution of the United States of America not that of some foreign government/country.

With that in mind why is it that the American Taxpayer takes it on the chin in every "debt reduction plan"? Why does foreign aid both military and humanitarian not take the hit? Why should we continue to pay and support the lifestyles of other countries at the expense of American Taxpayers? I say that before Social Security or any other benefit to American Taxpayers such as Medicare is cut or detrimentally changed to the American Taxpayers who have funded it all Foreign Aid must be stopped. All benefits to illegal aliens must be stopped their governments should be billed for any services they receive from American taxpayers. All subsidizes to business must be stopped because that is Socialism.

I also see no change in the benefits our ruling elite receive from an elected position. Which leads to another question why should they receive any retirement benefits from an elected position? This should be ended.

Would any member of our elected ruling elite care to address these questions?

Honest Negotitations

2011-05-13T10:20:00.001-07:00

While I feel we have too many laws in Connecticut and for that matter the U.S. as whole I would like to suggest one more.

It is one simple law that I feel would bring us close to true transparency in government and actually lower spending.

The law should read "In any contract entered into by the government of the state of CT with a value of more than $1000.00 with any entity from an individual to a multinational corporation including but not limited to LLCs, public unions, binding arbitration, personal employment contracts, subcontractors for any publicly financed job or project, all negotiations, all documents, all agreements, conversations, anything and everything that that was part of the awarding of the contract, the union benefits, the binding arbitration etc. must be completely 100% open to the taxpayers/citizens of CT. No negotiations maybe done behind closed doors. In fact all union negotiations, binding arbitration and personal employment contracts must be televised the same as what is done with the General Assembly."

We the taxpayers of CT are paying the bills yet as shown by the current and most past administrations our wants and desires are ignored by the very people we elected to protect our wants and desires. I believe this law would help bring true representation of the taxpayer's best interests.

In 1776 Americans fought a war against taxation without representation. It is now time to stand up too "Unjust Taxation with Questionable Representation". This law and paying close attention to the voting habits of your elected representative is what is required of the taxpayers. To see whether or not they actually support what is best and right for the taxpaying citizens of CT, if they do re-elect them. If they just let public unions and other special interest groups bankrupt us individually and as a state vote them out and replace them with people who will do what is best and right for the taxpaying citizens of CT, not the special interest groups.

Ban Political Correctness

2011-05-06T15:42:00.001-07:00

Political Correctness is just censorship and the taking away of our First Amendment right of Free Speech. Time to start speaking freely and if people's feelings get hurt so what, they can grow up. What is America now "Land of the Wimps and Home of the Cowards" giving up freedom for questionable safety is cowardice.

2011-04-22T06:15:00.001-07:00

The silent media.

I have a question for the media, why the silence on the exorbitant gas prices?

The media rants and raves about Charlie Sheen and the like. The media screams First Amendment when anyone tries to stop them talking about something they want to report on. So why the silence on the gas prices that are destroying America? Why do we just hear "experts say the price may climb to $XXX"? Who are the so called experts? The speculators who are driving the price up out of pure greed? Why isn't the media demanding the government step in? The government sets the prices for electricity and many other things including minimum pricing for cigarettes and liquor. They tell farmers what they can sell their wheat/grain for. Why don't they tie the price of wheat/grain to that of oil?

Why the silent media? The founding fathers put the First Amendment in the Constitution to protect the citizens from the government by insuring the press could report the truth of what is going on. By insuring the press would be the true voice of the people. What I'm seeing is that the press has now become nothing more than the voice of the government and big business. Who are the parent companies of most media outlets? Multinational corporations? Do they have America's best interest at heart? I don't think so. Our government is selling our lives down the river and the media instead of using the First Amendment as the Founding Father hoped they would to defend American citizens is supporting the subjugation of America by their silence.

"When they came for the Jews I said nothing, when they came for the Gypsies I said nothing, when they came for the Christians I said nothing and so when they came for me there was no one left to say anything."

So I ask again why the silent media?

Gas prices destroying America

2011-04-16T14:48:00.001-07:00

I have some questions starting with why are gas prices so high? Answer is probably pure greed by speculators. Next why doesn't the government step in and regulate this? They regulate electric rates along with many other things so why not oil speculators? Aren't our elected public servants suppose to have taxpaying American's best interests at heart? If so why are they allowing speculators to destroy America? Call write or email you representatives immediately and demand they do something before your kid's future is gone. One more thing why isn't the media screaming? They scream about everything else why are they silent and just accepting this?

If you believe we are being gouged and America is being destroyed by the inaction of our elected officials please pass on this email to everyone on your list. Or if you're reading this on Facebook please repost. Let's save America.

Jim (Bonz) Neilson

They need lives

2011-03-25T13:36:00.001-07:00

Wow on the way to work I heard some DJ say something about a group of people whose lifelong ambition was to be a "Reality Show Contestant" OMG If that is the most someone can aspire to and other people think it's a good thing what does that say about this culture?

When I was growing up people wanted to the usual doctor, teacher, baseball player rock star, real occupations I felt there was hope for the world. Reality show contestant!!! Now I'm hoping the world ends quickly and painlessly.

Subsidizing = Socialist

2011-03-21T14:14:00.001-07:00

All I've heard from Gov. Malloy is raise taxes. Some murmurs of spending cuts however apparently nothing of substance otherwise there would no talk of tax increases. In addition worse than increases he wants to tax things that were never taxed before.

He wants to bring back tolls. Why? When we purchase a vehicle we pay sales tax, then we pay yearly property taxes, add in another state tax under the guise of vehicle registration, having to pay for a driver license and let's not forget the sales tax state and federal for gas. Why should we now have to pay more to live the American dream?

Here is an idea stop subsidizing bus and rail transport. Why should the taxes of people who drive their own vehicles go up so that people who ride the bus and train don't have to pay the true cost to operate the systems?

I think it's about time the government stops subsidizing programs and not just bus and rail. I'm sure we the taxpayers could come up with a list of subsidized programs that if cut most if not all taxes would not have to be increased and possibly the income tax could be repealed. Having the people who use the service pay for it in full seems to me to be a fair and equitable solution. Having taxpayers who rarely if ever use a system pay for it seems to be what a socialist government would want.

Bonz

Illegal is Illegal

2011-03-16T13:53:00.001-07:00

Very simply put if something is illegal it is illegal so why are our elected servants trying to give our tax dollars away to allow illegal immigrants reduced tuition to go to college?

They are ILLEGAL they are not suppose to be in this country let alone getting benefits from the already broken backs of taxpayers.

Why should an illegal get a break when a taxpayer has to go into debt to put his legal American kids through college? Oh and don't forget his taxes will go up to put the illegal's through college while he goes broke. Great country America I guess unless you're a taxpaying citizen then all you do is get screwed.

Both sets of my grandparents came through Ellis Island legally if you can't be bothered to do that you should be put on the next plane back to your home country, that is due process. You are here illegally you are deported the minute you are picked up it's over and done and we'll charge you home country with the flight and any benefits medical or otherwise you stole from the American Taxpayer and let them deal with you. And make no mistake if you are illegal and you get services reserved for legal taxpaying citizens you are a thief and guilty of theft.

Oh wow if we throw all the illegal's out who is going to vote for Destefano, Malloy, Finch or obama? Maybe we'd get America run by Americans back.

Right to Free Speech

2011-03-03T14:46:00.001-08:00

The Supreme Court upheld the First Amendment the right of free speech. To me that is a good thing. What I was taught in school is that no matter how abhorrent what you are saying is to me I should fight and defend your right to say it, because if they take that right from you how long until they start telling me what I can and can't say.

I totally disagree with and cannot stomach the evil twisted "Christians and Christian church" that sanctions such hate and evil, yet I'm glad the Supreme Court up held their right so now the public can see them as the sick, evil twisted people they are.

Maybe now we will get away from censoring books and plays because they use words that today do not fit under the censorship that goes under the guise of political correctness. And that is all that political correctness is censorship. Pretty soon under PC 9/11 will just be a figment of Americas twisted mind the same as the Holocaust is just the fantasy of the Jews. PC is bad because people hide behind it, or it promotes backstabbing because people keep their true feelings hidden and no one knows who is a true friend or not. Back when I grew up you knew who didn't like certain races or ethnic backgrounds so you knew who was who the real person not someone hiding behind a PC mask. PC is censorship stopping a play or a movie or banning a book is censorship no matter how abhorrent the content. Let people read, see and hear everything and make up their own minds, that is the only way racial and ethnic harmony will be achieved if it ever will be, all laws do is force racism underground where it festers until it explodes.

You’re gonna die

2011-02-09T16:09:00.001-08:00

You're gonna die. Yeah believe it or not whether you eat only whole grain never use sugar and are never exposed to second or even 5^th hand smoke you are gonna die the same as the person who eats trans fats, sugar and smokes tobacco . The person eating the "evil" food and smoking may die a little sooner or maybe not. I think they'll enjoy their life more by doing what they enjoy. No one gets out alive no matter what the health and safety Nazis say and seem to think. Let them live(?) their lives the way they want but stay out of mine, I want to live, enjoy and experience life. I read a short story once back in the 60's it was about some guy who was pretty messed up after the war of 1812 and 7 doctors told him he had a year to live, he out lived 6 of them and the 7^th was going downhill pretty quick he said. But his moral was too many people are so worried about dying they go thru life with one foot in the grave because they're so scared they never really live so when they die it's no big deal just putting the other foot in. He believed in living life to the fullest then dying and being done with it. Or as a friend of mine says

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, poles in one hand, beer in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "Holy Shit, What a Run!""

So to all you safety and health Nazis out there and that's what you are Nazis you want to impose your will and fear of life on others leave me and those like me alone. Don't eat the evil food that's your right but don't make me live on your diet and fears that's not your right. This use to be the home of the free and the brave thanks to the safety and health Nazis it is now the land of the cowards and wimps.

Taxes

2011-02-07T14:18:00.001-08:00

I have a question for our elected officials. Connecticut has an income tax, sales taxes, business taxes, gas taxes, professional license fees, drivers license fees, transfer taxes, death taxes, motor vehicle fees, to name a few of the revenue sources that feed the insatiable financial appetite of the government. Yet it is not sated, so it has a gambling operation called the Lotto and all its games but still not enough money, so for desert the insatiable beast collects money from the casinos. Can you imagine how high our taxes would be without these sources? You would think a fiscally responsible government having the Lotto and the casino income would eliminate either the income or sales tax.

With all this revenue how can any elected public servant ask the overburdened taxpayers of CT for another penny in taxes?

Due to increases in day to day living I have had to trim my home budget. Why should the government not have to do the same? Elected public servants are in positions of trust to do the best they can for the taxpaying citizens of the state. So how can they justify any increase in government taxes or spending? Yet all I hear is we have to raise this or that tax. How about NO INCREASES! Cut expenditures, just as every taxpayer has had to. Why should we the citizens always have to give up our part of the American Dream to satisfy the insatiable hunger of a government that was put in place to serve and protect us?

Any politician care to answer this?

Maybe again???

2010-07-05T14:45:00.001-07:00

Very true in 1776. Very true in 2010. It appears those trusted with the governing of this great nation seems to have forgotten they owe their allegiance to American Citizens, not illegal immigrants, not multi-national corporations, not to have Americans die for other countries no! Their job is to protect American Citizens and to insure the very rights that are laid out in the Declaration of Independence are there for this generation as well as subsequent generations.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." --Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

Elected pensions

2010-06-29T15:37:00.001-07:00

The AG is trying to take away Perez's pension.

My question is;

Why should any elected official receive a pension no matter how many or how few terms they serve? Another is why any government employee should receive a pension funded by taxpayers when most taxpayers have to have their own 401K. Why should government officials and employees have better pay retirement and benefits than the poor taxpayers that have to pay for it.

Go back to the elected ones.. It's their choice to seek that office. I don't believe our founding fathers expected people milking the taxpayers for years upon years or turning an elected office into a career. It's disgusting. I think the idea behind elected office was to bring in new blood and ideas every election or every other not this job for life. I believe in the federal system and it appears in Hartford's too that one term gets you a pension. Many people worked over 50 year and are barely holding on. Yet the same people who ruined social security and tax us into bankruptcy live high on the hog while in office and the same way once they're out all on the taxpayers dime.

Time to vote them all out and institute in their place such safeguards as we deem necessary for the survival of America which definitely means doing away with retirement for any elected position.

Defense attorneys.

2010-06-09T14:31:00.001-07:00

Do defense attorneys go too far in defending the guilty? Not in protecting their rights which are the defense attorney's job but in attacking the victims?

Do defendants have more rights than victims?

Do victims get the short end of the stick?

Should laws be written that the government not insurance companies or families will pay all medical bills, including any mental health needs they may need that relate to the crime as well as all funeral expenses if need be? I mean why not? If the criminal is convicted all their medical and mental issues are being paid for by the taxpayers, hell we even pay to heal them to put them on trial.

Socialism/Communism

2010-05-31T07:33:00.001-07:00

If socialism/communism is a better form of government then the capitalistic form we have in the United States of America, why do average citizens of countries such as Cuba and the former USSR, China and many other nations risk everything and their lives to get here?

I'm sure for the ruling elite of those countries it is an excellent form of government. They squash free speech, dissension, independence, the ability to make a better life for yourself and your family all to keep themselves in power. Sound familiar? Look at the main players in our government today. The majority are millionaires. The majority are in favor of any legislation that takes the power of governing the people out of the hands of the people and putting it in their hands. What happened to "a government by the people, for the people and of the people"?

Can any supporter of the current trend in America explain to me and perhaps millions of other Americans why the form of government (less intrusion in personal lives) the belief in a Christian God, a capitalistic form of business that together have created the greatest nation in the history of the world. A nation that took in legal immigrants from all countries, a nation that holds freedom to worship the religion of your choice an inalienable right, a business climate that lead to some if not most of the greatest discoveries and technological advances in history should be destroyed?

I don't believe it can be explained.

I think what we have is a self perceived elite class of politicians who have forgotten they derive their power from the people and do nothing more than enact laws and regulations to perpetuate their dominance over American citizens. It is time for Americans who believe in America to take back our country, to hold accountable those politicians who do not respect, honor, follow and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and vote them out of office in November and to paraphrase the Declaration of Independence "put in their place such people who will respect, honor, follow, and defend the Constitution" there-by bringing back the free America countless millions have died and are dying to defend.

Disgusting Insurance Practice

2010-05-08T08:21:00.001-07:00

Heard something interesting from my agent for my bike. It appears that in the next 15 months or so if you don't use the internet and email to receive all your policy info and to pay your bill electronically you will be put in the CT Assigned Risk Pool. Not because of your driving history but how you pay your bills. It appears checks and receiving mail is not approved by the insurance industry.

As of now this is suppose to only affect the "recreational vehicles" motorcycles, ATVs, boats stuff like that. How long do you think it will be before the insurance companies force you to do that for your car? I mean to pay an "Assigned Risk" rate like a drunk driver, or an accident prone person just because you want to write checks? Disgusting and if our legislature lets this happen well fill in the blank on what should happen to them.

Oh yeah those of you who don't insure recreational vehicles sit back and say it won't happen to me just watch. And what happens when seniors who are on fixed incomes have their rates doubled or tripled because they are not computer savvy.

The media should jump all over this, as well as all of you.

2010-04-20T12:54:00.001-07:00

OMG I was looking at the TV guide channel and here is this advertisement for that Paris Hilton idiot to buy herself a British Best Friend.

I feel like Rip van Winkle. It seems I took a nap and when I woke up they had a whole new section in the dept store, a "BUY A FRIEND DEPT" again OMG. When I was growing up and still now in my life and the people I deal with, you don't buy friends you make them with trust, caring and love. You enjoy spending time with them for who they are not what they can buy you.
Then the put this on TV and the kids grow up thinking you have to buy friends, it's the material things that matter, that other moronic show I see advertised Gene Simmons just the ads are disgusting it's all about greed and materialistic behavior.

And people wonder why kids turn to drugs, risky sex and behavior or kill themselves. Look at the role models they have. Useless pieces of junk whose claim to fame is what? It sure isn't any of the virtues of life. They sure don't exemplify any goods behaviors it's all selfish and greed.

Glad I'm my age. I shudder when I think of what the generation that will follow these teenagers will be.

ZPG

2010-04-09T14:30:00.001-07:00

Zero Population Growth. Haven't heard much about that in awhile. I wonder why that is, maybe it had it's 15 minutes of fame I don't know.

What brought it to the fore front in my mind was an article in the April edition of the National Geographic about water.

It seems ( and I may be off a % point or 2 I'm doing this from memory) that 97.5% of the water on the earth is salty and not fit for human consumption, out of the remaining 2.5% a tad over 1.5% is locked up in snow and ice leaving only 1% of the water on earth for human and animal consumption. That's not a lot of water.

Another fact that was mentioned was that we are adding 83 million humans to the planet per year. To me this is a recipe for global disaster.

The earth is a finite sphere it only has so much land, water and air it can only support so many beings. I think it is closely reaching it's maximum limit if we are not already there. It could just take the straw that broke the camels back and life as we know it is over.

And we caused this problem. How? By healing too many diseases, by keeping people alive on machines and wasting precious irreplaceable resources, by refusing to accept the fact that we were born to die and not live forever. Mother nature gave us a certain life span that through out history kept the planet and it's inhabitants healthy. Now we have screwed that up. In our arrogance and science we have gone up against mother nature's plan and we had better watch out. Look at the abnormal weather patterns, the new diseases that are popping up. We have no one to blame but ourselves.

I have no answer to this and I don't think there is one, we crossed onto to the slippery slope of over population awhile back and the only question in my mind is how long of a slide do we have until total extinction? I don't think too long. I know people say science will save us, science caused this. What do you think caused the potato famine in Ireland, science is what hybrid potatoes that were all acceptable to the same blights and on and on.

I could say more but I'd like to hear other thoughts before extinction hits.

Stupid government

2010-03-09T14:40:00.001-08:00

The fact the government is run by morons with no feeling for the American taxpayer goes without saying, however I love to say it to remind myself and others.

They have now reached a new low in stupidity and waste of taxpayers dollars.

In my mail this afternoon was an envelope from the census bureau, I thought OK I'll fill it out and send it back get it out of the way. I opened it and didn't see a return envelope than I read it. It was just a letter telling me that next week my census form was coming and to fill it out and mail it back.

Let's see, newspaper ads, TV ads, radio ads, and a form coming in the mail that says you have to fill this out and send it back. I guess who ever the brain dead moron was who thought up this mailing thought he was dealing with government employees who couldn't figure out what to do with the census form with out a letter first. Oh yeah and he probably got a bonus for the monthly government contest of "Stupidest ways to waste tax dollars". And they get better benefits than us, they'll probably get paid to fill out the form because it's "government work" who knows maybe even OT.

I wish I could say I am totally amazed but I'm not I'm just wondering what the next stupid moronic thing the government will do to top this.

Oh yeah it's printed in different languages.

Bring back America

2010-02-27T04:03:00.001-08:00

"Industry is increased, commodities are multiplied, agriculture and manufacturers flourish: and herein consists the true wealth and prosperity of a state." --Alexander Hamilton, Report on a National Bank, 1790

Can anyone remember when an American administration republican or democrat cared more for maintaining jobs or pride in America what the above quote says than it did for giving it away and building up some other nation?

Herein is a problem for some reason American governmental officials feel what? Embarrassed that America was the greatest, most innovative/inventive country in the world and destroyed it by giving it all away.

Try to import into Brazil it's very tough, and our goods are highly dutied, yet anything coming from Brazil comes in with little to no duty they have most favored nation status. Also if you do not sign your commercial invoice in blue they fine you $2500 US. This is just one example I see everyday of why we are going down the tubes. Last year it took 10 weeks to get permission of the Chinese government to send in a $1600 warranty replacement motor because they had to insure that a replacement made in China wouldn't work or that the EXACT motor wasn't made in China. You see China won't let you import machinery that they manufacture there. Yet tell them we're going to slap duties on their equipment and it's unfair trade and the cowards and traitors running the American government bow to them. Totally disgusting. We should put duty and VAT on all imports to the US that mirror the duty and VAT the country the imports are coming from put on US goods that make them more expensive than the home made goods.

It's time to protect America and the American worker and if other countries standards of living don't equal our that's their problem have their government figure it out. It's not the American Taxpayers job to feed and cloth the world.

Thank you MA voters

2010-01-20T02:32:00.001-08:00

Yes THANK YOU MA voters for standing up for America. Thanks for taking a good hard look at what is ruining this great country which is obama, pelosi the racist reid and their ilk and saying no more we are taking back our country. The evil kennedy hold on MA is broken and with it the evil spell the obamanation had on America. YES it is a great day again for America. I foresee obama being impeached or forced to resign in disgrace before his term is up.

America real mom & pop hard working America doesn't tolerate Chicago thug politics, behind the scene buyout of the unions not to mention the illegal activities of ACORN nor do they sanction Czars like van jones and the are starting to speak again.

If you want to say anything good has come out of the obamanation administration it is that it has galvanized middle America, it has woken it from it's apathy and the silent majority is saying NO MORE. We want America for Americans not illegals, not socialist not communists but capitalist hard working Americans.

One Big Appalling Mistake America has the first big hole in the dam and it is about to burst no repair possible.

Who is it OK to offend?

2009-12-03T14:19:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas, Happy Yule, Happy Ramadan Hanukah, Kwanza whatever your holiday is.

My question is who feelings are more important?

Someone who was brought up to believe in Christmas and has brought their children up the same way now all of a sudden is not allowed to acknowledge or celebrate Christmas in a school because it may offend someone else. Did anyone consider not allowing people to celebrate or acknowledge their holiday offends them? Whose feelings are more important. Remember whether people want to admit it Christmas has been openly celebrated in American school and government since 1776 and now it is not. Why not?

Whether or not people want to acknowledge it this country was Christian based with a openness and an acceptance of all other religions. If it wasn't for the tolerance practiced by the Christians, none of these other religions would be allowed to practice openly in America and now these religions want to shut down or hurt the Christians? These other religions should be thankful that the Christians have allowed them to come here and practice and have not oppressed them as other countries have. They should do well to remember they came to this country for religious freedom and were given it so why are they trying to take away the religious freedom of the people who gave them their freedom?

Other religious groups are not in any way shape or form prohibited from celebrating or acknowledging their holidays why should Christians be?

How can celebrating Christmas offend Jews, Muslims or Blacks aren't these other religions taught tolerance and understanding?

So again who is it alright to offend and who isn't it? It's ok to offend Christians but not other religions why?

Just for the record I belong to no religious sect, group or practice I'm just asking why is always ok to offend certain people but not others. Yes you could take this into the race area of America also.

__________________

Boycott self service checkouts.

2009-11-14T08:12:00.001-08:00

As much as I enjoyed using the self service check out at the few big box stores I shop in, after thinking about it I stopped doing it. All that self service checkout does is depersonalize more of our lives and it increases the bottom line of the greedy bean counters at the expense of a human to be able to earn a paycheck and feel like a contributing member of society, I am not discussing the pay scale just the fact of how working helps build ones self esteem. So I go to a check out line with a human being, and if they ask me why I say the job I may save maybe mine someday because as long as people are employeed they can and will buy goods and services so my job depends on others buying things.

I can't understand the thinking of bean counters and greedy CEO's if you keep replacing human workers with machines who is going to have the money to buy your product or service?

So BOYCOTT SELF SERVICE CHECKOUT LINES.

Liberal media

2009-09-23T02:55:00.001-07:00

Wow, as Eldridge Cleaver said "Too much agreement spoils a chat".

It seems to be an obama love fest out here. All the ostriches (liberal media) with their heads in the ground ignoring the resignation of van jones, and the Acorn (they should and probably will go after them under RICCO) scandal what will be next? The resignation or impeachment of obama? YES!!!! If there is a god and he truly cares about America it will happen soon.

Now the NEA is involved with anti American programs and it's run by someone with a strong tie to obama.

Well the way things are going Glenn Beck and Fox news will go down in history as the saviors of America.

By the way I'll ask again, where are Jackson and Sharpton? Why aren't they out there supporting obama?

Where are Sharpton and Jackson?

2009-08-30T06:08:00.001-07:00

Where are Sharpton and Jackson? Have they broken with obama? Here are 2 Americans and their followers who have fought for decades for an America they feel should be there. They fought against racism and in the minds of some they were racists in their own right, but through it all they supported the American dream. The dream that let everyone, have a chance at wealth, security, pride no matter their race, gender or ethnic background. So where are they?

Is it because they believe in America and the American dream not obama/pelosi's dream of socialism/communism that they have been banished? Bill Aayers Weather Underground is right in there with obama when the secret service would not have let him near any previous president. In the obama administration I wouldn't be surprised to find out he has his own office and parking space at the White House. Makes sense since it doesn't appear that the current inhabitant of the White House supports anything resembling freedom or the American dream.

Look at all the CZARS appointed. WHY? People in private sector are losing their jobs and pay and here obama is wasting more tax money to feed his ego and pay off political favors. Why aren't any of these CZARS vetted by Congress? Why should people who are in no way accountable to the American people be paid by them and rule over them as czars did in Russia?

But back to the original question where are Sharpton and Jackson? Why weren't they appointed to any position in the obama administration. Again is it because they support a free America for all races and obama only wants a subservient America answerable to him?

Time for patriots to step up to the plate and tell any elected official if they continue supporting oabama in his anti American policies they will be voted out of office.

Where’s Biden?

2009-08-29T07:31:00.001-07:00

Kinda like a democratic "Where's Waldo"

I can't remember hearing or seeing anything about the VP in quite awhile.

Has he been replaced by a czar?

Is he keeping his distance so when obama goes down in disgrace he won't be tarnished to badly by it?

Or what?

Granted most veeps aren't in the public view constantly but they are mentioned now and then also they are usually out there stomping for policy and I can't remember him out there or being mentioned prominently enough for the socialist health care bill for me to notice his name. Maybe he took a stand against socialist or government controlled medicine so they have him locked up in some psych unit (government run of course under a czar of misinformation)

So where is Biden?

Kennedy arrogance

2009-08-21T05:21:00.001-07:00

What total elitist egotistical arrogance coming from that murderer. He should be allowed to anoint his successor????

No!! The voters put in who they want at least that was the plan of the founding fathers, apparently the kennedy's feel they're above this kind of like our lie-berman who is the 'only one who knows what best for israel sorry CT' and let's not forget the pure as mud dodd oh sorry the ethics committee said he did nothing wrong.

This also shows the stupidity/moronic idiocy of the majority of the MA voters in putting a murderer back in federal office constantly. CT voters aren't much brighter but as far as I know lie-berman and dodd never killed anyone.

I hope Mary Jo gets to greet him on his way to hell and spit in his face to bad she didn't hold on to him in the car. But at least he'll be back together with those 2 garbage brothers of his. Let's see who wins that the kennedy's or the devil. I'm hoping the devil, than they can live in torment for all eternity!

Moral Obligation

2009-08-16T13:54:00.001-07:00

mor⋅al

Use moral in a Sentence

–adjective

1.	of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong; ethical: moral attitudes.

3.	founded on the fundamental principles of right conduct rather than on legalities, enactment, or custom: moral obligations.

4.	capable of conforming to the rules of right conduct: a moral being.

5.	conforming to the rules of right conduct (opposed to immoral ): a moral man.

Interesting definition.

My question is when did 'moral' become a license to steal or take money from one group of people and give it to another under the guise of moral obligation?

During my formative years I was taught it was my moral obligation to be a honest hardworking productive member of society, not a leech on it.

It appears somehow this definition of the moral obligation has been perverted. No longer is it a persons moral obligation to be productive member of society, it is the moral obligation of society to take from the productive members and give to the others.

Why?

I can understand giving someone the basics, food, food shelter, clothing, medical care, the operative word being BASIC. A person who works should not have their lifestyle lowered to provide an equivalent lifestyle to someone who chooses not to work. The American dream was based on having the freedom to make a better life for yourself and your family. How is this possible now with the government taking more and more money from you in the form of taxes under the guise of it's your moral obligation to help others. It maybe a moral obligation to assist others less fortunate but it is not a moral obligation to bring your lifestyle down and theirs up to an equal standard. That is socialism or communism and that is not what America was founded on.

America was based on an individual's right to make themselves the best life they could. The government's job was to insure that all American citizens had that right. This appears to have been lost somewhere. It appears that the officials we have elected to represent our interests have put the right of Americans to better themselves on the proverbial back burner.

This if it is not stopped it is the death of America. What reason will the upcoming generations have to better themselves, to be inventive or innovative if there is no reward, if everything they work for will be taken from them?

It is time to rethink the perversion of term 'moral obligation' and return it to it's true meaning that being the individual has the moral obligation to be a productive member of society and not society taking from the productive members to reward the non productive members.

Cheshire CT Tea Party

2009-08-13T06:38:00.001-07:00

Just to let you know there is a Tea Party in front of the Cheshire Town Hall every Monday night 5-6PM. It's been growing every week starting with a handful 7 weeks ago to 50+ this last Monday.

The support of the people driving by is great I only heard 1 negative comment the rest was horns, thumbs up, and you're doing great shouts.

Come on down and experience right of freedom of speech and the right of peaceable assembly being exercised. Whether you agree or not with the signs isn't important, what is, is that the rights are being exercised. If they are not exercised they will atrophy and die.

I've been asked what is a Real American. A simple answer, a Real American is one that exercises their rights, that makes their feelings known to the elected officials, who does not just sit back and say the government is good and right, does not expect or demand the government to provide food, medical, jobs, but rather goes out and provides the best they can for themselves and their families. In short a Real American is one who stands for accountability in government, personal responsibility over governmental intrusion in private lives and has the courage to stand up and be counted to defend personal rights, liberties and the Constitution of the United States of America.

It's almost like it's 1776 all over again.

Constitutional or not?

2009-08-09T09:07:00.001-07:00

Is universal or government paid for health care constitutional? Where in the constitution does it say the government has the right or is required to provide health care for the citizens?

The constitution was written to govern the government not the people. It actually limits the power of the federal government. We have allowed the government which is nothing more than an enterprise to control the masses too much control over the rights of individuals. I'm sure our founders are spinning in their graves due to the fact we have failed in the sacred trust they gave their lives to establish for us and that is to insure that we the people govern the government rather than the opposite.

How many rights are you willing to give up? How many more rights can be stripped or stolen from us under the guise of government before we are no longer a free people in a free country?

Take back America vote out the incumbents, demand accountability.

Health Care

2009-08-08T10:07:00.001-07:00

I agree we need to do something about health care and it should be done quickly. But not stupidly which is the norm for the federal government. They have someone write a law or a program and than vote on it without people reading it, that's stupid and moronic. Which either tells us the caliber of our elected officials or the fact they just don't care about us.

If Obama, Pelosi, Clinton, Dodd, all of the elected public officials come out and put in writing that they, their staffs and every member of the federal government will be covered by what every health care plan they put together and that they can not augment it in any way shape or form by paying out of their own pockets for more coverage I'll back it. If they don't I'll fight it and encourage everyone I know to fight it. If the plan they are putting together is good enough for 1 American it is good enough for all and that definitely includes the elected officials of this country.

Close DMV? YES!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-31T05:47:00.001-07:00

Finally something maybe done about the most arrogant, inefficient department paid for by the taxpayers. It took long enough.

A friend bought a motorcycle and went to the Waterbury branch yesterday, I needed something at Docs right down the street so I went with him.

What a laugh and how disgusting 20 people standing in line to pick up a form, I remember when the forms were right by the front door, you grabbed one filled it out and got in line, if it was wrong they told you to re-do it or you could get it checked before you got in line, but you didn't have to stand in line to get 1 total waste of money. Why can't you download and print the form you want at home than bring it in? Because they still use CARBON paper! And the speed in which they move, wow the last glacier in CT moved faster than these people.

I spoke with a guy who said he went to New Britain to register one of those reverse trikes you know the ones with 2 wheels in the front and 1 in the rear and New Britain said it wasn't on it's approved to register list. He called the dealer who told him to take it to Waterbury they've already registered over 70. Wow not approved for CT in New Britain but approved for CT in Waterbury, and you'd think both offices would be linked to the same data base. Moronic management, closing this useless dept a long time over due.

This is the most intelligent thing I've heard come out of Hartford probably since the last glacier left CT.

State police take over licensing and registration DPW or DEP (I can't remember which alphabet soup I heard) handles inspections and consumer protection handles problems with and licensing repair shops and dealers. They even talked about putting kiosks in different malls for normal license and registration renewals.

It all sounds good to me. I mean the savings alone in manpower and keeping the buildings running will be great. I'm sure run efficiently you wouldn't need 1/2 the people.

Declaration of Independence and the Constitution

2009-07-24T06:05:00.001-07:00

I have read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, it is totally disgusting how the elected aristocracy choose to ignore or reinterpret what the founding fathers of freedom wanted for future generations. Freedom doesn't exist much anymore. You can't say anything you either offend someone, are branded a racist or end up on the government's enemies list, you have to buy this gas, food, clothing, they are telling you what type of vehicles you will be able to buy. Oh let's not forget the ridiculous safety rules. This country would never have been discovered if the cowards that are running it now were in charge. Don't get me wrong on this point safety is important and people should be advised about things not ordered by the government under the guise of laws how to behave. I could continue but anyone with brains and a true belief and understanding of freedom and the fact that freedom isn't free or safe will understand. The rest they're just sheep going baa(the government is good) baa(the government is smart) baa (the government has the people interest at heart).

The FISH Cheer

2009-07-14T16:38:00.001-07:00

How come with all the anti-Iraq war sentiment out there we didn't get any really cool protest songs like we had during Nam?

Forgotten genre? No talent for writing meaningful songs? Only allowed to write songs bean counters approve for the most buck for the note?

Sad.

I still have it on Woodstock.

"Come on all of you big strong men Uncle SAM needs your help again...
Be the first one on your block to have your boy come home in a box...
and it's 1,2,3 what are we fighting for????"
Country Joe MacDonald

Now during that era was Patriotism of the highest sort, people disagreeing with the government and speaking out. Kids these days are nothing but sheep. They remind me of that Star Trek episode where some planet fought a war by computer if it told you you were killed you reported to a death chamber and didn't question it. Kids these days actually think the government knows what it's doing and has their best interest at heart. So sad. The ones to really blame are the parents who never taught them about true freedom, how freedom isn't safety, and as the patch on my leathers says "FREEDOM ISN'T FREE". Freedom isn't closed borders, or locked down government buildings. No; freedom is realizing you take risks but they are worth it because you choose the life you want and defend it. "Life for those who fight for it has a flavor the sheltered never taste".

Bring back America make it once again the LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE. Get out and vote. Get rid of the incumbents and bring in people who will restore America and give it back to Americans.

The useless White House

2009-07-12T05:40:00.000-07:00

O ne
B ig
A ppalling
M istake
A merica

Hopefully we will survive this

Quotas? What do they mean to you?

2009-07-02T13:11:00.001-07:00

Years ago in a typical government response of legislate don't educate laws were passed stating how many or what percentage of minorities vs. whites must be hired or promoted based on figures put together by statisticians. All in all a noble idea, yet when something is legislated it becomes a law and laws don't always achieve the spirit that was the thought behind them. I believe the spirit of this law was to level the playing field for jobs. Did it? Were all the minorities at the time of the passing of the law truly qualified for the positions they received based on this law? Or were people hired or promoted well above their capabilities just to satisfy the quota? If they weren't qualified doesn't that give credence to the statements that were made then and now which is 'you only got the job/promotion because of your race not because of your ability.' Is the hiring/promoting of unqualified candidates continuing now, just to satisfy quotas?

Have quotas actually done more damage than good? Have quotas become an excuse not to do ones best? Has the attitude of I'm getting the job because of the quota I don't need to study become the norm?

Do people look at minorities and say 'the only reason they have that position is their race.'? Is it because of the quota system this thinking exists? Is this true equality which what was the spirit law was looking for? Or is it only legislated equality which is only kept in place by law and not human nature and could disappear in the change of a law?

The quota system the way it is used now is actually insulting, because it presupposes that minorities cannot qualify on their own since if no minority candidate scores high enough to get the position they are required by law to be given it anyway. When in fact all it should do is insure the fairness if the testing for the position and insure no one is not allowed to take the test based solely on race.

Would we be better off doing away with quotas and letting human nature take its course? It may take another generation or 2 but then it would be real equality not legislated equality.

Healthcare

2009-06-28T05:48:00.001-07:00

Maybe this whole health care issue would evaporate if we did a few things. Such as stop treating doctors as gods, put a limit on damage awards for pretty much everything. If the most you make a year is 50000 and you have 20 more years to work you get a million plus 50% more and all your medical bills or special needs are paid. That's pretty simple.

If you lose you pay all court costs and the defendant's costs that would stop a lot of frivolous suits.

But most of all I think we should go back to when doctors and pharmaceutical companies along with lawyers were not allowed to advertise.

Allowing them to advertise has down nothing more than created a nation of hypochondriacs. People actually diagnose their own ailment based on advertisements and demand treatment for that. The doctor makes money the drug company makes money and then the patient gets sick from the wrong medication, needs another doctor visit, and different medication for something that was probably nothing more than a headache to start with up go the costs.

As has been said before 'we have met the enemy and it is us'.

I got news for you, no one lives forever, you are going to die, people do get sick, there is not a cure for everything, and for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction which means it is very possible for the cure to be worse than the disease or cause a worse problem.

R.I.P. America

2009-05-29T05:17:00.000-07:00

It's to bad it's not about the most qualified person getting a job or position in America anymore it's just about quotas and who's going to be the first (fill in the blank) (fill in the job title). Merit, intelligence, experience nothing like that counts any more in America. It's just what appeases what voting group to keep politicians in office.

R.I.P. America

Fargo & New Orleans

2009-04-04T07:32:00.000-07:00

When I was in the AF I was stationed for awhile in Minot ND and it was during flood season I remember volunteering to fill sand bags it was quite an effort to keep that city safe.
My question for this post is how much more misery and pain are the feds going to put the citizens there through to help them rebuild? Is it going to be just like New Orleans or worse?
The real sad or sick part is these people are going to have to spend months proving everything and filling out forms to maybe get a LOAN. However if they were some back water 3rd world country our politicians would give them the money for free. The government has probably given AIG enough money without strings attached to rebuild all of ND. Yet taxpaying citizens can forget any help from your government your just there to be taxed. It's so sad how the US government treats it's own people.

Totally fed-up

2009-03-22T05:45:00.000-07:00

I can't remember ever seeing such widespread disgust and anger with the government, it crosses all lines, age, sex, political party it seems everyone is fed-up.
Don't compare this to the protests in the Nam era they were just against the war.
The feeling right now is we the people have been betrayed by our own. Politicians have committed treason against the US by giving away our jobs, by ceding control of our lives to multinational corporations who don't care about US citizens. They have created a ruling class of bankers and money movers who have no skills other then to take what others have made, built, or saved and give a false value high or low depending on what they require to keep the populace under their control. These people do nothing. The true workers of America the factory owner, the assembly line worker, the mom and pop store owner, construction workers and many more of the same have been insulted, under valued, robbed of their heritage, their birth right their very lives by people who look down on honest work and use them only for their own gain.
What good are bankers and stock brokers if America produces nothing? This stimulus package would have been better served if instead of giving it to the banks and investors it was given to manufacturing firms directly to keep them producing, to store to keep them selling and allow them to pay payback the banks themselves, and by keeping people employed it would have kept the economy moving. No our politicians gave it to their friends who then gave it to their friends in other countries. So our politicians have indentured America's future generations to provide the wealthy across the world their comforts.
Totally disgusting if 1 incumbent retains their seat after the mid-term elections it will be an insult to America and to the millions of Americans who have died to protect her.:

Why not tax religion?

2009-03-20T02:19:00.001-07:00

Why not tax religion. Don’t say the first amendment says you can’t because it doesn’t. The first amendment prohibits congress from making any laws that prohibits or restricts the practice of a religion it does not prohibit taxing religion. That same amendment protects the freedom of the press and speech yet each are taxed. No sales tax on newspapers or other media yet all the equipment and raw material used in the production is taxed. Free speech is taxed, try to make a phone call without paying taxes, which may actually be illegal since it restricts the use of a phone to someone who can afford the taxes, which possibly could be applied to the press since if they can’t afford the taxes that is a restriction placed against them by the government. Don't forget paying for an assembly/parade permit.Religions use the services of the government why should they be free?Besides organized religions mainly the Christians are doing their best to control the US government and all the citizens by having their supporters vote in their religious rules as secular law, which to me is not right. If I want to follow Christian doctrine I’ll become one. So to these religious leaders it not alright for the government to tax them or tell them what to do but it is ok for them to shove their religion down others throats through secular law. I don’t think they should have it both ways. They want to make laws they pay taxes. They keep their religion out of secular law we leave things alone. What do you think?

Abolish gun control

2009-03-20T02:17:00.000-07:00

Crime seems to be getting worse and the cops can't be everywhere to protect people, people need to start being able to protect themselves and their loved ones. Just think had a someone being carrying a gun maybe that preacher would still be alive, maybe those 10 people wouldn't have been killed because someone could have defended themselves. Criminals love gun control because it makes honest taxpaying citizens nothing more then prey.I say if you are not a felon and over 18 years (military age) you should just be able to walk in a gun store buy a gun and strap it on and walk out. All the store should have to do is run your name thru the cops. No gun registration, no permits, just like the old west when women and kids were safe anywhere because the criminals knew that anyone could be armed.And if a taxpaying citizen shoots a criminal in the commission of a crime no arrest, no lawsuits just file it under did society a favor and get on with life.
__________________

Rush scares democrats

2009-03-07T05:07:00.000-08:00

Rush Limbaugh the god of the republican party in his own mind has truly ascended to that position in reality thanks to the democrats. The democrats realizing that they screwed up big time with Obama, Pelosi and Clinton running the country right down the toilet with their insane policies on money, big government and loss of freedom have seen that Rush is galvanizing the middle class into action so they are trying to shut him up. However they are using the same lack of intelligence in their attempt to shut him up as they showed by letting Pelosi who comes from a state that is bankrupt due to the stupidity of their laws out there guide this country. Talk about taxing the rich I guess it doesn't happen in CA if it did why is the state broke with all those celebrities? I never listened to Rush in my life I'm going to start just to help his ratings. If Rush is wrong in his ideas why are so many people starting to listen to him? If he is so wrong in his ideas and the democrats are so correct won't that just become apparent as the country emerges from this problem? If the democrats are correct in what they are doing Rush's popularity and following will disappear as he is proven wrong. That's what should happen, however since the democrats know what they are doing is wrong and not working, they are trying to shut him up so that they won't be soundly defeated in the mid-term elections. Long speak Rush.

Obama, Pelosi, Clinton, Oh My God

2009-03-05T14:10:00.000-08:00

It took FDR letting Pearl Harbor be bombed so we would get into World War II. The New Deal all the WPA projects the CCC weren't working and they won't now. Governmental projects do not keep an economy growing they may give a jolt like one of those energy drinks but it drops down lower then before when it wears off. We went into this tailspin once it became apparent that with Obama, Pelosi, and Clinton were going to win and with them in power no business could survive in the US so the businesses bailed and took the world down with them. I only hope we can survive this administration and then bring back into power people who will build up America and jobs again. Even though I am disgusted with the money these CEOs made I keep in mind one thing up until they started getting the money from the bailout the only reason they made that much was they ran multi million/billion dollar companies and employed millions of people. That's what the republicans bring to the table JOBS in the private sector that perpetuate themselves. The democrats bring unemployment, short term jobs in the government that end when the project is done and a third world country. I for one would rather have the CEO of my company making millions and myself employed along with many others than have the CEO taxed and vilified so badly that millions of us lose jobs to satisfy the egos of Obama, Pelosi and Clinton.

Do we get our monies worth from our taxes?

2009-03-03T14:03:00.000-08:00

What do I really get for the thousands of dollars I pay in tax. Police, fire if I need them. I don't have kids in the schools so that's out. Plowing during storms. I pay for people to collect my taxes. They want to put tolls back on the roads where is the gas tax going? What else? I have insurance through my employer. What else do we get for the amount of money we as working American taxpayers pay? Do we get fair value for what we pay in taxes? And now they want to raise them.If we got from a private concern what we get from our government would you be satisfied with it for the money we pay in taxes?

Advertising in school?

2009-02-28T13:24:00.001-08:00

Question in the paper was "Should advertising be allowed at high school sporting events?"First I thought, no we shouldn't commercialize this. Second thought was why not? For the most part the way I see sports in schools is that parents are just hoping that a kid is good enough to get a scholarship and maybe go on from there so it's already totally commercial might as well get some help with the budget.Then I thought why stop at sports, let's advertise all through the school, text books could have ads on the covers, and inside covers, put in those annoying post card things that come in magazines. Think of the potential advertising revenue in the cafeteria, place mats, signs, and don't forget those bright yellow busses. Clothing manufacturers could pay to hold fashion shows all through the year to show the newest styles. I'm sure the talented kids in the art classes, music, acting could come up with sponsors willing to advertise in their classrooms or at their events.This could be the saving of extracurricular events and it may also help the education budget if it's played right. I've no kids in the system never had so I don't like taxes going up for education so this could keep them down.:

Liberal = censorship

2009-02-22T05:44:00.001-08:00

Why do liberals always scream so loud in an attempt to shut down any type of media that expresses views they don’t agree with? Why using the fairness doctrine are they are trying to implement censorship of the media in clear violation of the first amendment?
I believe it is because they realize that most people do not support them. Media is run on revenue pure and simple, the richest person can start any type of media outlet they care to, unless however they garner enough of an audience to pay for the outlet they will have to shut it down or go broke. It appears that right wing conservative shows have the audience needed not only to stay in business but make a profit. Where liberal/left wing shows do not. Why? Could it be that there are not as many liberals out there as they want us to believe? Could it be they are just so loud and obnoxious that people think there are so many more than there really are?
This could be why liberals and other anti-free speech individuals do their best to shut down shows that “insult them” before revenues prove either that people agree with what was said or don’t care. Imus is a perfect example of this. The liberals couldn’t take the chance that most Americans didn’t care what Imus said, that his ratings wouldn’t have dropped or worse for them his ratings may have gone up either case disproving their claim that the majority of Americans agree with them.
It’s time for America to stop bowing to the voice of the loud obnoxious few and allow the true voice of America to be heard. If what is being said in the media truly upsets the majority of Americans the advertisement revenues of the show will fall and it will go off the air. If the revenue stays the same or increases it will prove that the majority of Americans agree with what was said and it should not be censored.

Cable franchises

2009-02-16T15:23:00.000-08:00

I think we need more competition in the cable TV, phone and internet markets. Why should one company have a monopoly on certain towns, cities or counties. All the lines are strung. If one company owns the lines they can charge a small rental to other companies using them. This way consumers will have a choice. Remember true competition results in better service, more choices and reasonable prices. The bigger the better is not correct. Look at the recent merger of Pfizer 8000 people lose their jobs because 2 companies that use to compete are now one and 8000 people became redundant. Also Pfizer can now charge what they want and only make the drugs they deem necessary. Same with Wal-Mart and other large chains they are not good for consumers or the economy.
__________________

Political correctness = censorship

2009-02-14T04:59:00.001-08:00

I am so tired of reading and hearing about politically correct ways to speak, no ethnic or racial slurs, anti bullying laws. What a nation of wimps America has turned into. No wonder we’re in this economic crisis no one is allowed to speak freely. Had they been this wouldn’t have happened. Intelligent businessmen instead of knuckling under and giving mortgages to people who couldn’t afford them just because not to would have hurt their feelings would have stood up and said no, they can’t afford them. However had they done so they would have been called racists, sexists all kinds of things. They probably also would have been sued, arrested and why should they have been? Because they told the truth and a bunch of loud mouth wimps have made that illegal. This country was the greatest in the world, the most innovative; it had the best standard of living it was a model for the entire world to aspire to. That was all done without politically correct laws. People said what they wanted. Did people’s feelings get hurt sure? Mine did when I was growing up as I’m sure most people’s did. So what we grew strong we learned we could survive we didn’t run crying to mommy and daddy all the time. They wouldn’t have listened they were brought up the same way. Same with anti bullying laws total garbage. They’re just there because what passes for parents these days don’t parent. They’ve given their kids such a false sense of importance and such high esteem that when the real world challenges it they fall apart, so sad to bad. Not everyone can play sports well, draw, sing what have you, but these so called parents tell their kids they are the best at everything and when they find out they can’t they sue. Bill Gates has admitted he was pushed around in school he did alright. Time for America to grow up and bring back free speech. If you can’t handle it move to a country that has censorship. Stop trying to turn the greatest country the world has ever known into a land of wimps and a censor’s delight.

Gov Rell is a joke

2009-02-10T14:47:00.001-08:00

I just read a Quinipiac University poll that gave Rell a 75% approval rating. Did they do this poll in a mental institution? Did they interview comatose patients and fill in the answers? I know welfare crack addicts say you like her and you get your check? Or maybe the students themselves who've never had an original thought in their own heads and just do what their told kinda like Stepford Wives or zombies?
I can't believe anyone regardless of political party who has a brain and does think would consider Rell anything more then a joke and a disgrace to the state. I can't wait for her and Moody to take over Rowland's jail cell. You can't tell me she didn't know what was going on. She and Moody are probably as crooked as he was just luckier in not getting caught yet. They got Perez just a matter of time for them. Oh yeah Rowland might have been corrupt at least he wasn't stupid and incompetent.

Corporations rule America

2009-02-08T05:20:00.000-08:00

Corporations rule America
From health care to what food we eat, what color/style clothes we wear, what books, music, entertainment we are allowed to enjoy, so on and so forth we no longer have a choice. Multinational corporations have decided for us. Don’t delude yourself it has nothing to do with what we want or what is good for us, it is all about what makes them the largest profit.
Look at prescription medications, why are they allowed to advertise? I thought you went to a doctor to be diagnosed and treated. Now it appears corporations want you to walk in and demand the medication you want. The fact it is not correct or even necessary doesn’t matter some talking head puppet on the string of a corporation in a TV ad told you that you need it. So you demand it, they get rich and laugh at your stupidity.
Take a real look at fashion. Isn’t a lot of it really ugly, unflattering? Then why do people buy and wear it? Again we are subjected to brainwashing by corporations. They put talking heads in these hideous outfits on TV, have another talking head a so called fashion expert extol their beauty and virtues and the brain washed rush to buy them. After one wearing they usually end up rotting in a closet. Though years later if any photos were taken of people wearing it becomes a source of amusement.
Vehicles are the same. They tell us what we want same as everything else.
Why? Profit. That is the only reason. The corporations have designed their products to be made in a manner that guarantees them the highest possible profit. Consumer desires, comforts, needs do not count. Only how much money they can make.
Think I’m wrong? Look at the salaries, bonuses and perks CEOs and senior executives receive. Most of them well into the tens of millions each. Then remember that for them to get that money, all the parts, equipment, employees, buildings, stockholders and whatever else it take to manufacture that product and get it into the hands of the consumer has to be paid for. The rest is their play money. Anyone but me see this as price gouging?
This is where this economic crisis came from. Pure greed, anyone one of those CEOs could have scaled back their bonuses lowered the prices of their goods and kept people employed but they don’t care about people only themselves.
So next time some talking head tries to sell you something, think do I need it, is it what I really want or am I just being brainwashed into buying something to make a CEO super rich? Then make your decision.

Spend

2009-02-07T03:34:00.000-08:00

Spending is OK. If people took a stimulus check and bought a sound system, went on vacation, a spa treatment, a camera, whatever they spent it on with out going into debt would be good for the economy. Stupid spending, maxing out 5+ credit cards at 25% interest is part of the problem. 1 someone stupid enough to do it and 2 credit card companies being allowed to charge that interest and give out that many cards to people who they know can't afford them. Again greed how much is decent profit. Another thing is giving $500000 mortgages to people making $10-$20 an hour. Variable rate mortgages should be illegal for home owners. You get your mortgage when the interest is say 8% it costs you $1000 OK, 2 years later it's 20% costing you over $2000 and you haven't gotten a raise so they foreclose or you keep your house and starve. Again no one is protecting the consumer, they're fed high pressure sales tactics and have sold their soul. The government needs to put limits on interest rates, on how things can be sold to protect the consumer. I don't want to hear they can't, they can tell us the taxpaying voters, how fast we can drive, we need permission to add on to a house we own, to put up a building on property we own, how many hours a week we have to work to get OT, they tell us how to dress can't walk around naked or topless at a beach or anywhere yet they claim they can't put into place laws to protect us from predatory lending. Find out who's paying off what politicians to keep that from happening. Our government is the best lobbyist money can buy, they care nothing for Americans.So yes people need to spend buying something new with cash and paying down part of their debt. When you are stimulating something you are doing something, taking your stimulus check and putting it in the bank, burying it in the backyard or using all of it to payoff old debts doesn't create new jobs or keep old ones. Let the government lower taxes and become lean it is way to big and does very little for the money it gets.

Why tax credits?

2009-02-06T14:24:00.000-08:00

You need tax breaks to; keep businesses in the state or country if the taxes make it difficult if not impossible to make a profit businesses will close or move, individuals need tax breaks both sales and income to have disposable income so they will spend money, the more they spend the more jobs they save and create. The economy can only be saved by the private sector creating more jobs. Taxes do nothing, the CCC set-up after the stock market crash in 1929 was failing it was only America's entry into WWII that pulled us out of that. What type of jobs can you create with taxes that will create real income to the state? To continue as a state you can not just tax your employees to get the money to pay them. Unless the state is going to start making, computers, beer, tires some sort of consumable to sell they need to do everything they can to encourage private sector businesses. If not they have to set up an ongoing business for profit. The government is not set up for that. What we need is government realignment so we do not need as many taxes as we have. Corporations need to do their part also which is be realistic about profits. A large part of this meltdown was caused by stock traders and CEOs not being satisfied with a 5-10% profit they want 25% or more. If they didn't get it the closed that plant or store, it might have been making a 10% profit but the greedy ones wanted 25% or better so they felt it was losing 15% closed it and took away jobs. Pure greed is what caused this, a greed never seen before. It would behoove these people who make millions doing nothing to remember that money is useless unless you can convert it into something pleasurable. If you do away with all the workers who's going to create electricity, make movies, booze what have you. All you end up with is a worthless pile of paper because there will be nothing to buy with it.

Why isn't it working

2009-02-06T13:40:00.001-08:00

If the bailout was suppose to keep business running and people employed why isn't it? We probably be better off if we gave this money to individual taxpayers and let them pay off their mortgages, credit cards and other debts then they'd have money to spend to stimulate the economy. Problem with that is it could work and take control out of the hands of the greedy CEOs and politicians that got us in this mess. I mean if we are bailing out these businesses why are they still closing and foreclosing when we are paying the bills? I'm probably missing something. I think it's time we take back our country. The excuse from the incumbents that "you need me here, I know how to fix it." is pure BS they are the reason we are where we are. If they knew how to fix it why didn't they stop it. A bunch of lying egotistical SOBs who should be impeached and tried for treason. Everyone of them is as guilty as Bush and Cheney for letting this happen.
__________________

Public Servants

2009-02-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

When is the American voting population going to wake up and remember that our elected officials from the president on down to a selectman of a small town are PUBLIC SERVANTS and the people hired to operate the government are CIVIL SERVANTS. They are there to do the biding of the American taxpaying citizens not the other way around. We the people need to start taking back over our government and control of our government. The way to do that is to stop with party politics, we need to vote out incumbents who put the needs of other countries, lobbyists, and multinational corporations before the needs of America and Americans. It doesn't matter what party they belong to it should be America first. Start throwing them out this coming election and the ones left will get the message. Start calling and emailing them with what you want. Let them know that you know who they are and you will hold them accountable come election time if they don't start putting America first.

Where the money goes

2009-01-21T02:45:00.000-08:00

According to an article in a paper recently we pay our elected representatives in Hartford approximately $38000 per year. That does not appear to be an exorbitant amount but is probably more then they’re worth since they need to hire advisors at approximately 3 times that salary to do the their job. The paper reported the new Speaker of the House (at $38000) hired as his advisor the former Speaker of the House for $120000 per year. If the speaker was not up to the position why did he not say so and relinquish it to someone who could handle it. The article stated that this is not the only advisor hired by our representatives. Somehow I don’t think this cost is coming out of their pockets.
In this economic climate this is almost criminal. This time last year the Governor was announcing a $600 million plus surplus, now a billion dollar deficit. Nice job she’s done of running the state.
I couldn’t understand where the money from the income tax went, along with the sales tax, let’s not forget the lotto, and how about the $500 million per month or better from the casinos, car registrations, all those license fees and permits. Now I know, to hire advisers. That’s probably just the proverbial tip of the iceberg. At least the gentlemen mentioned early are not related to each other, but how many other “advisors” or “consultants” are nothing more than nepotism?
This governor and legislature owes the hardworking, over taxed taxpayers a clear and transparent accounting of where all the income received by the state is spent before they should even mention increasing any taxes or fees. If the legislators can’t do the job replace them don’t hire advisors on state pay.

Watch the government

2009-01-18T12:34:00.000-08:00

Think about it. Politicians of both parties are completely in bed with the wealthy and the corporations. How else does someone with the income of a federal legislator become a millionaire in a year? Who pays for the junkets? Think about it? What do politicians truly do that benefit the people unless they get something from it?Both parties love us blaming the other because it helps keep incumbents in office. Because as that person whose picture you'll see in the dictionary under self-centered egotistical arrogant a** lieberman, whose comment when he lost the democratic primary was " I'm the only one who knows what's best for America so I'm running as an independent". The other comment they all love is "you need me here I know how to fix this problem". They were there and caused the problem and if they didn't cause it and they know how to fix it why did they let it happen? It doesn't matter American voters with a collective IQ of zero vote their party and keep the problem in place. Vote them all out and put in term limits no retirement and 5 years before they can go into any type of a lobbying position. As far as the crisis goes check past laws put in by the democrats to force mortgage lenders to give a certain percentage of the money to low income people and areas. Despite the fact that unscrupulous real estate people falsely inflated the values how could someone making $8-12 and hour afford an $250000+ house? They can't but the government said you had to give it to them.All that aside if the voters don't start paying attention and voting in safeguards to our freedoms who is going to protect us from the government.Might I suggest a re-read of the Declaration of Independence. What is really different now? It is not taxation without, it is unjust taxation with representation.Think about the government not the political parties.

How democrats get elected.

2009-01-18T08:18:00.000-08:00

Democrats keep getting elected because they continue to promise to give free money (taken from working people so I don't see how it's free) to those who don't deserve it and abuse it. Make one payment on something that should be enough. Gee that guy over there who has worked and saved since he was a teenager has a house, nice car and toys. I haven't done anything but hang out get arrested, sponge off society by living on welfare but I deserve what he has without working for. Democratic politician give it to me and I'll keep voting you into your cushy job and retirement. You got it. Hey bought and paid for voter I gave it to you, how come you didn't keep it? Oh I see the evil corporations actually wanted you to keep paying on it like responsible people do. Now there taking it back from you. We'll figure something out. Oh a government bailout to the corporations so that you can keep your stuff along with people who have actually worked and paid for theirs. I see, that's what helping the poor, dull, lazy and ignorant means. If you're to lazy to work for it the democratic politicians will give it to you so keep electing them and breaking the back of actual working taxpayers. Great country, yeah right for everyone except working taxpayers.

Kinda curious

2009-01-16T14:16:00.000-08:00

Is there anything anyone can say that doesn't offend someone else?If you don't let me say what I want or feel I need to say you are hurting me, offending me and insulting me. Yet if I say it I'm hurting someone. Who's feelings are more important? Why does it appear the person being spoken to has feelings more important then the person stating their thoughts or feelings? I'm talking about the politically correct police out there. You said her dress made her look fat I'm going to sue you and they win. Let's look at nationality, racial and ethnic comments and slurs. Why are these outlawed? Isn't it better to know how people truly feel about you even if it stings a bit then get stabbed in the back from anonymous sources? I was insulted many times due to my nationality growing up and still at times now. Oh well sticks and stones and all that stuff. My view is that the PC stuff was started by closet racists who wanted cover for their racism. All they've done is come up with different ways to keep people they don't like out with out using race.
__________________

Too much government????

2009-01-12T02:46:00.001-08:00

Do we really need all the government and laws we have?Look at all the money that comes out of our pockets in the form of taxes, do we really get our money's worth? Or is a lot of the money spent to quiet special interest groups that don't have enough people supporting them to have a majority yet are so vocal (like babies crying) the politicians give them what they want? They give them what they want to shut them up and secure votes for the next election.Do we really need seatbelt laws? How about laws making people shovel sidewalks the government put in, don't we pay taxes for public works? How about laws stating how large the writing must be showing gas prices?Any others you can think of?I realize we need certain laws to keep civilization going but when is enough enough? Why don't they make laws for terms limits? Laws prohibiting raising taxes without referendums, really when our costs go up we can't demand raises from our employers, so why should our employees (the politicians) just take what they want from us?What do you all think?

Government to blame

2008-12-26T05:42:00.000-08:00

One new theory I heard put forth the other day was that this entire down turn start when financial institutions were forced by the government under a quota system to give mortgages in lower income areas where the odds of getting paid back were slim. Say the normal percentage of mortgages in that area was 20% yet in the more affluent area next to it, it was 60% they were told if they didn't even the percentages even if they weren't good mortgages they would face government censure or excess regulations. In addition none of the financial and real estate geniuses ever put together a financial model of what would happen if real estate prices went down. It appears that never occurred to this braintrust. Add into that energy prices skyrocketing. Our government (both parties) worried more about the work forces and the standard of living of citizens in other countries then Americans and giving away our jobs by not offering tax incentives for companies to stay yet making it attractive to move jobs out of the country NAFTA for example Brazil and China with Most Favored Nation Status to name 2 more. Also not increasing duties and VAT on imported items to keep the cost the same as made in America.I don't care what party these people are in all the incumbents whose retirement and medical is set for life with 1 election need to be voted out of office and real and true Americans who put America first elected or we better start applying for foreign aid from China or Russia.

Jobs

2008-11-26T08:19:00.001-08:00

We are now having to deal with the fact that our government has given away alot of American jobs. Please no rants about the last administration it started well before them. Our government seems to put the needs of foreign countries and their citizens before Americans, this needs to change. Another issue facing us is job snobbery (for want of a better term). TV, the media, films all make fun or look down on people who work with their hands. Because of this we (America) are running out of skilled and unskilled craftsman, plumbers, electricians, carpenters and the like. Face it, not everyone is college or higher education material, also many who are may not want to go there but because of family and peer pressure they do. What does this have to do with the situation? Simple if we do not start encouraging people to enter these jobs by 1) removing the loser or low class stigma that goes with them, 2) raising the pay in some cases so they are attractive, this country is going to grind to a halt. How many of you can replace your own faucet or toilet, clean your furnace, change the oil in your car or the spark plugs to name a few? Who's going to do it for you if we keep knocking those professions and no one enters them. Americans seem to have little or no problem paying hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars to people who do nothing more then gamble with the economy and other people's money,they look up to them also. Yet the people who keep us warm, dry, keep our vehicles moving and all the things that actually keep our society moving are scorned and looked down on and in many case not even paid decently. But don't worry our government is making sure this doesn't happen in other countries only here. We need to take a new look at what jobs we have and what jobs we can create then move forward putting America and Americans first.

Competition & choices

2008-11-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

It’s time Americans take a long hard look at the “financial experts” guiding our economy. In my mind they are experts in protecting their finances, and guiding the economy into their pockets.
I always understood competition to be the cornerstone of capitalism. If that is correct why has our government, under the guidance of these “experts” pretty much done away with competition all under the guise of better prices and service for the consumer?
In the oil industry for example Mobil, Exxon, Chevron, Phillips are now Exxon-Mobil and Chevron-Phillips, four companies that competed now down to two. Any competition here? The same holds true for consumer goods. Small stores, mom & pop shops covered the country each offering something different. Local flavor, a different shade of paint color, different prices since the products came from different manufacturers. They actually offered consumers choices. Now the majority of these stores and with them the choices we had are gone. We now can only buy what the big stores say we need and should buy at their prices. Is this competition and choice?
We have only a handful of large financial institutions because the “experts” said that’s the best way. What just happened without competition and accountability? It’s going on in the auto industry. Greed runs amuck with no concerns for the consumer.When constructing a bridge you normally use many support columns, and cables so that you can lose a portion of them without losing the structure and safety of the bridge at once. Shouldn’t our financial, auto and consumer businesses operate on the same theory? One or two come down there goes America; if we had 100 we could weather the financial storms with less damage. It’s time to dissolve the conglomerates, and bring back competition and choices.

Freeze all taxes

2008-11-20T02:43:00.001-08:00

Time to freeze all taxes local, state and federal. It's about time the government learned what it is like to live on a budget without out being able to rob people. How many of you out there when your costs or bills go up can go to your employer and demand more pay? So why should the government continue to be allowed to lower our standard of living by raising taxes? It's time they learn to live within their means as the rest of us are forced to do. I don't want to hear the usual spiel "Oh if we cut taxes it means less police and fire protection" that's garbage it's just away to scare people. Plenty of other places to cut unnecessary expenses if you think about it don't fall for scare tactics. It's time taxpaying Americans take back their wallets. Politicians were elected to make our lives better not to rob us and ruin us financially. Make them totally justify every expenditure. One last comment we should spend some money and take a survey of the pay and benefits of all companies in the state with 150 or more employees. Whatever that averages out to, number of hours worked per year, sick time, vacation time, how much medical insurance is paid and so on, should be the limit of what government employees can make including the unions. It's time to level the playing field.

Might as well bail out Detroit

2008-11-16T14:55:00.000-08:00

I think that the fact the taxpayers once again have to bail out corporations is sickening. However if we don't the trickle down could be worse then Wall Street. With Detroit and the big 3 we are dealing with all the mom and pop shops that go along with it, you know the people in the neighborhoods who have business that are supported by the workers, the independent truckers, the dealerships and their neighborhoods, the people who assemble components across the country and countless more people whose welfare depend on the big 3.
In bailing out the big 3 I think the American taxpayer has the right and duty to demand concessions from them. Something that should have been done with Wall Street and the insurance companies yet wasn't.
The major concessions I see are;The current executive officers resign or are let go and any golden parachutes or just plain retirement does not apply. They are one cause of the collapse and should not be paid let alone rewarded for their part in it. Let the lawyers scream foul who cares there isn't any money in the corporations to pay the golden parachutes so we don't bail them and they don't get paid in any case. Or is there and we are just not being told there is money for it?
Any new contracts for the new executives needs to be approved by congress and does not include golden parachutes but rather a pre-nuptial of sorts that if the company doesn't make a profit they get nothing but their salaries.
Unions have to get real. They have killed the golden goose with their demands. The pay and benefit scale is so out of touch with reality it needs to be cut in 1/2 at a minimum. If they don't like too bad. We don't bail them out. A job and a paycheck in the day and age is something to be treasured even if it isn't what their egos tell them they're worth. How many other Americans lost jobs because of the greed of the auto union by forcing companies to find lower priced labor out of America. The unions didn't care about that as long as they kept their jobs. Remember in bailing them out and letting them keep their jobs all of us taxpayers are going to take a pay cut. So why should we take one and not them?
Congress better stand up for America and do away with these free trade treaties with other countries. In very simple terms duties, tariffs and taxes placed on goods coming into a country are put there to bring the cost of the import up to what the cost is for the same product made in the country doing the importing, making for a level playing field. Certain countries use these duties to increase the price of the imported product to protect their home economies. Free trade does not protect the country whose standard of living is high and costs associated with it's products are higher. It just means that a country that produces something for $5 that costs $8 to make in the US will put the US workers who make that product out of jobs. Maybe in good times they may work that out somehow, right now America itself is on the line and that's what I care about. I don't care about China, Brazil, Germany, Spain, anywhere else I'm an American and I care about America. When we are back on our feet then we can help again until then sorry the piggy bank is broke.
So we need to contact our legislators and tell them America comes first and if they don't want to listen and put other countries first then their jobs will go to someone else next election no matter what party they belong to, America is more important then the Republicans or Democrats. So get those letters and emails going.

We can do it

2008-11-12T15:05:00.001-08:00

Let's have a moratorium on financial news for 1 month. No news, no Dow Jones no S&P no comments on how 401ks are doing absolutely nothing then see what happens. People look out the window see people working, shopping doing things they feel more secure they go spend some money, not the wanton waste of money that brought us here but sensible without going into deep debt or debt at all. All of a sudden people have to be hired because people are buying That's pretty much how it works. What we've had to put up with was a media frenzy that built everything into such a hysteria just to sell their shows it became a self fulfilling prophecy. All they sell is bad news to sensationalize their shows for ratings, and people panic OMG my 401K is in ruins cries a 30 something wake up you've got 30 + years for it to come back stop and think before you panic People who have just retired or are getting ready to have an issue but they can still survive. Panic will destroy you stop and think hard and long and I'd really think hard before I listened to any of the experts didn't their advice and way of doing things cause this?Can anyone explain to me why people get paid to gamble with other peoples money? My business teacher told us that stocks were nothing more then a gamble and back then when Vegas was the only gambling mecca in the US he said "The business of gambling takes a dim view of the business known as gambling", I think the reason for that is when you engage in the business of gambling you risk your own money you don't have to pay anyone to play let alone pay them to lose it for you, or pay anyone when you win. Slow down stop and think. If we can start buying again in small ways we will generate new jobs or help keep old ones. It's going to take Americans not the government to get us out of this. Good old Yankee ingenuity and down home Southern Pride that made this country great can do it again and if the problems in DC get in our way vote them out of office. Time to take back America.

Republican loss, on purpose?

2008-11-10T02:54:00.000-08:00

Did the Republicans realizing the shape the economy is in and the fact that the American public demands instant satisfaction run a campaign that had little to no chance to win on purpose? I can just hear the Republican strategists, the economy is in terrible shape, even though it's a Democratic congress with a lower approval rating then Bush that did its share to cause it the public won't remember that. The other problem is the American public demands instant everything from coffee to marriage, divorce, enlightenment, anything and everything must happen when they want it forget the fact that it can't. Let's let the Democrats win. This will work out great as another fact about American voters is they have the memory span of 1 news broadcast to the next It's announced Nov. 5 that the Democrats have won, within a week they are putting out their recovery plan, by Christmas they've pretty much taken over the problem. Come the inauguration they own it lock stock and barrel. If it isn't resolved by summer they are going to take full heat for it, not because they should but rather all the public heard during the campaign was "we will fix it" and with a Democratic congress and President it better be done. Throw into the mix a black President and what this will do to race relations in this country if the economy doesn't straighten out right away I shudder to think. Race relations have not improved or changed in years all that's happened is they've been shoved under the rug by putting in place hate/bias crimes law, outlawing racial and ethnic slurs but never dealing with the actual issue of how to achieve true integration and equality.So maybe the Republicans made a smart decision lose this one, let the Democrats try or maybe start to fix the problem, however it won't happen quick enough to satisfy the American public so the Republicans will start winning back seats in the mid term elections and have a good chance to regain the White House in 2012.It's just a thought.

Market takes a dive

2008-11-06T14:43:00.000-08:00

It's interesting, 2 days after the election you would have expected the market to stabilize, hold steady something like that and it's not it's in the toilet. The bail out is going through gas prices are down Bush is leaving and there's a new president. The president has the approval of what 52% percent of American voters. So how come the market is doing an imitation of a submarine? I know people are going to say it's been fluctuating for awhile and yes that's true. However I would have thought that with the election decided, the uncertainty gone the market would have at least leveled off for awhile. Guess I thought wrong. Maybe that is why the market is doing what it is doing, because the uncertainty is gone. Obama won. He wants to tax businesses and rich people. So businesses and rich people normally being intelligent, (and I'll save all you Obama fans from having to add the following) greedy, self centered, not at all concerned with America or its poor, (got most of them) are bailing on America. Why? The great unwashed masses out there voted him in with a 4% popular vote and a coastal and IL electoral vote so that he could tax these businesses and people how dare they leave? Because they're smart, they realize that true economic growth does not occur by a redistribution of the wealth. It occurs when people are willing to work. When businesses are willing to grow and employ more people. It grows when the American dream my grandparents came here to find is realized. It does not grow when businesses and people are taxed just to redistribute the wealth. They will leave, they will not work or build something just to have it taken from them for no other reason then to give it to someone else. Have there been financial abuses by the large multinational corporations? Yes. Do we need to institute safeguards to hopefully prevent them from happening again? Yes. However if we do not allow corporations and people who invest in them to retain the lions share of the profits, keeping in mind they are risking their assets to fund and keep these businesses going what reason will they have to stay in America when other countries are clamoring for work for their people and will let them keep most of the profit? It sound very good and idealogical to spread the wealth however if you're old enough to remember sandlot games that were played when the kid who had the ball got there and ended when he left, that's what you have here. These businesses and rich folk have the ball and if Obama and America does not make it worth their while to stay here, game over.So I feel it would be in America's best interest if Obama and his people sat down with these businesses and people and work out a workable deal before he and congress are wondering where their retirement is coming from since there maybe no one working in America.

I'm tired of pressing #1 for English

2008-11-02T07:31:00.000-08:00

My grandparents and the parents and grandparents of many of my friends immigrated here from other countries and learned English. They learned it to become a citizen, to get a job to grow in their new country but more then that to show respect for a country that was giving them the chance for a better life then the country they came from. It appears that today's immigrants have no respect for a country that is better then the one they came from because they just want everything handed to them as if they earned it. Guess what just immigrating here doesn't earn you anything. You have to work for what you get. Yes I am saying the United States of America is better then whatever country you came from. The USA gives you the chance for a better life, a chance to be yourself a chance for freedom in thought ,word, religion and more. If your home country gave you all that you wouldn't be here so the USA is the best.I don't like all what I consider useless laws that the government keeps instituting or writing just to satisfy or shut up squeaky wheels without even considering who it benefits. This is suppose to be a country of majority rule so if a law doesn't benefit directly a minimum of 40% of the population our tax dollars shouldn't even be used to consider it. The one law I think that should be instituted because it benefits probably 90+% of the taxpaying legal US citizens is all phones, ATM's, self checkouts anything that is public must be in English without having to push any buttons or ask for it. It is in English from the start, you have to push buttons or ask or whatever they may require for any other language that company may wish to offer. With a very hefty fine for non compliance. It's time Americans took back our country from the multinational corporations who want to blur national boundaries in their unbridled greed which was proven by them and the Unamerican Americans who caused this massive financial crisis.Bring back America.

America’s Chance

2008-11-01T04:49:00.001-07:00

America's Chance

We should export or at least not vote into office our politicians who support socialism, communism, and fascism, anything but good old capitalism.

Why, very simple, look at history. What fascist, socialist or communist country has survived for any length of time without aid from another country? Or total subjugation of its people except the ruling class?

I don't see any of those who praise these other forms of government moving to those countries, if that form of government was such a good way to live why don't they immigrate?

If living under those forms of government is so good and fair why are the majority of the immigrants that come to this country (legal or otherwise) from countries with those forms of government? Is it because they want a better life? Is it because they want what use to be the American dream, the ability to have your own business? The ability to have a better life style then one that is degreed by the government? The ability to give their children a better education and the chance to make a good life for themselves and their families when they have them?

Do the people who support these politicians actually think that these same politicians would live under the same financial constraints, the same living conditions, have the same health care as the general population? If they do they are wrong. Look at any of those countries, they have 2 distinct classes those that rule and those that serve. Our politicians who support these forms of government for the US are already in the ruling class, they can retire after 1 term with pay and health benefits for the rest of their lives for them and their families. We taxpayers (those who serve) are lucky if we can retire. They have staffs and offices, everything the aristocracy and monarchy we broke with in 1776 had and everything the ruling class in socialist, communist, and fascist countries have.

The way that the capitalism that formed the American dream has been warped by the unbridled greed of more than a few CEOs, boards and stock traders along with multinational corporations cannot nor should it be denied. However when you have a large plumbing leak in your house you don't tear your house down, you repair the problem. That's what America needs to do. Repair the problem. Prevent companies from getting so large that they destroy competition, do not let greed and illegal activities be rewarded by golden parachutes. If CEOs or board members have been proven to have broken the laws take their money and assets the same thing the government does to drug dealers. There are many ways to fix what is broken without destroying the house.

I feel that we do need to change a few things to prevent what just happened from happening again soon, and yes it will happen again history does repeat itself.

However turning the greatest country history has ever known into a 3^rd world country is not an option I feel we should exercise.

America will need foreign aid

2008-10-30T16:06:00.000-07:00

Well if Obama and the rest of the lets take money from the hardworking people of America and give to lazy I'm to good to work bums, the ones who don't finish school, don't make their kids even go to school or have another baby just because they want more money group (Not people with actual disabilities) . Actually win and take power they are going to bankrupt this country. Who is going to want to invest their time and money to start a business so they can pay people thru taxes who don't even work. The American dream was to be able to build a good future for yourself not work your self to death for others. And if this form of redistributing the wealth works so well in other countries why are they all dependent on US foreign aid to keep going? If we do go to this form of government what country is going to give us foreign aid to keep us going? And at what income or housing level would people be better off not working and still live as good as they did. I my mind you have to earn what you get and deserve and if I want to help someone it's my choice, it is not the government's right to take my money to give to someone else.

Mediocre

2008-10-19T15:08:00.001-07:00

Mediocre

It appears that the mediocre, the untalented, and the lazy to name a few have taken over and due to their numbers have effectively ended the American dream. You know them, you may even be one of them, and it does appear they are in the majority. These are the people who feel that they can do anything as well as an expert in that field, providing the standard is lowered. They have always been among us and up until recently they had stayed with their own kind moaning and groaning complaining how they could have hit that pitch if it wasn't thrown so fast, or skied that mountain if it wasn't that steep, or played that song if…. written that book if…. you know the type nothing but excuses. You need all types to make a society and everyone has their place and things work fine. Those that can do it and do it reap the rewards, those that can't do it as well or at all but assist those who can reap their rewards. The ones that do nothing but moan and complain lived on crumbs. All of a sudden things have changed; politicians have decided that to stay in their do nothing but act and look important at photo ops jobs they need votes. What a better wellspring to tap for votes then the mediocre. They already have grandiose dreams of themselves, now some of them can come to be realized. Not by hard work of their own, oh no by having politicians "legally" rob under the guise of taxes the ones who work and produce and give the proceeds to the mediocre. This is a real lowering of the standards of the mediocre. They use to take pride in doing their own robbing. I guess everything gets out sourced today.

Unless something is done in this upcoming election to keep Obama and his cohorts Farrakhan, Jackson, Sharpton, AAyers and the rest of the ilk he pals with out of power forget about asking your boss for a raise it will just be taken away by the government for welfare either before you get it or after you get it. Probably after so that you'll be in a higher tax bracket and you can feel proud you make so much even though those on welfare are now living better then you.

How can a true American vote for Obama?

2008-10-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

I can't vote for a man whose association with terrorists, and the likes of Farrakhan, Jackson and Sharpton would not allow him to be a member of the Secret Service and yet they are charged with his protection. Who it is still rumored was not born in the US and therefore not eligible to be president. Who wants to take money from hardworking Americans and give it to lazy bums. It is very telling that instead of exhorting people to work he prefers that they sit and do nothing and take money from those who work. If this was the attitude of our forefathers this country would still be a colony of England. One sign of the end of a great civilization is when the government becomes the re-distributor of the wealth. I guess if Obama wins that will be the end of the America the millions who fought and died to defend over the years knew and their lives will have been shed in vain.

No work, no vote

2008-10-16T15:34:00.001-07:00

I guess I'm jumping on the band wagon of the self serving empowered lifestyle that seems to be the rage in NY and LA, where because you want it you should get it and to keep you from getting it would be rude, uncivil and some may even try to claim illegal or worse.

Well here's what I want; an end to taxation without adequate representation. Yes exactly what it says, not the battle cry of the 1776 which was "no taxation without representation" I want to add the word "adequate". I'm tired of my taxes going up to pay for welfare, for special privileges in prisons, in criminal hospitals for the insane and so on and so on in that genre of people living on the backs of hard working taxpaying citizens.

Why does this happen? Simply because we have politicians who play to the lazy and the criminal and say vote for me and I'll raise your welfare, I'll make sure you have better medical care in prison then working taxpayers can afford. These people vote them in. Your taxes and mine go up and we have no say in it. It's time we take back our country. It's quite simple, you don't work, you don't vote. Why should people who don't pay taxes have a say in where they are spent, and how high they need to be raised to keep the lazy or criminal comfortable.

You need to work a minimum of 2 years fulltime before you can vote, if you lose your job you have 6 months to find a new one, if you've retired from a life of work you continue to vote. If you become disabled and can't work anymore but had been working you keep voting. If you're a family living on 1 income both can vote. It's just the ones who won't work or can't because of crimes who aren't allowed to vote. However should they decide to go to work or when they get out of prison they go to work after 2 years they get to vote.

Honest hardworking taxpaying citizens are who made this country great and they are the ones who should reap the rewards of their labors not the lazy and criminal.

Voters = Stupidity?????

2008-10-13T14:20:00.000-07:00

Soon it will be election day and we will see how smart or stupid American voters are and what type of memory they have if any. I'm not talking about the 2 jokes that are running for president. I'm talking about how many incumbents will keep their seats, federal and state. All that's been in the news is how they've screwed the country, how they don't do their jobs how they need to be replaced. Remember it is the Democratic Congress not the Republican President who actually makes the laws. They are the ones who have kept us in Iraq, they are the ones that filled the bailout with pork and our own Senator Dodd received special favors and is one of the leaders of the pack. Well Americans you've been screaming loud and hard for a while now. Do you just talk the talk or are you going to cowboy up and walk the walk and hand all the incumbents their walking papers? No excuses, they all go and we start fresh or just shut up with your complaints!

Hurricane Ike

2008-09-28T06:19:00.001-07:00

I was just emailed photos of the devastation caused by Ike and my mind went back to Katrina.

Can anyone answer me a few questions?

1) Why do we send billions in foreign that will never be paid back to Israel, Iraq, and other countries when Americans whose homes and small businesses were destroyed by natural or man made disasters have to take loans and pay them back while still supporting foreign countries?

2)Why do area's in the USA not have electricity, clean water good schools, and enough food yet our tax dollars go to make sure other countries have these basics?

3)Why do Americans go without health care when our foreign aid goes to insure it for other countries and tax deductions are given for further donations to that?

4) Why do American school children go to school hungry yet we have food drives and foreign aid to other countries?

5) Why are our tax dollars going to bail out multi-national corporations?

I can go on and on and I'm sure you could too.

Does anyone in the American Government care about Americans or America?

I think it's about time all the incumbents are voted out and term limits of about 5 years are instituted without any retirement pay or health benefits in retirement.

Well can anyone answer my questions? Remember charity starts at home and if you can't take care of your own how can you take care of others?

American taxpayer again. Why?

2008-09-27T06:08:00.001-07:00

American taxpayer again. Why?

Why is the American taxpayer the only one expected to pick up the pieces of the destruction of the monument to unbridled greed?

Are these companies or whatever they choose to call themselves wholly owned and operated in the United States by US taxpaying citizens? Probably not. Are they incorporated in other countries for tax purposes? Probably. Do they have foreign subsidiaries? Probably. Are they foreign subsidiaries or assets of corporations that are not based in the US? Probably. Will their collapse adversely affect the economy of every country in the world? Absolutely.

With those questions and answers in mind why is it the American Taxpayer again who is expected to sacrifice to save the world?

If the other countries don't wish to help us out in this time of crisis that is their choice. Where the money comes from in the American budget is our choice.

My strong suggestion is get the money from foreign aid. Immediately stop all foreign aid, be it to Israel, Brazil, Taiwan, Iraq, it doesn't matter what country or what amount or what it will do to the economy of that country end it immediately. What the cost of foreign aid and this bail out is doing and will continue to do to Americans is what I'm concerned with and what our government should be concerned with also.

All we hear from our elected officials is "it's a global economy". Well where is the rest of the global economy when it comes to helping with this.

I strongly urge everyone to contact our elected officials and demand they take care of America and American Taxpayers before another penny goes to foreign aid. Actually write letters and make phone calls. Show them Americans still care about America.

Where is Obama's wife?

2008-09-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

Let's see first his Preacher disappears, Sharpton and Jackson never really show up and where has Michele been. Why is everyone disappearing in his campaign. McCain's wife is out there. Palin's husband and kids are out there.They're not hiding anything. What's Obama hiding??? I heard there was a skit on SNL that was in extremely bad taste about Palin's husband. Where is the political correct police screaming about that? God forbid anything be said about Obama the PC police would hang the person(s). I'm just wondering what he's hiding? Even the Clinton's give lip service only and that's only to get help with campaign debt? So it's paid for not given freely. Why? Why is no one close to him out in the press or public? How could someone seriously consider voting for a person who hides everyone around him? Again what is he hiding and why doesn't the mainstream press ask this question? Is it because they crowned him without enough research and now they don't know how back away?Any answers?

Children $75 –Adults $2

2008-09-13T04:45:00.001-07:00

Children $75 - Adults $2 that's what the prices should be for getting into fairs, car and bike shows, anything that interests adults. I'm trying to figure out when and how some evil children were able to brainwash some adults into thinking their job was to take care of kids rather than the other way around as it had been since the beginning of time. The movement must have started small then became a cult that took over everything. I think it's time to put things back the way they were, when all was right with the universe and children served adults.

Look at history. The first people didn't have any past experience to learn from, we've learned from them. So here they are wandering around bumping into each other and they find "wow this feels good" next thing you know here's this little kid. It looked like them but a smaller version how did this happen. It probably took a little while to figure it out but they did. The question was what to do with it. So back then there was no welfare or anything like that if you wanted to survive you pulled your weight. With that in mind they put these smaller versions of themselves to work, gathering when they were small like 2-5years, hunting after that and if they couldn't do either they could always be the bait. This worked fine for tens of thousands of year's right up until the last century. Up until then people had kids to work the farm, help in the shop or around the ranch to do things that made it worth keeping them and making more. All of a sudden this cult springs up and kids are spoiled, they are waited on hand and foot, no more being hunters or bait. This is terrible. Why should adults have to work until they are too old to do anything? They shouldn't. Society was set up and should be again to where children start working at about 5 (don't worry they don't have to drive we have mass transport) until they are old enough to have enough of their own kids who would be working and taking care of them. I figure adults should be able to retire and enjoy life from about 35-40. I can see some people have figured this out and are trying bring about a return to the old ways. You know the ones I'm talking about, the parents of celebrity children, be they in acting, sports, music what have you. They gone back to the old ways and in many cases have been successful enough to enjoy life while they can. We need to keep this movement going.

Remember "Youth is wasted on the Young". Get those kids out there in the farms and factories where they belong and enjoy your life you deserve it.

Obama shows his true self.

2008-09-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

Calling a woman a pig. How disrespectful can you get. I notice when he was trying to win the nomination from Hillary he was polite and respectful. Now with the nomination sewed up I guess his true personality is showing. The democrats are in a hard spot how can they support a candidate who is so disrespectful to women when half of them were supporting a woman for president. I bet a lot of them wished this came out before the convention, I'll also bet alot of them are wondering if they can recall him and put Hillary in her rightful place. If I was a woman I couldn't vote for a man who was that disrespectful. As a man I wouldn't vote for any man who would be that disrespectful of a woman, it could be my mother, my wife, my sisters or just female friends. If he is this disrespectful while he's running for office and in public how is his behavior in private and how would it be with the power of the Presidency behind him? Scary!!!! Bill may have had sex outside of marriage and as President however I don't ever remember him disrespecting women. If he has any morality or decency he would step down right now from the campaign as well as his seat in the Senate.
__________________

Who's Oprah?

2008-09-08T16:08:00.000-07:00

I've heard the name and seen pictures, I've never watched the show. Then again I've never seen a 'reality show' or "American Idol" or anything of that genre unless I was changing channels and it flicked on for a second. I guess some people would say I must live under a rock. I say I have a life and a brain and I don't need someone telling me how I should think, who I should like, what I should eat or drink or any of that. Yes I do watch TV, I watch for entertainment, not to be brainwashed on how to think like a drone by people who somehow appointed themselves smarter, and in charge of how people should live their lives. I can think and I do. There are over 300 million people in this country and we are only told what a comparative handful of media types want us to know. So instead of watching and listening to these people I go out and meet and talk with real people, at flea markets, car and bike shows, diners, parks, animal shelters, places where people who really live are and it is so different from what these Oprah's want us to think. At least in my view. Writing and reading gives an interesting view of people. I try to guess who are the ones who watch the Oprahs and mimic them and who are individual and creative in their thinking.

Stop the Give-aways

2008-09-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

I don't want the Obama ticket. I want to do away with welfare and taxing working people so those to lazy to work can have kids and sit around all day while the rest of us work. I want social security to only go to those who pay into it. Why should we work all our lives paying into social security only to have it given to people who never contributed so we can't retire. Cold yes. Heartless yes. Honest yes and I'm sure they are many more who feel this way. I'm tired of the government redistributing the wealth. I have no problem with programs that help educate people to get jobs or help those who are truly disabled. But it while it may be your right to have it kid it isn't my responsibility to pay for it. If you can't afford it don't have it.

A new America

2008-09-03T15:38:00.000-07:00

Sarah Palin, intelligent, well spoken, Commander in Chief of the Alaskan National Guard, took on the oil companies and won windfall taxes, has Russia as a border neighbor and Canada so she understands international politics. Has children and her children have children (let's see how forgiving the christians are on this. Remember let the one without sin cast the first stone or something like that) A real American one who has had to worry about feeding the family worked real jobs as has her husband. These are real Americans, not political images that are usually run by both parties ( and are definitely being run in the #1 job by the Rep. and both jobs by the Dem's). I'm sure she never expected this nor did her family. I like the idea of having someone that I could have had a cup of coffee with or enjoyed an unscripted conversation with, down to earth and not scripted or fake being in a high or highest position in government. Sounds like a real win for the USA. And what experience is really required. Congress makes the laws, State dept handles what passes as diplomacy or foreign policy, all a President or Vice President has to do is follow scripts at affairs. Have enough intelligence to realize they don't know everything and to have experts advise them. It is a great day for America that a REAL AMERICAN is running for this position since I believe the first few elections. After which a political class of supreme and arrogant egotists arose and were crowned the royalty of America by the media (which was and still is controlled by them). This is a big as the French Revolution REAL Americans taking back their country.

The rolling roar of Patriotism

2008-09-02T17:09:00.001-07:00

The rolling roar of Patriotism

Dear Mr. Garrison Keillor,

It is fascinating how people looking at the same event see it so differently. I am speaking of your comments on the Rolling Thunder ride to Washington DC on Memorial Day weekend. You were there in body, I was there in spirit. While I wish my body was there, you wish there were no bodies there. While American men and women roared their love and pride of America and the fallen heroes who died to protect it. You were impatient to get into a museum to gaze upon paintings by the way you spoke of you had often seen. Yet were these works of Americans? No. They were the work of artists from a country Americans had died to free from tyranny, not once but twice. Yet not a century later this country insults America, will not stand up with America against their mutual enemies. A very interesting way to show honor to America's military dead on Memorial Day.

While I can summon up images of World War II based on books , TV, movies, the image that is most prevalent in my mind is my fear as the draft lotto numbers were pulled in 1973. My number was high enough I wasn't drafted. I enlisted 2 years later. Images of that time that are still with me are watching my friends and strangers burst into tears or hysteria for reasons that only they could see after they returned from Viet Nam. Some of these as you call them "fat men with ponytails on Harleys" were there. They left part of themselves there, along with all of some friends. They are not grown men playing soldier they are men who were soldiers as children. Their courage and patriotism was tested under fire and it didn't waver. They were in DC this Memorial Day, along with the friends and families of those who never made it back and those who did, from not only Viet Nam but both World Wars, Korea, and all the other military actions before and since.

These people who so disturbed your weekend care more about America's war dead then to just sit quietly and read a book about it. They took their money, their lives and their time to come to the Capital of the greatest nation the world has ever known on Memorial Day Weekend, not to sit quietly but as the name suggests, to Roar with Rolling Thunder. To show those who could not make the trip that their loved ones who never made it back, or only made it back part way are not forgotten. To show the world that America is still here as strong and as proud as ever and we never forget our heroes.

Please enjoy your pictures and your dream of being "the boatman" and as you do remember, the mere fact that you can dream is due to the millions of Americans who gave up their dreams so you and others can.

Maybe next Memorial Day I can be there in body as well as spirit and so can you.

Barefoot & Pregnant

2008-09-01T07:04:00.001-07:00

Barefoot & Pregnant

August 18 was the 88^th anniversary of the 19^th amendment that gave women the right to vote.

Aug 18 1920, this was after men had the war to end all wars apparently the women didn't agree ( you know how they always have to have their way) WW II, Korea, Viet Nam, Grenada, 2 gulf wars and all kinds of police actions followed.

The breakdown down of the nuclear family unit something else that probably wasn't envisioned. Mom can now vote, so she can work as well so who's home raising the offspring? No one which was fine because it opened a whole new industry "Child Day Care". So instead of taking care of their own kids they want to work and what job do they take on? Watching other women's kids. Interesting thinking. In addition you now need 2 or more cars per family which has caused global warming (where was Al Gore when this was starting). With all these women now entering the work place families now have more income. Everyone needs to keep up with the Jones. Instead of the old "my dad can beat up your dad' now it's"my parents can out spend your parents" Loading the dishwasher no longer meant getting your wife drunk. It means so she has time to go to work you need to buy a dishwasher (more energy waste again global warming) and load it.

I guess we have to learn a lesson, no matter how good an idea looks on paper it takes almost 100 years to see if it was a good idea to start with.

Maybe when women got the vote since they outnumbered (and still do) men they should have voted us out of the vote and the work place and kept us home raising the kids. But what type of professional sports would America have if men were the homemakers? Ironing competition, full contact buying at sales (oh women already have that one). Let your imagination run riot.

Anyway to you Suffragettes out there congratulations on keeping the world as screwed up as it was before you got the vote.

Government by the People

2008-08-21T08:30:00.001-07:00

Government by the People

This year voters will have their say on one of the most important pieces of legislation ever to be put to a vote in Connecticut. That is the ability of voters to directly make laws. If this piece of legislation passes it will no longer just be the elected representatives and their lobbyist friends who will make the laws we have to live under but anyone could initiate a referendum to make a law that has to be approved by a majority of voters. No longer would the citizens of CT be under the dictates of laws passed out of emotion, with no logic behind it that only benefit small but loud special interest groups or laws passed to benefit special interests that have powerful lobbies that just look out for them. The "Silent Majority" can and hopefully will have its say if this law passes.

However I see very little about it in the media and what I do see has the special interest groups pushing to insure this change does not pass.

I feel that is UNAMERICAN. Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg address called America "a government by the people, for the people, and of the people". It seems in CT, the government, the elected representatives, the lobbyists, and the special interest groups do not feel that a government run by the people is in their best interests. Apparently they do not consider the people they control intelligent enough to know what laws and taxes they want. They are wrong. I think the legislators are scared they would become accountable for the laws and taxes they pass.

I hope this law passes and the media gets behind it to protect their right to a free press.

Print names & addresses

2008-08-15T05:42:00.001-07:00

I just read another story where a 16 year old was arrested on a sexual assault charge. Of course that persons name wasn't printed because of their age. I say that's wrong. Once a kid is over 10 they should know the difference between right and wrong or their parents didn't do a good job raising them, and their name and parents name and town should be in the media if they break the law. Then perhaps the parents may actually start controlling their kids for fear of their own embarrassment. I'm tired of reading about these criminal punks running around and no one knowing who they are. Guess what your kid maybe the next victim of the 16 year old in the beginning of this piece because you don't know about them. Please don't hand me the bleeding heart garbage they are only 'children' and the rest of their life and their parents shouldn't be ruined by having their names published. They've already ruined the life of the person or persons they committed the crime against why should they walk away without anyone knowing it was them. Parents are responsible not society or the government and should face the consequences of not disciplining their offspring, and the kids should learn what happens when you break the law.

Quality vs Quantity of Life

2008-07-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

I'm not in the health care field.
I believe in the quality of life not the quantity. My father was in an accident that left him paralyzed, he didn't want to live on machines. He did not have a living will. I tried to respect his wishes but was not able to because of other family members so instead of dying in a few days he suffered for 10 months not being capable of doing any of the things he was looking forward to do in his retirement. That in my mind was causing harm to a person. That is prolonging life just because we have the technology to do so. It doesn't help anyone in my mind. I wouldn't want to live brain damaged or paralyzed or many other ways. However that's me and I am aware of the legalities involved.
I can't understand why religions which promise a heaven for a good decent life here on earth would rather keep a person alive and suffering rather then letting them go to their reward. Or is it that they're not sure there's a heaven?
The other thing that upsets me greatly is that prisoners, illegal immigrants and the poor get free medical care for almost anything yet if you have a home a bank account or anything like that they take it from you. What's the point in being "cured" if you have no place to live and no money to live on. You work all your life to have something to retire to and leave to your kids and it's taken from you. Yet your taxes pay for these other peoples care and you're left with nothing. Taxpayers should have all their medical bills paid for at age 65 and never have to worry about losing a thing. Actually a US citizen taxpayer should never have to give up a home or bank account or anything like that for medical care no matter what their age. I mean federal Senators and Congressmen our "Public Servants" get that benefit after 1 term in office at any age. Why shouldn't the people who are paying for it get the same when they retire or become to ill to work or can't afford the treatments?
Time to start taking back our country.

Jodi Rell the Incompotent

2008-07-29T06:29:00.000-07:00

Does this governor have any idea what she's doing? We go from a large surplus, to no surplus, to a deficit and now back to a small surplus. I know that wouldn't be tolerated in the private sector.What about the cost overruns at the rail center. Didn't it almost double the cost? How about the failure to supervise the work on 84 in Waterbury and Cheshire where the contractor didn't connect the storm drains. What happened to the DOT personnel who didn't supervise it? They proved they couldn't supervise the number of people they had, so they get rewarded by being given more people not to supervise. Connecticut receives $90 million plus a month from the casinos that's a billion dollars a year where does that go? Why is Lisa Moody still being paid by the state after her election ethics problems? What happened to the DEP personnel who arrested Rell's son while Rowland was Governor? I heard they were fired after she came into power I don't know if this is true.She is great at photo ops she should be in Hollywood. But as far as being the CEO of a state not in my mind. Don't forget politicians don't need brains,ethics or morals all they need is to photograph well and be able to read speeches or memorize answers to questions. I don't think she's qualified to be a Walmart greeter.
__________________

Why does the USA protect Israel not Ireland?

2008-07-26T03:38:00.000-07:00

I'm just asking why does the US protect Israel? Why don't we help the Irish Catholics achieve their freedom instead?
Israel has no oil, no natural resources nothing that could benefit the USA. Ireland has good beer.
The US and England forced the UN to throw the Palestinians off their land just after world war 2, since then the US has spent billions in foreign aid to Israel along with probably trillions in our military budget keeping a military presence in the mid east to attempt to keep the peace.
The Irish are living on their own land they just want their own rule. We're suppose to be friends with England so it wouldn't cost us anything in military dollars. We could use diplomacy and Condi Rice might actually accomplish something.
Because of our defense of Israel our twin towers were blown up along with other terrorist acts, and we live now with a homeland security and the loss of American Rights and Freedoms.
If we help the Irish Catholics the pope may even bless us, the Kennedy's will be very happy and as a gift to the US may get out of public office. Up the Irish

Drug Cartels Save US Economy

2008-07-21T15:45:00.000-07:00

Drug Cartels Save US Economy
Apparently the fuel prices that have raised the cost of food have hit the drug cartels. Todays papers report some farmers in Bolivia and Colombia have stopped growing coca, instead they are growing rice and corn it pays better.How long do you think the cartels are going to let this go on? They've probably been losing sales since the gas prices started skyrocketing among the recreational users. The addicts are a given but they can't raise the prices because they can only steal so much a day. I also figure people aren't buying much of anything so the prices for stolen goods are probably low. What's a drug cartel to do. They'll have to open negotiations with the speculators and hedge fund operators who have driven the prices so high based on greed to bring the prices down so their drug customers can afford them again. They may even use their lobbyists with the US politicians to change the thrust of the war on drugs to a war on gas greed. I don't think they want into the fuel business to many laws and rules and it's out in the open. I'm sure they are fantastic negotiators putting William Shatner to shame. More along the lines of Bruce Willis dealing with the terrorists in the 'Die Hard' movies.This maybe turn into something to watch or it may be nothing. However when you can make more money selling food then illegal drugs it shows how bad these speculators and oil politicians have hurt this country.

USA Lifestyle No Apology Needed

2008-07-04T07:32:00.001-07:00

USA Lifestyle No Apology Needed

I'm tired of hearing people; Americans as well as foreigners knock the American lifestyle. If you're jealous of it, the food, housing, vehicles and all the luxury items that Americans enjoy get over it. If you feel it's wrong that we live so well while others live in squalor and hunger get over it. Life isn't fair it is just life.

It would do you good to remember all the other nations, cultures and continents are thousands of years older than the USA. If they haven't achieved what America has it's their own fault. If you go back to the first settlers in 1620 we haven't even made 400. The lifestyle Americans enjoy wasn't given to them. No magician waved their magic wand and said Americans you have everything you've ever dreamed of for nothing. Absolutely not. Every part of the American lifestyle was earned with the blood sweat and tears of the Americans who tamed a land. Americans who left their bones and blood scattered across this country as they explored and cultivated it. Americans, who had dreams, achieved them. Americans who believed in freedom and opened their country to those who longed for freedom and understood that freedom isn't free you need to work for it cultivate it protect it and they did, making this the greatest nation in the world.

People would do good to remember if it wasn't for the blood and lives of millions of American servicepersons in the first and second world wars these countries complaining probably wouldn't exist today. Another memory is that the number of countries in the world not receiving foreign aid (financial, food, medical on and on) from America probably doesn't total 50. What they do with it is their business but don't complain to me my taxes have been going up and up to help other countries. Our politicians have given away our jobs to "help" other economies thereby hurting ours.

I for one want to continue enjoying the lifestyle my forefathers fought and died for. I'm going to start taking a hard look at American Politicians who give our jobs away to other countries in "Free Trade agreements" where because that countries labor costs are so much lower they do away with the duty and people buy from them and Americans lose jobs. Politicians who cost American lives in military actions that are civil wars and the only reason we are there is to protect multinational corporation interests.

In short it's time for Americans to take back our country. Vote out incumbents with too many ties to multinational corporations and not enough loyalty to the USA.

Our ancestors fought and died to give us this legacy it's our responsibility to pass it on to future generations, and to be an example of what other countries can be if they want it enough to fight for.

The Stars and Stripes

2008-06-28T14:00:00.001-07:00

American Flag

The American flag I've been flying for the past few years has become faded, time to replace it. Imagine my surprise when the only replacement I could find in several stores was made in China.

When the symbol of the greatest country history has every known is not manufactured in that country I consider it a major disgrace.

Our federal government passes thousands of laws annually, you would have thought that one of our federal legislators would have tried to pass a law that stated "All American Flags or Flags of any State or any governmental agencies, military branches including patches, badges, medals or anything representing any governmental agency be it federal state or local must be made in the United States of America using only American made materials". In the grand scheme of global economics this does not amount to even a drop in a drop in the bucket. In the matter of national pride it is priceless.

In this day and age of multi nationals, trade agreements and the giving away of America I believe it is time to bring back manufacturing jobs to the USA and what a better way to start then with the symbol of freedom that millions have died to defend.

What about it legislators are you Americans on America's side and can you pass one law without partisan politics or multinational lobbyists controlling your vote? Can you and will you bring a small measure of pride back to American Manufacturing.

First Amendment

2008-06-18T17:12:00.001-07:00

First Amendment

I find the fact that the mayor of the capital city of the state whose nickname is "The Constitution State" does not believe the constitution applies to him ironic.

The first amendment of the constitution of the United States of America gives Americans the Right of freedom of religion, free speech, free press, the right to peacefully assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances. Nowhere in the amendment are the words 'privilege or permission'.

Nowhere in this amendment does it say that a person's speech or what is published in the press is allowed as long as it does not offend, upset, insult. If that were the case it would not be free speech or a free press. When I was in high school we were taught that while all the amendments are important this one was first because without free speech and a free press to report it who would know anything. I remember more than one teacher saying words to the effect 'no matter how abhorrent what you say is to me I will defend your right to say it. Because if they stop you from saying that what will they stop me from saying'. A few other sayings from that era that you rarely hear anymore "stick and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me unless I let them" "I will ignore that derogatory remark after considering the source". We grew up learning that not everyone liked us and that was OK because they were allowed to say it so we knew where we stood.

I feel it would do people good to remember that if it was not for free speech and the freedom of the press , , women and minorities might not have right to vote, desegregation might not have taken place possibly slavery may not have been abolished along with many other social changes that have made this a better country. Before you reject this out of hand consider that Mayor Perez represents the government and he doesn't want people to say certain things and he is trying to use the power of the government to stop them. If it was not for the first amendment he could do so. Do you think that all the people in the government or in the country wanted women and minorities to have the vote, or were in favor of desegregation? I don't and if it wasn't for the first amendment the government in power would not have allowed people to speak about it or the press to report and we would still be where we were 100 years ago.

A fact that I find overlooked constantly by people who want to prohibit what people say now by calling it racist, bigoted a hate crime, calling for people to be arrested or lose their jobs or reputations for using a racial, ethnic or gender slur remember right now the pendulum is swinging your way but is doing just that swinging. It will go back the other way and what will you do when you are not allowed to speak up. By not allowing people to speak freely even if it is insulting or upsetting you are not solving a problem, rather you are putting a lid on a pressure cooker. For me personally I would prefer that if someone did not like me because of my, race, gender, ethnic background or religion they would say it out loud. Then I would know where I stand. Also if the person was intelligent it might open lines of communication that could become mutual respect or more. However do to laws put into place by do-gooders racism has not been eliminated but rather driven underground where I fear it is growing like mold that will destroy this country.

Mayor Perez and his supporters who feel it is their job now that they are in government to decide what can and should be said might do well to consider the fact that all dictatorships, communist and most socialist governments feel the same.

Kudos to the media who keep the free press free.

Tears on the keyboard

2008-04-27T15:14:00.001-07:00

Tears on the keyboard

Back at the end of July a funny looking, feisty 13 + year old 35 pound spaniel mix with the name Onyx came to live with Mitch, Nicky, Harley the cats the fish and also me. All 3 of the dogs he came to live with were larger then he was. He could actually walk under Nicky (a German shepherd) and Harley (a shepherd mix) Mitch is about 85 pounds but not that tall.

Onyx held his own with all three it was great to see Nicky and him play tug of war with one of those rope toys, Harley would try to step on him and he run under her Mitch would just lay down with him and relax. They all fit together fantastically.

Onyx soon picked up a new name "Little dog barks a lot" . He was a barker when he wanted attention. He'd just plop his butt down and bark. He was so low to the ground and a little over weight sometimes I couldn't tell when he was sitting.

He also taught me a lot about pride in who you are, who your family is and who your friends are. When we went for a walk his head and tail were straight up (unless he was sniffing) he was proud of himself and his new family and wanted everyone to know that. I remember one specific time in a parking lot just before the holidays it was just Onyx and myself stopping to get something on the way to visit my mother we walked thru that parking lot he seemed to be as tall as any German Shepherd or Great Dane he was so proud he was my dog and I was his man and he wanted the world to know it. The rest of that visit he was everywhere with me never showed any tiredness while he was around the other people, as soon as I put him on the front seat he fell asleep and I had to carry him into the house.

He was a joy to watch playing with his toys, in the snow romping thru the leaves. I was hoping to have him with us for a couple of years, it wasn't to be.

About the first week of April he started getting picky with his food and sleeping a little more and he had developed a small cough. He had been to a vet about 3 weeks before and they found nothing wrong. By the second week he wasn't getting better and seemed to be getting weaker. We tried to make an appointment with that vet but they didn't have one for at least a week so we took him to my old vet. On April 17, 2008 we found he was riddled with cancer, there was nothing we could do. The vet said he could go on steroids and antibiotics but they may only prolong his life without any quality he was going blind and would be in pain the whole time. I heard him bark for the last time that day when he heard my voice. My wife and I held him and kissed him goodbye and didn't leave him or let go of him until he was gone we were the last beings he sniffed and felt in this life which he left about 5:50pm on April 17, 2008.

On April 25, 2008 I went down to the vet to pick up his ashes. Onyx had his first motorcycle ride. His second should be when I die and all the ashes of all my pets and the soil from the graveyard some are buried in are combined with mine and put on the back of a bike and scattered to the wind.

Onyx I'll see you and all my friends who've gone before you and me when I cross the Rainbow Bridge to join you until then remember me because I'll never forget you.