True knowledge of American history is necessary to insure the future of the America we love… This is an important time in our country's history. We must be wise and measured as we choose our leaders going forward.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Term Limits; Please!!!
The latest scandal for Obama’s state senate seat just adds fuel to the term limits argument. We need to get rid of all of these people on a very determined time schedule. None of the bums currently in politics deserve to be there more than a term or two. We need to reduce the scope of government at all levels and the time individuals spend in it; period…
Monday, December 29, 2008
Why Caroline Kennedy’s Lack of Political Experience Matters…
As you know if you follow this Blog, I don’t believe political experience is a virtue. In most cases it seems exactly the opposite, the more experience the less common sense the politician seems to have. But in the case of Caroline Kennedy and the open NY Senate seat experience does matter and here’s why.
It is an appointment outside of the normal voting process. She believes that she is entitled because her family has been involved in politics for years. They have also been boot legers so I guess she would be a good appointment for Chairman of the ATF committee but I digress.
If she were making her case to the voters rather than the inside NY political machine her experience would be on display for the voters to decide. In that case I would say experience or lack thereof would be for the voters to consider and make their choice. As a matter of fact, I believe whenever there is an open Federal seat there should be an election by the people of that State or district.
Governor appointments are political calculations with a complete disregard for the citizens those appointments impact. Costly yes, but what is the cost of a true representative democracy worth?
So in the case of the NY Senate appointment it is safe to say it will be a democrat that fills the seat. Elections do have consequences after all. But if I were Governor I would offer up a couple of strong democrat and republican candidates and poll the voters of NY as to their preference. It will at least have the appearance of some sense of democracy although very flawed. How about someone that has a background in running the finances of a private for profit business? Agahst the thought of real experience not political hackdom!
The appointment process is an extremely flawed process when it is for seats that are normally filled by elections. The one caveat I would add to the State constitution is the clause; if you obtain a Federal senate or house seat through the appointment process, you are not eligible to run for that seat in the election for that seat for a minimum of two terms. That would keep the real political hacks on the sidelines and we may just end up with some competent people in congress by accident. Just a thought…
It is an appointment outside of the normal voting process. She believes that she is entitled because her family has been involved in politics for years. They have also been boot legers so I guess she would be a good appointment for Chairman of the ATF committee but I digress.
If she were making her case to the voters rather than the inside NY political machine her experience would be on display for the voters to decide. In that case I would say experience or lack thereof would be for the voters to consider and make their choice. As a matter of fact, I believe whenever there is an open Federal seat there should be an election by the people of that State or district.
Governor appointments are political calculations with a complete disregard for the citizens those appointments impact. Costly yes, but what is the cost of a true representative democracy worth?
So in the case of the NY Senate appointment it is safe to say it will be a democrat that fills the seat. Elections do have consequences after all. But if I were Governor I would offer up a couple of strong democrat and republican candidates and poll the voters of NY as to their preference. It will at least have the appearance of some sense of democracy although very flawed. How about someone that has a background in running the finances of a private for profit business? Agahst the thought of real experience not political hackdom!
The appointment process is an extremely flawed process when it is for seats that are normally filled by elections. The one caveat I would add to the State constitution is the clause; if you obtain a Federal senate or house seat through the appointment process, you are not eligible to run for that seat in the election for that seat for a minimum of two terms. That would keep the real political hacks on the sidelines and we may just end up with some competent people in congress by accident. Just a thought…
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Muslim World Explodes Again…
Many here in the US are not paying attention to the recent air strikes conducted by Israel in response to the constant barrage of missiles being launched into southern Israel by Hamas. Hamas is the Muslim terrorist group elected by Palestinians to be their leaders. The goal of Hamas is to wipe Israel off the face of the map. So much for the “religion of peace”.
Why is it, wherever Muslims are dominant terror and war reign supreme? It is simply an observation. War, terror, poverty, hopelessness, ignorance and violence.
We just celebrated the birth of our prince of peace, Jesus. It seems that the people that follow Jesus live in hope, peace, and prosperity. Not perfect but always working to be better.
Israel has no choice but to respond to protect their people. They would be quite happy living in peace if only their neighbors had a bit of civility in their doctrine. But that seems to be the missing component of their neighbor’s religion. Just an observation from afar. Let’s keep it that way; afar…
Why is it, wherever Muslims are dominant terror and war reign supreme? It is simply an observation. War, terror, poverty, hopelessness, ignorance and violence.
We just celebrated the birth of our prince of peace, Jesus. It seems that the people that follow Jesus live in hope, peace, and prosperity. Not perfect but always working to be better.
Israel has no choice but to respond to protect their people. They would be quite happy living in peace if only their neighbors had a bit of civility in their doctrine. But that seems to be the missing component of their neighbor’s religion. Just an observation from afar. Let’s keep it that way; afar…
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Buy a Ford; For Now…
I listened to the President this morning, and I was dismayed by his remarks how in normal circumstances he believed chapter 11 bankruptcy was the right course of action, but these times are different. I disagree; in a market based economy all circumstances are normal.
Running a viable business is difficult at best but these car makers were on a path of self destruction long before any financial “crisis” became clear. They are running unsustainable labor and production costs compared to their competitors here in the US. Toyota, Honda, KIA all have factories here in the US. Volks Wagon is building a plant in Chattanooga TN, and these companies have been watching the markets carefully and adjusting accordingly.
For example, Toyota shut down their plants for 7 weeks during the summer to offset overproduction. Employees did not receive 95% of their wages and benefits, they had to make due or take unemployment insurance which is about 30% of their regular wage. And have you noticed any whining coming from the car companies or their employees in the Southern US? That’s why companies are moving there; a productive and grateful labor force.
There is one depressing news conference after another coming out of Washington. These politicians are clearly incompetent to do the right thing so the best course is to reduce their role and get out of the way of the markets. Just say no; like Ford has; for now…
Running a viable business is difficult at best but these car makers were on a path of self destruction long before any financial “crisis” became clear. They are running unsustainable labor and production costs compared to their competitors here in the US. Toyota, Honda, KIA all have factories here in the US. Volks Wagon is building a plant in Chattanooga TN, and these companies have been watching the markets carefully and adjusting accordingly.
For example, Toyota shut down their plants for 7 weeks during the summer to offset overproduction. Employees did not receive 95% of their wages and benefits, they had to make due or take unemployment insurance which is about 30% of their regular wage. And have you noticed any whining coming from the car companies or their employees in the Southern US? That’s why companies are moving there; a productive and grateful labor force.
There is one depressing news conference after another coming out of Washington. These politicians are clearly incompetent to do the right thing so the best course is to reduce their role and get out of the way of the markets. Just say no; like Ford has; for now…
Thursday, December 18, 2008
A New Holiday; Constitution Day!
I am not for adding more non productive days to the already non productive Federal calendar BUT, it has become very apparent that no one understands the constitution anymore. That is why we need to create this new holiday; Constitution Day.
The first Wednesday in November (to follow our Election Day) we need a national reading of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It will be mandatory to carry the reading on all TV and radio networks. No exceptions; no options, no alternatives. We need to read and listen to these wonderful documents to help us understand how far we have wondered from the things that have made us great.
It will generate news and debate about the documents but at least we will know that people have actually been exposed to this unmatched genius. God knows; the current people running our Federal and State government have either not read or forgotten what the United States of America truly stands for. Just a thought…
The first Wednesday in November (to follow our Election Day) we need a national reading of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It will be mandatory to carry the reading on all TV and radio networks. No exceptions; no options, no alternatives. We need to read and listen to these wonderful documents to help us understand how far we have wondered from the things that have made us great.
It will generate news and debate about the documents but at least we will know that people have actually been exposed to this unmatched genius. God knows; the current people running our Federal and State government have either not read or forgotten what the United States of America truly stands for. Just a thought…
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