Sunday, September 30, 2012

Short book review

This is just a brief book review of a book recommended to me by a co-worker. The book, Andy Andrews "How do you kill 11 million people?",  is a very short read. I highly recommend it! It talks about differences between history and fact in a very revealing way. Easy to read, non-partisan and non-accusational.


It parallels the history of governments and rulers with today's politics. It doesn't point the finger at any one group, rather the group as a whole and our complacency as dependents on the very government we choose. Read it!

Like I said..short review, it was a very short book! Had it read in like 30 minutes!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

The economy that Obama graded incomplete.




This drum is getting beat up a bit, but it is of utmost importance to us and future generations. Our future generations will be getting the bill for our here and now. Is is so wrong to believe that it isn't our money to be spending? Is it equally wrong to believe in a man that grades himself "incomplete" on the largest economy in the world?  Anyone that votes Obama in for another four years will forever be known as the people that sold out future generations.



Our government is OVER spending to the tune of $12 per person per day. Every month our government is pissing away $372 per person. That's $4380 a year... Per person. Not tax payer...per person. Per every man, woman and child currently counted in the census as citizens. Close to 315 Million Americans. North of $4 Billion per day. This doesn't take into account the interest on that debt into the future. If we were to run a business like this we would be thrown in PRISON.

How can we as a nation refuse to shoulder this debt now and expect our future generations to pick up the tab? Liberal arrogance. Spend like crazy for what? A better tomorrow?  These markers will be called in and our children and children's children are the ones who will suffer for our current refusal to address the debt. These are our bills that we need to address. We as a nation cannot stand for this generational theft. Our future citizens will have enough on their collective plates to have to deal with past issues. How can we have a better tomorrow when we can't pay our debt now? What this generation is doing to future generations is reprehensible.

We need a balanced budget. We need a flat tax. We need sensible regulation. We need...NEW LEADERSHIP. People that have followed this blog probably see me as a Republican. I like to think of myself as a Libertarian, however this year I'll vote for Mitt Romney. Not because he's a Republican, but because he's less likely to trample on my liberties. Obama has shown his hand. Socialism, Marxist, Communist call it what you will. He has again and again touted redistribution of wealth. He's not taking from the rich to give to the poor. He's robbing from the future to pay off his friends in the now. He's a sham. All smoke and mirrors. People that vote Democrat have been snowed. If your really that moronic to not be able to see through his crap, then I feel sorry for you. You deserve all you get. The only problem with your way of thinking is that our FUTURE has to deal with your poor decision making skills.

On a lighter note, Just saw Atlas Shrugged. Good flick. Highly recommended by yours truly. Ayn Rand had a very poignant grasp on socialism. She lived it in Russia as a child and young adult. If any of my readers have Netflix or can get access to a copy, then watch it.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

No politics today. Reflections.

This blog isn't followed by many in comparison to other blogs, but the readers that do check in daily prompt me to update often! If these ramblings enlighten, entertain or even embroil then that's the intended effect. To use our minds for something other then a storage device for reality TV. We have DVR now for that!

Hunting season is back and in full swing. Hunting has always been a part of my family even though some years kind of slip by because of other obligations. The chance to get out and enjoy nature + spending time with friends and family (solve for) possibly even bag a critter is the equation for a great memory. Last season my brother was chosen for the Moose lottery and he let me bag it. I had the best hunt of my life so far! It was a great hunt with great folks. A cousin of mine was there with his group hunting and sadly he passed away this year. I was fortunate to spend some time with him. He was epitome of the great Maine Outdoorsman. His presence during that hunt made me appreciate that chance all the more. Rest In Peace Milo.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/400886_4630692655866_1432678655_n.jpgSome times in life we take things for granted. A sunrise, a sunset, the dew that settles on the lawn in the morning, the smell of the pines on a cool day and currently, the leaves changing color. Our fast paced life of work, family and scheduled entertainment has taken us away from the spontaneity of life. To 'stop and smell the roses' has been relegated to a squirt from rose room spray and our view of the world is checking in on Facebook. Don't get me wrong, Facebook is a many times per day check in for me too. I work mostly nights and make it a point to look at the sunset every night before work. I'm blessed to have a beautiful view from my deck. It's something my Mom left for me, her appreciation for Nature's beauty.
Take the time to appreciate life. Even the bad stuff. It's all life's experiences. Even when it's bad, your one up on some people. You still have the ability to feel. To learn from mistakes, pain or joy. When your extremely happy, you get a butterfly filled stomach and tears in your eyes..same for extreme fear or extreme sadness. Use those times in your life to learn and continue. Pass that on to others. There's only one person that will truly make you happy, only one that will make you sad...Yourself. Everything that prompts you to feel that way is outside influence on your own life experience. Only you have the power to determine whether you are in the sunrise of your life or the sunset.  LIVE LIFE! 
That's my two cent's, spend 'em or put 'em in the dish for the next person.


Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Bush 2.0

Obama still blames Bush after four years of his own policy making endeavor. Four years of his own choices, political position picks, two of them with his own party controlling the House and Senate. Still, it's all Bush's fault. I think the left has it all wrong. If Bush was so bad, why continue/adhere to his policies? That's what Obama did..made a few of them worse.

I have not made any secret to my disdain for deficit spending. The current deficit spending is not even on the same level that Bush spent. Obama graduated from basic human needs to building business or trying, he's proving to be as good a businessman as he is President ie: Solyndra and other bad bets. He's credited with saving GM and Dodge. Wish we could see the balance sheets on that one. It's estimated that GM loses $30,000 on every Volt it sells. Those deals were done to save the union. The very people that dumped $100's of millions into his campaign. More bank bailouts, rising gas prices, middle east unrest, stimulus spending, continuation of the wars/troop surge and even an extension on the 'Bush' tax cuts (those are Obama's now, he claimed them when he penned his name on the extension).

The problem with these moves he's made in the political arena, well...Bush and his administration proposed these. The only thing that he pushed was Obamacare. I'd be willing to bet that's going to end up in the trashcan of history before long. What we have here all you lefties...is Bush 2.0! A vote for Obama would be like a continuation of Bush! Keep blaming the very administration that Obama get's all his ideas for them. I think that he sits down and and says..WWGWB do? If given more time in office he may not of dug this deep a hole, but he was headed that way. I'd like to believe that he pulled the country to center, but the Democrats had control of the House and Senate..so I think Bush took a 'left'.

 https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS57bBb4WphMUzCwQai8u3xqdOeTk42kCrdW-4LLZUhQWwYkKj3sA

One of the biggest reasons, in my opinion, that Obama was elected was because people needed hope and change. They believed in the snake oil that Obama was slinging. It's tough not to. He's an articulate speaker (albeit with a teleprompter) handsome (for all you ladies out there) and get's an automatic pass from people of color. Go back and look at all of his promises prior to election. Listen to his wonderful oration and compare his words to his actions. Look at the facts. See through his flash and flair to the shallow, self-centered politician.

Here's some facts for you to ponder:
  • 12 Million more households on Foodstamps (SNAP program)
  • Gas prices 100% higher than December 2009, If you were spending $3000 a year on gas in 2008 then your paying $6000 now. 
  • 500,000 less people in the total US workforce (the only reason the unemployment rate fell from 8.3 to 8.1 is because over 300,000 people stopped looking)
  • 12.5 Million unemployed counted, actual 22.5 Million. Many people have given up looking. Hanging off the federal teat is becoming lucrative
  • 5.4 more million people and their dependents getting SS Disability
  • Groceries 46% higher than 2008 (and there's no inflation)
  • Average median income down $4000
  • $12 per person, per day in deficit spending. That means every day if you had $50 in pay per day and you spend $50 plus $12 on your credit card that you have no way of paying back. The only way to pay it back is to expect your children to cover your debt when your gone. That's what our government is doing.
This November we all need to ask each other 'Are we really better off?' We need to suffer now to make a better tomorrow for our future generations. This debt we are running up is going to crush them. Obama needs to stop kicking the can down the road. Someone eventually will need to address this debt. Do it now. We as Americans can weather the storm. People will suffer. It's what we do. The reason we don't help each other as much, as in the past, is because the government has stepped in and taking the reigns. It 'absolves' us from taking care of each other. We will revert to our moral basics. Basic human needs will be addressed. I have faith in my fellow man. We don't need the government to take care of the people, we can do it on our own.


That's my two cent's, spend 'em or put 'em in the dish for the next person.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Taken to Task on Obama's Nobel Prize

I was recently taken to task in a Facebook post by a friend's husband while commenting on Romney's tax rate. My commenting on Romney's 30% charity contribution was met with Obama giving all of his Nobel Prize money to charity. So, I said he didn't earn it. Which didn't go over well. Of course if I could just use aspiration and conjecture to gain a Nobel Prize, I'd probably give all the money to charity too just to deflect some of the criticism. Now, I commented on that it didn't have anything to do with nuclear proliferation and I was wrong. Ran my mouth without reading the whole summation. Bad on me. But, in my defense,  I couldn't find any supporting evidence on that assertion.

So, I ask. What did Obama do in the first 9 months of his term to garner the respect from the international community to that deserve that Nobel?

Let's see...

He played golf 28 times in 2009, over 100 in his four years as President. Maybe those games were with world leaders talking about nuclear proliferation or arm reduction..um..nope. No world leaders teed up with him.

He stopped the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan..afraid not. While Iraq did end, it ended on the timeline set by the Bush administration. Not very "Nobel" of you to take credit for that Obama while you blame everything else on your predecessor.

He improved international peace by, as the Nobel summation describes using
"Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts." Going to have to shoot this one down too. He's the one that decided to send 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan. Oh..and lets not for get the hostage crisis off the coast of Somalia with the pirates, negotiations on that one consisted of Navy Seals taking out the pirates and saving the day. We don't have to bring up Usama Bin Laden do we? Yep..he of golden tongue, Obama.

 

North Korea launched a long range missile in a test on his day 76, he did run his mouth a bit..but I think the only thing that set North Korea back was the death of their pint-sized dictator. Iran continues it's nuclear aspirations despite international disdain, as a matter of fact, the middle east has never been closer to a war of EPIC proportions. Yeah they've been fighting for something like 10,000 years, but now it's heading nuclear. All in the face of the Nobel Organization's assertion that Obama is creating "The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened." I'd be willing to bet, and I hope I'm wrong, that Iran and Israel will be engaged in conflict in the near future. If they get to squabbling, I'd put money on North Korea getting into the pissing match too.

He closed Guantanamo Bay Prison. Again..something he said he'd do..didn't happen..matter of fact it's going strong and improving it's grounds/facilities insuring many more years of service.

All in all...I can not find anything that he's done, besides his apology tour that really accomplished nothing, that would warrant the Nobel. I would love to have someone prove me wrong.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Jobs and the Economy. The Real Issues.

Jobs. We'll start there. A three letter word as Uncle Joe Biden said " J.O.B.S. " According to the current administration they have 'created' 4.5 million jobs and they point to the falling unemployment rate as an indicator that the job outlook is improving. Fantasy and conjecture.

Unemployment map the month prior to Obama being sworn in:

 INSERT DESCRIPTION


Let's take that 4.5 million to task. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics the recession bottomed out jobs at 106.8 million private labor positions. The current number stands at 111.3 (July Numbers) While this is 4.5 million jobs, when Obama took office in January 2009 the total was 111 million. So on it's face he can only claim a net gain of 300,000 jobs. But if you use fantasy and conjecture..fiddle with the numbers a bit...Voila! 4.5 million! I love fuzzy math, seeing that I'm not a great mathematician the fuzzy makes it more cuddly. Of course the truth is a bit more hard to swallow. 133.6 million workers when he took office and 133.2 now, a net loss of 400,000 jobs. And that falling unemployment number? Almost 400,000 Americans just gave up looking for work and exhausted their unemployment. The number of people signing up for disability and food stamps are far outpacing job growth.

Current unemployment map:

http://static8.businessinsider.com/image/4f7b1e7369bedd0613000008-618/chart.jpg

 (We have way better graphics now from just four years ago)


What does that mean to me? I have a job, so why should I care? I look at it this way: I believe everyone should work to the greatest of his/her ability for their employer. You and I are charged with providing a good or a service for someone who is paying us a wage. If you do not provide that good or service at the level expected, there is someone out there that will. I believe I am worth more than my employer pays me but in this current job market there are many with my skill set that do not have jobs. So, while I believe I am worth more, in  reality, I am not. There is someone that will do the same service I provide for the same or less monetary compensation. Free market system. Capitalism. Cost effective business decisions. Unlike our government. Public compensation packages grew over the last four years while median income for private sector jobs fell. Even as they spend into debt every second of every day. Government's business model is failing us.

Not one of us Americans can say that some form of this failing economy has touched our lives in a negative way. Every one of us can say we know someone that is suffering because of this economy. Whether is ourselves, a loved one or simply an acquaintance we all have been touched. Remember this when you head to the voting booth. Would you rather have someone that played the game of capitalism and won big or four more years of the same?

That's my two cents, spend 'em or put 'em in the dish for the next person.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Apology for Obama tour

My postings here probably make me seem like I have an innate disdain for democrats. I don't..I more or less feel sad for them. I watch and listen to interviews that include opinions from both sides and the middle and all I here coming from the democratic side is the same talking points from every different guest. Exact verbiage. No facts or statistics that support their position. It must be tough to wake up, look in the mirror and say to yourself "I guess it's another day of spouting someone else's words to further our agenda". No solutions just rhetoric. And, again, I'm the small-minded, ignorant one.

The Democrats run around and beat up the opposition on anything they say but they fail on the criticism because they refuse to address their own shortcomings. Instead they spout talking points, most of which have little to no bearing on the current conversation. At least if your going to use the talking points, use them in a useful and coherent manner. Is that too much to ask? I mean do these people record and watch/listen to themselves? To recite information with facts that support your decision is easy! This is the information age!! All this stuff is online! The Library of Congress, Congressional Budget Office, US Census it's all out there, but the Democrats just spew bullshit with no real facts. And when confronted with facts the first thing that comes out of their mouths is "Your getting all your facts from Fox News". How about you people pick up a book that isn't fiction? I admit I watch Fox News, but only for ideas. See..they do something that NO OTHER new organization does. They try to include both sides of a topic. A debate style interview. That allows me, as a viewer, to take the facts from both sides and research them. Obviously the Democrats can't be bothered by reading the actual facts...they just regurgitate the talking points. And sadly, the only side with solutions are the Republicans (any viable solutions being that independents really have little chance to effect change).  I read the facts and form my own opinion unlike the zombie masses of Democrats that all speak with one mind. Too bad that mind is an empty headed, Marxist with a poor work ethic in the White House.

So, the Democrats have begun the count down for election. And thus begins the Apology for Obama Tour. No real facts, no real solutions..and no change. They will continue to refuse to answer any questions with simple yes and no. Stick the the talking points. It really makes them all seem a little special (I apologize to the special people out there, I'm a window licker myself and can't go in a store without embarrassing my wife). The will stick to the 'Bush did this' mentality. I, myself, was against Bush's spending policies. That happens to be a point that Obama and I saw eye to eye on, until he was elected and spent faster and farther into debt than any previous administration. Fact, check it out.

In closing I just want any of my Democratic friends to look at this as a wake up call. Go out there and get your own brain, stop spewing talking points. Read what our government is up to right from their own information portals (all the sources above are hyperlinked). This is suppose to be a government 'For the People, By the People'. If you think your side is really doing whats in your best interest, make sure instead of just voting blind, or as Nancy Pelosi said "We have to pass it so you can see whats in it" referring to the PPACA. Go ahead, read it. Don't you want to know whats in it, or do you TRUST the people that didn't read it that voted on it?

Facts are facts. Try to dispute what I say. I want people to enlighten me, really I do! If any of my opinions are not what you think can be plausible, then give me the facts to change my mind.

That's my two cent's, spend 'em or put 'em in the dish for the next person.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

ACA (Obamacare) headed for the tank.

Today the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) adjusted figures for the participation in the ACA, Obama's signature healthcare law. They concluded that an estimated 6 million people will opt to pay the penalty vs enrolling in an insurance program. This will undoubtedly drive up costs by only enrolling those that 'need' the insurance. If only the people who are sick sign up, than the cost will spiral out of control. Welcome to the law of unintended consequences.

Lets do the math.

If you have, lets say 1000 people in an insurance program and 250 of them use more services a year than they pay in insurance cost. Those 250 people use $4 million worth of services a year. Now, in order for the insurance to be viable the other 750 healthy people have to balance that cost. So..if the remaining 750 people use $2 million in services, then we need to split that among the 1000. Add 15% for administration fees, $900,000 and you get a grand total of $6.9 million. So that ends up being $6900 per person per year for coverage. Now that's just to break even. Now lets skew those numbers a little...What if the healthy people just opted out of the pool and paid the penalty? It would save them a chunk of coin, pay one time penalty per year like $2000 instead of $6900 for services that they don't utilize. So, what you end up with is more like 750 of those 1000 people using more services than they can afford to. All of a sudden the numbers go from $6.9 million in costs to $17 million per 1000 covered. Split that among the policy holders and you have $17,000 per person per year.

See where this is going? A cost like that will surely drive more and more healthy out of the insurance policies and to the penalty side. People will, if able, pick the cheapest alternative. This will create a cascade effect in healthcare. Less healthy people seeking any healthcare, unhealthy people and their insurance unable to pay the spiraling costs, which will close small hospitals/clinics, reduce access...ect.

Some people can look at facts and form a coherent opinion from them. Then, there are the progressives. 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Whats worse?

What's worse, telling the truth even though it ruffles a few feathers..or telling outright lies to appease a majority?

Mitt Romney made a comment about the '47%' that do not pay taxes or receive some form of government aid in the context that there is nothing he can do to sway their vote. Now the media is hammering away at this trying to make it seem like he's not in touch with Americans or somehow differentiating between the classes. He has again and again stated that there needs to be a change. That many people on some form of government assistance is unacceptable.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs states there are five levels of human need. The first three are pretty much basic needs of which the first two are pretty much covered by government entitlement.  The fourth is Esteem. Esteem is driven by a sense of accomplishment, job well done...a basic need of self-betterment. However, when you hand out the first three in government entitlement it takes away the tools for these people to rise above. It placates their basic needs without their input thus taking that skill building portion away. When a human doesn't progress in this hierarchy any changes cause anxiety, weakness and helplessness. What the progressive left perceives as helping the helpless is actually creating a subset of society that will function at a lower level and weaken us as a nation.

Obama would have us believe that Romney is a callous, Richie Rich kid that cares not for anyone below his socioeconomic standard. I think he sincerely wants to shrink government, create jobs and reduce the number of people on welfare. I believe that even though some of these '47%' will have to climb their asses of their couch and find a job to survive, I bet that will do more for their collective self-value than Obama and his ilk have done by handing out food stamps. It's kind of ridiculous to believe that we are ENTITLED to anything. While Obama's administration spends $12 per person per day into deficit are we truly any better off? Oh..and the lie I alluded to from Obama..pick one. The guy can't stop spewing them. Look at my past posts. All facts, all said by the 'Chosen One' himself.   

65 Outrageous Lies by President Obama

Monday, September 17, 2012

Update on embassy Murders and more rambling.

So, I originally chastised the current administration for 'apology' tactics in the 9/11 embassy murders. I still stand by my comments because at the time the facts supported them. There has been new developments in the investigation that continues to support my position that this administration leads with a weak hand. This perceived weakness by the very people that wish us harm will continue to fan the flames of anti-american protests and attacks.

Intelligence on the ground are reporting that the timeline / characterization of the events that led up to the attack and murder on the embassy are false. What they are reporting is that this was a coordinated attack and that this administration failed to recognize the threat. We live in a very different world than just 4 years ago. The need for constant vigilance is a necessary policy that Obama and his administration ignores (ie: missing two thirds of his security briefings). This blame game on a poorly directed movie that poked fun at a religion is farcical. The blame lies squarely on this administration for not using the intelligence at their disposal to protect our interests abroad.   

 There has been, as this administration puts it, 'a wave of democracy' that has swept through the Arab world. The problem with that, and this has played out before, that this wave has been largely uncoordinated. Differing factions, views and interests have driven these in so many directions that when the current governmental structure is taken down a void is left behind. This is when the coordinated sweep in and seize power. This is history repeating itself. In the Arab world the people have relied on the structure of which ever current administration was in power. While the extremist factions created and maintained their own structure. This allows them to be a step ahead of the populace and steer the direction of future. Again, this administration's foreign policy, or lack thereof, allows the extremist factions to slip in and fill the void.

We need a government that will do the job that they are charged with. Is our government perfect? No. Will if ever be all things to all people? No. Is it our government to direct? It's increasingly looking like we have no voice. If our commander in chief can't be bothered to make his daily meetings then he needs to move on and let someone in that will.

As a side note and to support a previous post, a friend that reads this post and I had a discussion about money spend campaigning and how ridiculous the numbers were. I can one up that. We are spending $4 billion into deficit every day. Currently the U.S. population stands at 314,250,000 people. That's a little over $12 per person per day being spent into deficit. Why are children starving in our own country when we are spending $12 dollars per person per day into deficit??? This is unbelievable. How can anyone defend this? How can you look yourself in the mirror and say your vote is best utilized on this nightmare in the White House? How can the very people that support Obama preach inclusion and charity?

All points to ponder. Comments welcome and expected. If you got something to say then say it. We can't fix a problem if we don't know it exists.

That's my two cent's, spend 'em or put 'em in the dish for the next person.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Conservatives are ignorant and have small minds

My views are controversial. My views seem confrontational. My views are called self-centered. My views are called wrong. My views have labeled me ignorant and small minded.

But....

MY VIEWS ARE ALWAYS ROOTED IN FACT AND I CHALLENGE ANYONE TO DISPROVE THESE.

I'll begin with a little background information on me and my small mindedness.

I'm 40yrs old, socially liberal and fiscally conservative, read everything I get an interest in and for some odd reason it sticks with me, I'm a pretty good self taught mechanic. I've got the ability to fix anything that breaks on an automobile, I'm a decent welder, good with stick welding and MIG, I'm good with wood, I know the basics in building theory and I've made some pretty nice things, can operate most any piece of heavy equipment, have a Class A truck license, I've hauled 180,000lbs load of wood up route 11 with an under-powered truck in the winter and driven more than a three quarters of a million miles across all the contiguous states the lower Providences of Canada as well as Mexico, I've been a member of a union, I am a high school dropout, but received my GED the same year, I am the recipient of two associates degrees, one with high honors, the other with honors, nationally recognized Certified Medical Assistant,  I'm a  licensed and registered Radiological Technologist, also hold a registry in Computed Tomography and trained in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, I have friends of all races, religions and sexual preference.

And yet...being a conservative, even only fiscally, I'm labeled ignorant and small minded by the very people that preach 'love, understanding and inclusion'. I'll put my skills in life up against anyone. I'll listen to anyone's views and comment on them if their views are not backed up by hard facts. I may even change my view if their facts support their view and that view is rational.

When I hear people talk about politics in the context of the democrat narrative, most of the time their facts are not able to back up their position unless the monkey with the interpretation. Ask the right question, get the right answer. The problem with that is the question has been asked, but they skew the results for a different question. And yet, I'm small minded and ignorant. We have people that out and out lie about scientific data (ie: global warming and immunizations cause autism) and these same people cement their position even when the data fails to support it. Who's small minded and ignorant? I guess I am. They come up with conspiracy theories and make up non-existent classes of people (ie: the 1% vs the 99%) in order to fan the flames of their rhetoric. And again. I'm the small minded and ignorant one. They protect their chosen officials from ridicule by shielding them from the hard questions and manipulation of the news. They quell the growing disdain by belittling opponents of their way of thinking.

I could be an ass and say that most of the 'left leaning' people I know are very limited in their thought process. But I'm not like that. I know a lot of 'left leaning' folks and they are good people. I do not discard their point of view merely because it's not my own. But if the facts do not support that view than all bets are off. My Dad always said, "if your going to run your mouth, make sure the facts back it up". My facts back it up, am I to still buy into your observation that I'm small-minded and ignorant?

That's my two cent's, spend 'em or put 'em in the dish for the next person.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

A weak administration weakens us as a country.

This is why we need a new leader in the White House. This is Obama's statement on the embassy attacks and MURDER of Americans. 

"I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America's commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took their lives
.
I have directed my Administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe. While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants.

On a personal note, Chris was a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States. Throughout the Libyan revolution, he selflessly served our country and the Libyan people at our mission in Benghazi. As Ambassador in Tripoli, he has supported Libya's transition to democracy. His legacy will endure wherever human beings reach for liberty and justice. I am profoundly grateful for his service to my Administration, and deeply saddened by this loss.

The brave Americans we lost represent the extraordinary service and sacrifices that our civilians make every day around the globe. As we stand united with their families, let us now redouble our own efforts to carry their work forward."

  
What we need is a leader. Not someone that tries to appease all parties involved. (note the highlighted text) This shows how weak Obama's foreign policy is. He should pull ALL foreign aid from both Egypt and Libya. Billions of dollars go to both of these countries and that should stop. We should not be supporting this kind of extremism.

I am not a religious man, but I do not detract from anyone's religious beliefs. I believe in one's religious liberty, but not when that liberty trumps an others liberty. You don't see Christian's kicking in Seth McFarlane's door and killing him. (Family Guy) If a religion advocates murder of innocents, people that had nothing to do with the reason they are upset, then that religion is wrong. 

That's my two cent's, spend 'em or put 'em in the dish for the next person.

Monday, September 10, 2012

I remember that day. 9/11/01

I remember that day. Sleeping after a third shift feeding grinders in the paper mill. Home by 7am swallow 4 ibuprofen and into bed, same old routine.  I awoke to my then wife screaming 'we're under attack! Someone flew a plane into a skyscraper!' I sat up in bed as she turned on the television. What I saw horrified me. The first tower burning and a gaping hole in it's side. Smoke and flames, people scurrying around trying help, get help or just get away. Then the video of the plane turning into the tower. I was awake for the second plane strike. Thoughts of war welled up in my head. I thought of my new child and the world I had brought her forth to. Then people falling...the total loss of hope that these people had to endure in order to make the resolution to jump must have shook them to the core. What terror they must have felt to find the strength to jump. I hadn't realized it, but I had been crying. Never before and never since had a foreign invader orchestrated such an attack on our soil. 

That day will forever live in our hearts. Not only for the people that died on that horrible day, but for the soldiers that have since been lost in the war on terrorism. We remember the dead, but forget that while people were running from the chaos, many were running to it. Firefighters, police and rescue. Army, Navy, Airforce and Marines. The numbers of these valiant men and woman surpass the losses of that day. These are the men and women that don't think about their personal sacrifice to put themselves in harms way to protect us. They deserve our respect and admiration. They hold themselves to a standard that many of us don't understand or recognize. For them I am grateful as should we all be. 

The day Usama Bin Laden was killed I didn't have a victorious feeling. The feeling I had was one of concern. That this man had the help from others to live in relative comfort not 800 yards from a Pakistani military installation akin to our own West Point. In a country that we send Billions of dollars in aid to. That others were and still are willing to pick up where he left off. Many felt as if we had won. I feel that we have only just begun. We need to build respect in the world so that this tragedy never happens again. On our soil or any friend of the U.S.A's soil.

I thank the men and woman of the Armed Services, Fire, Rescue and Police. Your sacrifices are forever in our hearts and minds.  

Friday, September 7, 2012

A continued debate.

 This a continuation of a debate that I'm having with a dear friend on Facebook. While we do not see eye to eye, I very much respect this person.

Hi Brian, be happy for you to post my comments on your blog. I'd be thrilled to be a contrary voice.
These are the comments you made that I found sad and upsetting.
"there are plenty of countries that embrace liberal doctrine why don't all the liberals just go there instead of attempting to change this place"
- america is great because of it's diversity of views and opinions because you can have an eccentric or crazy view and your voice will be heard.

"they have a skewered thought process, this is why liberals never actually win a debate" again comments that make me sad.

You have a voice, you have opinions, I respect that and I admire your passion which is why I wrote to you in the first place, why can't you express your views without making blanket statements about groups that can never be homogenous. I would have nothing to do with you if I thought you were a gun totting, gay bashing racist but you must realise that it's nonsense to say everything Obama did was a disaster (Clinton left a budget surplus, the deficit was created on the republicans watch and inherited by Obama), and Mitt's the big saviour. Both parties have good ideas and if they made an effort to talk to each other and work together they could do great things for this country, but neither side will do so because of political rhetoric.

Your car analogy with health surprises me since your in the medical field. Just this month I've dealt with a baby born with congenital heart disease, uninsured parents, a single mother working 2 jobs, uninsured cannot afford her daughters asthma meds so instead of being well controlled the child is constantly in and out of hospital, a young man severly injured in a car accident he did not cause - where in all this is do you find irresponsibility? So basically if you're poor you don't deserve healthcare. The irresponsible behaviour (overeating, not exercising, smoking, drinking too much is much more likely on those with means that can afford insurance demand unnecessary tests, eat up resources).

You are absolutely right "a hand up, not a hand out" to me that's providing scholarships for those that work hard, subsidizing university for those without means, providing training programs for people that show hard work, diligence and determination - you need the government to do that private business can only do so much.

I like your that you have a position, it would be great if you used your blog as an open forum to discuss ideas. A great rule would be no labels. People should say I disagree with people who think x, y or z not "liberals think this" or "conservatives say that", because that's basically an excuse for cheap shots without substance.

I'm a fiscal conservative, I have no problem with gun rights with responsibility. If I was a Mainer I would vote for Oympia Snow as easily as I would an independent or a democrat, I vote the issues not the individual or the party and I hate labels. Saying liberals should leave this country was a terrible thing to say and certainly not worthy of you - unless you think that a right wing country where every body had exactly the same opinion and agreed with you all the time is something to aspire to.

This was fun

My Response:

  I was unaware that any of my observations were cheap shots without substance. As I said before, I research extensively prior to making any statements. My observations, while my opinion, are always rooted in fact.

Let's start with your statement about Clinton's surplus. Clinton had to appease a Republican Congress and brought our country to the middle. Where it should be. He also rode a wave of technological innovation spurred by an unregulated technology that rivaled the post WWII industrial boom. I could have been president and left a surplus in that economic atmosphere.

Next we have Obama inherited a deficit. Bush's deficit total for the 8 years he was in office was about $5 Trillion dollars. The total deficit was about $10.5 Trillion dollars. Obama has been in office for almost 4 years and his administration has eclipsed Bush's spending. Our current deficit is over $16 Trillion. His own Senate, controlled by the Democrats voted down his budget 99-0. He can't even rally his own troops. He enacted the ACA in the guise of social reform. Have you sat down and read this monstrosity? I've skimmed it, probably even read more of it then the people that voted for it by their own admission. I never said that Mitt is the big savior. He is a politician and a human. I believe his ideals are more in line with the majority of the populace. Let's just call the Obama administration what it is. A failure. Show me specific examples where this is untrue. Show me the reasoning behind spending $4 Billion a day in deficit and $250 Billion a year just in deficit service charges.

The analogy with the health care thing, well, that's my opinion. I have no trouble helping the truly helpless. What I see is the majority of the entitled misusing the ER. Not adhering to medical advice. No personal accountability. The examples you give could all be covered under a blanket catastrophic and or children's policy funded by the government. But when people show up to the ER via ambulance because of a callous on their toe, then they should have some sort of ramification for misuse of services.

Subsidizing education. This gets dicey because I actually utilized a retraining program to get my first degree. I followed all the rules, attended all my classes, reported to my case manager and graduated with high honors. My employer saw something in my work and work ethic that prompted them to pay for my second degree, which I again, followed the rules, attended all my classes and graduated with honors. All this while still working full time performing my duties as a Medical Assistant 36hrs a week and part time as a Rad Tech Aid 16hrs a week. I got subsidies. Now, do you know that the top ten largest colleges hold endowments that range from $25 Billion for number one to $4 Billion for number 10? How's that for greed? Some of these schools have recently been in the news for their exorbitant compensation packages they offer their educators. And yet they vilify Wall Street. It's be correlated that the amount of available funds have driven up the cost of advanced education. If the government is going to hand out money, they will figure out a way to get it all.

The American populace will never be homogeneous. Our country is always in flux. The beauty of the system is that anyone can make it. With hard work and perseverance anyone can. I'm a high school drop out that has earned the respect of Doctor's, Lawyer's and my peers. I earned it. I worked for it. Is it too much to expect the same from others? Again, my opinions are rooted in fact. I will change my opinion when you or others can show me specific facts that support your view. Most of the inflammatory rhetoric is coming from the left.

And you are right..this is fun!

 

Political Characterizations

 I received a message from a friend on Facebook. I have to share it with everyone to illustrate the current line of thought on both sides of the fence. Hopefully you will all draw your own conclusions and take something of value from it. My response isn't very pretty in structure, but I believe has substance. I reprinted it as written, but left the person anonymous.

Hi Brian,

i was talking to some friends of mine in Europe about how americans are so polarized, discussing politics with either the left or right is an exercise in futility and I used you as an example, a person i like and respect who is just typically american when it comes to ranting, closed minded thinking.

Do you know how ignorant and counter productive is to throw around words like "liberal or conservative", it's a lazy mans excuse for getting like minded people to give you a thumbs up without having to discuss facts.

I can give you clear reasons why I am left leaning: gay people have the right to be married and have families, healthcare is a right and not a priviledge, I'm rich and paying a little more in taxes to help someone who is struggling will just mean 1 less starbucks coffee a day for me (I'm not american, if the republicans win I'll accept the benefit and just spend more time volunteering in Africa, Haiti and with the homeless in america because because caring about your fellow man is what christianity is about, not interfering with a poor womens right to have an abortion).

My friends in Europe always talk about how great it would be if you so called right to lifers put their money into programs to help desparate pregnant women, set up networks to help their kids be adopted, so keeping a child might be an option, instead of forcing them to have kids, waiting till their circumstances inevitably left to a life of crime them imposing the death penalty - hypocritcal? I think so, either all life is sacred or it is not.

I listened to the RNC and liked what a lot of the moderates have to say, I like Mitt, he looses my respect in his need to shift positions to appease the tea party, he is the architect of the ACA whether you like it or not and for that he gets massive kudos.

The RNC convention had some good ideas but lets not pretend that Ryan played more than fast and loose with the truth. I can look at the DNC, see the positives and also see the same political nonsense.

For you to watch and say there were no policy statements, no ideas at the DNC etc, etc etc is the reason politics in this country will get more polarised.

Whenever there are elections in Europe I sit down and have really interesting arguments with my right wing friends, I respect them, they change my mind about some things and I change their minds about some things. All you talk about is "liberals", that means nothing and as I said is a lazy excuse for you to get people that agree with you to say hoorah. There is no way that either a DNC or RNC convention can have days of speeches and ideas that are not worth applauding, you have decided that if a democrate/liberal says something it's not worth listening to. That makes me incredibly sad.

What I have loved about living in Maine is the intelligence, civility and bipartisanship of your politicians (unfortunately ending with this current governor), I love and respect your 2 republican governors for caring about maine and the issues first and not just following the party line. I have no desire to spend time talking to people that agree with everything I think, thats the beginning of small mindedness.

I unsubscribed from your posts because their so negative and unpleasant in your charcterization of people that disagree with you. Liberals are not devils and could teach you a lot if you took the time to listen. I love my conservative friends because they keep me grounded and open minded.

I don't need you to reply, dont expect, american politics has just become a game of who can out do who in nastiness, but I always liked you so wanted you to know how your thoughtlessness can be perceived.

I wish you all the best, happiness, health, success, (keep hating people that disagree with you if that makes you happy, but please dont vilify them).

Best wishes , A friend.


I responded:

 I don't know how I could resist replying to this. My rantings are rooted in fact. My beliefs are just that , beliefs and I don't force them on anyone. People have a choice whether or not to read and if my rantings sway a person's way of thinking, well, then that's their choice. I have many liberal friends and I don't look at them as devils. All of them I have great respect for. I try to be respectful in my post talking in generalities. I appreciate you taking the time to write. However, I have to dispel some characterizations. I too believe in gays rights. But in a different way. All Americans should have the same rights. Across the board. I have many gay friends and love them dearly. They command the same respect from me as a heterosexual. Healthcare is not a right. It is a good or service offered by a person. To make it a right absolves an individual from personal accountability. People are not going to live a healthful lifestyle if there is not accountability. The entity you expect to oversee this, the governments of the world, are malleable, corrupt and power hungry. The argument that the proponents of this line of thought use the analogy that a healthy person is more productive. I'll use another analogy. Going to an auto mechanic is not a right. He offers a good or service that I require in order to be productive. I need my car in order to get to work and be a productive member of society. I am very careful with my car, routine maintenance and frequent self inspections. I don't run around squealing my tires or beating up my car. But if it was a right for that mechanic to fix my car? All bets are off. I am a car guy. I would drive it like I stole it. This is the world that liberals are creating. It's not a utopia, it's a world with no personal accountability. Liberals say they are the party of choice, but only the choices they deem right. I believe in a woman's right to choose. If they want an abortion who am I to judge. But, isn't the plan B pill and abortion just taking away from personal responsibility and accountability? I believe that the private sector will spur innovation without governmental influence. This current administration has spent more money on very little substance. They had a chance to make some truly great choices and change the way of life in America but instead Obama, Pelosi and Reid chose to advance an agenda that will be repealed. Flat tax to take the power out of the politicians hands, tort reform to give doctors the freedom to practice medicine instead of just protecting themselves and the institutions they work for through defensive medicine. Entitlement reform that improves the welfare to work ratio. A hand up not a hand out. Give a man a fish he eats for a day, teach him to fish he eats for life and feeds others. I've only watched bits and pieces of the DNC and the RNC, but can you show me any concrete plans to address the economy on the democratic side? All I've seen is numerous people speaking about how great this man is and how we need to let him continue being great. What has he accomplished that is so great? They tout the ACA. Eva Longoria put a pretty good example out there. She spoke of a nurse, who wants to start a health clinic in a neighborhood that needs one. Do you know that in the ACA there is a provision that prevents this? This nurse would have to first apply to the government and show a need. Then the area where she wants to open would have to approve her plans. You couldn't start a clinic in this country unless approved and this approval process will be run by the malleable, corruption prone government. We are spending at an unprecedented rate. How are we to tell our children when we are old, that we spent their future to make our lives better now? I could go on and on but I know that most of this does not adhere to your way of thinking. I very much respect you and your opinions. I must try to leave my world a better place for my children and I cannot sit idly by and watch my government run a tab on those who have no voice. I do not hate anyone. I have pity on those that cannot help themselves but have none for those who can and choose not to. I have checked my posts and cannot find anywhere that I have been hateful. I have made characterizations based on behaviors. I have to believe by Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan's actions that they will move our current political state to the center. I believe that they will be good stewards and fiscally responsible with the People's money. I don't believe they are going to do anything with respect to abortion. It's been decide in the courts. I respect you and your choices but feel you don't have that same respect for mine. I don't know how you can call me thoughtless, all of my opinions are rooted in fact. I make sure the facts back up my words. To make unfair characterizations of me through my words show your bias to my way of thinking. I am willing to meet in the middle if you can show me instances and fact that supports your view. The 'left' leaning people that I deal with do not want to meet in the middle. It's there way of thinking or no way at all. Progress in their direction at all costs even if it bankrupts our future. This has been best illustrated by the current administration's actions. They characterize me as a staunch conservative. Racist, gay hating, gun toting, bible thumping with no regard for anyone but myself. How are you any less closed minded by not lending credence to my way of thinking? I respect anyone who has an informed stand on any belief as long as it's rooted in fact. I do not mean this to be disrespectful in any way. If anything, maybe it'll garner a few laughs from your circle of friends. I always like to be the clown! Be well, Brian



Thursday, September 6, 2012

There's more of us then there are of them.

This is the first real post on my blog! I'm a bit excited to be putting my thoughts down for others to ponder, whether it's good or bad! I'm sure I'll strike a nerve or two!

This election cycle is one of the defining moments of our American lives. Our vote determines which way our future is going. 

On the left, we have Barack Obama. Social messiah, community organizer and creator of..well, to put it bluntly, nothing but divisive rhetoric. A very limited work history, a questionable social history and an attitude of entitlement. Advocate of social justice, gun control and governmental oversight. 

On the right, Mitt Romney. Venture capitalist, principled Mormon, creator of wealth and jobs and a family man. In our country he is considered a producer. He offers a good or service. Past Governor of, whats deemed, the most liberal state in the Northeast. Advocate of the Constitution, smaller government, individual liberty and choice. Also, a politician. That's not a good thing. 

Now, I've chosen to include the two top runners simply because a third choice at this period of time is moot. There is no way a third candidate will garner the votes to succeed. Any vote for a third party candidate is a vote for the winner of the contest.

The problem with the two top candidates is that they both have qualities that people don't like. They also have qualities that people identify with. Our DUTY as citizens is to choose the candidate that will preserve the American way of life. To respect the Constitution and everything it stands for. Our DUTY as citizens is to choose the candidate that espouses our own beliefs but will not trample our fellow American's belief.

I am not a Republican. Nor am I a Democrat. I am the rarest of breeds: An Informed Voter. I research the claims of both parties. I vote my conscious, but also take into consideration the views of my fellow man. I vote for the candidate that will be least apt to try to force his or her ideals upon the populace. We have elevated the candidates to rock star status. We are not servants of the government, the government serves WE, THE PEOPLE. 

In this blog I'll make an attempt to sift thru the bullshit from both parties. Right now most of the bullshit is coming from the Democrats. Numbers don't lie unless you manipulate the question. I'm going to examine those numbers by first understanding the question.

As a disclaimer..I'm a bit of a scatter brain when it comes to topics..expect the odd movie review, car talk, food stuff, vacation pics and general nonsense. 

Beginnings, something new from something old.

Ok..figured I'd try my hand at this blogging thing. I'm not blog-savvy so bear with me.

This blog will be kind of erratic, opinionated, incoherent to people of varying views and possibly even offensive to some. This is how I roll. I make no excuses for who I am or the direction I'm heading in. The world around us is in constant flux. This is one man's take on that flux. I'm sure I'll repost many opinions from other people and I'll try to give credit where credit is due.

Above all, THIS IS MY OPINION. We all have a view and this medium gives us a chance to share it. No doubt my posts will be of a political nature, recreational at times and hopefully entertaining!

Welcome to The Ramblings of an Incurable Idiosyncratic!