Wanna Bet?

Not taking people seriously is one way to motivate others who were previously quiet.

Thank you Mr. Axelrod.

clipped from www.foxnews.com Axelrod Says 'Tea Party' Protesters Are 'Wrong' White House senior adviser David Axelrod says that the demonstrations in Washington, D.C., Saturday do not represent the views of the broader public when it comes to health care reform.  The White House has a message to the tens of thousands of protesters who railed against big government during a rally in Washington Saturday: You're wrong.  White House senior adviser David Axelrod said Sunday that the protesters, part of the "tea party" movement, do not represent the views of the broader public when it comes to health care reform.  "I don't think it's indicative of the nation's mood," Axelrod said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "You know, I don't think we ought to be distracted by that. My message to them is, they're wrong."  Axelrod suggested Sunday that the more over-the-top demonstrations were representative of a minority view -- the kind exhibited at some town hall meetings over the summer.  they're not representative of the majority

How Will MSM Report THIS?

It will either be ignored, rejected or ridiculed. Does anyone really think that the Obamaites will be fair or objective?

clipped from news.yahoo.com WASHINGTON – Tens of thousands of protesters fed up with government spending marched to the U.S. Capitol on Saturday, showing their disdain for the president's health care plan with slogans such as "Obamacare makes me sick" and "I'm not your ATM." The line of protesters clogged several blocks near the Capitol, according to the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. Demonstrators chanted "enough, enough" and "We the People." Others yelled "You lie, you lie!" and "Pelosi has to go," referring to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Throngs of people waved U.S. flags and held signs reading "Go Green Recycle Congress" and "Obama Bin Lyin.'" Men wore colonial costumes as they listened to speakers who warned of "judgment day" — Election Day 2010. Armey and other speakers directed their ire at Pelosi — Armey took a photo, telling the crowd he wanted to be able to prove to her they were there. images of Martin Luther King Jr. and Obama "He had a dream, we got a nightmare."

So Now I'm A Terrorist... wow.

Read the entire article - unless you are so totally in the pocket of the liberal left as to no longer think for yourself, you should be outraged.

I know I am.

clipped from blog.heritage.org Obama’s Team Crosses the Rhetorical Line (Update: The website cited below has been suspended by barackobama.com.  The screenshot to the right is the original page, but the embedded links will no longer work. Click on the picture to the right for a full-screen view.) Today, President Obama’s campaign organization “Organizing for America” sent out a notice to its “grassroots” supporters. It asked them to wage a coordinated phone campaign for health care by calling their U.S. Senators on September 11 – also known as Patriot Day in honor of the thousands of Americans killed by Al Qaeda terrorists eight years ago. It goes on: “All 50 States are coordinating in this – as we fight back against our own Right-Wing Domestic Terrorists who are subverting the American Democratic Process, whipped to a frenzy by their Fox Propaganda Network ceaselessly re-seizing power for their treacherous leaders.” Please read that again.

Obama and Redistributive Change

Obama and Redistributive Change
by Victor Davis Hanson on National Review Online

Shared via AddThis

When I read this article, I realized that I hadn't even considered some of the bigger issues: Health care reform, Cap and Trade, the Stimulus Bill, Cash for Clunkers are just the byproducts of a larger agenda.

Think about it. The only people who aren't 'paying their fair share' (according to the liberals) are the CEO's, the BIG BANKERS, the WEALTHY. Capital letters for those evil Capitalists!

So what is the answer to all this obscene wealth? Redistribute it! Higher taxes on the wealthy - cap bonuses and salaries (never mind the education and hard work it took to get there) - higher taxes on those big, impersonal corporations that are obviously holding the little man down! viva la REVOLUTION!

Geez. Take from the rich and give to the poor. Equality for all - not in rights, but in wealth - whether they deserve it or not. Not a helping hand, but a hand out.

I hope you take the time to read the article. Then think about your kids. Mine are working hard to earn degrees, in order to earn a decent living - maybe even to someday be well off. And both of them voted for Obama. I wonder if they realize that if he has his way, they won't be rewarded for their hard work, but forced to carry the citizens without the drive to succeed around on their backs.

I Knew It!

Was there ever any doubt?

clipped from my.yahoo.com

A Late Summer Weekend

Both of my sons, Joe and Keith, were born in August, 2 weeks and 3 years apart. This year they are 25 and 22, respectively. We have always celebrated their birthdays together the weekend in between. This weekend.

Being that both are in college and don't live at home, planning and implementation of family get togethers can be a lesson in strategic planning. First, they have to get off work, not have any plans with friends (those are most important) and be able to get here. Second, we have to be off work, have no other plans and get the house clean.

This weekend, it all worked out fine. I usually give the boys an option on a birthday dinner: Go somewhere or I'll cook a favorite meal. This usually means we stay home and I cook. This year was no exception.

The meal chosen was homemade lasagna - a favorite of all the men in my family. I don't do it often as it's an all day affair, so it is considered "special" at our house. I usually make enough sauce that' I'll have plenty for a few extra spaghetti dinners and at least 2 extra pans of lasagna put together and frozen to be baked at a later date. Add some nice garlic bread, Angel Food cake with strawberries and cream (for Joe) and chocolate brownies (for Keith) and dinner is a hit.

There were eight of us around the table - good noisy conversation, laughing and stories - just the way it should be. After dinner, the boys (er, men) had plans to meet up with some friends for a "Suit Up!" night (a la Barney from 'How I Met Your Mother'). Both got dressed up in suits with ties (!) and went to a cigar bar/restaurant where Keith sampled some fine Scotch. Neither smoke and Joe doesn't drink, but the atmosphere and friends were the chief attractions.

The next evening, Keith made dinner for us. He's always been interested in cooking, but when he got to college and realized he couldn't live on fast food and stay healthy, he took his skills to a new level. He made chicken with prosciutto in a white wine & sage sauce, homemade risotto (I didn't know he had even heard of clam stock) with Romano. I made fresh green beans with onion and garlic as the side. It was fun being HIS helper for a change!

At dinner with us was the young lady Keith has been seeing this summer; a bright, lovely girl named Chelsey. She will be moving to Chicago soon to pursue her masters at Univ of Chicago. Whether a long distance relationship is at all feasible remains to be seen. Joe is currently single having dissolved his relationship of 3 years early last spring. And if I know my son, he's got both eyes open.

Today, they are back to school prep for fall: Keith starts Band pre-season rehearsals on Monday at MSU and Joe is finishing up his prep for the freshman English class he'll be teaching this fall while continuing work on his Masters at WMU. This is Keith's last year in the Spartan Marching Band and our last year for season tickets (we think). Joe is hoping to have his 'Zodiac' plays from his 'Leap Year' project produced at the Whole Art Studio...they were originally chosen, but the Studio has new management and he's not sure of the status. If produced, they will be his sixth.

This weekend is in many ways, my official end of summer. In two weeks, we'll be tailgating at the football games and the theater 'season' will start. Joe and Keith will be back to school and that always meant 'Fall' to me.

This is my favorite weekend of the year.

Another Blast From the Past - March 2004

Just over 5 years ago, voters wanted smaller government and decreases in government spending. I'm not at all convinced that that has changed.

"64% of Americans prefer smaller government with fewer services and lower taxes"

Kinda opposite of what we're getting, huh?

On occasion, I like to use the 'Wayback Machine' - a really cool website that lets you go back in time and gather information that may not otherwise be available. Being able to compare numbers from as little as 5.5 years ago to today, or to read what someone said then and what they are saying now is usually an education in itself.

Many times, I have told people - 'Do your own research - don't just believe what they say on TV, etc.' Sometimes, someone like me finds something that should make you think that doing your own fact finding and making your own decisions is vitally necessary.

I encourage all opinions, but you have to be able to back them up.

clipped from web.archive.org March 27, 2004--For most Americans, cutting government spending is more important than either balancing the federal budget or cutting taxes. That's the clear message from the latest Rasmussen Reports survey on fiscal policy. Which is More Important? Cutting Taxes 39% Balancing Budget 52% Not Sure 9% RasmussenReports.com Which is More Important? Cutting Government Spending 55% Balancing Budget 38% Not Sure 7% RasmussenReports.com Which is Better? Deficit with lower taxes & spending 64% Balanced budget with higher taxes & spending 25% Not Sure 11% RasmussenReports.com Election 2004   * Most dramatically, 64% of American voters say that they would prefer a federal budget that has a deficit at lower levels of taxes and spending rather than a balanced budget with higher levels of taxes and spending. Given this choice, just 25% opt for the balanced budget. 64% of Americans prefer smaller government with fewer services and lower taxes.

The Health Care Cost Saving Myth

Please read the entire article... it is well written with solid arguments.

There is no way for any health care reform to be 'deficit neutral' and even the 'Gang of Six' has been quoted giving a figure of 'only' $900 billion estimated over 10 years.

clipped from www.cbsnews.com (CBS)  One of the central selling points used by President Obama to push the Democrats' health care plan is the notion that a comprehensive overhaul of the health care system will reduce costs. But costs to who, and how? Let's step back a minute and try to figure out how Obama's cost-cutting argument could possibly be so. Obama has repeatedly pledged, with the same assurance as his campaign pledge on spending, that the health care bill would be "deficit neutral." The Congressional Budget Office, typically a liberal redoubt, has repeatedly thrown cold water on the claim that any of the proposals on the table would be deficit-neutral. Clearly, to get there, cost savings would need to be found somewhere to completely offset outlays. less care less money to caregivers less use of intermediaries less cost in using intermediaries There will be no cost savings. There's no sense in pretending otherwise.

The Smell Of Change

Fog.....

There's an old sea story in the Navy about a ship's Captain who inspected his sailors, and afterward told the Chief Boson's Mate that his men smelled bad.

The Captain suggested perhaps it would help if the sailors would change underwear occasionally.

The Chief responded, "Aye, aye sir, I'll see to it immediately!"

The Chief went straight to the sailors berth deck and announced, "The Captain thinks you guys smell bad and wants you to change your underwear.

"Pittman, you change with Jones; McCarthy, you change with Witkowski; and Brown, you change with Schultz. Now get to it!!!"

THE MORAL:

Someone may be promising "Change" in Washington; but don't count on things smelling any better!

Pelosi vs Obama

Per Obama, public option is still optional. Per Pelsoi, there is no option to leave it out.

Let's face it, Pelosi wants what she wants and woe to any who get in her way - Republicans OR Democrats.

When will California get rid of this wanna be ruler?

clipped from news.yahoo.com Pelosi: House health bill needs public plan SAN FRANCISCO – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says there's no way the House can pass a health overhaul bill that doesn't include a new public insurance plan. Her comments at a news conference Thursday in San Francisco come as the White House faces a liberal backlash for indicating openness to leaving a public plan out of a final health bill. Pelosi has said repeatedly that health care legislation in the House would have a public plan, but her statement Thursday left no room for doubt. Liberals insist a new public insurance plan is essential, but Republicans almost uniformly oppose it.

US Debt Clocks......

My dear husband ran across this web site. The numbers are so huge that they seem nearly impossible. I'll follow up... I have some research to do.

Democracy vs Republic - Is There Really A Difference

I found this on the internet and just had to post it in it's entirety. If you click on the title, it will take you to the web page where I found the article. What I found interesting is that I remembered some of this from school, but over the years it had become muddled and 'common usage' of the words 'Democracy' and 'Republic' have been adulterated. I like the question at the end - please think carefully and then comment with your answer.
Thank you.
Jennifer

Posted by Britcom (Profile)

Monday, August 3rd at 4:30AM EDT

It seems like every American should already know this, but just in case there were any questions left…

Democrats are people who believe that the United States of America is, and should be, governed as a Democracy.

Republicans are people who believe that the United States of America is, and should be, governed as a Republic.

That sounds pretty simple doesn’t it? But what does it really mean?

Lets start with defining the terms. Webster defines them thusly:

Democracy -
a: a government by the people ; especially : rule of the majority
b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections. (underscoring added)

Republic -
a (1): a government having a chief of state who is not a monarch and who in modern times is usually a president (2): a political unit (as a nation) having such a form of government
b (1): a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law. (underscoring added)

Let us notice some seemingly subtle, but quite profound differences between the two.

Democracy:

1. “The people”. Who are “the people”? They are exactly what it says, “the people”, everyone; not a people, not some people, not our people, it means ALL of the people on the land. Generally that definition includes illegal aliens, resident aliens, temporary foreign workers, felons, prisoners, traitors, children, the insane, the severely mentally handicapped, and any enemy invader. It means everyone.
2. How are decisions made in a democracy? By majority, period.
3. Does the minority get a say in anything? No. the majority rules supremely and absolutely.
4. Is the majority constrained by law? No.
5. Is the majority constrained by the separation of powers? No.
6. Is the majority constrained by ethics or morality? No.
7. Is the majority required to recognize the rights or needs of the minority? No.
8. Can the majority change any rule or law or constitution or right or tradition? Yes.
9. Can the majority completely change the form of government to anything they want? Yes.

Republic:

1. “A body of citizens entitled to vote”. Who are they? They are, first of all, citizens. Non-citizens have no say in the way a republic is governed. Second, they are citizens who have been entitled to vote.
2. Are there citizens who are not entitled to vote? Yes there are. Illegal aliens, resident aliens, temporary foreign workers, felons, prisoners, traitors, children, the insane, the severely mentally handicapped, and enemy invaders are examples of people not entitled to vote.
3. Are there any rules that govern who can vote and who cannot? Yes, the law governs who can vote and who cannot vote; not the “majority”.
4. Who makes the law? The legislature.
5. Is the legislature constrained by the law? Yes. The Law written in the Constitution.
6. Is the legislature constrained by separation of powers? Yes.
7. Does the legislature make decisions democratically? Contrary to popular belief, No they don’t. They vote on them, but the minority gets to voice their opinions and ideas and may add amendments to bills and block legislation by procedures and filibusters.
8. And after a bill passes in the legislature, is it then law? No. It must pass both houses (if a two house system) and it must be signed by the elected head of state, then it becomes law; but if challenged in court, it must be held constitutionally sound, lawfully enacted, and jurisdictionally operable and functionally possible and not in conflict with existing superior law. If it doesn’t hold up in court, according to the law, then it is not law.
9. Is the legislature constrained by ethics and morality? If either or both are existing in the law, then yes.
10. Is the majority in the legislature required to recognize the rights and the needs of the minority? Yes.
11. Can the majority in the legislature change any rule or law or constitution or right or tradition? No. The majority may only change the law when both houses agree and the head of state consents, or if the head of state does not consent, then a super majority is required to over-ride the head of state. Even then it may still be challenged in court and found unconstitutional, inoperable, impossible, or in conflict with existing superior law.
12. Can the legislature change the constitution on its own? No. The legislature may begin the process, but it cannot act alone. The constitution may only be changed by a super majority of the States, or a super majority of the people acting in convention. The head of state has no role in this process.
13. Can the legislature or the head of state, or the courts or all of them together, eliminate, or suspend, the constraints of the constitution, or the whole constitution itself and thereby change the form of government to something else? No, they may not. To do so would be treason and the penalty for treason under the law is death.

Now, after considering all of the above, and looking at my own beliefs, conviction, positions on legislation, opinions expressed, voting patterns and desires for the future of my nation. I conclude that I fall solidly into the Republican camp.

How about you; and how about the people you know? Where do they fall?

Let’s be honest here. If you were to be on trial using the above as the litmus test, and after weighing all the evidence, do you think a jury of your peers would hand down a verdict of Democrat, or Republican for you? And what is your confidence level on that? If your confidence level is not high, or very high, then perhaps you should study on the subject some more. (the below video may help)

So, why do I ask this question?

Because being a Republican or a Democrat is not just a party name, or the equivalent of a home team sports loyalty, or a family tradition. Being a Republican or a Democrat means something, and that something has consequences if you don’t understand what is at stake or what is “in play”.

This nation was founded by some very intelligent and learned men and they did their best to give us a nation that would remain strong and vital for us, their children, and for those who would come here and desire to stand beside us in maintaining that great gift.

So the next time you hear someone throwing around the word “democracy”, a red flag should go up and you would do well to judge carefully what may lie beneath the surface of that the person’s agenda.

What did the founders have to say about it?

Article IV, Section 4 of the United States Constitution, entitled “Republican government” states:

“The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government”

All of the other sections of the US Constitution describe a republican form of government for our national government as well, and the word “democracy” never appears, nor does any variation of it. The founders didn’t approve of democracy and feared it. We would be wise to do the same.

James Madison said:

“Such democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.“

Thomas Jefferson said:

“A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.“

And on this subject I now offer you this excellent but brief video presentation entitled:

.
“The American Form of Government”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmzldNFgD40

-

My Letter To Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-MI

The following is a letter I received in reply to my opposition on 'Health Care Reform'. Following that is my response. If you don't agree, that's fine with me. I just wanted to have my say-so.



"From: Senator Debbie Stabenow senator@stabenow.senate.gov
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 4:44:47 PM
Subject: Re: Health Care 'Reform" and Cap & Trade

July 29, 2009


Thank you . . .

. . . for contacting me regarding your opposition to universal health care coverage. I understand your concerns.

When it comes to health care, our families and businesses are in a serious crisis. High health care costs are causing cuts in benefits and increases in premiums, adding to the ranks of the uninsured at alarming rates. But the impact of this problem goes beyond individual families. Skyrocketing health care costs make our businesses less competitive in the global marketplace and cost us good-paying jobs. We are already paying for the uninsured through overuse of the emergency room-the most inefficient and expensive way of providing care.

I believe that health care is a right, not a privilege. There is no doubt that the problems we face are complex, but there are real solutions. We can create a system that is uniquely American and shares the cost between the government, businesses, and individuals in a way that is fair and equitable. Now is the time to show the political will to tackle these issues because there is so much at stake. I am committed to working with both my Democratic and Republican colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee to find solutions to America's health care crisis.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please don't hesitate to do so again if my office can be of assistance to you or your family.

Sincerely,

Debbie Stabenow

United States Senator



DS:SM"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
The United States Senate • Washington, DC 20510
stabenow.senate.gov

Dear Senator,

Thank you for your reply. We differ in many areas of thought on Health Care reform. I do not believe that insurance is a right. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness are rights.

I enjoy the fact that my employer offers health care - however, I can only afford to cover myself - not my husband or college age child. I have a $1000 deductible and $1500 co-pay. For the most part, my insurance coverage is catastrophic only. My portion of the premiums if I were to cover eligible members of my family would cost nearly 1/4 of my bi-weekly take home pay. Obviously, if a mortgage is only supposed to by 1/3 of your monthly salary, then insurance premiums are nearly the price of a good-sized house.

Adding to the 'ranks of the uninsured' is the fact of a 14.2% unemployment rate - of which my husband is one. He doesn't qualify for unemployment insurance so he isn't even counted.

So, why are my premiums so high?

First, because malpractice insurance for my physicians is totally out of control due to frivolous law suits, huge legal fees and the costs associated with trying even a small case. The judge, clerks, bailiffs, secretaries, etc...all have to be paid - by me, the taxpayer.

Because of the need to cover themselves, doctors are forced to order complicated, often if not always expensive and sometimes unnecessary tests and procedures.

Every time a doctor orders a CT scan or a battery of blood tests - there is his fee (which includes the salaries of his staff, his building costs and the portion of his malpractice insurance that he must pass on to the patient), the cost to the facility to pay the personnel, the supplies, the equipment (none of which is cheap) and their own malpractice insurance costs, and usually a specialist qualified to interpret the results.

The second reason my premiums are so high: illegal residents who leech our resources in everything from medical care to education. Someone has to pay for what they use or are given. Guess who that is? The taxpayer. The insurance premium payer. The legal worker. ME.

We already send food and monetary aid to many other countries - including where many of our illegals come from. Why are we not sending them back? Why the oversensitivity to their 'plight'. I hate to say this, but my only concern right now is for MY family - not theirs.

My great-grandparents came from Italy around 1910 - on a boat - steerage class. They learned English, they got jobs, they became citizens. Why should it be any different now? When did being lawbreakers ENTITLE anyone to my money? When did it become unacceptable for me to spend my money with charities or organizations that help people at my own discretion? Why is it now the governments job?

So, Senator, I stand firm in my convictions that we don't need 'Health Care Reform', we need basic laws already on the books enforced, tort reform to stop the lawyers from destroying us while they get wealthy and to put in place the means for the insurance companies to be able to lower premiums for malpractice insurance as well as health insurance.

One more thing. Health Care in this country is the finest in the world - people from all over the world come HERE for care, not the other way around. No one in this country is ever denied medical care - it's illegal to do so - however, people without insurance put off getting care, or only do the minimum so it doesn't bankrupt them.

The plan the President is touting is going to be very expensive, create more bloated government bureaucracy, and in the end, won't help the average patient. By the way, the term 'deficit neutral' is not only a lie, but actually quite silly.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my point of view.

Sincerely,

Jennifer, RN

Questions on Health Care Reform

There are more in the article.... REALLY GOOD ONES!!! Enjoy.

clipped from spectator.org Questions I Never Asked Obama Here is a list of questions that reporters wanted to ask President Obama about health care reform at Wednesday night's press conference but were afraid to ask: 1. Why are American taxpayers subsidizing premiums of millions of union members and healthy Americans who already have health insurance at a cost of about $6,000 per person? 3. Why should American taxpayers pay for the health insurances of millions of illegal immigrants? Shouldn't there be a better way to provide people who are here illegally basic care? 4. Why are American taxpayers paying $10 billion for the health care costs of retirees of big corporations? 5. You talk about using health care reform to control the deficit. But if we targeted help to people who need it most, wouldn't that help? 7. You also say doctors will decide how they should practice medicine. So who will decide, the panel of experts or my doctor? famous line from Raiders of the Lost Ark *Looks dangerous. You go first.*

Doctors Demand Apology From Obama

Of course, no one in the media is reporting this in favor of focusing on the 'race issue'.

The news conference on Wednesday night lasted an hour. Many things were said - but still no actual facts or figures. We still don't know what the "PLAN" looks like or will actually cost.

We DO know that Obama has no problem speaking out of turn on topics he knows nothing about. Like the 'acted stupidly' comment, he misrepresented and maligned another group in America - Doctors.

In truth, I don't mind him making ridiculous statements. They prove that he is ill-equipped to tackle these issues and uninformed about the facts.

I'm tired of all the liberal cheer-leading... I want the truth.

Is the health system in trouble? Yep.

Is government run health care the answer? Let me introduce you to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

My answer is Nope.

clipped from freerepublic.com Pitching government control, President falsely accuses doctors of conspiring to make children sicker “President Obama should be ashamed of himself for trying to scare Americans into supporting his government takeover of medicine by falsely accusing doctors of making children sicker. I have never heard a more disgusting or blatantly phony conspiracy theory. We treat our patients with the respect, care and concern you will never find in Obama’s government-run rationed care bureaucracy,” said Dr. Kerr. “On behalf of my colleagues, I respectfully ask President Obama to apologize for such a slanderous lie and ask him to stop engaging in sickening conspiracy theories to push his government-run scheme. These cheap scare tactics are beneath the dignity of the office of The President and perfectly illustrate why more and more Americans are losing faith in Barack Obama.”

Words A Matter Of Public Record

"Earlier this year, Mr. Obama assured us that most of the stimulus money "will go out the door immediately." But it hasn't. Only about 7.7% of the stimulus has been spent in the six months since its passage, and more of it will be spent in the program's last eight years than in its first year. So now the president claims he said something different. "We also knew that it would take some time for the money to get out the door," Mr. Obama said in his weekly radio address on Saturday.

One problem with Mr. Obama's stimulus bill that is rarely talked about is that it will force a huge, and likely permanent, increase in discretionary, domestic spending. That portion of federal spending was $393 billion in President George W. Bush's last budget. Democrats immediately raised it to $408 billion for this fiscal year and now face the question of whether to make the stimulus a one-time expenditure or a permanent spending increase."

clipped from online.wsj.com The President Moves the Economic Goalposts So what's a president to do when the promises he made about his economic stimulus program fail to materialize? If you're Barack Obama, you redefine your goals and act as if America won't remember what you said originally. That's a neat trick if you can get away with it, but Mr. Obama won't. His words are a matter of public record and he will be held to them. "You'll see the effects begin almost immediately." Now it's clear that those promised jobs and growth haven't materialized. Mr. Obama never said if his stimulus were passed things might still get significantly worse in the following year. "I think my initial measure of success is creating or saving four million jobs." the stimulus's $787 billion would "go directly to . . . generating three to four million new jobs." unemployment rate would top out in the third quarter of this year at just over 8%. There are 2.6 million fewer Americans working than there were on the day Mr. Obama was sworn in.

Not Surprised At All...

And where Michigan goes, the nation will follow. If you doubt that statement, wait 2 years... that's the approximate lag time.

The only way to stop this is to stop the idiots in Washington as well as the idiots at the state level.... both parties. In this country we can all vote. Shamefully, only a small portion of the population gets off their asses and votes.

I firmly believe that if you don't vote, you can't bitch. I vote.

clipped from www.wzzm13.com Michigan unemployment spikes to 15.2% LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan's already high unemployment rate jumped 1.1 percent in June, hitting 15.2 percent. State officials say the latest jobless rate was 7.1 percentage points above the state's June 2008 rate of 8.1 percent. Rick Waclawek of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives said Wednesday that "a large drop in manufacturing jobs" caused by restructuring in the auto industry accounted for much of the rise. General Motors and Chrysler shed jobs as they went through bankruptcy. The national unemployment rate in June was 9.5 percent.

Things That Make You Say, "Huh??"

When did it become acceptable to just walk in front of a moving car in a parking lot?

When did it become acceptable to bitch and yell in order to get your way? When did rudeness become OK?

When did it become acceptable to 'fib' or 'fudge a little' or outright fabricate a lie for any ole reason?

When did keeping the incorrect change become 'their problem'?

When did ignoring a person's feelings become OK?

When did it become acceptable to DEMAND 'rights' that weren't earned?

When did lack of personal responsibility and accountability become acceptable because someone is 'disadvantaged'?

Who the hell decided the definition for 'disadvantaged'?

Why do we need so many warnings and labels and signs to 'keep us safe'? Didn't your parents teach you ANYTHING?

When did the 'public's right to know' become more important than personal privacy - regardless of a job?

When did it become 'fair' to base any decision - for or against - on skin color?

Every once in a while, I hear things on TV, deal with people at work, or even just while out and about, that make me say, 'HUH?'. I was raised when children were seen and not heard, spanking was discipline, grounding meant doing extra chores every waking moment, and 'chores' were done in order to 'earn' an allowance. As a teen, I was expected (even though I'm female) to give up my seat on the bus to an older person, to help people and be polite. I waited for traffic, not the other way around. I worked hard for my salary - I didn't wait for the government to take care of me.

Some days, I wonder if I lived on a different planet...

In my humble opinion, I firmly believe that the worst thing to happen to the raising of children was Dr. Spock. I also believe that the worst thing to happen to personal responsibility/accountability was the first lawsuit won for someone doing something stupid (i.e., the woman that sued McDonalds for spilling hot coffee on herself and won).

You may not agree with me. You may agree. Unfortunately, the world has changed - and not for the better. I just felt the urge to wish for better.

Bill O'Reilly: Bill's Column - Don't Say That

Bill O'Reilly: Bill's Column - Don't Say That

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Word usage. Remember 'far out' and 'groovy' and 'cool'? Kids usually come up with new words, or ways of using words that sound like gibberish and require translation for adults. Then something odd happens: adults start using the words and phrases. Yeah, we're 'hip'.

So, we become an embarrassment to our kids and they change up the language - again! As adults, we're always behind the times - unless you're a musician. Have you ever noticed that no matter how old a drummer or singer gets, he uses the latest lexicon?

Bill's column is timely and worth the read. Enjoy. And then, clean up your language!

Ciao

Isn't This A Little Bass Ackwards?

Someone PLEASE explain this to me:

Illegals who have a job - crack down on them and the companies who hire them, but don't STOP illegals from getting into the country or send BACK the ones that commit crimes or drain our social services.

Yeah - long sentence. Still, it's a fair question. The administration keeps looking for new ways to spend our tax dollars and still can't fix anything.

California is crushed under the burden of illegals leaching on the system. They know where the illegals are, but won't send them back. Instead, the government wants to take the productive illegals and punish them and their employers?

We call that Bass Ackwards. And stupid.

clipped from www.foxnews.com Obama Administration Launches Investigation Into Companies That Employ Illegal Immigrants WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration launched investigations of hundreds of businesses around the U.S. Wednesday as part of its strategy to focus immigration enforcement on the employers who hire illegal workers. President Barack Obama has said his administration's strategy for stemming illegal immigration would focus on employers who hire illegal workers. "This nationwide effort is a first step in ICE's longterm strategy to address and deter illegal employment." The I-9 audits are certain to cause concern among employers who have complained that identifying illegal workers is fraught with problems, from recognizing fake identity documents made to look authentic to risking violating anti-discrimination laws. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has said investigations will focus on businesses that knowingly hire immigrants who cannot legally work in the U.S.

TWITTER

Well, I'm trying something new: Twitter.

When I started my blog, I thought it was very cool, very new.

I was already an avid emailer, and used IM with ease. Hand written letters and cards were never my forte, but I could always type.

Then came MySpace. Interesting way to keep up with the kids, faraway friends and family. It was a good way to share pics, stories and rants.

Then I joined FaceBook. Now this was more my style! Real names, real updates for family and friends! I could respond to what others were posting and even chat if I happened to catch them online. My youngest son still won't add me as a 'friend' because he thinks it should have stayed a college only program... but I'm wearing him down. My friends are even divided by category: "Kids", "My Generation", "Family", etc.

So I keep hearing about Twitter. I'm bored last night, so I joined. Don't really understand the hype, but I get that you can send 'updates' via texting - which I'm not good at, and via the computer - which I am good at. (I'm sure Joe will find many gramatical errors in that sentence).

I elected to add Twitter to my blog (which isn't followed regularly, but I do know it's seen) and I may add the app to FaceBook. I haven't added my phone, mostly because I'd have to pay for each text message and until I get a phone with a QWERTY keyboard, it would take too long to update by phone.

Anyway, I'm not sure Twitter will be something I'll enjoy, or if it will just fall by the wayside... Either way, technology moves so quickly that the next 'New' thing will be months old before I catch on.

This getting old stuff is a bitch.

"Obama Scoffs" and We Suffer

This guy is NOT an economist, an insurance expert, has no degree in human resources or even a business administration degree. He is a lawyer.

Yes, he has access to experts, but many of his policies seem rudimentary and naive. High school kids taking statistics classes understand that what he proposes won't work.

People really need to wake up and stop this government take over of the private sector. This has to stop or the America we know will cease to exist.

clipped from news.yahoo.com GOP: After big fed spending 'Where are the jobs?' WASHINGTON – Republicans concerned about the Obama administration's big spending on economic stimulus, energy and health care are asking, "Where are the jobs?" "Unemployment has soared above 9 percent. And now the president admits that unemployment will soon reach double digits. "After all of this spending, after all of this borrowing from China, the Middle East, our children and our grandchildren, where are the jobs?" he said. president expects the nation will reach 10 percent unemployment within the next few months. "Democrats are pushing a government takeover of our health care system that will cost at least a trillion dollars. government reports that indicate millions will lose their current health coverage and millions more will lose their jobs if the Democratic plan is adopted. Obama scoffs at predictions that his plans to offer a public plan as an alternative will harm the private insurance industry

Tax and Spend Doesn't Work When People Are Out Of Work

clipped from www.foxnews.com Americans Increasingly Skeptical of Obama's Pledge of Fiscal Discipline as Deficit Grows - A New York Times/CBS News poll shows 60 percent of Americans do not believe the president has a strategy to reduce the deficit. - A Wall Street Journal/NBC poll says 58 percent of Americans want the president to make controlling the deficit a higher priority than a speedy economic recovery. $38 billion for the State Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization between 2010 and 2019 $787 billion fiscal stimulus bill $75 billion homeowner stability program $125 billion "place holder" of additional financial stabilization funds (if needed) $22 billion for Cap and Trade program in 2020 "All the rhetoric and all the happy noises that can come out of Washington cannot disguise or replace the higher interest rates that we're going to be facing at some point the markets are going to insist on serious fiscal responsibility and Washington will not be able to talk its way out of that