tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30619581897791386542024-02-19T00:01:37.235-08:00Another day in Colorful Colorado......just another day, to live free, and speak freely.frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-14010570900984267282010-07-23T11:30:00.001-07:002010-07-23T11:39:24.018-07:00Joe vs. JoseIn our time living in Massachussetts we were witnesses to tons of misaapropraition of enitlements; from selling food stamps to family members to purchase cigarettes and drugs with the proceeds, to an employee of mine refusing a raise so she could remain below the income level necessary to keep her subsidized apartment. I even had another employee call in sick to work with the following message "I can't come into work today because I need to move my boyfriend out before the welfare inspectors arrive, if they find out he is living with me I will lose my apartment, thanks..."; She needed to move her boyfriend out in time for her <em>ANNOUNCED</em> surprise inspection, certainly an <em>actual</em> surprise inspection would be un-American. These situations are real and happen everday, I couldn't makle this stuff up if I tried. <br /><br />I saw the following online in a comment thread and have no idea who to attribute it to...but it is a very telling story of some realities even I have witnessed, albeit an extreme example...but very plausable. <br /><br />"Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.<br /><br />Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".<br /><br />Ready? Now pay attention...<br /><br />Joe Legal: $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Joe Legal now has $31,231.00.<br /><br />Jose Illegal: $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600.00 per week, or $31,200.0<br />0 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00.<br /><br />Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $24,031.00.<br /><br />Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.<br /><br />Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food stamps or welfare. Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per year.. Joe Legal now has $18,031.00.<br /><br />Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.<br /><br />Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or $14,400.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $9,631 .00.<br /><br />Jose Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal rent subsidy. Jose Illegal pays out that $500.00 per month, or $6,000.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $ 31,200.00.<br /><br />Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for insurance. Joe Legal now has $7,231.00.<br /><br />Jose Illegal says, "We don't need no stinkin' insurance!" and still has $31,200.00.<br /><br />Joe Legal has to make his $7,231.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc.<br /><br />Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.."actually Jose illegal doesn't pay for most utilities in many states as he gets county assistance to pay the bills and his late fees"<br /><br />Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after work. "and pays a higher tax rate if he earns above a certain amount"<br /><br />Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.<br /><br />Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school. Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get a government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.<br /><br />Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.<br /><br />Do you get it, now?"<br /><br />Author- UnknownfrmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-75504857898341032082010-05-22T19:58:00.001-07:002010-05-22T19:58:49.542-07:00History...doomed to repeat it1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity. <br />2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. <br />3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. <br />4. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation. <br />5. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it. <br />-Adrian Rogers, 1931frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-88099733846913478542010-05-20T09:48:00.000-07:002010-05-20T09:53:57.947-07:00Why doesn’t anyone ask why?Why is the illegal immigrations efforts all about Mexico? Why is it all about the poor Mexicans? And, why are the Latinos so fired up? <br /><br />Let’s take a look at the problem from another point of view. Let’s pretend, pretend now, that you are an Asian illegal immigrant. How does one group get to be so large, anyway? Wouldn’t you want to know why millions of Mexicans can get into this country without a screening? Wouldn’t you, for one moment, wonder why this is a Mexican issue when you are just as illegal as a Mexican illegal immigrant? <br /><br />What if you were an Australian, Swede, Indian, or even a Brit, who has over stayed their visa (which by the way is another <strong>large </strong>reason people are in this country illegally, overstayed visas, not because they crossed the border from Mexico) Wouldn’t you be concerned that this issue seems to be just a Mexican issue? You want a path to citizenship as well, but no one is hearing your cries. Want to know why? The answer: Volume…<br /><br />You aren’t the likely voter, and there just isn’t enough of you yet…plain and simple. Fair, nope. Racist, perhaps. Nevertheless...it is what it is.<br /><br />Hispanics make up the single largest growth of voters from any other racial voting block. The Hispanic voters are growing so quickly they could potentially outnumber the African American voters within the next few years. So why is it a hot button issue? Your politicians want their votes. By pandering to this voting block, whether right or wrong, and don’t get me wrong, it’s coming out of both parties…they think they can win over the likely voters of this group. <br /><br />Black, White, Asian, Evangelical, Jewish, Right Wing/Left Wing, doesn’t matter. Sure, they want your votes too, but they see their keys to the capitol coming from the Hispanic Voting block.<br /><br />So America, it’d be good for you to learn Spanish, so you can be able to speak appropriately to your new neighbors. Why? It’s the neighborly thing to do…Adios!frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-86045220121265591082010-05-19T14:34:00.000-07:002010-05-19T15:15:02.892-07:00Herd vs. Heard...a lesson in homonymsHomonym: Two words that sound the same, and may even be spelled the same, but have two different meanings: Ex Trunk, as in an <em>Elephant's Trunk </em>or the <em>Trunk of a Car</em> (Maybe that's why the British call it a Boot...another Homonym by the way)<br /><br />Being <em>Heard</em> is what I am most concerned with these days. The Tea Party seems to have it right; they are rallying together <strong>to be <em>Heard</em>. </strong>But the MSM would have you beleive thay are a different kind of...herd. A mob even...but mob is not a homonym and that would not be as much fun ;-)<br /><br />The true <em>Herd</em>, I can honestly say, are the <em>Sheeple</em> who mindlessly vote for candidates based on what they've <em>heard </em>rather than going out and doing actual research. Like looking up voting records, or considering <em>who</em> is backing a particular candidate, or <em>where</em> is the campaign money coming from? Always follow the money, that's what I say. The money will tell you who the candidate will be working for in the long run. <br /><br />More of the <em>Herd</em> are the people condemning the <em>Arizona Immigration Bill</em> <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2010/05/19/20100519arizona-immigration-law-critics.html">without having actually read the bill</a>. Those people include some of it's largest critics: Janet Napolitano, BHO, AG Eric Holder and P.J. Crowley, assistant secretary of State for public affairs, who is already apologizing to China for the Bill. <br /><br />Seriously though, if you can’t read a 2300 page Healthcare Bill, may as well not read a 10 page Immigration Reform Bill…makes sense, right? Left! No! Confusing to me too…<br /><br /><a href="http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1070s.pdf">Here's the bill...read it</a>; I have, and nothing appears to go beyond enforcing <strong><em>EXISTING</em></strong> Federal laws. In Fact, that very point is spelled out in the Bill. On the 1st page even. <br /><br />The best yet is Mexico's President Felipe Calderon; who is joining the <em>herd</em>. Mexico has some of the more extreme anti-immigaration laws in the Western Hemisphere...where does this guy get a leg to stand on here? Shouldn't he be more concerned with why his people are defying the law to enter into the United States illegally? We are soooo oppresive and unfair but people are risking their lives to get here, why is that? <br /><br />I have a feeling that if our contry keep heading in the direction it has been, we will soon be climbing that fence to get out. Maybe thats what is bothering poor Felipe? Hmmm...<br /><br />Bottom line; its one thing to be heard, it’s another thing completely if you are just another part of the herd. <br /><br />Which are you?frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-88547566375514031202010-05-19T14:31:00.000-07:002010-05-19T14:33:25.472-07:00I'm a Republican Because...I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person’s dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.<br /><br />I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.<br /><br />I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.<br /><br />I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.<br /><br />I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations, and that the best government is that which governs least.<br /><br />I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.<br /><br />I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.<br /><br />I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-17230257289396227242010-05-04T19:59:00.000-07:002010-05-04T20:57:09.034-07:00PC...is not OKPolitically Incorrect Warning; if you really think terrorists are middle aged white men in their 40's, you probably work for the MSM...or the TSA. <br /><br />MSM got the Times Square terror suspect wrong. In the video grab, the only thing you could say for certain about the suspect, was that he wasn't black. Somehow they came up with a White Male, in his 40's. Turns out he was a 30 year old Pakistani-Born US Citizen. This guy! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGsIKi524MllOhh8oHeH5KW2_4tMS6qlEd6MhcjQvoga_Y6pax0P5Zng6NrjioRgJJWVuqUhCiOhNuynKdtQBUE78M4xmAnuqcirYgCbtc9M7EbkhdyAuw6699KoDmgMGCNMkr5ZWspi_/s1600/Shazahd.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGsIKi524MllOhh8oHeH5KW2_4tMS6qlEd6MhcjQvoga_Y6pax0P5Zng6NrjioRgJJWVuqUhCiOhNuynKdtQBUE78M4xmAnuqcirYgCbtc9M7EbkhdyAuw6699KoDmgMGCNMkr5ZWspi_/s320/Shazahd.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467618095972557362" /></a><br />Heaven forbid we associate anyone Middle-Eastern with terrorism. <br /><br />What's more disturbing is this man made it all the way through airport security, onto a plane...which was cleared for take-off. He paid cash, for a one-way ticket to Dubai. He didn't have any luggage. <br /><br />How does this happen? Simple: the TSA has it all wrong too. I'm sorry, but little old blue-haired ladies are not blowing up planes. They aren't paying cash for one-way airline tickets and mysteriously void of luggage. Yet I am constantly seeing them in the search-me cube at local airports. Why is it not OK to profile in the case of National Security? Why are we so afraid to offend when it could save lives? <br /><br />I don't know about you, but if I were the Middle-Eastern guy, getting onto an international flight, I think I'd make it a point to let everyone know I was safe. I'd request to be searched, have my luggage in hand, and wear my round-trip ticket in plain view. Just so you would stop looking at me out of the corner of your eye....seriously. <br /><br />I'm guilty, I intentionally look for he middle eastern guy on any flight I am on...I make eye-contact...I give the nod...I AM profiling...sue me. <br /><br />I sometimes feel the same way when it comes to the police; if you are dressed like a thug, hanging out in a group of thugs, with your pants hanging half-off your backside wearing a t-shirt that says "F Da Po-Po" or "Snitches get Stitches", you deserve to be pulled over or questioned. Sorry...I'd feel the same way if you were wearing Nazi emblems with shaved heads. It's not a 'color' thing per sey, it's a who's most likely to be up to no good thing...<br /><br />This brings me to Arizona; How dare they make being in this country illegally a crime. Shame on them for enforcing laws the Federal Government has been falling short on. I think it is unfair that they are being labelled as bigots; There are more than 3 million people in the US who have overstayed their visas. It's not exclusive to Mexicans, and it is just as big of an issue as crossing our porous border. Would it be fair if they asked everyone their citizenship status when making police contact? Yep. Equally unfair is therefore fair...ask away I say. You may just save someone's life.frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-19929510726942807162010-02-19T11:28:00.000-08:002010-02-19T11:36:35.837-08:00It’s been a while…So much has happened since I last put my blogging pen down. Scott Brown was elected (Historic!), Tiger Woods is all over the news (Old news, really...high profile athlete, does something horrible, then asks for forgiveness), Vancouver is hosting the ‘Green’ Olympics (Green, as in no snow…), and well…for as much that has happened, so much is still the same. <br /><br />A Short list: <br /><br />• Unemployment is out of control<br />• Economy is in ruins<br />• Hope is fading<br />• BHO is still lying<br /><br />The last point is significant. BHO recently spoke on the anniversary of the stimulus. He had some facts seriously distorted…about as distorted as making fart noises with your hand and pretending it’s the latest Michael Buble hit. <br /><br />I'll give you one…because I don't have all day. <br /><br />President Obama: “economists from across the political spectrum warn that if dramatic action was not taken to break the back of the recession, the United States could spiral into another depression.”<br /><br />He must have been talking about TARP, right? Yeah…NO?!? I specifically remember that wording when TARP was signed...right? What? He was talking about the Stimulus? No, TARP. What?!? He WAS talking about the stimulus. See where I am going here? <br /><br />Anyone else remember, before BHO and the Democratic congress presented us with a bill that bankrupted our grandchildren. Before the nearly $0.24 cents of every dollar you make is going to the Government. Do you remember? <br /><br />He said the stimulus would help stave off unemployment and keep it below 8%. Umm, Mr. Obama, unemployment is now estimated to be above 11%. 11%!!!! And growing….! <br /><br />Since Obama has signed the stimulus, 4 million jobs have been lost. Let me rephrase that. In the last year, since that historic signing of the stimulus bill in Denver, CO; 4 MILLION JOBS HAVE BEEN LOST! <br /><br />Glenn Beck said it best "Happy Anniversary, Stimulus"...Happy? Indeed.<br /><br />I am so blessed to have a job right now…so very blessed; where is the change? Well, I guess from 8% to 11% is a change, its just not exactly the change you folks voted for. Don’t blame me…I voted for the other guy. <br /><br />I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same.frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-89592351450434337672010-01-19T09:56:00.000-08:002010-01-19T09:58:13.092-08:00History, let’s hope so…Go-Scott-Go!Come on Massachusetts, make history today ;-) As a former MA resident, I am so excited to see folks waking up and understanding that one-party rule is to corruption as Cold-Stone’s cake batter ice-cream is to Biggest Loser contestants. <br /><br />I still can’t fathom the MSM’s lack of response to one of the most mismanaged, minefield laden, campaigns by a Democrat ever seen. The stuff from Martha Coakley would have been legendary laugh-fests if she were a Republican. Here’s just a sampling…<br /><br />Coakley announced last week that there are no longer any terrorists in Afghanistan<br /><br />When Coakley was challenged in an October debate about her lack of foreign policy credentials, she parried: "I have a sister who lives overseas, and she's been in England and now lives in the Middle East." (Tina Fey, where were you on this one?)<br /><br />When Coakley was asked on a radio program about Curt Schilling's support for her opponent, Coakley dismissed Schilling as a Yankees fan. Wow! I mean, wow! <br /><br />Let’s not forget this one: “You can have religious freedom but you probably shouldn't work in the emergency room.” – Martha Coakley<br /><br />Lame-stream Media, hello? This is GOLD. Where were you?frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-62447331847939776642009-10-13T14:53:00.000-07:002009-10-13T15:12:58.319-07:00The not so distant future...//SCENE: Not so distant future://<br /><br />Future Grandson: "Grandpa...tell me about America..."<br /><br />Me: "What's that? speak up future grandson, into my good ear..."<br /><br />Future Grandson:"America, Grandpa, what was it like?..."<br /><br />Me: "Oh, yes, I remember America...*sigh*...see, America, before you were born, was once a great Republic...I know that seems hard to believe...but those were the days...maybe tomorrow night I'll tell you all about piggy-banks...they were neat too...not much use for them now"<br /><br />Future Grandson: "What is a bank?"<br /><br />Me: "Oh....wow...ummm...yeah...they had money at one time...you know what a piggy is right?...well...same thing only...aww...nevermind...sleep tight"<br /><br />//End SCENE//frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-10900963153099106642009-10-08T10:09:00.000-07:002009-10-08T10:12:12.904-07:00Gone too Czar?Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., held a hearing Tuesday to look into President Barack Obama's appointment of "czars."; There has been a lot of right-wing press pointing to these Czars. The lack of Federal oversight/accountability, the amount of power they have been given, etc… But very little MSM focus.<br /><br />Many of these so called, experts in their fields have absolute agendas. Probably none greater than what I thought might be the more controversial appointee, Kevin Jennings. Jennings, the founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, one of the most powerful gay-activist organizations in the country.<br /><br />So MSM, where are you on this one? This individual who has spent the better part of 20 years promoting the Homosexual agenda. Now he is in a position to directly enact the agenda on our public schools; without accountability. This to me is quite disturbing. Why it isn’t so to the MSM baffles me.<br /><br />On to my point: As disturbed as I am I cannot say that I am surprised. BHO does not have enough experience in any of these national programs to make decisions on his own. He cannot expand the cabinet…which is already filled with political payback positions, so he creates Czars. Sadly, these are also filled with political paybacks. Change indeed…but the ability to actually get things done is being clouded by paybacks and agendas.<br /><br />You get what you pay for with this President. He is more concerned with getting re-elected than he is with actual, meaningful, change. Saying the right things and maintaining his voter base has stifled his electioneering platform. We will never get the economy right under this president…he doesn’t understand it. We will never get the situations in Iraq or Afghanistan under control…he doesn’t understand them either. We will never get the Hope/Change/(insert buzz word here) ...because he doesn't know how.<br /><br />Remember folks; this was a Community Organizer, turned Jr. State Senator, turned Jr. US Senator; in a very short political career. He owes more than he knows…and it shows (I’m a poet…and I didn’t even know it). He has to appoint Czars, because he doesn’t have the expertise in any field, he has never run anything on his own before…so, sit back…relax…and when it is all said and done…BHO will continue to shift responsibility of these major portions of government…leaving BHO accountability free…and ready for another run in 2012.<br /><br />One day, we might actually elect a President with actual experience running something, other than their mouths. Perhaps a successful business man? perhaps? A Governor, at least?...one can only hope.frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-21641025278401183832009-09-17T13:13:00.001-07:002009-09-17T13:27:34.992-07:00Joe Wilson = Rebuked…I've often asked, "whyfor" when things just aren't making sense. I figure, why not ask the question in a form that doesn't make sense either.<br /><br />The below events are just begging me to ask, <em>whyfor</em>?<br /><br />On Tuesday, September 15th; Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) & Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) brought resolution <a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.RES.744:">H. Res. 744</a> to the floor; which says the outburst "was a breach of decorum and brought discredit to the House of Representatives."<br /><br />The final tally late Tuesday was <a href="http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll699.xml">240-179,</a> generally but not entirely along party lines. It was 233 Democrats and seven Republicans voting to chastise Wilson, 167 Republicans and 12 Democrats opposing the measure and five Democrats merely voting "present." (Don't get me started on voting 'Present')<br /><br />Though Joe Wilson apologized to White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, and the President almost immediately after the outburst; and even Obama himself considered the matter 'closed'. The Democratice leaders had this to say:<br /><em><br />"The House general code of conduct requires that, "a lawmaker shall conduct himself at all times in a manner which shall reflect creditably on the House of Representatives." These are the standards members are held to when they take the oath of office. Despite the request of leadership of both parties, Rep. Wilson has refused to apologize on the House Floor, as is considered traditional, when a Member breaches House rules. Therefore, the House is compelled to respond."</em><br /><br />Hmmm, interesting; Standards in the House of Representatives? Oath you say? Then, are the below actions not in violation of this same code of conduct?*<br /><br /><strong>RANGEL FAILED TO REPORT ASSETS AND PAY TAXES</strong><br /><br />Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) Failed To Report More Than $660,000 In Assets During 2007. “In late August, the slowest news period of the year, Rangel filed updated financial disclosure reports showing he failed to report more than $660,000 in assets during 2007, a potential violation of House ethics rules.” (Glenn Thrush, “Pelosi Loath To Drop Hammer On Rangel,” <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26783.html">The Politico</a>, 9/5/09)<br /><br />Rangel Is Already Under Investigation For Misusing Rent-Controlled Apartments, Avoiding Taxes, And Using Government Letterhead To Raise Money. “The ethics panel has already spent a year peering into Rangel’s use of several rent-stabilized apartments in a luxury Harlem apartment complex, his failure to pay all taxes on a Dominican Republic vacation villa, and his use of Congressional letterhead to raise funds for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at City College in New York City.” (Glenn Thrush, “Pelosi Loath To Drop Hammer On Rangel,” <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26783.html">The Politico</a>, 9/5/09)<br /><br />The House Ethics Committee Is Also Investigating Rangel’s Trips to the Caribbean. “The committee recently broadened the investigation to include Caribbean trips taken by Rangel and four other lawmakers to determine if they complied with a ban on corporate-funded travel.” (Glenn Thrush, “Pelosi Loath To Drop Hammer On Rangel,” <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26783.html">The Politico</a>, 9/5/09)<br /><br /><strong>MURTHA AND VISCLOSKY DOLING GOV MONEY FOR CAMPAIGN CASH</strong><br /><br />Reps. John Murtha (D-PA) And Peter Visclosky (D-IN) Have Been Linked To Lobbying Firm PMA, Which Has Been Raided Twice By FBI Agents. “Murtha and Visclosky have both been linked to the lobbying firm PMA, which was twice raided by federal agents in recent months.” (Jay Newton-Small, “Key Dems' Ethical Clouds Could Haunt Pelosi,” <a href="http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1918051,00.html">Time</a>, 8/22/09)<br />Murtha And Visclosky Have Received $3.5 Million For Steering Money To PMA Clients. “Over the last decade firms that PMA helped get hundreds of millions of dollars worth of earmarked projects - pet projects inserted into the appropriations process by lawmakers — have given Murtha and Visclosky more than $3.5 million in campaign contributions.” (Jay Newton-Small, “Key Dems' Ethical Clouds Could Haunt Pelosi,” <a href="http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1918051,00.html">Time</a>, 8/22/09)<br /><br />Visclosky Was Forced To Give Up Control Of His Appropriations Subcommittee After Being Subpoenaed In The PMA Investigation. “But, Visclosky was forced to resign his chairmanship of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee after he was subpoenaed in relation to the PMA investigation.” (Jay Newton-Small, “Key Dems' Ethical Clouds Could Haunt Pelosi,” <a href="http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1918051,00.html">Time</a>, 8/22/09)<br /><br /><strong>MORAN TAKEN MORE THAN $100,000 IN PMA-CONNECTED DONATIONS</strong><br /><br />Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) Received $53,100 In Campaign Cash That Was Tied Directly To PMA On A Single Day In 2006. “Moran’s total take for June 6, 2006, shows how PMA’s bundling increased its presence. On that day, Moran’s campaign took in $57,000, according to FEC records. Of that total, $19,650 came from employees of Planning Systems, ProLogic and FiberGate. But another $15,500 came from PMA employees and another $7,750 from other PMA clients. Counting donations of spouses and other relatives of PMA clients, the lobbying firm was connected to $53,100 of the $57,000 total that Moran collected that day.” (Paul Singer, “PMA, Clients Shared Deep Ties,” <a href="http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_103/news/33201-1.html">Roll Call</a>, 3/17/09)<br /><br />From 2003 To 2005, Moran Received At Least $60,685 From A Group Of Companies With PMA Ties. “Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) received cash infusions from this same group regularly. In June 2003, Moran’s campaign banked $22,685 from employees of the four companies. Over a week in June 2004, he received $19,250. On one day in June 2005, he received $18,750 from members of this group.” (Paul Singer, “PMA, Clients Shared Deep Ties,” <a href="http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_103/news/33201-1.html">Roll Call</a>, 3/17/09)<br /><br />Cryptek, FiberGate, And Planning Systems Have Contributed To Members Of Congress In Bunches. “Employees of Cryptek, FiberGate, Planning Systems and ProLogic have tended over the years to generate campaign donations to Members of Congress in bunches, suggesting that the check writing was an organized activity, not random donations.” (Paul Singer, “PMA, Clients Shared Deep Ties,” <a href="http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_103/news/33201-1.html">Roll Call</a>, 3/17/09)<br /><br />Three PMA Directors Are Listed As “Equity Security Holders” For Cyrptek. “In bankruptcy filings submitted in a Virginia court in November, Cryptek listed three PMA directors among its ‘equity security holders’ — Paul Magliocchetti, Mark Magliocchetti and John Lynch. “(Paul Singer, “PMA, Clients Shared Deep Ties,” <a href="http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_103/news/33201-1.html">Roll Call</a>, 3/17/09)<br /><br />Louis Brown, A PMA Director, Is A Director At FiberGate And The Son Of PMA Founder Paul Magliocchetti Was Once Employed At FiberGate. “One of PMA’s clients is an Alexandria, Va., fiber optic company called FiberGate. According to Virginia corporate records, one of three directors of the firm is Louis M. Brown Jr. Brown has also been a director at PMA since 2005. Mark Magliocchetti, son of PMA founder Paul Magliocchetti, was also once employed at FiberGate.” (Paul Singer, “PMA, Clients Shared Deep Ties,” <a href="http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_103/news/33201-1.html">Roll Call</a>, 3/17/09)<br /><br />Brown, A PMA Director, Was Listed As A Director At Planning Systems Until 2008. “Until 2008, Brown was also listed as a director of Planning Systems Inc., an information technology firm that was a PMA client and received millions of dollars worth of earmarks.” (Paul Singer, “PMA, Clients Shared Deep Ties,” <a href="http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_103/news/33201-1.html">Roll Call</a>, 3/17/09)<br /><br /><em>*Source = <a href="http://www.cologop.org/news">www.cologop.org/news</a></em><br /><em></em><br />This is a living and breathing example of the self serving activity I’ve grown to despise in our Government. Michael Steele, president of the GOP claimed it was a sideshow meant to take focus off of their bumbling and deteriorating health care debate. Though that is true, to a point, it really doesn’t accomplish anything except salve the animosity Clyburn has of Joe Wilson and waste taxpayers time and money. None of these I consider productive.<br /><br />The best part? Joe Wilson was spot on; President Obama has lied; he may have juts missed the bullseye on the ‘what’ he was lying about, that, and he picked a poor place and time to bring it up ;-).frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-88092859963874908952009-09-17T08:33:00.001-07:002009-09-17T08:35:21.903-07:00Pimpin Tea...Ok, I’m taking a page out of the ACORN book and am about to become a pimp. A pimp of a really cool site that is…see below:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.freesignartwork.com/tea-party.html">http://www.freesignartwork.com/tea-party.html</a><br /><br />It has some awesome ‘free’ art for you to make your Tea Party signs. whish I would have found this a couple of weeks ago...but, it's not that hard to take the image and make some cool banner art for your site.<br /><br />Also, Welcome Michelle Malkin to Colorado Springs, CO. If you ever need any restaurant recommendations, I’ve got ‘em for ya! (as if she reads my blog...)<br /><br />Hmmm, that’s a thought, perhaps I do need another blog…I’m constantly being hit-up for restaurant advice…stay tuned on that one. ;-)frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-74206349380527161432009-09-16T09:35:00.000-07:002009-09-16T09:36:44.962-07:00Donkey or...?<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090915/ap_on_en_tv/us_tv_obama_tweet">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090915/ap_on_en_tv/us_tv_obama_tweet</a><br /><br />High five Mr. President; I agree with you in this regard. Kanye West is indeed a “jackass” ;-)<br /><br /><em>"I thought that was really inappropriate," Obama says.<br /><br />"What are you butting in (for)? ... The young lady seems like a perfectly nice person. She's getting her award. What's he doing up there?"<br /><br />A questioner chimes in, "Why would he do it?"<br /><br />"He's a jackass," Obama replies, which is met with laughter from several people.<br /><br />"Come on guys," he says. "Cut the president some slack. I've got a lot of other stuff on my plate."<br /></em><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCdDKEFFU7Q">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCdDKEFFU7Q</a><br /><br />Above is the audio captured from his pre-interview comments with John Harwood. These were supposed to be off the record.<br /><br />In the world of iPhones, Twitter, and apparently, shared studio broadband lines; nothing is off the record. You are the president, everything you say is news. What I see here though, might actually be a positive for BHO. I mean, who better to call out Kanye, on his actions, than someone that Kanye will have a hard time countering. What next Kanye, Barrack Obama doesn’t care about black people? Don’t put it past him…<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIUzLpO1kxI&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIUzLpO1kxI&feature=related</a><br /><br />Ouch…yeah, jackass just about covers it. And you know this…maaaaan!frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-53145872543578347942009-09-14T10:17:00.000-07:002009-09-14T10:33:29.234-07:00My, My, My…So, I tried to hold it in; I tried to avoid any political discussions on my blog…turns out, I can’t do it. I waited several days after the infamous Rep. Joe Wilson “You Lie” comment. I wanted it to play out so I wouldn’t have any words to pen. Turns out, the Lame-Stream Media didn’t cover it correctly (imagine that). They played the 'disrespectful' card…on one of the smartest men in congress, who by admission of most people in government is well-noted for crunching numbers and for his attention to detail. He, of anyone, knows what is funded, by whom, and what is written, by whom, into the versions of these ‘overhaul’ bills circulating in the House and Senate. He was part sponsor of the amendments that were stricken from the house bill which included language to expressly exclude Gov’t Funded abortion on demand (elective abortions); and the exclusion, through verification, of healthcare for illegals. Sure there is language in one version of this bill that says illegal immigrants are not eligible, but no enforcement language, and no requirement for anyone to verify their citizenship in order to apply for the public option (Harry Reid, D-Nev, said this would make the application process to cumbersome) Not even an ID requirement to verify your own identity. I get asked for my ID to buy items from my local grocery, is that too cumbersome? I might need some governmnt intervention here, that 16 year old behind the conveneince store counter won't let me purchase a lottery ticket.<br /><br />Seriously…nothing will stop your tax dollars from paying for healthcare for illegal immigrants…get ready border patrol, you will soon be very busy. You will need the doughnuts to keep your carb count up with all of the running your about to be doing. Mmmm…doughnuts; Doh!<br /><br />Ok, so in this country we don’t celebrate freedom of speech during a presidential address (oh and on Prime time, again…how much does this cost anyway?). We are instead supposed to watch our president, delay our sit-coms, and be force fed with another sales pitch. While the dem's, as if attached by string to Pelosi’s witch-like fingers, pop-up and down and applaud on command. I was over taken by an urge to play “Whack-A-mole” …but I digress.<br /><br />To my point; Anyone else notice the use of the word “my” by BHO? Of the many plans circulating through the house, none are written by, or presented by the White House. Where is his plan? He used the phrase, under “my” plan quite freely.<br /><br />So let’s get technical here: Rep. Joe Wilson, you can’t exactly call the president a liar; nope, apparently this is too disresepctful; and, because he could indeed be telling us the truth. If, and this is a huge if, BHO actually has drafted a healthcare reform plan, and, since no one has even seen it, it might just include/exclude a provision to not pay for elective abortions (doubtful, since PP is one of his biggest backers); his un-seen plan might include/exclude illegal immigrants from service; his plan might not increase the deficit, wait, no, that’s actually impossible…there is no other way to pay for this plan, the cuts he proposed are not enough. Oh an by the way, this will raise taxes for EVERY American, including the middle class…which you promised you would not do.<br /><br />Mr. Wilson, you are correct, Mr. President, you are indeed a liar.frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-84585727506127270432009-09-08T10:36:00.000-07:002009-09-08T10:37:57.724-07:00Finally…Parents, listen up; this IS how it should be.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gazette.com/articles/police-61572-children-officers.html">http://www.gazette.com/articles/police-61572-children-officers.html</a><br /><br /><strong>Incident Date</strong><br /><em>September 7, 2009</em><br /><strong>Time</strong><br /><em>12:29:00 PM</em><br /><strong>Division</strong><br /><em>Sand Creek<br />Shift I</em><br /><strong>Title</strong><br /><em>Burglary</em><br /><strong>Location</strong><br /><em>854 Chapman Drive</em><br /><strong>Summary</strong><br /><em>Officers of the Sand Creek Division and the CSFD were dispatched to a burglary involving an apartment fire. Investigation revealed that three children entered a vacant apartment by an open window and put some twigs on top of the stove. The twigs started to smoke when they turned on the burner. The apartment was not damaged and the children were unharmed. Two parents, Desire Jones and Pablo Salayandia-Marquez, were served a summons for child abuse/neglect. A third parent, Nicole Watkins, for obstructing a police officer. The burglary case against the children was exceptionally cleared by statute due to their ages, 4 thru 6. The children were released to their parent.</em><br /><strong>Adults Arrested</strong><br /><em>Nicole Watkins, Pablo Salayandia-Marquez and Desiree Jones</em><br /><br />I can guarantee, in no uncertain terms, that if more Parents were held accountable to the actions of their children, there would be much less juvenile delinquency.<br /><br />I hear it all to often, “my kids are out of control”; how did they get that way? Children are a product of their environment. Like plants, feed them well, nurture them, and they produce amazing results. Children are no different.<br /><br />Educate them, teach them right from wrong, and hold them accountable for their choices. Is this really that hard? In the above article, where were the parents? And where did the THINK their 3 children were. Ages 4-6, did anyone else catch this?<br /><br />My daughter is 3, in one year will she know how to break into an apartment? (My daughter knows not to go into the refrigerator without asking 1st); collect fire making materials, and turn on a burner…<br /><br />My point is, these children had to have learned this behavior from somewhere. Not one action performed in the above police-blotter is ‘natural behavior’.<br /><br />I will stay tuned for the full police report as well as the court docket ;-) I can’t wait to see “my kid would never…” excuses these parents come up with.frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-576157737040822462009-09-03T08:12:00.002-07:002009-09-03T08:20:06.436-07:00Things I said...I was having difficulty getting any progress from an internal department the other day...Someone asked me, "why don't you just go talk to their department head...who's in charge over there"<br /><br />I could only reply with; "<em>No one's in charge, it's like running into a Chicken Coupe and yelling 'Who's got eggs! Who's got 'em!?!</em>'"<br /><br />If there is one thing that irks me to the core, it is lack of accountability...and when the drive-thru hands you an ice-cold drink on a hot day...but forgets the straw...yeah they are pretty equal. The difference? I can ask to see the Manager at the drive-thru...good luck with that in the Chicken Coupe. "cock-a-doodle-doo"frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-8304817750354685352009-09-03T08:12:00.001-07:002009-09-03T08:12:14.420-07:00It's not working for you...My good friend and fellow blogger T-Willy (Travis) provided some interesting statistics during a presentation he gave at our Toastmaster’s meeting. One that made a significant impact on me was that 80% of employees are actively looking for another job.<br /><br />At 1st, that number felt incredibly high, shockingly high to me. Then I started to begin to take a look at how people are hired, what people actually do vs. their job description, and why people leave/move on. Then, I had an epiphany.<br /><br />This number is probably closer to being accurate than many might believe. Think about it, how many employees are actually doing work they are passionate about? How many of you are in fields that align with your university degree?<br /><br />Personally I have an IT degree, but work in Advertising and Marketing. Go figure…frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-69598850326635149162009-07-23T09:10:00.000-07:002009-07-23T09:13:47.526-07:00Business rules!Ford, without a Bailout, makes a profit.<br /><br />How could this happen? Why do I think Ford went from beggar to profiteer? Simple, we, to our very core, are survivors, that’s why. Ford certainly could have taken a bailout, lose control of their own destiny, sell out the hard work of their employees, retirees, etc… They could have taken the easy way out. The easy way out often feels like a safe bet, and looks inviting, and could have offered insurances that the brand name would live on long past their current darkened view of the future. However, it’s also true that nothing of value has ever been ‘easy’ to obtain. Precious metals, nope; Money, not unless you are have a trust-fund (but believe me, someone up the chain worked hard for that luxury); fame, again, no; Heaven, good luck coasting on that one; it all requires sacrifice and hard work.<br /><br />Let’s look at Ford now, still privately run (more correctly, non-goverment run), and now turning a profit through good old fashioned cash management; Once, against the wall, on the brink of bankruptcy, and yes asking for federal assistance. (But trust this could also have been a negotiating power play to gain union concessions, who really knows other than Ford executives), they have now added further proof that American ingenuity can overcome daunting odds in any situation.<br /><br />This is going to sound completely like an endorsement, and maybe it is, but today’s news has inspired me and potentially earned my loyalty as a customer. When I think of a truly American car company, I will think of Ford. Maybe all of their products do not originate domestically, but I am more likely now to buy a Ford product through all of this. I am ready to see Ford bury GM as government bureaucracy will prevent GM from ever being efficient.<br /><br />Now we, as consumers, as Americans, and hopefully as voters, can have an Apple-to-Apples comparison on how the government can actually make things worse by intervention (meddling). We get to finally compare Ford performance to that of government run GM.<br /><br />I’m not so naïve to believe that some government assistance has helped Ford with their recent excess, but I am happy to know that they did not need Billions of dollars in aid. I am happy to see that survival instincts finally kicked in.<br /><br /><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090723/bs_nm/us_ford">http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090723/bs_nm/us_ford</a><br /><br />The irony in all of this is, our government can now learn a thing or two about running not only a car company, but a national budget from some of the examples Ford had put in place; not only Ford, but from other examples the business world.<br /><br />Where am I going with this…well, I’m celebrating Ford’s success and attributing that success to sound business principals organized and obtained through business minded individuals.<br /><br />Do you want to fix the economy? Elect businessmen, want to make more laws and stifle the American economy into further bureaucracy and unimaginable debt, continue to elect legislators (Obama, Reid, Pelosi).<br /><br />Agree or not, a former business man, or even a governor of a state is much more suited to be president than any congressman, ex lawyer, or even community organizer. You then take a governor, with former business executive experience and a track record of success, well there is a winning combination. 2010-2012, make a difference, fix Washington, please?<br /><br />Rant accomplished…frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-20377603636464731202009-06-29T10:54:00.000-07:002009-06-29T11:05:44.044-07:00A reality 'check' you can cash...<strong><em>Change,</em></strong> it's all the rage. From late night info-mercials to presidential campaigns. <em>YOU</em> need to <em>CHANGE</em>, <em>WE</em> need to <em>CHANGE</em>, <em>CHANGE</em> we can believe in...etc...<br /><br />Well, quite frankly, you can keep your C<em>hange</em>. Someone is...and spending it in unprecedented fashion.<br /><br />Seriously, what about the last election cycle? Where is the change? What is 'New'? New rhetoric....not really. New tactics...no, not there either. You see, <strong>taxing & spending is not new</strong>. Not at all, the only thing different is that under the guise of "change" we have a whole heck of a lot more of it. Every time we have a Dem Executive branch (President) aligned with a Dem Legislative branch (House/Senate) we see an increase in spending and then taxes to pay for it. That’s <em>same-'ol</em>, <em>same-'ol</em> politics to me. Nothing changed...<br /><br />I pray that next election cycle someone decides to run on a 'reality'. Slogan: "Keep the change, I want my country back... Vote XYZ Candidate 2012"<br /><br />With all the new government controls (auto industry, finance, healthcare, even tobacco...), Unprecedented Spending, and...*<strong>newsflash</strong>*...taxes will increase; FOR EVERYONE...not just the $250k and above wage earners as promised. BHO is going to make an appeal soon...it started with the most recent 'roll up your sleeves' email, next will be 'empty your wallets, it's patriotic'. Trust me, its coming. In 2012, Someone needs to give the country back to the people.<br /><br />We need to get back to what made this country great in the first place. Innovation, Values, Hard Work, Dedication...too many costly services are provided to too many 'eligible' (I use the term eligible very loosely) people.<br /><br />Oh, but we can't cut these 'necessary' services. Really? Why not? Well, old folks may not get their medications, single mom's may not have reliable daycare, people may not get their Digital TV converter boxes, the auto industry may no longer produce cars in America, Congress won’t get new hybrids, the military will buy a few less tanks/jets/missiles, we may never see Universal Healthcare, etc...<br /><br />I'm sorry, am I the only one who says that everything is negotiable? From medications, to WIC services, to defense spending...it's all fair game when you have multi-trillion dollar deficits.<br /><br />The entire system is wrought with waste as well as opportunities to fine tune the budgets. Not all people who qualify for government provided social services (including welfare) need it. We've all seen the lady at the grocery store with the two carts full of groceries telling the cashier ..."Oh the front cart is for WIC"... while the back cart is loaded with junk food and cigarettes. I've always said if there were an actual audit service with a bonus structure to find waste, we'd find it, and it would more than pay for itself. BHO, are you listening? I just created X (insert your overly aggressive made up number here) jobs that would actually put money back into the taxpayers pocket. Daycare can be provided by other welfare recipients as an education/job training program. Did I just create more jobs? Wow! Most of all. Welfare is made temporary; with a set timetable that has a beginning and an end. Call it an 'exit strategy' for Welfare. The Social worker is simply a Program/Project Manager with set milestones and held accountable to his/her performance. Heck, bonus them for successful early conversions from welfare to work. Hey, you can make this a new job too! I'm on a roll!<br /><br />The point is, we can all agree these are tough times, and tough times require tough decisions. The government is not responsible for my TV, my insurance, or my milk and eggs. Non-profits (with appropriate tax incentives) and other organizations can, and often do, pick up the slack when it comes to helping people thrive.<br /><br />Also, at our very core, is an innovative, hard working American. Some of us lack the serious motivation to act the part when it is too easy to accept the easy way out.<br /><br />No one was, or at least should have been, raised to fail. In fact, it can likely be scientifically proven that if you create a system, someone will find a way to take advantage of it. That, as poor of an example as there is, is innovation at work. Let's get people to take advantage of circumstances rather than our government.frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-28852531322169795732009-06-15T11:22:00.000-07:002009-06-15T11:23:55.823-07:00Quotes of the day…The union will be the death of the auto industry, and perhaps BHO’s presidency (for the obvious vote garnering payback, also known as “bailout funds”). Here’s a quote from President Obama in Chicago, addressing the AMA today:<br /><br /><em>"A big part of what led General Motors and Chrysler into trouble," he said, "were the huge costs they racked up providing health care for their workers — costs that made them less profitable and less competitive with automakers around the world."<br /></em><br />What?! So Healthcare costs led to the demise of two American auto-making icons? What about the unionized workforce that currently produces the American automobile?<br /><br />Here’s a quote that seems so much more fitting.<br /><br /><em>“You can not pay someone $50.00 per hr. to build a car and sell it to someone that makes $12.00 per hr.”</em><br /><br />I wish I could take credit for it, but alas it was an anonymous online poster responding to NASCAR’s considering allowing other foreign manufacturers into their circuits.<br /><br />I make it no secret that I am a NASCAR fan, I have a yellow ‘17’ in the upper corner of the back window of my American made SUV (it’s a Ford, Explorer even). For not having a mullet, red neck, or a beer dispensing hat, I could fit into a conversation with any level of fan. I respect that they all have a passion for racing. But I digress…<br /><br />I wish we had the time to talk about racing all day, me to write about it and you to read, but that’s not how it works in the real world, is it? Speaking of the real world again. Labor costs make up for a much bigger % of how profitable a business is rather than healthcare. It doesn’t matter what industry you are in, profit margins exist in the narrow confines of production costs and retail price.<br /><br />Kudos to Ford Motor Company for not taking any bailout money; also for negotiating with the UAW and getting the best concessions for their business to run…for now. I tend to negotiate with a little more logic, such as…”concede, or we are all out of a job”…but hey, I’ve never been much of a “union guy”. I understand how/why they were created. To protect the workers from abuse, unsafe conditions, etc…but today, those poor working conditions simply do not exist anymore. Wal-Mart, operates it’s retail/grocery store union free, and may get a bad rap for low-paid workers, but you’ve got to hand it to them…do we, as consumers, really care? The worker has federal laws protecting them from discrimination, long hours, unfair pay rates, and poor working conditions. The employee is not an indentured servant, if they disagree with the corporate policy they can file a grievance, or resign.<br /><br />Back to the real world where folks are just happy to have a job, and public outcry is beginning to harden regarding labor disputes, strikes, etc. With near-historical unemployment numbers, and growing jobless claims. No one is happy to see their tax dollars go to obviously failing businesses. No one is happy to see workers fight for more money rather than making concessions to stay employed.<br /><br />I am a consumer, these are hard times, if someone in China is making a better product cheaper…and I’m more apt to buy it. Does it make me un-American? Not at all…consider that China already owns our debt, our government has made the same decision, well before I did.frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-5278120515370611372009-06-09T10:45:00.000-07:002009-06-09T13:12:19.977-07:00A prayer for President Obama…Father, today I lift up President Obama to you. May your spirit enter his heart and provide him with Your Divine guidance. I pray that You walk beside him and guide him to act in a manner that would be more pleasing to You. Please grant him the wisdom to make appropriate decisions and lead this country as You would have us be lead.<br /><br />I have personally forgiven President Obama for many of the anti-family and anti-life decisions and ask that You may be able to as well. As a follower of Christ, I fully believe in the power of redemption and ask that Your Grace be upon President Obama.<br /><br />I pray that he is humbled in your presence and ask that President Obama be given every opportunity to succeed in his role. I also pray that the American people can learn to forgive each other, and ourselves as we move forward in a manner that is honoring and pleasing to You, Father.<br /><br />All of this I pray in Your Holy name…<br /><br />Soli Deo Gloria<br /><br />Amen.frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-5407991406916314482009-06-04T15:46:00.000-07:002009-06-04T15:57:50.712-07:00Obama's celebration of anything non-ChristianSo Barrack Obama <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-LGBT-Pride-Month/">writes a proclamation</a> to make June, National LGBT month. I wonder if he knew that June is also:<br /><br />· National <a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/od/catcrafts/index.htm">Adopt-A-Cat</a> Month<br />· National <a href="http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/dedrivesafe/index.htm">Drive Safe</a> Month<br />· National Fresh <a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/autumncrafts/a/blhrvstbwl.htm">Fruit and Vegetable</a> Month<br />· National <a href="http://coffeetea.about.com/library/weekly/aaicedtea.htm">Iced Tea</a> Month<br />· National <a href="http://gardening.about.com/od/rose1/">Rose</a> Month<br />· <a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.nsc.org/">National Safety Month</a><br />· National <a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/od/tenniscrafts/index.htm">Tennis</a> Month<br /><br />As well as these other, non-National months.<br /><br />· <a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/b/a/128194.htm">Potty Training Awareness Month</a><br />· <a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/od/turkeycrafts/index.htm">Turkey</a> Lovers Month (there’s a joke here somewhere…I just know it)<br />· <a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/zoowildanimals/index.htm">Zoo</a> and <a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/fishcrafts/index.htm">Aquarium</a> Month<br />· <a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/painting1/a/Milk_Painting.htm">Dairy</a> Month<br />· <a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org/">Great Outdoors Month</a><br /><br />I’m still finding it hard to believe the LGBT community deserves a month, but if Iced Tea (Not the Rapper) can have a month then I suppose it’s really no big deal, right? Well, its juts more ‘Change’ any of the Christians, primarily Catholics, who voted for BHO probably never counted on. Reflect for a moment, this is the same president who declined to recognize the National Day of Prayer; the same president who included, for the 1st time in History, atheists in his inaugural address while also omitting his Father’s religious preference (Muslim) stating during his inauguration speech that he is of Christian faith and his father was “agnostic”. Yet right now he is in the Middle East celebrating his Father’s Muslim heritage, almost wearing it as a badge of honor. Which is it, agnostic or Muslim? You certainly cannot be both.<br /><br />I personally do not have an issue with either Muslims, Agnost’s or even Atheists, as a Jewish friend of mine would say “We can’t all be perfect” ;-) This is the same friend who said to me one time; “It’s not your fault you weren’t chosen” ;-) It is important to celebrate our Diversities, and even make light of them through humor…but to give a Day to anyone is a pretty big Deal; to give a month is a little ridiculous.<br /><br />There is a trend with this president; he seems to adore, celebrate, and recognize everything. Everything that is, except the Christian faith. Challenge me on this, and I ask why has President Obama only been to Church (1) time since taking office. Don't tell me how busy he is, he makes time for basketball playoffs, baseball games, and a Super Bowl party at the White House. I don't know about you, but I went to Church Super Bowl Sunday and still made it home with hours to spare before the big game.frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-82898485364000004012009-05-29T08:40:00.000-07:002009-05-29T08:44:45.618-07:00Say it ain't so, Lee?<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090529/bs_nm/us_chrysler_iacocca">http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090529/bs_nm/us_chrysler_iacocca</a><br /><br />Oh no! Don’t take Lee Iacocca’s car! I hope it was one of those boxy mini-vans his group was credited with inventing and bringing Chrysler out of bankruptcy. If that were the case, I’m sure Lee’s all to ready to go out and buy a real car. "<em>if you can find a better car, but </em>it" - Lee Iacocca<br /><br />Well Lee, I think they took your advice. It is an ironic turn of events when Lee Iacocca, the man credited with saving Chrysler from Bankruptcy in the 80’s is now the victim of the company’s lack of innovation. I read his book (autobiography) and briefly scanned "<em>Where have all the Leaders Gone?</em>" While waiting on my wife at <em>Barnes and Noble</em> (or some other mass bookseller), I can tell you that this man was innovative. He was also very charismatic in his time. Who could forget the C’s? Curiousity, Creative, Communicate, Character, Courage, Conviction, Charisma, Competent, Common Sense and the biggest one of all, Crisis. Apparently Chrysler did.<br /><br />It’s a sad day, when, dare I say it. Politics, and the UAW take down the very source of their wealth. I’m not going to union bash, there are plenty of people that can and do that already. However, I will point out that in the ‘real world’ many of us have taken pay cuts just to keep our jobs. I was recently with an organization that filed Chapter 11; we had 147 retail stores along the east coast an nearly 11,000 employees. When we went into chapter 11 for the 1st time, we shuttered stores and markets, and those poor workers, that stuck it out on the promise of a payday were left holding the bag when the company decided to rescind the offer due to lack of funds. If they wanted their final paycheck, they needed to file a claim in bankruptcy court. Our CEO (very un-Iacocca like) was quoted with his famous last words; “It is what it is”. It certainly is, isn’t it Joe ;-) Our company emerged from Chapter 11 as a new company. Our assets were purchased at auction by a Hedge Fund manager who had no experience in our industry. Save the CEO and the founder, the majority of our Executives remained in tact. You know what happened? We didn’t change our business model to be more competitive. We kept marketing the same ways, selling the same ways, buying the same, etc…the only difference was a shrunken budget to try to do it all. Annnd then...We went into chapter 11 again less than 1 year later. I was fortunate to jump ship in May of 2008, the company no longer existed in any form after September 2008. No one got any form of payment, early retirement, or benefits package. This, my friends, is the real world.<br /><br />Why the background on my former employer, simple, where was our bailout? We would never have asked for one, and our 11,000 workers were not union, therefore not organized to influence politics with their voting power, and not due a pay-off for future votes. (Did I say that out loud?) That, and all this happened under the Bush Administration, where you don’t bailout failing companies. AND you certainly do not invest in them. Companies fail for a reason; they are too big to afford themselves, no longer innovative, they refuse to change their business to accommodate the changing consumer, etc…<br /><br />Now I’m hearing my tax dollars just earned us, as a taxpayers, 72.5% of GM shares…whoopty-doo. What a poor investment. What will be different when they emerge from Chapter 11? Will they make better cars, cheaper, and more efficiently? Nope…Anyone seen a do-do bird lately?frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-45535748858986468522009-05-27T08:25:00.000-07:002009-05-29T11:02:07.116-07:00Rights, right?If I say that the Prop 8 argument is about "rights" we would then be entering into a philosophical conversation, right? (It’s my blog, so I say yes) Right: So I begin with some questions: What are we entitled to, that can not be denied, and ultimately makes us all equal? Certain inalienable rights apply, and are truly constitutional. Like it or not, the US constitution was founded upon and drafted fully in the presence of men who firmly lived Judeo-Christian values. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…right? Is marriage an equality issue? Not at all, marriage is a choice rooted in religion, some would argue marriage was designed and is ordained by God. It certainly isn’t an inalienable right.<br /><br />You may believe you can “choose” to be religious or not, and that choice has a specific set of guidelines you are to follow while calling your self religious. You can also "choose" to get married just as you can "choose" to be gay (save me the murky arguments about this undiscovered Gay gene, then why do people become un-gay? does the gene go away?). By making these choices, you are accepting some generally agreed upon operating guidelines, which are pretty well known. Choices are by no means rights, or constitutionally protected. If I chose to be married I let go of my ‘singleness’, I chose to be with my wife from this day forward forsaking all others, etc. If I chose to be gay, I accept that I may lose the opportunity to be married in a Church, I also chose to align myself with a minority group that can face adversity.<br /><br />Here’s the deal: If we go around and label a choice as a right, then what happens when the choice sparks a new group whose choices translate into a new set of rights? Then what we are saying is, one’s rights are determined by the mere existence of any group that can rationalize choice, no matter how that group’s existence is viewed by the majority of society.<br /><br />The homosexual community looks to challenge the definition of marriage by changing it from 1-man and 1-woman into 2-people; ironically by doing that, they in fact still leave a definition that would be an exclusion to any 3-people who want to get married. However, ask a homosexual group about it’s stance on that subject and you will hear that it is not valid. Where’s the tolerance for polygamist groups ;-) Laughably, the thought of 2 or more nagging wives is amusing…but that’s another rant for another time. I personally could not afford more than one wife, think about the unimaginable increase in toilet paper usage…but I digress.<br /><br />How is it that a one group can change the definition for their subset, but not for others that want a more liberal definition taken into consideration? This is precisely why religion and politics are kept out of public schools; a subset of individuals can not monopolize rights that are certain, with rights that a particular group chooses to adopt. Poor kids are confused enough with high school stuff, like proms (ever try pinning a boutonniere on yourself?) Again, I digress.<br /><br />It begs me to ask; where does it end? If everything is ok, then what is no longer ok? Society is not obligated to offer every single amenity offered to any individual to all individuals.<br /><br />Unfortunately, this is what happens when we become all too “politically correct”. When we lose our moral compass, stop listening to tried and true principles of our faiths, our founding forefathers, and begin to follow our hearts rather than our minds. Let’s be honest with ourselves, “All progress begins by telling the truth” –Lou Cassara.<br /><br />At the very least, look at your history book and begin to analyze the fall of Rome. People relied on the government for all of their services, and grew increasingly dependant. Government was so big it could not afford itself, nor afford to protect itself, and then…you get the picture.<br /><br />I have grown weary of everything having to be politicized. Hence my lack of blogging lately. This moral and ethical argument is a non-point anymore; laws are created to favor the majority viewpoint. Politics are played to sway groups to form a majority opinion. The tool is the media and he with the bigger wallet (translated to media buying power) usually wins. This is how you force a minority “issue”, regardless of its moral and ethical standing, into a popular opinion contest.frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061958189779138654.post-11729698099892414782009-04-11T13:19:00.000-07:002009-04-11T13:22:57.333-07:00Welcome to Blue...Top 5 Most Taxed States, just so happen to be Blue States.<br /><br />1. VermontPopulation: 620,000<br />Average tax burden per person: $3,861<br /><br />2. HawaiiPopulation: 1.29 millionAverage tax burden per person: $3,856<br /><br />3. ConnecticutPopulation: 3.5 millionAverage tax burden per person: $3,596<br /><br />4. MinnesotaPopulation: 5.2 millionAverage tax burden per person: $3,203<br /><br />5. New JerseyPopulation: 8.7 millionAverage tax burden per person: $3,024<br /><br />Coincidence? I think we need more data like the above to show juts how your state legislation affects you individually. The nice thing about the above study is it shows the avg. individual tax burden. Not surprising is the Top Ten:<br /><br />6. New York<br />Population: 19.4 million<br />Average tax burden per person: $3,019<br /><br />7. Massachusetts<br />Population: 6.4 million<br />Average tax burden per person: $2,953<br /><br />8. Washington<br />Population: 6.6 million<br />Average tax burden per person: $2,553<br /><br />9. Wyoming<br />Population: 530,000<br />Average tax burden per person: $2,357<br /><br />10. Pennsylvania<br />Population: 12.4 million<br />Average tax burden per person: $2,223<br /><br />Only one red state can be found, and it is a state with no individual income tax which would lead to higher property taxes, as evidenced in other states that do not have individual income taxes (Hawaii, New Hampshire…).<br /><br />Next time, <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/think2012">think before you vote</a>…taxes do affect you. If you think the government can spend your money efficiently, take another look, or move to one of the above states ;-)frmrDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741774642638388860noreply@blogger.com0