Resources on the Ongoing Debate About our National Debt The White House
The above link is to the white house website. On this page is a video of the president's address on the debt crisis. There is also a link on that page showing a chart of the accumulation of U.S. debt. Please go look and watch the video and look at the chart. I would like to hear from my fellow Americans on this issue.
There should be no question in any ones mind just what the problem is. We are already obligated to pay these bills. Congress already approved every single bit of this! Go watch the video and look at the chart and let me know where you think we stand.
There is a poison in our country right now and it is a political poison that will destroy our country as we know it if we allow this crap to continue. Extreme politics is historically detrimental to any society. When any political group takes an extreme position it causes either a dictatorship to emerge or a revolution to occur.
Check your history folks and you will see this is the truth. The tea party is a radical extreme group that is going to destroy the republican party and possibly our country as we know it. As I have said before on this blog, we absolutely must find common ground and meet somewhere in the middle. If we can't even solve this debt ceiling problem which congress has already approved the spending for,without taking extreme positions, how in the world are we going to solve our very real problems such as getting our people working again?
We have real problems we should be working toward getting resolved right now instead of having to fight the egos of elected officials who are so out of touch with the actual people of this country it is unreal. The politicians are not working for us, they are working to please corporate America and the TV personalities. They are self serving, egotistical maniacs who can't possibly live up to the standards they profess to live by. Every last one of them have to realize that their real constituents are us, not some corporation or lobbyist.
Personally I am ashamed of our politicians for even letting this issue get to this late date. It shows a serious lack of responsibility on their part and is an embarrassment to our political system with the rest of the world. Why would we expect any other country to want to be like us? I love my country but I am very upset with our career politicians for dragging their feet on this issue.
Here's the deal though. If Obama is for it the republicans are against it. Whatever it is. Tell my why this is. There has to be a reason. I think it is deep rooted. I think we should be in celebration as a nation that we have finally crossed over racial barriers and have a super intelligent president in the oval office who just happens to be a black man. The fact that republicans, and especially the tea party is against everything this man stands for can be nothing other than hatred in it's most evil form. So go ahead and blast me, I want to hear your comments.
Oh and by the way, the debt ceiling was raised seven times during the Bush administration without this kind of a crisis ever being a possibility. You want to talk about liberal? He was much more liberal than Obama is. Two wars, tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, a prescription drug program, and don't forget he wanted every American to own their own home. Check this article:
http://articles.cnn.com/2002-06-17/politics/bush.minority.homes_1_home-ownership-home-buyers-american-dream-down-payment-fund?_s=PM:ALLPOLITICS
That's why we're where we are right now folks! Think about it.
I added a federal taxpayer receipt that you can fill out below to see where your money is going.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Waging War or Working Together
This is what I think we need to do. This nation must find common ground and not focus on what someone in the media has to say, but focus on what it is going to take to repair our nation. No arguing, no political right or wrong. All the politicians need to make a list of the issues, then refine that list to issues everyone can agree on. If there are issues on the list that we disagree on , remove that issue. At that point we can work on only things that we all agree are urgent. There will be nothing to argue about or lay blame on someone for. Then expand from there over time once we get used to working together again. I know there will be debate on how to solve problems but at least we can be working to solve problems that all agree exist.
When a country wages political warfare, which is exactly what's going on here and now, everyone loses. The sad part of it is that our children are going to pay the price for our arrogance. This nation is just a fraction of the age of this earth. Many great nations have risen and fallen before us, and the main cause is greed and division. This nation has a system of checks and balances to keep things straight so long as everyone abides by the rules and common courtesy. During this administration something has happened that is not right. There have been variations of voting policy that have not happened before in congress. One party took a stance against another just so they could see this administration fail at whatever the cost.
Too much attention has been focused on lies spun by entertainment figures, most of whom have been addicted to either drugs or alcohol. Their interpretation of the truth is nothing more than a ploy to destroy any administration that is not controlled by the Republicans. In doing what they have done as far as their voting positions go they have restricted poilicy that would have helped this country. They stripped down the recovery package eliminating some very important features.
They voted a unanimous "no" on basically every issue brought before them. By doing what they did they assumed control anyhow. You have your party to thank for that one. Then they have the audacity to claim that our president has done nothing since becoming our leader. If the democrats had ever done what they have, they would have been tried for treason! I only mention these things because it is the truth, and to drive home my point about the need to work together. It's kinda like an old line from a commercial from years past, "you can pay me now or pay me later".
We can wage war with each other and surely fail, or we can try working together. It's our only hope at this point in time. I pray all of our leaders get their heads out of their nether regions and recognize this simple fact!
When a country wages political warfare, which is exactly what's going on here and now, everyone loses. The sad part of it is that our children are going to pay the price for our arrogance. This nation is just a fraction of the age of this earth. Many great nations have risen and fallen before us, and the main cause is greed and division. This nation has a system of checks and balances to keep things straight so long as everyone abides by the rules and common courtesy. During this administration something has happened that is not right. There have been variations of voting policy that have not happened before in congress. One party took a stance against another just so they could see this administration fail at whatever the cost.
Too much attention has been focused on lies spun by entertainment figures, most of whom have been addicted to either drugs or alcohol. Their interpretation of the truth is nothing more than a ploy to destroy any administration that is not controlled by the Republicans. In doing what they have done as far as their voting positions go they have restricted poilicy that would have helped this country. They stripped down the recovery package eliminating some very important features.
They voted a unanimous "no" on basically every issue brought before them. By doing what they did they assumed control anyhow. You have your party to thank for that one. Then they have the audacity to claim that our president has done nothing since becoming our leader. If the democrats had ever done what they have, they would have been tried for treason! I only mention these things because it is the truth, and to drive home my point about the need to work together. It's kinda like an old line from a commercial from years past, "you can pay me now or pay me later".
We can wage war with each other and surely fail, or we can try working together. It's our only hope at this point in time. I pray all of our leaders get their heads out of their nether regions and recognize this simple fact!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The Job of President
The job of president is unlike any other. I wouldn't want it for all the money in the world. But just for kicks lets compare some situations. Have you ever filled a spot left vacant by another? How about a job where the person you replaced had tarnished the companies image? How about one where they had gone over budget year after year and spent the company into bankruptcy?
It would be pretty hard to change these things over night without having a lot of money to throw at the problems. We are not talking about a job like the president has, that has an impact on 311,504,324 people. We are talking about a normal job like most Americans can perform. Now multiply that times whatever number you choose, just pick a big one. I am not sure what the multiplier would be but it would have to be a big number.
This is a huge job even if your predeccessor did a fantastic job and everything was left in perfect order. This country was in major economic distress and almost down the toilet when this president was inaugurated. We have thus far avoided a depression, and it's a miracle really that we have because for the most part this man has stood in the middle of the aisle, and asked for cooperation from both sides. He has had cooperation from the party he ran for only. The other side of the aisle has said no, no, no so much they don't even know the issues they are voting on. They are programmed for an early answer of no. They should just have a robot there voting in their place.
I have heard all about how the president is spending us into oblivion, about how the stimulus didn't work, and about how he has done absolutely nothing since he has been in office. I could counter all of these claims and be very compelling but you know what? It's not going to convince you. If you don't already believe he is doing a good job I can't change your mind.
Having said all that you know I am a liberal, but I am more toward the center than anything unless you make me mad by insulting my intellegience. But each side makes statements and takes positions that pushes the other side more extreme. We are all proud of our beliefs whether they be political or spiritual. I can't convince you that you're wrong and you can't convince me I am either. Let's take what we agree on and heal this nation as much as possible.
Here is what has to happen. We have to get over whatever it is that has poisoned our minds and get to the business of helping this President during this term to save our country. Not next term. Not next President. Everyone is always planning for the next election cycle. Well guess what? There may not be a country as we know it now to have an election in! We better get down to business and start working together. It doesn't matter who is in the white house.
Time is short for this nation. We better quit trying to convince the other party they are wrong and just take it in the chin and admit all of us have been wrong and lets start our working relationship over. I am totally against censorship so let the television networks take some responsibilty here for what they have done. It is time to disconnect the money from the talking heads who pit one side against the other and keep our country in political turmoil. All of the political talk shows need to go. I don't care which network you want to mention, all of the political opinion shows need to go away. Let each network have one show a week that is about political opinion, one hour maximum time slot. Then when election time comes host actual debates with the candidates themselves not someone else giving their opinion on what that candidate represents. Networks used to have respect for the American people, but not any more.
The networks used to have accountability for their anchors and reporters. These guys sit at the same type desks and have the appearance of a news anchor but that is where the deceit comes in. Most of them are entertainers and that's all. There used to be respect for our leaders. Our children have not witnessed that. Let the candidates speak for themselves. Have as many shows as you want with the candidates as far as interviews and all go, but lets get rid of the idiots who are destroying our country in the name of journalism.
This job of being president is not just his responsibilty, it's all of ours. Like me or not we are all in this together. We are Americans, and we have to be better than this. The world is watching and waiting. Let's take the lead again. Let's unite again. Let's decide that no matter who is in the oval office, that we are going to do the things we have to do to make this country great again and help them do that. We can work through our problems but we have to do just that, work through them. Not always waiting on the next election cycle. We have to do this now!
It would be pretty hard to change these things over night without having a lot of money to throw at the problems. We are not talking about a job like the president has, that has an impact on 311,504,324 people. We are talking about a normal job like most Americans can perform. Now multiply that times whatever number you choose, just pick a big one. I am not sure what the multiplier would be but it would have to be a big number.
This is a huge job even if your predeccessor did a fantastic job and everything was left in perfect order. This country was in major economic distress and almost down the toilet when this president was inaugurated. We have thus far avoided a depression, and it's a miracle really that we have because for the most part this man has stood in the middle of the aisle, and asked for cooperation from both sides. He has had cooperation from the party he ran for only. The other side of the aisle has said no, no, no so much they don't even know the issues they are voting on. They are programmed for an early answer of no. They should just have a robot there voting in their place.
I have heard all about how the president is spending us into oblivion, about how the stimulus didn't work, and about how he has done absolutely nothing since he has been in office. I could counter all of these claims and be very compelling but you know what? It's not going to convince you. If you don't already believe he is doing a good job I can't change your mind.
Having said all that you know I am a liberal, but I am more toward the center than anything unless you make me mad by insulting my intellegience. But each side makes statements and takes positions that pushes the other side more extreme. We are all proud of our beliefs whether they be political or spiritual. I can't convince you that you're wrong and you can't convince me I am either. Let's take what we agree on and heal this nation as much as possible.
Here is what has to happen. We have to get over whatever it is that has poisoned our minds and get to the business of helping this President during this term to save our country. Not next term. Not next President. Everyone is always planning for the next election cycle. Well guess what? There may not be a country as we know it now to have an election in! We better get down to business and start working together. It doesn't matter who is in the white house.
Time is short for this nation. We better quit trying to convince the other party they are wrong and just take it in the chin and admit all of us have been wrong and lets start our working relationship over. I am totally against censorship so let the television networks take some responsibilty here for what they have done. It is time to disconnect the money from the talking heads who pit one side against the other and keep our country in political turmoil. All of the political talk shows need to go. I don't care which network you want to mention, all of the political opinion shows need to go away. Let each network have one show a week that is about political opinion, one hour maximum time slot. Then when election time comes host actual debates with the candidates themselves not someone else giving their opinion on what that candidate represents. Networks used to have respect for the American people, but not any more.
The networks used to have accountability for their anchors and reporters. These guys sit at the same type desks and have the appearance of a news anchor but that is where the deceit comes in. Most of them are entertainers and that's all. There used to be respect for our leaders. Our children have not witnessed that. Let the candidates speak for themselves. Have as many shows as you want with the candidates as far as interviews and all go, but lets get rid of the idiots who are destroying our country in the name of journalism.
This job of being president is not just his responsibilty, it's all of ours. Like me or not we are all in this together. We are Americans, and we have to be better than this. The world is watching and waiting. Let's take the lead again. Let's unite again. Let's decide that no matter who is in the oval office, that we are going to do the things we have to do to make this country great again and help them do that. We can work through our problems but we have to do just that, work through them. Not always waiting on the next election cycle. We have to do this now!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Handicapping the Republican field in 2012
Go to any Republican leaning website and the refrain is the same...President Obama has no chance for a second term in 2012. He is a socialist, he is spending us to oblivion, he has no clue. This would be funny if it just weren't so damn sad. The Republicans will fire off a dozen things about what is wrong with our President but they can't name one thing that Mitt Romney or Sarah Palin stand for. Typical. That being said I thought it was time to look at the Republican field as we know it today. Those that have committed and those that haven't. Those that are trying to decide in or out and those that have already decided that 2012 is not their year. This list is long and actually, quite unbelievable. The handicapping odds are my own. Many, many hours of thought and mathematical computations went into arriving at these numbers. Please remember, these are the odds of each candidate getting the Republican nomination...oh, and one more thing, this is for entertainment purposes only...
Mitt Romney: (3/1) The front runner. Mormon. Romneycare. Second time around. Although he has been dubbed the Republican front-runner, he has problems. Normally I would say that his stance on healthcare and his passing of Romneycare in Massachusetts was his biggest problem. It's just too damn close to Obamacare. Romneycare is NOT his biggest problem. His biggest problem is that he is Mormon. Even though 99% of the Republican electorate couldn't tell you what exactly a Mormon is, they do know that it is a religion and it is not like them. He is not Christian. End of story. It's that whole "he's black" thing again, only this time it's in their own party and he's Mormon.
Mitch Daniels: (5/1) Who is Mitch Daniels? Well, if you were a Republican from Indiana you would know that he is the Governor of that state. You would also know that he is a bit of a Republican hero for the way he has embraced his fiscal conservatism and steered Indiana out of economic disaster. If he were to get the Republican nomination he might have a little problem explaining to the woman of this country why he de-funded Planned Parenthood while also banning abortions after 20 weeks...I'm just sayin'...
Tim Pawlenty: (6/1) Pawlenty has the same problem as Daniels, no name recognition. Of course that can change over the course of a long nominating season but, like all candidates, he has skeletons in his closet too. The former governor of Minnesota is going to have a hard time explaining to his Republican minions how leaving the state of Minnesota a huge deficit is going to play into the fiscal conservatism that the Republican party is banking on. Raising taxes more than 50% during his term is not the way to curry favor with the lock step conservatives of this country.
Sarah Palin: (8/1) I could write a book on this woman. Republicans, especially the Tea party crowd, love her. Democrats absolutely despise her. Not only did she quit the governorship of Alaska mid term but she is, quite frankly, dumb as a box of rocks. It always amuses me when the Republicans spout off that we liberals "fear" Sarah Palin. I don't "fear" Sarah Palin. I "fear" a woman who can not tell me the story of Paul Revere, cannot tell me what newspaper she reads, says she can see Russia from her back yard. This is what I "fear", that and she is just bat-shit crazy.
Newt Gingrich: (12/1) His three divorces and an affair while his wife was dying go along very well with the family values that Republicans like hang their hat on. Oh, and don't forget that he was censured by Congress. He asks that he not be judged on his past, yet this is exactly what Republicans do best. He has no shot.
Michelle Bachmann: (15/1) Ah yes, Michelle Bachmann. Darling of the Tea Party. Not a Governor. Not even a Senator. She is a Representative from the great state of Minnesota, which as we all know, supremely qualifies her for President of the United States. If Sarah Palin is bat-shit crazy than this woman is double bat shit crazy. Could you imagine a Palin/Bachmann ticket? Comedians will be doing backflips for months!
Ron Paul: (25/1) I like Ron Paul. He's like that crazy uncle that sticks out his finger and dares you to pull it. He means well and you know he wants to help the country but in the end you wouldn't trust him to mow your grass, let alone run the country.
Herman Cain: (60/1) I'm going to start off by telling you, if you didn't know already, Herman Cain is Black. Yes, that's right, Black. He is a Republican who in a previous life started and ran Godfathers Pizza. Yes, that's right, Godfathers Pizza. I know that there is a witty response to this but there are so many ideas flooding my brain right now that I can't even begin to know where to start...we'll leave it at that.
Rick Santorum: (100/1) You didn’t think that bat-shit crazy was only reserved for female Republicans, did you?
The Field: (500/1) Gary Johnson, John Huntsman, Rudy Giuliani, Alan West, Buddy Roemer...Can you believe that Rudy is considering...WTF? Who are these people?
I would be remiss if I forgot to mention those that have already decided that, perhaps, running for the Republican nomination, is, for whatever reason, not in their best interest:
Donald Trump: Yes, the Donald was floating the idea of running for President. Somewhere along the line his plan got derailed. Something about a long form birth certificate and the birther issue not being what it was cracked up to be. So, he dropped out...and this coming from the guy who proclaimed he was in the lead in the polls. Who'd of thunk it?
Haley Barbour: Apperantly even Haley finally realized that the country wasn't ready for the KKK to be in the White House.
Sharon Angle: She actually floated the idea of running for President a few months ago. That was until she realized that she was too bat shit crazy, even for the Republican Party.
And then there are those who have not quite made up their mind...
Rick Perry: The current governor of Texas. Also the guy who suggested that Texas secede from the Union over Healthcare. I believe he has spent too much time with Todd Palin.
Chris Christie: The wildcard. The republicans love him but he continues to say that he is not interested. Who knows. If he gets in he could give Romney a fight. He's not Mormon, so he has that going for him.
Mike Huckabee: Poor Mike. Evangelical Christian. Die Hard Republican. Former Governor. Pastor. Birther...DUH!! Damn...he was doing fine until he hitched his wagon to that lost cause. At least he realized it was time to call it a day although I'm not entirely convinced that he won't re-enter.
If I am forgetting anyone it’s because I’m becoming bat-shit crazy imagining all these people on a stage for the first Republican Presidential debate. 14 candidates and another 6 that decided not this year. If all 14 show up at the Republican debate, this would be the greatest Republican gift to the Democratic Party since Christine O'Donnell (another of my favorites).
Believe it or not, a majority of the country leans towards the center. There isn’t a soul in this group that has seen the center since they tried to figure out how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop. If anything, these people, combined with the Tea Party, will make for some great comedic moments during the 2012 election cycle. And, Bill Maher willing, "bat shit crazy" will forever define this bunch of lunatics.
Perhaps 60 percent of today’s oil price is pure speculation
Perhaps 60 percent of today’s oil price is pure speculation
I found this article from May, 2008. I found it very interesting and just wanted to share it with everyone. This just reinforces my position that oil should not be traded as it is now. We should just let supply and demand set the price! Click the headline to read this.
I found this article from May, 2008. I found it very interesting and just wanted to share it with everyone. This just reinforces my position that oil should not be traded as it is now. We should just let supply and demand set the price! Click the headline to read this.
Haley Barbour Breaks With Eric Cantor On Disaster Relief
Haley Barbour Breaks With Eric Cantor On Disaster Relief
This is an article I found about the disagreement within their own party about how disaster relief should be paid for. Click on the headline to read the article in it's entirety. Now this should let you know just how wrong Eric Cantor really is. Even the Republican governor of Mississippi disagrees with Cantor's position on the Joplin Tornado assistance. It's much easier to relate to disaster when you have experienced it.
There is no way that a disaster should be used as a leverage point for the Republican party's position on the federal budget. It just indicates that these radical members of the Republican and Tea parties are dividing their powers and influence with the American people leaving more strength for the Democrats in the long haul. The Republican Party will implode during the 2012 Presidential election paving the way for a massive and decisive victory for the Democrats.
This is an article I found about the disagreement within their own party about how disaster relief should be paid for. Click on the headline to read the article in it's entirety. Now this should let you know just how wrong Eric Cantor really is. Even the Republican governor of Mississippi disagrees with Cantor's position on the Joplin Tornado assistance. It's much easier to relate to disaster when you have experienced it.
There is no way that a disaster should be used as a leverage point for the Republican party's position on the federal budget. It just indicates that these radical members of the Republican and Tea parties are dividing their powers and influence with the American people leaving more strength for the Democrats in the long haul. The Republican Party will implode during the 2012 Presidential election paving the way for a massive and decisive victory for the Democrats.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Gasoline Prices and The Economy
Think Gasoline Prices have nothing to do with the recession? Better think again. There is a direct impact on mortgage defaults from higher gasoline prices. Everything we buy goes up when gas goes up. Take a look at the chart on this link and you will see that the gasoline prices during the peak of the home mortgage bust, was at an all time high when the most mortgage defaults occurred.
Check the link: http://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=EMM_EPM0_PTE_NUS_DPG&f=W
The crisis was recognized in August of 2008 when gasoline prices had been at sustained levels near $4.00 per gallon. It comes down to this for those of us who work for a living: buy gas so we can go to work or pay our mortgages. The percentage of their income that economists say the average working family spends on gasoline is 8%. Well that is B.S.! The average household income in my state is $36,338.00. I don't know about everyone else but I spend about $400.00 a month on gasoline right now and that is eating up my budget. You can't budget for it because the prices keep going up and up.
My income does not go up with the gas prices, food prices, clothing prices, etc., all related to higher fuel costs. Right now my gas expenses are right at 16% of my expendable income. I am sure that someone who makes less than me could be paying 30% or more of their income. Gasoline prices have risen more than 33% since December 2010 with no demand reason available. Most of the price increase for a barrel of oil is due to speculation. Oil should not be traded on the open market as a commodity for wealthy individuals and corporations to invest in.
Now here is the real kicker. Oil companies have been making massive profits for years now, and they give nothing back. They take the money from us and sit on it. They are absolutely what caused the home mortgage crisis and they have no one to answer to for it.
I think it is about time they answered to us, the citizens of this country who they are robbing blind. Our elected officials, the house republicans, should be ashamed that they voted to continue subsidizing the big oil companies. The big oil companies statement to the threat of losing their subsidies was that if they lost them, the public would end up paying for it anyway in the form of higher gasoline prices. If anything should be subsidized it should be the pump prices for the driving public in this country!
Check the link: http://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=EMM_EPM0_PTE_NUS_DPG&f=W
The crisis was recognized in August of 2008 when gasoline prices had been at sustained levels near $4.00 per gallon. It comes down to this for those of us who work for a living: buy gas so we can go to work or pay our mortgages. The percentage of their income that economists say the average working family spends on gasoline is 8%. Well that is B.S.! The average household income in my state is $36,338.00. I don't know about everyone else but I spend about $400.00 a month on gasoline right now and that is eating up my budget. You can't budget for it because the prices keep going up and up.
My income does not go up with the gas prices, food prices, clothing prices, etc., all related to higher fuel costs. Right now my gas expenses are right at 16% of my expendable income. I am sure that someone who makes less than me could be paying 30% or more of their income. Gasoline prices have risen more than 33% since December 2010 with no demand reason available. Most of the price increase for a barrel of oil is due to speculation. Oil should not be traded on the open market as a commodity for wealthy individuals and corporations to invest in.
Now here is the real kicker. Oil companies have been making massive profits for years now, and they give nothing back. They take the money from us and sit on it. They are absolutely what caused the home mortgage crisis and they have no one to answer to for it.
I think it is about time they answered to us, the citizens of this country who they are robbing blind. Our elected officials, the house republicans, should be ashamed that they voted to continue subsidizing the big oil companies. The big oil companies statement to the threat of losing their subsidies was that if they lost them, the public would end up paying for it anyway in the form of higher gasoline prices. If anything should be subsidized it should be the pump prices for the driving public in this country!
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