I’d love to see  a Senator introduce this bill in the US Senate and a Representative to introduce a similar one in the US House.  These people would likely become American heroes - however - there are probably none with the guts to do so, even if they KNOW it would never pass.

Our system is corrupt - what can we do about it?
1. Term Limits: 12 years only, one of the possible options below.

A. Two Six-year Senate terms
B. Six Two-year House terms
C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

2.. No Tenure / No Pension:
A congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security:
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund moves to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, Congress participates with the American people.

4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans..

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

7. Congress must equally abide in all laws they impose on the American people..

8. All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective 1/1/10.

The American people did not make this contract with congressmen, congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

Please share this with others!

I found this very interesting, and frankly, somewhat surprising.  First, I need to note that I am NOT religious, by anyone’s stretch of imagination, but I’m not an Atheist either.

I do understand the concept of “Separation of church and state”  but that is REALLY supposed to mean that we do not FORCE religion down anyone’s throat. It does NOT mean, that we are anti religion, even though we do appear to be headed that way with the recent court decisions, and now this proclamation by our President, and it makes me a bit sad.

I’m sad because I think it’s clear that we ARE a nation founded on Judeo Christian values, and I see nothing wrong with President Obama standing up for those beliefs.  Has he not noticed the US constitution, the bill of rights, or any of the Preambles for our state constitutions?

i’m pushing 50 years old soon, and again, while I’m not religious at all, I do understand where we (our country) came from…

Note the religious references in every single one below - Are they next on the hit list?

Alabama 1901, Preamble - We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution..

Alaska 1956,Preamble - We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.

Arizona 1911, Preamble - We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution…

Arkansas 1874, Preamble - We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government…

California 1879, Preamble - We the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…

Colorado 1876, Preamble - We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe….

Connecticut1818, Preamble.The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providenceof God in permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware 1897, Preamble - Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature,the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to thedictates of their consciences…

Florida 1885, Preamble - We the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution…

Georgia 1777, Preamble - We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution…

Hawaii 1959, Preamble - We, the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance … Establish this Constitution.

Idaho 1889, Preamble - We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.

Illinois 1870, Preamble - We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

Indiana 1851, Preamble - We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.

Iowa 1857, Preamble - We, the People of the St ate of Iowa , grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.

Kansas 1859, Preamble - We, the people of Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble - We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties.

Louisiana 1921, Preamble - We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, Preamble - We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland 1776, Preamble - We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty.

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble - We…the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction
Michigan 1908, Preamble - We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble - We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi 1890, Preamble - We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri 1845, Preamble - We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . Establish this Constitution…

Montana 1889, Preamble - We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for theblessings of liberty establish this Constitution.

Nebraska 1875, Preamble - We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.

Nevada 1864, Preamble - We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution…

New Hampshire 1792, Part I.Art. I. Sec. VEvery individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble - We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

New Mexico 1911, Preamble - We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to  Almighty God for the blessings of liberty…

New York 1846, Preamble - We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.

North Carolina 1868, Preamble - We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those…

North Dakota1889, Preamble - We , the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain…

Ohio 1852, Preamble - We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.

Oklahoma 1907, PreambleInvoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this…
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2.All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble - We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance…

Rhode Island1842, Preamble - We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing…

South Carolina , 1778, Preamble - We, the people of the State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble - We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties …

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI..III.That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience…

Texas 1845, Preamble - We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.

Utah 1896, Preamble - Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.

Vermont 1777, Preamble - Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man…

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights -  XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other

Washington 1889, Preamble - We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution

West Virginia 1872, Preamble - Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God.

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble - We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility…

Wyoming 1890, Preamble - We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution…

Q.  Where will the government get this money?
A.  From taxpayers.

Q.  So the government is giving me back my own money?
A.  Only a smidgen..

Q.  What is the purpose of this payment?
A.  The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q.  But isn’t that stimulating the economy of China ?
A..  Shut up.

Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:

• If you spend the stimulus money at Wal-Mart, the money will go to China.
• If you spend it on gasoline, your money will go to the Arabs.
• If you buy a computer, it will go to India.
• If you buy fruit and vegetables, it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.
• If you buy a car, it will go to Japan or Korea.
• If you purchase useless stuff, it will go to Taiwan.
• If you pay your credit cards or buy stock, it will go to management bonuses, and be hidden offshore.

Instead, keep the money in America by:

1      Spending it at yard sales, or
2      Going to ball games, or
3      Spending it on prostitutes, or
4      Beer
5      Tattoos

(These are the only American businesses still operating in the US. )

So, I’m going to go to a ball game and drink beer with a tattooed prostitute that I met at a yard sale.

I have nothing against them; fellow Filipinos who leave home searching for that so called “greener pastures” in America. Some of whom are my very own aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  They leave home because they want a better life for themselves.  They leave home because they want a better life for everyone else who’s left behind.  They are considered our modern day heroes; they bring pride to a nation constantly bombarded by the woes of poverty, inflation, corruption, and yes, even American Idol.  

But tell me, which one is really better? The nation whose Congress who once tried to allocate $19 million to examine the amount of methane gas from cow flatulence and whose Senate who once tried to propose spending $1 million to study brown tree snakes which do not even survive in North America - but could not care less about Health Care reforms?  

Or the Nation whose Congress and Senate who once tried extremely hard (and probably still trying) to allocate and spend as much amount as possible trying to examine which restaurant is more costly than the other, in some parts of the world God knows where – but could not even share a single peso to the people back home who are barely even eating at least 2 square meals a day?  (Well if that’s the case, then I vote Antarctica!)

You see, there’s not much of a difference wherever we go. It’s about learning to be smart, learning to be brave and learning to have faith in the direst of circumstances. Whether you’re an American or Filipino or someone from Antarctica (if any), there’s always that chance of a better life for every one of us. I always get amazed by the so many success stories about people - most especially those whose being blind, or deaf, or lame, was never considered a reason for giving up.

But seriously, can’t you think of anything better than spending millions studying cow flatulence?   Oh well, I guess I’d rather just go to sleep.  We’ll never know, I might finally chance upon that same expensive restaurant where our beloved Legislators once had a taste of that dear ole good life.

Can this possibly be true?

I’m REALLY trying to be objective here, but she claims that the Cadillac Plan Tax will be used to buy better quality public care, to sort of  “equalize” the quality of care US Citizens will get. Huh? .

From the article,

Many proponents of taxing high-end employer-based coverage have singled out the titans of Wall Street finance and industry, whose insurance might pay for regular EKGs, CAT scans and weekend health retreats at tony spas.

and then it says that those types of plans are “rare” and points out that  -

More common are the generous health benefits that many union workers receive –

I know tons of people that have plans where they pay simply pay a doctor copayment, and every little thing is covered, whereas I chose to buy a plan that would NOT cover all those doctor visits and stuff, and instead, chose to put my money into  “major  medical” type insurance, that will keep me from going broke.

I THOUGHT that was the smart thing to do, but now I’m wondering…

For my plan,  for the first $5,000 for a calendar year,  I’m pretty much completely out of pocket.

After that, I’m 80/20 for the next $5k in charges to me ($which is my share of another $30k in medical) . So, potentially, I could be out $10k in a year, and while that would be awful,  it wouldn’t bankrupt me.

In a year, my maximum oop (Out of Pocket)  is $10k, and so she thinks my plan might be considered a “Cadillac”?

On the one hand, I think that what’s  “for good of the people” is sort of how a government should run, but on the OTHER hand, is this not America?

Is it somehow “not fair” that I buy my own insurance, and am happy with my plan?

I’ll have to read up more on this, but it makes me very uneasy. SURE everyone should get health care, but isn’t that already the case?

Are there really people being refused treatment here in the US now?  No there’s not, and to do so would be illegal!

On the one hand,  while I might agree that getting medical care should be a basic US Citizens  “right”,  on the other hand, I can’t believe that HAVING INSURANCE is a “right”, and certainly, taxing those of us with wisdom enough to buy decent insurance is a “wrong” in my opinion.

Is it true, that they can FORCE people off of individual plans? Is it true that they can FORCE a whole company off their group plan? This is still America, isn’t it?

Dear sirs,

I’m in the process of renewing my passport, and still cannot believe this.
How is it that Radio Shack has my address and telephone number and knows
that I bought a cable t.v. from them back in 1987, and yet, the Federal
Government is still asking me where I was born and on what date.

For Christ sakes, do you guys do this by hand? My birth date you have on my
social security card, and it is on all the income tax forms I’ve filed for
the past 30 years. It is on my health insurance card, my driver’s license,
on the last eight damn passports I’ve had, on all those stupid customs
declaration forms I’ve had to fill out before being allowed off the plane
over the last 30 years, and all those insufferable census forms that are
done at election times.

Would somebody please take note, once and for all, that my mother’s name is
Maryanne, my father’s name is Robert and I’d be absolutely astounded if that
ever changed between now and when I die!!!!!!

I apologize, I’m really pissed off this morning. Between you an’ me, I’ve
had enough of this bullshit! You send the application to my house, then you
ask me for my friggin’ address.

What is going on?  You have a gang of Neanderthal assholes workin’ there!
Look at my darn picture. Do I look like Bin Laden?  I don’t want to dig up
Yasser Arafat, for shit sakes. I just want to go and park my ass on a sandy
beach.

And would someone please tell me, why would you give a shit whether I plan
on visiting a farm in the next  15 days? If I ever got the urge to do
something weird to a chicken or a goat, believe you me, I’d sure as hell not
want to tell anyone!

Well, I have to go now, ’cause I have to go to the other end of the city and
get another friggin’ copy of my birth certificate, to the tune of $60. Would
it be so complicated to have all the services in the same spot to assist in
the issuance of a new passport the same day??  Nooooo, that’d be too dang
easy and maybe makes sense.  You’d rather have us running all over the
friggin’ place like chickens with our heads cut off, then find some a-hole
to confirm that it’s really me on the dang picture - you know,the one where
we’re not allowed to smile?! (bureaucratic friggin’ morons)  Hey, you know
why we can’t smile? We’re totally pissed off!

Signed
- An Irate Citizen.

P.S. Remember what I said above about the picture and getting someone to
confirm that it’s me?  Well,  my family has been in this country since 1776
…….I have served in the military for something over 30 years and have
had security clearances up the yingyang……..However, I have to get
someone’important’ to verify who I am - you know, someone like my doctor WHO
WAS BORN AND RAISED IN INDIA  !

Sincerely,

You Sure In The Hell Should Know Who.

………………And we want them to run our health care?!?

In the original lesson plan for the speech, the children were to write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president.” Another assignment was to “discuss what the president want’s us to do.” Thankfully, however, the critics objected to these assignments and it has since changed to “Write letters to themselves about how they can achieve their short-term and long-term education goals. These would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals.”

Either way many parents and teachers are not happy with this course of action. Some schools are even closing down for the day so as not to subject their students to the speech. Michelle Moore of St. Louis is thinking about keeping her children home from school on the 8^th. “I have to sign permission slips for my kids to watch R-rated movies in school,” Moore said, explaining that she felt parents were being blindsided by the president’s address. “It was simply presented, ‘Hey, we’re going to do this, this is when it’s going to air and you’re going to show it to your kids.’”

I know that I as a parent, were my children of school age, would keep my children at home. I am outraged for the other parents who’s children are in school. Many parents feel that if they had been presented with what he plans to say, or notified and given a choice they might be more considerate. For now however, they have had no choice, they can either send their children to school to be subjected to a unknown speech directed at their children or keep them home.

The idea that this socialist is targeting the young and naiveté, with his speech is infuriating. By pulling in the celebrities to whom many children idolize is even more underhanded. By pulling Le Bron James, and Kelly Clarkson, it sends the message to the young and impressionable that they should listen to the president and follow him simply because these stars are speaking alongside him. Some might say that, that is a jump, but we all know how much children listen to, and learn from their idols.

Bottom line is, this should have been talked about and agreed upon before having it thrust upon the children. Children deserve the right to be young and innocent not tainted by the ever toxic political world. At the time of this article, Foxnews.com held a poll, asking whether parents were going to keep their kids away from the speech, results were out of almost 63,000 votes 87% (almost 55,000) votes said they were in fact going to keep their children away from the speech. A little over 6,000 said they were going to allow their children to watch the speech.

In light of this someone higher up should listen, trying to get to the parents through their children will cause you loss of support. Think before doing something this outrageous again.

It’s gritty and personal. The bloggers are aid workers for the UN World Food Programme on the field, who often are working against the clock on their laptop’s battery’s life to edit and post their video blog posts. It looks at their everyday experiences, without the confusion of politics or media.

A great deal of the World Food Programmes work is possible thanks to US aid

Here’s a sneak preview:

The pentagon is currently reviewing a study that is recommending banning the use of tobacco by military personnel. My question in what are they thinking? Yes the outward costs of medical care and so on for the soldiers is quite large. However, they already sacrifice enough for our freedoms, why take away one of the few relaxing pleasures that can get while in battle.

According to their study around 32 percent of our armed forces use tobacco, while only 20 percent on the US adult population smokes. I think those numbers are completely understandable and honestly I am surprised that the number of Military smokers is not higher. After all the stress and fatigue that endure so that we may enjoy our lifestyles.

I think the government is wrong by trying to force these ideals on to our soldiers. They already give up so much. There are things that are legal for citizens to do, that are not allowed to do. And we want to enforce more on them?

I am a tobacco user myself, I want to quit, and someday I will however it will be at my decision.  Because I am a U.S. citizen, I have rights. Just because someone higher up thinks that I shouldn’t smoke does not give them the right to tell me I can’t smoke, or at least not yet.  In Oregon, they’re even trying to make the new electronic cigarettes illegal and keep people from using them!

Our men and women in the armed forces see things, do things and endure terrible, horrible things. Things that haunt them for years afterward.

hey see and do these things so that we, us American citizens don’t have to. I know a great many service men and women. I’ve heard the stories of how when the fighting was thick, where there never seemed to be an end, and when there would be no sleep for days. A cigarette would bring them enough of a calm to get through it all and continue on.

Think about your average everyday life, and multiply it by a hundred. We as American citizens have no idea of how easy our lives our. Our soldiers know how hard life can be, when in combat they deal with it on an everyday basis. So why do we want to take away something that brings them some calm?

Think about it this way, sadly some of our soldiers are wound so tightly that the slightest things could sent them off. I can guarantee you that the ones I am referring to smoke cigarettes, do you really, really want to take away something that keeps them from going over the edge.

We are in a state of war people, it’s not pretty, It’s not easy, and I am sadly not someone over there fighting. I may not be able to fight with them over there, but I can certainly fight for them over here. They give up enough, their family, time spent watching their children grow, some even give up their lives. Let’s not take away more from them.

The smokers state side are already feeling the burn, and the isolation of our habit. Lets not hurt those who’s morale and safety depend on it.  Leave us smokers alone.

In the last few months, we’ve made more progress on health insurance reform than we made in the previous 60 years. You can tell from the reaction of reform opponents that we’re doing something right.

Special interests who profit from the status quo are spreading brazen lies that stir up anger, and Republican leaders are chiming in with over-the-top rhetoric that detracts from the public debate. Just last week, Rush Limbaugh insinuated that President Obama was comparable to Adolf Hitler.

It’s a perfect example of “the old politics of fear and division” that President Obama talked about during his campaign. But there is too much at stake, too many Americans facing rising health care costs and shrinking paychecks, for us to let the politics of yesterday prevail.

The last thing opponents of reform want is a positive, civil debate. They know they’ll lose on the merits, so they’re turning to lies and division. It’s up to us to expose each distortion for what it is: a lie, plain and simple. If we do that, we’ll better our politics — and bring badly-needed reform.

Monday, the White House launched a new online resource that could help — a “Reality Check” site to help Americans clear up health care lies and misinformation. Visit the site today — and then send it to your friends so that everyone you know learns the truth.

Whether it’s a parent wondering how reform will affect seniors, an old friend confused about a lie they’ve heard, or just a concerned co-worker, we all know someone with questions about reform. The “Reality Check” site answers those questions and sets the record straight on lies that have been circulating.

But it’s up to each of you to make sure they see it — so make sure to send it their way today.

With news of disruptions at some town halls, it’s easy to forget the progress we’ve made. But because of your continued commitment, the tide is turning. Supporters of reform now outnumber opponents at many town halls. And when we win the fight for health insurance reform, it will be not only a momentous accomplishment, but a sign that it’s possible to defeat the angry politics of the past.

There are too many folks in Washington who are willing to lie for partisan gain, or engage in hateful rhetoric to score political points, for reform to come easily. We all need to step up — and it starts with you passing along “Reality Check” today:

http://democrats.org/RealityCheck

We face too many challenges together — we can’t afford to continue the slash and burn politics of yesterday. Please stand with me and fight for the truth.

Thank you,

Governor Tim Kaine
Chairman

PETA, has launched another one of their over the top, crazy and demented campaigns. This one is aimed at the children of the world who love their happy meals. Their newest shenanigan consists of handing out bloody happy meals, to the unsuspecting kids.

These so called Unhappy Meals, consist of a knife wielding psychotic Ronald McDonald, with a bloody rubber chicken. That’s just the Unhappy Meal, that doesn’t include the grotesque display of a demented chicken slitting a prone Ronald McDonalds throat.

“McDonald’s markets its food to children by packaging it in brightly colored boxes with toys. But most kids really love animals, and if they knew that McDonald’s suppliers were breaking the wings and legs of gentle animals like chickens, I think that you’d have to drag kids into McDonald’s kicking and screaming.” Says Lindsay Rajt, a spokeswoman for PETA.

To be quite honest I think those children who have seen the PETA campaign have been traumatized for an entirely different reason. If I were to see a giant chicken aiming a knife at the throat of a man, I’d be just a little off kilter myself, and I have the reasoning and desensitization of a fully grown adult.

These ads are aimed at small children who have no idea or reasoning of the food that they consume. To them those golden arches represent a favorite past time of toys, a safe place to play, and good tasting food. For PETA to destroy that imagery in such a disturbing fashion, only sparks flames of sensory instead of questioning animal cruelty.

Their often over the top method of getting the message out there puts most people at ends with their main goal. No I myself don’t believe in animal cruelty, in its true sense of the word. I don’t like people who beat their animals just because they’re angry or having a bad day. I don’t like the hunters that kill for pure sport. I do however enjoy my meats.

I am southern born, and southern bred. I myself have gone hunting and killed animals. But I’ve also lived by the rules of the land. You only kill what you will eat, and waste none. PETA’s blatant disregard for the naivety of the children is disrespectful. I almost hope to come across one of their displays, I’d go inside order me a 50 piece nugget meal, and eat the whole tub where they could see me. In fact I think I’d like some now.

Every worker afraid of losing health insurance if they lose their job, or change jobs. Everyone whos worried that they may not be able to get insurance or change insurance if someone in their family has a pre-existing condition July 18, 2009.

This is another thing that came to me by email, but I had to post it here…

Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry.

If you’ve seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel, you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.

I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn’t know who he was at the time.

I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the “Screaming Eagle”, the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat.

Making conversation, I asked him if he’d been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made.

Quietly and humbly, he said “Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945 . . . ” at which point my heart skipped.

At that point, again, very humbly, he said “I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where Normandy is?” At this point my heart stopped.

I told him yes, I know exactly where Normandy was, and I know what D-Day was. At that point he said “I also made a second jump into Holland , into Arnhem .” I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day.

I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France , and he said “Yes. And it’s real sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can’t make the trip.” My heart was in my throat and I didn’t know what to say.

I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach, while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I’d take his in coach.

He said “No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and still care is enough to make an old man very happy.” His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.

Shifty died on June 17 after fighting cancer.

There was no parade.

No big event in Staples Center .

No wall to wall back to back 24×7 news coverage.

No weeping fans on television.

And that’s not right.

Let’s give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet way. Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the veterans.

Rest in peace, Shifty

(Author unknown)

The President explains how the Recovery Act helped end our economic free fall, and how his agenda is helping to set a new foundation for our economy.

From health reform, to energy, to creating the jobs of the future, the Presidents proposals will make our economy stronger for both the current generations and our children, all in a way that will get our deficits under control. July 10, 2009.

Focusing on creating a clean energy economy, comprehensive health reform, and revitalizing an education system in need of change, the President pledges not to leave these decades-old problems to yet another generation to solve. July 3, 2009.

The legislation will help America create green jobs, ensure clean air for our children, move towards energy independence and combat renewable energy. July 27, 2009.

The new Consumer Financial Protection Agency will have the sole job of looking out for the financial interests of ordinary Americans by banning unfair practices and enforcing the rules.

This is a cornerstone in Americas new economic foundation.

In this Weekly Address, the President also explains how he will cover the upfront costs of reform by eliminating overpayments to Medicaid and Medicare and driving down costs contributing to governments health care expenditures across the board.

Cost of a bowl of soup at homeless shelter $0.00 dollars

Having Michelle Obama Serve you your soup $0.00 dollars

Snapping a picture of a homeless person who is receiving government funded meal while taking a picture of the first lady using his $500 Black Berry cell phone $$$$ Priceless

In the course of a life that began in a housing project in the South Bronx and brought her to the pinnacle of her profession, Judge Sonia Sotomayor accumulated more experience on the federal bench than any incoming Supreme Court Justice in the past 100 years, touching nearly every aspect of our legal system. May 30, 2009.

For his next big step, he calls for a credit card reform bill: “Americans know that they have a responsibility to live within their means and pay what they owe.

But they also have a right to not get ripped off by the sudden rate hikes, unfair penalties, and hidden fees that have become all-too common in our credit card industry.” Watch Your Weekly Address to find out what he plans to do about it.

Listing off several specific changes he intends to bring, he describes his guiding principle: “To help build a new foundation for the 21st century, we need to reform our government so that it is more efficient, more transparent, and more creative.”

The President also announces two new key appointments, Jeffrey Zients as Chief Performance Officer and Aneesh Chopra as Chief Technology Officer, who will be invaluable in streamlining the way government functions through efficiency and innovation. April 18, 2009.

>>> begin>>>

In Honor of the 44th President of the United States, Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream has issued a new flavor, “Barocky Road.”

Barocky Road is a blend of half Vanilla, half Chocolate, and surrounded by Nuts and Flakes.

The Vanilla portion of the mix is not openly advertised and usually denied as an ingredient.

The Nuts and Flakes are all very bitter and hard to swallow.

The Cost is $100.00 per scoop.

When purchased, it will be presented to you in a large beautiful cone, but then the Ice Cream is taken away and given to the person in
line behind you.

Thus you are left with an empty wallet, no change, holding an empty cone, with no hope of getting any Ice Cream.

Aren’t you feeling stimulated?

>> end>>>

You know, like all good satire, this one has a ring of truth to it too. I’m not interested in giving my ice cream to the guy behind me,  especially when he doesn’t deserve it.

I was in line at the grocery store the other day watching someone in front of my buying all sorts of crappy junk food along with a wrapped package from the seafood department that cost $66.

I’m not sure what it was, but it wasn’t very big, so only a meal’s worth. Probably lobster or shrimp, or some of their $13 a pound halibut that I’d just been drooling over, but didn’t buy.

When he pulled out the state food stamp card I wanted to punch him right in the head.

This was an article from the St. Petersburg Times Newspaper on Sunday. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on “How Would You Fix the
Economy?” I thought this was the BEST idea. I think this guy nailed it!

Dear Mr. President,

Patriotic retirement:

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force; pay them $1 million apiece severance with
three stipulations:

1) They leave their jobs. Forty million job openings – Unemployment fixed.

2) They buy NEW American cars. Forty million cars
ordered – Auto Industry fixed.

3) They either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.

All National financial problems fixed.

But then I did the math, and 40 million people times a million  dollars comes to 40 trillion dollars! Jeez, wake up people!

I’m far from ‘rich” yet by the time I add up all my state, local and federal taxes paid, I’m OVER 50%! That’s  absolutely insane, and it’s no wonder there are so many people trying to defraud the tax system. there’s “fair”, and there’s “unfair”  and it’s time to raise the bar on what we consider to be “rich”.

The TOP  tax bracket should NOT be such a low amount, (high 300k under bush, lowering again with Obama) but instead should continue to another level at 500k,  then 2 million, then 5 million, and maybe even higher.

How can we justify setting it so low?  look at the MAXIMUMS for a married couple filing jointly over the past 8 years -

What the HELL is Obama accomplishing by intending to go back to the pre-Bush rates?  How can this possibly help (or motivate) anyone to be successful?

At this first ever online town hall from the White House, the President answers questions about the economy submitted and voted on by the public through WhiteHouse.gov. Jared Bernstein, chief economist for Vice President Biden, facilitates.

The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons, and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.

Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact.  A tiny amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second, to take from four days to four  years to complete.

Governmentium has a normal half-life of 2- 6 years; It does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of  the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium’s mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.

This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass.

When catalysed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don’t propose a federal budget.  The president does.

You and I don’t have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations.  The House of representatives does.

You and I don’t write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don’t set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don’t control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices, 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress.   In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason.  They have no legal authority.  They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing.  I don’t care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash.
The politician has the power to accept or reject it.  No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator’s responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault.   They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.
What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall.  No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits.  The president can only propose a budget.  He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.  Who is the speaker of the House?  Nancy Pelosi.  She is the leader of the majority party.
She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want.  If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted — by present facts — of incompetence and irresponsibility.  I can’t think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.  When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it’s because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it’s because they want it in the red ..

If the Army & Marines are in  IRAQ , it’s because they want them in IRAQ.

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it’s because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.  Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like “the economy,” “inflation,” or “politics” that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.  Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Reportedly, this was written by Charlie Reese, a former columnist for the Orlando Sentinal. and it ended up in my in-box.

As a supplier for the Big 3 this man received a letter from the President of GM North America requesting support for the bail out program.

His response is classic, and has to make you proud of a local guy who tells it like it is…

First, this is the letter he got from GM to which his subsequent response is directed:

Dear Employees and Suppliers,

Troy Clarke - President
General Motors North America

Then, this is the response from: Gregory Knox, President of Knox Machinery Company Franklin , Ohio

Gentlemen:

In response to your request to contact legislators and ask for a bailout for the Big Three automakers please consider the following, and please pass my thoughts on to Troy Clark, President of General Motors North America.

Politicians and Management of the Big 3 are both infected with the same entitlement mentality that has spread like cancerous germs in UAW halls for the last countless decades, and whose plague is now sweeping this nation, awaiting our new “messiah”, Pres-elect Obama, to wave his magic wand and make all our problems go away, while at the same time allowing our once great nation to keep “living the dream”. Believe me folks, The dream is over!

This dream where we can ignore the consumer for years while management myopically focuses on its personal rewards packages at the same time that our factories have been filled with the worlds most overpaid, arrogant, ignorant and laziest entitlement minded “laborers” without paying the price for these atrocities. This dream where you still think the masses will line up to buy our products for ever and ever.

Don’t even think about telling me I’m wrong. Don’t accuse me of not knowing of what I speak. I have called on Ford, GM, Chrysler, TRW, Delphi, Kelsey Hayes, American Axle and countless other automotive OEM’s throughout the Midwest during the past 30 years and what I’ve seen over those years in these union shops can only be described as disgusting.

Troy Clarke, President of General Motors North America, states: “There is widespread sentiment throughout this country, and our government, and especially via the news media, that the current crisis is completely the result of bad management which it certainly is not.”

You’re right Mr. Clarke, it’s not JUST management.

How about the electricians who walk around the plants like lords in feudal times, making people wait on them for countless hours while they drag ass so they can come in on the weekend and make double and triple time for a job they easily could have done within their normal 40 hour work week?

How about the line workers who threaten newbies with all kinds of scare tactics for putting out too many parts on a shift and for being too productive? (We certainly must not expose those lazy bums who have been getting overpaid for decades for their horrific underproduction, must we?!?)

Do you folks really not know about this stuff?!? How about this great sentiment abridged from Mr. Clarke’s sad plea: “over the last few years, we have closed the quality and efficiency gaps with our competitors.” What the hell has Detroit been doing for the last 40 years?!? Did we really JUST wake up to the gaps in quality and efficiency between us and them?

The K-car vs. the Accord?

The Pinto vs. the Civic?!?

Do I need to go on? What a joke!

We are living through the inevitable outcome of the actions of the United States auto industry for decades. It’s time to pay for your sins, Detroit .

I attended an economic summit last week where brilliant economist, Alan Beaulieu, from the Institute of Trend Research , surprised the crowd when he said he would not have given the banks a penny of “bailout money”.

“Yes, he said, this would cause short term problems,” but despite what people like politicians and corporate magnates would have us believe, the sun would in fact rise the next day. and the following very important thing would happen.. . where there had been greedy and sloppy banks, new efficient ones would pop up. That is how a free market system works. It does work if we would only let it work.”

But for some nondescript reason we are now deciding that the rest of the world is right and that capitalism doesn’t work - that we need the government to step in and “save us”.

Save us my ass, Hell - we’re nationalizing, and unfortunately too many of our once fine nation’s citizens don’t even have a clue that this is what is really happening. But, they sure can tell you the stats on their favorite sports teams. Yeah - THAT’S really important, isn’t it.

Does it ever occur to ANYONE that the “competition” has been producing vehicles, EXTREMELY PROFITABLY, for decades in this country? How can that be??? Let’s see. Fuel efficient. Listening to customers. Investing in the proper tooling and automation for the long haul.

Not being too complacent or arrogant to listen to Dr. W. Edwards Deming four decades ago when he taught that by adopting appropriate principles of management, organizations could increase quality and simultaneously reduce costs. Ever increased productivity through quality and intelligent planning. Treating vendors like strategic partners, rather than like “the enemy”. Efficient front and back offices. Non union environment.

Again, I could go on and on, but I really wouldn’t be telling anyone anything they really don’t already know down deep in their hearts.

I have six children, so I am not unfamiliar with the concept of wanting someone to bail you out of a mess that you have gotten yourself into - my children do this on a weekly, if not daily basis, as I did when I was their age.

I do for them what my parents did for me (one of their greatest gifts, by the way) - I make them stand on their own two feet and accept the consequences of their actions and work through it. Radical concept, huh?

Am I there for them in the wings? Of course - but only until such time as they need to be fully on their own as adults.

I don’t want to oversimplify a complex situation, but there certainly are unmistakable parallels here between the proper role of parenting and government. Detroit and the United States need to pay for their sins. Bad news, people - it’s coming whether we like it or not. The newly elected Messiah really doesn’t have a magic wand big enough to “make it all go away.”

I laughed as I heard Obama “reeling it back in” almost immediately after the final vote count was tallied. “we really might not do it in a year or in four.” Where the Hell was that kind of talk when he was RUNNING for office?

Stop trying to put off the inevitable folks . That house in Florida really isn’t worth $750,000. People who jump across a border really don’t deserve free health care benefits. That job driving that forklift for the Big 3 really isn’t worth $85,000 a year.

We really shouldn’t allow Wal-Mart to stock their shelves with products acquired from a country that unfairly manipulates their currency and has the most atrocious human rights infractions on the face of the globe.

That couple whose combined income is less than $50,000 really shouldn’t be living in that $485,000 home. Let the market correct itself folks - it will.

Yes it will be painful, but it’s gonna’ be painful either way, and the bright side of my proposal is that on the other side of it all, is a nation that appreciates what it has, doesn’t live beyond its means, gets back to basics and redevelops the patriotic work ethic that made it the greatest nation in the history of the world. A return to Christian principles, common sense and decency would also be beneficial!

Sorry - don’t cut my head off, I’m just the messenger sharing with you the “bad news”. I hope you take it to heart.

Gregory J. Knox, President

Knox Machinery, Inc. Franklin , Ohio 45005

]]> http://www.politicalkoolaid.com/weblog/politics/knox-letter-gm-bailout/feed/ http://www.politicalkoolaid.com/weblog/war/president-obama-announces-troop-drawdown-in-iraq/ http://www.politicalkoolaid.com/weblog/war/president-obama-announces-troop-drawdown-in-iraq/#comments Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:41:50 +0000 Brad http://www.politicalkoolaid.com/weblog/?p=171 In a speech at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina, President Obama laid out his plan for responsibly ending the war in Iraq, which will end the combat mission by August 2010.

It’s the end of combat service in Iraq and the beginning of a long and difficult transition to a stable middle east region. Remember that more than 50 years have passed since the Korean War and still there are 20-30 thousand troops stationed there.

It’s an exciting new program that I will attempt to explain to you using the Q & A format:

Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.

Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
A. Only a smidgen.

Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition
TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q. But isn’t that stimulating the economy of China?
A. Shut up.

Below are some tips on how to best help the U.S. economy by spending your stimulus check:

• If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China.
• If you spend it on gasoline, it will go to the Arabs.
• If you purchase a computer, it will go to India.
• If you purchase fruit and vegetables, it will go to Mexico, Honduras,
• and Guatemala (unless you buy organic).
• If you buy a car, it will go to Japan.
• If you purchase useless crap, it will go to Taiwan.
• If you pay your credit cards off, it will go to bank management bonuses,and they will hide it offshore.
• Same with stock investment.

Instead, you can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game, or spending it on prostitutes, beer and wine (domestic ONLY), or tattoos, since those are about the only “All American” businesses still operating in the U.S.

All kidding aside though, what’s it going to stimulate, and how? Anyone got any specifics, and can point out where it’d not just a boondoggle of pork barrel spending? I’m pretty disappointed…

Not just Freedom, but so much more.

President Obama does truly usher in a new era.

An era that will come to be known as the birth of the 21st century.

“A New Age”, as the President puts it.

Woodward on Obama Transition
MSNBC Decision 08
Excerpt|02:25|
Jan. 20: The Washington Post’s Bob Woodward discusses the challenges Barack Obama will inherit from President Bush.

Notes from President Obama’s Inauguration Speech -

Decline not inevitable
Raise your expectations, people
Expectation will be met
Hope over fear
Unity of purpose
End to petty grievances

All are equal
All are Free
and
All deserve an equal chance

Greatness is never a gift, it must be earned!

The risk takers, the doers, obscure in their labor, carried the path to prosperity and freedom.

Immigrants toiled, struggled, settled the west, fought and died.

Struggles and Sacrificed so that we might live a better life.

Love the speech so far…

We still have something to offer the world, but cannot remain passive!

Begin again the work of remaking America!

(applause)

New Foundation for Growth (I like this one)

The sun and the winds and the soils to run our cars and factories.

Some question the scale of our ambitions.

The ground has shifted beneath the cynics. the same old arguments no longer apply.

Does it work or not?

Restore the vital trust between the people and the government.

The reach of our prosperity. The surest route to our common good!

No choice between our safety and our ideals!

(Bush is sitting there thinking “Damn, this is a good speech”)

Ready to lead once more!

The faith and determination of the American people.

(the people are so quiet, wow! I heard there’s over 2 Million people stacked in the Mall in Washington. Oh, they are cheering now. Now back to quiet)

President Obama tells the American people about Valley Forge.

With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents…
George Washington

(the above text has been paraphrased in some instances)

This is one of the best speeches I’ve ever read or heard. Enough said.

“We can’t keep doing things the old way” is another groundbreaking statement too, isn’t it?
This video is simply an announcement of a new cabinet member appointment of someone “unencumbered by old thinking” - I guess the fact that the guy is also from the Clinton administration doesn’t constitute “old thinking”? Or maybe it still does, but this guy just has the brain power necessary to not allow himself to be… “encumbered”?

Point number two, “making states use their money quickly” seems sort of stupid to me. “Use it or lose it” can lead to bad decisions, in my opinion, and unless you’re going to dictate HOW they use the funds, telling them to spend it fast sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Point three - connecting schools to the internet hardly seems controversial either, but it might be nice to explain HOW this is going to be paid for, don’t you think?

On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile.

The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat. A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action.

Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 7 people steering and 2 people rowing.

Feeling a deeper study was in order; American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion.

They advised, of course, that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing.

Not sure of how to utilize that information, but wanting to prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team’s management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 2 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager.

They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 2 people rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the ‘Rowing Team Quality First Program,’ with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rowers.

There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and other equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses. The pension program was trimmed to ‘equal the competition’ and some of the resultant savings were channelled into morale boosting programs and teamwork posters.

The next year the Japanese won by two miles.

Humiliated, the American management laid-off one rower, halted development of a new canoe, sold all the paddles, and cancelled all capital investments for new equipment. The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as bonuses.

The next year, try as he might, the lone designated rower was unable to even finish the race (having no paddles,) so he was laid off for unacceptable performance, all canoe equipment was sold and the next year’s racing team was out-sourced to India.

Sadly, the End.

Here’s something else to think about: Ford has spent the last thirty years moving all its factories out of the US, claiming they can’t make money paying American wages.

TOYOTA has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US. The last quarter’s results:

TOYOTA makes 4 billion in profits while Ford racked up 9 billion in losses.

Ford folks are still scratching their heads, and collecting bonuses.

IF THIS WEREN’T SO TRUE IT MIGHT BE FUNNY!