Well, I was gonna write about Egypt but...

Yeah, I was looking over the news regarding the situation in Egypt. I hear that the people asked the military to intervene when Morsi started collecting all the marbles. I also heard that the military is part of Egypt's version of governmental checks and balances. Now, M's supporters, other brothers I suppose, are burning churches, beating people up, and driving Christians out of the country. I find it odd they're not burning mosques... Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how our crippled government will deal with the situation. But then, I"m not going to talk about Egypt... or Somilia... or Syria... or Iran... or ... ... ...

Did you hear about the contest our HHS is running? Oh yeah! They're offering cash prizes (yours and mine) to young people who write the most compelling paper on why young adults should spend thousands of dollars a year to buy a policy they don't need rather than pay the 1% of gross pay or 95 bucks to avoid buying the insurance. I guess they're hoping our youth will not be smart enough to fully understand that they can pay nothing, essentially, until they need major.. MAJOR health care. Then, thanks to the "existing condition" part of the ACA, junior can start paying $100/month for full medical coverage... and then stop paying once he's cured. Pretty neat huh? Wish I only needed to buy car insurance after I had the accident. Maybe we can get that passed in the next year or two. Anyway, back to the contest. I'm thinking of giving it a try under the pen name, "Teenager for Obamacare"... I could use the money.

I like to challenge my detractors when they complain about something. I ask them how they'd solve the problem. I'm not immune so I'll set the example. With the medical issue, there are a couple of things that could be done right away. First, tort reform would reduce the ridiculous awards being given "victims" of malpractice. Have you noticed it is called the "PRACTICE" of medicine? Crap happens. Compensation is cool but be fair for crying out loud. Cutting the pie slice the attorneys get would help too. Anyway, next, instead of spending our money to help others buy insurance, spend it to subsidize research for techniques, drugs, and hardware. If the gov put a fraction of the funds into healthcare they waste everyday, prices could come down a bunch. I would also encourage you to find a youtube video of Dr. Ben Carson's plan to rein in costs. This dude is one of the unsung heroes of our time... and he is... S... M... A... R... T!

One last word on attorneys... We need to get their commercials OFF THE AIR! Jeez I'm tired of "... call the accident hotline..." junk.  Just sayin'  While we're at it, cap their fees to medicare guidelines. See how many decide to get "real" work!

WOW! I am sooo glad two of the major networks are doing rah-rah mini-series on Hillary. I think she is the most honest, forthright, understanding person I've ever seen. I mean, the parents of the victims from Benghazi were impressed with her handling of the situation. Sure she was fired from the house Judiciary Committee for unethical behavior including lying and obstruction.  The chief counsel said she was unethical and conspired to violate the Constitution... I know that's the kind of person I want in office!

Oh well, not much else to chat about. I will leave you with a question. I especially want to hear from my progressive friends. 

ARE YOU BETTER OFF THAN YOU WERE IN '08?  If you are, how?

OK, two questions :)

It's all about GREED!

OK, now that I have your attention, let me ask you a question. Do you have anything in your house that was not made in the USA?  It's OK, be honest. You aren't alone. Of course you do. Your computer was made in Malaysia, Singapore or China. Your car has 30% foreign content. Your flatware was probably made in China. Your TV was made overseas as well. So, whose fault is it that our country is losing jobs overseas? Well... it's yours!

Imagine this.  You need to repair a bad pipe. You go to Sears to buy a pipe wrench. Well, there are two on the wall. The first one is bright red. The machining is awesome perfect and the mechanism works flawlessly. You look on it and it says, "Craftsman - forged in the USA" ... yeah, that's right. Even the flagship Craftsman line uses foreign steel. Anyway, at least it's forged and finished here. The price is 25 bucks. Next to it is another wrench. It's bright red. the machining is awesome perfect and the mechanism works flawlessly. You look on it and it says, "Made in China". The price is 7 bucks. Do you reach for the Craftsman or do you reach for the Chinese wrench? You think... well, if I buy the Chinese wrench, I can also buy the Chinese screwdriver set!

Yup, there you go. YOU are the reason our jobs are going overseas. You might as well put 10 bucks in an envelope and address it to Peking, Shanghai, or wherever you want.

"Whoa!" you say. "They don't make TVs in the US anymore so I have to buy one from China.." Uh... no you don't. You don't NEED a 60" flat screen TV. You don't NEED that new tool. Search for items made in the USA and pay the price of labor... your labor. If enough people refuse to buy overseas, manufacturers will make things here... if there's a market.

There was a time when people would save for something they wanted. But easy credit and our "I want stuff and I want a lot of stuff and I want it now!" mentality drives us to buy overseas. There are manufacturers in the US for things like jeans and shirts. Sure they cost double... but... what? You can't afford US made goods? You can get 2 pair of chinese jeans for the same price? Well... there you go. You did it again.

A most interesting event occurred awhile back. I pulled into Harbor Freight... which sells nothing but Chinese stuff... and as I walked into the store, I passed a pickup truck with a "Proud to be Union AFL-CIO" sticker on the back of the cab. This dude was in Harbor Freight.  See what I mean?

So, next time you bitch about your job going overseas, take a look your watch... your Chinese watch.

.

It's always that Bad Banks

I've been following the news regarding Detroit's bankruptcy filing. I find it amazing, but not surprising, that big banks and business is being blamed. Now, it can't possibly be anything else.

How about a little insight?

The city has been run by progressives for the last 50+ years.
Progressives believe in helping people
When unions threatened to strike, lucrative contracts were awarded
    Cash
    Benefits
    Work rules
When the city income went down, the city borrowed to pay the contracts and the unions refused to budge.
Now the city has a huge debt, can't pay its obligations, and has filed for protection.

Now, where in there are big banks and business mentioned? Uh, you're right... they're not.

Even now, when the EM went to the unions, his offers were rebuffed. There was anger and accusations but the same mindset that resulted in the mess the city is in prevailed. They were there with their hands out when times were good, but they're not willing to give back when times are bad.

Ok, so you say... "... yeah, but they earned that money!" and I would counter with... well, where is it going to come from? That's where the discussion stops, until a thought comes up... "The BIG BANKS owe us for charging high interest on the loans they gave the city."  OK, let's check a few things out. First, when you have bad credit, any money a bank gives you will be at a higher interest rate. That's because there's a greater risk that they won't get repaid. If they feel the risk is high enough, they'll want security for protection. You may have to put up your car or your house. If you sign that loan, you agreed to the terms. They promised to give you the money... you promised to pay it back. You'd be pissed if they broke their promise and they have every right to be just as upset if you stop paying them back. Here's the kicker... The city is no different.

Let's look at just one other item.. and that's work rules.

Read an article that mentioned that, before the plumbers could fix a water leak, an operator had to be called to shut off the valve. Huh? A city like Los Angeles has a fraction of the number of people working per gallon of water delivered. Studies have shown that there is a huge amount of redundancy in the city government... but these people can't be laid off... why?

So, maybe you disagree with me. That's fine. I'd like to hear why you believe there's some other reason. Be sure you can back it up though.

individual mandate and the ACA

Is it just me or does it seem that our teens and young adults are about to get a lesson in life? I mean, OK, how many did you know, I know 5, who argued that it was the humane thing to do to provide health care to everyone. You and I tried to tell them... but, how many teens and young 20s listen to those "old people who don't know what is really happening in this country"? Well, now the chickens have come home to roost.

The employer mandate has been extended... but the individual mandate is still, as of today, in full force and effect. What does that mean? Well, it means that all these ppl who advocated health care for all... will have to start paying for it. What do you mean? I thought the government was going to take care of it. OK, well, here's a lesson in civics 101 WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT! OK, so, each individual has to buy insurance. Oh, but wait! In the first year, our youngsters can opt to pay the sub hundred buck fine. But, the plan needed their premiums to survive. So, I guess that means that each young person who takes the fine, rather than stepping up to their civic duty, are hypocrites. Maybe the fines should be in the thousands of dollars. 

OH, OH, OH... alert! Did you think the money collected by the IRS for your policy will go to the ACA? Uh, no. It's all going into the general fund... the ACA is an entitlement. Can you think of another "entitlement" or two that, at present, are being touted as being underfunded... and short lived...? Uh huh... 

So, we have a system where the money is going into the general fund. We have death-panel-like rationing of health care (remember the 9 or 10 yo girl who needed a liver? HHS head said, "well, some people die". OK, add companies who are cutting ppl hours to <30... and even the IRS UNION says it will destroy the 40 hour work week. 

Ah, but we're doing the right thing... or are we?  Can you say, "an additional 40M will be without insurance once this bill goes into full effect"?  

There is a way to put a stop to this. If you are one of the dreamers that still believe this is good for the country, you can go back to MSNBC and hear how the government has a duty to care for its citizens. If you knew what was happening, and you see the predictions coming true... and you really, really want to keep the medical system admired... and used... by the rest of the world, call your senator... call your rep... or, you deserve what you get... and it'll be too late for anything but me saying, "I told you so....'  

Peace  

Oh, gun homicides are down? So what's the hubbub... bub?

It's been awhile... I know... but for the most part, things have been pretty quiet. A piece of information came up that got me to thinking.

I read the report from the FBI regarding homicides in the good 'ole US of A.  I was surprised to see that, in spite of the rhetoric, homicides by firearm are down... way down.  Should it be of any concern that we haven't heard squat about the reduction in the news?  It was a byline on our local fox station. I would think there'd be celebration, citations presented, praise, fireworks... to show how happy we are... uh... nothing. I would think gun control advocates would say that apparently what was in place was working so let's see where it takes us... but... no.

Yeah, your death by blunt instrument is still greater than death by rifle... but what surprised me was when I saw that death by hands/feet/etc. were more than double that of rifle. Though the report didn't break down the ages of the victims, I'm wondering how many were children. Is it possible that more kids were killed by shaking, hitting, dropping than died at Sandy hook?  Huh?  Maybe we should be crying for more controls on ... hands.  The difference is, when someone kills a child by hitting them with a baseball bat, we blame the perp... When a child is killed by shooting him, we blame the gun...

What the hell is wrong with the lemmings we call our fellow citizens?

OK, so, we're on the brink of war.  North Korea (NK), as it has over and over in the past, is threatening to wipe the US and South Korea (SK) off the map. They chat it up every time the US and SK hold joint military operations. So, why has it escalated this time?  Could it be because SK has stepped up threats against NK. The US, at the same time, is sending heavy artillery to SK including stealth bombers and big boats... so, how can we avoid a war?  Is NK serious?  Are we backing them up against a wall?  Will they react like any cornered animal and attack... even though they know they will not survive?  Will they feel they must attack to save face? 

Some time back, I attended a class on negotiation. In that class, I was introduced to the teachings of W. Edwards Deming, the architect of Japan's quest for quality.  The course also taught about leaving 1/2% for the chairman. In Japan, the chairman was the ultimate authority. After his minions negotiated what a vendor called his "best price", the chairman would insist on more off. If there wasn't that 1/2% for the chairman, the deal would not be approved. In that part of the country, it is more important to "save face" as it is to get the best price. We are not looking at a leader that wants to destroy anyone... he is just trying to "save face" among his people. If we want to deescalate this situation, we must give this dude a way to save face. 

OK, you say, what about the nukes?  Could it be the increasing sanctions? Could it be we've all but cut off their ability to feed their people?  Would it be possible to trade corn for access?  Has anyone offered wheat for closing down nuclear facilities?  How do we know if any of that has been tried?  Does it seem to you that both NK and SK, and the US for that matter, are puffing out their chest and thumping on it like 10 ton gorillas?  

What would you suggest?

 

Immigration Problems, Crime, Solved

Ya know, sometimes you read something that just makes you go, "what the heck!".

While researching gov't expenditures, I found that it costs around

FORTY SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR

to incarcerate a single prisoner in California. It would seem to me that, for that money, we could give every single arrestee a job picking strawberries, melons, and other produce. We could teach them how to landscape, drywall, carpentry. We could teach them how to fix roads and bridges. There is a huge demand for welder. The 2.5 million in prison would take the jobs from a quarter of the illegals... who would just go back home...

Making $47,000.00/yr, they could help the real estate market, pump dollars into the local economy, support schools. They would gain a sense of worth, purpose... They would no longer need to steal to to feed their family.  Add incentives for productivity. Offer to expung records, reduce charges if certain benchmarks are achieved.

The trick is to catch these folks before they enter the system... or target low risk inmates.

I only see one problem. All our chronically unemployed would start holding up liquor stores and turning themselves in.... just for the job. 

"Free Range" Chicken... and children.

I was doing some research on government raising, or determining how our children were raised when I came across an interesting article. 

A child psychologist raised a point that bears some thought.  You see, we go to great lengths to ensure our vegetables aren't tainted by pesticides... that they are not genetically modified. We watch to see our meat is free of antibiotics and growth hormones. We abhor caged animals, preferring free range varieties. Caging is wrong and we vote it with our food dollars.  Even though we believe "free range" is better for our food, we believe quite the opposite... when it comes to our children.

I cannot say it any better than Professor Tanya Byron so, here is a link to a very interesting article. 

Are our children raised in captivity?

We let kids stay indoors so they don't know how to fall, we carry 6 kinds of sanitizer to wipe hands, door handles, shopping carts so kids build no natural immunities. Our kid's social skills are limited to texts and emails so they don't develop the social skills to interact in a group of real people. They play games of fantasy... and they don't know how to catch or clean a fish.

So, you're done reading the article.  What are your thoughts?

How do I "Friend" my children?

I heard that there are some schools that don't allow students to hand out things like valentines or party invitations in school. They don't want to "traumatize" those students who don't receive an invite. I heard this story today.

A young girl, 6th grade, had a friend that was more like a playground buddy than a friend actually. The friend came to class and handed out invitations for a party at her house.. but this young girl didn't get one.  When her father heard, what do you think he could've done? Could he call the friend's parents and demand an invite? Could he take his daughter to the party anyway... and gone in to confront the mother? What would that have accomplished?

His daughter said she was OK with not being invited. She said she should go get a little gift though. Seeing this little girl hurting, he wanted so badly to call the parents.  He didn't though. He knew his daughter needed to learn to handle disappointment. She had to learn how to handle rejection. She had to learn to handle being shunned. Though he hurt for her, he knew he could do nothing but help her understand it wouldn't be the last time.

He knew there were parents who want to be friends with their kids. They call each other by first names and serve as the kids personal posse if they get into trouble. They go to the schools to force teachers to change grades, they go to court and argue with the judge.  They try to be their friend... not their parent. As a result, their kids lack the tools to handle disappointment. They don't have the social skills needed to deal with rejection. They lash out with guns, knives, or baseball bats and they don't understand the consequences. They expect mom will be there for them. They walk into schools with firearms and take out students and teachers because they've never been taught the value of life. Sadly, as just happened today, some take their lives because they cannot handle being 13.

Parents cannot, and should not, be "friends" with their children. They need to teach, nurture and discipline their children. If you think you don't have time, or you're a single parent, take a look at the story of Dr. Ben Carson. His mom worked more jobs than you do... had less than you do... and she was a parent.

If you really want your kids to be good people, if you really want to do them a favor... BE A PARENT!

The story of the dad and little girl was told by Glen Beck this morning. He said it was his little girl who did not get invited.

The Race Card trumped by the Moron Card

The most interesting thing occurred today. While watching the a news show, I heard some pretty profound comments by Dr. Ben Carson. Apparently, someone had essentially labeled him an Uncle Tom, a token conservative black. Dr. Carson said it best when he said that, in the operating room, once the skin was pulled back, and the bone flap removed... and once through the dura, he was looking at what made the person.  It wasn't the color of his skin.  Everyone's brain, the true source of an individual's being... is the same color.

It was an "ah ha" moment.  We are trying sooooo hard to set aside our differences... to embrace the person and all he/she has to offer... and idiots, jerks, morons, and others play the race card. In the case above, it was a black man commenting on Dr. Carson.

Now, anytime you hear, "... it's society's fault", think of Dr. Carson's story. He was raised in a single parent household. His mother worked 3 jobs to put food on the table. She made her son read... and, even though she could not read them, insisted on reviewing the reports he was required to write about his readings. She was a parent above all knowing that she was responsible for the future of that child. Dr. Carson pioneered procedures for the separation of siamese twins and will soon retire as the Director of Neurosurgery at John Hopkins. This man has street creds!  Knowing that, how dare you say the inner city child has no future?  Perhaps he/she has the future their parents demand of them. Nothing government can do can compare to the power of the parent.

So, back to this racist thing. The term racist is only used by weak persons as a last resort when they cannot justify their position. The strategy is to force their opponent to defend him/herself rather than concentrating on the issues. The poor person is beaten to the ground with the accuser standing over them. All the caring people in the world always... always assume the accuser is right and punch out that chad on the ballot.

So, what can you do to fix it?  What can you move from your circle of concern ... to your circle of influence?  I, for one, plan on doing the research... to investigate the claims and then, once I know they're false, write to the papers, the candidate, and the accuser.  And then, come 2014, I'll cast my vote for the truth. And my definition...

Racist - someone who likes to compete with others going fast in a car, boat, or on a motorcycle.

BTW, did you see where folks have their panties in a bunch cuz the devil, in the series, The Bible, looks like our prez?  Coincidence? :)

Why are we here?

Seems everyone on sites like facebook want to test your intelligence. Besides word puzzles where we're tested on the first word we see, supposedly a test of our emotional state, to simple math, to how a pyramid would look from the top. Well, here's a couple for you....

First, you have 10 seconds to come up with 3 words that start with an "f" and end in an "e".

OK, next, you have 10 seconds to name your two senators and your representative. 

If you were able to do it, congratulations.  You are part of the solution.  If not, you still have a chance. 

I'd read that the average person can name the winner of last season's American Idol but can't name their representatives in Congress. They can spout off stats on sports teams and individual players yet have no idea on where their reps stand on the issues. Whereas nobody's life will be affected if the Colts lose, your basic constitutional rights are being threatened and if you don't know who is voting for what, you shouldn't be surprised nor should you have any reason to complain about things. If you don't know what your reps are doing, if you voted because you recognized the name but had no idea of the candidate's record or philosophy, if you don't research, then you have no right to complain... about anything.

We have another general election in 2014. You have a little over a year to research. You have just 20 months. Do the work... Move the issues from your circle of concern to your circle of influence!

Circle of concern vs circle of influence

In Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey mentions the circles of concern and influence and what they mean. The circle of concern is where all the things you worry about, but have no control over, are located. The war in Afghanistan, the president's job performance, and global warming are examples. The circle of influence resides in the circle of concern and consists of things you are concerned about AND have the power to do something about. Examples might include how many hours you watch TV or what kind of education your kids get.  Covey reminds us that a proactive person doesn't waste his time in the circle of concern wasting time fretting over things he cannot control, but instead operate within his circle of influence. Acting in that circle will bring peace and contentment. An unintended benefit is that your circle of influence will grow allowing you to actually make a difference.

Well, that's how it works. The problem is folks keep thinking that if they complain about Obamacare on Facebook, their duly elected officials will actually read their puny little post, often peppered with various obscenities or threats, and just do it. Well, that ain't gonna happen but, if enough people can be moved to chant the same refrain, perhaps, just maybe, your Senator just might hear you. It is my hope that this forum will help move people to do something... to take a stand, write a letter, make a phone call... ANYTHING besides sitting in that easy chair complaining.. living in their circle of concern.  Here is your chance to grow your circle of influence.