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 :)
Monday, August 19, 2013
Thursday, August 8, 2013
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.
.
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.
.
Friday, August 2, 2013
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.
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.
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