Abortion - The Distraction Issue

You may wonder about my title.  But I say that because for some stupid reason both sides dominate this polarizing topic around election to fire up their bases by talking about their beliefs and what the other side believes. This is a distraction from the issues affecting our daily lives like unemployment, the economy, education (or the lack of it) etc.

The fact of the matter is no one president is going to even touch it when he's in office.  The president doesn't make law, he only has the power of veto for new laws.  It is the law and men (or women) on either side aren't really going to change that.  Your congressmen might work on legislation to add requirements to it but they won't push through any legislation banning it altogether.  

But the bases of either party continue to get fired up about this one issue and your friends on either side of the issue are probably posting things in an attempt to make you worried about voting for the other side.  When the reality is the Republicans aren't going to make a united move to ban it, even though their extremely right base wants to hear they are 'pro life.' 

I don't like the choice of abortion but I don't believe your average democrat does either.  I don't think democrats are out trying to convince pregnant women and girls to get abortions for the sake of killing babies.  I don't know what Planned Parenthood's agenda is, but I do know they provide other services to women that benefit them.  I don't know what their counseling practices are to women that come it asking about abortions, but I do find it interesting that they seem to be behind many of the posts that your friends are making trying to scare you about voting Republican.  What I do wish is that both sides would drop the polarizing accusations of either side and start talking about how to encourage the choice of life as opposed to taking away the choice of abortion.

I don't believe federal dollars should be spent on abortions.  I'd feel much better about subsidizing domestic adoptions than I would abortions at any phase.  Though I bet there are plenty of families out there willing to pay the cost of the adoption that the tax payers wouldn't have to subsidize them.  I also don't believe it's value add to put women that have abortions in jail either.  It took two to make that baby and who knows how many abortions are at the coercion of the male involved.

My point being, quit voting on this one issue and quit being influenced what either side thinks of this issue because neither side is actually going to successfully overturn Roe v. Wade.  And quit getting your panties in a wad if some people actually want there to be counseling or a sonogram before an abortion is performed because it is an extremely traumatic procedure and many women do live with regret. (Please note that I didn't say most or all as I don't know percentages).  Start working together rather than insisting all or nothing for your side.  It's really disgusting how this issue is argued.

RNC/DNC Can Either Really Change Your Mind??

Hello All!! I'm the busy big sister of a 19 almost 20 month old toddler. So I spend most of my days corralling her now. If I ever get elected and become the breadwinner of the family, perhaps that job will go to our mother so I can talk to you more often.

So my question of the day stems from the political season.  The republicans just held their national convention and the democrats are currently holding theirs.  Both of which are highly publicized.  But are they really fighting for the votes of independent voters? Or are they really trying to get more of their likely voters off they lazy butts and out to the polls in November?

I tend to think that 99% of people have their minds made up one way or the other but that swing comes from potential voters that will drag themselves out to the polls to cast their vote.  Am I wrong?

Are democrats and republicans really bothering to watch each other's conventions? I suppose political junkies might, but if you have your mind made up, don't you find the other one annoying and full of BS nonsense?  And if you are, don't you see similar strategies? for example both the first lady and the potential first lady were the keynote speakers on the first night and clearly touchy feely attempting to reach the female vote.  They wouldn't do this if it didn't work.  But women should be offended by this attempt to 'manipulate' them as opposed to treating them as 'equals' [to men] and discussing policy. But I'm not sure either side every really truly discusses policy, which should offend each and everyone of us as freedom-loving, intelligent Americans.  We are still Americans.  And we do still love freedom.  Right???

I have so much built up to talk about right now but I must wait for another day so I will try and make it back again tomorrow or the next.  I fully intended to come back earlier but those of you with kids or who are big brothers or sisters understand my priorities.

Still Convinced Humans are Better for the Job than Dogs???

So until I find a way to raise campaign dollars to afford to post more often, I have a day job helping to raise my little sister who will be one a month from now. Let me tell you, she is a walking handful getting into everything. She especially loves to get into my water. And because I am a good big sister I never ever bite her. Mostly I follow her around sniffing her diaper. I can't help it.

So back to politics and the Republican race for the nomination. Much has happened since my last post. Perry apparently had a chance and has been blowing it over and over since. Herman Cain actually appeared to have a chance and then blew it enough to drop out. I don't know one way or the other if those women are lying or not. But as a dog, I would never have a friendship that my family didn't know about. And I am instantly best friends with everyone I meet. I want to meet you all!!!!

So the replacement to Cain at this point seems to be Newt. Does he have too much baggage or is his baggage enough in the past that people don't care anymore? For sure Romney and Perry are going to try and remind you all of it as if they have no skeletons to be found. I have no idea but if they have any someone somewhere will find them and pull them out.

Does Perry have a chance still? I tend to think his latest add campaign was not genius. People will see it as a shot at gay people rather than what I think he was trying to portray that the rights of Christians are being picked away at. I admit, it took me a second or third listen to hear that. I don't think many people are hearing it that way. I originally heard it as 'it's a shame gay people can now serve openly in the military.' It comes across as that is what he believes at first so much so that most people won't bother to give it a second or third chance. That is why I think this ad is the nail in his coffin because even though they aren't paying to play it everywhere, people everywhere are hearing it.

Romney....I don't even know what to say about him. Since he won't support the fair tax, I don't like him. Not sure about the health care plan in Massachusetts either. I've heard/read conflicting opinions about success vs. disaster. I don't live there so I don't know how it's working for everyone and for the state budget. I will admit it was definitely interesting 4 years ago. Here's what bothers me about him. I have heard traditionally 'liberal supporting' people say they would be ok with Romney. So that makes me think he's going to be politics as usual. I don't know. I suppose he could surprise me. I hope, given that he looks like a shoo in at this point.

You still think these guys are better than me??? Seriously?!?! Who's more loyal to humans than a dog??? No one I tell you.....NO ONE!!!! Now spread the word.

Does Herman Cain Have a Chance?

Is it possible?? Could it be true?? Are people finally paying attention to what Herman Cain has to say?? The only non-politician in the Republican race? According to this cnn article, he just cleaned Perry's clock in the Florida straw poll with 37% of the votes. Perry came in 2nd with 15% of the votes. All others were relatively close behind Perry.

Is it possible that the annoyance of Perry v. Romney is causing the masses to pay attention to the fact that Herman Cain is offering or pitching actual solutions as opposed to political rhetoric? It's kind of sad that he's forced to run for the Republican ticket because he doesn't sound like other Republicans. He sounds like a conservative who knows what he's talking about and doesn't spit out talking points. Ron Paul sounds similar except his delivery is in the form of grumpy old man.

If you haven't bothered to listen to Herman Cain yet, take the time to listen to his message. Take notice of the fact that he's the only non-politician running.

Side note back on Perry. He's suddenly pitch school vouchers at the 'federal' level, but for someone who talks about 'states rights,' he didn't bother to even mention or pitch school vouchers during the recent Texas legislative session that he had both the house and senate full of republicans. Watch their actions. If they don't match their words, then you have a politician. I thought we were sick and tired of politics as usual.

Rick Perry: An Opinion from the Perspective of a Texan

So Rick Perry is finally in and you're super excited because he sounds so 'conservative.' In fact he sounds so libertarian for that matter with his talk of freedom, no taxes, and secession here in Texas. He brags about how many jobs he's brought to Texas. It's hard to argue that under his 'leadership' the Texas economy has fared better than most.

But here's the deal. The lieutenant governor has more responsibility for that than the governor in this state. This state has the ideal structure in that it has a weak governor. The most power he has is to veto legislation or not. He just gets to tout around the united states making speeches and taking credit for the positives. What's he's not telling you is that we faced a huge legislative short fall this last session that just ended. They made up for it with accounting tricks. Meaning we (state government) are only funded through the first half of the fiscal year 2013. (Texas operates/budgets on bienniums as the legislature meets once every 2 years). So there are 6 months that we're not funded for yet. They also deferred payment of many bills to the next biennium. Meaning the next legislature will have to find the money to pay for it. How convenient since Perry supposes he will be president by then and this fiasco will 'blow up' under someone else's watch.

These accounting tricks are all so he can run for president and tell people that Texas balance the budget unlike Washington. We might not be in as much trouble financially as Washington, but the political budgeting isn't all that different. And Texas isn't out of the hole yet.

What else has he done while here. One of the big recent items is that he's committed state funds ($25M/year to the owner) during a major budget shortfall to pay for the rights to have the formula one race come to Austin. Not really Austin but outside of Austin where there's a 2 lane road that is not prepared to handle the traffic for 150,000 people (more or less). Well maybe less if some people helicopter in from the airport. They originally planned the race during June or July. But I suppose the record triple digit heat during both of those months helped race organizers think better than to have a summer race.

He mandated the HPV vaccine for school girls. Not very libertarian of him. Luckily that fell through. He failed to veto a steroid testing bill which is testing high school kids for steroids, when there is clearly physical evidence to give clues to the abuse of steroids. The program is costing the state $6 million with about 24 in 150,000 kids testing positive. He also failed to veto a bill taxing tanning. Tanning is now a sin and deserves a sin tax associated with it. He had the chance to take a hard stance against illegal immigration and just kind of avoided it. He (and the legislature) also had the chance to stand up against the TSA airport searches but backed down when the federal government bullied their way in to that bill.

As you should know by now he used to be a democrat, running Al Gore's campaign here in Texas. Many of us would call him a RINO (Republican in name only) which I believe was formerly referred to as a 'country club republican.'

But here's the deal with politics. We the people (as a whole not every individual) vote for good looks and what we want to hear. I'm not sure how I don't fit that mold yet as I'm cute as can be and am saying what perhaps I wish you wanted to here. Though I'm sure it has to do with my thoughts on Social Security and Medicare. So Rick Perry has mastered the art of telling us what we want to hear. Don't believe me? He keeps getting re-elected in a state full of people disgruntled by him. His big opponent last election was supposed to be Kay Bailey Hutchinson and she barely made a showing because he was running against Obama and Washington the whole time. And she represented Washington. Even then when he 'wasn't running for president' (well he was claiming he wasn't going to run) he was running. As evidenced as he barely acknowledged Kay Bailey and didn't need to his whole campaign. Though unless you live in Texas you probably won't remember that he said he had no plans to run for president during that campaign. He said that because he knew most of Texas wasn't paying attention or didn't care. He's the ultimate politician which should make you all wary of him. He's better at being a politician than even Obama was. And I'd say Obama was a pretty good politician while he was running for president. You should be wary of such politicians. We all should be. What happens if our options are one formerly great politician against another even better politician??? Trust me, nothing good.

So get out in the primaries and vote for Lola!!! Because I'm not in the news so apparently I'm a sucky politician. Which is what you should want. Wake up People!!

The World Must be Coming to an End

Why such a dramatic title to this post? For once I found an opinion of Roland Martin, CNN contributor, that I agree with. His August 12, 2012 article, Bachmann 'submission' question was offensive. Her response to the question was correct. And he is right that 'they' don't put religious beliefs of other candidates on trial. They picked a woman who has used the term submission and tried to trip her up with it because there's no room for 'submission' in leadership positions or in the White House. That has nothing to do with her or any other woman's religious belief about submission.

So to Roland Martin, kudos to you for expressing an opinion that might, just might be, the only opinion I will ever agree with you on. Let's take this one moment to celebrate that! Perhaps there's hope that you could agree with a young dog once.

Balance

Am I the only one that finds the new Washington definition of balance to be ironic? Increase taxes and increase spending.

Mind you this is on both sides of the aisle. Because when $900 billion in cuts over 10 years is meant to offset an immediate $900 billion increase in the debt ceiling, the result is a net increase isn't it? Or did the laws of math change while I was sleeping?

More Evidence Making the Fair Tax a Logical Solution

I don't know how many of you check PolitiFact.com or see their articles in the newspaper, but I just ran across one of their articles about a statement Senator John Cornyn from Texas made that they ranked True or Mostly True. Apparently as true as you can get on their 'truthometer.' The statement: "Fifty-one percent, that is, a majority of American households, paid no income tax in 2009. Zero. Zip. Nada."

Read the article, but the part the really pisses me off is the part where 30% actually got money back from the government in 2009!!! Are you kidding me. No wonder we're in debt up to our great grand children's' ears. And I'm still young. Granted it goes on to say that appears to be a high for not paying income taxes but the projects for 2010 is 49.5% and for 2011 46.4% That's ridiculous! If the tax code didn't piss you off before, it should now.

I will bring up the Fair Tax again. The fair tax eliminates this ridiculous income tax that apparently only applies to half of the population, my family included. It replaces it with a national sales tax much like several states have in lieu of an income tax. That means everyone that shops in this great country of ours pays taxes. Legals, illegals, residents, visitors, rich, middle-class, poor. There's a provision to pre-bate the tax for food necessities to everyone. Hence the fairness factor. It doesn't discriminate against anyone. If you are receiving government assistance, you are at least paying some of it back when you spend. If you are rich out the wazoo and spending like a kid in a candy store, then there are no loopholes to keep you from paying taxes.

This takes the level of households taxed from 50% to 100% of the people in this country at any given time. So why can't democrats and republicans agree on this? Because they are both filled with power hungry politicians who realize that the fair tax takes some power away from them. Self-righteous sons of bitches!!!!

You should first read up on the Fair Tax and then write your representative and your senators and let them know you want them to support the Fair Tax.

The 2012 Republican Candidates

So what do you think of the Republican candidates so far? They are in no particular order:

Newt Gingrich - Campaign over before it began

Ron Paul - Unrefined libertarian with clueless supporters. Though I personally agree with most of what he says.

Herman Cain - Too logical to win. Again agree with most of what he says and if I weren't running, he might be my man.

Michele Bachmann - Ok we get it, you fostered and birthed lots and lots of children. But I don't cast my vote based on that.

Tim Pawlenty - Yawn...

Mitt Romney - hmmm how's he going to live down Romney care that's not unlike Obama care except a proven failure. Though I much prefer a business man for president.

Rick Santorum - No opinion one way or the other which means I neither like nor dislike him and therefore he would have to make more of an impression on America to win.

John Huntsman - Again don't know enough about him one way or another to have an opinion about him yet.

There are also list of others that have either declared or still exploring that include a bunch of unknowns by me or have no chances including Jimmy McMillian of "The Rent is too Damn High" party. How that makes him a republican is beyond me. Unless it's by default since there's no room elsewhere. I thought starting his own party was not a bad idea though. We need another viable party. It's just not going to have that name if you ask me.

The only person that's really caught my attention so far is Herman Cain, the guy I think is not electable. So perhaps I should change my campaign slogan to "...because electable humans can't be trusted." What do you think about that?

Does anyone on the above list make you want to get out and vote? Might I add if there is one person up there that tickles your fancy, you must vote in the primary to get to vote for them at least once. If you get your way, you'll get to vote twice for the same person.

Weinergate 2011

I know this is a deviation from the campaign, but this is what's dominating the news the last couple of weeks. So I thought this Weiner guy would go away as fast and he entered our lives, but apparently I was wrong. Surely I'm not the first one to use the term "weinergate". I just have better things to do than search the Internet for weiners for fear of what might come up on my computer.

What is he? A 14 year old girl? Seriously!! Who in their right mind sends naked pictures of themselves?? Normally I would say what he does on his own time with his own resources is his business. But do you really want a man with the bad judgement of a 14 year old girl making and voting on laws that affect you and your family? There are plenty of 14 year old girls that have better judgement than he does and their brains aren't fully developed. What's his excuse?

And what's with the word 'certitude'? Apparently it's a real word. From dictionary.com; 'freedom from doubt, especially in matters of faith or opinion; certainty.' Actions speak louder than words and he looks and sounds like a complete fool.

Lola's In for 2012!!!

Apparently now is the time to announce one's candidacy for president. So in the event there was any doubt, I'm in!! I hope my campaign financiers will sponsor a bus tour for me and my family so I can get out and meet you all and kiss lots of babies. (That's how one wins right?)

Now which party's ticket am I running on? Well the Republicans are who's announcing or rumoring lately. The thing is I don't feel like a republican, but mostly because I don't believe any of them act what they preach on the campaign trail once they get into office. Rick Perry, rumored Republican candidate is a perfect example of this. I will go into more detail in the coming weeks if he officially puts his hat in the ring.

I could run as a libertarian, but we all know they get no where.

I can't run as a Democrat because as we are all aware from last elections that "liberal" is a bad word. That and I don't share most of their beliefs. Though we share a few that if talking on certain particular topics, one might think me a democrat. But I'm far from it.

I could run for the Green party nomination, but lets be honest, Ralph Nader has that locked up until he dies.

So I guess that leaves Independent. But here's the problem with that. When was the last time anyone other than a Democrat or a Republican got elected president? That said in order to make the point that neither party is living up to expectations, I'm going with Independent. Look at my platform page to see what I stand for.

A vote for Lola is a vote to take your country back. It's a vote for your liberty. It's a vote for personal pride. It's a vote against the lame humans that are screwing up this country's economy.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Waiting for Superman - A Must See

So I might be a little late to see Waiting for Superman, but I believe everyone should see this documentary. It is a look into the quality of public education in the U.S. now, and I know the criticism when it came out was that it demonized teachers, the very heroes that educate our children, are under paid, etc etc etc. Though I didn't get that it demonized teachers at all. In fact it stood up for the good teachers that are under paid and do an excellent job of educating children.

The system is broke and is structured so that it is no longer putting children first. In just about any school you have to put up with the bad to get the good. Why can't they all be good? Why can't teachers be graded on their merits like employees in the real world? (By the way I believe all government employees should be terminated if their performance merits termination).

Rent the movie. Care about quality public education. After all, it's not free, you're paying out the wazoo for it whether you use it or not! At least bother to care about the service it's providing future adults that will be sustaining our economy, or become a drain on it.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The Truth about Texas Government

So I've been on hiatus for quite awhile now. I haven't lost interest in my campaign, I've been busy caring for my mom while she grew and birthed my little sister who's now a month old. Now I'm busy protecting her too! That said it's time to get back to my day job.

So being from the great state of Texas, I'm going to talk about something that never seems to get talked about outside of Texas. Or maybe it does and I'm just not aware of it. Texas has always had articles talking about it's 'surplus' (which I find completely wrong that a surplus is retained in a 'rainy day fund' and isn't returned to the taxpayers), 'what Texas is doing right,' etc. etc. Many of you may have seen the great hair Governor Rick Perry traveling the country touting his book and talking about how great everything is in Texas, and trying to sound like a libertarian, while 'not running for president of the United States.'

What the great Rick Perry isn't talking about is the $25 Billion deficit that they must tackle in the current legislative session. He and Republicans insist this will be tackled 1. by not raising taxes, and 2. by not touching the rainy day fund. Suddenly Texas government is not so different from California's in the sense that they are writing checks their budgets and banks can't cash.

The solutions will have to come from the 3 biggest programs that make up the Texas budget.
1. Health and Human Services
2. Education
3. Higher Education

I'm all for deep cuts in these areas but here's the thing. Cuts made from the state budget result in cuts from federal funds received that help operate these programs. In Medicaid services, the expenditures are primarily for funds paid to providers. So cuts have to come in rates paid to providers and/or the number of clients services are provided to. This is not a popular choice for anyone. Though personally, I'm in favor of tougher eligibility requirements.

When it comes to Education, essentially this is paid for with property taxes whether you have kids in public school or not. If you've read through any of my posts, you'll see I'm all in favor of a voucher system. Eliminate the education bureaucracy and minimize the number of public schools available. Keep only the highest performing ones open and those that have enough voucher participants to stay open. I would also say operate all public schools as charter schools. Parents and students could choose where kids go to school. All schools would be operating as a business and if there is no demand for their services they would change or go away.

Education is also funded by the Texas lottery. Another thing that will get brought to the table is casino gambling. I'm all for this, but I would be shocked if this got approved as it's always been shot down in the past as immoral or whatever other stupid reasons they have to vote against it. They'd much rather people go to Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, rather than stay in or come to Texas. Gotta love the logic. Even if it did pass this session, it wouldn't do anything to help the current deficit as it would take a legislative cycle (2 years) to build and make a difference to the state's budget.

Higher education. These are freaking universities. Why aren't they self sufficient? They should have their own budgets made up of money out equals no more than money in. If they want more money they need to either raise tuition, increase the number of students allowed in or both. And/or they need to find other ways to generate revenue for the schools. There is no good reason, that anyone will convince me of, for Universities to be part of the state's budget. Though I'm sure many will disagree with me.

Anyways I just wanted to talk about the reality in Texas. It's not going to be a pretty session. It's going to be interesting to see how they 'solve' this. And I find it interesting how 'conservative' leadership got us to this deficit rather than plan for this last session when we already had an indication that the economy was headed for a recession.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

How Was Your Tax Day?

Did you throw a party this April 15? Do you enjoy getting taxed for your hard work? Isn't that an odd concept? Getting taxed for hard work? (or not so hard in some cases but profitable)

According to taxfoundation.org the percentage of non income tax payers is on the rise.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/25962.html

There's a 47% of non income tax payers rumor floating around out there for 2009 taxes. I don't know if that's true or not, but the above graphic should be of concern to you and here's why.


1. Baby boomers are all in the process of retiring or making plans to retire and while many of them have saved a nest egg for retirement, they will all still be planning to get their social security checks and medicare benefits while retired. If we have fewer people paying into the tax system than are relying on benefits and programs that income taxes pay for, we have an unsustainable system.


2. Unsustainable systems encourage and result in negative population growth which makes the number receiving services to paying for the services get larger and larger over time. See Europe as an example which has had this problem since 2000.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_decline for more information and sources.

3. Where there is a decrease income to the federal government from income taxes, there are 2 options; Make cuts to programs and services (which I'm on board with across the board including Medicare and Medicaid) and/or increase taxes. We currently don't have leadership willing to make cuts across the board to everything. We as a nation are apparently to dependant on the Government to privatize social security. Look at your SS statement next time it comes in. Big cuts are on the way in just a few years if it doesn't get fixed.

4. If the health care bill that was passed doesn't get overturned and is successfully funded, that will mean a lot more people will be receiving services from the government which is funded by we the people left paying taxes. I don't know about you, but I already pay more than my fair share. I don't want to pay any more. Those of you willing to pay more than your fair share, go right ahead. There's no law against paying more.

These are just some examples of why this statistic should concern you. What is my solution you ask? Please visit http://www.fairtax.org/. The fair tax repeals the income tax established in the 16th amendment and instates a consumption tax. That means everyone that consumes pays taxes whether they are here legally or illegally, doing business within the law or under the table, earning currently taxable income or not, and receiving government services or not.

Article I Section. 8. of the U.S. Constitution
Clause 1: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

The 16th Amendment was ratified by the states in 1913 allowing for collection of income tax. I don't know about you, but this amendment sounds unconstitutional to me.

A vote for Lola is a vote for sanity that has been long absent from our government.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

We Should All Hold our Congressmen Accountable

Some of you may or may not have seen or heard about this video. This is a citizen holding Frank LoBiondo, Republican from New Jersey, accountable for knowing the constitution as part of his job. He was elected in November of 1994 and has been 'serving' ever since. I do believe it's his job (and all congressmens' job regardless of party beliefs) to know the constitution they take an oath to uphold and defend.



The other part I like is the point he makes that it's our civic duty to know it. I'll admit I don't know it to the level of detail he does, but we should make an effort to read it on a regular basis to stay familiar with it so we can hold those accountable who are supposed to be representing us in Washington DC.

So if you need a refresher, here's the link to the U.S. Constitution. Read it...More than once.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

So You Want to Know What I Think About the Health Care Bill

I have been in mourning for the last few weeks in preparation for this day. Why? because I knew begging you to call and write your congressmen would do no good. Why? because if you have democratic congressmen most of them had no intention of listening to you unless you were for the health care bill. Though if I saw polls correctly only a slight majority of Americans are vehemently opposed to this bill.

Why?

Because over time we've become a society that slowly allows the government to take over our lives in the name of providing for us or in the name of safety, and after a little while we become used to and dependent upon those provisions and so we let them keep taking more and more of our tax dollars as long as they keep providing for our needs.

This is why I'm in mourning. I no longer believe that a majority of Americans care about liberty and freedom. I believe freedom loving Americans are in the minority and because of how our system is set up, we won't find actual representation in Washington unless we all move into the same districts and can elect our own representatives.

Don't tell me the Republicans are going to step up and represent us, because where were they on health care when they held the house and the senate in the 90's? They could have introduced and passed legislation to increase competition across state lines for health insurance and introduced legislation prohibits denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Then they could have put the parameters around pre-existing conditions that they could be subject to higher premiums or patient portions as negotiated between the patient and the insurance companies. But the republicans did nothing when they had the chance so don't tell me they are going to suddenly step up and start representing freedom loving Americans. Hannity and Limbaugh can sell it if they want, but I'm not buying. Running on repealing the legislation in November seems disingenuous to me.

Nancy Pelosi made some comment after the Health Care Bill passed comparing it to Social Security and Medicare passing. While I disagree with her view of it being a good thing, she's right. Social Security and Medicare are bankrupting this country and Health Care will be the nail in the bankruptcy coffin. Next time you get a social security statement in the mail read it.

This is from my statement received in February of this year:

"In 2016 we will begin paying more in benefits than we collect in taxes. Without changes, by 2037 the Social Security Trust Fund will be exhausted* and there will be enough money to pay only about 76 cents for each dollar of scheduled benefits...."

What do you think is going to happen with health care if the government is in charge of it? As it is, premiums will go up for everyone and/or insurance companies will go bankrupt until there's no one left but the government to bail us all out and that's how they'll get the 'universal coverage' they (and many Americans) want so badly.

Do I hope the Republican platform of repeal works in November? Sure I do, but here's how I would like to see it happen; All republicans that are up for re election get booted in their republican primary in favor of their opponent, whoever it is. Let's get rid of the old republican blood that is more than happy to spend our money on things like corporate bailouts and get fresh blood in there. If Sarah Palin were a real 'maverick' she'd be campaigning against John McCain instead of for him. Instead of campaigning for Rick Perry here in Texas for governor, she'd have campaigned for Debra Medina. Who is she you ask. Exactly my point. I will be voting for the libertarian candidate. Out with the old, in with the new.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Do American's Really Care About Civil Liberties?

This didn't make headline news as far as I can tell. It was discussed on a local radio show. Politico.com is the source of the story and the major source talking about it. The only other sources I found talking about it upon a quick search were blogs that I don't follow.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34097.html

Basically speaking Obama came out and supported a national database to store DNA of anyone arrested. Not those convicted of a crime, but those arrested. If the cops pulled you over and deemed you uncooperative or anything they feel like, they could arrest you and take your DNA and store it. Never mind that you didn't commit a crime nor had been charged. Even so are all crimes worthy of mandatory DNA sample?

Of course the argument is if we can save 1 person then it's worth it. And if you don't break the law you shouldn't worry about having a sample taken from you. Sure it starts there, but when you give them the right to take our DNA you are subject to corrupt politicians and law enforcement agents. Perhaps it is all well-intentioned in the beginning, but what happens 5 or 10 years down the road?

Over time we have given up much freedom in the name of safety. Look at 9/11 and the Patriot Act that resulted in the name of fighting terrorism. Perhaps it's only been used for legitimate terrorist threats, but perhaps some boundaries have been overstepped. Do you think the government is going to tell us?

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety" Benjamin Franklin (1759)

It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once. David Hume (1711-1776)

There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty. John Adams (1735-1826)

Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined. Patrick Henry (1736-1739)

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

I'm just curious to know what you think? Do you think this is a big deal? Do you agree with it? Are you worried that 10 or 20 years down the road someone could come after you or your family planting your DNA on a crime scene either to get at you or because you won the unlucky lottery since someone was determined to pin a crime on someone. I know it sounds conspiracy theory, but how much liberty is too much to give up?

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Your Tax Dollars Hard at Work During the Super Bowl

In case you were too drunk or weren't paying attention. 3rd Quarter at 2 minutes to go, give or take, there was a commercial paid for by the U.S. Census Bureau filled with celebrities. I realize that they were B level or below celebrities, but still recognizable. But we all know the expensive part of the commercial was that it aired during the Super Bowl...

Are you Pissed off yet???

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Your Tax Dollars Hard at Work

Check it out...




Here's the link to the referenced report by CBS News

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/11/cbsnews_investigates/main6084364.shtml

In the grand scheme of things it might be a minor amount, but like the article says, every penny counts in an economy like this. Oh and if you bother to read the article, there's not one particular party guilty of the abuse. Remember politicians are equal opportunity offenders when it comes to spending your tax dollars. Whether they support or oppose something.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Contract From America

Check it out.
http://www.contractfromamerica.com/

"Welcome to the Contract From America initiative, where you can join your fellow Americans in a collaborative grassroots effort to create a document that offers real change in Washington, D.C. and the state capitals. This website provides you with the opportunity to offer your innovative free market, limited government solutions to our nation’s pressing problems and to vote and comment on the ideas of others. We believe that the result of this grassroots-generated marketplace of ideas will be a document that not only represents the will of the American people, but promotes unique ideas that will breathe new life into the economic conservative movement...."


Here's what you'll find on this website
*Information on Tea Parties in your area
* Suggestion for solutions that you can vote on and/or rate
*Opportunity to submit new ideas that don't exist on the any of the lists
*Basically speaking the opportunity to express your voice

You might be interested to know the top five vote getting ideas are
1. Implement the Fair Tax
2. Legislation shall contain no unrelated amendments
3. Congressional Term Limits
4. Abolish the Department of Education
5. Pass Nationwide Medical Malpractice Tort Reform

I agree with these 5 though I'm not sure they are all in my personal top 5. The Fair Tax and term limits definitely are. What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Check out the rest of the list and the site. I encourage you to voice your opinions. Even if you don't agree with me point for point.

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