Was the downfall in the US economy due in part to catchy soundbites and headlines? Catchy soundbites and headlines too often fails to account for perspective, such as the longer-term view of things that we assumed.
Political rhetoric is just that - catchy soundbites. You are now witnessing the value of catchy soundbites in politics. Financial, health care reforms, etc. are all catchy soundbites and designed to get votes. Catchy soundbites have nothing in common with the long-term view, so be alert for all who say they represent the wishes of the people. What are the true motives of those who represent you?
You want immigration reform look to the state of Arizona for help! You want education reform in the US then shut the schools down and start over. You want health care reform then shut Medicaid down and start over. You want prison reform then bring back public hanging in the town square for those who chose to harm others. Cruel - Yes; however, probably would not take long for the message to sink in and 'ole sparky' is not doing the job. Be prepared the list is quite large for 'DO OVERS'.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
One state against the feds
Utah recently passed "Utah State-Made Firearms Protection Act" and it seeks to exclude from federal regulation firearms and 'firearm-related items' that are made in the state exclusively for use in the state. The bill is 'shot' across the bow of the feds! Governor Gary Herbert's office states that "the bill asserts Utah's authority under the U.S. Constitution to regulate wholly intrastate commerce."
http://le.utah.gov/~2010/bills/sbillint/sb0011.htm
http://le.utah.gov/~2010/bills/sbillint/sb0011.htm
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Buy American, or not
Bob in Colorado stated in a recent publishing:
"Requiring local governments to buy American will undoubtedly cost local taxpayers more. But, the purpose of taking federal tax dollars and spreading them around the country is to increase economic spending on a national level. It's not free money - we've all paid for it. So if Conrad, Mont., has to pay more so that more Americans are being put to work in another American city or county, then that's the price that needs to be paid. If the project was truly 'shovel ready' without the ARRA grant, then the local government can proceed without the ARRA grant and fund the project with foreign materials."
"Requiring local governments to buy American will undoubtedly cost local taxpayers more. But, the purpose of taking federal tax dollars and spreading them around the country is to increase economic spending on a national level. It's not free money - we've all paid for it. So if Conrad, Mont., has to pay more so that more Americans are being put to work in another American city or county, then that's the price that needs to be paid. If the project was truly 'shovel ready' without the ARRA grant, then the local government can proceed without the ARRA grant and fund the project with foreign materials."
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
In the middle of the dream
Have politicians forgotten us? As they argue their differences on the way to solve problems, we all hope they don't lose sight of the end game. You ask what is the end game? Securing the future of our middle class. If they let this support pillar crumble then downward it falls!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Warning
I requested that personal attacks not be posted. From this point forward if you don't exercise restraint then you may find your post deleted. If you have proof of wrong doing then you need to take it up with the appropriate authorities.
I have been traveling a great deal of late and it appears I need to pay more attention to comments being posted. If you are smart enough to read and post then you should have enough 'savvy' to know what a personal attack is!
I have been traveling a great deal of late and it appears I need to pay more attention to comments being posted. If you are smart enough to read and post then you should have enough 'savvy' to know what a personal attack is!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Commentary on the downfall of the US
A friend of mine forwarded this article to my attention and I found it good commentary with regards to all the doomsayers comparing the US to the fall of the Roman Empire. Each has to come to his or her own conclusion!
Reading the Culture: Are we Rome?
By Jim Denison
The Baptist Standard
Published: April 08, 2010
Is America destined to go the way of the Roman Empire? As China and India ascend economically while we fight two wars and struggle with economic recession, more and more “declinists” are predicting our demise. Cullen Murphy’s Are We Rome? The Fall of an Empire and the Fate of America (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2007) is a fascinating study of comparisons between the Roman Empire and our nation.
Here are similarities as noted by Murphy:
• Both built the most powerful military in their world, by far. America invests as much in military expenditures as the next 15 nations combined.
• The Roman road system, stretching some 53,000 miles, was about the length of the United States’ interstate highway system.
• The Roman Empire and its Mediterranean Sea would fit neatly inside America’s lower 48 states.
Of course, dissimilarities are conspicuous as well:
• Rome never left the Iron Age; America has evolved from industry to information and biotech.
• Slaves made up half of the empire, while America rejected slavery.
• Rome had no middle class; the middle class is America’s core fact.
• Rome never was remotely as democratic as America.
So, are we Rome? Here are three factors our country would do well to consider.
• The first concern is “military overstretch,” building armed forces that are too large to be affordable and too small to do all they are asked to do. Manpower shortages forced the Romans to accept into their armies the very barbarians who sacked their empire. Privatizing our military—and prisons and other government functions—may threaten accountability and oversight, whether in ancient Rome or today.
• A second factor is a tendency I call “global myopia.” Myopia is a defect of the eye in which the person sees near objects clearly but far away objects appear blurred. Nearly every Roman military defeat resulted from underestimating its opponent. Nine years after 9-11, most Americans still ask, “Why do they hate us?”
• A third factor often is called the “curse of empire”: Large systems are inherently unstable, endangering their survival in an unpredictable world. Few thought that arming the Taliban against the Soviet Union would contribute to today’s War on Terror.
On the other hand, America’s commitment to reinvention distinguishes us from Rome and is cause for optimism. The empire valued stability; we prize entrepreneurship. Our angst over China, India and other competitors is our great motivator.
To me, the greatest lesson to learn from comparing Rome and America is spiritual. They embraced a transactional religion—sacrifice to the gods so they will bless your crops and family; sacrifice to Caesar to avoid the wrath of the empire. Our culture has a similar spirituality—go to church on Sunday so God will bless you on Monday.
Christianity is not a transactional religion but a transformational relationship: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Who will encounter the life-changing grace of Jesus this week in you?
Jim Denison is president of the Center for Informed Faith (www.informedfaith.com) and theologian-in-residence with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Reading the Culture: Are we Rome?
By Jim Denison
The Baptist Standard
Published: April 08, 2010
Is America destined to go the way of the Roman Empire? As China and India ascend economically while we fight two wars and struggle with economic recession, more and more “declinists” are predicting our demise. Cullen Murphy’s Are We Rome? The Fall of an Empire and the Fate of America (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2007) is a fascinating study of comparisons between the Roman Empire and our nation.
Here are similarities as noted by Murphy:
• Both built the most powerful military in their world, by far. America invests as much in military expenditures as the next 15 nations combined.
• The Roman road system, stretching some 53,000 miles, was about the length of the United States’ interstate highway system.
• The Roman Empire and its Mediterranean Sea would fit neatly inside America’s lower 48 states.
Of course, dissimilarities are conspicuous as well:
• Rome never left the Iron Age; America has evolved from industry to information and biotech.
• Slaves made up half of the empire, while America rejected slavery.
• Rome had no middle class; the middle class is America’s core fact.
• Rome never was remotely as democratic as America.
So, are we Rome? Here are three factors our country would do well to consider.
• The first concern is “military overstretch,” building armed forces that are too large to be affordable and too small to do all they are asked to do. Manpower shortages forced the Romans to accept into their armies the very barbarians who sacked their empire. Privatizing our military—and prisons and other government functions—may threaten accountability and oversight, whether in ancient Rome or today.
• A second factor is a tendency I call “global myopia.” Myopia is a defect of the eye in which the person sees near objects clearly but far away objects appear blurred. Nearly every Roman military defeat resulted from underestimating its opponent. Nine years after 9-11, most Americans still ask, “Why do they hate us?”
• A third factor often is called the “curse of empire”: Large systems are inherently unstable, endangering their survival in an unpredictable world. Few thought that arming the Taliban against the Soviet Union would contribute to today’s War on Terror.
On the other hand, America’s commitment to reinvention distinguishes us from Rome and is cause for optimism. The empire valued stability; we prize entrepreneurship. Our angst over China, India and other competitors is our great motivator.
To me, the greatest lesson to learn from comparing Rome and America is spiritual. They embraced a transactional religion—sacrifice to the gods so they will bless your crops and family; sacrifice to Caesar to avoid the wrath of the empire. Our culture has a similar spirituality—go to church on Sunday so God will bless you on Monday.
Christianity is not a transactional religion but a transformational relationship: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Who will encounter the life-changing grace of Jesus this week in you?
Jim Denison is president of the Center for Informed Faith (www.informedfaith.com) and theologian-in-residence with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
U.S. Decline, Sloth Look a Lot Like End of Rome
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20670001&sid=apWu9PvexGoE
Interesting reading from Mark Fisher on the fall of Rome and the comparison to the downward trend in the US.
"While the U.S. ascended quite differently, it also used its position as a superpower to fuel economic expansion. Because the country had the strongest military and economy in the post-World War II era, the U.S. dollar became the de facto global reserve currency, ensuring endless competitive advantages -- which have vanished in the last decade.
Americans have become less productive while relying more on social safety-net programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security -- and now expanded health-care insurance. Worse, like the ancient Romans, a sense of entitlement has replaced the drive and motivation we once championed. With easy access to abundant government handouts, it’s no wonder so many jobless people have stopped looking for work."
This should ruin your Happy Tax Day!
Interesting reading from Mark Fisher on the fall of Rome and the comparison to the downward trend in the US.
"While the U.S. ascended quite differently, it also used its position as a superpower to fuel economic expansion. Because the country had the strongest military and economy in the post-World War II era, the U.S. dollar became the de facto global reserve currency, ensuring endless competitive advantages -- which have vanished in the last decade.
Americans have become less productive while relying more on social safety-net programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security -- and now expanded health-care insurance. Worse, like the ancient Romans, a sense of entitlement has replaced the drive and motivation we once championed. With easy access to abundant government handouts, it’s no wonder so many jobless people have stopped looking for work."
This should ruin your Happy Tax Day!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The changing nature of competition with government
A vicious competition among government at all levels has prevailed during the last 30 years. What is the purpose? Why do the folks you elect become traitors and side with the hired help?
Much of the rivalry between government and citizens has been driven by the desire to achieve wealth, power, and prestige. Government is suppose to serve the citizens, and it should not serve the bureaucracy. The bureaucracy should be the tail; however, over the last 30 years it has become the head.
In previous years as today when government goes against government it is usually to add wealth to one nation or another. The goal was to acquire land and its natural resources, together with the people who worked the land, and this was the primary method of adding to wealth, power, and prestige. Most if not all these items are fixed. To add to territorial holdings meant seizing land from some other government. And that usually meant war! Rivalry among governments still prevails in this day and age. However, the government that represents you has also chosen to seek more and more from each and every citizen in order to increase and gain even more wealth, power, and prestige at your individual expense.
Much of the rivalry between government and citizens has been driven by the desire to achieve wealth, power, and prestige. Government is suppose to serve the citizens, and it should not serve the bureaucracy. The bureaucracy should be the tail; however, over the last 30 years it has become the head.
In previous years as today when government goes against government it is usually to add wealth to one nation or another. The goal was to acquire land and its natural resources, together with the people who worked the land, and this was the primary method of adding to wealth, power, and prestige. Most if not all these items are fixed. To add to territorial holdings meant seizing land from some other government. And that usually meant war! Rivalry among governments still prevails in this day and age. However, the government that represents you has also chosen to seek more and more from each and every citizen in order to increase and gain even more wealth, power, and prestige at your individual expense.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Only 2 to 3 percent.....you have to do your part
http://www.housingwatch.com/2010/03/21/how-to-lower-your-property-taxes/?icid=mainhtmlws-main-wdl7link3http%3A%2F%2Fwww.housingwatch.com%2F2010%2F03%2F21%2Fhow-to-lower-your-property-taxes%2F
Do you feel like you're paying more than your fair share of property taxes? Well, you're not alone. Many homeowners believe their homes are over-assessed, especially after the housing crisis pummeled home values by 30 percent or so from their peaks.
And guess what? A high percentage of homes really are over-assessed -- anywhere from 30 percent to 60 percent, including commercial property, according to the National Taxpayers Union. Yet few homeowners do anything about it. Nationally, only 2 to 3 percent of homeowners ever attempt an appeal.
Do you feel like you're paying more than your fair share of property taxes? Well, you're not alone. Many homeowners believe their homes are over-assessed, especially after the housing crisis pummeled home values by 30 percent or so from their peaks.
And guess what? A high percentage of homes really are over-assessed -- anywhere from 30 percent to 60 percent, including commercial property, according to the National Taxpayers Union. Yet few homeowners do anything about it. Nationally, only 2 to 3 percent of homeowners ever attempt an appeal.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Their coming
Uncle Sam is coming are you prepared? Inheritance taxes will be increasing in the near future. Here is a riddle: Do you know what the dollar amount you must earn to leave your kids/grand kids $1 million?
Riddle answered: Would you believe $3 million.
How determined: If you earn that $3 million you know you are not in the lowest tax bracket! So with the future tax bracket increases coming to pay for the Obama Plan you most likely will reside in the 40% range. Gomer Pyle used to say to Sargent Carter "Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!"
$3 million in the 40% bracket will cause you to be bludgeoned with an income tax bill of $1.2 million. Only $1.8 million left. When you get hit by the final 'bus', the 45% estate tax robs $800,000 more, leaving your heirs that $1 million. Is that a pretty tax picture are what? Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! Gomer knew what he was talking about with the surprise!
Then again with the way it looks there may not be any inheritances in the future.
Riddle answered: Would you believe $3 million.
How determined: If you earn that $3 million you know you are not in the lowest tax bracket! So with the future tax bracket increases coming to pay for the Obama Plan you most likely will reside in the 40% range. Gomer Pyle used to say to Sargent Carter "Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!"
$3 million in the 40% bracket will cause you to be bludgeoned with an income tax bill of $1.2 million. Only $1.8 million left. When you get hit by the final 'bus', the 45% estate tax robs $800,000 more, leaving your heirs that $1 million. Is that a pretty tax picture are what? Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! Gomer knew what he was talking about with the surprise!
Then again with the way it looks there may not be any inheritances in the future.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Change in Per Capita State and Local Property Taxes from 2000 to 2005
http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/22403.html
How bad or good is it? Drum roll please.................
Texas ranked #3 of the 50 states in the union with a 22.5% increase from 2000 to 2005
and you wondered why you were having a hard time making ends meet week after week! The bureaucrats are draining your pocketbook as fast as you can earn it to construct items like indoor practice facilities under the code name 'multi-purpose' facility. The folks on the public payroll (not all - for some understand that the money comes from their pocket as well) are doing you an injustice by not looking after your pocketbook very well! The 'proof is in pudding' with Texas having a 22.5% increase in state and local property taxes from 2000 to 2005.
Please remove the vacuum cleaner off my wallet!
How bad or good is it? Drum roll please.................
Texas ranked #3 of the 50 states in the union with a 22.5% increase from 2000 to 2005
and you wondered why you were having a hard time making ends meet week after week! The bureaucrats are draining your pocketbook as fast as you can earn it to construct items like indoor practice facilities under the code name 'multi-purpose' facility. The folks on the public payroll (not all - for some understand that the money comes from their pocket as well) are doing you an injustice by not looking after your pocketbook very well! The 'proof is in pudding' with Texas having a 22.5% increase in state and local property taxes from 2000 to 2005.
Please remove the vacuum cleaner off my wallet!
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