Monthly Archives: August 2011

Clarification

Posted on August 14, 2011 | 1 comment

I’ve been told that I’m unclear in saying the things I wanna say.

Given that critique:

I’m at the beach.  Posting will be slow.

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Posted in Fun

If You’re Forced To Defend Your Positions

Posted on August 14, 2011 | 1 comment

I’m the first to tell ya that I’m new to this whole gig.  I’m 42 and for the first 38 years of my life I couldn’t care less about politics and politicians.*  Not until I realized we were going to see a double primary did I really begin to pay attention.  And even then, it was cursory.

As they began to heat up, I can remember saying to colleagues of mine at the office that if Romeny didn’t win the Republican nomination, I could support this guy Obama.  Something new I told myself.  Then I listen to what he was saying.

And I’ve been hooked.

I love being challenged by Mo And Scott.  The boys over at Poison Your Mind know how to bring it.  I get support from Sean and Alan and Vern.

But if I’ve learned one thing, it’s not so much HOW to defend your positions; it’s WHERE:

If I’m slow to respond/blog, it’s not that I don’t love you.  It’s that I love me more.

* Though, to be fair, I remember crying as a very young child watching Nixon resign.  Clearly I had no idea what was going on, but I could feel the sorrow.

AND

I wrote a letter to Ford after he was defeated by Carter.  The White House sent me a “Guide to the White House” catalog post marked on Carter’s inauguration.

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Posted in Fun

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Without Comment

Posted on August 13, 2011 | Leave a comment

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Posted in Debt - Deficit, Economy, Fun, Politics: National

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California HIgh Speed Rail Costs Lots Of Money

Posted on August 13, 2011 | Leave a comment

I know this is gonna shock a TON of people.

Environmental reports released Tuesday show the first segment of the line in the Central Valley will cost between $10 billion and $13.9 billion, far more than the 2009 estimate of $7.1 billion.

I know I’m surprised.  I had expected California to come in under budget; ’cause all such projects do, really, come in under budget.

The thing about the Liberati when it comes to central planning projects like this is that they never consider the cost.  Would it be cool if I could take a train that ran on the coffee grounds I brew each morning?  Ride a train that took me to a station a meager few blocks from my office?

Sure.

Would it still be cool if the state had to pay $8,542 per round-trip ticket?

Still think it’s a good idea?

Me either.

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Posted in Politics: National, States Behaving Badly, Transportation

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Music, Sweet Music – US Postal Service To Lay Off 120,000

Posted on August 12, 2011 | Leave a comment

It would seem that people only care about monopolies when they are in the hands of anyone but the government.  But, when in those trusted hands of Uncle Sam, it’s A-OK for an organization to have a legal strangle hold on a market.

Enter the United States Postal Service.

For years this organization has been losing money by the truck load.  The truck load I tell you.  And the whole time they’re losing this money there are corporations willing and able to take the job from them.  FedEx and UPS would be chomping at the bit to be able to have a shot at the commercial mail that the USPS handles right now.

But the government won’t let ’em.

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Posted in Economics, Government

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This Guy Is A Clown

Posted on August 11, 2011 | 6 comments

He’s done:

“Unless things change and Obama can run on accomplishments, he will have to kill Romney,” said a prominent Democratic strategist aligned with the White House.

Kinder and gentler nation.

This is what a Liberati means when they say we have to control discourse.  They mean everyone except them.

I’m not so much shocked at the irony, I’m shocked anyone is shocked.

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Posted in Elections 2012, Idiots on Parade

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Bank Regulations: Incentives

Posted on August 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

I am fascinated by the study of the use of scare resources which have alternative uses.  Further, I’m frustrated by the fact that I shrugged off Economics while I was going to college.  Instead, I focused on engineering and math, physics and chemistry.  In retrospect, how boring and useless ;-).

But the idea that all things have alternate uses is fascinating.  And critical.  Combine this with the fact that all people will pursue their individual self-interests and you will find the decisions people make to be interesting as well.

And it’s within this light that I judge and critique government policy.

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Posted in Economics

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Receipts and Expenditures – Revenues and Spending – Cuts and Rises

Posted on August 10, 2011 | 5 comments

The debt ceiling, the debate, the deal, the debate and then the deal again.  The downgrade, the market down and up and then down again.

Obama’s economy.

The deficit panel.  Compromise.  Revenues and cuts.

It’s all there.  And America wants a compromise.  But before that, I wanna define two things:

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Posted in Debt - Deficit, Economy, Government

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Wisconsin: Thoughts On An Election

Posted on August 10, 2011 | 1 comment

So it turns out that the Wisconsin Democrats didn’t win as much as they wanted and, more importantly, as much as they needed..  They fell short of taking back control of the Senate.  Now, to be fair, a 17-16 majority is razor thin and in truth is probably better for government than a very large majority.  For example, who can argue about the damage the the US Senate did to the nation as a result of their super-majority in 2009-2010?  No one.

However, what is the impact?  The read?  What does this mean?

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Posted in Government, Politics: National, States Behaving Badly

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Bow Your Heads

Posted on August 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

It seems that there is much kerfluffle on the intertubes about a certain governor from a certain state saying some certain words.

The last word, which begins with “a” and ends with “men” seems to be the biggie.

Lemme remind you:

…it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency

…

Having thus imparted to you my sentiments as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together, I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the benign Parent of the Human Race in humble supplication that, since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness, so His divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend.

America is a club of people who formed a society.  And those people who made up this club said, “We believe in a God”.  More than that, these people who formed this club said that you don’t have to believe in the same God as we do.  Heck, you don’t even have to believe in a God if ya don’t wanna.

But we do.

And when we gather to do business, we pray to her.

You don’t have to pray; though I hope you do.  But’cha kinda have’ta let me.

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Posted in Government, Liberty, Politics: National

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