Stop Pulling the Wagon

TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND THOSE WHO FOLLOW MY POSTS.  I’M BACK.   WELL AT LEAST MOSTLY BACK.  I APOLOGIZE FOR MY ABSENCE.

MY LAST POSTING WAS IN SEPTEMBER AND I HAVE BEEN “UNDER THE WEATHER”.   NO STITCHES TO SHOW YOU.  NO  BORING STORIES TO SHARE.

MY LIFE WAS AT NO TIME IN DANGER, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE A FEW DAYS WHEN I FELT I WOULD HAVE TO SHOW SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT  TO BE WELL ENOUGH TO DIE GRACEFULLY.  FOR THE MOST PART, AND ON MOST DAYS, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FUNCTION AT A LEVEL, THAT WITH SOME HELP, I COULD SORT OF DO THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF WORK (MY POOR WIFE DOING THE REST) TO KEEP THINGS GOING.  BUT, THIS BLOG, AND SOME OTHER THINGS HAD TO “GO TO THE BACK OF THE LINE”.

THANK YOU TO MY WONDERFUL WIFE AND DAUGHTER WHO SHOWED ME MORE SUPPORT AND GRACE  THAN I DESERVE DURING THIS TIME.

THANK YOU TO ALL MY FRIENDS, INCLUDING THOSE AT MY CHURCH WHO HAVE KEPT ME IN THEIR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

IT HAS BEEN A PAINFUL AND HUMBLING EXPERIENCE.  YOU SEE, I AM A LOUSY PATIENT.  FOR MOST OF MY YEARS I HAVE BEEN DISGUSTINGLY HEALTHY AND I GUESS I GOT SPOILED.

WHILE  NOT AT DEATHS DOOR (AT LEAST I DON’T THINK SO) DURING THESE WEEKS, THIS EPISODE HAS CAUSED ME TO LOOK ANEW AT MY OWN MORTALITY,  AND WHILE I SELDOM TAKE MYSELF OR LIFE TOO SERIOUSLY, I HAVE HAD PERIODS WHEN I FOUND MYSELF WONDERING IF I HAVE MADE SUFFICIENT EFFORT TO TRY AND DO SOME GOOD ALONG THE WAY.

ENOUGH WITH THE SOAPY, MAUDLIN STUFF! LOOK AT ALL THE GREAT MATERIAL I HAVE MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS!  THE ECONOMY!  THE ELECTION!  LIFE IN GENERAL!  SO MUCH GOOD STUFF!

GUESS I BETTER GET BUSY AND MAKE UP FOR SOME LOST TIME.   GET READY!       …….BOB

In 1961 East Germany built the Berlin Wall to keep East German citizens from escaping the tyranny of Communism in the East to Freedom in the West.   

When they built this wall the East Germans lost any credibility they might have had to extoll the virtues of Communism.  No one would believe them because they had to keep their citizens isolated behind walls from opposing ideas. 

Credibility is a fragile thing.

Now we have an Islamic Cleric – Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf – who wants to build a Mosque within rock throwing distance of Ground Zero where the Twin Towers were brought down and more than 2,700 people were murdered by Radical Islamic Terrorists on September 11, 2001.  

The Imam says he wants to build this Mosque as an outreach in the name of  Peace and Understanding.  He states his goal is that Christians and Jews can learn to accept Islam and we can all live in mutual tolerance and harmony.  

I have a question Imam Feisal Adbul Rauf.  To build credibility for your stated mission, will you support the building of Christian Churches and Learning Centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Amman, Jordan?  How about within a few hundred feet of your Holy sites in Mecca and Medina?  That way Muslims could learn tolerance and understanding of the Christian faith.   

I am told Islam does not allow Christian Churches in Saudi Arabia or Jordan.  What is your position on this? 

It seems to me that Islam has built something very much like the Berlin Wall around many Islamic countries and won’t allow its citizens to even look at a Bible or discuss Christianity.  This begs the question:  Is Islam afraid of its followers learning about Christianity? 

When you demand that we allow you to build a Mosque in the name of  tolerance while Islam  denies the same tolerance to Christians and Jews,  you lose your credibility.      

This is not about hatred, and we do not hate peace loving Muslins.  This has everything to do with the small percentage of Muslims who are determined to impose their own violent image of Islam and Sharia Law.  They don’t want to co-exist in peace.  They have one non-negotiable demand:  Accept their view of Islam or die.  

It also has to do with credibility, Imam.  When you demand to build your Mosque knowing it will further divide people,  we just don’t believe your motives are to promote peace and understanding.  

In this matter Imam, you have no credibility with the majority of Americans.

………Bob  

The Simpsons Movie - 20th Century Fox - Matt Groening

I ask the question metaphorically as I do not advocate violence. 

Still, what does the citizenry do when government will not listen to the clear voice of the people?

Federally run and mandated Healthcare – We don’t want it!

Amnesty for illegal aliens – No! 

Porous and open borders – No!

Bailouts for poorly run Corporations and States -No!

Bankrupting our children and grandchildren with deficit spending – No!

Micro-manage every aspect of our lives – No!

Tax everything and every part of my daily life – No!

Leave me alone, get out of my way and stay out of my wallet – YES!

Are these people so self focused on their own failed ideology and so oblivious to the will of the American people?  Have they no eyes?  Have they no ears?  The American people are fast approaching the point of open rebellion.  The anger is building day by day.  Revolution is in the wind.  They have taken our America and trashed it. 

Pray that it will be only a peaceful rebellion and confined to the ballot box.                         …..Bob

I AM SORRY TO SAY than in my mind our current government has become little more than a dis-organized criminal enterprise.  if it were an organized criminal activity it would be efficient and not Thirteen Trillion Dollars in debt.

Howver, instead of just complaining about Government on a Federal (and most States) basis I have an obligation to say what I believe  Government  should look like and what I think it should be responsible for.  Especially what I have observed it is capable of doing resonably well even if not cost effectively.

Let me think:

1.  Provide for the nations defense and prevent armed and unarmed invasion by foregin powers and masses.  Secure our borders. 

2.  Uh…….Give me a little time……..  I’m trying to think of something else I want the Federal Government to be in charge of. 

In the process of (re)building the Federal Government we should examine all current Federal Departments and Agencies.

For example:

The Department of Energy was formed in the 1970’s with the goal of making the U.S.  LESS  dependent on foreign oil.  At the time we were importing about 30% of the oil we used.  Today, the Department of Engergy has a budget of more than 24 Billion Dollars and we are importing  70% of the oil we use.  If this were a private enterprise it would be broke and out of business.

How about the Federal Department of Education?  Could someone please tell me what the purpose of this department truly is?   Again we have liftime employment and benefits for those who work there but aside from that, I am unaware of any real, practical, positive help they provide my local schools.  Sorry,  issuing ill-conceived, unwanted and often unfunded “mandates” don’t count.  Our schools are best managed on a local basis with very little interference from State Government and none from the “Feds”.

I could continue department by department and agency by agency but will instead let the reader think of all the the Federal Agencies and Departments they come in contact with and ask themselves what they truly accomplish other than issue a lot of regulations and rules which complicate and make our lives more difficult and expensive.  To me, it does not count that these Departments and Agencies provide a place where employees shuffle papers around and build “Kingdoms”.  

Do any of these agencies or departments ever get “sun-setted” or shut down no matter how ineffective or wasteful they are?  If so, can you name one? 

Even programs and agencies most of us could support like Social Security, Medicare and a few others are so horribly mis-managed, stolen from (by Congress) and inefficient that they are un-sustainable and virtually bankrupt.  In the long term the only way the government will be able to make Social Security viable is to keep increasing the age of eligibility to the point that we qualify for benefits one month before we die. 

I would ask the reader to make a list of the Departments and Agencies that they believe Government manages efficiently and cost effectively.  How about the Postal Service?    

Your own thoughts are welcome and it is okay to disagree.

Just something to think about.                             …..BOB

I JUST HEARD ON THE NEWS THIS MORNING THAT A “SENIOR POLITICAL SPOKESMAN” HAS “FLOATED” THE IDEA THAT A 1% NATIONAL TRANSACTION TAX IS UNDER CONSIDERATION.

THIS TAX WOULD WORK LIKE THIS.  EVERY TRANSACTION (EXCEPT FOR SOME REASON STOCK PURCHASES/SALES) WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A 1% TRANSACTION TAX.  THIS NEW TAX WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO ALL THE OTHER TAXES (SUCH AS SALES AND USE TAXES) BEING COLLECTED.  IT WOULD INCLUDE A 1% TAX WHEN YOU WRITE A CHECK, USE A CREDIT CARD, PAY BY CASH ETC..  WRITE A CHECK TO PAY YOUR ELECTRIC BILL, THATS A TRANSACTION AND SUBJECT TO THE TAX.  PARK YOU CAR AT A PARKING METER; THATS A TRANSACTION.  PULL THE HANDLE ON A SLOT MACHINE, ANOTHER TRANSACTION.  GET THE PICTURE?

IN ORDER TO KEEP WITH THE PRESIDENTS PLEDGE NOT TO  RAISE TAXES ON THOSE WHO EARN LESS THAN $250,000 PER YEAR,  A “MECHANISM” (SPELLED BUREAUCRACY) WOULD BE SET UP TO “REFUND” THE 1% TAX PAID BY ALL THOSE WHO EARN LESS THAN THE $250,000 PER YEAR THRESHOLD. 

OF COURSE TO DO THIS THEY WOULD NEED TO BE ABLE TO TRACK ALL OF OUR TRANSACTIONS.  PERHAPS A NATIONAL TRANSACTION CARD THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO USE FOR EVERYTHING?  AND THIS WOULD  HAVE THE ADDED BENEFIT OF GIVING THEM (THE GOVERNMENT) THE ABILITY TO KNOW EVERYTHING WE BUY AND DO.  THE GOVERNMENT WOULD THUS BE ABLE TO MONITOR WHETHER WE ARE BUYING “APPROVED” LIGHT BULBS, “APPROVED” TOILETS, “HEALTHY” FOODS, ECO-FRIENDLY CARS, ETC..   AD-NAUSEUM. 

THIS OUGHT TO WORK OUT WELL.  THIS NEW BUREAUCRACY WILL OF COURSE BE A MODEL OF EFFICIENCY AND BY MONTORING ALL OF OUR DAILY TRANSACTIONS THOSE IN POWER CAN TURN US ALL INTO “GOOD LITTLE SHEEPLE”.  WHERE IS THE ACLU WHEN YOU FINALLY NEED THEM?

BIG BROTHER IS ALIVE AND WELL ….                    BOB

I’VE GOT A QUESTION.

WE ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR BP TO PAY FOR THE COSTS OF THE DAMAGE IT HAS DONE TO THE GULF COAST.

CAN WE AGREE THAT IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE IT HAS DONE TO THE ECONOMY AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY?

WHERE DOES THE LINE FORM TO  GET PAID?

TO ALL MY LIBERAL FRIENDS.  I LOVE YOU.  I CARE ABOUT YOU.  I USED TO BE ONE OF YOU.  WE’VE TRIED IT THE LIBERAL  WAY FOR OVER 40 YEARS IN MY LIFTTIME.  IT DOESN’T WORK.   WE ARE THIRTEEN TRILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT AND COUNTING.  IT’S TIME TO CUT UP THE CREDIT CARDS. 

THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRAT VS REPUBLICAN ISSUE! 

OUR GOVERNMENT IS LIKE A 15 YEAR OLD WITH MOMS CREDIT CARD, DADS NEW CAR AND GRANDPAS BOTTLE OF JACK DANIELS. 

IT’S TIME TO STOP THE ‘SPIN’ AND THE LIES.  THE NEW HEALTH CARE PLAN IS NOT “DEFICIT NEUTRAL”.  ITS A LIE TO SAY IT IS.

WE CANNOT SPEND OUR WAY INTO PROSPERITY.   ITS BEEN TRIED.  IT DOESN’T WORK.  IT HAS NEVER WORKED.  IT WILL NEVER WORK.   FISCAL BANKRUPTCY IS THE MONSTER HIDING UNDER THE BED.                                ……..BOB