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Treat the National Budget Like a Family Budget

October 29, 2010 By 3 Comments

Have you ever wondered how a politician can go into office as a middle income American and a few years later are wealthy? Why is it that they can pad their own pockets while putting the rest of us further into debt? Could it be that they can only keep their eyes on a single budget and it’s their own?

When running for office most politicians both liberal and conservative believe that the Federal Government should act like any business or family and live within their means. Unfortunately once in office they are swayed by their party leaders to tow the party line and receive the goodies that come along with it or serve a single term in office.

Perhaps I am being a bit harsh but am I? If you are honest with yourself and consider what a rubber stamp congress has brought us during recent times you will understand.  It is obvious that our politicians both local and national need to get back to budgeting the hard earned dollars of tax payers in the same way they would budget the income of their own family.

Maybe comparing the government to a family seems trite, but current events seem to justify the analogy.

A family has income supplied by the adults in the family through their own efforts–either through their employment or their entrepreneurial efforts. They can incur debt up to a certain point. And what is that point? When no creditor is willing to lend them any more money.

Up until that point, to borrow any further, they are likely to have to pay more in interest rates. Even to the point where they have to find lenders who would charge exorbitant fees and interest rates.

With the passing of Michael Jackson, the media related that he was 500 million dollars in debt. How could that be? Evidently there were those who were willing to extend credit to him and his operation on the basis of his ability to pay that debt at some point in the future. Or maybe his celebrity prompted others to extend him significant credit.

The average person or family normally wouldn’t have that much credibility to attract such beneficent creditors.

Well, the Federal Government has a similar situation to Michael Jackson. There is sufficient credibility and trust in the United States Government that others (including countries such as China) are willing to lend the money to continue operating. However, as has been the case, the government must increase the interest rate paid in order to continue to entice others to lend them the money.

At what point does a person or family realize that it can’t cover all the debt they incur? When their expenses exceed their income. At that point, perhaps after a period of hiding from the creditors, they have to declare bankruptcy or place their finances in the hands of an agent who will reduce their finance charges and allocate limited financial resources to them.

At what point does the Government realize that it can’t cover all the debt they incur? As we see, the creditors of the United States Government are willing to accept an appreciation on their investment.  The Government only pays the interest on the debt because they roll over the debt every so often. As long as the government revenues cover the debt service–or interest–it is able to stay afloat.

However, there may come a time when creditors will not be willing to lend the United States Government any more money at any interest rate–same as families and individuals. It may be a ways off, but if the government continues to rack up the debt at the rate it is going, there must come a time when the Government truly will go bankrupt.

I hope you now understand how the family budget (and debt) is no different than the Federal Government debt. If you want the answer to how the politicians are able to pad their own pockets just look at the bills they support and you will understand!

~A Concerned Citizen~

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Why are Young Voters Leaving the Democratic Party?

October 15, 2010 By 1 Comment

Why are young voters between the age of 18 and 29 that previously identified themselves as Democrats and helped get President Obama elected now leaving the Democratic Party? This question is discussed in a Fox News video in which anchor Shepard Smith interviews Evan Gassman, Program Officer for the Young Americas Foundation and Sam Bennett, democratic strategist and president of The Women’s Campaign Forum.  In this discussion/debate they hash out the subject of why young people are pulling away from the Democratic Party.

The discussion starts with Sam Bennett stating that what we are probably seeing is the effect of the economy. Just because young people are not self identifying as Democrats does not mean that they will not support President Obama in the next election. What she so gingerly avoids is the current election.

Evan Gassman then points out that youth unemployment is at 19.1 percent and the only thing on the mind of young peoples is jobs. He goes on to state that the Republicans are offering a solution where the stimulus program has not worked.

Shepard Smith then reads a statement by a member of the College Democrats at Colorado State University, “People are angry -about the budget deficit, health care plan, angry about this and that. I feel like Republicans definitely, definitely have a chance of getting back on their feet.”

Sam Bennett states that there is an anger across the board of the electorate and that a politician needs to appeal to young people. Evan Gassman points out how once Obama care is part of the equation youth are really going to be disillusioned.

By the tone of this video it indicates to me that both the Young Americas Foundation and Kids Speak for America are on the right track.

Having myself been raised in a family of Democrats, I am now a Conservative as are my siblings who have since seen the light – it seem like it is very important that we do the following:

Get young people more involved in politics regardless of age. Seth W for one has demonstrated to me that you are never too young to become politically active.

Help young people understand the difference between the views of Conservatives and Liberals.

Help young people understand that decisions made by politicians today has a long term effect on their futures.

Offer suggestions as to how young people can better learn to think for themselves and not just mouth what is being told to them by their teachers, parents and other authority figures.

As Democratic strategist Sam Bennett pointed out in the video, politicians need to appeal to young people. In my humble opinion this is probably truer for Republicans and Conservatives then it is Democrats for we tend to think logically instead of emotionally. While we certainly do not want to stop thinking with our brains and start thinking with our touchy-feely emotions perhaps we need to take some lessons from the opposition in packaging ourselves.

Submitted by: Just call me an Old Fart Supporter of Kids Speak for America

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What Politicians Don’t Want You to Know

September 26, 2010 By 1 Comment

The present political climate reminds me of this incident that took place in the past. A well known reporter was interviewing a retiring politician. This interview got off to a good start as the reporter questioned the politician on the accomplishments of his long political career.

As the interview progressed the politician said, “I want to tell the public what politics is all about – the real story about politics, whether you are talking about dictatorships, monarchies, totalitarian rulers or democracies. It is all about power. The power to run the country how you want it to be run.  It is not about the citizens of the country. It is all about you and your colleagues. Any politician that tells you that they are in it to help the citizens of their town, city, province/state, or country is telling a bald-faced lie.”

Many reading this article may find the statements made by this politician a bit shocking. I would like to think that what he was saying is an exaggeration but is it? Think about it for even 6th grade kids like Seth at Kids Speak for America see through these politicians. If kids are seeing through them it’s about time that adults do to!

A term that we hear and read day-in and day-out is “Party in Power.” Does this mean that when discussing political parties that form our government, politics, first and foremost, is all about power? Read on and listen to more of what this retiring politician had to say.

As the politician continued his description of politics that he himself had spent almost his entire working career in, he made the following statements:

“Dictatorships and totalitarian regimes hang onto power by fear and when that does not work, they resort to force. Monarchies hold onto power by birthright. Democratically elected people hold onto power by telling the public whatever the public wants to hear. What they say does not have to be true, just believable.

In a democracy, when a person joins a political party and lets the officials know that he or she would like to be the party’s representative in the area in which they live, the officials determine if the prospective candidate has the charisma to win the next election.  If they do, the party insiders indoctrinate that individual into the proper political mindset. The first lesson a potential politician learns is that they are responsible to the party, not the electorate. Their responsibility is to get elected and once elected to ensure that they will be re-elected in every succeeding election. Their responsibility is not to represent the citizens of their area, but to support their party’s plans for that area. The party’s first priority for any area is to ensure that their financial supporters are rewarded in some significant way. They then rate the area in how important it is in keeping them in power. The more important it is, the more benefits the area receives.

For every politician, there are dozens of party advisors, personal advisors, speech writers, aids and other hangers-on. As much as possible, all these “extras” keep the politician toeing the party line and in the limelight. Whenever a promised “goody” for the area does not materialize, the party instructs the politician to blame it on the opposition party, the economy, or the price of oil (most of which is controlled by OPEC – always a favorite whipping boy). (Just as an aside, have you ever met a politician that was successful in having the price of oil lowered? You will not find one. That is because it is in their best interest and the best interest of their party to keep the price of oil as high as they possibly can. This gives the public a focal point for their anger and it allows the politician and the party to do things that are in their best interest that would normally rile the public if they were paying attention. However, if the public’s attention is focused on the price of oil, or the availability of gasoline, they are not paying attention to the sneaky things the politicians are doing in the background to increase their own and their party’s fortunes).

As the politician continued to open up he went on to point out that a large percentage of a politician’s  friends, financial supporters and relatives were found in comfortable, well  paying jobs in the government, on government commissions or other  publicly funded groups.  However, that is just a side benefit. The real reason for becoming a politician is to be part of the group that decides the fate of their nation. The exhilarating thrill of having the destiny of a nation and the future of it and possibly the future of the world in the palm of your hand is a rush like nothing else you will ever experience.”

As the writer of this article I share this information for perhaps there is a new generation. Perhaps there really are those running for office now that want to see change in the way our system operates. Even young people such as I found here at Kids Speak for America can offer change. Like Seth said in one of his messages I read at twitter, “Politicians need to listen to kids for we are the future voters and taxpayers.” You go get them buddy and I am pleased to submit this article to you.

~An Old Fart That Wants Change~

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Is Patriotism Lost?

September 20, 2010 By 1 Comment

Is patriotism lost? I asked myself this question for it seems that with the passing of time we are losing those once abundant freedoms, enjoyments of life and sense of direction?

Patriotism should not be left or right though political leaders on both sides make it out to be.  There was once a majority of moral, honest, ethical, patriotic, and loyal leaders in the local and federal governments. Are we going to have it that way once again?

The distinction between right and wrong has become severely blurred.

Can a man be a man and a woman be a woman with mutual respect and be proud of it? These lines of difference are blurring between men and women.

What has happened to ‘Made in America’ products” we once so proudly recognized?  Never mind quality products. Today we import most of our products and borrow our money from foreign governments.

Today it seems as if the life of animals’ are more valuable than those of humans.

America’s values have been turned inside out and called ‘good’. Is there any hope?

At one time there was true religious freedom, without the blatant bias against Christians so prevalent today. Today we seem to favor one minority religion over all others.

Where is the American patriotism, strong family ties and ethics and the value of the spoken word?

Our Pledge of Allegiance and the Boy Scouts continue to be under attack.

The Tea Party a reasonably new organization is the talk of most political shows.

It is American and patriotic to have a strong government by and for the people with accountability. To have secured borders. To speak and conduct our lives with our national language, English. To bear firearms for protection and hunting. To expect the same standards for those in authority as the common folk. To be free and retain freedom with voting and the best military. To take care of those in need and expect a returned contribution when possible. Not to be indifferent and involve ourselves in this great country.

America needs to wake up and shake off the sleep and regain our freedom and sovereignty.

Words are cheap and easily bought today. They were once valuable – as valuable as a signature. An Americans word revealed their character and determined their reputation. America’s words ought to be valuable to other nations.

The vocabulary of Americans is lacking. Not many people are able to go beyond the four letter words or articulate and convey their thoughts without expletives. Without an extensive vocabulary, children are limited in their thinking and reasoning abilities into adulthood. They are unable to become leaders.

Children’s morals, education, religion, character, and social graces should not be derived from the latest sitcom, school or government. It takes a parent, preferably two to raise a village. It is the parents’ responsibility to raise true blue Americans who love their country.

Where is the concern for our country, beyond the beer, the weekend, the television, sex, and the dollar? How many Americans can recite the Constitution, the Preamble, the Bill of Rights, anything in the Federalist Papers, or the Bible?

Do citizens know who is their state senators, representatives, governor, vice, or president? How about their positions on issues?

Is Americas light fading? Is this still the land of opportunity and the brave?

America has done its own wrong and right and is sorry for the wrong. America still remains the greatest country on the earth! May God help us turn around and then bless us.

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The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights

September 19, 2010 By 3 Comments

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was written to include the most important basic personal freedoms that American citizens enjoy but which were not specifically covered in the body of the Constitution itself. The First Amendment prohibits the establishment of a national religion and includes the Five Freedoms; the freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and the right of citizens to assemble peacefully and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

During the debates that occurred while writing and establishing the Constitution, many opponents charged that the document did not include a strong declaration of basic personal rights. During the ratification process of the Constitution several states asked for such a declaration in the form of amendments, while other states ratified the document only with the provision that the amendments would be soon added.

Delegate George Mason of Virginia had earlier written Virginia’s Declaration of Rights and his strong protests, plus Thomas Jefferson’s statements, prompted James Madison to draft the first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights. Madison drew heavily on Mason’s earlier work.

A key provision of the First Amendment is that the federal government may not establish a national religion. When the Constitution was created, six of the original thirteen states already ran established churches. The intent of this clause was to protect those state churches against potential actions of the federal government. Those states would not have signed the Constitution without this protection.

The free exercise of religion clause prohibits the government from unfairly restricting religious activities. It also prohibits the government from showing preference of one religion over another.

The freedom of speech clause is one of the broadest in the free world. It allows citizens to speak freely. However, later necessary limitations include protections against obscenities, child pornography, hate speech, fighting words, libel, and slander.

The freedom of the press clause allows all manner of publications to freely print appropriate news, information, and opinion. Necessary limitations are similar to the limitations on speech.

The freedom to assemble and to petition clauses reflect the bad experiences that the colonists had during the rule by the British government. The clause allows an individual to petition all three branches of the government for redress of grievances. It also grants the right to gather signatures in support of a cause or to lobby the government in support of or opposition to legislation.

The freedom to assemble allows citizens to come together to pursue common interests. It also allows citizens to march, demonstrate, protest, or carry signs in order to express their opinion in a nonviolent way. This is also known as the freedom of association.

The beginning of the First Amendment states specifically that “Congress shall make no law…” This wording led to the interpretation that state and local governments were not bound by the amendment and could pass legislation that was contrary to the First Amendment. This mistake was corrected by the Fourteenth Amendment which, among other provisions, made the First Amendment binding on all governments below the federal level.

It seems quite fitting that this amendment, with all of its major individual rights protections, should be listed as the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights.

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Global Warming is it Caused by Humans?

September 19, 2010 By 1 Comment

Whether the world is currently undergoing a warming period that is largely caused by human activity is a question over which there has been considerable disagreement. While there may be moderate agreement that the earth has warmed measurably in recent history, there seems to be less consensus that human activity has played a significant role in the warming process.

The recent 2007 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a respected organization that attempts to reach agreement among hundreds of scientists, diplomats, and politicians, showed that thermometer records from around the world indicate that the average global temperature has increased from about 56 degrees Fahrenheit to 58 degrees since 1850. The assertion is that temperatures on earth are higher now that they have been in the past 400 years.

The argument that human activity has caused the temperature rise depends primarily on the concept of the “greenhouse effect.” A real greenhouse creates warmth by gathering incident heat rays from the sun and trapping them, not allowing all of the infrared (IR) rays to escape. Similarly, the earth’s greenhouse effect is caused by the gasses water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and a few minor gasses trapping incident IR rays from the sun and not allowing them all to escape from the atmosphere. In theory and in demonstrated practice, the more greenhouse gasses there are in the atmosphere the more IR rays are retained, and the greater are the measured temperatures on earth.

The IPCC research produced a graph that plotted CO2 in the atmosphere from about 800 AD to the present. The graph shows that for centuries the concentration of CO2 remained stable at around 280 parts per million (ppm) and that since about 1850 the concentration has increased 36% to about 380 ppm. Significantly, the period of increase of this important greenhouse gas coincides with increased industrialization worldwide that has been spurred by the increased use of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum products. Burning of fossil fuels creates CO2 as a byproduct. This period of increased greenhouse gas production also coincides with the period during which worldwide temperatures have increased 2 degrees. The resulting conclusion is that human activity has played a role in the observed global warming.

On the other hand those who argue that the present perceived warming trend is not caused by human activity make numerous points, two of them significant. First, the implication that increased levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses cause warming may be incorrect. It appears from close examination of the measurements that as the earth gets warmer CO2 levels increase, not the other way around. That is, warming causes increased CO2 concentrations and therefore human activity is not the cause of higher CO2.

Secondly, there have been many periods of warming and cooling during earth’s natural history, and nearly all of them occurred before humans existed on earth. Warming periods on earth have numerous natural causes, increased volcanic activity being the most common. Recent history has not seen abnormal volcanic activity but it has seen increased levels of solar activity. Several studies claim that solar activity over the past century is at the highest level seen in the past 8,000 years. Since our Sun is huge and its output is huge, the conclusion is that increased solar activity is more likely to be the cause of the observed global warming trend than anything that humans could contribute.

The debate over whether human activity is a large factor in global warming will likely continue for a long time. Perhaps additional evidence or more sophisticated computer models of our complex climate system will bring the debate to a conclusion in the future.

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