Disgrunted Gruntings

TSA got you down? Honor them with these great T-shirts.

2010-11-23T01:33:00.000-05:00

Time to trim the Holiday listing

2010-06-05T18:08:00.003-04:00

Time to trim the Holiday listing

Man we have a lot of holidays in the US. Most are excuses to slack off, skip work or school, or have a mattress sale. Most have long since lost their meaning. Lets look at a few we should trim. Man we have a lot of holidays in the US. Most are excuses to slack off, skip work or school, or have a mattress sale. Most have long since lost their meaning. Lets look at a few we should trim.

US Federal (2010 Dates)
Friday, January 1 New Year’s Day
Is there really a need for this? Other than a day everyone can leave work 4 hours earlier the night before and get piss headed drunk on? Don't drink so damn much or stay out so late, you won't need a whole day to recover.

Monday, January 18 Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Yay. Big civil rights activist. Big fraking deal. Why not Rosa Parks birthday? Why not Thurgood Marshall or the Little Rock Nine? You want to light a candle in his name, go ahead. Otherwise, get to work slacker.

Monday, February 15* Washington’s Birthday
Well, it used to be. Now its the generic "Presidents Day". Sorry, not all these guys deserve to be celebrated. Some should have served time. Anyway, the country is so far from what Washington fought for, it's like taking the day off gor your great great great grampa's first communion. Utterly pointless.

Monday, May 31 Memorial Day
Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. This one we can keep. The people who died for this country deserve at least 1 day of recognition. Gods knows they get so little thanks other days of the year.

Monday, July 5** Independence Day
The day they supposedly signed some important papers in 1776 that few in Washington DC give 2 ***** about anymore. In any event, this wasn't the day we won our independence, this is just the day they said "We're Free." They were as free as a teenager who said to his parents "You can't tell me what to do". Well, you parents know how well that goes. Here's the rub, it's a holiday dedicated to a myth. The first "Declaration" was on July 2nd, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence. The Declaration of Independence was signed by most of the signers on August 2, 1776. The United States wasn't actually granted it's independence by King George III until September 3, 1783. So, enjoy the hotdogs and fireworks, but it's the wrong day.

Monday, September 6 Labor Day
"Power to the People Komerade". Lets just drop Socialist holidays huh?

Monday, October 11 Columbus Day
A celebration dedicated to a guy who was wrong, lost and gave a bunch of indians the clap and introduced them to slavery and worse. We can drop this one too.

Thursday, November 11 Veterans Day
Do we really need a holiday celebrating the end of WWI? Why not VJ Day? How about holidays to celebrate every war the US has ever been in? How about, we stop getting into wars in the first place. I'm not sure war should be celebrated, are you?

Thursday, November 25 Thanksgiving Day
Lets celebrate stealing land, exploiting the naive, and causing mass death through the exchange of germs. Sounds good to me. Better yet, lets celebrate it every year as a thanks for an avoidable war caused by a power mad tyrant. Even better. Lets just call the whole thing off huh?

Friday, December 24*** Christmas Day
While we're at it, lets take off for Hanukkah, Ramadan, Kwanzaa, and the other 40+ religious holidays in December. Better yet, lets just drop all religious holiday period. Your fictitious invisible buddy wants you to slack off? Let him pay for it.

While we're at it, do we really need the banks closed that often? Flag day, Patriots day, I got a rash on my ass day. Really. Bad enough they only are open 30 minutes 4 days a week.

Here's the only holidays that matter.
A holiday to celebrate the nation.
A holiday to celebrate the men and women who defend it.

Give people 10 other days they can slack off on, and let them choose when to do it. They can call it whatever they want to.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm taking the rest of "I Haven't gotten enough sleep and I've had too much Caffeine" day off.

United States of America Historical Resources II

2010-05-30T01:15:00.000-04:00

United States of America Historical Resources

A declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or gained nation, or are runaway territories from within the smaller state. Not all declarations of independence were successful and resulted in independence for these regions.
Declarations of independence are typically made without the consent of the parent state, and hence are sometimes called unilateral declarations of independence (UDI), particularly by those who question the declarations' validity.

Historic Declarations of Independence in US History (Links go to other sites)

Georgia's secession declaration January 29 1861 (Text)

Mississippi A Declaration of the Immediate Causes which Induce and Justify the Secession of the State of Mississippi from the Federal Union January 9 1861 (Text)

South Carolina Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union December 24 1860 (Text)

Texas Texas Declaration of Independence March 2 1836 (From Mexico) (Text)

Texas A Declaration of the Causes which Impel the State of Texas to Secede from the Federal Union February 1 1861 (Text)

United States Declaration of Independence July 4 1776 (Text)

Lakotah Declaration of Independence 2007 (Text)

Virginia Declaration of Rights June 12 1776 (Text)

Other Historical American Documents (Links from usconstitution.net)

It is not my intention to become a repository for a grand collection of historical American documents. There are other sites that have a large collection and the resources to nurture such a project. However, there are some very important documents that are related to the Constitution in much the same way as the Declaration of Independence or the Articles of Confederation are. This select number of documents are listed below. Images of some of these documents are also available.

The ratification documents of each of the original 13 states (plus Vermont):

The following significant historical documents, not hosted on this site, may be of interest:

United States of America Historical Resources

2010-05-25T01:14:00.000-04:00

United States of America Historical Resources

US Constitution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Constitution

Resources from http://www.usconstitution.net/

The United States Constitution
- The Text: Single-page : By Section : Plain-text : Spanish : Images
- For Kids: Kindergarten - 3rd Grade : 4th - 7th Grade : 8th - 12th Grade : Teach it
- Related: Explained : Images : Events : FAQ : Not! : States
- Amendments: The Process : Notes : Ratifications : Grid : Failed : Proposed
- The Framers: Sketches : Demographics : The Convention : Convention Timeline
- Topics: Presidential Campaigns : Electoral College : Death of a Candidate : Citizenship : More
- Related: News : Timeline : Notes : Popular Names : Misspellings : Glossary
- Messages: Current : Tools Hall of Fame : Policies : Board Archives
- Other: Research : The Survey : Links : Citation
The Declaration of Independence
- Text
- Topics: The History : The Signers
The Articles of Confederation
- Text
- Topics: The Signers : Explained : Compared to the Constitution
Other
- Lists: Congress : Presidents : Presidential elections : Electoral Votes : States : Nations
- Vermont: Vermont Constitution : Explained : Notes : Civil Unions
- Documents: I Have a Dream : Common Sense : The Mayflower Compact : More
- Other Constitutions: States : Confederate Constitution : Chinese Constitution
- Other Topics: Nations : Political Systems : Philosophers

Resources from Wikipedia
General

Related documents

Magna Carta (1215)
Mayflower Compact (1620)
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639)
Massachusetts Body of Liberties (1641)
English Bill of Rights (1689)
United States Declaration of Independence (1776)
Articles of Confederation (1777)
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (1779)
United States Bill of Rights (1791)

State Constitutions
Whenever possible, the sites are hosted by the states themselves. Some states, however, do not supply an easily read or linked-to page. In these instances, trusted third-party sites were used.

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

The following U.S. territories also have constitutions:

Vote an Incumbant Out Campaign 2010

2010-05-20T01:02:00.001-04:00

From MartialTalk-Posted by celtic_crippler 11-18-2009
============

Vote an Incumbant Out Campaign 2010

I just heard an announcement about Senator Robert Byrd setting a record just 2 days before his 92nd birthday for serving 57 years in Congress...

57 f'n years!?!?! REALLY?!?!?!

He's served since the Eisenhower administration.

What the hell does this guy have in common with any of you? How can somebody "represent" you, when they can't relate to "you" or your every day problems?

I remember Senator Strom Thurmond once refer to a microphone as a "machine"...

Anyway, our government is full of out-of-touch incumbants that have LONG out-served their usefullness. These bloated parasites have fed off our successes and contributed to our problems for too long.

Why vote them in again? They've had over 1/2 century to screw our country up, and as evidenced by today's environment have done a pretty good job of it too.

"We" share the blame for becoming apathetic and complacent, allowing them to return to office over, and over, and over... so we must STOP.

"We" all know that we can not trust nor count on our current representation to do anything other than pushing us further over the edge.

"We" have to start making changes, real ones, somewhere and there's no better place than at the polls.

"We" know there's no real change on the horizon if "we" trust our county's leadership to bring it about. "We" must do that ourselves... so...

Vote an Incumbant OUT in 2010.

Send a definate message to all that remain that we're mad as hell, and we're not gonna take it any more. You screw up, and do a horrible job and we'll fire your sorry butt!

Spread the word! Vote them OUT! We need fresh perspectives and ideas.

The Original Meaning of the Commerce Clause

2010-05-15T01:01:00.000-04:00

The Original Meaning of the Commerce Clause

"What has been established here is that those who have claimed that the original meaning of the Commerce Clause was narrow are right and their critics are wrong"
- Randy E. Barnett, J.D.

The Original Meaning of the Commerce Clause (PDF)
68 University of Chicago Law Review 101 (2001)

News Flash: The Constitution Means What It Says

2010-05-05T00:56:00.001-04:00

News Flash: The Constitution Means What It Says

Quote:

By RANDY E. BARNETT

Justice Antonin Scalia's majority opinion in yesterday's Supreme Court decision in District of Columbia v. Heller is historic in its implications and exemplary in its reasoning.

A federal ban on an entire class of guns in ordinary use for self-defense – such as the handgun ban adopted by the District of Columbia – is now off the table. Every gun controller's fondest desire has become a constitutional pipe dream.

Two important practical issues remain. First, will this ruling also apply to states and municipalities? That will depend on whether the Supreme Court decides to "incorporate" the right to keep and bear arms into the 14th Amendment. But in the middle of his opinion Justice Scalia acknowledges that the 39th Congress that enacted the 14th Amendment did so, in part, to protect the individual right to arms of freedmen and Southern Republicans so they might defend themselves from violence.
My prediction: This ruling will eventually be extended to the states.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121452412614009067.html

Quote:

So what larger lessons does Heller teach? First, the differing methods of interpretation employed by the majority and the dissent demonstrate why appointments to the Supreme Court are so important. In the future, we should be vetting Supreme Court nominees to see if they understand how Justice Scalia reasoned in Heller and if they are committed to doing the same.

We should also seek to get a majority of the Supreme Court to reconsider its previous decisions or "precedents" that are inconsistent with the original public meaning of the text. This shows why elections matter – especially presidential elections – and why we should vet our politicians to see if they appreciate how the Constitution ought to be interpreted.

Good legal scholarship was absolutely crucial to this outcome. No justice is capable of producing the historical research and analysis upon which Justice Scalia relied. Brilliant as it was in its execution, his opinion rested on the work of many scholars of the Second Amendment, as I am sure he would be the first to acknowledge. (Disclosure: I joined a brief by Academics for the Second Amendment supporting the individual rights interpretation; one of my articles was cited by Justice Scalia and another by Justice Breyer in his dissent.)

Some Definitions:

2010-05-01T02:16:00.000-04:00

Some Definitions:

Civil War:
A war between factions in the same country

Rebellion:
Organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another

Revolution:
The overthrow of a government by those who are governed

Secede:
To split from or to withdraw from membership of a political union, an alliance or an organization

Secession:
Secession (derived from the Latin term secessio) is the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or especially a political entity.

Dr Thomas DiLorenzo - Lincoln's Tariff War

2010-04-30T02:15:00.000-04:00

Dr Thomas DiLorenzo - Lincoln's Tariff War

Dr. Thomas Dilorenzo - Lincoln versus the Constitution

2010-04-25T02:13:00.000-04:00

Ron Paul Speaks Out About Lincoln And The War For Southern Independence

2010-04-20T02:12:00.000-04:00

Ron Paul Speaks Out About Lincoln And The War For Southern Independence

More On Choice.

2010-04-19T12:09:00.000-04:00

A person with a 42" flat screen, 500 dvds, 2 home computers, and a cell phone is not a needy person.

A person who is living on the street, scrounging in garbage cans to survive might be a needy person.

A child, living in a hut, with no food for a hundred miles, is a needy person.

A person who is unemployed, with the rent due, with the utilities at risk of shut off, with a tow truck taking their car that's 6 months behind away, may be a needy person. But if they haven't looked for work, are still focusing on getting a "job I went to school for", who won't even consider shoveling **** to get that money they need....they aren't needy. They are clueless. And they -CHOSE- to be that way.

If you live 80 years, and you don't save a single buck towards that day you work your last, you just chose to live your last days in poverty and suffering. You can make all the excuses you want, "interest rates are nothing; I can't spare the money now, etc. Bull ****. At $8 a pack the average 1/4 pack a day smoker pisses away $730 a year. That's about $30,000 over 40 years that they CHOOSE to waste. They also choose to have bad breath, stink, and run high risk for emphysema, cancer and other wonderful long term fun.

Choice. You Choose your fate. You choose your life. You choose whether you exist, or you live.

But, call me an ass hole. That's ok. Your choice.

The only person in this world who didn't choose their fate is that child born with a defect. Their parents made that choice for them. However, that child can choose to be burdened by that, or choose to reach beyond it, in many cases (not all). The pothead who chose a high today and a dud brain tomorrow, that jaywalker who chose a short cut now and a lifetime of pain from being run over, heck even that person who chose to eat McD every day because it was cheap who chose high cholesterol, obesity and a shortened life span. All those are choices.

Or, are we simple at the whim of the Fates? Pawns in a global game we are powerless to control? Is it genetics that gives us fat people, and drunks, and cancer? Are you trapped in poverty because "the man be keeping you down"? Is it really impossible for someone born into a 1 room shamble to become a millionaire before they reach 30?

I feel sorry for those who feel that way, for they choose to be trapped by their view, rather than choosing to reach beyond and go as far as one can go.

I can sit here, see my bills pile up, see my income dwindle and become depressed, perhaps so depressed that I end up on one of those wonderful drugs. Truth is some people do need them, because of real issues. That wasn't their choice, but they can choose to take the treatment and live, or reject it and exist. Most people however choose to be fenced in by their issues. Some choose not to be, choose not to let it get to them and choose to seek positive ways out of their holes.

Choice. Again. Sit in a mud puddle and complain you're in a mud puddle, or get out of the mud puddle and look for a hose to wash off with. You might never find that hose true, but you never will if you don't choose to look for it.

Choice. Again. You may be poor. You can choose to accept the help available, and survive, or not and crash hard. Another Choice, you can choose to live on that aid, or you can choose to use it as a temporary means and reach for greater things.

Choice. Again. You might be unemployed and see no jobs doing what you were last doing. You can choose to sit home and wait, or you can choose to widen your net, cast it farther and realize that you might have to take a few steps back before you can again move forward.

"**** Happens", "It is what it is", "well what can you do" are the cop out answers of people who choose to believe that they are not masters of their own fate, that their lives are out of their control.

I choose to see things differently.

It's about Choice.

2010-04-18T13:09:00.002-04:00

I want to be rich. I want to be filthy rich. I want to have a giant money bin I can swim in holding 40 sqr acres of silver dollars, just like Scrooge McDuck. And I don't want to share that wealth with the wasteful Federal Government so they can pass it out to lazy sorry losers who won't work. I have to work, so should they. I have to obey the law, so should they.

This insistence on public housing, public aid, welfare, unemployment, food stamps, medicare, medicaid, social security, etc...it's insane. I'm sorry, but people need to stop being so dependent on free hand outs that others pay for. This used to be a nation of achievers, of explorers, of independents who marched to their own drum, who tamed a continent. Today, it's a nation of government cheese eating dependents, most of whom aren't qualified to run a lemonade stand without expecting a bail out to pay for their sugar bill.

People choose to be fat, lazy, dependent, addicted, broke, unemployed, etc. Every negative thing in your life, you chose to have happen. "No I didn't!" Yes. You. Did.

You chose to be fat, by choosing to eat the wrong foods, choosing to eat the wrong amounts of foods, by choosing to not get enough exercise, by choosing to not seek the advice of trained medical experts, by choosing not to take prescribed medications, and so on. Less than 5% of the population is "genetically disposed" to be fat, and the odds are, you aren't one of them.

You chose to be an addict. You choose to keep buying a substance you know is bad for you. You choose to smoke/shoot/drink/ingest/etc. it. You choose to not have friends. You choose to drive your family away. You. Chose. It!

You Choose to be unemployed. You chose to work for that company that let you go. You chose to do the things you did that led to them firing you. You chose to not look outside your box for work. You chose it. Yes, some people lost their jobs through no fault of their own. But if that was 2 years ago, you made the choice to be unemployed now. If you chose CSI over pounding the pavement, if you chose to be picky about jobs, if you purposefully flubed an interview, if you chose to demand top dollar, and so on, you chose to be unemployed now. If you chose to live in an isolated area where jobs are rare, you chose a risky life and by that choice chose to be unemployed now.

People choose to let the government take take take because they choose to submit rather than fight. They choose TV over Education. They choose to not contact their officials. They choose to allow the dogs to run unleashed.

They chose. And we get the chaos of that choice, and those not-choices.

I choose a different path.

I Love the Government.

2010-04-18T12:14:00.002-04:00

I like the government intervention in health care. I love how they are now pointing the threat of imprisonment should I fail to pay a fine for being unable to buy their unconstitutionally mandated health plans.
I love that starting in 2014 I must start paying monthly premiums that I can't afford to a company I can't stand, so that I can wait 13-14 months for a "credit" towards it. That is real "change" alright.

Yes, this plan works this way. You buy the plan. You pay for the plan. You pay those monthly premiums of 200, 500, 1500, or whatever they are, then, when you file your taxes you tell the nice honest folks at the IRS how much you paid, and you'll get your 'credits' back, then wait the extra 4-8 weeks for your "refund". What ever that premium is, you pay up front, and wait up to 14 months to see again.

Obviously the simple reason I don't have insurance, ie: I can't afford the bloated monthly premiums now, was a simple fact that escaped the "learned individuals in their mad dash to pass a bloated pork sandwich, rather than something that actually helps the American People.

Now if you don't have that money? Well then you have "chosen" to not have insurance and can then pay the "penalty". Don't have that money? Well, then, you just "chose" to go to jail. It's all about giving the American People Real Choice.

Mines simple. Vote the traitors out in November. That's "Change" I can "Hope" for.

Anything the Federal Government touches, they screw up.

I love the fact that by law, a union member can physically assault a shop owner, beat the owner half to death, and yet not be fired for those actions.

I love the idea that there is "nothing the government can't do" despite the Constitution being rather strict in limiting it.

I love the idea that various Reps and Senators can't answer simple questions on bills legality, saying instead we need to pass them first to see if they are legal, or claiming to not know, or even insisting we need to violate our core principles to help some imaginary child.

The simple fact is, the party founded by Jefferson, one of the architects of our Constitution, is so far removed from those beginnings, and holds that sacred document at best in contempt, and at worst as a hindrance towards their illegal, immoral, unethical and dare I say, improper behavior.

We went from George "Its just a god damned piece of paper" Bush's fascist administration to Obama's "can't stop me now, I dare you to try" socialistic one.

Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Madison, Mr. Adams....we need you more than ever now.

Ron Paul on the American Civil War

2010-04-15T02:11:00.000-04:00

Ron Paul on the American Civil War

Woe is me, Part Two.

2010-04-11T10:37:00.002-04:00

One argument I heard was the "that's easy for you to say, you have a job".

Well, not according to a former friend I don't. What I am is unemployable due to combination of physical limitations, being over qualified, or under qualified.

But I run several businesses (SilverStar WebDesigns Inc - hosting/design, Hubbard Photography - partnership doing photos), MartialTalk Network - communities operated under the SilverStar Banner, I consult, I do graphic design, video editing, and I freelance articles. None are making me rich, but I made enough last year to do a 3 week road trip and a 1 week Caribbean cruise.

Not bad for an "unemployed" guy.

My key is, I look for opportunities and then do something with them when I find them. I miss a lot, but I still land a few. Most people wait for their phone to ring. Well, first you put in the resume, then you follow it up, then your phone might ring. Ya gotta work at it.

I read somewhere that if you are unemployed, you should be putting in 8 hrs a day, 40 hrs a week pounding the pavement looking for jobs, in a 'ready to work right now' fashion. Clean clothes, well groomed, looking like you could step on the floor and fit right in. Not how I see any, torn jeans, ripped tee, birds nest hair. Sorry, if you look like the guy living behind the dumpster, I'm not interested in hiring you, or even interviewing you.

Don't give me the "I don't have any nice clothes to wear". Go to Goodwill, Amvets, Salvation Army, drop $25-35 and get a nice blazer, white shirt, dark pants, shoes and socks, and a tie. Spend the $10 at the local dry cleaner to have them cleaned and pressed. Then go interview looking like money.

Structure resumes to the job you are applying for. A McD. job doesn't need to know nor do their care that 7 months ago you were a brain surgeon. You think I put my CEO title down when I applied there for a maintenance position?

Friend of mine just picked up her 2nd job. She has 2, plus a side career she does on her own. 3 jobs. In an area and economy where the picky people are crying there are no jobs. Amazing.

Stop being so picky and holding out for that "perfect" job.
After 99 weeks, you can't afford to be picky.
Swallow your pride, swallow your ego, and shovel that **** already.
You aint too good for it, and if you think you are, you're a god damned fool and deserve the hole you find yourself in.

When you have to eat, pride is less filling than cereal.
I've turned in cans I pulled out of garbage cans in the dead of night for deposit returns. I've sold recyclables. I shoveled walkways, and mowed acres of grass.

Time to stop sucking and making excuses and man up and go do it. No one promised it would be fun, exciting or fulfilling.
It's just an honest wage for an honest days work.
The alternate is standing around with your head up your ass crying about someone should do something.
Someone should. I wonder who that someone should be stinky head?

99 Weeks Later, and my Beni's Ran Out. Woe is Me!

2010-04-10T18:10:00.000-04:00

99 Weeks Later, and my Beni's Ran Out. Woe is Me!

Quote:

Jobless army grows as aid ends
Facebook holds stories of unemployed WNYers crying out for help

They call themselves the 99ers and with each new week their numbers grow by the thousands.

There are so many of them — nearly 3,000 in Western New York alone — they have their own statewide Facebook page.

"Nobody is hiring, and I can't afford to lose my place to live," said Mike Papay, one of the hundreds of jobless who have told their story on Facebook. "I've already had my vehicles taken. This is crazy! Somebody please help!"

Funny, I see lots of help wanted signs out. Maybe these 99 weekers should stop holding out for that CEO job and go stock shelves at the market, flip burgers at Mickie Dees or cut some grass already. It's work, it's money, and you ain't too good to do it dumbass.

Lets "create" a job for the "there's no jobs out there" folks.

1 Get off ass, knock on doors. Ask old person "Is it worth $10 a week for me to come by and put your garbage can at the curb for you, then come back the next day and put it away?"

Each YES = $520 per year. 10 = $5,200. 25 = $13,000

2. Get off ass again, knock on doors. Ask person "Is it worth $20 a month for me to stop by and wash your car, $35 a month for a wash, wax and detail?"

Each YES = $240-$420 10=$2,400-$4,200 25 = $6,000-$10,500

3. Get off ass yet again. (See a trend here?) Go door to door, ask "Is it worth $20 a week for me to come by and cut your grass with my mulching mower, and sweep up the sidewalk after I'm done?"

Each YES = $1,040. 10=$10,400 25=$26,000

Wow. just shy of a $50,000 income, and it's all cash. Yeah, theres some expense involved. Gas for the mower, bottle of car wash solution, a bucket, a sponge and a shammy, but still. $50 down, $6-10 a week in expense, and you've made $30k-50k cash.

Can you find 25-100 people to do this for in 2 fracking years?

If the answer is no, then you are not looking hard enough.

Thomas Woods - 33 Questions on American History

2010-04-10T02:10:00.000-04:00

Real Change you can Believe In.

2010-04-05T02:09:00.000-04:00

Real Change you can Believe In.

True Political Reform - Hold the RNC and DNC to the same law 3rd parties are held to. Allow 3rd parties into the debates to show real choice. Term limits. Force Congress to read ALL bills before voting. Limit bills to 1 item, no riders.

True Health Reform - Require hospitals to reimburse 10x the overage on incorrect bills. Cap markups and cut back on high waste in treatment. Require drug companies to sell at a fair rate. If they can sell it for 5c in Africa, they can do so here.

True Social Services - Scrap Welfare. Return to Workfare type programs. Bring back the CC camps of old. Require the unemployed to show up for work doing needed tasks such as grass cutting, garbage collection, public land landscaping, etc. in return for money. There are a number of pluses to this. They perform vital services. They continue to "show up for work". They appreciate it more. There's no reason any city should be going bankrupt when they have unemployed people there who could work offseting maintenance costs.

True retirement planning - Scrap Social Security. Phase it out over a decade allowing people to convert to private programs that can be customized, transfered etc like a 401k. Mandate participation, but allow choice of certified providers. Also, get the Gov to pay back the $3T they "borrowed".

True Medical Reform - Establish a Federal Hospital System with salaried doctors who sign up for 10 yr hitches in exchange for their education. Tests at cost. Everyone under $40k welcome for affordable copays, paid for through a 1% annual tax on everyone. Verification by existing services such as Medicaid.

Quote:

In NY (I'm assuming this is true in other states) one needs to qualify for Medicaid and Medicare based on income level. The same ID card issued for that, can be used to verify eligibility for treatment through this Federal program. If Bill Gates shows up, he'd be treated too, but he gets the full bill...while if an unemployed mother of 3 shows up with a sick baby, she might only pay $10, or even nothing.

You can tie this into nursing and other medical practices and offer similar deals. Paid training in exchange for a 10 year hitch. ... Read More

After 10 years you can stay, or you can seek higher pay in the private sector.

This will cut costs across the board since private hospitals will no longer be forced to absorb the costs of the poor (resulting in less of a markup), and through the buying power of this system costs can drop.

A 1% tax on a person making $30k is only $300. That's a bargin for a years worth of health care. 1% on 1 Mill is $10k. Add on a 1% Federal Sales tax and you can fund the whole system.

This proposal is legal, and will pass the Constitutionallity test (since if this isn't legal it dismantles most of the Fed Gov) lol.

It needs to be funded. I think there is enough ... Read Moresurplus hospital space right now that the system can be jump started through buy outs of closed hospitals (though updating them might be too much), combining with the existing services (such as the VA), and renting the surplus space while dedicated facilities are built (adding in jobs, redevelopment and otherwise stimulating the economy)

I can't imagine why this isn't the one on the table right now. Other than, it makes sense.

Have you called your Congressional Rep? I Did.

2010-03-25T14:07:00.000-04:00

A lot of people are howling and screaming about Congress these days. I know, I'm one of them. But most of those folks screaming haven't taken the time to actually try to communicate with their reps.

I spent a pleasant 22 minutes on the phone this afternoon with a person at Rep. Brian Higgin's Washington office discussing the health bill. Now, I identified myself up front as someone who disagreed with Mr. Higgin's vote, but I said rather than be a jerk, I'd like to give them a chance to clear up my possible issues. We had a very informative discussion, and he was very polite about it. While I'm still opposed to the bill, I do feel I have a better understanding of how it will be effecting me, and I seriously suggest anyone else with questions, make a call. Be polite, be specific, and don't be a jerk.

For phone numbers, visit house.gov or senate.gov.

My questions involved the Medicare Advantage changes (short answer, don't panic) and how the subsidy will be paid (short answer, tax credit at income tax time similar to the EIC pay outs.) We also discussed how these changed will effect small businesses such as my own, and a bit on the credit crunch.

While I'm still opposed to the mandate, I do feel more comfortable about how things are intended to go. I've done my duty in registering my concerns and feel quite comfortable in calling back again later.

Participating in the process. Try it. It works better than pissing and moaning over an overpriced coffee in a coffee shop.

What I believe - Part 2

2010-03-25T02:07:00.001-04:00

What I believe - Part 2

A statement of facts on positions taken.

Through out years of debate comments have been made that misstate, misinterpret or misunderstand my views and positions. This is an attempt to set the record straight. Do not expect to find solutions to stated issues as this is not a solution statement, but a belief statement. You may find you disagree with my position on a particular item. That is fine. I believe you have the right to disagree with me.

Religion
I believe all religions are incorrect, that all have part of the whole but lack a full understanding. I have studied over a dozen faiths over 30+ years, and found them to often say the same thing, in slightly different ways, for slightly different reasons. I have seen errors and misunderstandings in translations, and personal and cultural bias listed as the "Word". I find them all lacking.

I believe that a deep understanding of faith, not religious dogma is the key to happiness, and I believe that happiness is here for me in this world, not waiting in another world or another life.

I believe that the reason for religion is to explain that which is unexplainable, and to give reason to insanity, and comfort us when our need is most dire.

I believe if it doesn't, that one should seek the answers, not accept blindly.

I believe that despite my belief that I might be wrong, that others have a right to believe what they will and disbelieve my beliefs.

I believe that everyone has the right to worship and believe as they will, or to do neither if they so choose.

Equality, Racism and Gender Bias
I do not accept the idea that "Everyone is Equal". I believe that while no one is my inferior and no one is my superior, that does not somehow make us "equals". Every one of us is unique, with our own strengths, our own weaknesses. I do not believe that somehow everyone's plusses and minuses = "0".

I believe that we should not be judged based on our skin color, or our social level, or our gender, but by our actions, by our deeds, by our contributions to society. I respect those who strive to improve their lot in life, those who work to rise above their level. The amount of that rise may be infinitesimal, the attempt equally so, but it was made.

I believe that judging by color or gender is wrong.

I have no respect for those who sit by idle and wait for life to give them a handout. I have no respect and I believe they are owed none for those who could do better yet who remain slack full, who live off the system without contributing to it, who cheat the system and deprive those who truly could use aid of it. I do not extend this contempt to those who are truly in need, who life has dealt a temporary bad hand. However I have more respect for those who take the bad hand and strive to rise above it, than I do for those who surrender to it.

Homosexuality
I believe that this is both a matter of hard wiring and personal choice. You are attracted to who you are attracted to. I believe that you can control this, that you can choose to ignore this, but I also believe that it is wrong to ignore who you truly are. I do not believe that one should be punished, restricted or killed over this, unless ones actions are truly deviant in nature.

Politics
I believe that democracy is wrong, that any system that allows any majority to subjugate a minority is one that authorizes abuse. A majority of racist whites should not subdue a group of upward seeking blacks. A group of sexist males should not hold down mobile women. A majority faith should not execute a minority one for not believing as they do. These are examples of what I believe.

I believe that sometimes one must sacrifice ones future political career for the true greater good, and that means taking unpopular stands, protecting and defending unpopular views and groups, even when at times you yourself disagree with that group. I believe the KKK is wrong, however I believe they have the same right to their beliefs and I do to mine. I believe I am backed up by the US Constitution in this belief.

Food
I believe that everyone should have access to food. I do not believe that access should be unlimited, without cost, or uncontrolled. One has a right to basic sustenance, but one does not necessarily have a right to steak or lobster. Food to me also includes clean safe water to drink, but not juice or booze.

Shelter
I believe everyone deserves a warm, dry and safe place to stay and sleep. I don't believe this means I should pay your rent or mortgage. Barracks with a dry warm bunk, a community bathroom and toilet area meets the needs for this. A private apartment is more than basic. Shelter to me includes clean water and a shower stall to bath in, and a working toilet.

Health Care
Everyone should be able to receive care in emergencies. By law in the US you are granted that. But beyond emergency care, it is your responsibility to evaluate options and pursue them. You do not have a right to elective surgery. You do not have a right to cosmetic surgery. You do not have a right to free drugs, free condoms or free band aids. It is your responsibility to take care of yourself, and do the things needed to cover those non-emergency costs. Should you engage in unsafe activities such as smoking, I believe you should pay a premium both for the added costs of your own care, but that of those who must suffer from your habits.

I believe that it is the individuals responsibility, not the governments to obtain food, shelter and health care, through any legal means they can. That means applying for and complying with any government aid programs available, changing jobs, seeking higher education to improve job options, and just showing up and doing your work to keep the job you have. I do not believe it is wrong to impose standards on those we will aid, that they must meet. I also believe that those who willingly ignore those standards deserve but the bare minimum to survive. A fluffy pillow is not a right.

Employment
I believe that anyone willing to show up, and do the work, deserves a job, doing something. I do not believe that you are guaranteed you will like it, that it will be fun, that it will be fulfilling. But I believe that an honest days work deserves an honest and fair wage. I believe that no one owes you a living, that you must seek that out yourself.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
You are guaranteed these, until you give up those rights. You give them up by your actions or inactions. You are not guaranteed happiness, only the chance to seek it on your own. No one owes you happiness. You choose to give up your Liberty when you violate others rights. You choose to give up your life as well in some cases. Note I see a difference between the nobel sacrifice a cop or a soldier makes and the despicable ones a criminal makes.

Pets and Children
If you choose to have either, you choose the responsibilities that go with having dependents. That means it is your responsibility to ensure they have food, medical care, shelter, clean water, and such basics. It is your responsibility to maintain a safe environment for them, to care for them. If you are unable to do so, then you should not have either and should take all safe and legal options necessary to ensure you do not reproduce or adopt as the case may be. A dog does not have a life trapped in a cage, a child does not have a life kept in a pen. I believe it is selfish to take on more than you can handle, especially if you expect the government to "help" you out. Children and pets are blessings, they shouldn't be income generators. Both however should be leashed when out, and muzzled when appropriate. Those who say "I didn't choose to have kids", I ask, did you choose to have sex? If so then you choose to accept the possible consequences of that action. Both pets and Children, especially children are a great responsibility.

Government Handouts
I believe that in the majority of cases these are wrong. Handouts only encourage dependence, remove initiative and reward sloth. They should be given out rarely, in limited amount and for limited time. Those accepting them should be tested for drugs, and forced to look for work and assist in workfare programs, not just handed a debit card. The small amount of people truly in need long term are being short changed by the abuser to the system, and those abusers should be caught, tried and punished.

I believe you can have everything you want in life.
But not if you sit on your ass and wait for it to be handed to you, and not if you take what you don't deserve.

This has been a statement of belief. An absence of citation, lack of solution or even a proposed solution does not negate nor validate any comment. If you wish to change my mind on these matters you must first open yours to change as well. I reserve the right to change my mind at a later date, and I warn that this list while a list is far from a complete one, that any omission should not indicate I do not have a belief in a particular matter, nor should it indicate I do.

FBI Investigates Possible Threats Directed at House Democrats

2010-03-24T17:35:00.000-04:00

FBI Investigates Possible Threats Directed at House Democrats

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010...use-democrats/

Quote:

More than 10 lawmakers have complained they've received threats since the run-up to Sunday's House vote on a health insurance overhaul, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Wednesday, and law enforcement officials are taking the allegations seriously.
Federal law enforcement officials are investigating at least two possible threats directed at members of Congress and their families that Democrats suggest are related to their vote for health care reform. Plus the office of Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich. -- who initially opposed the Senate's health bill over concerns about abortion funding but switched to support the plan following assurance from the White House -- has received several threatening messages, recordings of which have been obtained by Fox News.

First, let me be very specific in my words here. I do not approve of violence, vandalism or threats. Directed at congress, the President, or their families.

That said, I can understand the frustration many feel as of late, a frustration that is growing as the divide between government and the people widens.

Understand, if you threaten these people, you -will- be investigated. Understand that the Secret Service, the FBI and the Capital Police are not slouches when it comes to their jobs, and they will put maximum effort into these investigations.

With all that said however, I feel that I must say, if any lawmaker is currently a little afraid, then Good.

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
Thomas Jefferson

They should fear for their jobs, their elite status, their special privilege, and their perks. It's not the time for them to fear for their lives. As I've said before, bombard them with letters, emails, phone calls. Protest, peacefully, outside their offices. Show up at their rally's and peacefully protest. Support their opponents who hold your views as important, who will need your time, your money, your efforts and your votes. Government in the US changes at the voting booth, not the battle field.

__________________

House votes to pass Dem Health Bill.

2010-03-22T01:55:00.000-04:00

The House voted to pass the Senate plan which now goes to Obama to sign into law.

In a separate vote the House voted to send a list of "fixes" to the Senate to vote on. No guarantee the Senate will do as they wish. If they do so, it is expected that Obama will sign that as well.

Numerous challenges are reportedly in the works from State governments.

Virginia has passed a law exempting it's citizens from compliance. Several House Dems have laughed at that idea.

It is expected that the battle will move to the US Supreme Court to decide the Constitutionality of forcing citizens to purchase insurance from 3rd parties as well as several other aspects of the bill.

The fall out from this will drag on and effect this years campaign season with the House and a 3rd of the Senate up for grabs. Republicans stand to gain the most as voter disappointment is currently directed at Democrats. 3rd parties stand a chance to make significant gains for the first time in decades, provided they don't self destruct in the process.

It is truly interesting times.

Selected Headlines on current and recent events.

2010-03-18T14:34:00.000-04:00

Another Canadian Insurance Story

Washington Walgreens: No New Medicaid Prescriptions

Obama Will Not Campaign for Opposing Democrats

You've heard of the Tea Party, now here's the Coffee Party...

Someone please explain: WHY "omnibus"

US Vs Toyota

Virginia passes bill banning mandated health care.

Democrats Dump Student Aid Overhaul Into Health Care Bill

Politics: Bill To Ban All Salt In Restaurant Cooking

Constitution? The MSM Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Constitution!

National Worker ID Card Proposed for Immigration Plan

This bill allows US military to detain (and torture) American citizens without trial

Poll shows Obama, Dems losing ground

Message to a Liberal

Doctors opting out of Medicare.

Jim Bunning Was "Brave," Unemployment Benefits Encourage Unemployment

Poll: Does the US Constitution allow Congress to force American's to buy their health plan?

36 States Aim to Preempt Federal Health Care Plan

Pregnant? Don't Fall Down the Stairs

New $1 Billion Embassy in London Called 'Ridiculous' Waste of Taxpayer Money

Ariz. Lawmakers Want Presidential Candidates to Verify Citizenship

Utah Bill Criminalizes Miscarriage

White House unveils compromise health care bill

Dem Health Plan Proposal has some Issues....

2010-03-18T14:25:00.000-04:00

Dem Health Plan Proposal has some Issues....

Lets see, some problems....

# Riddled with Taxes: This legislation is riddled with tax hikes. They start by taxing those earning over $10,831 year who don’t buy health insurance $750—a tax that escalates to $3,800 as income rises. Health insurance, health care devices and drugs are also taxed, adding to the cost of health care, and decreasing the competitiveness of these businesses.

# Medicare Cuts: The bill cuts $500 billion in Medicare spending, including over $130 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage and nearly $120 billion in Medicare cuts for hospitals that care for seniors. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says they “expected the Medicare Advantage plans to lose 2.7 million enrollees over the next decade” as a result.... See More

# Raises Insurance Prices: CBO also finds “premiums in the new insurance exchanges would tend to be higher than the average premiums in the current-law individual market…”

# Force, Not Choice: This legislation includes an “individual mandate” forcing all Americans to purchase health insurance, like the Massachusetts law. Taxpayer subsidies will be given to those earning up to three times the federal poverty level. Those not qualifying for subsides will be taxed up to $3,800 if they do not buy insurance, and the Joint Tax Committee has confirmed failure to pay your fine could result in jail time. The experience in Massachusetts has left those caught in between unable to afford insurance and having to pay the tax.

# Big Insurance Boondoggle: Forcing all the uninsured into insurance could bring as much as $200 billion a year in new premiums to insurance companies, including $465 billion in subsidies over 10 years.

# Privacy Violation: This legislation would allow law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and the Department of Justice unprecedented unfettered access to medical records.

Could a Liberal who supports this Bill please refute these talking points?

If this goes through:
- Your taxes WILL go up.
- Your insurance premiums WILL go up.
- The Deficit WILL go up.
- Small Businesses WILL close.

With more people impoverished, more people unemployed, and more people dependent on the Government for their existence....how is this an improvement?

More at http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85339