STOP BEING SHEEP!!!!

HSBC SUCKS for screwing their customers with crazy interest rates

2010-02-22T23:53:00.002-05:00

I am writing to you so for assistance and so you can possibly shed some light on a horrible practice banks are undertaking. I recently looked at the interest rate on my HSBC line of credit (overdraft account) and it was raised to 17.99% APR. I was never notified of this change. I called the bank and they stated they notified me in December of 2009. How convenient just 2 months before the new governmental regulations go into effect for banks and credit cards. When I asked them to lower the rate they said no. They told me this was the floor rate prime plus 11 something percent. They also told me that this was not a credit card and could be treated differently. I said it is linked to my debit and credit atm card so it sure is a credit card. They refused to lower my interest rate to a fair rate of 11.99 percent. I am struggling to get out of debt and I am on limited disability income. The banks and credit cards are making it difficult for anyone to get out of the wholes they are in. The government knowing we are in a recession is allowing them to take advantage of consumers. I hope someone there at your station will help me and take a stand against the banks who are destroying our country once again.

SAVE THE TREES...... NOW!!!!

2009-12-03T12:46:00.001-05:00

The UN has launched a campaign to plant a billion new trees, which is being welcomed by environmentalists, but with a warning by some that in certain regions it could do more harm than good.

While the campaign claims that each tree uses up 26 pounds of co2 emissions and in return produces enough oxygen for a family of four, planting the right trees is important to help the world improve her ecological and environment balance.

In areas that historically have suffered from a lack of rain, and in areas where global warming could potentially produce deserts, new trees that use a lot of water could have a serious affect on their biodiversity.

Eucalyptus trees can consume two thousand litres of water a day, and planting new ones in Africa would be a catalyst to disaster, and local campaigners for planting trees are urged to consider their area needs and decide carefully before deciding on which type of tree to plant.

As well as individuals planting a tree, it is hoped that businesses will do the same and encourage employees to do the same, with government and civil servants also being asked to take active participation to reach the target of a billion trees by the end of this year.

The patron of the campaign is Prince Albert of Monaco. Prince Albert has been campaigning for the environment since becoming Monaco's Sovereign two years ago, and one of his first acts was to sign the Kyoto Protocol. Previously, along with Australia and the USA, Monaco was one of a handful of countries not to ratify the treaty.

Prince Albert's father, Prince Rainier, was Europe's longest reigning Monarch until his death in April 2005. Known affectionately as the 'builder prince' he transformed Monaco into the world's favourite tax haven and ensured the Monaco Grand Prix became one of the best known annual sporting events. The Principality Albert succeeded to was a country known throughout the world for money and glamour, and the Monte Carlo casino only added to its legendary status.

Albert has continued in his father's footsteps with a plan to develop an island off Monte Carlo, and like his father with the reclaimed land in Fontvieille the map of Monaco will change again.

In keeping with his stance on the environment, it is thought that a successful bid to build the island will need to be seen to be environmentally friendly, with the possibility of lower rise buildings than some parts of Monaco have endured to create more living space.

Monte Carlo has long been associated with glamour, heightened throughout the world in 1956 when Prince Albert's father married his mother, US actress Grace Kelly.

Speculation was rife earlier this year that Prince Albert would be announcing his own engagement to South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock.

'Things have gone quiet recently on the Charlene front', comment a Monaco travel guide, 'Monaco is all about glitz and glamour and perhaps a surprise announcement will be made soon. But it's possible that Albert is more interested in environmental affairs than affairs of the heart'.

Monaco has been making the news recently as Monte Carlo real estate prices have escalated, and are on a level with London and New York.

Even the cheapest studios are edging towards the million Euro level according to Monaco property specialists.

'Increasing taxes elsewhere in Europe, especially in the UK, have seen inquiries increase significantly over the last twelve months,' they say, 'and it's not the weather in Monte Carlo that's drawing buyers, but the income tax free status of being a resident, and the security that goes with living in Monaco. There's one policeman for every one hundred residents and has to be the safest country to live in Europe'.

A revolutionary???

2009-06-18T16:01:00.000-04:00

Ron Paul's 2008 Presidential Campaign will not likely be forgotten soon. His supporters are amongst the most dedicated and intense in the political field. I can certainly claim so as I am a supporter of Ron Paul and were amongst those who donated money to his campaign on both record breaking days in November and December of 2007. It is without doubt that I will continue to spread the message of limited government and free markets. I had always believed in these ideas. What Ron Paul brought for many people, like myself, is a name and place of gathering for these ideas.

It is a forgone conclusion that John McCain will be the Republican candidate but, Ron Paul's campaign will continue long after we vote for the lesser of the two evils in November. His latest book, The Revolution: A Manifesto is an excellent beginners resource to the views and ideas that he has been talking about all throughout his campaign. The Revolution is a perfect book to introduce or re-introduce the traditional American ideals to our friends, families, and loved ones.

Paul eloquently puts forth his views on a non-interventionist foreign policy, our Constitution, economic freedom, civil liberties, and money. He also includes a reading list for those who want to get an even deeper understanding of the topics. There are few men or women in politics who are as well read and knowledgeable as Ron Paul; his reading list clearly shows us why that is. In The Revolution, Paul has managed to condense his knowledge of these subjects into 167 pages and made it easily accessible to the masses.

I was already convinced of Paul's message long before I read The Revolution: A Manifestoand with that in mind, I must say that there is still much to take away from this book. Where 30 or 90 second soundbites fail to capture his ideas in debates or television interviews, this book brings together a much more thought out and well prepared argument for a return to the ideals of our Founding Fathers.

The most fitting comparison that can be given is a comparison to Thomas Paine's Common Sense. Our circumstances are not identical and the problems at hand are different but the principle is the same and that is what really matters. Where Paine argued for American independence in a style that ordinary folk could understand, Paul argues for a return to a Constitutional form of government in a style that ordinary people like you and I can understand.

Ron Paul has been called the Thomas Jefferson of our time. I am sure that Jefferson along with Washington, Franklin, Adams, and the rest of our Founding Fathers would be pleased with the ideas brought forth in The Revolution: A Manifesto.

WHY AMERICANS HAVE NO RIGHTS

2009-06-09T22:10:00.000-04:00

If one can ignore the incessant propaganda that bombards us from what passes as "news" on TV, movies, and even music, one might ponder why Americans no longer have Rights over themselves, their children, and their property.

In the pre-socialist days prior to 1935, the Common Law based upon justice, reason, and common sense was the Law of the land. Since the Common Law is a prerogative of sovereigns, the servant government had no lawful authority to enact nor prosecute Common Law offenses. Many judges agreed that the Common Law was too harsh for a democracy. And they were right because Americans were promised a Republic form of government wherein the People (not citizens) were the sovereigns. Since property and sovereignty are inseparable, only those who absolutely owned property could rely upon the promises in the organic documents that instituted America's governments at the Federal, State, and Local levels. In the original instrument, the Declaration of Independence, it was clearly stated that governments were instituted among men to do two things: help secure property rights, and govern by consent.

What are property rights? The absolute right to own ourselves, our labor, the fruits of our labor, and that for which we choose to trade our labor. Private property is defined as land, houses, and chattels (property other than real estate). Real estate is not private property. If two or more persons have a claim it ceases to be private property and devolves to estate. Estate is held with qualified ownership. It's no surprise to me that State constitutions only list "real and personal property" as subject to taxation and regulation. Private property is sacred, and exempt.

Before the politicians (poly from the Greek, meaning many; and tic, an ugly bloodsucking parasite) sold out America, a sovereign who owned private property was the supreme authority and absolute monarch over his domain. An example of the absolute power to decide and act (sovereignty) was the landlord's right to defend his property from trespass with deadly force. If capital punishment without benefit of trial isn't evidence of individual sovereignty, I don't know what else will suffice.

To retain the status of private property, only one individual can own said property, therefore, coverture was essential. Coverture was the transfer of the wife's property to her husband for the duration of the marriage. This made the man the sole authority over the property insuring that servant government had to respect the family's property rights in all things. There were very few problems as long as men loved their wives and treated them as equal partners. Historical revisionists would lead one to believe that men "owned" their wives and children, not unlike slaves, and that it was a bad thing (as if collective ownership by "Big Brother" is superior).

If one will recall, though men had the rights of ownership, they also had the sole duty of support and defense of their family. As the saying goes, "women and children first" into the lifeboat. Men were obligated to lay down their lives, if necessary, in defense of their family. Was it a burden that women and children had to obey the man of the family in exchange for his lifelong obligation to them? I don't think so. Even the Law recognized that only the man could be held legally liable for failure to support his family. A wife who was forced by circumstances to "work outside the home" was tantamount to giving notice that the man was either unable, or worse, in violation of the Law, unwilling to support his family. At the very least, it was an insult to the manhood of the husband.

All this changed with the institution of national socialism in 1935. Known as the Social Security Act, or Federal Insurance Contribution Act (F.I.C.A.), this treacherous enactment was the final nail in the Grand Old Republic's coffin. The ground work had been laid in 1913, giving control of America's money to a privately held loan shark operation known as the Federal Reserve; and in 1916, the creation of the Fed's collection agency, the Internal Revenue Service. It took the Fed less than 25 years to totally bankrupt America. The wealthiest nation in the history of the world was brought to her knees by the "Great Depression", and had desperate Americans demanding that the government "do something", which led to the destruction of individual property rights. For the truth about the Federal Reserve (which is no more "Federal" than Federal Express), read FOURTH REICH OF THE RICH by Des Griffin and SECRETS OF THE TEMPLE: HOW THE FEDERAL RESERVE RUNS THE COUNTRY by William Greider. Find out who owns your Representative and Senator at OpenSecrets.org.

Unknown to the gullible participants, enrollment into "Social Security" (I call it socialist insecurity), had dire effects. First, it changed their status as Free men to paupers eligible for charity from the public treasury. Second, it eliminated their private property Rights to own, and thus have a domicile, in exchange for a residence. Third, it obligated them to pay the claims made upon the bankrupted United States of America (upper and lower case spelling), replaced by a bankruptcy trustee, the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (all capital letters, a clever legal deception), and made the federal debt into their "national debt". Fourth, it made it legally impossible to object to the worthless federal reserve notes. Fifth, it was prima facie evidence that a national socialist security number made them wards of the government and status criminals without the former protections accorded Free Inhabitants. Sixth, it made men (and women) subject to, and object of, administrative bureaucracy without constitutional restrictions. Seventh, it made them co-signers on all the loans the politicians borrow (present tense) from the Federal Reserve and foreign banks. China and Japan hold over 40% of America's debt. Every penny confiscated from American workers' paychecks goes to pay just the interest on the "national debt".

When Americans were reduced to bleating paupers, hands out for a share of their "entitlements", the government could rightly ignore the centuries of Law based upon securing private property rights, and shift to policy based on voluntary consent. Without Common Law rights, the Common Law evaporated from public awareness (with a little help from public schools). In its place the strict rules and regulations of "civil law" have become the standard, Instead of natural and personal liberty, those birthrights of free Americans, we now have civil and political liberty as permitted by our master government. Contrary to popular belief, "Civil Liberty" is not freedom, but license (permission). Who needs permission (license) to own a dog, marry, build a house, travel public roads, carry a gun, and so on? Not a Free Man. Who needs to pay a tax for the privilege to live, work, or hold property? Not a Free Man!

Since 1935, Americans have surrendered their Republic form of government, guaranteed by Article 4, Section 4 of the constitution for the united States of America, and the promise to the Free Inhabitants of the Land from Article IV of the Articles of Confederation, in exchange for the mob rule of democracy. If you think democracy is something fine and good, you have been brainwashed, programmed, and indoctrinated with ANTI-AMERICAN propaganda. If you think it's good that American lives and property are being used to make the world safe for democracy, your ancestors are spinning in their graves in outrage. Patrick Henry would spit on you. George Washington would turn his head from you. Ben Franklin would kick you in the arse.

All Law is for the protection of life and property. All else is mere policy, and policy requires fully informed consent. And though involuntary servitude was outlawed, there is no restriction on voluntary servitude, howbeit by fraud and deceit. Why do Americans keep re-electing the same politicians year after year? None of them ever honor their oath of office to defend and protect the constitution, and restore the Republic.

In answer to the question why Americans have no rights, national socialism is to blame. However, our continued consent to national socialism is the mechanism that has locked the chains of tyranny upon us. He who consents can't complain... can't bite the hand that feeds you... beggars can't be choosers... you get the idea.

Death Penalty ... for or Against? I say kill em all

2009-06-09T22:03:00.000-04:00

Public opinion is sharply divided over the death penalty or capital punishment. According to critics death penalty is just like a legalized murder. It does not prevent crime. It is barbaric and reflects that we are going backward to more brutal time. While the supporters believe that it eliminates worst criminals from the society and is a step forward to safer society and greater justice.

Arguments For Death Penalty:
The death penalty is morally, ethically and constitutionally right. The society has a moral right and duty to take the lives of others who kills others.

The death penalty permanently eliminates criminal from the society and thus it acts as a deterrence to further crime as dead criminals cannot commit any further crime, either within the prison or after escaping from the prison.

The money which is spend on long term imprisonment of murderers, rapists etc can be spend for the old, the young and sick people.

The main argument for death penalty is that once executed the person will never kill another victim and thus is acts as a deterrent to crime and criminals.

Arguments Against Death Penalty:
Capital punishment opponents believe that death penalty is morally wrong. They believe that by legalizing executions the society puts itself on the same low moral level as those of criminals.

In too many cases it was found death penalty is unfairly applied and wrong and innocent people were executed. The jury decision is unfairly influenced by race and money. The people who are wealthy manipulate evidences in their favor and are less likely to get death penalty than poor.

Finally death penalty does not deter crime it actually increases crime and violence .Statistical data shows that crime rate is higher than in states without it.

Dissent is Patriotic

2009-06-05T11:50:00.000-04:00

I don’t have to remind you that America was built on dissent.

Those wonderful dissenters who gathered in Philadelphia to forge the Declaration of Independence, were marked men, dead men, if captured by the British.

They were willing to pay the ultimate price to secure freedom, for themselves and for those who followed.

During wars, dissent is usually toned down, because unity is important. In a just cause, forbearing from discussing misgivings about the conflict can be useful, important to securing the greater good and ultimate peace, while denying encouragement to the enemy.

But once doubt reaches a certain threshold, once it becomes apparent that a government has been lying about its rationale for entering a war, or sustaining hostilities to perpetuate a ruse, then the time to dissent is upon us.

In the early 1960’s, The Gulf of Tonkin incident was used, and many say was carefully choreographed, to justify a huge deployment of troops to Vietnam. “We were attacked!” President Johnson told Congress and the American people, and “Our national security is at stake!” was asserted.

A similar ruse has been orchestrated by W’s administration.

Ask yourself this question: Why must we remain in Iraq until 2009, or beyond?

Is it because Bush said so?

Given his mendacity, who can trust him?

His purpose for waging war was wrong. His methods for conducting the war and for nation building have been wrong. And his timetable for withdrawal is wrong.

Let your voice be heard now, and loudly, as we move toward midterm elections.

Remember, dissent is patriotic!

Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of http://www.Customersatisfaction.com">http://www.Customersatisfaction.com is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone® and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service, and the audio program, “The Law of Large Numbers: How To Make Success Inevitable,” published by Nightingale-Conant. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, worldwide. A Ph.D. from USC's Annenberg School, a Loyola lawyer, and an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. He holds the rank of Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. He is headquartered in Glendale, California, and he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Gary_S._Goodman

The Fallacy of Globalization

2009-06-03T11:41:00.000-04:00

The cultural construction of business is in keeping with the movement of our natural history. Whenever we see business as an objective entity separate from culture, we dislocate the architecture of the society of which the business element is an integrated part. This architecture is nothing else but the organized arrangement of things, both animate and inanimate, as well as the way these things function on a daily basis. In fact, we are here talking about culture. And to say that business is a non-cultural thing is dangerous nonsense.

Globalization strives to do away with cultural standards, the spiritual embodiment of a nation, and replace it with the universal principle that we are all one, one group of people in the world, who should come together and do business for the common good of humanity. The world is shrinking because we are coming together despite the physical distance that separates us. The togetherness is seen in the way we are able to connect via information technology as well as other forms of advanced technology.

But technological advancement does not abolish culture and must not abolish culture; nor does it have to purge human beings of their spiritual essences. If we come together, that is all well and good. It shows that there has developed an objective standard by which we can understand one another and respect one another even though we belong to different cultural spaces. I can voluntarily learn from your culture and take from it some of the elements that, I think, could help to advance my own culture in a way that could lead to collectivism, not only in our cultures but also in the particular case of business. By cultural collectivism, I mean that you and I do things in different ways, yet we have objective standards that could enable us to do things in common, and understand that we are different, or accept that our differentness is healthy for our togetherness, and that if we come together, it is in the interest of what we want to do whether in business or any other thing. I also know that I have to respect you without any conditions because your dignity is a matter of your unique culture just as mine is a matter of my unique culture.

But globalization does not see things this way. It tends to proceed on the lines of the big brother/sister principle. I have much more power than you have because on the world stage my wealth is far more than yours, and I can use my power to manage or crumble your position. My business power is colossal while yours is dwarfish; so we do not stand on an equal footing on the business field. I am higher than you. In deciding the future trend of the globalized business, I have to do that, not you; for you cannot plan as I do because you do not have any recognizable power. If I need to plan anything about business, I have to do it with colleagues who have power of matching magnitude.

Such aggressive feelings breed dissonance and warns that globalization cannot pretend to unify the people of the world, especially in the province of business. For much as globalization claims to bring us together, it omits the importance of cultural collectivism; it hacks it into pieces. Globalization, to put it differently, flies in the face of human decency by abrogating equality on the global front even though it claims otherwise. And if this is the case, then one has to grapple with the fallacy of globalization.

One cannot avoid the point that powerful business entities are the controllers of globalization, not the people whom globalization is intended to protect, serve. While the people belong to the wider society, the powerful business executives who control powerful businesses belong to the smaller society. To what extent the smaller society can control the wider society is an issue that counters logic. Moreover, it is even a far more dangerous nonsense - and indeed a fallacy too - to think that a good business executive will be a good political executive. Globalization attempts to do both. It presupposes that once globalization is accomplished, the global village will become a business village and all other elements will be crushed by the weight of the business culture.

Maybe, globalization is one of the greatest ironies of history. The point is that, as a powerful business entity, you want to sink the teeth of your business into the flesh of my overall culture. You call this globalization. But this will be a kind of a vampire activity, and upon succeeding in doing this, the blood that runs through my business culture will be drained, and I will find it hard to rise up from my business stupor.
IT IS TIME FOR A REGIME CHANGE!!!!!!!!!

U2 concert tix.... get them fast

2009-06-01T17:37:00.001-04:00

If you are an avid music lover, U2 concert tickets will give you the musical experience of a life time. The popular music band U2 has recently released the dates of the concert tour dates for the year 2009. The famous music band of U2 was formed in the year 1976. After three years of hiatus, U2 band returned with a bang in 2000 with the release of "All That You Can't Leave Behind". Even after decades, the craze for this music band has still remained unchanged. Their fans following are still incredible and people are still eager to hear their soaring anthems during their live music concert. You can even order your U2 concert tickets online. Check out the online sites for cheap U2 concert tickets. If you can be a part of U2 music concert, it will surely be a memorable musical experience for you to enjoy with your friends and family.

7-24-2009 8:00 PM Croke Park in Straffan, ID Price: $223 - $417

7-25-2009 8:00 PM Croke Park in Straffan, ID Price: $251 - $417

7-27-2009 8:00 PM Croke Park in Straffan, ID Price: $109 - $373

9-12-2009 8:00 PM Soldier Field in Chicago, IL Price: $68 - $3300

9-13-2009 7:00 PM Soldier Field in Chicago, IL Price: $33 - $3400

9-16-2009 8:00 PM Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON Price: $59 - $9295

9-17-2009 7:00 PM Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON Price: $75 - $9295

9-20-2009 7:00 PM Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA Price: $54 - $7500

9-21-2009 7:00 PM Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA Price: $29 - $3245

9-24-2009 8:00 PM Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ Price: $58 - $4001

9-25-2009 7:00 PM Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ Price: $69 - $5000

9-29-2009 7:00 PM FedExField in Landover, MD Price: $51 - $3200

10-1-2009 7:00 PM Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, VA Price: $39 - $1600

10-3-2009 7:00 PM Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC Price: $56 - $3990

10-6-2009 7:00 PM Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA Price: $29 - $2501

10-9-2009 7:00 PM Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL Price: $42 - $1999

10-12-2009 7:00 PM Dallas Cowboys New Stadium in Arlington, TX Price: $48 - $17648

10-14-2009 7:00 PM Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX Price: $44 - $2000

10-18-2009 7:00 PM Memorial Stadium (Oklahoma) in Norman, OK Price: $54 - $1600

10-20-2009 7:00 PM University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ Price: $56 - $1600

10-23-2009 7:00 PM Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV Price: $61 - $3500

10-25-2009 7:00 PM Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA Price: $52 - $3025

10-28-2009 7:00 PM BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, BC Price: $53 - $1999

Two decades have passed since U2 was formed, but even today it remains as one of the best rock band in the whole world. It is truly remarkable that the magic of U2 band hasn't faded even after decades, and the worldwide respected U2 still continues to produce great music. Grab the opportunity to experience the phenomenal music of U2, and book your U2 concert tickets without any delay.

HAS the revolution begun?

2009-06-01T16:36:00.001-04:00

What revolution ? I was asking myself the same thing today and over the weekend... I was reading Manifest a book about three classic essays on how to change the world... I was thinking about it over and over and over... and the question came to my mind... have we experienced a revolution in this country since our first revolution against the British... ? the answer is maybe , possibly and why not.... Here are some examples that I have come up with... We have had the rock and roll revolution, the peace and love revolution, the woman's revolution, the gay and lesbian revolution, the information revolution, and many wars we do not support revolutions... my point here is in. a free society is there really any room for a true revolution... Or are we destined for these small but large movements (revolutions for sake of argument) that impact our society and cause us to think differently ... hmmmm makes you wonder.. if there ever was to be a true revolutionary movement in this country would it make it past the first couple of weeks... or would it be bashed and destroyed before it even got off the ground... would people support a movement that asked for change or demanded change? Would the flock of sheep that the corporations and media conglomerates created be able to tell there was even a revolution going on... ? Or would the leaders of this so called revolution be snuffed out by the governmental forces who want to keep everything the same... ?

Manny Ramirez another user goes down

2009-05-08T11:33:00.001-04:00

another one bites the dust.... i am quickly losing respect for professional athletes and the horrible message they continue to send to their fans and admirers. It was sad to see the reactions of the fans on CNN to the news about Manny. One interview struck me. It was a man with his 5 or 6 yr old son talking about how upset his son was. And how he the father had to explain to him what happened. The father went on to say he still supported Manny, despite his use, or alleged use of performance enhancing drugs. I say you the father are sending the wrong message to your son, by continuing your support of Manny. Manny Ramirez and any other professional athlete who is caught using performance enhancing drugs, should be banned from the sport they are in, permanently!! This would send a strong message not only to the athletes but the young fans who admire them as well. "You cannot use drugs and commit illegal acts and get away with it" http://stopbeingsheep.blogspot.com/

Obesity is costing us all money $$$

2009-04-30T13:16:00.002-04:00

I was just thinking about a topic to speak about, when I came across a blog that spoke about the word fat. It asked the question why does the word fat offend people that are overweight regardless if the word was used in an inoffensive way? Then I started thinking about my own opinions regarding people who are fat. When I say fat I am talking about people who are obese. I myself have battled with weight during the last couple to five years. So I’m not talking about your average fat person who has 10 to 15 pounds of extra baggage. I’m talking about a large percentage of American people who walk around and are grossly overweight. Let’s talk about some issues that I will point out the particularly disturb me.

Space: well here it is fat people or should I say obese people take up a lot of space. This is space that you and I and everyone else deserves. Have you ever been on a plane and sat next to someone that was obese and their fat pushed up against you? This I say it is a violation of my rights. An infringement on My Space. One of my freedoms that are guaranteed to me by living. Now you may think that I am being inconsiderate and obnoxious. However I am just calling it how it is.

They can’t help it: here is a good one and it goes like this, “we can’t help it that were fat”. I don’t buy this one bit, this is a lazy excuse for not being willing to change. I have seen many obese people work really hard at exercising and eating the right foods lose tremendous amounts of weight. With hard work, patience, and the right attitude anything is possible.

Drain on the health system: how many health-related problems and issues are related to obesity? Too many I say. Heart disease, diabetes, stress injuries, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, cancer, gallstones, osteo-arthritis, sleep apnea, gout, pickwickian syndrome, and many others. Here are some numbers to back up my claims regarding the financial drain obesity costs America. Over the next 50 years the bottom-line hit to the US economy could be as much as $650 billion, equivalent to about 5% of the current annual US GDP. That is a crazy number to not be worried about. According to the Surgeon General of the United States obesity costs us $117 billion per year. Over 14% of what the government is spending to ensure stability in the failing economy is currently being spent on America’s widening waistband. This my friends is pathetic.

My rant is over for now but the problem continues. Unfortunately it is not politically correct to go after the obese people. Well I ask you this do we not shun and ostracize smokers who also cost the health-care system billions and billions of dollars every year? Do we not look down upon alcoholics and drug abusers who also drain money from the US economy? These bad habits are personal choices made by the individuals. Being obese is a personal choice.

Bloomberg is a hypocrite

2009-04-29T11:44:00.000-04:00

The sheep have stood by once again and allowed our so called democracy to be trounced on ... how sad.... Mayor Mike Bloomberger has manipulated the laws and rules as he See's fit. Changing the law regarding term limits for Mayors in New York City. How convenient for him.... We must not forget when he first became Mayor .... he fought to keep term limits in place, so he could get in office. Then Mayor Giuliani was well supported by the public to run for another term.... But big Mike wouldn't have it... He wanted to get his corporate claws into our famed City... Now in big hypocritical fashion he is allowing himself to run again for mayor... putting term limits on hold... Many people did not accept this... there was protest and for the most part, many people did not want it like this... Even if they did support him as a mayor... If this was a true democracy then the people should have decided the term limit issue in a special election... Actually we didn't even need a special election... They could have added it to the ballot during the presidential election... That would have been the right thing to do.. the honorable thing... Instead Mike sends a poor message to all the citizens of this fair country.... "The rules only apply to me, when I see fit" Politicians for the most part can do what they want, to support their agenda... And the sheep of NYC ... just look the other way..... You have to ask yourself... has my quality of life improved since big Mike has been in office ....????? the answer should be no..... here are some points to support my agenda

big mike raised my property taxes some 18.5% since he came into office
Mike cut services to essential city departments (less police, less sanitation,less parks.. the list goes on)
Mikes educational reform for the most part has made good schools better and poor schools poorer
Mikes generosity to Major sports teams (Yankees) has cost the taxpayers millions of dollars
Mike has increased the cost of parking meters, hurting the middle and lower class and the small business person
The city is dirtier than ever since Mike came into office
There are more panhandlers, and homeless on the streets then ever
Mike has handed out billions in corporate tax breaks and incentives to businesses while increasing taxes on the working families
Mike has stood by while his friends on wall street have raped and pillaged our 401K's and stock portfolios... It is funny how he hasn't gone after the corp. bi gs who are getting huge business in the face of this crisis
Mike has closed firehouses dramatically reducing response times to fires and other emergencies
Mike has allowed certain religious and political groups to have too much influence when it comes to their agendas

Well i can go on .. but it is not necessary.... just please stop being sheep..... take some time away from watching your flat panel TV, playing your PS3, xbox, downloading porn, going on itunes and write some letters, emails, make some calls... speak up...