PaulBoller's Reads

The Fourth of July: “What do these American stones mean?”

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 08:27:00 -0400

The Fourth of July: “What do these American stones mean?”:

The Signing of the Declaration of Independence

As I walked around the base of Capitol Hill this past Friday and I looked down the national lawn, I thought about the significance of…

Memorial Day: A Sacrifice Embraced with a Promise

Tue, 31 May 2011 22:55:36 -0400

Memorial Day: A Sacrifice Embraced with a Promise:

A Sacrifice with a Promise

Over the past several months, I have had the opportunity to work in a Congressional District office. Of all the opportunities such work has afforded me, one…

A Half-Slice Compromise

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 23:34:09 -0400

A Half-Slice Compromise:

In many ways not unexpected, I awoke this morning to the news that Republicans and Democrats came to a last minute agreement to avoid the impending government shutdown (Click here for information…

This is a must see The Path to Prosperity: America’s two...

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:12:28 -0400

This is a must see

The Path to Prosperity: America’s two futures, visualized (by HouseBudgetCommittee)

Robert M. Costrell: Oh, To Be a Teacher in Wisconsin - WSJ.com

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:06:55 -0500

Robert M. Costrell: Oh, To Be a Teacher in Wisconsin - WSJ.com:

The showdown in Wisconsin over fringe benefits for public employees boils down to one number: 74.2. That’s how many cents the public pays Milwaukee public-school teachers and other employees for retirement and health benefits for every dollar they receive in salary. The corresponding rate for employees of private firms is 24.3 cents.

John Fund: Wisconsin's Newest Progressive - WSJ.com

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:05:52 -0500

John Fund: Wisconsin's Newest Progressive - WSJ.com:

The state Capitol building in Madison has been occupied round-the-clock by protesters for nearly two weeks. Fourteen Democratic state senators are still on the lam, refusing to allow a vote on a budget-repair bill. And Gov. Scott Walker has been called everything from a new Hitler to rotting cheese.

"When a thing has to be attempted, one must never think about possibility or impossibility…...."

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:53:50 -0500

““When a thing has to be attempted, one must never think about possibility or impossibility…. It is wonderful what you can do when you have to.””

- C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity

Sarah Palin: “America’s Enduring Strength” (by...

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:20:03 -0500

Sarah Palin: “America’s Enduring Strength” (by Sarah Palin)

NFL Videos: Victory is waiting for you

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 16:53:58 -0500

NFL Videos: Victory is waiting for you:

A bit of a change of pace for my usual postings, but I love the way this video was done.

Whats my line? - Ronald Reagan

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 20:49:27 -0500

Whats my line? - Ronald Reagan

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty

Sat, 25 Dec 2010 17:00:33 -0500

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty:

In a moment of desperation, Charlie Brown cried out the now immortal request, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!” Responding to his despondent inquiry, Linus took…

“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie...

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 15:02:00 -0500

“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” (Linus Christmas Monologue)

From Salaries to Taxes, One Tax Increase at a Time « PaulBoller.com

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:14:00 -0500

From Salaries to Taxes, One Tax Increase at a Time « PaulBoller.com:

So I have seen several cartoons over the past few days and they go along the lines of this:

The message is that Republicans are only looking out for the “rich.” For anyone who has not had the chance to follow the news, Democrats have essentially made the extension of the Bush tax cuts dependant on extending unemployment benefits. And consequently we have the above cartoons. (Click Here to Continue Reading)

The Party of Travel Planners…Or Tour Guides? « PaulBoller.com

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:50:52 -0500

The Party of Travel Planners…Or Tour Guides? « PaulBoller.com:

Sarah Palin has been getting a lot of flack recently. Flack for her TV show. Flack for her daughter being on dancing with the stars. Flack for going against the Republican establishment. Now flack comes with the job of being a public figure involved in politics. And often the pundits and political leaders disking out the criticism have valid points.

I am not concerned about people being critical of Palin. And any leader worth his salt will have critics to spare. What concerns me is that some of the loudest critics have been coming from within the Republican Party. For being a party that quotes Ronald Reagan at every dinner party and campaign rally, they seem to have forgotten one important Reagan rule… (Click here to read more)

The Stuffing of Thanksgiving « PaulBoller.com

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:33:00 -0500

The Stuffing of Thanksgiving « PaulBoller.com:

For the last day and a half, I have been pondering the idea of Thanksgiving as a holiday. Most people understand it as a day to show gratefulness for the many good things we enjoy. We also understanding it as a day of fellowship with family and friends, often accompanied by turkey and stuffing. But as I continued to ponder the idea of thanksgiving… (Click here to read more)

Saying No with Yes « PaulBoller.com

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:33:00 -0500

Saying No with Yes « PaulBoller.com:

The challenge before the newly minted Republicans is as difficult as it is simple. Come January 20th, Republicans will take the majority in the House and will send a minority to the Senate. Under the current parliamentary rules, this minority will be capable of stopping any bill proposed. This will make the word, “No” roll off the tongue as easy for Republicans as Paula Deen adding butter to a recipe… (Click here to read more)

Thanksgiving Proclamation by President George Washington

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:25:41 -0500

[New York, 3 October 1789]

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be– That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war–for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions– to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us–and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

Source: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html

"When you’re taking flak, you’re right over the target."

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:52:00 -0400

““When you’re taking flak, you’re right over the target.””

- Origin of the saying unknown

McDonald's, 29 other firms get health care coverage waivers

Sat, 09 Oct 2010 09:21:27 -0400

McDonald's, 29 other firms get health care coverage waivers:

“‘The big political issue here is the president promised no one would lose the coverage they’ve got,’ says Robert Laszewski, chief executive officer of consulting company Health Policy and Strategy Associates. 'Here we are a month before the election, and these companies represent 1 million people who would lose the coverage they’ve got.’”

So without waivers, it looks like the Healthcare bill would be causing people to lose their healthcare.

Unemployment and Raises in the Minimum Wage

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 16:58:00 -0400

Unemployment and Raises in the Minimum Wage:

John Stossel quoting FBN’s Charles Brady: “For 10 years – from 1997 to 2007 the minimum wage held steady at $5.15 per hour. Then in 2007 it was raised to $5.85. It was increased again to $6.55 in 2008 and finally to $7.25 in 2009. So over the course of three years businesses, especially those that rely heavily on minimum-wage workers, saw their labor costs soar 41%. … Unless these business saw their revenues rise by a similar amount, this extra fixed cost came right out of profits or was offset by reduced hiring or job cuts.”