Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Mystery Photo of the Day

Can you guess who this is and why they are doing what they are doing?

Thursday, September 9, 2010

"No Doubt We Are Moving in the Right Direction"

Some folks are, evidently, confused about many of my Facebook posts in recent days.  They think I am simply reposting the same information over and over again.  I am not.

For the past few weeks, I have frequently posted updates to Facebook which begin with the statement recently made by Vice President Biden concerning our economy:  "No doubt we are moving in the right direction".  I have included, with each post, a link to an article providing testimony which clearly refutes what the Vice President has said.  Over and over again, various articles have appeared which present clear evidence that our economy is on the wrong track and continuing on that wrong track.  The President and the Vice President either are out of touch with reality, deceiving themselves, or intentionally misleading the public with their "positive" economic outlook.

The administration believes the correct approach is to take additional federal monies and throw it at various projects to stir the job market.  They did this 18 months ago with the stimulus bill and the economy has gotten worse.  More money is not the answer, Mr. President.  Besides, that money being thrown around is our money.  More precisely, it is my grandchildren's money for the government is driving us deeper and deeper into debt.  NO ONE AND NO ORGANIZATION CAN SPEND MORE THAN IT TAKES IN AND SURVIVE.  At some point we will collapse.  To cover the cost of all your programs (enacted and on the table) will require additional income which means more taxes.  More taxes further stifle the job market and the purchasing power of the consumer.  Your solution will be to throw out more money.  That means more taxes.  It is a vicious cycle.  Can't our leaders see this?  Are we truly moving in the right direction?

I am not an economic wiz but I do believe there are some things the President and his administration COULD do to address the problem.  Here they are in no particular order.  This is certainly not an exhaustive list.

1.  CUT ALL TAXES - Yes, even on the "wealthiest" Americans.  You see, its those wealthiest Americans who invest and produce the jobs which fuel this economy.  They won't do so if you continue to take more and more of their money.  No investments, no new jobs.  Cutting taxes also frees up money for consumer purchases which drives merchandising, etc.  When I say cut all taxes, I do not simply mean extend the Bush tax custs for everyone (which the administration MUST do).  No, I mean CUT ALL TAXES.

2.  CUT ALL TAXES - I'm repeating myself only to make certain the administration includes cutting capital gains taxes as well. 

3.  PULL BACK STIMULUS MONEY - Last I heard, over $300 billion of the 2009 stimulus funds had not been spent.  DON'T SPEND IT!

4.  REPEAL HEALTHCARE - Mr. President, the nation cannot afford it.  The American people do not want it.  The entire program passed last year must go.  There are plenty of ways to fix what ails the health care industry without spending ourselves into oblivion.

5.  NO CAP AND TRADE - The global warming nonsense has finally wound down a bit.  Putting additional taxes onto energy will only translate into higher costs to consumers.  It is totally unnecessary.

6.  STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION - For years we have been told "illegals do the jobs Americans won't do".  Maybe that's true sometimes.  But what is also true is that "Illegals are doing jobs Americans could do and probably would do in this economic situation if those jobs were available".  Illegal immigrants are just that:  illegal.  They should not be here and should not be permitted to remain.  The problem must be addressed because it impacts our economic status.  For starters, (1) Secure the border (seriously)  (2) Heavily fine businesses who employ illegal immigrants  (3) deport any illegal immigrant who is found (this does not require "looking" for them, rather, simply deporting those who are found).

7.  GET OUT OF OUR LIVES - No more bailouts.  If a company fails, it fails.  We should strive to help those who truly need help but we can not do this for everyone over extended periods of time.  Significantly reduce the length of time unemployment benefits are extended.  Let the free market work.  Eliminate government bureaucracy which will reduce the amount of money needed to run the government.  Americans do not want a LARGE Federal government constantly intruding into our lives.  Instead, reread the Constitution and limit yourselves to the powers enumerated therein.  All the other powers belong to the states (check the 10th Amendment please).

Those are my thoughts. 

Oh, and Mr. Vice President, we are NOT moving in the right direction!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Mystery Photo of the Day

Can you guess who this is in the picture?