I recently had a conversation with a person who had an opposing view point regarding Congressional “earmarks”. I guess I was opposed to earmarks before I was in favor of them. Education and research is a wonderful thing and taking the time to understand the numbers is a good thing.
In the 2008 US Budget 6.6 billion was earmarked for defense issues by members of Congress, 3.3 billion was earmarked for clean water, the water we drink, 895 million was earmarked for the Health and welfare of our people, how sad is that, and 1.7 billion was earmarked for transportation. The balance of the 16 billion in “earmarks” in the 2008 US Budget were for sundry things that are probably important but may be offensive to people who do not understand that real research has to happen.
Earmarks comprise about .005% of the 2008, 3 Trillion Dollar United States Budget. In many cases they help to fulfill the obligation of the people we elect to represent us, our United States Representative. We send these people to Washington to bring back Tax dollars to our community.
If we need a “Bridge to Somewhere” Federal Aid, earmark budget items, our taxes, can be a boost to making that happen and enhancing the quality of like in our communities. Perhaps the people of Arizona do not need Federal assistance to improve the quality of life in their desert, but when I vote for a Congress person or Senator to represent my community in Washington I want them to do all they can do to bring my Federal Tax dollars back to my community. Indeed, I would prefer that my tax dollars be spent building and securing our infrastructure versus the infrastructure of Iraq.
So the next time you hear Senator McCain make a big deal out of a relatively itsy bitsy tiny issue give him the facts. The numbers never lie.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
What Happened To The "Republicans" ?
I guess I must have been distracted when Verne Buchannan gave up being a “Republican” and decided to run as an Independent. Indeed, I don’t hear the word “Republican” in most political advertising either from those running for Congress or the top of the ticket. I also missed the Republican Party’s favorite sons at their recent convention. Oh yea, that’s right, GW did get to speak via satellite for a few moments, then gone and forgotten. The Dark Lord of the Republican Party, Dick Cheney, was nowhere to be seen.
What that pretty much tells me is that the Republican Party wants to forget its sordid past seven years, they want America to forget the disaster they inflicted on this Country, which will last for generations to come, and want the American voters to just act like everything is okey, dokey.
Well it isn’t and despite John McCain’s attempt to steal the vision of his opposition, John McCain is indeed the same old Republican baloney. The gall of Republicans to suggest that Democrats, who have barely controlled Congress for the past two years are somehow responsible for the tragic direction of this Nation is unmitigated.
Republicans have controlled Congress for twelve out of the past fourteen years and the Presidency for the past seven plus. During that time Republicans have diminished oversight and regulation, regulation that, as we are learning the hard way, could have lessened the impact of this historical economic crash.
I doubt very much that most Republicans, despite the nonsense rhetoric from the McCain campaign, really care about Middle Class America. Republicans will survive and weather this storm. In the meantime they have accomplished their main goal, to bankrupt the country and destroy important education assistance, health care and so many other programs that Middle America so badly depends.
What that pretty much tells me is that the Republican Party wants to forget its sordid past seven years, they want America to forget the disaster they inflicted on this Country, which will last for generations to come, and want the American voters to just act like everything is okey, dokey.
Well it isn’t and despite John McCain’s attempt to steal the vision of his opposition, John McCain is indeed the same old Republican baloney. The gall of Republicans to suggest that Democrats, who have barely controlled Congress for the past two years are somehow responsible for the tragic direction of this Nation is unmitigated.
Republicans have controlled Congress for twelve out of the past fourteen years and the Presidency for the past seven plus. During that time Republicans have diminished oversight and regulation, regulation that, as we are learning the hard way, could have lessened the impact of this historical economic crash.
I doubt very much that most Republicans, despite the nonsense rhetoric from the McCain campaign, really care about Middle Class America. Republicans will survive and weather this storm. In the meantime they have accomplished their main goal, to bankrupt the country and destroy important education assistance, health care and so many other programs that Middle America so badly depends.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Florida's Amendment 2 - Ignorance and Hate Prevails in the South
When you are as old as I am you can grasp the near history that went before you, especially when one of your own hometown people is part of that history. Back in 1939, the Daughters of the American Revolution refused permission for my hometown girl, Marion Anderson, to sing to an integrated audience in Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. As a result of the ensuing furor, thousands of DAR members, including First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, resigned. Later that year, with some pressure from Eleanor Roosevelt, Marion Anderson appeared before an audience of 75,000 people in front of the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday. She sang “My Country 'Tis of Thee”, a song that speaks about liberty, freedom and the dignity of all Americans. This November Voters in Florida will be asked to vote on an issue that if passed, will diminish the lives of hundreds of thousands of Florida residents. It is falsely called the “Marriage Amendment” or “Amendment 2”. The Amendment is cleverly worded to suggest that “Marriage” should only be between a man and a women, but it goes on to say “no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized."
This statement in “Amendment 2” takes away the rights of those who cannot legally marry and others who choose “domestic partnership” over “marriage” to care for each other. It denies the right of unmarried but loving couples from visiting each other in hospitals when one in the relationship is stricken, it denies these couples from sharing health insurance and it places many taxpaying Florida citizens into a second class citizen status. I can assure you that those who are promoting this initiative are the same folks who would deny Marion Anderson the dignity to sing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” in a public forum.
This statement in “Amendment 2” takes away the rights of those who cannot legally marry and others who choose “domestic partnership” over “marriage” to care for each other. It denies the right of unmarried but loving couples from visiting each other in hospitals when one in the relationship is stricken, it denies these couples from sharing health insurance and it places many taxpaying Florida citizens into a second class citizen status. I can assure you that those who are promoting this initiative are the same folks who would deny Marion Anderson the dignity to sing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” in a public forum.
John McCain: A Man of Mature Leadership and Experience
We have been told that there is only one candidate that has the experience and proven skills necessary for the Presidency. That candidate is, of course, John McCain. Everyone knows Barak Obama is a gifted orator, and can inspire the masses with his prepared speeches. But the true test of political skill and insight comes not from prepared speeches, but from statements made "off the cuff", when you must fall back on your accumulated years of experience to speak truth and wisdom.
To this end, I thought it might be helpful to collect some of John McCain's own words to illustrate how more than a quarter century in public office has made him such a respected public servant and presidential nominee. Some of these quotes are well known, some are not. They all have one thing in common, though: They speak to McCain's readiness to be the next President of the United States.
John McCain on Economics
"The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should. I've got Greenspan's book."
Fortunately, putting together economic policy is a relatively minor responsibility of a president, as evidenced in the following quote.
John McCain on the Duties of the President
"I'm running for president because I want to help with family values." Referring to one of the primary responsibilities of the president.
As soon as I find the part of the Presidential Oath of Office dealing with Family Values, I'll update this post. Please be patient, it might take a while.
John McCain on Working with Congress
"Fuck you! This is chickenshit stuff." Spoken to Republican Senator John Cornyn during discussions on McCain's amnesty bill.
"No, I'm calling you a fucking jerk!" Spoken to Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, after Grassley asked if McCain was calling him stupid.
"Can I get the translation? That's an excellent question." Responding to a supporter's question on what McCain would do in an election to "beat the bitch" (meaning Senator Hillary Clinton).
The main theme here is that McCain is highly skilled at working with others in a calm, mature, respectful way.
John McCain on Foreign Affairs
"We have reached a crisis, the first probably serious crisis internationally since the end of the Cold War." Referring to the Russian attack on Georgia. If this is the first serious international crisis since the end of the Cold War, some might ask why we attacked Iraq, sacrificing the lives of over 4000 Americans and possibly hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. For something not serious? But that's just liberal talk.
"We are all Georgians now." This shows McCain's well-reasoned, measured resolve to come to the aid of a vital American ally.
"I was concerned about a couple of steps that the Russian government took in the last several days. One was reducing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia." Referring to a country that has not existed for 15 years, but that's a minor detail.
"We have a lot of work to do. It's a very hard struggle, particularly given the situation on the Iraq-Pakistan border." Spoken during an ABC News interview, referring to an international border that does not exist, but that's also a minor detail.
"Well, it's common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training, and are coming back into Iraq from Iran." This a claim proudly repeated at least 4 times, that Shiite Iran is training Sunni al Qaeda.
As McCain himself has told us, he is a much more respected and knowledgeable expert on foreign policy than Barak Obama.
John McCain on International Diplomacy
"You know, the French remind me a little bit of an aging actress of the 1940's who is still trying to dine out on her looks but doesn't have the face for it." Commenting on French opposition to the Iraq War.
"Maybe that's a way of killing them." Referring to reports that cigarettes are being exported to Iran despite restrictions on trade with that country.
"Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran." Sung to the Beach Boys tune, "Barbara Ann".
Finally, we can have a president with the maturity and wisdom needed to heal diplomatic ties with allies, and reduce needless tension with potential adversaries.
To this end, I thought it might be helpful to collect some of John McCain's own words to illustrate how more than a quarter century in public office has made him such a respected public servant and presidential nominee. Some of these quotes are well known, some are not. They all have one thing in common, though: They speak to McCain's readiness to be the next President of the United States.
John McCain on Economics
"The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should. I've got Greenspan's book."
Fortunately, putting together economic policy is a relatively minor responsibility of a president, as evidenced in the following quote.
John McCain on the Duties of the President
"I'm running for president because I want to help with family values." Referring to one of the primary responsibilities of the president.
As soon as I find the part of the Presidential Oath of Office dealing with Family Values, I'll update this post. Please be patient, it might take a while.
John McCain on Working with Congress
"Fuck you! This is chickenshit stuff." Spoken to Republican Senator John Cornyn during discussions on McCain's amnesty bill.
"No, I'm calling you a fucking jerk!" Spoken to Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, after Grassley asked if McCain was calling him stupid.
"Can I get the translation? That's an excellent question." Responding to a supporter's question on what McCain would do in an election to "beat the bitch" (meaning Senator Hillary Clinton).
The main theme here is that McCain is highly skilled at working with others in a calm, mature, respectful way.
John McCain on Foreign Affairs
"We have reached a crisis, the first probably serious crisis internationally since the end of the Cold War." Referring to the Russian attack on Georgia. If this is the first serious international crisis since the end of the Cold War, some might ask why we attacked Iraq, sacrificing the lives of over 4000 Americans and possibly hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. For something not serious? But that's just liberal talk.
"We are all Georgians now." This shows McCain's well-reasoned, measured resolve to come to the aid of a vital American ally.
"I was concerned about a couple of steps that the Russian government took in the last several days. One was reducing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia." Referring to a country that has not existed for 15 years, but that's a minor detail.
"We have a lot of work to do. It's a very hard struggle, particularly given the situation on the Iraq-Pakistan border." Spoken during an ABC News interview, referring to an international border that does not exist, but that's also a minor detail.
"Well, it's common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training, and are coming back into Iraq from Iran." This a claim proudly repeated at least 4 times, that Shiite Iran is training Sunni al Qaeda.
As McCain himself has told us, he is a much more respected and knowledgeable expert on foreign policy than Barak Obama.
John McCain on International Diplomacy
"You know, the French remind me a little bit of an aging actress of the 1940's who is still trying to dine out on her looks but doesn't have the face for it." Commenting on French opposition to the Iraq War.
"Maybe that's a way of killing them." Referring to reports that cigarettes are being exported to Iran despite restrictions on trade with that country.
"Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran." Sung to the Beach Boys tune, "Barbara Ann".
Finally, we can have a president with the maturity and wisdom needed to heal diplomatic ties with allies, and reduce needless tension with potential adversaries.
Friday, September 5, 2008
GOP – Grumpy Obdurate People
Ok, now we all have to change our thinking to comply with the new Republican “think”. It is ok now for your daughters to get pregnant by Hockey duds, oops, dudes, who never wanted children to begin with. And it is ok now to parade Mr. Hockey dud, dude, onto the stage of the Republican convention. I suppose it would be a good thing for all Americans if Republicans would create a Guide, omg, I forgot, they have one, the Bible. A book written two thousand years ago that has some but, little relevance to our lives today.
Has anyone a clue that this is not the Republican Party of Abraham Lincoln? How dare they even consider or suggest that they are the party of Lincoln or Teddy Roosevelt. As a reader and student of Theodore Roosevelt I can tell you that the Republican Party of today is an insult to Teddy Roosevelt. To even suggest that the John McCain of today has any resemblance of the John McCain of 2001 is insulting to good people and Veterans everywhere. John McCain sold his soul to the devil, and he is an embarrassment to Veterans.
The Republican Party of today is what the Democratic Party was yesterday. Republicans embraced the ignorant South, their Southern Strategy, to gain votes from the ignorant, uneducated, and an unfunded educational system. That’s how Republicans win, they promote ignorance.
I am thinking that America is really tired of the hypocrisy of the Republican Party and for the life in me I cannot figure out why a man, who I respect, would every compromise his principles, would stoop so low, to place on his ticket this utterly hateful women, a Christian equivalent to Osama bin Laden.
Haven’t we had enough of Religious Fundamentalism? Goodness, I am thinking the Catholic Church should take over the education of all of our children, at least Catholic educators, to their demise in some cases, taught us to think.
Has anyone a clue that this is not the Republican Party of Abraham Lincoln? How dare they even consider or suggest that they are the party of Lincoln or Teddy Roosevelt. As a reader and student of Theodore Roosevelt I can tell you that the Republican Party of today is an insult to Teddy Roosevelt. To even suggest that the John McCain of today has any resemblance of the John McCain of 2001 is insulting to good people and Veterans everywhere. John McCain sold his soul to the devil, and he is an embarrassment to Veterans.
The Republican Party of today is what the Democratic Party was yesterday. Republicans embraced the ignorant South, their Southern Strategy, to gain votes from the ignorant, uneducated, and an unfunded educational system. That’s how Republicans win, they promote ignorance.
I am thinking that America is really tired of the hypocrisy of the Republican Party and for the life in me I cannot figure out why a man, who I respect, would every compromise his principles, would stoop so low, to place on his ticket this utterly hateful women, a Christian equivalent to Osama bin Laden.
Haven’t we had enough of Religious Fundamentalism? Goodness, I am thinking the Catholic Church should take over the education of all of our children, at least Catholic educators, to their demise in some cases, taught us to think.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Palin's Dilemma
I have the deepest respect for Governor Palin and her Husband’s decision to support their daughter’s unfortunate position. I had a similar occurrence in my family and the parents struggled with what to do. Thankfully, working together, a beautiful child was born and welcomed into a great family, my family. The better news is that my family member and the child are in a lifelong and loving relationship, supported by our family.
The great news is that our family did not force a marriage between two people who did not love one another. They were stupid teenagers who had unsafe sex and got pregnant. They were lucky, I guess, they didn’t spread AIDS, Gonorrhea, climidia or other sexual diseases, they just got pregnant and a life was created.
I have not heard a lot from this “Levi” guy who is the apparent father of this child but I want to make one thing clear, Marriage is for those who love each other, it is not something you do because you made a mistake. Marriage, in these cases is taken down to that lowest denominator and is an insult to any person who has dedicated their life to another person. Hence, I would ask Governor Palin and Her husband not to force that commitment on two young people if they are not ready to accept that challenge, and worse of all if they do not truly love each other.
If Governor Palin’s daughter and the father of her child really love each other then the marriage should happen but, if there is no love than they should arrange for the care of the child and go their separate ways.
bart
The great news is that our family did not force a marriage between two people who did not love one another. They were stupid teenagers who had unsafe sex and got pregnant. They were lucky, I guess, they didn’t spread AIDS, Gonorrhea, climidia or other sexual diseases, they just got pregnant and a life was created.
I have not heard a lot from this “Levi” guy who is the apparent father of this child but I want to make one thing clear, Marriage is for those who love each other, it is not something you do because you made a mistake. Marriage, in these cases is taken down to that lowest denominator and is an insult to any person who has dedicated their life to another person. Hence, I would ask Governor Palin and Her husband not to force that commitment on two young people if they are not ready to accept that challenge, and worse of all if they do not truly love each other.
If Governor Palin’s daughter and the father of her child really love each other then the marriage should happen but, if there is no love than they should arrange for the care of the child and go their separate ways.
bart
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
