Back-Up America

Romney Exhibits Fascist Bent Over Felon Voting

2012-01-17T23:25:00.000-08:00

The AP carried an article recently on the latest GOP debate, much of which is directed toward gaining ad revenues for the media, rather than highlighting any true positions of the GOP candidates that most Americans would deem worthy of watching at this point.

The latest "backbiting" argument which has been published has to do with a supposed fight between two of the Eastern GOP presidential candidates, Mitt (Used Car Salesman) Romney and Rick (Sweater Vest) Santorum. Over felon voting rights, no less.

Mr. Romney is attempting to portray Mr. Santorum as "soft" on crime, as one of those holier than thou candidates who believe any felony committed in this country is worthy of removing voting rights (not privileges) for Americans based upon their past conduct, even after they have served their sentence and paid their debt to society. Mr. Santorum believes in granting again those rights which were and are "God given" (something Mr. Romney seems to forget quite frequently) once the penalty has been paid.

If Mr. Romney was a Christian, isn't Mr. Santorum's position a little more Christ like (and Constitutional) than Mr. Romney's. I mean, redemption is inherently supposed to be a part of our criminal justice system, and with the penalties today for even minor felonies where no loss of life or personal injury is involved, shouldn't that punishment be sufficient, rather than life long punishments?

For murder or capital crimes involving loss of life, injury or property loss, I can see removing those rights while those individuals are repaying their debts to society, but that was not the position taken by Mr. Romney, nor is it a "legal" position in accordance with the common law and our Constitution (nor biblical).

So, it does seem Mr. Romney continues to exhibit his rather fascist understanding of the Constitution with respect to individual liberties and freedoms, more and more each one of these debates...unless those positions are also scripted in order to again sway this election back to the Democrats until the Republicans earn their "right" to hold the highest office in the land.

By the powers that be that put them there...which is becoming abundantly clear is not the American citizen voters at all...

British Fox TV Attempts to Redefine American Conservatism

2012-01-12T15:04:00.001-08:00

Recently I had another opportunity to view one of Fox cable "News" stations programs. This one was the rather hilarious program featuring Bill O'Reilly, the no-spin, spinner.

A former teacher, I might add.

On this program there was a segment which dealt with another of those Fox polls taken of Americans (?) which asked which president was "the greatest" president in America's history.

The winner, of course, was old Ronny Reagan.

The second place finisher was Abraham Lincoln.

Then Bill Clinton (?)

And finally, George Washington.

Left off the list (or further down) was Thomas Jefferson - in this writer's opinion, the greatest president this country has ever seen.

Take for example his accomplishments:

Author of the Declaration of Independence

Negotiating the largest land purchase in the history of this country, the Louisiana purchase.

Establishing a "free" school program for low income families through local churches in Virginia, and establishing the University of Virginia and the first military academy, West Point

Lobbying, along with Patrick Henry, for the Bill of Rights for Americans through the Virginia assembly and its existing Constitution (and thus, state provisions and Republicanism).

Joining with the French people and as Minister to France in their eventual successful attempt to overthrow the French aristocracy and royalty and establish a more democratic form of government there (which is why, I'm sure, he wasn't on Fox's list now more than 200 years later as Brit loyalists)

And more that I will not go into here.

And personally:

Building a monument to architectural greatness, Monticello in Virginia.

Developing a new strain of tulip and other marvels as a horticulturist.

Owning one of the most extensive libraries in these United States.

Inventor

But Bill O'Reilly, I would assume, is also a Brit loyalist as an Irishman whose loyalties, it would appear, lie with his former historic homeland in Ireland.

It doesn't appear that it is simply the new immigrants that have a great deal of difficulty cutting those ties that bind.

But Reagan as the greatest president?

Must have polled those 30 or 40 somethings, as I hadn't heard Mr. Reagan's face is scheduled to be etched into Mount Rushmore.

But maybe I missed that news flash on Fox or on Bill O'Reilly, the educator.

2012 Run for the Political Roses

2011-12-22T20:26:00.000-08:00

Although not a mainstream television watcher since pay television was mandated by Congressional decree throughout America, I have unfortunately been recently residing with relatives that unfortunately have become rather homebound in their declining years, and on and off been subject to some of the political entertainment shows carried on pay TV. Unfortunately also, it has affected somewhat my elderly relatives grasp of reality since this really is there primary contact with the real world.

Of course, those shows and all those crime dramas and unreal "reality" shows that are fed to the American public as a steady diet.

There have been so many debates at this point by the Republicans it seems there should have been a new reality series scheduled by the networks entitled "The Presidential GOP Debates: Run for the Roses," limiting them to 13 weeks. My eyes glazed over after the first one.

I spent my time during the second one imagining alternative occupations for those "candidates" after they leave office, if they ever do before retirement age. Few, I'm sure, will but here's what I came up with...

Mitt Romney - Used car salesman or croupier in Vegas

Newt Gingrich - Pilsbury doughboy stand-in or the new face on Monopoly for Mr. Moneybags, the banker. (Or Hallmark Card writer).

Rick Perry - Howdy Doody's new partner or calf roper and bull rider.

Michelle Bachman - New face for Oil of Olay or Cruise Line Director

Ron Paul - He's already an obstetrician and that fits, or Santa Claus (with padding)

As far as the other political party, we all know what Mr. Obama's true calling is: Motivational speaker or union organizer. I think most Americans know by now he is not nor was a Constitutional lawyer.

While all these people are traversing the country, spouting their political ideology, I wonder...just how did our political system get so very, very profitable for the cable entertainment news networks (MSNBC, CNN, FOX) and those candidates?

I mean, just how many staff members and assorted individuals affiliated with these continous elections can now list on their job resume "political strategist?"

I mean, do they give degrees in that now too?

Our elections are becoming mirror images of last week's finale of Survivor.

He who wins the game, wins the coveted rose.

Come hook or crook.

Iraq War Over? In Name Only, Perhaps

2011-12-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

Contrary to what has been reported in the mainstream media, and especially the left wing Democrats on CNN, MSNBC and even those on that British Conservative station, Fox, the Iraq War is hardly over - nor is its reported "end" the result of Mr. Obama's stated campaign promises (except to promise what Bush had already agreed to before leaving office).

It was reported four short years ago that George Bush, during his last three months in office, quietly met with the "new" Iraqi government and agreed to a massive troop withdrawal beginning in 2010 and winding down by the first two weeks in December, 2011.

Which is exactly what has occurred, as agreed.

Just prior, of course, to the next presidential election in this country.

The mainstream media reported it, however, it appears the politicians in Washington hope and pray that Americans will buy this troop withdrawal as ending the War in the Middle East and crediting Mr. Obama for this massive coup.

Until, of course, there is another tragedy involving the U.S. in Iran, Pakistan, or wherever else the military decides it needs to go to bomb, and then rebuild.

The government contractors, of course, are still in Iraq and probably will be there for quite some time.

With, of course, military personnel still there also in order to not leave Iraq totally without a U.S. presence, and keep those government contractors and their safety as their primary priority now that the war is "over." With the convenient capture also of Osama bin Laden this year too (buried at sea in the Muslim tradition?) This has been quite a year for both Mr. Obama's party, and Mr. Bush's.

The AP also reported today in another article regarding a 662 Billion Appropriations Bill, not carried on the front pages or web alert pages:

"Highlighting a period of austerity and a winding down of decade-old conflicts, the bill is $27 billion less than Obama requested and $43 billion less than Congress gave the Pentagon. The bill also authorizes money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and national security programs in the Energy Department.

Frustrated with delays and cost overruns with the troubled F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft program, lawmakers planned to require the contractor, Lockheed Martin, to cover the expense of any extra costs on the next batch and future purchases of the aircraft. The Pentagon envisions buying 2,443 planes for the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, but the price could make it the most expensive program in military history — $1 trillion.

The legislation freezes $700 million for Pakistan until the defense secretary provides Congress a report on how Islamabad is countering the threat of improvised explosive devices."

You can read the entire article here:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iFsyaljotNCsnPSzq9tjRtOkPKZg?docId=e3c1b02ccc1a42b78e94120a4a2f53a5

It really shocked me that included in this article is a provision that in the event an American is involved in some terrorist plot (although it seems Washington's politicos are the greatest terrorists of all), they too can be detained indefinitely, and without bail or bond.

Isn't that fundamentally unconstitutional, since Mr. Obama has also consented to "allow" these type actions, with the exception of any actions instigated by al Qaida or its affiliates, to be heard in the civil courts, rather than military courts. So that terrorism and those individuals defense costs can be "privatized," I guess, against all that foreign oil money from the countries that these individuals really call their home.

I mean I could understand having "open" military trials for those so accused who are not Americans but somehow got a visa and entered from one of the more than 40 countries the Bush Administration afforded free pass visa waivers during his term of office, under those "free trade" agreements using foreigners as commerce now that "commerce" and "people" have been so ill defined progressively.

Not to mention "foreigners" or "foreign enemies."

But affording the civil courts for these trials when our national security was and is so poor that a 9-11 could have even happened here in the first place, knowing just how much ill will there is in that part of the world against America and the West due to our decade upon decade presence there, force feeding our Western ideas of "freedom" - a definition of freedom that those in this country doubt the founding fathers would recognize as the inherent freedoms they were speaking of when our Constitution was ratified.

Many of these Middle Eastern countries, it appears, have little formal military for defense of their country and its people, but rather seems they are instead personal armies for the protection of the various dictators who progressively have ruled many of those countries.

From reading most of the web comments on the reported story of the "end of the War in Iraq," I'm not the only American both skeptical, and also with a longer memory than most of the mainstream media types and politicos give Americans credit for.

I predict that there will be another huge national security incident during Mr. Obama's next term of office (you don't really believe that old Newt, or Mitt, or Ron Paul even will take the coveted presidential prize this election, do you?).

So then we can have a Republican win the next election, and the status quo will then continue simply under a "change of face and party."

Perhaps against all odds by Iran (we are again beating the drums over Iran and its development of nuclear weapons - apparently a gigantic threat to this country even given our massive military might, and all the money we have spent on national defense and toys, and Reagan's Star Wars program in the 1980's). Or Pakistan (still a threat to India, apparently, another former British possession).

I guess that is why today, "The End of the War in Iraq Day", there were no parades...

Barack Obama's 60 Minutes Interview: Politics As Usual

2011-12-12T08:28:00.000-08:00

Although I rarely watch television, due to my present circumstances I was unfortunately exposed to the recent 60 Minutes interview with Barack Obama on national television last evening...

As a boomer, I keep wondering why a President of this country now has the time to conduct such interviews.

Although 60 Minutes has been around for a long time, I don't remember former presidents using the network as a forum in order to promote their agendas, or defend their political positions other than seizing the airwaves for one of those addresses that seem to also be getting more and more frequent.

During this interview, Mr. Obama had the audacity to claim that the problems in the banking industry that have been facilitated by BOTH political parties' unholy alliances with Wall Street, which now has a global focus rather than a national one, prior to the "financial reform" undertaken by Congress was not in any way "illegal," and postured, in a roundabout way, that if it were not for all the steps this Administration has undertaken in order to get financial reform addressed by Congress, these loan shark rates and terms would still be continuing...

Say what?

As one who was progressively stripped of her home and any and all property rights she had over her titled property, I found this excuse to be absolutely untrue and also one of the most arrogant statements made by a president ever.

Banks in the West, especially, were marketing loans which were not even based on the U.S. prime or currency, but on British LIBOR rates, a currency which is one and a half times that of America's piss poor dollar at this point.

Those loans are still being marketed throughout the country, and also to our kids for those outrageous student loans, last time I checked. In fact, this Administration has continued to promote refinancing and also re-education in order to get more and more Americans into those bogus loans, it appears...

And to state that the banks in this country, without such legislation and steps taken by this Administration, were not operating in a fraudulent and illegal manner is just too incredible to believe.

After all, we were created as a sovereign nation, and marketing financial products throughout the country which were not even based on our currency is and was not only illegal, but actually treasonous - and do not see anywhere in our Constitution that provides that our federal government was and is to coin and print money, and "value" it, with a created U.S. Treasury that was charged to so do, how this could be.

Unless it is a "global" free market that is the focus of this Administration, and this Congress, rather than a domestic one, regulating foreign ownership of America's key industries, and also its economy to protect America and Americans is supposed to be our federal government's focus. Not facilitating and encouraging a massive global takeover of our banking industries, and Americans homes and land, which appears to be the case more and more.

These "addresses" conducted on mainstream television are getting better and better with each one progressively...

And Mr. Obama has held himself out to be a Constitutional lawyer?

Just what IS going on at Harvard, I ask? And who is in charge of its law curriculum?

Are foreigners buying out our colleges and schools of higher learning even, at this point?

Penn State: Yellow Journalism and Deep Pockets

2011-11-24T07:32:00.000-08:00

With all the "yellow journalism" and spins which have been reported regarding the Penn State sex scandal, it clearly has been evident that there is a "deep pockets" mentality and agenda behind the madness...

Mr. Sandusky thus far has only admitted to "showering" and "snapping a towel" with underage boys, and I guess if this was a crime, then a good many parents of young children just might be guilty of child abuse or "crimes against children."

But maybe that is the point, or at least convincing the public that your local teacher, high school coach or priest just may be a sexual predator if he so much as "touches" your child, or engages in horseplay and showers with him.

There has been a widely publicized grand jury indictment circulating on the net.

Without so much as a date stamp on it.

This story has been in the news now for over three weeks, without an end in sight.

The Penn State Athletic Department and Administration has been purged of any and all who just might have had knowledge of a hearsay accusation made by one of the coaches, who was retained until just prior to their game against Nebraska, and after a head coach had been summarily dismissed.

Much has been reported about Joe Paterno's pension and retirement fund, and just how much he will stand to continue to earn even after his dismissal, and that his house was deeded to his wife several months ago, and that he has been diagnosed with cancer...

Although not a Pennsylvanian except by birth and a short couple years living in the East Coast mostly in Jersey thereafter, I may be disgusted by the amount of the pension and retirement plan for a public employee if even that is true, attempting to hijack the pension of an 84 year old man diagnosed with cancer at this point is even more despicable.

With all the unidentified "victims" now coming out of the woodwork, and the progression of this story although the accused has only been indicted, and not found guilty of any criminal charges, with civil suits already being initiated by the "victims" families, sounds to me like we have one of those "deep pockets" cases going on here...slinging enough mud around far and wide hoping that at least some of it will eventually stick for the prosecution of these civil cases.

The "deep pockets" civil lawyer style justice.

And the "deep pockets" which will be affected definitely will be those of the Pennsylvania taxpayers, and all American taxpayers in the end, since Penn State, it has been reported, receives one of the largest government grants of any university in the country.

THIS is American justice? Flinging mud everywhere when the criminal case has yet to be determined, and in this country the accused is SUPPOSE TO BE innocent until proven guilty by a jury of his peers, and not public pressure due to a media now that also has been sensationalized beyond measure?

I think not.

George Washington's Wisdom

2011-11-24T07:27:00.001-08:00

While reading of the ongoing demonstrations throughout the country by the Occupy Wall Street protestors, it occurred to me that Wall Street, and those bankers are not the sole criminals but co-conspirators (although even the word conspiracy is being ill defined in this country) of the majority of politicians in Washington.

The continued desecration of this country and its founding principles has been, of course, a joint venture between the bankers and those in both mainstream political parties leadership, with the corporately "organized" Tea Party appearing once again without a clue as to just when and where this country began this freefall, or just how to shift gears at this point from the progressive globalism agendas.

It is Washington in bed with the European bankers and our continued alliances with them that has continued to bite this country in the butt, so to speak, and ballooned our national debt and compromised this country's sovereignty and national security in the process.

Let's hope that the masses who are now gaining strength begin to see the forest for the trees, and not their individual grievances, but the "globalism" versus "sovereign America" economic and foreign policies that have got us here.

Capitalizing on Gabby: Giffords Interview Poses Questions

2011-11-14T22:36:00.000-08:00

As a former long term Arizonan of 45 years, I just could not bring myself to watch the entire much publicized interview with Gabrielle Giffords, the Congresswoman from Tucson who was shot ten long months ago by a gunman in a Tucson grocery store parking lot along with six others who perished in the incident.

Why?

It was far too personal, and painful for me personally...

Ms. Giffords was not my representative, but from a state that I hold dear to my heart and in which I grew up in long ago when times were different, and things were much simpler.

She, too, is a native and long term Arizonan from the second largest city in Arizona, in the still wild and wooly west (if you speak to any Easterner, that is, who has never been there for any length of time other than possibly for rehab).

I had seen snippets of the interview, which Diane Sawyer seemed to publicize on every ABC affiliated program and station in the nation the past several weeks.

Gabby is courageous, that much is evident.

And still very much healing...

What I found totally unbelieveable is that this interview comes on the heals of a book that she supposedly "wrote" with her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly.

Ms. Giffords has come a long way, but is still having a great deal of trouble with her speech, although is remarkably improved from where she has been to where she is now. But capable of even corroborating on a book, while continuing her intensive therapy?

I highly doubt it.

Not to mention the fact that most of the entire segment seemed geared also toward extolling the virtues of the medical profession and her somewhat unusual therapy for her traumatic brain injuries at TIRR Medical Center in Houston, Texas (which also just so happens to be the home of her husband, a non-Arizonan).

In Ms. Giffords present condition, though again remarkable, I just wonder how much she understood and consented to this interview, given her still healing brain function, and seemed she was once again being used clearly for a political agenda.

It is, after all, less than a year until the next major election, and the Supreme Court today "advised" the public that it would be hearing the lawsuits which have occurred in light of the passage of ObamaCare, and that dreaded and unconstitutional "mandatory" provision contained within it.

Gaining public support and sympathy prior to the hearing of that case, seems to be also a focus of both the medical profession (who will benefit ultimately) and also the politicians who sold out the American people with the passage of that provision and those founding fathers.

Gabby Giffords did vote for that bill, although is receiving care that will and is far exceeding that which would be given to any "regular" American citizen under some of those "low cost" health care plans marketed through those "co-ops" Mr. Obama envisions.

And in states such as Arizona, most of the "native" citizens have been paying for many of those hospital research grants, and also operating costs through their state property taxes, in addition to the monies they contribute to their state through the income tax, and also at the federal levels.

Here's to Ms. Giffords full and complete recovery, whenever that may be...

But let's hope that Diane Sawyer, and those media types leave her alone until then...and the politicians, lawyers and the Supreme Court start arguing their case for ObamaCare on Constitutional grounds.

On which, there really aren't any...

The Jobless And Form 1040

2011-09-28T16:27:00.000-07:00

From all reports in the mainstream media again this week, it appears that Washington's priorities are once again something that needs immediate attention and review.

Instead of televising Obama's speech at the UN General Assembly once again heralding the U.S.'s unconditional support for Israel during the debate over Palestine's bid for statehood, with the new jobless and foreclosure figures in perhaps domestic concerns might take a front seat, rather than back seat, to Israel and its national security concerns which have been ongoing, after all, since World War II...

I mean, as one who was alive during the '67 war over borders and boundaries, Israel has been in the news consistently ever since...as has the Middle East and our continued involvement there...

Also, all those debates and televised campaign stops could be delayed until oh, say, at least six months before the next election, rather than a year and a half....

It occurred to me as one who has been fundamentally affected by what is wrong in Washington once again this past week, that what may be needed is an emergency pow wow of the powers that be that addresses some needed changes to Form 1040 before next April 15th in light of the ever increasing jobless and homeless Americans.

Many of those affected who no longer have jobs or homes are now living with relatives, if they have family so far that have not been impacted to such an extent.

Many of those living with extended family are now dependent on them for a roof over their heads, or food on their plate (since, of course, even food stamps are not available to people unless it is based on "household" incomes, with even the minimal Social Security payments outside the maximums in income or assets which qualify many for the program.

I have had to take residence with my elderly parents during some months since leaving my home state of Arizona five years ago, when this economic tsunami/foreclosure mess started after having owned my own home for over twenty five years.

Or, rather, it actually owned me in the end.

Both have heart disease, one in advanced stages, are in their 80's and live on their minimal social security payments, and a small pension received for forty years of work in the non-profit sector primarily. Both are on special diets due to their heart disease, but they have had added expense feeding me also as another mouth to feed, although do attempt to do some of the things both of them are unable to do at their age, and with their health issues.

I am over the age of 25, needless to say, as are many young adults also in this situation due to the dearth of jobs in their fields (although some of those degrees given today are quite unbelieveable).

Perhaps what is needed is another dependency exemption without age limits?

Forget the sums that would be provided to help under unemployment.

I was informed this week that my former employer in the State of Colorado and is licensed to do business there, whom I had worked for four months before being unilaterally "laid off" for all intents and purposes, had advised unemployment that I had, instead, "resigned." After almost eight weeks of receiving absolutely nothing while this was "pending investigation." I'm wondering if those jobless figures based on the Unemployment Claims filing have any truth to them at all, if this is what is occurring to many who have filed for their "temporary assistance."

As one who formerly worked in employment and labor law, this was no "resignation" under any true definition of the word, but an "enforced separation."

This was an employer that has been in the local newspapers in the community in which I formerly was residing for failing to pay its employees consisently week after week, and who also was giving employees unpaid time off when their call volume was down.

There were only five individuals left in my training class of 80 when they finally got to me, of course, after I questioned laying off 350 people after hiring 600 only three months prior.

I guess it was that question that sealed my eventual fate. And I suppose an employer who is having trouble meeting its payroll, is going to use every excuse imaginable in order to skirt around having to shell out for that even lesser unemployment amount...and this was a center that had a contract for a major national cell phone carrier, at that.

Try telling your landlord that you can't make the rent payment, because your employer was having several slow days that week.

I mean, if those in Washington are actually working at this point, rather than two-thirds of them attending fund raising events, and making campaign speeches, or are hard at work rewriting that tax code so that at least the instruction manual for completing a 1040 doesn't weigh more than a pound or two, rather than the ten to fifteen it does now, maybe this little problem has already been taken into account in some of those backroom meetings - what to do about those now jobless dependents?

I hope I hear something on CNN or Fox about it soon...because my elderly parents could certainly use a tax break so that at least they don't have to pay more taxes on that Social Security they had been receiving...

Which also looks as if it too is going to be reduced, for again "budgetary reasons."

While the war, of course, continues...and the insourcing and outsourcing for the "global good."

Banks Issue Flurry Of Default Notices to Homeowners in August

2011-09-15T20:03:00.000-07:00

It was reported in the mainstream media that the banks have begun issuing a flurry of default notices to homeowners in August.

So much for the pleas by the President to arrange to work out refinances or better lending terms with the literally thousands of homeowners still who are facing foreclosure, especially in the Southwest, West and Florida, after the latest Washington manipulated boom and bust cycle in which many homeowners were forced into refinances under those "teaser" loans, or even British banking rate terms such as the LIBOR London interest rates.

I guess the time for understanding, or even compassion or integrity has passed.

Gee, I wonder if this has anything to do with Obama's proposal to turn bankers into landlords, and let them "lease out" those properties they are ready to foreclose on to the homeowner who has been scammed out of his property by this boom and bust wave, and the increasing costs of ownership which have also rise far above the cost of living, including in those states with all those property taxes.I wonder just why those banks would be now moving more quickly to initiate those foreclosure actions - to threaten those homeowners into those "lease" agreements, whatever THEIR terms might be?

This should really stimulate the home buying market for those few still in the market to buy into these "New Age progressive" loans and loan terms...

No New Jobs In August: How Many Were Lost?

2011-09-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

As a baby boomer who has been seeking employment for the better part of six months currently, after working several months for a call center for a major cell phone carrier and then being subsequently "laid off" from there, I found the current jobs report again missed the mark on just what is occurring in the job market as a whole.

I have worked most of my adolescent and adult life in various industries and professions.

My first jobs were "starter" positions.

The first while in high school after my father's 1970's layoff was working for a major hamburger chain based out of Texas running their sales figures daily and crunching numbers.

The second after graduation was working for a "Million Dollar Roundtable" whole life insurance agent whose clientele consisted of many professional basketball players and consisted of doing all his clerical work, running his car to the car wash and picking up his laundry when needed, and combing the obituaries in order to obtain information on the recently deceased's widows in order to then cold call to sell them on whole life policies for my employer.

It lasted about six months until I could not stomach the invasion of their privacy and grief to continue making those calls.

I then worked for a bank again crunching numbers, and then for a major credit card company typing letters eight hours a day to cardholders, and eventually working for one of the Directors of their Western Regional Operating Center.

A company whose credit cards were and are a status symbol of sorts for the wealthier Americans.

Consequently, I have no problem even with my illustrious resume of positions I have held since that time (a corporate paralegal, and after a divorce a travel consultant) with doing what is now considered "menial work."

In fact, I recently worked for one of those dreaded "call centers" for a time, making not a whole lot of money in order to simply pay for my weekly rental room, and gas.

I've submitted at this point dozens and dozens of applications (an hour each to complete), and signed up at one of the local employment agencies in the area.

I've gone on interviews for movie theatre positions for minimum wage, and a government contractor and another call center for "technical" support where I was made to complete a IQ test for a position that simply required me to contact subcontractor technical support representatives to repair computers for governmental agencies and others from a list of "approved" vendors.

What the IQ test had to do with that one, I guess I'll never know since I must not have passed since that position was filled with another that suited the position a little better, or whose IQ test I assume was higher than mine.

I've even meet with the small business counselors in the area for an idea I have had for many years due to the declining health and hospitalizations of both of my elderly parents, but alas, was informed there simply is no money for new start ups in this piss poor economy.

The job situation has not improved except for the tech industries, and medical support positions I was also informed.

Or computer programmers (although I did have and maintained my own website based small retail business for over three years), but am not an "expert" in computer troubleshooting or programming.

I did get a solicitation recently from AARP to sign up for their resume classes through an online tutor at no cost, whose offices were in Washington.

Since tax credits are being given to employers who focus their efforts on hiring the returning military, Latinos, and those under 40, I just wonder why AARP is not fighting for the boomers and the discriminatory practices against generational Americans, or the under 65 or 70 crowd, which are being facilitated by Washington's apparent existing "jobs" agenda, rather than sending solicitation letters.

I hope during the summer break, those in Washington spent some of that time visiting the local job center offices.

To enlighten them as to just why those August job figures were so dismal.

And why the American economy IS NOT rebounding with this progressive depression.

Libyan Lunancy: Media Misses The Mark On Rebellion

2011-08-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

With all the reporting this past week prior to Irene's arrival superceding it, much has been reported in the media regarding the recent events in Libya.

Most of the reporting, for the most part has been favorable to the rebels which have gained control of most of Tripoli, forcing Mr. Kaddafy into hiding somewhere with the city.

Photographs were taken and broadcast of the revelry, and of the homes and compounds which were owned by the Kaddafy family prior to their escape.

Of course, at this point it has been stressed that the U.S. is affording the U.N. forces and NATO to take the lead in support for the rebels.

France in particular from what has been reported, keeping the Brits and their involvement from public scrutiny due to the recent events in London, I would suspect.

But much has also been alluded to by the press, apparently at the behest of Washington, such as just how at some point it may be necessary for U.S. troops to go into Libya to restore order and begin rebuilding Tripoli.

Sort of what happened with Iraq, if you recall.

On the pretense of finding bin Laden in that instance.

Which country eight years later we are still rebuilding.

Also what has been left out is that several years ago, according to reports from the foreign press, Kaddafy moved many of the leaders of his regime out of Tripoli, and into outlying areas in order to conduct the existing government's business.

So much of the leadership of Libya isn't even in Tripoli, from those reports.

Two short years ago, it appeared the Brits placed great pressure on Scotland in order to secure the release of the Lockerbie bomber, perhaps setting the stage for this rebellion, and in order to also gain U.S. support for the allied forces mission to have Mr. Kaddafy, Libya and their citizens "get with the program" of their vision of global world government.

The banks in Libya, after all, are state owned and there is only minority ownership afforded any foreign bank operating in Libya under the Kaddafy regime. The state retains 51% ownership of any and all foreign banks there at the present time under their form of government.

Which most likely annoys those globalists within NATO and the U.N. who perhaps don't feel their control or ownership shares are enough.

Libya has always been a thorn in the Brits and U.S. side. Another country rich in oil and oil reserves, yet for the most part there is little else.

All the wealth then, is owned by the state through those oil reserves and their banking system.

Watch to see what kind of "democracy" eventually comes out of Libya.

Whether there will be a "Congress" of states and three distinct branches, or another Parliament.

To see who is really calling the shots here.

And whether, either prior to or after the U.S. elections, there is a move by Washingto to send in our troops to either restore order, or rebuild a "new" Tripoli.

The way things are going, within a generation there may be few able bodied U.S. males left in this country.

The Obama Solution: Lenders As Landlords

2011-08-20T22:15:00.001-07:00

This past week there was a news report released by the mainstream media that Barack Obama has arrived at a solution to "solve" the mortgage crisis and foreclosure mess, especially in the hardest hit states of Arizona and Florida, by turning Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, the mortgagee on a great many of those properties, into landlords.

It was also reported that input into this proposal by the public would be accepted until September.

Instead of actually addressing the true problems and just why the housing market isn't rebounding with the public expressing their free market dissatisfaction with the manner in which most of those properties are sold, with overly restrictive terms and conditions on those loans, and at usurous rates at that, the Obama Administration's agenda appears to be to corner the market on private land and home ownership in this country.

Or shift those properties over to all those investment groups so that all land is eventually "corporately" owned, and "managed".

The greed of the banks and the foreclosure industry at this point is truly incredible.

And make no mistake about it, in both Arizona and Florida the foreclosure industry is very big business, and both states have a very long and illustrous history of land and real estate fraud.

Just imagine all those LLCs and limited partnerships of doctors, lawyers and other high income individuals who will eventually purchase those bargain basement mortgages on entire developments if this "suggestion" becomes law.

Gone will be all private land ownership in this country eventually, as has been the agenda it appears with the progressive agendas of placing management companies and lawyers in charge already of large developments under those covenants already sold with homes in which "homeowners associations" throughout the nation have become the norm. Where the freedom to even paint your home the color you wish, or make improvements now involves a "corporate" or "committee" decision of your neighbors, or the non-owner management companies.

I wonder, just why are Americans turned off at this point with purchasing a property only to find out they truly have no "ownership" rights to speak of in any manner whatsoever.

And just why was this "announcement" buried by most news readers and reporters, when it has such monumental impact with respect to its "legality?"

And all appearances to the contrary, the Democratic Party is clearly as "corporately" focused as Mr. Romney's definition of "people," only this time fundamental private property rights and ownership rights are the targets to this Administration.

Placing them now under banker's control as the "landlords."

So THIS is where all that stimulus money will eventually be spent? Purchasing all the land and homes of Americans also now affected by failed governmental policies who have lost their jobs, and will now be losing their homes to the banker landlords?

When many of those banks who offered those Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loans are controlled by foreigners through their stock ownership?

Outrageous.

If you agree that this is outside the intent for private property ownership, with banks not as lenders but as landlords, contact the Federal Housing Financial Administration at FHFAinfo@FHFA.gov.

Washington Taking Direction From Madison Avenue: "Super" Committees?

2011-08-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

It appears that Washington must have a Madison Avenue mentality, more than a Constitutional one, with respect to its understanding of our American form of government.

In the wake of the "budget deficit" talks and moves to raise the U.S. debt ceiling, justifiably or not (given that there are no offset credits against that deficit for all the outsourcing, and foreign aid we continue to give foreign governments at the cost of the American public), now we have a Super Committee of legislators whose sole job is to study the problem and come up with a bi-partisan solution.

Rather than letting this old dog simply die its legitimate death.

Super sizing and the Super Bowl appears to be the marketing strategy in order to sell whatever comes out of this committee to the MacDonald's and football crowd.

New York and California are complaining through their state legislators about unfair representation on this committee, noting that due to their larger populations, they should even have more Senators than their Constitutional two.

Not mentioning that perhaps about 1/4 of their population might not even be "legal" Americans, simply tourists or transient workers on visa waivers. Or Mexicans. Or Canadians. Or maybe part time residents of Arizona, Florida or other SunBelt states, thus only "part time" non-residents residents.

Making the same mistakes and trouble in those states through their vacationer status at this point progressively as they created in their own "home" states.

When the Senators, after all, are merely there to represent the state governments, not the people actually at all since the House of Representatives, by that Constitution, is supposed to be the "people's house" representing ONLY those citizens living in their legislative district.

But, of course, campaign finance laws have also afforded "corporate" out of state special interest groups to totally undermine representation in the House, making the House of Representatives more the House of Misrepresentatives.

I wonder, just whose idea was this? And just where is it Constitutionally permissible?

Super egos, I'm sure, will insure that that information will be kept from the public, in the interests of "national insecurity" maybe?

The Submission Question: Larger Questions on Bachmann Loom

2011-08-15T21:50:00.000-07:00

It has been interesting to this Independent the media attention which has been given over Michelle Bachmann's "surprise" question during the Iowa Republican debate.

I mean, was this question REALLY relevant, and just why does there seem to be such media over analysis which continues almost a week after those debates?

Ms. Bachmann, I'm sure, would be more than happy to move on to some really important matters, and I watched her deflect this question at least a dozen times restating her position and beliefs, and reiterating her candidacy based upon so-called "conservative" positions.

Tonight, I even watched as Fox's "anchor" Laura Ingalls once again analyzed Ms. Bachmann's response supposedly "supporting" it, while bringing in Fox's oft used "foil," Bernie Goldberg to attempt to poke holes in Ms. Bachmann's definition of submission, and "respect."

What is so very funny is that it is rather ludicrous to believe that any candidate that runs for public office, not to mention the presidency, would not be influenced by their spouse at times during critical moments.

I mean, Reagan was. So was Jimmy Carter. Both Nancy Reagan and Rosalyn Carter were very influential over their husbands. As is, I'm sure, Michelle Obama on "policy" decisions and positions when push comes to shove.

So why this focus just because this candidate happens to be a woman?

Family of origin influence also is in the psychological makeup of everyone on this planet, for good or ill.

Her husband will be under the magnifying glass, but really should he be?

I don't think Jimmy Carter's brother's travails and some of his antics actually affected Mr. Carter in any adverse way, even his association with "Billy Beer."

And contrary to Mr. Goldberg's positions, to most Christians respect definitely is part of the definition of submission, meaning that most women marry a man they do admire and respect, and in most domestic decisions are to submit to their husband's opinions and judgment, but political matters are not domestic issues between a husband and wife, and a man is also called to respect and cherish his wife.

Having advised and counseled her to pursue a career choice that she maybe hadn't considered, a wise Christian man would leave her to her greater knowledge and experience outside his own area of expertise.

But Mr. Goldberg just may not have that basic understanding if he is not a Christian, and has taken public issue with even those of his own faith for perhaps his own "political" reasons.

The questions on Ms. Bachmann's positions, to this Independent, are many and much more relevant to her candidacy than her definitions of marriage (an institution, actually, with an over 3,000 year history and in which gays also did exist at the time of the signing of the Constitution, but in which time even marriage between a man and woman was defined in this country according to the "common law," which is unchanging for the most part. You know, those "God given" unalienable rights those founders spoke of, which were not to be interfered with by government).

Questions about her stances on Iran, for example, as indeed a "threat" to the United States.

My question: Does this mean you view Iran as as much of a threat in the same vein as the Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon Administrations and Congresses did Viet Nam? I mean, did we not learn our lesson then about offensive, rather than defensive, wars on foreign soil?

Questions about her stances on Israel, also.

My question: Your bio states that you once lived in a kibbutz in Israel. Would that mean that you would continue to sacrifice the lives of your fellow Christians and Americans for the sake of Israel, when of course Christ came to Earth in order to warn the Israelites that if they did continue in their "legalism," with respect to Old Testament scriptural interpretation, they would eventually lose the Temple and the covenant would be broken?

Rather, would you refuse to involve U.S. troops in any further Middle East wars in order to protect American lives outside any true offensive attack on THIS country by a foreign enemy or army? What about the threat of true "terrorists," economic and/or criminal, even a little closer to home, rather than across two continents?

What about your positions on unrestricted and unlimited immigration, as has increased since the Reagan years, in the interests of "diversity" and our own open borders? What about all the outsourcing that has cost so many Americans their former jobs and livelihoods in order to bulk up the global economy and build up the global profits of foreign citizens and governments at the American people's ultimate expense?

Questions about her stances on taxation, of course, as a former tax lawyer.

What is your position on the 16th Amendment, and the Constitutional provisions and intent for higher taxation for "property" owners (corporate or individual), as opposed to those who are paying those taxes for the land holders and corporations where their tax bites are then passed down to the public? What about states that also have an income tax on top of the federal income tax, what is your position there?

Questions about her claims to be a "tea party" believer, without much of an understanding of just what that tea party was all about, especially with respect to global trade.

Ms. Bachmann, as with Mr. Perry (who apparently has written a book, even) "talk the talk" but don't seem to have much of a record of "walking the walk" with respect to Constitutional positions and just where this country has lost its way and is now under global corporate control, rather than Constitutional government.

I would be interested in hearing answers to THOSE questions.

But I think I already know the answers.

The Constitution is in this election season, and most of those candidates are going to do their damnest, once again during election time, to make you believe they have read it.

Or at least have a fundamental understanding of it.

But after election time, of course, will not submit.

The Iowa Straw Poll: Been There, Done That

2011-08-12T14:33:00.001-07:00

This week the mainstream media's primary focus has been on the Iowa Straw Poll which will be conducted in Ames, Iowa tomorrow, so as one who attended the last straw poll during the last presidential election cycle, let me just say that this Republican Party fundraiser is nothing more than that...

A fundraiser.

Not at all an indication of just where and what level of support most of those "candidates" for the Republican nomination lies.

First of all, during the one I attended four years ago, the cost to attend and cast your "vote" was $75 per person, or $150 per couple, and all the proceeds were earmarked for the corporate Republican Party's benefit. Most all of the candidates advertise in the local Iowa papers attempting to trump up attendance and support for this nonevent.

And last election cycle, Mr. Romney was the most well organized of all, even paying the cost of those tickets for those who committed to attend in advance, providing them with "Romney" tee-shirts and a free western style barbeque prior to the speechifying, and during the voting and subsequent ballot count. He even provided buses to and from the campus for those that wished to reserve a seat.

Upon arrival, the Romney contingent in their campaign provided golf carts which raced enmass to the buses as they arrived in order to escort them to Romney Central, and past any and all of those "other" Republican candidates, or their supporters.

In fact, the eventual winner of the nomination didn't even attend this event, and as has been suspected by most former Republicans cum Independents, the actual serious candidate that has the corporate support of the movers and shakers within that party, and their campaign backers, has already been selected, to be announced after Super Tuesday.

The "dark horse" candidate which will enter late, in order to "save the day" for the party and the nation running his campaign on a shoestring budget, or the Evangelical vote.

In other words, with Rick Perry's noncandidacy at this point, while being heralded as the write in candidate, look forward to another candidate from the erstwhile "Republican" Party to rerun the Bush years from the Bush state, with the Bush agenda and Bush constituents.

And don't look for "change" once again to be a campaign slogan for either Mr. Obama, or Bush III.

Rather, more of the same.

Or, "second verse, same as the first" only much, much worse.

After all, hitting bottom only applies to "people" not "governmental special interest corporations."

No matter how Mr. Romney or the Republican Party or Democratic Party (those labor unions, and THEIR other "corporate" backers) defines "people."

Standard and Poors Rating Makes Americans Even Poorer

2011-08-08T21:34:00.000-07:00

With the announcement of the downgrade in the U.S. credit rating by Standard & Poors, the globally focused arbiter of credit rankings of most of the developed and even undeveloped nations of the world, of course Wall Street today took a huge dive, causing many an American, I would imagine, to head for the medicine cabinet and their Pepto Bismol.

In fact, in one of the local papers today there was an editorial cartoon which illustrated two baby boomers standing next to each other with one reading the headlines and commenting to the other, "There goes our retirement savings. At this rate, we'll have to have multiple jobs until we're 90!...with the next panel paning back showing the very same individuals standing in the unemployment line with the other one responding, "I admire your optimism..."

This latest news is once again being used by both political parties to continue to spin those plates in the air, even now many placing the "blame" on the Tea Party while using this latest crisis, of course, for their own election ends - including those claimed "Tea Party" candidates. We've got a third party, alright, but simply another to bring into this three ring circus.

Standard & Poors, whose roots harken back to the 1800's, is now headed by a gentleman who was born in Jakarta, India.

So I guess this downgrading could have been predicted by those in Washington.

I mean, India does have a great deal of our IT jobs, and was also formerly a British holding, which has had off and on conflicts with Pakistan, the country which bin Laden sought refuge and was killed by those Navy Seals, and the country in which Ms. Bhuto was killed a few years back after her extended exile, and who was also educated in Britain...Hmmm...

Not that I believe there is any truly political motive or bias and media spinning going on here...but...

I wonder, since our deficit is merely a paper debt to the Europeans funding our Federal Reserve, without any offsets, just who has been doing the bookkeeping for Washington all these many years?

I'm sure many of those foreign bankers are now scamming some of those rock bottom stocks also right about now, further being given an opportunity to facilitate a "corporate" takeover.

Another boomer and friend recently wrote me who also has a history similar to my own, and is now on the unemployment line.

Worked for over 20 years in the legal profession, about ten more in the travel industry, early in their career in banking and insurance, with also some work in the health care field thrown in for good measure and further diversifying their career portfolio.

All of those employers, of course, paid unemployment on their workforces behalf all those years he was working.

Got his first unemployment check today after working at an hourly position for less than six months before he was eventually laid off from there after a "ramp up."

He is now living high off the hog on $90 per week, less taxes.

While listening to the news hearing that his mortgage interest rates just might increase, and his retirement funds, or what he has left after using it during his unemployment which is basically gone, is now worth even less.

And is pretty much resigned to the fact that all those 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 dollars withheld from his paycheck for Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid most likely he will never, ever see.

Not with the dollar and America being downsized and downgraded.

And just think, with that great American invention, the computer and international online banking, those foreign moneylenders and bankers don't even have to pay for that expensive paper or ink anymore in actually printing our currency.

Deficit Debunked: An Independent's View

2011-07-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

With much political staging and politicking occurring in the mainstream media over this debt "crisis" and call for raising America's debt ceiling, since there has been so many solutions put on the table by both mainstream political parties that calls for Americans to sacrifice for the "greater" good, or those two parties political agendas, I felt some real viable solutions to this crisis by an Independent also deserves a little consideration.

As one that is not affiliated with either of the mainstream political parties, here are some of my solutions to this reported "crisis," which is interesting in and of itself since it does appear we do need one of these "crises" just prior to each and every presidential election year.

The last one, of course, was the "big bank bailout" and also the continuing mortgage crisis, and joblessness.

Which has merely intensified under the Democrats and Republicans holding office in Congress.

Here are some of mine, that don't involve Americans undue sacrifice, are Constitutional, and at least have a degree of rationality to them, given that all those ideas of "cutting" the social programs that Americans are obligated by law to pay, and have paid for also literally decades (such as Social Security, and Medicaid) since those programs were created "by law," Congress is legally obligated to fund and continue for at least the living Americans at this point.

It does appear that at least Social Security has become nothing more than a federally sanctioned money laundering operation, since Congress continues to dip into all those sums contributed by the boomers, especially, for their own special interests.

Especially if they are going to continue to fund or appropriate monies to foreigners and foreign interests, and taxing Americans for them, again sacrificing Americans for the "global" good.

1. Call in those foreign aid loans which have remained unpaid for literally generation after generation, and extend no new loans to foreign countries or foreign governments. It is amazing that after all this "raising the debt ceiling" talk, no one has even once mentioned where it is eventually going to go. Much of it, as in the past, not even to Americans or for Americans benefit.

2. Renegotiate those interest rates and terms with the European bankers who control the world's economy, now that they are not even having to provide much of that expensive paper and ink in order to print our currency what with internet banking and such, another invention of America that the European bankers have since used in order to up their profits on the backs of Americans.

3. Recall all our troops based in foreign countries protecting Europe or Israel most of all, and shrink our defense budget now that even our defensive systems have been computerized due to those expensive space programs also all the years since Kennedy, and Reagan's "Star Wars" programs. We can use our standing army to protect our own country and its borders instead - what a concept!

4. Slash the salaries of all those in Congress, especially, to a salary that is commensurate with that of the "middle class" American, and not that of the upper third.

That's a start, and there is so much more that could be done to rewind and trim the fat from those budgets instead of making it the Americans, and not the politicians or foreign governments and countries, who are once again asked to sacrifice when Americans have already sacrificed their homes, jobs and even their children for literally decades in the name of the "global good."

And finally, hire some American economists to work with Congress, rather than those global ones.

Murdoch Mayhem: Who Scripted This PR Stunt?

2011-07-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

It has been interesting reading the mainstream media coverage of the recent events in London with respect to the Rupert Murdoch affair, and once again just how much publicity and almot stage maneuvering has gone on since these "hacking" incidents were first being investigated by Britain's Parliament.

I've seen more British newscasters and commentators now on Fox carrying "live" coverage and also their spins on this "questioning" to last me for many, many months.

As with so many of these "public" and publicity seeking proceedings and distractions from the primarily British globalist agenda of once again conquering this country from within with its "divide and conquer" strategy with these Republican/Democratic Congressional staged catfights, I wonder if there has been a stage manager involved in this one.

Don't count on MSNBC (Bill Gates' station) for any truth in reporting also, since one of their anchors tried to make the distinction between Mr. Murdoch's U.S. holdings as being an "American" corporation, which of course Mr. Murdoch purchased after his "rushed" citizenship application in order to buy up a great deal of America's news reporting agencies and Hollowood studios.

With this anchor also leaving out that although Newscorp is technically an American corporation, it is clearly merely a global subsidiary of Mr. Murdoch's worldwide propaganda machine. As Microsoft NBC is merely an arm of Bill Gate's globalism and political beliefs, so is Fox and so very many others.

Once again, we have a "questioning" that simply seems an attempt to place Mr. Murdoch before the worldwide audience, and then cleverly craft his image for the average Joe in this country through all the huge publicity it entails.

I mean, there is already reporting in many of those mainstream media of Mr. Murdoch's memory difficulties, buck passing, and son who has been called upon to fill in so many of the details on this "hacking" story - including the highly publicized hacking of victims of 9-11.

With the media crediting his performance, and also attempts to gain sympathy due to both the extent of his media empire, and also his older age with those memory lapses.

I wonder if anyone at this point has attempted to trademark "9-11" as Disney did the Team 6 of the Navy Seals after the bin Laden "capture." I mean, it does come up in all these national security proceedings, and now it has spread to both sides of the Atlantic in even this one.

The attempted "pie in the face" farce also again made me wonder if there was a rehearsal before this televised event.

I mean, Mrs. Murdoch is really THAT quick on her feet? The media branded "tiger" wife of this mogul who fought for a share of his empire for her children as the "third" Mrs. Murdoch as was also widely reported?

And Chinese, who married her first husband after having an affair who then divorced him after obtaining her U.S. green card?

Who scripted this?

Stay tuned.

I would imagine with Mr. Murdoch's long history of "sensationalized" and exploitive journalism, it will keep getting better and better.

I just wonder when the bill will be introduced in Congress, citing this incident, calling for more "regulation" of the internet so that more and more Americans can be targeted for disagreeing with both Mr. Murdoch and Mr. Gates' political ideology.

Of course, in the name of "terrorism" and in order to "protect" the privacy of Americans so that such bold transgressions on our U.S. Constitution never, ever happen again?

Maybe this will be another one of those "issues" and distractions most of those globalists will run on in the 2012 elections, again twisting and turning that Constitution and it's intent so that it is even more unrecognizeable.

Maybe INS and our Congress's time would be better spent once again addressing just how many foreign opportunists are applying for citizenship, without having even a basic understanding of the system of government under which our country was founded.

It doesn't appear Mr. Murdoch, or Mr. Gates have.

And at least Mr. Gates SHOULD know better, and maybe spent just a little more time in history class rather than in developing all that software and those "firewall" programs that Murdoch and his cronies found so easy to breach and so irresistable?

I just wonder, did the hacker once work for Bill Gates over there in foggy London town?

The Casey Anthony Case: Disturbing Questions Remain

2011-07-12T09:10:00.000-07:00

Since the mainstream media frenzy has continued almost a week after the jury rendered its verdict in the Casey Anthony trial and subsequent sentencing, with no fewer than a dozen prime time cable news programs dedicated to dissecting this case and its three year investigation, I thought I would also set forth my post mortem on this highly publicized Florida case (which seems to be one state that has had more than its share) and the questions I and many have remaining which have not been satisfactorly answered.

Before I pose my questions, it has been interesting in just how many people are now coming out of the woodwork in order to capitalize on this case to be "reimbursed" for their costs, in addition to most of the cable news networks with their massive profits on this case, for their investigative work during the time Casey Anthony was leading law enforcement officials down blind alleys while the search for CAYLEE was expanding but just never seemed to be concentrated by any of those private and public investigative units less than a quarter mile from her home where little Caylee's body was eventually found.

I mean three long years ago, weren't those private companies representing that their services were being donated?

And just who was paying for her defense costs other than the Florida taxpayers?

Be that as it may, I guess the most glaring and obvious error to me was simply in the charges which were filed against her, which were never amended after her "arrest."

Instead of first degree murder charges, for which there was little evidence to begin with, or aggravated manslaughter, doesn't Florida have a statute that deals with negligent homicide? Or, since Ms. Anthony clearly admitted to lying to investigators about Caylee's whereabouts and had no idea where her child was after a full month, what about child abandonment or accessory to murder given the eventual discovery of her body six months later?

Why were those charges never amended to reflect at least charges which the prosecutor had a better chance of even proving, given the evidence he was relying on for a conviction?

I am once again wondering about not only America's criminal justice system and court procedures in capital offenses such as this one, but also the education of our lawyers which also seems to have been missed.

And given that Ms. Anthony will be free on Sunday, from my understanding although she was charged and arrested, wasn't she also then placed in a protective custody situation given the media coverage of this investigation where there were concerns for her safety within the prison population while she was awaiting trial? So in actually, has she really ever spent any real time in "jail?"

And what about those recorded "jailhouse tapes" where the family was recorded while she was in custody, but had as yet to be charged with a felony even. Just why were those tapes allowed into evidence to begin with, given that I'm sure there was no permission sought to release those tapes to the public and were also highly publicized by most of those cable news stations while the investigation was ongoing?

There is so much troubling in this case and its prosecution and defense, and its media coverage, that if I was one of those conspiracy theorists it seemed as if this "trial" resembled more than anything some of those "mock" trials that are held during most law students' studies.

Who is going to profit from this case, other than Ms. Anthony, for any of those exclusive interviews that have also been bantered about when she is released on Sunday, within a week of this highly publicized trial, by those whose post mortems are geared more toward upping the ante for these cable news networks for the lucky "winner" of that all important first person interview?

I wonder, will Barbara Walters or Diane Sawyer get that coveted prize?

And now the media is focused on the legal challenges to the judge's ruling on sealing the names of the jurors in this case, with civil rights lawyers and "corporate" lawyers representing the media flooding the courts with requests to have those jurors names released, basing their arguments that "it has always been done" that such names are a matter of public record.

And that "Constitutionally" this is a "right" to have those names made available.

For what purpose, any reasonable person would ask?

To harass those jurors, whose task involved hearing the evidence and facts as presented to them in order to make their determinations on the only charges which they were given?

Jurors are not public officials, they are private citizens who are merely serving in a public capacity so long as the jury is needed.

From that point on, after rendering their verdicts, they are private citizens and it should be they, and they alone, who agree through the courts to having their names made public "after the fact," in this writer's opinion.

It seems to me that the coverage lately has been to now target those jurors with all the media attention given those unhappy Americans with this verdict, whose behavior seemed more of the "vigilante" style of justice.

I even read an article about one unidentified juror who has since moved out of the state, and whose husband has related that this juror would rather go to prison than serve on another jury in a capital murder case.

Maybe this is the agenda after all.

Malign our jury system, so that the jury then falls out of favor in this country through mass media propaganda and those privatized prisons can then get a steady stream of inmates for profit fed through judge determined verdicts, with the state then acting as both prosecutor and jury for the accused.

With the one barrier then removed against governmental abuse, what with all the progressive laws which have occurred at both the state and federal levels which have no Constitutional basis whatsoever in so many areas it is astounding.

I mean I once served on a jury whose sole purpose appeared to me to "convict" the accused so that my former home state could then receive its federal grant monies for targeted offenses to continue to balance then its court budgets, and during which time a judge instructed the jury that they were precluded from even visiting the scene of the "crime" involved and needed to make our determination without such information, and only based upon the provided statute involved, and testimony of the accused - the only witness, although another individual was present at the time the offense occurred.
Seemed quite strange to me also that on my jury of six there were not one, not two, but four city/county officials on the jury panel even with only two of us "civilians."

Maybe instead of the names of jurors being provided, their occupations might be more enlightening in seeing just how many of those selected are not "peers" at all, but government employees.

The progression of this trial, and its media coverage which has been the prime time focus of more than one cable news station consistently in analyzing every facet of the case, has left me with the uneasy feeling that what went on in that courtroom had nothing to do with discovering the truth of this young toddler's disappearance and then claimed "murder", but a whole lot more.

Several Florida legislators are now proposing new legislation, based simply on the outcome of this case, in order to make it a criminal matter to NOT report a child missing based on this one case in which, to me, the proper charges against this woman were not even filed under which the prosecution had at least a good chance for a conviction.

I can now see now all those parents of ten year old runaways who run away from home after a spat with their parents, and who are then picked up by police then get brought up on charges of "failure to report."

Do you really think someone such as Casey Anthony would comply if there was such a law, based upon what actually occurred in this case?

I think not.

And I guess what is really most disturbing about this case is that nothing whatsoever makes sense from the outset of the investigation, then through the mock trial.

But I'm sure either Barbara or Diane will fill us in.

At least, the mainstream media version.

As a postscript: Not that it matters much at this point, but since Casey Anthony did admit to having been employed by Universal Studios, I couldn't help noticing that she also resembled some of those Snow Whites or princess characters hired by Disney at their theme parks.

Casey Anthony Acquitted: Media Frenzy Lives On

2011-07-06T10:25:00.001-07:00

With yesterday's reported "surprise" decision of the jury in the acquittal of Casey Anthony on the charges of first degree murder, manslaughter, and aggravated child abuse, it has come as no surprise to this reader that the media frenzy which has been the hallmark of this case, continues.

After all, the media and talking heads on cable news set this entire trial up for such reactions by the entire manner in which the reporting of this case, its investigation and prosecution, progressed over the past three years.

What has completely amazed and shocked me was not the outcome of the trial and the jury's determination, since there was no conclusive evidence or eyewitnesses to just what had occurred brought forth during the weeks long trial, merely spectulation and supposition, but the reactions of the press and those legal analysts, lawyers and judges which has not abated but has been fed and accelerated.

People, again, who should know better.

After all, our entire justice system is grounded in affording juries in the jurisdiction in which the alleged acts occurred to make the determination insofar as the fate of the accused (although this trial was moved , also) based on the FACTS AND EVIDENCE presented - not emotional appeals, nor fabricated testimony or suppositions.

And this trial was full of them, so much so that the trial itself mimicked Ms. Anthony's behavior during the initial stages and investigation of her daughter's disappearance.

Circumstantial evidence, contrary to those talking heads and legal analysts, is not a firm enough basis in which to convict someone of premeditated, first degree murder. It didn't take a CSI DNA investigation, but simply tying in all those loose ends on the evidence, such as the duct tape, or the chloroform searches, to the suspect.

That didn't occur in any fundamental way in which a jury could find for guilt "within a reasonable doubt."

Mark Furhrmann, and other "lawyers" who have also weighed in with their outrage, in this former legal professional's opinion, should be disbarred.

After all, a jury of one's peers is the hallmark of our American judicial system, and it is THEY, not the lawyers or even the judges, who have had their say and have submitted their verdict.

For those that continue to bash this decision, and Ms. Anthony's perceived guilt, let it be said that after all the publicity this trial has engendered, I seriously doubt she will have a carefree lifestyle, or reap tremendous wealth hereafter on some book or TV movie which might be made. And if so, I believe her 15 minutes of fame will be short-lived, and will not last past the next high profile crime or news story.

Maybe she should speak to O.J. Simpson for enlightenment on just how well his life has gone after his high profile acquittal, since this trial was so very similar in both the media attention involved, and post mortems.

I hope Ms. Anthony gets the help she needs, and goes on to live a life of anonymity and eventually realizes just how lucky and fortunate that it was a jury verdict that was rendered due to the really poor investigative work of detectives after her daughter was reported missing (over six months to find this child's body, found a short distance from her parent's home?), and the leads and work of the prosecution (no fingerprints AT ALL on that duct tape?).

The jury has spoken.

America, CNN, FOX, Nancy Grace, Mr. Fuhrmann get a life and recognize America's justice system has been wrong based on circumstantial evidence in the past on many, many occasions, and as those founders believed "better one guilty man to go free, than one spend a day behind bars (not to mention pay the highest price under our criminal justice system).

The ultimate judge will have his due eventually, and already knows the truth, and will render HIS verdict.

The Casey Anthony Trial: High Political Legal Drama?

2011-07-04T19:23:00.000-07:00

This past six weeks and so very similar to the O.J. Simpson murder trial, America and Americans have been force fed almost daily the high political drama and details of the disappearance of Caylee Anthony, and subsequent farce of a trial of the woman charged with murdering her young daughter, Casey Anthony, in a Florida courtroom and broadcast nationwide day after day.

Even on the 4th of July, this trial has overshadowed America's Independence Day celebrations, with no less than five or six lawyers or judges on many of the cable news stations analyzing body language, trial testimony and offering up their opionions, legal or otherwise, as far as the guilt or innocense of Ms. Anthony.

A brother weeping on the stand testifying about how hurt he was at not being informed of his sister's pregnancy.

A father who has been alleged to have abused his daughter, and whose personal life also has been the subject of speculation.

A mother who was at work at the time, but who was highly involved apparently in the raising of her grandchild and at times appeared to be more mother to Caylee than Casey.

Another overblown murder trial for the benefit of an increasingly intrusive media into America's courtrooms, since this is a Florida state murder trial and crime against the state, although is being broadcast not simply in this country nationwide, but even abroad for other nefarious purposes.

I mean crime is money to these media types, and a great profit generator.

Much also has been said about the "standing room only" lines to get one of those coveted seats in the courtroom. And even one member of the public was charged with contempt of court for not following the judicially determine courtroom decorum during this public drama.

The jury is now out, after receiving their rather lengthy jury instructions.

And before the jury is in, I'd like to add my opinion since the opinions of so many have been publicized by those who should know better, those in the legal profession who have used also this trial to build their broadcast careers most of all.

Much of my opinion is also based on supposition, which is hardly a legal standard but mine just might have a little more credence than some of the outlandish scenarios set forth by both the prosecution and defense in this case.

Ms. Anthony is guilty of involuntary manslaughter, if anything, since no direct physical evidence was ever presented which would render a capital murder charge even remotely possible.

But that doesn't mean that this particular jury will not so find, as publicized as this trial has become.

No charge of malicious intent or "malice aforethought" was ever set forth, or proven. No eyewitnesses. No physical evidence other than a "smell" or some duct tape found "around" the site Caylee's body was found.

Perhaps Ms. Anthony, as immature as her behavior was both before and after the events surround this charge, should never have been a mother to begin with.

Perhaps she had both an overbearing mother and father herself, and has issues of her own which truly need addressing if she is ever to mature, or become a mother again.

It certainly appeared that way due to the center stage her own father and mother have played in this drama.

I wonder if she was raised a Catholic, and thus the option of an early abortion, or birth control were simply out of the question.

Maybe she felt having this child might bring her closer to a mother and father whom she could never please, no matter how hard she tried.

As has occurred in many homes across America both in the past and presently in the increase also of single mothers and parents not simply due to divorce, but also family pressures.

And where has the father of this child also been? Contrary to the sexual abuse charges, neither father nor brother fathered Ms. Anthony's child, so just who and where is he?

However, none of the above would justify or explain away a child's death.

Most likely from the little I followed the trial and case in its earlier stages before my time and interests lie elsewhere, my conclusion is as follows:

Ms. Anthony found single parenting not to be what she envisioned as an unmarried, young 25 year old. Her mother worked, and could not help with the day to day care of her grandchild, and Ms. Anthony hardly made enough to support her and this child after she moved out of her parent's home.

She was unemployed for the most part, yet hardly had the free time then to also date as most girls her age do, if she had no backup during the days or evenings during the week.

An overindulged child herself with a working mother, and policeman father, she decided she wanted to party and searched the internet in order to find a way to make chloroform, a sleeping agent, so that her young daughter would sleep while she was out in the evenings and early morning.

She used too much, nor was she around to check on her daughter then to even see if she was still breathing after she left for the night. Perhaps her parents did not approve of her life style while living in their home.

Arriving home, she found her daughter dead or in a coma, and panicked placing her in the trunk of her car until she could figure out what to do, concocting story after story when her parents inquired about her daughter's whereabouts.

Finally, she dumped the body when she had the time to think things through, until her car was then towed and her parents had to pick it up from the tow lot, with Cindy Anthony then hoping against hope that her daughter's continued lies were truth, not wishing to believe the worst of her own daughter, and flesh and blood - or maybe feeling somewhat responsible also, due to the state of their relationship at the time of Caylee's disappearance.

The rest the nation then was made privy too, unwillingly or not, as the hot story of the moment unfolded and due to the adorable pictures of this young toddler, and the high drama itself of this dysfunctional family - again, not unlike many in this country with the growing number of absentee parents for whatever reason, but mostly economic.

Will Casey beat a capital murder charge due to all the hype this past six weeks?

I wouldn't bet on it.

This story has been so juicy, and so profitable for so very many.

I expect that a capital murder conviction will be returned, if only to give the lawyers at least ten to twenty more years to go through the appeals process.

While Ms. Anthony is, of course, in jail where she would most likely be anyway under an involuntary manslaughter charge in order for the state to then also, in the end, get their due on the expense of this six week exercise in American "justice."

But I may be as wrong as all those political analysts, "judges" and "lawyers" who followed and put their spins on this story for six very long weeks.

Happy Independence Day, America, just in case you forgot.

Social Security Fix: Give Me The Money

2011-06-28T22:51:00.001-07:00

While the politicos in Washington begin grandstanding for the public and "votes" and campaign dollars, using the budget "crisis" and entitlement programs to foment their agendas in order to swing more dollars from that program instead to their campaign backers and PAC organizations through out state bundlers, high rollers, and corporate CEO's, much has been said about just how "broke" the Social Security program is in this country, and nebulous solutions proposed by many of the candidates selected by those who run the political system in this country.

Nothing much has been said about how to "legally" fix it.

Starting with: "Give me the money!"

Changing the rules in the middle of the game instead seems to be where most of these politicos stand.

In other words, I and many Americans, especially the boomers who have paid more into that program than any other generation before or since, would like our money back before any "fix" that defrauds middle Americans from their due upon retirement.

Returning those monies which have been withheld these many years, both those deductions made in those paychecks and also the sums contributed by those employers on behalf of those boomers in 2011 dollars, with interest, would be the "legal" remedy and cure for this claimed "broke" program.

Then the boomers could reinvest those dollars in any way they then chose.

And the program could be phased out for any and all that are born or hold their first "paid" jobs, not this random and illegal age of those under 55 which has been bantered about in the media by some. Where in the world did that figure (or age) come from, and just what is the "legal" basis for using 55 as the cutoff for those other Americans?

Interesting also that while Medicare was passed during the Johnson Administration due to the progressive higher and higher medical expenses when more and more hospitals were shifting from non-profit status, to for profit status, and during the height of the Viet Nam war when so much taxpayer money was being poured into that unconstitutional engagement, post 9-11 and our subsequent now even more unconstitutional engagement in the Middle East these "fixes" for these social programs are targeted at reducing those benefits in order to actually now shift more into EXPANDING our Middle Eastern engagements for those defense contractors and the military.

By unilaterally "changing" this program, is not this then an "ex post facto" law precluded by our Constitution for any and all that have paid ANYTHING at all into this program? Is this another of this Congress and Administration's ideas of "change" again at the American people and our Constitution's ultimate expense?

Or is this once again blowing smoke and diverting attention from all those receiving some of those monies using once again the federal government as nothing more than a money laundering operation for extra-Constitutional funding at the cost of this program?

The boomers were THE LARGEST generation ever, and if anything at this point there should be a surplus in that program, not deficit.

There is a true "legal" fix.

Too bad Congress simply would rather politicize this issue once again, Americans who will be receiving far more than the average American at their retirement through those federal and state civil service perks and benefits, at the cost of their fellow Americans and their "enforced" retirement, especially due to the amount of jobless in that particular age group at the present time.

New York's Gay Marriage Move: Politics as Usual

2011-06-25T08:34:00.000-07:00

It was reported in the mainstream media that after several attempts to get a gay marriage bill passed in the New York legislature, the special interests have finally succeeded - again, diametrically opposed to the foundation of American government and the Constitution upon which it is based.

Marriage is a private contract, after all, and the government has no business "legalizing" or "sanctioning" any or all personal relationships, until of course they then dissolve for "breach of contract."

Appears there may be many lawyers and businesses representatives on the New York legislature, unaware of their Constitutional breach or aware but "frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."

How many divorce lawyers also petitioned for this "new" law, since marriage is also, of course, an institution with its roots in not simply the "common law" upon which that Constitution is based, but also over 3,000 years of legal precedent.

Leave it to New York, that bastion of social unrest and their Wall Street and global corporate special interests to once again favor their economic welfare, over the foundational government created by those founders.

Along with those other six states which also have used our courts, and their special interests these past five or six years to forment their unlawful agendas.

Rather than address the unequal treatment under progressive laws which have been given to married couples, over those single individuals, heads of household and single parents, or long term cooperative living arrangements and regulatory agency "rules" such as Social Security which are not covered by powers of attorneys or state laws governing rights of inheritance.

This was a bold move, which I do feel will come back to haunt the gay community several years down the road.

They have now "invited" Big Brother into their domestic partnership, and custodial arrangements. And through those blood tests involved prior to issuing marriage licenses, even their own health records and personal information.

Be careful what you wish for.

Why The Boomers Are The Largest Segment of The Unemployed

2011-06-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

This past week during the mainstream media coverage of the Weiner Saga and Casey Anthony highly publicized mock trial, there were mixed in reports on the continuing budget political in-fighting and fiasco, and an associated report on the boomers and how retirement for them may be postponed - until most of them are likely dead by 80.

What has been truly laughable about all of this is the fact that the boomers, more than any other generation before, have paid in more to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid than any prior generation, or the ones following.

Medicare, after all, was legislation that was established and included with the Social Security overhaul of 1965 under Lyndon Johnson. So anyone who began working prior to 1965 and who has not retired has contributed more really than those born before during the prior generations.

And the boomers, after all, are the largest generation and then subsequently had the fewest children due to the "discovery" of birth control in the 1960's. And also due to those "Zero Population Growth" wackos and their agendas who focused on U.S. birth rates, (thus also Roe and its ramifications which have even been expanded affording almost unrestricted late term abortions even which were not addressed by those Supremes since that decision was handed down in the early 70's) now instead support unlimited immigration and taking in all those war refugees from all the wars we have been unconstitutionally involved with since the 60's, in addition to then educating the "brightest" and most "promising" young people from other countries at U.S. taxpayer's expense, rather than our own youth in the name of "diversity."

I hope AARP and Betty White get the message, with all those flyers and advertisements that most boomers began receiving at 50. We most likely will not live long enough to enjoy all those cruises or have enough money to buy all those low cost term and whole life policies, or even those much ballyhooed Medicare supplements.

It has been interesting to see how both political parties continue to portray Social Security as a "broke" program, and bad mouth these taxpayer funded "entitlement" programs which involve these also ever expanding tax rates taken out of their pay before they even get what is left.

I mean, in my immediate family and my ex-spouse's, there have been several members that unfortunately passed on prior to reaching age 62, much less 65 or 80. Both my spouse's parents passed away at 36 and 54 respectively. An uncle of mine at 60. A brother-in-law's brother at 48.

All had contributed during their lifetimes to those programs, yet had received not one penny of those benefits for themselves.

Few qualify for Medicaid, since you do have to be under the poverty level in order to qualify with no real assets left. In other words, you are homeless and most likely in ill health as a result, but at least part of your prescriptions are paid.

While we then also create more and more sick veterans who will need treatment for those PTSD drugs and counseling, literally tens of thousands in the past ten years alone from both Iraq and Afghanistan. I heard there are now 5 million less men than women in this country now due to this war - I guess a statistic that just thrills the average male noncombatant, in order to also, too, make room for more foreigners and immigrants to repopulate and re-educate in the "new" American history being taught in our schools.

Also missed is the fact that in most unemployment offices throughout the country, the people on those computers searching for jobs (and for one legitimate listing are about six illegitimate ones used for the ad revenues those job postings generate) are those over 40.

Perhaps the reason so many boomers are having trouble finding work has nothing to do with all those articles written by those job center employees or their paid writers, portraying most boomers as "not tech savvy" enough for the new job market, or not flexible enough to work under people less than half their ages, in many cases, and unable to resist parenting all those up and coming CEOs and higher level management personnel or giving them in politically incorrect terms the benefit of their literally years and years of experience and training many times filling the positions which are now denied them.

Perhaps it is the fault of many of those "post application" questions which you are advised during the online application process are "voluntary?"

Like those tax credit questions.

Are you Hispanic? (A "no" on this one will get you another drop down box where you can fill in what ethnic group or race you are other than Hispanic).

Are you under 40? (Used to be "50 or over" for those tax credits - maybe this is why there are so many blond 20 somethings on FOX as political analysts, "lawyers" and commentators?)

Are you a veteran?

Are you on Social Security, Aid to Dependent Children, or any other form of state or federal low income subsidy?

If not, even with those all important key words and enhanced resumes, your application will go to the bottom of the pile, never to be seen by those Human Resources personnel who basically read applications sort of like the average citizen searches the Internet, using only the first page of the Goggle results in order to make their purchase, or get their information. And then soon, you too will qualify when you can answer "yes" to at least that government subsidy question, but the jobs you envision will not at all be one in which you have any prior experience, or training most likely but those created under those "jobs" bills in order to work for your lower welfare "work" subsidy.

Obama and the Democratic Party are now stating that perhaps the reason so many are not working is due to "technology," and the fact that so many jobs have gone the way of the dinosaur due to the tech sector's time saving gadgets. Time savings that are not "passed on" to the public, instead the expensive costs of those gadgets upping the costs for most goods and services.

Of course, this position has been mentioned while the 2012 elections are in full swing, in order to garner the votes of those unemployed and underemployed, and after signing all those appropriations bills for those grants that have fed this sector lo these many years, and their outsourcing and jobs killing agendas. Not to mention also the security risks with Americans personal and financial information in their databases waiting for the next huge "hacker" story, in order to feed the identity theft "new jobs" sector using crime itself as a job stimulus.

Gee, the boomers came to that conclusion over thirty years ago when all those monies started getting earmarked for the technology sector at the cost of almost every other sector (other than medicine, another heavily dependent on those devices and computers to streamline the delivery of healthcare, of course, at higher and higher costs).

Maybe it is due to the fact that even most of those technology jobs that even are left, have gone to India then progressively.

While most of the construction jobs, those there are on these shores and not in Afghanistan or Iraq, have gone to the Mexican illegals.

And manufacturing jobs to China.

I heard several members of Congress from Arizona, my former home state, also were sponsors of a bill to provide unemployment benefits to Americans whose jobs were lost due to "globalization."

Is this insanity, or what?

The Weiner Waggers, Palin's Revere and More

2011-06-09T19:30:00.001-07:00

This week the mainstream news media is at it again, dominating the airwaves with sensationalized news stories, and propaganda geared more toward ratings, than anything that truly might interest the American public, in this writer's opinion.

First there are what I like to call the "Weiner Waggers" and their subversive journalism.

I'm sure this week's "Saturday Night Live" will be a hoot, and have a field day with this one.

Mr. Weiner is a American of the Jewish faith, married to a Middle Eastern young woman that just so happens to also work for Hillary Clinton, Bill's wife.

I'm sure there is some real bonding going on there between those two women on those taxpayer paid trips to all those foreign ports of call on behalf of the State Department.

Mr. Weiner was, of course, recently married.

I find it strange that this brouhaha occurred just as the public was in the midst of continuing to question and address the bin Laden "burial at sea" and details surrounding that heroic event.

In fact, seems almost to have been concocted so fast - this "news breaking story."

And the pronunciation of Mr. Weiner's name certainly seems to be either intentionally mispronounced also to flesh out this story, since I've yet to meet another whose name is spelled in such a way, especially of the Jewish faith, and pronounced "Weiner" (as in Oscar Mayer) rather than "Whiner" (as in childrens' tales of woe, or rhyming with beer stein-er).

The fact that it seems politician's infidelity is become the norm and seems to be used as a segway after or during horrific Constitutional violations, press reports out of Washington, or whatever to an increasingly outraged public with the goings on in Washington lo these many years also seems rather odd.

Maybe he just simply irritated the Jewish population with the selection of his bride, who is not Jewish from all reports and is of a different religious and ethnic persuasion.

Or maybe he is in on this latest hoax and diversion.

I mean, also from all reports he has sponsored bills for increasing visas also for foreign models to this country (as if we don't have enough American models, most on Fox it seems promoted to "political analysts" or "lawyer"), although who knows if that one is true, either.

And then there was Ms. Palin's version of the Paul Revere tale, with a lot of "shucks" and "by gollies" thrown in for good measure.

Darn those British for even thinking about "takin' away our guns," hence Mr. Revere's warning.

Nothing about that Declaration of Independence and just what the true "grievances" of those patriots were, or the fact that America had already pretty much declared their intent to break free of Britain due to also its history of governmental abuse, increasing taxation, and its partnering with its "favored subjects" in order to rob from the poor, and give to the rich to make them much, much richer with titles and baronies, giving away or demanding both their homes and land, and then even the fruits of their own labors as that 16th Amendment and the increasing eminent domain abuses for purely increased tax revenues demonstrate now in this country.

Not that simple little "indirect" tea tax.

Mimicing the Britain of the 18th century once again.

But, gosh, America it was simply those guns and arms the British wished to confiscate.

Thrown in to all of this was also the release of a report that indicated that Americans at the present time have the lowest taxes since the 1950's.

Federal, state, local or statutory?

No breakdown was provided.

I guess we are forgetting all the literally tens of thousands of laws that have been implemented since the 1950's that now mandate (such as ObamaCare intends to do) the purchase of its "favored subjects" products BY LAW OR ELSE you can simply pay a fine to the government, or be arrested if you do not now also budget whatever income you have left according to the U.S. Congress's will and edicts (or your own state, who gave the federal government back in 1913 power it was never, ever intended to have - at least without the consent of the governed in those "passed" amendments).

Those, by any stretch of the imagination, also count as "taxes" too.

But Ms. Palin's version is more exploitive, and inflammatory (and incorrect).

Gotta love the Washington press corp, cable news and those other "waggers."

Fox's Huckabee Hilarity: Facts vs. Spins

2011-06-06T07:51:00.000-07:00

Last night I had a few moments to watch briefly several segments from Fox's newest addition to its "conservative" line up on the evening edition of "Huckabee." It was eye-opening, to say the least, as one who is and has always been an American Conservative.

"Governor" Huckabee was introduced (hasn't he left office?), and began the show with an ad and promotion for Gulf shrimp and wisting the Gulf coast this summer since the cleanup has been completed, and the beaches are open and the shrimp simply mouth-watering.

Interspersed with a few comic moments regarding all the ways you can cook or barbeque shrimp, were promptings to "visit the Gulf" and such.

Then the "political" commentary began.

"Governor" Huckabee then went on to lambast Washington on its providing funding to the tune of over a half million dollars to "study shrimp" and their exercise habits using shrimp confined to a hamster's wheel to see just how that might improve, apparently, the taste and fitness of this seafood. Now, don't get me wrong Washington does and has spent outrageously in those earmarks for ridiculous and frivolous expenditures.

But does any American truly believe that those earmarked sums actually did go to provide for the scientific study of shrimp and their exercise capabilities, or rather their friendly campaign donor and his needs instead under the guise of this "study?"

Later in the show, the "Governor" then ran a segment with an old country singer, Ray Stevens, doing a little ditty that demonstrated just how he and his family could get out of debt using Washington's methods for balancing the budgets and providing for its needs in its "administrative" costs.

One such line when referenced printing whatever what was needed and then went on to call these sums "Obama money" and then referenced all the global corporate bailouts, and stimulus monies which have been provided by merely Obama (Congress actually) for such economic expenditures.

What was left out, however, during all the hilarity and pans to the studio audience laughing their literal butts off was that it was George Bush, and not Obama, that started the "stimulus" and bailout money train.

Does Fox and Mr. Huckabee actually believe that Americans memories are truly that short, or that easily propagandized.

Amazing how these ex-NeoCon Republican "entertainment" and political entities continue to get jobs on Fox such as Mr. Huckabee, Mr. Rove, and the like.

Not American Conservatives in any respect, but simply representatives of Washington and their respective self-interests in the name of "fair and unbalanced" reporting. I mean, I just wonder how their positions would jive with our Constitution since Mr. Huckabee is a hawk or was last election, although a represented "Christian" ex-pastor.

Whose only true contribution to last race was his oft-quoted remark that "Jesus would not run for political office."

Definitely not in 21st century America, or as one of the "New Age" Global Republican branch of the Global Socialist Party.

He wrapped up the show with an interview with three young Americans (less than 35) who had suffered during this economic disaster in the U.S., and lost their businesses, or saw the end clearly coming for their particular small businesses. All turned their personal tragedies and disasters into golden eggs by founding new businesses (and where did they get the funding for them, I wonder, since small business loans are almost non-existent for start ups in this economy?) - and did not hold their hands out, as Governor Mike pointed out, during their loss and new ventures for public "golden egg" assistance.

I wonder if Governor Mike has visited the local unemployment offices, and seen that most all in those centers are over the age of his "buck up" and become productive examples? And it never was disclosed just where their assistance and sums for their new ventures came from, or even their moving costs to start businesses in other states or markets?

Maybe Governor Mike should just stick to his food segments.

Since it does appear those are the only pieces with even a shred of research, or truth rather than just more political spin doctoring.

U.S. Jobs Report Is In: Bleak Prospects for Many

2011-06-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

Well, the latest jobs report is in and the picture for the average American still seeking work in this depressive U.S. economy isn't pretty.

It was announced through the mainstream media that jobs are down over 9% since the last report.

Of course, you do need to double that figure since it is reported artificially lower than the true statistics, since those which are now unable to continue to collect unemployment, or have been denied benefits for whatever reason, or who owned their own businesses which have since gone under are not included in those statistics.

Recently, I had another of those "aha" moments those insurance companies (affiliated with the financial and banking sectors) advertise on most prime time and cable news stations.

As one who has a travel and hospitality certification from a now defunct travel school which was operated by American Express back in the 90's (who, I am sure, received government taxpayer grants for its operation, and in which my tuition was over $2,500 for my study), I recently stopped by a cruise line company affiliated with a Canadian website based travel company.

The franchisers of this retail operation had just recently opened, and were seeking sales and marketing representatives both at their retail location, and also mobile agents who worked from their home.

We discussed my background, having worked for over five years for a foreign domiciled vacation package retailer, in which eventually I moved from being one of their top sales agents to working in their yield management division and actually programming and developing packages for this company's U.S. market. I eventually left when this foreign domiciled company decided to move from its offices in Scottsdale, Arizona to Coral Gables, Florida for all non-reservation agent personnel for budgetary reasons.

Apparently, the rent in Scottsdale was too high although to many of us it was difficult to see where the rent in that particular part of Florida would not have been similar. Certainly, renegotiating their lease space or seeking cheaper digs would have been much more cost efficient, but then who was I to say?

The retail position this cruise company envisioned consisted of selling cruise packages under their banner with all the sales agents independent contractors, owning their own client base, as it were. Working at the franchise location merely consisted of paying a $500 up front "licensing" fee to this foreign based business and its U.S. franchisee. In addition, their share of any and all eventual bookings would be 60%, with the sales agent getting the remaining 40% (or 20% less U.S. taxes on that commission). These outrageous fees and costs, and low commission ratio was offset by all the access to the database and walk-in clients the retail agents would be receiving, and access to all the internet webinars which would be required to keep up to date on packages and promotions.

Although while I was there for over an hour not one individual came by or inquired about a future vacation.

The mobile agents (or those working from home) had it a little better.

Lower upfront costs (since the franchisee could not charge for desk space, apparently) of $200, and they then got to keep 70% of their commissions, with 30% going to the global parent company and franchisee. Although those not based at the company provided desks and computers would have to pay for their own marketing materials and such. Although, of course, could then write them off on their tax returns as independent contractors.

This is the new job scene.

Doesn't appear much research is also going into just what "new" jobs are actually out there, or just who is profiting off the backs of the unemployed. Including those selling their expertise in writing Facebook ads for the unemployed at $50 bucks and more a pop, who hang out at all those job center offices being funded by the many jobless too in the boomer and Gen X generation.

Since not a single individual in the job center office I visited recently searching on the 100 computers available was under 40.

Hope those statiticians and analysts start digging a little deeper into some of those "new jobs" created figures.

Fox recently had another propaganda piece on its pay station about some young man that held 50 jobs in 50 days.

One as a dietician.

Of course, with no education or certification as a dietician just wonder how he got THAT job?

Perhaps as a FOX employee researcher or "educator" whose real salary is provided by more public grants or stimulus monies?

Obama Hawks British War Strategy

2011-05-28T06:55:00.001-07:00

It appears the hawk has replaced the dove during Mr. Obama's less than three year run as our nation's president.

During the British tour announced and undertaken post the "capture" and "death" of Osama bin Laden, Mr. Obama has been meeting with the British leaders and hawking his new conversion from his election positions and statements in 2008. Remember, at that time he was challenged as "soft" on war with his stances to end the War in Iraq as soon as "safely" possible, and get our troops back home and end this unconstitutional Middle East takeover in the name of fighting "terrorism" and also tracking down bin Laden.

The "new" British initiative which America and American troops are also expected to support?

Establishing "democracies" throughout the Middle East. Of course, the United States is not a democracy, nor was ever intended to be, but a Constitutional Republic honoring freedom of religion most of all, although with Christian-Judeo roots in its original intent and form. Not extremism in either of those two faiths either in supporting interventionist or even precipitated wars in order to "take over" other countries and their established forms of government, whatever they may be, but affording those people living within those sovereign countries to also stage their own revolutionary wars if "change" is truly needed there, with U.S. diplomatic and arms support if need be, of course if absolutely needed or necessary.

Not direct troop involvement, at any rate.

But no matter, it is clear that the "change" which occurs under a change in leadership in this country has no effect, and instead of abiding by the Constitution it appears a race to see which party can desecrate it even faster.

While all this was being announced, of course, the U.S. Congress and House of "Misrepresentatives" again passed the extension of the Patriot Act, that Act of Congress that was passed post 9-11 in order to fight "terrorism," once again ten long years after 9-11, and also after this recent "capture" and "death at sea" of the purported mastermind.

Where is the outraged citizenry who continue to be marginalized also under this unconstitutional provision and "in your face" violation of America's Bill of Rights?

Most likely on the unemployment line, or now without television sets in order to continue keeping tabs and watching the destruction of the late, great U.S. those founders fought so hard and shed their blood to watch our modern day political machines in bed with the unconstitutional agendas of World War II allies destroy.

Hail, Britainnia. Britainnia rules the Hill.

New Jobs Created Under Stimulus Bear Scrutiny

2011-05-14T09:08:00.000-07:00

As one of the literally thousands of Americans over 40 looking for work in prior fields of experience and endeavor, it has been interesting, to say the least, in my quest for employment in this depressive U.S. economy and viewing just where most of the stimulus monies have gone, and for what purpose.

Most of the states received and accepted huge amounts under the stimulus, and apparently those sums have gone primarily to creating more government positions and jobs, and increasing benefits for the existing work force in the public sector.

A great deal has gone to buying more and more computers for local public sector employees and departments, and also in establishing "workforce centers" throughout the country so that the unemployed at least have the tools now required by this progressive agenda (a computer) in order to seek viable employment.

On one such day I visited the local workforce center in this community, over 75 computers were full and an overflow room of 25 was also humming. Although some of the computers were not operating due to an overload on the server which meant many were also waiting their turn to browse the few jobs available for those former secretaries, retail sector employees, and college graduates whose degrees and monies went toward getting re-educated during the 90's or later but whose former careers also have been hard hit during this economic tsunami.

Throughout the center there were also flyers by a local university which also received grant monies in order to "study" the unemployed or underemployed in order to "get their story" for their graduate study program.

For a short time when I was at the end of my own personal resources during the winter here, I ended up answering a mass call for customer service representatives for a third party contractor for one of the major cell phone companies which involved five weeks of training, eight hours per day, six days per week for $10.00 per hour. If you missed more than one day of training during that time period, the next trainee would be assigned your computer for their training.

This company was a "minority" business created or expanded under that stimulus, although its "contract" for its provision of its outsourced contract was "negotiated" between this business and the major cell phone company which retained it in order to provide bodies to answer all those calls from mostly disgruntled customers.

From my short time working there, I truly would have loved to meet the lawyer that "negotiated" that contract, and I suspect those monies which were handed out to this major global corporation had many, many strings attached which were then passed down to the third party global corporation which eventually was retained to provide for those customer service needs.

It appeared that this "government" contractor's contract provided those sums based on the number of hours and people trained, the weekly then "coaching sessions" which were then given during call monitoring by supervisory and quality control staff (who were "let go" two months into my employment there for "budgetary reasons") and the amount of calls handled by those agents.

There was a "scientific formula" for handling those inbound calls and five step process and pattern to providing "good customer service." Deviating from the script at any time involved intervention from supervisory personnel, who were monitoring 12 agents sitting in open bays surrounding the supervisory station. An interruption in the pattern could throw an agent off their call matrixes and stats by the customer, and made it difficult then to get back "on track," for the remainder of the call.

Call times and transfer rates were the largest concern of those who had jobs in "workforce" - people who walked the bays and floors with walkie talkies, and if you were on a call longer than the seven minutes proscribed to handle that call, a tap on the agents shoulder while on the call was the workforce "reminder" that calls were waiting to be "handled."

Transfer rates were to be kept at less than 7% of calls handled, which meant that trouble shooting calls were meant to be handled by the agents of this third party contractor, and not transferred back to the "tech support" people directly employed by this major carrier for such tasks.

In effect, if agents were attempting to carry out their jobs and priorities according to the "transfer rate" matrix, their then call handling time went up, which was then also brought up at the next "coaching" (critiquing) session.

No quarterly or bi-annual reviews of work performance here, but WEEKLY simply due to the terms of that "contract" for those stimulus monies which were to be received through the major cell phone company and its taxpayer handout.

An "audit" by the major carrier was held earlier this year in which for a week representatives of the "government contractor" major cell provider visited the site, and went through procedures, and stats.

During this time policies were initiated that called for "clean desks," (only two personal items per desk), and putting all the agents through additional background checks and drug testing, because apparently the drug testing which was conducted prior to training did not include sufficient data, although no agent was informed of the results of the testing in my training class or suspended during the time they were in training.

Over 350 of the 600 hired for a holiday ramp up were let go based on the results of these investigations, which also precluded even those with misdemeanor traffic offenses from working at the call center represented by the third party contractors as a provision of this government contract.

Since it would appear that the older a worker is, the more likely they are to have had at least one misdemeanor or offense due to the increases in simply the amount of state and federal laws which have been passed this past twenty years seems it just might preclude a great many Americans from holding on to those positions long term. Or even our youth who most likely have had one traffic violation or another during their "learning curve" driving years. Or youth, even though crimes committed years and years ago but not automatically expunged from records after the punishment for the "crime" was fulfilled were also solicited for these checks.

But no matter, since in my experience it didn't appear that most of the boomers or the over 30 generation were cell phone addicts, or ceased to be after their initial experiences with a great many of these devices for their communication needs, and marketing appears to be mostly targeted at those under 30 in all those television ads, or miss the mark in their marketing and product line for the over 30 crowd.

Or focused on the "toy" aspects of the phones in games, books and apps that can be added, at greater cost, of course, as "all in one" portable computers, with the actual phone provisions secondary or even thirdly relevant with the cameras now included.

The "holding company" for this third party contractor is a "global" corporation that provides call centers throughout the world, many located in India also. Although do wonder if those in India are "drug tested" to the degree those in the U.S. are, or if there are "background checks" for misdemeanors, including traffic offenses or victimless misdemeanors, in that country?

All call times and clocking in and out are done through the computer system, and monitored by "workforce" for violations of the break and amount of hours agents are to be on the phone, and does take the agents about 15 minutes per day to simply log into the "system," a system for which during my short time there "went down" numerous times, and during which time agents were expected to answer calls but inform the callers that the "system was down" and to call back if their question was one in which their account information was needed.

During my months there, not once did the Human Resources Director or staff ever visit the floor, or solicit employee concerns of either the matrixes used in order to evaluate their performance, the working conditions, or even so much as got on the phones themselves to actually be able to relate to the tasks assigned under that "contract." Nor most of the "area directors" whose job it was to supervise the supervisors.

Each pay period there were at least half the workers with pay issues, either not being paid for time worked, or not receiving a check at all. And the payroll was also "outsourced" to a payroll providing company which employees had to monitor also through their system and correct prior to the end of the payroll period during those lunch, break or down times.

The second month there, I appeared to fulfill my commitment and time on the phone handling those customer calls, and was told due to "call volume" I was being given a VTO (Voluntary Time Off) without pay. I worked the 2nd shift, so had the afternoon and evening off although still had those rent and bills to pay. And some outstanding medical bills. And upkeep and expenses on a 16 year old car after having moved four times in the past five years from my former home state of Arizona after the National Guard was called out in 2006.

This coincidentally also occurred during the "audit" by the major cell phone carrier when it appeared there were many "not needed" during the audit period.

I was then informed I could file for unemployment for the lost hours under my own "contract" by the Human Resources Department.

Of the six hundred hired during the winter holidays, fewer than 200 remain and yet with the economy still in the tank, the training classes are full and at last report, ongoing.

After all, it is the training that is the bread and butter of those third party providers, not job satisfaction or employee retention of the existing personnel. Or shifting call volumes to other regional centers if one isn't performing under those matrixes satisfactorily to also then meet those contract requirements passed down by the government under those stimulus monies and terms.

These are the jobs provided under that much disputed stimulus, before they too are outsourced to India as "jobs Americans don't want."

And seems overall, most of those sums are remaining at the top, since even of those training dollars far less than half was actually being paid to those agents being trained since it was represented during training that each agent represented $4,500 in "investment."

Or those workforce centers and their double dipping state workforce and career counseling soon close due to lack of funding, leaving those public employees to join the private sector ones on those breadlines eventually since recently there were notices posted also there to support the extension of those sums for the centers to state representatives.

The number of jobs which have been either outsourced, or lost due to this "technology" focus and those government contracts is imploding this country from within. Computers are now actually hiring or screening America's workforce, and those most qualified for the few jobs remaining clearly aren't getting them, or the standards and qualifications bear no relevance at all to the actual jobs and finding suitable or qualified candidates.

Even those Americans working for the companies which received those monies in the billions, headed by minorities which then in turn sold those companies to global corporations.

While gasoline is now over $3.50 a gallon in most areas of the country, in order to "stimulate" Americans to purchase those hybrid automobiles to save money on gas - at a cost of over $30,000 per car for these "technically and environmentally" superior forms of transportation.

And the number of jobs in banking, insurance, and a host of others are now filled by HAL.

This "Space Odyssey" turned nightmare is breaking America progressively.

Text your Congressman or Senator, if you agree, on their government contractor provided cell phones.

The ones made in China, mostly serviced by those centers which are booming in India, whose workforce have lower costs of living, and different hiring standards, or different matrixes for agent performance.

Standard text messaging rates apply.

The Decade In Review: Next War, Pakistan?

2011-05-13T20:33:00.000-07:00

With the reported death of Osama bin Laden due to the heroic actions of the U.S. Navy Seals being credited for recent events in Pakistan, although questionable based upon the timing, methods and eventual disposition of the body of the claimed front man for the 9-11 attacks by more than a few Americans with the press and federal government once again ratcheting up the terrorism threats and reports of retaliation, perhaps it is time to step back and review just what has occurred in the 10 years since that horrendous day.

The Patriot Act once again is quietly being brought to the floor of Congress for passage without any real significant changes in the unconstitutional provisions contained within it in violation of the U.S. Constitution as I write and post these recent reports.

Our southern and northern borders remain for the most part unsecured, now 10 long years after 9-11 with the politicians using this issue in the 10 years since in order to build or remain in public office at the cost of literally thousands of additional American lives.

Foreigners, especially Canadians, have been given blanket security clearances and are training on U.S. shores in many military installations across the country, while dissenting Americans opposed to these ever expanding Middle Eastern wars are being targeted by Homeland Security in greater and greater numbers as more and more of these "degrees" are handed out through U.S. universities, and also by the military itself.

A Canadian can be posted and train at NORAD, I recently learned, while an American who attempts to enter those sacred grounds could be shot on sight.

And a Canadian military officer or member has no inherent loyalty oath to the Constitution, or to recognizing the Congress or President as their civilian commanders, even though most of the members of Congress and the President are now afforded to accept campaign contributions from who knows where rather than the "district" or even "country" in which they live and are to protect and defend primarily against foreigners, be they allies or enemies, as it detrimentally affects this nation or its citizenry.

During Bush's last 90 days in office, an "administrative order" was passed affording foreigners from over 35 countries "free pass" visa waivers which simply required 48 hour security checks in order to enter and visit or work in the United States.

More and more work visas are being also handed out to foreigners, even during this recession and post 9-11, and jobs are being handed out by those large global corporations based in the United States as the basis for the requests for those visas in that "no American can be found to do the job as opposed to the "specialized" skills and talents of those foreigners.

Many from former British colonies or territories such as India or Australia, in addition to those Canadians.

The propaganda on Fox, a U.S. pay cable station owned by a former Brit espousing British style conservatism, continues to confuse the issues and undermine our Constitution along with those stations and media publications also owned by the globalists who wish to return this country back to its pre-Revolutionary War status.

Another colony of the Brits, or under British rule and dominion through their extensive holdings in America and even our banks through the Federal Reserve.

This current administration and its loyal press appear to be once again beating the drums for a major offensive in Pakistan post these recent events, in addition to maintaining fronts in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and through its U.S. membership in the U.N., Libya.

While Scotty from American Idol this past week chose to sing an inspirational country-western song about faith, and those events ten long years ago, again on Fox - the national animal of the British who desperately need to use our U.S. troops in order to continue their quest for world economic dominion and control with the Middle Eastern countries being the sole holdouts to this massive global agenda in world socialism.

It appears our current leaders feel they are more "enlightened" and intelligent than those great men who gave their lives to establish this nation, as one unlike any other.

Seems we have come full circle in the short span of less than 300 years, and from all reports, most of the true "natives" are getting quite restless.

And the "change" that is needed appears will not be coming from either the Republicans, or the Democrats who continue to assist in selling this country and its people out to those whose true interests and loyalties lie elsewhere.

Misusing and attempting to marginalize all the "conspiracy theorists" who ask the important and vital questions at this point, and divert attention with weddings, death announcements, and political staged backbiting against those standing in the way of "progress."

Even our churches have been corrupted due to federal faith based grant monies, with strings attached by many of those huge, globally focused churches now also misrepresenting scripture, especially in the Christian faith, with respect to this political maneuvering.

At this point for many, even those gruesome pictures wouldn't answer the fundamental questions that keep nagging many and have for the past 10 years.

Mainly, this "changed" America under both mainstream political parties bears no resemblance to the nation those founders shed their blood to establish those many years ago.

A sovereign America conceived in individual liberty, and free of global wars and British world agendas.

William and Kate Finally Wed, Len Goodman Gets A National Table Dance

2011-04-30T10:41:00.000-07:00

It appears to this boomer, that the British have progressively taken over the airwaves and television stations throughout this nation, and this past two weeks simply highlighted the degree to which Americans are now served up British political commentary and also even entertainment fare.

The highlight of this week, of course, was the fourth month long commercial for the "Royal Wedding" of Prince William and his chosen commoner bride, Catherine Middleton. And U.S. gossip shows abounded both hosted by primarily British commentators, and also those in the U.S. media who mostly work for British television in this country. Fox in particular, with the Fox of course being the national animal of those Brits. Of course, this couple has been in the news for well over nine years now, so I guess this dramatic finish to almost a decade of courting was no surprise, and it was reported that over a million British pounds were spent simply on the flowers alone.

Of course, much also was made that the royal family would be picking up much of the tab, which was also carried by that Brit owned "Sky TV" who provided all those big screen televisions throughout London, I would guess, so that no one on that island could miss a moment of the drama.

Although what was left out is that all that wealth has been accumulated for centuries from the British public in the form of taxes, so actually no new taxes were inflicted for the wedding, simply the interest used on all those levied by this and prior monarchs.

Interesting, although poignant mention was made of the groom's mother, her side of the family sat with the family of the bride and little coverage was even given to any of the guests from that quarter, but given that marriage did not begin or end well, I suppose again the British are counting on the public's short memory to take care of that oversight.

I wish them both happiness, that hopefully their union will not end up another casualty of "the firm," as it appears some of those Brits refer to the demands of all those tours, public appearances,vacations, social events and, well, you know.

The second event was the celebration of "Devilish Delights" or "Delectable Delights" or some such theme week on that BBC Worldwide production, "Dancing with the Stars." Which has progressively also degenerated into a show that attempts to actually portray true ballroom dancing, rather than this flashy knockoff version, and with lots and lots of skin in order to up those ratings and titillate the audience.

Or Len Goodman.

Celebrating his birthday this week, that all American reality show star and female contender, Kendra something or other, and her partner truly knocked the socks (and hormones) of the oldest judge on the panel, Britain's Len Goodman, by doing a table dance identified as a samba. Her scores were never higher, and her enthusiasm and hip shaking got her the highest score yet.

But on the repeat performance, it appears Kendra is not the dumb blonde she appears to be, and seems the light was beginning to sink in that she just may have been had in the choreography and British sense of "all good fun," for their global profit.

Seems maybe Princess Kate and Kendra the reality star may have more in common than it would appear.

Maybe Joan Rivers ought to do a show on that.

Federal Taxpayer Monies Go To Study The Unemployed

2011-04-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

As one who has been seeking employment in several fields for many months as are literally thousands of other Americans, especially the empty nesters now in the boomer generation, last week while visiting the local job force center I was amazed to see just where some of those stimulus monies are now going.

Posted throughout the center were advertisements from a local college requesting the jobless to be interviewed or videotaped in order to "tell their story" about their quests to seek work in this depressive U.S. economy by both the unemployed and underemployed.

The work force center, of course, was packed and every single computer was taken, even those in the overflow rooms.

Seminars on resume writing, computer skills and training, and even mock interviewing are also provided by the local communities through federal grants aimed at "getting Americans back to work." Putting many people to work or providing jobs aimed at both studying and assisting the jobless. Of course, many are jobless due to the fact that most of those jobs are taken by former state workers and teachers who are already collecting pensions or retirement from their former governmental positions, or students who go unpaid but are getting their credit hours at the unemployed's expense.

Connections with also local social services agencies or taxpayer funded special interest groups receiving federal grants aimed at assisting the jobless are also provided, along with classroom space and time.

Most of these centers also contain individuals who "market" to the unemployed, as if they had the monies to even pay for their services, rather than their rent or utilities with what little savings they have left, or their unemployment.

A changed job market (with online applications which take over an hour each to complete using "keywords" that will set your resume apart from the pack) and fewer and fewer jobs due to the tech focuses of many industries which have outsourced or computerized all those former jobs resulting in fewer middle income positions is this boomer's opinion.

With the majority of those jobs paying less than $11.00 per hour, especially those call center jobs which are nothing more than mills due to the focus on gaining those training dollars and meeting conflicting performance matrixes, rather than employee development and retention just might also be at work here. I mean most of those large cell phone companies and insurers and financial concerns which have seen better days did grab at those billions in stimulus monies, and of course big brother never gives without having at least some strings attached. Most are "temp" jobs actually due to the actual working conditions and performance standards which must be met in order for those employees to "earn back" some of their taxpayer dollars since, of course, most of those businesses would like to keep as much of those stimulus monies for corporate profits rather than providing new jobs as they can.

Recently, I saw a job posted by a local real estate company asking for an administrative assistant (with graphic design skills). The individual would be responsible for handling creating all the flyers and brochures on a weekly and monthly basis for all the agents in several publications which were used by the company each week/month to stimulate their sales, tracking the agents sales and listings, handling any and all secretarial/administrative tasks assigned and creating and maintaining spreadsheets and reports for the company.

It was represented as a part-time position of 30 hours per week paying $11.00 per hour, which "might" go to full time in a few months as "anticipated" sales increased.

A local bank just announced that it will now be charging its customers for using their ATM cards to check their balances, rather than using the internet and raising its minimum balances for free checking and upping its monthly fees for accounts under those minimums by about 40%. About the same amount Americans now face in raising gas prices throughout the nation, post Deepwater and the greed of the global oil industry during both this war, and after that disaster.

Bet those observations don't make the final cut.

Washington's Shame, Shame on Bankers Far Too Little, Way Too Late

2011-04-13T20:29:00.000-07:00

It was reported in the mainstream media that Washington has "chastized" the banking industry and its foreclosure practices during this recession, calling for an investigation of homeowners who were foreclosed upon in 2009-2010 and purportedly inflicting "heavy fines" on those banking institutions if found to have been using loosey goosey practices with respect to the ongoing foreclosures throughout the country.

With most of the homeowners affected by this recession and boom and bust cycle starting in 2005-06, it does seem this is, once again, far too little and way too late.

And, of course, there has been no investigation initiated in order to address those contracts and loan documents and their unlawful and illegal practices which even lead to what has transpired this past five years.

Some of those bogus loans are still being marketed by many of these institutions to new home buyers and also to the young for their educational costs - many based upon the British LIBOR lending rates and not the U.S. prime at all.

The politicians are hard at work, and it is clear that the 2012 elections are actually their main concern with this recent announcement.

Washington Drama: Government Shutdown?

2011-04-06T14:29:00.000-07:00

It has been widely reported in the mainstream media that both political parties are at an impasse in their attempts to "balance" the U.S. budget and our out of control deficits.

The question is, why is this so?

Left out of all those budget talks and negotiations are the real issues and reasons why there even is this claimed budget crisis, and with the creation of the Federal Reserve illegally after the crash on Wall Street and run on the banks in this country during the "Greater Depression" even how it would be possible given that fiat currency was created in order to avoid such a crisis in the first place.
Interesting facts also have been left out of these "talks," and the political posturing.

Such as the fact that our budget could be easily balanced by simply returning to a more accurate method of reporting.

Here are some facts that just might open the public's eyes to what has really been left out:

1. Offsetting our deficits to China, India and Mexico with the number of jobs which have been created for their citizens, and the amount of goods and services which have been outsourced to them progressively throughout the past several decades.
2. Offsetting our deficits with the wealth that foreigners now possess in U.S. industry, our gold and oil reserves, prime residential and commercial real estate, and even our ports.

3. Offsetting our deficits with the dollars now spent in order to continue progressively to defend and protect the "global good" rather than our country's true defense and self-interests and our out of control military budgets while our own country's back doors and shores are becoming less and less secure also by the day, week and month.

4. Offsetting our deficits with the amount of dollars poured into foreign aid to countries now in better financial position than our own, such as Israel, Great Britain (currency is still over ours), Canada - in fact, the entire European Union and most countries for which we have poured literally trillions over the course of years in foreign aid due to their "lobbyists."

5. Offsetting the amount of monies which are poured into global and foreign based pharmaceutical companies and their products and services, whose wealth is gained by now bypassing cures for various diseases of Americans in favor of instead treating the symptoms in order to support the global economy, while then also pouring more and more dollars into research without using some of the cures which have already been discovered.

So while tuning in and listening to the talking heads who also make their livings by reporting on the latest Washington theatrics and crisis, it does seems more and more Americans are asking one simple question...

Why?

AP Reports Traffic Deaths At Lowest Levels Since 1949

2011-04-01T06:13:00.000-07:00

It was announced by the AP and National Transportation and Safety Administration that traffic deaths last year were at the lowest levels since 1949.

Many factors were attributed to this statistic heralded by the NTSA Director, such as seat belt use and raising drinking ages, safer cars and so forth.

But to this writer none of those statistics I feel are primarily responsible in the decreasing levels since '49.

The largest factor would appear to be that there are fewer drivers really on the highways progressively also traveling since air travel has become the preferred method since that time for most business travel and families, due to less time to get from here to there as also a consequence of our increasingly higher stress lifestyles, and also the fact that the boomers, the largest segment of the population, are aging and thus don't appear to be drag racing anymore on the streets and highways.

They are the ones most often getting the finger from the more aggressive drivers still left on the roadways.

Primarily, of course, our youth or even the police who seem to exceed the speed limit in most metro cities far more than those boomers driving their grandkids or themselves to the nearest work force center, many of whom after vast years of experience are still seeking work for which they are more than qualified even given the excessively tech focused job scene and market and all those jobs they formerly held lost due to the advent of the computer age.

While, of course, they are being interviewed by their children or those even younger than their children for many of those few jobs.

It was announced once again that there was a gain in the available jobs, and the unemployment rate had decreased.

Not surprising given that most of those benefits have run out for many, and the jobs which have been created most likely are those now tied into expanding our even increasing military due to the recent headlines in our involvement now in Libya and its civil war.

Those statistics also fail to recognize all the monies poured into expanding our highway and freeway systems since '49, so it would not appear that this statistic would be surprising in the slightest since there are better roadways also for those truckers and cars to traverse from state to state.

But ignoring the obvious does appear also to fit the agendas once again of those whose hold those questionably Constitutional jobs and functions, which also does not explain then the higher and higher insurance rates which are now off the charts in most parts of the country.

Maybe the biggest factor is also the progressively higher and higher gasoline rates and those ever increasing taxes, such as the recent 35% plus increase in the cost of gasoline, which has left quite a few Americans with the only remaining transportation left to them.

Walking to their next job interview.

National Association of Realtors: Listen Up!

2011-03-30T17:23:00.000-07:00

Recently while browsing the channels looking for the weather forecasts as those with breathing difficulties can only know, I came across a new ad by the National Association of Realtors promoting home ownership and its benefits and "responsible" financial reform, and as one who has been burned by a home that in the end owned me rather than having really any ownership of it, was more than intrigued by the ad, its representations and tone.

It began by representing how for every home purchased, there are 2 jobs which result, creating millions of jobs for America. But at whose ultimate cost was left out of the equation.

That's right. The homeowners.

I'd say there are a multitude more all paid for by the home purchaser or seller.

First, of course, the realtor.

Due to ever restrictive state laws and provisions, the freedom to list your home and sell your own property through newspaper ads, "for sale" by owner, and other such economical means has been taken over by "the industry."

Add to those also who earn their incomes from the home buying public are the banks, title companies, lawyers, state (all those property taxes collected) and home repair and construction companies in those repairs also now mandated by state law in many states prior to listing a home for sale.

And don't forget the newest leaches on the eventual equity in your home.

The "homeowners association," which also due to state and federal laws are mandated for all new home construction also in most states throughout the nation.

With lien and seizure rights to your property in the event your standards for upkeep and maintenance don't meet theirs, or even one of your neighbors who just might be a realtor looking instead merely for a new listing.

A British law, the "law of servitudes" is being used in order to legitimize these "nonconsensual" contracts on your home and land many times.

Especially in these economic times.

Forget also selling a property "as is" as in the past, leaving the negotiating on the eventual price and repairs then to the buyer and seller.

The market is clearly speaking regarding the "changes" in the mortgage and home buying process that has occurred within the past several decades, and is clearly affecting the realtors and construction industry big time.

As far as the rest of the ad, representations were made insofar as how much wealth Americans have in their homes (ask the recent foreclosed upon "owners" of those properties where their wealth is now, some of whom in many states were not those that bought to flip those homes, but actually to live in them).

That wealth and home that will never be passed down to their children.

Promoting financial reform in the home buying process means confronting and addressing those escalating interest rates and changing terms due to the fact that the mortgage or loan you have today may not be the same next month, or even next week due to the fact that debt is now defined as a negotiable instrument that can be sold on the open market under different terms and conditions once that loan is "assumed" by another bank or mortgage lender.

Or that your loan may not even be based on the U.S. prime and currency, as many of those in the West and Southwest were but based on the British interbank lending rates or LIBOR.

Talk about risk.

I mean in the Southwest in this boomer's experience, this last cycle was the third simply in my lifetime of the most recent boom and bust cycle.

Home sweet home is not the phrase that comes to mind anymore to the many affected during this last one.

And the lesson was not lost on most of those of their posterity and next generation, I guarantee.

Junk fees, higher and higher utility bills and costs of ownership, escalating and changing mortgage terms and conditions, and a risky investment, not home, at best is the new definition.

Senator McCain: Reagan Aside, Libya Is Not America's War

2011-03-29T09:22:00.000-07:00

After the presidential address attempting to "sell" the American people on yet another U.S. involvement in a foreign civil war, of course, there were analyses set forth by members of both political parties, the talking heads on the major cable news networks and others.

One from the Senator from Arizona, John McCain, defending again another foreign war sacrificing U.S. troops in the guise of protecting the civilian rebels for the "greater good" in Libya.

Reagan and his Reaganomics aside, which has literally at this point due to decisions made during that administration has cost a great many Arizonans their lives, property and livelihoods due to his first blanket amnesty move, and widening the interstate highways from Nogales to Flagstaff back in the 80's to facilitate the exchange of goods and people while leaving Arizona's open desert and borders for the most part open and unsecured - what has been left out is that the president of this country has no inherent authority whatsoever to engage American troops in any defense or intervention of any other nation other than our own.

Diplomacy and trade sanctions, yes. Direct troop involvement, no. Whether through NATO or presidential fiat.

At least without the consent of America's elected representatives, who also were to be cognizant of the strict provisions for defensive wars under which this country also was founded. Yet our standing army and its ranks continue to expand due to these serial foreign engagements, while our own borders are opened and for the most part unsecured?

Although, of course, there has been no true representatives in this country by legislative district for literally decades due also to the globalist progressives and their agendas low these many years, and some rather questionable Supreme Court rulings affording voice, funding and votes to global and national corporate entities even in local elections, many for the most part based outside the U.S.

Libya is not our war. And putting another British Parliament and puppet government in Libya or Iraq, for that matter, does not serve the interests of this country but is merely sacrificing our blood and treasure on behalf of global socialism, not even "democracy."

Remember, those founders did not believe in democracy - a form of government in their writings they predicted was doomed to fail and was nothing more than "gang rule."

Thus, those first ten amendments were provided in order to protect the citizenry and their lives and wallets.

And interesting that while incarcerated and many times plea bargained civilian prisoners in America's federal prisons have been progressively denied their "voting" rights and freedom in the piling on of charges many times, some even for lower level felony offenses, and the dissenters in the United States who continue to protest this illegal and unconstitutional foreign policy are being arrested on domestic shores, our leadership once again fails to truly see the forest for the trees and what is truly going on in their own backyard.

AP News: Obama To Make Case To The Public For Libya?

2011-03-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

It was reported in the mainstream AP news media that Barack Obama plans to address the nation and "lay out his case" for U.S. involvement in Libya.

Obviously, again the Constitution and its strictly common defense provisions for wars will not be factored in during this presidential address.

It is more than obvious that the unrest in Libya is a civil war, and civil matter.

I wonder how Lincoln and this country would have felt if the Russians or British or any other foreign country had involved itself in America's civil war?

Or just why it was that while our leadership in Washington was pressing its case for no fly zone bombing raids and alignment with the British and "allied" forces since World War II for their oil needs most of all, the White House security and police were arresting Americans here on native soil for protesting the Iraq War, now in its 10th year with no end in sight, because they were standing "too near the White House gates?"

This country has been in one illegal engagement after another at least during this boomer's entire life, so just when will it all end - especially since it is clear that these expensive foreign wars are bankrupting this country and its citizens PROGRESSIVELY by those global progressives on both "sides" of the political aisle aligned with the two mainstream political parties and their "corporate" agendas?

The Twilight Zone: Texas Man Gets Face Transplant

2011-03-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

Today it was reported in the mainstream media that a young man injured in an industrial accident from Texas was given a full face transplant by a team of over 30 doctors in Boston.

The operation was funded by his father's insurance plan apparently and it was also reported that this surgery was made possible by the recent health care legislation which afforded him to remain under his father's health care plan until he reached the age of 26, and he was at the time of the surgery 25.

Not to go too far into the rather Twilight Zone surgical procedure that also was undertaken transplanting the face of one individual onto another (although the donor also remained nameless in the article), rather than applauding again this faulty legislation for what it is, a violation of our Constitution in its present form, maybe we could ask just why this young man had run out of options and benefits prior to this legislation to begin with?

It was reported he had had over 30 operations prior to this one, and his state indigent health care benefits had thus run out, although will qualify for Medicare when he turns 26. Although I for one was covered through an employer many years ago with dependent coverage so long as those dependents, my children, were still dependent for tax purposes and either going to school, or living at home, until age 25.

I wonder, what was the overall costs for those 30 operations, while most likely those corporate hospitals and medical facilities were getting their public grant monies also for the bulk of the sums for their operating costs and expenses?

Why was this surgery also not performed in a "fellowship" or teaching hospital, due to its rather experimental nature (less than a half dozen of these surgeries have been performed at this point throughout the world).

I for one heard the Twilight Zone theme in the background while reading this particular news story.

Washington Hypocricy Evident Once Again

2011-03-19T23:49:00.000-07:00

Once again, it appears that the hypocricy in Washington has become evident for many Americans outside the Beltway.

While the media labeled "coalition" of forces in the West, including America and its historic "allies" Britain, France and the allied forces since World War II are now waging war on Libya in the "no fly" zone which was established this past week by those same forces, protests by Americans were held across the nation against America's continued involvement in Iraq.

It was reported that the rebellious Americans who defer from American foreign policy on the war were arrested for being too near the White House gates while conducting their demonstrations.

Will wonders never cease?

While Washington is supporting the rebels in Libya, it is arresting its domestic variety for staging their demonstrations where they would have the most coverage and impact.

In front of the White House.

Meanwhile, gas prices throughout the country have gone from $2.65 per gallon one year ago, to the "new" pricing of $3.20 a gallon - an over 30% increase in less than a year.

I wonder if those prices reflect all those barrels that were scammed during the months long "cleanup" and then refined in Britain during Deepwater Horizon this past summer, or whether the revolts now in the Middle East will be reported to blame.

Stay tuned.

King's Speech Wins Best Picture: But Why?

2011-03-06T11:45:00.001-08:00

A week ago Hollywood staged its annual fashion show and awards ceremony to acknowledge the work of its finest during the past year in a once again over the top display of excess, and its loss of touch with reality and the current American economic condition.

Most of the dresses worn by most of those leading ladies were not off the rack, but would have fed a third world nation for the next year or two or at least helped with the American homeless and jobless.

What was interesting was the winner for Best Picture, of course, along with so many other awards this year.

The film which took home the coveted Best Picture award was a British film, starring British actors and with a British director, and for the most part filmed, of course, in Britain.

So why was it not entered into the "right" category, as Best Foreign Film?

It does appear that the Brits, Canadians and Australians have pretty much taken over most of the awards and those films are not "home grown" but another demonstration of Hollywood and its own "outsourcing."

This year the demographics for the most part of the movie going audience also was on display, by choosing a young actor and actress as the hosts rather than the tried and true comedians which were meant to at least lighten up and entertain the home viewing audience during this three hour plus marathon in excess.

Hail, Britainnia. And this doesn't even take into account all those American dollars which have been poured into that other British import, the Harry Potter series of movies which total eight blockbuster receipts with also an entirely British cast, for the most part, and filmed of course in Britain.

Hollywood is officially a promoter of "outsourcing," all appearances to the contrary.

And now Piers Morgan, another Brit, has joined the other foreign hosts of America's late night television line-up which has become increasingly dominated by foreigners on our cable television networks.

And truly interesting that the movie, from all reports, was very sympathetic to the King whose speech impediment made fodder for this World War II high drama.

Obama and Calderon Plan Meet and Greet While More Americans Die

2011-03-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

It was announced by the White House press corps that Barack Obama plans to meet with Mexico's President Felipe Calderon in the near future with respect to the border situation. A meeting announced and purportedly planned prior to the recent events in both Arizona and Mexico which have once again cost several Arizonans and Americans their lives due to the escalating tensions over the border situation, and another recent death of a U.S. border patrol agent in Mexico this past week.

A death that then also was attributed to guns smuggled into Mexico from the U.S., which firearms just so happened to trace back to the State of Texas?

I mean, as a long term Arizona resident it doesn't appear that drug cartel members are "buying" guns from the U.S. but from those smuggled in from South America which are unregistered and thus for the most part untraceable as has been historically the case. Or those they appropriate from the many law enforcement personnel whose lives have also been taken during the escalating violence at the border.

I wonder, at this point in America's history with the decades long and increasing violence, and the number of American lives and property losses which have also increased ten to twenty fold since the mid 1950's in the border area, would the founding fathers still be holding discussions with the government of Mexico over the loss of American lives and property, rather than actually securing our porous southern borders and providing for the common defense of the citizenry as is their primary Constitutional duty and function?

The "discussions" are continuing, and one of the topics is "immigration reform" of those poorer citizens from Mexico who also have had to flee that country due to its poorer economy and also the violence which continues to occur there so that those cartels, and the auto thieves that operate cross borders can continue to market their products on both sides of the border.

A situation which has also fundamentally increased since the Reagan years, when the interstate also from Mexico through the State of Arizona was widened and also the first amnesty was passed thus affording those wealthy profiteers to then apply for American citizenship and thus facilitate also their "commerce" cross borders.

Just what WILL it take for the federal government to actually even begin to do their fundamental job and begin practicing true "human rights" and protecting the lives of the American people, their property, and also the lives of those Mexican nationals who are dying in the desert at the hands of their former countrymen from Mexico who are for the most part those Coyotes charging them thousands of dollars to only leave them in the desert to perish.

Recession Increasing Crimes

2011-02-28T09:30:00.000-08:00

By most reliable statistics post the 1960's even, it does appear that the violent property and personal crime rates throughout most of the U.S. metro cities is on the rise, and ten fold what they were back in the day from this boomer's point of view and personal experiences. Especially in the last five years post my exile from the State of Arizona after the National Guard was called out due to public demand back in 2006 when the housing crisis and mortgage mess was in full swing.

Recently, I had another experience with our out of control rates of criminal activity by the younger generation especially, it appears.

A generation raised on computer and video games, and also expensive calculators and computers for their research and learning in our "New Age" schools which are predominately focused on teaching children how to use these machines, rather than to think, reason or even read. Vocabulary lessons are pretty much gone in favor of the btw and lol shorthand of the computer generation.

I left Arizona, of course, almost five years ago after having experienced the criminal activity in the banking and foreclosure industry there, an industry highly supported by most of the legislature in one manner or another in order to, of course, fund their campaign war chests for their next election runs.

The banking and real estate market is a very lucrative one, and also one in which has progressively taken some rather unethical and immoral turns in the past thirty years since the 1970's in that tourism and retirement state after having foresaken long ago most of its historical industries in cotton, cattle, copper, climate (for the health impaired) and citrus.

I moved to the Midwest first but unfortunately the spring and summer crop seasons and crop dusting and humidity did not agree with this asthmatic.

I then moved to the South where I had family members living to somewhat assist my parents with their increasing difficulties due to their aging and health declines, and was there for one of the hurricanes and then progressively contracted a lung infection which got worse the longer I stayed.

During that time while staying at a nearby hotel after one of my mother's surgeries, I had the first of several automobile thefts, in which they appropriated some of my luggage, a quarter collection, and even a soup bowl I used for my Cup o' Noodles. Louisiana truly is hurting post all the devastation of the past five years in that particular state.

This taken in light of the break-in I had just prior to leaving Arizona when my car was broken into at one of the truck rental establishments near the freeway when I had to rent a truck overnight to move what I had left of my personal property and effects after having sold most of them in order to pay off debts which were "due" concerning my house and what occurred which led to the loss.

In that instance, the perpetrators tried to get a small cheap CD player I had in the car, and broke the panel attempting to remove it, and stole of course most of the few CDs I had in the car along with damaging it, although it is a 16 year old automobile at this point.

Then several weeks ago, another property crime once again.

After having been cited for a traffic violation in another area of the country in which I have attempted to live in order to get as well as can be expected considering my health issues as an asthmatic, I decided one snowy day to walk to a nearby store in order to purchase some cream for my coffee. I have also been politically targeted due to the positions I have taken on many issues facing this country in the border situation, health care and housing mess from a Constitutional perspective, which of course has created enemies in those who hold with their "illegal" views for the benefit of the few, at the cost of the many.

As I was walking past one of those portable lunch wagons along a major city street, a young man of about 25-28 blocked my route, grabbed my purse, and took off across an open field with it. A blur of a dark haired youth in a blue jacket is all I really can remember, it happened so fast.

With it, he got about $10.00 in cash, and all my personal identification for the most part. My social security card, my birth certificate, and even pictures of my children when they were mere babes. Of what I had left, most of what I held dear.

Of course, there are fees and charges involved with replacing even those documents which were stolen. And inside it also was about three years worth of work I had done as a graphic artist and designer on some of the photographs I had begun to edit during the time my health was up and down and during my parents health crisis and hospitalizations these past several years.

I was, of course, outraged and angry.

It wasn't the fact that there are not programs for those that need them in order to eat, as at least those programs have not been cut in food stamps and the civic organizations that provide food for the hungry.

In fact, I have had to avail myself of the services of some of those civic organizations after having lost most everything I owned and unable to work other than at my small art endeavor this past several years, and mostly living in weekly rentals due to the fact that I really do not have all those deposits nor a credit rating that will afford me to "permanently" relocate anywhere - and meet the legal definitions and guidelines for refugee status, although there are no benefits provided for American refugees of the border wars even after the Guard had been called out as my former home state truly and continues to be under invasion from those open and porous southern borders and the crime that has occurred there and increased in leaps and bounds post-Reagan and the widening of that interstate from Nogales to Flagstaff.

I just wonder, if those police had been instead of harassing Americans post the Patriot Act for their own self-serving ends, or facilitating and assisting in the rising costs of insurance in this country which now few can afford at all in most metro areas throughout the country, and instead patrolling neighborhoods as they did in the olden days, would the property and personal crime figures be as high as they are today?

Instead of incarcerating or citing low level DUIs without injury or property damage, seat belt violators, or those who have not at all committed any true measurable crime under the common law in which our Constitution is based?

Some of the laws which are clearly used by those public servants are merely exercises in harassment, rather than addressing the symptoms (such as with the border situation) rather than the problems themselves and curing those.

So for all those "personal responsibility" Republicans, and all those "bleeding heart" Democrats believing in "human" rights rather than the inalienable rights of native born or naturalized Americans, it isn't the victims who are responsible for their circumstances, or their increasing poverty, especially those in the boomer generation.

A country without a conscience, as has occurred progressively post 9-11, is mostly to blame.

And that, once again, is fact.

Governor Thompson Stands Up To Public Employee Unions

2011-02-24T00:11:00.000-08:00

This week there has been wide-spread reporting of the teacher's strike in Wisconsin in response to the actions undertaken by the Wisconsin State Governor in order to address the out of control public employee unions, particularly the teacher's union.

Under the federal and state Constitutions, of course, which is used by union organizers and their organizations, it is the "right to assemble" and petition that is used as the basis for this supposed "right" of public and government employees to form unions and then "elect" a representative (their union) to represent them at the collective bargaining table for their "contract" negotiations.

Only problem is, those who are paying their salaries are not at all a part of those negotiating sessions.

The taxpayers.

The right to assemble and petition was given to the private citizens in this country clearly under our Constitution in order to bring their grievances to the attention of their representatives.

Not government employees.

Would that it be that teacher, firemen and police salaries were determined as they should be, by the voters of their respective districts. Their benefactors and true employers.

If the salaries are not what they should be, then "free association" and fundraising efforts should be undertaken collectively in order to fund their members in their retirement years, as with any private sector "special interest" or benevolent group. Nonprofits could be then formed in order to also give a boost to those underprivileged schools through local churches and other civic organizations.

Not guaranteed employment with tenure, but base voter approved salaries with incentives based on length of service to the community, supplemented and guided by the local school boards within those communities and district elected personnel.

Public employee unions are nothing more than government employees organizing in order to lobby for more American tax dollars, without any real accountability to those paying many of those lofty salaries, which exceed many of the salaries and benefits of those whom they serve.

Here's a quote, the "liberal" element will not at all like, but was made by Franklin D. Roosevelt regarding public employee unions:

Please Read the Following Paragraph Carefully and Guess Who Said It

All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service. It has its distinct and insurmountable limitations when applied to public personnel management.

The very nature and purposes of Government make it impossible for administrative officials to represent fully or to bind the employer in mutual discussions with Government employee organizations. The employer is the whole people, who speak by means of laws enacted by their representatives in Congress. Accordingly, administrative officials and employees alike are governed and guided, and in many instances restricted, by laws which establish policies, procedures, or rules in personnel matters.

Particularly, I want to emphasize my conviction that militant tactics have no place in the functions of any organization of Government employees. Upon employees in the Federal service rests the obligation to serve the whole people, whose interests and welfare require orderliness and continuity in the conduct of Government activities. This obligation is paramount. Since their own services have to do with the functioning of the Government, a strike of public employees manifests nothing less than an intent on their part to prevent or obstruct the operations of Government until their demands are satisfied. Such action, looking toward the paralysis of Government by those who have sworn to support it, is unthinkable and intolerable. It is, therefore, with a feeling of gratification that I have noted in the constitution of the National Federation of Federal Employees the provision that "under no circumstances shall this Federation engage in or support strikes against the United States Government."

_______________________________________________________________________________

In my former home state of Arizona, a right to work state mind you, public employee teacher can "double dip" retiring after a mere 20 years service with full pension benefits, and then obtain employment in another district earning a full salary. Police and fire officials also make sums which afford them to invest in high price real estate, and retire with full benefits - although granted those government employees are putting their very lives on the line for the citizenry each and every day due to the increases in violent personal and property crimes in most metro cities.

Instead of providing pension, retirement and all those other perks of public employment which are now breaking the parents of those children, maybe recognizing once again that public employees work for the people whom they serve, and should clearly be accountable not only for their performance, but for the salaries and benefits they earn for doing a job that was never supposed to be a high paying job to begin with. The one room school room and school marm of years ago appears turned out more leaders than we are today, and without 10(K) plans.

Just what are our children learning with over 40% of the teachers in Wisconsin now calling in sick, a job that actually has more days off also than many in the private sector to begin with?

Twenty year retirement plans? In what other occupation can you retire in a mere 20 years, with full pension benefits?

Seems the increasing number of homeschoolers may be right.

Public or private, the school room is the new war zone.

Reading, writing and arithmetic will have to wait for the bureaucrats and union foremen to settle their differences at their parents and their own ultimate expense.

Liberal Lunacy: Colt Isn't The Tommy Gun

2011-02-23T11:18:00.000-08:00

Contrary to the progressively lunatic "liberal" fringe element, the Arizona State legislature has proposed a bill that will make the single action Colt which harkens back to Arizona's territorial days the "official" state firearm.

To me, the world "liberal" with respect to the second amendment, and also so very many other provisions of the first ten amendments makes that label for the clearly socialist and communist bent a conundrum in terms.

I mean the socialist/communistic media is now even scrutinizing and stalking the house and parents of the man-child accused in the January shooting deaths of six Arizonans and wounding many others who have reportedly taken to isolating themselves in their home also in response to the curiosity seeking press camped on their doorstep, and neighbors who obviously also wish their 15 minutes of fame regardless of the reason.

As a former long term Arizonan, I truly believe the legislature has better things to do in light of also Arizona's progressive decline under the two political party system, and I really had to ALMOST laugh at the outrage over this one.

I mean the Colt is hardly an assault weapon, nor is it akin to Chicago's brutal history and love affair with the Tommy Gun.

What worries me, however, is that this move just might spread and Illinois may move to make the Tommy Gun its official state firearm.

Utah is also on the move to favor the Browning semi-automatic weapon as their gun of choice. One upmanship maybe?

I mean, doesn't the state have much better things to do and needed legislation in so very many areas with respect to the border situation and that open desert in which progressively more people have died there than in all Arizona's history at the hands of a cowboy bearing a Colt?

Another border agent was killed recently from all reports, just another of so very many on both sides of that expanse of desert.

Will wonders never cease?

Misaligned Priorities: Organizing Campaigns Rather Than Representation

2011-02-17T10:32:00.000-08:00

It was announced in the mainstream media recently that while Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is recovering from the events which occurred in Tucson in early January in which six Americans and Arizonans were attacked during a political forum at an area shopping center,
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Reps. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) have been hard at work organizing fundraisers and creating a PAC organization in order to raise monies for Ms. Gifford's 2012 re-election campaign.

This tragedy notwithstanding nor Ms. Gifford's amazing recovery from all reports, aren't the priorities in Washington a little off base insofar as just what their jobs truly are once again?

I mean it has been reported that it will take months and months of rehabilitation therapy in order for Ms. Giffords to recover whatever brain functions may have been lost in this attack.

Meanwhile, the citizens in her district are without representation, while members of Congress are hard at work insuring their survival and that of their political parties after this heinous attack?

It is quite unbelieveable that procedures would not be in place in order to temporarily elect another citizen to represent the citizens in District 5 while Ms. Gifford's is recovering, if it is even her intention to continue to serve after what she has been through. I wonder, has anyone consulted her insofar as her future intentions? I mean one article even spoke of a Senate race, for heaven's sake.

Politics as usual, and just wonder whose political livelihoods and future best interests these politicians are attempting to secure?

Rather than representation for the benefit of the citizens of District 5?

Sedona and Tucson: Who Decides?

2011-02-11T09:06:00.000-08:00

This week other than the Egyptian crisis, there have been two stories which were carried in the mainstream media which also demonstrates how regional news and stories get buried by the big box media in the second or third pages of most American newspapers, even less than a month or year after the events.

One was the pending trial of the Jim Jones of Sedona, James Arthur Ray, who was the leader of a for profit organization of "Spiritual Warriors" and Californian who was conducting a lucrative retreat in Sedona, Arizona in which two women and a man perished after being mentally browbeaten from leaving a plastic tent filled with other devotees a little over a year ago and died of suffocation and heat related illness.

The other, of course, was the accused from the Tucson massacre, Jared Loughner, and his trial in which it was recently also reported that due to the fact that he is charged with both federal and state crimes in the incident in which Mr. Loughner used a 9mm Glock (an automatic police weapon) in order to gun down six people, including a federal judge and U.S. Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords, it may take "years" for his case to wind through the criminal justice system.

So much for speedy trials, in which the true evidence may be still fresh.

What is interesting about both these cases is the politics which are occurring with respect to the prosecution of them, and just who has jurisdiction and who will be responsible for determining these two individual's fate.

The Sedona incident occurred in Yavapai County, Arizona in a California style "new age" community, and was allegedly committed by an out state resident in which most of the attendees of this paid event were also not Arizona residents, but from the East Coast, Midwest or California. Apparently, due to the media coverage the defense wishes to move this case out of Yavapai County and into Maricopa County (Phoenix) so that the accused can be assured of a "fair trial," in the hopes that Phoenix or Phoenicians would be more likely to be unbiased with respect to the facts and evidence in the case.

Although would state as a former Arizonan, that the media coverage of what occurred shortly thereafter and the interviews with the victims' families were carried far more in the metro Phoenix papers than those in Yavapai County, and those in Yavapai County most likely would not know personally any of the victims.

Witness costs also would not be impacted, since most of the witnesses also were out state residents from all reports.

Mr. Ray's actions brought shame to the State of Arizona, a state in which such an unregulated commercial enterprise could even occur by one who had no medical training or had any true knowledge of even the spiritual practices behind his highly publicized and profitable venture.

Two women were killed, and one older man. Women have far fewer sweat glands than men and thus do not biologically have the means to cool down their bodies, which is why such practices by the American Indian community were restricted to males as a "rite of male passage" into adulthood, and in which a tribal healer was always present.

Our Constitution does specially provide that in any capital offense, the trial must be held in the jurisdiction in which the crime occurred, if the accused is a U.S. citizen and the victims also U.S. citizens.

Mr. Loughner's crime, of course, was witnessed by a great many, all Arizonans.

Mr. Loughner himself was an Arizonan from Tucson and so were all of his victims, whether governmental or civilian, a life is a life.

And the loss of that life at the hands of another is a matter of state, not the federal government.

Between the border situation, and now Mr. Loughner's crimes, it appears the federal government is perhaps failing to carry out its true functions under our Constitution (such as securing our porous and exposed southern borders), while then prosecuting a case which ocurred within state borders that just may have been the result of the political arena and climate in the community in which it occurred.

After all, it did occur at a political event, and purportedly a politician was one of the targets along with other Arizonans. All of the witnesses are Arizonans from Tucson.

If this crime was in no way political, as so many in the media have stated, but merely committed by a "disturbed" loner, and man-child as has been written and widely publicized, then why is the trial now becoming so very, very political?

Rather than Constitutional?

Free Speech and Right of Petition Merely An Illusion

2011-02-08T00:33:00.000-08:00

With all the political fallout post the recent tragedy in Arizona, an event which precipitated all the dialogue between the political analysts on television with respect to free speech and civility, the fact remains that in the land of the free and home of the brave free speech and the right of petition is merely an illusion, no matter how civil.

How would I know? My personal story post my exile from my former home of 45 years is proof positive.

I am a 57 year old white female and mother of three grown adult children. Hardly a threat to anyone, and in fact have been the victim of numerous property crimes within the past ten years, including the loss of a home I had lived in for over 12 years, my last home in Arizona as a single mom raising my children.

In my younger years, I worked in law and also the travel industry after my divorce, making not a whole lot of money but with hours that afforded me to continue to be a present parent during the tumultuous teen years. My kids all had their rebellious years, and my birth family was spread out throughout the country due to jobs and marriages. I and one of my children were asthmatics so Arizona remained home throughout their growing up years.

My youth was also somewhat rebellious, but mild in comparison in looking back. I excelled in academics, and also was involved in civic and extra-curricular activities and eventually married my high school sweetheart, although it did not last.

After the mortgage boom and bust, and due to other corporate friendly laws and statutes in Arizona, I eventually lost my home or at least any enjoyment in it my last child's final year in high school.

Graduation plans were intermingled with listing my home and attempting to find a buyer while the market was tanking. I had had to refinance during the boom due to increasing property taxes and insurance, and got caught up in a loan underwritten by Indy Mac bank which also then factored into the eventual loss. But the lawyers, realtors, title companies and bank made out as I was able to eventually find a buyer and got off much better than some, although also lost a small business I had during this time in which I worked from home in order to be around until the last graduated.

I sold most of what I owned to pay off the debts, and also borrowed from relatives in order to pay off more. From parents who were living off a small pension from my father's former employment, and their social security and whose health was failing - and who were also residents of Louisiana and had been evacuated for Katrina. Both had undiagnosed heart disease for literally decades.

I moved to the Midwest first, but unfortunately the climate did not agree with me, and subsequently got involved in the housing and mortgage situation writing articles on a small blog and letters to my former representatives in Arizona about how and what occurred that resulted in the loss of my home. Moving at 20 is hard. At 50 it is much, much harder.

After several months there, I was stalked in my apartment complex parking lot.

A lawsuit had been filed against me over a matter which had occurred over four and half years prior over an insurance claim, and in which it wasn't even filed until four months after I had left the State of Arizona, and after I had returned most of the monies sought to the insurance company for settlement with the contractor. The amount sought with interest was over three times the claimed debt in addition after four and a half years.

I then heard through the family grapevine that my parents health was not at all good, and decided to travel to Louisiana to be nearer to them at least. Another mistake, as that climate definitely did nothing for my also up and down health after the move, although with the multiple hospitalizations of my parents ended up staying there almost two years. I was there for Gustav, and then got even sicker as mold is one of my asthma triggers. I couldn't even lift my arms for an extended period of time, and was eventually recommended by a doctor that I leave and seek a drier climate just prior to my father's massive heart attack in January, 2010. He, of course, had all the symptoms of heart disease for literally a decade, but was only given blood thinners until the inevitable occurred as a Medicare patient, with a 95% blockage in a major artery.

I continued to write on my small blog (with about 200 views), and also my letters to my former representatives in Arizona. I also began writing on a globally focused website (which also had minimal circulation) my political take after my experiences on the housing and mortgage crisis, border issue, and the health care debate as an "expert" due to my experiences and longevity living in Arizona, and my personal experiences and having gone through the health care system with my parents progressive disease. I also had a mother-in-law that died at 54 of undiagnosed heart disease, so it is a disease that goes undiagnosed in women and men many times until it is far too late.

Most of my petitions were civil, although held much truth due to my experiences. But my free speech rights nor my rights of petition have been respected, and have not at all been unaffected by my continued involvement. Even though it is also those politicians lives and that of their children that are also my concern. Even those who wish me ill.

Presently, I get Golf Digest magazine although never subscribed to it. I have been followed and chased from state to state as I seek a climate in which I can actually breathe by those who obviously are threatened by what I have to say.

Imagine that. A mere 57 year old woman, with a readership of less than 300, if that.

My voice is simply one of many, but there is no civility when you challenge the powers that be. There is simply stalking.

I have less than $4.00 in my bank account, and the contents of what I have left of my possessions now fill less than a 5x10 foot area from a 1,900 square foot house in North Phoenix. Most of them are merely Christmas decorations, dishes, towels and personal records.

This is America, and I am living proof that there is no free speech no matter how civil.

Or how true.

Egypt Uprising One Big Commercial For Social Networking?

2011-02-06T18:55:00.000-08:00

Is it me or does it seem that the recent unrest and protests in Egypt appear to be one long, very long commercial for social networking and Twitter, Facebook and the rest? I mean, it does appear that after the government in Egypt shut down the internet, all the newscasters talk about is the "news" they are getting through the social networking sites, with now even "experts" in social networking giving their perspective alongside those highly paid political analysts and commentators.

I mean, ever since this uprising began it has dominated our news on ever single station, and it is not like there is not other true, hard news stories regarding the United States and what is happening on our shores.

This global media really has also lost its way, a media that is fed mainly with U.S. dollars yet the concerns of Egyptians, rather than Americans, seems to be now in its second straight week with no real end in sight.

Most Americans are unaware of what is going on in their contiguous states and regions, and even less concerned with Egypt and its problems rather than their own country's. And the fact that the Egyptian government is so very dissimilar to our own, which is based more on the British form of government than that of the U.S., with a Parliament rather than a Congress, and no "states" to speak of.

Now the news that the U.S. would recognize and "deal" with a "representative" government in Egypt? Say what?

There hasn't been a representative government in the good old U.S.A. due to our campaign finance laws which are diametrically opposed to a representative government as intended in our Constitution in literally decades.

And in a country in which there is clearly a "national" religion quite different than the religions primarily practiced in the United States, so how can our country and its leadership even begin to understand all the various complexities of what is now going on in Egypt, not to mention those news readers.

The Middle East certainly is a hotbed of political unrest, that much is for certain. And getting worse, with each passing year since the 1960's at the very least.

I guess that is the only similarity between it and what has been occuring in the United States in our government's attempts to quash dissent, and those with opposing views from the two parties who have remained in charge against the will of more and more Americans and the ever increasing "independents."

Notice too how "Facebook evidence" is factoring in more and more crimes in America. Supposed posts published that who knows who REALLY made them but released as "evidence" then later after-the-fact.

Using civil disobedience and unrest once again to promote instead the tech industry? In 140 characters or less...

Not sound bites. But sound bits.

Twitter that.

MYOB Mayor Bloomberg: Arizona Isn't New York, Thank Goodness

2011-02-01T12:12:00.000-08:00

It appears the greenhorns and Eastern dandies are hell bent on using the tragedy which recently occurred in Arizona for their own nefarious ends once again.

Case in point: Mayor Michael Bloomberg's sting operation in Arizona at a Tucson gun show wherein he took his New York thugs to Arizona in order to expose the ease with which someone can buy a gun in the Grand Canyon State.

As one who believes there should be at least some laws governing the sales of assault or automatic weapons throughout the country, which did not exist at the time our Constitution was ratified, I found the Mayor's grandstanding rather revolting, as also a former long term Arizonan.

Arizona is, after all, the epitomy of the west, and just so happens to border a foreign country and government.

One in which there has been historically a great deal of cross borders crime and trafficking ever since Arizona entered into the union. And in which a great deal of the war refugees from these increasingly aggressive wars are also now being resettled, unlike greater Manhattan.

Mr. Bloomberg, your pure ignorance of the differences between Arizona and New York are telling. And so are your methods in order to gain political power at the cost of the recent occurrences in Arizona, and of course the rest of the nation also who have not at all stood behind Arizonans calling for a physical solution to our country's greatest threat: securing and fencing our open and exposed desert expanse and southern borders.

A great deal of the crime which occurs in Arizona is actually facilitated by foreigners, whether domestic or international. Or our youth who have been polluted by the political betrayals of many of our political leaders the past half century, clearly a scenario which is increasing.

Not native Arizonans or longer term residents. But by those from New York and Los Angeles who are primarily responsible for the road rage and gang violence, for example.

MYOB, Mayor Bloomberg.

Arizona isn't New York (and thank goodness).

And it is mainly true collectors that attend such venues as the one in which you staged your political propaganda.

The events which occurred in Tucson were not the result of an attack with a Colt .45.

Mr. Obama: Competition Will Not Cure What Ails America

2011-01-23T11:33:00.000-08:00

The press releases and publicity surrounding Mr. Obama's upcoming State of the Union address on Tuesday have highlighted the thrust of his message to the American people and his response to the defeats the Democrats suffered in the midterm elections.

It is "competition" which will create new jobs, and salvage the piss poor U.S. economy, an economy which has been on a downward spiral for literally decades under both political parties. Gas prices are now inching over $3.00 a gallon once again (in spite of the ever expanding "War on Terror" which continues under the Democrats, costing this country literally billions), and many Americans are now homeless and jobless due to both the mortgage crisis, and outsourcing and insourcing which has gone on and continues in the name of competing in the "global economy."

I have news for Mr. Obama. Competition is not the answer.

In fact, that is what has gotten us into this mess, competing for global dominance, rather than protecting the sovereignty and economy of the good old U.S. of A.

Competing in the global market place has cost this country both its industrial base, and even its own land and resources in the name of "free trade" and simply expanded the stock portfolios and holdings of the few at the cost of the many.

Not exactly what our founders had in mind for this country.

Reinstituting protectionist policies will reverse this trend, and bring America back to the forefront once again. Investing U.S. dollars in our domestically owned businesses and start ups, rather than global corporate conglomerates will bring new jobs to these shores, rather than those of China or India.

China and India can provide their own jobs for their own citizens in developing new industries, rather than piggybacking on the jobs and livelihoods of Americans. And with respect to India, Britain can shoulder their share of building that country's economic future as a former member of the British realm.

Our deficit can be cured rather simply by calling in all our foreign aid debts to all those countries we have supported and funded for over a hundred years, and ending a war that never should have gotten this far to begin with and beginning to secure our own borders from the devastating impact and effects of those open borders on both the property, lives and jobs also of Americans.

Regulating the U.S. banks sufficiently, the ones who create the mortgage meltdown and crisis to begin with in selling loans to U.S. homeowners and home buyers which were not even based on the U.S. currency but the London interbank exchange rates would be a start.

Placing sufficient controls on the Wall Street wheeler dealers who also had a hand in this recession/depression yet whose CEOs salaries have continued to climb also might make a significant impact on placing such salaries and benefits in the hands of those who should have such authority - the shareholders and owners of those global corporate conglomerates, including the small, domestic investors.

And hiring economists whose primary focus are on building up the U.S. economy, and not that of the world's would definitely help.

In short, reestablishing the true Rule of Law in this country once again, our Constitution which was written by Americans for Americans.

Rather than continue on this path that will only lead to the destruction of this country at the hands of foreigners, and foreign governments.

Mr. Obama: More Jobs In December? Duh!

2011-01-08T12:12:00.000-08:00

Gearing up once again (already) for the 2012 run for the roses, Barack Obama announced from a politically determined location in the hard hit industrial north that the economy is improving and December saw the unemployment rate "dip" to 9.4% from 9.8% the month before.

Since December is a month when there are additions of lower paying temporary retail jobs in the private sector for the holiday season, this announcement should come as no surprise to most Americans whose reaction most likely was similar to mine.

A "duh" moment.

Mr. Obama credits the recently passed legislation reducing tax burdens on capital expenditures for businesses, and other perks which were included in the extension of the Bush tax cuts, including those for the wealthy and large, global corporate conglomerates, as the source rather than the obvious.

Of course, with little monies earmarked for American small businesses and start ups, this new job growth can only be a political maneuver on the part of Washington since nothing really has changed at all in the housing market, banking industry or Wall Street to address the actual problems which created this depression/recession to begin with.

Absolutely nothing.

Except pass more and more backdoor taxes in the form of those global carbon taxes, and health care taxes favoring global industry at the cost of the average American which have not kicked in as of yet, but will impact each and every American on a massive basis in just a few short months, or years.

There has been little, if any, of the promised redlining of our huge bureaucratic public sector jobs and their costs, especially in that newly created massive drain on the public post 9-11, Homeland Security, which also has increased the costs and time for most Americans to even travel in all those new airport taxes for all those body scanners that are now being utilized, while our southern and northern borders remain open and the hugely expensive Middle Eastern war continues.

But what can you expect from a so out of touch Washington that is so far left leaning that the Constitution is not only a "thing of wax" but has been utterly destroyed progressively, and never more so than since the 1960's under both political parties' leadership.

Get ready for more spins, since it appears it is "looks" and "lies" that will once again be a major factor in the next election cycle.

Some things NEVER change.

Wisconsin Politico Unaware Arizona Borders Mexico?

2011-01-07T09:15:00.001-08:00

As an example of the horrendous state of America's educational system, below is a link to a Wisconsin Board of Supervisor's meeting wherein one of the members of the Board (a Democrat) alleges that the Arizona border situation and concerns are unwarranted, given that Arizona is not Texas and a state that is far away from the Mexican border.

Really makes you wonder, doesn't it?

This also reminded me of a response I received from a New Mexico legislator (an attorney, at that) who represented in a response to one of my petitions regarding the border situation as one who lived in Arizona for over 45 years that the definition of "America" encompassed all the land and territory extending from the tip of South America to Alaska.

Enjoy.

http://www.stoptheaclu.com/2010/06/25/wisc-dem-unaware-that-arizona-borders-with-mexico-plus-youtube-pulls-video/

Happy 2011: A New Decade

2011-01-01T13:11:00.000-08:00

Happy 2011, and the beginning of a new decade.

Ringing out the old and bringing in the new is becoming a tradition in the American political landscape and the numbers of Independents and those who are fed up with the two political party system which has merged into the Global Socialist Party seems to be increasing.

Let's hope that trend continues, and we see some real changes rather than merely a change of the face behind the podium.

With the true Americans' voices resonating across this great nation that "progress" isn't "progress" when it is merely global government regression under the leadership of the resurrected British Tory Party with global economic dominion and rulership once again the goal.

21st Century Health Care in America: Paying More, Getting Less?

2010-12-19T21:24:00.001-08:00

With the ongoing challenges which are now being raised in many states throughout the nation regarding the recent passage of the Obama Administration's Health Care Reform Act, this boomer has watched the progression in health care delivery from the 1960's to today, and can truthfully say that while costs have exploded in those four decades, the degree of care for the American public overall has seen better days.

In order to reduce costs for many of the public and private health care clinics and hospitals, more and more Americans are not receiving the care they deserve, but what will reduce the bottom lines for the nationalized corporatized health care system that is predominant across the nation after Nixon's HMO legislation passed in the 60's. Many even public clinics and hospitals are now "owned" through various contracts by "private" corporate entities as they have become privatized, even after their initial building costs and research grants were funded by the American public.

Upon even emergency room visits, more and more patients are being seen initially by not medical doctors or those with advanced diagnostic degrees, but by physician's assistants or other support staff but at costs that far exceed those fees and charges in the past for trained physicians and without the expertise to accurately diagnose complex medical conditions.

Throughout many states, there are even signs posted at many of these emergency clinics and hospitals advising that they are not accepting new Medicare patients. Thus, the future for the boomers and their offspring at this point in America's history has not even begun to be addressed by those in Washington or at the state levels in just why health care costs have risen so out of proportion to the cost of living even though the entire HMO concept and "free market" privatized clinics were sold to the public in order to reduce costs and provide better care when that legislation was proposed back in the 60's.

Instead, it has resulted in numerous trips to several different doctors or providers in order to get accurate diagnosis, or physicians more geared toward treating the symptoms rather than the disease and using medications which many times create even more problems or different health issues in concert due to drug interactions and complications.

Changes are needed, but not the changes that Washington appears to be focused on in merely consulting the "stakeholders" in corporatized medicine. But the American public that is paying a larger share than ever before for their health care costs, both nonemergency and emergency.

How much of the health care dollars now provided by the taxpayers and insurers are now being earmarked for all those ads on television mostly directed toward choosing a hospital for maternity and childbirth needs? Or elective procedures?

Or advertising their facilities and services for non-English speaking patients for all those federal and state grant monies in providing care for non-citizens at the general public's ultimate expense? Or the increased costs in those ten to twenty page bills passed on to the public for those highly paid lobbyists at the state capitols and Washington?

It appears to this boomer in the end, the Health Care Reform Act is more similar to the mandatory auto insurance laws throughout the nation, with the same mindset and ultimate costs in increased taxation for all in passing on governmental functions, such as the settlement of property claims, or life and death issues to the financial sector, banks and insurers who will be more concerned with THEIR bottom lines and business needs, rather than quality of care.

I mean, unlike mandatory auto insurance, an unpaid or disallowed claim has a greater likelihood and much higher percentage of eventually ending in death or bankruptcy rather than a fender bender so the analogy used in order to include that "mandatory" provision left much out in regulating both those costs, and the provision and most likely will also then, as with the insurance laws, end up again costing the taxpaying public more in providing all the courts that will be needed in order to address those "breach of contract" or "wrongful death" actions.

Progress in this area, as with it appears so many others in the new millineum to many Americans, just may come at a much greater cost than even in those Nixon years.

And it appears to this boomer that the great Health Care Reform Act just may become the precursor to the Great Health Care AND Bank bailout of 2025 or sooner, when this patient dies.

Madoff Suicide Highlights U.S. Criminal Justice System Gone Awry

2010-12-11T10:08:00.000-08:00

The recent headlined news story of the apparent suicide of Mark Madoff, the son of Wall Street wheeler dealer Bernie Madoff who is now serving a 150 year prison term in North Carolina for securities fraud, serves to remind many Americans of a U.S. criminal justice system gone astray.

A tragedy, and one in which the media and government most likely had a hand in this young man's fall, although the complete details and coroner's report has yet to be revealed.

Mr. Madoff senior bilked thousands of investors in his Ponzie scheme of a great deal of their wealth, from all reports, and was the mastermind of the scam and whose actions and activities were actually reported to authorities by his very own sons, although little has been revealed insofar as whether there was pressure also exerted on them to so do from governmental sources prior to his arrest.

Mark Madoff, from all reports, profited from his father's schemes, and was thus also then in the end targeted for investigation even after having been instrumental in his father's conviction.

The comments on most of the websites by the public have not been sympathetic, to say the least.

Which just goes to prove just how many in this country have truly lost their way in their understanding of the intent of our founders with respect to crimes such as these, which although heinous for the absolute thievery which occurred has not been adjudicated according to the "common law" provisions behind our criminal justice system in "letting the punishment fit the crimes," and in the government acting on behalf of the victims and not its self-serving ends since the punishments in so many crimes at both the criminal and civil levels are now statutory determined, rather than determined by juries of American citizen's peers.

The Madoff's, and all who profited from such schemes in this writer's view should have been henceforth precluded from ever serving in any fiduciary capacity with respect to other people's money from this day forward, and the spoils of their crimes seized and redistributed with interest to the victims of their greed and avarice.

Not the taxpayers having to now pay to jail and house Mr. Madoff in federal prison, and his son then "investigated" for the past several years, rather than concentrating on the crime itself and its victims and all parties' right to justice in a criminal fraud action, although by its very nature investing in Wall Street or the stock market clearly are risky ventures at best due to its "global" focus and composition again contrary to the intent of those founders for a "sovereign" U.S. economy.

Justice would mean recompense and precluding the perpetrators from ever being placed in such a position of trust and temptation ever again - since by their own actions proved through the "evidence" that their positions of trust were criminally abused.

Having to seek work in this now depressed U.S. economy in other fields of endeavor outside the financial sector, and losing all that they have gained at the expense of others with punitive damages added due to the nature of their crimes would have been the "legal" and "lawful" punishment called for.

Not years and years of "investigation," and subsequent media hounding - or innuendo without due process.

It was reported that Mark Madoff was found dead with his two year old child and his dog in the home where his body was discovered, with his true guilt or innocense still left undetermined although purportedly was still living a rather lavish lifestyle as a former employee of one of his father's commercial ventures, with authorities alerted by his wife who lived in another state and who had petitioned the court for a change of name for she and their son due to the continued ramifications of the crimes committed by Mark Madoff's father.

The press has been unforgiving. And the American public, most of whom were not even directly impacted by the senior Madoff's activities, just as unforgiving and brutal, although fundamentally all Americans have been impacted by the loosey goosey federal government's oversight of the Wall Street banks, bankers and profiteers.

Which governmental policies and practices in sufficient oversight of these Wall Street profiteers have remained for the most part unchanged fundamentally even since Bernie Madoff's arrest, and conviction.

Wake up, Washington. A two year old has just lost his father, and there is another Bernie Madoff trading his grandchild's future for a yacht.

Or just maybe, eventually, THIS grandchild might.

Constitution 101: Fourth Amendment Prevents Government From Asking

2010-11-30T16:00:00.000-08:00

With all the recent publicity in the U.S. media with respect to the Pentagon's stances on the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, and domestic differences of opinion in the McCain household which also have recently made the mainstream broadcast media for their spins, it has amazed this Constitutional Conservative American just how far afield this "discussion" and polling has gone, and just whose opinions are being sought - rather than our framers and founders.

It seems pretty clear to me that the Fourth Amendment actually PREVENTS the government from asking, but not the gay community from telling if they so desire. It is there and was given to protect the privacy of Americans in such a matter clearly as their sexual preferences and orientations, and the government has no business knowing such information with the exception of those who may eventually be serving active duty in some foreign engagement where there might be housing concerns.

And I guess if we would get over our addiction to pre-emptive and aggressive wars instead of defensive wars only, this would be a non-issue really to begin with.

But such "news" doesn't make the headlines. Or the schoolrooms, it appears, on absolutely any level whatsoever anymore.

And if there wasn't already adequate proof that our grammar school, high school and college curriculums could use major adjustments in that area, rather than the "science and technology" fields and teaching kids how to use a computer, rather than to think, this issue makes it crystal clear just where our schools have deliberately "dumbed down" our kids, our Pentagon officials, those serving on Capitol Hill, our newscasters and print journalists.

Maybe all the McCains could get behind this one.

Or not.

Global Meterologists Sunning in Cancun While Meeting On Climate Change

2010-11-29T09:47:00.000-08:00

It was reported in the mainstream media that while the U.S. is still facing its greatest domestic recession since the Great Depression, the globalists UN members, many flying on their private jets, are meeting in Cancun, Mexico to "study" climate change.

Below is a quotation from the mainstream media article on the meeting verbatim:

"The meeting comes as a new report by the U.N.'s weather agency, the World Meteorological Organization, says greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere have reached their highest levels since pre-industrial times. These gases, which warm the Earth's surface, continued to build up in 2009 -- the latest year studied -- despite the economic slowdown, said the the report last week."

Now we have a World Meterological Organization, in addition to the World Health Organization?

And interesting to note that the quote references that "gas levels in the atmosphere have reached their highest levels since pre-industrial times," while also stating that they "continue to build up...DESPITE the economic slowdown."

Hello? If the first statement has any factual basis (and who knows since such measurements were not even measured in pre-industrial times, so what a hoot!), then the second statement would stand to reason that if there is an "economic slowdown" in industry, then the levels WOULD rise to levels which were present in the pre-industrial era.

What a conundrum, and what spin!

I wonder how many golfing games, and windsurfing events are on the agenda for these globalists while "meeting" in Cancun?

Climate change? Isn't change in climate the norm? And is there nothing as unpredictable as the weather? And just how accurate are meterologists in general on the daily changes in weather, much less in being able to predict what MIGHT occur hundreds or even thousands of years from now?

I wonder are these some of the same meterologists that were unable to predict the correct path of Hurricane Gustav before it hit landfall back in 2008?

I wonder if in truth they are meeting to plan the next "natural" disaster to then build up the control of the global economy instead through the World Bank? I mean, if you can seed clouds for agricultural purposes at this point in history to protect the food sources, could you not also "overseed" those clouds in order to facilitate a hurricane, say, in order to justify your existence, and feed the global bankers once again?

What politics. What spin. What utter baloney.

Maybe they are meeting with the drug cartel members, perhaps, instead?

Prince William To Wed, Bristol Palin Gets BBC Props

2010-11-16T21:24:00.000-08:00

Although a rare watcher of the television since it went cable (pay per view), which means I'm now forced to pay for the propaganda spewed on most of the major networks and cable programs just to get the local news and weather, unless you live in a cave today's top stories were hard to avoid.

First, Prince William is to marry finally the woman he has been stringing along for over eight years.

And proposed with the ring his mother, the late Princess Diana (or former Princess Charles of Wales, to be politically correct) received upon her ill-fated betrothal back in 1986.

A marriage that did not end very happily, nor whose life's end has not had its share of detractors also with respect to the "official" stories on that crash in Paris all those years ago.

Of course, the Queen and PM were reported "delighted," as they were with Prince Charles' selection of a bride. And this one, from all appearances, even has a more sense of herself from the outset than Princes Di.

One can only cross fingers, but it is clear the Brits rule once again the U.S. media on the extensive coverage given this really non-event considering, as Glenn Beck (that other Brit worshiper in drag due to his FOX/Rupert Murdoch connections, who wears his polo shirts with "Britain" emblazoned on them during his recent book tours) so aptly put it on one of his recent rants during an entire program devoted to George Soros and his political influence in this country, our media has "bigger fish to fry," than another royal wedding on the domestic front.

I mean, who really cares who Prince William marries unless it was one of Camilla's offspring? Perish the thought.

The second news bit seems to coincide with the first.

And that is that the finalists on that BBC Worldwide produced show for the high rated "Dancing with the Stars" import from the British Isle is to include Bristol Palin, who's mother also now has a cable news "reality" program on their life in Alaska (a state which has bucket loads of oil that those Brits also wish to control).

Brandy, a far better dancer (and I do have some expertise in that field also, since I did spend many, many hours in dance studios as the mother of daughters, and also trained myself in my younger years) and who was a leader from the outset from all reports was booted in favor of Ms. Palin's progeny.

Bruno was oh, so politically correct after the announcement and shock, and admonished the viewers that their "votes count." As was Brandy's partner, a Russian immigrant who extolled the virtues of this country and its "voting" process.

Right. Although left out just who was doing the counting.

I just wonder, since Brandy did score a repeat performance next week after this travesty, just what other perks she might have received for publicly showing that "stiff upper lip" those Brits are famous for?

I'm sure that isn't a question Jimmy Kimmel will ask tonight during his post-mortem.

The other day I was really shocked when turning on the television. Not only do we now have those Spanish language programs throughout the country which you cannot "unsubscribe" for unless you also buy another device or have a degree in programming, but there was a "new" Asian station in either Japanese or Korean included in the "package" sold by a local cable company in the Western United States.

And remember, America, you ARE paying for this.

In one way or another.

America Subdivided: Washington Politicos Selling Off America?

2010-11-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

While Barack Obama spends this last week after the disastrous election last Tuesday in India posing in front of some of India's architectural wonders, a country who has gained immeasurably by the generosity of both Republicans and Democrats in jobs and industries sold off bit by bit to foreign interests in order to "balance" the global economy at the cost of America's own, perhaps it is time to reflect on just what other industries, and America's own natural resources have been sold off to foreigners or foreign countries also progressively:

1. Our banks and currency regulation - Great Britain (London) through the Federal Reserve
2. Our oil reserves - Great Britain
3. Our gold mines - South Africa, Canada and Great Britain
4. Our independently owned or franchised hotels - India
5. Our auto industry - Mexico, Canada and China
6. Our state and national forests - now "controlled" or "wildfire" burned, in order to then honor those free trade agreements and import more Canadian lumber and timber domestically.
7. Our nuclear reactors - now foreign owned through various globally traded holding companies
8. Our clothing, apparel and durable goods (including those sovenirs) - China
9. Our cattle ranches - Korea, Japan
10. The Port of New Orleans - Great Britain
11. The Garden District and French Quarter real estate post Katrina - primarily BP execs, Britain
12. Our construction industry workforce - Mexico
13. Our agricultural workforce - Mexico
14. Our tech workforce - India
15. Our medical doctors and surgical staffs - more and more, India and South America
16. Our airlines - all globally traded, thus foreign owned
17. Our private hospitals - many "networks" globally traded, thus foreign owned

Does it really take an economist to calculate just why the American economy is continuing to spiral ever downward? Are there any American economists employed by this administration or the last several, or are they all "foreign" experts also more concerned with the world's economy than this country's, and has that industry also been "outsourced" as has been much of our television and print media?

This also does not factor in the contribution that other political branch and benefactor, the judiciary, have in their increased wealth as globalism believers in all the "corporate friendly" laws and statutes which have given "privileges and immunities" to not simply U.S. domestic global corporations, but even those foreign owned banks, insurance companies and financial institutions, PROGRESSIVELY under both Republican and Democratic administrations.

Protectionism does work for America, and always has in providing both jobs, and new industry, and in removing the personal income tax per those founder's intent on domestic production and labor in order to protect this country's economy, and placing it back on foreign production and labor, it can work again.

If an American citizen or American corporation wants to hire foreign workers or buy foreign goods, so be it, and those prices will be higher as a result, but if an American citizen or domestic corporation wants to outsource they SHOULD have to pay more for those goods and services, and would also result in domestic products and services being on par or at least more competitive in the process.

THAT would actually BE a global market based economy domestically, rather than one that we have now run by the foreign Global Governors in that G-20 who are for the most part Europeans and driving this country into the ground in the process, and bankrupting the American citizenry for their ultimate dominion and gain due to their also primarily regulating and controlling through those globally also traded U.S. banks our currency rates.

And in the mortgage banking and educational loans, imposing even their own currency (the British LIBOR) on those sums through the U.S. banks, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac even.

The Chinese definitely are not the only problem, America.

These are allies?

Euro-scavengers is more like it.

Subdividing America during those Global Governor's meetings.

Global Governor Obama Visits India

2010-11-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

Global Governor Barack Obama's trip to India has received wide press reporting this past week, a trip which was undertaken within 24 hours of Tuesday's election and apparently another scheduled vacation week after spending most of the last few months on the campaign trail for various Democratic candidates.

I'm just wondering, have the American taxpayers been paying for all the political junkets, and these vacations to foreign countries this past two years?

I mean, it does appear that the jobs of the foreign ambassadors at this point are nothing more than "cake" jobs at the expense of the taxpayers, since during this entire Administration both Mr. Obama and Ms. Clinton have been out of the country more than they have been in it.

While the United States is still mired in one of its deepest recessions ever (absent the propaganda in the mainstream media pointing to the recession "officially" ending in June 2009, since they clearly must be referring to the global economy and not that of the United States in any coherent manner whatsoever).

The latest reports on the added new jobs since October pointed to the retail sector, restaurants and bars, and medicine primary. Of course with the holidays coming up, these "seasonal" jobs for the most part will be gone by January.

Mr. Obama has been also attempting to put a spin on the number of U.S. jobs that have been outsourced to India during this week long vacation. And just what a few billion dollar trade deals with the U.S. will eventually provide in the way of jobs for Americans.

I wonder what jobs the East Indians can provide for Americans? I mean, their entire tech industry has been one huge massive gain for that country's economy after all the monies both this and the last Administration has poured into Silicon Valley only to have those taxpayer sums then used to hire the East Indian workforce for the most part.

I mean, even the food stamp program in many states is "administered" by companies that are hiring workers from the call centers in New Delhi.

Heads up, Mr. Obama: Global governance is what is killing this country.

And the East Indian workforce needs far less a stimulus than that of the U.S. workforce. I mean, I'm sure all those cell phone companies are making a bundle off the East Indian workforce and the U.S. citizens both that could be then used to reduce the U.S. citizens tax burdens by imposing once again those "import" taxes on foreign goods and labor and reducing the personal income taxes of all but the top 10% earners, since those earners are the ones also gaining their profits at the public's general expense in these free trade deals, and also those taxpayer grants and gimmes.

I mean, it takes Americans twice as long on their cells now to clear up some of those billing errors in those calls to New Delhi. So the U.S. citizens are being hit with treble damages on those cell phone bills as it is.

First for the jobs lost, second for the added call time on their bills, and third for those "income" and added assundry taxes even on those bills passed off to the public that the Indian workforce are not required to pay but they are.

Maybe it's time to phone home for a reality check.

Posturing Republicans To Reverse Obamacare?

2010-11-05T01:13:00.000-07:00

On the "high" tide of the Republican victory re-establishing themselves as the voice of the House (and, by inference, then the people although clearly those corporate special interests rather that financed that Citizens United case), it was declared that the first order of business would be to reverse that monumental Constitutional faux pas of the Democratic controlled Congress, Obamacare.

Right.

And bite the hand that actually feeds them?

Although only two Senators "officially" voted for Obamacare in order to get it through and made into "law," clearly that political move was seen by most Independents, and the non-corporate affiliated Tea Party members even for what it was.

Pure politics.

After all, Nixon was sitting in the Oval Office when the disastrous HMO concept was hatched in order to purportedly save the American people a bundle on both their insurance costs, and their out of pocket health care costs.

That, of course, didn't happen.

Instead, there is now a chain of command and numerous individuals who get a part of those insurance proceeds before you even get a diagnosis, in many cases, or treated for the malady that ails you in most of those "clinics."

With the staff of those clinics now also billing according to the amount of time each doctor spends with you, and also for filling out all those lengthy and numerous now insurance forms.

Instead of one, they now get to bill for three or four for your average physical.

Obamacare simply has increased the "corporate" control over patient care, and also the eventual costs to the public when those that are now homeless and jobless cannot pay for those even "cut rate" co-op plans that were put forth as bait in order to simply quell the outraged public and masses.

Those global and national "chains" of hospitals and health care providers have been given carte blanche over the American people's future health, especially the upcoming boomer generation, again without even a minimum of oversight or regulation other than a few "foreign" lackeys in Washington and "yes men," for their administrative decisions depending on their occupancy, budgets, and shareholders needed profit margins.

There definitely was a reason that "privatized" hospitals also were not the intent of those founders, but state and county hospitals and faith based primarily donor supported facilities.

Lower costs overall, since no shareholder profits or "advertising" expenses were needed in those budgets. And those expenses add plenty to that final bill.

And not to be a doom and gloom pessimist, but having recently experienced a three year ordeal in just how progressive and major illnesses are now treated under Medicare, can only wonder just what "cut rate" health care for the boomers will be like.

I mean, we have stepped up these death row executions within the past few years in most states throughout the nation, testing all those new lethal injection drugs on those prisoners as was recently done in Arizona using a British made drug that has been in use in this country since the 1920's (sodium pentathol), but somehow during that highly publicized event, we were "out?"

Those DNR forms also are getting attached to most admissions forms upon emergency treatment when Americans reach a certain age, so I wonder just what will happen if some of those mega-health care providers need that bed instead for a lucrative, elective plastic surgery?

And most of the boomer generation have paid far longer, and much more than the previous generations for the building of those hospitals and clinics, in both the state and federal grant monies extended to them for their building, operating and research costs through both their "income" taxes, and also their state property taxes in most states throughout the nation.

It was interesting to note a recent article that even some of the faith based hospitals are excited about ObamaCare, since it makes the value of those hospitals, built with public donations mind you, so much more valuable for them to sell to the highest "global" bidder.

Doctors are now performing for many procedures, assembly line operations for heart disease and other common degenerative diseases due to age, six and seven before even lunch.

Between ObamaCare, that carbon tax, and the foreclosure mess the Republicans certainly won't have to concern themselves much with their platform positions on the "death tax."

The boomers won't have anything left at all, when they face those DNR forms.

And this particular generation may have the shortest life span of all, for those "global" profits.

And AARP its lowest membership in their decades long history also progressively.

No wonder they start sending out those enrollment forms at 50.

Citizens United Rebound: Elections Run Amok

2010-11-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was election day throughout the nation, and appears it was another occasion where "backing up" our election campaign finance laws is long overdue.

At both the state and federal levels.

"Citizens United" was by far one of THE MOST egregious unconstitutional decisions heretofore ever made by the U.S. Supreme Court in its over 200 year history, along of course with that "corporate person-hood" redefinition and blurring in the differences between the free speech rights of the people, and elected officials and those running for political office through various "commercial" special interest and PAC organizations funded with many times matching federal grant monies due to their "educational" focuses, or "non-profit" status.

Prior to that one, it was the Kelo decision, also giving corporate interests, in bed with the muncipal and state governments, more power, and has resulted in the American public's land and homes being "taken" more and more for tax revenue in then legalized "theft" by the "sovereign" on behalf on one of their "favored subjects" ala Great Britain.

All in the name of the political benefit and the added revenue "the state" can receive from such takings, and so contrary to the intention of those founders for protection of their land and homes which was also a fundamental gripe of those patriots in the land seizures in Britain at their expense, it is equally astounding in its magnitude.

That Citizens United cases has contributed to our election process becoming nothing more than political blindsiding, with a license to then libel, or spin and spin some more propaganda with the end result being the one who could dodge the bullets faster, or the mud, or has the largest campaign coffer to repeat those message ad infinitum in those prime time spots, wins.

And that was apparent this last "off" election year cycle.

There were so many ads run on the local and cable television networks by various PAC organizations and partisan political groups, it seems almost a constant barrage of election overload began from the onset and in midsummer at that.

With the Constitution itself used in many for their positions, with so many spins that my head was spinning after almost all of those one minute spots the "misrepresentations" were coming so furious and fast.

In one highly produced commercial aimed at one of the candidates from an opposing party by the PAC organization for the "Democrats," slams were taken at a candidate due to his opposition to the 17th Amendment and position that it should be somewhat "rewound" to its original Constitutional intent for state representation.

According to the "man on the street" type blurbs that accompanied the spins, the actors the actors stated he was way "too extreme" a candidate to be given any consideration.

Of course, the 17th Amendment as it is now written erased the election of senators by the various state legislatures, and put those elections also into the hands of the public unconstitutionally - thus eliminated the "representation" of the states by the state legislatures as their "representatives," with the House intended, of course, to be the balance and true voice of the people strictly living in their own legislative districts.

It was in effect done due to the difficulties at segregated times for the state legislatures to get together in order to elect a member when one of the senators either died in office, or was removed or could no longer perform the functions of office due to varying circumstances.

And also, along with the passage of the 16th and creation of the Federal Reserve, to centralize more and more power in Washington by the states, so very contrary to the intended Republican type of government those founders actually created of a "general" and "special" governments and the balance of power, and accountability to the people at primarily the more local level.

Now, local elections are primarily funded and also those ads produced by "out of district" commercial political organizations, many of which themselves owned by "foreign" corporate interests, with their "home" offices in other districts, and other states.

Thus, your local election can be "won" by a New York or Los Angeles "special interest" or media group and thus stimulating their local economies for commercial purposes using your election in Hometown, U.S.A.

And also due to those "matching sums" unconstitutionally also received by the two mainstream political parties "corporate" organizations, who have in essence completely hijacked our election process at the state level in most of the larger states and even the process itself, so much so that at this point we have an unrepresentative government on every level, and campaign election laws that continue to get more "PAC" and special "corporate" interest friendly, and less "legal" along the intent of those founders for a representative government of the states, and their respective district citizenry.

At this point, even "foreign" out of country PAC organizations are gaining more and more a foothold in our election process, through their "national" domiciled offices or those "bundlers" also accepting out of state donations to local election campaigns in order to influence or fix the outcomes.

Note to the voters: Casting your vote has never become more important, but less relevant in just how that election eventually turns out.

And more so by the year.

The next presidential election cycle should be starting anytime now.

I mean, Christmas decorations went up about two weeks ago throughout the country before Halloween, so look for April or May and get out the Dramamine before Super Tuesday high tide washes you away.

It has become abundantly clear to many, our personal "legal" and relevant vote is nothing more than a test of patience, and our election contribution just another donation primarily to the state and federal revenue coffers once again in those gasoline taxes for the fuel it takes to get to those polling places.

And in this "high tech" voting age, I'm wondering really how many of those early mail in written ballots will be counted, or simply tossed in File 13.

The Wisdom Of Mr. Jefferson Remix

2010-10-22T16:22:00.000-07:00

They are not to do anything they please to provide for the general welfare, but only to lay taxes for that purpose. To consider the latter phrase not as describing the purpose of the first, but as giving a distinct and independent power to do any act they please which may be good for the Union, would render all the preceding and subsequent enumerations of power completely useless. It would reduce the whole instrument to a single phrase, that of instituting a Congress with power to do whatever would be for the good of the United States; and as they sole judges of the good or evil, it would be also a power to do whatever evil they please...Certainly no such universal power was meant to be given them. It was intended to lace them up straightly within the enumerated powers and those without which, as means, these powers could not be carried into effect.

Thomas Jefferson, Opinion on National Bank, 1791

The great object of my fear is the federal judiciary. That body, like gravity, ever acting, with noiseless foot, and unalarming advance, gaining ground step by step, and holding what it gains, is engulfing insidiously the special governments into the jaws of that which feeds them.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Judge Spencer Roane, Mar 9, 1821

The judiciary of the United States is the subtle corps of sappers and miners constantly working under ground to undermine the foundations of our confederated fabric. They are construing our constitution from a co-ordination of a general and special government to a general and supreme one alone.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Thomas Ritchie, December 25, 1820

It has long, however, been my opinion, and I have never shrunk from its expression... that the germ of dissolution of our federal government is in the constitution of the federal Judiciary;... working like gravity by night and by day, gaining a little today and a little tomorrow, and advancing its noiseless step like a thief, over the field of jurisdiction, until all shall be usurped.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Charles Hammond, August 18, 1821

One single object... [will merit] the endless gratitude of the society: that of restraining the judges from usurping legislation.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Edward Livingston, March 25, 1825

The Constitution... is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the judiciary which they may twist and shape into any form they please.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Judge Spencer Roane, September 6, 1819

Our peculiar security is in the possession of a written Constitution. Let us not make it a blank paper by construction.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Wilson Nicholas, September 7, 1803

Laws are made for men of ordinary understanding and should, therefore, be construed by the ordinary rules of common sense. Their meaning is not to be sought for in metaphysical subtleties which may make anything mean everything or nothing at pleasure.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Johnson, June 12, 1823

The construction applied...to those parts of the Constitution of the United States which delegate Congress a power...ought not to be construed as themselves to give unlimited powers, nor a part to be so taken as to destroy the whole residue of that instrument.

Thomas Jefferson, Draft Kentucky Resolutions, 1798

The Declaration of Independence... [is the] declaratory charter of our rights, and the rights of man.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Samuel Adams Wells, May 12, 1821

On every question of construction carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Johnson, June 12, 182

It is an established rule of construction, where a phrase will bear either of two meanings to give it that which will allow some meaning to the other parts of the instrument, and not that which will render all the others useless. Certainly no such universal power was meant to be given to them. It was intended to lace them up straightly with in the enumerated powers, and those without which, as means, these powers could not be carried into effect.

Thomas Jefferson, Opinion on a National Bank, February 15, 1791

On every unauthoritative exercise of power by the legislature must the people rise in rebellion or their silence be construed into a surrender of that power to them? If so, how many rebellions should we have had already?

Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 12, 1782

It is not honorable to take mere legal advantage, when it happens to be contrary to justice.

Thomas Jefferson, Opinion on Debts Due to Soldiers, 1790

Nothing then is unchangeable but the inherent and unalienable rights of man.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Cartwright, 1824

It is the duty of every good citizen to use all the opportunities which occur to him, for preserving documents relating to the history of our country.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Hugh P. Taylor, October 4, 1823

In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.

Thomas Jefferson, fair copy of the drafts of the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798, 1798

For example. If the system be established on basis of Income, and his just proportion on that scale has been already drawn from every one, to step into the field of Consumption, and tax special articles in that, as broadcloth or homespun, wine or whiskey, a coach or a wagon, is doubly taxing the same article. For that portion of Income with which these articles are purchased, having already paid its tax as Income, to pay another tax on the thing it purchased, is paying twice for the same thing; it is an aggrievance on the citizens who use these articles in exoneration of those who do not, contrary to the most sacred of the duties of a government, to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens. (In other words, since there is now a federal "income" tax, then to Jefferson it was then "double jeapardy" to then tax "consumption" also such as court fees, patent and trademark fees, gasoline taxes, etc., etc., on top of the "income" tax - either one or the other) . The same would hold true in those states with an "income" tax also which are then taxing "consumption" with sales taxes, use taxes, gasoline taxes, etc., etc.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Joseph Milligan, April 6, 1816

He who is permitted by law to have no property of his own, can with difficulty conceive that property is founded in anything but force.

Thomas Jefferson, January 26, 1788

It is the manners and spirit of a people which preserve a republic in vigor. A degeneracy in these is a canker which soon eats to the heart of its laws and constitution.

Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia Query 19, 1781

It must be observed that our revenues are raised almost wholly on imported goods. (NOT "free" as in "no cost" trade, but "free" as in unregulated as to our ports for commerce between all nations).

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Gouverneur Morris, 1793

Our properties within our own territories [should not] be taxed or regulated by any power on earth but our own. (No world government)

Thomas Jefferson, Rights of British America, 1774

Taxes should be proportioned to what may be annually spared by the individual.

Thomas Jefferson, 1784

The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to The Republican Citizens of Washington County, Maryland, March 31, 1809

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the atmosphere.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Abigail Adams, February 22, 1787

Would it not be better to simplify the system of taxation rather than to spread it over such a variety of subjects and pass through so many new hands.

Thomas Jefferson, 1784

The New America: Socializing The Workforce

2010-10-20T21:45:00.000-07:00

As an American who due to piggy-back financial reversals which have occurred during this U.S. economic tsunami (and even really before due to progressive legislation that has occurred at both the federal and state levels in the past 10-20 years), has been attempting for literally months to re-enter the job market to put my life back together in later middle age, the changes which have occurred in even the job search process have been an eye opening experience for this boomer.

I had been a semi-retired single mom who had started a small business with my savings mostly from a lifetime of working in the legal profession, and then travel and hospitality fields. I have been involved in at least three "start-ups" of small or family owned businesses personally (in the corporate law field, my ex-spouses new professional practice, and my own website-based retail business) during my working career.

But even having worked in the employment and corporate law fields, and I guess especially so, I have been literally taken aback by the process that is now utilized by most of the major employers and industries in all sectors of commerce at this point.

It isn't a jungle out there anymore and you really aren't competing with the user at the computer station next to you for that open position.

It's a network.

Hour long (and longer) internet employment applications, follow-up questionnaires, disclosure forms for drug, credit and background checks, "big brother" affirmative action forms requesting information on race, ethnicity, veterans status - yada, yada, yada.

No matter what is represented, HAL from 2000: A Space Odyssey is doing the hiring, that much is clear.

From checking your credit scores, investigating your personal history for those background checks through unregulated Internet security firms for infractions and the like, to crunching your resume into "key words" for filtering before it ever even gets to a human being, HAL is at the helm.

And some of the questions!

Here are a few, for those who have not gone through the "New Age" application process:

1. What percentage of politicians do you think are dishonest? (multiple choice: retailer)
2. If you were offered a position by another company at a greater salary, would you accept? (multiple choice: retailer)
3. How often do you use the Internet? (Survey after application and questionnaire, voluntary but would be appreciated)
4. How many rings before answering do you feel are a demonstration of good customer service ( multiple choice: secretarial position)
5. Have you EVER pled guilty or even no contest to a misdemeanor or felony offense (not even been convicted anymore?) (All applications)
6. Have you ever had a bad day (multiple choice: all)

You most likely will never know why you weren't hired, but it just might be that traffic ticket from three or four years ago or unpaid parking fine. Or an identity theft that has messed with your credit score, or losing a home, being unemployed itself and thus late with your bills just might prevent you from being able to secure employment to even attempt to rectify that situation in any respect at all.

Forget work experience. Only the past ten years or so matter in this "science based" hiring process. Even for those fast food restaurant jobs, or seasonal work positions.

As one who was employed for many years in the employment law field, experiencing this first hand at this stage of my life has truly been mindblowing.

It just may not be that there aren't enough jobs out there at all for the available workforce.

Maybe, there just aren't enough HALs that match HALs formula.

Seems maybe our discrimination laws have missed the mark in 21st Century America and may need updating.

More Foreclosures, More Economic Disasters To Come

2010-10-19T15:52:00.000-07:00

After the earlier reports this week that Bank of America was delaying any more foreclosures on homes pending an investigation into the paperwork surrounding those planned in the "judicial foreclosure" states, it was announced by the AP yesterday that such is not the case and planned to execute on over 10,000 pending foreclosure actions.

Gee, with all that stimulus money which Bank of America received and then used to purchase all that Countrywide debt and paper, I just wonder how much equity those owners have invested in total which Bank of America will be getting, and it does appear that the federal "disclosure" law that simply requires mortgage banks and lenders to disclose the fact that the loan or contract you sign today just may change tomorrow if that note is purchased by another bank or entity is repaying all those lobbying costs those banks used on Capitol Hill the last few years in spades. Over and above all those "bailout" sums.

So what occurred here is that Congress extended credit to Bank of America so that they could then purchase Countrywide, at the taxpayers' expense, which then afforded them the right to foreclose on taxpayer properties which were "at risk," no matter how much equity those owners might have in those homes?

As one who had an original mortgage which was then sold to Countrywide at one point, who then attempted to charge me when I went to refinance for simply providing the payoff figure for the original note, I continue to find it hard to believe that ANY of these banks were "at risk" or bankrupt.

Especially after that revision of the bankruptcy code which also occurred due to banking lobbying efforts back in 2006 right before this tsunami began which in effect precluded then Americans who were facing bankruptcy from in effect writing off any of their credit card debts or home equity loans without going through the Chapter 13 "reorganization" procedures first (which takes a lawyer now to go through, the procedure is so complex) before filing under Chapter 7.

Almost all protections for debtors in bankruptcy procedures have now been removed, yet we continue to live in a credit based society where even paying off your credit card debt counts against you in the configuration of your credit score.

I mean post 9-11 what did President Bush advise the American people to do?

Go shop.

And what has Mr. Obama done also since taking office?

Advised the jobless and homeless American people to either get re-educated (taking out loans for that re-education), or refinance their homes (and pay even more ultimately for your property using those mortgage counselors with additional closing costs and "new" even more restrictive loans most likely than you originally had).

With Washington and the state legislatures continuing to scratch their heads and wonder why the housing market isn't improving?

Sub-prime loans were not the problem (and most of those loans in the areas most affected were not even sub-prime loans but loans based on the London Interbank Origination Rates, not even the U.S. prime), the terms of those 50 page loans and slight of hand which has occurred post the banking bailout defining mortgages as "paper debt" and not the contracts that they are, is what has increased the foreclosures and bulked up Wall Street once again at the cost of the American homeowners.

And contrary to the "economists" predictions, there are thousands of vacant and empty homes at this point, since this tsunami started in 2006 four years ago, so it isn't a dirth of "inventory" that is depressing the market.

It is the refusal of the American people to buy into a now very "risky" investment since I'm sure that what has occurred this past four years had not been lost on the upcoming homebuying public, and just who was "protected" and who lost their shirts...

And shelter.

The announcement that the 50 Attorneys General that are calling for an investigation into the foreclosure mess right before an election is just oh, so typical and oh, so political once again.

Now four years later? Sort of like closing the barn doors after the horse has escaped, and seems merely another job stimulus for the job security of the legal profession. I mean, who will you need to address such a case if not, once again, the foreclosure lawyers who have made a bundle this past four years and seems that the collection and foreclosure industry is another of those "favored special interests" that has benefited tremendously during this recession.

Depressed and vacant housing, thousands of Americans with black markets on their credit unable to get jobs due to the use of those reports by most of those national and global industries, and a low paid workforce due to all the outsourcing and insourcing which has escalated since the Reagan years.

With such a scenario, just how does Washington expect the economy to revive since it has bankrupted at this point a good segment of the American people, at least the middle class and boomer and World War II generation, at this point?

Social Security COLAs denied based on the fact that the COLA has not increased? Just where is the Department of Labor getting those figures, because the cost of living for those over 55 has definitely increased.

Many now have extended family members living with them. Their medical expenses have exploded due to lack of regulation over the mega health care providers, and for those assisting with college costs for the grandkids even, those costs have gone up.

Food prices have increased, and gas is still higher than it was before this recession began.

Instead, a $250 check is in the mail? Seems the new mentality in Washington has also been borrowed from corporate America.

Not benefits, but annual Washington configured rebates. Just where did they get that figure?

Meanwhile, the president and those running for re-election are running around the country contributing to the carbon emissions in order to bulk up those revenues eventually for the new carbon tax.

I've got news for the Washington, the bankers and economists.

The stock market is no barometer of the economic health of America.

The local unemployment offices, residential neighborhoods, and Main Street USA are.

And just where ARE all these candidates getting all that campaign money for all those ads on TV?

Let me guess. The bankers, or "government" contractors in rebates.

Saturday Night Live Needs An Extreme Makeover

2010-10-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

As a boomer who remembers the New York based "Saturday Night Live" from the beginning and watched the very first show, it has amazed me on the very, very few times I have tuned in since those first few seasons the "changes" which have occurred.

Known for its outrageous skits and occasional timely political commentary, it has taken a rather dark turn it appears as of late, and not in a good way.

Always, always liberal in its political focuses, that liberalism also has become simply irrelevance at this point in America's history, and its formerly "gross" humor not even very funny to a large segement of the population, it seems.

And some of the musical entertainment clearly even more far out and just as wacky and politically off the wall for any residing apparently outside New York (or L.A., its sister city).

Cases in point in just the few that I have watched for partial programs the last year (and this IS a show that starts at 10:30 or 11:30 in most of the country, but appears directed more so at a "youth" and younger audience with each decade who mostly are at home up late during the weekend - since as those young comics age also they routinely disappear into either spin offs of their characters in movies or eventual oblivion):

1. A skit in which Tina Fey as a teacher fantasizes over a pre-teenish "student" Justin Bieber(?), a Canadian pop star being marketed in the U.S. to pre-teen girls as "wholesome entertainment."

2. A skit in which a "loving family" mouth kissed mere strangers and extended family members (and their pets) to demonstrate their love for one another at the funeral of a relative, in which one of the family members licked and mouth kissed eventually the deceased laying in a coffin.

3. An entire segment on the Weekend Update segment this past week with Amy Poehler and Seth Myers addressing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policies of gay men and women in the military in the name of "equality." I wouldn't hesitate to guess that the comics and writers on the program support unlimited abortion rights for women under the guise of "privacy," but believe that the "privacy" of gay individuals now serving in the military doesn't also come under those same Constitutional provisions of such a personal and private issue as an individual's sexual preferences?

I mean, just how many in the military who are gay truly want "big brother" to have such intimate and personal information documented in their enlistment papers on government databases?

The rest of the segment was dominated by the blind Governor of New York, inside jokes on the New Yorker-Jerseyite relationship, and the Governor's past term of office and irrelevance at this point in time during the upcoming elections, and his disability with the Governor, of course, then making an appearance alongside the "imposter." None of which I'm sure the other 49 (48 outside Jersey) states would have any interest in as "inside jokes."

4. And also on this particular program, a pop tart star ala another Madonna dressed to Bob Mackie rhinestone excess in glittery teenage cheerleader style mini-dress with backup football players singing a song devoted to having a back seat teenage sex session and while singing the chorus then rubbing her legs suggestively promoting her "skin tight jeans?"

I mean the Bees and Blues Brothers have a place in the history and television archives for this 70's ground breaking comedy, but I just wonder what new drug they are smoking during those writing sessions?

The only segment that appeared even remotely funny was the impersonator of Will Smith ala Eddie Murphy.

Maybe "Home Improvement" needs to do an extreme makeover," from the ground up with new writers. Or better still...

"Live from (take your pick outside New York) it's Saturday Night!" just might clue them in as to what is politically relevant and comic, and just what is just so, so New York, and not "out there" but "in there" in truly messed up New York Gomorrah-land.

Definitely not for that ever-growing Tea Party crowd, or former Republicans and Democrats who are now independent of any political party affiliation.

Those Indians clearly came out with the better deal on this one.

Election 2010: More Spins Than The NFL

2010-10-17T23:31:00.001-07:00

Since the November midterm elections are coming to the wire, the political ads and spins are coming as fast and deep as those touchdown passes on Monday Night Football.

But at least those arm-chair quarterbacks in the booths can't spin quite as much as the special interest two mainstream political parties can.

As one who lived in two states that have been "political" hotbeds especially these past ten years, Arizona and Louisiana, (the former my "home" state, and later that of extended family members in which I was located for a couple years after fleeing Arizona in 2006 after over 45 years for various political reasons), it is rather discomforting to know that the same old, same old occurs now in this country no matter where, it seems, you may be at election time.

That Citizens United case was a boom for the telecom industries, and certainly has stimulated their budgets, while of course making our elections less and less Constitutional by the year...

I mean, how can you have a representative government when those running for office are afforded to now accept massive campaign monies from "out of district" bundlers and global and national corporate entities in state elections?

Such another wacko decision by the "liberal" Supreme Court once again undermines and clearly negates the entire foundation upon which our Constitution is grounded as those representatives being the voice of the "people" in their particular districts.

In any event, the two parties are at it again, and with more fervor than ever.

There is an election here for a Senate seat.

Of course, the Democratic ads are portraying the opponent as one who is behind cutting and/or eliminating Social Security, cutting education funding, increasing the budgets for the prisons (for those federal grant monies, of course, and also since I have learned this state also has "privatized" some functions of the penal system under outsourced "corporate" government contractors, unconstitutionally transferring a clearly governmental function), and a host of other "benefits" for big business.

The Republican ads, of course, have the same tenor but different spins. These ads portray the opposing candidate as one who voted for "government run" health care (although that is definitely NOT what occurred, rather, the Democrats too fed big business on that one in those upcoming clearly unconstitutional "health care taxes" and mandates and then even without absolutely any regulation over those mega health care networks and insurers whatsoever), and a "wasteful" spender on the stimulus which stimulated nothing but the government, and both parties government contractors and special interest corporate campaign supporters.

Feeding the global and national special interests on both sides of the aisle, of course, and due to Citizens United then there is so much more "outside" campaign monies to tap again come next election by those two mainstream parties whose platforms have really nothing whatsoever to do with Constitutional government at this point whatsoever.

I mean both keep funding the war, and both keep feeding Wall Street and the global economy at the cost of America's own.

We clearly do have at this point, the "best" government that the most lucrative "special interest" can buy.

And after that bank and Wall Street stimulus, I wonder which sector that might be?

We're in the final quarter, and I just wonder how many of the voters already left at halftime?

But before you cast your vote, you might check with the Vegas bookmakers on this one.

Since I'm sure they, rather than those mainstream "political analysts", have the inside track.

Michael Moore and Larry King Spin on Chilean Rescue, Deepwater

2010-10-16T11:09:00.000-07:00

Although I personally watch little television and haven't for quite a number of years with the exception of the weather channel, I was visiting one of those all night markets for a few items and while walking through the electronics department caught about five minutes of an interview Michael Moore had on Larry King last evening.

The short segment I viewed had them discussing the recent rescue of the Chilean miners after 69 days, and all the celebrating that is going on throughout the world on the rescue and positive outcome, and efforts of all those involved.

A monumental moment, that's for sure, given the number of days in which they were trapped.

But then Mr. Moore went on to somehow compare the rescue to the efforts taken during the Deepwater Horizon disaster in Louisiana, and how long it took "us" to plug a seven inch hole, far longer than it took the Chilean government to rescue these trapped workers.

I had to laugh, really, about the comparison and also the "blame" which was levied leaving out much again of just what did occur post-Deepwater.

After all, it didn't take "us" longer to plug that hole, it took the British that long.

Since the entire cleanup and resulting ramifications were transferred by the Obama Administration to that huge global British corporation, with the Coast Guard merely acting mostly as backup and liason on the repair and cleanup efforts. And yes, it certainly did take longer since there really wasn't much of an incentive for the British to plug that hole very rapidly.

Instead, they got permission to drill two MORE wells under those lease agreements with the U.S. government renegotiating the terms in the process of their "take" of America's offshore mineral reserves (while we continue to fight the major battles in the Mideast for the British and European's future oil needs most of all, in addition to continuing to search for bin Laden?).

This is the country whose National Health Care plan Mr. Moore couldn't lavish enough praise and attention to in one of his most recent political docudramas, and how much superior it is to the U.S. in its coverage and affordability.

In a country that has one of the highest tax burdens, and for which many of their citizens have sought citizenship in this country in order to escape. Or Greenland even.

Including my own grandparents back in the 1920's.

With, of course, Larry nodding in agreement at what a mess "we" made of Deepwater.

Which was, after all, the second "accident" by this British global corporation involving the loss of American lives.

While, of course, downplaying in his political docudrama the enormous waits that most of the Canadians also have for non-emergency procedures in their own country under their "better" taxpayer funded plans, who have also been immigrating to the U.S. by the score in the last few decades, at least in the Sunbelt states owning second homes there while being almost full time residents (except those ghastly months of June, July and August when they are on holiday elsewhere somewhat cooler or more temperate, due to their higher currency).

I applaud the Chilean government on a job well done, although do wonder if such were the case in this country, since Canadian and South African companies own the majority of the gold mines in the U.S. (with the U.S. the third country in production after Australia and South Africa - so first our oil, now our gold mineral rights have been outsourced!)...

Just how many more days in such an event would it take for either of those British or formerly British countries global corporations to rescue any trapped American miners?

If Deepwater is any indication of British know-how or priorities?

But then again, I did only watch a very small segment of the program so maybe they got to that later on...

This is not to say also the U.S. health care system is not a mess, but then as what was evident in what recently occurred also in that respect, it doesn't appear the "stakeholders" that were consulted by the Obama Administration for this health care reform had really reform in mind, other than reforming the amount of their "stake" with those new health care mandates and taxes through the backdoor - with absolutely no regulation over those health care costs, or some of these huge megacorporate health care systems and practices in any manner whatsoever.

And although the increasingly bankrupted American people and "market" have been and are continuing to speak out over both their now "British" tax bites, and health care costs, it doesn't seem the Washington "stakeholders" are listening.

I mean, the entire HMO and "corporatized" health care legislation ala Richard Nixon has simply increased costs, not decreased them, so I just wonder also about the much ballyhooed Internet markets and "new" co-op "cheaper" plans which were thrown around in order to placate the masses with this "deform" and just how effective those will be, rather than simply just another "jobs creation" bill at the general public's ultimate expense for the financial sector and medical conglomerates once again.

Luis Ramirez Case Demonstrates Criminal Justice System Gone Awry

2010-10-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

The highly publicized ongoing "hate crimes" case in the death of Luis Ramirez at the hands of a group of white American football players/teenagers in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, a mostly blue-color small town northwest of Philadelphia, appears to this writer to demonstrate how the American criminal justice system has truly lost its way.

Primarily also due to the inconsistent reporting also that has occurred throughout the nation on the case.

With the first inconsistency being just whether or not the victim was a 25 year old American citizen of Mexican descent, or an illegal immigrant.

Sources in the news media have portrayed him as both, and his initial trial was in state court in which the teens involved were convicted of criminal assault in the beating death of Mr. Ramirez, who they encountered in a park where the victim was out with his 15 year old girlfriend late one evening.

Apparently, the group of teens had had too much to drink and were spoiling for a fight, and from all reports insults were hurled prior to the eventual encounter in both directions. I wonder if the proprietor of the establishment who sold those kids the alcohol has also been brought up on charges, since they were, after all, 16 and 17 at the time of this incident and apparently it occurred after a football game.

The teens were also charged with "ethnic intimidation" under state laws at the time of their trials, but apparently those charges were either dismissed or they were found not guilty on those counts.

Much, of course, has been made that an "all white" jury was involved in the state action, and apparently there are also charges that local authorities were involved in some cover-up of the investigation then thereafter, some of whom are scheduled to be brought up on those charges at some later point in time (although this incident occurred more than two years ago).

The community, of course, has been adversely impacted as this is a town that is a magnet for the claimed "Hispanic community" due to the draw of jobs in the agricultural and industrial (factory) sectors. Of course, Pennsylvania's major industrues are in the coal/steel/industrial sector, with many during this recession also hard hit and out of work.

The uncertainty of this young man's immigration status as reported in the media does bear scrutiny as the prosecution in the subsequent federal case has also inconsisgtently been reported as under the "hate crimes" bill recently signed by Congress (about the same time as this incident occurred, it appears, but that also bears scrutiny). Even more strange is that the federal case is actually being prosecuted against the teens as a violation in affording the victim fair housing under the "Fair Housing Act."

Say, what?

Apparently, since the state dismissed the charges against the teens under the state provisions for "ethnic intimidation" the federal government is barred from then bringing an action under the "hate crimes" legislation passed in 2008, or it was an ex-post facto law in any event passed after this particular incident. Or to then proceed and charge the teens with violation of the federal Hate Crimes Act would, in effect, be double jeopardy since the state prosecutor or the jury had dismissed those charges at the state level.

But now prosecuting them under the "Fair Housing" Act?

MALDEF, a federally funded "educational" group, of course, is involved in the prosecution of the case. Another group that stands to benefit from any and all actions which can in any way be deemed a "civil rights" matter - apparently whether brought on behalf of an actual American citizen or not, since the status of this man's citizenship has been reported, at least in the Boston papers, as an "illegal immigrant."

Although one of the Washington news sources reports him as an "American, of Mexican descent."

But I guess if MALDEF is involved then he must be a Mexican-American. Or the federal statute providing for those legal fee awards makes no distinction, since the words "civil rights" are being used quite liberally by the federal prosecutors for this now Fair Housing case.

A tragic incident, and while the state has actually got the technicalities correct in at least the fact that "ethnicity" just may have been a factor, the federal government is using the "racial" discrimination label - when Hispanic is not actually a "race" at all any more than being of German, Irish or Russian descent.

I wonder when those cases will be brought under the Fair Housing Act?

Alcohol and teens do not mix, but then neither do hormones and teens.

When I was growing up in Arizona during even the grammar school years, the "big tree" outside the schoolyard was famous as the site where any and all fights between the pre-teen boys occurred. Although they were equally matched in most cases, at least one-on-one.

But instead of charges of "bullying" as would occur in any other such incident due to this young man being outnumbered at the outset, and by a group of high school teen football players at that, we are charging them under the Fair Housing Act, after they were already convicted of criminal assault?

It seems to me this new "hate crimes" legislation is going to result in an increase in our adolescent jail population also progressively, and of course our deficit for all those legal fees to all these special interest groups on the illegal immigrant gravy train, when if our borders were secured and then the immigration process also then simplified and made less costly for all those from poorer countries especially who wish to immigrate such cases as these just might also progressively decrease.

I just wonder also, will the ACLU be there for the next European-American young male who is beaten by some Mexican gang members in one of the border state neighborhoods in order to protect their civil rights?

I guess that question is rather rhetorical, since the Fair Housing Act doesn't apply to that "ethnic" group.

And with all the demonstrations and unrest that the illegal immigrant and border situation has resulted in these past few years, and actually since the Reagan amnesty in the 1980's as reported in the media night after night, and being used by the politicians for political purposes most of all each and every election, and in this ever spiraling economic tsunami with more and more Americans continuing to be homeless and jobless by the month, is it any wonder that such a mentality would filter down to especially the adolescent males in a small mining town in Pennsylvania.

I mean, this does appear to be another case of federal negligence at the eventual cost of the public at large, and increasing the tensions over this issue.

This community, far from the border, it also has been reported has been "at war" ever since this incident took place.

Which does not excuse what obviously occured and the "mix" of the circumstances, alcohol, and hormones which eventually led to the death of this young man, but is it any wonder?

And call me somewhat a formerly "overprotective" mom of teens, but just what was this 25 year old young man doing with a 15 year old girl out in a park late at night anyway who it was reported also was a father and had children?

The Fair Housing Act violations seem a stretch, since I wonder if those teens even knew about the Fair Housing Act.

And I wonder what MALDEF's bill will be eventually for this one, since there is also a "Justice" Department lawyer involved in prosecuting this case?

A Personal Story: The Patriot Act, Unemployment And Political Harassment

2010-10-13T12:26:00.000-07:00

In this post-911 world, and after passage of the Patriot Act, it has been amazing to this writer just how this Act of Congress is being used also by special interest groups and politicians in order to use as a means and weapon subliminally in order to facilitate their agendas against Average Americans who have been more and more addressing the two party system and also the continued Constitutional violations which have escalated since that time.

I was nothing more than a "retired" legal professional, and also mostly at home employed then "self employed" mother doing her best to raise three children post a divorce in the 90's in a city that I grew up in that was spinning out of control over the border situation, and explosive growth which had occurred through the past several decades - Phoenix, Arizona. Adolescence particularly was tough under those circumstances, especially given the area in which we resided post-divorce off a major metro thoroughfare not so very far from the north-south corridor and interstate throughout the State of Arizona.

An area particularly hard hit after the expansion of that interstate from Nogales to Flagstaff in the 1980s for "commercial" reasons.

My costs of ownership on a home I had purchased post-divorce were also spinning out of control, and escalating not merely by the decade, but by the year. And also progressive loss of any and all ownership rights I even had to the property due to special interest legislation that also escalated post my purchase.

I eventually lost the house, or any interest in retaining it since the writing was clearly on the wall and a legal action pretty much "took" my home from me in the end. I, of course, wished to spread my story so that at least some unaware Americans could be spared my fate, also from a historical perspective as one who had almost seen it all through four decades.

What has occurred since that time due to also progressive policies of Washington could be characterized as "subliminal" harassment through both my published articles, and also other means.

My credit rating after what occurred is not "prime," although throughout the first almost four decades of my life received offer after offer of increasing my credit limits, or taking out new credit cards due to the access those credit companies had to my credit scores in the 1970's, 1980's and early 1990's prior to my divorce. With children that had, through my spouse's and my joint income, during their most formative years come to a certain standard of living that I most certainly struggled to maintain post divorce.

And was mostly successful in downsizing quite a bit our housing, and other costs but of course those teen years were trying, and those expenses quite high with new drivers in a state where auto insurance rates for youth, especially, not to mention the general public had gone off the charts primarily also due to the open border situation, accident rates in a city which had quadrupled in size in less than two decades, and as a tourism spot for snowbirds.

I started writing the legislature about what had occurred, and also political matters which had adversely impacted the state, and low and behold started receiving speed dialed "collection" calls on a cell phone which continued even after I discontinued the original service, and started buying some of the cheaper "pay as you go" models due to my lower credit score after the litigation, and losses I had suffered in a business then also going under during that "abuse of process" action based on a small claims action that resulted in an over $17,000 attorney fee award - a great deal of the equity eventually of my home, along with the $16,000 realtors "fee" for handling the eventual transaction. And all those other "closing" costs.

When I say subliminal, here is what occurs.

You begin receiving "collection" calls daily from a lawyer's recorded message that indicate they are looking for someone else, and to call them in order to be removed from their lists after being instructed to "hang up" if you are not the party they are seeking. And usually these calls occur later in the evening. I've had at least three different entities at this point seeking three different individuals with their recorded messages contact me in such a manner during the past four years after leaving my former home state.

And usually right after I publish any article on some of the citizen journalism sites, my own blog or forward any of them to my former legislators.

Since, of course, these collection lawyers have carte blanche to access under that Patriot Act any citizens personal information or phone numbers even through those telecom companies, or their private "homeland security" trained investigators in the name of creditor rights.

And politicians also, who just might be a little peeved at having the public get any information at all on what is truly occurring in this American economic meltdown and national security fiasco from any source other than those which have been deemed "politically correct" which will publish the fiction.

Those credit scores and credit reports, and background checks are being used to politically target quite clearly those citizens who are not simply the "sheep" but were actually educated in American history and government at a time when the federal government had far less power over the state and local schools, and take exception more and more in what is going on in our courts, our schools, and our federal and state government which truly has led to where we are. And America's intended form of Constitutional government revered above all other countries. Not world government, but American government.

And it seems that although what I and many writers who have become more politically active disclose, although the truth and clearly more mainstream than those publishing the spins, the politicians and government leaders still don't get it.

The proof of what we speak is all around them in the fact that the housing market hasn't picked up, the war is costing this country and its future posterity their legacy, and this globalization in this global economy is bankrupting this country by the week, at this point.

Instead, they spend their time harassing the victims and attempting to marginalize them while this scenario gets worse and worse.

And it is quite clear to see, that a Harvard or Yale education clearly isn't worth the parchment anymore it is printed on, and Joe the Plumber (actor though he may be) has a better feel for the pulse of the American people than those serving at the state capitols, or on the Hill.

Fox, BBC Worldwide, and the British Barrister's Association, and Ivy League globalists have contributed to the American economic meltdown far more than those Tories of so long ago.

Plea bargained, even low level felony American citizen prisoners were just denied their voting rights?

Hello, Great Britain circa 1776. And I certainly am not the only one in this country that can now see the forest, for the trees.

I just hope with the next number, I can remember it.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell: California Judiciary Does It Again

2010-10-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

After the gay marriage issue and the unconstitutional denial of prisoners' voting rights (even while on parole, after serving jail time for low level criminal offenses) now this...

Apparently, a San Diego judge has placed an injunction on the military's "don't ask, don't tell," policy, again just weeks before an election according to a published AP article.

My question on this issue has always been, just how many in even the gay community serving at this point even care or would actually prefer to keep such a private issue as their sexual preference truly private?

I mean, the military is not supposed to be a dating service anyway, so just what has this particular rather personal issue have to do with serving in the military in this country, other than without such disclosure it does make battlefield housing and living arrangements a bit more complex?

This article also set forth that the American people at this point are less concerned with "social" issues such as these and the war than they are with the economy. Which again goes to prove just how far off the mainstream media are, and wonder just who is conducting and what segment of the population are being used for their polls.

The war has much to do with the economy, and joblessness and homeless in this country. After all, the costs for continuing this war for now nine long years has escalated and added to our deficit far more than even those discretionary expenditures for those bridges to nowhere. And will so for decades in all the veterans benefits and costs that will be needed for the next, oh say, fifty to sixty years.

A decision such as this should not be made by a federal or state judge, but as a policy decision, especially in times of war.

I believe this goes along the lines of all those policies regarding "fraternization" while serving, and also during times of war. I mean, just how much time do most of those serving really have for developing romantic attachments?

Maybe we need to rethink this entire "standing army" concept, or leave those decisions to those who are more aware of the ramifications. And again, just how many gays are actually serving, is what I would like to know, since it would seem that the majority of gay individuals are not exactly also supportive of this ongoing war either at this point to begin with, at least from my experience.

So just how many really are enlisting, and I would not hesitate to guess, not many and many of those that are or have, don't seem to be those which continue to push this agenda, but the civilian activists that somehow perceive that in keeping such a fundamentally personal issue private is denying them their "rights." But "rights" to what, I'd like to know.

Solicit?

The courts do seem to be continuing to accept cases and extending standing to "disinterested" parties more and more, including those now brought on behalf of "foreigner's" rights somehow in this country, under our Constitution and Bill of Rights ("We the People of the United States...for US and OUR posterity"), or using some perceived injustice or disenfranchised individual on behalf of a special interest group in order to feed the legal industry most of all under those federal statutes that provide for the payment of legal fees, at the taxpayer's expense, for any and all actions which can in any way be perceived as a "civil rights" case.

Your sexual preference is a "civil right," but while serving in the military (which is not a "civil" organization, in more ways than one, it would appear as of late) is not.

The military and its members are fighters, after all, not lovers.

Just think of the complications of a totally gay and separate unit with such a policy, and the additional questions that would need to be asked in such an event for at least housing purposes.

For example, "What are your tendencies, "butch" or "queen?"

California and its judiciary does it again, and no wonder there continues to be more at least generational Americans leaving that state, than new residents.

I just wonder whether they also just might work, through their political connections, for the AP which more and more does tend to focus on sensationalize, explosive and exploitive politically charged journalism and their "polls" each and every decade, rather than even questioning a military policy being addressed in a civilian court outside any true Constitutional basis or intent of those founders whatsoever.

Who would most likely hold that gays are more than welcome to serve in the military and volunteer army to protect the homeland if it is their desire.

But disclose they would have no time for dating, and if that was their objective than maybe the career military or a foreign engagement during a time of war wouldn't suit their primary or the military's ultimate aims.

Ninth Circuit Denies Voting Rights To Prisoners

2010-10-10T19:17:00.000-07:00

It was announced in the mainstream media that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco overturned a prior panel ruling (?) which had found the State of Washington's prohibition banning voting by felons unconstitutional.

The case apparently was grounded and brought as a "racial discrimination" case, however, and the basis for the decision appears politics also just may have been a factor in this recent ruling.

After all, with the exception of two states in the nation all have some provisions barring convicted felons from the election process. Some more stringent than others, and even a few that actually prohibit felons from voting for life (forget "letting the punishment fit the crime," or after the punishment has been handed down and fulfilled "records" being then wiped clean upon petition for felons, and automatically for misdemeanor offenses).

Seems to me maybe the lawyers for the case might have missed using that other Constitutional provision, the "privileges and immunities clause," that also might have been another legal avenue to travel. I mean, two states do not remove voting rights for felons, so aren't those prisoners getting a "privilege" that those prisoners in other states do not, since the buzz words also being used by the spin doctors on this one is that voting is a "privilege" in this country, and not a "right?"

Huh?

In a government of the people, by the people, for the people it most certainly is a "right" in this writer's view, but then we have also quite clearly lost any measure of having a representative government due to just such wacko court decisions as these, as of late, all the way to the top branch in that last Citizens United "corporate" case brought by a somewhat "commercial" entity, or perhaps dare I say, federally funded through its "educational" focus?

I mean, foreigners now are exerting their influence in the hallowed halls of Washington more and more, both through their lobbying efforts and also through their campaign donations to those "bundlers."

The court also cited a "precedence" from an 1886 case, and strange that this "progressively liberal" court would hold with a case while bypassing the intent of the founders and their reverence for just what type of government they were creating, and which actually had to do more so with capital offenses in which jury trials actually were given in those days, and cases were not plea bargained, or those jailhouse appeals denied as regularly as they appear to be more and more then thereafter.

Many times, for budgetary reasons.

I wonder if Washington State has privatized its state jails as Arizona has?

I mean, the fewer inmates, the less those Wall Street penal conglomerates get for their budgets and shareholders, and the less the states also get from the federal government in order to also run some of those state prisons. This is, after all, another emerging industry creating all those jobs for those homeland security graduates and ex-military primarily.

Is it any wonder that more and more of those pro se jailhouse appeals are getting either denied, or "lost," as was the case in Louisiana several years ago in a published article which was written after a Clerk of the Court committed suicide presumably due to his guilt over having been a participant in such a court process for at least a decade.

And while Arizona's prisons have been privatized right and left supposedly due to "budgetary" constraints, I just wonder where all those monies also are coming from in order to upgrade and build all those new jails especially with the budget being of such major concerns to a great many states these past five years, while the most monies that went in that stimulus actually did go to the states for such purposes. I guess this is another "outsourcing" of governmental powers and duties to private industry in these now "commercial" prisons once again that will have their bottom line profits most in mind in running them, and with little state oversight whatsoever as was recently in the headlines.

I mean in this "ends justifies the means" style governing now on every level, the more and more that minor offenses are criminalized which don't involve loss of property or injury, the more "jobs" it creates, and dividends for those shareholders who are invested in those commercial ventures at this point.

This is the mentality that seems to be running rampant at the city, county, state and federal levels more and more.

Just think how much crime stimulates the economy, and creates jobs. Construction jobs, security and prison guards for the returning military and homeland security grads, the "tech" industry for all those cameras and surveillance devices, identity theft protection companies and jobs, insurance company profits for expanded coverages then needed on homeowners and auto insurance due to the rising auto theft rates in most state throughout the nation - why it does appear that it is a major stimulus for quite a few sectors of Wall Street.

In fact, if there wasn't crime at all, just think how many more would be lining up at the social service offices right now.

Maybe that is also a factor in this economic depression.

The need for more criminals in order to stimulute also the global economy, Wall Street, and the U.S. economy - after a theft, you have to go out and buy something to replace what was taken, after satsifying that deductible, that is. After your car is stolen or broken into, you need to satsify that deductible when making those repairs, or buying tha new (or used) car to replace it.

Maybe this is why more and more in local communities there are no neighborhood patrols really much anymore in residential communities, since that would affect and impact the economy and jobs of those private security companies too, although they have no real legal authority to do anything really other than place a call to the local police force if the worst should happen and there should be a property crime in their jurisdiction.

It just might not be the budget at all If there were regular neighborhood patrols once again there just might be less crime, maybe, and thus less jobs and profits for those on the "crime does pay" gravy train. Or if the economy actually did improve significantly.

But with lesser offenses, this country IS supposed to be the "land of the free" - so just why has there been such a progressive move to criminalize more and more petty offenses, offenses in which there is no direct victim such as many of those minor "possession" charges on marijuana use, not sale, and others. You can spend jail time even for misdemeanor offenses at this point in most states throughout the nation.

Many of the even public misdemeanor jails are charging inmates for their own meals, or confiscating their wages then from any work they do for the "privatized" jailhouse general stores upon their return. I mean being in jail itself, deprived of your freedom and separated from society for your crime, was SUPPOSED to be THE punishment for major offenses.

Those incarcerated, especially those felonies not involving harm or injury to another, are or were taxpayers - but it appears when handing down their double, triple and even quadruple penalties for even minor felony offenses, the states are forgetting the common law provisions on civil and criminal crimes in this country. And most aren't even "convicted" but are plea bargained also for "budgetary" needs by those public defenders.

Letting the punishment fit the crime has been lost in the process. And even giving those juries the instructions that they also have not only the duty to hand down their verdict on the evidence presented, but also the duty to examine the law and punishments attached by statute also as to legality in their view as representatives of "the people," and not "the state."

Although even obtaining a jury of your peers is almost impossible, since juries are now profiled by the lawyers involved, or are comprised of citizens that truly are not "peers" of the defendant at all - many of whom are themselves city, state, county or federal workers who are paid from some of those fines and fees attached to those crimes - especially the minor offenses.

And yet, there is a concerted move also progressively to continue to attempt to remove trials by jury for more and more offenses even. With the state acting as both the charging party, and jury in more and more "bench" trials for misdemeanor criminal offenses, and with even traffic fines at all time highs requiring most to enter into "payment plans" at added costs even over and above those fines, which should be a clue right there as to the levels at which they are now set. The very definition of fascism, actually.

So how is removal of voting privileges in any manner letting the punishment fit the crime, unless it truly is the highest offense within our Constitution.

High treason.

I mean spies, and those in high political office should not be afforded that "right" when by their actions they have shown that it is not this country or its Constitution which guides their actions, or to whom they owe their fealty.

I wonder, just how many in Washington that are highly publicized casting their votes even while running for office, should have their ballots challenged?

Maybe what we need at this point is a recount ever decade, rather than a census.

I just wonder how many "foreigners" and "party politicians, including those "mavericks" of both mainstream political parties whose political leanings have nothing to do with Constitutional government, votes would then be thrown out.

Another ruling by the Ninth that appears to be following British law at the time of the American Revolution contrary to those Bill of Rights primarily and fundamentally, and not U.S. true law at all, as this ruling to this writer flies in the face of the entire intent of America's founders in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Weighed against the increasing access to the U.S. Courts by foreign individuals for even prosecution matters not to mention their appeals paid for through Americans taxes for those numerous appeals before deportation for true capital offenses, who are not even American citizens, speaks volumes in just how far off this recent decision is as by this court especially, as opposed to Constitutional intent in the entire foundation of America's intended form of government.

Whose "prisoner" voices should be heard most of all really, as those who have been many times "politically" convicted due to "budgetary" restraints, or whose crimes have been criminalized which under the common law are merely civil crimes without a clear "victim" to begin with.

While those pardons are given to high level Wall Street officials whose "direct victims" were literally hundreds or thousands of individuals in property theft, rather than banning them from any further employment in the financial sector for at least a good many years, the pot smokers and low level DUI offenders under those three strike rules are banned from the political and voting process, or those plea bargained lower felony "civil" victimless offenders "for life" in a few states?

Or how about those foreign drug dealers and auto thieves who are peddling their wares to America's youth most of all or stealing cars cross borders, who then are afforded to gain "standing" somehow in the U.S. courts and turn around and sue for "emotional distress," as what occurred by at least one foreigner after having been shot in the rear by the American border patrol, to then profit from their crime?

San Francisco, your "heart" seems to be misplaced, along with this Court's fundamental understanding of Constitutional government.

Bank of America's Spin Cycle and Politics

2010-10-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

It was announced today with great fanfare in the mainstream media that Bank of America, the "largest" bank in the United States, has called a halt to its ongoing foreclosures.

However, there appears to be many, many caveats to this story.

First, the foreclosures are simply going to be halted in order to "review" those that are now in the process in simply the 23 states where judicial review of foreclosures is required. That eliminates any "saves" for those state where non-judicial foreclosures are afforded (illegally, but what the heck? If there is ANY equity in those homes, see the provisions on "life, liberty or property" in the Constitution for a clue on what the legal process should be, and for jury trials on deprivation of property if there is actually ANY equity, including offsets in all those upfront junk fees and costs).

Which maybe be good news to those homeowners in 23 states, but does nothing for those in many of the hardest hit.

Second, this review was publicized heavily right before the election, which makes such announcement suspect at best, and also was facilitated due to the fact that the housing market isn't improving under this Administration as with the last, and it has been claimed that one executive of this bank admitted that she had initiated over 8,000 foreclosures last month alone without even reading any of the documents.

Although, of course, most of those loans were Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans merely sold by Bank of America to homeowners with those usurous and banker friendly terms included.

Third, since most of that "paper" (contracts) was rebundled and resold over the global exchange due to another unconstitutional Act of Congress affording these banks to so do in order to "stimulate" the global economy at the Americans expense once again ultimately, for many after that bailout there is actually no underlying debt to many of those mortgages, at least to the banks anyway.

And I have always wondered as a Constitution believing American, how those banks could resell those mortgages to even other banks to begin with without one of the parties to that contracts consent. That flies in the face of the common law of contracts as intended in this country from the outset.

And those mere "disclosure" provisions simply have become nothing more than a license to steal, or renegotiate those contracts by those banking entities almost at will even before the ink is dried on those closing documents.

Those global investors MAYBE may be still out some cash, but I doubt that since many foreign entities and foreign banks were also included in that bailout too, of course, then billed to OUR deficit.

Many of whom, of course, were savvy investors to begin with and some even looking for tax write-offs on their massive wealth. I mean how many average Joes in this country can invest in banking and financial stocks, even at their lower market values now?

Corporations and union pension plans, maybe, but not your Average American.

This "announcement" most of all seems like closing the barn door after the horse has escaped.

Of course, the realtors also got into the act, with an agent from San Diego posturing about how this move just might make those "lining up" to buy these cheap properties take a step back.

I mean, the original owner just might have been ousted illegally, and just think of all those lawyers that would then be needed to sort this all out in such an event as the original owner still having a legal claim to the property he maybe has lived in for ten, twenty or even almost thirty years (since these "creative" adjustable rate mortgages have been in existence since at least the early 1980's, and there have been two other recessions since then meaning many also just might still have seconds also on them in order to pay their assundry increasing costs of ownership and debts from those years).

What timing! What publicity! What a political maneuver!

I went into the mall in a community in the West that has kiosks set up by several real estate agencies hawking those foreclosed properties to the public. In over an hour and a half observing while I was visiting a social service agency that has taken up residency in that same mall after the retailer folded, I saw only one person even stop at the kiosk.

Too many have been burned this time, and this is the third market manipulation in the housing industry (or fourth, I've lost count) in my lifetime. Don't you think that those that have been burned, and are standing now in the social services offices have warned their posterity that "if it looks too good to be true, it most likely is."

Or instructed them to simply run the other way?

I mean all those new carbon and health care "taxes" are also coming up, so just how can you budget for those expenses, and still afford all those closing costs?

Not to mention, the next cyclical meltdown in less than 15 years, if history serves. And those 50+ page loan docs now even dictating "useage" and also repair standards and such, not to mention having to send at least your first born out to work should you miss simply one of those payments, if you have any equity in those properties. The hatchet will fall that much quicker for the bottom line profits of those banks.

So don't even think of taking out one of those 15 year "fixed" notes, either.

Nothing is fixed, except the roulette wheel in the 21st century housing market.

Washington, States Now Even Outsourcing Government Jobs?

2010-10-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

Recently I had another wake-up call and experience that essentially proves that the increased outsourcing and insourcing of American jobs spreads across both political aisles, all campaign promises and representations to the contrary.

An acquaintance of mine on the federal Food Stamp Program, which is merely "administered" through state and local social service offices failed to receive their benefits for the month which were scheduled to be deposited on the 2nd (the program makes the distributions according to the last digit of the recipients social security number). This individual then attempted to contact the number printed on the plastic food stamp debit card issued through Quest, which apparently has this enormous government contract in a great many states.

Dialing the number printed on the card simply provided a menu of options, none of which addressed the failure to receive the benefits due. So instead called another number printed on the card for lost or stolen cards, and waited through the "choose your language" option until the "rotary" dial option was given which indicated at that point they would be transferred to a customer service representative. This took about five minutes to get through all the menu options.

The individual who then answered the phone requested a social security number and birthdate "for identification purposes" and had a heavy East Indian accent. A request was then made by my acquaintance as to just where this call center was located assisting Americans and the retailers printed on the card. The Quest representative then declined to provide the location of their offices "for security purposes," however my acquaintance then made a second call to the center, and another individual with an East Indian accent then also answered the phone and requested the same information (social security number and birthdate) from them.

So apparently, our federal food stamp program is now, through Quest, being "administered" through call centers located in New Delhi?

Apparently, this question also was one in which the representative wasn't authorized to answer, and simply then directed my acquaintance to go to the local state social service office to then inquire as to why the hold-up, which was ony discovered after they had gone to the grocery store and found out that the benefits were not available that were due to be deposited on the 2nd.

So outsourcing even those call center jobs for social service benefits, which essentially makes these East Indian call center representatives employees paid with U.S. taxpayer funds is now SOP?

This week it was also announced that Mayor Bloomberg, the enthusiastic supporter of the Islamic Center proposed to be built within a few blocks of Ground Zero in Manhattan, has also joined the Obama Administration's fight on childhood (and adult) obesity apparently.

He has proposed that food stamp benefits be further restricted in at least New York to "healthy" foods (which I guess the state is going to hire a dietician to judge), and further bans placed on just what those food stamp benefits can be spent on over and above the bans on cigarettes, alcohol, and household products.

Soda (or pop in the West) was listed as his primary beef with the benefits program in eliminating "sugary" drinks from those individuals on the welfare and food stamp rolls.

I wonder how many martinis the Mayor drinks at some of those conventions and fundraisers?

Mr. Bloomberg, doesn't New York City have enough other problems with a little more priority rather than addressing the dietary choices of the homeless and jobless in that state who must go through reams of paperwork in order to simply have food?

Taxation without representation, at this point in America's history, doesn't even begin to describe the level of corruption originating quite clearly on the East Coast, which has now definitely spread to the West.

I'm not real comfortable having an East Indian, or any foreigner, in possession of my social security number. I mean, I doubt that in a mere seven years when I "officially" will qualify there will be anything left at all given the rate this Administration and the last dipped into those sums, while denying through this "regulatory" body benefits to many homeless and jobless "over 55" year olds already that have been majorly impacted by this American depression, which social security when initiated was clearly meant to provide during that first depression, but still...

And if I am wrong as to the location of this call center and it is in the U.S. merely preferring to hire either foreigners or new immigrants, just what does that say also about the "corporate" priorities running rampant and increasing in their hiring practices?

I mean, two out of two calls?

When even the U.S. government contractors paid with taxpayer sums are not "hiring American" is it any wonder that the U.S. economy is not rebounding?

Hello, Washington?

AP Reports Unemployment Claims Down, Economy Up?

2010-10-07T07:22:00.001-07:00

The AP (American Propaganda) press reported today that due to a perceived reduction in the amount of unemployment claims for the "4th straight month" as reported to them by the U.S. Department of Labor, signs that employers have stopped laying off some of their employees.

And reaffirms the economists prediction that this "recession" ended in July.

Although the amount of "new" jobs reported by and large have been government jobs under this and the previous administration and simply funded through the general public's taxes by the taxpayers instead of those unemployment benefits by those major corporations.

And I would not hesitate to question whether the true number of jobless has decreased. During this entire recession/depression there has been no figures published of the amount of new businesses that have gone under, owners of which are not eligible for unemployment benefits nor any other type of social welfare benefits.

And if my experiences have been any indication, most of those government agencies are simply directing the homeless and jobless to the social service government grant civic organizations and churches to assist them, rather than the welfare offices, SSI or the unemployment offices.

So those figures are not at all indicative of just how many remain without a job, or have lost their businesses during this manipulated meltdown. Nor has the mortgage and foreclosure mess been addressed adequately in that arena, and from all indications it does appear that the housing market is not improving since absolutely nothing has been done in order to address the loans and terms under which most of those homes were sold which also led to the foreclosure tsunami.

Namely, loans that were "creatively" sold and marketed that were not even based on the U.S. currency, but the British LIBOR, and upfront fees and costs even in order to get those loans which now make purchasing a home more of a liability, than an asset.

This is, after all, the third banker/Washington market manipulation in housing in my lifetime, as a former resident of one of the states most affected - Arizona. And those 50+ page loan documents that are now part and parcel of this major purchase have put many a potential homeowner alone off purchasing a home at this point, not to mention any and all that have been affected this last cycle who are now both wiser, and have warned their posterity about the changes in the housing market which make that foreclosure "steal" nothing more than an instrument in which during the next cycle, it will be their home on the auction block.

Seems the distant AP press is as clueless as this Administration, and the last.

I wonder if they have walked into any of those unemployment offices lately, or are simply phoning their articles in on their iPhones?

Obama Holds Another Summit on Education

2010-10-05T01:26:00.000-07:00

Desperately attempting to get the teachers unions back into the Democratic fold, Barack Obama held another summit on education, this time directed at bolstering the budgets and enrollment figures of the nation's community colleges.

As one who lived for many, many years in a state that has a first rate community college system, Arizona, this push toward encouraging the "middle class" to focus on the more "affordable" community colleges merely is another sign that America's economy isn't getting better but worse, and using the education card another ploy to looking like we are doing something, when really doing nothing at all to help the middle class or support small business startups or emerging industries outside the tech and public employee fields, but offer them "options" and "alternatives" for their increasingly lowered standards of living.

The article quoted the substantial savings that these colleges offer, with averages of "only" $2,500 annual tuition costs.

When I graduated high school in Arizona, that rate was free or nearly so per credit hour as opposed to the $10.00 per credit hour that was being levied at the three major Arizona universities (1970's tuition was $160.00 per semester for a full course load at ASU or $320 per year). The junior college option was less than $3.00 per (before political correctness was the order of the day), or - although the cost of living from the 1970's to today has soared in housing, food, gas and other costs, education appears to be at the top of the list. Even though many of those teachers now at least in Arizona can retire after a mere 20 years, collect benefits, and then resume their teaching careers at other schools.

Or work at the community job center while collecting their retirement.

In fact, more and more it does appear that scholarships and grants are being used as sales tools since few grants cover full tuition anymore as the remaining costs most students or their parents must come up with are well above the COLA from the 70's to today. Although most Americans have been paying for those colleges and their operating costs through their property taxes and a host of other taxes passed on to the public for their costs - including rebuilding and expanding campuses that have been facing decreasing enrollments which is why so many foreigners now are being educated at America's top universities also at the taxpayer's expense.

It appears our four year universities are going to be reserved more and more for the well-heeled, and foreigners for that out of state, out of country tuition higher tuition due to also currency fluctuations, while the American middle class and state residents who have paid for those universities for decades are encouraged to utilize the community colleges for their offspring instead.

Not really such a bad idea as is becoming more clear for other reasons, since the classrooms in those colleges are far smaller for the most part and also since most students commute with no dorms or housing costs involved for the majority of those colleges, less of a chance that their child's roommate just might wish to hone his video skills also and broadcast via worldwide webcam what he or she engages in during his downtime.

It was also announced that there has been created another public-private partnership between government and corporate America.

This time with McDonald's and the Gap.

And the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Obviously, it appears that some of the upcoming high school students just might not be able to work those summer jobs at McDonald's or the Gap since it would appear that those jobs will now take an "associates" degree in order to even get through the application process. Maybe that is also why there is becoming more and more push toward year around schools so that parents are then shouldered with all those extraneous costs for getting those degrees outside even tuition rather than encouraging Junior to at least earn his own spending money for their splurges on their sports memorabilia, bookstore purchases, or fraternity and sorority dues or costs.

And don't think of not encouraging your college student to enroll for those technology classes, since the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is also contributing for this cause, since they will definitely need that skill so they at least can go through the application process post graduation after obtaining those degrees for any future positions for any position, including the larger retail chains.

Of course, since Microsoft has been the largest also beneficiary of the Obama and previous administrations "Americans Get Educated in Science and Technology" agenda with those massive government contracts at the taxpayer's expense with all those annual upgrades involved in keeping up with "new and improved" software, this demonstration of generosity simply means this Foundation would be then simply returning a great deal of the taxpayer's monies spent privately and through their tax bite back to the schools that have and continue to purchase their product - so really, Mr. Gates is simply utilizing some of his profits from those government contracts to "give back" to the schools those taxes they received that then used a great deal of their annual budgets to purchase those software upgrades.

The competitive edge also was used so that this country can continue to compete in this "global" economy, since we are now "socializing" education with a "science based" focus internationally as the populace becomes more and more "programmers" and data inputers for those mainframes.

While of course outsourcing many of the former industrial jobs and suppliers for those retailers to China, to those jobs provided to those poorer individuals in those countries instead who are working without having to go through the HAL process.

It does seem kids today are being taught and educated primarily to use computers, rather than their brains and critical thinking skills more and more outside the governmental agendas for the 21st century, as when those computers "crash" or are unavailable most major retail corporations and the government itself screeches to a halt. Or banks. Or airlines.

Here is an example of just how "tight" this partnership with the high tech gadget industry actually is. This is from a government website in a city in the western United States for their hiring needs with respect to the application process:

Application Process:

The City of ________________has an online job application system. It uses state-of-the-art technology which gives our candidates greater flexibility in the application process. (for the advantage of the candidates?)

Applications are only accepted through our online application system.

Human Resources will not accept or consider applications that are mailed, emailed, faxed, or dropped off at our office. (and just where is the stated "flexibility in the application" process?)

As a boomer, I'm still having trouble relating to the terms "human resources" rather than "personnel" since, while it may seem to be "politically correct in this "science based technology," era, I think a new terminology is needed here. Instead of "Human Resource" Departments, maybe the term should simply be modified to reflect the true nature of what corporate America and those government offices are actually is looking for.

The "Input Department" and electronic paper pushers for those far off "district" and regional offices, since more and more it is even computers based on software programs with a mathematical formula that are hiring and determining those "humans" it might need as "resources."

Including even who gets an interview.

Online applications are now the "new age" voicemail of the past. Human Resources doesn't wish to speak with you, until you go through their computers for screening and are deemed by "Hal" to be worthy. Or any employment agency, governmentally funded or otherwise.

This now in addition to calling for year around schooling in order to also "compete" in the global community.

I wonder when Uncle Sam will be listed on the "new" birth certificates at America's hospitals, since it appears that after the first five years, your children are not your children at all merely a potential human resource for global corporate interests - with many states are also initiating measures in order to deny public employment positions to those children who are homeschooled (this is not, however, discrimination) and any and all that don't get with the current jobs focus need not apply, but then again try arguing that fact when submitting your welfare or SSI application for your social services "benefits," rather than borrowing money once again to get "re-educated."

The computer has spoken. ONLY computer educated and friendly applicants need apply. Although the actual job itself just may not need much in the way of keyboarding. Or applicants will need then retraining on individualized software programs anyway.

It is, after all, a science to learning how to flip burgers or assist a customer on a clothing purchase at this point, and the corporate HALs are now hooked up to the banking HALs and government HALs and will be checking on your credit scores and traffic tickets in addition to your skills, job history and education.

I hope McDonald's and the Gap are just as supportive of raising that minimum wage in order to cover the advance degrees now needed for some of those positions that formerly were available to those who either could not afford to pursue degrees, or simply are more creative individuals rather than robotic material, in any event that might have an independent thought on just how to build a better mousetrap (another passé' expression at this point, it would appear).

I mean those business majors and graduates and their parents are now working side by side at McDonald's, so why should that industrious or hardworking free-thinking dropout who needs to go to work to help his formerly middle class parents pay the rent, or earn his own extraneous college expenses get a job without having to become indentured to his state government or the bankers and fill out those mandated computer loan applications, and committing the cardinal sin of not being prescreened by going through HAL and his cousins?

The competitive working environment is no longer a jungle out there in any event, it's now a network.

And "private/private" partnership also.

The other day I was in a local McDonald's and plastered all over the walls were cute drawings by some of the local grammar school students in grades K-4 with the message "Buy a burger Tuesday and help us get technology for our classrooms."

I wonder when teaching penmanship and handwriting will soon become relegated to the educational scrap heap, along with those dictionaries (who are now going out of print), since HAL can even help you avoid those awful phonics lessons, word lists and spelling tests.

What's wrong with U? Those online urban dictionaries instead now have the HAL and NEA seal of approval.

And wasn't Lincoln homeschooled?