Nancy Pelosi told reporters today that the Congress needs to keep an open door for more "stimulus" money, on top of the $1.7 trillion already in the pipeline.
Yet, as the Washington Post reported: "Several economists have said the stimulus package will not meet the administration's goal of saving or creating 3.5 million jobs by the end of next year because the final package was smaller than expected and contained several provisions that they say are unlikely to be particularly effective."
The "stimulus" bills are a cover for the left's agenda for a complete makeover of the country and its enonomy. Even Obama is now admitting that he wants to change capitalism.
Son, you don't change capitalism. It either is, or isn't. Socialism is what they want.
As foreign powers keep buying up our debt and assets, it won't be long before the United States of America of even last year won't exist.
But the liberals will be happy, because they hate America.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Pelosi Wants More Ethanol In Gas
Nancy Pelosi is determined to have everything her way. Now she's back to ethanol, and how she wants to mandate higher percentages of ethanol in gasoline -- to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Won't work. Hasn't worked before, so why now. Besides, food should be used to feed people, not cars.
I've already written on this subject on how Ethanol lowers gas mileage.
I really don't have much more to say on the matter, except that is there anyone out there is as outraged as I am on the way our government is going in trying to control every last bit of our lives, from birth to death -- and even after?
Won't work. Hasn't worked before, so why now. Besides, food should be used to feed people, not cars.
I've already written on this subject on how Ethanol lowers gas mileage.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Monday that she supported a higher ethanol-to-gasoline blend rate as a way to reduce reliance on petroleum imports.
"It seems to me we should be able to do that," Pelosi told reporters after speaking to the National Farmers Union convention.
At present, gasoline may contain up to 10 percent fuel ethanol, made mostly from corn (maize). An ethanol trade group asked the Environmental Protection Agency on Friday to allow blends of up to 15 percent ethanol in motor fuel.
I really don't have much more to say on the matter, except that is there anyone out there is as outraged as I am on the way our government is going in trying to control every last bit of our lives, from birth to death -- and even after?
Monday, March 9, 2009
The Continuing Kiss-Up to Illegal Aliens
Note: In case you can't read, let me repeat: ILLEGAL Aliens. OK? I don't want to debate the status of those here in this country legally, OK? So if you think everyone in the world should be here, go somewhere else with your stupid ideas.
Nancy Pelosi was in San Francisco over the weekend to help protest the deportation of illegal aliens, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle:
But it gets better, and I'm not sure whether it's Pelosi or Kelly Zito, the author of the article:
Of course immigrants have made great contributions. But remember, ICE doesn't deport legal immigrants, you twit. Then, of course, we find out how terrible it all is, from Illinios Congressman Luis Gutierrez, a Democrat (naturally), who is leading the five-week pro-illegal tour:
Nope. No city in America has been spared from an increase in crime, gangs, tremendous increase in the expense of providing services, and everything else that comes from having just anyone come across our borders.
Zito goes on (she really doesn't need Pelosi's help here):
But those Irish, Italian, Asian and African-American immigrants were legal, and what about British, Scottish, Germans, etc. And instead of deporting just parents, we should deport the children as well, if the Constitution allowed it. What a friggin' mess our government and its leaders have created by not enforcing the same laws they passed.
But what is most interesting are the comments from readers. I expected the usual liberal crap about how we mistreat illegals, but I guess the winds are changing, because of the 56 comments, not one was in favor of granting illegals any kind of benefit, let alone amnesty.
I guess there is hope for us after all. As soon as we get rid of Pelosi and Reid, and all the other bleeding-heart liberals who are ruining this country.
Nancy Pelosi was in San Francisco over the weekend to help protest the deportation of illegal aliens, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined hundreds of families Saturday evening at a church in San Francisco's Mission District demanding an end to the immigration raids and deportations that separate parents from children across the United States.
But it gets better, and I'm not sure whether it's Pelosi or Kelly Zito, the author of the article:
Pelosi, who has said securing U.S. borders is a top priority, used the forum to call for a comprehensive immigration program that recognizes the broad contributions immigrants have made to the fabric of the country.
Of course immigrants have made great contributions. But remember, ICE doesn't deport legal immigrants, you twit. Then, of course, we find out how terrible it all is, from Illinios Congressman Luis Gutierrez, a Democrat (naturally), who is leading the five-week pro-illegal tour:
"No city in American (sic) has been spared the devastating effects of our broken system," said Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez, a Democrat who is leading the five-week tour. "We cannot wait any longer for fair and just immigration reform."
Nope. No city in America has been spared from an increase in crime, gangs, tremendous increase in the expense of providing services, and everything else that comes from having just anyone come across our borders.
Zito goes on (she really doesn't need Pelosi's help here):
Organizers of Saturday evening's event said raids and family separations -- often parents are taken away from their U.S.-born children -- run counter to a country where early Irish, Italian, Asian and African American families founded some of the country's most important institutions. In addition, they say, such measures have devastating impacts on the young children who are left behind, or
forced to move with their parents.
Ivan Torres, a 9-year-old boy from San Jose, said he lives in fear that his father, who earns a living cleaning offices, will be taken away: "If (my father) is deported, who will pay the bills? Who will take care of me and my two sisters? We need to keep families together."
But those Irish, Italian, Asian and African-American immigrants were legal, and what about British, Scottish, Germans, etc. And instead of deporting just parents, we should deport the children as well, if the Constitution allowed it. What a friggin' mess our government and its leaders have created by not enforcing the same laws they passed.
But what is most interesting are the comments from readers. I expected the usual liberal crap about how we mistreat illegals, but I guess the winds are changing, because of the 56 comments, not one was in favor of granting illegals any kind of benefit, let alone amnesty.
I guess there is hope for us after all. As soon as we get rid of Pelosi and Reid, and all the other bleeding-heart liberals who are ruining this country.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Was the New Deal a Success?
Unemployment was 3.14 percent in 1929. In 1939, it still stood at more than 17 percent. On that basis, you could conclude that the New Deal was not successful. But as all things in life, it's not that simple.
It has been pointed out by some that unemployment during that decade (around 1936) actually dipped below 15 percent. This is because the "official" statistics -- based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor -- did not count work-relief programs. From what I've seen, if the commentator is a conservative, the "official" statistics will be used. Liberal commentators tend to use the figures which include the work-relief, or the lower unemployment percentage.
Whether unemployment is 18 percent or 15 percent is a moot point. In either case, a lot of the labor force was unemployed. At the peak of the depression, the unemployment rate was around 25 percent, and then FDR pushed through his New Deal programs.
So one could conclude that the New Deal helped. Somewhat. But unemployment was still high.
Currently, unemployment is at 8.1 percent. So that doesn't sound too bad. Yet, if you take the number of unemployed who are no longer in the job market because they have not been able to find suitable work, the number is higher.
So the facts are murky, because the government doesn't count the unemployed as it did 80 years ago, so it's difficult to make a rational decision about what is going on. Kind of like comparing apples to oranges. But when you take these into consideration, the New Deal was only able to lower an astronomical unemployment rate from about 25 percent to a range of 15 percent to 18 percent.
To me, the only choice left is whether you want government to provide jobs, or you want the private sector to provide jobs.
We're now at a point where the government will be providing most the new employment, instead of the private sector. Big government is not going to get us back to the boom days of the 1920s, 1960s, 1980s, etc. During these periods, government got out of the way, lowered tax rates, and helped the private sector create jobs.
This is what I'd prefer. What about you?
It has been pointed out by some that unemployment during that decade (around 1936) actually dipped below 15 percent. This is because the "official" statistics -- based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor -- did not count work-relief programs. From what I've seen, if the commentator is a conservative, the "official" statistics will be used. Liberal commentators tend to use the figures which include the work-relief, or the lower unemployment percentage.
Whether unemployment is 18 percent or 15 percent is a moot point. In either case, a lot of the labor force was unemployed. At the peak of the depression, the unemployment rate was around 25 percent, and then FDR pushed through his New Deal programs.
So one could conclude that the New Deal helped. Somewhat. But unemployment was still high.
Currently, unemployment is at 8.1 percent. So that doesn't sound too bad. Yet, if you take the number of unemployed who are no longer in the job market because they have not been able to find suitable work, the number is higher.
So the facts are murky, because the government doesn't count the unemployed as it did 80 years ago, so it's difficult to make a rational decision about what is going on. Kind of like comparing apples to oranges. But when you take these into consideration, the New Deal was only able to lower an astronomical unemployment rate from about 25 percent to a range of 15 percent to 18 percent.
To me, the only choice left is whether you want government to provide jobs, or you want the private sector to provide jobs.
We're now at a point where the government will be providing most the new employment, instead of the private sector. Big government is not going to get us back to the boom days of the 1920s, 1960s, 1980s, etc. During these periods, government got out of the way, lowered tax rates, and helped the private sector create jobs.
This is what I'd prefer. What about you?
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The Destruction of Small Business
This is how America works. I received it in an e-mail (not my current employer) that is being sent around. But I work for a small business, owned by two brothers, who are in the same position.
To All My Valued Employees,
There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country.
However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests. First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a Back Story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You've seen my home at last year's Christmas party. I'm sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.
However, what you don't see is the BACK STORY : I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you. My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn't have time to date.
Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business -- hard work, discipline, and sacrifice. Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the discount store extracting any clothing item that didn't look like it was birthed in the 70's.
My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had. So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden -- the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations... you never realize the Back Story and the sacrifices I've made.
Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bail-out all the people who didn't. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed decades of my life for. Yes, business ownership has its benefits but the price I've paid is steep and not without wounds.
Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why: I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don't pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time.
On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my "stimulus" check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch. The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 23 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check? Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.
The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you'd quit and you wouldn't work here. I mean, why should you? That's nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy.
Here is what many of you don't understand ... to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn't need to pay taxes, guess what?
Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now. When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don't defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep.
So where am I going with all this? It's quite simple. If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I fire you. I fire your co-workers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child's future. Frankly, it isn't my problem anymore.
Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I'm done. I'm done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship. So, if you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about....
Signed, THE BOSS
To All My Valued Employees,
There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country.
However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests. First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a Back Story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You've seen my home at last year's Christmas party. I'm sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.
However, what you don't see is the BACK STORY : I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you. My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn't have time to date.
Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business -- hard work, discipline, and sacrifice. Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the discount store extracting any clothing item that didn't look like it was birthed in the 70's.
My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had. So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden -- the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations... you never realize the Back Story and the sacrifices I've made.
Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bail-out all the people who didn't. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed decades of my life for. Yes, business ownership has its benefits but the price I've paid is steep and not without wounds.
Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why: I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don't pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time.
On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my "stimulus" check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch. The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 23 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check? Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.
The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you'd quit and you wouldn't work here. I mean, why should you? That's nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy.
Here is what many of you don't understand ... to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn't need to pay taxes, guess what?
Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now. When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don't defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep.
So where am I going with all this? It's quite simple. If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I fire you. I fire your co-workers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child's future. Frankly, it isn't my problem anymore.
Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I'm done. I'm done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship. So, if you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about....
Signed, THE BOSS
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Senate Favors Illegals Over Veterans
I still don't have the down-and-dirty on this, but I received an e-mail today which encouraged me to sign a petition directed at the U.S Senate.
Seems the Senate wanted to cut Social Security benefits for disabled veterans, while allowing illegal aliens access to our social security system. I guess they changed their minds on our veterans, but it still remains to be seen how our new Democrat government will treat both veterans and illegals, and I am -- as a veteran -- very concerned.
Democrats seem to pander to groups who will vote for them. It's obvious in this context who could win here.
I spent more than 21 years in the military, and my annual pension of about $25,000 is just fine, but I am also expecting to collect from my Social Security when I'm eligible. I paid into the system while in the military and I'm still paying into the system in my civilian employment. But I'm worried that our government will try to save money by offsetting my social security because of my pension.
I've written my Senator (John Cornyn, R-TX) on this, but I already now as a Republican he is on my side. The others in Congress? I'm not so sure.
Seems the Senate wanted to cut Social Security benefits for disabled veterans, while allowing illegal aliens access to our social security system. I guess they changed their minds on our veterans, but it still remains to be seen how our new Democrat government will treat both veterans and illegals, and I am -- as a veteran -- very concerned.
Democrats seem to pander to groups who will vote for them. It's obvious in this context who could win here.
I spent more than 21 years in the military, and my annual pension of about $25,000 is just fine, but I am also expecting to collect from my Social Security when I'm eligible. I paid into the system while in the military and I'm still paying into the system in my civilian employment. But I'm worried that our government will try to save money by offsetting my social security because of my pension.
I've written my Senator (John Cornyn, R-TX) on this, but I already now as a Republican he is on my side. The others in Congress? I'm not so sure.
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