Wednesday, January 26, 2011

State of The Union Thoughts

I liked most of what President Obama had to say in last night's State of the Union address.  I agree we need to move forward and not rehash old arguments, and we definitely need boost our infrastructure and or education system.  He lightly touched on the need to keep jobs here in the U.S. but never really said much about how he was planning to do that.  And with that being said, here are a few thoughts on what I felt was lacking from the State of the Union address.

First and foremost, I would've liked to hear him talk about how along with jobs, financial reform was at the forefront of his concern.  The GOP cannot look past the money that is put in their pockets to see how much the lack of regulation caused not only our economy, but the worlds economy as well, take such a dive.  It's either because they are completely stupid, or because they are as thick as thieves with the financial arena, that they cannot see how regulation could've prevented such a travesty.  And what's really disheartening is how a lot of those people that were affected by the actions of Wall St. still voted in GOP members this last election cycle.

As for the jobs, is it really that hard to figure this all out?  At a minimum we need to stop or try to limit the imports from China.  And here's what I find truly ironic with the GOP.  They want to keep spending money on the military buildup because they feel we need to protect ourselves from communism and terrorist.  Yet, in the same breath, they freely allow corporations here to do massive amounts of business with a communist country like China, and countries where large portions of the income from oil goes to terrorist backed governments.  I just don't get it.

And then to listen to Paul Ryan spew his bullshit.  Talking the usual GOP tag line.  Democrats create big government, blah blah blah.  What about, when Bush was in office.  He created The Department of Homeland Security, among other "branches" of government.  And the worst part of it all, is how invasive that entity of the government has been on our public lives. Yet, Paul Ryan, who claims to be such a staunch Republican, never talked about how many of our rights and freedoms have been lost, and continue to be lost.  Why no mention of the extension of the Patriot Act?  Doesn't anybody care that they just keep sliding the extension of that along with little notice?

It's the cup game folks.  Both sides, deployed by big business, have been chosen as pawns in their quest to become richer while beating the lower and middle class into submission.  When will people begin to wake up?

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Moving Jobs Out Of The Country, and Illegals In Ours

How many of those who have lost their jobs in the past 10 years have lost them due to their job being moved to a different country?  Too many.  And it doesn't matter what side of the aisle the lawmakers are on, they continually vote against anything that would benefit the American worker.

Instead of repealing Obamacare, why don't they repeal NAFTA?  That has caused more pain and suffering for the American people than any other major piece of legislation in the past 20 years.  I've said this before, and saying it here again.  If they aren't going to repeal it, then let's start levying tariffs on those imports that are coming in to our country from companies that have outsourced the production of those products?  Any company that outsources ANYTHING should have to pay a larger amount of money towards unemployment compensation, and should be taxed at rate that would make it less lucrative to outsource their jobs.

Yes, I know.  Some will say, "If we do that, we'll no longer be able to compete with other countries".  Well, I say false.  Here's why.  The government has done this in the past, and they could do it again.  In the early 80's, Harley Davidson was on the verge of extinction, and they blamed the imports from Japan that were a lot cheaper than their motorcycles.  So, a 75% tariff was placed on those motorcycles coming in from Japan, and that tariff would gradually come down over a set amount of years.  Did it help Harley Davidson?  Yes.  Did people still buy motorcycles from Japan?  Yes.  Did the increase in tax revenue help the government.  Yes.  So, it was a win, win, win.

I just think it's such a simple solution to today's deficit problems.  The deficit is increasing because the government is spending more and more.  And, the only way the government makes money is through taxes, and the only way people can pay taxes is if they are working.  And the only way they can be working is if something is done to help save their jobs, instead of doing everything possible to ship jobs overseas.  Personally I think what's happening is that corporate honchos aren't satisfied with the compensation disparity between themselves and their "worker bee's".  They don't like seeing the average American taking trips like they do, or buying new cars, or living in nice homes.  They figure they're the only ones worthy of the finer things in life, and their hope is that enough people will start losing jobs that we'll go back to pre-World War I days where we were just happy to have a job, and possibly a house and an old car.  No vacations, no unions, no decent benefits.

I laugh too when it comes to illegal immigration.  To me, this problem is caused by the very assholes that are trying to push to stop the influx of illegal immigrants, not realizing they, and their corporate donors are the ones to blame.  Think about it.  Do you do anything to cause people from Mexico to come to the U.S.?  If there weren't jobs being given to illegal aliens, would they still come here?  If we started imposing huge huge fines on companies or people who hired illegal aliens, I think we'd see a drastic reduction in the numbers of those crossing the borders.  I know of companies and farmers here in Wisconsin that knowingly employ illegal aliens because by the time anyone would find out, they money they saved on wages would far outweigh the measly fines they would be assessed if they did get caught.  A lot of simple solutions for such a complicated bunch of lawmakers.  Or is it more a case of just doing what their coffers are directing them to do?

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Jobs, China, Healthcare, and Banks.

Here we are.  2 weeks into the new year, and those same Republicans who claimed to care about the middle-class should be introducing legislation that would hinder any U.S. corporations from exporting jobs to China.  Instead, they're more concerned about paying back their coffers to make sure they can remain in office and have plenty of contributors to their next election campaign.

When in the hell are Americans going to wake up and realize that if something isn't done soon to get our jobs back, we are all going to be competing with the Chinese people for $300 a month jobs?  First and foremost it should be the job of the lawmakers to make it financially impossible to ship jobs overseas.  Get back those tax paying jobs that were lost, and maintain what we have today.

Corporate profits seem to be the utmost concern for CEO's and lawmakers.  Hey people, I've got a newsflash for you.  CEO's and lawmakers only care about themselves, and feel anyone else is just a means to get their desires met.  Let's take for example, those banks who felt the need to rip off our soldiers.  Not only is it revolting that they get bailed out for their irresponsible behavior.  Then, they take money from those who've gotten shafted by the S.O.B's that these same banks payrolled to put in office.

And then here's the kicker.  To help out my daughter I agreed to co-sign her school loan consolidation.  Now mind you, she was told that the interest rate could be from 4.25% - 9.00% depending on my credit rating.  Well, my credit rating is excellent, and the best the bank could do is 7%.  WTF?  We bail their asses out, and the best they can do for an interest rate is 7%.  And then I think of all the bullshit she went through with teachers who couldn't even speak decent english trying to teach advanced level calculus, and other bullshit courses that didn't even pertain to her degree.  And for what?  A huge debt that she'll probably never have a decent enough job to pay off in any short period of time.  The state of affairs in this country is just sad.  I'd hate to be a kid growing up today.  At least 30 years ago, there was something to look forward to.  Now, it's a joke.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Go Away Sarah, Go Away

I, for the life of me cannot figure out what the bid draw to Sarah Palin is.  When McCain chose her as his running mate, and she starting verbalizing in the media, I wondered if the man had lost his mind.  She has proven time and time again that she is not an intelligent person, and really has no strong work experience.

This woman is in her 40's, and has less common sense and knowledge that most people.  McCain would've had a stronger and smarter running mate had he chose his daughter Meghan.  She at least understands politics and actually has a brain.

One of the things that really irks me with Palin is how she spouts values and tries to make it sound as if she's in running for Mother of the Year award.  Yet, she's constantly traveling all over the country trying to make every last dime she can before her "15 minutes" fades away, spending less time with her kids than most over-the-road truck drivers that I know.

I think it's time for Sarah Palin to just quietly go away.  Go back to Alaska and shut the hell up.  And can the media just stop following her stories?  I don't care what her opinions are.  I don't care what she thinks about anything, and think it's even a bigger travesty that someone as stupid as she is, is allowed to make the money she does.  It just proves to me that the majority of the t-baggers are nothing but a bunch of moronic idiots who have nothing of real value to their lives.

Do this country a favor Sarah.  Quit sharing with us your idiotic life and useless opinions.  You bring no real value to this world.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Where Are The Jobs?

Let's see.  Clinton pushes NAFTA through,  Bush let's the banks and Wall St. go unwatched, and Americans lose millions of jobs.  And here we sit watching politicians argue about rhetoric, and healthcare.  

And, here's some crazy thinking on my part. There are budget deficits all over the place in government.  And why?  Because they aren't collecting the taxes they used to.  Why?  Because, we've allowed so many jobs to be shipped out of the country.  And some will say "but, these companies had to do this because of the economy".  Really?  Or, is it because they did this that the economy did what it did? 

Let's say we were able to keep 10 million of those jobs we let go out of the country.  And then let's say the median salary for those jobs was $40,000.  Now, let's way we had a flat tax rate of 15%.  This would bring in $60 Billion.  It would also pump over $300 billion into the economy, which would be spent by those earning the money versus being hoarded like it is by the corporate bigshots.

And here's the bigger part of this.  That $300 billion that would be pumped into the economy, would be taxed over and over again as the money changed hands.  Think about that, and put that into perspective and we've really lost a lot of potential tax base.  

We have to start pushing our lawmakers to abolish NAFTA.  If we don't, we might as well kiss any decent job in this country good-bye.  The conservatives like to blame the unions for all the jobs going overseas, when in reality it's all about corporate profits and greed.  Unions are not what led to all the jobs being shipped out of our country, greedy rich bastards are.  It's time for the middle-class to start saving themselves and their livelihood.  Those people sitting on top of the world don't realize that it's us, the middle-class who have made these companies what they are today.  Not their rich friends.  Not the politicians votes they buy.  It's the sweat, knowledge, and dedication from those of us who care enough to see a company succeed.

We have to change this direction before it's too late.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Rush, Beck, Palin and their sheep.

As this week has unfolded, I became more and more amazed at how hateful Rush, Beck, and Palin have become.  Even more amazing is the sophomoric dolts who follow them, and believe every word they say, defending all of their actions no matter how despicable.

What bothers me is how stupid many of their followers are.  They don't realize that all three of them cater to the same people who created the mess we're in today.  They remind me of really bad used-car salespeople.  You know the one.  They tell you that the car was driven by a little old lady, and keep steering you away from the noticeable problems of the car while continually telling you how great you'd look driving the car.  They are expert sales people who sell crap and pass it off as something everyone needs.

They hammer on everything that is done by the Democrats.  Obama goes to Arizona and gives a great speech at the memorial, only to have these soulless wonders rush to denounce everything he had said and done, trying to make it look like a show.  I used to think they were total hypocrites, but now realize that it's all just a sales job to spread hate and loathing, all the while protecting corporate America and the rich, guarding their schemes to continue to divide the middle-class on the way to making this country a two class system.

Where are the children of the 60's?  I remember when I was growing up, marching for the first Ecology day.  I remember going door-to-door in my city with a petition to help save the clock-tower portion of our city's original city hall.  I remember how angry I would get when I watched the events from the Watt's Riots on TV, or the Vietnam War protesters.  Have liberals and progressives become tired of fighting?  Have they become part of the corporate world they so despised?  Have they become complacent?  Or have they resigned to the fact that there's no way to fight the corruption and greed?

What is there left to do?

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Vitriol and It's Consequences

Yesterday, we saw an example of what the vitriolic tone of the political arena in the US has created.  The consequences of which are tragically devastating.  I am of the opinion that if you choose to be one of those in the media or politics who tries to breed hatred and discourse in such a flippant manner as Fox News, Sara Palin, Sharon Angle, and others have, that they should be held responsible for any consequences that come from it.

Yes, I believe in free speech.  But the example I kept thinking about yesterday was how freedom of speech does not allow for people to yell fire in a theater. (One of the examples I still remember hearing as a child).  And the reason is, because it can put lives in danger, much like the vitriol in today's political arena has.  Any politician or media personality who played any part in yesterday's tragedy, should be admonished by their supporters at a minimum.  Anyone who supports their vial hatred towards another American is a part of the problem.  We can accomplish great things in this country when we pull together.  We can cause great discourse when we don't.

I think we all, each and every one of us, need to make sure that we encourage healthy and constructive dialog amongst ourselves regarding politics.  What I've seen in the past decade is a push to force everyone to think as a few do.  It's not only wrong, it's unAmerican.  It doesn't have a place here.  This country was founded on the principles of people being able to have their own thoughts, and to decided not only what religion they would practice, but whether or not they would practice any religion at all.  Many have forgotten that, as they feel their beliefs should be the beliefs of all.

I hope that now is the time that a lot of people feel it's time to heal, and not continue the hatred that has been spreading so rampantly.  These next few weeks will determine what direction this country is heading, and I can only hope that the direction is towards healing, and not towards more death and destruction.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Ringing in 2011

As I was sitting at work today and waiting for queries to run, I was checking Twitter a lot and really started thinking about how 2010 started, and ended.  Things seemed to start fairly well.  It appeared that they would have a healthcare bill in a short amount of time, and some of the moves being put in place to avoid a serious depression seemed to be working.

Then, all hell broke loose.  Boehner, McConnell, and company started the hate campaign, and the next thing you know there are political idiots like Ron Johnson, Scott Walker, and Sean Duffy running for different political offices in Wisconsin.  Just as in 2004 when I figured this country couldn't be stupid enough to re-elect George Bush\Dick Cheney, somehow stupidity reared it's ugly head in Wisconsin and they elected 3 morons, none of whom really stated to the public exactly how they were going to do things, only that it wasn't going to be business as usual.  And, first thing Scott Walker does, is business as usual.

Next, through some researching on my part, I started to learn more about the Bilderberg group, 9/11, and the move to create a police state and eliminate as many of our rights and freedoms as possible.  What is truly scary is that a lot of what I've read in the past 6 months about what the plans are for the Bilderberg groups and the Illuminati, is starting to all fall in to place.  The latest crap with the TSA, and how they're pretty much doing whatever it is they want, along with the banking industry and the lack of any regulations put in place to prevent what happened, the shit with the Federal Reserve, and you've got yourself a pretty scary situation taking place.

We've got a society who can't seem to see the evidence right in front of them.  They can't see how those in power are keeping the focus off of their activities and the hatred they are trying to instill.  I can only hope that as I help to spread the knowledge that I have gained and continue to gain, that others will start to see the light as I have.

One can only hope.