Alain's Blog...Can we talk?

Healthcare "Insurance" Reform

2009-08-20T12:30:00.002-04:00

I have been hearing lately that it is no longer "Health care Reform", but "Health care Insurance Reform". I wonder if people go out to the town hall meetings and tell them that this is not acceptable and such, will it change to "Health care Emotional Reform" or "Health care Freedom Reform" or something pretty like that? The bottom line is that it is the same thing, just changing names.

Now they are saying that the Public Insurance option with drive down costs and make insurance companies have to be more competitive. Really? Can they explain to me EXACTLY how that will happen?

I am basing my thinking on existing government insurance programs. They already exist and anybody that lives in a Coastal area is well aware of it. It is called - Citizens Insurance. It was created to cover those individuals that lost their insurance due to catastrophic events, however it is an expensive option and created as a last resort. For those of us that have Citizens, it is only because the private carriers don't want to take the risk on our older homes and because there is not incentive to do so. So, they simply throw us to the government. Exactly what will happen here. They will throw all souls with pre-existing conditions, overweight, hypertensive, etc. to the government and they will only insure the cream of the crop at very competitive rates. So yes, cost will go down for only a select few.
So, when the government receives all of these hi-risk, hi-cost souls that need to be insured, our/the government costs will inevitably go up.
So, again, how will this bring costs down?

Also, bringing insurance costs down is not the ONLY solution, we need to actually bring down other health related costs down as well. Such as, Hospital costs, drug costs, legal costs, unnecessary testing, etc. etc.

This health care bill needs to be addressed from many sides and not just the obvious or easier targets.

Again, just my opinion!

Health Insurance - Public Option

2009-08-16T18:30:00.002-04:00

The administration seems to be changing their tune about the "Public Option". I wonder why they are saying now that is is not "essential", that it is not necessarily what Congress would consider, etc. etc. or is it maybe because of the "grass-roots" public outcry they have seen on this particular issue and the polls to back it up? You know they don't actually do anything with "conviction" if the polls don't agree.

Chalk one up for the little guy....we stood up and it counted. We need to continue to stand up to these power-hungry bureaucrats and we WILL get our way. They are simply scared of us and of losing their cushy jobs.

I don't have to tell you that I am fervently opposed to the "Public Option" because any and all government run programs are inefficient, costly and simply put, failures. We can not afford, financially and otherwise, to have a failed health system, because we wanted to change it. This is too delicate and critical!

I understand that there are some +/- 50M Americans without health insurance for a whole variaty of reasons and it would be the civic thing to offer them affordable and accesible health insurance, if they chose to get it. NOT by force!

This, of course, does not mean we need to change the plans, rules or options for the other 250M Americans that are doing alright.

They claim that the system is "Broken"....I just love how they use this term for everything they want to change...this is truly the new "N" word. We are going to have so many "N" words after this administration is through that we are going to need a new "N" dictionary.
So, since the system is "Broken" they want to change it. However, they want to change it partially.

What do I mean by partially? Well, I am glad you asked.

They are not discussing Legal reform. Not just by Tort reform because that will only limit damages and such, but does not actually prevent the actual lawsuit.
They are not discussing unnecessary tests done by the doctor, not to enrich himself, but to protect himself from possible litigation that would enrich the lawyers and add HUGE costs to the system. THIS WOULD BE A TRUE HEALTHCARE SAVINGS!
They are not discussing the costs of drugs with Pharmaceutical companies. They need to make money and thus develop new drugs, but allowing us to unite and negotiate special drug pricing as groups.
They are not discussing availability of National Health Insurance plans and allowing more competition so consumers can shop around for the best and most affordable health plan.
Adopting or using the Medicare risk contract option as a viable National option for private Health insurance or groups.

As you can see there are many important and intricate parts of this Health Insurance debate and possible change that are yet to be analized. Simply taking pieces of the system will not solve the problems with the sytem nor will it have any financial savings in the short-medium or long term. It will simply be doing a small change to say that you did something.

If the intention is to simply say you did it...then it is merely for political gain, but it is a costly game, because it will cost the American people a great deal and not just financially.

You can see that some of the points I bring up are not only important, but very complicated and huge interest groups involved that don't want these parts to be touched. So, a complete Health Insurance change is almost impossible.

Have you wondered why the insurance companies have not been out screaming and crying about the "Public Option"??? You would think that such and option would drive them out of business, right? It is my opinion that to some extent they are in favor of that option. No, I am not going crazy...hear me out. If there is the "Public Option" they will simply stop taking on the risk, thus throwing 250M souls to the government option, knowing full well that the government can't handle it and at which point they will ask the private insurance companies back to the table to negotiate some kind of contract and the insurance companies, know that at that time they can negotiate more lucrative and favorable terms than they had when they were direct. Why, because since the government is using our money, they don't care to pay more! The free-market always wins and are smarter than our government.:-) Thank God for that!

I am still in awe and schock to see support for this Health Care proposal in the 40's. Do any of those people that support these bills not analizing all of the pieces? Have they never traveled to another country and visited a public hospital? or is it that they are just focus on the idealistic fantasy of "everybody is entitled to health care" without truly understanding what that means and how difficult it actually is to do it correctly.

We all want health insurance for everybody, but everybody needs to share in the cost of doing so. Not just doctors and not just the taxpayers....the lawyers, the pharmaceuticals, the insurance company....it has to be a "comprehensive" reform and not just a "piece" of reform.

By the way, since we are on the topic. Mr. President, please stop vilifying doctors claiming that they are performing treatments solely based on the fee schedule. If this were the case, we would be Overweight, Pre-diabetic, Pre-hypertensive, Pre-osteartritic, etc. patients without tonsils and with one arm. Mr. President, I hope the presidential doctors are not really paying too much attention to what you are saying, because the next time you get sick you might find your self without tonsils!!!

Long one, I know, but I had a lot to say and it will be a long debate.

Hostages in North Korea

2009-08-11T08:00:00.002-04:00

This was a big story a couple of days ago and received a lot of press time, although you are really not hearing it too much right now.

I am very happy that the hostages have been returned and are back in the US, safe with their families.

However, I have a few questions? What were they doing in N. Korea in the first place? How and why did they get detained?

Also, why was the USA so adamant on getting these two women back? Who do you get ex-President Clinton to negotiate for you. I wonder if every regular US citizen would get the same treatment from our government? Or is it only when you get detained by countries they want to negotiate and at the time that it is critical in the negotiation process? I wonder?

Everybody is focusing on what concessions we gave them for this successful return, and now we know that one of the things coming from this negotiation is the 1-party talks, which North Korea wanted in the first place. My focus is more on how and why did this occur or was it orchestrated in the first place in order for us to get to this point? I am not usually a conspiracy theorist, but I can't believe anything they do or tell me anymore and this particular case, just seems too convenient .

This is not an important issue for domestic policies, but it is something that has been on my mind for the last week or so.

I travel a great deal and was wondering if I ever get hijacked or arrested, will I be able to meet ex-President Bill Clinton when he personally comes to pick me up in his private jet? Perhaps I should get arrested in Venezuela, Honduras or other conflict countries that might be interesting to the US.

Broken Political System-Polling

2009-08-07T11:46:00.003-04:00

To us the favorite political term of the time....."The Political System is Broken" Most Americans distrust and dislike our Congress and although they personally like President Obama, they are in disagreement with a lot of his new policies.

In thinking about the political system and why it is not working, I have come up with Polling as the biggest culprit. Before you call me crazy, let me explain.

Years ago, politicians would tell us what they believed in and what and where they wanted to do for the country. If we agreed, we voted for them and if we disagreed, we did not vote for them or did not vote at all.

Today, that is not the case. Politicians tell us what we want to hear. They use polling to choose their words, they choose the topics, and they even choose the audience to say certain things. The best at this use of polling, we thought, was the Clinton machine, but we now see that the Obama camp is very effective and efficient at using this technique better and bigger than before.

What is the problem with using polling? Well, simply, that politicians never tells us what they really believe in. What are their convictions, what are their ideas and/or opinions for the country? We never really see their character and because of this, they sway and flow on issues according to what is modern or popular, rather than sticking to their principles.

It is my opinion that polling needs to restricted or controlled....yes, yes, I know that this is virtually impossible, but think about it. If they did not know what we wanted or were thinking, they would have to tell us what they thought or believed in and then we can make better decisions on our public officials. Don't you think that would be a better way to pick them? At least we would have public officials with some convictions- agree or disagree with them!

To use a poker analogy....They know our cards (because of polling) but we really don't know their cards....HUGE disadvantage for us.

Healthcare and Town Meetings

2009-08-07T11:24:00.002-04:00

Let me first start by saying that I am against the Healthcare proposal as it is and moving through Congress. Why? Well, because the details are very vague and this proposal does not target Tort reform, malpractice insurance, drug related lawsuits, etc... all of these things drive the total cost of Healthcare in the U.S. and this Healthcare proposal does not talk about any of these issues.

Congress is out for the August recess and in organizing their Town Hall meetings, they have encountered constituents that are voicing their opinion, opposition, sometimes frustrated and for the most part - somewhat beligerent. To tell you the truth, I don't blame them and they are well within their rights!

Our contitution gives us the RIGHT to assemble and also (as far as I can remember) the RIGHT to FREE speech. So, what is wrong with these people voicing their opinions and/or opposition. So, these congressmen don't like it and feel they are being attacked. Ohhh...poor baby...suck it up! (As Busch did for many, many years from the liberals) This is part of the job....or did you think you could do whatever you wanted in Congress and we are all supposed to shut up, bow our heads and agree? Well, my friends. NOT IN AMERICA!

Now, I hear the press, the congress and even the White House saying that all of these people in the Town meetings are plants by the GOP, they are Nazi's, they are fakes, etc. etc. Now they are saying they will mobilize the unions, the community organizers and such to combat these regular people that are interrupting the Democratic congressmen. They, of course, don't care that some, if not many, of the people in these Town Hall meetings are registered democrats. This only tells me that they don't care about republican or democrat, they just care about silencing anybody that disagrees, questions or opposes any of their plans. Even if you are "one of them"!

The White House wants information from people to report other people that have differing or opposing information, directly to them so they can "clarify" this "mis-information". Really? Really? Not that they want to have people reported? Not that they want to spin the information out there? Not that they want to have people spying on other people and informing the government on them? Sure...I believe them, absolutely and why not? They have my best interest at hand!

Cap and Trade disappointment

2009-06-27T09:57:00.002-04:00

Well.... Another failure, disappointment and utter incompetence from our elected officials. What exactly is Cap and Trade and how exactly is it going to create these "Millions" of jobs they claim and "Fix" the environment? Can anybody actually explain it?

OK, here is my take on it.

Let's assume for one milli-second that Global Warming is actually a fact....yes, for just a milli-second!

So, we pass Cap and Trade, our business adjust to lower the carbon foot-print, exchange credits, our energy prices go up, our economy suffers, etc. etc. This will only open the door even more for China and India to produce more products that we are no longer producing due to Cap and Trade and in turn their carbon foot print increase and thus Globabl Warming continues, yet we have lost our competitive edge becasue of an altruistic ideology and a one-sided approach to a solution.

I am not sure if the milli-second is up or not, but my point is that regardless of what side of the Cap and Trade argument you are on, it does not make any sense for us to do this alone and not countries like China, Russia, India, Brazil and others. That's it!

I am obviously firmly against Cap and Trade because it is another way for the government to control our lives and freedoms under the rouse of saving the environment.

Brazil calling for "New World Order"

2009-06-17T18:12:00.002-04:00

Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said today that the global financial crisis has reduced the differences between nations and has created the opportunity to form a new world order.

His is meeting with what is considered the BRIC Nations.- Brazil, Russia, India and China and calling for the UN to increase the access and membership of other nations to the UN.

I say, great!!! Let them do this and tell the UN that we can no longer participate, or allow them to hold their meetings in NY and they should find another place to hold their meetings. Good Luck with that!

It is very easy to speak about supporting the UN and giving the UN more power when we are one the strongest financiers of the UN.

What happens to the UN if leave? I would love to see that!

New World Order??? For how long? For as long as a new president or dictator is in power in all of these nations they want to include? The stability of 3rd. world governments is appealing as a "World Order".

ABC News or Government Media

2009-06-17T18:02:00.004-04:00

The Drudge report reported today...

"ABC REFUSES OPPOSITION ADS DURING WHITE HOUSE SPECIAL Wed Jun 17 2009 15:15:00 ET ABC is refusing to air paid ads during its White House health care presentation, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned, including a paid-for alternative viewpoint! The development comes a day after the network denied a request by the Republican National Committee to feature a representative of the party's views during the Obama special. Conservatives for Patients Rights requested the rates to buy a 60-second spot immediately preceding 'Prescription for America'. Statement from Rick Scott, chairman of Conservatives for Patients Rights: "It is unfortunate - and unusual - that ABC is refusing to accept paid advertising that would present an alternative viewpoint for the White House health care event. Health care is an issue that touches every American and all potential pieces of legislation have carried a price tag in excess of $1 trillion of taxpayers' money. The American people deserve a healthy, robust debate on this issue and ABC's decision - as of now - to exclude even paid advertisements that present an alternative view does a disservice to the public. Our organization is more than willing to purchase ad time on ABC to present an alternative viewpoint and our hope is that ABC will reconsider having such viewpoints be part of this crucial debate for the American people. We were surprised to hear that paid advertisements would not be accepted when we inquired and we would certainly be open to purchasing time if ABC would reconsider."

Can you imagine that ABC, a supposed news organization, that by definition is required to provide news and NOT interpretation is refusing to not only report on the opposition news or information, but now to go as far as not even accepting paid advertising to do so.

This is a shameful and disgusting organization and I wonder why anyone would even bother to listen to anybody at ABC? Why would you?

This is not Media, this is propaganda!

prop-a-gan-da

–noun
1.
information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.
2.
the deliberate spreading of such information, rumors, etc.
3.
the particular doctrines or principles propagated by an organization or movement.

If what our media is doing is not Propaganda, then please tell me what it is, because it certainly it is NOT news media.

US Auto Industry

2009-06-04T10:39:00.002-04:00

I have been absent for some days.....a brief brake from the news! Sometimes it is necessary to not get overly frustrated.

If you have been following the US Auto Industry bailouts, bankruptcies, etc... you now realize that we, the taxpayer, and the UAW are majority owners of GM. That's good right?

I remember about a month ago, the government asked the directors of GM and Chrysler to take some time to come up with a viable plan to turn around the company and when they could not do it, the company was thrown to a bankruptcy that gave the government and the UAW majority ownership. My question is....now that there are new owners, will the be FORCED to come up with a viable turn around plan or even just a new plan to run this company? or do we just believe they can do it, without any proof.

So, what is GM new leadership's plan for the company and how do they expect the company to improve?

How do they plan to handle the legacy costs?

I am waiting to see what kind of concessions the UAW makes their members accept? and if they are sizable, why would they not do them before?

Has all this been part of a Master plan to squeeze the rope all of these years to get to this point where they can actually take control.....Does this not remind you of the Mafia? or is it just me? We are under the Chicago politics model right now, right?

It is my opinion that now that the government and the UAW own the company, they are going to produce cars based on politics, thus making small very efficient cars, that will fit the Global Warming political agenda. Yet, the market wants a different type of product! So, if you produce something that the market does not want or is not ready to want, then how will you sell it or will it be subsidized and if so, for how long and who will pay for it?

It is my further opinion that we need to let them do all of these things, unfortunately, and eventually all of these plans will fail. Everybody will continue to suffer, the economy will continue to stagnate, we will all lose money, but in the long run people will feel the pain and vote for CHANGE the other way. It will take some time, but it will happen. History repeats itself and it has happened before.

Gitmo,What is the real story?

2009-05-21T15:38:00.002-04:00

Today we heard the President, again, and then Robert Gibbs, again, about the closing of Gitmo.

Ok, so we have decided that Waterboarding is torture or illegal....fine! So we don't do it anymore.

Why so much of a push to close Gitmo? What is the reason? Why can't we just leave them there and if they are so intent on giving these people due process, can the process be done there?

Why do we have to bring them into our prisons and court system?

Some Democratic Congressmen have even gone as far as saying they can build a new prison somewhere in the US to house these prisoners...What? Why, we already have Gitmo and they are already there. Why spend the money?

I honestly don't understand? I wish they could just come out and give straight answers and when they don't it leads me to believe that there are alternative motives and not good ones at that.

I am just saying!

California is reducing government?

2009-05-20T12:57:00.002-04:00

Read the following article by Kevin Freking....http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D98A309G1&show_article=1

Can you believe that California is becoming the example for other states and possibly the Federal Government?

They have just voted-overwhelmingly-to not approve tax increases to fund the failing California government. Good for them! This is exactly what the Tea Parties were talking about.

California irresponsibly spends our money and then when they get in trouble they simply ask for more money....NO....not the way it works. We have to adjust our budgets, well so should they!

I still don't understand....for years they received huge amounts of money from the higher property taxes from increase home values and yet services remained the same. Now, the revenue stream is not the same, the services are the same, so why the deficit. If you can tell me that the improved the services so much and became so efficient that now they have to scale back from those services, I understand....but I guarantee you that it is not the case.

It was all about wasteful spending and entitlement programs that don't generate anything other than waste on the backs of those that pay taxes.

I applaud California and hope that this is an example for others to follow. How much do we have to be in debt before our government realizes that we simply can't continue to pay for their wasteful spending and pet projects!

ENOUGH!

Where is the criticism?

2009-05-15T12:28:00.002-04:00

I remember the last term of Bush's administration was full of criticism for just about anything he and his staff did or participated in.

The media and about 50% of the population was critical for many things, here are a few that I can remember:

The war in Iraq,
For not setting a firm date for pulling out our troops from Iraq
For setting up Gitmo
For not having trials for the Gitmo prisoners
For deciding to have military tribunals and not regular trials
For lying to congress about the WMD's

And millions of other things.....right?

Well, let's analyze things objectively.

Obama has committed more troops to Afghanistan. Where is the outrage?
Obama has NOT set a firm date for withdrawal as promised. Where is the outrage?
Obama vowed to close Gitmo, but has no plan on what to do with the detainees. Where is the outrage?
Obama will not be having civil trials for the detainees. Where is the outrage?
Obama criticized the Bush administration for creating the military tribunals and now he is going to do the exact same thing. Where is the outrage?
Obama, and all other congressmen voted for the Iraq war using the same information that was provided to the president. When do they take responsibility for taking us to war?

Where is that CHANGE that everybody wanted? Why doesn't the media and the 50% of the population outraged about what he is doing so similarly to Bush? I don't understand, where is the consistency. If you don't want war, then you don't want ANY war, right?

I am not a fan of Obama, and I am sure that is clear by now. However, I did not agree on a lot of things with Bush as well. The point is that I am consistent on what I believe and regardless of who is in power-democrats or republicans, if their decisions do not match what I believe, then I disagree. It is simple!

What I am seeing today is that people now agree with things similar to those that Bush did, only because Obama is doing them! What? Does that make any sense?

Am I just not smart enough to understand them? Or am I missing something?

Did you know that they are requesting 50Million-yes, Million with a big "M" to move the Gitmo detainees? Wow, how are they going to be traveling? I want to travel like that too.... I guess a 500K Boeing-747 flight like the one that flew over NY is not enough.

I truly HOPE that people start questioning some of the decisions being made and not for political reasons or posturing but for the future of our economy and country in general. Questioning and disagreeing with our leaders is not only healthy, it is our duty. Remember, THEY WORK FOR US! (Sometimes I think they forget this).

Notre Dame and the President of the USA

2009-05-15T09:09:00.003-04:00

This is one of the hottest, non-political, topics in the news today. However, is it really non-political?

The President has his political views on abortion and stem-cell research and the Catholic church has theirs and they are on opposite sides of the spectrum. These are their political positions.

True to the Notre Dame tradition, every U.S. President has been invited to speak at the Notre Dame commencement ceremony, and I believe, every single President has done so. Why should this President be any different? Because you disagree with his policy or his principles? Let's be clear on this. This event is not about the President, it is about the GRADUATING class of Notre Dame.

The Catholic church needs to take a step back and take the higher moral road. They need to start living by the principles of our Bible and Jesus Christ, that accepted peoples opinions and welcomed everybody into his life. He taught them His teaching in hopes of changing them, but did not alienate them.

The Church needs to invite President Obama and other such leaders that have these differing opinions and show them that we are loving and open people that would welcome them into our Christian life and in this way start to show them they too can change their life by our example and through love.

Perhaps as a compromise to the Notre Dame alumni and church leaders, the school should follow the example of ASU. They invited the President, he spoke, but they did not offer him an honorary degree. Their answer as to why? "Because President Obama’s body of work is yet to come, it’s inappropriate to recognize him at this time,' Keeler said."

Well put, ASU! Stop this political posturing about this issue and focus on the graduating class or young men and women that are going into a workforce and economy that is recessed and in trouble! Believe it or not, everything is NOT about Obama!

Fixing the Economy

2009-05-13T15:03:00.002-04:00

I friend of mine recently sent me the enclosed information and I had to post it, because it made some sense to me. How much better we would be if common sense or simplicity would reign.

The Business section of St. Petersburg Times a few Sunday ago asked its readers for ideas on "How Would You Fix the Economy?"

The published the enclosed article a few Sundays ago....

"Dear Mr. President,

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America's economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan.

You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan:
There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force.- Pay them $ 1 Million dollars a piece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

They MUST retire. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.
They MUST buy a new American Car. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.
They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing crisis fixed.

It can't get any easier than that!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all member of Congress and their constituents pay their taxes."

Unfortunately, I am not 50 and would love to participate in this plan, but I appreciate the simplicity of this plan.

We have already spent a lot more money than this on our bailout plans, so we could take this same plan and offer benefits to other people by lowering the age to -say- 40.

I have said it many times, why not just give the TARP and other bailout monies directly to the people so they can SPEND IT, SAVE IT OR INVEST IT. Don't you think the economy would have been better off this way, if nothing else, it would have been fixed much faster.

Don't you think?

Communist Goals of 1963

2009-05-05T09:24:00.004-04:00

I googled "The 45 stated communist goals" as stated on January 10, 1963 by Hon. A. S. Herlong, Jr. of Florida and as a matter of Congressional Record--Appendix, pp. A34-A35.

I am not going to put all 45 of the goals, because you can just google it and see them all, but I am going to pick out a few that stood out at me and some that really worry me.

Take a look at this information and then tell me we are not on the path towards Socialism-Communism-Progressivism or whatever you want to call it to make you feel better.

1.- U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.- Is this not Obama's message? Let's get everybody to accept and love the US and hopefully this will end the world conflicts.

4.- Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.- Is this part of the new strategy in opening Cuba and perhaps other Nations? I am re-visiting my previous opinion on opening Cuba, not that I have seen all of these Goals.

11.- Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces.- Doesn't the UN already have "peace keeping" troops, aren't they speaking about having a world tax for them and maybe even a UN currency....aren't these the things governments have?

15.- Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.- Well, do I really have to say anything about this. The democrats are far left and the republicans are left of center now. It is as close to one-party rule as we could probably get in the U.S.

17.- Get control of the Schools. Use them as transmission belts for Socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teacher's associations. Put the party line in textbooks.- This has been done years ago in our Universities and has filtered through the academia to our high-schools and middle schools throughout the years. Just today the administration is actively pursuing the teachers and teachers unions to hear what they have to say about the school system, this is just another way to get control and favor from the teachers unions.

20.- Infiltrate the press, Get control of book review assignments, editorial writing, policy making positions.- I don't think I have to comment on this one!!! do I? This is why they now need the "Fairness doctrine" or something similar, because talk radio and Fox are eroding this control.

21.- Gain control of Key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.- No comment needed here? Again...look for more debate on a plan for more censorship of Talk radio or Fox. Not directly of course, they would not do so openly. They will back-door some rule that would force the stations to making changes so that when the law makers are asked about it, they can deny that they had any direct part in doing so.

25.- Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio and TV.- It has been a clear degradation of the morality standards in all of our media to the point were our kids are becoming desensitized to it and it is becoming normal. If you have a family, you see that even PG movies today are laden with undertones and it makes it difficult to continually say no to them.

26.- Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy".- This has been happening for some time, but most critically now with same-sex marriage. Why is civil unions not enough? Why does it have to be marriage? What will be next? Bestiality or what is to stop a Pedophile from claiming the same thing?

28.- Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state".- How do we bring this back? I am not saying one type of prayer, but at least a few minutes of reflection where each person can speak to their God whomever that might be. Why are they so afraid of this? Could it be, that it is the only one person that truly does have power over them? Thus diminishing their power over us?

29.- Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.- The new progressive movement has made it a point to say that the constitution needs to be a living, breathing documents that has to be changed and molded to the times. How long will they have to talk about it, before they actually try to do away with the whole thing and try to write a new one or worst yet, adopt the U.N. version of a world-wide constitution.

36.- Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.- Although this happened years ago, it is only recently that they have been given control of industry, not just the worker.

37.- Infiltrate and gain control of big business.- Well...well, and we thought this was one of the hardest to achieve. Can anybody say TARP? So, they don't want to own banks and car companies, but they are! The companies want to give the money back, but they won't let them, because they don't feel they are healthy enough. Will they ever be healthy enough or again?

38.- Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand (or treat).- This is really scary to me, because it is not a very complicated thing to accomplish, but it is extremely difficult to overcome and it encompasses pretty much anything anybody wants it to be. The power of this is so broad that is it very scary! Being conservative already means you are an extremist, the next step would be to categorize us as behavioral misfits and in need of treatment. This way they can round us up and take us somewhere safe....for our own good of course!

40.- Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.- Also, been happening for years. Our divorce rate is holding steady around 50%. Nobody is responsible for anything anymore, we simply throw the blame somewhere else and just get divorced. We take the easy way out for everything.

45.- Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.- It seems to me that recently our State Department said that it would aide the Spanish judge seeking to take the Bush administration officials to trial because of torture. Let's be clear, if the so-called tortured memos would not have been revealed by the Obama administration, this would not be a legal issue today. What gives the Spanish court, or a Spanish judge, jurisdiction on any of our US nationals. Does that give our court system to try their people or leaders for any acts we can find against them? What is going on here.
Agree or disagree with torture, that is besides the point. This administration has to put an end to this Spanish judge once and for all. This administration has to do a better job of protecting our sovereignty and the rights of our people.

I urge everybody to read all 45 points and make your own assumptions and opinions. It is clear that a great majority of these have already been accomplished and we are seeing now some others being achieved the back-door way and under false pretenses.

We must memorize and keep these goals close so we can fight and try to revert some of these back. We must make these intentions public so the uninformed general public begins to open their eyes to what is going on.

I am not a conspiracy theorist or anything of the sort, but as an engineer, I am taught to analyze facts, numbers, causes, etc. take them all into account before solving a problem. I am sorry you can not argue that some, if not most of this things have been done and are being done.

Whether you agree or disagree with these "GOALS", just be more skeptical of these politicians and open your mind that perhaps they do not have your best interest in mind.

America----no, Americans----you need to wake up....This is not the way you are used to living and I am certain it is not the way you want to live. Take it from me that emigrated from a Communist country!

Darrell Scott-Columbine vicitm's father-Speech to Congress

2009-05-04T11:19:00.002-04:00

I recently received this speech from 1999 in an Email and I had not seen it before. I decided to put it here for everyone to see, because it is the underlying problem with our society. We are more worried on pointing the finger, rather than actually admitting that the erosion of spirituality is one of the causes of our societal problems.

Here is the speech in front of Congress...

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good and evil in the hearts of men and women. We ll contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used...Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I a not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA-because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder, I would be their strongest opponent.

"I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy--it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feeling best.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,

Your words are empty air.

You've stripped away our heritage,

You've outlawed simple prayer.

Now gunshots fill our classrooms,

And precious children die.

You seek for answers everywhere,

And ask the question "Why?"

You regulate restrictive laws,

Through legislative creed.

And yet you fail to understand,

That God is what we need!

"Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began a theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a Nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs--politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode way our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

"As ,my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law our politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA-- I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!

My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"

When and why did prayer leave our schools? They say that it is important to maintain the separation of church and state. However, wasn't our Republic created with church and state being intertwined? It is all over our currency, our government buildings, our constitution, etc.

What is so wrong to allow our children to pray in school? Whatever prayer and to whatever god or religion you chose? Children need people, other than their parents, to share their problems. Sometimes, God, can be that release for them. Our schools have counselors, but they are not in tune or in touch with the children. They don't know the children, nor do they, for the most part, really care to help them through problems. I don't know if it is because of lack of training or simply they just don't care to get involved.

We not only need to focus on teaching our children language arts, math, science, but also civic responsibility, social interaction and adopt a philosophy of giving back more than we take from society.

Taxpayer surprise!

2009-05-01T09:58:00.003-04:00

Obama gives "95% of working families a tax brake"...how many times have you heard this? How many people fallen into this mirage?

I was just sent a story from the AP by Stephen Ohlemacher that was published in The York Dispatch, informing readers about a tax payer surprise. You want to see the whole story, go to the AP website and look for the INSIDE WASHINGTON story on taxes.

OK, so the famous tax brake on 95% of working families was $ 400.00 for individuals and $ 800.00 for families. Wow, I can now go buy and invest in about 260 shares of Citibank...its good their are cheap now!

Hey, a least he did what he offered...right?

Well.......not so fast! If you are an individual making more than $ 95,000 or a family making more than $ 190,000.00 you are ineligible. What happened to the $ 250,000 or the $ 200,000.00. I guess is has to creep down to the "other wealthy people". Are you in or out?

5% of the working Americans that are supposed to carry the tax burden, did in fact pay a large percentage of the money necessary for the government programs, however, if you look at the spending and what this group of Americans pays.....it does not add up! So, where are they going to get the rest of the money? You say tax the rich more? How much more? Keep that up and nobody will be rich or they will just leave the country with their money, and then what? Who is next?

The IRS just published new tax withholding tables and people will be getting more money than they are entitled, but come tax time they will be getting a very unwelcome tax bill next year. So, be careful with your withholding and make sure you have enough to pay the difference come tax time next year. Surprise? or shoud I say CHANGE! Well...it is a change, isn't it?

People need to wake up to all of this spending and government programs. Yes, eventually we do need to pay for all of this somehow and it will not be with lawmakers' money, it will be with ours!

I don't know about you, but I live on a budget. I don't care how much money you have or make, your lifestyle adjusts to your earnings causing you to be on a budget, perhaps smaller or larger, but always on a budget. Yet, the basic difference with our budgets is that we calculate them with the money we actually make so we can pay back our debts and we are somewhat limited on this by our creditors. When are our government's creditors, our congress or Americans going to limit the amount of credit spending our government can do?

Our president keeps talking about fiscal responsibility and staying on a budget, on building our economy on a strong foundation!...wow, it sounds nice doesn't it? Most people listen to that and melt at listening to a politician saying that. Really, it sounds so nice, but when that budget is based on borrowed money, it is only a matter of time when that house of cards will come crashing down. Isn't this the main problem our economy is in trouble to begin with? Aren't most people in too much debt?

People need to get past the rhetoric, spin and phenomenal marketing and public relations from our government and look around to what is happening.

Bailouts-Have they worked

2009-04-30T17:04:00.003-04:00

How EXACTLY have the bailouts helped the economy? We had the first of the bailouts with he last administration and again within the first 100 days of this new administration. I don't know about you but none of these bailouts have helped me personally, on the contrary I see that long run they are going to hurt me by way of the higher taxes to pay for all of this.

You know why I have not seen any of the bailouts help me??? Because I purchased a house I could actually afford and pay for, I have cars I can afford and I DO pay for my credit card purchases...What a concept, huh?

When did our society begin to reward and help those people that do things over and above their means? We have become a society, of what I like to call the SHOW! We want to have all of the toys that everybody else has, even though we may not be able to afford them or should not purchase them.

All you hear from our government is that the bailouts are designed to help the banks give out loans, so consumers can purchase stuff and the credit cards to give more credit. OK, so the people that are in trouble with their mortgages can get in more debt. Yes, good plan!

So, more credit to whom? The 600,000 people a week that are seeking unemployment benefits should be getting loans, is this what they are thinking?

Their big plan is to help bailout all those people that helped cause this problem and all of us that actually did things correctly should be patriotic and help out! Please remind me, why I should do this? and how does this make me patriotic?

It is my opinion that this is a SYSTEMIC problem with our current society and perception. Nobody takes responsibility for anything anymore. You fall-you sue, you get sick-you sue, etc.. add to the list you make a bad financial decision and now instead of suing, the government will bail you out!

I know there are a lot of people that have lost their jobs and are losing their homes because of this, but there are also a lot of people out there that should not have purchased that home in the first place, also there a lot of people out there losing second and third homes. I wish we could see a better reporting of how many of these foreclosures are first homes? How many are due to job loss? and how many are due to other reasons? This would give accurate information and not sensationalism....!!!

I keep seeing around that this whole bailout spending has cost just over $ 30,000.00 per household! Have you seen this? If this is true, then why did they not give each of us-let's say- $ 20,000.00 and told us to save it, spend it, or invest it. Don't you think this would have been a good alternative to spark the economy? I guess this would have been too easy.

Federal Government-Bailout confusion?

2009-04-30T09:20:00.002-04:00

Chrysler just announced that they are filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. So, let me see if I understand....the economy is crashing, we need to spend money (loads of it) to save it, we need to get company shares in these companies to save them and in the end they still file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy? I am no, economic expert, but would it not have been better, and CHEAPER if they would have filed for bankruptcy from the beginning? I am just saying!

I have asked the following question a thousand times....why can't we allow a few banks to fail? Don't we have hundreds of other viable banks that can take over pieces of the larger banks through the Chapter 11 reorganization. Is that not the way a free and open Economy adjusts and fills the gaps? We have had major airlines fail before and others have picked up routes, planes and employees and in the end, we still have major U.S. airlines.

If GM fails, does that not make Ford a stronger company or perhaps open the door for another NEW company start and do so in a clean and healthy way? The bottom line is that we have protected and allowed these companies to become unhealthy through union negotiations and bad management, but how EXACTLY is that my problem as a tax payer?

If they want to save it, then have the employees purchase it and use their tax dollars, raise their taxes or better yet, have the UAW purchase it with their dues, etc...I suppose they are the ones that want to save it. Not me!

It seems that the bond holders told Chrysler that they would not accept pennies on the dollar as they were offered and that they would probably be able to get more money from Bankruptcy. They are now being touted as the bad ones for not being patriotic and helping to save this company.....I am sorry, but these people made a financial investment and as such, it is an investment and you should be able to negotiate the best deal you can for yourself to recoup your money and maybe even make a profit. Yes...PROFIT. It is still not a bad word!

It is very telling when our government places the blame for this Chapter 11 on the bond holders....The whole mentality that people with money, who invested in these companies, should be willing to lose money to save this company is wrong! It is further proof that our new government is a firm believer that if you make money you are evil and somehow don't deserve it and it is their job to take it from you.

Well, if that is the case, why doesn't Obama and a whole host of other politicians -Republican and Democrat-that make millions of dollars a year don't give away their money as they intend to do with ours?

"The Truth" Follow-up

2009-04-29T11:11:00.003-04:00

It is interesting that not a few days have past since the painting of "The Truth" was shown and was to be unveiled at Union Square in NYC and now the unveiling has been cancelled due to a great deal of public outcry.....really? So, freedom of expression is OK to be prevented or banned if there is enough outcry....so, mob rule is in effect as long as it suits the liberal left? OK, now that we are clear on that, we can move forward.

Where is the ACLU? The ultimate protector of civil liberties. So they stand up for the streaking (naked) pumpkin wearing people on Halloween, claiming that it is a constitutional right to be naked under the freedom of expression, but nothing about exhibiting a work of art in Union Square because it can be controversial.

How many works of art have been exhibited around the world that are controversial against religion?

Have we reached that point? What point you ask? The point were Politically Correct has become that you can only talk, paint, sing, show what is acceptable to the minority? If they don't like it, you can't express it? Is it because they scream (or cry) louder? We have to wake up!

There has to be more common sense out there. I for one, don't like the painting, but it is art and should be exhibited. It is my opinion that this particular painting can be interpreted in many different ways and it is why it is good....it leads to the person seeing to make their own opinions and that what it is all about.

WE FAIL AGAIN....we (the artist or NYC) caved in to some public outcry about their god-like political figure possibly being presented in a not-so great way and we don't show it. I wonder if there was a painting about Bush in a possibly-negative way, would it be shown or maybe even enlarged and place in several cities?

People need to wake up to what is going on with Barack Obama and even more with the congress...OK, so you like the guy...I get it! But there got to be one o two things they have done that you do not like? You need to be more skeptical and critical about what they are doing in general and more importantly with our money....they are systematically bankrupting us and our children. If this is not enough for you.....they are taking over private industry (in disguise)....They are controlling or at least telling them what to do? Do you not see this?

Even if you think our private industry needs a make-over, you have to agree that the government owning these industries is not GOOD? right? Just think, what does the government actually run and do well? What public office do you actually like to go to?

OK, enough....I went off on a tangent, but it is all related...we are systematically losing our rights and freedoms. They are being substituted by limited rights and only freedoms that fit a liberal agenda...Sad!

I wonder if the illegal aliens coming to this country understand that our currently political machine is becoming very much like the one they had in the country they left?

Wow.....was that me venting or what?

Hollywood and the Christian Market

2009-04-29T10:11:00.005-04:00

First things first, for those that have not seen the movie Fireproof, you should rent it and watch it. It is not going to win any acting awards but the message is phenomenal and will definitely touch you in many ways. If you are at least half-human, anyway!

http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/djenkins/2009/04/29/why-are-christian-movies-so-bad/

This article is very positive and it is important to read. I agree with Mr. Dallas Jenkins that Hollywood has ignored the Christian population in the making of films. However, they are beginning to realize that there is a market out there, about 50% of the world population, and then there are those other religious people that appreciate a good, wholesome movie with a message that they can watch with the family.

You wonder why it has taken Hollywood so long to wake up?? Well, the answer is not so difficult. It is run by at the management and creative levels by the "alternative" lifestyle people and they have been making movies for that minority, and then they wonder why their movies don't make enough money.

It goes back to management marketing and targeting the right group of people, and they have failed miserably at this! You wonder why Disney movies have done so well? Let's see...they are clean, happy movies with a message. You can watch them with the family and you can watch them a few times! All this = $$

Why did Slum Dog Millionaire make so much money and became such a big hit? Is it because there were famous actors, fabulous chase scenes or a spectacular plot...No, it was a good movie with a clean message!

A movie can be tastefully done, artistically designed and executed. Yet it can be a family movie with a good message that can touch the adults and can be seen with the family and used to teach the children about the message.

Arlen Specter Switch

2009-04-28T12:34:00.002-04:00

So much for change!!! More political pondering!

I say good, go to the democrats. This is good for the GOP. Start cleaning house. He has been more of a liberal than most democrats. Now we can present a true republican candidate in PA that the GOP and the conservative republicans can count on.

It is time to start changing house.....call is "House Cleaning".

Let the PA voters decide what they want. I don't think he barely won because of his party affiliation, but more about him. They just don't get it!

Vote all of the bad ones out. There are very few that are good and we can keep those.

I am just saying!

"The Truth" by Michael D'Antonio

2009-04-27T11:31:00.004-04:00

Did you see this painting, "The Truth" by Michael D'Antonio.

Wow, great painting!!! It is a politically, religiously and socially charge statement, isn't it?

This painting is to be displayed in New York City's Union Square.

What do you think? What is your Truth?

This is, in my opinion, what art is meant to do....it is meant to evoke emotion, dialogue and even, perhaps, disagreement.

The artist himself does not claim sides or whether it is unveiling or covering the seal, etc.. he is welcoming discussion and dialogue. What is more representative of our Freedoms in this country, than freedom of speech!!!

If they refuse to exhibit this piece or take it down, we will now where freedom of speech is going from here on!

The Declaration of Cumana!

2009-04-27T10:47:00.002-04:00

Capitalism "threatens" life on planet.... This was the basic theme of the meeting the Heads of State and Governments of Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Honduras, Nicaragua and Venezuela had in response to the Draft Declaration at the 5th Summit of the Americas.

These countries got together to argue that the draft declaration does not have consensus in the region and they want to debate the following topics:

1.- "Capitalism is leading humanity and the planet to extinction".
2.- "Capitalism has caused the environmental crisis.."
3.- "The Global Economic crisis, climate change, the food crisis and the energy crisis are the result of the decay of capitalism, which threatens to end life and the planet."
4.- ALBA.- Group of Caribbean and Latin American countries building their own nationalization of institutions.
5.- Question G20 for increasing the resources of the IMF. "The real need is to establish a new world economic order".
6.- New International Financial Scheme -"new international economic order."
7.- Climate change.- Developed countries are in debt to the world because they are responsible for 70% of historical carbon emissions.
8.- Solutions to the energy, food and climate changes.
9.-Condemnation of discrimination against migrants in any form.
10.- Education, health, water, energy and telecommunications should be declared basic human rights.
11.-"We advocate non-intervention".- This is directed the "new government of the United States"
12.- End the US-Cuba blockade.- This is requested by "The member states of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Peoples of our America."

and then they make certain "Considerations", "Affirmations", "Requests", "Repeals" and etc..

Read full article: http://rabble.ca/news/2009/04/declaration-cuman%C3%A1-capitalism-threatens-life-planet

I can certainly comment on EACH and EVERY single one of these points to bring out their true intentions, but sitting back to think why they are doing this and, more importantly, why now.

Well, when you think about the events of the last few weeks, it becomes clear. Since our president, Barack Obama, has been apologizing and basically keeping the door open and to some extent has shared their opinions on a lot of subjects. He has empowered these socialist, ideologically motivated leaders to stand up and blame the US, even more, for everything and DEMAND that the new US government acknowledge their existence, giving them credibility and more power, and to comply with their demands.

It is my opinion that this is a test....and Obama can either fail or pass! If he fails, these socialist governments will take a stronger hold of Latin America and will only lessen the economic capacity of the local people, but strengthen their governments.

So, how does he pass? He rejects any and all of their points....to start! Unfortunately, I THINK, that our president shares some of their same feelings and opinions so,he might actually listen to them.

The Dems/libs and Bush

2009-04-23T13:01:00.003-04:00

The democrats and liberals out there keep telling the republicans and conservatives that they lost and that they should "get over it". I not only think they have gotten over it, they realize what is coming and are organizing in a frenzy to try to slow down and delay the current policies. This not because we lost but because they WON.

So the conservatives "get over it" when do the democrats get over the fact that "Bush is no longer in the oval office"? Everything and anything that is critical to the current administration is immediately compared and contrasted to the Bush admin. The current administration has been there more than 3 months now. When will the new administration be accountable for THEIR actions? When will it stop being Bush's fault? Second term...maybe?

I would say to the democrats, "get over Bush" already, you won. WE admit it, if that is what you want to hear, there it is. Now can we move forward, and begin making the current administration responsible for ITS decisions?

I am confused-Recent Poll

2009-04-23T12:56:00.002-04:00

I am confused....a recent RCP (Real Clear Politics Poll) came out with the following results:

Presidential Obama Job Approval
Approve.................................................61.3%
Disapprove............................................32.5%

Direction of the Country
Right Direction.....................................36.6%
Wrong Direction..................................56.7%

So, there are a lot of democrats out there-based on the numbers-that think the country is going in the wrong direction but they approve of Obama's job???? I am confused, how does this work?

Earth Day

2009-04-23T12:47:00.002-04:00

I am sorry to say that I could not turn off power for Earth Day.....I am sorry, I had to eat and it was over 80 degrees in Miami and I can not live without A/C. Please forgive me for personally ruining the environment...I am guilty!

Did you know that on Earth Day the Obama administration burned more than 9,000 gallons of fuel? This was reported on CBS News Political Hot Sheet. Ironic don't you think? I agree that our president needs to travel and have decoys and such, but if you are going to go out on Earth Day and talk about how bad we have been towards the environment, perhaps it would have been better to do it in Washington and use the Internet to get the word out.

Are we going to see an alternative energy presidential airplane? Perhaps a bullet proof Toyota Prius fleet for the President, perhaps for the congress? How serious are they about this?

Cuban Change to Socialism

2009-04-23T11:31:00.004-04:00

I think it is important to note some of the CHANGE the Cuban revolution brought to the Cuban people, perhaps this could help people realize that change is not always good.

Don't take it from me. Read the bottom Mr. Jon Lee Anderson's article in the The New Yorker, not the most conservative publication. http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2009/04/jon-lee-anderson.html

I will point out some interesting things that might not be evident on your first read...

"The increased flow of remittances and visitors could transform the daily lives of many Cubans" I agree with this, however, it should tell you that something as simple as this could have such an impact on the peoples lives...why?

Did you know that when we left Cuba, they categorized us as "Gusanos" or worms, once the Russian subsidies ended and they needed money, we, and our money, became the "comunidad" or the community. Anderson adds..."it's citizens(outsiders) were officially encouraged to visit and shop for their relatives from government-owned stores that accepted only hard currency" It is important to note that the Cuban people were not allowed to enter these stores unless with Cuban-Americans and with dollars to purchase goods. What happened when this all started is that these new Cubans became the "haves" and the rest of the country resented them.

Anderson states - "Fidel enacted some restrictions on -material ostentation- so as to curb the growing social schism but was unable to finesse it entirely" This shows that external influences on the Cuban society chips away at the Castro's control.

If you read to the end of the Mr. Anderson's article you noticed that "most jobs in Cuba pay about twenty dollars a month" Can you live with that even assuming everything is provided for you by the government. How about your drive to succeed?

It is not stated in this article, but did you know that the Cuban people are not allowed in tourist hotels? Did you know that they are not allowed in certain supermarkets or to purchase clothing in certain stores?

It has been said that Cuba was very corrupt before 1959 and I will probably agree with that. Castro brought a promise of CHANGE to the island, however, I wonder if the Cuban people realize that the CHANGE he promised was to control all aspects of their life?

Cuba and the Summit of the Americas

2009-04-23T10:55:00.005-04:00

Let me first start with the following comment....I agree that the only way to change Cuba is either go in and take over - which we should NOT DO! or open everything and allow anything and everything to happen with Cuba, so there may be changes from the inside and perhaps the Castro brothers will lose the control.

Let's be clear, though, the Castro brothers are not stupid and will not allow any of this to happen so easily, let us stop being to gullible.

CNN, USNews, The New Yorker, Business Week, Fox News, Politico and even Al Jazeera commented on this issue in some way or another.

CNN Politics reported..."President Obama has directed that a series of steps taken to reach out to the Cuban people to support their desire to enjoy basic human rights and to freely determine their country's future" This was said by Robert Gibbs...So, now Obama is giving Cubans human rights and they are now will be able to freely determine their future...really...How exactly is that Mr. Gibbs?

Obama lifted all restrictions on visits by Cuban-Americans.
Obama lifted all restrictions on money transfers between American citizens and relatives

Raul Castro came out and said they are prepared to talk to the US about "everything-human rights, freedom of the press, political prisoners."

This was reported by most as "a sign of progress"

A few days later Fidel Castro wrote that "There is no doubt that president misrepresented Raul's statements"

So far, all of the changes in relations with Cuba have been unilateral.. Since the Castro brother do not want to change, as clearly evident by the comments above, then Obama should simply end the embargo and open completely!

Dan Restrepo, a White House Latin America policy adviser, said that "Obama believes that the change in U.S. Policy will ultimately help bring about a more tolerant, democratic Cuban government." That's nice! and you think, Mr. Restrepo, that because we are nice and open some things, Castro will be so overcome with positive emotion that he will free the people? Are they just so immature that they truly believe this?

The bottom line is that Fidel wants the US to end the embargo! He will use this as a propaganda technique to say that he finally beat the US, but ultimately that ending of the embargo and opening ALL negotiations and all forms of travel, will slowly end his control of the people. We need to chip away at his control and that will only be achieved by going in with everything. If nothing else, it will show the world and other Latin countries that the US is not the problem, it is the Castro brother. This will also diminish the power of Chavez, Ortega and others because they too will become part of the problem.

WebWise Internet program

2009-04-22T13:22:00.002-04:00

Are you aware of the "Webwise" program that allows internet service providers to track web browsing habits instead of content on a single website? Even Tim Berners-Lee, Web Founder, is concerned about privacy issues with this software. This is very scary because if they have this, they can not only sell this information to companies such as insurance, car dealers, product stores and others, but I would be more afraid of them knowing so much about me and my interests, specially the government, your employer or worse, the IRS.

I am confused.....I thought Al Gore invented the internet???

Read the article in the link below.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.e21bbbc9d0fd2f2a807e5013a1bc1fdd.e41&show_article=1

Enhanced Interrogation

2009-04-21T14:55:00.003-04:00

So, Enhanced Interrogations are to be stopped immediately, as per the Obama administration. Ok, great. We all agree that we should not Torture people, eventhough our captured soldiers do get tortured -ask Sen. McCain. My question is if we don't do any more "Enhanced Interrogations" as per the administration, then what and how will we be getting intelligence on future attacks?

Should we just talk to them with no pre-conditions and since we are nice to them, they will be nice to us an tell us all of their plans?

Ok, so they want to change the Interrogation rules, FINE! But what do they propose to do? and how?

Turbulence in the Air

2009-04-21T13:50:00.002-04:00

I am sure by now must people have heard of the case regarding the Continental flight were a woman suffered serious injuries due to unforeseen flight turbulence while she was in the bathroom.

I see a lot of comments from many different people about this story and the general consensus is that the woman should sue the airline. Now, we all agree that what happened to this woman is a tragedy but we have to at one point or another put a stop to these lawsuits that paralyze industry and only serve to increase insurance premiums and make money for the lawyers.

It is my opinion that the airline can pay for a reasonable part of the ladies medical bills and her insurance whether medical or homeowners should cover as well. After all, this was an ACCIDENT! Does that word even matter or exist in the legal community any more.

This was not done intentionally by the airline, and even less against her personally. The airline turned on the fasten seat belt and it is the persons RESPONSIBILITY to comply. Otherwise, when does it stop. You simply ignore posted signs, rules and obligations anywhere you go and hope something happens so you can sue! Where does this end?

I am sickened watching TV and every other commercial is from a law firm announcing some kind of claim to compensation against a pharmaceutical company or against businesses or against whomever for whatever. Lawyers need to have more REGULATION. After all, isn't that the word of the day in our new government. Well there is a suggestion to our administration....REGULATE the lawyers.

Negotiations with Cuba

2009-04-18T11:30:00.002-04:00

Today, I was having a friendly discussion about politics and the conversation moved over to Cuba and the new US/Cuban relations. You may have seen in my previous blogs, that it is my opinion that today the only way to change the system that has been entrenched for more than 50 years is to do it with and influx of freedom from the outside. I agree that change or a new direction needs to be adopted.

We must also be careful in HOW we negotiate with Castro. Let's be clear, the US does NOT need Cuba or anything from Cuba, so if and when we do start negotiations, it must be from a position of power.

Also, we must be very clear on WHY we want to open and negotiate with Cuba? Are we really interested in helping the people??? If so, then we must push the government for better wages, better healthcare and access to purchase anything and in any store they want.

Today I heard from people that they should adopt the Chinese model....well that is great! Keep the government making more money, keep the people working for peanuts, offer them minimal services, keep them quiet and monitor what they can see, hear and say. But, hey in the end, it is Open, right?

If this is what and the way we will be negotiating, then why do we want to do this? To create another country or economy that we can't compete with on a level playing field? They would get help from us, concessions, etc. and yet they pay their employees less and they don't regulate the quality or safety of their products. Again, how is this good for us?

It is my opinion that if Cuba is to open, then it has to open with conditions that are on a road to level the field in the future, so that little by little the people are getting more freedoms, better wages and regulatory procedures in place to guarantee that we would be able to trade with them on equal terms.

I am all for CHANGE, but not CHANGE FOR THE SAKE OF CHANGE. We must be intelligent about it and find positive ways to bring about the change that are MUTUALLY beneficial for all parties involved. After all isn't that the key to sucessful negotiating?

VENEZUELA.....THAT'S ANOTHER STORY...I WILL BRING THAT ONE UP LATER...

Government Majority...really

2009-04-17T09:18:00.002-04:00

I am not sure if you saw the CNN interview with some of the Tea Party participants and as shameful as that so-called reporter was, the whole idea of "get over it" you lost! and stop whinning because we have the majority arguments, are beginning to get under my skin.

"Get over it" you lost...really? How quickly we forget the 2004 presidential campaign. Is is me or did it not take them almost 4 years to get over it...sorry, three because the saviors campaign took a year and it, somewhat, distracted them.

Ok....le'ts look at some numbers. I am an engineer after all!

In 2008* there were a total of 231,229,580 voting-age population of which I am not sure how many were actual registered voters, but I would ASSUME about 185,000,000 or so, give or take one or two.

We had about a 57% voter turn out, which was 132,618,580*
*Source 2008 election results: http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2008G.html

The results were:
53% or 69,492,376 to Barack Obama
and
46% or 59,946,378 to John McCain

Ok, so about 9.5M out of a total of about 231M (not total population) is now considered the majority....let's see if my math is correct....that is just over 4%.

Wow...that IS a majority! How could I be so wrong. I am sorry CNN and liberals, you are right we did lose and everything you say must be right because if the majority says it we must follow-follow-follow.

Read Tim Slagle's blog -"Only Conservatives Are Sore Losers" it is good!
http://www.timslagle.com/blog/blog.html

The joy of having a dog

2009-04-17T08:29:00.002-04:00

It is friday....TGIF, right? Those of you out there, and you know who you are, that are dog lovers....Isn't it great to have a, or several, dogs?

They are like children in many ways, but with none of the negatives! At least, my overweight, cuban yellow dog is. Yes, I have to say, we have turned our dog into a cuban, "big-boned" (can't call her fat) girl. She is now getting portion controls and doing excercise every day.

She is happy to see us everyday and at any time during the day! How many of your can say that about your other children-forget those of you that have teenagers...

She wants to play with you all the time and at any time! How about the other children?

She is happy with whatever food is on the table (food bowl) and eating the same thing everyday is not a problem....forget asking about the other children?

You teach her tricks and things you want her to do, but there is not homework!!!

She does bad things around the house, but she does not hide it! At least she is not doing it on purpose or to spite you.

I have to say that having a dog (for those that like dogs) is part of living a long, fulfilling and happy life.

I am not personally a cat lover myself, but I am sure cats provide-cat lovers with the same feelings and companionship that dogs do.

So dogs....and cats....rule!

2009-04-16T14:02:00.002-04:00

The Bush and Obama administrations have alloted budget money to create digital medical records, however some issues are still unclear:

Who stores the data?
Where is it stored?
How is the data protected?
What digital format will be used?

I think in general the idea of digital medical records is a good one, to give the patient the ability to carry or access their information from wherever or give to whomever they want or need. However, I would feel more confortable if the government involvement ceases in giving money or loans to private industry to accomplish and manage this, not directly!

What does the government actually do well, and why are so many people intent on allowing the government to do so? DMV, Medicare, post-office or any other government services?

If you don't agree, or you do I would love to know. Or if you have any info or details on the medical digital recors, please comment.

Socialism 101

2009-04-16T10:16:00.002-04:00

Has anybody looked into how socialistic governments begin and what steps they take?

Let me start by saying that I am not an expert, but I have seen several of these governments come and go in my 20years of traveling throughout Latin America.

I must say that the new "Progressive", "Socialist"or "Stateist" ,whatever PC words you want to use for it, movement comes to us in a much more sinister and subtle way. I first outline steps by the old socialist and in blue I outline steps by the New and modern "Progressives".

1.- Instead of using a government coup or a war, they get populist support and get elected.
New.- Populist support to the point of cult like following!

2.- Once elected, they chip away at the government's constitution or simply change the constitution.
New.- Our government officials, republican and democrats, both in congress and our judicial have chipped away and continue to chip away at our constitution every day. It is a slower process, but the end-game is the same.

3.- Once they have discarded the old constitution o replaced it with a new one, they set aside all government officials and place their own judicial and congressional people. This means the balance of power is now in the hands of one party or person.
New.- The pieces have all aligned..liberal judges, liberal congress and a liberal president. Where is the balance of power?

4.- They control the Central Bank or Federal Reserve Bank. This in attempt for people not to be able to take money out of the country and to restrict the movement of money.
New.- Federal Reserve now has broad powers to control and intervene in places never forseen with the excuse of the economy. Are these powers temporary or permanent?

5.- They can now begin to limit free-speach by closing news papers and leaving only those that support the government. They now intervene in companies large and small with the excuse of helping the people.
New.- We have had a liberal media for a very long time and now they are trying to control the rest of the media with the "Fairness doctrine". They have intervened in banks, they have intervened in GM.

You can see that the game plan has been set and it is already in motion. Why do I say it is more sinister than others? Well, because they are not taking things away from you directly, they are doing so indirectly and in a way you can not argue directly that they have done so. Let me give some examples....

They don't take your gun away....they simply restrict or tax amunition!

They don't close talk radio....they pass the "Fairness doctrine" that will make it impossible for stations to continue with talk radio as we know it.

They give you a small tax brake (95% of working families)...but tax cigarrettes, bring back the death tax, increase taxes on small business, etc. etc.

They praise people for assembling and protesting....but behind the scenes they are considered a Homeland Security risk.

Nothing is done directly and in front of you. Everything is done behind you, but it is ultimately done to restrict what it is they don't want or they don't agree.

It's my opinion and I am sticking to it!!! Your comments are very welcome.

Fixing Government

2009-04-16T09:42:00.002-04:00

I have seen a lot of commentary these last few days on ideas to fix our ever expanding Federal government.

Most of the ideas that I have seen are all great ideas, some are needed immediately and some can be done "progressively".

Here are some of the ones I like the best and need to be implemented immediately:

1.- Term Limits.- 2 terms max. in Senate and 2 terms max. in House. Total combined of a maximum of 4 terms. NO CAREER POLITICIANS.
**Having people stay in a position of power for too long opens the door for corruption and does a dis-service to the constituency**

2.- Federal Budget.- The budget should be done and calculated based on the previous years revenue. The budget must be done with real revenue dollars, not projected or borrowed. If they don't have the money, you simply can't spend the money. If that means we need to deal with less programs or less services for a few years. We will manage, but we need to control our spending TODAY and strengthen our position.

3.- Taxes.- We need to simplify our taxes. It is just too complicated for regular people and this only benefits the government and those with sufficient money to hire a staff of people to find them ways around it and it is not right or fair for everybody else. We need to simplify it now, immediately, on our way to either a flat tax or a fair tax. There are skeptics to both of these, programs, but in their words...."doing nothing is not an alternative". Yet on this topic, they do nothing!

4.- Power.- We elected our government officials to represent us and our views, not their own. I am not sure but were they not called "Civil Servants" at one point? Do I need to explain what that means? Giving them the privilege of working for us in Congress or other positions does not give them, IN ANY WAY, the right or the power to change the framework of our nation and this must stop. So, aside from imposing Term Limits each congressional district will have the right to impeach the congressmen if they fall outside of the guidelines set by their district as to what they expect from them.

5.- Constitution.- The founding documents are very clear as to the powers given and not to the Federal Government. This must remain as the ULTIMATE law of the land and they can not give themselves any powers, create any amendments or do anything outside of the powers given to them in the Constitution. If it is not there, it falls to the states. This is how the country was founded, it is what has made us strong for over 230 years and it is the way it has to continue to be!

6.- Compensation.- Our congressmen and women are well compensated for their service and this must continue. However, we need to act as shareholders of congress, which we are, and be the ones that set their pay, bonuses, healthcare, retirement and other compensations. If not us directly, then the governors or other state officials we designate. They need to follow the same rules of the land we do as citizens. They will get the best of everything available, but going to congress for a few years does not mean a golden parachute for the rest of your life.

These are just some ideas that are floating out there and in my head. Please comment!

April 15th Tea Party

2009-04-16T09:09:00.002-04:00

I attended the Miami-Doral area Tea Party. It was not as organized as some of the ones seen on TV and did not have any speakers and such, but there were about 800 people there, some people said in the thousands, but we counted! (Why lie) As it is, that amount of people gathered together for one single cause by merely word of mouth and email advertising is incredible.

What was the cause you say? Well, many people there for many things. I can't say everybody there was for one single issue. Again, we are not facing one single issue, are we? I think the main thing people there were protesting is the reckless spending in government, under the excuse that it has to be done to stimulate our economy.

Sure, spending always stimulates something (even in our private lives) but only to face the collector again down the road. I don't think it can be called spending to stimulate as much as spending to delay!

In my opinion, the Tea Parties were a clear and perfect peaceful demonstration of the strength, freedom and rights that this country provide us.

Your comments are welcome!

History Repeats Itself!

2009-04-14T09:30:00.000-04:00

I have been hearing for the last few days the old addage..."History repeats itself". The more I think of this, the more I am beginning to see it come true.

I saw the Glenn Beck program a few days ago and this is exactly what he was discussing. It was about the Progressive movement that started at the turn of the century and how the things that happenned then are beginning to happen again.

My question to everybody is.....if you look back in history-throughout the world-and you don't have to go very far back and look at all of the communist, socialist and progressive governments that have existed from Germany, Italy, Russia, Cuba, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia and look at the fact that they have all failed. Why are we-or better yet our politicians today-so intent on taking us in that failed route...are they so vain in thinking that they can make it work when history tells them that it does not?

Every economy, and I have seen, many in Latin America, crumble with these socialist views. Sure the select few that are well entrenched in the government live very well and are not affected by the new government, but the general economy is brought down in shambles and at the end the people that wanted the change are worse off...why? because it is NEVER the intention to have equality and fairness, that is just the excuse to get the power. Once they are in power the only way to sustain the power is to keep people hungry and afraid...soooo, at the end of the day, the people are worse of because they are still hungry and afraid, but with the HUGE difference that now they can't work themselves ouf of it, they can't easily leave the country, they have lost all of their freedoms to change their lives and/or situations.

Just look at the Venezuelan economy today, look what is happening to the Ecuadorian economy and their slow progression from bad to worse. Is this what we want here? Or is it that those people so fervently pushing these socialistic or stateist principles on us have never traveled or have never read a history book, or spoken to someone that has emmigrated from one of these countries, or have they simply forgotten where they came from?

Remember change is not necessarily the solution....Correct Changes are?

I agree that something has to be done here and in the world, but the path our polititians are chosing is not the right one and we can not sit idly by because IT CAN HAPPEN HERE!!! and if we allow it, it will be too late to save our way of life and to restore it will take even a harder battle.

Alain

2009-04-14T08:49:00.000-04:00

Today is my first, hopefuly of many blogs. I promise the next one's will be shorter and to the point, but I feel it important that you get to know me as we move forward.

Over the last few days we have been hearing about our government's intention to open dialogue and negotiations with Cuba. It is a complicated issue and as such right and wrong are difficult to distinguish.

I am a first generation cuban-american, for those that don't understand what that means - I was born in Cuba, but left when I was very young. We were very fortunate to leave in 1979 through a special arrangement with Spain. We lived in Spain for 9 years and it was great. My father had an opportunity for employment in the US and decided to move the whole family to NY and subsequently to Miami. We proudly became naturalized US citizens and consider ourselves as Americans as the native indians.

Let's analyze the facts....Castro was NOT elected to power! He was very popular and adored by a great majority of cubans at that time, we can not deny that. He brought a message of change, prosperity and equality for all, etc. etc. (Sound familiar?) Soon after obtaining absolute power his message changed to a more liberal and comunistic approach to his so-called "prosperity and equality for all". Many wealthy cubans left the island before Castro was able to control the Island. Soon after, those that wanted to leave or opposed the regime were jailed,penalized or worse KILLED. Castro has killed so many cubans that nobody really nows the extent of the number that they have killed. I like to call it a mini-Holocaust. The first thing the government did was take your house from you and all of your belongings-after all you were a traitor for wanting to leave. They took the husband to work in the coffee, sugarcaine or other fields and he was only allowed to come home to see his family 1weekend a month. The family that remained had to find a place to leave, normally with other family members and find odd jobs or barter things to scrap by.

I can tell you all of this first hand because it is our family's history. My father had to go through this and was berrated, beat-up constanstly for not agreeing with the government. We requested to leave the country in 1963 when my older brother was born and did not actually leave until 1979...Good change to what we had before right? Is this what people want?

Negotiating with Cuba is a difficult subject. On the one hand, it is important to continue to help the cuban people with food, clothing, medicine, etc...basic needs. However, how to acheive this without contributing to the existing government? It is my opinion that the cubans outside of the island only want to be able to visit their family, provide them with what they need and that is it. They are not considering the ideology of whether this helps continue the tyranical government, etc. They see it from a selfish point of view that I can not says it is wrong! On the contrary, it is absolutely right.

My position on the negotiating with Cuba has changed many times and having given it a lot of thought. It is my opinion that we should negotiate and have open relations with Cuba, but only with the ultimate goal to flood that country with so much of our freedom and capitalism to empower the people and help the people change that government. It is my opinion that doing this over the short to medium term will, in fact, help erode the governments control of a lot of things and eventually topple from the inside. Help the people to the point were they are not hungry or fearful of the government, anymore!!!!

I would love to hear comments and opinions.