As the new year enters into our lives at the speed of time one thing from last year to this year has not changed: the approaching election of our next governor. So, as of 52 minutes ago the money raising period of the last quarter has ended. The totals will probably be reported today if not outright bragged about.
Looking at my email inbox the candidates were disparate as an entity of politics for the fundraisers that will set the tone of their campaigns starting out in this new year with, depending on the current totals, new possibilities. If Rosa Scarcelli managed to pull an upset against two or three of her competitors it might be a sign that she is a very probable dark horse in the running. As for the other Democrats there are the obvious favorites and the obvious failures. Nothing really interesting going on.
Now Republicans, since they would upset much of Augusta upon election, pose the real interesting examination. Can they really return to the Blaine House? Should Bruce Poliquin raise less than double his next opponent a backlash to his initial campaign victories might be a sign of either over-extending himself or expanding too slowly. Should he raise better than double the next candidate he is simply running a very efficient campaign which will have a solid lead going into the primaries. However if Matt Jacobson falls behind Les Otten who is currently relying on an advertising gamble it could be a harbinger of dark clouds to come. As for the Waterville "Maverick" and the current state House Representative one can look at the success of one experienced politician to the failings of another and easily conclude one is clearly suited for Governor and the other, while popular, incompetent.
As for independents for any of them to have a chance at success in the next quarter they need to pull a strong and unexpected fund raising report matching at least a third place fund raiser of the two major parties. As for Lynne Williams, she accepted an interview and then never held her end of the bargain so as far as I'm concerned she can -
Anyhow, Happy New Year and the analysis of the political parties fund raising shall come in the following order upon sufficient data being available:
Democrats
Republicans
Green Independent Party and the Unaffiliated
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Help the Green Revolution
http://www.torproject.org/
I posted somewhere months ago about this and how it was important to Iran and thought I should bring it up again.
On the surface I know this looks like a creepy geeky illegal thing to do. However this is how the Iranian people have been circumventing the "Iranian Firewall" to communicate to the rest of the world. I recommend you become part of this network and serve as a proxy for the Iranian resistance movement. It is legal, free, and your privacy is maintained. This is a simple thing you can do to support the movement in Iran. All you have to do is turn on your computer and internet and it will take it from there. You can use your computer as you wish with almost no interference at all. Support freedom and take this small step to supporting a change of the regime in Iran.
I posted somewhere months ago about this and how it was important to Iran and thought I should bring it up again.
On the surface I know this looks like a creepy geeky illegal thing to do. However this is how the Iranian people have been circumventing the "Iranian Firewall" to communicate to the rest of the world. I recommend you become part of this network and serve as a proxy for the Iranian resistance movement. It is legal, free, and your privacy is maintained. This is a simple thing you can do to support the movement in Iran. All you have to do is turn on your computer and internet and it will take it from there. You can use your computer as you wish with almost no interference at all. Support freedom and take this small step to supporting a change of the regime in Iran.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
My National State of the Union
If I were President Obama this is what I would tell America at the State of the Union.
Hello. Firstly we must thank the troops still protecting this nation and its freedoms wherever they may be. Their efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere have been exceptional as always. Now, to the matters of this year's agenda.
Every tax that was approved in the past 12 months I will make an effort to repeal every single one of them. The TARP funds will not be recirculated into job creation as the past year has proven the government can not create jobs.
As for health care reform it is clear that the current bill serves no one's best interest. A simple approach banning pre-existing conditions and obvious issues with Medicare should be the initial stages of health reform and I propose a simpler approach rather than our original idea of a complete overhaul of a system which is still the best in the world despite the drawbacks.
Any new bill that is longer than twenty pages will be automatically vetoed. The sad reality that some members of Congress not reading the seventeen pages that provide the foundation for our nation's existence leads me to believe without a doubt that they do not read the 2,000 page bills they have been bringing to my desk.
Any bill without a majority of both Democrats and Republican support will be heavily scrutinized by myself and the American public. That is true bipartisanship and the past year has shown a failure of that concept by both myself, my administration, and the Democratic leadership overall. The efforts of Republicans will hopefully be equaled to provide a real middle ground representation of the will of the American people.
As for the issue of equal rights for all this past year has seen little movement towards a goal of equal in the eyes of the law. While I support same-sex marriage or any true equivalent the issue of don't ask don't tell in the military is a regrettably necessary aspect of our armed forces. It guarantees that the front lines have no distractions for our troops.
As for the war in Afghanistan we are no longer going to tolerate a Pakistan who sacrifices its forces lives against the Taliban while it also funds the Taliban efforts in Afghanistan. The message will be clear also to Karzai's government that continued corruption will result in a heavier American control of the situation if he is unable to provide the leadership the people of Afghanistan both want and need.
As for immigration reform an initial amnesty for illegal immigrants in the country more than ten years shall be granted as long as they accept a fine and the beginnings of the process of citizenship. For the rest the enforcement of U.S. law shall apply in full. No longer will businesses be allowed to overlook U.S. citizens for jobs in order to circumvent adequate labor standards by unfairly using illegal immigrants at sub-standard wages to make law abiding competitors lose American workers to stay in business. I request that a bill to this, and only this effect be passed in Congress as soon as possible.
Barring any further economic failures I feel this is an agenda suitable for the nation in 2010. I know all sides of Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives will look to my statements with disbelief or anger. I want all Americans regardless of political persuasion to know that the change needed was not more government as I believed but more common sense.
Thank you, goodnight. Good bless America.
Hello. Firstly we must thank the troops still protecting this nation and its freedoms wherever they may be. Their efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere have been exceptional as always. Now, to the matters of this year's agenda.
Every tax that was approved in the past 12 months I will make an effort to repeal every single one of them. The TARP funds will not be recirculated into job creation as the past year has proven the government can not create jobs.
As for health care reform it is clear that the current bill serves no one's best interest. A simple approach banning pre-existing conditions and obvious issues with Medicare should be the initial stages of health reform and I propose a simpler approach rather than our original idea of a complete overhaul of a system which is still the best in the world despite the drawbacks.
Any new bill that is longer than twenty pages will be automatically vetoed. The sad reality that some members of Congress not reading the seventeen pages that provide the foundation for our nation's existence leads me to believe without a doubt that they do not read the 2,000 page bills they have been bringing to my desk.
Any bill without a majority of both Democrats and Republican support will be heavily scrutinized by myself and the American public. That is true bipartisanship and the past year has shown a failure of that concept by both myself, my administration, and the Democratic leadership overall. The efforts of Republicans will hopefully be equaled to provide a real middle ground representation of the will of the American people.
As for the issue of equal rights for all this past year has seen little movement towards a goal of equal in the eyes of the law. While I support same-sex marriage or any true equivalent the issue of don't ask don't tell in the military is a regrettably necessary aspect of our armed forces. It guarantees that the front lines have no distractions for our troops.
As for the war in Afghanistan we are no longer going to tolerate a Pakistan who sacrifices its forces lives against the Taliban while it also funds the Taliban efforts in Afghanistan. The message will be clear also to Karzai's government that continued corruption will result in a heavier American control of the situation if he is unable to provide the leadership the people of Afghanistan both want and need.
As for immigration reform an initial amnesty for illegal immigrants in the country more than ten years shall be granted as long as they accept a fine and the beginnings of the process of citizenship. For the rest the enforcement of U.S. law shall apply in full. No longer will businesses be allowed to overlook U.S. citizens for jobs in order to circumvent adequate labor standards by unfairly using illegal immigrants at sub-standard wages to make law abiding competitors lose American workers to stay in business. I request that a bill to this, and only this effect be passed in Congress as soon as possible.
Barring any further economic failures I feel this is an agenda suitable for the nation in 2010. I know all sides of Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives will look to my statements with disbelief or anger. I want all Americans regardless of political persuasion to know that the change needed was not more government as I believed but more common sense.
Thank you, goodnight. Good bless America.
Afghanistan Confusion
Pakistan claims strategic victory, Afghanistan says the Taliban are on the verge of defeat, we say the Taliban are preparing a major offensive, and the basic facts on the ground show the Taliban are advancing in territory and capturing towns.
I really don't know what the status of the Afghan war is but I know this: the allies need to get on the same page.
I really don't know what the status of the Afghan war is but I know this: the allies need to get on the same page.
Rosa Scarcelli Jobs Proposal
I've been thinking for over a week of how I was going to summarize her approach. It is extensive, detailed, and to the point. So lacking any way of actually breaking it down I will recommend you take a read of it yourself when you have time:
http://rosaformaine.com/home/Maine_Rising
However there is a positive thing to report in regards to Rosa Scarcelli: Her connection to voters. She wants your ideas and gladly wants you to let her know what they are:
http://rosaformaine.com/home/ideas
She has a drawback though: her reliance on the federal government. She has good statements in her plan for jobs but then basically throws those out the window if you read her news section. She wants TARP money (the bailout for the banks) to go for job creation in Maine even though it is clearly written in the bill that created TARP that those funds are to be placed directly to debt reduction. She also says Baldacci is making the best of a bad situation with the recent budget cuts. It is partially because of Baldacci that the state has had yearly budget crisis after budget crisis. Not only that but she is glad to promote an endorsement of her campaign by a PAC. No politician should ever brag about such an endorsement as a special interest rarely has the full circle best interest of the people at mind.
I blog, you think, we agree. Have a good day.
http://rosaformaine.com/home/Maine_Rising
However there is a positive thing to report in regards to Rosa Scarcelli: Her connection to voters. She wants your ideas and gladly wants you to let her know what they are:
http://rosaformaine.com/home/ideas
She has a drawback though: her reliance on the federal government. She has good statements in her plan for jobs but then basically throws those out the window if you read her news section. She wants TARP money (the bailout for the banks) to go for job creation in Maine even though it is clearly written in the bill that created TARP that those funds are to be placed directly to debt reduction. She also says Baldacci is making the best of a bad situation with the recent budget cuts. It is partially because of Baldacci that the state has had yearly budget crisis after budget crisis. Not only that but she is glad to promote an endorsement of her campaign by a PAC. No politician should ever brag about such an endorsement as a special interest rarely has the full circle best interest of the people at mind.
I blog, you think, we agree. Have a good day.
Bruce Poliquin Website Ideas Examination (for lack of a better title)
The first thing in regards to Bruce's campaign website is the citations for the information he uses. So far only him, Matt Jacobson, and Rosa Scarcelli actually give credit where it is due in regards to the facts they use on their issues pages. I personally prefer the Japanese method of citation but the post-script and in-linked forms are tolerable for me. Yes, I did just make those terms up. Anyhow, on with the analysis. As already stated we will begin with Bruce Poliquin. I will just use notable quotes to avoid my own bias:
[Occasionally I will speak within brackets. I have also removed the citation numbers which you can check on his website.]
1. Jobs
While our business economy has been shrinking, our public sector has been growing. It should be the other way around.
As a percentage of population, Maine has the least number of citizens under the age of 18. At the other end of the age spectrum, we have the 6th highest percentage over the age of 65.[3]
...This demographic trend is fiscally unsustainable without our burdensome taxes rising still higher. I refuse to let that happen.
[While he clearly knows the problem and its effects, Poliquin doesn't state on his website a direct solution to this problem.]
To attract businesses and jobs we must: tax less, spend wisely, simplify regulations, lower energy and health care costs, complete our infrastructure, and improve education. Some initiatives can be implemented relatively soon. Others are longer-term. It will take common sense, hard work, and competent management.
[Note the common sense aspect of this. Those of us who took economics in high school know it makes sense.]
Our State government needs a new positive attitude toward business development and jobs.
2. Taxes
[He already said he would lower them I know, but Bruce always steps up to explain why, unlike other politicians who make statements such as "There are so many things the public doesn't know; nor should they. That's why they elect us." I don't think I can ever get over that quote by our very own Pat Blanchette, since it is so very un-American.]
Maine government taxes our businesses and workers at much higher rates than most other states. It does so to pay for the excessive spending on programs and services. These higher taxes drive away businesses and jobs.
Augusta taxes our companies at the 9th highest corporate income tax rate.4 We all pay the 16th highest gas tax in the nation, 30c per gallon.5 That’s $6 to Augusta with every 20-gallon fill-up. It costs $600 in excise tax to put a new $25,000 car on the road just for the first year! We pay $438 for the second year.6 Connecticut residents pay $38 per year. New Yorkers pay $24. It’s no wonder why so many Mainers drive older, less safe, more polluting, and less fuel efficient cars.
Lowering taxes across-the-board at least to levels comparable with other states will be a visible and important step to that end. Doing so will also immediately put more money in the hands of our struggling workers and their families.
Reducing state taxes is crucial to relieving the financial burden on our families. It will also help build a positive business climate to attract jobs[.]
3. Spending
By any objective measure, our government spends too much on programs and services compared with other states. Taxes have been raised to uncommonly high levels to pay for this bloated spending.
State spending on education is the largest outlay in the proposed 2010-11 biannual budget, consuming 47% of all taxpayer dollars.2 From 1979-2006 the number of K-12 students decreased by 16%. During the same period the number of K-12 teachers increased by 32%, and administrators and staff by 52%. 3 Maine has the 7th highest cost per K-12 student in the nation.4 Although our taxpayers spend plenty on K-12 education, the results are disappointing. For example, Maine’s high school graduation rate is average, and the college matriculation rate is below average. In the fall of 2007, nearly 51% of first-year Community College Sysytem students enrolled in remedial courses because they were not “college ready.” 5
[That is an entire segment. This style appeals to me because he explains it in a straightforward explanation of the facts with the results. The numbers after a sentence are the citation. Politicians when talking about health care ignore the facts, and go straight for the sob stories. Bruce gives it straight. That might by why he reached his goal of 24,000 dollars a week early.]
Taxpayer-funded health care is the second largest expense category in the proposed state budget, accounting for 32% of all spending. MaineCare is our state Medicaid program originally designed as a health care safety net for the poor and disabled. During the past 30 years, however, our elected officials have eased the eligibility requirements such that, today, the program enrolls 275,000 of our citizens, or 22% of the population. This is the highest enrollment rate in the country. 6 Our politicians have also expanded MaineCare benefits to include services beyond traditional health care, such as meals, transportation, and housing.
[It is indeed true. I am on Mainecare, yet I certainly could go without it. However I know people who have called to cancel their MaineCare and were told it would be easier just to keep the status quo. I would rather not waste time arguing with someone about how I don't want a service I don't need. When they tried to give me more services in a new program it took me two weeks to make certain I didn't get that. Bruce is willing to tell you the status quo is unsustainable and I think deep down every person in Maine knows this.]
4. Health care
[Seems like we were just here doesn't it? Well, that is because Mr. Poliquin has probably read the MainePage in the Bangor Daily News and was able to connect the dots as a kid. Sadly, they took connect the dots out. Random thought: liberal conspiracy at work?]
Unfortunately, our state government has created a private and public health care system which is broken. Many individuals and businesses paying for their own health care can no longer afford the costs. Our less-fortunate citizens receiving health care paid by Maine taxpayers are given no incentives to control the costs. The system is no longer fiscally sustainable.
[Those who are friends on my personal facebook might remember a while ago when I said the word of 2010 will be unsustainable.]
Today, MaineCare enrolls approximately 275,000 people, 22% of our population, the highest rate in the country.3 The generous benefits and easy enrollment are making our State a magnet for non-Mainers seeking unfair access to taxpayer-funded services. We can no longer afford this. Difficult decisions must be made regarding who can enroll and what services are covered. Otherwise, our taxes will continue to rise and jobs will go elsewhere.
Competent management by our State government can provide better health care to our less-fortunate MaineCare patients at less cost to taxpayers. These fellow citizens have a responsibility to take good care of themselves in return for taxpayer-funded health care. Chronic illnesses such as asthma, obesity, and diabetes are preventable and/or treatable. MaineCare beneficiaries should be required to be treated by family physicians for long-term primary care, rather than extremely expensive hospital emergency rooms for common ailments. Wyoming has introduced a disease management program for 7,800 disabled health care beneficiaries. Taxpayer costs have fallen while services have improved.4
The huge, expensive MaineCare program is a primary reason why private health care insurance premiums are 3-4 times the costs than in neighboring New Hampshire.5 Low payments to doctors and hospitals for providing services to MaineCare patients force those same doctors/hospitals to charge uncommonly high prices to patients with private insurance. Insurance companies are then forced to charge inflated prices for those private policies, or leave Maine altogether. There are 9 insurance companies writing individual health care policies in Connecticut, 11 in New Hampshire, 21 in Massachusetts, and only 3 in Maine.6 This lack of competition leads to incredibly expensive private insurance policies.
[I examined the facts of this segment and found that indeed, while companies have a wider selection, an individual in Maine who wants to buy and pay for their own health insurance has only three options.]
Maine’s primary welfare program is called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). It provides cash and other assistance to low-income, able-bodied families. It sets no time limit for receiving the benefits. It imposes no strict requirements to find a job or further an education as preconditions to receiving the taxpayer assistance. There is no period of residency requirement to start receiving benefits.
The cycle of dependency continues at great cost to our less-fortunate citizens, and to the taxpayers who foot the bill.
5. Education
There are three lasting gifts we can give our children: unconditional love, a moral compass, and the best education possible. The happiness and well-being of our kids are directly related to their education. Once acquired, it can never be lost. It’s their ticket to higher income, better health, and more fulfilling lives. Businesses want to hire educated workers, skilled and eager to contribute. An improved state education system will help build a better economy.
[Bruce Poliquin connects the dots. He knows Maine and a little bit of common sense economics. That makes him very different from most Democrats and several of his Republican challengers.]
The global consulting firm McKinsey & Company has identified other reforms to strengthen our education system and save taxpayer money. They include standardized diagnosis for special needs students; consolidated negotiation of some system-wide contracts; reduction of administrative overhead; and more sharing of resources across school districts.3
Maine is one of only ten states which doesn’t allow state-funded charter schools. Maine students should be given the same opportunities as other children across the nation.
6. Energy
Approximately 80% of our homes are heated with oil, more than any other state in the county.
In 2007, 102 independent power generators in Maine produced 16 billion kilowatt hours of electricity. Our residents and businesses consumed 12 billion kwh. The remaining 25% was exported. Although Maine generates plenty of power, our electricity cost is 48% higher than the national average.2
Once constructed, a generating plant produces electricity at a cost dependent on the fuel burned. Hydroelectric dams produce cheap, clean, and renewable power. We should find other ways to accommodate migrating fish and recreational users of our rivers before removing any more dams.
[When asked roughly six months ago about what these other possibilities would be Bruce did not have the answers but did make a point that he has faith in the Maine people to be able to use our resilience to come up with a workable solution to such a problem.]
Today, commercial wind, solar, tide, current, and geothermal technologies contribute a small amount of our energy needs. However, our state government should do everything possible to support their continued development.
Recently, there has been discussion about the possibility of discovering natural gas in the Gulf of Maine. If that happens, our State should facilitate its environmentally safe development.
[Environmentalists can still focus on complaining about wind power (yes, the environmentalists are protesting the wind power facilities in Maine) if Bruce gets elected.]
Maine belongs to the “New England Power Grid,” a network of power producers, substations, and transmission lines crossing the six states. There has been debate about Maine leaving the Grid and going-it-alone. This would be a mistake. Businesses want reliable electricity provided by the security of a larger power grid.
Our state government, along with Washington, should explore ways to help the private sector complete and upgrade our power grid. This could result in the importation of that cheap, clean power from Canada. Maine might also be able to provide energy corridors to transport this plentiful power, along with natural gas, directly south to the Boston hub.
[In this way Bruce is connecting Maine to the entire region which shows a big picture awareness that has been lacking in the Baldacci administration (think LNG port).]
Lower energy costs will help build a positive business environment to produce jobs.
7. Environment
Our next Governor will be responsible for better balancing the economic needs of our families and preserving our environment. Our abundant natural resources provide many sustainable jobs in industries such as forest products, fishing, and tourism. These natural resources also provide expanded opportunities for green jobs. We can have both: increased prosperity and a preserved natural environment.
[In this section he has the boring yet for some reason necessary political story (for Mainers at least) of how he grew up in Maine and appreciates the environment. I just saved you thirty seconds.]
8. Regulations
I’ve experienced first-hand many of the problems with our business regulations in attempting to create jobs in Maine. One housing project consumed 2.5 years of design, engineering, and permitting before one worker was hired. While managing the project, I navigated the maze of separate and redundant local and state requirements. This lack of coordination between the layers of government is slow, expensive, and an impediment to business growth and jobs.
Companies, and the jobs they produce, naturally locate in states with business-friendly climates. Our elected officials have created a regulatory environment which discourages business investment. I have lived through the process. As Governor, I will understand the importance of simplifying and streamlining business regulations.
[I know how he feels. When preparing my stunted run for city council in Bangor I examined the city code on the elections. There was a page and a half of regulations on what a street sign could be, how environmentally friendly it had to be, time restrictions, and other truly boring things to have to read through in legal-speak. The entire campaign regulation packet I printed out was fourteen pages long in very small print (I like to save paper).]
9. Infrastructure
[Summary: Expand telecommunications throughout the state by having Time Warner or whatever it is choosing to be called this month hold up its end of the bargain.
Then there is the East-West highway to Canada. A unique proposal that truly makes Bruce an outside the box thinker with proposals that will defy the standard mold of political thinking.]
Canada is our largest trading partner. Still, there is no quick, safe route to truck goods east - west across Maine. Such a highway would efficiently connect Downeast Maine and the Canadian Maritimes to our western border en route to Quebec, Montreal, and Detroit/Chicago. It could also serve as a utility corridor to transport, for example, electricity and natural gas. This project would generate hundreds of Maine jobs for several years. It would also facilitate increased international trade across our State with untold new businesses and jobs. Our next state government should closely examine this economic development opportunity.
[Expanding the flights to other major destinations such as Quebec is another priority. Overall I personally see Bruce looking to expand business in Maine by turning the state into the entry/exit hub for Canada and U.S. trade, businesses, jobs. Big picture thinking and long-term thinking is what Maine needs to end our annual festival of the fiscal crisis. Bruce has the mind-set and experience that gives him the big picture view for Maine.]
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Now I want to point out something Bruce Poliquin mentioned a lot:
Create a Positive Attitude Toward Business Development and Jobs.
The reason this makes him unique is because no other candidate notices that Mainers have become so used to the corruption and scandal of Augusta that a non-government solution is almost heresy. I hear so many people listen on the news about anything and everything and say the following:
Why doesn't the government do something about that?
In Maine it seems thinking of a business as anything other than "a place where we work for a rich guy who does nothing and I do all the work" makes you a rich guy yourself who doesn't care about the poor. Trust me, volunteering with Amnest International and the Civil Rights Team at Bangor High (until my transfer to the Alternative Ed) surrounded me with people with that thought process. When we lined up for a political spectrum self determination liberals were at the window and conservatives were near the door. They ran out of room by the window and were three rows deep. I was in the hallway. I never heard the end of that one.
So what is Bruce doing proposing such a thing? He is preparing us for a better system. The government system hasn't worked, and he is bringing in a business system. Yet in order for it to work we have to actually believe it will work. While government supporters need to pull heart strings, use name calling and threats, and incorrectly spell Colombia when talking about free trade agreements in order to prove their points Bruce Poliquin only uses common sense.
While common sense may not be so common, it is easily acquired. That is why he only needs to emphasize a positive attitude about businesses development and jobs. The rest is common sense to most people. Yet, if it isn't said most people just won't think of it and when they go to the ballot box won't know which candidate truly represents common sense.
The results so far: success. Bruce has such appeal based only on common sense that I've got people saying they will vote Republican for the first or second time in their life because of Bruce Poliquin's honesty and common sense.
Now, for those of you seeking more information you can go to his campaign website at:
www.bruceforme.com
Those waiting for the Rosa Scarcelli jobs proposal I am doing some further research of my own to determine if some of her ideas are suitable for the current economic climate. Overall she is very impressive even if on the other side of the political spectrum.
[Occasionally I will speak within brackets. I have also removed the citation numbers which you can check on his website.]
1. Jobs
While our business economy has been shrinking, our public sector has been growing. It should be the other way around.
As a percentage of population, Maine has the least number of citizens under the age of 18. At the other end of the age spectrum, we have the 6th highest percentage over the age of 65.[3]
...This demographic trend is fiscally unsustainable without our burdensome taxes rising still higher. I refuse to let that happen.
[While he clearly knows the problem and its effects, Poliquin doesn't state on his website a direct solution to this problem.]
To attract businesses and jobs we must: tax less, spend wisely, simplify regulations, lower energy and health care costs, complete our infrastructure, and improve education. Some initiatives can be implemented relatively soon. Others are longer-term. It will take common sense, hard work, and competent management.
[Note the common sense aspect of this. Those of us who took economics in high school know it makes sense.]
Our State government needs a new positive attitude toward business development and jobs.
2. Taxes
[He already said he would lower them I know, but Bruce always steps up to explain why, unlike other politicians who make statements such as "There are so many things the public doesn't know; nor should they. That's why they elect us." I don't think I can ever get over that quote by our very own Pat Blanchette, since it is so very un-American.]
Maine government taxes our businesses and workers at much higher rates than most other states. It does so to pay for the excessive spending on programs and services. These higher taxes drive away businesses and jobs.
Augusta taxes our companies at the 9th highest corporate income tax rate.4 We all pay the 16th highest gas tax in the nation, 30c per gallon.5 That’s $6 to Augusta with every 20-gallon fill-up. It costs $600 in excise tax to put a new $25,000 car on the road just for the first year! We pay $438 for the second year.6 Connecticut residents pay $38 per year. New Yorkers pay $24. It’s no wonder why so many Mainers drive older, less safe, more polluting, and less fuel efficient cars.
Lowering taxes across-the-board at least to levels comparable with other states will be a visible and important step to that end. Doing so will also immediately put more money in the hands of our struggling workers and their families.
Reducing state taxes is crucial to relieving the financial burden on our families. It will also help build a positive business climate to attract jobs[.]
3. Spending
By any objective measure, our government spends too much on programs and services compared with other states. Taxes have been raised to uncommonly high levels to pay for this bloated spending.
State spending on education is the largest outlay in the proposed 2010-11 biannual budget, consuming 47% of all taxpayer dollars.2 From 1979-2006 the number of K-12 students decreased by 16%. During the same period the number of K-12 teachers increased by 32%, and administrators and staff by 52%. 3 Maine has the 7th highest cost per K-12 student in the nation.4 Although our taxpayers spend plenty on K-12 education, the results are disappointing. For example, Maine’s high school graduation rate is average, and the college matriculation rate is below average. In the fall of 2007, nearly 51% of first-year Community College Sysytem students enrolled in remedial courses because they were not “college ready.” 5
[That is an entire segment. This style appeals to me because he explains it in a straightforward explanation of the facts with the results. The numbers after a sentence are the citation. Politicians when talking about health care ignore the facts, and go straight for the sob stories. Bruce gives it straight. That might by why he reached his goal of 24,000 dollars a week early.]
Taxpayer-funded health care is the second largest expense category in the proposed state budget, accounting for 32% of all spending. MaineCare is our state Medicaid program originally designed as a health care safety net for the poor and disabled. During the past 30 years, however, our elected officials have eased the eligibility requirements such that, today, the program enrolls 275,000 of our citizens, or 22% of the population. This is the highest enrollment rate in the country. 6 Our politicians have also expanded MaineCare benefits to include services beyond traditional health care, such as meals, transportation, and housing.
[It is indeed true. I am on Mainecare, yet I certainly could go without it. However I know people who have called to cancel their MaineCare and were told it would be easier just to keep the status quo. I would rather not waste time arguing with someone about how I don't want a service I don't need. When they tried to give me more services in a new program it took me two weeks to make certain I didn't get that. Bruce is willing to tell you the status quo is unsustainable and I think deep down every person in Maine knows this.]
4. Health care
[Seems like we were just here doesn't it? Well, that is because Mr. Poliquin has probably read the MainePage in the Bangor Daily News and was able to connect the dots as a kid. Sadly, they took connect the dots out. Random thought: liberal conspiracy at work?]
Unfortunately, our state government has created a private and public health care system which is broken. Many individuals and businesses paying for their own health care can no longer afford the costs. Our less-fortunate citizens receiving health care paid by Maine taxpayers are given no incentives to control the costs. The system is no longer fiscally sustainable.
[Those who are friends on my personal facebook might remember a while ago when I said the word of 2010 will be unsustainable.]
Today, MaineCare enrolls approximately 275,000 people, 22% of our population, the highest rate in the country.3 The generous benefits and easy enrollment are making our State a magnet for non-Mainers seeking unfair access to taxpayer-funded services. We can no longer afford this. Difficult decisions must be made regarding who can enroll and what services are covered. Otherwise, our taxes will continue to rise and jobs will go elsewhere.
Competent management by our State government can provide better health care to our less-fortunate MaineCare patients at less cost to taxpayers. These fellow citizens have a responsibility to take good care of themselves in return for taxpayer-funded health care. Chronic illnesses such as asthma, obesity, and diabetes are preventable and/or treatable. MaineCare beneficiaries should be required to be treated by family physicians for long-term primary care, rather than extremely expensive hospital emergency rooms for common ailments. Wyoming has introduced a disease management program for 7,800 disabled health care beneficiaries. Taxpayer costs have fallen while services have improved.4
The huge, expensive MaineCare program is a primary reason why private health care insurance premiums are 3-4 times the costs than in neighboring New Hampshire.5 Low payments to doctors and hospitals for providing services to MaineCare patients force those same doctors/hospitals to charge uncommonly high prices to patients with private insurance. Insurance companies are then forced to charge inflated prices for those private policies, or leave Maine altogether. There are 9 insurance companies writing individual health care policies in Connecticut, 11 in New Hampshire, 21 in Massachusetts, and only 3 in Maine.6 This lack of competition leads to incredibly expensive private insurance policies.
[I examined the facts of this segment and found that indeed, while companies have a wider selection, an individual in Maine who wants to buy and pay for their own health insurance has only three options.]
Maine’s primary welfare program is called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). It provides cash and other assistance to low-income, able-bodied families. It sets no time limit for receiving the benefits. It imposes no strict requirements to find a job or further an education as preconditions to receiving the taxpayer assistance. There is no period of residency requirement to start receiving benefits.
The cycle of dependency continues at great cost to our less-fortunate citizens, and to the taxpayers who foot the bill.
5. Education
There are three lasting gifts we can give our children: unconditional love, a moral compass, and the best education possible. The happiness and well-being of our kids are directly related to their education. Once acquired, it can never be lost. It’s their ticket to higher income, better health, and more fulfilling lives. Businesses want to hire educated workers, skilled and eager to contribute. An improved state education system will help build a better economy.
[Bruce Poliquin connects the dots. He knows Maine and a little bit of common sense economics. That makes him very different from most Democrats and several of his Republican challengers.]
The global consulting firm McKinsey & Company has identified other reforms to strengthen our education system and save taxpayer money. They include standardized diagnosis for special needs students; consolidated negotiation of some system-wide contracts; reduction of administrative overhead; and more sharing of resources across school districts.3
Maine is one of only ten states which doesn’t allow state-funded charter schools. Maine students should be given the same opportunities as other children across the nation.
6. Energy
Approximately 80% of our homes are heated with oil, more than any other state in the county.
In 2007, 102 independent power generators in Maine produced 16 billion kilowatt hours of electricity. Our residents and businesses consumed 12 billion kwh. The remaining 25% was exported. Although Maine generates plenty of power, our electricity cost is 48% higher than the national average.2
Once constructed, a generating plant produces electricity at a cost dependent on the fuel burned. Hydroelectric dams produce cheap, clean, and renewable power. We should find other ways to accommodate migrating fish and recreational users of our rivers before removing any more dams.
[When asked roughly six months ago about what these other possibilities would be Bruce did not have the answers but did make a point that he has faith in the Maine people to be able to use our resilience to come up with a workable solution to such a problem.]
Today, commercial wind, solar, tide, current, and geothermal technologies contribute a small amount of our energy needs. However, our state government should do everything possible to support their continued development.
Recently, there has been discussion about the possibility of discovering natural gas in the Gulf of Maine. If that happens, our State should facilitate its environmentally safe development.
[Environmentalists can still focus on complaining about wind power (yes, the environmentalists are protesting the wind power facilities in Maine) if Bruce gets elected.]
Maine belongs to the “New England Power Grid,” a network of power producers, substations, and transmission lines crossing the six states. There has been debate about Maine leaving the Grid and going-it-alone. This would be a mistake. Businesses want reliable electricity provided by the security of a larger power grid.
Our state government, along with Washington, should explore ways to help the private sector complete and upgrade our power grid. This could result in the importation of that cheap, clean power from Canada. Maine might also be able to provide energy corridors to transport this plentiful power, along with natural gas, directly south to the Boston hub.
[In this way Bruce is connecting Maine to the entire region which shows a big picture awareness that has been lacking in the Baldacci administration (think LNG port).]
Lower energy costs will help build a positive business environment to produce jobs.
7. Environment
Our next Governor will be responsible for better balancing the economic needs of our families and preserving our environment. Our abundant natural resources provide many sustainable jobs in industries such as forest products, fishing, and tourism. These natural resources also provide expanded opportunities for green jobs. We can have both: increased prosperity and a preserved natural environment.
[In this section he has the boring yet for some reason necessary political story (for Mainers at least) of how he grew up in Maine and appreciates the environment. I just saved you thirty seconds.]
8. Regulations
I’ve experienced first-hand many of the problems with our business regulations in attempting to create jobs in Maine. One housing project consumed 2.5 years of design, engineering, and permitting before one worker was hired. While managing the project, I navigated the maze of separate and redundant local and state requirements. This lack of coordination between the layers of government is slow, expensive, and an impediment to business growth and jobs.
Companies, and the jobs they produce, naturally locate in states with business-friendly climates. Our elected officials have created a regulatory environment which discourages business investment. I have lived through the process. As Governor, I will understand the importance of simplifying and streamlining business regulations.
[I know how he feels. When preparing my stunted run for city council in Bangor I examined the city code on the elections. There was a page and a half of regulations on what a street sign could be, how environmentally friendly it had to be, time restrictions, and other truly boring things to have to read through in legal-speak. The entire campaign regulation packet I printed out was fourteen pages long in very small print (I like to save paper).]
9. Infrastructure
[Summary: Expand telecommunications throughout the state by having Time Warner or whatever it is choosing to be called this month hold up its end of the bargain.
Then there is the East-West highway to Canada. A unique proposal that truly makes Bruce an outside the box thinker with proposals that will defy the standard mold of political thinking.]
Canada is our largest trading partner. Still, there is no quick, safe route to truck goods east - west across Maine. Such a highway would efficiently connect Downeast Maine and the Canadian Maritimes to our western border en route to Quebec, Montreal, and Detroit/Chicago. It could also serve as a utility corridor to transport, for example, electricity and natural gas. This project would generate hundreds of Maine jobs for several years. It would also facilitate increased international trade across our State with untold new businesses and jobs. Our next state government should closely examine this economic development opportunity.
[Expanding the flights to other major destinations such as Quebec is another priority. Overall I personally see Bruce looking to expand business in Maine by turning the state into the entry/exit hub for Canada and U.S. trade, businesses, jobs. Big picture thinking and long-term thinking is what Maine needs to end our annual festival of the fiscal crisis. Bruce has the mind-set and experience that gives him the big picture view for Maine.]
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Now I want to point out something Bruce Poliquin mentioned a lot:
Create a Positive Attitude Toward Business Development and Jobs.
The reason this makes him unique is because no other candidate notices that Mainers have become so used to the corruption and scandal of Augusta that a non-government solution is almost heresy. I hear so many people listen on the news about anything and everything and say the following:
Why doesn't the government do something about that?
In Maine it seems thinking of a business as anything other than "a place where we work for a rich guy who does nothing and I do all the work" makes you a rich guy yourself who doesn't care about the poor. Trust me, volunteering with Amnest International and the Civil Rights Team at Bangor High (until my transfer to the Alternative Ed) surrounded me with people with that thought process. When we lined up for a political spectrum self determination liberals were at the window and conservatives were near the door. They ran out of room by the window and were three rows deep. I was in the hallway. I never heard the end of that one.
So what is Bruce doing proposing such a thing? He is preparing us for a better system. The government system hasn't worked, and he is bringing in a business system. Yet in order for it to work we have to actually believe it will work. While government supporters need to pull heart strings, use name calling and threats, and incorrectly spell Colombia when talking about free trade agreements in order to prove their points Bruce Poliquin only uses common sense.
While common sense may not be so common, it is easily acquired. That is why he only needs to emphasize a positive attitude about businesses development and jobs. The rest is common sense to most people. Yet, if it isn't said most people just won't think of it and when they go to the ballot box won't know which candidate truly represents common sense.
The results so far: success. Bruce has such appeal based only on common sense that I've got people saying they will vote Republican for the first or second time in their life because of Bruce Poliquin's honesty and common sense.
Now, for those of you seeking more information you can go to his campaign website at:
www.bruceforme.com
Those waiting for the Rosa Scarcelli jobs proposal I am doing some further research of my own to determine if some of her ideas are suitable for the current economic climate. Overall she is very impressive even if on the other side of the political spectrum.
Monday, December 28, 2009
"Interview with a not-so-average Joe" Prelude
I have sent the following request to a person of great interest to few, yet with a wealth of knowledge greater than many:
I approach your greatness with a request to interview you for the purposes of free expression of multiple viewpoints on my blog. Since my interview with Lynne Williams fell through with her complete and total silence, I seek to interview you. The topics I will be interested in will be Iceland (particularly your knowledge of its historical cultures), Easter Island, and any temple based upon now lost documents in India.
Email (alright, facebook) request over. That's right folks, I am a man of only the most professional of practices.
I approach your greatness with a request to interview you for the purposes of free expression of multiple viewpoints on my blog. Since my interview with Lynne Williams fell through with her complete and total silence, I seek to interview you. The topics I will be interested in will be Iceland (particularly your knowledge of its historical cultures), Easter Island, and any temple based upon now lost documents in India.
Email (alright, facebook) request over. That's right folks, I am a man of only the most professional of practices.
Green Revolution Update
I know many are wondering why I have not posted on the Iranian situation (mostly because of your emails). While events are continuing, and deaths are increasing, as of yet there is no visible change. The protests themselves was a change, but they have yet to take the next step. For what I see in the movement is just a willingness to make themselves sheep to the slaughter, and until they move to become wolves themselves and take their country and their freedom back no further stories about this uprising will occur. They need to know what they want and get what they want. Peaceful reform does not seem to be working, as the Iranian government is already using violence beyond what took place in America during the civil rights movement.
If you want freedom you must make yourself free. First know what removes your freedom: is it the one who gives orders or bullets? Which one is to blame ultimately for your oppression? Target the source of oppression first, and that will limit the bloodshed that oppression brings to you.
If bloodshed is limited, stick with peace. Yet for Iran, peace has not worked. To be treated as a savage means you must become a savage to become free. In the chaos of violence is held the chaos of freedom- freedom being the peaceful result of liberating violence. Do not mistake my words for that of a radical. I am not endorsing violence against any non-violent or democratic government. I am saying a regime taking away freedoms with no legitimate elective system that uses violence and oppression to maintain power is deserving of a violent response by the oppressed. It is their only way to gain a just freedom in Iran. In this situation, these events, I endorse violent action. It is only in this circumstance, my viewpoint is not the same for Thailand, or Egypt. Certainly not for America. In Europe, only Belarus is oppressive yet a movement for freedom must take place before a fight for freedom.
If you want freedom you must make yourself free. First know what removes your freedom: is it the one who gives orders or bullets? Which one is to blame ultimately for your oppression? Target the source of oppression first, and that will limit the bloodshed that oppression brings to you.
If bloodshed is limited, stick with peace. Yet for Iran, peace has not worked. To be treated as a savage means you must become a savage to become free. In the chaos of violence is held the chaos of freedom- freedom being the peaceful result of liberating violence. Do not mistake my words for that of a radical. I am not endorsing violence against any non-violent or democratic government. I am saying a regime taking away freedoms with no legitimate elective system that uses violence and oppression to maintain power is deserving of a violent response by the oppressed. It is their only way to gain a just freedom in Iran. In this situation, these events, I endorse violent action. It is only in this circumstance, my viewpoint is not the same for Thailand, or Egypt. Certainly not for America. In Europe, only Belarus is oppressive yet a movement for freedom must take place before a fight for freedom.
E-Mail Mysteries Continue
A while back I got an email from Al Franken, and I was confused as to how I got on his email list. Well, going back through I have registered officially for only two email updates: from the former campaign website obama.com and from the White House email list. Somehow I have now received emails from "democracyinaction" and "Communities Standing Together".
Add this to a small email faux pas conducted by Lynne William's campaign in which all email receivers saw the email of everyone else who got the email, after having someone who supports Lynne use their own email to send the message instead of using an official Lynne Williams campaign member email.
I guarantee that any campaign I am part of shall always respect the privacy of all supporters and not engage in such activities which would reveal your information to anyone you do not approve to have see it.
In other news, I was hoping against hope that my special interview with Lynne Williams (yes, I try to represent as many sides as possible, now stop staring at this sentence with your mouth open). Due to schedule issues we couldn't meet in person, so we agreed (two weeks ago) to have an email interview. I send questions, she sends responses. Well, we corresponded frequently about the interview and then once I sent it, I have received no response. So, tomorrow (as tonight I will admit defeat to the pull of sleep) I shall post my review of the Bruce Poliquin issues and Rosa Scarcelli jobs proposal.
Add this to a small email faux pas conducted by Lynne William's campaign in which all email receivers saw the email of everyone else who got the email, after having someone who supports Lynne use their own email to send the message instead of using an official Lynne Williams campaign member email.
I guarantee that any campaign I am part of shall always respect the privacy of all supporters and not engage in such activities which would reveal your information to anyone you do not approve to have see it.
In other news, I was hoping against hope that my special interview with Lynne Williams (yes, I try to represent as many sides as possible, now stop staring at this sentence with your mouth open). Due to schedule issues we couldn't meet in person, so we agreed (two weeks ago) to have an email interview. I send questions, she sends responses. Well, we corresponded frequently about the interview and then once I sent it, I have received no response. So, tomorrow (as tonight I will admit defeat to the pull of sleep) I shall post my review of the Bruce Poliquin issues and Rosa Scarcelli jobs proposal.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The betrayal was not intentional
It was forced by unkind fate
Yet it was hidden by feelings of fear
And justice never came
As the sky looks upon my soul
I stare up unaware of the toll
Waiting for the day the pain will end
And I will finally begin to mend
Justice is a lie we invent
To approve our excuses true
Yet with all the energy spent
True can never break through
I can not understand
Those who have no plan
As they have no purpose
And leave once in the hearse
Do it now
Say it now
You agree finally
You can see
Do it now
Say it now
You agree finally
You know you can see
You don't have to talk
Just look into my eyes
Justice still is denied
Yet we just go for a walk
Looking to the houses
Seeing stars in background
Talking of truths
None can take away
Attacked by forces beyond our control
Pedal faster than the attacker
Laugh in joy for your savior
Sacrafice nothing for love
Wading through the tall grasses
We enjoy what lacks in the masses
Knowledge of them all
That they live yet can't see
We observe
They suffer
We see
They stumble
We live
They die
Why?
It was forced by unkind fate
Yet it was hidden by feelings of fear
And justice never came
As the sky looks upon my soul
I stare up unaware of the toll
Waiting for the day the pain will end
And I will finally begin to mend
Justice is a lie we invent
To approve our excuses true
Yet with all the energy spent
True can never break through
I can not understand
Those who have no plan
As they have no purpose
And leave once in the hearse
Do it now
Say it now
You agree finally
You can see
Do it now
Say it now
You agree finally
You know you can see
You don't have to talk
Just look into my eyes
Justice still is denied
Yet we just go for a walk
Looking to the houses
Seeing stars in background
Talking of truths
None can take away
Attacked by forces beyond our control
Pedal faster than the attacker
Laugh in joy for your savior
Sacrafice nothing for love
Wading through the tall grasses
We enjoy what lacks in the masses
Knowledge of them all
That they live yet can't see
We observe
They suffer
We see
They stumble
We live
They die
Why?
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Was that too alarming?
Perhaps calling my life an emergency in my now deleted post was a little over the top. I'm taking the next two weeks off to do paperwork and celebrate Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Anti-Israel Propaganda Also Anti-American Because It Is All Anti-West
I recently mentioned how quickly a global response against Israel would form should Israel strike Iran. As evidence the reaction to the U.S. air strike against militants has instantly been declared a genocidal act against civilians by Iranian state TV, Houthi rebels, Al Qaeda, left-leaning blogs and news agencies in the U.S., and the opposition party in Yemen. All within 24 hours, and for an incident taking place in Yemen this is way too soon to confirm anything of the status of those killed. Yet, the international and leftist movement in America have already declared this another reason to take away Obama's Nobel Peace Prize.
Should Israel strike Iran this same network of international anti-West media outlets will claim war crimes as well with only the accusations of Hamas, Hezbolla, Syrian, and Iranian controlled media outlets. It will quickly be picked up by various sources elsewhere around the world and actual journalism will be thrown out the window so that the race to be the first to report a news story, no matter how illegitimate, will be won.
Should Israel strike Iran this same network of international anti-West media outlets will claim war crimes as well with only the accusations of Hamas, Hezbolla, Syrian, and Iranian controlled media outlets. It will quickly be picked up by various sources elsewhere around the world and actual journalism will be thrown out the window so that the race to be the first to report a news story, no matter how illegitimate, will be won.
Candidate Website Update
I was preparing a special addition to the review of Bruce Poliquin and Rosa Scarcelli's campaign websites and currently there has been a delay in getting the second half prepared (this is what I get for relying on other people, if you want something done you have to do it yourself).
So, Monday I will post regardless of having the extra piece ready.
So, Monday I will post regardless of having the extra piece ready.
Health Care Request
I just got an email asking me why I don't write more about the health care back and forth in the senate. Quite simply I don't find corruption as worthy of headlines as they are of prosecutions. Being neither a lawyer or a judge I find the scandal of the "Louisiana Purchase" or the "Nebraska Medicare Payment Exemption While Getting Full Medicare Benefits" (sorry, haven't found a good name for this deal yet) to be just another failure of our system. The failures are so numerous I feel everyone knows about them already. If they don't, they probably won't be reading this blog anyway.
Every earmark, every vote getting deal, every campaign fundraiser connection, every tax cheat, every diplomatic screw up, and every marriage betrayal is common news. Our leaders are not just imperfect for the job but unfit for society. I don't think anyone disagrees with this. That is why for some reason we keep sending them to the prison known as Washington D.C. so they can continue to be housed, fed, and isolated from society by our tax dollars.
Guantanimo Bay just selectively tortured prisoners of war. Washington D.C. tortures every single American in every aspect of our lives by irritating our senses; especially our common sense. What the guards of this prison don't seem to understand is we could easily send the corrupt packing at any election.
We all know they are not doing the job they are supposed to. So why do we keep hiring them? Lets send the ones we got to a maximum security for their continued crimes and let some new prisoners enter D.C. for early release on good behavior.
Every earmark, every vote getting deal, every campaign fundraiser connection, every tax cheat, every diplomatic screw up, and every marriage betrayal is common news. Our leaders are not just imperfect for the job but unfit for society. I don't think anyone disagrees with this. That is why for some reason we keep sending them to the prison known as Washington D.C. so they can continue to be housed, fed, and isolated from society by our tax dollars.
Guantanimo Bay just selectively tortured prisoners of war. Washington D.C. tortures every single American in every aspect of our lives by irritating our senses; especially our common sense. What the guards of this prison don't seem to understand is we could easily send the corrupt packing at any election.
We all know they are not doing the job they are supposed to. So why do we keep hiring them? Lets send the ones we got to a maximum security for their continued crimes and let some new prisoners enter D.C. for early release on good behavior.
U.S. Bombs Yemen Militants
The Al-Qaeda in Yemen has been attacked via drones by the U.S. Obama ordered the attack under knowledge an attack against U.S. interests was imminent from that area.
Details of the attack are limited right now and the only sources are non-independent reports (Press TV, Examiner, Yemen government) and claims of success (or genocide) can not be confirmed.
Since 2006 (yes, 2006 again, it was a good year for me, what can I say?) I have been aware of Yemen as an unstable country with enemies to the U.S. I also said we will have to take action within Yemen's borders to resolve the long running civil war.
No matter how arrogant, pious, self-absorbed it may sound it never gets old:
I told you so.
Details of the attack are limited right now and the only sources are non-independent reports (Press TV, Examiner, Yemen government) and claims of success (or genocide) can not be confirmed.
Since 2006 (yes, 2006 again, it was a good year for me, what can I say?) I have been aware of Yemen as an unstable country with enemies to the U.S. I also said we will have to take action within Yemen's borders to resolve the long running civil war.
No matter how arrogant, pious, self-absorbed it may sound it never gets old:
I told you so.
Iran Invades Iraq 1
Over the years Iran and Iraq have not had good border relations, and the border itself has been violated many times. So I am going to start tracking border incidents from now on.
On Thursday some Iranian troops took over an oil well in Iraq near the border in Southern Iraq.
Oil well No. 4 was taken over by 11 Iranian troops. Iraqi forces are massing a kilometer (about half a mile) away.
Iran rejected the claim before admitting it and then claiming the well as Iranian.
Ongoing situation, do keep track as no word from Israel yet.
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/iraqi-troops-in-standoff-247318.html
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gYiU_MRlReyRg2CPjdoSTJlUpcoQ
On Thursday some Iranian troops took over an oil well in Iraq near the border in Southern Iraq.
Oil well No. 4 was taken over by 11 Iranian troops. Iraqi forces are massing a kilometer (about half a mile) away.
Iran rejected the claim before admitting it and then claiming the well as Iranian.
Ongoing situation, do keep track as no word from Israel yet.
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/iraqi-troops-in-standoff-247318.html
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gYiU_MRlReyRg2CPjdoSTJlUpcoQ
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Fundraiser
I have zero reservations after a week of considering this post. The reason is I have put my efforts into knowing the candidates positions and qualifications and a while ago I determined for myself that Bruce Poliquin is qualified and represents my Reagan-based values the best of all the candidates.
Now, I have shared my findings with my readers over the past year (yes, it has been a long journey already). If you are not informed I suggest you scroll down and follow the links to the candidates websites and read up. If you are informed you have made your conclusions about which candidates you support. While Rosa Scarcelli and a few others have fundraisers going on right now, Bruce Poliquin has a $24 dollar campaign ongoing until the end of the year.
Why tell you about it? Because right now the preparations for the primary are coming. While I could make the case for Bruce right now I doubt it would change your mind. So all I can do is suggest that if you support him you follow the link at the bottom and show your support for his message and efforts to become governor. You could also become a volunteer, even more important than a cash donor, and follow the second link to join the Bruce Brigade.
The choice is up to you but considering who we could end up with I think you will want to make sure your candidate is the victor this election and for those who support Bruce this is your chance to do so.
For the $24 donation:
https://secure.qgiv.com/cps_donors/index.php?key=poliquinmg
For the Bruce Brigade:
http://www.bruceforme.com/index.php/volunteer_register/
For Bruce's main website:
www.bruceforme.com
Now, I have shared my findings with my readers over the past year (yes, it has been a long journey already). If you are not informed I suggest you scroll down and follow the links to the candidates websites and read up. If you are informed you have made your conclusions about which candidates you support. While Rosa Scarcelli and a few others have fundraisers going on right now, Bruce Poliquin has a $24 dollar campaign ongoing until the end of the year.
Why tell you about it? Because right now the preparations for the primary are coming. While I could make the case for Bruce right now I doubt it would change your mind. So all I can do is suggest that if you support him you follow the link at the bottom and show your support for his message and efforts to become governor. You could also become a volunteer, even more important than a cash donor, and follow the second link to join the Bruce Brigade.
The choice is up to you but considering who we could end up with I think you will want to make sure your candidate is the victor this election and for those who support Bruce this is your chance to do so.
For the $24 donation:
https://secure.qgiv.com/cps_donors/index.php?key=poliquinmg
For the Bruce Brigade:
http://www.bruceforme.com/index.php/volunteer_register/
For Bruce's main website:
www.bruceforme.com
Another Israel Centered Conflict
Despite the posturing, years of defiance and threatening to destroy Israel, evidence of a nuclear weapons program, proven aid to the Taliban in Afghanistan and Al Qaeda in Iraq, the coming war with Iran will be blamed on Israel. First, how do I know there will be a war?
Israel has been quiet. The leadership was vocal about Hamas and Hezbollah and Iran for months, and now for the exception of the deal to release Shalit (a soldier captured by Hamas) the leadership is quiet. Look through the past offensives and you will see a lead up of six months where four months were usually diplomatic and calling for international action. Then the headlines drop down with the news of increased activity by Hamas, Hezbolla, or whoever the attacker may be but it is not acted upon by the world.
Well, the past couple of weeks more rockets have been falling on Israel. Israel has done the usual voicing of complaint but has not turned to the international community this time.
So why would a war with Iran become an Israeli centered conflict? Israeli forces would occupy Gaza, tank divisions would capture Damascus, and Southern Lebanon would see increased air attacks and possibly Israeli special forces operations. This on top of the Israeli air strikes in Iran which would be the primary reason for starting the conflict: Iran's nuclear program. Yet, that would pale in comparison to the actual tug of war battles Israel's ground forces would be waging.
The second Israel strikes Iran has a global network of nations willing to instantly declare Israel the wrong doer, while the West will wait to see if it was justified. Such an instant reaction will certainly play against Israel in the UN and in global opinion. This is simply because world leaders, no matter how ridiculous their statements, are always listened to more than a logical observer. Such leaders will also charge war crimes just in the fact that the casualties are "disproportionate" to the nations other than Israel, disregarding any logical explanation (Israel has better training, equipment, the fighting is taking place in non-Israeli territory, ect.)
At first Israel will be victorious as they will probably be conducting this as a preemptive strike and have the element of surprise. However the U.S. leadership may be wary of having Iranian forces flowing into an already difficult situation in Afghanistan and/or destabilizing Iraq. Such fears could lead to neutrality or a limited bombing campaign only along any position of Iranian offensives against the U.S. With U.S. leadership in doubt the world will look to the other viewpoint for leadership, and that would be anti-Israel.
So at first the global opinion will be shock, but by the third day headlines will be anti-Israel. By the end of the week accusations of war crimes will be so numerous in the chaos of war that Israel will be condemned without the truth being known. Israel will be left an equal to any regime of oppression by the end of the month after the conflict begins. I have no idea how long the war will last but the sooner it ends the better for Israel because that would mean the sooner the truth and investigations to Israel's innocence can begin to repair a global anti-Israel spike.
Israel has been quiet. The leadership was vocal about Hamas and Hezbollah and Iran for months, and now for the exception of the deal to release Shalit (a soldier captured by Hamas) the leadership is quiet. Look through the past offensives and you will see a lead up of six months where four months were usually diplomatic and calling for international action. Then the headlines drop down with the news of increased activity by Hamas, Hezbolla, or whoever the attacker may be but it is not acted upon by the world.
Well, the past couple of weeks more rockets have been falling on Israel. Israel has done the usual voicing of complaint but has not turned to the international community this time.
So why would a war with Iran become an Israeli centered conflict? Israeli forces would occupy Gaza, tank divisions would capture Damascus, and Southern Lebanon would see increased air attacks and possibly Israeli special forces operations. This on top of the Israeli air strikes in Iran which would be the primary reason for starting the conflict: Iran's nuclear program. Yet, that would pale in comparison to the actual tug of war battles Israel's ground forces would be waging.
The second Israel strikes Iran has a global network of nations willing to instantly declare Israel the wrong doer, while the West will wait to see if it was justified. Such an instant reaction will certainly play against Israel in the UN and in global opinion. This is simply because world leaders, no matter how ridiculous their statements, are always listened to more than a logical observer. Such leaders will also charge war crimes just in the fact that the casualties are "disproportionate" to the nations other than Israel, disregarding any logical explanation (Israel has better training, equipment, the fighting is taking place in non-Israeli territory, ect.)
At first Israel will be victorious as they will probably be conducting this as a preemptive strike and have the element of surprise. However the U.S. leadership may be wary of having Iranian forces flowing into an already difficult situation in Afghanistan and/or destabilizing Iraq. Such fears could lead to neutrality or a limited bombing campaign only along any position of Iranian offensives against the U.S. With U.S. leadership in doubt the world will look to the other viewpoint for leadership, and that would be anti-Israel.
So at first the global opinion will be shock, but by the third day headlines will be anti-Israel. By the end of the week accusations of war crimes will be so numerous in the chaos of war that Israel will be condemned without the truth being known. Israel will be left an equal to any regime of oppression by the end of the month after the conflict begins. I have no idea how long the war will last but the sooner it ends the better for Israel because that would mean the sooner the truth and investigations to Israel's innocence can begin to repair a global anti-Israel spike.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Copenhagen Violence
230 more violent environmentalists have been arrested in Denmark. Carry on everyone nothing to see here....just violent environmentalists.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Clean Elections Discussion
To begin I only have questions to those who support clean election funding:
Is a system which allows different rules for different candidates a fair system?
How much money should be given to political campaigns by a government 400 million dollars in debt?
Is a system which allows different rules for different candidates a fair system?
How much money should be given to political campaigns by a government 400 million dollars in debt?
Monday, December 14, 2009
Israel Solution
Just a quick thought: how about we have Gaza become part of Israel and move all Gaza residents to the West Bank. In return, Israel will remove all settlements from the West Bank. The issue of Jerusalem will sadly still be an impossible road block, but it would end the Gaza issue and the settlement issue for most of the West Bank. Jerusalem is still the sticking point because there is no city of equal value in the West Bank.
Jerusalem Solution?
Could it be possible to declare Jerusalem neutral, while dividing it equally right down the middle of the city while the Old City area is internationally monitored? What I mean is have the borders of Jerusalem be the furthest extent of either Israel and Palestine and have the city be divided 50/50 in territory where Palestinians get half, and Israelis get half, and the Old City be managed by, dare I even say it, the UN. Have all construction in the Old City that has begun finished, with no new construction. The "border" in the city should be divided along the easiest natural boundaries or by neighborhood.
Now the issue will be certain neighborhoods will be seen as important to one side or the other- tough luck. Get on your own side or hope your new neighbors are friendly. Sure, it won't be pleasant, and for a while there will be a bad aftertaste but a generation of bad feelings for a solution to a ten thousand year old problem sounds like a good deal.
I like to call this the True Two State Solution.
Jerusalem Solution?
Could it be possible to declare Jerusalem neutral, while dividing it equally right down the middle of the city while the Old City area is internationally monitored? What I mean is have the borders of Jerusalem be the furthest extent of either Israel and Palestine and have the city be divided 50/50 in territory where Palestinians get half, and Israelis get half, and the Old City be managed by, dare I even say it, the UN. Have all construction in the Old City that has begun finished, with no new construction. The "border" in the city should be divided along the easiest natural boundaries or by neighborhood.
Now the issue will be certain neighborhoods will be seen as important to one side or the other- tough luck. Get on your own side or hope your new neighbors are friendly. Sure, it won't be pleasant, and for a while there will be a bad aftertaste but a generation of bad feelings for a solution to a ten thousand year old problem sounds like a good deal.
I like to call this the True Two State Solution.
The Race for Governor - Green Party
-Lynne Williams-
As her opponent has an inactive campaign it seems she will be the front-runner for the Green Party. Her website was difficult to analyze due to the existence of common sense within my veins.
To summarize:
Water should be free.
Health care should be a single payer system (Socialism).
Support of charter schools and opposition to consolidation.
The labor issues is simply represented by SEIU and ALF-CIO conference declarations. SEIU, if you shall remember, are the Purple Shirts. Followers of this blog will remember how I said Unions were becoming political, or maybe they won't. Go back a few months and read up folks.
As her opponent has an inactive campaign it seems she will be the front-runner for the Green Party. Her website was difficult to analyze due to the existence of common sense within my veins.
To summarize:
Water should be free.
Health care should be a single payer system (Socialism).
Support of charter schools and opposition to consolidation.
The labor issues is simply represented by SEIU and ALF-CIO conference declarations. SEIU, if you shall remember, are the Purple Shirts. Followers of this blog will remember how I said Unions were becoming political, or maybe they won't. Go back a few months and read up folks.
The Race for Governor - Republican Candidates
As I would be clearly biased towards some of these candidates I am streamlining my opinions down to nothing and outlining only the proposals of the candidates through direct quotes of their respective websites:
-Paul Lepage-
I strongly support repeal of all new sales taxes.
The jobs that our state needs are not the kind that can be created by our governor, state legislature or any other government entity.
I will oppose any effort to undermine traditional values in our great state.
Overall he needs more detail and on more issues.
-Peter Mills-
Until we have funded our binding promises, our budget motto must be, “Pay as you go or do without.”
School based health clinics.
Affordable dental clinics in which patients contribute to the cost of their own care.
Rural Health Centers where patients pay a sliding scale fee.
Use of our charity care hospitals as outreach agents for public health.
Nutrition and health education.
Although conservation is crucial, cheaper power is even more important.
While covering a lot of issues he has very few actual proposals. Health care is his strongest issue.
-Les Otten-
Ultimately, if Maine declares energy independence, and takes meaningful steps in that direction, the industry will follow.
Otten has a lot of philosophy with little specifics. The line above I feel shows the empty promises Otten has. He may be good at politics but not, I feel, as a common sense leader. Declaring energy independence does not mean you will automatically become energy independent. He does not detail the steps to take either. However, it sounds nice so he uses it. Otten is politics as usual.
-Matt Jacobson-
Note: I am quoting as directly as possible, but not using everything so this is not meant to be connecting.
That includes eliminating Maine’s costly corporate income tax, and streamlining state permitting and regulatory approval processes. I also will establish a Governor’s Opportunity Fund that would earmark money for grants or loans to help attract new companies and create new jobs.
I will push for a business cost-matching tax credit that would keep other states from recruiting away our Maine businesses. And let’s finally make a meaningful change to keep our people in Maine: we will eliminate the state’s punitive estate tax and the income tax on military retiree pensions.
[A] 100% seed tax credit [for new businesses].
That includes mandating that decisions on regulatory applications must be made within 120 days, and that routine business applications will be decided in 48 hours or less.
We will also eliminate the state income tax on the earnings of active duty military personnel to keep these families in Maine.
[A high capacity power line from Canada to the rest of New England. This will create income from infrastructure for the state of Maine along with cheaper energy.]
[E]nd Dirigo Health.
Overall Jacobson has a good balance of specifics and philosophy. While much revolves around reducing taxes (and specific taxes at that) his proposal for a major electrical line connecting Canada to the rest of New England is one of the few gems out there among politicians. I recommend businesses and the government to look at that proposal with or without these candidates.
-Bruce Poliquin-
While the other candidates had comparatively short issue examinations, Bruce is similar to Rosa Scarcelli in sheer amount of coverage. While his is not as lengthy as hers it is comparable across the ten issues he focuses on. The big picture ten point plan of Bruce Poliquin is as follows:
1. Create a Positive Attitude Toward Business Development and Jobs.
2. Carefully Reduce State Spending to National Averages or Less.
3. Lower Taxes to National Averages or Less.
4. Audit Sate Programs, Departments, and Agencies to Improve Efficiencies.
5. Promote Competition Among Health Care Insurance Companies to Lower Premium Costs.
6. Improve Education System to Better Prepare Students for College and Beyond.
7. Simplify Business Regulations to Create New Jobs.
8. Complete Infrastructure to Enhance Our Quality of Life.
9. Aggresively Pursue Strategies to Lower Energy Costs.
10. Protect Our Environment while Promoting Job Creation.
The plan is really a set of goals, but I suppose that is always the last chapter of a plan. His other 9 website pages covers the detailed proposals he has and I will cover them, Scarcelli's Jobs proposal websites in full before the end of the week.
-Republican Party-
Matt Jacobson
http://www.jacobsonforgovernor.com/
Paul LePage
http://www.lepage2010.com/
Peter Mills
http://www.millsformaine.com/
Les Otten
http://www.lesotten.com/
Bruce Poliquin
http://www.bruceforme.com/
J. Martin Vachon
"I am the only candidate who will reverse the trend of social decay that threatens our civilization." -Note: I like civilization, I just don't think the position of governor is the best place to achieve an end to social decay.
-Paul Lepage-
I strongly support repeal of all new sales taxes.
The jobs that our state needs are not the kind that can be created by our governor, state legislature or any other government entity.
I will oppose any effort to undermine traditional values in our great state.
Overall he needs more detail and on more issues.
-Peter Mills-
Until we have funded our binding promises, our budget motto must be, “Pay as you go or do without.”
School based health clinics.
Affordable dental clinics in which patients contribute to the cost of their own care.
Rural Health Centers where patients pay a sliding scale fee.
Use of our charity care hospitals as outreach agents for public health.
Nutrition and health education.
Although conservation is crucial, cheaper power is even more important.
While covering a lot of issues he has very few actual proposals. Health care is his strongest issue.
-Les Otten-
Ultimately, if Maine declares energy independence, and takes meaningful steps in that direction, the industry will follow.
Otten has a lot of philosophy with little specifics. The line above I feel shows the empty promises Otten has. He may be good at politics but not, I feel, as a common sense leader. Declaring energy independence does not mean you will automatically become energy independent. He does not detail the steps to take either. However, it sounds nice so he uses it. Otten is politics as usual.
-Matt Jacobson-
Note: I am quoting as directly as possible, but not using everything so this is not meant to be connecting.
That includes eliminating Maine’s costly corporate income tax, and streamlining state permitting and regulatory approval processes. I also will establish a Governor’s Opportunity Fund that would earmark money for grants or loans to help attract new companies and create new jobs.
I will push for a business cost-matching tax credit that would keep other states from recruiting away our Maine businesses. And let’s finally make a meaningful change to keep our people in Maine: we will eliminate the state’s punitive estate tax and the income tax on military retiree pensions.
[A] 100% seed tax credit [for new businesses].
That includes mandating that decisions on regulatory applications must be made within 120 days, and that routine business applications will be decided in 48 hours or less.
We will also eliminate the state income tax on the earnings of active duty military personnel to keep these families in Maine.
[A high capacity power line from Canada to the rest of New England. This will create income from infrastructure for the state of Maine along with cheaper energy.]
[E]nd Dirigo Health.
Overall Jacobson has a good balance of specifics and philosophy. While much revolves around reducing taxes (and specific taxes at that) his proposal for a major electrical line connecting Canada to the rest of New England is one of the few gems out there among politicians. I recommend businesses and the government to look at that proposal with or without these candidates.
-Bruce Poliquin-
While the other candidates had comparatively short issue examinations, Bruce is similar to Rosa Scarcelli in sheer amount of coverage. While his is not as lengthy as hers it is comparable across the ten issues he focuses on. The big picture ten point plan of Bruce Poliquin is as follows:
1. Create a Positive Attitude Toward Business Development and Jobs.
2. Carefully Reduce State Spending to National Averages or Less.
3. Lower Taxes to National Averages or Less.
4. Audit Sate Programs, Departments, and Agencies to Improve Efficiencies.
5. Promote Competition Among Health Care Insurance Companies to Lower Premium Costs.
6. Improve Education System to Better Prepare Students for College and Beyond.
7. Simplify Business Regulations to Create New Jobs.
8. Complete Infrastructure to Enhance Our Quality of Life.
9. Aggresively Pursue Strategies to Lower Energy Costs.
10. Protect Our Environment while Promoting Job Creation.
The plan is really a set of goals, but I suppose that is always the last chapter of a plan. His other 9 website pages covers the detailed proposals he has and I will cover them, Scarcelli's Jobs proposal websites in full before the end of the week.
-Republican Party-
Matt Jacobson
http://www.jacobsonforgovernor.com/
Paul LePage
http://www.lepage2010.com/
Peter Mills
http://www.millsformaine.com/
Les Otten
http://www.lesotten.com/
Bruce Poliquin
http://www.bruceforme.com/
J. Martin Vachon
"I am the only candidate who will reverse the trend of social decay that threatens our civilization." -Note: I like civilization, I just don't think the position of governor is the best place to achieve an end to social decay.
The Race for Governor - Independent Candidate Websites
As only two of the candidates running as independents have worthwhile websites, I shall review them next.
-Eliot Cutler-
His strategy page lays out the proposals which stand out the most. An independent candidate appeals to me because they are not burdened by political affiliation. So his first proposal to lower the cost of electricity is to create:
"Maine Energy Resources, a publicly-owned business chartered to operate as a public power authority, will use low-cost, tax-exempt capital to generate electricity throughout Maine from our renewable resources and will accelerate the development of clean and low-cost electricity in Maine. Maine Energy Resources will invest in energy efficiency in Maine and will enter into public-private partnerships with energy entrepreneurs. Maine Energy Resources will not export electricity out of state, because an important part of its mission will be to put the electricity to work in Maine. "
An exact proposal outlining its function is something few of the Democratic candidates did. However, two of his three health care ideas lack detail while his third will make many disregard him completely on the issue:
"We will reward healthy behaviors and pay for healthy outcomes, de-emphasizing payments for procedures as much as possible, because many of the diseases we pay to treat are preventable."
To turn on those who need treatment is a hard pill most Mainers are not going to swallow. However he makes up for it by taking the initiative to (if for a good purpose) expand the government in order to reduce its overall size:
"As governor, I personally will chair a commission similar to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC), which the federal government uses to determine which military bases to keep or to close. This commission will review all state programs and agencies, and within a year will make a series of recommendations to make state government more innovative, more efficient and less costly. I will present those recommendations to the Legislature as a single package, and on behalf of the taxpayers of Maine I will ask the Legislature for a simple “yes or no” vote."
I personally feel we have the resources and knowledge to close some programs already (Dirigo health care) this would help us find the little things that serve no purpose. Much of the remainder of that part of Eliot's website is explaining the economic philosophy behind his proposals. This is a unique approach only done by Rosa Scarcelli so far. Most candidates just throw philosophy out there with no proposals to support it, or vice-versa.
-John Whitcomb-
I feel John is sending the message of everyone who is fed up with the government and politicians not doing what they say they will do. He is venting and while lacking any substantial proposal is promoting common sense. I feel the only drawbacks to his campaign will be the lack of experience and specifics along with a low name recognition.
-Independents-
Samme Bailey
"I'm not qualified".
Eliot Cutler
http://www.cutler2010.com/
Augustus Edgerton
Not Found.
Alex Hammer
Anyone who knows him knows why I didn't give the link.
Beverly Cooper-Pete
Not found.
John Whitcomb
http://whitcombformaine.com/
-Eliot Cutler-
His strategy page lays out the proposals which stand out the most. An independent candidate appeals to me because they are not burdened by political affiliation. So his first proposal to lower the cost of electricity is to create:
"Maine Energy Resources, a publicly-owned business chartered to operate as a public power authority, will use low-cost, tax-exempt capital to generate electricity throughout Maine from our renewable resources and will accelerate the development of clean and low-cost electricity in Maine. Maine Energy Resources will invest in energy efficiency in Maine and will enter into public-private partnerships with energy entrepreneurs. Maine Energy Resources will not export electricity out of state, because an important part of its mission will be to put the electricity to work in Maine. "
An exact proposal outlining its function is something few of the Democratic candidates did. However, two of his three health care ideas lack detail while his third will make many disregard him completely on the issue:
"We will reward healthy behaviors and pay for healthy outcomes, de-emphasizing payments for procedures as much as possible, because many of the diseases we pay to treat are preventable."
To turn on those who need treatment is a hard pill most Mainers are not going to swallow. However he makes up for it by taking the initiative to (if for a good purpose) expand the government in order to reduce its overall size:
"As governor, I personally will chair a commission similar to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC), which the federal government uses to determine which military bases to keep or to close. This commission will review all state programs and agencies, and within a year will make a series of recommendations to make state government more innovative, more efficient and less costly. I will present those recommendations to the Legislature as a single package, and on behalf of the taxpayers of Maine I will ask the Legislature for a simple “yes or no” vote."
I personally feel we have the resources and knowledge to close some programs already (Dirigo health care) this would help us find the little things that serve no purpose. Much of the remainder of that part of Eliot's website is explaining the economic philosophy behind his proposals. This is a unique approach only done by Rosa Scarcelli so far. Most candidates just throw philosophy out there with no proposals to support it, or vice-versa.
-John Whitcomb-
I feel John is sending the message of everyone who is fed up with the government and politicians not doing what they say they will do. He is venting and while lacking any substantial proposal is promoting common sense. I feel the only drawbacks to his campaign will be the lack of experience and specifics along with a low name recognition.
-Independents-
Samme Bailey
"I'm not qualified".
Eliot Cutler
http://www.cutler2010.com/
Augustus Edgerton
Not Found.
Alex Hammer
Anyone who knows him knows why I didn't give the link.
Beverly Cooper-Pete
Not found.
John Whitcomb
http://whitcombformaine.com/
The Race for Governor - Democratic Candidate Websites
First of all I loaded all the websites at the same time for the Democratic candidates 5 times to determine which websites were most advanced or dial up friendly. The rank from fastest to slowest loading website is as follows:
*Note: I will never endorse or encourage a felon, particularly one who has committed felonies in relation to political campaign funding. That is why Peter Truman is not going to be examined in this.
1. Donna Dion
2. Libby Mitchell
3. John Richardson
4. Rosa Scarcelli
5. Steve Rowe
6. Dawn Hill
--The Websites--
-Donna Dion-
Donna Dion's website has an opening page requesting we give her money so that she can qualify for more money from the government (I.E. those of us who don't want to give our money willingly). Her ideas are not outstanding. To quote a summary of her ideas:
We can build from the blueprint to form a strong State structure that will carry all citizens forward to a better tomorrow.
Excerpt over. To clarify for those who can't pick it out:
We can form a strong State structure that will carry all citizens to tomorrow.
Clarification over. If you still don't see something wrong with that, move to Europe and live it for a few years.
She starts listing her ideas on the "blueprint for success" page and seems to get bored towards the last few making short three word issues. There are no actual proposals. As I read her website I see a running theme of the government controlling the workforce via schools and taxing of businesses.
-Libby Mitchell-
Libby Mitchell's website has no page for her ideas, never mind her proposals. It has a news and bio page, and a volunteer page. Her campaign is also taking government (I.E. our money) funds.
-John Richardson-
I often read, but find little value in the bio pages of candidates. John's page is long, and the part I find most interesting is the entire page is written in the third person.
His economic, environment, and alternative energy section focuses on preserving the "natural assets" of Maine. He gives no proposals on how to do so.
His ideas for small businesses is as follows: "I will reduce taxes on small business, contain healthcare costs, lower energy costs through new renewable energy sources, increase access to high-speed telecommunications and encourage innovation."
Now, lowering taxes is a good idea. Not a proposal. I inquire as to which tax should be lowered to candidates all the time and they say they will look at each when they get in office, or sometimes they stutter and admit defeat. However, it is an idea and a promise not often kept. The other parts of his ideas still have no proposals.
While saying he has a plan on health care, he actually doesn't give it.
The smarter government he proposes with no definition of smarter involves him examining how government works once he is in office. I say you should already know how government works before you get in office.
His ideas for school involve investing in teachers (with what? more money? more students?) and identifying the students with extra needs early on (with more teachers?). He never has any proposals on how to achieve any of this, and those questions I pose can be answered if he simply contacts me.
His transportation ideas revolve around investing in transportation. Investing here, and there, and everywhere is what his campaign seems to emphasize. Since he clearly hasn't seen the latest budget reports I feel he is not a good candidate for governor.
I was glad to see that John makes a point to let the readers know his ideas page will have more detailed positions soon. I shall keep you up to date when that occurs.
-Steve Rowe-
His page is appealing and direct to purpose. His website covers the most issues topically of all the Democratic candidates. However, this seems to be for nothing as while he is aware of the issues he has few proposals for them.
In agriculture a lengthy report is distinguished by nothing of substance. Perhaps the mentioning of agriculture as an industry to keep our youth in Maine after having them go to college is either a mistake or some form of unspoken enlightenment on his part. Unless the farms start paying six figures, a college graduate will not seek such a job.
In the choice section he supports abortion, yet considering it is a national standard set by the Supreme Court that is a non-issue for a governor.
His jobs and economy proposals are still non-existent. With repetitious talk of current industry as important assets while also saying we will move to the future seems flawed to me. One often thinks of the future as something different, rather than the same. Also mentioning cluster industry seems like a bad policy for such a rural state.
In education there is nothing new but politics.
Nor in Energy and Environment, Marine (fishing industries), Health Care, or Veterans pages.
He makes a point to encourage voters to vote No on 1, despite that election having come and passed.
He supports an increase in sales tax and lowering of income tax believing that most things purchased in Maine are bought by people from out of state. I'm sorry but the groceries are bought by Mainers.
Steve Rowe is a politician pure and simple. He does the lip service to appeal to whoever he wants to have vote for him, but is unoriginal and out of touch.
-Dawn Hill-
For some reason her website took forever to open on my computer in each of the tests, and it lacked anything of substance. There is no ideas page and it is the same as it was months ago with a promise to update soon.
-Rosa Scarcelli-
Note: I will report on her job ideas and proposals due to the amount of reading necessary to report on her page. It was very in depth. She has impressed me with the amount of thought and research placed into the reports she places forward. She is obviously not your standard politician. I will be giving my analysis sometime this week, but I instantly know her format is how politics should be: organized, transparent, full circle, and logical.
While she has only one report (Jobs) complete, the rest are previewed with standard political introductions. However, the opening sentences propose an outline of actual solutions:
-weatherize buildings
-cut the bureaucratic elements of education to make sure the money reaches the students (school consolidation without school closure it initially appears)
She stands out for several reasons:
-"Our goal isn't smaller government or bigger government, but dramatically better government."
Call me old fashioned, but I believe government should care for people and make their lives better.
-"I'm not one of those who thinks government is the sole problem or that everything government does is evil. But neither do I think that government has all the answers, or that it always does everything right."
That alone makes her one of the best candidates on the Democratic side of the election. She knows the limits of government and is not moving forward with a sense that government is always the solution or that business is always the solution. She is moving forward with common sense. While her personal belief favors the use of government she is willing to admit it has drawbacks. This is something I haven't seen from a Democratic candidate in Maine for a long time.
I encourage you to read further about the candidates and make your own decisions:
-Democratic Candidates-
Donna Dion
http://donnajdionforgovernor2010.com/
Dawn Hill
http://www.dawnhillforgovernor.com/
Elizabeth (Libby) Mitchell
http://www.libbymitchellforgovernor.com/
John Richardson
http://www.johnrichardsonformaine.com/
Steven Rowe
http://www.roweforgovernor.com/
Rosa Scarcelli
http://www.rosaformaine.com/home
Peter Truman
I do not support felons involvement in politics.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=282192∾=PHnws
*Note: I will never endorse or encourage a felon, particularly one who has committed felonies in relation to political campaign funding. That is why Peter Truman is not going to be examined in this.
1. Donna Dion
2. Libby Mitchell
3. John Richardson
4. Rosa Scarcelli
5. Steve Rowe
6. Dawn Hill
--The Websites--
-Donna Dion-
Donna Dion's website has an opening page requesting we give her money so that she can qualify for more money from the government (I.E. those of us who don't want to give our money willingly). Her ideas are not outstanding. To quote a summary of her ideas:
We can build from the blueprint to form a strong State structure that will carry all citizens forward to a better tomorrow.
Excerpt over. To clarify for those who can't pick it out:
We can form a strong State structure that will carry all citizens to tomorrow.
Clarification over. If you still don't see something wrong with that, move to Europe and live it for a few years.
She starts listing her ideas on the "blueprint for success" page and seems to get bored towards the last few making short three word issues. There are no actual proposals. As I read her website I see a running theme of the government controlling the workforce via schools and taxing of businesses.
-Libby Mitchell-
Libby Mitchell's website has no page for her ideas, never mind her proposals. It has a news and bio page, and a volunteer page. Her campaign is also taking government (I.E. our money) funds.
-John Richardson-
I often read, but find little value in the bio pages of candidates. John's page is long, and the part I find most interesting is the entire page is written in the third person.
His economic, environment, and alternative energy section focuses on preserving the "natural assets" of Maine. He gives no proposals on how to do so.
His ideas for small businesses is as follows: "I will reduce taxes on small business, contain healthcare costs, lower energy costs through new renewable energy sources, increase access to high-speed telecommunications and encourage innovation."
Now, lowering taxes is a good idea. Not a proposal. I inquire as to which tax should be lowered to candidates all the time and they say they will look at each when they get in office, or sometimes they stutter and admit defeat. However, it is an idea and a promise not often kept. The other parts of his ideas still have no proposals.
While saying he has a plan on health care, he actually doesn't give it.
The smarter government he proposes with no definition of smarter involves him examining how government works once he is in office. I say you should already know how government works before you get in office.
His ideas for school involve investing in teachers (with what? more money? more students?) and identifying the students with extra needs early on (with more teachers?). He never has any proposals on how to achieve any of this, and those questions I pose can be answered if he simply contacts me.
His transportation ideas revolve around investing in transportation. Investing here, and there, and everywhere is what his campaign seems to emphasize. Since he clearly hasn't seen the latest budget reports I feel he is not a good candidate for governor.
I was glad to see that John makes a point to let the readers know his ideas page will have more detailed positions soon. I shall keep you up to date when that occurs.
-Steve Rowe-
His page is appealing and direct to purpose. His website covers the most issues topically of all the Democratic candidates. However, this seems to be for nothing as while he is aware of the issues he has few proposals for them.
In agriculture a lengthy report is distinguished by nothing of substance. Perhaps the mentioning of agriculture as an industry to keep our youth in Maine after having them go to college is either a mistake or some form of unspoken enlightenment on his part. Unless the farms start paying six figures, a college graduate will not seek such a job.
In the choice section he supports abortion, yet considering it is a national standard set by the Supreme Court that is a non-issue for a governor.
His jobs and economy proposals are still non-existent. With repetitious talk of current industry as important assets while also saying we will move to the future seems flawed to me. One often thinks of the future as something different, rather than the same. Also mentioning cluster industry seems like a bad policy for such a rural state.
In education there is nothing new but politics.
Nor in Energy and Environment, Marine (fishing industries), Health Care, or Veterans pages.
He makes a point to encourage voters to vote No on 1, despite that election having come and passed.
He supports an increase in sales tax and lowering of income tax believing that most things purchased in Maine are bought by people from out of state. I'm sorry but the groceries are bought by Mainers.
Steve Rowe is a politician pure and simple. He does the lip service to appeal to whoever he wants to have vote for him, but is unoriginal and out of touch.
-Dawn Hill-
For some reason her website took forever to open on my computer in each of the tests, and it lacked anything of substance. There is no ideas page and it is the same as it was months ago with a promise to update soon.
-Rosa Scarcelli-
Note: I will report on her job ideas and proposals due to the amount of reading necessary to report on her page. It was very in depth. She has impressed me with the amount of thought and research placed into the reports she places forward. She is obviously not your standard politician. I will be giving my analysis sometime this week, but I instantly know her format is how politics should be: organized, transparent, full circle, and logical.
While she has only one report (Jobs) complete, the rest are previewed with standard political introductions. However, the opening sentences propose an outline of actual solutions:
-weatherize buildings
-cut the bureaucratic elements of education to make sure the money reaches the students (school consolidation without school closure it initially appears)
She stands out for several reasons:
-"Our goal isn't smaller government or bigger government, but dramatically better government."
Call me old fashioned, but I believe government should care for people and make their lives better.
-"I'm not one of those who thinks government is the sole problem or that everything government does is evil. But neither do I think that government has all the answers, or that it always does everything right."
That alone makes her one of the best candidates on the Democratic side of the election. She knows the limits of government and is not moving forward with a sense that government is always the solution or that business is always the solution. She is moving forward with common sense. While her personal belief favors the use of government she is willing to admit it has drawbacks. This is something I haven't seen from a Democratic candidate in Maine for a long time.
I encourage you to read further about the candidates and make your own decisions:
-Democratic Candidates-
Donna Dion
http://donnajdionforgovernor2010.com/
Dawn Hill
http://www.dawnhillforgovernor.com/
Elizabeth (Libby) Mitchell
http://www.libbymitchellforgovernor.com/
John Richardson
http://www.johnrichardsonformaine.com/
Steven Rowe
http://www.roweforgovernor.com/
Rosa Scarcelli
http://www.rosaformaine.com/home
Peter Truman
I do not support felons involvement in politics.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=282192∾=PHnws
News
There is so much going on today a general recap of the news:
Syria and Iranian military alliance is secure:
http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=20166
Iran has and is working on a nuclear weapon:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BD3JU20091214
North Korean weapons were recently captured in Thailand. The weapons were heading to Sri Lanka (we need to improve diplomacy to make sure Sri Lanka does not try to purchase these weapons again) :
http://www.groundreport.com/World/Miltary-Plane-With-Weapons-Heading-Towards-Sri-Lan/2913770
Chile is having a free and fair election after decades of dictatorship:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1417314320091214?type=swissMktRpt
We are insulting crucial allies in the chaotic Horn of Africa region:
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/east/Ethiopia-PM-Rejects-US-Criticism-Calls-Ties-with-Washington-Solid-79183642.html
War crimes continue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by all sides as a new offensive "brings control" back to tribal regions:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hI7NeaZ-D91AVd6PrYx7PlF0Nn5Q
Some fools (not charged as they were not involved in the final transportation plans) were helping send a helicopter to Iran. We have a trade embargo with Iran:
http://televisionwashington.com/floater_article1.aspx?lang=en&t=3&id=16440
Syria and Iranian military alliance is secure:
http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=20166
Iran has and is working on a nuclear weapon:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BD3JU20091214
North Korean weapons were recently captured in Thailand. The weapons were heading to Sri Lanka (we need to improve diplomacy to make sure Sri Lanka does not try to purchase these weapons again) :
http://www.groundreport.com/World/Miltary-Plane-With-Weapons-Heading-Towards-Sri-Lan/2913770
Chile is having a free and fair election after decades of dictatorship:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1417314320091214?type=swissMktRpt
We are insulting crucial allies in the chaotic Horn of Africa region:
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/east/Ethiopia-PM-Rejects-US-Criticism-Calls-Ties-with-Washington-Solid-79183642.html
War crimes continue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by all sides as a new offensive "brings control" back to tribal regions:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hI7NeaZ-D91AVd6PrYx7PlF0Nn5Q
Some fools (not charged as they were not involved in the final transportation plans) were helping send a helicopter to Iran. We have a trade embargo with Iran:
http://televisionwashington.com/floater_article1.aspx?lang=en&t=3&id=16440
Republican Party "Divided?" / Iran Update/ Democrat Healthcare Dies
Some in the past few months have seen the growth of the Tea Party movement from a grass roots campaign across the country without political affiliation protest the wrongs of both parties. They hold the values which the Republican Party only speaks of but never acts upon. In Florida an official Tea Party has been formed politically giving an official competitor to the GOP. I believe you will see the GOP's only hope for survival in the "blue dog" Democrat movement. We may become "parliamentary" with the victory of the Tea Party should it become a majority.
Why do I say this? Because Tea Party followers know the founding fathers knew political parties would be a major cause of failure for the country. Yet we know that modern man in Democracy can not prevent itself from forming alliances so thus having a Republican, Democrat, and Tea Party and possibly Socialist and Green Party congress is in our future.
Meanwhile in Gaza Hamas has held a rally in its own support. They said they will never recognize Israel. Iran sent a message of support for Iran saying they will support Hamas until the destruction of Israel. And some people still want to negotiate with Iran? What do you negotiate?
In other news Democrats will not get their bill passed on health care. The only hope for Dems next year is to agree to pass the GOP proposal and move forward with that. If something goes wrong they can blame the Republicans and if it goes right they can say they helped pass it. It is the only way they can win.
Why do I say this? Because Tea Party followers know the founding fathers knew political parties would be a major cause of failure for the country. Yet we know that modern man in Democracy can not prevent itself from forming alliances so thus having a Republican, Democrat, and Tea Party and possibly Socialist and Green Party congress is in our future.
Meanwhile in Gaza Hamas has held a rally in its own support. They said they will never recognize Israel. Iran sent a message of support for Iran saying they will support Hamas until the destruction of Israel. And some people still want to negotiate with Iran? What do you negotiate?
In other news Democrats will not get their bill passed on health care. The only hope for Dems next year is to agree to pass the GOP proposal and move forward with that. If something goes wrong they can blame the Republicans and if it goes right they can say they helped pass it. It is the only way they can win.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Turkish Kurds Irritated
As the violence in Turkey increases (they banned the only political party representing the Kurds who represent 1/5 of the population) one can look to Iraqi Kurdistan for the solution. Sure, Mosul and Kirkuk are a mess but overall autonomy for the Kurds in Iraq was a relatively peaceful solution. The same semi-autonomous political structure should be granted to the Kurds in Turkey.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Merry Christmas
And if you don't like it you can translate it as either "have a good day" or "go to hell". I'll let you decide how to translate it.
The Race for Governor - Crowded
Here is a list of candidates and their websites. Some have been omitted due to not being able to find the website, and some are omitted to save you some time. I have provided the various reasons should a website not be given. Next week I will detail the proposals which stand out as unique. I could detail every proposal but there is only so many times you can hear a group of politicians say "I support the schools" before realizing such a statement means absolutely nothing for policy or separation from other candidates.
-Democratic Party-
Donna Dion
http://donnajdionforgovernor2010.com/
Dawn Hill
http://www.dawnhillforgovernor.com/
Elizabeth (Libby) Mitchell
http://www.libbymitchellforgovernor.com/
John Richardson
http://www.johnrichardsonformaine.com/
Steven Rowe
http://www.roweforgovernor.com/
Rosa Scarcelli
http://www.rosaformaine.com/home
Peter Truman
I do not support felons involvement in politics.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=282192&ac=PHnws
-Republican Party-
Matt Jacobson
http://www.jacobsonforgovernor.com/
Paul LePage
http://www.lepage2010.com/
Peter Mills
http://www.millsformaine.com/
Les Otten
http://www.lesotten.com/
Bruce Poliquin
http://www.bruceforme.com/
J. Martin Vachon
"I am the only candidate who will reverse the trend of social decay that threatens our civilization."
-Green Party-
Patrick Quinlan
Not found.
Lynne Williams
http://www.lynnewilliams2010.org/
-Independents-
Samme Bailey
"I'm not qualified".
Eliot Cutler
http://www.cutler2010.com/
Augustus Edgerton
Not Found.
Alex Hammer
Anyone who knows him knows why I didn't give the link.
Beverly Cooper-Pete
Not found.
John Whitcomb
http://whitcombformaine.com/
-Democratic Party-
Donna Dion
http://donnajdionforgovernor2010.com/
Dawn Hill
http://www.dawnhillforgovernor.com/
Elizabeth (Libby) Mitchell
http://www.libbymitchellforgovernor.com/
John Richardson
http://www.johnrichardsonformaine.com/
Steven Rowe
http://www.roweforgovernor.com/
Rosa Scarcelli
http://www.rosaformaine.com/home
Peter Truman
I do not support felons involvement in politics.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=282192&ac=PHnws
-Republican Party-
Matt Jacobson
http://www.jacobsonforgovernor.com/
Paul LePage
http://www.lepage2010.com/
Peter Mills
http://www.millsformaine.com/
Les Otten
http://www.lesotten.com/
Bruce Poliquin
http://www.bruceforme.com/
J. Martin Vachon
"I am the only candidate who will reverse the trend of social decay that threatens our civilization."
-Green Party-
Patrick Quinlan
Not found.
Lynne Williams
http://www.lynnewilliams2010.org/
-Independents-
Samme Bailey
"I'm not qualified".
Eliot Cutler
http://www.cutler2010.com/
Augustus Edgerton
Not Found.
Alex Hammer
Anyone who knows him knows why I didn't give the link.
Beverly Cooper-Pete
Not found.
John Whitcomb
http://whitcombformaine.com/
Political Violence in Copenhagen
The climate change debate has gone into scandal since East Anglia's leaked emails. However, the opposition is going through the proper peaceful forms of dissent against scientific fraud and political agendas. However, supporters of the idea that humans cause climate change don't represent themselves as peaceful or legitimate when 600 of them decide to riot in favor of legal action on climate change.
Out of the 30,000 on a "peaceful" march 600 decided to riot. This shows the majority as peaceful yet to this day I've yet to see a riot of those within the opposition to human caused climate.
Some shall claim this was a one time incident however 40 people earlier in the week were arrested for rioting in favor of action on climate change.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/copenhagen/article6954510.ece
Out of the 30,000 on a "peaceful" march 600 decided to riot. This shows the majority as peaceful yet to this day I've yet to see a riot of those within the opposition to human caused climate.
Some shall claim this was a one time incident however 40 people earlier in the week were arrested for rioting in favor of action on climate change.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/copenhagen/article6954510.ece
Fixed-Price Contracts In Military Research
The Pentagon has decided to move forward with having fixed-price contracts for new weapon research and development. I have yet to determine if this will apply to manufacture of already widely used weapons as a logical decision would have, or if this only applies to research.
This would make sense if it was for production. You say what you are going to pay for a product and the various companies can "bid" (lower than original price) for the contract. Having a price fix of not having companies come up with their costs first makes sense as a company will always look for a profit.
Now, I know some instantly are thinking "companies are greedy and the government should just tax the profit out of them". Not exactly. With a fixed price before bidding companies would either accept lower bids or lose the business. A government tax on the companies would simply add paperwork that would cost more than this alternative.
My problem, however, is the restriction on research. A fixed contract for research will drive companies away because they will not have the funds they need to achieve results. I would prefer a system where there is a set budget for research, as a whole, possibly divided up based on area of research and tell all companies to come up with a product fitting the required aspects if they want the research fund. A competition with military industries would be beneficial because their incentive would be guaranteed production rights for which they would be given enough profit to overcome the loss of research if they bid appropriately. Overall the government cost would go down, and the military industry would become more efficient and effective. (In other words: no more $500 hammers.)
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BA42720091211
This would make sense if it was for production. You say what you are going to pay for a product and the various companies can "bid" (lower than original price) for the contract. Having a price fix of not having companies come up with their costs first makes sense as a company will always look for a profit.
Now, I know some instantly are thinking "companies are greedy and the government should just tax the profit out of them". Not exactly. With a fixed price before bidding companies would either accept lower bids or lose the business. A government tax on the companies would simply add paperwork that would cost more than this alternative.
My problem, however, is the restriction on research. A fixed contract for research will drive companies away because they will not have the funds they need to achieve results. I would prefer a system where there is a set budget for research, as a whole, possibly divided up based on area of research and tell all companies to come up with a product fitting the required aspects if they want the research fund. A competition with military industries would be beneficial because their incentive would be guaranteed production rights for which they would be given enough profit to overcome the loss of research if they bid appropriately. Overall the government cost would go down, and the military industry would become more efficient and effective. (In other words: no more $500 hammers.)
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BA42720091211
Friday, December 11, 2009
Conflict Potential
Some who know me personally know I've been following conflicts all over the world and looking for areas of possible conflict. Recently I've found focus on Cyprus, and in the past couple of weeks efforts to unify the island have dimmed and other events have created cultural stresses between the Greek and Turkish populations. Most recently the grave robbery of the former president's resting place has increased tensions. While I do not think open conflict will occur tomorrow, it is something to keep track of.
The Races
John Richardson has entered the gubernatorial race to be governor of Maine. He has the most experience in government of the candidates fielded so far that I can see. This works to his benefit and his detriment depending on how you look at it.
I can honestly say him being in the Maine House of Representatives for 8 years and being Speaker of the House in his tenure was not used to improve the state's dismal budget situation, tax abuse, and common sense reduction. I simply can not react positively to a candidate who has had previous experience in government because all that experience means is they were part of the establishment that brought us to our problems now.
To find out more check out this link:
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=111222&catid=2
I can honestly say him being in the Maine House of Representatives for 8 years and being Speaker of the House in his tenure was not used to improve the state's dismal budget situation, tax abuse, and common sense reduction. I simply can not react positively to a candidate who has had previous experience in government because all that experience means is they were part of the establishment that brought us to our problems now.
To find out more check out this link:
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=111222&catid=2
Blog Comment Update
Due to the spam growing in number in the comments section of my blog I will be adding that fancy human detector to all comments known as moderation. Do not worry, if your comment is on topic and not promoting a product your comment will get through (with perhaps some modifications with adult language.) This is not meant to silence anyone except the spammers and I hope you understand.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Healthcare Reform
Ban pre-existing condition exemptions. A fine line bill that would bring a much needed reform and accomplish something that the past months have failed to do. Think about it:
In total 5 million people are not granted insurance for pre-existing conditions. You want to enable large portions of people to get insurance without a single government dollar being spent? Ban pre-existing conditions and solve 5 million of the uninsured problem. Quick and simple, though I suppose that is too much to expect of government.
In total 5 million people are not granted insurance for pre-existing conditions. You want to enable large portions of people to get insurance without a single government dollar being spent? Ban pre-existing conditions and solve 5 million of the uninsured problem. Quick and simple, though I suppose that is too much to expect of government.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Harness a Possible Cheap Energy Source 2
When I wrote my article in June I had no idea that it was in operation since at least 2004. I also did not know how perverse the government would make the idea. To recap my proposal was to use prison labor with equal safety and standards as anyone else and equivalent credits to their release (a credit being a prison "currency" which a prisoner could use to any number of purposes, these credits would only work in prison thus preventing drug smuggling to a certain extent). Well, this idea of prison labor was already in operation. The prisoners earn at most $1.15. Some earn as much as 25 cents. This is the first area where my plan is altered.
To add to the madness in the example the representatives used 160 prisoners were given a job while 80 civilians were laid off. This is where the operation goes away from being a net benefit for society.
The amount the prisoners earn is not going to convince them that life outside of prison is any better working as they are compared to committing crime. There is also no reward for their work (25 cents, seriously?). Then, laying off non-criminals, those who have not harmed society, to give jobs those we separated from society for safety is just ridiculous.
These prisoners will not be reformed. The prison environment they experience is nothing like society, which my proposal achieved. This is "insourcing" jobs. We all know outsourcing is when a company sends jobs overseas for cheap labor, well the government, our own government, is insourcing. It is taking jobs of Americans and giving them to a cheaper source under complete control of the government.
The current system reminds me of the gulag system of the Soviet Union. You worked in exchange for housing, food, and right to life and there was no market for which anything you made was usable. This system has prisoners working in exchange for housing, food, and 23 cents to $1.15 with prison exchange. The difference is the amount of time the prisoners in our system are officially in has a deadline. However, since it does not reform them and seems guarantee a return the gulag never loses the prisoner. What proof do I have for this lack of a reformed prisoner? The fact that the government has free insurance to employers who take the prisoners later and suffers the problem of the "reformed" prisoners continued criminal actions.
This must stop now based on two arguements:
1. The prisoners are not reformed and the overall net return is not beneficial.
If that isn't good enough:
2. They are taking the jobs of citizens who need the continued experience of a valuable society in order to avoid entering the zone of poverty most enabling of criminal intentions.
U.S. Representatives Pete Hoekstra's and Dave Camp's article: http://hoekstra.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=159687
My article in full: http://rhkinc.blogspot.com/2009/06/harness-possibly-cheap-energy-source.html
The Federal Prison Industries in question: http://www.unicor.gov/?navlocation=AboutUNICOR
To add to the madness in the example the representatives used 160 prisoners were given a job while 80 civilians were laid off. This is where the operation goes away from being a net benefit for society.
The amount the prisoners earn is not going to convince them that life outside of prison is any better working as they are compared to committing crime. There is also no reward for their work (25 cents, seriously?). Then, laying off non-criminals, those who have not harmed society, to give jobs those we separated from society for safety is just ridiculous.
These prisoners will not be reformed. The prison environment they experience is nothing like society, which my proposal achieved. This is "insourcing" jobs. We all know outsourcing is when a company sends jobs overseas for cheap labor, well the government, our own government, is insourcing. It is taking jobs of Americans and giving them to a cheaper source under complete control of the government.
The current system reminds me of the gulag system of the Soviet Union. You worked in exchange for housing, food, and right to life and there was no market for which anything you made was usable. This system has prisoners working in exchange for housing, food, and 23 cents to $1.15 with prison exchange. The difference is the amount of time the prisoners in our system are officially in has a deadline. However, since it does not reform them and seems guarantee a return the gulag never loses the prisoner. What proof do I have for this lack of a reformed prisoner? The fact that the government has free insurance to employers who take the prisoners later and suffers the problem of the "reformed" prisoners continued criminal actions.
This must stop now based on two arguements:
1. The prisoners are not reformed and the overall net return is not beneficial.
If that isn't good enough:
2. They are taking the jobs of citizens who need the continued experience of a valuable society in order to avoid entering the zone of poverty most enabling of criminal intentions.
U.S. Representatives Pete Hoekstra's and Dave Camp's article: http://hoekstra.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=159687
My article in full: http://rhkinc.blogspot.com/2009/06/harness-possibly-cheap-energy-source.html
The Federal Prison Industries in question: http://www.unicor.gov/?navlocation=AboutUNICOR
Uganda - I hate stupid people.
They are not in the news for the support of rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at least not today. Today Uganda is in the news for proposing legislation to have a death penalty for homosexuals. It has made this blog because the idea for this legislation came from Americans. Yes, you heard right. As the news story goes:
KAMPALA, Uganda — Proposed legislation would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, and their family and friends could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals.
The measure was proposed in Uganda following a visit by leaders of U.S. conservative Christian ministries that promote therapy for gays to become heterosexual. However, at least one of those leaders has denounced the bill, as have some other conservative and liberal Christians in the United States.
Excerpt over. So to their credit, some of our people did oppose this bill. However, it is like a KKK member saying threatening and slanderous things about blacks to a crowd of kids and saying they had no responsibility for the kids actions when they attack a black kid.
The article goes on:
The Ugandan legislation in its current form would mandate a death sentence for active homosexuals living with HIV or in cases of same-sex rape. "Serial offenders" also could face capital punishment, but the legislation does not define the term. Anyone convicted of a homosexual act faces life imprisonment.
Anyone who "aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage of acts of homosexuality" faces seven years in prison if convicted. Landlords who rent rooms or homes to homosexuals also could get seven years and anyone with "religious, political, economic or social authority" who fails to report anyone violating the act faces three years.
Excerpt over. This is quite simply ridiculous however unimportant, time for a one liner heard often in these proposals:
David Bahati, the legislator sponsoring the bill, said he was encouraging "constructive criticism" to improve the law, but insisted strict measures were necessary to stop homosexuals from "recruiting" schoolchildren.
Excerpt over. Quite simply I hate stupid people. The article bloviated further:
"The youths in secondary schools copy everything from the Western world and America," said high school teacher David Kisambira. "A good number of students have been converted into gays. We hear there are groups of people given money by some gay organizations in developed countries to recruit youth into gay activities."
Excerpt over. I hate stupid people.
The article goes on to cover the current state of homosexual freedom in Africa overall:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gNOsUTPIL6zoTWAGRTzPqmx3__IgD9CFBHJ00
KAMPALA, Uganda — Proposed legislation would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, and their family and friends could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals.
The measure was proposed in Uganda following a visit by leaders of U.S. conservative Christian ministries that promote therapy for gays to become heterosexual. However, at least one of those leaders has denounced the bill, as have some other conservative and liberal Christians in the United States.
Excerpt over. So to their credit, some of our people did oppose this bill. However, it is like a KKK member saying threatening and slanderous things about blacks to a crowd of kids and saying they had no responsibility for the kids actions when they attack a black kid.
The article goes on:
The Ugandan legislation in its current form would mandate a death sentence for active homosexuals living with HIV or in cases of same-sex rape. "Serial offenders" also could face capital punishment, but the legislation does not define the term. Anyone convicted of a homosexual act faces life imprisonment.
Anyone who "aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage of acts of homosexuality" faces seven years in prison if convicted. Landlords who rent rooms or homes to homosexuals also could get seven years and anyone with "religious, political, economic or social authority" who fails to report anyone violating the act faces three years.
Excerpt over. This is quite simply ridiculous however unimportant, time for a one liner heard often in these proposals:
David Bahati, the legislator sponsoring the bill, said he was encouraging "constructive criticism" to improve the law, but insisted strict measures were necessary to stop homosexuals from "recruiting" schoolchildren.
Excerpt over. Quite simply I hate stupid people. The article bloviated further:
"The youths in secondary schools copy everything from the Western world and America," said high school teacher David Kisambira. "A good number of students have been converted into gays. We hear there are groups of people given money by some gay organizations in developed countries to recruit youth into gay activities."
Excerpt over. I hate stupid people.
The article goes on to cover the current state of homosexual freedom in Africa overall:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gNOsUTPIL6zoTWAGRTzPqmx3__IgD9CFBHJ00
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Poland Spring
I am in Poland, Maine. Poland Springs water is bottled here (possibly harvested as well). I would like to point out that what we all pay $2.50 a bottle for is cheaper from tap water. It is the same thing without the plastic.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
War is Not Illegal
War is not illegal, just very unpleasant and sometimes not justified. It is human nature. War does not have to involve weapons of death and destruction.
Evidence? Soccer/football.
That is all, resume your day's regularly scheduled activities.
Evidence? Soccer/football.
That is all, resume your day's regularly scheduled activities.
Stone
The family killed on that day
Was the mark of the start of the loss of many
Brothers in arms to the cause of freedom
That never seems to come
So as the night drifts coldly on
We look to God for forgiveness for the acts of our sons.
So as the enemy sleeps in their beds
A rebel of our own mistakenly cuts off their heads
Its a moment that we dread
A moment we fear
Because we know your revenge will be clear
Two more families, two more homes
As we seek one more to claim justice done
Yet justice never comes
We are never done
They need a job and we need a gun
But they have the gun and we have the job
So sell ourselves to them
End the bloody war
Let them make our dresses hem
And we'll be able to find another purpose to live for
Yet now another act of death
Has come upon us all
Someone has lost their breath
And their body takes a fall
Missing in charred rubble their funeral is gone
Taking away the last thing we're meant to love
Another bomb another day
Another sniper shot away
Soldier and sniper both at once
On and on goes the violence
Bring civilization back with a simple stone
Not with a bomb or a plane or a factory
But another stone
All revolutions start with a stone
Imagine where we'd be without homes
Built out of stone.
Was the mark of the start of the loss of many
Brothers in arms to the cause of freedom
That never seems to come
So as the night drifts coldly on
We look to God for forgiveness for the acts of our sons.
So as the enemy sleeps in their beds
A rebel of our own mistakenly cuts off their heads
Its a moment that we dread
A moment we fear
Because we know your revenge will be clear
Two more families, two more homes
As we seek one more to claim justice done
Yet justice never comes
We are never done
They need a job and we need a gun
But they have the gun and we have the job
So sell ourselves to them
End the bloody war
Let them make our dresses hem
And we'll be able to find another purpose to live for
Yet now another act of death
Has come upon us all
Someone has lost their breath
And their body takes a fall
Missing in charred rubble their funeral is gone
Taking away the last thing we're meant to love
Another bomb another day
Another sniper shot away
Soldier and sniper both at once
On and on goes the violence
Bring civilization back with a simple stone
Not with a bomb or a plane or a factory
But another stone
All revolutions start with a stone
Imagine where we'd be without homes
Built out of stone.
Blast from the "Past" (Obama's 100)
When observing President Obama’s first hundred days one often sees parallels to the thoughts and actions from the first hundred days in the Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan presidencies. From the handling of public opinion to the engagement of opposition to the individual legislative acts the first one hundred days of President Obama’s administration likens itself more to Franklin Roosevelt’s administration than to Ronald Reagan‘s.
The first similarity between all three is their predecessors. For Franklin Roosevelt the greatest criticism of Herbert Hoover was the inaction and continuation of laisser-faire economic policy. This policy emphasized the separation of the government from the economy. This led to the economic collapse of the nation with only minimal relief effort placed on restoring the economic sector. Roosevelt was elected to act.
Ronald Reagan followed the disaster that was Jimmy Carter‘s administration. Aside from the gas rationing, declining economy, and massive inflation of the Carter administration the Iran Hostage Crisis showed to Americans that our military was weak and our standing in the world not respected. The hostage crisis lasted over a year at our embassy in Iran and Carter seemed to favor inaction in American’s eyes. Ronald Reagan was elected to act.
President Barack Obama followed George Bush’s presidency. Like Hoover’s and Carter’s presidencies, George Bush was one of the most unpopular in history. He was seen as ineffective for seven years in two wars, and for the last two years of his presidency he was seen as slow acting on the economic downturn that was often compared to the great depression. Barack Obama was elected to act.
These three presidents also had another connection other than the conditions that their predecessors left for them. The policies that they lay down in the first hundred days of their administrations stand out as a fundamental change from the foundation of government policy they each inherited from each other. It is in this way that President Obama is most like Roosevelt.
This is because Roosevelt entered office and immediately extended a bank shutdown holiday after his inauguration. This was not only a prevention of a collapse of the banking system due to the “run on the bank” events but also a successful alteration of a fundamental policy that had minimal government involvement in the economy. This simple act, although only lasting for three days after his inauguration, changed the way government looked at the economy. Now the government policy was to rescue the economy instead of allowing the businesses to recover on their own. The New Deal policy replaced the laisser-faire policy which was in place since the end of the Reconstruction era.
It was the speed with which this action was taken that also set the pace for Roosevelt’s first hundred days. The New Deal, a series of 15 legislative government actions that created new government programs intended to create jobs and end the depression, was passed within the first hundred days. The New Deal created a dizzying number of programs, several of which ended up being declared so interventionist that they violated the Constitution. Many were intended, such as the WPA, TVA, and others, to provide jobs, often temporarily in building infrastructure such as power plants, dams, and bridges. This was one of the first large scale government attempts at government job growth in order to lower overall unemployment rates during peace time. There were also the regulatory agencies such as the FDIC and SEC which were to allow the government to regulate the businesses from causing unintended job losses.
It is this approach that led to the increased debt of the government as it needed to pay for the programs. The resulting policies combined taxes, bonds, and printing money in order to thwart the costs. This policy declared (theoretically) that the recovery of the economy was less important than the easing of personal suffering. This approach to government intervention was in place until Ronald Reagan took office.
Ronald Reagan observed the forty years of Roosevelt’s taxing for spending on government involvement policies resulting in a devastating economic situation during the Carter administration. The inflation rate was over 10% when Reagan took office. In order to limit government involvement Reagan had a different approach to the first hundred days.
Instead of proposing legislation that would have removed the programs created by Roosevelt, Reagan pushed for a major reduction of taxes. Most of his first hundred days was spent trying to get the Economic Recovery Act of 1981 passed. It did not pass until after the hundred days were up. Despite the slow appearance of this action, the negotiation and formation of this policy during his first hundred das would alter government involvement in the economy once again.
The mandatory reduction of federal taxes proposed would cripple the government’s ability to pay for the immense spending programs. It also did something else; it improved the economy in the long run by keeping money in the commercial sector instead of in the welfare and government sector.
Then the programs could not be revived to operational levels without deficit spending or raising taxes. For those who supported the Roosevelt economic government policy the ability to propose increases in taxes or deficit spending was now the topic instead of the possible benefits of such programs. Reagan used that to maintain his reduced taxes during his own deficit spending later in his administration. In addition the recovery of the economy was now seen as the best way to ease personal suffering instead of government action.
This policy was seen as the best way to go for twenty years. It was renewed with the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts by George Bush. While this led to (perhaps coincided with) the longest continuous growth of American jobs in history, many believe it was ineffective at preventing the economic collapse in the last year and a half of the Bush administration. Barack Obama won the election vowing to remedy the economy and end the Reagan economic policies.
Already having the Troubled Asset Relief Program in place, Barack Obama had the door open for government intervention in the economy to begin. The administration had the government become part or full owners of automobile manufacturers, banks, insurance companies, and mortgage lenders in the first hundred days. The proposals for government intervention in airline industries and newspaper companies was not accepted.
The spending had started but now the question was how to pay for it. A proposal to crack down on overseas tax havens for companies was proposed in the last few days of Obama’s hundred days and included was an implementation of taxes on profits earned in other countries for companies and their subsidiaries operating overseas. The expansion of the government into these industries with the tax on business was a clear signpost for the return to the government intervention of the Roosevelt era. In this way Obama had reversed the policy of Reagan. The reversal of policy is not only evident in their first hundred days legislatively. The truth of their intentions is evident in their speeches.
Roosevelt followed a man who infamously said that “[poverty could be gone within our lifetimes.]” Roosevelt approached poverty as a chronic disease. Something that required a long-term government program to solve. Hoover was of the mind set that it was the free market boom known greatly in the 20s that would end poverty; not a government program. Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his first inaugural speech on March 4, 1933 said “This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper … the rulers of the exchange of mankind's goods have failed …Our greatest primary task is to put people to work … It can be accomplished in part by direct recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war.” In this he made his commitment to involving the government in the nation’s economy and not in the hands of businessmen.
Reagan spoke in his first inaugural address on January 20, 1981 saying “These United States are confronted with an economic affliction of great proportions … Those who do work are denied a fair return for their labor by a tax system which penalizes successful achievement and keeps us from maintaining full productivity … But great as our tax burden is, it has not kept pace with public spending. For decades, we have piled deficit upon deficit, mortgaging our future and our children's future for the temporary convenience of the present … In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem.” There is no doubt that, like Roosevelt, Reagan knew the nation’s problem. His plan was to go against the decades of spending, the Roosevelt policy of larger government. It is in this statement that we all see the change. Roosevelt promoted government, Reagan devalued it. Reagan was going directly against Roosevelt. Obama proved to go against Reagan.
Barack Obama in his first inaugural address on January 20, 2009 said “Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some … Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many…The state of our economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act—not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age…The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works…this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control.” In this way the business is again vilified. Reagan’s policy for limited government programs is denounced as leading to this utter failure of a nation. The government will now have programs to cover everything it seems.
Obama’s speech never mentions the banks, or the car manufacturers, or the insurance companies. As of his first hundred days, the roads and bridges is all that is committed to final proof through stimulus bills. Obama’s New Deal of sorts contains ten major pieces of legislation in his first hundred days. Now the question to ask is how long will it be before another Reagan shifts the nation’s role of government once more?
The first similarity between all three is their predecessors. For Franklin Roosevelt the greatest criticism of Herbert Hoover was the inaction and continuation of laisser-faire economic policy. This policy emphasized the separation of the government from the economy. This led to the economic collapse of the nation with only minimal relief effort placed on restoring the economic sector. Roosevelt was elected to act.
Ronald Reagan followed the disaster that was Jimmy Carter‘s administration. Aside from the gas rationing, declining economy, and massive inflation of the Carter administration the Iran Hostage Crisis showed to Americans that our military was weak and our standing in the world not respected. The hostage crisis lasted over a year at our embassy in Iran and Carter seemed to favor inaction in American’s eyes. Ronald Reagan was elected to act.
President Barack Obama followed George Bush’s presidency. Like Hoover’s and Carter’s presidencies, George Bush was one of the most unpopular in history. He was seen as ineffective for seven years in two wars, and for the last two years of his presidency he was seen as slow acting on the economic downturn that was often compared to the great depression. Barack Obama was elected to act.
These three presidents also had another connection other than the conditions that their predecessors left for them. The policies that they lay down in the first hundred days of their administrations stand out as a fundamental change from the foundation of government policy they each inherited from each other. It is in this way that President Obama is most like Roosevelt.
This is because Roosevelt entered office and immediately extended a bank shutdown holiday after his inauguration. This was not only a prevention of a collapse of the banking system due to the “run on the bank” events but also a successful alteration of a fundamental policy that had minimal government involvement in the economy. This simple act, although only lasting for three days after his inauguration, changed the way government looked at the economy. Now the government policy was to rescue the economy instead of allowing the businesses to recover on their own. The New Deal policy replaced the laisser-faire policy which was in place since the end of the Reconstruction era.
It was the speed with which this action was taken that also set the pace for Roosevelt’s first hundred days. The New Deal, a series of 15 legislative government actions that created new government programs intended to create jobs and end the depression, was passed within the first hundred days. The New Deal created a dizzying number of programs, several of which ended up being declared so interventionist that they violated the Constitution. Many were intended, such as the WPA, TVA, and others, to provide jobs, often temporarily in building infrastructure such as power plants, dams, and bridges. This was one of the first large scale government attempts at government job growth in order to lower overall unemployment rates during peace time. There were also the regulatory agencies such as the FDIC and SEC which were to allow the government to regulate the businesses from causing unintended job losses.
It is this approach that led to the increased debt of the government as it needed to pay for the programs. The resulting policies combined taxes, bonds, and printing money in order to thwart the costs. This policy declared (theoretically) that the recovery of the economy was less important than the easing of personal suffering. This approach to government intervention was in place until Ronald Reagan took office.
Ronald Reagan observed the forty years of Roosevelt’s taxing for spending on government involvement policies resulting in a devastating economic situation during the Carter administration. The inflation rate was over 10% when Reagan took office. In order to limit government involvement Reagan had a different approach to the first hundred days.
Instead of proposing legislation that would have removed the programs created by Roosevelt, Reagan pushed for a major reduction of taxes. Most of his first hundred days was spent trying to get the Economic Recovery Act of 1981 passed. It did not pass until after the hundred days were up. Despite the slow appearance of this action, the negotiation and formation of this policy during his first hundred das would alter government involvement in the economy once again.
The mandatory reduction of federal taxes proposed would cripple the government’s ability to pay for the immense spending programs. It also did something else; it improved the economy in the long run by keeping money in the commercial sector instead of in the welfare and government sector.
Then the programs could not be revived to operational levels without deficit spending or raising taxes. For those who supported the Roosevelt economic government policy the ability to propose increases in taxes or deficit spending was now the topic instead of the possible benefits of such programs. Reagan used that to maintain his reduced taxes during his own deficit spending later in his administration. In addition the recovery of the economy was now seen as the best way to ease personal suffering instead of government action.
This policy was seen as the best way to go for twenty years. It was renewed with the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts by George Bush. While this led to (perhaps coincided with) the longest continuous growth of American jobs in history, many believe it was ineffective at preventing the economic collapse in the last year and a half of the Bush administration. Barack Obama won the election vowing to remedy the economy and end the Reagan economic policies.
Already having the Troubled Asset Relief Program in place, Barack Obama had the door open for government intervention in the economy to begin. The administration had the government become part or full owners of automobile manufacturers, banks, insurance companies, and mortgage lenders in the first hundred days. The proposals for government intervention in airline industries and newspaper companies was not accepted.
The spending had started but now the question was how to pay for it. A proposal to crack down on overseas tax havens for companies was proposed in the last few days of Obama’s hundred days and included was an implementation of taxes on profits earned in other countries for companies and their subsidiaries operating overseas. The expansion of the government into these industries with the tax on business was a clear signpost for the return to the government intervention of the Roosevelt era. In this way Obama had reversed the policy of Reagan. The reversal of policy is not only evident in their first hundred days legislatively. The truth of their intentions is evident in their speeches.
Roosevelt followed a man who infamously said that “[poverty could be gone within our lifetimes.]” Roosevelt approached poverty as a chronic disease. Something that required a long-term government program to solve. Hoover was of the mind set that it was the free market boom known greatly in the 20s that would end poverty; not a government program. Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his first inaugural speech on March 4, 1933 said “This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper … the rulers of the exchange of mankind's goods have failed …Our greatest primary task is to put people to work … It can be accomplished in part by direct recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war.” In this he made his commitment to involving the government in the nation’s economy and not in the hands of businessmen.
Reagan spoke in his first inaugural address on January 20, 1981 saying “These United States are confronted with an economic affliction of great proportions … Those who do work are denied a fair return for their labor by a tax system which penalizes successful achievement and keeps us from maintaining full productivity … But great as our tax burden is, it has not kept pace with public spending. For decades, we have piled deficit upon deficit, mortgaging our future and our children's future for the temporary convenience of the present … In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem.” There is no doubt that, like Roosevelt, Reagan knew the nation’s problem. His plan was to go against the decades of spending, the Roosevelt policy of larger government. It is in this statement that we all see the change. Roosevelt promoted government, Reagan devalued it. Reagan was going directly against Roosevelt. Obama proved to go against Reagan.
Barack Obama in his first inaugural address on January 20, 2009 said “Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some … Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many…The state of our economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act—not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age…The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works…this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control.” In this way the business is again vilified. Reagan’s policy for limited government programs is denounced as leading to this utter failure of a nation. The government will now have programs to cover everything it seems.
Obama’s speech never mentions the banks, or the car manufacturers, or the insurance companies. As of his first hundred days, the roads and bridges is all that is committed to final proof through stimulus bills. Obama’s New Deal of sorts contains ten major pieces of legislation in his first hundred days. Now the question to ask is how long will it be before another Reagan shifts the nation’s role of government once more?
College Republicans Update
While four days past the deadline, the UMaine at Orono College Republican leadership filed the necessary paperwork to remain an organization on campus. The recognition was going to end on the 10th of December, the paperwork was needed by the 30th of November. However, this grace period filled the requirements.
It came closer than it needed to.
It came closer than it needed to.
Economic Analogy
The government is not pushing the pedals of our economy. They are in fact just making the chain on our bicycle longer by printing more money. Push the pedals and make the money chain move faster, instead of just making our money chain longer.
If you still don't get it after that analogy, please take the time to unregister yourself from the voting rolls.
If you still don't get it after that analogy, please take the time to unregister yourself from the voting rolls.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Interesting News Story
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/01/AR2009120101841_pf.html
Now, work those gears and think about how it was always said no nation would ever do that. Now, could America do the same should, say, $106 trillion in unfunded liabilities isn't paid off when it comes due?
I also find it funny that corruption in North Korea is law:
The government has also criminalized everyday market behavior while creating a new kind of gulag for those it deems economic criminals, according to a report released this fall by the East-West Center, a research organization established by Congress to promote understanding of Asia.
The report says security forces in North Korea have broad discretion to detain without trial nearly anyone who buys or sells in the local markets. But if traders can pay bribes, security officials will often leave them alone, the report says.
Now, work those gears and think about how it was always said no nation would ever do that. Now, could America do the same should, say, $106 trillion in unfunded liabilities isn't paid off when it comes due?
I also find it funny that corruption in North Korea is law:
The government has also criminalized everyday market behavior while creating a new kind of gulag for those it deems economic criminals, according to a report released this fall by the East-West Center, a research organization established by Congress to promote understanding of Asia.
The report says security forces in North Korea have broad discretion to detain without trial nearly anyone who buys or sells in the local markets. But if traders can pay bribes, security officials will often leave them alone, the report says.
Obama's Speech Tonight
Obama took 92 days to write a good speech about how he is going to use common sense in Afghanistan.
I Hate Stupid People 1 (European Union)
The EU proposed East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. The Palestinians are a people, without a country. They have land, but no government. To recognize the capital of a non-existant government in a nation that doesn't exist is ridiculous. It is unorganized land with Palestinian residents. The Palestinians are fighting a civil war and to begin to draft this utopian vision of a great Palestinian nation is completely stupid. Right now there is no Palestine, and no agreements between Hamas, the Heles clan, Jawes clan, or the Fatah groups exist to form a government. The elections most likely won't happen in Gaza as Hamas will boycott and Fatah can't agree to be united as one political party with a youth movement pushing for its own party.
You can't have a capital without a nation. You can't have a nation without a government. You can have pride and a culture, but no capital without a government to operate from it. Jerusalem, in its entirety, has more respect for all cultures and faiths than it ever had under Arab rule. To protect the history of the Holy Land, Israel must exist or one can easily see a wave of retribution against all non-Arab cultures lead to the destruction of religious symbols such as the Taliban conducted in Afghanistan.
You can't have a capital without a nation. You can't have a nation without a government. You can have pride and a culture, but no capital without a government to operate from it. Jerusalem, in its entirety, has more respect for all cultures and faiths than it ever had under Arab rule. To protect the history of the Holy Land, Israel must exist or one can easily see a wave of retribution against all non-Arab cultures lead to the destruction of religious symbols such as the Taliban conducted in Afghanistan.
How To Deal With Darfur
What measures internationally would lead to a successful arrest of the president of Sudan? I will detail them in a coming series: "Darfur Politics".
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Europe's Solution: Ban Freedom
News from: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jSvKwQU-w3j6Gp8PWHRzV2hnh54QD9C9EES80
Whether it is the Nazi, Fascist, Communist, or now Socialist movements that Europe is always in a race to the bottom when it comes to using failed philosophies as a basis for their legal code?
What brings me to this conclusion? Switzerland, the great neutral peace loving nation of Europe, has banned mosque minarets.
The catch? The current minarets won't be affected. How many are there? 4. In the whole of Switzerland there are four minarets. So my question is what do the Swiss people think they have accomplished by banning minarets?
They have angered the Muslims many would say. That part doesn't matter though. Simply making someone angry isn't a reason to not do something. However upholding certain principles should be a guideline of what one should or should not do.
Switzerland and Europe often do the one liners about freedom and liberalism, yet banning a minaret is an obvious restriction of two very fundamental elements of freedom:
Freedom of religion
Freedom of expression (architectural expression)
So I really don't care who is angered by a law banning something. I care that this law bans something which has other elements of freedom infringed by it.
Sure, Muslims shouldn't be discriminated against, but neither should Christianity or Judaism or Buddhism (as such symbols are destroyed by Muslims throughout the Middle East. At least they don't pretend to stand for democracy or freedom and come right out saying Sharia Law, so kudos for honesty).
So what do the Swiss believe they have accomplished? I want this answer but know approximately zero Swiss citizens. However, they have alienated and, to put it bluntly, pissed off their Muslim citizens.
You open a dialogue with those you disagree with, and if that doesn't resolve your issues there is one last step before stupidity must take over. Agree, as two entities of culture which can't seem to agree, to live and let live. Have a live and let live agreement where you don't attack their beliefs and they don't attack yours. This means don't go forcing your message on others by cornering people on the street with pamphlets, or other crazy stuff. It also means that during the holiday season let it be celebrated which whatever symbols (within civility) each culture feels represents them best.
Live and let live.
Whether it is the Nazi, Fascist, Communist, or now Socialist movements that Europe is always in a race to the bottom when it comes to using failed philosophies as a basis for their legal code?
What brings me to this conclusion? Switzerland, the great neutral peace loving nation of Europe, has banned mosque minarets.
The catch? The current minarets won't be affected. How many are there? 4. In the whole of Switzerland there are four minarets. So my question is what do the Swiss people think they have accomplished by banning minarets?
They have angered the Muslims many would say. That part doesn't matter though. Simply making someone angry isn't a reason to not do something. However upholding certain principles should be a guideline of what one should or should not do.
Switzerland and Europe often do the one liners about freedom and liberalism, yet banning a minaret is an obvious restriction of two very fundamental elements of freedom:
Freedom of religion
Freedom of expression (architectural expression)
So I really don't care who is angered by a law banning something. I care that this law bans something which has other elements of freedom infringed by it.
Sure, Muslims shouldn't be discriminated against, but neither should Christianity or Judaism or Buddhism (as such symbols are destroyed by Muslims throughout the Middle East. At least they don't pretend to stand for democracy or freedom and come right out saying Sharia Law, so kudos for honesty).
So what do the Swiss believe they have accomplished? I want this answer but know approximately zero Swiss citizens. However, they have alienated and, to put it bluntly, pissed off their Muslim citizens.
You open a dialogue with those you disagree with, and if that doesn't resolve your issues there is one last step before stupidity must take over. Agree, as two entities of culture which can't seem to agree, to live and let live. Have a live and let live agreement where you don't attack their beliefs and they don't attack yours. This means don't go forcing your message on others by cornering people on the street with pamphlets, or other crazy stuff. It also means that during the holiday season let it be celebrated which whatever symbols (within civility) each culture feels represents them best.
Live and let live.
Friday, November 27, 2009
American Revolution
We are witnessing an American Revolution in this country. An American Revolution is all about changing the way people perceive the role of government in our lives. It is about saying we will not be enslaved by the government. The Tea Party movement across this country is Americans standing up and saying they will not be enslaved.
The first American Revolution was twenty years of changing how people in this country saw the rule of Britain, essentially a foreign government, over the colonies. It was changing the acceptance of the Mercantile system and standing up. Britain did not accept this, and a war broke out.
The civil war was slightly different, but the principle that the oppressors did not want to end their enslavement of a population was the same.
It is happening again. But this time violence is not necessary. Our founding fathers gave us a system in which we can say no to tyranny by voting it out of office before it begins. Well, it has begun, but we are not yet entirely helpless. We can still stand up, and we are. However now the question is will you as well?
The first American Revolution was twenty years of changing how people in this country saw the rule of Britain, essentially a foreign government, over the colonies. It was changing the acceptance of the Mercantile system and standing up. Britain did not accept this, and a war broke out.
The civil war was slightly different, but the principle that the oppressors did not want to end their enslavement of a population was the same.
It is happening again. But this time violence is not necessary. Our founding fathers gave us a system in which we can say no to tyranny by voting it out of office before it begins. Well, it has begun, but we are not yet entirely helpless. We can still stand up, and we are. However now the question is will you as well?
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Note on Cyber Warfare
It should be noted that the scandal revolving around the current climate scientist cover up regarding global warming was brought to us through the hacking of emails. Civil disobedience may be the hackers only defense if brought to court. Sure, they are still guilty, but hey, something good came of it right? Well, not if your Phil Jones, the scientist who was oddly "cheerful" at the news of a rival skeptical scientist in Tasmania being dead.
I have shortened the list of questionable things in the already short summary by the hackers:
1189722851.txt * Jones: “try and change the Received date!”
0847838200.txt * Briffa & Yamal 1996: “too much growth in recent years makes it difficult to derive a valid age/growth curve”
1225026120.txt * CRU’s truncated temperature curve
1062189235.txt * Osborn: concerns with MBH uncertainty
0926947295.txt * IPCC scenarios not supposed to be realistic
0938018124.txt * Mann: “something else” causing discrepancies
0939154709.txt * Osborn: we usually stop the series in 1960
0933255789.txt * WWF report: beef up if possible
0998926751.txt * “Carefully constructed” model scenarios to get “distinguishable results”
0968705882.txt * CLA: “IPCC is not any more an assessment of published science but production of results”
1075403821.txt * Jones: Daly death “cheering news”
1029966978.txt * Briffa – last decades exceptional, or not?
1092167224.txt * Mann: “not necessarily wrong, but it makes a small difference” (factor 1.29)
1188557698.txt * Wigley: “Keenan has a valid point”
1118949061.txt * we’d like to do some experiments with different proxy combinations
1120593115.txt * I am reviewing a couple of papers on extremes, so that I can refer to them in the chapter for AR4
Source: http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/hadley_hacked/
I have shortened the list of questionable things in the already short summary by the hackers:
1189722851.txt * Jones: “try and change the Received date!”
0847838200.txt * Briffa & Yamal 1996: “too much growth in recent years makes it difficult to derive a valid age/growth curve”
1225026120.txt * CRU’s truncated temperature curve
1062189235.txt * Osborn: concerns with MBH uncertainty
0926947295.txt * IPCC scenarios not supposed to be realistic
0938018124.txt * Mann: “something else” causing discrepancies
0939154709.txt * Osborn: we usually stop the series in 1960
0933255789.txt * WWF report: beef up if possible
0998926751.txt * “Carefully constructed” model scenarios to get “distinguishable results”
0968705882.txt * CLA: “IPCC is not any more an assessment of published science but production of results”
1075403821.txt * Jones: Daly death “cheering news”
1029966978.txt * Briffa – last decades exceptional, or not?
1092167224.txt * Mann: “not necessarily wrong, but it makes a small difference” (factor 1.29)
1188557698.txt * Wigley: “Keenan has a valid point”
1118949061.txt * we’d like to do some experiments with different proxy combinations
1120593115.txt * I am reviewing a couple of papers on extremes, so that I can refer to them in the chapter for AR4
Source: http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/hadley_hacked/
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