I'm making a spin off of an idea talked about here: http://think3institute.blogspot.com/2009/07/right-to-get-isnt-right-to-have.html
Our Constitution grants us opportunity. It never grants us the final result: achieving that is our responsibility.
Freedom of speech means we can not have the opportunity to speak taken away, but it does not mean everyone else has to listen by government mandate. The right to bear arms means I have the opportunity to own a gun, but it is not the government's responsibility to buy and distribute guns to everyone.
To those who say healthcare is a right show me where it is in the Constitution. To those who are still not deterred, considering the fact that by law no person can be turned away in an emergency room, how is the opportunity to be treated, to have health care, not here already? Using the Constitution's philosophy of rights without mandate (right to speak, not forced to speak, not forced to listen to others speak) why do you support the government providing health care insurance and mandating it?
I would like an answer.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
City Council Opposes Citizen's Voice
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/111627.html
The article refers to whether or not the city would support or oppose the TABOR bill along with a provision to reduce the exise tax on cars five years old or newer. The article states Gratwick's opposition:
Councilor Geoffrey Gratwick outlined the city’s resolve opposing TABOR II — largely on the basis that it sets a policy of budgeting by referendum and undercuts the authority of elected officials.
Excerpt over. A policy of budgeting by referendum has another interpretation: allowing the people to choose where their money is spent. As for the authority of elected officials, the less power the better.
Even if requested to do so, elected officials have a job to do. That job should not include using that job to make stances on the referendum. Opinions are fine, but in the city council referendums are up to the people, not the council. This lack of connection with the citizens of Bangor (most support TABOR) gives me another reason to run for office. We need people to stand up and take responsibility. For too long we have had people in office who make things worse.
Now, TABOR, the taxpayer bill of rights, would limit tax increases and spending to inflation plus population growth. Opponents say that because education and healthcare rise in cost faster than the things people pay for (which is what determines inflation) that it would cripple the state. I say, not if the government does its job.
There won't be a problem with increased costs if the government makes things more efficient and in so doing will cut costs despite any increase. There is always a way with our current governments on all levels, to cut something without doing harm.
Until we elect leaders who understand this, taxpayers will lack control over what their taxes are spent on and how much money is taken from them through taxes.
The article refers to whether or not the city would support or oppose the TABOR bill along with a provision to reduce the exise tax on cars five years old or newer. The article states Gratwick's opposition:
Councilor Geoffrey Gratwick outlined the city’s resolve opposing TABOR II — largely on the basis that it sets a policy of budgeting by referendum and undercuts the authority of elected officials.
Excerpt over. A policy of budgeting by referendum has another interpretation: allowing the people to choose where their money is spent. As for the authority of elected officials, the less power the better.
Even if requested to do so, elected officials have a job to do. That job should not include using that job to make stances on the referendum. Opinions are fine, but in the city council referendums are up to the people, not the council. This lack of connection with the citizens of Bangor (most support TABOR) gives me another reason to run for office. We need people to stand up and take responsibility. For too long we have had people in office who make things worse.
Now, TABOR, the taxpayer bill of rights, would limit tax increases and spending to inflation plus population growth. Opponents say that because education and healthcare rise in cost faster than the things people pay for (which is what determines inflation) that it would cripple the state. I say, not if the government does its job.
There won't be a problem with increased costs if the government makes things more efficient and in so doing will cut costs despite any increase. There is always a way with our current governments on all levels, to cut something without doing harm.
Until we elect leaders who understand this, taxpayers will lack control over what their taxes are spent on and how much money is taken from them through taxes.
The Candidates Websites
To give easy reference for those following, the following candidates for the 2010 gubernatorial election have websites:
Bruce Poliquin:
http://www.bruceforme.com
Les Otten:
http://www.lesotten.com/
Matt Jacobson:
http://www.jacobsonforgovernor.com/
Rosa Scarcelli:
http://rosaformaine.com/splash
Dawn Hill:
http://www.dawnhillforgovernor.com/
Steve Rowe:
http://www.roweforgovernor.com/
Lynne Williams:
http://www.lynnewilliams2010.org/
The candidates without websites so far:
Donna Dion
Peter Truman
Peter Mills
Patrick Quinlan
Samme Bailey
Augustus Edgerton
John Whitcomb
Candidates I refuse to aknowledge:
Alex Hammer
Bruce Poliquin:
http://www.bruceforme.com
Les Otten:
http://www.lesotten.com/
Matt Jacobson:
http://www.jacobsonforgovernor.com/
Rosa Scarcelli:
http://rosaformaine.com/splash
Dawn Hill:
http://www.dawnhillforgovernor.com/
Steve Rowe:
http://www.roweforgovernor.com/
Lynne Williams:
http://www.lynnewilliams2010.org/
The candidates without websites so far:
Donna Dion
Peter Truman
Peter Mills
Patrick Quinlan
Samme Bailey
Augustus Edgerton
John Whitcomb
Candidates I refuse to aknowledge:
Alex Hammer
This Evening's Entertainment - Maybe
In the second week of August the forms come in and I will begin getting the signatures to be on the ballot in November. Sadly, tonight is the GOP meeting and my recent surgery has left me unable to attend this evening. I was looking forward to it too, but, the doctor's orders are the doctor's orders. I will however plan to rest myself to be in condition when the time comes to be in shape to defy the doctor.
We Are Doomed
JOHN CONYERS: I love these members that get up and say, 'Read the bill.' What good is reading the bill if it's a thousand pages and you don't have two days and two lawyers to find out what it means after you read the bill?
Excerpt over. What good is it? How about the part where it is your job? Do your job, regardless of how pointless you may think it to be.
Excerpt over. What good is it? How about the part where it is your job? Do your job, regardless of how pointless you may think it to be.
Syria Hopes?
In a news article from a few days ago it seems Syria may be moving towards the West. The speedometer I read appears to show that it is moving at the speed of a parked car. No agreements have been made, and Syrian demands remain the same while their support for Hamas and Hezbolla have not been reduced.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hJ9xysPGw0DDewJBDQQ5yzEYDQ5AD99KUEUG0
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hJ9xysPGw0DDewJBDQQ5yzEYDQ5AD99KUEUG0
Scientists Confirm U.S. Has World’s Biggest Oil Reserves
http://www.americanfreepress.net/html/biggest_oil_reserves_182.html
That reserve, combined with:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hwILkN6M43ElH1UydmDBmsNvMQhgD99EAOH01
And this:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/05/AR2006090500275.html
To start, yes oil shale is very difficult to extract, I understand this.
One question, if we have, at least, 400 billion barrels of oil in this country, and if the second site matches Bakken, 800 billion, why isn't the technology being rushed like the space race? Oil shale technology should become top priority. Imagine being able to fuel ourselves and never import another barrel of oil? Think of 100 years of time to develop and adapt to alternative energies, and that's if we don't use any other oil fields in the country or find any new sources in our territory.
You have no idea how much I want to scream with hearing this news. On the one hand, I'm excited and happy about the prospects. In the other, to know that we have known about this since the 1950s and done almost nothing makes me want to hit someone upside the head. Common sense should tell you that even if the Army Corps of Engineers has to do it, this should have been done.
Considering we have the largest oil shale reserves in the world without question, there is no reason that Estonia should be the world's leading oil shale producer.
That reserve, combined with:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hwILkN6M43ElH1UydmDBmsNvMQhgD99EAOH01
And this:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/05/AR2006090500275.html
To start, yes oil shale is very difficult to extract, I understand this.
One question, if we have, at least, 400 billion barrels of oil in this country, and if the second site matches Bakken, 800 billion, why isn't the technology being rushed like the space race? Oil shale technology should become top priority. Imagine being able to fuel ourselves and never import another barrel of oil? Think of 100 years of time to develop and adapt to alternative energies, and that's if we don't use any other oil fields in the country or find any new sources in our territory.
You have no idea how much I want to scream with hearing this news. On the one hand, I'm excited and happy about the prospects. In the other, to know that we have known about this since the 1950s and done almost nothing makes me want to hit someone upside the head. Common sense should tell you that even if the Army Corps of Engineers has to do it, this should have been done.
Considering we have the largest oil shale reserves in the world without question, there is no reason that Estonia should be the world's leading oil shale producer.
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