The Times We Live In...

I recently came across this article the other day on gather.com.  It was written by Patrick Samuels.  It got me really thinking, what have we done with our country - where we have ordinary citizens talking about suceding from the Union.

From what I was able to look up via the internet, where I currently reside in the state of Texas - There is nothing in the State Constitution of Texas that would prevent secession.  In fact it states "Texas is a free and Independent state, subject only to the Constitution of the United States."  Sure the constitution was written in 1876 and has been amended quite often, but the under lying message is there.  To the Federal Government - Hands off Texas!

Personally I feel this might be the only way to get the attention of our federal government.  We have peacefully protested in Washington, DC and at our representatives offices.  We have made millions of phone calls, and sent millions more in email communications.  Yet the government continues in a direction they see fit.  The last time I checked, the federal government worked for the people.  You take Alaska and Texas out of the union, and the country is in trouble.  Both states have the trading partners and the economy to sustain a long term independence.  I cannot speak for President Obama, but I cannot see him handling this situation well either.  The way I see it, this country is on a collision course to re-set itself.  Where will you stand when this happens?

Will it take another Civil War in America to stop this maddness?  I sure hope it doesn't come to that.  But with such strong opposition to Government run Universal Health Care or Cap and Trade Bill and the government's position to keep moving forward, I am not sure what else there is to do.  We could replace everyone in the House and Senate in the elections in 2010, but would that really change anything?  I am starting to think there is such an infectious disease in Washington, DC that anyone that is fresh and new, gets caught up in the corruption that the liberal based media refuses to acknowledges.  Does Glenn Beck have the answer?  I don't know.  But I tell you one thing, he seems to be the only person willing to stand up and try. The American people are looking for a leader and we have none in Washington currently. I know I will be one of the millions that attend these Glenn Beck town halls that he is planning next year.  And my wife and I will try our best to make it to Washington, DC on August 28, 2010.

Yet the Health Care Bill Marches On...

Most talked about taxes in Senate Health Bill:

• Individual Mandate Tax (would start in 2014):
• Income surcharge tax if you don’t have government approved health care.
• Capped at 8% of your income.
• Employer Mandate Tax (p348):
• At least 50 employees and does not offer health care coverage
• $750 non-deductable tax for all full time employees if you have one qualifying employee
• Excise Tax on Comprehensive Health Insurance plans
• Would start in 2013
• Your employer would have a 40% tax on Cadillac Health Insurance Plans
• If you health insurance is worth more then $8,500 for individual and $23,000 for family plans
• 2013-2015 17 highest cost states would be above this threshold (127%).
• Employer reporting tax on W2
• Medicine Cabinet Tax (P 1097 section 9003)
• No longer allowed to use Health Savings accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts on pre-tax dollars on medication
• Except Insulin
• HSA Withdrawal Tax
• Raising tax from 10% to 20% for early withdrawals
• FSA Cap:
• Currently unlimited – bill would cap this at $2,500.
• Excise Tax on Charitable Hospitals
• $50,000 per hospital if they fail to meet new community assessment need.
• Business MISC 1099 Reporting
• Compliance burden on small businesses
• 2.3 billion annual tax on industry for innovative drug companies imposed on the relative sales posted for that year
• 2 billion annual tax on medical device manufacturing imposed on the relative sales posted for that year
• Exempts items less then $100
• Tax on Health Insurance (3rd page of Quick Summary)
• Eliminate tax deduction for employer provided prescription drug coverage of Medicare part D
• Raise haircut for medical itemized deductions from 7.5% to 10%. Will be waved for people age 65+ but only years 2013-2016.
• $500,000 annual compensation limit for health care executives
• Hike in Medicare payroll tax (First $200,000 of salary):
• Current: Employee 1.50% / Employer 1.45% / Self Employment 2.9%
• In Health Care Bill: Employee 1.45% / Employer 1.90% / Self-Employed 3.4%
• New Rate increases not tax deductable
• 5% Excise tax on cosmetic medical procedures.

Latest statistics show that small businesses represent 70% of all jobs in the United States.  Why is congress trying to destroy this system?

It would take 145 years and 100% of the profit from the fortune 500 companies (based on 2008 figures) to pay off our current debt in principle only.  That figure does not include the interest payments.

The US Government has 4 separate account books.  Why doesn't anyone talk about this so call accounting practices.

Our real national debt is 106 trillion dollars or $343,000 per living citizen in the United States. When China stops buying our debt - then what do we do Mr. President, what shall we do then?

The Ugly Truth...

Daily President Obama Soup:

• Believes in a harsh penalty if you choose not to buy health insurance. He compares health insurance to car insurance.  So when specifically asked about jail time, he supports harsh penalties. Please see below:

• The President bows to the Japanese emperor.
• The White House press secretary states is protocol
• Japanese custom states the lower you bow the more of an “apology”.
• Teddy Roosevelt said “If I should see another king, I shall bite him”.
• Thou shall not bow protocol of the State Department – been in place for 200 years.
• It was not a bow, bow if you know what I mean ambassador to Japan said.
• President Clinton was the only President to break the tradition since George Washington.
  
• The President returned England's gift to the United States (given to us after 9/11) - which was a bust of Winston Churchill.
• 
  
  The First Lady pats the Queen of England on the back?
  
  
  
• 
  
  President Obama’s choice for Chief of Protocol, Capricia Marshall blames not paying taxes on the Washington, DC Post Office...and then her husband.
  
  
  
• 
  
  President Obama lifted the ban on HIV positive people coming into the United States which was put into place by Bush.
  
• President Obama continues to delay on a decision in Afganastan.  I will continue to shout "Give them what they need or bring them home."
  
• President Obama continues to delay the federal investigation into Ft. Hood.  Here's an idea, lets give the families some closure.  I really hope one of the mothers of the fallen heroes slaps him across the face.  That's what he needs.
  
  
  

I am getting the idea that anything to do with President George Bush, he is doing the opposite.  I am getting the feeling he is just into the average American person.


Daily SEIU Soup:

• George Soros funded SOS project: To put a SEIU friendly Secretary of State in each of the 50 states.
• SEIU makes a movie entitled "Labour Day"
• It details how the union got the current President of the United States elected and what can the union expect to get back from the President in return.
• Only played in Artsy liberal theaters on October 30, 2009
• SEIU goes after Eagle Scout who cleaned up bike/walking trail, who has spent 200 hours in his pursuit of his job. Local representative Nick Balzano stated “Only union members are allowed to pick up in that area, and will look into the Boy or Cub scout responsible.”
• SEIU is the only union to be sued by another union.

Anyone else see a problem here?  Are they the "muscle arm" of President Obama's agenda?

Health Care Bill:

• AARP is a strong proponent of the bill.  Why? Hmmm it appears that AARP sells GAP insurance for anything not covered by Medicaid or Medicare and would stand to make millions if this bill should pass in the Senate.
• Why haven't we heard from any trial lawyers on this topic, either for or against the bill?  Even after a deal was brokered to get rid of private insurance within 5 to 10 years?
• Turns out in the bill, Lawyers are now able to sue for pain and suffering if coverage is denied by an inusrance company.
• As written in the current bill, current private insurance will be grandfathered without taxes for 5 year grace period.  However if any changes are made - such as a change in deductable or primium price, individuals are then kicked out of the private health plan and flipped into the government plan.

Doesn't sound like there are any positives to this plan what so ever.  Not to mention the real price tag of 3 trillion dollars.  Please no one tell Obama what comes after a Trillion, please!!!!

9/11 Trial in NYC:

• Since George Washington, we have never tried Acts of War in a criminal court. It was always tried in a Military Tribunal Court. The current administration is trying to put the Bush Administration on trial and destroy the CIA. It’s a slap in the face. What if the terrorist on trial is set free?  Here's how it could realistically happen
• The terrorist's lawyer is looking into whether the confession has legal standing that he was the mastermind of 9/11 because of torture.
• I seem to recall 90% of the people in this country telling our CIA to do what is necessary to get information and get justice.  You cannot have buyer's remorse.  You have to live with the consequences of your actions.  Personally I felt safer knowing we are getting this information.  I don't care how it is obtained and frankly neither should anyone else.
• If the confession is thrown out, what supporting documentation can be used to indict the suspect?
• And if there is reasonable doubt, he would have to be acquitted and therefore cannot be tried for the same crime twice.
• Not to mention all of the Department of Intelligence, CIA and FBI techniques would be revealed.
• The trial could go on for years costing the tax payers millions of dollars and tying up the court system.  Not to mention it would be a circus atmosphere.
•  Cloward and Piven strategy to collapse the system from within...this would flood the court system of New York sending a ripple effect.
• What precidents will be set during this trial? Will they benefit anyone?

Chuck Schumer blames Texas for Ft. Hood shooting, a lapse in gun control

Oh President Obama...We are watching

This video just leaves me speechless...self-explanitory.



It would be nice if the President of the United States of America, stops bowing and apologizing for past mistakes.  We bow to NO ONE.  Oh and while you are over in Japan, could we make a decision on Afganastan?  Its been over 100 days and our men and women are still dying.  When is enough, enough?

States in Trouble

Recently I was reading across this list of information from CNN and MSN.

States that will go bankrupt shortly:

• New York – should be bankrupt by Christmas
• California has struggled immensely from the housing meltdown, and state lawmakers face voter-imposed restrictions, including requirements that all budgets and tax increases pass the Legislature by a two-thirds majority.
• Arizona's lawmakers relied on one-time fixes to balance the state's budget instead of making long-term changes.
• Rhode Island faces the highest unemployment rate and the highest home foreclosure rate in New England. It also has high taxes and lacks high-tech jobs.
• Michigan has been slammed by the meltdown of the U.S. auto industry, which has lost thousands of jobs.
• Oregon's leading industries, including timber and computer-chip manufacturing, have been hit by the recession, and the state relies on a voter-imposed revenue cap, which forces the state to give taxpayer rebates when times are good but leaves it unprepared in bad times.
• Nevada has been hit by the downturn in consumer spending, which has weighed heavily on its gaming and tourism industries. Nevada is one of five states without a personal or corporate income tax , so it relies mostly on taxes from gaming and sales to finance most services.
• Florida's population is shrinking for the first time since World War II, and the Sunshine State has long banked on people moving there. Constitutional amendments passed by voters also tie the hands of budget makers.
• New Jersey has dealt with budget troubles for years. It has the highest property taxes in the nation and has increased sales and personal income taxes to help boost revenue. The financial market meltdown is also pressuring the state.
• Illinois' budget gap for fiscal 2010 was one of the three biggest in the country at $13.2 billion. The Land of Lincoln has run deficits every year since the last recession in 2001 and borrows to pay off its bills.
• Wisconsin has been hit hard by the decline in manufacturing as a result of the recession.

The 10 states account for more than one-third of the U.S. population and economic output, according to the report.

How's that socialism working out for your state? Aren't you glad we passed that 1 trillion dollar stimulus package that we needed by 7pm or we would be bankrupt?

I personally am happy to be living in Texas at this time.  It is one of the healthest states fiscially at the moment and one of the lowest jobless rates in the nation...must be doing something right here.  Perhaps its the lower cost of living? Maybe...Perhaps it's the slightly higher sales tax (8.25%)-could be...I think it might be the no state income tax...ding ding ding, we have a winner.

The long weekend...

Today is Sunday and after my usual Friday off, its the worse day of the week for me.  I know what comes tomorrow - Monday.  Not that Mondays are bad for me, its just the waking up after a nice weekend with the wife that's the killer.  It was a pretty slow weekend here: dinner at Chilie's on Friday night where I had their new and improved fire grilled chicken quesadillas with a side of Mexican rice.  I washed that down with a Strawberry Mojito (Man, I loves those).  Saturday was our Body Combat class at Body 3 Fitness and my wife went to the Nutcracker Market at Reliant Center here in Houston with her best friend.  Not that I would not have gone, but that's more of a chick thing.  Let them have a good time out.  For dinner we went out for steak - I know where in Houston can't you get steak.  We went to Saltgrass where I had the 12 oz sirlion steak with a baked potato, house salad with vinergrette dressing and finished it off by splitting a piece of cheese cake.  Sunday was church and food shopping...man I am getting old.

November 11 - News Points

Recently I made the decision to make this blog public, and by public I mean posting the link to my facebook page.  This was a huge step for me.  I still dont think there is anyone who wants to hear what I have to say, but guess what I really dont care.  This is all about me anyway :) Anyway back to the news that the mainstream media will NOT cover.

Ft. Hood shooter:

• White house not able to share information with the ranking republican (Peter Hoekstra) member of House intelligence committee.
• Required by law to inform on a timely basis of national security matters
• Whitehouse has information regarding Islamic contacts, mosque and the FBI was following the domestic terrorist since 2008.
• President Obama stated we should not jump to conclusions – but had information that states the contrary.  Funny thing though...remember this? When President Obama stated while he did not have all the facts the Cambridge Police acted stupidly.
• Compare how much conviction conveyed during that press conference with the press conference for the Ft. Hood shooting.  Does something seem wrong to you...I know it does to me.
• Let’s call it what it is. If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck – well you get the idea. This was a planned terrorist attack. To call it anything less is just a disgrace to the men & women who died at Ft. Hood.

Chris Matthews:

• Stated on his show “Hardball” that its not illegal to call Al-Qaeda is it?  I dont know about you...I am sure questions would have been raised if in 1940's people made phone calls to Hilter or his Army.  Maybe it's just me.

Global Warming:

• 3rd coldest October in recorded history.  So again, gotta save those Polar Bears dont we.

President Obama:

• Fired Susan Crawford – Internet Czar. She is behind Net Neutrality.  Don't worry it was another in the middle of the night removal we have come to expect from our "transparent" President.
• I still cannot forgive the President for giving a shout out before addressing a national tragedy.
• Speaking of which, Did President Obama's speech to the Native American's sound familiar.  It did to me.  Check out this video of Van Jones.  I thought he was out of the White House? Hmmm, I guess I was hoping for some change.

Anita Dunn

• White House Communications Director
• Will step down at the end of the month.

US Homeland Security Secretary

• Went to the Middle East to console the Muslim community.

Congressman Barney Frank:

• His partner was arrest for pot in 2007 – however he was not
• Was on front porch in Maine when police found marijuana plants outside.
• Frank did not have an idea of what was happening.
• Would not be able to recognize a pot plant because he is not an outdoorsman.

Eric Holder:

• United States Attorney General
• US Department of Justice – Grand Jury subpoena demanded all IP traffic to and personal information from website to be disclosed:
• SSN
• Banks Accounts
• E-mail addresses
• IP Addresses
• Physical Addresses
• Credit Cards
• Placed gag order on indymedia.us not to mention probe was going on.
• Issued by US Attorney Tim Morrison – Indiana
• Fed representative – “I didn’t think we are doing anything to warrant national attention”
• What is Eric Holder really after?

And to leave you with a quote from a radical - Benjamin Franklin "To get people out of poverty, make them uncomfortable in poverty”.  You think its time to overhaul the system and stop this maddness of entitlement from the government?

Health Care Bill

As many of the citizens know, the Health Care Bill cleared a first major huddle in the law process by just passing in the House. There are now 220 targets that the American people are going after to "fire" you in 2010. Yeah good luck with that. Here are a few snippets from the Health Care Bill that are a little concerning to say the least (Yes I read some parts of this Bill as I liked to be informed. That's more then I can say for the House Representatives):

• Page 111 - Section 223 establishes a new board of federal bureaucrats (the “Health Benefits Advisory Committee”) to dictate the health plans that all individuals must purchase. Comment: Of course this almost certainly will make the insurance companies go out of business. How many times can the new sources state this - this means you will be "nudged" into a government run health plan
• Page 211 - Section 321 establishes a new government-run health plan that, according to non-partisan actuaries at the Lewin Group, would cause as many as 114 million Americans to lose their existing coverage.
• Page 297 - Section 501 imposes a 2.5 percent tax on all individuals who do not purchase “bureaucrat-approved” health insurance - the tax would apply on individuals with incomes under $250,000, thus breaking a central promise of then-Senator Obama’s presidential campaign. Comments: Say what you will about 250k salary, its not what it seems like. You almost cannot live in NYC with that kind of income. My wife and I have over 120k combined income and because of federal taxes, we are still living check to check. This will just hurt the middle class, if there is a middle class left.

Do you believe Pelosi and Obama when they say “if you like your plan you can keep your plan” … that you ultimately won’t be forced to live with government-run insurance? I know I do not believe anything that comes out of their mouths.

Check out this provision…

• Page 94 - Section 202(c) prohibits the sale of private individual health insurance policies, beginning in 2013, forcing individuals to purchase coverage through the federal government. Comments: Where is the media coverage about this. Oh that's right - David Axlerod told the media not to act like Fox News and report the stories.

Of course, Members of Congress and their family members need not worry about how this radical overhaul of our nation's health care will affect them because...

• Page 225 - Section 330 permits—but does not require —Members of Congress to enroll in government-run health care. Comments: I beg everyone to ask their reprsentatives and congressmen if they would enroll themselves in the government plan.

Here Are A Few More Little Nasties In Pelosi’s H.R. 3962.

• Page 110 - Section 222(e) requires the use of federal dollars to fund abortions through the government-run health plan—and, if the Hyde Amendment were ever not renewed, would require the plan to fund elective abortions. Comments: You know what that means? Chrstian/Baptist/Catholic run hospitals would be forced to close down, meaning even less healthcare out there. I am not going to tell you where to stand on abortion as its a decision each person will have to make, but You have to face your maker in the end and be accountable for you actions. Having said that, I do not want my tax dollars going to pay for such a thing.
• Page 313 - Section 512 imposes an 8 percent “tax on jobs” for firms that cannot afford to purchase “bureaucrat-approved” health coverage; according to an analysis by Harvard Professor Kate Baicker, such a tax would place millions “at substantial risk of unemployment”—with minority workers losing their jobs at twice the rate of their white counterparts.
• Page 336 - Section 551 imposes additional job-killing taxes, in the form of a half-trillion dollar “surcharge,” more than half of which will hit small businesses; according to a model developed by President Obama’s senior economic advisor, such taxes could cost up to 5.5 million jobs.
• Page 520 - Section 1161 cuts more than 150 billion from Medicare Advantage plans, potentially jeopardizing millions of seniors’ existing coverage. Comments: Where is the senior outrage?! It's just aweful that the AARP is in support of the Health Care Bill. While it does not suprise me, I wonder what was the trade off?
• Page 733 - Section 1401 establishes a new Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research; the bill includes no provisions preventing the government-run health plan from using such research to deny access to life-saving treatments on cost grounds, similar to Britain’s National Health Service, which denies patient treatments costing more than 35,000. Comments: I wonder if all those children who come to the US for charity care work (You know you have seen the TLC and Discovery specials), if they will still come after all this?

And last, but certainly not least:

• Page 1174 - Section 1802(b) includes provisions entitled 'Taxes On Certain Insurance Policies' to fund comparative effectiveness research, breaking Speaker Pelosi’s promise that 'We will not be taxing benefits in any bill that passes the House,' and the President’s promise not to raise taxes on families with incomes under 250,000.

This is not to mention the fact failure to pay such a tax could lead to five year prision terms and fines up to $250,000.

If this bill passes and is signed into law by President Obama, I will almost bet the house that a revolution will insue. History will repeat itself, and when you children ask where were you, what will you tell them?

Elections in the News...

My apologies for not writing in some time.  It has been a hectic week to say the least. 

NY District 23 Race:

• Democrat Bill Owens wins.
• Withing 24 hours of taking office, he breaks 4 crutial campaign promises.
• Republicans spent almost 1 million dollars to destroy Doug Hoffman
• Democrats spent 2 million dollars to destroy Hoffman
• Democrats are screaming failure of tea party
• 8 weeks ago Hoffman was an unknown accountant.
• Hoffman makes the Republican drop out.
• Republican and Democrat double team and win by only 3 percentage points – Can you imagine Hillary Clinton supporting John McCain?
• So really, is this a complete failure?  If you combine the republican vote with the conservative vote, Bill Owns would have lost by 3 percentage points.

NYC Mayoral Race:

• Incumbent Mayor Michael Bloomberg wins re-election.
• Bloomberg spent 100 million dollars to win election
• Only won by 5 percentage points
• Interesting fact - No one wanted Rudy to stay for a few months after 9/11 to ensure a smooth transition of power - city council cried term limits and city constitution
• Yet Bloomberg got city council to change the term limits so he is able to run again - interesting...

New Jersey Governor’s Race:

• Republican Challenger Chris Christie wins.
• And he is a Morris County guy - my home county in NJ.
• First republican to win the overall state for the first time in 40 years.  Sure he didnt carry the typical counties of Essex and Bergen, but this was a race that Christie has no business winning.  So what does that say about Incumbent Jon Corzine?
• It was about the economy - plain and simple.
• Soon to be former Governor Jon Corzine fails to win re-relection, only the 3rd incumbent to loose election in New Jersey history.  Even McGreevy won re-election.  Looks like Jonny boy will join the ranks of Jim Florio (remember the motto - Florio Free in '93?)
• He's to hoping Christie can live up to his promises and may I can afford to return to my home state.