AUTO INDUSTRY
What happens to GM and Chrysler, when after this government "sanctioned" restructuring and bankruptcy is complete and they still can't sell any cars? Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their jobs, homes, retirement plans, benefits, and futures all because the Democrats/Green People believe that people weren't buying their cars because they wanted smaller, greener cars with better gas mileage. I hope they are right but I'm afraid the reality will be just as many of us have said all along, people can't or won't buy cars if the banks won't loan money and if they either don't have a job or are uncertain about their job.
STIMULUS
President Obama told a gathering in Las Vegas today that his $787 billion dollar stimulus jobs has either created or saved 150,000 jobs. God, I hope he is talking just about the state of Nevada because by my math that equates to $5.4266 million dollars a job. I hope the program works better than that. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090527/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_solar_power
REPUBLICANS
So the Republicans are now changing their tune about helping the domestic auto industry. It seems they just realized cars are built and sold in 48 out of 50 states. The jobs lost nationwide solely due to Chrysler and GM closing dealerships will surpass 120,000 jobs. That is just the dealerships and doesn't include the support services like lending, insurance, auto parts, uniforms, landscaping, window washers, local advertising. Hey Senator Numbnuts...'er Shelby how'd that taste?
POLITICIANS
I believe if all you do is sit and bitch about a problem you become part of the problem. To be part of the solution you need to be proactive. Now there are many that read my writings here and on Craigslist that swear I'm a Republican because I keep slapping President Obama and the Democrats, and I'm not. In fact because I am proactive I get fairly regular correspondence from Senator Carl Levin and Representative Barney Frank of the House Banking Committee. The other day I received emails from both informing me about the new Credit Card Reforms the Obama has requested and congress has passed. I emailed back and applauded the President and our lawmakers for long overdue protections for the consumer. But being one not to mince words I also asked why to you give them 7-months to continue to rape, pillage and plunder the working man when the changes enacted merely are typographical. I said this has been the problem with the Republicrats all along. They pass a law and thump their chests, and tell us how they are "protecting " us then give the banks time to find loop holes. It all smoke and mirrors. If the law is what it is there is no reason it cannot be implemented in 30-days. Hell we implement new tax code in 30-days and that effects every working soul in America. BTW I admire both Levin and Frank, at least they communicate.
SMOKING BAN
The Michigan Legislature has passed a state wide smoking ban but it still needs to make it through the Michigan Senate. I hope someone there has the brains God gave a good sized gnat because although the anti-smoking zealots are dancing in the street, this stupid bill would be a critical blow to Michigan. Tobacco tax revenue totaled $1,129.2 million in fiscal year (FY) 2007, down $39.9 million from FY 2006. This represented a 3.4 percent decrease in tobacco tax revenues compared to FY 2006. Tobacco taxes now account for 4.8 percent of all Michigan taxes. At $2.00 tax per pack with 550 million packs sold each year, who is going to make up for that lost revenue when people quit en mass because they can no longer smoke in public? And don't kid yourself they will, I did. The non smokers? Maybe, but only if they have any money or jobs. My lady LJ lives outside of Columbus Ohio and I think it was two years ago they passed a similar ban. From what she told me restaurants and bars took a huge hit in the revenue due to the law and let's be honest here, can Michigan afford to lose even one more job?
The other problem I have with this proposed law is the exemptions. This law bans smoking in public places, restaurants, bars and public buildings. Where you can still smoke is in Casino's and Cigar Bars. What the hell is that? Either you are going to ban it or you are not. You don't ban something under the guise of health then say you're exempt if your revenue, tax base and kick backs are large enough. I mean we've all seen the improvements made in Detroit due to the Casino jobs and revenue. They've expanded the parking around the Federal Building to handle all of those gambling addicts as they file for Chapter 7.
I could live with the ban if it were applied equally but if it isn't, then there shouldn't be a ban.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
As I am typing this the police, FBI, family, friends and neighbors are searching for a missing 5-year old girl named Nevaeh Buchanan, down in Monroe, Michigan. The fact that this little girl is missing is, in and of itself, tragic. I pray and I hope you will join me in prayer for her safe return. I will say that it doesn't look promising as her Mother was dating a registered sex offender and he is being looked at closely by the police. But that is a story for another time.
What is bothering me is there seems to be an increasing trend in violence again those most vulnerable, children and the elderly. At first, like many, I thought it was only because there is more media today and therefore more exposure to these types of stories but research shows that isn't the case. We all watched that horrible video on the news two years ago of that monster in Florida leading that innocent little girl to her terrifying death. He was convicted and I believe sentenced to death. It made the national news when a punk tried to car-jack and 80 year old man in Detroit and instead of helping, people stood around and video taped it on their phones.
We have become a society filled with people that are callous to things we found terrifying just a generation ago. There has been a desensitizing of people through the media and through the court system. There is no consequence today for actions. If you murdered someone and you're not in Texas or Florida the chances are you'll get another shot at it in your lifetime. They talk about the rights of the accused. What about the rights of the victim? And the potential victims yet to come? In the case above if this man is a pedophile on parole and this little girl is dead, why shouldn't he be dead as a well?
Today "Project Innocence" uses DNA and science to free people wrongly imprisoned and I think that is a fantastic thing. If we have the science and technology to conclusively free a man wrongly accused, then doesn't that mean if we have the same science and technology to condemn one to death? It should! If the science and technology proves beyond a shadow of a doubt guilt then there is not reason for multiple appeals. You get one if a point of law or rights were trampled on but after that you get to meet your maker.
And before all of the bleeding hearts come out of the woodwork....don't tell it to me. Go explain it to the family of Nevaeh Buchanan. Her picture is accompanying this entry so if you have seen her please contact the authorities.
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