Christmas Memories

As the year winds down I thought I just reflect a little bit and wonder out loud.....

Christmas for me is a contradiction in feelings. On one had it is my favorite time of the year yet on the other hand it is a time when I tend to get a little melancholy. Memories of Christmas in my childhood were not always happy and that left an impression that has remained with me throughout my life. It taught me a valuable lesson about what the meaning of Christmas is, and why it is so important to enjoy the season.

Of course the important reason for Christmas is to celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. To those of us that believe this alone is enough reason to celebrate. But then there is the commercial side of Christmas which plays an important part in the family unit and in society.

When I think of Christmas, I think of smiling faces, children laughing, singing Christmas carols, fires in the fireplace, wonderful old movies and fantastic family dinners.

I remember it was this time of year my mother would always bake Cinnamon Bread which was one of my favorites. I loved it so much she would bake a loaf or two for the family and one exclusively for me. Oh, I can still smell the aroma of the Cinnamon waifing through the air.

Another tradition was decorating the house. Inside and out there were lights, garland and tinsel, and every year we would go harvest a freshly cut tree. My father, brothers and I would go off to a tree farm and tramp through the hills in search of the "perfect" tree. I can envision the grey sky with drifts of fluffy snow rolling around out like wave on the ocean making the trek a little difficult at times. Of course when we did this I was very young and my attention span was that of a puppy. I would run up and down the hills while the others cut down the tree and hauled it back to the car. And every year my dad said the same thing to my mom, " Bea, Barry is like a fart in a windstorm out there, running around like a wild child. Next year we were going to get an artificial tree", and of course it never happened, at least not for several more years.

I remember my Mom putting the Christmas records on the stereo and my father would start singing along with them. It didn't take long until we all tried our hand at the family version of "American Kareoke" singing along with my Dad and the records.

The there was watching the old classics on TV. My Mom would pop us up a pan of popcorn and we'd sit and watch the black and white TV for hours. A Christmas Carol, It's A Wonderful Life, White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, and all of the others helped make the season special.

The on Christmas Eve we'd go to the midnight service at church and when we got home "Santa" had already been there!!! The cookie and celery were gone from the plat as well as the glass of milk. We were all allowed to open just one present then it was off to bed, to try to sleep, until the clock struck 6!

Some of my favorite toys I received at Christmas. Of course a bag of "Army Men" went a long way until Bertsch, Roach and I discovered lighter fluid and flame throwers! LOL I remember this "Lady Bug" I got when I was about 3, it was motorized and went straight until it hit something then it would change directions. Now that was cool to a 3 year old. Then there was the year Brad and I got plastic swords and shield, ala Sleeping Beauty", and he'd beat the hell out of my head with his sword. Did I ever mention how much I loved my brother? Then the year he got a "Stromberg Slot Car" set, I was so jealous because it was so neat! Then he and I got skis' one year, I think I was about 8. "Seven Seas" was one of my favorite board games because I loved geography as a kid. Then there was the "Snubby Gun" snub nose 38 with a shoulder holster that shot "Greenie Stick'em Caps". Of course ever kids dream was a "Davy Crockett" coon skin cap and musket. And the ultimate gift was a "Daisy" lever action BB gun! (Yes, they did say you could shoot your eye out)

The funny thing is we would have had fun with anything back in those days. It was a time for the family to "be a family"and give thanks to God for his son. Those were the good times....memories that live with a person forever. As for the not so nice ones, well, it's not worth worrying about because this is a time to be happy.

So, Merry Christmas to you and yours! May this holidays season create wonderful memories for you! And Merry Christmas to you Brian!

Those are some of my memories, what are some of yours?

The Common Sense Party

With the mid term elections less than a week away I thought it might be a good time to dust off the keyboard and the blog, and share a few thoughts on politics.

For years I have explained, to any that would listen, that I am neither Conservative nor Liberal, that I cast my vote based upon my definition of common sense. But what exactly does common sense mean, you ask? Isn't that subjective? Sure it is, but there will always be differences and common bonds when ever the discussion turns to politics, and frankly with the current situation in our nation we could use a little more "common sense" and a lot less politics.

I don't know about you but I have grown weary for both the Democrats and Republicans. I am tired of extremist in both parties. I am tired of the negative campaigning. How refreshing it would be to have a candidate tell us why we should vote for him versus why we shouldn't vote for the other guy. Think of how productive that would be. It would actually allow you and I to make an intelligent decision.

A classic example of this is taking place here in Michigan. Our next Governor is going to win the race solely on the merit of not telling anyone what he plans to do! And he's going to win!! His opponent on the other hand has told us all the reasons why we don't want the other guy to be our Governor but he hasn't yet told us why he should be? This is politics in America, go figure.

My single greatest fear in this election is that the Republicans will take whatever victories that achieve, and they will be numerous, as some form of "Mandate" by the people that we want their same old far right rhetoric. Nothing could be further from the truth. The majority of Americans live in the middle. The only reason the Republicans will see gains is because we don't want to live in the far left any more than the far right, but that is where President Pelos, 'er Obama has us living.

Now in a perfect world we would have alternative choices. A third party. The "Common Sense Party" which has an allegiance to the voters and not some political party ideology or special interest groups. Unfortunately the odds of this happening are slim to none because the two major parties have "brainwashed" (forgive me George Romney) the citizens of this country that a vote for someone other than the "big two" is a wasted vote. They like that you think that way. It gives them control.

For a moment let's pretend we do live in a "perfect" world and we do have that third choice. What would the Common Sense Party be like? What would be their platform, their standards, their ideals? Let's take a few moments and see what we can come up with.

First of all the Common Sense Party, hereafter known as the CSP, believes in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. We believe that the most important statement made by either document lie in the preamble to the Constitution that states:

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

We believe we are a Democratic Republic that was formed for the betterment of the "people" and it is the people that we serve. Not the party, not the lobbyists, not the special interests. And as such, we believe that there needs to be an amendment to the Constitution stating that every law enacted shall apply equally to everyone in this country including elected officials.

We believe that the Constitution should be interpreted the way it was written. We do not believe that our founding fathers had some "Nostradamus" type powers that allowed them to view 200 years into the future as they drafted the tenets that were to become the standard for American Society. We do not believe it is a living and breathing document. We believe changes made to the basic interpretation should be done in the political arena not the judicial. Justices do not answer to the people, nor should they.

When drafted the First Amendment meant exactly what it reads: You can speak out against the government if you disagree, you can assemble and protest against the government if you disagree, and the government shall not make any laws prohibiting that right. What it didn't mean is you can call your neighbor a Mo%&er F*c%$r and not expect a consequence. It does not mean that society cannot stop child pornography, it does not mean you can display offensive words on you shirt. It does not mean any of these things nor does it prohibit it but the only part of "free speech" is what is directed at the government. You have a right to say whatever you want but then society has the right to react how they want. Again the paragraph began with "We the people" not "Dick the anti-social pinhead". As far as religion goes, again to it's true form it says government may not prohibit or endorse a religion. It says nothing about separation. that part was interjected by the judiciary. In God We Trust.

We believe in the Second Amendment. We believe you have the right to bear arms and defend yourself. We also believe that you can kill a man, rabbit, wolf, bear, elk and deer better with a rifle than you can with a hand gun, and as such society can regulate who owns hand guns. Everyone should own a rifle or a shotgun, but not a hand gun. If someone has something sinister in mind you at least see they are armed if they have a rifle.

The Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendments are good except that a convicted criminals rights shall never exceed the rights of the victims. The death penalty is not a deterrent, it is a method to rid society of a plague to prevent a repeat performance.

We can discuss the rest at the party convention.

We believe in a system of check and balances as it exists between the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches of the government but with one caveat. We would propose again to amend the Constitution that allows for a vote of 2/3 of the electorate in a popular vote to override Judicial interpretation of the Constitution. When the founding fathers established the system of checks and balances judges were political but rarely used the bench to "write" law. Today's judiciary is far more political, more activist, than in the past and the Constitution is grey on how to "check the Judges. The bottom line is if "We the people" believe in a law as being good for our society it should not be the judiciaries place to override those wishes. If the law is unfair there is a political process in place to change it where the people actually have a voice in the matter.

The CSP believes that the Federal Government is in place to provide common defense, regulate commerce, and act in a mediator capacity between the individual States. We believe that the majority of laws should be made and regulated on a state level. This gives the people a more powerful voice in what is going on.

We believe in God, we just don't believe that he needs to be our candidate. This trend in society that a political candidate has to be beyond reproach has severely limited the field of potential leaders. In fact it has left very few that are qualified to lead. Don't get me wrong I am not saying we need to pitch morals or ethics out the window but I know few people that don't have some form of regret or skeleton in their closet. Our leaders should be elected on their ability think in a creative way, honor their promises and lead, pure and simple. If they left a stain on a dress in the past it is between him and his wife, truthfully.

We believe that there should be a "national primary day". Too often the election boils down to candidates we don't want because the field has been widdled down a little at a time. There should be a national primary with the top two finishers in all parties being included on the national ballot. The electoral college is obsolete, the election of the President and Vice President should be based upon the popular vote.

We believe schools need to be regulated on the State level. That teachers need to teach the students to learn not to pass proficiency tests. We believe in reasonable corporal punishment, as it is necessary, can be administered by both the schools and the parents. This should not be mistaken as a license to abuse children but sometime you need to close the book and swat them on their ass to get their attention.

In addition we need to revamp our education system. Teachers need to be paid higher wages and school needs to become a year round experience. Physical education will be incorporated daily in all grades from K thru 12. Physical education will be the basics of exercise not archery, golf or croquette. The reason they are obese is they sit on their backsides all day.

We believe in free enterprise and capitalism. We also believe that companies that prosper here owe a bit of loyalty to society. We believe in tax breaks for companies that create jobs here in America and we believe in additional taxes on those that ship jobs over seas.

We believe that we should cease with all foreign aid. We have been giving our money away and trying to buy friends since WWII and it hasn't worked out that well. Bring all of our troops home, concentrate our resources on improving our country and society, and recapture our position as the strongest economy in the world. In the 21st century financial strength is greater than military strength.

We believe that all trade agreements should be repealed and renegotiated to keep our manufacturing on a level playing field with those in our trading partners countries. We will no long trade with countries that manipulate currency to artificially deflate the cost of their products to undersell American manufacturers.

Security is an absolute priority. It is the job of the federal government to provide for national security, therefore as our soldiers come home they will be stationed along our borders to eliminate illegal border crossings.

We will return to stringent enforcement of immigration. Deport the illegals and let them come in the front door as our forefathers did.

We do believe in a national health care policy. We believe that a network of clinics should be established at every hospital in the country, that allows for walk in health care for the uninsured. These clinics will be staffed by various doctors and nurses working 8 hours a week to work off their student loans. These clinics would be funded under revised Medicare and Medicaid regulations and funds. This would allow for protection of those that have no insurance without intruding into the open market place.

We believe in tort reform. Unnecessary law suits have place a huge burden on the cost of everything in society but to limit the ability to seek justice is tricky. Therefore in a radical move we would amend civil law as such; if a suit is brought against a defendant that is found not guilty or the suit is discharged as frivolous, the burden of all court costs and attorney fees shall be become the obligation of the plaintiffs Attorney. Let that happen a few times and you will see frivolous suits go down by 400%.

Financial reform needs to include reform of the credit rating services. For years non essential information has been utilized to determine a person credit worthiness. It make no sense that a man with $8,000 of credit with $2,000 of open credit is a greater risk than a man with $24,000 of credit with $60,000 of open credit, yet the man with the higher balance is deemed worthier. Also credit score shall not be used for anything other than credit, not jobs, not insurance, nothing else as they are an inexact science.

We believe in a national sale tax of 5% and a flat income tax with the only allowable deductions being taxes paid, house interest, domestic vehicle loan interest and qualified charities. Everyone would pay the same rate of 18%.

We believe in general assistance. There are times in any ones life when they may need some assistance and we believe such a program is necessary in our society. We also believe there needs to be limitations on how this should work. Assistance is meant to be temporary not a multi-generational way of life. One limitation would be if you are receiving assistance you will be required to volunteer times to local hospitals or charities to offset the money being paid. Also if you have more than one child while on assistance that will terminate your participation in that program. You may not receive assistance from the government for more than 3 years unless in the case of a medical disability and you may not receive assistance more than one in a decade.

We believe in laws that promote a fair and balance representation of society. We believe in protected classes but condone any laws that eliminates basic protections under the law to any one class.

Ok, I have started it for you but what would you add? And why?

The important think to remember is it is your obligation to vote, to participate in managing the greatest country on the face of the earth. Perhaps not perfect, but still the greatest.

August 10th

Happy Birthday Buddy! I hope you had a great day hanging with your friends!

Maybe one of these times I'll make it too....

King of Nothing

So, Lebron James is holding an hour long TV special on ESPN Thursday to announce where he is going to play basketball. Who really gives a rats cadaver?

"The King" as Lebron has self-proclaimed himself to be is a slightly above average talent that was created by Nike. Trust me anyone can be great when Nike says you are but only until the hype wears off.

So I'll ask, "what is it that makes the "King" so great"? All of his titles? Nope. How about his conference championships? None of those either. How about the way his play attracted big name players to Cleveland? Shaq? Booby Gibson? Delante West? Scratch him!

In seven season in the NBA the second coming never came. Oh, he talks a big game, and the media talks him up, but would they without Nike's advertising money behind him? I wonder. He's the poster child of the NBA because of hype, not substance. The only thing this guy has shown in seven seasons in the NBA is he can mug a camera as well as Erin Andrews and Al Sharpton.

Striking a pose for the camera doesn't win rings, hard work does, walking the talk might but he has to show that he can pick up a team and carry it on his back for an extended period of time first.

LeBron better than Kobe? Michael? Larry? Hell, he hasn't proven he is better than Chauncey yet. At least Billups took a team of cast-offs from around the NBA and won several conference titles, a championship and came within 3 minutes of winning a second.

But Lebron wants you all to tune into the "LeBron Show" tomorrow to feed his ego. To pay homage to the king without a crown as he proclaims his new kingdom.

Thanks, but no thanks. Call me when you have won something. When you have actually led a team to a championship. Because right now, from the outside looking in, you couldn't lead a group of kids into a candy store.

Strike the pose!

Happy Birthday America

Happy Birthday America! And long may you thrive!

That is a phrase someone, somewhere in this country has been saying now for 234 years. With any luck someone will get to say it for another 234 years and beyond. But for that to happen it is time for the American people to start to take some responsibility for the future of this great country.

The truth is we have become a country of talkers and takers, but few want to give back. They don't because it would mean personal sacrifice, in an age of it's all about me, that is not surprising. This nation is being dragged down by our detractors from a far, and more so by our own people and elected officials from within.

Depending upon where you live you have been in or experienced some form of recession and decline in standard of living over the last decade. For most that decline hit its peak over the last 3 years, but believe me when I say, the seeds of the decline were sown years ago.

One of the things that have allowed us to thrive is we have been the industrial base of the world for the last 125 years. If you needed something the Americans would invent it or design it, and manufacture it better than anyone. Or at least we used to, when we had an industrial base.

It may have started with NAFTA or some other obscure treaty, but slowly and methodically we have given away our title as the Industrial leader of the world.

And before the finger pointing starts, this isn't a Republican/Democrat thing, it's a government thing. It's a greed thing, it's a PAC thing, it's a lobbiest thing, it's an ego thing, it's a corruption thing and it's bigger than one man or one political party. It does have a lot to due with us, as a people being lazy. It would be hard to hold our politicians accountable, it might mean we can't own the latest cell phone, or big screen TV. It might mean that we have to pay an extra $150 for a washing machine, or a dryer, and we might not be able to buy shorts for $6.99 at Walmart.

It might mean you have to sacrifice 300 channels on your cable TV and have only 50, and say to hell with 3-D movies.

A little sacrifice can go a long way to rebuilding a society we once knew. A society where we welcomed immigrants because we had a multitude of jobs available. A society where we had values, standards and a work ethic. That is part of the solution.

The second part is to really have a change in government. We elected President Obama on the promise of change, but has he really delivered? Do we still fall prey to lies and half-truths from our politicians?

It's time to grow a pair America. It's time to make some hard choices and take some personal responsibility. It's time spot being a sheep lead by a party, and become an individual that says he is an American, not a Republican or Democrat.

In the next 5 years we need to change our leadership from top to bottom. If they have been in politics for more than 2 years vote them out. They are part of the problem and not the solution. You need to send a message to Washington and your state legislature, which is "This is my country and you work for me"!

Just maybe, if we all pull together like those people did back in 1776, our great grandchildren will be able to say "Happy Birthday America"!

Things That Make You Go Huh?

So these are public servants:

While the rest of this country is trying their best to salvage or rebuild their lives after the recent financial and real estate melt down, our elected public servants have decided that maybe we need to look into some reforms. You would think this concept stands out so glaringly that even Stevie Wonder could see it, so I guess we should get too excited about our legislature suddenly being proactive.

Now I cannot claim to be an expert on the bill they have been trying to debate for the last two weeks but it's obvious that it is one drafted by the Democrats. I say this with a degree of confidence knowing that the Republicans have been filibustering like crazy to prevent any meaningful discussion on the topic.

Far be it from me to imply that common sense says that instead of blocking this maybe you, the Republicans, should offer a few ideas, or maybe even your own plan? We all know how well this tactic worked on the health care issue. You decided to play word games and offer no solutions or options, hoping that the worst will happen and it'll be a debacle, and the public will then vote out the Democrats. Who, by the way, are not blameless in this fiasco either. In fact there is enough blame to lather both parties easily.

Isn't that wonderful. You'd sell out the nation and our people just so you can be right! That's what it boil down to, doesn't it?

I have a hot flash for you, the voting public isn't that stupid. So, how about this, while you're busy playing politics in Washington let's do a "stop gap" measure and temporarily reinstate the Glass-Steagall Act. For all of its faults it would at least give the common man a fighting chance.

Oh and a special word of thanks to Senator Levin for your efforts.

Tree Huggers:

Every time I watch what is going on down in the Gulf of Mexico it makes me sick. Now don't get me wrong, I have always been a big let's drill where ever we can kind of guy to keep the price down. I was usually critical of the environmentalists that stood in the way with their predictions of doom and gloom.

When the story first broke up here on the radio I heard CBS report that off shore drill rigs in the United States are not equipped with an automatic shut off device on the well head, as they are in other countries. Now, I don't know if that is a fact or not, and anyone that has good knowledge on the topic I encourage you to provide it, but if this is true then shame on us and shame on the oil companies.

From a different angle, for the conspiracist out there, I find the timing of this disaster uncanny. A mere three weeks after President Obama opens up our shores to more extensive drilling this tragedy happens. A tragedy in terms of human lives lost and damage to our earth. But I do think we need an extensive, open investigation of who or what cause this, and I pray it wasn't some fringe group making a point.

Yes, folks I going to say it, we don't own the earth we are just the caretakers for future generations, so we need to be more proactive. So, in the mean time say "I'm sorry" to a tree hugger, because right now the facts are on their side.

Freedom of Speech:

In case you missed it recently the great state of Michigan made the news again, and this time it had nothing to do with Detroit or Kwame. It had to do with a "fringe" group of the Michigan Militia called the Hutaree.

Now prior to the story breaking I had never heard of this group or what their point of view was. What I read and heard locally is they are a religious based, radical right wing group that was plotting to overthrow our government. The way they reported it initially you would have thought they had several hundred follower in three state, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, and the war was imminent.

Once the dust settled it turned out to be 5 or 6 people, supposedly caught on tape talking about killing police officers as part of a plot that would be prelude to war. In any event they were arrested and locked up. I had heard they would be charged with "Sedition" and that got me to thinking, how in the hell can you have sedition in a country with supposed freedom of speech?

Those that know me well know that I have a rather conservative view of the 1st Amendment. In fact, I believe that most of the ills facing this country can be traced back to how the lawyers and politicians have expanded and bastardized the true meaning of that paragraph. But sedition? Really? So what you have said, in essence is you have freedom of speech provided you don't say, "Our government is broke beyond repair so lets disband it and try again"?

You guys really need to think about this one.

Immigration:

I am all for legal immigrants regardless of race, creed, color, gender, origin or whatever. After all we were all "legal" immigrants at one time in our history here.

Arizona has been taking hits from all sides because of their new immigration law that was recently passed, and I have to say what is the big deal?

First of all if I understand it correctly it is a secondary offense, not a primary offense. Secondly folks something needs to be done, and it need to start with a question? Remember they are here "Illegally". If they want to leave and come back in the front door, God bless 'em they are welcome with open arms. But it has to start somewhere. And I would rather see a state institute a law rather than the federal government because, in theory, you and I have more control over it. We can oust our local politicians if we don't like a law and vote in those to repeal it. That is how democracy is supposed to work and that is why I have no problem with Arizona doing what they have done.

If you think the boys in Washington are going to do anything about this you are sadly mistaken. They would never risk the voter block or the public opinion backlash as Arizona is facing right now.

Hopefully like any law it will not be abused, and if it is, it will be repealed by the people of the great state of Arizona. However, if it works and is not abused maybe others will follow suit around the country. The southwest does not have an exclusive on people entering the country illegally.

What do you think?

Now My Liberal Friends Can Yell At Me

After my last blog entry, which I viewed as fairly balanced in my outlook of both parties, I had several of my more conservative friends(?) start yelling about me being a "flaming lib'. It was said that I showed my usual bias against the Republicans and conservative thinking. I found it to be an educational and eye-opening experience. Not only did I increase my insult vocabulary, I learned several new Obama/Pelosi jokes which I will use sometime at a future date.

For now, I thought I might address something that was in the news this week, the extension of unemployment benefits and the Senator who fought them.

Now I am not a big fan of Senator Jim Bunning even if he did pitch for the Detroit Tigers at one time during his career. He endeared himself even less to me when he, and the other southern Senators feeding from the Foreign Automakers trough, tried to put Detroit out of business.

With that said, Jim Bunning answered his critics in a piece in USA Today,
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2010/03/column-why-i-took-a-stand-.html , and his argument makes sense. Here is the reprint:


Jim Bunning: Why I took a stand

‘If the Senate cannot find $10 billion to pay for a measure we all support, we will never pay for anything.’

By Jim Bunning

I have been serving the citizens of Kentucky for nearly 24 years in Washington. During that time I have been a member of both the House of Representatives and the United States Senate. I have taken thousands of votes in relation to spending the taxpayers' money. I will be the first one to admit that I have cast some bad votes during my tenure, and I wish I could have some of them back. For too long, both Republicans and Democrats have treated the taxpayers' money as a slush fund that does not ever end. At some point, the madness has to stop.

Over a month ago, Democrats passed and President Obama signed into law the "Pay-Go" legislation. It calls on Congress to pay for bills by not adding to our debt. It sounds like a common sense tool that would rein in government spending. Unfortunately, Pay-Go is a paper tiger. It has no teeth. I did not vote for the Democrats' Pay-Go legislation because I knew it was just a political dog-and-pony show to get some good press after some political setbacks. Since the Pay-Go rule was enacted, the national debt has gone up $244,992,297,448.11 (as of Wednesday, that is).

Why now?

Last week, Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., asked to pass a 30-day extensions bill for unemployment insurance and other federal programs. Earlier in February, those extensions were included in a broader bipartisan bill that was paid for but did not meet Sen. Reid's approval, and he nixed the deal. When I saw the Democrats in Congress were going to vote on the extensions bill without paying for it and not following their own Pay-Go rules, I said enough is enough.
Many people asked me, "Why now?" My answer is, "Why not now?" Why can't a non-controversial measure in the Senate that would help those in need be paid for? If the Senate cannot find $10 billion to pay for a measure we all support, we will never pay for anything.

America is under a mountain of debt. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said in a hearing last month that the United States' debt is unsustainable. We are on the verge of a tipping point where America's debt will bring down our economy, and more people will join the unemployment lines. That is why I used my right as a United States Senator and objected.
Only in Washington

After four legislative days of impasse, I reached a supposed deal with Majority Leader Reid to have an up-or-down vote on a pay-for amendment that would fully fund the legislation and not add to the debt. Only minutes before the vote, Democrats used a parliamentary maneuver to set aside my amendment and not vote on the actual substance of it. Only in Washington could this happen. The Democrats did not want to vote on my amendment because they knew they were in the wrong and ignored their own rules. Hypocrisy again rules the day in Washington.

I have 40 grandchildren, and I want them to grow up in a country where they have all of the same opportunities I had as a child. I fear that they will not have those opportunities if Washington continues on its course of spending without paying for it. We are at over $12 trillion in debt. I know many Americans sit around their kitchen table and make the tough decisions. It is time for the politicians in Washington to do the same.

Jim Bunning is a Republican senator from Kentucky.

Now I need to say that in principle I agree with the Senators stance on funding additional spending. Where we disagree is with when to apply it. With all of the millions of dollars our government throws into the toilet via Iraq, Afghanistan, pork in almost every spending bill and budget passed by Congress, you had to make an example out of one that helps people who are in a situation largely created by our Government?

Good thought, bad timing, and another example of how out of touch Congress is with America. And I'm not singling out Senator Bunning, I mean Obama, Pelosi, Reid, along with Bunning. We do need to reduce the budget, we do need to reign in rampant spending by both parties, but for the millions of Americans that fall asleep every night wondering if they'll make it through the next week, you had to add to their worries? Next time play politics with your own emotions.

I only hope someone doesn't treat your 40 grandchildren that way someday.

Just My Humble Opinion

It seems like forever since I've been here and I miss this place but the fact is there are only so many hours in a day, and Facebook is addictive. There have been so many days where I have had thoughts on different events and failed to make it here to share them. So today I'll make time to clear the cobwebs, reflect a little and comment on what has been on my mind.

Happy New Year:

Now, I don't know about you but I have never been so glad to see a decade end in all of my life. I believe everyone was effected adversely at some point during the first decade of the 21st century. Here in Michigan, we have turned to calling it the "Lost Decade" as we have been in a ten year recession but elsewhere it has been just as bad. September 11th, two wars, two recessions, dirty politics, layoffs, downsizing, exporting jobs and a deteriorating sense trust in out society certainly has left everyone wishing for a "change". The problem is what it will take for that to happen.

What Year Is It:

I graduated from high school in 1971, as in "Nineteen Seventy-One" not "One Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy-One" or " One Nine Seven One". Does anyone besides me find it strange we can't decide how to universally address what year it is in the 21st century?

The Tea Party:

I have a love/hate relationship with politics as many of you know. My friends can't figure out whether I am conservative or liberal, and the truth is I try to explain to them I am neither. I am common sense, right and wrong, I vote based upon how I want to be represented.

Now, it is well known that I have a disdain for both the Republicrats and the Democans because, truth be told, I believe they all are criminals. Those are pretty strong words but they are not without merit.

When you and I exercise our constitutional right to vote for a representative to Congress the winner is charged with exactly that duty, to represent the will or best interests of his or her constituents. At least on paper that's how it's supposed to work but reality has shown us they do everything but that. We are the little people back home once they reach the capital or Washington. There they become a servant of the "Party", an ideology, special interests, PAC's and personal greed.

Doesn't it bother you that almost all of out lawmakers are millionaires? Yet they are supposed to relate to your struggles?

I was in a debate with a conservative friend of mine the other day and he didn't understand that I don't elect an official for his morals or values. I elect him to represent me, my morals and values, not his. If I need spiritual guidance I'll go talk to my pastor not my elected politician.

So people are starting to see the light and the "Tea Party" is the latest organization saying we need a change. Now, of course, the Republicrats are racing to embrace this movement like it is some sort of peoples mandate that they are against the Democans, when in reality it isn't nor should it be. I have a hot flash for the Republicrats and the Democans, you are no different!

I would hope that the "Tea Party" stays true to its origin, which is not about an ideology that leans to the far right nor the far left. It should be about moving towards the middle where the "common man" lives and not the special interests. What do you think?

How'd That Taste:

Hey Al Gore, explain to us again about this whole global warming concept, will ya?

Toyota owners, tell us again how much better your cars are built than the domestic auto manufacturers?

NBC, try mixing in a little Olympic coverage between interviews and commercials, OK?

Consumers, did you know the mortgage companies can still come after you for money after an agreed upon short sale?

The biggest rip off in America today is Homeowners Insurance! Can anyone tell me why I need to carry $218,000 worth of coverage on a house worth $149,000 that I owe $175,000 on? I bet you can't but I have to because it's the "formula". Do you think the government will take a look at this?

Hey people BOHICA they are getting ready to hose us again with artificially inflated gasoline prices. Not sure if it's to make the Democans look bad or just to ruin what little recovery we've had, but it will. Hey, President Obama, how about owning us an petroleum company? Just one that's all we need. Trust me nobody would complain.

Isn't it time we elected the most qualified person to lead us instead of the most marketable one?

Who reading this agrees that we are living in the "Fall of the American Empire"? I'm sure the Romans thought everything was going to be fine too, but look at the parallels. Waning trust in our system, greed, moral decay, crumbling infrastructure, and a world that despises us. Can you say "Uh Oh"?

Speaking of doom and gloom, do you think Mother Earth is doing a lot more payback lately?

Health Insurance:

The solution is simple folks. Give the Republicrats their "Tort Reform" in this text, if you are an Attorney and you bring a suite against a Doctor or Medical Institution for malpractice and lose, YOU go to jail for a year. That'll eliminate malicious prosecution.

Now from the Democans side, quit trying to reinvent the wheel, you honestly aren't that smart. The runaway medical costs are largely caused by a couple of things, an intentional shortage of doctors and going to the wrong place for help.

Every year over 300,000 QUALIFIED students apply for the 213,000 available openings to go to medical school. That means 77,000 people annually don't get in, yet you say medical costs are up because there are not enough doctors. Here's a thought, build a few more schools! Oh wait, if you do that Doctors may not make as much money due to a change in "supply and demand", and therefore they may not be able to contribute as much to your reelection, silly me! But we could do this without quadrupling the national debt.

We have these things called Hospitals all over the place. Now part of the problem is people without insurance go there, to the Emergency Room, when they are just sick. The costs involved with running an emergency room are exorbitant and so are the fees. So treating a cold may cost $500. Here's a thought, put clinics in those hospitals and staff them with Doctors that have federal student loans. Let the Doc put in 8 hours a week in lieu of paying back the loan. I'm guessing it would give the uninsured a place to go and not quadruple the debt.

Another thought, enough of the "you have to go to the Doctor for a prescription for this medication". So many of the common medicines we take in the United states are bought "over the counter" in both Canada and Mexico. Just think if we reduced the Doctors workload by 2,000,000 horny men looking for a Viagra script. Think that might free up some time for the sick and reduce medical costs?

Obama, Pelosi, and the rest of you in both parties, I'll share with you the old KISS theory, which means Keep It Simple Stupid. Funny how that seems to apply, don't it?

Talking Heads

I love listening to the Republicrats talk about how they are the Party of Morals, Values and God, because it makes them such an easy target. Even Stevie Wonder could see through this hypocrisy. Talk to a Republicrat for 24 hours and you walk away with the sense that there is a list of people they "hate" that is six feet long. Liberals, gays, foreigners, minorities, the unemployed, unions, and the list goes on, they are all part of the downfall of this country, according to the average Republicrat.

Then there is the talking heads, Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck and that ilk, with their rants on the liberal drive-by media, fem-nazis, Obama the magic negro parodies, calling people socialists, communists, abortionists, atheist and, extolling venom and hate. Now it's funny, because I am 56 years old and I can honestly say I cannot recall ever hearing Walter Cronkite, Huntley and Brinkley, Brian Williams, Charlie Gibson, Tom Brokaw, Frank McGee, Frank Reynolds, Howard K Smith, or any other nightly news anchor speak that way about an Republicrat. If they did, there would have been a common voice and demand for their removal, ala Dan Rather. But this is the unmoral "Drive-By Media", huh? How does that equate?

Then there is Glen Beck, this guy is a piece of work. I was walking through K-mart the other day looking for something and went through the book department. I noticed what I assume is his latest book on the shelf, and on the cover is Beck wearing what appears to be a Nazi Gestapo uniform without the insignias. Now, I'm of German descent and that offended even me. This is just wrong in so many ways that if I have to explain it to you, you are a sick puppy! But this guy is the face and voice, along with the other bimbettes, of the "Moral Majority"? The Righteous Right? And you wonder why you got swept out of office?

You people not only need to clean up your act, you need a reality check. You are a party of self serving clowns that will say or do anything to win. Two wrongs don't make it right!

Change:

Guys I'm going to leave you with this thought. If you are tired of the status quo, tired of having the political elite telling you how you need to live your life, tired of them telling you what should be important to you, then vote for change. And change will only be accomplished if you vote the sitting incumbents out of office. Put aside your political allegiances for once and send a message. You will represent me or I will vote you out too. We don't need term limits, we need voters to participate and exercise some common sense.

Thanks for listening, as always if you have comments I'm happy to hear them!